Life's Passions

By Amy Shannon

Dr. Raina Markum has tried to deny and hide her feelings for her ex-husband, Terry Markum. However, when Terry disappears, Raina goes out in full force to find him. After she risks her own life to save hers, she is more confused than ever about her current life. Does her heart want Mark or Terry? The story follows the individual passions of each member of Sars Springs, whether it be love, career, family, or both. As Raina's heart follows Terry, she becomes more determined to help him, as his behavior of the past year, convinces everyone that he is losing grip on reality and is lost in his heart, as well as having another emerging personality ... a carbon copy of his father, Eric Carleno.
Can Raina get to the bottom of his deep dark secrets and discover the truth behind his illness, while she also needs to care for her grandson, Ethan, who faces a life-threatening disease?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amy Shannon
• Release date: Nov 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215217429

Amy Shannon

Amy Shannon is an author, professional book reviewer and literary consultant. Amy is republishing and publishing some for the first time, her MOD Life Epic Saga, which has over 67 volumes, and 9 bonus books.

Book preview

Life’s Passions

Amy Shannon

A picture containing graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Essence Publishing

Ballston Spa, NY 12020

https://essenceenterpriseus.com/essence-publishing

2023 Edition

Copyright © 2023 by Amy C Shannon

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permissions of the author, except by a review who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a newspaper, magazine, or journal.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Credits:

Cover Illustration Copyright © 2023

Cover design by Amy Shannon

The Entire MOD Life Epic Saga

1 Unwritten Life

2 Rewritten Life (Best Read after Unwritten Life)

3 Unwritten Life's Paths to Destiny (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

4 Written Life's Past Meets Present (Best Read after Rewritten Life)

5 Life's Written Past

6 Life's Unwritten Future

7 Another Written Life

8 Life … Rewritten

9 Unwritten Life & Death

10 Life's Healer

11 Life's Hindering Hope

12 Life's Binding Ties

13 Life's Resurrection

14 Life's Infiltration

15 Life's Revival

16 Life's Depths of Souls

17 Life's Explosion in Time

18 Life's Connections

19 Life's Collision

20 Life's Intersection

21 Life's Final Destination

22 Life's Generations

23 Return to Life

24 Life's Resolution

25 A New Unwritten Life

26 Life's Dissolution

27 Life's Linear Souls

28 Life's Choices

29 Life's Passions

30 Life's Awakening

31 Life's Vengeance

32 Life's Heartful Depths

33 Life's Quaking Souls

34 Fractured Life

35 Life's Drowning

36 Life's Exploration

37 Life's Curative

38 Thicker than Life's Blood

39 Life's Salvation

40 Capturing Life's Midnight

41 Life's ReEvolution

42 Life's Soulful Intentions

43 Life's Jagged Flames

44 Life's Rising Depths

45 Life's Doomed Immortality

46 Life's Raw Enforcement

47 Life's Deemed Corruption

48 Life's Inherent Immorality

49 Life's Retrospective Legacy

50 Life's Torturous Souls

51 Life's Passages

52 Life's Tribulations

53 Life's Spirituality

54 Life's Revitalizations

55 Life's Rapture

56 Life's Sacred Retaliation

57 Life's Fiery Resuscitation

58 Life's Experimentation

59 Life's Redemption

60 Life's Humanity

61 The District Life: Districtive

62 The District Life: Disarray

63 The District Life: Disassembled

64 The District Life: Disapparent

65 Life's Return: Home Sweet Sars Springs

66 Life's Return: The Practice

67 Sars Springs: The finale

Bonus Series:

B1 Life's Perspective: Matthew Garris (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B2 Life's Perspective: Bill Wheeler (Best Read after Life's Binding Ties)

B3 Life's Perspective: Perspective: Mike Dix (Best Read after Life's Connections)

B4 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Rewritten (Alternate Path Parallel to Unwritten Life & Death to Life's Binding Ties)

B5 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Crossroads (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Resurrection to Life's Depths of Souls)

B6 Life's Alternate Path: Destiny ... Intertwined (Alternate Path Parallel to Life's Explosion in Time to Life's Connections)

B7 Sars Springs Handbook (Best Read after Life's Torturous Souls)

B8 The Interview: Life's Revelations (Best Read after Life's Fiery Resuscitation)

B9 M.O.D Life Epic Saga Character Guide

Introduction

Dr. Raina Markum has tried to deny and hide her feelings for her ex-husband, Terry Markum. However, when Terry disappears, Raina goes out full force to find him. After she risks her own life to save his, she is more confused than ever about her current life. Does her heart want Mark or Terry?

The story follows the individual passions of each member of Sars Springs, whether it be love, career, family, or both. As Raina’s heart follows Terry, she becomes more determined to help him, as his behavior of the past year, convinces everyone that he is losing grip with reality and is lost in his heart, as well having another emerging personality ... a carbon copy of his late father, mobster Eric Carleno.

Can Raina get to the bottom of his deep dark secrets and discover the truth behind his illness, while she also needs to care for her grandson, Ethan, who faces a life-threatening disease? Gather ‘round, it’s another bumpy road for the residents of Sars Springs.

