Guest Author Day with Kelli Wilkins: Showcasing Sweet Romances

 

Love Sweet Romances? Don’t Miss…

Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 2 - Another Collection of Sweet Romances

By Kelli A. Wilkins

www.KelliWilkins.com

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look at my contemporary romance series, Cupid’s Schemes: Volumes 1 & 2. As many readers know, I write romances in all genres (historical, fantasy, gay, paranormal, and contemporary) at all heat levels, but these novellas are something new for me. Instead of full-length romances, each book is a collection of flash-fiction stories.

Both volumes contain a dozen or more sweet romances where the characters meet under unusual circumstances and develop an intense connection. And that’s where I leave them—at the start of their relationship. Why?

I wanted to show how two people meet, feel a spark of romance, and then leave the rest of the story up to the reader’s imagination. What happens next is up to you. I end each story with the characters in good places and the potential to have a happy-ever-after ending with their new love interest. These feel-good stories are perfect for a boost of romance whenever or wherever you need it.

The settings vary from New Year’s Eve parties to snowstorms, summer picnics, and even a haunted corn maze. I grouped the stories by season, so as you read through each book, you’ll be following the calendar year. And believe it or not, some of these settings and “first meets” were inspired by true stories people have told me over the years.

Here’s the summary of Volume 2, an excerpt from the seasonal story, Thankful for Love, plus links to each book.

Enjoy & Happy Reading!

Kelli A. Wilkins

Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 2 - A Collection of Sweet Romances

In these 12 flash fiction vignettes, Cupid’s arrow hits the mark and ignites a spark between two strangers—whether or not they’re looking for romance. Their unusual meetings lead to new beginnings and new chances at love.

Sweet stories of couples falling under Cupid’s spell include:

* a photographer falls for a sexy cowboy in an abandoned ghost town
* two friends discover romance in a spooky setting
* a long-lost love returns from out of the blue

These lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.

Thankful for Love

“That dark green sweater looks good on you, Claudette. It accents your blonde hair and coloring. Why don’t you wear it next week?” Mrs. Johnson suggested.

Claudette looked over at her neighbor. When she had moved into the apartment building six months ago Mrs. Johnson had adopted her like a long-lost granddaughter. The sixty-something woman was lively and sociable, and despite their age difference, they had quickly become friends. It was no surprise Mrs. Johnson had invited her to Thanksgiving dinner, since her own family lived five hundred miles away.

“Okay,” she replied with a sigh. “I haven’t thought about what I’ll be wearing.”

“You’re not still moping over that guy, are you?”

She shrugged. Two weeks ago her boyfriend Roger had broken up with her, and the hurt still stung. “I’m trying not to think about it, but… I really liked him. We were together for four months. It was bad enough he dumped me by leaving me a voicemail, but it’s especially hard during the holidays. And now what? I’m all alone.”

Mrs. Johnson patted her arm. “Sometimes it’s better to be alone than be stuck with a man who doesn’t appreciate you. Roger doesn’t know what he’s missing. Trust me, you’ll find someone.” She opened a cabinet and peered inside. “Add two cans of cranberry sauce to the list since there will be four of us for dinner.”

“Four?” She paused in writing the grocery list. “Who else is coming?”

“Two friends of mine. One of them is from my Bingo club. You’ll like them, and we’ll have a good time. When it comes to Thanksgiving, I say, the more the merrier. Besides, I have a free twenty-pound turkey to eat,” she added, grinning mischievously.

***

Claudette finished setting Mrs. Johnson’s dining room table as the doorbell rang. She had spent most of the morning and early afternoon helping Mrs. Johnson with the preparations for the Thanksgiving meal. The apartment was filled with the delicious aromas of turkey, pies, and freshly baked biscuits.

“I’ll get it,” Mrs. Johnson said, wiping her hands on her apron as she hustled from the kitchen into the living room.

She smoothed her black skirt and adjusted her green sweater as she followed Mrs. Johnson to the door. Although she had called home today and talked to her family, she still felt a pang of loneliness. Deep down, she knew Mrs. Johnson was right—nobody should be alone for the holidays. She was grateful to have some companionship today, even if the other guests were much older than her.

“Good afternoon, Joe. Happy Thanksgiving. Come in,” Mrs. Johnson greeted.

Claudette stood by and watched the elderly man with white hair shuffle inside. “This is Joe Morton. We go to Bingo together at the senior center,” Mrs. Johnson said. “Where’s Mike?”

“He’s carrying the pie. I made mincemeat, because I know how much you like it.” Joe winked at Mrs. Johnson and they went into the dining room.

“Excellent. I’ll pour us drinks,” Mrs. Johnson said.

Claudette couldn’t help but smile. They made quite a cute couple.

A second later, the bell rang again and she answered the door. She gaped at the attractive man her age leaning against the doorjamb.

“Hello. Can I help you?” Whoever this hunk was, he didn’t live in the building—she certainly would have remembered seeing him before.

He nodded and brushed his reddish-brown hair away from his eyes. “Hi, I’m Mike. My grandfather’s here.”

“Your grandfather?”

She felt a light tap on her elbow. “Don’t just stand there, Claudette. Let Mike in. He’s carrying the pie,” Mrs. Johnson teased.

***

Order Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 2 here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFR25KF

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mYrBBd

 

And don’t miss…

Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 1
A Collection of Sweet Romances

In these 16 flash fiction vignettes, Cupid’s arrow hits the mark and ignites a spark between two strangers—whether or not they’re looking for romance. Their unusual meetings lead to new beginnings and new chances at love.

Sweet stories of couples falling under Cupid’s spell include:

* a Medieval knight courting a pretty lady
* two neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a dehydrated mermaid rescued by a handsome stranger

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B07JM9K1BB

All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/boZxkZ

 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 6 mystery/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror and mystery stories.

She published The Route 9 Killer in May 2023. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ.

Kelli’s paranormal/mystery romance, In Another World, was released in 2022.

In addition to her fiction, she also released Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love, a non-fiction guide to romance. The book features 104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender, everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.