Stay Awhile...

...and Enjoy Scenes from Temecula Valley

Temecula Valley Writers & Illustrators Publishing is proud to present the first ever Stay Awhile anthology, in two stunning volumes. Featuring stories and illustrations from over 64 local creators, the collected works paint myriad fanciful pictures of Temecula past, present and future.

The bucolic Temecula Valley area of Southern California offers a timeless allure, creatively captured within these pages. This two-volume collection of original short stories is enhanced by vivid color illustrations that bring each narrative to life. Indulge in an engrossing variety of genres. Get swept away by intriguing fictional plots and engaging characters. Escape with this anthology must-read, worthy of every reader's bookshelf.

Book One

Stay Awhile: Scenes from Temecula Valley

Book One of a two-volume collection of captivating short stories that share the common thread of this picturesque valley located in Southern California. Encompassing a riveting variety of genres, this anthology sings with color illustrations, custom-curated to complement each story. A collaborative labor of love by local authors and artists, this inviting collection deserves to be savored, like a full-bodied glass of Temecula's finest wine.

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Featuring

A Bootless Errand by Mina Humiston, illustration by Hayden "Fischer" Stacey
A foreword to... by Jonathan Maberry, illustration Coyote by Marco
A Journey to Happiness by Rebecca Farnbach, illustration by Katinka
Badger vs. Bulldog by Bonnie Shennum, illustration by Bonnie Martland
Balloonist by KJ Urban, illustration Miss Sophia by Alex Kelly
Common Birds, story and illustration Common Birds #1 by Sacha Hope
Crossroads by Trond E. Hildahl, illustration by Lane Parker
Finding Home by Felicia Horton, illustration by Roleen Senic
Lifted by Robin Wesley, illustration by Madeline Secules
Marissa, Wandering by Wendy Hammarstrom, illustration by Annemarie Appleberry
Meadowview and The Mentor, story and illustration by Stephenie Bushra Khan
Spacefarer Amelia by Thomas Morrissey, illustration by Jay Russell
The Ghost in Room 5 by Stacia Deutsch, illustration by Ned Norman
The Onset of Ripening by LA Carson, illustration by Stefanie Schonleber
The Restroom Door by Paul Rycus, illustration by Joenell Luma
Too Late by Jim Seilsopour, illustration Downed Rider by Tony Moramarco
Two Grapes from the Same Vine, story and illustration by Robert Lewis Rieger

Book Two

Stay Awhile Longer: More Scenes from Temecula Valley

Book Two of a two-volume anthology. Thematically set in the bucolic Temecula Valley area of Southern California, this compilation of multi-genre short stories is loaded with full-color illustrations by local artists. While showcasing the prodigious talent of the Temecula Valley creatives, this book also reveals more: visions of history and ghost stories, the desperation and desires of today's inhabitants, and even attempts to pierce the veil of the Valley's future, both near and far. There's magic, mystery, murder, and romance: why don't you 'Stay Awhile Longer'?

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Featuring

Anima Nation by John Waddleton, illustration by Shya
Birth of a Blue Heron by Jeff Waddleton, illustration Birth of a Blue Heron by Kathryn Otoshi
Far From Here by Kristen Tregar, illustration by Reggie DeMatos
Foreword by Stacia Deutsch, illustration Meadow of Dreams by Kavitha Saminathan
Ghost Hunting for Love by Theresa Halvorsen, illustration by Barbara C. Nelson
Hollywood & Vines: Murder Noir by George Stez, illustration by Erin Warren
Lead and Venom by Monzer Farouk, illustration by Bryant M. Nelson
Quantum Hearts: A Love Beyond Time by Veronika Childs, illustration by Mya Hill
Stay Awhile, Stay with Me by Suzanne Y. Saunders, illustration by Sabin R. Flores
The Golden Triangle by M. B. Bruce, illustration by Amelia Kosmal
The Journey by M.K. Warren, illustration by Clarissa Lee
The Man, the Mouse, and the Balloon by Pat Comerchero AKA Professor Phineas T. Pennypickle, illustration by Amanda Le
The Precarious City by Jeff Comerchero & E.J. Radford, illustration by Charlie Schimmel
The Rainbow Kid by Brad Shaw Jr., illustration by Arman-Justin Solis
Where Have All the Cowboys Gone? by Karen Robertson, illustration by Mike Smith
Written Together by Erin Kane Spock, illustration by NamNya

What People Are Saying

Stay Awhile is filled with intriguing stories and art that make you want to do just that - open your imagination and visit the Temecula Valley and its rich history with a wide band of fascinating companions as told by an equally rich and diverse group of authors who live there. If you enjoy storytelling and art, it's not to be missed.

Bryan Thomas Schmidt
#1 Amazon bestselling author of Shortcut and Simon Says

Each engaging short story, poem, and illustration in Stay Awhile: Scenes from Temecula Valley reflects to me a different aspect of one special place in California as well as one person's idea for a story about it. The rich variety of genres, voices, and creative styles kept me turning pages to find new treasures—folk tale, ghost story, science fiction, fantasy, slice-of-life, drama, and more—set in time periods ranging from Temecula's legendary past to its possible futures. I think this collection is well worth a read and then a re-read.

Gail A. Webber
Novelist (Ghost on the Path, The Speaker, and Finding Rachel) and short story author published in various journals, anthologies, and her own short story collection, Insistent Voices.

This captivating collection of short stories and visual art has something for everyone: a ghost, an unscrupulous businessman, a hot air balloon, murder, family, love...all set in and around Temecula, California. The anthology celebrates the unique character of the region; residents will recognize their hometown in charming detail, and readers from farther afield will want to visit. The original artwork that accompanies each story makes this collection a visual as well as literary delight.

Claudia Wair
Literary and speculative short fiction author. Claudia's work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, Best Small Fictions, and Best Microfiction. She is also the author of The MAP: A Ten-Minute-a-Day Journal.

These heartfelt stories range from ancient eras to the modern day, from philosophical to funny, with a wealth of exciting stops in between. Readers will come away with a true sense of the region's unique personality, as well as the generous spirit of the folks who call the Temecula Valley home.

Myna Chang
Award-winning author of The Potential of Radio and Rain.

Finding a supportive in-person writer's group is a rarity, but when it happens, you get fascinating anthologies like Stay Awhile Longer. With stories for every mood and interest, you're transported to this lovely community of Temecula, CA without leaving your seat.

Jennifer Worrell
Author of Edge of Sundown.