Breathing in the Fog
Kara wakes up in a terrifying new world.
Turned into a vampire against her will, she’s desperate to escape Gregory, the one who created her. Her only hope lies in James, a stranger who offers her a lifeline and helps her find refuge with a new vampire clan led by Ian, a powerful and enigmatic leader who hides more than he shows.
But the sanctuary she thought she’d found is anything but safe. Gregory is still hunting her, and when he finally catches up, he has far worse in mind than just reclaiming her. And at Ian’s home, Kara uncovers dangerous secrets — traitors within the clan and a brewing war among vampires.
With the help of Ian and her new best friend, Lenny, Kara soon realizes she’s no ordinary vampire. Strange dreams and powers no new vampire should have make her question everything she thought she knew.
As the threats against her new home grow, Kara is forced to confront the dark forces rising against them. And though she once believed she might belong with James, she finds herself pulled toward Ian in ways she cannot deny.
Now, with everything she holds dear at risk, Kara must fight for her survival in a world that is far more dangerous than she ever imagined.
A Beautiful Lily
"You're okay."
It’s the only thing Lillian can tell herself. It’s the only way to survive after what happened a month ago — the night she was turned into a vampire. But deep down, she knows it’s a lie.
The trauma is eating away at her, and with each passing day, she feels herself slipping further out of control. She’s no longer the person she used to be, and she’s terrified of what she might become.
Thirsty for blood but refusing to hurt humans, Lillian is barely hanging on. When she meets Dave, a vampire who offers her a semblance of normalcy, she's drawn to him in ways she never expected. But can she allow herself to love him when the weight of her past keeps pulling her under?
How can one night change everything — and leave you fighting for the love you never thought you’d deserve?
The Charred Grape
Rachael, a hardworking single mom, juggles the chaos of making ends meet as a waitress at the beloved restaurant The Charred Grape and always strives to be the best mother she can for her young son, Leo.
When the restaurant is bought out and taken over by a new owner, Rachael and the rest of the staff are understandably more than a little nervous. Will they lose their jobs? Will new management be so unbearable they'll be forced to quit? Will their loyal customers accept this change of hands?
Those nerves turn into something else entirely as the days pass and Rachael learns more about her new boss and also becomes friends with the new chef. What starts as an easy and carefree back-of-the-house and afterhours friendship quickly seems to be turning into something else, but can Rachael find space in her busy, high-stress life for romance?
This short story originally appeared in Recipes for Romance: A Sweet Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in January 2025. This ebook contains small edits from the author.
Recipes for Romance
In Recipes for Romance: A Sweet Valentine’s Day Anthology, the bedroom doors may be closed, but these characters' hearts are wide open to finding love, showing love, and rekindling long-lost love while cooking, baking, snacking, and sipping their way through dates, heartaches, memories, and personal triumphs.
Stories included in this collection are:
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“Another Fish in the Sea” by Amy Kelly
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“Batter Together” by Katie Fitzgerald
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“Strawberry Macarons” by Jessica Daniliuk
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“Better in Black” by MK Edgley
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“Truffle and Truth” by Elise Gilmore
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“Comfort Food and Covert Magic” by S.B. Rizk
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“The Day Before Life Goes On” by Annabel den Dekker
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“Second Time's Sweeter” by Melissa Mastro
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“Misery on the Bounty” by Elizabeth Baizel
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“MJ’s Jersey” by Mitchell S. Elrick
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“We Already Have” by Desi Stowe
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"Love Through a Cookie" by Heather Culler
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“The Missing Cupcake” by Megan Wood
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“A Note to Remember” by Bjarne Borresen
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“Sweet As Pie” by Krista Renee
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“Brownie Points” by Aimee Moineaux
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“Welcome Home” by Melissa Cate
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“Baked in Love” by J.E. Smith
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“The Charred Grape” by Caroline Baccene
Recipes for Romance includes sweet stories that will leave you feeling good. And maybe a little hungry.
Just One...
