A Winning Romance

Having always enjoyed reading (and writing) books that are part of a series, I was very interested in the series that is being written by today's featured author in My Writing Corner, C. Becker. Her newest book, Saving Euphoria, has just been released so of course, I wanted to know more about her series.

The first book in the series was Finding Euphoria which was featured on this blog earlier. Her newest book, Saving Euphoria, was released yesterday. She tells us she is currently working on the third book in the Euphoria trilogy. As a medical technologist in a former career, Becker says that she has never outgrown the attraction of using science in everyday life. 

She says when she isn't writing a new book, she enjoys hanging out with her family and Jack Russell, playing the piano, reading, and gardening.

Let's learn more about Saving Euphoria and its characters. How about a blurb?

Hailey Langley and her children struggle to cope with the shocking and mysterious death of her husband Mark. Her teenaged son is rebelling, and Hailey is dealing with physical and mental challenges as well.

Tom Parker, Hailey's former partner from the Special Crimes Agency, comes back into her life. He warns her to trust no one even as he tries to rekindle the flame that connects them.

Everyone has secrets, even Parker, and some of those from the past threaten to destroy the present. Hailey fights to move forward after losing Mark, but she needs to figure out if she can trust Parker and risk taking another chance on love.

Sounds like an interesting story! I wanted to know more about these characters so let's interview them, starting with Hailey.

 

What do you want most in life at the moment?

 I’d like my husband back alive. If I could go back in time eight months and prevent Mark from leaving home the day he died in the fire, life would be perfect.

 

What draws you to Tom? 

Parker is safe. That’s what I’ve always called Tom Parker—Parker. I feel secure when I’m around him. He was doing his residency at the hospital in Texas when I was his patient at seventeen. For many reasons—my assault, my parents’ deaths, my trauma—I was afraid to live. I was in a dark place and Parker pulled me out of my depression. Now with Mark gone, I feel comfortable talking to Parker. Maybe too comfortable. I had a major crush on him when I was his patient and when I worked cases with him for the government.

 

What frightens you about being involved with him? 

We were close twice before. We only kissed, but wow, what scorching kisses. Parker was married when he decided to switch careers and become a government agent like me. His wife was livid. All his medical school went down the drain, but Parker didn’t like practicing medicine as much as chasing criminals.

 

What frightens you about the future? 

Moving on without Mark. Starting over with someone new. Mark and I did everything together. My son and daughter are as lost without him as I am. Truth be told, I’m attracted to Parker, but until I find out what happened to my husband, I don’t want to start a relationship.

Now let's talk to Tom:

 

What draws you to Hailey? 

I find Hailey attractive on so many levels. She’s adorable when she’s flustered, which isn’t too often. Her eyes sparkle when she smiles. I think she’s brave, resilient, strong-willed, empathetic, and intelligent. Her personality is fun and upbeat. Her laugh warms my heart. I’ve learned a lot from her. Despite life’s hard blows, she always stands back up.

 

What frightens you about becoming involved with her? 

Nothing. Actually, that’s not true. I hope Hailey can love me even half as much as she loved Mark. I’ve liked Hailey the moment I met her. Unfortunately, I was married at the time and my first wife was suspicious, I never pursued Hailey because of her age. There’s eight years difference between us. My wife Grace and I adopted her baby after Hailey’s assault. Grace wanted a baby so badly that she didn’t care we weren’t in love. When I found Hailey again seventeen years later, I didn’t stick around because she was married with a family. A guy has standards, you know. When I learned that Hailey’s husband had died in a fire, I transferred jobs to Virginia, hoping we’d run into each other, and we did. Once we figure out what happened to Mark, she’ll be ready to move on with me.

 

What do you wish for most in your future? 

That’s an easy question. I wish Hailey and I have many years together. Her kids are great. Hopefully, Hailey and I will marry and someday we’ll be a family.

 

What obstacles do you see about becoming involved with Hailey? 

Her son Ethan doesn’t care for me, but I think I’m growing on him.  The thirteen-year-old Anna seems to like me, though. The biggest obstacle is finding out why Hailey’s husband ended up in a burning building—away from his work in Washington, D.C. Something is very suspicious.

