Dedication to my Daughter
Separation is the last thing I want to think or blog about. Yet it’s been on my mind non-stop since last week, when my daughter kissed me, said, “I love you, Mom,” and announced they are moving away to Virginia. What breaks my heart is that I am going to be separated from my adorable 3 and 5 year-old granddaughters.
Of course my daughter and her husband have the right to move anywhere they want or anyplace that’s convenient to them. He’s been without work since last November and has finally landed a good job.
I wish them well and pray that they will be happy in VA. But how am I going to cope with my little ones moving a thousand miles away?
I know I can rely on my husband, my writing and my wonderful friends. And I will be extremely busy with the promotion of my third book.
BABIES IN THE BARGAIN is a sweet and spicy medical romance that garnered several wins in contests: Launching A Star, The Beacon, Great Expectations; Golden Gateway; Gotcha; Enchanted Words; The Suzannah; Winter Rose; Linda Howard Award of Excellence. The story is based on my daughter’s professional experience. Needless to say, the book is dedicated to her as she read and corrected the medical cases.
My heroine is a pediatrician and a neonatologist finishing her residency and training in a children’s hospital in Washington. Same as my daughter did. And my heroine Holly “coincidentally” shares some of the medical cases and emotional career turmoil that my daughter faced during her tough training. But the coincidental similarities stop here.
My heroine is attracted to a tall, dark and handsome hero (hmm son-in-law is also T, D, and H, pure coincidence again). But my hero is a Puerto Rican doctor and the story is pure fiction.
The story behind BABIES IN THE BARGAIN started on a Christmas Day, a few years ago, when my daughter was still a first year neonatology fellow. She was on-call on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day—as she’d been for the previous three years.
To share the holiday season, we called her and said we were coming to have lunch with her at the cafeteria. My husband and son helped me carry the elaborate home-cooked meal and the wrapped presents. We shared a happy lunch with the guest of honor wearing green scrubs.
Later, she invited us to visit the NICU. We slipped yellow gowns over our clothes and scrubbed before entering the room where five preemies fought for their lives. I approached one of the isolettes and noticed that the preemie wore a dress with Christmas prints. My daughter explained that a nurse sewed the tiny outfits for the babies in residence over the holiday. I realized that the dedication of the NICU personnel, including my daughter, went beyond the performance of a well-done job. They gave a hundred and one percent to the babies they helped save and did it happily. On that Christmas Day, I decided to write a story featuring the wonderful doctors and nurses who treated our loved ones.
BABIES IN THE BARGAIN
With only one year left to complete her medical training in Neonatology, Dr. Holly Collier vows not to let anyone mess up her sacrosanct schedule. Especially not the drop-dead gorgeous Dr. Marc Suarez who broke her heart seven years ago.
When a tragic accident transforms the carefree playboy into a dedicated but novice father to his nephew, Holly gives in to her maternal instincts and turns her structured life upside down for the orphaned preemie. But can she learn to trust Marc again and believe in true love?
Here is a trailer about BABIES IN THE BARGAIN.
The babies are my own grandchildren.
When you watch the trailer, pay attention to the music: Enjoy The Boy.
I personally met the European singer when my next-door neighbor invited my husband and I to meet some friends and have dinner with them. The singer and her husband who is her agent were present. Unfortunately, the lovely young woman fell sick and suffered from bronchitis. We took her to our doctor and bought her medicines. When she recovered, she offered me her album and wrote on the CD, “You saved my life.” 
I wish you a happy time as you read the story of Holly Collier, a beautiful and dedicated neonatologist who spends many hours in the hospital NICU, and falls in love with Marc Suarez, the dashing Puerto Rican doctor who shares her journey.
To celebrate the release of BABIES IN THE BARGAIN on July 03, 2009 at the Wild Rose Press, I am running several contests during the month of June on my own blog: www.monarisk.blospot.com
Jenyfer, thank you for inviting me to your beautiful blog.
[...] Go here to read the rest: Friday Feature: Mona Risk [...]
by Friday Feature: Mona Risk | Fashion e Music Blog June 19th, 2009 at 3:05 amMona – your book sounds very special.
by Shelley Munro June 19th, 2009 at 5:02 amThank you Jenyfer for having me on your beautiful blog.
Thanks Shelley. It’s the book of my heart, a book written with passion.
by Mona Risk June 19th, 2009 at 10:41 amLoved your trailer Mona. Babies in the Bargain sounds like an excellent medical romance. I’m a big fan of ER (or was) and Gray’s Anatomy.
by Beth Trissel June 19th, 2009 at 11:35 amI feel for you in the removal of your loved ones so far from where you live. They’re moving my way, although Virginia is a large state and they are probably not relocating to the Shenandoah Valley.
This sounds like such a good story – just as many reasons for them to get together as to stay apart, until love conquers all.
Sorry about your grandkids moving away. Hopefully you will get to visit them often.
by Barbara Monajem June 19th, 2009 at 11:48 amMona,
by Joanne June 19th, 2009 at 1:29 pmBest wishes on the publication of your third book. Babies is a wonderful read.
Your daughter’s move will give you a good excuse to visit Virginia.
So sorry babies moving away. Must really be upsetting. I would feel terrible if my little girl granddaughter had to move away. Good blog, I enjoyed it.
Patsy
by Patsy (P.L. Parker) June 19th, 2009 at 1:54 pmMONA–what a wonderful story!! Your novel sounds perfect for a real romance, complete with babies–the most fantastic little creatures on earth. Our 3rd Grandchild was 6 weeks premature–such a scary thing, all those wires and tubes. He was adopted, so his parents spent an hour each day with him–son took his lunch hour–to hold and cuddle and get acquainted. Ahhh, this is going to make me cry. I’ll definitely have to get this book. Thanks Mona, dear–Celia
by Celia Yeary June 19th, 2009 at 2:49 pmLovely blog. I feel for you, Mona. I missed my family the years I lived more than 16 hours away by car. Back then people didn’t hope a plane and visit family on a whim.
Your book sounds like a wonderful story!
by Mary Marvella June 19th, 2009 at 5:21 pmThe trailer is super, and Babies in the Bargain sounds like an excellent read. Jenyfer, Monda, enjoyed the blog.
by Linda Nightignale June 19th, 2009 at 5:38 pmSorry Mona. I was typing too fast.
by Linda Nightignale June 19th, 2009 at 5:39 pmHi everyone, thank you for stopping by. I just received the paperback copies of BABIES IN THE BARGAIN and it’s not officially released yet. Yeah!!! I already autographed a copy to my daughter and one to my son.
We had a blast today with four little ones playing on the beach and later singing happy birthday to my grandson who turned three. He came from Chicago with his daddy to celebrate father day with grandpa.
by Mona Risk June 19th, 2009 at 6:35 pmHi Mona and Jenyfer, Great post today.
by Debra St. John June 19th, 2009 at 6:52 pmThank you Debra. Glad you enjoy the post
by Mona Risk June 20th, 2009 at 10:35 pm