(Scroll down to see newer letters)
If you’re following the lives of our friends in Magdalena, then you know they’ve had their share of trials and heartache. You also knew that Gloria Blacksworth has been behind a good chunk of that heartache. We all hope her mischievous orchestrations from the grave are over, but what is it they say about a woman scorned? We’ll have to wait and see if more pain and suffering pop up again. I wouldn’t trust that woman.
Not. One. Bit.
But this post isn’t about Gloria and her numerous plots and plans to destroy the residents of Magdalena. This is about Charles aka Charlie Blacksworth and the choices he might or might not have made, had he lived. Haven’t we all wondered what was really going on in his head? As a prominent member of Chicago’s wealthy and privileged, he was the CEO of Blacksworth & Company in Chicago, wore tailored suits and wingtip oxfords, and always did what was expected of him. But in Magdalena, he was simply Charlie Blacksworth, the rich yet quiet man who descended upon their town four days a month like clockwork, donned flannel and corduroy and immersed himself in the lives of his “other family”.
Would he ever have made a choice between the two lives? Or would he have continued on, torn between duty and the desire to follow his heart to a simpler life and a family that did not carry his name?
We’re about to find out.
Spring has settled in the Catskills, melting mountains of snow and frigid temperatures. Tulips, daffodils, and allium are emerging in bursts of color. It is a time of hope and renewal. It is also time to close up Charles Blacksworth’s “getaway” cabin before it’s sold.
On this bright, crisp day, Nate and Christine Desantro drop the children off at Miriam’s and begin the one-hundred mile trip to the cabin. Christine is filled with uncertainty, dread, and sorrow, but fortunately, she has her husband with her, a constant source of strength and support. Good thing, too, because Christine is going to need Nate’s strength for what she’s about to discover—five envelopes, tucked under the mattress with the following names scrawled on the front: Gloria, Christine, Lily, Harry, Miriam.
Inside each envelope is a letter.
For the first time since we learned of his death we’ll all know what Charles was thinking, and maybe even what he planned to do about it as he wrote these letters mere days before he died.
Rest in peace, Charles. You are missed.
Click on the letters below to read and listen to Charles Blacksworth’s final letters:
I love this series and have read everyone that has been published. I can’t put the book down once I start reading until it’s finished. Hopefully there will be more books in this series. Thank you for making these people come alive on the pages and making me feel part of their lives
Hello and YES, there will be many more AFA books! I’ve got some very interesting and unique plans to make Magdalena even more real!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying this series. Make sure you read the prequels from That Second Chance series as they enhance the experience.
Thank you for your loyal readership and in a few days, AFA: The Secret will be available!
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
Best,
Mary
Charles’ s life is somewhat of a tragedy. As I read and listened to his words, I thought “if only” this all could have come to pass. Granted, Christine may have not met Nate – but maybe she would have, under different circumstances. Maybe Charles would have taken her to meet his other family, once the truth was revealed!
Hi Suzann:
Charles’s life was definitely a tragedy – so sad and tormented. He was a weak man who could not make the difficult choice…but now, through these letters, we’ll see what might have happened. Thank you for your loyal readership.
Happy New Year!
Mary
I ,just love this series
Hi Vickie:
Thank you! I can’t wait for you to meet Roman Ventori in AFA: The Secret…swoon worthy and an all-around good guy!
Happy New Year!
Mary
Can’t wait until the next letter!!
Thank you! It’s going to be a good one!!
Happy New Year!
Mary
Just read or rather heard the letter from Charles to Gloria. He sounds like he was a dream. . Can’t wait to see what are in the other letters. thank you for getting back to me so fast and letting me know how to get to hear the letters!
Hi Angela:
You’re very welcome, and thank you for your loyal readership. I just loved hearing Charles’s voice in these letters. He’s so torn and hurting, but he pushes himself to write them. When he writes to Christine, it’s his way of trying to help her find a way to happiness, one that does not include Connor Pendleton!
Best,
Mary
Great letter to Christine! I want to see more more more. Lol
Hi Rose:
You’ll see more letters…very soon…stay tuned! You won’t want to miss the next three letters…
Best,
Mary
Mary I just received Book 8 and am so excited to start it. I have read the letters from Gloria and now from Charles. You have created a beautiful story and it has been a pleasure to read every word.It has been a wonderful journey with your characters. Thank you so much! Wishing you a wonderful 2016!
