I'm happy to take part in this Coming Together blog hop. I first became aware of this writing group nearly ten years ago, when Alessia Brio and I shared a publisher. She had pitched publishing some of Coming Together's anthologies, and I assisted in editing and promotion. Over the years I helped see the publication of story collections that benefited charities for breast cancer research, HIV/AIDS awareness, disaster relief, and Amnesty International. It's my hope over the years Alessia and Coming Together were able to give much to these worthy groups.
When Alessia decided to publish Coming Together books under its own imprint, I continued to pitch in when I could. I am not the richest person on my block, but I've always believed that even the smallest gesture is worth something in the long run. I suppose it's the way I was raised: you give when somebody needs help. If you have a talent, utilize it for good. I'm a writer, so I put my skills to this use. Since Coming Together's inception, I have contributed to seven volumes, and I have a call out for an eighth. Girl on Girl, the first book I edited for CT, benefits the National Center for Lesbian Rights. I became aware of this group after reading how they have assisted LGBT singles and couples with legal issues. One story of an elderly couple, torn apart because of circumstances, broke my heart. I wanted to do something to help.
Buy: ARe ~ AMZ ~ BN ~ KOBO ~ ITUNES ~ SMASH
My story in Girl On Girl is "A Taste of Vanilla." Here's a, ah, taste:
Hailie watched the onscreen couple embrace and kiss, and swallowed back a catch in her throat. She’d seen her share of love scenes in her favorite soaps and movies, but never two women together, and this looked damn near pornographic by comparison. When Veronique—Hailie assumed she was the blond-haired one—sat back on her heels and slid a hand up the other woman’s thigh, Hailie felt the touch in her heart, then down to her pussy. She knew they were actors, but the emotion appeared genuine, and it certainly moved Hailie.
Veronique edged closer to her lover, pushing out her shadowed pussy to connect with the
other woman’s thigh. The camera zeroed in just as their mounds pressed together and began a slow grind. Light moaning and breathing accompanied their rhythmic lovemaking, drawing Hailie deeper into this world of grainy black and white sin.
Something pressed against her knee. Hailie looked down at Cecile’s fingers tracing a circle on Hailie’s slacks.
She turned to Cecile, whispering despite their seclusion. “You planned this, didn’t you?”
“I wouldn’t call it a plan,” Cecile said. “More of a spontaneous action,” she lifted her hand, “but if you’re uncomfortable I’ll stop—”
“I meant the movie.”
Cecile laughed. “I don’t pick the schedule here.”
“You picked the meeting place,” Hailie pointed out, “and how convenient it was to hook up in time to catch this particular show—”
Cecile silenced her with a kiss, with soft lips and a gentle thrust of her tongue across the seam of Hailie’s closed mouth. She felt warm and the aroma of vanilla strengthened with their closeness. Blood pounded in Hailie’s head, muffling the background noise of Sapphic ecstasy. Hailie couldn’t move—unsure of what to do in return. Open her mouth? Reach over and pull Cecile to her?
~
The next volume I'll edit will have a theme: racing, biking, and wheels. On Wheels will benefit refugee aid. Submissions have been coming in and I'm excited to see what these great authors have for me. It's heartening to see so many authors interested in contributing to good causes without seeking monetary compensation. All artists, authors, editors and others involved in CT do not get paid for their work. All profits go straight to the charities. If you have a short story to contribute, I know Alessia would be interested in a submission or two.
Speaking of giving, would you like to win a copy of my latest story, Touch of Class, plus an audiobook from my catalog? Comment below with the name of your favorite charity and I'll choose a winner at random. Good luck.
Sunday 22 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/sunday-snog-for-good-mm-201.html
http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com/2015/11/coming-together-giving-back-hop.html
Monday 23 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/giving-it-away.html
http://delilahnight.com/2015/11/23/giving-back-blog-hop/
http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/2015/11/coming-together-thanksgiving-giving-back.html
http://wp.me/p1EqZm-Vt
http://alessiabrio.blogspot.com/2015/11/giving-time-money-and-thanks.html
Tuesday 24 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/funny-brutal-tender.html
Wednesday 25 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/erotic-visions-for-brave.html
Thursday 26 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/bloody-good-erotica.html
http://annabetherotica.com/
Friday 27 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/release-day-for-another-coming-together.html
Saturday 28 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/where-no-man-has-gone-before.html
Visit the Full Hop
Sunday 22 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/sunday-snog-for-good-mm-201.html
http://leighwantsfood.blogspot.com/2015/11/coming-together-giving-back-hop.html
Monday 23 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/giving-it-away.html
http://delilahnight.com/2015/11/23/giving-back-blog-hop/
http://paidbytheweird.blogspot.com/2015/11/coming-together-thanksgiving-giving-back.html
http://wp.me/p1EqZm-Vt
http://alessiabrio.blogspot.com/2015/11/giving-time-money-and-thanks.html
Tuesday 24 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/funny-brutal-tender.html
Wednesday 25 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/erotic-visions-for-brave.html
Thursday 26 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/bloody-good-erotica.html
http://annabetherotica.com/
Friday 27 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/release-day-for-another-coming-together.html
Saturday 28 November
http://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2015/11/where-no-man-has-gone-before.html