It’s An Author’s Life

I hope you’ve had a great week, I know it’s been a busy one for me. As the Christmas romcoms start broadcasting, I always remember that even though a big piece of my heart will always belong to my late husband, sometimes it would be nice to have a gentleman in my life after all this time. Maybe this year Santa has one on his list for me that fits all my criteria. That being said, are you ready to dive into my author life that is far from resembling a Hallmark movie? 

Back-to-back meetings on Tuesday night. The first one was with the Chickasha Friends of the Library where I was asked to give my input on the recent local author event. The event, while small as there really is only room for about 16 authors, was a success and the authors who attended, including myself, had good results. A few were first timers and the feedback from them was good. We discussed marketing earlier for Fall of 2025, which we all agreed was a good time of year. Meeting number two was with the Chickasha Area Arts Council, which I am once again a member of, to discuss a couple of upcoming major events next month. CAAC was one of my artistic tribes a few years ago and I’m glad to be back among them.

I got out early in the morning on Wednesday and did my Thanksgiving dinner shopping. Went to three stores before I got a reasonably priced turkey. Started off at Walmart where I got several everyday items (water/vitamins) and checked the price of ham and turkey. Then I went to Homeland because they are having a “but a ham get a free turkey” promotion. Well, paying between $30 and $40 for a whole ham is not in my budget, even if a free turkey comes with it. My last stop was Aldi and BINGO! I got a 12# turkey (Honeysuckle) for under $10; also got several other items needed for Thanksgiving Day dinner. I’d forgotten that I can get more bang for my buck at Aldi and may have to rethink my shopping routine. How’s your shopping going?

I’m making progress on this month’s reading assignment for my book club, Chapter Chat, through my local library. I renewed it for the end of the month since it is such a long book. I’m invested in it and my writing has taken a backseat this month. Given that I’m on page 269 of 849, I HIGHLY recommend you read 11/22/63 by Stephen King.

I also jumped on the Bluesky bandwagon and so far, am loving it. A lot of people are jumping from X (fka Twitter) over to it. There are several authors you love there, and you can make your own Starter Packs, which I don’t fully understand yet, although it would be a great way for a reader to gather their favorite authors and offer a place for readers to come together. If you decide to create a profile, look me up here: Maxine on Bluesky

My youngest granddaughter decorated my fireplace mantel after school on Thursday. She arranged the Christmas village with 4 buildings including a church, a couple of snowmen, kids having a snowball fight, and flocked pine trees. This is the first time in 6 years since my late husband’s death that I’ve put up more than just a tree. I’ve got ideas for the tops of the windows, so it’ll be interesting to see if I get them decorated or not. All the pieces were stored among my craft items when I fell down the DT craft rabbit hole several years ago.

The weather is about to change, and boy has my knee osteoarthritis been letting me know it. I’ve had to use my cane more than usual this past week and I hate it. Been spending a bit of time on the stationary bike to work those muscles behind my knees and get them stretched out. In the process of moving things around in my office (which is where the bike is), I found my chair lumbar support which I am now using in my recliner, and I can already feel the difference walking with the way it positions my hips and back.

It’s Big 10 football Saturday in my house and it’s the day my son and I watch the Wisconsin Badgers together. Made an Aldi run this morning to grab a few things I forgot the other day and to get munchies for today and stuff to make taco casserole today. I picked up a 32 oz Stanley dup for $7.99 while I was there as well. Score!! Have you ever tried the Aldi brand Clancy’s Turkey Stuffing ruffle chips? You know what? They aren’t half bad; I’d buy them again.

But before the coin toss happened, I attended a Google Meets of CROW (Central Regional Oklahoma Writers) online meeting since I couldn’t go today. The program was entitled “Murders Follow Me Around” by Lisbeth L. McCarthy; it was an interesting topic. The CROWs are my writing tribe and friends in my life that are cherished.

