Summer Interrupted

by Tina Martin

He was supposed to stand by her through everything – through laughter and loss, health and hardship. But when Carmen is diagnosed with something she never could've seen coming, Kenneth couldn’t cope with it. He walked away when she needed him the most. Now, he's back, but is Carmen still open to reconciling with the man who abandoned her?

*This book was previously published under the title, Vacation Interrupted.*

51 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 22, 2025

About the author

TINA MARTIN is a talented, romantic suspense fiction writer and the author of over 95 titles. She enjoys Hallmark movies, running and traveling. (PLEASE NOTE: There are multiple authors with this name on Goodreads. If you're following me, look for my logo!)

Amazon: amazon.com/author/tinamartin
Instagram: instagram.com/tinamartinauthor
Facebook: facebook.com/tinamartinauthor

Her books are listed below:

Discover other books by Tina Martin!

Christenbury Hills:
Thankful
Snow in Love With You

The Alexander Series:
The Millionaire’s Arranged Marriage

Tell Me Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Tell Me: The Prelude
Tell Me You Love Me
Tell Me You Want Me

The Love of Elias Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Been in Love With You
When Hearts Cry
You Belong To Me
When I Call You Mine
Who Do You Love
Forever Mine

The Accidental Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Accidental Deception
Accidental Heartbreak
Accidental Lovers
Accidental Vows

DePaul & Company Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Rude Boss
Rude Boss 2
Rude Boss Special Edition w/sprayed edges

The Boardwalk Bakery Romance Series:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Baked With Love
Baked With Love 2
Baked With Love 3

St. Claire Series:
Royal
Ramsey
Romulus
Regal
Magnus
Monty
Major
Zander
Zavier
Zimyra
Jeremiah

St. Claire Life Series:
Honeymoon With a St. Claire (Follow up to Monty)
Just Being Us (The Prequel to Zander)
Keep That Same Energy (Follow up to Zander)

St. Claire Women Series:
Gemma
Gianna

An Unlikely Love Series:
When I Needed You
When You Needed Me
Flicker: An Ahmalee + Cain Update
Flame: An Ahmalee + Cain Update

Seasons of Love Series:
Hot Chocolate: A Winter Novella
Spring Break: A Spring Novella

The Marriage Chronicles:
*This is a continuation series that must be read in order.
Life’s A Beach
Falling Out
War, Then Love

The Blackstone Family Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us: Barringer and Calista Blackstone
The Things Everson Lost
Candy’s Corporate Crush

The Champion Brothers Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novels and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
His Paradise Wife
When A Champion Wants You
The Best Thing He Never Knew He Needed
Wives And Champions
The Way Champions Love
His By Spring
A Champion’s Proposal
The Convenient Husband
At The Right Time

A Lennox in Love Series:
*All books in this series are standalone novellas and are full, complete stories.
Read them in any order.
Claiming You
Making You My Business
Wishing That I Was Yours
Caught in the Storm with a Lennox
Before You Say I Do
Winter Wonder
Winter Wedding
The Weekend
One Day You’ll Be Mine

Dying to Love Her (Ava & Andre):
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
Destination Romance – Prequel to Dying to Love Her

The Dare and Deja Chronicles:
Reception Romance
Long Distance Troubles
Back to the Valley
Into Forever

Back To Love Short Stories:
Marriage Quarrel in Quarantine
Countdown to You
Offsides: A Superbowl Party Second Chance Romance
Crushed
Summer Interrupted

Non-Series Titles:
*Individual standalone books that are not part of a series.
Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her
What Wifey Wants (Follow-up to Wasn’t Supposed To Love Her)
Man of Her Dreams
Bae Watch
How To Love Me
For Ruby (Follow-up to How To Love Me)
Weekend Fiancé
Snowed in at Shenandoah Valley
Mr. Tall, Dark & Unavailable (Baes of Juneteenth)
Brushstrokes and Love Notes
The Inheritance
Or Forever Hold Your Peace
This Time Next Year
You Were Made for Me
Let Me
Let Me Special Edition w/sprayed edges + bonus chapter
Secrets

Reviews

[Rhina M. Finley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short and powerful read!

Summer Interrupted was one emotional read but a story full of empowerment, clarity, and closure! The main character is definitely not one to forget! She is a trauma nurse and survival of breast cancer dealing with the a separation, the physical and emotional changes of the aftermath.

['The Book Queen' · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story was short and to the point. I expected the couple to reconcile, but.... sometimes the hurt is too deep.

[*Ebony I* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Living

Carmen went through a life changing medical diagnosis. Despite being married she was forced to fight that battle alone. Her husband Kenneth couldn't bear seeing her in that state so he abandoned her. After realizing she survived he returns trying to reunite with her. When I tell you this man had all the audacity in the world he absolutely did. He wanted her to just forget he betrayed their vows.
It was a quick read that reminds you life is the best gift.

[NubianJoí · Rating 5 out of 5]

Access Denied

As Kenneth (& Gina too😏) has discovered, marriage membership/friendship has inherent privileges. Unfortunately, a dereliction of “for better or worse” sometimes groveling & or an apology just ain’t enough🤷🏾‍♀️‼️ Nevertheless, “Summer Interrupted” was quick, clear & concise …”Kenneth your abandonment was forgiven not forgotten…your appeals were appreciated but still applauding…& although your presence was unnecessary your access to Carmen was revoked & indefinitely denied‼️

[lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
trigger warning: cancer
carmen is blindsided by a devastating diagnosis, and instead of standing by her, her husband kenneth walks away. now he’s back, hoping to reconcile, but the question is whether carmen is even open to letting him back in after he abandoned her when she needed him most.
i want to say i understand kenneth’s actions, but i really can’t give him a pass. seeing what his mom went through should have been even more reason to stand by his wife, not less. to leave her in the middle of one of the hardest storms of her life, and then expect things to be sweet once he finally chose to face his demons? absolutely not.
i was ecstatic that carmen stood on business and recognized her worth. she deserved so much more than a man who walked away when things got tough.

[Cherie l brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tina Martin has done it again! A quick read, but with all the depth of a good long story. Carmen, is a fighter, and a survivor. Sometimes we have to know when it’s time to walk away and enjoy a life of peace. When a leopard shows his spots, believe it’s a leopard. Kenneth showed his spots. Though desirable as all get away, his character was not desirable and he was weak. I acknowledged that he didn’t get the help he needed as a young teen/man, but his actions and continued actions reflects he can man-up for real life.

[Stephanie L. Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just WOW!!

This was gut wrenching and powerful at the same time. To think he thought he could just come back and everything would be good, WTF!! I am glad she made the choices she did for herself and no one else. Also, her best friend was bogus as fell for her actions!! Thank you for this quick read I enjoyed it.

[Ava Smith-forrest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Interrupted

This was such an inspiring story. Carmen was a strong woman living in pain of having had cancer and losing her husband. Yet she found the to understand pain and forgive forgive him for leaving her but she couldn't trust him.

[BeLinda P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving Forward

Carmen’s hurt was deep. Saying I’m sorry doesn’t always work. Carmen was determined to rebuild her life. Actions spoke louder than words. The reality of the relationship between Kenneth and she had been damaged. You can’t always go back.

[W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

short story with an unexpected ending.

[Gia Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer Interrupted

Ms. Tina you are really great at this writing and getting into the minds and hearts of readers. Thank you.

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow that was deep

That was a hard decision for her to make. She still loved her husband but felt she could trust him and he hurt her. Like his father said he was a coward.