The Story Behind Second Chance by the Sea

During this year's long frigid winter my critique partners longed to escape to some place warm, the Virgin Islands. Soft warm trade winds, the sweet smell of tropical flowers, the pungent taste of island cocktails. Ah... if only we could. But wait! There was.

If we couldn't actually escape to the islands we could take a virtually trip and that's exactly what we did. We created Star Island, a fictional island off the coast of St. Thomas. The small island became the setting for our short story romances.

I decided to take my story from real life. My brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Eloise, were married ten years ago in Atlanta. It was not the first marriage for either of them but this is truly a love match.

Alan is retired and Eloise is now Vice President of an all girls college in

Alan and Eloise's First Wedding

California responsible for student affairs. In getting their paperwork together for the California benefits program they found that their Atlanta marriage was never registered! Alan, always the jokster called to ask me to stand up for them at their wedding. What? You have to know Alan to understand that if this was going to happen to anyone it would be him. Of course I said yes.

So last October, the Sunday after the NJ conference, I flew to California for their second wedding. I spent a week with them and had a great time.

When Lita, Emma, Nicole, Julie, and I started to brainstorm our summer read I knew Alan and Eloise's story had to be part of it. I used their situation but that was all. Their true story is one of love and devotion and very happily ever after.

Timeless Escapes: A Collection of Summer Stories

Introduction by Roxanne St. Claire

Ruth A. Casie ~ Second Chance by the Sea

Married for ten years, a couple at odds find their marriage was never registered. Will an impending disaster be the final straw that breaks them up or will it rekindle their love and send them back to the altar for a second chance?

Lita Harris ~ Chasing Fireflies

Soured on love by a recent breakup, a travel agent with a fear of flying and open water takes a trip to the Virgin Islands. She meets a boat captain who challenges her fears. Will she survive her breakup and find happiness in the arms of another man?

Emma Kaye ~ In Her Dreams

When an author escapes to the Virgin Islands to work on her latest book, she’s swept back in time to Regency England and must decide whether the love she finds with an English lord is real or only in her dreams.

Nicole S. Patrick ~ Poseidon’s Strength

A beloved hero’s death leads his sister and his best friend, who have never seen eye-to-eye, to discover that helping family can be their happy medium, and possibly lead them to uncover a love that's meant to be.

Julie Rowe ~ A Pirate’s Vacation                                                      

A doctor grieving the death of her husband, buys a B&B in the Virgin Islands in need of a lot of fixing. Her old flame arrives to help with repairs, but will she let him heal her shattered heart?

If you would like to find out more about Timeless Escapes, please feel free to join our Facebook Beach Party on May 30 at http://on.fb.me/1melIKj

Happy Birthday!

Birthday celebrations are wonderful. They mark an achievement, look to the promises for the future, and are a reason to get together with family and friends.

So, here is a toast to celebrate and mark the achievement of Knight of Runes, my first published book. Like a proud parent, I can't believe two years ago today it debuted and that the story is still delighting readers. Every fan message makes my heart sing with pride.

The future looks bright for Lord Arik and his Rebeka. A follow up story, Knight of Rapture, is almost completed. I'm not certain if it will be the last we hear about the dynamic pair but I have had a lot of fun writing their stories. So much so, that the short story in the new anthology I participated in with my friends and critique partners, Timeless Keepsakes - A Collection of Christmas Stories, is a prequel to Knight of Runes. 

The anthology is the debut for Lita Harris, Emma Kaye, and Nicole S. Patrick. New parents are wonderful to watch. Their excitement is contagious! This time next year they will be celebrating their single title debuts. Lita's Love at Christmas and Emma's Time for Love both released this month.

Julie Rowe, a well established Carina Press author, shares today's birthday celebration with me. Her debut Carina Press book, Ice Bound, also released two years ago today. She is the fifth author in our anthology. With her expertise in teaching creative writing at a local college in Alberta, Canada, she taught us the art of short story writing and also has a story in our anthology.

The experience has been so awesome we are already planning a May release for Timeless Escapes - A Collection of Summer Stories.

Our families and friends have been supportive. More celebrations are planned for this weekend. In case you were so inclined, we've opted for no presence please (just buy our books *smiles*). 

Timeless Keepsakes - A Collection of Christmas Stories

The magic of Christmas is in the memories we hold dear and those precious treasures that remind us of the past. Join us as our Timeless Keepsakes take us on five remarkable journeys that heal old wounds, remind us of days gone by, play matchmaker, sweep us back in time and prove that love can conquer all.

~~~~~~~

Introduction ~ Sharon Sala

Mistletoe and Magick ~ Ruth A. Casie She would give her last breath for him. He would give up everything to guard her well and love her more.

Christmas Spirits ~ Lita Harris A widow's everlasting love is renewed by the memories of the holiday season.

Granting Her Wish ~ Emma Kaye She doesn't belong in his time and he doesn't belong back home. Could they belong to each other?

Letter from St. Nick ~ Nicole S. Patrick She’s trying to save her home and he’s never had one until now. Can an unexpected gift lead their hearts to the same place?

Secret Santa ~ Julie Rowe A nurse grieving the death of her twin brother receives an unusual gift at the staff Secret Santa party: the bullet that killed him along with a message of hope and love.

Timeless Keepsakes is available on Amazon and B&N