UNKNOWN

Can you truly fall in love with someone when you don’t even love yourself?

Olive

On the night of my thirtieth birthday, as a new year begins, I finally break free from my overbearing mother and the suffocating, sheltered life I built for myself.

As I step into a stunning hotel on Orcas Island, I never expect to be captivated by Leo, the larger-than-life hotel manager who’s my complete opposite. With one smoldering look and a devilish grin, he pushes me to the edge of everything I've known, leaving me breathless and wanting more. With every magical moment we share, I discover new sides of myself—and him, showing us we’re fighting for a life we think we don’t deserve.

Leo

I've always been the guy who keeps things light, constantly on the move, chasing new horizons to outrun the shadows of my past. But no matter how far I travel, the pain of losing my best friend haunts me like a ghost, always lurking just beneath the surface.

Then Olive walks into my family’s hotel—troubled, insecure, and undeniably beautiful. Her newfound strength and courage to confront her guilt-ridden past ignites a fire in my empty soul, exposing passions I've kept buried for years. If she's brave enough to rebuild her life, maybe I can find the willpower to do it too.

Just as Olive and I are ready to dive happily into forever, a scandalous family secret from the past surfaces, threatening everything at the worst time. We swore that no matter what, the endgame would always be us. But we never could’ve foreseen how soon our love would be tested.

Time To Live Again is the first book in the Madrona Inn series. This is a heartwarming, low angst, small-town romance where opposites attract. More than an emotional, feel-good story, it’s an inspiring journey of self-discovery, forgiveness, and healing from deep grief. Along the way, you’ll find hilarious meddling side characters, an adorable blue-eyed kitten, a charming family-owned hotel, and controlling mothers with their own personal issues. Their path to happily ever after will sweep you off your feet.

Kristina Beck, a New Jersey native, spent the first thirty years of her life in the small state on the East Coast before embarking on a new adventure in Germany. Now, she lives in the wine country there with her German husband and their three lively children, balancing the charm of both worlds. A passionate reader across many genres, Kristina always returns to her first love-romance. When she's not dreaming up swoon-worthy stories, she can be found sipping strong coffee or a crisp white wine, indulging in dark chocolate, or re-watching her favorite '80s movies. She also has a soft spot for flowers and power naps. Outside of writing and reading, Kristina stays active with fitness, all while playfully grappling with her ongoing quest to master the German language.