Mystery on the Bayou (An Amelia Moore Detective Agency) By Linda Weaver Clarke
Kindle Edition, 213 pages
Published
November 23rd 2015
by Red Mountain Shadows Publishing
Source: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Description:
A ROMANTIC COZY MYSTERY:
Amelia Moore, the founder of the Moore Detective Agency, specializes in
missing persons. With the help of her partner, Rick Bonito, the
business is flourishing.
While at the beach, Amelia is
approached by a woman who is concerned about the son she gave up for
adoption sixteen years ago. Millie has been having nightmares that make
her fear he is in danger. She petitioned the court to view the sealed
records but was refused. Will Amelia and Rick be able to convince the
courts to help them? If her son is in danger, will they get there in
time?
My Review:
Amelia and Rick are now married and are approached by a woman during their honeymoon, needing help to find her son, whom she gave up for adoption when he was a baby. He may have a potentially life-threatening genetic disease. They take the challenge to find this boy and are lead to the bayous of Louisiana, where a whole pile of mysteries are interwoven and await them. I love the clean romance between Rick and Amelia. Even though they're married now, there's plenty of flirting and cuteness, but everything is squeaky clean. They are an adorable couple. They complement each other nicely, both in personality and in work traits. I love getting glimpses into their bucket lists, as well.
I love the way this author is able to weave an interesting tale in different settings, causing the reader to feel both a part of the story and a part of where ever the mystery is set. I felt like I got a little taste of Louisiana. The mystery is cozy, not on-the-edge intense, yet it flows well and at a good, steady pace. I'm always excited to see what Ms. Clarke comes up with next!
Content: talk of murder and crimes, but nothing graphic at all; mild romance (kissing, flirting); Clean!
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Linda Weaver Clarke travels
throughout the United States, teaching a “Family Legacy Workshop,”
encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography. She
is the author of the historical romance series, “A Family Saga in Bear
Lake, Idaho,” which includes: Melinda and the Wild West - a
semi-finalist for the “Reviewers Choice Award 2007,” and a new mystery
series, “The Adventures of John and Julia Evans.”
Harlequin released 13 FREE short stories by beloved Harlequin Heartwarming authors during November via their site. You can still read these short stories through December 31st. The sale for 30% off Heartwarming titles also continues through November 30th. Grab the ones you want now!
A Heartwarming Thanksgiving Facebook Party
Join us for a grand ending to this month of wonderful Harlequin Heartwarming short stories with a Facebook party! All thirteen authors are stopping by and giving away more books!! Come join us on Monday, November 30th, from 12 pm to 2 pm EST HERE. If you can't make it, feel free to stop by later and check out the party.
If you missed any of the extra guest posts or excerpts for stories you might have missed, go back and check them out...
Sheridan pulled her hair over one shoulder. She had been a pretty girl who turned into an absolutely beautiful woman. Pregnancy looked good on her. Her skin was flawless and those green eyes had always been capable of taking his breath away.
You always know youíre going to get an emotional-satisfying read with a guaranteed happy ever after. Another great thing about this line ñ you can share these books with your friends, your mother, your sister, your daughter and not be embarrassed to say youíve read them.
. . . the Writerís Lot in Lifeówhich is nothing more than thinking ìwhat ifÖî every time you turn aroundótook over, resulting in Wedding at Turkey Run.
ìSorry.î Although she wasnít. Even taking into account the gorgeousness of his eyes, hair and smile, there was something about Zeke McNeil that set her teeth on edge.
I was in Northwest Florida avoiding a terrible winter in the Midwest, but my heart was in the Northeast Kingdom. I made a discovery then, that not only were these books heartwarming to read, they were heartwarming to write, too.
She tried to focus on her list, but it seemed his image was imprinted on her mind. Sleepy eyes and tousled hair. He looked good enough toÖlove? Even after yesterday when sheíd cried in the car, and heíd kissed her, she wasnít going there.
Whether each authorís stories are funny or sad or both, they all contain lots of emotion. Heartwarming gives me the chance to explore some deeper issues with fully-realized characters to love.
Her eyes lit up and immediately he knew where her thoughts were heading. ìCooking isnít hard for you.î She grabbed his hands in her small soft ones, making his heart pick up speed. ìTeach me,î she said.
Iíve made a lovely home at Harlequinís Heartwarming line. When my agent and I were looking for a place for my small town, contemporary, sweet series, it was the perfect fit.
