Reunited (and It Feels So Good)

That spark of passion that can't be denied. That invisible bond of a shared history that can't be ignored. That feeling of a second chance at a happiness that was meant to be...

These are the reasons I love a reunion story—a book that brings a couple back together after something has torn them apart or brings them together in a different way, with a new, deeper, richer layer to their relationship. 

Dark Deeds (Mindhunters, Book 4), which releases today, is such a story. Becca and Diego first met (as secondary characters) in Book 2 of this series, but Becca has been in all of the other books and my readers wanted her to have her own happily-ever-after. I like Becca too, so I was more than happy to give her a hero of her own. But she's a feisty female, so she needed a strong male who could go toe-to-toe with her, with a connection she couldn't ignore. Writing their story presented unique challenges and unexpected emotional depth that has me wanting to write more of these types of stories.

The pros of writing a reunion story? I enjoyed revisiting characters I'd already developed, who were practically living and breathing people already. Plus, there was an added depth to their relationship because of their shared history. It made their romance, when it came together, that much more satisfying and believable.

The cons? Of course, I wanted to be true to what had already been written about them, so creating a story bible of their previous encounters was helpful, but required additional time and energy. And, whatever had torn them apart or kept them from becoming involved in the previous story had to be overcome. 

I had a lot of fun finding ways to help Becca and Diego get their act together and confront their feelings. And I'm so glad they found each other again. Everyone deserves a happy ending.

Do you like reunion stories? Do you have a favorite couple (movies, TV, or books) whose relationship put them through the wringer, yet they ended up stronger for it?

Dark Deeds Blurb:

Walking away from sexy Detective Diego Sandoval was one of the toughest things security specialist Becca Haney ever had to do. But her past is a direct threat to his future, to the career he’s working so hard to rebuild. Now, with a witness from a horrific case implicating Diego, Becca must decide whether to listen to her head or her heart.

Diego is a big-city lawman used to cracking the hardest cases, but he’ll never understand why Becca ended their passionate affair. When he’s assigned to help keep her safe from a human trafficking ring, he’s determined to stay by her side and learn about the woman behind the passion—scars and all.  

But Becca has another admirer. Known only as “the Fan,” he believes he’s the perfect partner for her—and he’ll kill to prove it. When the stakes are raised in the killer’s deadly game, Diego will be called upon to save lives—including Becca’s.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Carina Press

Anne Marie has always been fascinated by people—inside and out—which led to degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Counseling.  Her passion for understanding the human race is now satisfied by her roles as mother, wife, daughter, sister, and award-winning author of romantic suspense.  

She writes to reclaim her sanity.

Find ways to connect with Anne Marie at www.AnneMarieBecker.com. Sign up for her newsletter for the latest about her books, special sneak peeks, and giveaways.