A Summer Romance Anthology
In this short story collection, characters are denied the comfort of hiding the secrets or emotions they hold close when they are forced together in varied circumstances. Whether they involve the sharing of a bed or a car, or a tent on the trip of a lifetime, or something much smaller but necessary, these twelve stories are alive with tension as they highlight the challenge that is forced proximity.
This collection includes:
“Power of the Pen” by Amy Hepp
“Unexpected Destinations” by Cora Laine
“A Summer Tradition” by Jessica Daniliuk
“Vintage Love” by Caz Luan
“Millennial Magic” by Mitchell S. Elrick
“Sent by Aphrodite” by Rowen Burrows
“When Lightning Strikes” by Melissa Cate
“Chapped Lips” by Katherine Rea
“Starting Again Under the Summer Sun” by Elizabeth Baizel
“The Turn at Crooked Creek” by Dan Houston
“When You Know, You Know” by Caroline Baccene
“Do the Stars Exist?” by Desi Stowe
No matter where these characters find themselves, or what they have on hand, they must navigate more than just these shared spaces, including their feelings for each other, exposed secrets, inner struggles, and the decision of how to—and if they even should—carry their newfound romances beyond summer vacation.
A Serendipitous Summer:
A Collection of Short and Sweet Meant-To-Be Romance Stories
A Serendipitous Summer is the second anthology released by KissMet Quarterly and features 28 fun and flirty summer meet cutes. From the amusement park to the ballpark, from the beach to the airport, A Serendipitous Summer is chock full of laughs, "aws," smiles, and maybe a tear or two. Written by 28 of flash fiction's most talented romance writers, A Serendipitous Summer is sure to introduce you to your next favorite author(s).
“First Time?” by Caroline Baccene is a short, meet-cute story about a woman who reluctantly boards a roller coaster and finds herself next to someone who just might make the ride worthwhile.
Not As It Seem:
A Gothic Anthology
Escape into the dark, mysterious world of gothic literature, where nothing is as it seems.
The unnerving short stories in this gothic anthology keep true intentions hidden and reality in check behind the seemingly normal perspective of the narrator. The characters take the reader to haunted seaside manors, mysterious towns, and grand homes shrouded in secrets as they explore the deceitful nature of the mind and how their pasts affect their futures.
Featured stories and authors include:
"Of Sound Mind" by Caroline Baccene
"Sleep Sound and Wake Nane" by Rosie Beech
"The Owl and the Shrew" by Sarah Bjork
"Wretched Children" by L.M. Copeland
"Ultraviolet Night" by Jesse Ramon Ferreras
"The Widow of Winthrop House" by Sarah Kennedy Keys
"Duskwood Hollow" by Cora Laine
"The Woman in the Window" by Edmund McKenzie
"A Killer Dream" by yesenia monique
"Everyone's Polite, But No One is Nice" by Derek Moreland
"Manor of Memories" by Elizabeth Faye Moxen
"Marin" by Katherine Rea
"The Lady of the House" by Constance Renfrow
"The Hollowing" by Grace Silva-Ortiz
"The Birthday Party" by Elizabeth Torres
"Remember Us" by Meranda Tuttle
"The Stroke of a Pen" by Roxanne Werner
Though these stories span genres, including thriller, horror, and fantasy—both historical and contemporary—they all ask the same question: Must you confront the horrors lurking in the shadows, or have they been a part of you all along?
When You Know, You Know
A Novella
Sun, secrets, and second chances . . . The stranger from her worst night may just become the one person who can change everything.
Dottie is still reeling from her boyfriend’s betrayal and the loss of her job when her sister drags her to the beach for a week.
When her sister’s boyfriend shows up with his brother Michael, Dottie instantly knows her quiet getaway is turning into something else entirely. Because she recognizes Michael.
He was there the night her world fell apart. Even though he doesn’t seem to remember her, she can’t help but think of that night every time she looks at him.
As the week unfolds, though, a connection forms between Dottie and Michael—one that might just help heal old wounds and rewrite Dottie’s future in ways she never expected.
