"Countess Without Wealth" is a novel about a thirty-something single woman who, until recently, lived carefree, mostly on credit and was a typical consumer of the current times. Addicted to shopping, partying and being late with payments. However, the good fortune does not last forever. As a result of losing her job, she clashes hard with reality - financial and social. She is left all alone and has to face a new reality. However, her situation, despite the many obstacles, helps her to look at life from a completely different perspective, very mature and reevaluate her life so far, as well as appreciate what is real and not superficial, as social media paints it. Will she find true love in such difficult consumerist times? This is a novel that invites the readers on a journey into their own personality. In a way, it's a catharsis for many of us who suffer in loneliness, posting yet another smiling photo online after losing a job or a substitute for the love we idealized, yearning so much for normalcy. The main character brutally confronts the reality of the interpersonal crisis, realizing that she can no longer lie to herself and justify others. The novel is what each of us would like to know before making life's mistakes, and shows that it's never too late to start all over again!

The novel was supposed to be published by one of the leading Polish publishing houses, which ultimately did not happen, so thanks to numerous inquiries I decided to self-publish.

Each contributor - if he or she wishes - will be signed by name in the author's acknowledgments. For contributions over 20 euro will receive a paper edition of the book right after its release. For donations over 35 euro, a book with a personal dedication is provided! The prices may vary from the polish złoty as for foreign readers the book will have to be translated into English 🤗

*** Excerpt from the novel ***

(...) Stanisław (Stanley). I perfectly remember the moment when he took over my life like a cancer that consistently occupied more cells of my sanity. It was some kind of ugly autumn. I was wearing a light cream cashmere turtleneck, which accented the black of my hair and blue eyes quite sharply. My skin still remembered summer, so I looked somewhat exotic. My boss informed me that a new creative director had joined the company, so we, as the promotions department at the publishing house, didn't quite know what to expect from him. Therefore she sent me on a search. Stanisław had an office in the new wing of the office building, which rarely anyone ventured into, as it was under renovation and was - generally speaking - a big mess. I happened to be wearing black knee-high boots with stiletto heels that day, and walked, standing on my toes so that the dust from the foils strewn on the floor wouldn't get caught in their suede. I knocked on the equally dusty door, inhaling the smell of fresh paint that my perfume failed to push through. I didn't hear "please," so I knocked harder, adding to the clink of the bracelets I wore on my arm. Still nothing. However, there was a soft sound of jazz coming from behind the door, so I decided I would just go in.

I opened the door firmly, but slowly, because of the dust and boots. I poked my head out gently, so first my curls fell into his office, and then me. Around the desk were boxes of his stuff and some diplomas.

- Probably another asshole who graduated from one of those courses where they give you a diploma just for attending, I thought.

Stanisław was on the phone when I walked in, and I think it was the first time I saw a man fall in love at first sight. His face changed expression from relaxed to tense. He only managed to throw a quick "I'll call you back" into the receiver, then hung up and fumed. He looked at me, and if we were playing a movie, the voiceover would probably describe all the feelings that were painted on his face. His pupils enlarged, and he straightened his bulky arms, thus beginning a non-verbal mating dance. However, he clearly lost control of himself, not knowing what to do next. Those few seconds dragged on endlessly, so I stepped closer and forced a smile. Of the flirtatious ones, because I knew perfectly well the impression I had made on him and perfidiously toyed with it.

- Hi, I'm Dagmara Kowalczyk. I'm from the promotion. I mean, not from a promotion, not the kind in a discount store - I started chattering senselessly, realizing that I, unfortunately, am not as immune to the charm of this guy as I thought.

Stanisław looked handsome. Such a silver fox guy - about 45 years old. The closer I got to his desk, the stronger I could smell his compellingly masculine perfume. Something that works on me like kryptonite on Superman.

- Stanisław Czerwinski, the new creative director. Very nice to meet you Dagmara," he extended his hand to me, then shook it manfully. So that I felt, a shiver running down my spine and a weakness in my knees. Not good.

We stood, looking at each other for a moment. The air was overloaded with sexual tension, and at that moment I realized that I would not master the situation, so I decided to back off before he saw how easy it was to work me up.

- I just came to say hello. If you need anything, let me know, I'll be happy to set up a meeting with our department," I choked out the corpo talk and turned my body towards the exit, I could feel him analyzing every inch of my body as I tried to approach the door, completely disregarding the dust this time.

- Wait," he stopped me, "maybe we'll have lunch tomorrow, just as a way to break the first ice," he suggested.

- Sure - I smiled and resumed my attempt to run away with all speed.

- I'll wait for that moment," he said, when I was already standing with my back to him. I wrinkled my eyebrows in embarrassment, then turned to him and sent an uncertain smile.

No one said it directly, but we both knew what had happened and what would happen next....