Many couples can remember the breathtaking moment they fell in love, when time seemed to stand still. Whatever the surroundings, everything was perfect; a perfect moon, breeze, meal, wine, coffee, sunset, song, porch swing, movie, ice cream or rain storm could be part of the loving look in their eyes. 

The fact that the porch swing squeaked, the ice cream cone leaked or the rain soaked them only added to the magic of the moment when their hearts took off...out of their chests, seemed to fly around their heads then rocket around the moon before returning to the new couple... all while they remained nestled together in unexpected bliss.

Then as couplehood progresses if things do not proceed as expected, the squeaky swing, sticky ice cream cone and wet clothes in the rain take a turn toward annoying.  Then comes the moment when time seems to stand still again, but this time their hearts are not soaring through the clouds, their hearts are sinking in quicksand and their feet feel like they are following; so what happened? 

Meet Rhonda Ricardo, a Freelance Columnist for The Californian/North County Times as she bravely sets out to compile answers for the heart broken men and women in her world.  

After working in the world of Family Law where people asked Ricardo questions like, "Why is he doing this?" or "Why is she leaving me?" after they received nothing better than the "It's not you, it's me." kinds of responses from the ones who were once the other side of their hearts, she decided to use her interviewing skills to find hidden romance secrets. 

Welcome to Rhonda Ricardo's travels across the United States and her colorful conversations with men and women who understand the pain of heartbreak and the joy of love as they volunteer to join the ranks of relationship heroes.  They reveal their stories for others to learn from and sometimes get a little giggle as these heroes hearts have had time to mend.  As the stories progress it is clear many realized, once simple-romance is swept under the rug sometimes it can get lost completely but...they never expected to hear the words, "It's too late!" 

These heroes want to help keep continued romance in the lives of couples... and in the process help keep families strong with happy futures.

Their stories flowed like hot glaze over fresh donuts... they happily added nuts and their own brands of sparkling laughter.  With their delicously witty insights into hope and love...and with so many new friends and stories... there's a banquet of fun for everyone!

Ricardo relays these relationship heroes' stories in Cherries Over Quicksand much like she has on radio, TV and speaking engagements, with the wit and humor of a woman who enjoys creating an atmosphere where show hosts and audiences smile, relax, learn, build and get a laugh from life's surprises.  Many times hosts and audience members are compelled (and welcome) to share their own stories to add to the fun! 

Cherries Over Quicksand is filled with stories couples can share with each other and for singles ready to find love. The stories demonstrate how romance between two people can continue to be magical.  The stories also reveal how simple-romance from the beginning and throughout the years is extremely important when deciding to build a strong and loving family...and how romance is fun.  Why else would men and women continuously search for the one who will fill their heart?!

"That's exactly what happened to me.  So, what did they do?" is a question Ricardo has heard over and over again as she shares these stories...fun gestures, and all! 

Ladies and gentlemen...you now have a book filled with friends who have been there too...and are now smiling!  It's time to think about making time stand still again...with a life of romance!

CHERRIES OVER QUICKSAND definition:

When a man or woman discovers (or believes) the love of their life wants out or worse-already snuck out in the middle of the night or just bolted after a simple relationship problem; the immediate feeling of falling or being sucked down into quicksand is a typical reaction of alarm mixed with unexpected anguish that can cause chaos with anyone's confidence.  The thought of his or her sudden (or impending) departure can cause heartbreak-chaos.  Saddened ladies may pack dirty socks in their child's lunch box or worse...rack up parking tickets as she continuously walks from her parked car in a daze, quarters in hand...while running confusing questions about her man through her head.  "Wait, he said he would always love me, and he liked...wait...why did he always find something else to do?...is this a good thing? Do I have any chocolate?...I thought we were growing together...I can't eat...Did Annie have the puppy in her arms when she went to school?"  And if he is still eating week-old pizza after she left, he does not notice, the only thing he seems to notice is his phone, the one he thinks he feels vibrating in his pocket every ten minutes...only to see a blank phone screen each time he checks.  "Wait...this time I felt it...I think...Hello?...Dang reception...give me that piece with the bottle cap stuck to the pepperoni!"   Good news, many people have been in that quicksand-feeling place and then gone on to enjoy a life filled with romance.  Men and ladies only have so many friends and family to turn to for advice in their quest for fulfilling (cherry/happy) relationships.  CHERRIES OVER QUICKSAND welcomes women and men to comfortably slide into Rhonda Ricardo's collection of sensitive and funny relationship stories gathered from men and women, to ease tender hearts, then relax, laugh, fortify and decided to choose CHERRIES OVER QUICKSAND.

CHERRIES OVER QUICKSAND may be ordered: from the ORDER link above on this www.cherriesoverquicksand.com page or your neighborhood book store and other popular book sites.