A day of worship with Bible study followed by worship. Read more of 11/22/63 all last week. Also took time to watch a bit of the Packer Bears game. The weather took a turn overnight and the cold weather is about to set in. Glad I turned the heat on a few days ahead of time to help my 1950s brick Craftsman-style home stay warm.

Thank you for your continued support, you’re very much appreciated for jumping into the stories that weave their way through my mind.

Maxine

 Welcome to #MondayMusings with a review of my #authorlife this past week

Where shall I start? It has been a relatively quiet week really. The weather is still determining if it wants to still be summer or shift to fall. It is nice in the afternoons with the nights being cool enough that I have the heat on to keep the chill out of my brick home.

I belong to my local library book club, Chapter Chat, and this month everyone is reading the same book. Stephen King is not an author I’ve ever read nor had any desire to, BUT I have to say that this one is right up my alley. 11/22/63 is a time travel leading up to the assassination of JFK. It’s a very long book at 800+ pages, I’m only on page 119, and since Chapter Chat meets the last Monday of the month it may seem like I have plenty of time. However, this library loan is a library loan, which means my library borrowed it from another library so it could loan it to me. I have to have it back on the 18^th (not sure if this one can be renewed or not given it’s loaned to my library) so I’ve been spending most of what would be my writing time reading. I have found the characters engaging and I’m now invested in their journey.

Family life wise, my beautiful youngest granddaughter took a tour of the local tech school last week for Advisory class. She’s decided that she either wants to be in the hospitality field or a graphic designer/artist. I was surprised by the first one as she’s not overly outgoing or social, but the artist side of her is leaning more towards her second choice. My oldest granddaughter and her husband is expecting their second child around Easter! Finally, my great-granddaughter gets her wish for either a baby sister or brother.

On the writing side of life, I do have a good start on the next chapter of Deceitful Promises (a Gilded Age romantic mystery/suspense). I probably won’t get fully back to writing it until next month. As of last night (11/11/24) I am now on Bluesky, an alternative to X (fka Twitter). I’m still figuring out how it works but if you’re a social media person, pop on over and follow me.

I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving and pray that you can spend it with the ones you love.

Love,

Maxine

Let's Catch Up!

 Hi Everyone,

Yes, it has been a long minute since I last posted here, but I have rectified that starting today!

My newsletter has been as silent as my blog, hopefully that will start to liven up as well.

In the meantime, let me give you a brief idea of what life has been like since 2022.

My DIL was diagnosed with Huntington's Disease about 6 years ago shortly after my late husband passed. Huntington's is genetic and hereditary. I had been caring for Ashley while my son was at work since May 2023. It is with deep sadness I say this: Ashley passed on July 22 at the age of 39.

The only comfort we have is knowing that she has gone home to the Lord and is without the pain this disease causes. I won't go into the specifics of its horrible symptoms and what it does to the person who has it.

Now for some good news!

During the past two years, I have been writing and publishing. Today I updated my Romance Bookshelf tab above, so you can catch up.

I have two previously published books that have been re-edited and are being published by Rowan Prose Publishing in 2025. I'm excited to have these two stories available and their stories told once again. 

I also have several stories on my to-do list and can't wait to write them for each of you.

I hope you have all been well. Thank you for your support during my absence. 

Love,

Maxine

Coming Soon

 New feature in Maxine's Affairs of the Heart newsletter.

 Starting Tuesday, September 6, 2022, a different book featured weekly.

Here are a few of the things the author will share with you about their book: 

·       Author’s latest news!

·       A sneak peek including tagline/blurb, excerpt, and buy link(s).

·       Genre the book is written in.

·       Heat Level, i.e., sweet, clean, wholesome, etc.

·       How much research the author had to do for the book plus maybe sharing any cool tidbits they unearthed.

·       Learn where you can find out more about the author and their books. 

Sign up HERE to receive Maxine's Affairs of the Heart newsletter and discover a new author and book to fall in love with.

 

Best Laid Plans

 

 

We’ve all made them. The plans that never seem to materialize. The deadlines that mysteriously disappear.

