Of course, not every book had a happy ending. And that was okay. I treasured the stories. They were the perfect escape for this shy girl from Illinois who always felt like an outsider in a crowd. I wanted my own happy ending. When I was twenty-seven, I finally got it.
Meet Brad. We've been together for twenty-one years. He's an amazing man. My best friend, my biggest advocate, the father of my three beautiful children. He supports me even when I want to do something crazy. Like write romance. In fact, this sweet man has read every book I have written. Published and non-published. He also let's me use him as a sounding board. That's love. When I thought that the dream of publication was out of reach, he never doubted.
Next week, my ninth book will release. That amazes me. When I was writing Amish Country Ambush, my husband, as an EMT and volunteer firefighter, was key to my research. My heroine, Elise St. Clair, is a dispatcher. Having no experience as a dispatcher, or responding to emergencies, I was very happy to be able to ask my husband for assistance.
This was a fun story to write. Here's the back cover blurb:
Hidden in Plain SightAn Amish Country Justice story
After police dispatcher Elise St. Clair’s home is invaded by her murderous brother-in-law, her nephew is hidden in Amish Country by her cleaning lady. Now relying on police officer Ryan Parker is Elise’s only hope of reuniting with the child…and evading the killer. And Elise and Ryan quickly discover their temporary partnership has long-term potential—if they can stay alive.
After police dispatcher Elise St. Clair’s home is invaded by her murderous brother-in-law, her nephew is hidden in Amish Country by her cleaning lady. Now relying on police officer Ryan Parker is Elise’s only hope of reuniting with the child…and evading the killer. And Elise and Ryan quickly discover their temporary partnership has long-term potential—if they can stay alive.
I'm curious... what are some of the books that you read as a child or teen that have stayed with you through years?
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Thanks for sharing your HEA with us!
ReplyDeleteHi Dana,
ReplyDeleteThe books I remember the most were 3rd and 4th grade - The Happy Hollisters. They pretty much gave me my love of reading. Then I remember the horse phase - if it had a horse on the cover, I'd read it. My father was a teacher and his school librarian kept me in books.
I know there was some series I read as a teen about twin sisters. I can't remember the author though. For shame!
I fell in love with the Jalna series by Mazo de la Roche (probably when I was in high school).
I could go on and on. I saw a post on FB earlier- it was a meme about just seeing a book making you feel happier (paraphrase). Yup, that's me. Always. And I'm happy to know I passed that on to my daughters. Anytime my eldest was upset about something, she'd tell me to leave her be to read for a while and she'd be fine. :)
I was just like your daughter.
DeleteI liked The Happy Hollisters, too, Cate!
DeleteI remember The Happy Hollisters and How they Grew!
DeleteMy first love, though, was the Betsy books by Carolyn Haywood. Made me a reader, they did.
Hi Dana! I discovered gothic romance novels as a tween and fell in love with all the mystery, suspense and romance. But one non-romance book that has always stayed with me was Where the Red Fern grows. My 4th grade teacher read it to us in class and I cried and cried and cried. Amish Country Ambush sounds like a great story! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThat was a great book. I also enjoyed The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key
DeleteI was a huge Nancy Drew fan. I still have my collection of books. I wanted to be Nancy. Lol.
ReplyDeleteI liked the boxcar children. I am embarrassed to say I never read Nancy Drew!
DeleteTerri, I WAS Nancy! LOL!!!
DeleteHow could I have forgotten to mention Nancy (and the Hardy Boys) and Trixie Belden. And like Virginia, I loved those gothics. And I read a ton of Barbara Cartland when I was in HS.
DeleteThe new book looks great, Dana! I was a Nancy Drew fan...of course! Read every one of her stories back then. I guess that was my beginning in suspense!
ReplyDeleteYour story sounds good, Dana. Based on your research expert, I'd say this is a winning deal!
ReplyDelete