There is definitely something for every reader in this collection; light and fun, dark and serious, dystopian, fantasy, romance, suspense, and more.
Challenge to our authors: Write a story that includes a beach, a dog, and a next chapter of life for the main character. The stories submitted were as varied and diverse as the international group of women who accepted the challenge.
Our challenge to you: read a little of everything, and see if you find your new favorite author or genre. Best read on the beach.
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Meet the authors:
Next Chapters Unleashed is the first anthology collaboration by members of Unleashing the Next Chapter’s online and international writers’ organization. We are proud to introduce you to debut authors, bestselling authors, award-winning authors, and those in between. Below each author’s photo/logo, name, and story title, you will also find a quick blurb that identifies the genre and will entice you to read more. Click on the highlighted author’s names to jump to their websites or social media homes.
by K. B. Butler
Beer connoisseur Blake Gibson learns that mixing family secrets, a surprise inheritance, and a handsome brewmeister distills into a heady combination in this contemporary romance.
by Melyssah Colerangle
Desperate for funds for his ailing dog, master thief Dominick comes out of retirement for one “Last Heist,” but doesn’t plan on the museum director’s interference in this suspenseful caper tale.
by Sonja Fröjdendal
Although bad news interrupts Izzy’s holiday with her rambunctious dogs, she finds new opportunities and an unexpected friendship in this female/female contemporary romance.
by Clarissa Gosling
Formatting & Publishing
Samira anxiously awaits the results of the Phoenix Designation in this YA epic fantasy.
“The Lonesome Beach”
by J. Lynn Hicks
A life or death test awaits a teenage girl in a dystopian world.
and
This series of journal posts documents a lone survivor’s return to the beach and her experience with grief and loss of her pet in this post-apocalyptic tale.
by Lisa Holcomb
Rae reports for her first day on the job at a Texas museum with the enigmatic director, Dr. Magnuson, and his adventurous daughter in this magical realism story.
by Jennifer Kayne
Clara gets reacquainted with Anthony, the carpenter, and his Labrador, Merlin, while helping modify her grandmother’s beach-side home in this sweet contemporary romance.
by Kathryn McClatchy
Marketing & Social Media
Running away from her abusive foster family, Staci nearly jumps from the frying pan into the fire, as she encounters would-be kidnappers on her journey to shape the future she’s always hoped for in this contemporary story.
by Jackie O’Connor
Cover and Graphic Designs
In this light-hearted fantasy, Evie and her fiery pup, Arlo, interview for an apprenticeship with a potions master.
by Lori Lee Peckham
This creative nonfiction story centers on a rescued poodle who inspires the women in her adopted family to expand their horizons.
by Kelley Rene
Project Manager
When Brooke’s old rival Kinley runs into her–literally–while en route to a job interview, she confronts the past and explores her complicated feelings about him in this women’s fiction piece.
Sara-Meg Seese
Managing Editor
(Although Sara didn’t contribute a story of her own, she had a hand in every one of the sixteen stories in this collection.
THANK YOU, from all of us! 💐 ~~ km)
by Tiffany Seitz
Sara, grieving the death of her beloved Doberman, is nudged back to her dubious career in this paranormal suspense.
by Jessica White
In this magical realism story, Lila meets an eccentric real-estate agent who promises to help her find her “Forever Home.”
R. K. Wood
A family vacation takes a paranormal twist when Hillary and her sister attend a late night beach party. As alcohol and hormones mix, romance blossoms–and fur flies.
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Paperback available through Amazon!
Kathryn McClatchy 