I wrote this story because for me, thanksgiving is about home. Itís a holiday where we get together with our loved ones and are grateful we have each other.
I read books because I want to feel; I want to laugh, cry, yell at no one in particular. I want the freedom to experience a range of emotions that arenít of my doing. Thatís also why I write for Harlequin Heartwarming. This is a line where the stories are driven by an emotional payoff; that moment when you clutch your heart and feel the words in your soul.
Shrugging, prosecuting attorney, Corrine Armstrong, pulled the offensive piece of material off the small, but nice wooden dinette sheíd purchased two months before but had yet to host a meal on. She used to host a lot of meals. All the time. She used to have a large, impressive dining room table, too.
Iím thrilled to be spending time in this new Heartwarming world as well. Where my heart can spill forth freely! I hope you find the result a blessing in your life.
Heart of a Hero is Nathanís story. Imagine finding out your whole history is not the one you were supposed to have? That the parents who raised you werenít your parents and that the mother who gave birth to you never stopped loving, never stopped searching, never stopped praying.
Nathan nodded. He knew Agatha. Back when he was a cop in nearby Adobe Hills, Arizona, heíd occasionally called her needing information. She knew everyone.
I love Harlequin Heartwarming. Within the pages of the books, I can go places Iíve never been, meet heroes and heroes having adventures, and always walk away knowing that Happily Ever After is the perfect ending.
Iím absolutely thrilled with the second chance love story I wrote for a secondary character in another romance Iíd set in the Adirondacks, RAISING THE STAKES. In that book, two best friends co-own a diner. I wanted to give Maggie James, a woman who admires the gutsy gals she grew-up watching in black and white films with her grandmother, the happily-ever-after she deserved.
Beams whined overhead and plunged. One careened into the opposite wall in a shower of sparks. Eric doggedly kept his focus. They would make it out. Alive.
I love writing Heartwarming novels because they are deeply emotional and extremely romantic. As they are ìclean readsî the author has lots of page room to devote to developing the love between two compelling characters and their journey to find it.
I thought the story would be something light-hearted and not-too-serious with a hero returning or moving to Rankins to escape a difficult past. Heíd want to be left alone. I intended for the folks of Rankins to make my broody heroís alone-time impossible. . . . Some of that happens. But, as is usually the case when I start writing, my characters began to take on lives of their own. And they had other plans. Plans that surprised me.
Ryder could feel two sets of eyes on his back as he and Tag started toward the cabin. Something in him itched to turn around and see if he was right. What could it hurt to take one more glance at the lovely Jessie and her dog Fife? Cool it, Ryder, he told himself, women and dogs were both off limits.
The emphasis on feelings like affection, respect, admiration and ìlikeî reflects the necessities (in my opinion) that make up a strong and lasting relationship. True love, in other words, is the hallmark of Heartwarming.
[T]he precipitating event in The Firefighterís Promise is based on a very personal experience. . . . It was an interesting process for me to try to put myself inside my husbandís head while writing this story to understand what he must have been feeling and thinking.
Amidst the scorching bursts of light, she saw him. Dark hair. Strong features. Blue eyes. There was a prick on her forearm and an odd taste in her mouth.
She trusted those eyes and believed the voice that assured her heíd take care of her before everything went black.
I had so much fun writing this story and watching Matt push Ruthie outside of her comfort zone. Of course Ruthie didn't budge easily from her by the book life, but Matt was more than up for the challenge. And Ruthie discovered the best happy-ever-after was the one she never planned for.
Matt squatted down and rubbed the golden coat of Lady, Steve and Becca's eight-month old Great Dane rescue puppy. But his focus remained on Ruthie as she circled around the tables toward him. He took in everything from her thick, loose braid that hung over her left shoulder to her scarf wilted against her belted jacket to her ease with the pony-sized dog that easily outweighed her by a good twenty-some pounds.
I love strong emotional stories with characters defining what it means to be a part of a community, learning the value of family and discovering the power of their own happily-ever-afters. These are the types of stories I like to read and write.
In my Harlequin Heartwarming Thanksgiving short story, The Sweetheart Tree, environmental activist Serena Myss doesnít only take a short walk in the woods when her family suffers a tragedyÖunable to cope with her emotions or loss, she leaves home for several years. In doing so, she leaves behind the very people who love her, including the man she once thought sheíd spend forever with. . .
