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Essence of his Soul
A surprise baby can only mean one thing to the decorated officer—a wedding!
After two years deployed, Captain Mark Saunders rolls back into town just in time for the holidays and finds out a brief fling with elementary school teacher Essence Monroe left him with more than memories—a baby boy! Mark has never planned on marriage, but he can’t walk away from his kid. Now he’s thinking it’s time to settle down for Tyler’s sake. Only problem? Essence isn’t saying “I do” without love. She has built her life around her son, Tyler, and she’s not about to dive into a loveless marriage, no matter how much Mark’s return stirs old feelings. With Christmas magic in the air, Mark wants a family, Essence needs love—and they’re both about to learn that sometimes the heart has a plan of its own. ** This is a reimagined version of Time is of the Essence.
After two years deployed, Captain Mark Saunders rolls back into town just in time for the holidays and finds out a brief fling with elementary school teacher Essence Monroe left him with more than memories—a baby boy! Mark has never planned on marriage, but he can’t walk away from his kid. Now he’s thinking it’s time to settle down for Tyler’s sake. Only problem? Essence isn’t saying “I do” without love. She has built her life around her son, Tyler, and she’s not about to dive into a loveless marriage, no matter how much Mark’s return stirs old feelings. With Christmas magic in the air, Mark wants a family, Essence needs love—and they’re both about to learn that sometimes the heart has a plan of its own. ** This is a reimagined version of Time is of the Essence.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 26, 2024
42 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Angie Daniels
79 books234 followersAngie Daniels grew up on the South side of Chicago, Illinois. At a very early age, she spent nights creating soap operas with her younger sister until the two drifted off to sleep. Never did she realize that her longtime dream to become a published author would someday become a reality.
In 1999 Angie decided it was finally time to return to her love of writing. She took a year off to write her first book Intimate Intentions, which started off as a simple romance novel and later escalated into 542 pages of romantic suspense. After two submissions, Angie was offered a four-book contract with Genesis Press and her first book was released in 2001. In 2003, she also signed with BET Arabesque, and Kensington's Dafina imprint in 2004. In 2006, she added Parker Publishing, Aphrodisia and Harlequin Kimani Romance to her list. In 2010 she will release her twentieth novel. Angie currently resides in Missouri.
In 1999 Angie decided it was finally time to return to her love of writing. She took a year off to write her first book Intimate Intentions, which started off as a simple romance novel and later escalated into 542 pages of romantic suspense. After two submissions, Angie was offered a four-book contract with Genesis Press and her first book was released in 2001. In 2003, she also signed with BET Arabesque, and Kensington's Dafina imprint in 2004. In 2006, she added Parker Publishing, Aphrodisia and Harlequin Kimani Romance to her list. In 2010 she will release her twentieth novel. Angie currently resides in Missouri.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 5, 2025
I've read and enjoyed many of Miss Angie's books. But this one was a tad disappointing.
Both Mark and Essence argued way too much for me. They made each other pay for the sins of past lovers/relationships! 2 year old Tyler, should have been the most important factor in this situation. Sometimes he was and sometimes he wasn't.
November 3, 2025
Disappointed
This book was hard to read. It was so much repetitiveness. I got sick of the back and forth, the hesitancy, and ridiculous drama from both main characters. This book could have been shorter, it was dragged out. I’m just disappointed! I wanted to know what happened with Mark’s sister Kelly, but I don’t know if I can read another book by this author.
This book was hard to read. It was so much repetitiveness. I got sick of the back and forth, the hesitancy, and ridiculous drama from both main characters. This book could have been shorter, it was dragged out. I’m just disappointed! I wanted to know what happened with Mark’s sister Kelly, but I don’t know if I can read another book by this author.
November 30, 2024
Whew, both Essence and Mark took me through it. The chemistry was electrifying, but they couldn't for the life of them get on the same page.
I thought they both were stubborn. Couldn't get out their own way. He wanted marriage & family without love in the mix. She wanted Mark and marriage with love. For them both, Tyler was the center of their lives. She was wrong for keeping Tyler a secret for 2 yrs. Mark was a great dad, and I'm glad he found out about him before it was too late.