That was me this year for sure. I had planned to have Winds of Change written, edited, and for sale by this time. But life always seemed to happen. Or maybe it was just me finally taking a break from pushing another book out.

Your guess as good as mine.

I am on the Board of Directors for The Chickasha Area Arts Council (CAAC) and this year bought a building located downtown in Chickasha. CAAC also set up an Area Arts Shop which features local artists who are members of CAAC. There is still a TON of things that need to be moved into the location, and LOTS of work to be done before that can be completed. This has taken up a lot of my time for the past several months.

But there is a writing light at the end of this tunnel.

I have committed to 5 different multi-author groups to write 6 books over the next 3 years. And somewhere in there I will complete Winds of Change and get that second book of the Men of the Double K series out to readers.

Even my cat, Simon, will be a character in one book coming out in 2023! Believe me, he was thrilled to see himself on the cover. LOL

With that being said, I am doing a little marketing research before beginning to write Hannah’s Discovery, book 17 in the Reclusive Man series. The first book in the series, Miriam’s Challenge, will be released on January 5 on Amazon. Some of the 22 books are currently up for pre-order. Click here The Reclusive Man Series Amazon Page.

My wish for you is to have a joyous Christmas and a beautiful New Year.

Until we meet again…

Hugs,

Maxine

 

Let’s Catch Up

So much and so little time. Now that the world has begun to open its doors once again, so I have begun to reopen my life. Like so many of you out there who are slowly getting back into a routine. 

Mine has started with getting back to keeping this blog and my newsletter up to date. Both fell to neglect since the passing of my heart’s love in 2018. After three years, I finally feel like I can rejoin my writing life once again. 

In 2019 I finished the second of Widows of Blessings Valley series, Vera. It was published in January of 2020, and there are five more books in the series to go. I just need a break from these grieving widows. 

I am also involved in the contemporary Christmas at the Inn series that will be available at Christmas 2022. Gingerbread Inn with be all about “second chapters” for the hero and heroine. More on that at a later date. 

I am not planning too far ahead. But I do know that I will want to write the third book in the Men of the Double K series, Game of Chance for publication in 2022. And then hopefully back to the next book in the Widows of Blessings Valley series, Stella. 

For now, I have started the second book in the Men of the Double K series, Winds of Change. It should be available late summer/early fall. This story is about the youngest of the Kennedy brothers. 

A wonderful blessing came on New Year’s Eve when I became a great-grandmother! My darling great-granddaughter is growing like a weed, and she has the absolute best mommy and daddy. Check out my latest newsletter for a picture of Miss Addison. 

A sad note was that last summer (2020) I lost my dog, Missy, to cancer. She was never quite the same after my husband’s passing and looked for him every day at the back gate. I know that she is now running beside him. I also lost my beloved mother-in-law during the COVID lockdown. 

On the flip side, I gained a wonderful, it not sometimes needy, kitten shortly before Missy’s passing. Simon is two years old this September and loves to assist me whenever he can. Meaning when I let him up on the desk. Also, Red River Crossing, Book 1 of Men of the Double K series, was the 2019 IDA Winner in the Historical Short category. 

That’s about it for now. Watch for posts in the future. 

Thank you for your support, you are deeply appreciated.

Have a safe and fun summer! 

Hugs,

Maxine 

 

Winds of Change

Men of the Double K, Book 2 

When Cordell Kennedy’s young wife dies, his life falls apart and he leans on family members to care for his daughter and maintain his focus on running the Double K Ranch. After a year of juggling fatherhood and work, he believes the time has finally come for him to hire a woman to care for his daughter and his home. Before he can enlist the help of his family to find an older, grandmotherly-type woman, he learns his family has already solved the matter for him when a beautiful young nanny unexpectedly shows up at his front door. 

