Title: HEART STORMS
Author: N. Christine Samuelson
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Book Blurb:
When three people’s lives collide in a perfect storm of heartbreak and ruin, betrayal and love, will they be destroyed or transformed by their fate? One woman and two men are drawn to coastal South Carolina to an oceanfront Victorian B & B inn. Jade Armstrong is newly divorced and left with nothing by her treacherous ex-husband. Gabriel Montoro is reeling from a cheating wife. Rick Stirling owns the inn and has suffered a devastating personal loss. Through work and friendship, their inner conflicts extend to each other while vying for the need for survival, healing, attraction and love.
None of them seek love or relationship, but as they move into and through the emotional storm of their lives, destiny brings them together in an extraordinary way. A charming oceanfront inn complete with mystical elements lifts the characters’ spirits and helps them on their journeys. Their passionate triangle must be broken for them to move on with their lives, but who ends up with whom, or do they, and when?
Excerpt:
Jade wandered through her days looking for clues to why and how the end came. Well-meaning friends tried to encourage her, but their words were lies because love did not conquer all, and time had not healed her. In her world, the road to hell wasn’t paved with gold but with a golden boy who took her straight there—to a hell of a life. And when all those doors slammed shut, God didn’t open a window, ‘the devil’ did.
Devlin. Jade used to love his name. It was unusual, strong and spoke of his Irish heritage. She assumed the man, Devlin Donoghue, would be the same—as honorable as a hero in medieval times fighting to the death for his woman, family, and freedom. But Devlin was the antithesis of good things. … His name was unspeakable now, like poison on her tongue. So instead of seeing ‘Devlin’ written on the paper, …she saw only ‘Devil.’ Now there’s a name perfectly suited to him. Since that day, Jade referred to him only when necessary, and only as ‘the devil’—the intentional cause of pain and destruction, the epitome of evil.
***
Gabriel had nowhere to run or hide from the relentless demons howling through his life. They made demands of his days he couldn’t fulfill. No matter how good he was or acted, his life seemed predestined for trouble and heartbreak. In trying to change his situation, worse circumstances arose. He ran from a culture he loved and respected but had also caused pain and torment. The deepest truth, though, simmered underneath the obvious facts—Gabriel knew he’d never have a life of goodness, of love and family. Those things were fairytales in books and movies. He’d never witnessed those good things in real life and, since Consuela, for sure they didn’t happen to people like him.
***
The destruction of Jade’s life by a devious, conniving husband didn’t happen to people like her. She’d always been a loving, hard-working, devoted daughter and wife who deserved better than what she got.
At twenty-seven, instead of living the dream they planned, Jade lived alone in a studio apartment, in a nightmare where questions screamed through her dreams. Where are you… How could you do this? Why did you do it? Every day, rage tumbled down her life like a waterfall. Come back… fix this… make it right! Her world stood still while a vortex of depression sucked out her life force, replaced by a new emotion—hate. With all the good she was and did, she received the opposite in return. But for all the agony and loss the devil wrought, he didn’t get an ounce of it back. As far as Jade saw, only good things went back to him. How is that fair in the laws of the universe, the eyes of God, or in the karmic balance of right and wrong? Jade decided if those things wouldn’t balance the scales of justice, she would. She’d pay back ‘the devil.’ Retribution and vengeance—previously unknown concepts in her world—now thundered through her every waking moment as she vowed revenge.
***
Gabriel should have listened to the red flags in his intuition telling him not to trust Consuela or any women. But there weren’t many people in his life he did trust. With experiencing some of the worst of life events, Gabriel lived with everything being fine one day, and all hell breaking loose the next. Which is exactly what happened. He never forgot the day Consuela cheated and his world shattered.
…Gabriel’s life became one of nothing but work. He worked his body hard to cover his pain, to stop replaying the scenes of the betrayal. Time didn’t heal his wounds as his mother promised. Wherever he went, unending memories followed of ‘the witch,’ the only name his brain would allow for Consuela.
…Yet with firming up plans for a new start, the nagging voice inside his head, the angel looking over his ‘good’ shoulder asked, “How can you have a good life when all you want is to retaliate and cause suffering as you’ve suffered? You need to stop living this way if you want a better life.” The voice of truth was right. But most of the time it was safer to listen to the devil on the other shoulder who, when anything good threatened to take hold reminded Gabe his life’s greatest desire was to seek revenge, to move through life breaking hearts and spirits as his own had been broken. The devil’s voice reinforced his life should be one of balancing the scales of pain and injustice inflicted on him. Gabriel Montoro knew getting even was his best revenge because ‘living well’ was not a viable option in his world.
Buy Links:
Apple Books (itunes): https://books.apple.com/us/book/heart-storms/id1468510355
Barnes/Noble (Nook): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1132053729
What’s the first binge-worthy book you read and why was it a must-read?
The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves stories spanning hundreds of years, blending historical events with contemporary characters and plots—all set in Scotland. Beautifully written with sumptuous Scottish seaside settings. The reader gets pulled into ancient mysteries and how they dovetail with the modern-day characters’ stories. Her books blend history with mystical elements, and love stories that transcend time. After reading this one, I read all of her books one after the other- each one completely compelling and binge-worthy!
What makes this a binge-worthy book?
My novel, Heart Storms, is binge-worthy with its plot twists, complex characters written from three points of view, beautiful setting descriptions, and a journey through the storms of heartbreaks and losses incurred in life and relationships. It delves into the power of love to heal and move on.
Praise for Heart Storms:
“…It’s an amazing read. What a great storyteller you are. – Amazon Reviewer
“Loved It…An emotional and endearing story filled with wonderfully descriptive writing and amazing characters who find strength together to begin again. – Amazon reviewer
“…a heart wrenching, yet life affirming tale of love, betrayal and ultimate redemption…Through a flowing script, Samuelson takes you into the [characters’] lives …it’s well worth the read – Goodreads reviewer
“A brilliant book, and one I highly recommend…a beautifully written story about heartache, betrayal, love, loss and letting go of the past. Written from three POV’s [point of views] …[it’s] emotionally gripping… twists in the plot I didn’t see coming… A thought-provoking…poignant book blending mystical and romantic elements. – N.N.Light’s Book Heaven
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Open internationally
Runs August 1 – 31
Drawing will be held on September 1.
Author Biography:
N. Christine Samuelson writes Women’s Fiction and contemporary novels of love, life and relationships, and of the eternal bonds that transform life and transcend time. Her stories reflect the challenges, fears and conflicts, tragedies and victories that manifest through a powerful connection of love. Her characters and story lines are grounded in reality but have a touch of mysticism and mystery.
From living in 14 cities in 10 states, with years of formal and self-taught education and three different careers, (from Fortune 500 to entrepreneur, to graphic designer and newspaper production) she’s always been a writer. Through this journey she acquired a wealth of personal, professional, and life experiences which inspire the diverse settings, characters, and authentic storylines of her novels written in a unique voice.
Currently living in coastal South Carolina, the people, land and sea are constant sources of inspiration. She hopes readers of her books will be inspired to look at life and love through a different lens and realize no matter your circumstance, we all share similar stories in our lives and our hearts.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.NChristineSamuelson.com
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nchristinesamuelsonauthor/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/N.-Christine-Samuelson/e/B07B8VT9BB
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ncsamuelson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nchristine7711/