Chicago Hope

Aspiring journalist Maura Hall dreams of changing the world, but she'll settle for Chicago.

Wanting to build a better life and eventually change the world, she uprooted herself and her eight-year-old son from the Sandhills of North Carolina and planted roots in Chicago, Illinois. After three years of struggling to publish even one hope-filled article, Maura's dreams begin to crumble and fade, much like her run-down tenement. She works a second job to make ends meet and struggles to balance parenting with work, while her journalistic responsibilities are reduced to correcting typos for her plagiarizing co-workers.

Rick Figueroa seems perfect: he's handsome, smart, and appreciative of Maura's vision for their media company. He's also in a position to share her writing and ideas. Together they launch a Dear Santa project that has the potential to restore hope and Christmas cheer to thousands of children.

But things are not always as they seem. As Maura's attraction to Rick grows, so do her questions about his identity and his intentions. Soon she is faced with a choice between love, career, and doing the right thing...all before Christmas.

What readers are saying about Carmen's books:

¿¿¿¿¿ "Great story and even greater message..." - Top 1000 Vine Voice (Some Lucky Woman)

¿¿¿¿¿ "You'll be swept off your feet along with Jaynee as she discovers the man of her dreams. You'll be drawn into the drama. And you'll flip the pages fast as Jordan must desperately figure out the truth in time. I was and did!" - New York Times bestselling author Jaime Rush (She Belongs to Me)

¿¿¿¿¿ "The characters are interesting, real-life people, and the plot twists and shifts in ways I didn't see coming." - Top 1000 Vine Voice (When Noonday Ends)

¿¿¿¿¿ "This story is completely unique, and is definitely not generic sex and vampires. In fact, I think Creatus will redefine the paranormal genre. Creatus has intrigue, suspense, romance, and tremendous depth." - Top #50 Vine Voice (Creatus)