I’m chatting with Jean Grant about my writing process and my new release, No More Secrets.
Drop by Jean’s blog.
Author Archives: Joanne Guidoccio
A Starting Point
When I retired in 2008, I made self-care one of my priorities. My life needed a major overhaul in this area, and now I had the time and space to make the necessary changes. While I had abandoned several practices that didn’t contribute to my well-being, I needed to add more positive strategies to my regimen.
I followed my usual modus operandi and started reading blog posts, newspaper and magazine articles, and books about self-care. Suddenly, I was encountering the word everywhere—online and offline.
Continue reading on Janet Nestor’s blog.
Sharing Recipes
Today, I’m sharing my favorite almond flour muffin recipes with two of my author friends.
Lois Winston – Blueberry Muffins
C.D. Hersh – Cranberry Muffins
On Growing More Brain
The daughter of parents with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, I am always on the lookout for new ways of improving brainpower.
But I am not prepared to fork out enormous sums of money for supplements and other products that make dubious claims. Instead, I read columns and books written by health experts such as Daniel Amen, Tony Buzan, David Snowdon, Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra, and Mehmet Oz and take careful note of any low-cost and no-cost suggestions for improving brainpower.
Continue reading on Sue James’ blog.
Inspired by Two Francescas
Twenty-five years ago, I sat with eyes glued to the big screen as Meryl Streep assumed the role of Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride, in the romantic drama, The Bridges of Madison County. Based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, the film focuses on a four-day love affair between two middle-aged lovers, Francesca and Robert Kincaid, a National Geographic photojournalist brilliantly played by Clint Eastwood.
Having spent years in a passionless marriage, Francesca falls deeply in love with Robert and contemplates leaving her loyal husband and teenage children.
Continue reading on Peggy Jaeger’s blog.
In Praise of Reading
An avid reader, I look forward to my daily escape from life’s realities. Eclectic in my tastes, I love to curl up with women’s fiction, historical fiction, cozy mysteries, memoirs, psychological thrillers, and self-help. On average, I read anywhere from 60 to 70 books each year.
Since March of this year, I have been reading at an even faster rate.
The more I read, the less time I spend watching television and surfing on the Internet. To survive and thrive in this time of COVID-19, I need to disengage from the constant barrage of information on all media outlets.
Continue reading on the Soul Mate Authors blog.
Blog Tour: No More Secrets
Starting tomorrow and continuing until October 2nd, fourteen of my author friends will host me on their blogs. I will be sharing posts, excerpts, and recipes with wonderful companions who have provided support and encouragement on my writing journey.
I’m hoping you’ll visit their blogs and enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway. You could win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Check daily for link updates.
September 20 – Soul Mate Authors Blog
September 21 – Peggy Jaeger
September 22 – Susan James
September 23 – C.D. Hersh
September 23 – Lois Winston
September 24 – Janet Nestor
September 25 – Jean Grant
September 27 – That’s What I’m Talking About Blog
September 28 – Sadira Stone
September 29 – Madelyn Hill
September 30 – Carly Jordynn
October 1 – Jacquie Biggar
October 1 – Anna Dowdall
October 2 – Nancy Badger
Giveaway
I will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Find out more here.
Spotlight on Dead in THAT Beach House
I’m happy to welcome author M.Glenda Rosen. Today, Glenda shares her new release, Dead in THAT Beach House.
Blurb
August 21, 2020, A Senior Sleuths Mystery, “Dead In THAT Beach House,” Published by Level Best Books is the third in the series and available at your local book store, Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com. This series of murder and mayhem is written in a modern noir style with charming, witty, deliciously clever soft-boiled sleuths.
***
Once we had arrived in the Hamptons, settled in and I felt comfortable, I began to add small amounts of poison to the evening cocktails. It was from the oleander flowers. I had planted them carefully behind the barn in Ames. After only weeks, they were falling ill, listless, crying to go back to Ames. They felt too sick at the beach house. It was simple.
I know you must think I’m a monster. But, really, they felt very little when I strangled them to death thanks to the poison in their system. When they were dead, I filled my library with books about murder and witchcraft. The note I leave for whomever might find them might explain what happened…
The Senior Sleuths, Dick and Dora Zimmerman, much like Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man series, and their cozy group of interesting, quirky friends take on crooks and murderers while dealing with an outrageous case of elder abuse.
Later: “Shall we say invitations are mandatory?”
“Absolutely, dear. We wouldn’t want anyone to miss the fun.”
“They’re either belligerent, arrogant, or simply annoyed,” Zero whispered to Cloud as the so-called guests arrived. They were all murderers and those who had committed crimes against the elderly.
Excerpt
Sewn inside the striped petticoat were two old metal skeleton keys.
Dora and keys. They did get her in trouble.
Jake took pictures of the keys with his cellphone and he and his mother agreed it would be best to show them to Dick and Lily. Then they would forward the photos of the keys to the sheriff, and explain where they were found.
Lily and Dick had found their own surprise in the library. There were several shelves of books about murder. Another shelf had books on witches, witchcraft and poisons. All the dust and cobwebs on them couldn’t hide the strangeness of it all.