Officer Austin Shale had slapped handcuffs on plenty of wristsómost of them hairyóbut never in his wildest dreams had he imagined locking them on the soft, slender wrists of Serena Myss. Well, maybe he had imagined it once or twice, but not with her shooting daggers at him with those piercing, hazel eyes of hers. She glared at the handcuffs heíd taken off his belt.
What I love about writing for Harlequin Heartwarming is that, although the stories in the line are fiction, theyíre so true to real life that the pain, struggles and loss so many experience are as much a part of the charactersí journeys as they are ours.
I love marriage of convenience stories, but if you aren't writing historicals or paranormals, it's hard to come up with a plausible plot for one. When I was asked to write a short for Thanksgiving, a marriage of convenience idea came to mind: one NFL quarterback - Clinton Hadley - desperate to get out of jail and play Thanksgiving weekend.
She glanced up at Clinton. He looked like the poster boy for the NFL. Finely chiseled features, crisply cut black hair, dark brown eyes that could dissect a defense in less than ten seconds. He was known for his ability to adjust a play on the fly, to take risks, to think outside the box. What line had he crossed?
There is physical attraction between the hero and heroine (and kissing!), but the love between them is more likely built on the foundation of one soul recognizing another than one perfect body being attracted to another.
We hope you found something to warm your heart and help you get into the holiday spirit! Don't forget to enter the giveaways, if you haven't already...
GIVEAWAYS
Goodreads Giveaway
13 Harlequin Heartwarming Books
Enter on Goodreads HERE.
Pinterest Giveaway
Pin one or both of these images to spread the word and enter to win this adorably festive Thanksgiving Table Set:
Pinterest Prize includes: four reversible, quilted placemats, four matching napkins, hand-painted matching napkin rings, matching table runner, matching quilted hot pad/trivet, floral centerpiece in pot, and hand-crafted pilgrim pair.
Tour Giveaway Grand Prize: Harlequin Heartwarming Year Subscription (Provided by Harlequin and to US/CAN only) $40 VISA card (US only) 13-Book Heartwarming Prize Pack:The Best Laid Plans, Back to McGuffy's, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Small Town Secrets, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along, Wedding of His Dreams, After The Silence, and A Memory Away (print copies if US, ebooks if international) 8-Book Prize Pack:The Best Laid Plans, If I Loved You, Love, Lies & Mistletoe, First Comes Marriage, Once Upon A Marriage, Winter Wedding Bells, If Not For A Bee, When The Right One Comes Along,and After The Silence (print copies if US, ebooks if international)
Fatal Exchange (A Christy Spy Novel, Book 3) by Cindy M. Hogan
Kindle Edition, 209 pages
Published
September 22nd 2015
by O'neal Publishing
Source: I received a copy through eBooks for Review in exchange for an honest review
My Rating: 5 Stars
Description:
For 19-year-old Christy
Hadden, it’s life as usual as a spy, only this time in Paris, France.
Her mission: retrieve a flash drive containing evidence that a high
public official is working to destroy Paris. Pretty standard, until
someone steals the drive from her. Forced to abandon her position
protecting the informant, she goes after the thief, but returns empty
handed—only to find her informant dead.
Christy's failure taints
her reputation at Division and the director has lost all faith in her.
But Christy isn't one to slink into the shadows. Alone and disgraced,
she decides to track down the drive and solve the murder, not only to
redeem herself as a spy, but to give meaning to her informant’s
sacrifice, and perhaps even save Paris.
Suspenseful, with the
right amount of romance, and awash with action, Fatal Exchange will send
you on a thrill ride that will be hard to forget.
My Review:
Fatal Exchange is a fast-paced spy thriller and I enjoyed every minute of it, even though it stressed me out. This is another addition in the Christy series and I don't think they necessarily need to be read in order, but the reader will enjoy them much more if they are. The Watched trilogy introduces us to Christy and how she becomes a spy and the Christy stories expound on her experiences. Each novel focuses on a mission.
Christy finds herself in Paris in this book. I'm always amazed that she's only 19 and has more talents and skills in her little finger than I have. She's fearless, creative, a linguist, possesses a lot of ingenuity, and is a master of disguises. I would probably faint dead away at the first sign of trouble and she managed to take her intense situations and turn them around in her favor.
