Carmen and Alex Saga

The last two weeks before their wedding, Carmen and Alex are challenged with the responsibility of remaining chaste. Together, they face that and other normal challenges of adjusting to marriage - except the ones Carmen keeps secret. As Alex discovers each of her secrets, he is more concerned with her reason for hiding things from him. He is shamed by the idea that she is afraid of him. Carmen is so distracted by her ventures that she fails to see the warning signs until Alex finally loses patience and blows up at her. Their first real fight could be their last if she doesn't get her priorities in order. Linda Rigsbee is an award-winning multi-genre writer. She has published over 60 books since 1984. Rigsbee writes clean romantic fiction, westerns, science fiction, youth and children's books. She writes both non-fiction and fiction in lengths from flash fiction to novels. "Many Genres; One Theme. Keep it Clean." Carmen is struggling to stay in the black with her goat dairy when she meets Alex, her roommate's sophisticated brother. Sparks fly from the start, but Carmen is convinced they have nothing in common. Love wins and they go from one struggle to another, always working things out.

Carmen has finally agreed to a baby through a surrogate mother. Alex has agreed to a Christmas vacation at his biological father's home. It is a huge step for each of them and emotions are running high. Not nearly as high as they get when they reach Texas.Alex doesn't want to go to Texas and his actions speak as loudly as his words. Carmen is shocked to discover the extent of his secrecy. Alex has hidden far more than a father. He has hidden a family and a lifestyle. Carmen wants to know why, but Alex doesn't want to discuss it. He claims she is better off not knowing.Carmen loves Alex, in spite of the way he is acting. She realizes that they must make some critical changes in their relationship, but she knows that her response may affect the rest of their marriage. People either grow together in times like these or they drift apart. She carefully measures each response. It isn't about winning an argument. It's about making their marriage stronger. It is no longer about Carmen and Alex, but their children as well.Carmen and Alex are each having a change of heart. Will they be able to make their relationship better or will they build walls between them? Linda Rigsbee is an award-winning multi-genre writer. She has published over 60 books since 1984. Rigsbee writes clean romantic fiction, westerns, science fiction, youth and children's books. She writes both non-fiction and fiction in lengths from flash fiction to novels. "Many Genres; One Theme. Keep it Clean." Carmen is struggling to stay in the black with her goat dairy when she meets Alex, her roommate's sophisticated brother. Sparks fly from the start, but Carmen is convinced they have nothing in common. Love wins and they go from one struggle to another, always working things out.

Carmen knows she can't please everyone, but she is trying to be the best mother, wife and manager she is capable of being. In the process, she's willing to change the way she dresses and acts.Alex is confused and alarmed by the change. He likes his responsibilities exactly where he expects them to be. He has another problem and he doesn't want the distraction of changes.Carmen knows she already has her hands full with the children, school and the animals, but when Alex makes arrangements for tourists on their American Wildlife Safari, she accepts his claim that she can make time.Meanwhile, Katie is trying to make a fashionable independent woman out of her. Carmen doesn't care about fashion, but thinks it will please Alex. The only person Carmen isn't trying to please is Jonathan, who has reached puberty and rebellion simultaneously.In the process of doing something Alex has strictly forbidden, Carmen has a tragic accident and is injured when she falls down a bluff. She bears Alex's stoic rebuke in silence, knowing she brought it on herself. Jonathan is ultimately the one who brings it to her attention that she is letting others run her life, not being independent.Her marriage is falling apart and Alex has gone to Texas, leaving her to manage everything in his absence. Carmen must forget about what everyone wants her to be and become what she thinks she should be. Should Carmen fight to keep their marriage or let it go? The answer requires her to be honest with herself. Linda Rigsbee is an award-winning multi-genre writer. She has published over 60 books since 1984. Rigsbee writes clean romantic fiction, westerns, science fiction, youth and children's books. She writes both non-fiction and fiction in lengths from flash fiction to novels. "Many Genres; One Theme. Keep it Clean." Carmen is struggling to stay in the black with her goat dairy when she meets Alex, her roommate's sophisticated brother. Sparks fly from the start, but Carmen is convinced they have nothing in common. Love wins and they go from one struggle to another, always working things out.

After nine years of marriage and four children, Carmen and Alex are beginning to take each other for granted. Worse, the enthusiasm they have for their jobs may result in less attention for their children. Carmen decides that a vacation will break them both free of their routines and provide quality time with their children.Alex is nearing his 40th birthday and feeling inadequate. Clients at his veterinary clinic are increasing in number and they are already short-handed. It isn't a good time to take a vacation, but Carmen is right. Time will not materialize on its own. They must make the time.Carmen has never planned a vacation before. In fact, she's never been out of Arkansas except to visit relatives in Texas. Alex doesn't want to go and the children want to hurry up and get there. The hotels and the routes aren't what she expects them to be. Romance is impossible and the trip takes longer than she anticipated. The only thing that has gone as planned is that their routine has been broken.When they finally reach their destination and begin to enjoy themselves, Carmen and Alex accidentally observe a drug deal and wind up being captured. It's a good thing they have had nine years of learning to work together, because working together is their only chance to escape and reunite with their children. Linda Rigsbee is an award-winning multi-genre writer. She has published over 60 books since 1984. Rigsbee writes clean romantic fiction, westerns, science fiction, youth and children's books. She writes both non-fiction and fiction in lengths from flash fiction to novels. "Many Genres; One Theme. Keep it Clean." Carmen is struggling to stay in the black with her goat dairy when she meets Alex, her roommate's sophisticated brother. Sparks fly from the start, but Carmen is convinced they have nothing in common. Love wins and they go from one struggle to another, always working things out.