Want more? Let's get an excerpt:

He moved closer, his breath warming her face. “I don’t want to be a friend. I want more.”

Her eyes blurred. “It’s only been six months since Mark died.”

“Life goes on, Hailey. Mark’s gone.”

“Six months, Parker.” Tears burnt like acid splashing in her eyes. Six months was not nearly enough time to let go.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say it that way.” Parker reached over and held her hand.

The tenderness in his touch made an instant connection to her heart. Ashamed at her heart’s betrayal, she yanked her hand away and wiped a tear off her cheek.

He held her hand again and whispered. “I love you, Hailey. I always have. Somehow, life or fate, or whatever it is you want to call it, got in our way. I kept my distance when you married Mark, but I never stopped loving you.” He tightened his grasp on her hand. “Now I feel like an idiot because I waited too long.”

“Parker, please. I’m not sure I even want to get involved with someone again.”

“You’ve become so miserable. You’re a strong woman.” His face hardened. “Mark wouldn’t want you to waste your life grieving. He’d want you to go on—and at least try to be happy.” He caressed her cheek with his thumb. “I think deep down, you know it.”

Few people had her pegged so well. She bit her lip, “I do.”

***

This makes me want to read more. If you're also intrigued, here are the Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09SVMXYZT?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_1&storeType=ebooks&qid=1645764358&sr=1-1

The Wild Rose Press: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/bookauthor/c-becker

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-euphoria-c-becker/1141022852

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/saving-euphoria-c-becker/1141022852?ean=9781509240807

iTunes: https://books.apple.com/us/book/saving-euphoria/id1612065577

Contact info:  https://cbeckerauthor.wixsite.com/cbeckerauthor

And here is how to reach C. Becker or get more information about her books:

Website address: https://cbeckerauthor.wixsite.com/cbeckerauthor

http://cbeckerauthor.com/

Social Media links:

Twitter https://twitter.com/cbeckerauthor

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CBeckerauthor/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beckercee/?hl=en

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19026691.C_Becker

BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/c-becker

Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/C.-Becker/e/B07NRWPWX3?ref_=dbs_p_pbk_r00_abau_000000

Get to know C. Becker better by signing up for an email newsletter https://mailchi.mp/7a51fa024f7a/cbeckerauthor

Thank you, C. Becker, for being my guest today. Any questions or comments?

Finding New Suspense

The search for a new author to read or a new book series often takes me to many different locations. I'm just  back from a trip to British Columbia for the Left Coast Crime writers/readers' convention where I had the opportunity to meet many new authors and say hello to some of my favorite writers from around the country and Canada.

But this week's guest in My Writing Corner is an author who comes from a closer location--Pennsylvania. C. Becker earned a B.S. degree in Medical Technology and MT (ASCP) certification. She has worked in clinical settings analyzing body fluids and testing drugs of abuse. As an author, C. Becker has published  multiple stories in various genres.  

Her latest book is Finding Euphoria from The Wild Rose Press, and today she joins us to  tell us about it:  

Six years ago, the idea of writing a novel percolated in my head. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I had a mystery/suspense story to tell and I wanted to tell it. As I wrote, I researched, and as I researched, ideas formed in my mind. Thus the Euphoria trilogy evolved. The series centers around Bixa aparra, a shrub that originated in the Amazon and was smuggled into the U.S. in the late 70s. Current day, the shrub is nearly extinct because of the deforestation of the rainforest. Each book uses this shrub in its plot. 

The first book Finding Euphoria centers on Hailey Langley, a mother who put her baby up for adoption. Seventeen years later, the adoptive father contacts Hailey when her now teenage son falls into a coma after trying an illicit drug—you guessed it—a drug called Euphoria, formed from the bark and leaf of the shrub. 

That sounds like a book readers will enjoy. How about a blurb?

Hailey Langley refuses to be a victim and has moved on from her traumatic past. But her marriage problems worsen when a deadly illicit drug threatens to draw her into the life she left behind.