Christy's mission is to find a flash drive with some incriminating evidence on it, but it's not that cut and dried. I couldn't help but wonder if this author has experience in being a spy or something. Events and transitions are so well done and the characters are phenomenal. I was amazed and stressed at the way things unfolded. I definitely wouldn't make a good spy, but I love reading these books.
Content: one mild expletive; mild-moderate violence (it's a spy thriller--nothing gory or too graphic, but there are deaths, kidnappings, torture, etc); mild romantic elements (kissing); I would consider it clean.
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Author Cindy M. Hogan
Cindy M. Hogan graduated with a BA in education and is inspired by the
unpredictable teenagers she teaches. More than anything she loves the
time she has with her own teenage daughters and wishes she could freeze
them at this fun age. If she's not reading or writing, you'll find her
snuggled up with the love of her life watching a great movie or planning
their next party. Most of all, she loves to laugh.
She is the bestselling and award winning author of the Watched trilogy, a YA suspense series with a dash of romance. She has since branched off to write a mystery, Gravediggers, that won Best YA novel of 2013, a contemporary romance, Confessions of a 16-Year-Old Virgin Lips, and two in a spy series, Adrenaline Rush and Hotwire.
Published
November 10th 2015
by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
My Rating: 5 Stars
Description:
Reserved yet resilient,
Ella Blakeley lives with her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, without
hope of escape—until the day Prince Kenton announces a ball that changes
everything. Even without mice, magic, or fairy godmothers, Ella might
discover a life that’s better than she ever dreamed. This intricately
woven twist on Cinderella is an enchanting book you won’t be able to put
down.
My Review:
I must admit--my favorite fairy tale is Beauty and the Beast, but Cinderella is a very, very close second. I love the idea of someone rising up from where she's been forced to be in a positive and selfless way. This retelling is one of the best I've read and one of my new favorites.
One thing that's tricky with retellings is to stay close enough to the original that the reader is engaged, yet put enough twists and spins on it to make it unique. Ms. Peaslee masters that quite well. The familiar elements are there--a motherless girl with a father who dies, a mean stepmother and stepsisters, a prince, and a ball. However, in this version, the reader really gets inside of Ella's head and sees her reasons for doing (or not doing) what she does.
I found myself connected to Ella almost from the start. She's a hardworking, loyal girl with a great attitude and personality. Ella has two good friends, Jane and Will, who each play important roles in the story. The characters are all very well done.
There isn't a fairy godmother, yet the story still worked well in that aspect. The major twists come towards the end and I wasn't sure just how it would all end, but I was very, very pleased with how it did. I read this book in a day, as I just couldn't get enough. This is a clean read, appropriate for all ages. I'm excited to see what Jessilyn Peaslee comes up with next!
Buy Links:
About the Author:
Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee was born the fourth of seven children to a
family of avid readers, movie quoters, and sports fanatics. She
graduated with a degree in English from Brigham Young University in
2004. She is a mother of five rambunctious, adorable boys and while you
read this, she is probably folding laundry . . . or should be.
An Unexpected Kiss (Treasured Dreams Book 2) by Susan Hatler
Kindle Edition, 24 pages
Published
August 11th 2015
by Hatco Publishing
Source: I received a copy in exchange for an honest review
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Description:
Holly is beyond excited
about her first date with Dave. They share a love for her beloved small
mountain resort town, plus she’s never felt such sparks for a guy
before. But when her mom warns her to proceed with caution so she won’t
get disappointed, Holly pulls back—until an unexpected surprise entices
her to risk her heart completely.
My Review:
Once again, I was excited to go to the small mountain town in Montana to get another dose of Holly and Dave. There's an instant attraction and interest between the two of them and now they're about to go on their first date, which is amazing, by the way.
The excitement is almost tangible and the build up to what happens afterward is downright swoony. What a greatly detailed little story! I'm enjoying the way each book focuses on one aspect of their developing feelings and relationship and really delves into the heart of it. I can't wait for more!
Content: mild romance (kissing). Clean!
Buy Links:
About the Author:
SUSAN HATLER is a New York
Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, who writes humorous and
emotional contemporary romance and young adult novels. Many of Susan's
books have been translated into German, Spanish, French, and Italian. A
natural optimist, she believes life is amazing, people are fascinating,
and imagination is endless. She loves spending time with her characters
and hopes you do, too.
Title: Wasted Time Author: Mya O’Malley Genre: Contemporary
Romance Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing
Do you believe that some souls are destined to be together, even through hardship and deceit?
