And even though Henry’s family all praised him for securing their inheritance, he grew more and more distant from them, especially when they so ardantly opposed his decision to donate the largest portion of his wealth rather than keeping it for himself.
“We’ll make our own way,” he told Scarlett. “We don’t need Granddad’s tainted money.”
He did splurge, though, on an engagement ring for Scarlett. Instead of a diamond, it held an aquamarine and a ruby, each swirling around the other. It reminded her of Henry’s eyes, but he said it was fire and ice.
Just like them.
“When I finish medical school, I’m going to marry the heck out of you,” he promised when he proposed to her outside of the library with Scarlett’s two adopted dogs, Fantine and Cosette, there to share in the moment.
First he gave her the ring, then he handed her a card. “It’s yours now,” he said before she’d even managed to finish opening the evelope.
Sure enough, he’d donated a hefty some of his money to the library with the stipulation that it would only be used to further education and literacy within the community. He’d also given generously to the Sled Dog Rescue Organization in an effort to undo some of his grandfather’s past sins. They could never bring back the dogs that had been tortured and killed, but they could save countless others from facing that same fate—and that meant everything.
Scarlett vowed to tell their stories and joined the board of the SDRO to help make that happen. As promised, she moved into a new apartment with Liz, who was distraught over her father’s marriage to the much-hated Vanessa Price.
Henry came for visits once per week. It was the best they could manage while he attended medical school, and she combined both of her greatest passions every day by writing and reading stories about the sport and the dogs she loved so dearly.
And every day, Scarlett made sure to tell Henry how much she loved him because, after all, words had power—and these particular words were the most powerful of all.
Loved the push and pull between Scarlett and Henry as they fought their feelings for each other? Then you won’t want to miss what happens next!
The next book, Let There Be Life, is now available for pre-order. Be sure to pick up your copy today at www.MelStorm.com/SledDogs
Liz Benjamin has lost her place in the world. With her closest friends both preoccupied by a sport she has no interest in and her father having recently remarried a woman she loathes, it’s enough to make Liz pack her bags and leave Anchorage for good. That is, until a handsome stranger arrives in town and starts asking all the wrong questions.
* * *
Investigative reporter Dorian Whitley is on the verge of a career-making discovery. But he hadn’t counted on a beautiful, spirited, infuriating woman thwarting him at every turn.
* * *
Could she somehow be the key to uncovering his story? And could he be the one to help her find her place in life once more? Most of all, what will happen when his investigation reveals truths they’d both rather keep hidden?
* * *
Harkening to the great literary traditions of Pride and Prejudice and Cinderella, Let There Be Life is a new twist on the most epic of love stories. Don’t miss the chance to lose your heart to a whole community of sled dogs and the humans that love them in this tale set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness. Pre-order your copy today at www.MelStorm.com/SledDogs
Afterword
Do you believe in fate?
I sure do.
Let me tell you about two very important things in my life that just seem to perfectly planned to have happened as a fluke.
The first is one I talk about often—my love story with Mr. Storm. He’s definitely my soul mate, but he’s not my first husband. I never pictured myself as a divorcee, especially in my 20s. But some of us need a little more time to grow up and find ourselves. Try telling any young adult that they aren’t quite there yet!
I started dating my first husband at 19, we married when I was 23, and divorced at 27. I learned a lot from that time in my life, as painful as it was. Because as I continued to grow, mature, and find myself, my then husband’s love for me seemed to fade with each passing day. In what felt like the blink of an eye, we went from adoration to derision. Our marriage became a very uncomfortable place to be, full of cruel words and angry directives fired at me when I least expected them.
And all because I had found what I was meant to do in this world: write my books and start businesses to help other writers live their dreams, too.
I was so angry at how things turned out. What was love? Surely, it was a made-up Hollywood phenomena since my own romance had crashed and burned so brutally.
