by Marie Force
"We can’t ask for anything more than that,” Susan says tearfully.
Their blessing means everything to me—and to Derek.
* * *
Much later, we’re snuggled up in bed at his house with our children sleeping close by. My engagement ring is back on my finger, and I’m more at peace than I’ve been since my life was suddenly turned upside down.
“How are you feeling?” Derek asks as he runs a hand up and down my back.
“I feel relieved that I didn’t burn the turkey.”
His low chuckle makes me smile. “The turkey was fantastic.”
“Otherwise, you know, just another day.”
“Right,” he says, giving me a playful pinch to the bottom that makes me jolt. “Just another day in which we took a giant step forward toward getting the rest of our lives together.”
“Oh, that. Well, yeah, that was cool, too, but not burning the turkey was definitely the headline.”
Laughing, he rolls on top of me, looking down with such a fierce look of love that I’m reminded once again of how truly blessed I am to have been loved that way by two extraordinary men.
“When are you going to marry me?” he asks as he kisses my neck and makes me shiver with desire.
“How about next summer?”
“Do I really have to wait that long?”
“It’ll be here before we know it.”
His low groan rumbles through me. “I guess I can wait that long as long as I get to sleep with you in my arms every night.”
“We can make that happen.”
He makes love to me with an all-new reverence that comes from knowing our future together has been secured, that nothing and no one is going to stand in the way of our happily ever after.
“I wish you knew how happy you’ve made me, Veronica,” he whispers in my ear when he’s deep inside me, his body joined with mine in an almost holy alliance.
“You’ve made me just as happy.”
“This is just the beginning for us. We’re going to have it all. I promise.”
Life has taught me that we all make promises we intend to keep, even if the universe often has other plans for us. Putting my faith in Derek and in his love for me and Dylan is a risk I’m willing to take if it means I get to spend the rest of my life with him.
Thank you for reading Roni (and Derek’s) story! I so hope you loved this introduction to my new Wild Widows Series, a spin-off from the Fatal Series. If you haven’t read Sam and Nick’s story yet, you can start with Fatal Affair. Derek and Victoria’s story unfolds in book five, Fatal Deception.
In preparing to write this book, I’ve probably read a dozen widow memoirs and thousands of Instagram posts from young widows. Their stories inspired my desire to write about the unique experience of young widowhood and its many challenges. To those who have walked this journey, you have my undying respect and admiration for your courage and fortitude. Thank you for sharing your stories.
From the moment Roni showed up in Fatal Reckoning after her young husband’s sudden, tragic death, I wanted to know more about her. I’m not sure why her story resonated so deeply with me—and with Sam—but I couldn’t wait to write this book. From the outset, I had the idea to pair her with Derek after she sees him in the neighborhood and thinks, at first, that he resembles Patrick. I loved the idea of bringing these two wounded people together, first in close friendship and then as something deeper.
The idea for the Wild Widows came later, as I read more about the many ways young widows and widowers support each other through the uniquely difficult losses of their soul mates and life partners far too soon. I love that there’s such a robust community that wraps its arms around young widows and helps them find the way forward, and I can’t wait to write more about the group we met in this book.
A word about the timeline for this series… Because the Wild Widows each begin their widow journeys at different times, the timelines won’t be linear. Please don’t try to match up this book with the ongoing First Family Series, as it won’t align neatly. The timelines may jump around a bit, and I’ve decided that’s okay for this series as I try to tell a wide variety of stories and experiences that take place over various time periods. One widow’s timeline won’t match another’s, which is true to life. Some of their stories will happen simultaneously, and others will overlap, which is why I’ve decided on a nonlinear timeline. I’ll do my best not to make it confusing, but the goal is for each story to stand on its own under the series umbrella.
I’m looking forward to the journey this series will take us on, and I hope you’ll come along as our Wild Widows look for their Chapter 2s. Keep reading below for a hint of Iris’s story in book two, Someone to Hold.
