Guest Blog with Ceci Giltenan- Tantalizing Tidbits

My Inspiration for Tantalizing Tidbits … or Where This Crazy Idea Came From, by Ceci Giltenan

One of the great gifts of being an author is finding oneself in the company of other people who are chasing the same dream. Over time, one can’t help but learn a few things. Perhaps the most fundamental truth amongst our kind is that authors write.They write a lot. They have fanciful ideas with which they fill files and notebooks. Even when authors find a genre they love and at which they are successful, they often try new things—just because. Sometimes these flights of ideas give birth to short stories which get savored and tucked away but often never see the light of day.This is a collection of those short stories from an eclectic mix of styles and genres. They range from ultra-short but spine tingling, to meatier tales that are nearly novellas. The reader will find comedy, tragedy, fantasy, werewolves and even a ghost. Of course there is romance, it is bread and butter for many of us. The romance ranges from sweet, new love to steamy, flush-inducing erotic stories.  There is love and life and death.In a word, this book is a smorgasbord; an opportunity to try a bit of everything. So, we have presented it as a menu. The first section, “Appetizers” contains small samples of a variety of genres. “Main Courses” are longer, meatier works, and finally, “Desserts” contain short, delicious stories, many romantic or funny, one is even erotic.In the spirit of the smorgasbord, authors have shared recipes which accompany each story—some fitting, some funny, some simply old favorites.
We hope you find a few tidbits you enjoy.
Tantalizing TidbitsCeci Giltenan, Tarah Scott, Sue-Ellen Welfonder, Victoria Barbour, Natasha Blackthorne, Ria Cantrell, Stephanie Joyce Cole, Kimberly K. Comeau, Kathryn Lynn Davis, Ted Grosch, Brenda Margriet, Mary McCall, Kate Robbins, John Robin, HD Smith, KyAnn Waters, and Victoria Zak

Genres: Romance, Paranormal, Contemporary, Literary, Fantasy, Time Travel, Historical, Women’s Fiction, Highland Romance, Humor, Erotica
Publisher: Cridhe Works LLC
Date of Publication:  July 17, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9909513-2-2ASIN: B011YLKTWM
Number of pages: 411Word Count: 163,205
Cover Artist: Zak James Design
Book Description:
A collection of short stories written by bestselling authors, representing an eclectic mix of styles and genres. In a word, this book is a smorgasbord; an opportunity to try a bit of everything.
In the spirit of the smorgasbord, the collection is presented as a menu and authors have shared recipes which accompany each story—some fitting, some funny, some simply old favorites.
Ranging from ultra-short but spine tingling, to meatier tales that are nearly novellas there is a little something for every appetite including comedy, tragedy, fantasy, werewolves, at least one ghost, life, death, and of course love.
Dig in. We hope you find at least one tidbit you enjoy.

Available at Amazon
Appetizers
Savory fare for smaller appetites - short stories from a wide range of styles and genres.
The Motorcycleby Tarah ScottParanormal fiction3074 words
No man can ever fully master memory. But maybe, just maybe, he can learn to live with it. Even be glad for it. Even if that means reaching across space, time...and the grave.
Ida and the Nor’easterby Victoria BarbourContemporary fiction8014 words
Is there such a thing as a curse? With a storm looming on the horizon, 98-year-old Ida Walsh fears a repeat of the terrible events of her childhood. Will her indomitable wit and resilience be enough to save the day?
Gardensby Stephanie Joyce ColeLiterary fiction4225 words
Anne begins to question the rigid limitations of her new marriage as she spies on a mysterious neighbor.
One Who Waitsby John RobinEpic Fantasy6538 wordsContains moderate violence
Al'a will die at his father's hands, unless he can master a forbidden magic.Al'a Solaris, born into the Sun Priesthood, only wanted to prove his worth to his father when he delved into forbidden magic. Now, he must die at his father's hands, to restore honor to his bloodline. But the blade his father wields is also his final hope -- if only Al’a can discover its secret and master the fire within.
The Holeby Ted GroschLiterary fiction
Just exactly why is Bernie digging that hole?
The Spirit Bottleby Ted GroschLiterary fiction
A bushman's duty is his legacy for the tribe.
The Summonsby Ria CantrellParanormal romance5477 words
Contains mildly explicit sexual scenes
A magical journey where love knows no boundaries, the Summons combines romantic and ethereal love in a mystical setting.

Main Courses
Hearty fare to satisfy larger literary appetites.
The Seventh Sisterby Sue-Ellen WelfonderParanormal romance12,439 words
A story of love, legend, and magicDown-on-her-luck American artist Maggie Gleason returns to Ireland, hoping to put old hurts behind her. Instead, revisiting the fishing village that enchanted her twelve years before only reopens wounds – until the unexpected appearance of roguish pub owner Conall Flanagan proves that the Ancient Isle is a magical place where anything can happen and true love always stands the test of time.
Falling in Timeby Sue-Ellen WelfonderTime travel romance/11,090 words
When love calls across the ages…
Aspiring writer Lindy Lovejoy knows all about happy endings. But when she travels to Scotland to research Celtic myth and lore, she never expected a chance to live her own storybook romance, until a stop at mystical Smoo Cave whisks her back in time and into the arms of Rogan MacGraith, a Highland hero who’d burn up the pages of the steamiest Scottish romance novel.
Clouds Across the Moonby Kathryn Lynn DavisHistorical Women’s Fiction17,151 words
In the 19th century Scottish Highlands, young Morna struggles with new motherhood, her child’s illness, and her inability to compete with her husband's idealized vision of her. Will she have faith in the magic of her dreams, and thus find the strength to save her child’s life--and her own--as she begins to recognize the truth and depth of the woman she really is?”
The Lady’s Portraitby Kate RobbinsContemporary Romance17,332 words
Contains mild to moderate sexually explicit scenes
When Gillian Beaton meets the captivating Ciaran MacLeod, she’s immediately attracted, but is she ready to trust again? Have her demons followed her to Scotland and can new love grow out of old heartbreak?
His Harlot by Natasha Blackthorne Historical Erotic Romance23,018 words
*Contains extremely explicit sexual scenes that some readers may find offensive*
Late one night, in the midst of a summer’s hot spell, Thomas spies Rosalind in the woods, clad only in her shift, dancing in the moonlight. It’s really more than a man celibate for three years can bear. Thomas is in danger of falling into a sin so powerful it threatens to challenge everything he thinks he knows about himself and life…
Sneak Peek at Highland Legacy: King Arthur Strikes Backby Mary McCallMedieval Highland Romance12,494 word
Michael wed Christina when he was nine and she was three, then promptly went about his life and tried to forget about her. Now the pair must unite to thwart the Beast, return the Power of God that was stolen by their ancestors, and save the world in an epic battle between the forces of good and evil.*Please note, this is NOT a short story, it is an extended preview of Mary’s next novel, book III in her Sisters by Choice series due for release soon. It is a taste of things to come and while it does not end on a cliff-hanger, it is not a complete story.*

