J.C. Lovero

Author on Reedsy Prompts since Mar, 2021

Stories (22)

22 Stories

1908 karma pts

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“A Sacrifice of Shadows” by J.C. Lovero

Our last sheep collapsed at midnight.“Please,” I whispered.There was a distinct chill in the night air, void of the ambient ether I’d grown accustomed to back in Eden. With a deep breath, I found my center, resting my now steady hands over the sheep's heart, pulling strength from within.My palms glowed a dim, golden light, but his labored breathing and weak pulse remained. He was the youngest of his flock, with eyes like twin suns and fleece spun of silver moonlight. The strongest of his siblings, and the least ill-te...

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“Six Steps to Second Chances” by J.C. Lovero

New Year’s EveResolution one: balance go viralThe tattooed Santa gyrated his hips behind his acoustic guitar. White fairy lights draped from the amphitheater’s exposed wooden beams, transforming the stage into a holiday fantasy. I couldn’t be sure, but it felt like Santa’s salt-and-pepper beard smiled at me with each chord.I wanted to hate Beckham Tyler, but the man was so talented. Even back in high school, he made “Happy Birthday” sound like a slice of heaven. And here I was, twenty years later, groo...

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“Tradition's Echo” by J.C. Lovero

The wind, the scorching sun on my back, and the turbulence of air amplified the swooping momentum of a freefall. My stomach dropped as the ground halted beneath me.“Hey Lucas. You okay?” Spencer’s voice echoed in my head, pounding like the sound of blaster bolts against the hull of a space destroyer.“Yeah.”“Made it through with just a couple of scraped knees back there.”I pressed a hand to my temple. “Back there?”He nodded. “Whaddya say? We doing this?”

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“Searching For Starlight” by J.C. Lovero

The first time I met Evan was about three years ago, right after my father pulled out one of my ribs while I was sleeping.“Dad, how come none of the other animals talk like we do?”My father smiled. “You’re the only one like me, son. You’re special.”In the beginning, it was fun. My father would snap his fingers, and then a new animal appeared. One of my favorite games was to name all of his new creations. Like the fish that swam in the sea and the birds that flew in the sky. Or tiny insects, like bumblebees or...

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“Alea Iacta Est” by J.C. Lovero

tw: deathVillains, heroes, it doesn’t matter. Both sides fight for something. One person’s dream is another’s waking nightmare. And when you charge ahead blindly to save someone, you risk losing those you love the most.Pain fills my heart, and with a gasp, I force a smile.Jake, Jenson, and I would become the most powerful warlocks in modern history. I was the oldest and strongest. We fought for what we believed was good and right. And I enjoyed it, for a time.Until the universe stole Greg from me.<...

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“Sprouting Magic” by J.C. Lovero

Princess Noelle pressed her betrothed’s hand to her heart. “Where I come from, people get married for love.”Beside her, Monty laid with his eyes shut, his alabaster skin almost shimmering in the moonlight. “What was it like on Earth?” They laid silently for some time. Their hearts beat in unison with breaths matched to one another. The flowers glowed about them, their sweet smell twined around her. The iridescent air—full of Everlandia’s magic—wavered, then faded. You’re going to wake up as a version of ...

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“Darker Than Red Velvet” by J.C. Lovero

“Death by chocolate?” Dimitri asked.I sighed at the phone pressed against my cheek. “I’m afraid so. Activate ‘Quinn-is-a-jerk’ protocol.”“Text me the address.”#“Nice place, love,” Dimitri said. His head swiveled around the restaurant with sparkling eyes. Best friends for years, Dimitri was made for the cover of GQ. About six foot two, handsome in a winsome way, muscular, and tan. Born into money, Dimitri had blond hair that was meticulously cut and carefully combed. He was a striki...

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“Betwixt Worlds” by J.C. Lovero

This must be what fairy tales are like.Dawn broke crisp and clear, winking at me through the small window opposite the foot of the bed. The cottage evoked memories of my attic back home: from the exposed wood of the floors and walls, to the dust that hung in the air. I rolled over, yanking the covers over me.“Krissy?” “Five more minutes,” I said. It was a luxury to sleep in on the weekends after another late night in the lab. Plus, with many scientists redeployed to the field, the Vraxed threat left us s...