The short story "When You Know, You Know" in its original form appeared in Just One...: A Summer Romance Anthology, released by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, LLC, in June 2025. Additional scenes now expand Dottie and Michael's story for readers who have asked for more!
Saltwater and Ash:
A Paramythromantasy Anthology
Saltwater and Ash is an exciting paramythromantasy anthology from Micromance Magazine. This collection features 20 amazing stories of sea beings and dragons and romance, written by some of romantasy, romance and fantasy's finest authors. Edited by founder and EIC of Micromance Magazine, G. Lynn Brown and curated by romantasy veteran, Desirae J. Gracyn (writes as Caroline Crews), Saltwater and Ash, Volume 1, is bound to leave you craving Volume 2. A must read for romantasy and fantasy fans!
The authors included in this anthology:
Karen McCullough
El Hoffman
Suzy Langevin
Colleen Addison
Julie Kelsey
Mina Beckett
Adam Gaffen
Michelle Balogh
Zsaffryn Terra
Bruce Buchanan
Pam Martin-Lawrence
Caroline Baccene
Demi Michelle Schwartz
Zoe Davis
L.S. Kunz
Rebecca Linam
Denise Landry
Raven Minyard
Adele Liles
Desirae Gracyn
“Saltbound Hearts” by Caroline Baccene is the story of a young woman that makes a deal: save her sister by becoming a mermaid and starting a new life.
The Gift Exchange:
A YA Holiday Anthology
A heartwarming young adult anthology that celebrates the magic, messiness, and true meaning of the holiday season.
In these ten standalone stories, teens navigate grief, love, friendship, and the surprises that come wrapped in unexpected packages. From a holiday heist to a magical keychain, a storm-delayed reunion to a secret society, each story explores how giving—and receiving—can open hearts and heal old wounds.
Featured stories include:
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“Gift of Christmas Present” by Katie Fitzgerald
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“Mad-Dashing Through the Snow” by Justine Gunn
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“Tater Tot” by Desi Stowe
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“When the Snow Settles” by Kate Ormand
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“The First Christmas” by Jessica Daniliuk
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“Cereal Thieves” by Gwen Cole
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“One Perfect Gift” by Caroline Baccene
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“Tinsel and Tangled Hearts” by Amy Kelly
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“Share the Love” by Katherine Rea
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“Snow People” by Lisa Freeman
Whether through new love, chosen family, or long-overdue reconciliation, The Gift Exchange shows that the holidays are less about what’s under the tree and more about the people around it. Perfect for fans of cozy and contemporary romance, found family, and meaningful moments.
Home for the Holidays:
A Christmastime Anthology
A tender holiday collection of twelve short stories that explores the many ways we find our way back to each other, to ourselves, and to the places that feel like home.
Whether through a grandmother’s treasured Christmas Eve memory, a soldier’s bittersweet homecoming, or simply strangers crossing paths in snow-covered towns, each tale captures the warmth, messiness, and quiet magic of belonging.
In these pages, home isn’t always a house; it’s the sound of familiar laughter, the glow of shared traditions, the grace of second chances, and the courage to open your heart. These stories remind us that “home” is found not in perfection but in connection.
Featured stories and authors include:
“A Place Called Family” by Caroline Baccene
“The Advent-ures of Phoebe’s Christmas Dwarf” by Nat Bickel
“Back in Shape” by Cheryl Boughton
“The Kindness Challenge” by Melissa Cate
“Snowed Inn at Christmas” by Rick Ferguson
“Comfort Zone and Joy” by Katie Fitzgerald
“Christmas in the Woods” by Amy Hepp
“Gramma's Christmas Eve” by Amy Kelly
“Farolito” by yesenia monique
“I'll Be Anywhere but Home for Christmas” by Morgan Matlow
“Christmas on Canal Street” by Katherine Rea
“A Holiday Homecoming” by Laura Turner
Whether you’re returning, rediscovering, or rebuilding, Home for the Holidays: A Christmastime Anthology invites you to settle in, light a candle, and remember that sometimes the best gifts are the people and places we carry inside us.