SASSE:
What inspired this series?
Stephanie:
I have two wonderful friends that are currently married to men in the military.
I also have several members of my family that have served as well. Over the
years I have supported my family and friends during deployments. I’ve
experienced the ups and downs, the stress and the worry over their safety. I
wrote these books in tribute to them. I wanted to create stories that not only
focused on military men and romance, but some of the real tension that comes
along with being involved with one, especially when something unexpected
happens along the way. I owe my family and friends a lot of thanks, because I
used them to verify information about what is allowed and not allowed during
deployments. I hope that this series gives the reader a new appreciation of what the family members (and friends) that
support our deployed service men and women go through.
SASSE:
Can you tell the readers about the third and final story in the For Baby’s Sake
series?
Stephanie:
The MARINES Baby Gift is third book
in the series. It is actually my favorite of the series. Zahra and Jarrett are
friends who have become lovers due to disastrous relationships. However, a
positive pregnancy test sets the wheels in motion for an adventure that Zahra and
Jarrett never expected.
SASSE: We all love a sneak peek. Can you give us a
short excerpt of the story?
Stephanie:
“How long
has it been?” Jarrett asked for the fiftieth time.
Zahra
picked up her cell phone and checked the timer she’d set. “One minute down. One
to go.”
“Are you
sure it’s only been one minute?”
“Yes, I’m
sure.” Zahra couldn’t really fault Jarrett for sounding as stressed as he did.
Two minutes had never felt like an eternity before not to her either. And her
already small bathroom seemed to be closing in on her every second that ticked
away. Both of them had been standing there, just inches apart for one full
minute, waiting for an answer to the burning question.
She looked
over at him, but quickly averted her gaze. It was hard to bear the strained
looked on his face. She wasn’t certain this was going to end well, no matter
the outcome.
Incapable
of standing still any longer, she picked up the extra pregnancy test and stuffed
it back into the box with the instructions. No way in the world was she going
to torture herself by taking two.
Whatever
the results were, she’d already decided to make an appointment Monday morning
with her OB/GYN to confirm either way. She put the box back on the counter,
then began trying to figure out what else she could do as not to focus on the
test stick. When she looked at Jarrett again, he stood in the open doorway to
the bathroom. She saw him scowling at the pregnancy test as if that would make
a difference.
If it’d
been one of the Marines under his command, she was positive the test would have
stood at attention and yelled out the results with clear precision. If she
hadn’t been so on edge, she’d laughed at her colorful imagery. Instead, Zahra
hugged herself tightly, trying to ignore her nerves. She was sure this entire
test thing would have been easier to deal with if she was in the bathroom by
herself. But it was too late for that. Now all she had to do was remain sane
while they waited for the results.
Zahra
watched him out of the corner of her eye. On edge, solemn, he was probably
uttering every prayer he knew under his breath in hopes of keeping the test
from revealing a positive.
The more
important question was, why wasn’t she doing the same?
A loud beep
rang out unexpectedly and Zahra jumped. Jarrett stepped further into the
bathroom, reaching for her cell phone to silence it. Glancing over at her, he
asked needlessly, “It’s supposed to say pregnant or not pregnant, right?”
She nodded,
knowing as well as he did that neither of them would never need instructions on
how to take a pregnancy test ever again. They had already gone over them
several times before she’d taken the test. Besides, there was a lot at stake.
She released a pent-up breath and tried to steady herself against the emotions
threatening to swamp her.
“Do you
want me to look,” Jarrett asked, “or do you want to?”
“Be my
guest.” She squeezed her eyes shut and waited. It didn’t matter who read the
results, she told herself. The outcome would be the same. And her hope for
solitude had already been blown out the water.
SASSE:
What is the next story on the desk of Stephanie Morris?
Stephanie:
I am currently wrapping up edits on a four book Christmas series. Those who
know me are well aware of the fact that I LOVE the holidays! I hope the readers
find these stories hot enough to melt the snow, whether it is real or
imaginary. J
Once I have finished the edits for the Christmas series, I will get back
to work on the Valentine’s Day series that I was working on. So stay tuned. I
plan to heat up the holidays.
SASSE:
Thank you Stephanie, this has been great hanging out with you and discussing
your series.
Stephanie:
Thank you Yvette. It is always a pleasure to discuss books with you.
Readers,
if you would like to learn more about Stephanie Morris and her books, connected
with her these ways:
Website:
www.stephaniemorris.webs.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/smorrisbooks
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorstephaniemorris
BUY THE BOOKS:
when is this coming out. i have enjoyed the other two
ReplyDeleteThank you for your support! It is greatly appreciated. The release date is July 1st.
DeleteStephanie, I love this series!! I am an Army vet and I love to read stories where we are the lead and reveals us as regular people with emotions and faults. The excerpt has me bouncing in my seat waiting for the book to drop.
ReplyDeleteYvette, thank you for another fantastic interview of a wonderful author.
Jacinator, you are more than welcome. I value my author friends and my readers so I try and offer you all just a glimpse into their writing and stories. Glad you like it.
DeleteJacinator, thank you! I appreciate your support! I am so glad that I was able to convey that to you as a reader. That was my goal.
DeleteI hope you enjoy Zahra and Jarrett's story!