April 20, 2018. It was a Friday. The Human Resources manager
and my department manager both subtly suggested I think about leaving work. I’d
taken some medical time off months before, and had only returned late February.
It was soon clear I could no longer fulfill the duties of my job. Talk about a
scary time. What could I do?
One option was to stay there, at a job I did not like, and
was unable to do, and suffer each day, hating so much about everything. If they
fired me, which was doubtful, I would have other avenues to pursue. I could
quit. I’d been pet sitting and dog walking for a couple of years and business
was picking up. I was also writing more, with new opportunities coming along
that just needed my time. Perhaps this would end up being a blessing. Hoping,
and praying so, I gave my two weeks’ notice, and waited until May 4th.
In the meantime I worried for my health conditions. What was
I going to do about them? I needed prescriptions and treatments. Would I even be
able to get insurance and would it be affordable without a weekly paycheck? I
feared for the mortgage and all the bills. I have animals who depend on me. I
am dependent on what I earn. Much as I hated the company, and the job, I needed
that paycheck.
That Friday I walked out of the building for the last time.
The weekend loomed, as did the rest of my life. I was scared. Had I made the
right choice? Should I have stayed? Too
late now. All that was left was to return long enough to turn in my keys, codes,
and uniform.
Now, five months later, I have to say that difficult choice
has been the best one. My pet care business has grown steadily, with new
clients each week, and many positive reviews and great feedback. I feel valued
and appreciated in my new career. That was something sorely missing in the ten
years I spent with the company.
In September I was part of the release of an anthology with
Limitless Publishing, my second release with them. Before that I signed three
contracts with another publisher for a series of books. The goal is to release
around 6-12 books over the next several years. And most recently I released my
second self-published book, a women’s fiction/ metaphysical novel. There is
another publisher I’ve signed with before who is holding a spot for me for next
year, I just need to get the book finished and sent in.
Beyond that, I review books for two magazines, and I create
online videos for one. And I continue to contribute each month to a local
pet-focused magazine. Not all of these extra-curricular tasks are paid, but
some do. Some are just for the exposure and by-lines in my growing writing
portfolio.
Do I have any regrets? Sort of. I regret staying for ten
years in a job and career that I did not like and was not good for me. I stayed
because I thought I needed the benefits the company offered. It turns out what
I needed I could replace elsewhere and what I didn’t need I do not miss now. My
health is slowly improving since I am out of that toxic environment, though I
will never be completely like I once was.
I took a giant step
out in faith that God would catch me and hold me through this transition, and
He has been faithful to do so. I am thankful indeed.
BLURB
Ivey London was told her military husband died on a
mission overseas. She buried him as a war hero and tried to move on with her
life by raising their young son, dealing with her vengeful brother, and coping
with her mother’s Alzheimer’s. Five years go by and one day she learns of a
secret underground chamber were special soldiers are imprisoned to recover.
Further, one amnesiac soldier managed to escape. When her son begins to display
unusual behaviors, she goes to investigate. All evidence points to finding her
late husband. If it is him, back from the dead, Ivey refuses to give him up
again.
Keegan London awoke in a hospital cell with no
memories. Fleeing, he finds himself in a strange, unknown world, with no one to
turn to. Until he finds a friendly Priest who runs a homeless shelter and he
stumbles across the woman who claims to be his wife. While she can fill some
gaps in his lost memories, she cannot explain his curious abilities. Pursued by
someone determined to get him back, Keegan has few options but to trust the
woman who makes his heart fire like a cannon. Ivey has dibs on him, but first
they have to uncover who—and what--Keegan really is before they can recover
what they had.
EXCERPT
“Keegan,”
his name came out in a throaty rumble as her eyes slid closed.
“I
don’t know what we used to do, Ivey, but I can tell you miss it bad. I’m
willing to try and be your husband again, if you’ll help me.”
Hot
tears stung her eyes. She swallowed hard. “So many times you said I was
unforgettable. I…I guess--.”
The comment died unfinished, and his fingers
reached down and caressed her back. Electric jolts shivered along her
spine.
“Don’t
push me away, Ivey. Let me be in each part of your life.”
Her
breath hitched. This should be easy. Just tell him how they used to cook, what
his favorite foods were, what they shared, how they made wonderful love. And
miraculously all his memories will reappear. Except it hadn’t worked yet.
From
the distant reaches of her mind, Ivey heard the phone ringing. Before she could
pull herself away from the counter, it stopped. Assuming Jory answered it, the
whole episode passed from her mind. Right now, Keegan took all her focus.
