Recently, I read an article by One Love Foundation titled, 5 Requirements for a Strong Friendship.
The first was “trust.” I had to agree wholeheartedly.
The six friends in my Risking Love series had that in spades. They have kept personal secrets for each other that one normally wouldn’t utter outside one’s family. From alcoholism to abuse. Being stalked or loving someone that belongs to another. And so much more.
The second was “equality.” While each of the friends in my stories are intelligent, kind women with strong personalities, they treat each other with respect. No one person in the group dominates the rest of the women. They may ask advice of each other, but no one ever demands that they should do it a certain way, their way.
The third was “compassion.” It doesn’t matter which one of the six friends they go to for help they are received with open arms. Sometimes they talk things out as a group and other times they seek the love and advice from just one of their friends. They have cried, laughed, and genuinely cared for each other’s precious hearts together.
The fourth was “honesty.” Sometimes honesty hurts, like what happens between Bella and Violet in the novel, Joseph. Or when one of them gets pregnant and the only one they can tell is their friend. The women of the Risking Love series have remained close even when honesty tugs at their friendship.
The fifth was “Independence.” Each of the Risking Love women is independent. They lean on each other, but they have other friends or family important to them too. Like when Violet was given a surprise party, and the room was full of friends that the girls were meeting for the first time. Or when Carlie got married, and the hall had an overflowing number of friends and family. It was important to me to keep these women’s independence of each other. They have a healthy and loving relationship with each other. But they also have a separate life that includes other friends and family.
These six women have a strong foundation of trust, equality, compassion, honesty, and independence with each other. Their friendship is healthy and should stand the test of time.
ANTHONY (Risking Love book four)
By Callie Carmen
Published by Black Velvet Seductions
The ebook of Anthony is on pre-order sale for 99c until the publication date of April 1.
In ANTHONY, my latest novel, Tessa would need all the help she could get from her friends to win the heart of Tony Telesco. And even they may not be enough to help convince him that Tessa is nothing like his selfish, demanding ex-wife. Tony wanted nothing to do with a rich, spoiled, daddy’s girl like Tessa. Would Tess and her friends be able to convince Anthony that she was not as she seemed?
RISKING LOVE NOVELS
Take a risk on the new Risking Love series. These steamy stories will have you laughing, crying, and your heart racing.
Read each one as a standalone or better yet as a series.
Book 1 PATRICK
Jaq had no interest in a serious relationship because life at an early age had taught her that men weren’t to be trusted. But she met Patrick who soon had her thinking about risking her heart. For Patrick the time for Jaq dating other men had ended. He wanted her all to himself. But would she stay if she knew the secrets of his past? Patrick wasn’t the only man who wanted Jaq, and the other man was willing to kill to have her.
Book 2 NICOLAS
Carlie planned to finish at the top of her class, get a corporate job, and work her way up the ladder. She refused to risk having a life of poverty ever again. Within her plans, there was no room for a relationship. So she had sworn off men; especially the good Dr. Nicolas Antonis.
Nicolas had other plans. They included her becoming his.
As if Nicolas wasn’t a big enough distraction; Carlie had to worry about her roommate’s, abusive ex-boyfriend, coming for her too.
Book 3 JOSEPH
Violet had experienced a lot of loss in her life. She wasn’t sure if she could ever trust love again. That was until she fell for Joseph. The problem was he belonged to her friend, Bella. Could Violet risk her friendship over a man? If she did break that friendship, would it destroy her relationship with her closest girlfriends forever?
If Violet risked her heart again and had a night of uncontrolled passion, would he abandon her like the others she had loved? Or would Joseph be her salvation?
Book 4 ANTHONY
Tessa seemed to have it all, her father’s fortune, men falling at her feet, and a fairly new but successful business. Secretly, all she longed for was her mother’s hug once more, her heartbroken widowed father acknowledging her existence, and the love of Tony.
Recently divorced, from a selfish, demanding ex-wife, Tony Telesco wanted nothing to do with a rich, spoiled, daddy’s girl like Tessa. Would she be able to convince him that she was not as she seemed?
Book Five JOSHUA: Coming Soon
Callie also has two other romance stories. Her first published story is in the Craving Loyalty Anthology and is a mobster romance titled, The Enemy I Know published by Crave Publishing.
The other is the Mystic Desire Supernatural Anthology published by Black Velvet Seductions. Her story is titled Dream Catcher. The other stories shared in this wonderful paranormal novel are written by a group of talent authors that have all become friends.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CALLIE CARMEN
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BookBud
You’re starting to crank out the stories now, Callie 🙂 Congrats on another book. I look forward to checking out the other books in your series.
Hi Patricia,
Thank you. You are too. I saw the video with all your books. I’m impressed.
You must let me know what you think of my sexy men after you read them.
Callie
Hi Dee,
Thank you for having me on your excellent blog today. I really enjoyed writing this blog. These six wonderful women are important to me. It was almost like writing about a group of my friends.
Thanks again and have a great weekend with lots of rest.
Callie
So happy to have you with us, Callie! Thanks for your post.
Dee,
You are so easy to work with. I enjoyed myself.
Thank you,
Callie
What a great blog! I am a big fan of both Dee S Knight and Callie Carmen. Callie’s new book is quite exceptional, as is the Risking Love series, from the first book Patrick, I was hooked. the hardest thing is the wait for the next story. I can’t wait for the next story in the series…
Richard,
I’m so glad you enjoyed the blog. You say the nicest things about my Risking Love series. You made me blush. I’m at an indoor soccer facility so… Awkward. Lol.
Thank you,
Callie
Love this Callie. Trust, equality, compassion, honesty, and independence are definitely the foundation of a lasting friendship. Always has been true and always will be true. Looking forward to reading Anthony.
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you. I agree that it needs all five for a strong relationship.
I can’t wait to hear what you think of Anthony’s love story.
Callie
Great post Callie! I really love the friendship between the women in the series, it’s just as important as the love between hero and heroine in each book.
Alice,
I’m so happy to hear you say that. It took some convincing that all six women be introduced in Patrick book one. Then to have them continue to grow in each of the novels. With them finally, having their time to tell their individual love story.
Thank you,
Callie
Great article. I agree with the qualities of friendship, but I would add humor to that list.
Nobody makes me laugh like my friends!
Looking forward to reading Callie’s latest book.
Such a great author!
Hi Gibby,
You are so right. Humor is the gravy on the mashed potatoes. It’s a must have. I can’t remember if you read Nicolas yet. If not, you may want to read his story first. And don’t forget Joseph it has my favorite ending.
Thank you so much,
Callie
Wow! All these look so great, I’m gonna have a TBR list a mile long
Annabel,
That’s great. Make sure you put mine at the top of that list. Lol.
Thanks,
Callie
Interesting Callie, whilst i applaud all those qualities, you forgot lust. that may be a female low but heck i think not, without lust for the other person the whole thing has no meaning. no end product. in the modern world, the subjective partner is not an option. both must feel that spark, that abandonment to the other. the odd thing is, in your books its there, its a strong element, so how could you not mention it. lol.
Charlie,
You crack me up. This blog was about the friendship of the six female friends with each other. Not with the men they fell in love with. As you know, they have plenty of lust for their male counterparts.
I can’t wait to hear what you thought about Anthony.
Thank you,
Callie
These books sound absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to get started. Both male and female character’s sound strong willed and I have a feeling they will each impact your readers lives and stay with us forever!! Thank you Callie for writing these awesome stories and taking us all on a journey of love, passion and heartbreak.
Hi Kara,
Thank you. I’m so glad you enjoyed this blog. I hope you get to read these love stories. I’d love to hear what you thought about them.
Sweet dreams,
Callie
I really enjoyed reading this article about the Risking Love series, especially how it brings up the fundamental values of friendship, empowering the six friends.
Hi Estelle,
Thank you. Yes, these six women were important to me. I wanted them all to be part of each of the six titles. Please let me know if you end up reading one of them. I’d love to hear what you thought about them.
Sweet dreams,
Callie
Congratulations on your latest book in the Risking Love series encompassing the five essential requirements for a strong friendship.
Love your books!
Thank you, Jan. The series is almost complete. It’s been fun working with these six wonderful women.
Callie
Love learning about all your new books! And the covers are just gorgeous! Congratulations, Callie!
Hi Brit,
Thank you. I’ve had a ball writing these novels. They are strong, kind, and intelligent women.
Callie