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:

An Unlikely Love Series
When I Needed You
When You Needed Me
Flicker: An Ahmalee + Cain Update
-
Back to Love Series
Marriage Quarrel in Quarantine
Countdown to You
Offsides: A Superbowl Party Romance
Crushed
-
A St. Claire Novel Series:
Royal
Ramsey
Romulus
Regal
Magnus
Honeymoon With A St. Claire
Major
Zander
Zavier
-
St. Claire Life Series
Honeymoon With A St. Claire
Just Being Us (Prequel to Zander)
Keep That Same Energy (Zander & Alyssa Update
-
St. Claire Women Series
Gemma
-
Season of Love Novelettes:
Hot Chocolate
Spring Break
-
The Marriage Chronicles:
Life's A Beach
Falling Out
War Then Love
-
The Boardwalk Bakery Romance:
Baked With Love
Baked With Love 2
Baked With Love 3
-
A Lennox in Love Series:
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
-
The Love of Elias Series:
Been In Love With You
When Hearts Cry
You Belong To Me
When I Call You Mine
Who Do You Love
Forever Mine
-
The Blackstone Family Series:
Evenings With Bryson
Leaving Barringer
Forever Us
The Things Everson Lost
Candy's Corporate Crush
-
The Champion Brothers Series:
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 Sister Novel)
A Champion's Proposal
The Convenient Husband
At The Right Time
-
The Alexander Series:
The Millionaire's Arranged Marriage
Watch Me Take Your Girl
Her Premarital Ex
The Object of His Obsession
Dilvan's Redemption
His Charity Challenge
Different Tastes
As Long As We Got Love
-
The Accidental Series:
Accidental Deception
Accidental Heartbreak
Accidental Lovers
Accidental Vows
-
The Dying to Love Her Series:
Dying To Love Her
Dying To Love Her 2
Dying To Love Her 3
-
The Dare and Deja Chronicles
Reception Romance
Long Distance Troubles
Back to the Valley
Into Forever
-
Standalone Titles:
Secrets On Lake Drive
Can't Just Be His Friend
The Baby Daddy Interviews
Just Like New to the Next Man
Falling Again
The Crush
Vacation Interrupted
Wasn't Supposed to Love Her
What Wifey Wants
Man of Her Dreams
Bae Watch
How To Love Me
Weekend Fiance: A Jared and KeShana InstaLove Story
For Ruby: A Micah & Georgiana Short Story
Snowed in at Shenandoah Valley

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.