The judges have tabulated their results and the winners have been notified!
We have THREE winners of the $100.00 prize, one each in Murder/Mystery, Romance, and Fantasy.
In the Romance Category
Cecilia Pugh
Cecilia Pugh is a Northern California native, retired
Occupational Therapist, poet, writer of fiction, and non-fiction She is a member of the California Writer’s Club, Mount Diablo Branch, and has been published in two Anthologies.
Her country roots, and love for humanity, coupled with spirituality and endless curiosity, have made her an astute observer of the human condition.
A widowed mother of four adult children, and grandmother to five, she has experienced the joys and sorrows of life. All is reflected in her literary work. She thanks those who touched her and left an indelible mark on her heart and soul. They live among the pages of her stories.
Awkward Widow
He says, “Coffee?”
Shocked but delighted, her eyes scrutinize his attractive face.
He thinks, you’ve blown it.
She says, “Ah…sure.” Her stomach churns. That was dumb.
He says, “I’ll drive.”
She says, “Just so you know, I enjoy being single. I don’t commit to long-term relationships.”
He says, “Me too. Do you want a ride, or shall we meet at the coffee shop?”
Her palms sweat. Breathless, she continues. “I have friends who dated, remarried and now are caregivers.”
His smile is irresistible. “It’s just coffee.”
She swallows, returns his smile, and melts like butter on hot toast.
In the Fantasy Category
Ron Sacchi
Fresh into his retirement from decades in the High Tech Industry, Ron has been looking for that “eclectic tribe” and seems to think he has found it with CWC. Long ago, after leaving his position at Intel as Director of an internal business incubator, he wrote a book called Design/Build Your Business as part of a library for the Rich Dad/Poor Dad series. Besides writing, in his free time Mr. Sacchi also serves on the Board of Directors for The Northern California Chapter of the National Football Foundation, He is a lifetime member of the Mensa Society and resides in Pleasanton.
En Delicato
Drawn by the pinkness of her naïve presence, I approached. At least that’s how things began. Nature’s acts were seldom rehearsed. My nervous tongue traced the foible and folds of her deepest slick-lathered fullness. The more I ventured, the more rich and rapid the discoveries of lovelust separated her petals.
At what point will she touch back? How could she be so rich and innocent?
I drank of her moistness with every flick of my tongue. Disaffected, she allowed my exploration.
Presenting myself today began as simply as erasing dewdrops from her glistening anther.
“I, Hummingbird”.
In the Murder/Mystery Category
Wanda Sue Parrott
WANDA SUE PARROTT is a member of Central Coast Writers. She has been published under at least 18 pen names since debuting as a performer/writer in 1960 as a Hollywood actress on “A Day in Court as Wanda Sue Childress,” in FATE Magazine and performing poet of Venice West. Six-plus decades later she produced 55 books, ran the National Annual Senior Poet Laureate Competition for American Poets over 50 for 21 years, won awards as a journalist, taught writing, and learned to live by her favorite salutation: “May the Muse be with You”, which is also the title of her poetry anthology.
Street Corner Slaying
Stabbing Santa’s jugular with the sucked-sharp tip of her candy cane, Baglady Birdie smirked, “I found the perfect murder weapon!”
Santa groveled. “Help!” Passersby ignored him.
“Truth is, bleeding to death’s painless. You’re my fifth Santa today. . . no trace of evidence.”
Birdie shoved the sweet spear deep into her mouth. She scooped cash from the red kettle into a black bag bulging with Street Corner Santas’ blood money.
“You’ll soon fall asleep,” she said, chuckling so hard the candy cane broke into jagged chunks.
Birdie groveled. “Help!!” Passersby ignored her.
She choked to death on peppermint.
