Find love. Join the adventure.
The SAFELIGHT Series
by Imy Santiago
chasing Reese. a SAFELIGHT novel vol.1
Adult Contemporary Romance with Mature Content
Author: Imy Santiago
Date of Publication: January 5, 2015
Cover Design by CoverMe, Darling
Book Teaser Trailer: Watch it here
Endorse and dream cast chasing Reese. on The Imagine Film List
About chasing Reese:
Loss brings Love...
Everything in life is not permanent but it was perfect. Catalina Pardo had a career in journalism most people could only dream of, a hot, sexy fiancé to call her own and a brilliant future ahead of her. When tragedy struck, the life she once knew fell apart. Four years later, traumatized by the events that ultimately changed her existence, Catalina sets herself on a punishing work schedule, preventing herself from facing the demons of her grief-stricken past. Emotionally shut down, she’s alive but not living because everyone she ever loved leaves her.
Fate intervenes in Catalina’s life in the form of a last minute assignment to a snowy mountain lodge in Whistler, B.C. Sent there to cover the life of the infamous Jackson Reese; an Olympic Snowboarding Champion, she is faced with many challenges bringing to surface the raw emotions of her past. Compelled to work alongside Stryder Martynus, an award winning photographer brought in to document the Reese press tour, tensions and denial run high forcing Catalina to accept the past and face the present with zero regrets.
*Adult Contemporary Romance - Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen (18+).*
Excerpt from chasing Reese.
Four years ago Snow falls like soft whispers over the treetops. The weather is blustery cold and the skies are painted different shades of grey, like the backdrops of holiday greeting cards. The winding road is desolate and untraveled. The pavement is covered with ice and snow. Catalina Pardo sits perched on the passenger seat while her fiancé, Blake Mackenzie, is behind the wheel. He is the love of her life and within Catalina’s womb reposes the fruit of their undying love. Blake takes a glimpse at the beautiful woman sitting across from him. His eyes appraise Catalina and glisten with fervent love. Blake removes one hand from the steering wheel and lays it on top of Catalina’s, which is tenderly rubbing endless circles around her wee belly. “I love you Cat,” Blake declares, as he lifts her hand to his mouth and showers Cat’s knuckles with feathery kisses. “I love you too, forever.” Catalina tries to release her hand from Blake’s with a giggle. “I know you love me, but you better keep your damn eyes on the road.” Blake snorts and answers, “Your humor becomes you, honey,” as he looks to her and threatens to tickle her. She throws her head back in peals of laughter. But Catalina’s merriment ends abruptly−the car hits a patch of black ice and swerves out of control. Blake tears his hand away from hers as he desperately tries to regain control of the car. Her eyes widen as she looks out the window. The trees move past them, unusually slow, the time continuum irrevocably broken. As a snow bank comes into view, her hands cover her mouth in horror. Panicked, Blake slams on the brakes and yells, “Hold on, Cat!” In a split second, the car slides a few feet and flips in the air three times until it lands upside down. Catalina’s head hits the window, shattering it into countless pieces. She’s in cutting pain. Blood rushes to her ears with the force of a freight train. All sounds diminish−she hears only a roaring hum. Her eyes blink rapidly, her body, in shock, going between patches of darkness and life. Catalina tries to reach out for Blake but can’t. He looks at her, pain etched on his features, his head dangling in front of the steering wheel. A large gash on his scalp forces a steady flow of blood to drip onto the ceiling of the upside-down car. Blake coughs as he gasps for breath. “I’m sorry, Cat. I−” He exhales one last time, and all the life disappears from his baby blue eyes. Catalina’s voice breaks. “Blake? Blake?” Catalina sobs inconsolably as she screams his name in vain. She tries to move but can’t−crumpled metal restricts her, keeping her prisoner. “God, please! No! Blake! Wake up honey. Please don’t leave me!” A knife-edged pain grows inside her womb. Still suspended, Catalina tries to crane her head upwards. She looks to her lap. An ocean of red stains her maternity jeans. Losing all of her strength, she lets her head dangle back down. “No God. No! Please! Someone help us! Please!” With hurried breaths, her eyes close. The snow falls like whispers in the wind.
©2014 Imy Santiago – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
chasing Reese.
Signed LIMITED First Edition Paperback via Direct Order
Teaser Gallery: chasing Reese.
finding Reese. a SAFELIGHT novel vol.2
Author: Imy Santiago
Adult Contemporary Romance with Mature Content
Date of Publication: May 26, 2015
Cover Design by CoverMe, Darling
About finding Reese.
Hope Breeds Life...
Sometimes destiny and fate have a weird way of reminding us of our inescapable vulnerability, but more importantly our inexorable humanity. Life is fleeting, and what little time we have left in this world, we must make do with what we have, and cherish those whom we love by our side.