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“How to Disrupt Inertia” by J.C. Lovero

Out of all the people in class, he was the LAST one I wanted to be paired with for the semester.I raised my hand.Coach Campbell’s feet rested on top of his desk. He raised an eyebrow, maintaining his focus on the Sports Illustrated magazine. “Yes, Miss Lawson?”“Can I be reassigned to a different partner?” I cast a sidelong glance in Nathan’s direction. “If I’m going to keep my spot as head cheerleader, I really can’t fail physics.”After our breakup last summer, I’d rather work alone.Coa...

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“A Heart Upon Stolen Eyes” by J.C. Lovero

*** The Oracle ***I can’t see. It wasn't always like this, but every vision has a price. To the outside world, my shop is a refuge. In the far reaches of Everlandia, the power of my cards has forged legendary queens and the mightiest of warlords. But if anyone had told me I’d spend my days sitting with a blindfold, well—It might have been harder to get me into this cage.*** The Warrior ***I sheathe a dagger into the leather baldric across my chest with the chime of the shop’s be...

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“Marshmallows and Toilet Paper” by J.C. Lovero

The attack was over in seconds.↽⇀↼⇁I woke with a snort—confused—and groaned as a sharp, hot sensation lanced through my head. Floating automaton bots displayed flashing screens around me. After a sequence of scans around my body, the virtual messages disappeared, and the machines navigated to the corner of the room.Dr. Kristina Abbott sat in a stainless steel chair with her legs crossed, scribbling onto a clipboard. The glint of fluorescent lights reflected on her glasses as she pressed ...

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“Galaxies Without Walls” by J.C. Lovero

They can build walls all the way to the sky, and it’s up to us to fly above them. The Council can pin us down with the might of a thousand Regulators, but we will fight back. How many are out there? The Defectives who refuse to stop believing. Who… love in galaxies without walls. ◢◣◥◤◢◣◥◤◢◣Five days before chipping procedureI tied up my shoelaces as I straddled the bench ...

53 comments 53 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“Like Clockwork” by J.C. Lovero

If you would have told me a year ago that I’d fall in love with the noisy neighbor in Apt. 2704-110B after he had me poisoned, I wouldn’t have believed you.Before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s go back to the beginning. Me: Professor Clive Hargraves of Gaslight City’s School of Magic. A refined gent and one of the last remaining practicing magicians in London. In fact, magic had fallen so out of favor that the scholars of our time, the likes of Darwin and Huxley, suggested that humans were evolving past it! Poppycock, I say!<...

34 comments 34 SHORTLIST ⭐️

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“A Week in the Life of a Reedsy Writer” by J.C. Lovero

(TW: swearing, sassiness, and schadenfreude)FridayYou read over the story one more time, checking for any rogue adverbs, split infinitives, comma splices, or anything that could violate the terms of service. Clock check: 10:59 PMCrap. One more hour, and you blink rapidly at the cursor on the screen. Does this even fit the prompt for this week? Too late to change. You’ve never been one of those prodigies that could whip out a story in the same day like Last-Minute Lacey. Whi...

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“Fragments of Spencer” by J.C. Lovero

(TW: contains themes of death and dying)I sat on crinkly paper in the exam room while the blood pressure cuff deflated. This table was not like the others I had sat on before for physicals or blood tests; it was softer and more comfortable, almost like a recliner. Designed for the procedure I was about to do.Dr. Kristina Abbott pressed her glasses up to the bridge of her nose. “One hundred twenty over sixty,” she said after reading my blood pressure. They always said that like you were supposed to know what the numb...

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Author bio

Your home for gay MM love stories. Because the world needs more happily ever after. Officially sorted to House Ravenclaw. he/him/his Want to get to know me? Check out my interview on Deidra and Russell's podcast! Ep. 38 readlotswritelots.com Social Media: Instagram @jc_lovero FB Page @AuthorJCLovero Twitter @jc_lovero Email jc.lovero.author@gmail.com Copyright © 2023 J.C. Lovero All Rights Reserved. Using content without written permission is prohibited.

Shortlisted 4 stories ⭐️

Contest #150

Galaxies Without Walls – read story

Contest #148

Like Clockwork – read story

Contest #132

Our Father – read story

Contest #128

Mango Tango Tea – read story