Hi Diana: Thank you very much for the well wishes and kind words. I’m grateful to all of my readers who have chosen to spend time with my work. When I thought of writing the letters, I’d just finished reading an article about planning every bit of your writing life with not a second of “blank” time. I didn’t agree with the article, but headed into the shower, still thinking about how I needed my “daydream” time…and that’s exactly when I imagined the letters under the mattress in the old cabin! That is truly what happened. I’m a daydreamer, always… Read more »
I cannot wait for your next book to come out your a fantastic writer. I cannot put your books down and I love being transported into the lives of those in Magdalene .
Hi Jacqui!
Thank you for the very kind words! I’ve got a lot more in store for everyone and soon I hope to be able to share…it will make the books even more real:) Watch for Charles’s letter to Lily… I’m currently working on Bree’s story – she’s very changed from a few years ago, and not in a good way…her parents are worried about her and they’ve decided to do something about it…
Thanks again!
Mary
I have truly enjoyed this whole series of the family affair. I just wish that Gloria Blacksworth’s letter would stop trying to destroy people’s lives. They all seem to love each other. Also, is Tessa and Cash going to get pregnant?? I so want them to have a child or children.
Hi Helen: Thank you for writing! Isn’t Gloria a pill? Even from the grave?? I thought for a second she’d redeemed herself, but as I wrote her story I saw that she hadn’t…she’d only found a way to try and cause more damage. The notebook still lives, but it’s under Pop’s watchful eye and we all know he’s not letting it out of his sight. Unless someone takes it…just kidding:) I haven’t thought about what’s going to happen with it yet… Tess and Cash – I recently approved the audio version of that and fell in love with their story… Read more »
The email said the letter to Lily was here, but when I opened it Lily’s letter was listed as coming soon. I just finished The Secret. Wonderful!
Thank you! Looking forward to the The Wish.
Hi Maryann: I’m so sorry about the Lily letter snafu. We had a technical glitch last week, but everything should be fine now. I really want you to hear Lily’s letter and be able to read it, too. Please visit my blog and try again. You’ll see Lily’s name on an envelope and when you click on it, look for an orange arrow for audio and below that, the letter. You can even share the audio. Harry’s letter is up next! I’ve got so much in store for this year – all things to draw us closer to Magdalena and… Read more »
Thanks for the info on Tess and Cash. However, your email said that there was a letter to Lily but it wasn’t there. Was that in error? Can’t wait for the other books. I have followed this series from the beginning. I have loved it so far. Any idea when the next book is coming out?
Hi Helen: We had a technical glitch last week, but everything should be fine now. Please visit my blog and try again. I really want you to be able to read and listen to the letters! You’ll see Lily’s name on an envelope and when you click on it, look for an orange arrow for audio and below that, the letter. You can even share the audio. The next book is AFA: The Wish and I’m hoping for the end of April – this is where we see if Bree can get her happily-ever-after! The prequel to this is Paradise… Read more »
Please note that my last name is mispelled. It should be Woodard.
Hi Helen:
Thank you!
Mary
The email I received says it includes the letter to Zilly but only the first 2 appear and the others say coming?
Hi Dea:
I’m so sorry for the inconvenience. Please visit my website again and look for Lily’s letter under Blogs – we had a glitch and it’s been corrected. You should now be able to read and listen to the letter. You can even share the audio.
Let me know if you still have an issue.
Best,
Mary
I love all the books and so look forward to each of them. I feel as though I’m a part of them, perhaps sitting on the side.ines watching them all unfold. Please keep the series going. Have just started the book about Roman and have a hard time putting it down to go to work. The letters are also wonderful and again I feel as though I’m losing myself in their world. Great reading! Thanks so much!
Hi Linda: Thank you very much for taking the time to write. I’m so glad you’re enjoying this series. I feel like I’m part of this town as well…and I have so much more in store! I’m really excited about it and I’ll be sharing more as the months unfold. As for AFA: The Secret, oh, but I did fall in love with Roman. What a great guy – I hate to admit it, but I think I like him almost as much as Nate, and Nate is always THE main guy for me. But Roman has a true goodness… Read more »
I love the AFA series and am always waiting anxiously for the next one to be released. I just finished the Second Chance series and loved those as well. You are a very talented storyteller!
Hi Nanette: Many thanks for the kind words. Since you’ve read all of the books in That Second Chance series, then you know who Adam Brandon is:) Wait until you see him matched up with Bree….it’s going to be interesting, especially when she starts throwing out slang he’s never heard in her fake Southern accent. As for the other characters in that series who will appear in future AFA books: Tula Rae from Not Your Everyday Housewife and Grace from The Butterfly Garden. I’m working on all sorts of other “fun” things that will enrich the whole Magdalena “small town”… Read more »