Stella isn't the same doormat whose life shattered on that dreary winter day. She braved screeching training instructors, crawled through fire ants, and endured the world's most awkward showers on her journey to empowerment.
Then there's Gabe McCreary, a wounded warrior who is battling post traumatic stress, missing home, and adjusting to his changed physique - moving forward seems to be his biggest battle yet.
When their lives collide, the draw is instant. Despite their turbulent histories and enough baggage to ground an airliner, they just work. Through night terrors, a temporary duty assignment, and her trust issues, they learn how to laugh and live again.
I was born a poor black man...no wait, that's the opening to The Jerk. Well, some may say I'm a jerk, but really I just like to laugh and bring others along for the ride.
My stories tend to circle around families and love and loss, you know the stuff of life. I'm kind of obsessed with what happens after things go wrong, and how people wade through tragedy and find happiness again. I just happen to think it's easier to handle all that with a sense of humor.
I was born in the Chicago suburbs, and grew up in a loud and wild blended family. After high school and a couple years at community college, I shocked everyone by enlisting in the military Uncle Sam told me to write, so I became a journalist and public relations person for the Air Force - talk about a sweet gig! Seriously, I got to fly in air refueling missions, do hurricane relief, and even play beat reporter to the world's air forces at an international air mobility event. It wasn't all rosy, but it was real and a challenge, two things I love.
After the Kosovo War I left the service and returned to Chicagoland to have my first daughter. Many years after I'd stopped writing, a story about a wronged woman and a wounded warrior started nagging at me. I couldn't find it in book form, so I knew it was up to me to write it. That's when Stella and Gabe (Taking Flight) took form and I fell in love with writing all over again. It's a mad love affair (writing), but I'm pretty sure this one will last.
Thanks for reading! Please look me up on Facebook and Instagram @donnafayewrites. I'd love to hear from you.
Ok troops, suck it up. You’re made it through book two, so now on to book three, and the reading just gets better and better. There is definitely room for another book, Do ya hear me?