In the latest installment of the Marcie & Steve series, author Kenneth E. Summers delivers a captivating continuation that explores the emotional turbulence of rediscovering love after loss. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Los Angeles and the electrifying promise of Tokyo, this new chapter unravels the whirlwind week that forever alters Steve Williams’ life.
The book begins on a seemingly ordinary morning that quickly unravels into a storm of decisions, confessions, and emotional revelations. After only six days since meeting Marcie on a flight in Australia, Steve finds himself unable to ignore the magnetic pull she has on him. Her presence has cracked open emotions he long believed dormant after the tragic loss of his wife. His admission is simple yet monumental: he feels alive again.
This second book captures the chaos that erupts as Steve attempts to reorganize his life to accommodate the possibility of real, transformative love. Throughout the narrative, readers witness him attempting to balance the demands of running a rapidly growing business with the pressing urgency of arranging a sudden trip across the world. His frantic calls — to his housekeeper, to AAA for his car battery, to his personal driver, and to his daughter — paint a portrait of a man racing against time and emotion.
One of the central tensions in this story emerges in Steve’s meeting with his business partner, Pete. What begins as a routine conversation escalates into a moment of profound vulnerability. Steve reveals that he intends to travel internationally to meet someone he has only known for six days. Pete is stunned. He questions Steve’s judgment, his priorities, even his sanity — all while struggling with his own unraveling marriage. The parallel crises create an emotionally charged backdrop where both men confront the fragility of the lives they thought were stable.
As Steve promotes Kevin to take over his responsibilities during his absence, the story shines a light on the theme of trust — trusting others, trusting oneself, and trusting that sometimes the heart knows far more than logic ever could. Kenneth Summers excels at capturing this delicate balance between fear and longing, between responsibility and desire.
At the emotional core of the book is Steve’s relationship with his daughter, Samantha. As soon as he asks her to fly to Los Angeles for the weekend, her role becomes much more than that of a supportive daughter; she becomes a mirror reflecting the consequences of Steve’s decisions. Their conversations are tender, sometimes uncomfortable, always deeply human.
Sam navigates complex emotions: excitement for her father’s newfound joy, concern over the whirlwind pace of his relationship, and the poignant fear that she may be replaced or pushed aside. The age difference between Marcie and Steve becomes a recurring source of worry for her, especially given that Marcie is closer to Sam’s age than to Steve’s. Their heart-to-heart dinner conversation reveals Sam’s internal battle as she tries to articulate feelings she barely understands herself.
The unfolding story shows Steve’s awareness of the emotional ripple effect his decisions create. His vulnerability — especially in admitting his fears of losing Sam’s trust or causing her emotional harm — creates some of the novel’s most tender moments. These scenes anchor the larger romantic storyline with a grounding sense of real-life consequence.
The book crescendos when Steve and Sam finally connect with Marcie over a call. That conversation becomes a turning point: concerns are voiced, fears are softened, and Marcie’s sincerity radiates through every word. She promises Sam she will never replace her mother, that she values her place in Steve’s life, and that she wants a relationship built on openness, not competition. Through this exchange, readers witness the delicate beginnings of a blended family forming in real time.
Contact:
Author: kenneth-e-summers
Amazon: THE MARCIE AND STEVE SERIES: Sydney Where Love Was Found
Client email: ken0874@aol.com
