BLURB:
Nothing in Margo Simmons’s life comes easy. She can’t claim the inheritance on a condo apartment her uncle has left to her until she is gainfully employed in a job for a year. She meets the man of her dreams but anguishes over a loving relationship because he is still emotionally tied to his deceased wife. With great difficulty, she becomes the guardian to a recently orphaned child she had been tutoring. Margo evolves from an insecure, newbie elementary teacher into a woman determined to fulfill the secret desires locked in her heart. My story speaks to anyone who has suffered a loss and had to start over.
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Excerpt:
Margo Simmons gripped the edges of the leather chair, waiting for details from the family lawyer about her Uncle Harry’s death. She hoped it would be shorter and less painful than the reading of her father’s will.
An older gentleman extended his hand. “I’m sorry your mother couldn’t be here.”
Margo looked up from her reflections to acknowledge him. “Thanks, Mr. Steinberg.”
“You’ve grown into a lovely young woman.”
Margo blinked back tears at memories of good times shared with Uncle Harry. “Not so young. I’m twenty-three.”
The portly man squeezed himself into a swivel chair and peered at her over wire-rimmed bifocals. “I’m ancient compared to that number.”
Margo gripped her knees to steady her nerves. “My mother wanted to come with me, but they’re downsizing at her dress shop. She was afraid to leave early. My stepfather is furious because Uncle Harry didn’t leave him any money.”
Mr. Steinberg saddened at the sorrowful expression on the young woman’s face. “It pains me to hear Jerry hasn’t changed his ways. However, since you’re the only one present to hear your uncle’s will, I’ll get to the point. Harry has left you his Riverside Drive condominium apartment and the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”
Margo jumped up from the chair and hugged the man. “This is a miracle. I can’t wait to tell my Mom. She’s wanted me to get out on my own. Now I can. Though I wish it hadn’t come with the loss of my uncle. I adored him.”
The attorney pushed bifocals up his fleshy nose. “I know you did, my dear. He spoke of you often, with fondness. As to your inheritance, in today’s market two hundred and fifty thousand dollars won’t last long unless invested wisely.”
The only thing Margo knew about investments was she didn’t have enough money to make any.
“Mr. Steinberg, can you refer me to someone who can advise me so I make wise investments?”
He raised his hand. “Not so fast my dear. Your uncle stipulated that you be gainfully employed for a year before you can claim your inheritance. The last time your mother and I spoke, you were studying to be a French teacher.”
Margo stared at the vibrant red dragon design on an Oriental rug and thought of the threadbare one under her rickety dining room table. Her eyes darted from the lawyer’s monogrammed attaché case to her worn shoulder strap bag.
She swallowed a lump of pride. “I’ve been looking for a teaching job for two years, but I’m on the substitute list and have a part-time job at a dry cleaner so I’m employed. I know it’s not a professional job, but it’s respectable work. ”
Mr. Steinberg made notes in her uncle’s folder. “I’m afraid that won’t do, my dear. Harry loved you but was very clear on the type of employment.”
A tear rolled down Margo’s cheek. “I don’t know how much longer I can live at home. Mama is working twice as hard since Jerry was laid off from his job at the newspaper. He couldn’t get the hang of technology. He’s been on disability from an old back injury. Could I speak to an investment counsellor to get an idea of what to do with my inheritance? It would give me something to strive for.”
Margo sat on her hands as she waited for the lawyer’s response. Since childhood, all she wanted was to be part of a happy family and not have money worries. Instead of granting her wishes, life had brought her a mean stepfather. Jerry fractured a childhood that had been filled with love when her birth father was alive.
Mr. Steinberg lifted a business card from a sterling silver box. “I highly recommend Edward Master. He’s with the investment banking firm of Chartwell, Morgan, and Master. He’ll give you solid advice. Shall I see if he’s available now?”
Meet J.L. Regen:
NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
JLR: It is based on someone I dated. I built a story around it.
NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
JLR: I read lots of books on second chances and spoke to counselors who specialized in the subject.
NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
JLR: Love is wonderful the second time around so don’t be afraid to take the plunge.
NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?
JLR: Teaching ESL elementary students
NA: What started you on the path to writing?
JLR: I’ve been writing since I’m nine. A wonderful teacher in the fifth grade inspired me to reach for the stars with my writing.
NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
JLR: My husband and friends think I should have started writing sooner, but I had to carve out a career in the corporate world.
NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
JLR: I make very long outlines. I need to know where I’m going with my book.
NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
JLR: One of my most rewarding experiences as an author is reading my children’s book to my students and getting their reactions.
NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?
JLR: The hardest scenes for me to write are the parts where the protagonist is emotionally hurt. I hate to see even my characters suffer.
NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
JLR: When I’m not writing, I love to do photography, yoga, and ballet. Travel overseas is a passion.
NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
JLR: When the alarm goes off, I think about where I left off in my current novel and how I will get to the next chapter –The next one will be a suspense.
NA: What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
JLR: I’d love to have dinner with my hero: Eleanor Roosevelt.
NA: Strangest place you’ve brushed your teeth?
JLR: Strangest place I’ve brushed my teeth: On safari in South Africa
NA: What are you working on now?
JLR: I’ve finished two suspense novels, one set in WWII and other a psychological twister. I’m in editing mode.
J.L.Regen:
J.L. Regen’s book, Secret Desires, was inspired by a real life story of lovers who join hearts against many odds. J.L. lives in the New York metropolitan area, is a published photojournalist, has short suspense stories online, and has taught English as a Second Language to students around the globe. This is her first contemporary romance. She has also published three nonfiction books and is crafting a historical suspense set in World War II.
- Website; joansbookshelf.com
- Blog: https://writerjr1044.wordpress.com/
Award-winning author Linda O’Connor started writing romantic comedies when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at a local home décor store. Her books have enjoyed bestseller status. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic. She shares her medical knowledge in fast-paced, well-written, sexy romances – with an unexpected twist. Her favourite prescription to write? Laugh every day. Love every minute.
My first trip outside the U.S. was when Jack and I were traveling. We went into Canada a fair amount. We didn’t have much time to sightsee or have fun except once, when we rented a car and drove from Calgary to Banff and up the Icefield Parkway to Jasper. What a great time! Besides the scenery, the park at Jasper had opened a little early. We were just about the only guests in the restaurant—where Jack had trout they’d caught in the river practically outside the door. The cabins where we stayed were close enough to hear the rushing water as the spring snowmelt headed downstream. The trip was only for a weekend but it was so special that I remember it as though it were yesterday.
times. Each has been an enlightening experience. I love Scotland! The people are so friendly and the country feels like home to me. Maybe in another time and another life…? England proper is also wonderful. What a great city York is! So walkable, so historical. I loved my time there. The same for Oxford, where I attended the OxBridge program for teachers one summer. However, I wished Oxford had a few more benches around!
My sister-in-law talked me into going to Italy several years ago. To tell the truth, I wasn’t all that excited to see Italy, but she wanted someone to go with her and Jack encouraged me, so I went. She promised that once I saw Italy I’d want to go back again. The woman spoke truth! We spent time in Venice, Florence, and Rome, Each city was so different, and yet so the same. So much history, so much art. Too much to take in, in any one visit—or two or ten.
Estelle Pettersen is an Australian author and former journalist whose romance stories explore empowerment, freedom, and finding one’s strength. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in Journalism and Psychology, from the University of Queensland, Australia. Her second degree is an MBA from Queensland University of Technology, Australia. She is a member of Romance Writers of Australia and is passionate about history, languages, cultures, traveling, food, and wine. She is happily married and living in Norway these days.
Beverley Bateman now lives in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She recently moved from the Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada. Instead of vineyards, orchards, lakes, and mountains she has ranches, farmers and a close community. She lives there with her husband and her Bichon-poodle rescue dog. During the cold Alberta winters, she snowbirds to Arizona and does glass fusion, watercolor painting and plays the ukulele besides working on her latest romantic suspense. Hunted, Missing and Targeted are part of her Montana series. She also has her Holly Devine series: A Cruise to Remember, and a Murder to Forget. Don’t Go is her darker romantic suspense.
It used to be a tradition in Jack’s family to give 
though, that someone has matched personalities to chocolate, and I was right. I found two sites that explain how which chocolate we pick from the box shows something about us. For me, I’m an introvert (I pick the squares and rectangles), and I’m happy (caramel). Since it doesn’t matter whether the chocolate is dark or milk—as long as there’s caramel inside—I can be either a hard charger up for a challenge (dark) or relaxed and romantic (milk). It depends on the day, I suppose.
Valentine’s Day. A thank you. A peace offering, often accompanied with flowers. What better housewarming gift than a chocolate and wine hamper? Heck, any excuse will do.