Mark Langley has allowed his job to interfere with his marriage but he never suspected the secrets in Hailey's past might hold the key to solving both of his current investigations.

Together, they must unravel the mystery of the drug called Euphoria and find a way to save not only their marriage but countless lives before it's too late. 

The second book focuses on the mind-altering chemical harvested from the root of the Bixa appara, and the third book focuses on the shrub's flowers. As I plotted out the science, I structured the books so that each title reflected Hailey's emotional state. The fun (and hard) part was sprinkling the clues of the second and third books into the first novel. The Euporhia trilogy is not your ordinary romance. Life is never a bed of roses and this is especially true for Hailey. In each adventure, she runs from her emotions and struggles to hold her family together. The reader who follows the trilogy will see that Hailey's a fighter and pushes on, growing mentally stronger as she fights to keep her family together. 

Thank you for giving us a look at your books. Let's get an excerpt from Finding Euphoria:

            He turned the bottle around in his hand and set it on the end table. “Don’t put me in this position. You know what would happen. Grace is his mother. She’s the one who needs to stay with him.”

Regret tugged at her heart. “I wouldn’t take any time away from her.”

Parker groaned. “Just you being there would make her feel uncomfortable.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“But I’ve stayed away for seventeen years,” she whispered.

“That was the adoption arrangement.”

She bit her lip. “I can’t stay away any longer.”

“You agreed to those terms in the contract. You terminated all parental rights.” Parker stood and paced to the kitchen.

“But it’s not fair!” She put down her water and began wringing her hands.

Straightening his arms, he leaned against the bar. “Hailey, please don’t start. I know how you feel…”

“You couldn’t possibly know how I feel. I need to see him.” She fought to control the bitterness in her voice.

“No.”

She rose, knocking over the water bottle. “He’s my son!”

“Not anymore, he isn’t.”

The rebuke stung. “He’ll always be my son!”

“When you gave him up, you promised to keep your distance.”

“I have.”

“Forever.”
            The reminder lanced her heart. "You're being unfair. He's dying."
             He slammed his fist on the bar. "Don't say that. He can't die." Parker pushed himself up and stomped near the window, raising his hands to rest on top of his head as he faced the curtain.
            A muscle twitched in her hand. Her knees buckled. She sat on the edge of the couch, wringing her hands. "I was young. I couldn't give Justin the life he deserved. I"m not asking to take him back. I only want to see him."
            Rubbing his jaw, he walked back to the couch and sat. The hard lines on his face softened.
           “The adoption papers were clear. No contact.” He placed his hands on top of hers and stilled them. “If the decision was mine, I would allow it, but Grace would lose it if she found out you’re Justin’s biological mother.”

                  Her hands squeezed into tight fists. The urge was unbearable. “I wouldn’t tell her.”
                  Parker ran a hand through his hair. “Argh! Don’t you understand? She’d take one look at your face and know the truth. Don’t forget, you’re the one who wanted us to protect him.”
                  She stood. “Well, you did a hell of a fine job, didn’t you? You divorced Grace and deserted him. Parenting takes sacrifice, Parker. You were too busy changing careers, and now he’s messed up with drugs. How did that protect him?”
                  Standing, he reached for her.
                  “No. You stay away from me.” She extended her hands and backed up a step. “Justin’s dying! Dying, Parker! And I don’t know him…You won’t let me see my own son.”
                   He wrapped his arms around her.
                   She pushed him, pummeling her fists against his chest with all her strength.
                   He silently took his beating.

Thank you for that excerpt. Here are the buy links:

The Wild Rose Press Finding Euphoria ebook link

Amazon Finding Euphoria ebook link

Amazon Finding Euphoria paperback

Barnes & Noble Finding Euphoria ebook link

Apple itunes Finding Euphoria ebook

Kobo Finding Euphoria

Goodreads Finding Euphoria link

And here is how to reach C.Becker or get more information about her books:

Website address:

http://cbeckerauthor.com/ or C. Becker website

Social Media links:

Twitter C. Becker author

Facebook C.Becker Author

Thank you for being my guest. Any comments or questions?