After 9-11, Declan’s heart is torn between wanting to stay with Morgan and needing to fight for his
beloved country. Knowing that the future may be uncertain, he kisses his fiancée goodbye and focuses
on his mission until that dark day from which he will never fully recover. Injured in Afghanistan, Declan
has lost more than part of his leg, he’s lost part of himself, now plagued in grief and guilt. How could he
possibly ask Morgan to take care of him for the rest of his life, being nothing but a burden to her? Which
would be more heartbreaking, feigning his own death or bringing her unhappiness every day? If only he
could eradicate her from his mind and be at peace with his decision.
Morgan prays day and night for Declan’s safe return, but when his letters stop coming, Morgan knows in
her heart that she has lost him forever. Morgan has a hard time believing in fate and destiny after her
fiancé is taken from her. With Declan gone, Morgan’s hope for true love is destroyed, but eventually
she finds comfort in the arms of another. Morgan’s new love knows that her heart belongs to Declan,
but will do any-thing in his power to stop the two from reuniting. Will Morgan eventually be able to
move on, or will Declan haunt her dreams forever?
I've come to learn that Mya O'Malley does a great job weaving together an emotional and clean romance. I was amazed at how much heartfelt emotion really was contained in these words.
Declan and Morgan have an insta-love, but that doesn't mean their connection is without problems. Their souls are so deeply connected and their love is so thorough and deep and that causes them both to find it within themselves to think more of the other person, than of themselves. Morgan doesn't want Declan to be deployed anymore than he wants to leave her, but he knows it's his duty and he can't live with himself if he doesn't go. When things don't turn out as expected, Declan comes home broken in more ways than one and can't burden Morgan with his issues. So he doesn't. And she has no idea he's alive. She's moved on with her life, but a piece of her heart just can't be given away again.
Oh, the angst and emotion! I can't imagine making life changing decisions like Declan and Morgan have to make, but they do and I loved to follow them along in their journeys. Morgan is a very sweet, kind, and beautiful woman and the kind of person you can't help but like. Even in the midst of turmoil, she still cares about others. Declan has a little streak of something--rebelliousness, anger, stubbornness--but he, too, thinks of others and is a strong and courageous man.
I love the way the story came together, but I wanted more. I think I was so engrossed in what was happening, that I wanted every little detail of their lives and I felt like some events and feelings were glossed over. The story is driven by emotion and romance, but I wanted the deeper feelings at times to really see how far they both come. There is a great element of light suspense throughout. I did find myself very involved and did enjoy it.
Content: moderate language (a lot of 2 or 3 words, but not the most offensive); mild violence (non-graphic descriptions of war and aftereffects); mild-moderate romantic elements (kissing, fade-to-black bedroom scenes with no details, aside from kissing; flirting with cheating).
My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
* I received a copy in exchange for an honest review*
Her face was the only thing that had kept him sane during his deployment. At this moment, however,
thoughts of Morgan had been pushed to the side for reasons of pure survival. Declan wiped the mud from his eye with a swift movement of his hand, just quick enough so that he could see again. Booming
thunder went off near and far.
Swearing under his breath, Declan closed one eye and squinted the other shut as he spied his
target. Breathe. One, two, three… he could do this. The first time he’d had to shoot
another man he had faltered, hesitated only the briefest of seconds, during which time the man escaped
his line of sight and shot a fellow soldier in the leg, causing serious injury.
This time, Declan concentrated, aimed his M4 rifle, and fired. The distinct thud of a man dropping to the ground confirmed the target had been hit.
Swiping at the sweat in his eyes from the sweltering mid-day heat, Declan gulped and struggled to his
knees. Lining up his rifle again, his neck and shoulders ached with fatigue. He bit down and gritted his
teeth, tasting dirt while fighting off the pain.
It seemed as if hours had gone by, when in fact, it had probably only been minutes when finally the
haunting sound of gunfire ceased. Not one to trust silence in any setting, Declan mentally counted
upward until he reached near fifty.
“All clear,” his buddy, Sean, called out. “All clear.”
Declan, always cautious, still maintained his position until he heard his fellow soldiers from his platoon
begin to speak. Peeking up from his ravine, Declan rose slowly to his feet as the rifle was pressed to his
side.