Mollie Sheffield has lived most of her childhood in a New York City orphanage until the age of fourteen when the Brown family secured her services to act as a companion to their invalid daughter. When her charge passes, the Browns allow her some time to find another position. Even though she would much rather stay in New York, it becomes apparent that her time has run out and she reluctantly accepts an offer to travel to Texas to care for a widower and his young daughter. 

Now that Cordell and Mollie have been thrown together by the Kennedy clan, can Mollie fulfill her desire to become a mother and wife when she falls in love with a man who doesn’t believe he can share his heart again? And can Cord see past his pain to find the love in Mollie’s heart?

Vera

Widows of Blessings Valley, Book 2

American Western Historical Romance Series 

A late morning mining accident casts a gloom over the town of Blessings Valley. Over twenty souls were lost in an excavating explosion that has left several widows, friends and townspeople mourning. The explosion occurred as the miners were coming out for lunch. A rescue force was sent out immediately to recover the bodies. Services are currently being arranged. Pray for these lost souls and their families. 

Recently widowed, laundress Vera Baldwin is pregnant and terrified of how she will provide for her unborn child. She has no family to turn to, neither her’s nor her late husband’s. 

Assigned to investigate the mining accident that killed several men in Blessings Valley, undercover agent, Jack Daniels is torn between duty and family when he learns Vera Baldwin is carrying his estranged brother’s child.

Can two strangers with broken hearts find love for the sake of an unborn child? 

Here continues the stories of Elizabeth, Vera, Stella, Fannie, Vivian, Charlotte, Violet, and Willa herself, they are the Widows of Blessings Valley. 

Amazon US / AmazonUK / Print

Available on all Amazon sites

 OMG where has the time gone? Soon it will be Christmas before we all know it. And I am not ready for it at all. 

And while Victoria, the 19th bride to arrive in Angel Creek, is still on her journey with an anticipated arrival of December 19, you'll want to catch up on what has been happening in Angel Creek starting in 1865 with Charity. https://amzn.to/2FE4oDO

The year is 1875 and these four new Angel Creek Christmas Brides are already celebrating! Meet Abigail, Grace, Pearl, and Rebecca, books 12-15 of the Angel Creek Christmas Brides. You'll want to add them to your Want to Read shelf this holiday season!

ABIGAIL

(Angel Creek Christmas Brides Book 12)

by Peggy McKenzie

4.8 out of 5 stars (14)

Three little girls. Two broken hearts. There's only one solution—

An Angel Creek Christmas miracle.

Captain William Bennett is finally happy with his life. It hasn’t been easy getting to this point, but he’s learned his lesson—females are trouble. And just when he’s getting re-acquainted with the perks of bachelorhood, the stage arrives with three little girls and a letter with the most devastating news.

Abigail Whittaker’s parents begged her to come with them when they left Charleston, but she has plans of her own. Close friends have told her about a place where jobs are plentiful and women are free to choose their own destinies. But when she arrives in Angel Creek, she soon realizes she's arrived just a little too late.

GRACE

(Angel Creek Christmas Brides Book 13)

by Jo Grafford

4.9 out of 5 stars (27)

A long-lost soldier, a sister of the woman he was once engaged to, and the merry mischief of a Christmas matchmaker…

Grace Byrd has been in love with Lieutenant Charley Arrington for as long as she can remember, but he barely notices her existence when her oldest sister, Elizabeth, is around. Grace’s heart is shattered when he goes missing in action and is presumed dead. She silently vows to live out her days as a spinster, because she cannot imagine ever giving her heart to another man.

Now he’s back in their lives — returned from a southern hospital where he suffered of amnesia for months. Ready to claim her oldest sister’s hand in marriage at long last, he quickly learns Elizabeth has become a mail-order bride in his absence to help out with her family’s failing finances. What’s more, she’s fallen in love with her new husband.

Is this Grace’s second chance to win the heart of the man she loves? Can Charley move beyond his old dreams and replace them with new ones? One-click this sweet, small town romance to find out…and be whisked away by the hope and healing of the holidays!

