Alex's Atonement, a stand-alone story in the Midnight Sons series is available at all retailers.
For those of you who'd like a glimpse into the inspiration and motivation behind Alex's Atonement, please read on....
Have you ever felt the weight of guilt? A deep-seated burden that claws at you, night and day? Well, imagine carrying that weight for more than ten years. This feeling was the initial spark that birthed Alex's character. Alex is a man grappling with past decisions, constantly tormented by his part in his father's death and the impending doom of his family's company.
Backdrop always plays an immense role in my books, and the frigid expanse of Alaska was the perfect setting for Alex's story. Its harsh environment mirrors the internal conflict of our hero and heroine. The vastness of the landscape, coupled with its biting cold, serves as a metaphor for the isolation and despair that Alex feels.
Then there's Irene. Her character contrasts Alex's in so many ways. Where he is haunted by his past, she's trying to forgive the people in her past. Where he feels an overwhelming weight that makes him feel he can't go on without offering a penance, she’s received a potential terminal diagnosis that makes her re-evaluate everything she's ever known.
The intertwining of these two souls in the desolate beauty of Alaska, especially when they're thrown into a survival situation, brings out the rawness of human emotions. It's about finding hope in the most unexpected of places. It's about facing one's demons head-on and finding redemption.
While crafting their story, I played with elements of trust, or a lack thereof. Irene's reluctance to trust Alex forms the crux of their relationship. And who can blame her? Alex, despite his undeniable charm and skills, is a man on the brink of giving up on life. Irene’s battles, on the other hand, are more internal. She struggles with the reality of her shortening life span, forgiveness, and the ever-looming threat of the drug smugglers.
Writing Alex's Atonement was a journey of delving deep into the complexities of human emotions. Of charting the gray area between right and wrong. It reminded me, as I hope it will remind readers, that often, redemption and atonement come from the most unexpected encounters.
One of the most fulfilling aspects of writing is the process of character development. Watching Alex evolve from a man ready to end it all, to someone willing to face his deepest fears for love, was both challenging and rewarding. Irene, with her fiery spirit, served as the catalyst for this transformation. Their dynamics, their push and pull, breathed life into the pages.
I hope that Alex's Atonement is more than just a thrilling romantic suspense for you. I hope it becomes a tale of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of love. Because, in the end, that’s what all of us seek, isn't it? The assurance that despite our past, despite our demons, we can find our way back to love and light.
So, get ready to be transported to the icy terrains of Alaska, to get lost with Alex and Irene, and to find your way back, filled with hope and warmth.
Thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Remember, every hero has his demons, but love might just be the key to redemption.
Until next time, Happy Reading!
Carmen
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 One of the things I've noticed about novels and movies is that, over the last few decades, writers have portrayed the majority of men to be cold-hearted, uncaring men who need to be tamed. Maybe it’s because my father raised me, but I never saw this. In fact, throughout my years, I’ve seen just the opposite. Most of the men I’ve known have loved women to their own detriment. I wondered: how can I prove men have feelings, love deeply, heart and soul? Anyone remember Silly Love Songs by Paul McCartney and Wings? I started thinking about that song, and I was off and running! Here's what I found! Note: This isn’t one of those infallible, never-slanted polls taken by Fox or CNN (insert laughter). I did this on my own. I chose not to look at just one source, but many. I decided the best way to prove men have feelings was to use their own words. I researched Billboard, Top 100, Country’s Best, and several other music lists to find the top love songs in all genres, across all ages. And then, I looked up who wrote the lyrics, because that’s what really matters, right? Surprise… I was right! Of course, if I hadn't been, you wouldn’t have seen this post. (more laughter) Would it shock you to hear that ninety percent of all love songs — in every genre — were written by men. Many of those gooey, sweet love songs we love, even the ones sung by women, came out of a man’s mind. Why does this interest me? Because I write about strong male characters "sigma alphas" (more on that next week) who, though they may seem controlling at times, love deeply with all of their heart and soul. My leads are willing to do anything to get, keep, and protect the women they love. So, if you enjoy reading romantic suspense stories with strong male protagonists, you might love my novels. Below are the firsts in many of my series with, you guessed it, sigma heroes. Oh, in case you're wondering, my women aren't too weak either. Even if they start out that way, they tend to grow by the end. Until next time, happy reading! Carmen Thank you for stopping by my place and reading my musings. Remember, these are just my opinions and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section, and I promise you I will answer. If you’re curious about what I write, please visit one of my author pages, where you can read all about my novels and short stories. And hey, I’ll even give you a free book just for stopping by.
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