Raised in a bilingual and bicultural family, Mara left an early marketing career to pursue her love of acting. Following roles on stage and screen, as well as a stint producing films, her path led to the nonprofit world. Inspired by many fundraising gala adventures over the years, Mara returned to her creative roots with Charity Ball, her first novel. She lives in Austin with her husband and their two rescue dogs.
Can love conquer chaos before the last dance at the charity ball?
Nursing a broken heart after a failed marriage, Isabel certainly can’t fall for Bates—the handsome billionaire who overbids on the auction puppy at the Spring gala. Is he just a show-off, a cliché, or the real deal? Regardless, she must ignore her heart and focus on the charity’s impossible new mandate, and the ensuing revolt by the demanding society ladies who always get their way.
Bates swears it’s really over this time with Lawson. Especially after her embarrassing outburst at the gala. Forget her latest indiscretion. Now he can dedicate himself to the charity, given how it changed his family’s life. He just wasn’t expecting to develop feelings for the founder’s daughter, Isabel. Will she trust his philanthropic heart? While his real heart is falling for her?
As Isabel and Bates work together to save the next gala, she begins to find her voice, to stand up for the charity, and herself. He realizes what he wants, what he deserves. In spite of unexpected setbacks, they begin to trust in love again to find their happily ever after.