I don't know how old Essence was, but I thought she acted naive when it came to what and who she wanted. Essence was messy! Malcolm got way too much of her attention/head space without her love, but then again, it was almost like he didn't exist. Malcolm knew he didn't have a chance!
Loved the sister of each. Kelley being honest and telling Mark what he needed to do with his stubborn self. Tamara telling Essence what she needed to do to win Mark's heart.
Glad they both got their acts together. Great story!
Liked the back drops of story: innocent & cute son, teacher, military man, sisters giving advice, and the Christmas holiday season.
Can't wait for next book in series. It's about to get messy!
I thought they both were stubborn. Couldn't get out their own way. He wanted marriage & family without love in the mix. She wanted Mark and marriage with love. For them both, Tyler was the center of their lives. She was wrong for keeping Tyler a secret for 2 yrs. Mark was a great dad, and I'm glad he found out about him before it was too late.
I don't know how old Essence was, but I thought she acted naive when it came to what and who she wanted. Essence was messy! Malcolm got way too much of her attention/head space without her love, but then again, it was almost like he didn't exist. Malcolm knew he didn't have a chance!
Loved the sister of each. Kelley being honest and telling Mark what he needed to do with his stubborn self. Tamara telling Essence what she needed to do to win Mark's heart.
Glad they both got their acts together. Great story!
Liked the back drops of story: innocent & cute son, teacher, military man, sisters giving advice, and the Christmas holiday season.
Can't wait for next book in series. It's about to get messy!
December 9, 2024
This was a cute surprise baby romance. Mark returns home on leave after being deployed for two years to discover that Essence has his baby boy. He is a bit upset but so is Essence. When they departed as friends, Mark made it clear that he wasn’t looking for a commitment. Despite that, Essence tried to contact him to let him know she was having his baby. Somehow, he never received her call or her letters. Nevertheless, she encourages him to be a part of little Tyler’s life. Mark wants his family but he doesn’t do love and he’s adamant about that. Well, Essence wants no part of this arrangement. I understood Essence sticking to her convictions but I grew tired of the issue. I also got irritated with her situation with Malcolm. She knew she did not want that man and that entire situation was just too much. In addition, both of these folks were too darned grown for all this miscommunication. Like geesh!!
January 15, 2025
Superb
I have to say Mrs. Daniel I love this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed this story so much, because I am a huge fan of second chance. I love the flow and the two main characters chemistry, especially Essence. She reminds me of myself with that hot and cold, indecisive demeanor. Yet, through it all they both got what the desired in one another, LOVE! Excellent read for me. ReneeG
I have to say Mrs. Daniel I love this story from beginning to end. I enjoyed this story so much, because I am a huge fan of second chance. I love the flow and the two main characters chemistry, especially Essence. She reminds me of myself with that hot and cold, indecisive demeanor. Yet, through it all they both got what the desired in one another, LOVE! Excellent read for me. ReneeG
January 19, 2025
Love is the Essence
Mark and Essence had a child except Mark had no idea. But when he found out he would have his son but also the woman he could not forget. I really enjoyed the way Angie weaved this story together. These two were both hesitant at first but found their way to one another.
Mark and Essence had a child except Mark had no idea. But when he found out he would have his son but also the woman he could not forget. I really enjoyed the way Angie weaved this story together. These two were both hesitant at first but found their way to one another.
February 23, 2025
Love Means Something
Essence and Mark had a hard time excepting love. This couple spent too much time trying to figure out their feelings.
Finally they both realized love was not that hard.
Great love story.
Essence and Mark had a hard time excepting love. This couple spent too much time trying to figure out their feelings.
Finally they both realized love was not that hard.
Great love story.
November 29, 2024
Beautiful ❤️
Awww, amazing 👏🏾 love story ❤️ the chemistry between characters was everything ❤️ one of my favorite 😍 yesss fantastic 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
Awww, amazing 👏🏾 love story ❤️ the chemistry between characters was everything ❤️ one of my favorite 😍 yesss fantastic 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
December 14, 2024
Great book
Great book
Love all her books.I still have a lot more to read.butt so far they have all been good
Great book
Love all her books.I still have a lot more to read.butt so far they have all been good
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews