Author Ericka SantanaA petite, a pixie cut blonde (for now) dressed in jeans and a San Diego "Hard Rock Couture" t-shirt, Ericka Santana could pass as a teen on her way to the mall and not the thirty-five year old woman that has seen tough times. As I catch a glimpse of the small cross tattoo on her hand, Ericka tells us her story.
Ericka was born in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She was only a year old when her father died. His passing left her mother to assume the role of both parents. Her mother worked long, extensive hours to provide for her children. She was strict and demanded respect. She was both mother and father and often impatient with her children. Not understanding her mother's situation, Ericka grew to be afraid of her. But Ericka insists she had a happy childhood and isn't looking for sympathy.
When Ericka was nine years old, she found a firecracker. And as any curious and mischievous child would, Ericka found a way to light it. Thinking it was a sparkler, she held the firecracker right in front of her face. The firecracker exploded! The sound was so loud, she became dizzy. Afraid of what her mother might do to her as punishment, Ericka kept her own secret. The vibrating sounds of her footsteps sounded like canon booms in her head but she still kept her secret. She would stick her head out the window of the moving car; hear the wind whistle in one ear and not the other. But she still kept her secret. It was a year before she saw a doctor for her hearing problems. She was finally able to tell someone what had happened to her. The doctor discovered that her right eardrum had completely ruptured and her left one was severely damaged. Believing education would be easier to obtain for a slightly deaf girl in the U.S., her mother sent her to live with her sister. Ericka enrolled in public school and wore hearing aids throughout junior high. The hearing aids stopped working for her by the time Ericka completed the 10th grade. Feeling out of place and without any special needs support, she opted to drop out.
Ericka was eighteen when she became pregnant. Her passport had expired and rather than risk getting stuck in Mexico, Ericka decided to stay in Texas. She married her high school sweetheart, moved to Minnesota and had two more children. Life in Minnesota was difficult on a single income and the family hit hard times. After six years, she and her family moved back to South Texas.
We find ways of coping when life gets tough. Ericka chose to read books. She has accumulated over two thousand digital books and has read every one. It was through reading the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer that Ericka realized she wanted to write. She knew she had a knack for storytelling. Able to recount a story more than once and with the same precise detail, she started researching what she needed to do to become a writer. Eventually she began taking notes on the story she wanted to write. The plot and the characters started to flow.
Looking at Ericka, you would never know she is completely deaf or that she is reading your lips. Reading her writings, all in English, you would never know she only speaks Spanish. Ericka does not know sign language. She was never given the opportunity so she never learned. But none of this affects her spirit; it drives her dream.
Ericka currently works as a Sales Representative at Santana's Wigs & Hair Extensions. She is married to her high school sweetheart Alex and along with their three children, resides in Brownsville, Texas. She is currently working on the next volume of her series, Turbulent Desire Series, available early 2015.
Ericka’s first released in her Turbulent Desire Series is Deception Vol1AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1OQGbBN
Turbulent Desire Series is an erotic dark romance short novel. Deception is the first installment of the series and it starts as a contemporary, new adult, romance novel, then on the second book the story becomes more intense and dark.
Skylar Parker is young, sheltered, and utterly innocent. On vacation with her family in Italy, Sky expects nothing more than fun, sun and shopping, but a chance encounter with a gorgeous young Italian man changes her life forever.
Handsome, strong and romantic, JC is everything a girl could want. But behind the charming accent and bad-boy image lies a dark and troubled soul. Sky could be the answer to his prayers, but JC’s demons may be stronger than his love for her.
With the help of her friend Madi, Sky hides her new relationship from her overprotective mother—but she may be in over her head. Even as JC introduces Sky to a new world of sensual pleasure, danger and tragedy start to converge. Sky is swept away, body and soul. But secrets and misunderstandings tear them apart, and Sky’s first love turns into her worst nightmare.
It is intended for mature readers. This book contains sexually explicit material and is intended for adult readers only.
Obsession Vol 2AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1QrECOt
Skylar Parker is an aspiring model on the brink of international success. She has almost everything she could want: beauty, fame, fortune, and her two best friends. But she is haunted by her first heartbreak and the simultaneous death of her mother. Since JC betrayed her four years ago, she has never let herself be touched by another man.
Jean Carlo DePandi, billionaire and playboy, has turned his family’s humble Italian vineyards into Europe’s most recognized brand of wine, but he too hides a troubled past. He has overcome poverty and loss, but remains haunted by memories of the innocent girl who slipped through his fingers six years ago. His need for control dominates his life, and he’s not afraid to cross boundaries to get what he wants.
Their paths cross again at a fashion show in Paris, where Sky’s deep mistrust of JC clashes with her long-buried desire for him. She hopes one passionate night will be enough to get him out of her system once and for all. She couldn't be more wrong.
This is the second installment of the Turbulent Desire Series. It is intended for mature readers.
Torn Vol 3AMAZON: http://amzn.to/1JDGCh6
***WARNING*** Due to strong language, and sexual situations, this series is not suitable for readers under the age of 18***
After succumbing to a night of pure enthrallment, with the beautiful, aspiring model Skylar Parker, young entrepreneur Jean Carlo DePandi, realizes he could never get enough of her. His need for control dominates his life, and he’s not afraid to cross boundaries to keep her protected from his troubled past.
The one nightstand clashes with Skylar long-buried desire for the driven and dazzling entrepreneur Jean Carlo DePandi. She hoped one passionate night would be enough to get him out of her system. She was wrong and when he proposes a new relationship, Sky cannot resist. They start a sensual and alluring affair and Sky learns more about her driving and demanding gorgeous Italian lovers past.
While JC moves sea, and land to prevent Sky from learning about the secret of his mother that he is sure will shatter the heart. Sky struggles to make the most important decision of her life as she envy’s an important woman in JC’s life.
Destined to be together, yet seemingly impossible, JC is determined to fight his inner demons and the world itself if it’s needed to keep her.
Author Links
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