PEARL

(Angel Creek Christmas Brides Book 14)

by Hildie McQueen

4.2 out of 5 stars (10)

The best gift Luke Reynolds can give his new bride for Christmas would be telling her the truth...

Pearl Jameson works at her family bakery in Charleston. When a fire kills her parents, her grief takes over until she can't function. When a friend suggests she respond to an ad for a mail-order bride out west, she leaves everything behind to start anew.

Constantly butting heads with his drunken brother Owen, over the effort it takes to run the ranch they own, Luke Reynolds has had it. When a mail-order bride arrives in response to Owen’s ad, Luke is astonished to find his brother has ran off and left everything, including his young son. Deciding not to reveal he’s not who placed the ad, Luke marries Pearl.

A sweet Christmas story of how love can make even the worst situations perfect.

REBECCA

(Angel Creek Christmas Brides Book 15)

by Lily Graison

4.7 out of 5 stars (5)

Rebecca thought this Christmas was going to be another spent in the cold while looking into tinseled windows and dreaming of a life she'd never know. But fate throws her a lifeline when she jumps on a train headed west. When she arrives in Angel Creek, Montana to discover she's assumed the identity of a mail-order bride, she wonders how long it will take her new husband to realize she can't cook, sew or clean a house properly?

Caleb Reilly bows to mounting pressure from his ailing mother and young daughter and sends away for a wife. The closer it gets to Christmas, the more he regrets the decision--until his new bride steps off the stagecoach. She isn't what he'd been expecting. Nor does she resemble the woman he corresponded with and Caleb soon realizes Rebecca isn't who she says she is. Can he trust this stranger with his daughter? And can he trust his own judgment when logic tells him one thing but his heart begs he does another?

The Angel Creek Christmas Brides Series

2018 CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Book 1: Charity -- Sylvia McDaniel
Book 2: Julia -- Lily Graison
Book 3: Ruby -- Hildie McQueen
Book 4: Sarah -- Peggy McKenzie
Book 5: Anna -- Everly West

2018 CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Book 6: Caroline -- Lily Graison
Book 7: Melody -- Caroline Clemmons
Book 8: Elizabeth -- Jo Grafford
Book 9: Emma -- Peggy McKenzie
Book 10: Viola -- Cyndi Raye
Book 11: Ginger -- Sylvia McDaniel

2020 CHRISTMAS BRIDES
Book 12: Abigail -- Peggy McKenzie
Book 13: Grace -- Jo Grafford
Book 14: Pearl -- Hildie McQueen
Book 15: Rebecca -- Lily Graison
Book 16: Charlotte -- Kari Trumbo
Book 17: Minnie -- Sylvia McDaniel
Book 18: Adele -- Cynthia Woolf
Book 19: Victoria -- Maxine Douglas
Book 20: Meg -- Caroline Clemmons

Happy Holiday Reading!

Elizabeth

Widows of Blessings Valley, Book 1

American Western Historical Romance Series

A mining accident has killed several miners in Blessings Valley. Some of the widows are struggling through their grief to answer a widow’s question. With Wilhelmina “Willa” Alexander’s guidance, they just might each learn to live again.
Two people scarred by life. She carries the scars on her heart. He carries the scars on his body. Can they find peace, healing, and love together?

Webster defines grief as “emotional suffering caused by or as if by bereavement” and a widow as a “woman who has lost her husband by death and has not married again.” If these definitions were as simple as they sound.
     To the Widows of Blessings Valley, these two words mean so much more. They mean living their lives without the one they gave their hearts and souls to. The one they vowed to love forever. It means crying themselves to sleep at night. It means trying to go on in a new life without knowing how. It means knowing no matter how much they try to heal they never really completely do. No matter how much they think they’ll never love again, they will but differently.
     They say time heals all things. That may be true or may not. All I know is the scab on my heart and soul was slowly peeled off and bled again over the months I wrote this book. But I had to write it regardless of my pain, tears, and sorrow.
     I cannot promise the next ones will be the same. I'm not sure I want to feel the heartache all over again. Regardless I will tell their stories...the Widows of Blessings Valley.

