Lately, I’ve felt my attention to Cara Williams has suffered since working on the latest book, #5 in the Dreamscape Series, “Untethered,” coming out later in 2025.
The chemistry between Dr. Cara Williams, Director of Research, and Russell Carter, 5-year senior and former Marine, did not happen until Cara looked into his striking green eyes. Something went off in her that collided and sounded like an argument between the sound logic in her clinical psychologist brain and a heart that wanted to, no, needed to know what was behind those eyes. Besides being 6’3” and well over 200 pounds of stone and sinew, her first glance told her this was a man-sized, packaged-well young man with a face that held stories of survival. He offered a massive hand and softly said, “I’m Russell Carter.”
Cara appreciated being able to match his firm grip with her own and not feel like he was overpowering her to make a point. His strength in his hands was controlled and had to be attached to those eyes, both having the potential to be more powerful.
He seemed to tower over her even though she stood anywhere from 5’6” to 5’9”, depending on footwear and mood. Cara took in a visual inventory and began to check off plusses and minuses. With those eyes, there had to be red hair and more than a sprinkle of freckles across his nose and cheeks. Check and check. She’d never confess this to anyone, and she never did, except to Russ later, that when she saw his name on the email application, the deal was done for her. She had never known a Russell who was as sweet as her little brother, so her decision was made having never laid eyes on the man. Her mind spun, Russell Carter, whomever you may be. I welcome you to the research project.
Cara’s little brother, by two years, died in a car accident six years earlier. Memories were strong, and he held a special place in her heart that would always be there, along with the horrors of molestation they shared. Those years were behind her, but she still had flashes of memory that would surface these many years later and accuse her, attacking her with guilt only she could carry. Something pushed her, and she fell deeply into a relationship with something she loved and knew was safe – her work – where she was free from judgment. She was the director of a small psychology research team that had to expand to explore an accidental discovery rapidly, and the need to recruit new research participants focused her time. Mr. Carter was the icing on the cake, and she promised herself that he would never know anything about icing.
Cara was unsure if the momentary flash she felt was of not being prepared mentally or was more of feeling dangerously distracted by the attraction that flowed at her from this large human. A thought crossed her mind that she could not interpret. Was Mr. Russell Carter a clear and present danger to her protective wall? Had she given up on her promise of non-participation in relationship-building rituals? Was she hiding from a potential relationship that had not even begun to show itself except for the gorgeous hunk of a man sitting across from her?
She released his hand and said, “Yes, you are, and I’m Dr. Cara Williams. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carter.”
Their chemistry between these two builds and boils across the storyline in the following three books. I’ll not spoil anything in this post, but rest assured that things will continue.
Peace! G.
Book #1 – Dreamscape Conspiracy – https://bit.ly/3qjKNjd