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Settling Up: No Ordinary Love Series - Book One
Checklist for life? Completed. But Carmen Miller never imagined an affair being part of it. Yet, here she is, sneaking around with her much younger, irresistible co-worker, Braxton Frazier.
Carmen, the MBA-educated executive, and Braxton, the brilliant up-and-comer, are both entangled in a dangerous game of love and desire. But when their secret love threatens to unravel both their careers and her marriage, they must make a walk away or risk everything for a chance at happiness.
With twisted fate lurking in the background, will Carmen and Braxton succumb to the temptation or find the strength to resist?
Fans of steamy office romances will devour this sinful tale of forbidden love.
Carmen, the MBA-educated executive, and Braxton, the brilliant up-and-comer, are both entangled in a dangerous game of love and desire. But when their secret love threatens to unravel both their careers and her marriage, they must make a walk away or risk everything for a chance at happiness.
With twisted fate lurking in the background, will Carmen and Braxton succumb to the temptation or find the strength to resist?
Fans of steamy office romances will devour this sinful tale of forbidden love.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2025
2 people want to read
About the author
Michelle D. Rayford
13 books190 followersMichelle D. Rayford knew she wanted to write books the moment she won a literacy contest in the fifth grade. The writing seed was planted. It only took a couple of decades for that seed to bear fruit. Michelle was never good at gardening.
Even while pursuing a degree in Business Administration, working a government job, getting married and having two daughters, the stories didn’t stop churning in her head. Some even made their way into print in the form of poems, short stories and blog posts.
Michelle lives in a Southern city where she spends any free time reading, writing, listening to 80’s music and playing NBA2K. She can be contacted at mdrayford@gmail.com or through her website www.michelledrayford.com
Even while pursuing a degree in Business Administration, working a government job, getting married and having two daughters, the stories didn’t stop churning in her head. Some even made their way into print in the form of poems, short stories and blog posts.
Michelle lives in a Southern city where she spends any free time reading, writing, listening to 80’s music and playing NBA2K. She can be contacted at mdrayford@gmail.com or through her website www.michelledrayford.com
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 17, 2025
Carmen and Braxton? . . .
Carmen Miller is the Marketing Brand Manager at Parker & Kramer, with goals of moving her career "up the ladder" and currently heading for the conference room for her presentation. Her mother calls just as she is heading out and sternly asks why she is too busy to cook dinner for her husband Melvin. She instantly knew he set her up for this call, and she foolishly called him while she was in the elevator... not very wise when she is making a presentation she hopes will earn her the promotion she is expecting. (I hope she remembered to put the phone on "mute" as she walked into the meeting full of executives. A stranger who only gave her name as Susan asks questions throughout the marketing presentation, but Carmen is able to answer her. It at least lets Carmen demonstrate her knowledge and expertise. Gary is the one who will ultimately decide about her promotion. But as he walks to the coffee area to refill his cup, she hears him say, “Didn’t I tell you Carmen would be an asset to your team, Susan?” Gary explained since she was "late", she missed his announcement about Susan McCall -- the new VP of Marketing! As everyone left, Braxton Frazier remained to encourage her and compliment her excellence.
Carmen and Braxton are attracted to each other, but she is still married and being together risks their careers. Will she break off their relationship? Will Melvin do all he can to ruin her plans? Can she ever find the happiness she wants more than her job? Or will she remain alone? (The story reminds me of a continuous train wreck. I really didn't admire any of the characters so had no one to "cheer" for which is an important quality to let me thoroughly enjoy a story. I did feel bad for them but didn't like or trust anyone's motive.)
Carmen Miller is the Marketing Brand Manager at Parker & Kramer, with goals of moving her career "up the ladder" and currently heading for the conference room for her presentation. Her mother calls just as she is heading out and sternly asks why she is too busy to cook dinner for her husband Melvin. She instantly knew he set her up for this call, and she foolishly called him while she was in the elevator... not very wise when she is making a presentation she hopes will earn her the promotion she is expecting. (I hope she remembered to put the phone on "mute" as she walked into the meeting full of executives. A stranger who only gave her name as Susan asks questions throughout the marketing presentation, but Carmen is able to answer her. It at least lets Carmen demonstrate her knowledge and expertise. Gary is the one who will ultimately decide about her promotion. But as he walks to the coffee area to refill his cup, she hears him say, “Didn’t I tell you Carmen would be an asset to your team, Susan?” Gary explained since she was "late", she missed his announcement about Susan McCall -- the new VP of Marketing! As everyone left, Braxton Frazier remained to encourage her and compliment her excellence.
