By definition, a home is the private living quarters of a family. The true value of a home, however, lies in the intangibles: warmth, love and acceptance. I've been on my own since I was nineteen, but I know that if I were ever in trouble, my parents would be there for me, the door to their house open as long as I needed.

In A DAUGHTER'S PLACE, I wanted to explore a different scenario. One where a blissful childhood is shattered by a series of tragic events. One where a father turns his back on his own daughter, and forces her to leave home when she is seventeen and pregnant. I stacked the deck against Libby Bateson, then turned on my computer and dared her to survive. I did give her two good reasons to persevere: a vulnerable, yet stalwart, seven-year-old daughter; and a the love of a gorgeous man who shares her passion for the land.

I grew up in rural Saskatchewan and writing about the landscape of my youth has been both a pleasure and a challenge. I wasn't exactly a country girl by nature. My brothers will tell you I didn't know where the barn was on our property. (Which is a lie. If I hadn't known where it was, I could never have avoided it so successfully.) But I did enjoy the beauty of the prairie and put in many hours on my bike, exploring isolated farm access roads. I may have moved away, but I admire the people who stay, building their future on the land that they love.

--CJ

"C.J. Carmichael writes about forgiveness and starting over in a story rich in characters, friction and spirit." Romantic Times

"A Daughter's Place kept me turning the pages, my definition of a four heart read. These were real people, people I could admire and like." The Romance Reader

home | contact | top

The soccer scenes in this book are based on my own experiences watching my daughters play the sport. Nicole's performance is modeled after one neighborhood boy who played with my youngest. He was such an outstanding player, no one could keep up with him.

home | contact | top

"Why do I keep telling you my darkest secrets?" Gibson asked. Libby considered. "I guess because we feel comfortable around each other."

"Oh, we do, do we?" His gaze was probing. "Is it just me, or am I the only one who's been doing the confiding in this relationship?"

She stared resolutely at the ground. "I've told you what I could."

He expelled his breath like a man who'd been hoping for more. "You're a hard woman, Libby Bateson. But I guess you've had to be."

Libby felt a shiver travel down her back at the accuracy of that last statement. It was almost as if he knew.

But of course he didn't. She'd told him she had money problems, but he couldn't realize that their situation--hers and her daughter's--had been close to desperate for most of the eight years she'd been away. He had no idea of the hardships she'd faced, yet he spoke as though he did.

Being with this man was more dangerous than she'd thought...

END OF EXCERPT. LIKE IT? ORDER IT.

top