Cards of Passion: Stumbling Toward Serenity – Book Three

Uh. I wrote a book?

Holy crap, I wrote a book.

In case you haven’t heard (probably because I’ve been bogged down with so many projects and the day job), I’ve been working on a novella for a few months.

How did this happen?

Trust me, I’m just as shocked as you!

My partner in smut, Dr. J. aka Donna Jennings had an idea for a multi-author series featuring her Purple Passion Reflection Deck for Women.

Stumbling Toward Serenity focuses on Self-Intimacy as a component of healing for my female main character, Natalie.

Meet Natalie:

Natalie is always in control, to the point where she can’t handle it when team members make mistakes and decides to do all the work herself. Being overworked and overwhelmed turns Natalie into a toxic bully. Due to this behavior, her supervisor forces her into a difficult choice. Paperwork in hand, Natalie turns to her best friend only to learn that she is the problem. A journal and too much wine send her on a trip to The Haven, where she meets Ophelia, a Tarot reader with more insight than Natalie can handle. And then there’s Marcus, who can’t seem to stay away from Natalie despite her prickly behavior. How will two people in different kinds of pain find a way to move forward?

Summary for Stumbling Toward Serenity:

Natalie’s life spirals out of control when she’s forced to take a sabbatical for her disrespectful behavior at work. Struggling with the blow to her career and the breakdown of her closest friendship, she escapes to a secluded island retreat. There, she meets Marcus, a grief counselor carrying the weight of his own loss.

As they dive into The Haven’s healing activities, an unexpected bond forms between them.

Their path toward healing and self-acceptance is anything but smooth, but it leads them to the edge of something new.

In this story of redemption and renewal, Natalie must reckon with her past, repair broken connections, and find the courage to reclaim her true self. Will she stumble or find her way to the serenity she craves—with Marcus beside her?

Sneak Peek:

“The Star is going to help you reclaim your true self through the revolution of giving up what no longer benefits you.” Ophelia sits back, looking at the cards, a soft smile on her face.

Natalie sits stock-still, taking in everything Ophelia said with her perfected resting bitch face still in place. She’s had Tarot readings and other types of readings before with friends when they were hanging out at some event, drinking. None of them had hit her like this one. The others were all fluff about love and money. “Who’s The Star?”

“I don’t know. It could be someone you meet at The Haven, someone you already know, or someone you’ve not yet met.” Ophelia runs her fingers along her scarf. “It could even be divine intervention if you believe in that sort of thing.”

Natalie rolls her eyes. “Yeah, no thanks.” She sits back in her seat and waits, wondering if the reading is over.

Ophelia flips a fifth card. “The High Priestess shall guide you through all of it. Your intuition is integral in learning from your past to breakthrough to your purpose in the future.” Ophelia closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

Natalie stares at the cards. “Who’s The High Priestess? You?” She sighs, trying not to roll her eyes again.

Ophelia laughs. “No dear, not me. And I can’t say who your guide will be.”

Natalie taps her foot on the floor. Looking at the cards, she shakes her head. “I still don’t really know what this means, though.”

“It means I can let you into The Haven because you truly want to heal, even if you don’t realize it yet.” Ophelia collects the cards and stacks them neatly.

“Can I ask you something else?” Natalie picks up her bag and fishes the journal out, opening it up to get the purple card out.

“Of course, I’ve got some time yet.” Ophelia leans forward to see what Natalie slides across the table.

“I found this card inside this journal. And the journal is how I learned about The Haven.”

“Ahh, yes.” Ophelia picks up the card, raises an eyebrow, and her smile turns salacious. “I have this deck. It’s called the Purple Passion Reflection Deck.” She stands and disappears around a set of shelves. “Here they are.”

Natalie watches as Ophelia uses a nail to slice open the plastic on the deck as she walks back. “Wait, there’s an entire deck? What are they for?”

Ophelia hands them to her. “They’re affirmations for women who are looking to reconnect with their sensual selves.” She sets a purple velvet bag down on the table by Natalie. “Here’s the bag they go inside. You can have these.”

“How much?” Natalie stops looking through the deck as she waits for some outrageous price.

“Nothing, this is my gift to you.” Ophelia walks over to a wall that has a framed tapestry hung on it. “Self-Intimacy will be part of your journey since that is the card that found you.”

Ophelia does something Natalie can’t see then, with a click and no hint of a sound, the tapestry swings open to reveal a carved door. “Come now, dear. Someone will meet you on the other side of this door.”

All the Links

My book isn’t the only one in this amazing series! And, there’s a little something for everyone. Some RomCom, a little Magic, and Lots of Romance!

Learn more about the Cards of Passion Series.

You can get your copy of Stumbling Toward Serenity on Amazon!