Good Morning and Welcome to October 2025's first episode of Saturday Spotlight!
Today is my great pleasure to welcome my dear friend, Winona (Nona) Bennett Cross back to the blog with her revised edition of Dianne's Destiny.
Thanks for joining us today, Nona, please tell us why you wrote and then revised Dianne's Destiny.
The real Dianne was one of my closest friends during high school. In December 2020 she died of Covid. I was in the hospital at the time with the same illness and her death devastated me. I wanted to honor her in some way.
This new version of Dianne’s Destiny contains the original characters and premise except I emphasized some characters to reflect friends from high school. Most of my characters were named after my friends because it was my first book and I couldn’t think of any other names. They will recognize themselves.
Dianne’s Destiny is an homage to Dianne and a youthful time in my life.
What a sweet story, Nona! Can you share a blurb and exerpt with us?
Sure, here's the Blurb...
Panic and anxiety riddle her after the mugging. He’s the ranch manager of the equine therapy center. Will their history help or hinder her recovery?
When Dianne Jacobson returns to Wichita Falls, Texas after a fifteen-year absence, the last person she expects to see is her first love. Especially while she’s an emotional wreck. That he volunteers his time and horses at the equine therapy center her doctor recommends is a mixed blessing.
Kip Mahan hasn’t had a meaningful relationship since his high school sweetheart left without explanation or contact more than a decade ago. He’s caught off guard when she walks back into his life at the Hearts and Horses Equestrian Therapy Center with a haunted look in her eyes.
Dianne doesn’t expect Kip to love, much less trust her but she can’t stop the feelings buried so long ago from blooming. His hot and cold responses when they’re together make her wonder if he still feels the same about her or if he’s playing games to get back at her for leaving.
Kip always knew he and Dianne were destined to be together and has never stopped loving her despite the pain her desertion caused. Can he trust that she won’t run away once she’s healthy and whole again?
Slowly, the two find their way back to affection. But when Dianne’s ex-husband tracks her down it puts not only their newfound relationship, but their very lives, in danger.
Will Dianne’s destiny slip from her grasp before she’s even found it?
Dianne’s Destiny is a sweet, second chance romance with a bit of mystery and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages. Get your copy today and find out if Dianne and Kip overcome the challenges they face to reclaim the love lost years ago.
And an Excerpt...
Dianne fidgeted in her boots and jeans. She longed for the designer suits and shoes that had cloaked her in poise and self-assurance. Power clothes ... that’s what her friend Jocelyn called them. She used to be confident. She’d once found joy in volunteering and using her Sociology Degree to help the less fortunate. Now, meeting someone new made her anxious. She must be getting stronger though, as she hadn’t bolted. Yet.
The cowboy came toward her, his fawn-colored hat pulled low. Sun-streaked brown hair fell over the collar of a chambray shirt. Her gaze lowered to his scuffed, worn boots and the 3G brand tooled into the bottom of his chaps.
“Hello.” Dianne whispered and took the cowboy’s outstretched hand. She forced herself to look up and take in a breath, then started coughing. She bent at the waist, clutching her stomach. This can’t be happening. Kip! My God! It’s Kip.
“You all right?” Kip reached to steady her. She hadn’t heard that voice in fifteen years. Nor had she forgotten it. She glanced up to see recognition dawn in his eyes.
2 comments:
What a humbling experience to share Pam's blog.
Thank you for sharing best wishes. D.
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