Not only do we have a guest today, but she's got a Rafflecopter Drawing going on. Meet Nicci Carrera. Enjoy!
The three Cruz sisters featured in Love Caters All and Third
Strike’s the Charm share a very smart and compassionate mother (who goes by
“Mama.”) Whereas the first book, Love
Caters All is a light confection of a story, Third Strike’s the Charm has a serious theme because Cara’s best
friend has multiple sclerosis. She also happens to be her ex-boyfriend’s mom.
In this book I drew on what it felt like to help take care
of my mom during the years of her disability. She didn’t have MS, she had
memory loss and confusion otherwise known “dementia,” a label I dislike because
I feel that it is dismissive of the person’s dignity and still significant
capability.
In fact, that’s what I drew on, my passionate feelings people
with disabilities are just as precious and special. Indeed those years with my
mom were precious and special to me. I realized the gift at the time, and I am
still warmed by those memories. There’s simply nothing like having the
opportunity to care for a loved one who has special needs for experiencing
unconditional love.
Cara’s and Jason’s love of Francie comes straight out of my
love for my mom (who passed away in 2013).
So…what’s the worry pudding about?
After a health crisis, Cara comes home to find Mama whipping
egg whites by hand. That’s a lot of
work! But that’s the point. Her mama did it, Mama does it, and maybe Cara will
one day too. All that elbow grease raises the endorphins and burns off the
adrenaline of worry.
I hope you read the book! I’m giving away one print copy today and a couple
of gift cards, plus Third Strike’s the
Charm is discounted from $5.99 to $.99 for two weeks, so I hope you give it
a try and then let me know what you think on your favorite review site or shoot
me an email.
Third Strike’s the
Charm is the second in my Cruz sisters series and is also part of the Wild
Rose Press’s Lobster Cove series. (Find out more on my website
niccicarrera.com/.)
Please drop by my Facebook page to be entered in the
contest. The contest runs July 28 to July 30. Good luck!
Contest Rafflecopter
link:
Blurb:
Super student Cara Cruz made it all the way through her
prestigious MBA program only to choke on the last final. Ordered by her advisor
to take the summer off and clear her head, she’s home in Lobster Cove for some
fun before retaking the exam. If she fails a second time, she will lose her
dream job offer in Chicago. Meanwhile her best friend happens to be her
ex-boyfriend’s mom, which means close contact with the man who broke her heart.
Twice. This time she’ll protect her heart no matter the cost.
Ex-major-league baseball pitcher Jason Ward blew his money,
his elbow, and his love life. Now at home taking care of his mom and working on
a new life plan, he wants Cara back, but he already struck out, didn’t he?
Maybe not, and now his mission is to win her back without telling her the truth
about why he really came home.
Winning at love will be the only play that counts.
Excerpt from Third
Strike’s the Charm:
“I found out I couldn’t go back to the majors the day of
Maya’s wedding.”
She remembered his anger, the way he stormed off, how hurt
she’d been at the time. “Oh no! I’m so sorry.” That news made Maya’s wedding
day one of the worst of his life. “I had no idea.”
“I know. That’s why I wanted to tell you. I was in a really
bad state of mind that day. I acted like such a jerk."
Her heart constricted. “The whole kiss thing was an
accident, and I made it worse by not sorting it out right away. Now to find out
you had that awful news hanging over your head makes me feel even worse.”
He frowned. “I overreacted.”
“Well, it’s understandable now.”
He cleared his throat, meeting her gaze. “Now that we have
that cleared up, are you seeing someone?”
Did he want to try again? Her heart gave an inappropriate
little bump. Remember your MBA, your new job. And remember how many times Jason
disappointed you. “No. I’m not seeing anyone. I need to get my career settled
before I think about anything like that.”
He frowned, and then nodded.
Buy links:
Wild Rose Press:
Amazon Kindle (eBook):
Kobo:
iBooks:
Barnes and Noble:
Google Play:
All Romance eBooks:
Find Nicci on the Web here:
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bce7Jz
9 comments:
Welcome, Nicci to the Roses of Prose. Special needs sounds so much better than disabled. Challenged is a good one too. Love the suggestion about worry pudding. That makes a lot of sense. Best of luck with your latest and the series.
Hi Nicci, Your series sounds fascinating. I'm adding it to my list of books to rread.
thanks for sharing.
Welcome in, Nicci. Your books sound delicious and I love how you used the experience with your mother to teach others a lesson or two about elder care. Talk about nostalgia...whipping egg whites by hand, kneading bread, canning...yup, there's something healing about those endeavors. Happy sales to you!
My grandma suffered from significant short term memory loss her last few years. Tough on everyone. Best of luck with sales.
Good luck with the book, Nicci. I love the plot idea and it sounds like a very charming read.
Hi, Nicci - Sorry I didn't get to stop by yesterday! My mom too suffered from some challenges that made life so difficult at times, for her and for me and my sister. I think it's great to include those types of real-life situations, even in an otherwise fun series. Best of luck with the book!
Best wishes with your latest release! and the series! Great blurb and excerpt!
Thank you all so much!! I'm sorry, my earlier comments didn't post, and I wanted to thank each of you.
Sorry I'm so late! I understand how you feel. My sweet momma suffers from dementia, and I am not taking care of her, but it's very sad to watch her struggle with her memory. I'm sure your story is rich with emotion. Sounds like a great read!
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