Today is the very last day to enter The Family She Never Met giveaway and to also get special 99 cent pricing on a number of different books and novellas. You can enter the giveaway at https://www.facebook.com/Caridad.Author/posts/10158468970925913 and check out the specially priced books at https://books2read.com/rl/ValentinesDay99Cents. You can also read the first three chapters of Winning Season, a sports romance, for free on Kindle Vella at https://amzn.to/3v5nVEl.
A Child of the Cold War
I was a child of the Cold War. I remember sitting in classes and having to do exercises where we learned to “Duck and Cover.” Russia and China, and other Communist nations were our enemies because Democracy and Freedom were anathema to them. As a child of Cuba, I possibly feared them more than most.
It was with relief that I saw the Berlin Wall come down in 1989 and shortly thereafter, saw the break-up of the Soviet Union. But while that brought relief, over the years the rise of China dimmed that relief because of what they represent and what they do to their citizens.
My gut chilled to see Putin and Xi all buddy-buddy at the start of the Genocide Olympics. To me, it boded a return to the Cold War that I thought had ended in the 1990s.
I pray for the people of Ukraine and also the people of Taiwan. There is no doubt in my mind that their freedom and lives are at risk. Pray for them and for America for we are at risk as well.
Celebrating with a High Tea
My daughter and I had a lovely time today at our High Tea at Sweet Tease Tea Room and Cafe! It was so nice to be able to celebrate our new releases – Seoul Searching and The Family She Never Met – and have some wonderful mother/daughter time!
We started the day with two bottomless pots of tea and a delightful carrot ginger soup. Then we were served our next three delicious courses: scones with clotted cream and jam; an assortment of finger sandwiches; and some lovely petit fours.
If you’re ever in the Belmar, NJ area, I highly recommend Sweet Tease for a delightful time. Make sure to call and make a reservation!
A Quick Pitch for The Family She Never Met
Just in case you’re wondering what The Family I Never Met is about, here’s a quick pitch for you!
Happy 25th Book Pin
Even though we’d had a big snow the other day, there was a package at the door and when I opened it — SURPRISE!
Thank you for my 25th Book Pin, Harlequin Books. It is beautiful and I love it and will wear it proudly. In case you’re wondering, Trapping a Terrorist was my 25th book for them!
Who is Caridad in The Family She Never Met
People have asked if any of the characters in The Family She Never Met are like me. More than any other character or story I’ve written, I am Lara in The Family She Never Met.
The story about hiding beneath the bed is true. My grandmother would tell stories of how she’d have to hide us when Castro’s soldiers would come to harass us because they wanted our parents to come back to Cuba.
The story about Lara being afraid to go to school is also me. I vividly remember getting into a seafoam green Ford with my mother and grandmother and driving to a big brick building. All I could think about was that my mother was abandoning me again and taking my grandmother with her.
As for the typewriter in the story… Well, I never did get that typewriter that I asked for as a high school graduation gift. My mother wanted me to be a professional and my desire to be a writer was something that I don’t think she understood. I hope that if she were able to see all that I’ve accomplished – being a lawyer, writer, and mom – she’d be proud.
Order
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tPQ7Xx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bonSZN
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-family-she-never-met/id1568775092
BN Nook: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNobleFamily
BN Paperback: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNovelPaperback
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-family-she-never-met
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/FamilySheNeverMet
Tempting Teaser from The Family She Never Met
While I loved the story of how Jessica, Lara, and Carmen set aside the hurt of the past in order to build a future together in The Family She Never Met, I also loved the romance between Jessica and Luis, Carmen’s right-hand man. It was a romance that started off with them almost as adversaries but slowly blossomed into something wonderful and emotional. Today I’m sharing a short excerpt where Jessica and Luis are finally admitting to what they feel for each other!
Excerpt
Her breath trapped in her chest and her heart pounding in her ears, Jessica waited, anticipation twisting her gut into a knot.
Luis rocked back and forth on his heels and looked away before nailing her with his gaze. “I am. I think I’m falling in love with you too.”
He grasped her hand and she took the lead, tugging him toward the stairs and up to her room.
At her door she hesitated, but then pushed through, eager for what would follow.
As she turned to face him, he was immediately there, moving his hands to her back to cradle her close. Her body was flush against his and she shifted against him, but he stilled her motion.
“Shh, mi amor. There’s no need to rush. We have all night,” he whispered and kissed her again.
He tasted of rum and cigars and Luis, and she took it all in. Took all of him in. The press of his body. The way his muscles shifted beneath her hands as he tightened his hold on her and walked her back toward the bed.
As her knees bumped the edge of the bed, he stopped, sat, and urged her in between the V of his thighs.
With his help, she quickly undressed, baring herself to him.
“Dios, you’re beautiful,” he said, encircled her waist with his hands, and drew her near.
***
Luis splayed his hand across the smooth skin of her back as he caressed her.
She kissed his forehead and whispered his name. “Luis. Please.”
As much as he wanted to wait and make this first time special, he needed her too badly.
In a flurry of action, he ripped off his clothes with her assistance, and they fell onto the bed together, kissing and caressing and laughing. Joyful in anticipation of what was about to happen.
She lay beneath him, gazing at him as she skimmed her hand across his face and then up to brush away a stray lock of hair. She seemed about to say something, but then held back and instead leaned up to kiss him. She shifted her hand to his shoulder and urged him down.
He went willingly, eager to be with her. Eager to taste her lips again and her breasts and her skin and everything that was Jessica.
He didn’t think he could ever get enough of her.
Order
Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/3tPQ7Xx
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3bonSZN
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-family-she-never-met/id1568775092
BN Nook: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNobleFamily
BN Paperback: http://bit.ly/BarnesandNovelPaperback
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-family-she-never-met
Additional Retailers: https://books2read.com/FamilySheNeverMet