1 Presents

DR. RAINA MARKUM sat on her sofa and smiled as her lover, Mark Dix, walked into the room. He handed her a glass of wine. Long day, Fancy, he said, as he kissed her cheek.

Yeah, the longest, she sipped her wine.

What were you working on?

A new medication. I think I’ve got it, but it’s such a long process.

I figured it was something like that, the dining room is filled with papers, he smiled.

Oh, crap, I forgot.

What’s wrong?

I invited Jasmine and Dylan over for dinner, she said.

Don’t worry. I remembered. I already have dinner started. It will be done in an hour.

What would I do without you? she kissed him softly.

You’d have to do everything yourself.

So true, she laid her head on his shoulder. You know, you didn’t have to come home from work early, just to come to my house and cook dinner.

I had the afternoon off, he smiled.

Oh, really? While I was slaving away in the lab…

Yeah, throwing microscopes, he laughed.

So, what did you do on your afternoon off? she lightly touched his cheek.

Well, I went grocery shopping.

Sounds like fun, she laughed.

Well, not really, but I bought the food for tonight, he smiled.

Oh, I’ll pay you back, she said.

"Don’t even think about it," he said.

So, what else did you do?

I bought something for you, he kissed her mouth.

For me? You didn’t have to do that, but where is it?

Patience, love, patience, he kissed her mouth again. I just love kissing you.

"You mean you’re not tired of me yet?" she laughed.

Never, Mark said. What time are they due here?

In about an hour, she said.

He scooped her up and carried her down the hall toward her bedroom. He opened the door and set her down.

You did this? she gazed at the white roses that filled her room. Why?

Mark looked into her eyes. It’s our anniversary.

What anniversary?

The first time you kissed me. Do you remember? In the War Room?

Oh, right. I remember.

That’s when I knew, he grinned.

Knew what?

That you were in love with me, he led her over to the bed. Please, sit, he said.

All right, she said, as she sat on the bed.

He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. "Raina, I love you. These past two years just loving you has made me such a happy man. Unbelievable. I know that we’ve talked about never getting married and I understand that. I know that you live here, and I have my place. I want you to know … that I thoroughly commit myself to you," he opened the ring box.

Mark? It’s beautiful.

It has 20 diamonds that make up the heart. Fancy, you have my heart. I want to be with you always. I love you so much. You are my one and only. I need you to know that, he slipped the ring on her finger.

I love it, but why did you do this for me?

You’ve been hurt by others who promised to love you. I want you to know that I do love you. I will never even look at another woman.

I trust you, my love. I believe you.

Well, I also noticed that your fingers are all naked, he said.

Oh, your way of marking me as yours?

No, nothing like that. I don’t own you. I just love you. That’s all. I guess, I’m doing this all wrong, he stood up and then sat on the bed.

No, I’m sorry. I was teasing, she stood up and then sat on his lap. I didn’t mean to tease. I’m so sorry, she kissed him passionately and lay him on the bed. She unbuttoned his shirt and noticed the plastic on his chest. What is that?

Oh, he grinned. Don’t take offense to this, he slowly peeled away the plastic.

You had my name on tattooed on your chest?

Are you mad or upset?

No, it’s kinda … neat … special, she kissed him.

So, where’s yours? he grinned.

My what?

He slowly unbuttoned her blouse and lightly pushed it down her shoulders. He touched the plastic on her arm. What’s this?

How’d you know?

I thought I noticed a square through your blouse, he kissed her passionately. I’m an Inspector, you know. I like to inspect … you.

Well, it’s nothing major. I had it put under my other tattoo, she slowly peeled the plastic away. See?

My name? he lightly brushed her hair out of her face.

Yeah, just under Live, Love, Heal, Destiny. Is it all right? I want it where it can be seen or hidden, like if I’m at work.

Oh, so I should’ve put it on my arm?

No, right on your heart … oh, is so sexy, she kissed him.

I noticed something about your tattoos, he said, as she lay down next to him.

What?

Let’s see, he ran his finger over her right arm. Your first badge.

Yes, badge number five eight nine. When I was a Sergeant.

OK. This one, Live, Love, Heal, Destiny.

The way to live. It’s the only way for me to live, she ran her hands down his chest.

This one on your wrist, the heart with the lightning bolt, he kissed her wrist.

And, she rolled over. The badge with the medical insignia on it. That was my design. Being a cop and still being a doctor.

Right, he kissed the small of her back over her tattoo.

What were you saying?

You never had anyone’s name tattooed on you, he grinned.

Nope, never thought about it. I was riding my Harley to work this morning. Yeah, they all still get a kick out of it when I come to work dressed in leather, she laughed. And on my way, I took a detour to Afton. I wanted something special. I wanted to show you that you were so special to me.

A detour?

Yeah, now, I would love to celebrate our anniversary, but they will be here soon.

You’re right, Mark kissed her softly. This was just a preview of tonight if I may stay.

Of course, you can, she buttoned her shirt and sat up.

