Dear Reader,
This was an interesting book for me to write. I connected with Emily immediately. In fact, as soon as I was asked to be a part of this series, I knew she would be the character I would create. In some ways, she is more like me than any other character Iâve used. More like the old me, anyway. The person who always wanted to please, who prided herself on being dependable and who rarely could say no. Thank goodness thatâs changed. I still like to think of myself as dependable, but unable to say no? Amazing how easy that simple little word has fit so nicely into my vocabulary.
Although this story was supposed to primarily be about the heroineâs journey, the hero ended up surprising me. Initially, I hadnât intended for Nick Corrigan to share equal billing in the self-discovery department, but the more layers I peeled back and the more I learned about him, the more I believed Nick needed to return to his roots. And who better to help him see the light than Emily?
Thank you for following their journey with me.
Enjoy!
Debbi Rawlins
Debbi Rawlins lives in central Utah, out in the country, surrounded by woods and deer and wild turkeys. Itâs quite a change for a city girl, who didnât even know where the state of Utah was until four years ago. Of course, unfamiliarity has never stopped her. Between her junior and senior years of college she spontaneously left her home in Hawaii and bummed around Europe for five weeks by herself. And much to her parentsâ delight, returned home with only a quarter in her wallet.
From: [email protected]
Okay, ladies, I did it. Fantasy Escapes is opening its doors to the public tomorrow morning and Iâm officially trolling for business among my best friendsâcall me tacky, but I think you all deserve a fabulous getaway!
For those of you whoâve been under a rock this last year, Iâve been working on a new start-up business ever since Premiere Properties downsized me out of a job. Iâm putting my extensive travel experience to good use to help clients take one-of-a-kind vacations. Need a massage on the beach in Miami? I can book you with the best hands on South Beach and I know which places have the most luxurious cabanas. Need a ski trip complete with a sleigh ride? A bicycle trip to the top of a Hawaiian mountain? I can make sure you pick the best time to see the perfect sunset while youâre there. Youâll recall Iâm a bit Type A? Picture the power of Marnie perfectionism at your fingertips! Iâll create that once-in-a-lifetime experience you dream about.
So here I sit, brimming with knowledge and ready to send all of my fave foxy friends on an adventure. Email me when youâre ready to get away! You all know you deserve itâ¦.
P.S. Emily, sweetie, Iâd bet my new convertible that youâre sitting in five-year-old sweats right now and wearing those horrible fuzzy slippers you used to wear every night in college. I know you enjoy commuting to the coffeepot every morning, but you need to get out more. Seriously. You have to step out of your comfort zone every once in a while. This is not about me drumming up business. This is coming from your friend who adores you and wants to see you have a lifeâ¦.
Hugs and kisses,
Marnie
AFTER READING THE EMAIL, Emily Carter leaned back in her chair, glanced down at her worn gray sweatpants and sighed. She wasnât about to get rid of a perfectly good pair of sweats just because they had some mileage on them. After all, as her friend had pointed out, Emily didnât go out much. She worked at home, so why bother getting dressed?
Good for Marnie, though. Sheâd sworn up and down sheâd start her own business before their next reunion. Not that Emily ever had any doubt that Marnie would come through. The woman was savvy, ambitious and always had an abundance of great ideas. This Fantasy Escapes for instance. She was smart in hitting up their sorority sisters. Most of them had done well and could afford to treat themselves to one of Marnieâs planned vacations. Theyâd all love that kind of thing.
Not her, though. She hadnât done too badly herself, with more work coming in than she could handle sometimes, but sheâd taken a different path than most of her sorority sisters. She was more a hermit, content to stay away from the pressure of a fast-paced career. She liked working at home, and yes, wearing comfy sweats every day. Her online social life was quite active and stimulating and perfectly suited her needs.