But then on the heels of that dark time, I met a man—a writer like me—who had just moved to my state all the way from Alaska. He left everything behind to pursue his dreams of being an author. I’d left so much behind because achieving my dreams meant I’d lost the love of a man who had vowed to love me until death do us part.
I definitely wasn’t going to go to that place again.
And yes, Mr. Storm worked his way right into my heart. First as an online acquaintance, then a friend, and at last a husband. We met in early August, realized the love brewing between us in September, and eloped on December 1 of that same year.
Five years later, we are living our dreams together along with our gorgeous daughter who is the realization of the greatest dream of all.
The thing is, if he hadn’t been brave enough to leave his life and decide to move thousands of miles away on a whim, and if I hadn’t taken that incredibly scary leap to leave my marriage and then to let love in again, we wouldn’t be where we are today.
There are so many other little pieces about our story that prove God had His eyes on us—far too many to enumerate here, which is why one day I plan to write our full love story in a pair of novels, The Legend of My Love and My Love Will Find You.
Until then, I continue to weave pieces of our story into each and every book I write. Love changed everything for me, and finding it at last is what encouraged me to write in the Romance genre. Because how could I not believe in love when I live it every day? How could I not want to share that joy with others? To offer hope and proof that—yes—it’s out there?
So that’s my first big tale of destiny. The other is one I haven’t told anyone until now, but I’d like to tell you.
Growing up, I always felt like an outsider. Maybe because I preferred books and animals to people, which made me different and awkward in school. Maybe because I didn’t really know my bio dad and was only a “half” among my siblings. It could have been so many things.
But that uncomfortable, uncertain feeling followed me my whole life. It became even more apparent in college, when I changed my major not just once, but eleven times!
Feeling lost and confused, I prayed to God. What should I do my life? What am I here for?
And, reader, I heard His voice so clear in that moment along with a flash of flame before my eyes that only lasted a second but sure got my attention.
“Write.”
There was no arguing with that directive. I’d always loved books—reading them, attempting and failing to write my own. But now God had told me clearer than I’d ever understood anything in my life until then, that I was meant to live this crazy, impossible dream.
Like I said, there was no arguing with that.
So instead, silly young me, I ignored it.
I chose a major, graduated with highest honors, went straight through graduate school on a special research fellowship, accepted a good job when I was done.
I would proudly tell anyone who would listen, “Yes, I wanted to be a writer, but I’m far too pragmatic for that. I need a job that will pay the bills, thank you very much.”
Less than a year after that crazy rush, God reminded me of what I was supposed to do with my life. A newspaper in the area reached out to me online because of my participation
in a book club and asked if I’d consider writing reviews and covering local events for them.
The dream was still alive in my heart, even if I had silenced it in my mind, so I eagerly agreed. Less than a month after that, they promoted me to lead Books Contributor and gave me a weekly column—and money!
It wasn’t much, but I was officially being paid for a talent I had undervalued my whole life. This was the confidence boost I needed to start my first novel.
And, honestly, it felt like coming home.
It only took me three months to write that first book, which is now, after much revision, published as A Colorful Life.
Now that I’d managed the impossible—writing an entire book—I was hooked. I also discovered a talent for online marketing and started my first business to help other authors find their readers.
It took off like a shot, enabling me to quit the day job very early in my author career. I’ve been living this life for over eight years now, and I wouldn’t change a day of it.
That’s the thing about fulfilling your destiny…
Even when it’s hard, it’s still meant to be.
I am so grateful for my dual acts of fate—and faith from a God who believed in me even when I forgot how much I believed in Him.
Praise be!
Acknowledgments
Where would I bet without my family, my God, or my furry best friends forever?
I certainly wouldn’t have been able to bring you this book!
First, I must give thanks to God for putting a story in my heart and giving me the words to tell it.
My greatest earthly support is and will forever be my husband, Falcon, for offering his endless support and unwavering love, even—and especially—when I don’t deserve it (like when I have a tight writing deadline and become monster Melissa)! He also helps me with ideas and research and is the one who taught me what true love feels like so that I could write about it and share it with the world.
