~ This Book Will Be BETTER Than Your Last! ~

Please welcome guest blogger author Melanie Jaynes!

WHILE I STOOD BY

By Melanie Jayne

Many years ago, I met my friend at a reader’s con. We were both there to meet one of the authors and became immediate friends. I thought she was full of life and so bubbly. I swore that I could hear a giggle in her voice whenever she spoke. We continued our connection after the con, sharing life’s ups and downs.

I noticed over time that she didn’t seem as bubbly and her sunny outlook had become greyer. I hoped that she would confide in me what was troubling her, if something was troubling her. This past spring I received a text saying that her husband was leaving her and their two children for another woman. He didn’t love her anymore.

I was worried, and she was devastated. I knew that many times couples separate and get back together so I was very careful about my comments. If the couple reconciled then I didn’t want to be the friend who said terrible things about him. I spent hours listening and hurting for my friend. I held countless conversations with my husband about whether or not I should book a flight to see her.

I listened as she went through the various phases of grief. Being a confidant as she began to examine how her life had been in the recent past, how she had given up so much of herself in order to appease her husband’s needs. She became the smoother, if she could keep things the way he liked it then their life ran better. If he became upset, then everybody paid.

I cannot begin to fathom how difficult that life must have been. I was a part of her life, I considered myself her friend and yet, I had no idea how badly things were going, how trapped she must have felt, if she had the spare moment to feel. It physically hurt to know that I had been clueless.

Throughout the summer, she shared more and more about what their marriage had been. How mental illness and addiction had stolen the man she had fallen in love with. The worst part was that she still loved that man, but she was starting to accept that he was no more.

Slowly there were little signs that my old friend was returning. One Friday night she sent me a text. She was enraged over a Facebook post, and I knew that she was hurting, but I was happy to hear her anger. No more hoping for his return, no thoughts on how she could change things so that their love could be rekindled. She then started to slowly make plans for her future. Changes small and large were itemized and she decided that their marriage was over.

I’m proud to say that as I stood by, I watched my friend be torn down, broken, and then build herself up. She is not only responsible for her life, but that of her two teens. She is the epitome of the Mama Lion, a protector and proud. Today the divorce papers were served upon him. I hope that she gets everything that she deserves, especially happiness and self-worth, because she is truly a phoenix.

Blurb~

I should have known better. Women like me, average and unseen, don't have our dreams come true. And the one chance I had for my dreams, I watched die in our doorway while I hid on the stairs.

Now I spend my days terrified for my life and my nights resigned to the fact that I'll be dead soon.

He can protect me. Forde has the reputation for handling cases that blur the line between right and wrong. Yes, he can help me, but he's asking for too much from me – my trust, my body and for the chance to make my dreams come true.

If I could… everything would be Better.

Goodreads:

(Link forthcoming)Links ~ 

Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2dwWgSD

Author Bio ~ 

I live on a grain farm southeast of Indianapolis, Indiana with my very patient husband of twenty-five years and our two English Mastiffs, Buster Brown and Ginger. I graduated from Indiana University when it was the #1 party school in the country and I took great pride in helping the school achieve that ranking.

I haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. I change careers every decade. I have worked in retail, a federal courtroom, travelled across the state closing loans, and behind the scenes in a casino.

I've always had an active imagination so when a good friend suggested that I try writing a book, I thought why not, it should be fun. It has, but I have had to work very hard to learn how to do it. I am so lucky for the outpouring of advice and education from so many in the industry, plus the hand-holding and cheerleading from My Gurls. I also have an incredible Ad-man-istrative Assistant, who tries to keep me under control. He rolls his eyes so much that I worry about a permanent condition.

When I ‘m not working or writing type stuff, I sleep, watch courtroom TV shows, and sports. I was a competitive pro-am ballroom dancer for ten years and I read as many books as I can.

I love to attend Author-Reader Conventions and look forward to meeting you.



Website: http://www.readmelaniejayne.com/

Newsletter: http://www.readmelaniejayne.com/contact-us.html

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13547924.Melanie_Jayne

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dqlOU5

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjsmut

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mjsmut




Previous/Other books in the A Change Series




A Change For the GoodBlurb ~ 

Two people starting over, making much needed changes in their lives.




Zoe Crawford has moved to a new city after being humiliated by her ex-husband. She is going to put her wants and needs first.




Tony Alessi has returned to his hometown to rehab his body and his soul, leaving his ATF career behind.




When Tony meets Zoe, he likes what he sees. Zoe is flattered but doesn’t want to pursue a cougar challenge. As she grows to trust Tony, she tells him some odd happenings about cars following her, call hang-ups, and a break-in.




When Zoe’s life is threatened, the couple hides in Tony’s cabin. They soon grow closer as they learn who they are and who they hope to be.




Will Zoe’s past ruin her chance to change her life for the good?

Goodreads:


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25671007-a-change-for-the-goodLinks ~ 



Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/2dsNMLs