His
fingertips trailed lazily up and down her back, igniting tiny fires in their
wake.
“Keegan….I….”
Words failed her. Heart beating frantically like a wild bird locked in a cage,
her mind surrendered.
He
gently turned her around, cupping her chin and tilting her up. Drawing a husky
breath, he lowered his lips to hers, winding his fingers in the tangle of her
hair. Her arms moved to encircle his waist, slipping under his shirt to feel
the raised scars and corded muscles. A guttural moan escaped her.
Finally,
having lost all concept of time, she pulled apart. Noble, he would not go
further with a woman he did not remember making love to. She might respect his
intention and restraint, but the unmet need was also killing her. Pulling in a
shaky breath, she ended the kiss, stepping away and picking up the paring knife
again.
She
ran her tongue over her lips, more to steady herself, and rested one hand on
the counter for balance. “I can work on this if you want to go see what Jory
and Mom are doing.”
Keegan
stiffened, hesitated and studied her. For a chilling moment, she hoped he
ignored her request and lifted her bodily to carry her away to the bedroom.
Then a darkness entered his eyes, a sadness that cut into her chest.
“Yes.
Of course.” Spinning, he exited, leaving her alone with the ghosts of what had
been.
Damn, damn, damn.
“Crossing Jordan"
part of the
“Craving Forbidden” anthology by Limitless Publishing
Forbidden—Banned. Prohibited. Not allowed. Off limits.
There’s one word which means something completely different, yet it always
seems to go hand in hand with the forbidden…
Temptation.
It follows the untouchable, clings to the taboo, slowly luring you in, only to
corrupt the last bit of self-control you might have. Nothing is more enticing
or more alluring than the one thing that has forbidden stamped all over it.
Like the beautiful daughter of your mortal enemy. Or the gorgeous best friend
of your older brother. There’s also the much older man who makes you want to
throw all your inhibitions to the wind. Whatever your vice, this collection is
everything you need to indulge.
So, forget about the rules. Ignore the warning signs.
Embrace the illicit, and allow yourself a taste of the…
FORBIDDEN.
“Crossing Jordan” tagline by Ryan Jo Summers
Buy
Links for “Craving Forbidden”
Author
Bio:
Ryan
Jo Summers writes romances that blur the lines of subgenres. She mixes
contemporary with time travel, Christian, suspense, sweet, and paranormal like
blending a fruit and yogurt smoothie. Her non-fiction works have appeared in
numerous trade journals and magazines including ‘WNC Woman Magazine’, ‘Critter Magazine’, ‘Journey Devotions’, and ‘Vet Tech Journal’. She is a regular
contributing author for the ‘Asheville
Pet Gazette’.
Her
hobbies include baking, crafts, gardening, enjoying nature, and
chess/mah-jongg/word-find puzzles. She pet sits/dog walks when she’s not busy
writing and she fosters homeless pets for area animal rescues.
She
lives in a century-old cottage in North Carolina with her own menagerie of
rescued pets and way too many houseplants. “September’s
Song” is her second self-published work, the first one being the chronicles
of the first two years with her adopted PTSD rescue collie.
Media
Links:
Website: http://www.ryanjosummers.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RyanJoSummers
I am in awe of your strength and faith. Wonderful testimony. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. It's still scary at times, but I hang in there. Thank you for hosting me and offering this month for so many to share their stories.
DeleteWow, that's wonderful! So happy things are working out for you. Best of luck with your books and your new path in life!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jennifer. Glad you stopped in. It's coming together.
DeleteAwesome that you took the leap of faith! I'm so happy for you that everything is coming together and that you are in a better place!
ReplyDeleteHello Sophia. Thank you. I'm glad you stopped in today. Leaps of faith are what make life worth living, right?
DeleteCongratulations on taking a chance to change. Best of luck with both your pet sitting and writing careers.
ReplyDeleteYou are a very strong woman to start life again. So happy that your new career is a blessing. I bet with your talent, skills, and determination, you can achieve anything you put your mind to. Best of luck with your book.
ReplyDeleteSuch a courageous post! I think we all fantasize from time to time about walking out of a stressful job. Not many of us can say we've taken the plunge! So happy it's working for you!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear your story of your courage. Leaving a job is always frightening, but sounds like you made the right choice and are now happily enjoying this crazy business. Best of luck in your future endeavours.
ReplyDelete