Oh, I just love that man!
My daughter, Phoenix, is the reason for all that I do. She is why I write stories of hope and courage and finding one’s place. I want her to know that life is a beautiful journey so long as you take it slowly enough to enjoy the view. I hope one day she is able to read my stories and find my love written into every word, line, and page. Because, I promise, it is there.
My beloved pets are also a kind of family and must be thanked. They are the ones who sit next to me day in and day out as I plot my stories and put pen to page. They are the ones I pet and cuddle when the stress of a tight deadline closes in, and they are the first to hear many of my ideas, because there is no shame in talking to your fur babies. They like listening to these stories, too.
My friends and support network are truly one in the same. My indomitable assistant Angi, who is always the most enthusiastic about my work and helps me find the strength and energy to dive deep into my characters’ emotions, even when they’re hard.
My editor Megan, who builds me up while also deconstructing my prose and somehow inherently knowing what I meant to say even if I accidentally said something else. She’s become a true friend, and I’m so excited about what the coming year holds for her!
My designer Mallory is my oldest friend and one I am so happy to have in my life. She is never afraid to tell it like it is, and even though she seems rough and tumble on the outside, she is a tiny, mewmy kitten on the inside.
My proofreader Jasmine helps me so much more than she knows by doing quick and good work, and most importantly, by encouraging Mr. Storm to work on getting his stories into the world.
To all three of the Beckys--the mother, the assistant, and the daughter’s imaginary friend who is somehow teaching her Italian. This unlikely trio nurtured my talent growing up, keeps me accountable now that I’m grown, and… teaches my daughter Italian, which is pretty impressive. Capiche?
And I always save the best for last. It’s you, dear reader. It’s you! Thank you for giving my characters and their stories a home in your heart. If a book is written in the forest… but… nobody’s around to… read it… Did it ever…?
What I’m trying to say—Megan, help me!—is that I couldn’t be who I am without you being who you are. You kind of complete me, and isn’t that the greatest love story of all?
Also by Melissa Storm
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The Sled Dog Series
Let There Be Love
Let There Be Light
Let There Be Life
The First Street Church Romances
Love’s Prayer
Love’s Promise
Love’s Prophet
Love’s Vow
Love’s Trial
Love’s Treasure
Love’s Testament
Love’s Gift
The Church Dogs of Charleston
Little Loves
Mini Miracles
Tiny Treasures
The Cupid’s Bow Series
The First Generation
When I Fall in Love
My Heart Belongs Only to You
I’ll Never Stop Loving You
You Make Me Feel So Young
* * *
The Second Generation
Total Eclipse of the Heart
Tainted Love
I Want to Dance with Somebody
Take My Breath Away
Eternal Flame
* * *
The Third Generation
Somebody Like You
You Belong with Me
She Will Be Loved
What Makes You Beautiful
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
with Melissa McClone
Finding Mr. Happily Ever After
Stand-Alone Novels and Novellas
Angels in Our Lives
Diving for Pearls
A Texas Kind of Love
A Cowboy Kind of Love
A Wedding Miracle
A Colorful Life
About the Author
Melissa Storm is a mother first, and everything else second. Writing is her way of showing her daughter just how beautiful life can be, when you pay attention to the everyday wonders that surround us. So, of course, Melissa's USA Today bestselling fiction is highly personal and often based on true stories.
Melissa loves books so much, she married fellow author Falcon Storm. Between the two of them, there are always plenty of imaginative, awe-inspiring stories to share. Melissa and Falcon also run a number of book-related businesses together, including LitRing, Novel Publicity, Your Author Engine, the Author Site, and the Alliterates. When she's not reading, writing, or child-rearing, Melissa spends time relaxing at home in the company of her five dogs, cockatiel, and a rescue cat named Schrödinger. She never misses an episode of The Bachelor, because priorities.
www.melstorm.com
[email protected]
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