US: https://amzn.to/32Dg4gN / UK: https://amzn.to/2Y2o3QU

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2Z1bBCe / BookBub: https://bit.ly/2XY83o1

Mindy Klasky’s Book Quote Wednesday

April

SIMPLY TO DIE FOR

contemporary suspense/cozy mystery set in Hollywood.

Can ex-adult film star, Kandi Kyses and surfer reporter, Jimmy O’Brien find a serial killer before he finds Kandi?

Buy eBook/Print: https://bit.ly/2uswfxy

Mindy Klasky’s Book Quote Wednesday

This week’s #bookqw word is: “secret” and comes from

NASHVILLE BY MORNING

(A Nashville Duets contemporary romance)

US Buy ebook: https://amzn.to/2REX8Y1

UK Buy ebook: https://amzn.to/2Sr71wZ

Also in Print / Audio: https://bit.ly/2GoKR8i

Mindy Klasky’s Book Quote Wednesday

“Night”

LEANNA’S LIGHT (The Alphabet Mail-Order Brides, #12) a sweet western historical romance.

 Series Info: https://bit.ly/2GL3DZk Buy ebook/Print: https://bit.ly/2QfSLSB

Sneak Peek:

Prologue: https://bit.ly/2BJ8nJe // Chapter 1: https://bit.ly/2ApZVi6

📖📖

LOST IN LAVENDER

Buy link: https://amzn.to/2RUzITJ

📖📖

More Than One Night by Marie Tuhart (sexy contemporary romance)

Universal link: https://books2read.com/MoreThanOneNight

📖📖

FROM HERE TO FOURTEENTH STREET

Vita went down the stairs holding the wobbly banister. The tenement was a nightmare—the filth, the heat, the stench. It made them say cruel things they didn’t mean. It came out of the endless struggle to survive.

Buy Link: getBook.at/NewYorkSagaBookOne

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Mindy Klasky’s Book Quote Wednesday

Series Info: https://bit.ly/2GL3DZk // Buy ebook/Print: https://bit.ly/2QfSLSB

Sneak Peek:

Prologue: https://bit.ly/2BJ8nJe // Chapter 1: https://bit.ly/2ApZVi6

Destiny’s Secrets

Book 11 in the Pike’s Run Series by Kara O’Neal

To date, writing Destiny’s Secrets has been the most difficult in the Pike’s Run Series. I had to do a lot of research, and this book has two love stories in one. It was quite a challenge, but I loved every minute of it. Whenever characters are dear to me, I will do whatever I can to tell their story. I truly enjoyed spending time with Andrew and Jo and Ben and Charlotte. They were a lot of fun, and I hope you read their journey to true love! 

Andrew and Ben Lonnigan, brothers and private investigators, have accepted an important case—to reunite the long-lost DuBois daughters with their rightful inheritance. Abducted from their childhood home in New Orleans when they were three and two-years-old, Jo and Charlotte were adopted by separate families.

Andrew heads north to find Josephine Tatum—a pants-wearing, spitfire veterinarian who challenges his mind and captures his heart. Ben travels south to find Charlotte Ryan—the financial mind behind her father’s ranch, with a sweet disposition and, unfortunately, a fiancé.

As the sisters journey toward destiny, Charlotte must guard her heart against Ben, a man too daring to ever return her love. And Andrew must hide his feelings from Jo, a woman determined to carve her own path. While the foursome battle feelings, they must also war with a villain from the sisters’ past, one with the will and the means to destroy everything the DuBois daughters hold dear.