Thank you to my beta readers Anne Woodall, Kara Conrad and Tracey Suppo, for being the first line on all my books, and to Linda Ingmanson and Joyce Lamb, editors extraordinaire. Thank you to Sarah Hewitt, family nurse practitioner, for her assistance with the medical stuff and allowing me to take some liberties for the sake of the story. To the Wild Widows beta readers: Karina, Viki, Jennifer, Jennifer, Juliane, Gwen, Gina and Marianne, thank you for your input and enthusiasm for this first book in a new series.
And to my husband, Dan, and our kids, Emily and Jake, thank you for the daily joy and laughter as well as the never-ending support of my career.
To my readers, who follow me wherever the muse decides to take us, you honor me with your commitment, your trust and your excitement for every new book. I appreciate each and every one of you more than you’ll ever know.
xoxo
Marie
Meanwhile back at the Bethany Beach fire pit…
Iris
As I watch Gage put more wood on the fire, I notice the way his muscles bulge under a fleece pullover with every move he makes. Well-faded jeans cling to his ass, and I wonder what he’d think if he knew I want to climb him like a tree, a thought that makes me giggle madly to myself while I take another sip of wine.
What would he do, I wonder, if I crawled in bed with him this weekend and wrapped myself around him?
Would he be horrified or happy?
I haven’t the first clue, which is what will keep me from doing it. For now, anyway…
As far as I know, Gage hasn’t been with anyone since he lost his wife and daughters in a drunk-driving accident two years ago. If he’s getting busy, he’s not sharing that with us, but I suspect there hasn’t been anyone.
He was so devoted to Natasha and their girls and has struggled to carry on without them. His daily Instagram posts that succinctly summarize the young-widower experience are like catnip for me. I devour them with my coffee each morning, looking for further insight into the enigmatic man who’s captured my attention so completely.
The best part is that no one knows I have a thing for Gage. I haven’t told a soul, and I’ve been very careful not to give anything away in our group. For whatever reason, I suspect any sort of public declaration would drive him away faster than me snuggling up to him in his bed during this blissfully kid-free weekend during which anything seems possible.
What would happen if I just did it?
God, I want to know…
* * *
Read Iris’s story in Someone to Hold, coming on Nov. 15, 2022!
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Other Books By Marie Force
* * *
The Wild Widows Series
Book 1: Someone Like You
Book 2: Someone to Hold
* * *
If you’d like to read the series in which Roni first appears, check out the Fatal Series…
* * *
The Fatal Series
One Night With You, A Fatal Series Prequel Novella
Book 1: Fatal Affair
Book 2: Fatal Justice
Book 3: Fatal Consequences<
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Book 3.5: Fatal Destiny, The Wedding Novella
Book 4: Fatal Flaw
Book 5: Fatal Deception
Book 6: Fatal Mistake
Book 7: Fatal Jeopardy
Book 8: Fatal Scandal
Book 9: Fatal Frenzy
Book 10: Fatal Identity
Book 11: Fatal Threat
Book 12: Fatal Chaos
Book 13: Fatal Invasion
Book 14: Fatal Reckoning
Book 15: Fatal Accusation
Book 16: Fatal Fraud
* * *
Sam and Nick’s Story Continues….
