A Pocket of Pebbles

This is a collection of 8 romantic short stories, all

mentioning gemstones. They were written for the Romance

Writers of Australia’s annual short story contest between

2008 and 2014. Each story is a tiny pebble—less than 3000

words.

There are no connections between the stories, except

for a touch of romance.

You may find birds and vampires, cops and crashes,

married couples and young love. Some are serious, some

amusing, some crazy madness.

I hope you may find a story that suits you.

Watery Liaisons: Life-long friends, Eloise and

Daniel, have recently become lovers with accidental

consequences. Will this ruin their connection?

An Old-Fashioned Courtship: A colourful love

story with a difference.

From Disaster Comes Love: Samantha sits on the

train next to the man who’s held her attention for weeks.

When the train crashes, will they lose each other?

’Twas the Night before Conference:

Unpublished paranormal romance writer, Juliette, sees a

gorgeous man when others see thin air. Eris is an emotional

vampire. Is she his human mate, or victim?

Last Hope Safari: Married couple, Matilda and

Jake, want a child but years of failing has fractured them.

Jake hopes for natural healing, but is it too late?

Diamond Shield: Policewoman, Kendra, goes

undercover at a speed dating night. After the operation is

successful, she meets Mitch; not the gorgeous, witty date

but part of the job. Will they mix business and pleasure?

Farewell Sapphire: Two years ago, Darren

promised to come back for Sapphire. Today’s her eighteenth

birthday, dare she hope he keeps the promise?

Moonstone Madness: Kat wins a race horse at the

picnic races, but she’d prefer to win the heart of the horse

trainer, Josh. Can she be that lucky?