It’s always a fine line, isn’t it? The one that divides the current us to what we used to be. It’s especially true with addictions. It’s not an easy matter for me, the daughter of a man who never let go of the bottle. It had left me *sigh* bitter, and possibly unfair toward the entire topic but here we are. Anyway.

The story is Finding Euphoria by C. Becker, a contemporary medical thriller with a hint of romance.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NPX6ZBL/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

Hailey Langley refuses to be a victim and has moved on from her traumaticpast. But her marriage problems worsen when a deadly illicit drug threatens todraw her into the life she left behind.

Mark Langley has allowed his job to interfere with his marriage, but henever suspected the secrets in Hailey’s past might hold the key to solving bothof his current investigations.

Together, they must unravel the mystery of the drug called Euphoria and find a way to save not only their marriage, but countless lives, before it’s too late.

Other buy links: The Wild Rose Press Finding Euphoria ebook link

I’ve had the pleasure to have Hailey here with me today for a chat.

Hi Hailey, and thank you for being here. So, have you ever had a nickname?

No, but my kids call me Mom. Does that count?

I hope it does, my son hadn’t known my name until he was almost 3 so… Tell us, what’s your profession?

I used to be a secret agent at the Special Crimes Agency. But I resigned after a terrible mishap during a case with my partner. When our relationship dissolved, I moved away to Maryland and started college. Now, ten years later, I’m busy raising my family, and I’m back at school again as a grad student studying for my Master’s degree in Biochemistry.

Are you happy about your life?

(Sighs) I have a lot of regrets. I try to give my kids the love my parents showed me, but I hide a lot of secrets from my husband. He has no idea about my difficult past. Deep inside I wish I could change things and forgive myself. I’d love to find happiness.

Do you do something about it?

I’m trying to gather the courage to make changes. My former partner knocked on my kitchen window the other day asking for help with his son—the boy I gave up for adoption seventeen years ago.

Have you ever thought your life would be made into a book?

*Laughs* No. Having my past, fears, secrets, and intimate relationships out in the open for everyone to read about leaves me feeling very exposed. My in-laws would disown me if they read the book.

Your thoughts on love.

Love’s not easy, but when you love someone, you work through the bad times. The man I love has been with me for ten years and loves me despite all my secrets. I’m very lucky. If only my past love interest wouldn’t have come knocking on my door when I was most vulnerable.

What would you change about yourself?

I wish I were more confident in myself. I have little idiosyncrasies, like scratching my hands when I feel anxious and depressed.

Your greatest extravagance?

Splurging for a nice dinner and bottle of wine with my husband. We’re on a tight budget, raising a family and all.

Do you have quirky habits?

I love relating life to science. Like thinking a messy house is proof of entropy in the world. I tell my husband it takes less energy to keep things orderly, so clutter is natural.

The trait you most despise is?

Deceit. Unfortunately, that’s my MO. I guess this is why I’m unhappy with my life.

If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would you like to be?

My Dad’s brother—Uncle Henry. He died a mysterious death and no one will talk about it. I’ve heard rumors about him using drugs. If I came back as Uncle Henry, maybe I could save his life.

Is there anything you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t done?

I’d love to drive to Chicago and spend a day talking to my oldest child, see what type of young man he has become.

Worst and best thing that happened to your life.

Worst was being kidnapped and violently assaulted as a teenager—and putting my baby up for adoption. Best thing was marrying Mark and having my kids.

What is the worst thing you’ve ever done to someone, and why?

Killing my partner’s parents. Not actually killing, but being responsible for them dying. I can never forgive myself for that.

What do you like about him?

He’s quirky. I love his humor and how he tilts his head when he looks at me. As if he’s trying to study me.

Extract

“Whatdid you find? Can you identify the drug?”

“Giveme a minute.” Hailey flipped through the packet. “I need to study this.”

“There’snot much time.”

Sheopened her purse. “Stefan gave me a camera. I’ll take some photos of the…Oh,shit.”

“What?”

“Thecamera’s missing!”

“Whatdo you mean?”

“Itmust have fallen out while I was in line for the bathroom.”

“Dammit!”

“It’sokay. I’ll use my cell phone.” She took out her phone and pressed the button.

“Keepsnapping.” Parker typed on the keypad. “The files are downloading.”

Quickly,she worked, turning page after page of the packet. Her phone beeped. A textmessage appeared on the screen: ABORT MISSION.

“Oh,no. Parker, we have to get out of here.”

“Ineed a couple more minutes.”

Shetilted her head. Footsteps thudded down the hall. “Now! They’re coming.”

Dammit!Parker jerked the drive from the computer and shoved it in his pocket. Hegrabbed Hailey’s arm, and they darted from the room. With his free hand, hedrew a semiautomatic from his pants.

“Hurry.They’re almost here,” she whispered.

Theyraced to the sitting room window. Parker climbed out the opening and stepped onthe stone ledge. He offered a hand to Hailey. “Careful.”

Shelifted the bottom of her dress and swung around. As she grabbed his hand, thecell phone dropped. “My phone!”

“Leaveit. They’re coming!”

Ignoring him, she leaned over and stretched her fingers. The door swung open, and she raised her head. Two men bolted into the room. She left the phone on the floor and turned. A strong hand grabbed her arm and threw her on the floor. She kicked as a wet cloth pressed over her face. Gunshots blasted, and the darkness consumed her.

The Author

A native of western Pennsylvania, C. Becker earned a B.S. degree in Medical Technology and MT (ASCP) certification. She has worked in clinical settings analyzing body fluids and testing drugs of abuse. As an author, C. Becker has published multiple stories in various genres.

I’d love for you to stop by my author page. I love to hear from my readers and hope you enjoy reading Finding Euhporia. Please visit my website: https://cbeckerauthor.wixsite.com/cbeckerauthor and click above to sign up for my newsletter and stay posted for the latest updates on book 2 of the Euphoria Trilogy. And thank you for posting your review!