Surveying the damage, it appeared that several of their enemies were lying still on the ground. The man
he had shot lay still, appearing lifeless. Another man lay several feet away. It seemed the enemies had
taken off, deserting the boundaries of the mountainous terrain of Afghanistan. His platoon mates fell
silent, all business as they quickly gathered their belongings to head back to base.
Declan clutched his rifle, drawing closer to his victim. Curiosity had gotten the best of him. Fully aware
of his previous actions, Declan stepped even closer. He had never killed a man before — injured, yes,
but never killed. This man did not appear to be alive.
His heart sped up as sweat caused his fatigues to cling to his body. For God’s sake, the man looked to
have been only in his early twenties at best. What have I done? What are we doing
here? Waves of nausea rose and Declan swallowed hard.
“Hey! Step back!” Sean called out. “Move out! I repeat, move out!”
Hearing his friend call out to him, Declan turned toward the sound of his voice, realizing his mistake
seconds too late. He should have known better; he should have. But no amount of training can prepare
you for taking another man’s life.
Glancing swiftly at Sean through tear-stained eyes, he saw the movement in his peripheral vision. Sean
raced to the open dirt road. They were sitting ducks, in plain sight. The man that Declan had presumed
dead, the one he had shot, raised his own rifle and fired at Sean, who dropped instantly to
ground.
“No! No!” Declan spun his head back to the imminent threat, a moment too late. The force of the
explosion knocked him to the ground in an instant. Morgan’s face was the last thing that registered in
his mind as another shot fired, leaving his world black.
****
Clouds scattered overhead, cries of gulls bringing back another time, a different memory, sitting here
with Declan by her side. Morgan squeezed her jaw, fighting back the pain.
Months later, there was still no word from Declan. On the Internet, she had searched out his name
relentlessly but there was no mention of Declan, no death certificates and his name couldn’t be found
on any list of casualties of the war. It was as if he had simply disappeared, but that wasn’t possible and
she feared the worst. He was gone and there was no closure for Morgan, as his only living
relatives were his mom and some family living on the west coast, whom Declan hadn’t seen in years.
Even she and Declan’s old friend, Stephen seemed to be losing touch.
She could sit on this beach and watch the water forever; it was a place Declan had cherished, a place she
felt close to him. Never again would her life be the same without Declan Blake. How was she going to
make it without him?
The world was quiet and without joy for Morgan. Even Morgan’s mother nagged her to speak with a
therapist. She didn’t see the purpose of smiling or laughing when it was all forced. Constant thoughts of
Declan plagued her day and night.
Morgan nearly jumped when her cell rang. First instincts were to let the call go to voicemail, but she
knew the person calling would only persist. That’s how it had been lately; she would ignore phone calls
only to find tons of messages waiting.
It was Elle, calling for the second time that day. “Hi, Elle.”
“Where have you been? I’ve been trying to call you for hours,” Elle exclaimed.
“I don’t know, I’m just hanging out.”
“Down by the river again?” Elle inquired.
“Yup,” Morgan responded as she moved her foot around in the sand.
“Figured as much.”
Elle’s voice sounded odd, almost as if she were hearing her close by. Morgan turned to see her friend
walking toward her on the grassy path leading to the small beach.
Rising to her feet, Morgan felt tears escape. Elle was by her side, arms wrapped around her within
moments. Morgan released Elle and took a small step back.
“Oh, Elle, what am I going to do?” she sobbed.
“You’re going to live, dammit. Declan would want you to be happy.”
“How? How can I forget about him, just move on?” It wasn’t possible, she had tried, and it just wasn’t
working. Even when she was at work, she was just going through the motions; she did her job, but her
heart wasn’t the same.
“I think it’s time for you to see someone to talk about all of this. You’ve waited long enough.”
She was right and so was her mother, believe it or not. “I will, Elle. I will because I don’t know what else
to do.”
“Morgan, you’re the strongest person I know. You have so much happiness and love to share. I have full
confidence in you. You’re going to make it and come out stronger in the end.” Elle spoke through her
own tears.
“Thanks, Elle. I love you.” Morgan felt better knowing there was someone on her side rooting for
her.
Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her
husband, daughter and three step-daughters. The family also consists of a boxer, Destiny and a ragdoll
cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in
reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the
lives of her students.
Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. Mya spends her
free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to
create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel; she has visited several Caribbean
Islands, Mexico and Costa Rica. Mya is currently working on her seventh novel.
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