So glad to be on Author Spotlight! My name is C. Becker, and I write romantic suspense books in the Euphoria trilogy. The first two books, Finding Euphoria and Saving Euphoria are published through The Wild Rose Press. The third book Embracing Euphoria is currently under contract with the same publisher. The Euphoria trilogy centers around an exotic plant from the Amazon Rainforest that was smuggled into the U.S. in the late 1960s by a med student who propagated the plant for dopamine and Parkinson’s research. A Colombian drug lord learned about the plant and hired researchers to extract a drug from the plant for trafficking. The protagonist and her husband, a government agent, are thrown into the case to prevent the drug from being released worldwide. Each book focuses on a different section of the plant, (leaves, roots, flowers), as the protagonist hunts down the drug lord and desperately works to save her marriage from one tragedy after another.
My background is in medical technology, and testing blood and urine specimens for drugs of abuse is how I got the idea for my Euphoria trilogy. I’ve especially enjoyed incorporating some medical information in my novels. For my sanity away from drug lords, murder, human trafficking, I also write children’s stories under the name Colleen Driscoll and focus on fun activities and relationships kids love.
Other than writing, my passion is singing and playing piano. I work as a music director with the best church choir that sings whatever song I throw at them. I have a super supportive husband and four very patient children. Even my energetic 12-year-old Jack Russel knows when I’m typing at the computer, he must wait for his walk.
Writing stories has opened a whole new world for me. I love conducting school visits with the children and talking to readers and book clubs about my novels! In my free time, I like to garden, read, play board games, and spend time with my family.
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Title Finding Euphoria
Author C. Becker
Genre Romantic Thriller
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book 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.
Excerpt
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.
“Why did I do it? Why did I ever give him up?” She searched his face. Finding no answers, she rested her head against him and let him hold her. A dozen daggers stabbed her core. “Oh, Parker. It hurts so much. I missed his whole life. What if I lose him forever?” With as much force as she could muster, she scraped her nails deep across her hands.
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Author Biography
Becker is the author of the Euphoria trilogy: Finding Euphoria, Saving Euphoria, and Embracing Euphoria. As a medical technologist in a former career, Becker has never outgrown the attraction of using science in everyday life.
Becker enjoys hanging out with her family and Jack Russell, playing the piano, reading, and gardening.
Social Media Links:
Website address: http://cbeckerauthor.com/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/beckercee/
Title Saving Euphoria
Author C. Becker
Genre Romantic Suspense
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book 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.
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.”
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The Wild Rose Press: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/bookauthor/c-becker
Contact info: https://cbeckerauthor.wixsite.com/cbeckerauthor
Title Embracing Euphoria
Author C. Becker
Genre Romantic Suspense
Publisher The Wild Rose Press
Book Blurb
Hailey Langley tries to wrap her mind around the news her husband survived a fire she thought had killed him. Before she can search for him, Hailey has a promise to keep that takes her to Colombia where she must face the drug lord behind her husband’s attack.
Mark Langley is suffering from his own plight and insecurities, including burns and PTSD. Beneath Mark’s scarred exterior is a man seeking acceptance from a wife he refuses to see. Uncertain if he will ever reunite with his family, Mark struggles through his therapies, hopeful an experimental drug from the Euphoria plant will heal his scars.
When another villain from Colombia seeks revenge, Hailey and Mark must learn to trust and love again as they battle their newest threat and find their way back to each other.
Excerpt
Mark breathed in his wife’s delicate feminine scent, taking in every beguiling curve of her body. Dang! Hailey was sexier than when they first met. Even her soft snores heated his blood. He should’ve brought her here weeks ago. After sharing a bed again, he’d do whatever it took to recover and return home.
He licked his lips. The sweetness of Hailey’s honeyed kisses the previous night still lingered. They hadn’t made love; the last time he’d slept with Hailey had been almost a year ago. He couldn’t push her. Depending on her response to his disfigurement, that element of their marriage might never happen again.
He raised his gloved hand to touch her cheek but then lowered it. Better take things slowly. For now, lying next to her was enough.
Twice during the night, Hailey cried out Mendoza’s name.
He ground his teeth. He should kill that bastard for tormenting her. Thank God she was safe now. Back in the U.S., away from the Mendoza family.
Hailey’s eyelashes fluttered. “Good morning. What time is it?”
“Quarter after eight.” He leaned over and kissed her. God, her sweet lips tasted delicious. He nibbled on her lips again. Like a hummingbird feeding on nectar. “You can use the bathroom first. The therapist will change my pressure garments at the clinic. I leave at nine. I won’t have much time for breakfast.”
She snuggled closer into his arms. “Give me another minute with you. Before the outside world takes over.”
His pulse raced. Maybe their relationship hadn’t changed that much.
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