Fresh back from the Jackson Reese Press Tour, sports journalist Catalina Pardo rushes back to British Columbia after receiving unexpected and distressing news. With the help of award winning photographer Stryder Martynus, Catalina is determined to prevent the news of tragedy and heartbreak from governing her life again.
Together they will embark on a new journey of introspection to overcome the ghosts and raw emotions of their pasts−on a long and unpredictable road full of complicated circumstances−to find healing, hope and salvation.
The smallest of gifts−like a friendship bracelet−have the power to save your life, and unlike fairy tales, happy endings are seldom guaranteed...
*Adult Contemporary Romance with Mature Content−Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not suitable for readers under the age of eighteen.*
Excerpt from finding Reese.
It’s such a peaceful feeling, trekking down the mountain−hearing the sounds of your board scraping against the snow, the light spray of powder landing all over your goggles and going up your nose. These are the little things that mean so much to me when I’m riding. I enjoy the silence as I become one with nature. It fills my soul with feelings I can’t even begin to describe. But there’s something off about this line in particular. There’s an eerie feeling I simply can’t shake off. Maybe I’m just over-thinking things, or Rob’s resistance this morning somehow shook all of my confidence away, but a part of me feels this could be it. A loud crack on the side of the mountain straightens my spine, followed by a shrill scream from Chris. Looking behind him, I see a cloud of snow and ice barreling down the mountain. The ground shakes as nature reclaims its territory. I let out a guttural roar to warn Rem, and he looks back at the monster behind us. I can’t see his eyes, but I can tell he’s scared by the way he’s flailing his arms trying to figure out how to outrun it. I journey over, trying to find a safe spot to land, and hopefully escape the avalanche. A garbled cry for help comes from behind me, and I turn my neck just in time to see Chris sucked into the claws of the avalanche. “NO!” I scream, horrified. I’ve lost all sense of place and time, but my body seems to be taking me to safety as my board zigzags down to the west side of the mountain. I’ve been able to avoid avalanches in the past, but this time around, I’m not so lucky. It takes another second before the avalanche sucks me under. My body is tossed around like a rag doll until I’m buried beneath the snow. It’s packed in around me tightly; I can’t move my legs or arms, and as the snow settles, it feels like I’m encased in a pool of hardened cement. It’s becoming harder to breathe with each passing second as my body relays to my brain my death is imminent. My mind replays memories of my life before me like a movie, and bitter frustrated tears stream down my face crystallizing quickly as the freezing cold sweeps over me. I’ve always feared dying like this, trapped in the place I love the most, in the snow. My thoughts are of my family, especially mom and Jupiter. My tears quickly become painful sobs as the contractions of my cries tighten the snow pack around me. Catalina... My best friend and confidante−the news of my death will crush her. I wrestle against the hardened blanket of snow and ice to move my arms, and after a few seconds of unwavering persistence, my arms come free. My hands desperately push the snow away from my chest, trying to get hold of the radio. With shaky fingers I press the call button. “Base, this is Jax. Do you copy? I’m trapped, but I’m okay. Can anyone hear me?” Taking small measured breaths, I wait for a reply, but all I get is static interference. “Base, this is Jax. I’m on the western quadrant of the mountain. I’m alive. Can anyone hear me?” Once again, static feedback rings in the small pocket of snow surrounding me. No, no. This can’t be happening. My body shakes violently as the freezing cold goes through all of my layers. I’m finding it hard to breathe, and if no one comes soon, I’ll be dead from hypothermia. I’m so cold I can’t feel my limbs, and the more breaths I take, the more exhausted I become. My life as I know it hangs by a thread. Exhausted, I close my eyes and say a prayer. I ask God to have mercy on my soul. While I’m not the most spiritual of men, I think He’s always had my back. All the stupid shit I’ve done, all the risks I’ve taken, and always rising from them all. The clock is ticking. I need to dig myself out somehow and go home. I refuse to let this be my end. Catalina−the bracelet−look for me, please! “Base, please. This is Jackson Reese. I’m alive. Someone come and get me. Please,” I cry into the radio, praying someone answers. I’ll keep trying until my dying breath. This is not how I was destined to die. Not here and not like this. Closing my eyes, I rest. What happens next is all in God’s hands.
©2015 Imy Santiago – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
*For a steamy excerpt, please click here.
finding Reese.
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Signed LIMITED First Edition Paperback via Direct Order
Teaser Gallery: finding Reese.
~Author Interview~
1.When did you decide to become a writer?
It wasn't more of a decision, but a serendipitous encounter. I was experiencing a tough moment in my life, and during that time I was encouraged to re-write a screenplay I had already written. This was almost two years ago. Fifteen months, and five re-writes later, chasing Reese. was born. But the truth is I have been writing since I was seven years old.