Dora was determined to come back as soon as possible to look deeper amongst the pages of murder and evil. It only made sense the books might reveal some truths about the house and its owner.
The dust unable to hide strange markings on those books made Dora very curious and determined to look for possible answers inside their pages.
“What kind of people owned this house?” Jake looked at his mother, clearly wanting to get out of there.
Author Bio and Links
For over 25 years, owner and founder of a business/marketing and public relations agency and consulting firm in New York City, The Hampton’s and Albuquerque, New Mexico where the company served as advisors to a wide range of national, regional and local clientele including major pharmaceutical companies. The agency provided a special expertise to the healthcare industry including: hospitals, nursing homes, senior centers, medical facilities, non-profit healthcare organizations and literally dozens of healthcare providers. It was the second largest public relations firm in New Mexico when sold. The agency was built on Marcia’s business experience as owner of two-day care centers for ten years in upstate New York.
Parallel to founding and running her agency, Marcia was also an active advocate and advisor for women’s economic development and success. Along with Betty Friedan, she was honored by the City of New York in celebration of Women’s Empowerment Day for “helping thousands of women advance their careers and succeed in starting their own companies.” She was also honored as the East End Women’s Network’s 20th annual “Woman of the Year,” and nominated for New York State “Women of Distinction Award. In New Mexico her agency received awards and accolades for the many volunteer services it provided.
She has served on numerous organization boards including, The New York Women’s Agenda, Columbia Hospital Breast Cancer Initiative, American Cancer Society, Venture Fund for Women, The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, PULSE (helping to prevent medical errors), Boardroom Bound Alliance and others over the past twenty years.
Marcia presently lives in Carmel, California and is planning on moving back to Albuquerque in early 2021 or end of 2020. She has author clients in New York City, Atlanta, Albuquerque, Long Island, the Hamptons and Vancouver.
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Amazon | Creative Book Concepts | The Senior Sleuths
Giveaway
M. Glenda Rosen aka Marcia Rosen will be awarding a $50 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Find out more here.
Follow Glenda on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.
When Angelica Met Antonio
Here’s a snippet of conversation from one of their early encounters:
Buy Links
Amazon (Canada) | Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (Australia)
Giveaway
I will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Find out more here.
Release Day – No More Secrets
No More Secrets is officially available today!
Blurb
Angelica Delfino takes a special interest in the lives of her three nieces, whom she affectionately calls the daughters of her heart. Sensing that each woman is harboring a troubling, possibly even toxic secret, Angelica decides to share her secrets—secrets she had planned to take to the grave. Spellbound, the nieces listen as Angelica travels back six decades to reveal an incredulous tale of forbidden love, tragic loss, and reinvention. It is the classic immigrant story upended: an Italian widow’s transformative journey amid the most unlikely of circumstances.
Inspired by Angelica’s example, the younger women share their “First World” problems and, in the process, revisit their relationships and set themselves free.
But one heart-breaking secret remains untold…
Excerpt
As Angelica read the document, she heard several sighs emanating from Bellastrega. While she had grown to like this young woman and trust her judgment when it came to wellness, Angelica was not prepared to abandon her plans. Three women needed to be rescued.
“What if they don’t come?” Bellastrega asked.
“They will come,” Angelica said, smiling confidently.
“It’s still winter, and the roads around here can be treacherous.”
“That won’t stop them.” Angelica smiled at Bellastrega’s discomfort with winter driving. Fearless in her talk, the psychic dreaded going out at any hint of snow. “Not to worry. They’re Northern Ontario girls.”
Bellastrega waved her hands. “So, they get up here, and you share your secrets. Then what?”
“They begin to heal.”
“You can’t expect to solve all their problems in one weekend,” Bellastrega said in a gentler tone. “If you’re not careful, you’ll send them running to their mothers, who won’t hesitate to create unnecessary stress for you.”
From the start, Bellastrega had been determined to eradicate all the unnecessary stress in Angelica’s life. Did she really think she could create a lasting magic bubble?
Since receiving the positive medical report, Bellastrega had redoubled her efforts and started to plan spring and summer excursions. She had added to her meager wardrobe and purchased several decorative items for her room. Each day, she was settling in and becoming more comfortable in her role as a companion. The beautiful thirty-five-year-old woman with Arctic-blue eyes and a stormy past had found sanctuary in Angelica’s house.
Angelica’s thoughts traveled back six decades to her encounter with another set of Arctic-blue eyes. But that woman had been much older and more realistic in her expectations.
“Are you all right?” Bellastrega asked.
“I’m fine,” Angelica said, returning to the present. “I want to start the process. The rest will be up to them.” Angelica felt a sudden wave of fatigue, one she hadn’t experienced in months. This argument was growing old, and she no longer wished to justify her motives. Why couldn’t Bellastrega let it go?
Trailer
Buy Links
Amazon (Canada) | Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Amazon (Australia)
Giveaway
I will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Find out more here.
Joanne Guidoccio 