Desserts
Looking for something lighter or perhaps a happy ending? The stories in this section won’t disappoint you. They are shorter and mostly romantic, or funny, or both.
Onyxby H.D. SmithParanormal fiction7099 words
Contains mild violence and a frustrating lack of S’mores
For those that like it short and sweet
Madison Monroe thinks she has everything in life figured out, until one ill-fated camping trip has her running for her life through the woods being chased by two wolves—both eager to claim her.
The Life She Had Beforeby Brenda Margriet
Contemporary Romance5429 words
A woman is torn between bitter revenge and the sweetness of a second chance.
Hi. My Name is Harold by Kimberly K. Comeau Humor3778 words
Is there light at the bottom of an empty peanut butter jar?
For Harold, giving up peanuts for medical reasons means the end of life's greatest pleasure…until his wife introduces him to all-natural peanut butter. But his addictive personality isn't satisfied with an occasional indulgence.
The Jewel of Grim Fortressby Victoria ZakParanormal historical romance7105 words
Eradicating wayward supernaturals has its consequences.The hereafter may be closer than Carson Kincaid thinks when he is charged to discover what ails Laird Maclean’s mind. Can Kincaid conquer his inner demons while battling the armies of evil?

Paisley Shaw, a powerful druid, has endured her share of hardened times starting the moment Laird Maclean stormed into her life. Now, she must find a way to stop him from taking her powers before it’s too late.
Beautiful Storm,by KyAnn WatersErotic romance7073 words                                                                                                    *Contains extremely explicit sexual scenes that some readers may find offensive*
Adrian Beck lost everything, including his passion for designing beautiful buildings, after 9/11.Isabelle Clemet, of Clemet Hotels, is ready to rebuild after Katrina. She wants the Adrian.Can an erotic late-night encounter on a secluded beach help a lonely architect rediscover his lost passion?
When a Rose Blooms,by Tarah ScottHistorical romance4353 words
On the anniversary eve of his wife's death, Nathaniel kneels at her grave asking questions he fears were answered the night she died. Despite cold solitude, desire flares when he learns the woman who now haunts his dreams awaits him in the great hall. By morning’s light, she will meet him on the battlefield he has built around himself, and force him to choose between the living and the dead
Sorry for Your Troubleby Ceci GiltenanVignette1913 words
Ceci shares poignant but sometimes funny memories of the first funeral she attended in Ireland.
The Personal Adby Ceci GiltenanContemporary sweet romance4211 words

Always the best friend and never the leading lady, will Nina find love when she answers a quirky, sweet personal ad?


Excerpt from: Tantalizing Tidbits … Short Story: The Jewel of Grim Fortress - Paranormal Historical Romance – By: Victoria Zak
Chapter 1
Medieval Scotland Isle of Mull
The clanging of steel on steel echoed throughout the stronghold as Clan Maclean warriors battled to defend their laird. Warriors of every caliber bit and punched their targes until their blood ran to the dirt floor. They growled and snarled like wild beasts, charging forward down the wide staircase with all their might. There was no denying it, these men were willing to die for their laird and today, unfortunately for them, most would.
Dodging a flying Maclean shield before slicing his cheek, Kincaid rolled his eyes and blew out a breath of frustration. “This shite is getting old, me brother.” Being a paranormal assassin, fighting the supernatural was a daunting, unpredictable occupation, but one he had to do.
“Och, man, where’s yer sense of adventure?” Cailean, his brother in arms, huffed as he sliced through a warrior’s gut. “Plus, ye need the coin for rent.”
Aye, a blacksmith’s son was in no matter born into riches or noble birth. Yet, one small characteristic seemed to have been forgotten through the ages. Not only could a smith forge steel into a fine sword fit for a king, but he possessed a special kind of magic. Magic strong enough to be passed down from generation to generation. Magic that could detect supernatural activity. It was something special, secret. Yet Kincaid thought differently. Charmed yet cursed.
“Aye, I suppose ye’re right, brother.” Kincaid knocked heads with a weaponless warrior who had thought it a good idea to charge him. The man fell to the ground. Kincaid kicked the motionless body down the stairs, shaking his head in disgust while he caught his breath. Hunting the wayward paranormal was growing old on him. The visions of unnatural activity that always led him to his next quest had become stronger, wearing on him mentally. The unending string of missions was also taking a toll on his body. Vampire bites, werewolf scratches, and conniving demons, he had scars from them all, but nothing came close to dealing with the Fae. Aye, every scar came with a price; his soul.