25 Years To Life (The Hopeless Romantics) A Sweet Contemporary Romance by CJ Ives Lopez ➱ Book Sale with Guest Post & Giveaway
Love through the Ages: Every Generation Has Its Story
25 Years To Life
The Hopeless Romantics Book 1
by CJ Ives Lopez
Genre: Sweet Contemporary Romance
In a heartfelt journey through small-town Iowa, a forbidden love challenges destiny, unveiling secrets that could alter the course of many lives.
The emotional, family drama romance "25 Years to Life" captures the essence of forbidden love and the relentless pursuit of truth. Shelly and Esteban, torn apart by societal norms and personal sacrifices, leave behind a legacy of mysteries and unspoken promises that threaten the fabric of their family.
The story unfolds in the lush fields of Iowa, where Shelly and Esteban's love blossoms against all odds. Their deep and undeniable connection faces the ultimate test when external forces and cultural divides pull them into separate worlds. As the years pass, the silence around their separation grows heavier, casting long shadows over their loved ones.
Without revealing the identity of their offspring or the intricacies of their hidden past, the narrative weaves through the challenges and emotional scars left in the wake of their unresolved romance. The ripple effects of their love story set the stage for a powerful tale of discovery, identity, and the enduring strength of love.
"25 Years to Life" is a poignant exploration of love's complexity, the weight of secrets, and the healing power of truth. This novel invites readers into a world where past and present collide, offering a lens into the hearts of those bound by love and separated by circumstances. For fans of deeply emotional narratives and stories of love against all odds, this book promises a journey of heartache, redemption, and the infinite possibilities that come with uncovering the truth.
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Excerpt 1:
"Esteban was a dream come true, yet I couldn't help but
feel a sense of guilt as if I were betraying Todd and all my friends. Thoughts
of how to tell Todd and others about Esteban and me swirled in my mind. I
refused to keep someone I cared about a secret because that wouldn't be fair.
Esteban brushed off the blanket, allowing me to sit, and that small gesture
warmed my heart. In these little acts of thoughtfulness, I realized no one had
ever treated me with such care before. I reflected on the past six years with
Todd, questioning if he truly loved me. Did he take me for granted because he
had grown accustomed to me? Perhaps this break was exactly what we needed. I
deserved to be treated with care and respect, just like Esteban showed me.
Dusting off a blanket so I could sit comfortably and walking on the outside of
the sidewalk to protect me from passing cars—these were the small gestures of a
gentleman, the type of man I had always longed for. My father had been my protector,
and now, in Esteban, I found someone who respected me enough to let me be bold,
daring, and speak my mind. Todd hadn't done those small things, and it was time
for me to find someone who would."
Excerpt 2:
"Tears cascade down my face, uncontrollably like the
rainfall in the Amazon, and I can no longer hold back my emotions. I give up
trying to suppress them and clutch a pillow that carries Todd's lingering
cologne. I release a scream, expelling every ounce of energy from my body. The
fabric absorbs my voice, just as the summer leaves me in silence. Tonight feels
like the worst night of my life. He'll probably find some enchanting Italian
woman and leave behind a simple country girl like me, and I'll be left here
alone, slowly withering away like an old lady with no hope in sight. I'm aware
of my own dramatics, but Todd never bothered to involve me in his
decision-making, and I can't help but feel deceived. This was supposed to be
the summer when we took the next step, when we got engaged, planned our
wedding, and started building our life together. It was never meant to be the
summer when I buried my face in a pillow and forgot my own existence because
the man I love chose to fly away to Italy and enjoy himself without a second
thought about me. I should be angry, letting loose and showing him what he's
missing. But deep down, I don't have the strength for it. I'm just a blubbering
mess, completely helpless. I need to call Adriana. She's always been the one who
knows what to do. I wish Holly were here too, but she's off sailing the seas on
a cruise with her family."
Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something
about yourself and how you became an author?
I wanted to write a book since I was
in middle school. It was a teacher who
put the bug inside of me. The assignment was to write a short story. I had no idea what I was doing, so I wrote
about a nightmare I had one night, and upon receiving my grade back, the
teacher told me I should keep writing because it was a good story. From that moment on, the thought of writing
never left me. Fast forward to my 40th
birthday, and I published my first book. The bug is still there. I now know how
to structure things and have the grit to do so.