Carmen and Braxton are attracted to each other, but she is still married and being together risks their careers. Will she break off their relationship? Will Melvin do all he can to ruin her plans? Can she ever find the happiness she wants more than her job? Or will she remain alone? (The story reminds me of a continuous train wreck. I really didn't admire any of the characters so had no one to "cheer" for which is an important quality to let me thoroughly enjoy a story. I did feel bad for them but didn't like or trust anyone's motive.)
January 6, 2026
Can a woman have it all? A great marriage? Good family life? A successful career? A leadership role in a job she loves?
Carmen Miller thought she could, but… Her marriage is crumbling, her relationship with her mother? Not so great. And that fast-track, leadership job she thought she was in line for? Yeah, it just went to someone else. So having it all is a myth she can understand all too greatly.
The bright spot in her stormy life? Co-worker Braxton Frazier, the one person who’s on her side…in more ways than just career-wise.
SETTLING UP is a steamy, dreamy story of a woman who learns just what it takes to make her happy in her life. Ms. Rayford’s descriptions of the relationships in her life, how they affect her, and how she deals with them are written with honesty and realism seldom found in contemporary fiction these days. The love affair between Braxton and Carmen is written beautifully and makes you feel that these two will get their HEA when all is said and done. A lot happens in this story to derail Carmen, almost at every turn. But she is a formidable woman and weathers the storms that invade her life with strength of being and a resolve that I envy.
5 stars for a well written, thoughtful, and excellent story.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Margaret
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
Carmen Miller thought she could, but… Her marriage is crumbling, her relationship with her mother? Not so great. And that fast-track, leadership job she thought she was in line for? Yeah, it just went to someone else. So having it all is a myth she can understand all too greatly.
The bright spot in her stormy life? Co-worker Braxton Frazier, the one person who’s on her side…in more ways than just career-wise.
SETTLING UP is a steamy, dreamy story of a woman who learns just what it takes to make her happy in her life. Ms. Rayford’s descriptions of the relationships in her life, how they affect her, and how she deals with them are written with honesty and realism seldom found in contemporary fiction these days. The love affair between Braxton and Carmen is written beautifully and makes you feel that these two will get their HEA when all is said and done. A lot happens in this story to derail Carmen, almost at every turn. But she is a formidable woman and weathers the storms that invade her life with strength of being and a resolve that I envy.
5 stars for a well written, thoughtful, and excellent story.
My Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by: Margaret
This review first appeared: https://substack.com/@nnlightsbookhea...
December 19, 2025
Marriage of well she's married. Her husband H1 is kind of a roadblock she has to figure out how to move so she can find her happiness. H2 is so much better for her. I mean H2 brings out the best in her. h isn't week but she does frustrate me. I was rooting for H2 and h and wanted to kick h for not getting herself right a lot quicker. I questioned her thoughts often and wanted to kick her and H1 a few times but I loved H2. All in all a good story and I look forward to reading more from this author
July 19, 2025
Braxton is smoooooooooth. It’s no wonder Camden falls head over heels for him. Things get twisty when it turns out she’s still married to her ex. But Braxton doesn’t give her up that easily. Not to mention that Carmen can’t stay away from him.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 15, 2026
Now normally I don't condone cheating (and at least in books, it not one of my non negotiables), but i dont have an issue with it, at least in this story (keep reading to discover why). I had a time with this story. It had my emotions all over the place. I had a good time with this book and I am excited for the nest book from this author
February 20, 2026
I couldn’t stop reading!!!
While reading this novel I could relate to the main character. In life we let timelines and our wants cloud good judgment. When we should wait and be anxious for nothing.
While reading this novel I could relate to the main character. In life we let timelines and our wants cloud good judgment. When we should wait and be anxious for nothing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews