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The book Best Lesbian Love Stories: Summer Flingsis on shelves now. The anthology is a collection of fictional short stories set against a backdrop of summertime, that most romantic of seasons. The description of the theme brings to mind heated romance when the nights seem to last forever and the days pass all too quickly.

Everyone loves to fall in love, and there’s no better time than summer. From languid, lazy days to hot, humid nights, this year’s edition of lesbian love stories explores the passionate connection between women and women, and the sultry sun that sizzles their skin.

Writer Lyndsey D’Arcangelo contributed the story “The Sight of Her” to this newest edition of the Best Lesbian Love Stories, published each year with a different theme by Alyson Books. D’Arcangelo wanted to write a believable love story that anyone could relate to. “The unexpected encounters that often happen in our lives are always memorable for one reason or another, especially if that encounter results in a coupling of some kind. Charlie Myers is a bright-eyed English teacher looking to make some extra money for the summer as a tutor. In answering a random ad in the paper, she finds much more than a meaningless summer job. She finds love in an unlikely companion as well as a newfound appreciation for classic feminist authors.”

According to D’Arcangelo, the stories in Best Lesbian Love Stories: Summer Flingsare about love, but not erotic. “It’s more about romance, love and loss. I don’t write erotica, nor would I feel comfortable doing so.” She is also the writer for Lez Keep It Real, “Where opinions count. Even if you’re gay.” I asked her if she ever receives hate mail or comments because of her openness about her sexuality.

“I don’t because the GLBT material that I write is for GLBT audiences so I know I’m not writing anything that would offend people. I take my audience into consideration. When another short story of mine was published in Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrating Brothers and Sisters: Funnies and Favorites About Growing Up and Being Grown Up (Chicken Soup for the Soul) I wrote the story without a GLBT premise because of the audience and because the story had nothing to do with GLBT issues. I once wrote a personal column about gay marriage for the Buffalo News. And I received one hate letter that was sent anonoumously. It made me smile actually because I thought, out of an entire city of people who read the column only one person expressed any hatred AND they didn’t even have the courage to sign their name to the letter. It bothered me for a second and then I moved on. Most of the responses I receive, from homosexual and heterosexuals alike, are words of encouragement. I am blessed that people can recognize good writing without the sexuality attached. I’m a writer first, a lesbian second.”

And therein lies the appeal of the Summer Flings anthology: whether you are gay, straight, or bisexual, great writing can transport you to a sunny summer day when love and romance, and the one person who gazes longingly from under sunbleached bangs, are all that matter.

EXCERPT FROM “THE SIGHT OF HER”

As she turned a corner once more, Charlie saw a young woman, not much older than she was, say late twenties or so, sitting in a rocking chair facing the professionally landscaped backyard. Her auburn hair was tied up in a bun, and her canary-colored sundress fluttered in what little breeze there was coming in off the grassy fields that lay before her. Her bare feet rested on a wicker stool, crossed, revealing toenails that were painted a bleeding red. She was fair-skinned and delicate. The mere sight of her caught Charlie’s breath.
“Hello?” she called out, approaching slowly as not to startle her.
The woman turned her head, but not fully. She was wearing a pair of sixties-style sunglass, the lenses bug-eyed and larger than they needed to be.
“Yes?”
“Are you Miss. Carter?”
“Miss Carter…sometimes. Jessie depending on who’s calling.”
“I’m Charlie…Charlie Myers. I’m here about the ad in the paper, the English teacher for hire.”
“Then it’s Jessie. I was beginning to wonder if anyone took my advertisement seriously,” she scoffed and waved her hand at the empty seat beside her. “Please, sit.”
Charlie sat down, wondering why the seemingly affluent woman proceeded to talk at her instead of to her.

ABOUT LYNDSEY D’ARCANGELO

Lyndsey D’Arcangelo studied at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, VA, where she earned a BA in English and Creative Writing. After a few years of writing in a variety of mediums, Lyndsey now offers professional writing services through her freelance venture D’arc•Light Creative. In addition to writing professionally, she finds time to craft and publish monthly columns for GLBT publications, novels, short stories and poetry. She has recently published two short stories in nationally known publications for Alyson Books and the Chicken Soup for the Soul series.

You can view her short stories, novel excerpts, personal blog, poems and published work at www.lyndseydarcangelo.com.

To order either of the books Lyndsey has recently contributed to, click on the titles:

Best Lesbian Love Stories: Summer Flings

Chicken Soup for the Soul Celebrating Brothers and Sisters: Funnies and Favorites About Growing Up and Being Grown Up (Chicken Soup for the Soul)

GLBT, lesbian, Best Lesbian Love Stories, Lyndsay Darcangelo, books, new releases