2019 WATTY AWARD WINNER | TO BE PUBLISHED BY 'W BY WATTPAD' IN FALL 2024 Jessie is a twenty first century kinda gal stuck in the Regency Era. Armed with a new university degree and a plane ticket to Paris, the plan was to celebrate graduation in the City of Love, kissing as many drunk French girls (or boys, she's not picky) as she can. Only, she never makes it. Mid-Atlantic, a mysterious accident sends Jessie hurtling to what should be a watery grave. Rescued from the ocean, Jessie is lucky to be alive. Only problem? The crew of the ship she's on is convinced it's a sailing vessel that just narrowly missed out on participating in the Battle of Trafalgar. Stuck in Regency-era England, Jessie is left with no choice but to enter into the services of as a maid and companion in return for what shelter her new employer can provide, and resign herself to a life of quiet servitude and forever hiding her sexuality. What she didn't count on was that her new boss would be Margaret Goodenough - the world famous authoress whose yet-to-be-completed novel was the first lesbian kiss in the history of British Literature, and a clever woman. Clever enough to know her new servant has a secret. Now Jessie is caught. Margaret's own perception of her place in society is transforming, the text of her novel is slowly changing, and Margaret herself is finally unafraid to embrace her own Sapphic desires. Margaret - and her main characters - are turning into irresistibly headstrong and modern women. Jessie must tread the tenuous line between finding her own happiness in a world where she is alone, and accidentally changing the course of history. Should Jessie suppress the manuscript, or is her duty to the woman she's learning to love? What is a twenty first century gal to do? * Cover Photo: Jenn LeBlanc & Getty Images Original Cover by: @RodneyVSmith

Proud Watty Winner "I can't let you go Gabriel", My eyes grew wide I didn't know what to do I was shocked Ash was kissing me and I like it all my thoughts went away and my mind went blank. I closed my eyes as my mouth started to move with hers you know that electric feeling you're supposed to get when you're with you're soul mate I was feeling that right now. She nibbled on my lip as I felt her tongue cross over my lip sensuously asking for entrance I automatically granted her access I felt her tongue glide gracefully into my mouth she tasted like Winter fresh she pushed me her body up against mines making me push harder into the brick wall, I heard a moan as she sucked and played with my tongue I think that was me I was running out of breath as we attacked each others mouth I think she was to because she pulled back and rest her forehead on mines, my eyes were still closed, we were both breathing heavy. I opened my eyes and looked at her she was staring me straight in my eyes. "I like you Gabby hell I think I might even actually love you" She said staring at me waiting for my reaction, her words just processed through my head Ash likes me or loves me then I thought about what Samantha said then what I saw then I realized something I just made out with a girl who just happens to be my best friend I didn't know what to say so I did the next best thing that came to my mind I pushed her away slightly she looked at me hurt. "I'm sorry Ash but but I ccan't" I stuttered with tears forming in my eyes she can't say that to me..

"In love ka na once accepted mo na 'yong person na 'yon kahit ano pa man siya. Buong-buo 'yong acceptance, hindi kalahati lang. Hindi sala sa lamig, sala sa init. Hindi napipilitan. Hindi natatakot." "Malalim," aniya. Tumikhim. "Mukhang based on experience." Tumawa si Kaye, hindi um-oo, hindi rin humindi. "Ikaw, ano'ng answer mo?" "Ano na bang pagmamahal pinag-uusapan natin? Fans, supporters-readers o romantic na ata 'yan?" natatawang aniya. "Hindi ako nag-a-assume kaso 'yang mga hugutang ganyan, eh. . .may mga pinaglalaban." Tumigil sa paglalakad si Kaye. Nagpamulsa. Ang lawak ng ngiti sa labing may kaunti pang kintab. "Sige, romantic na." Umiling si Rayne, nangingiti rin. "Bilis ng change topic natin." "Oo nga, eh. Let's take it slow," anito, may pilyang pagkagat pa ng kaunti sa labi. "Dito muna tayo sa usapang 'to."