What is something unique/quirky about you? I have all recessive genes, and I went
by an alias for 27 years until my name was officially changed. I still don’t go by my government name LOL
Tell us something really interesting that's happened to you!
My daughter and I met the queen of
England firsthand when I was stationed at RAF Fairford in England. My daughter was chosen to hand the queen
posies, and I accompanied her in full-service dress and spoke with the queen. I almost peed myself with astonishment. I will never forget the day, and ever since,
I have followed and admired the royal family as if they were my own kin folk. They are simply amazing humans to bear all
the turmoil and strife the world puts on them.
I also am a descendant of the King of Scotland, him being my 14th
cousin. (somewhere along the lineage)
What are some of your pet peeves?
Unkind people, unforgiving people,
unforgiving people, and those who can’t grow.
Where were you born/grew up at?
I was born in Indianapolis, but after
birth, I moved to Missouri to grow up with my father and stepmother until the
age of 10; then, I moved back to Indianapolis with my biological mother until I
left at 19. So, I call myself a child of
the world since I’ve not been in one place that long. I’ve been gone from home longer than I was
there. Since the age of 19, the longest
place I’ve been is 8 years, which is where I’m currently at, and it’s because
of my retirement from the military back in 2017.
If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
I would spend my last day at my
grandmother's grave (just so you know, I’m crying while writing this.) I wouldn’t want my husband or children to see
that I was going to leave the next day. I would like them to have their days as
they would be, and I would go and visit my grandmother so I could have a
conversation with her, and she could be the first to welcome me to the other
side.
Who is your hero and why?
God is my Hero. He/she is the reason
we are all here. It is truly remarkable to create and believe in humanity. To
continue to forgive humans when they are at their worst and find the good in
all of them even when they do the worst, I’m in awe every single day.
What kind of world ruler would you be?
I could never be a world ruler because
It would break me, as I’m too empathetic and would want to save everyone. The world would crumble, fighting amongst
itself if I ruled it.
What are you passionate about these days?
I’m passionate about becoming a better
version of myself so I can have my place in Heaven and leave the world a better
place than I came into it. I do this by writing my books, treating people
kindly, and being there for those who deserve my moments.
What do you do to unwind and relax?
I watch the television show Bones,
spend time with my dog Elvis (he’s pretty awesome), or watch Golden Girls. It’s
the simple things in life that get me.
How to find time to write as a parent?
OH gosh, I didn’t write until my kids
were leaving for college so I am not the person to say this. I was a single parent for 11 years, and I
found time to go to college, so I guess it’s the same thing. If you want something bad enough, you find
time to take care of what you want. I
did my college after they fell asleep. I
would put a pot of coffee on and sacrifice watching television or having a
personal life. It was what I wanted, so
I gave up certain aspects of my life to get that college degree. You have to put into perspective what’s most
important to you. But I have to be
honest, I couldn’t write, college, and raise kids, that’s wild, and I commend
all who do it.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
Kind, Goofy, Faithful, Happy,
NoNonsense
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably two years into this gig. It took me a while to realize it was okay to
say it out loud. I was very embarrassed
like I was claiming something that wasn’t true, but it was true. I suffer from imposter syndrome, sometimes
thinking that I’m not good enough, but I do a lot of self-talk and say I am
good enough. I only have to permit myself.
Do you have a favorite movie?
Give me any Transformers movie or
Harry potter movie, and you won’t get me off the couch.
Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?
Love derailed. The character Felina is
so relatable and dear in my heart. I
think I have almos every part of me and the people I know into that character
and supporting characters. The storyline
started from a nightmare and turned into a heartbreaking love story. 25 years to life is also another story that
has so many parts of a whole into it. I
write from a place like that all the time.
What literary pilgrimages have you gone on? None
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit
animal? My dog, Elvis, is pretty awesome, so a black and tan
daschund
CJ Ives Lopez, a proud 20-year Air Force veteran, originally hails from Festus, Missouri, before relocating to Indianapolis, Indiana. After her distinguished military service, she founded The Authors Porch, leading the organization for four years before refocusing on her writing. As a best-selling, multiple award-winning author in various genres, including heartwarming children's stories under her Pen name Auntie Nann, CJ's literary journey is a testament to the transformative power of pursuing dreams. Explore CJ's captivating literary world and inspiring journey as she dives into diverse worlds with multiple pen names. at www.cjiveslopez.com.
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Thanks for everything. You're a rockstar!
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