Wesley's Heart ~~
Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Wesley ~~ 

My name is Wesley Hawthorn. I am the CEO of an international gaming company and an avowed bachelor. I don’t do love or emotions. I’ve been there, done that. 

Almost didn’t survive. 

But now, my best friend has left me his five-year-old daughter to raise, putting me in the middle of a nasty custody battle with her grandparents, and she somehow does the impossible: melts my heart. I will give her anything and everything -- even the power to reopen all my wounds.  

And that puts me in a predicament I never wanted and didn’t see coming. 

Adrienne ~~ 

Working as a live-in nanny/occupational therapist for the goddaughter of one of the most eligible bachelors in town? Who also happens to be a billionaire? Life is looking pretty good for me right now, if I say so myself. 

I’m moving on from my past. I’m protecting my heart, definitely not looking for anything that sounds like romance. And even though my sometimes overbearing parents are skeptical, I know I won’t have any trouble keeping this living arrangement with the handsome, brooding Mr. Hawthorne completely professional. 

Right. Famous last words. 

Words that leave me facing the worst possible consequence imaginable.... 

Did You Know...

That there are elements of Wesley's and Adrienne's story that are inspired by bits and pieces of my life?

Aspyn is the little sister who grew up tagging along with Wesley and his friends...much like my younger sister, Miriam with our brother, Kyle. Both of our parents worked, so it was the two of them and their friends after school everyday. And all of Kyle's friends knew the rules: clean up their acts and take care of Miriam and her friends as if they were their own sisters.

Adrienne is a young, black girl who lived most of her life living in prodiminately white neighborhoods, with a prodiminately white peer group and living a life where her parents did not make an issue of race...like my siblings and I did. Unfortunately, her first experience with racial issues was as she entered her dating years...as was mine.

Music ending up playing a big role in Wesley's life, specifically surrounding the piano...as it did for me for much of my childhood. I played the cello during my school years, and eventually taught myself to play the organ as a teen.

Erik's struggle with mental illness and getting the care he needed is an issue very dear to my heart. It is a struggle my own father has faced and stood tall as an example to us--even when he didn't feel like he could walk another step--for the last 30 years.

Erik's Aunt Janet is named after my bestie for life.

Diagnosing Ariel with Autism was inspired by one of my good friends learning that her precious grandson likely had it, and the daily discussions we had as she embarked on the journey with her daughter and son-in-law to start his care and the arduous process of being diagnosed.