Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Not!
In 1980, Penelope Cartier decided to enlist in the Army after a short stay at college. During her time in college, she lived somewhat of a closeted life. So, being in the military, she thought it wouldn't be any different, but how wrong she was. She endured years of sexual and verbal harassment, not to mention threats of physical harm. The male Soldiers hated her for being a lesbian and refusing to sleep with them. Before the ban was lifted, thousands of lesbian women lived a secret love life and were forced to live in the closet. Over half of these women today live with some range of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) associated with the sexual trauma experienced while in the military. Many of them have suffered from substance abuse problems, which have led to major health issues. These issues have led to most of her friends no longer being alive, with some ending abruptly by suicide.
I am speaking and sharing their stories.
Second Chance to Love
Sergeant Penelope Cartier has served 6 years in the Army. During that time, her life had spiraled out of control. Her college sweetheart had dumped her, and her battle buddy from basic training had left her for someone else in Europe. On top of those losses, Penelope's grandmother passed away, which destroyed her world.
In the midst of this heartbreak, she meets Sergeant Karen Washington, who rescues her from it. Karen helped Penelope start to believe in love AGAIN, until Karen chose to live a lie so her family and friends wouldn't disown her.
Now, 5 years later, the opportunity to be together is coming back around. Does Penelope take the chance and reunite with Karen? Is a second chance at love available, or did the five years of separation destroy any hope of the love they once shared?
Appetite for Love
In this much-anticipated conclusion to the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell trilogy, Sergeant Penelope Cartier has traveled the world and experienced many losses during her 20-year military career. She returns home from overseas to find her true love, Karen Washington, is gone without a trace. Penelope begins to question if true love really exists. Does she wait for Karen to return or give her heart to someone else?
Meanwhile, Brielle Washington has become a top chef in Paris. She is ready to pursue her dream of co-owning a restaurant with her Aunt Karen. Trust has become an issue because of too many secrets and lies within her family and among her friends. Will Brielle step out on faith and begin to love and trust again?
Appetite for Love is the last book in the trilogy series, which takes you on a journey in search of unconditional love. Read what awaits Penelope, Karen, and Brielle just around the next bend. Can each of them let go of the past to find what they have so desperately been searching for, or is it too late for love?
Full Circle
It has been two years since Penelope Cartier retired from the military. She is currently running the day-to-day operations of the Washington-Cartier Limited Liability Company (LLC) alongside her business partners and now-wife, Karen Washington-Cartier. The third partner, Brielle Washington, really isn't involved in the LLC's operations. Brielle serves as the Executive Chef at her restaurant, which is known for its seafood cuisine. So, together they own the investment interest in two subsidiary companies that provide free services to older people in their communities and reduce costs for low-income families.
Recently, Karen decided to quit her job at the restaurant to open a Bed & Breakfast in the Bahamas. This leaves Brielle with running the restaurant and mentoring the students from the culinary school by herself. Her girlfriend, Latoya Brice, is off chasing her dreams of becoming a pastry chef. Karen's decision to leave Virginia to go back to the Bahamas has caused chaos within the family. Penelope thought that after she retired, she would finally be able to pursue her lifelong dream of writing, but that didn't happen.
Full Circle updates you with what has been happening with the five main characters (Penelope, Karen, Brielle, Latoya, and Zachery). It has a lot of chaos, drama, and romance to keep you wondering what will happen next. Full Circle updates you with what is going on with the characters in the trilogy, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Not, you will be yearning for more....
Love Reborn
Penelope Cartier had lost the love of her life. Unconditional love usually happens once in a lifetime. Penelope never imagined she would love that way again. A lover from a passionate weekend resurfaced. A young woman, once distraught with grief, finds her.
The past lovers build a relationship by supporting each other. Separate worlds unite, and a business emerges.
Love is reborn, and the passion becomes heated. A superstar in fashion and a romance writer navigates through
one’s jealousy, another's debt, a controller, and an obsession. An empire is built with haters out to destroy.
Tragedies occur. New growth raises. Healing begins.
The writer takes you through twists and turns. You will experience emotions of Encouragement, Healing, Forgiveness, Romance, and Grief. Each chapter will leave you with a question: What’s next?
Love Reborn is the first book in the second trilogy of the series, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Not!”