The Story Behind Later by Colette R. Harrell

 

The Story Behind Later

One muggy morning, I hit the snooze button, one time too many. As a result, I hurried to a job that had changed from remote to in-house, a job I no longer wanted to go to because I had to get dressed. Didn't you love those Zoom calls, half-dressed, half-in pajamas? In my panic driven rush, I wasn't looking when I tumbled down three steps. Can you believe only three steps changed the trajectory of my life? There's symbolism in there if you take your time to find it. In the darkness of 6:30 AM, I missed three steps. Those missed steps ended up landing me in the hospital's trauma unit by ambulance. When I heard the EMT whisper, “Her ankle's like pulp.” I sobbed with the brutal reality of the absence of three little steps. 

Three breaks in my ankle (left, right, and the back) and a month passed by, and I'm still home and mainly bed bound, but I also realized that this crisis of pain and inertia was also an opportunity. I now had more than enough time to dream something new to write. My mind went alive with thoughts that turned into plans. I did brainstorming sessions with my daughter and her boyfriend. We threw ideas on the wall and watched to see what would stick. And the book Later resulted from what was left on the wall. It was a story I had never attempted to write but had elements of all the books I love; time travel (with a twist), historical, suspenseful, and romance with a touch of angel dust. 

My weeks were filled with first Occupational and Physical Therapists coming to me and then growing into me having the ability to go to rehabilitation. Oh, the freedom to move each day freely and to write at whim. The wonder of new pathways and plots dripping from my fingers. My characters, Junie and Sari, were molded enslaved as I was held captive. They were released into freedom as I sprung free from my captivity of immobility. Together we met new people and forged a new journey as I retired from my career to develop a new one. I was hooked, and I hope you will be too. 

 

 

In 1859, Junie Benson was a twelve-year-old genius and enslaved. His older sister, Sari, had her own difficulties, including being auctioned to the highest bidder. She was also beautiful, flighty, and had a repetitive dream about a hazel-eyed white stranger. 

Everybody with the good sense God had given them knew even her dream was forbidden. 

In the present, three things troubled ex-Special Forces Lt. Colonel Zachary Trumble . . . his new job as director of security for Burstein Labs, his loveless marriage, and the green-eyed siren who won’t let him sleep in peace. 

Then time’s fickle hand brewed a recipe for a miracle . . . Stir in three runaway slaves, an avalanche, one mad scientist, and an unhappy, in-love hero to create a dish for revenge best served . . . Later.

Book Information

Release Date: September 1, 2022

Publisher:  Intentional Entertainment LLC

Soft Cover: 204 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qqgFzB

Colette R. Harrell made her debut as an author with the book, The Devil Made Me Do It. As a published author, she has enjoyed meeting her readers; for her, it’s all surreal. She holds a master’s degree and worked as a director of social services, which allowed her a front-row seat to the conflict and struggles of everyday people. 

Her day is filled as an Author, Playwright, Story Editor, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and child of God. She wears many titles allowing twenty-four hours a day to meet the challenge. 

 Her goal in writing is to engage readers and provide them with golden nuggets of wisdom that feed and titillate. Her biggest lesson is that it takes a village to raise a dream. She loves and appreciates her village. 

She prays everything God has for you manifests in your life. And that you stretch and reach for it! 

Colette’s latest book is the historical/interracial/supernatural/paranormal Later.

You can visit her website at Coletteharrell.com  or connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads or Instagram.