Second chance at love’s brass ring! Secret Desires by J.L. Regen

BLURB:
Nothing in Margo Simmons’s life comes easy. She can’t claim the inheritance on a condo apartment her uncle has left to her until she is gainfully employed in a job for a year. She meets the man of her dreams but anguishes over a loving relationship because he is still emotionally tied to his deceased wife. With great difficulty, she becomes the guardian to a recently orphaned child she had been tutoring. Margo evolves from an insecure, newbie elementary teacher into a woman determined to fulfill the secret desires locked in her heart. My story speaks to anyone who has suffered a loss and had to start over.

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Excerpt:
Margo Simmons gripped the edges of the leather chair, waiting for details from the family lawyer about her Uncle Harry’s death. She hoped it would be shorter and less painful than the reading of her father’s will.

An older gentleman extended his hand. “I’m sorry your mother couldn’t be here.”

Margo looked up from her reflections to acknowledge him. “Thanks, Mr. Steinberg.”

“You’ve grown into a lovely young woman.”

Margo blinked back tears at memories of good times shared with Uncle Harry. “Not so young. I’m twenty-three.”

The portly man squeezed himself into a swivel chair and peered at her over wire-rimmed bifocals. “I’m ancient compared to that number.”

Margo gripped her knees to steady her nerves. “My mother wanted to come with me, but they’re downsizing at her dress shop. She was afraid to leave early. My stepfather is furious because Uncle Harry didn’t leave him any money.”

Mr. Steinberg saddened at the sorrowful expression on the young woman’s face. “It pains me to hear Jerry hasn’t changed his ways. However, since you’re the only one present to hear your uncle’s will, I’ll get to the point. Harry has left you his Riverside Drive condominium apartment and the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.”

Margo jumped up from the chair and hugged the man. “This is a miracle. I can’t wait to tell my Mom. She’s wanted me to get out on my own. Now I can. Though I wish it hadn’t come with the loss of my uncle. I adored him.”

The attorney pushed bifocals up his fleshy nose. “I know you did, my dear. He spoke of you often, with fondness. As to your inheritance, in today’s market two hundred and fifty thousand dollars won’t last long unless invested wisely.”

The only thing Margo knew about investments was she didn’t have enough money to make any.

“Mr. Steinberg, can you refer me to someone who can advise me so I make wise investments?”

He raised his hand. “Not so fast my dear. Your uncle stipulated that you be gainfully employed for a year before you can claim your inheritance. The last time your mother and I spoke, you were studying to be a French teacher.”

Margo stared at the vibrant red dragon design on an Oriental rug and thought of the threadbare one under her rickety dining room table. Her eyes darted from the lawyer’s monogrammed attaché case to her worn shoulder strap bag.

She swallowed a lump of pride. “I’ve been looking for a teaching job for two years, but I’m on the substitute list and have a part-time job at a dry cleaner so I’m employed. I know it’s not a professional job, but it’s respectable work. ”

Mr. Steinberg made notes in her uncle’s folder. “I’m afraid that won’t do, my dear. Harry loved you but was very clear on the type of employment.”

A tear rolled down Margo’s cheek. “I don’t know how much longer I can live at home. Mama is working twice as hard since Jerry was laid off from his job at the newspaper. He couldn’t get the hang of technology. He’s been on disability from an old back injury. Could I speak to an investment counsellor to get an idea of what to do with my inheritance? It would give me something to strive for.”

Margo sat on her hands as she waited for the lawyer’s response. Since childhood, all she wanted was to be part of a happy family and not have money worries. Instead of granting her wishes, life had brought her a mean stepfather. Jerry fractured a childhood that had been filled with love when her birth father was alive.

Mr. Steinberg lifted a business card from a sterling silver box. “I highly recommend Edward Master. He’s with the investment banking firm of Chartwell, Morgan, and Master. He’ll give you solid advice. Shall I see if he’s available now?”

Meet J.L. Regen:
NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
JLR: It is based on someone I dated. I built a story around it.

NA: What sort of research did you do to write this book?
JLR: I read lots of books on second chances and spoke to counselors who specialized in the subject.

NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
JLR: Love is wonderful the second time around so don’t be afraid to take the plunge.

NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?
JLR: Teaching ESL elementary students

NA: What started you on the path to writing?
JLR: I’ve been writing since I’m nine. A wonderful teacher in the fifth grade inspired me to reach for the stars with my writing.

NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
JLR: My husband and friends think I should have started writing sooner, but I had to carve out a career in the corporate world.

NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
JLR: I make very long outlines. I need to know where I’m going with my book.

NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
JLR: One of my most rewarding experiences as an author is reading my children’s book to my students and getting their reactions.

NA: Which kind of scenes are the hardest for you to write? Action, dialogue, sex?
JLR: The hardest scenes for me to write are the parts where the protagonist is emotionally hurt. I hate to see even my characters suffer.

NA: What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
JLR: When I’m not writing, I love to do photography, yoga, and ballet. Travel overseas is a passion.

NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
JLR: When the alarm goes off, I think about where I left off in my current novel and how I will get to the next chapter –The next one will be a suspense.

NA: What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
JLR: I’d love to have dinner with my hero: Eleanor Roosevelt.

NA: Strangest place you’ve brushed your teeth?
JLR: Strangest place I’ve brushed my teeth: On safari in South Africa

NA: What are you working on now?
JLR: I’ve finished two suspense novels, one set in WWII and other a psychological twister. I’m in editing mode.

J.L.Regen:
J.L. Regen’s book, Secret Desires, was inspired by a real life story of lovers who join hearts against many odds. J.L. lives in the New York metropolitan area, is a published photojournalist, has short suspense stories online, and has taught English as a Second Language to students around the globe. This is her first contemporary romance. She has also published three nonfiction books and is crafting a historical suspense set in World War II.