Category: WriteWed

I am honored to be taking part in the Strength & Honor Anthology with several of my friends. We’ve all contributed to this anthology that will raise funds for an organization that helps stop soldier suicides. I hope you will take a moment to check it out and possibly pre-order a copy so you can start reading on May 7th when the anthology releases! Here’s a little teaser for my steamy story about a Navy Seal who is coming home after various deployments to a wife that is nothing like the young woman he left behind. You can get your copy at https://books2read.com/Strength-Honor.

Teaser for STAY THE NIGHT

He was the kind of man that every woman would want . . .

Sexy and handsome Rafael Castillo was a star athlete and honor student. Everyone knew Rafe was going places and would make his hometown proud. Elena Martinez dreams of the day that the friendship she shares with Rafe will turn into something more. When that moment comes she doesn’t hesitate to grab it, and Rafe, with both hands.

She was the woman he’d dreamed of and whose life he’d ruined . . .

Rafe has been in love with Elena since the fifth grade when she stood up for him and stopped bullies from teasing him for being different. In the years since then, Rafe has watched Elena grow into a smart, beautiful, and desirable woman. He had hoped Elena would be a part of his future and was determined to show her how special she was to him.

Can they forget the past to build their future?

A fateful night of passion will change the future both Elena and Rafe had envisioned. Forced into marriage by an unexpected pregnancy, they find themselves separated by the demands of impending parenthood. Rafe enlists in the Navy Seals to support his new wife and the child who is on the way, but Fate is determined to throw them another curve. After Elena’s miscarriage and years of separation during Rafe’s tours of duty, have they grown too far apart or is love still possible between them?

There are so many things that you do behind the scenes as a romance writer. There’s the writing, of course. The promotion which most of us hate to do but is a necessary evil. Then there’s the fun stuff like designing and making bookmarks and thinking about what kinds of special goodies you can make for readers. I’ve been making some bracelets and my daughter and I hauled out my collection of beads and string and we’ll be making some more for future events. In the meantime, here’s one of the bracelets that some of my VIP newsletter readers were lucky enough to win! If you want to possibly win some goodies like these or copies of ARCs for my upcoming releases – SABOTAGE OPERATION and ESCAPE THE EVERGLADES – please take a moment to sign up at https://bit.ly/CaridadsNewsletter. As a thank you for becoming one of my newsletter VIPs you can download a free copy of SOUTH BEACH LOVE and you’ll be able to keep up with VIP giveaways and other exclusives.

Good morning! It’s What You Reading Wednesday! Please take a moment to share what you’re reading or what’s on your TBR pile! Sadly, I have yet to get to Payback in Death which has been sitting on my TBR pile for a couple of months now. I’ve just been too busy with my role as a Conference Chair, some writing, growing seedlings, and of course, the best little seedling of all, my daughter’s pregnancy. All is well there but I’ve been gathering items and ideas for her upcoming baby shower. I know you are all probably busy too but I hope you’ve been able to get some reading done. So please share what you’re reading or what you’ll be grabbing off your TBR pile! P.S. If you’re looking for something to add to your TBR pile, I hope you’ll consider either out STRENGTH & HONOR charity anthology or my upcoming May 21 release SABOTAGE OPERATION! Want a free copy of SOUTH BEACH LOVE? Sign up for my newsletter to get your copy!

It’s National K-9 Veterans Day and so here’s a shoutout to all the K-9s who work with our military and law enforcement to keep us safe! Thank you! I’d like to also take a moment to talk about our military veterans, many of whom are suffering from homelessness and a variety of mental health problems. Because our soldiers need our help, I teamed up with 10 other authors and we’ve put together the Strength & Honor anthology to help raise funds for stopsoldiersuicide.org. Here’s a little more about the organization:

Veteran-founded, veteran-led, and veteran-focused, founded in 2010 by U.S. Army veterans Brian Kinsella, Nick Black, and Craig Gridelli, Stop Soldier Suicide is a nonprofit organization that combats military suicides by addressing underlying issues such as mental health, financial strain, and the difficulties of transitioning to civilian life. Their wellness service, ROGER, provides personalized, confidential support aimed at suicide prevention.

The Strength & Honor anthology contains 11 short stories featuring military heroes battling their inner demons and finding their happily ever after. My contribution to the story is Stay the Night, which is part of the Take a Chance military romance series. It’s a sexy read, but also an emotional story about a solider coming home to a wife he doesn’t really recognize after years apart due to his military service. The anthology releases on 5/7/2024. Preorder your copy today at https://books2read.com/StrengthAndHonor.

It’s been a long time since I’ve shared a teaser! So, today I’m sharing a short teaser from Brickell Avenue Ambush. In this scene, Ricky and Mariela have just been attacked after they went to check on a construction project being built by Mariela’s abusive ex. They suspect that there is something very dangerous about the project which could cost people their lives. Having survived the attack, it’s time for some tenderness and reflection! You can read more about Brickell Avenue Ambush at https://amzn.to/3SYwCuu.

Teaser

Ricky cupped her cheek and stepped close until her warm breath spilled against his lips. Soft and regular at first, but then harder, faster, when he laid a hand at her waist and closed the gap between them.

She inched up on tiptoes and met his lips with hers, the kiss gentle. Hesitant as if she hadn’t kissed anyone in a long time.

He didn’t press, aware of her past. Hoping to build trust for the future.

He let her end the kiss, giving her the control she’d lacked in her life for so long.

When she stepped away, he ran the back of his hand across her cheek. “I’ll meet you downstairs when you’re done.”

***
MARIELA COULDN’T FIND her voice. Her throat was too choked up with the emotion of that so simple, but so pure, touch.

All she could do was nod and rush off to her bedroom to wash off the sea spray from their ride and the fear that had gripped her yet again at the sound of the first bullet hitting the boat’s windshield.

He had defended her again, risking his life. Again.

She had no doubt it was going to happen again. This time she intended to be prepared for it just like Ricky had been prepared. She’d been surprised when he’d pulled out a weapon to chase away their attacker, but he’d handled it with ease.

After their meeting with Trey and his father, she was going to ask Ricky to show her how to protect herself. She wouldn’t be caught defenseless again.