Starting Over (Treading Water Trilogy) (42 page)

The first thing I did when I got to Chatham was drive around to check out the four streets I had chosen from hundreds on a map to place my characters' homes. I figured if there was, say, a cement factory on both sides of the street, the good people of Chatham would know I hadn't bothered to come out there and check. I am pleased to report there were houses on all four streets, but on the corner of the fourth street, there was something else—a red house with a sign on the side that said, "The House That Jack Built." No, I am not kidding, and yes, I sat there and cried. If ever there was a "sign" that I was on the path I was meant to be on, there it was. It was without a doubt, one of the most amazing moments of my life, and I will never, ever forget it. (View a photo of the house at www. mariesullivanforce.com/
writing.php
.)

That same week, after I got home and told my sister-in-law this story, she approached me at a family party to say, "You won't believe this! I was having trouble sleeping at my friend's house the other night and got up to see if she had a magazine or something I could look at." She found an old copy of
Architectural Digest
, and there was a spread with the headline "The House That Jack Built." She had torn it out for me and that page is framed over my desk to remind me that this is a marathon, not a sprint, and it's about the journey, not the destination.

Thanks for taking the journey with me. I hope you enjoyed the trilogy that began with “Treading Water,” continued in “Marking Time,” and concluded with “Starting Over.” And I hope now you know why these three books are my favorites! I’m thankful every day for my wonderful readers, and I love to hear from you. Write to me any time at [email protected].

About the Author

Marie Force
is the author of the
bestselling McCarthys of Gansett Island Series: MAID FOR LOVE, FOOL FOR LOVE and READY FOR LOVE with more books coming soon in the series. STARTING OVER concludes the trilogy that began with TREADING WATER and continued with MARKING TIME. She is
the author of the following contemporary romances: GEORGIA ON MY MIND, EVERYONE LOVES A HERO,
LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT
,
TRUE NORTH, THE FALL and THE WRECK.

She is also the bestselling, award-winning author of the Fatal Series from Harlequin’s Carina Press. The series includes FATAL AFFAIR, FATAL JUSTICE, FATAL CONSEQUENCES and FATAL DESTINY. “This novel is ‘The O.C. does D.C.,’ and you just can’t get enough
.” (
RT Book Reviews
, 4.5 stars for FATAL AFFAIR). In its July 2010 issue,
RT Book Reviews
named Marie a “Future Star of Romantic Suspense.” FATAL FLAW is coming in February 6, 2012.

She is a member of RWA’s New England and Published Author Special Interest Chapters.

While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and she is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two teenagers and a feisty dog named Brandy.

Find her at
www.mariesullivanforce.com
, on her blog at
http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com
, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor, and on Twitter @marieforce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at
[email protected]
.

What others are saying about Marie Force’s books:

"Treading Water is a definite must read! Treading Water creates an emotional firestorm within the reader.  It shines the light on the good and the bad in life and proves that one moment can change everything and it’s never too late to find love. Marie Force grabbed my heart and squeezed every ounce of emotion out of it but most importantly her monumental story left me blissful. Treading Water may be fiction but it gives me hope; hope in everyday people and happily ever after. I cannot wait for the next book in this trilogy, Marking Time."
—
Joyfully Reviewed, a “Recommended Read” for November 2011!

"It's a rare treat that you get three gorgeous romances in one story but Marie Force has achieved that with Georgia On My Mind. Ms. Force has seamlessly woven these stories into one magical novel. Each couple is drastically different with their own issues and smoking hot chemistry. This story has a bit of suspense, plenty of humor and lots of romance. Georgia On My Mind is a keeper!
" —Joyfully Reviewed.

“Georgia On My Mind” meets real life issues head-on. It will easily touch your heart with a variety of emotions. If you love a book, in spite of any flaws it may suffer, it’s a keeper. This one meets that test. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry. Most importantly, I’m betting you’ll have a satisfied smile on your face when you reach the end.
"
—Romance at Random gives Georgia on My Mind an "A."

“With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” —
Booklist
on
Line of Scrimmage
.

“LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!” —
Wild on Books

“
This novel is
The O.C.
does D.C., and you just can’t get enough.” —
RT Book Reviews
, 4.5 Stars for
Fatal Affair

“This book starts out strong and keeps getting better. Marie Force is one of those authors that will be on my must read list in the future.” —
The Romance Studio
on
Fatal Affair

“As Cole encourages Olivia’s incredible talent for drawing and her love of adventure through a series of carefully planned dates, the two embark on the emotional roller-coaster ride of their lives in Force’s steamy contemporary romance, a heartwarming Cinderella story set mostly in and around Washington, D.C.” —
Booklist
on
Everyone Loves a Hero

“Marie Force’s second novel in the Fatal series is an outstanding romantic suspense in its own right; that it follows the fantastic first installment only sweetens the read.”
—
RT Book Reviews
, 4.5 Stars for
Fatal Justice

Contemporary Romances Available from Marie Force:

Treading Water

Marking Time

Starting Over

Maid for Love

Fool for Love

Ready for Love

Georgia on My Mind

True North

The Fall

Everyone Loves a Hero

Love at First Flight

Line of Scrimmage

Romantic Suspense Novels Available from Marie Force:

The Wreck

Fatal Affair

Fatal Justice

Fatal Consequences

Fatal Destiny

Fatal Flaw (February 2012)