Mark buttoned his shirt and tucked it in, as there was a knock on the door.

2 Birth

MARK OPENED THE front door. Jaz, Dylan, come in. Raina will be right out.

Great, thanks, Dr. Jasmine Doyle said, as they came in the house.

Dylan, you want a beer or anything?

He looked at his wife. May I? he grinned.

Oh, stop, she laughed. Just have it. I know you want it. Mark, I’ll have just some water.

We have sparkling cider, lemon water, or decaf tea, too.

We? Jasmine said.

Well, I went shopping today, so I bought everything. I wasn’t sure what you wanted, Mark said.

Lemon water is just fine, she said.

Raina walked into the living room. Oh, hi, honey. How are you feeling? she patted her granddaughter’s bulging belly.

This one does not want to come out, she said.

Raina sat next to her. Are you all right?

Yeah, back’s been aching all day, she said.

Anytime, Raina said.

I’m a week overdue. I want it out, Jasmine said.

Patience, honey, Dylan said, as Mark walked into the room with a tray of glasses. Two beers and two waters.

How’d you know? Raina smiled.

I know you, he grinned.

Jasmine grabbed her stomach. Oh, wow, she said.

OK, honey, just breath, Raina said, as she looked at her watch.

It’s OK, they’ve been on and off all day, she said, as she grabbed her stomach again.

Another one? Raina said. Three minutes?

Gram, it hurts.

OK, there’s no time. Mark, hurry down the hall to the guestroom and grab some sheets and my black bag.

Here? You’re delivering it now?

There’s no time, Raina said, as she and Dylan helped her stand. Come on. Take your time, she said.

Oh, crap! Jasmine said, as she stopped.

Raina looked down at the floor. Yeah, your water broke. OK, let’s get you to the guestroom, she said.

Dylan helped Raina lay Jasmine on the bed. Ray, you know what you’re doing, right?

I delivered Jasmine, she laughed.

"That was ages ago," Dylan cried.

"I’m not old," Jasmine cried in pain.

Of course not, honey, he took her hand.

OK, honey, raise your legs and I’m going to examine you. Mark, can you get me a plastic basin and hand me the gloves in my bag?

All right, he said, as he focused on Raina.

Are you all right? she said, as she pulled on her gloves.

Fine, he said, as he left the room.

Just a little squeamish, I guess, Raina laughed. You’re going to feel me touching you. All right, you’re just about there. Relax until the next contraction, then you’re going to start to push.

OK, she said, as Mark walked back in.

Do you need anything else? Mark asked, staring at the floor.

Go to the head of the bed and wipe her brow. It’s OK, I have her covered now, Raina said.

Gram, I have to push, she said.

All right, you’re going to push to the count of 10 and then relax, Raina said. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Nine. Ten. OK, relax. The head is coming. At the next contraction, do the same.

It hurts, Gram.

You’re doing great, honey, Raina said.

I have to push again, Jasmine cried.

OK, again, Raina said, as she held the baby as it slipped out of its mother. Mark, grab me the suction, she slowly suctioned out the baby’s mouth and nose, as the rest of the baby slipped out. It’s a boy. Ten fingers. Ten toes, a healthy little boy.

Oh, may I see? Jasmine said, as Raina placed the baby on his mother’s stomach. He’s beautiful.

Raina looked at Dylan. Doctor, do you want to cut the cord?

May I? he asked, as Raina handed him the scissors. Dylan carefully cut the umbilical cord between the two clamps.

Let me clean him up for you, she said, as she wrapped a towel around the baby. She placed the baby in the basin and slowly started to wash him.

Mark walked over to her and watched her with the baby. He’s so small.

I know. I’m a great-grandmother, she cried lightly.

Is there anything I can do? he asked.

Raina turned toward the couple. "Yes, in the hover room, there’s a brand-new bassinet. Can you bring that and the gift-wrapped box?"

Of course, he said, as he left the room.

Raina walked over to Jasmine and handed her the baby. Meet your son, she wept. So, have you named him yet?

We wanted to name him Micah Lee, Dylan said.

Oh, it’s a lovely name.

Well, we’re naming him after you and Grandpa Mike, Dylan said.

Me? she smiled.

Yeah, you are our biggest supporter.

I love that name. It’s beautiful, Raina said. Now, you three can sleep here tonight or go to the hospital.

We can stay here? We don’t want to impose or anything, Dylan said, as Mark wheeled in the bassinet.

You wouldn’t be. I have a lot of room. Don’t worry. This bassinet is yours. I also bought a bunch of clothes for him, but I have an outfit he can wear now. Dylan, why don’t you dress your son and I’ll clean up your wife. Jaz, I’ll get you one of my nightgowns to wear to bed while you rest.

Thank you, Gram.

Are you tired? she asked, as the men left the room with the baby.

No, I feel good. I’m starved, though.

We’ll eat. Let me get you cleaned up and dressed. I’ll be right back with the nightgown, Raina said.

Mark watched Dylan change and dress the baby. You’re good at that, he said.

Jaz made me practice, he grinned, as he picked