2. Where do your ideas come from?
This is a tough question as the first thing that comes to mind is my imagination, but then again close to seventy five percent of my writing is based on real events in my life. So I guess the proper response to this question would be: My stories are a combination of fiction with sheer doses of realism blended in.
3. What is the hardest thing about writing?
To be completely honest, finding the right balance between being there for my family, and getting my writing done has been one of the most difficult things about being a writer. I have been at it for two years now, and I have yet to find that good swing between work, life, and balance.
4. What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?
It would be remiss to say earning a good review is a great motivational tool to keep writing. Sometimes I go through a funk, especially when the self-loathing and insecurities about the story I'm working on start to kick in, and getting a positive review has helped move past the funk. On the other hand, receiving a bad review can take a knock at my self-confidence; however, I take the time to read it in order to find ways to perfect my writing. By no means am I professional, but I strive to be. I have seen some really bad reviews, and those knock the wind out of my chest. But as soon as I get over the knee-jerk reaction, I move forward full steam ahead.
5. What is your favorite motivational phrase?
"Oh, when she's angry, she is keen and shrewd! She was a vixen when she went to school. And though she be but little, she is fierce. HELENA." Midsummer Night's Dream, Act II, Scene III by William Shakespeare
6. Where can you see yourself in 5 years time?
The optimistic side of me wants to think I'll be writing for a publishing house with over a dozen books under my belt - maybe even a movie deal... But who am I kidding. I'll be writing more stories, fulfilling my duties at home, hopefully in my own house. Yeah. That would be nice.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Do your research. Many enter into the Indie World thinking all it takes to publish a book is to write it. To be honest, writing the book will be the easiest part of your journey. The administrative tasks associated with publishing a book is of gargantuan proportions. Don't cut corners. Get an editor, and if you can't afford one, have Alpha and Beta Readers help, find a friend who is grammar-savvy to help you with the manuscript. Use the text-to-voice feature if you have it available on your computer; grammar issues are easily detected when reading out-loud. Get peers involved. Don't publish your book until you are absolutely ready. But more importantly, go into this business knowing beforehand it will take more than one book to make a splash, and not everyone who presents themselves as a friend is your legitimate friend.
8. If you could have been the original author of any book, what would it have been and why?
This is a tough question because I admire and respect all literary works. If I had to pick one it would be The Client by John Grisham. I read that book when I was thirteen. Definitely not appropriate reading material for someone my age at the time. *laughs* Grisham took me on a journey, and at that early age I remember turning the pages fast, even though I had to highlight words with a pencil to look them up in the dictionary. His writing hooked me. The story has everything: murder, mystery, drama, thriller, and even a happy ending.
9. Which famous person, living or dead would you like to meet and why?
I would love to meet Colleen Hoover. Apart from being an excellent writer, Hoover is an extraordinary human being. She is the prime example of what a successful Indie author is, and she is my role model. Hoover gives back to the community ten-fold, and her business model is admirable. She's funny, quirky, but driven. Her words move me, but her actions take my breath away. When I grow up, I want to be just like her.
10. What can we expect from you next?
I have many projects on the horizon: saving Reese. (SAFELIGHT #3), We Met on a Train (based on a true story- Adult Fiction Romance with Mature Content), Words in Isolation (Adult Fiction Romance), and Sonnets of Pain (Coming of Age Fiction Romance). I will also be translating both chasing Reese. & finding Reese. into Spanish. I'll be busy for the next few years. *winks*
Upcoming Releases
We Met on a Train
Coming Soon
Words In Isolation
Coming Soon
saving Reese. a SAFELIGHT novel vol.3
Coming Soon
Sonnets of Pain
Coming Soon
Connect with Imy Santiago
About Imy Santiago
I love to read stories about loss, heartache and redemption so it didn't shock me when I ended up writing stories of my own revolving around those themes. I write with my heart, using my life experiences and emotions to dictate the tone and path in which my fictional characters embark. I believe in the power of friendship and to always have hope because life is always full of pleasant surprises. If you were to ask me if I consider myself an author, I would tell you no, I am not. I'm just a girl who loves to write a good story that makes you consider life choices and the darkness that envelopes a broken heart. My stories are about loss, friendship, hope and love.
I hope to continue writing more books in the not so distant future. It could be said that writing keeps me sane and brings a smile to my face. When I’m not writing Adult Contemporary Romance novels, I’m enjoying a quiet life with my family on Long Island New York.
For full bio, please visit my website.
Thank you, Indies Steal our Hearts Book Blog, for this lovely spotlight and interview. Your support means the world to me. ♥
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