Amazon

Excerpt:

     The moonlight shining through the window above the sink bathed the dark room in a silver glow. He wished he’d brought a lantern in order to better see her face. Quiet settled around them, and he cleared his throat. “Did…Did you have a good time?”
     “Yes.” She leaned against the counter, putting several feet of space between them.
     “You weren’t scared?”
     “I was.”
     His mouth tipped up at the corners. “But you went anyway?”
     “Yes.”
     He tried to imagine her sitting in a saloon and couldn’t wrap his mind around it. “What’d you do?”
     She pushed her hands behind her back. “Played cards.”
     “Poker?”
     “Yes. The owner found us spots, and we used some of Jo’s money. I only played two hands because I wasn’t comfortable betting.” She waited a beat. “That’s not a game someone should learn while using someone else’s coins.”
     He had no reply and ached to move closer to her. He wished he could gather her in his arms. The last several hours had been pure torture, and his pulse raced at finally being in the same room with her.
     “I also drank some whiskey.”
     Her statement had him gaping. “Really?”
     She didn’t expand and asked a question of her own. “Is this what you wanted to speak to me about?”
     “No, I…” How in the hell did he begin? Why bring this up when she so obviously wanted to avoid it? But he couldn’t handle a chasm in their friendship. Even though he might not see her after Tuesday, he had to fix the tension between them.
     “I’m sorry for what I did,” she blurted. “I shouldn’t have done it, especially without asking for permission.”
     Permission? Her sweetness punched him in the gut. Before he could respond, she went on.
     “I have feelings for you, Ben. Strong ones. I didn’t want you to know because I’m very aware I’m not a lady you’d ever be interested in, but I don’t want to hide my regard anymore.” She pushed away from the counter. “I love you.”
     His breath caught at her honesty. Her courage.
     “You’re probably confused because I was engaged only a short time ago, but…” She shook her head. “I didn’t love him. Not like I should have. I agreed to marry him to give my family some happiness after the death of my mother.”
     Her words came with authority, shocking him into further silence.
     “You came into my life, and you dazzled me. You’re so kind,” she said with reverence. “So caring. So…handsome. I’m glad I met you. I don’t regret losing my heart to you, but it’s going to take some work to get it back, and I need your help with that.”
     What did she want of him?
     “I need space. Distance.” She took a moment. “I’d appreciate it if we just said goodbye now.”
     Already? Rebellion reared its head like a fire-breathing dragon.
     When she said no more, he realized she waited for his agreement. How could he give her what she wanted?
     But why would he hesitate? Her request should be easy to grant. He understood it. Respected it.
     “Ben?” she prodded.
     “Yes,” he rasped.
     “Yes? You’ll honor what I’m asking?”
     The hopeful, grateful note in her tone was like a knife to his heart. “Of course.”
     Even in the darkness, he easily detected the slump of her shoulders. “Thank you.”
     He couldn’t respond. It was impossible.
     She shuffled forward a few steps, and he sensed her looking at him expectantly.
     “So,” he uttered. “This is goodbye, then.”
     “Yes.”
     He heard her heartache, the tears she tried hard to hold back. He didn’t want this. He couldn’t lose her already.
     “Goodbye,” she said softly, her voice breaking.
     He swallowed. “Goodbye.”
     One second more, then she swept past him, and he quaked with the force it took to keep from yanking her into his arms. He didn’t turn as she walked out of his life. 

 * * * *

 Born and raised in Texas, the state had to be the setting for my first series. From the food to the fun, like floating the rivers, it is the fire in my blood that inspires me. My family and friends take center stage in my books. My sisters and best friends are my heroines, and my husband created my favorite hero. Love and family are the point of my stories, and I seek to entertain, relieve stress, and inspire people. Books can take one on a journey that one can relive over and over. I am extremely grateful to those authors who did that very thing for me. I learned and I fell in love with their words and characters. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Please visit me at www.karaoneal.com.

My Facebook page // Pinterest

Amazon // Barnesand Noble

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Mindy Klasky’s Book Quote Wednesday

Series Info: https://bit.ly/2GL3DZk *** Buy ebook/Print: https://bit.ly/2QfSLSB

Sneak Peeks: 

Prologue: https://bit.ly/2BJ8nJe *** Chapter 1: https://bit.ly/2ApZVi6