Book 1: State of Affairs
Book 2: State of Grace
Book 3: State of the Union
* * *
Contemporary Romances Available from Marie Force
* * *
The Gansett Island Series
Book 1: Maid for Love
(Maddie & Mac)
Book 2: Fool for Love
(Joe & Janey)
Book 3: Ready for Love
(Luke & Sydney)
Book 4: Falling for Love
(Grant & Stephanie)
Book 5: Hoping for Love
(Evan & Grace)
Book 6: Season for Love
(Owen & Laura)
Book 7: Longing for Love
(Blaine & Tiffany)
Book 8: Waiting for Love
(Adam & Abby)
Book 9: Time for Love
(David & Daisy)
Book 10: Meant for Love
(Jenny & Alex)
Book 10.5: Chance for Love, A Gansett Island Novella (Jared & Lizzie)
Book 11: Gansett After Dark
(Owen & Laura)
Book 12: Kisses After Dark
(Shane & Katie)
Book 13: Love After Dark
(Paul & Hope)
Book 14: Celebration After Dark
(Big Mac & Linda)
Book 15: Desire After Dark
(Slim & Erin)
Book 16: Light After Dark
(Mallory & Quinn)
Book 17: Victoria & Shannon (Episode 1)
Book 18: Kevin & Chelsea (Episode 2)
A Gansett Island Christmas Novella
Book 19: Mine After Dark
(Riley & Nikki)
Book 20: Yours After Dark
(Finn & Chloe)
Book 21: Trouble After Dark
(Deacon & Julia)
Book 22: Rescue After Dark
(Mason & Jordan)
Book 23: Blackout After Dark
(Full Cast)
Book 24: Temptation After Dark
(Gigi & Cooper)
Book 25: Resilience After Dark, Out on July 19, 2022!
(Jace & Cindy)
* * *
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 1-3
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 4-6
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 7-9
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 10-12
Gansett Island Boxed Set, Books 13-16
Gansett Island Series Boxed Set, Books 17-20
* * *
The Green Mountain Series
Book 1: All You Need Is Love
(Will & Cameron)
Book 2: I Want to Hold Your Hand
(Nolan & Hannah)
Book 3: I Saw Her Standing There
(Colton & Lucy)
Book 4: And I Love Her
(Hunter & Megan)
Novella: You'll Be Mine
(Will & Cam’s Wedding)
Book 5: It's Only Love
(Gavin & Ella)
Book 6: Ain’t She Sweet
(Tyler & Charlotte)
* * *
The Butler, Vermont Series
(Continuation of Green Mountain)
Book 1: Every Little Thing
(Grayson & Emma)
Book 2: Can’t Buy Me Love
(Mary & Patrick)
Book 3: Here Comes the Sun
(Wade & Mia)
Book 4: Till There Was You
(Lucas & Dani)
Book 5: All My Loving
(Landon & Amanda)
Book 6: Let It Be
(Lincoln & Molly)
Book 7: Come Together
(Noah & Brianna)
Book 8: Here, There and Everywhere
(Izzy & Cabot)
* * *
The Butler, Vermont Series Boxed Set: Books 1-4
* * *
The Quantum Series
Book 1: Virtuous
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 2: Valorous
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 3: Victorious
(Flynn & Natalie)
Book 4: Rapturous
(Addie & Hayden)
Book 5: Ravenous
(Jasper & Ellie)
Book 6: Delirious
(Kristian & Aileen)
Book 7: Outrageous
(Emmett & Leah)
Book 8: Famous
(Marlowe & Sebastian)
* * *
Quantum Boxed Set: The Complete Series
* * *
The Treading Water Series
Book 1: Treading Water
Book 2: Marking Time
Book 3: Starting Over
Book 4: Coming Home
Book 5: Finding Forever
* * *
Treading Water Boxed Set: The Complete Series
* * *
The Miami Nights Series
Book 1: How Much I Feel
(Carmen & Jason)
Book 2: How Much I Care
(Maria & Austin)
Book 3: How Much I Love
(Dee & Wyatt)
Nochebuena, A Miami Nights Novella
Book 4: How Much I Want
(Nico & Sofia)
* * *
Single Titles
Five Years Gone
One Year Home
Sex Machine
Sex God
Georgia on My Mind
True North
The Fall
The Wreck
Love at First Flight
Everyone Loves a Hero
Line of Scrimmage
* * *
Beach Reads Boxed Set
* * *
Historical Romance Available from Marie Force
* * *
The Gilded Series
Book 1: Duchess by Deception
Book 2: Deceived by Desire
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Fatal, First Family, Gansett Island, Butler Vermont, Quantum, Treading Water, Miami Nights and Wild Widows.
Her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Spiegel bestseller in Germany.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.
Join Marie's mailing list for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook and on Instagram. Join one of Marie's many reader groups. Contact Marie at [email protected].