Movie Review: The Post

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

This thrilling drama, directed by Steven Spielberg, features The Washington Post and its role in exposing the Pentagon Papers, a massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned three decades and four U.S. presidents.

Meryl Streep embraces her role as Katharine Graham, the first female publisher of a major American newspaper. Surrounded by a sea of imposing men, the widowed socialite appears uncertain and uncomfortable as she struggles to assert herself. In the midst of negotiations to take the family newspaper public, she is reluctant to create waves or upset any of her political friends, among them Defense Secretary, Robert McNamara (Bruce Greenwood ).

Tom Hanks plays Ben Bradlee, the ambitious executive editor determined to raise The Post’s national profile. In the summer of 1971, he gets the opportunity to test his journalistic chops and go head-to-head with the New York Times. After the Nixon administration bans the Times from continuing with the leaking of the Pentagon Papers, Bradlee decides to challenge the White House’s unconstitutional efforts. But first, he must persuade Graham.

Torn between Bradlee, her circle of advisors, and political friends, Graham grapples with this decision but eventually takes a stand. I could feel goosebumps rising as her posture straightened and her voice assumed a stronger timbre. One of my favorite scenes: After the Supreme Court decision, Katherine Graham proudly walks past an admiring group of younger women.

A classic underdog tale enhanced by the Oscar-worthy performances of Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.


Spotlight on Catherine Castle

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome award-winning author Catherine Castle. Today, Catherine shares her writing journey and latest releases, Bidding on the Bouquet and Trying Out for Love.

Here’s Catherine!

Books have always been in my blood. One of my earliest memories is of reading a Little Golden Book—the story of Cinderella. Somewhere in the archives of my parents’ photographs there is a picture of me, holding the book upside down, as I pretend to read the story. When I actually learned to read, a trip to the library yielded not one book to come home with me, but an armload that was nearly bigger than myself.

The transition from reading to writing was a natural one—a hobby (or dare I say skill?) that was encouraged by my mother who praised everything I wrote. Some of my early endeavors included horror short stories entitled Witch Mountain and Bloody Buttons, a sci-fi story about aliens (I can’t remember the name of this particular piece), which I illustrated myself. And I can’t forget the loads of awful poetry I penned as a heartsick teen. I’ve since improved greatly on the poetry scale.

My first romance, written as a teenage girl, was about me and the television star crush of my life—Johnny Crawford, of The Rifleman television series fame. Naturally, it had a HEA, and a floorplan of the mansion where we lived HEA in Hollywood, California. I like to think my romance novels have greatly improved as well.

Then I met the real true love of my life. Somewhere along the way from our high school sweetheart stage to married couple, we discovered we made not on a great couple, but great writing partners and we began to write plays for our church. Along the way to book publication I spent 10 years as a freelance writer for our weekly hometown newspaper, writing everything from news articles to fashion features. I also freelanced for a Christian publisher writing curriculum and articles for children’s Sunday School papers.

Today, my husband and I are still co-authoring, but I’m a solo author as well, penning sweet and inspirational romances. My debut novel, The Nun and the Narc, from Soul Mate Publishing was an ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2014 EPIC finalist, and the winner of the 2014 Beverly Hills Book Award and the 2014 RONE Award, as well as placing in several other contests. This year’s releases are A Groom for Mama, a sweet romantic comedy from Soul Mate Publishing, and my December release, Bidding on the Bouquet, from Forget Me Not Romances, an inspirational contemporary romance.

Most recently, Bidding on the Bouquet has been included in the boxed set Trying Out For Love, from Forget Me Not Romances, along with books from five other authors. The sweet romances, with an inspirational element, found in this set were inspired by a bridezilla news article one of the authors read and passed on to a writing loop we all belong to. The story of the bridezilla, who made her bridesmaids bid at an auction for the “privilege” of being in her wedding, struck a creative chord in a number of the authors who read the article, who then took up the challenge to write a book using this story starter. And we all had some very interesting twists on the original story.


Trying Out For Love Blurb

Six women bid on weddings, either as bridesmaids, wedding planners, or photographers. What ensues is a delightful romp through unexpected romance for all involved. Would you audition for love?

Includes:

The Wedding Barter – Alice K. Arenz
Bidding on the Bouquet – Catherine Castle
The Matchmaking Wedding Planner – Bonnie Engstrom
Mercy Me – Pamela Ferguson
The Bridesmaid Got Waylaid – Kassy Paris
Exposing Love – Christina Rich

Here’s a peek at my book Bidding on the Bouquet found as a single novel and in the boxed set Trying Out For Love.

Giving her coworker’s shoulder a friendly bump, Marietta replied, “You’re a true friend. Speaking of money, you’ll never guess what came in the mail today.”

“A lottery win check?”

“I wish. I don’t have the money to buy a ticket, and you can’t win if you don’t play.”

“I give up. What came?”

“An invitation to bid on a bridesmaid spot in Chrissy Vandermere’s wedding.”

Tinsy stopped mid-dip in the spaghetti. The pasta rolled over the edge of the plate into the steam table container. “The Chrissy Vandermere?”

“You know her?”

“Know of her. Her father owns half the buildings on Broadway.” Tinsy scooped the pasta onto the plate and passed it to Marietta. “Where have you been, girl? Hiding in a cave somewhere? Chrissy’s upcoming wedding is all over the news.”

“I don’t watch the news. I’m too busy studying. Besides, the awful stuff going on keeps me awake if I get those images in my head.”

“How do you know Chrissy?” Tinsy glanced out at the motley group of people eating dinner. “You two certainly don’t travel in the same social circles.”

“From school, I think. If the Chrissy I know is the same Chrissy who sent the invitation, I guess she remembered me from a study class we had together.”

“She comes from classy folks. Rich socialites. That’s a pretty big deal to get an invite.”

“You sound like those slick magazines that fawn over the rich and famous.” Marietta handed the last person in line his plate, then studied the woman beside her. Tinsy was a practical, down-to-earth, solid woman. God-fearing even. “I’d have never expected fan-girling from you.”

Tinsy shrugged. “We all got our dreams. You want a high-powered marketing job. Me, I like those fancy clothes the rich wear. I can’t afford more than a knock-off from the Double Discount Barn, but I’d sure like to dress in expensive outfits. Don’t hurt to dream.” She stared Marietta directly in the eyes. “So, what you gonna do with the invite?”

“I threw it in the trash.”

“What!” Tinsy squealed. “Why’d you do that?”

“I don’t have money to bid on a bridesmaid spot. Even if I did, and I won, I’d have to buy a dress, spend time doing stupid bridesmaid things when I should be studying, and probably be forced to cater to Chrissy’s every whim. She was a bit of a diva in school. Considering she thinks women are going to bid to be in her wedding, I doubt that’s changed much. It’s stupid.”

“It’s a chance of a lifetime,” Tinsy insisted. “How often do you think you’ll get the chance to hobnob with the likes of the Vandermeres?”

“If this is my Chrissy, I’ve hobnobbed with her already. I didn’t find it thrilling.”

From January 9 through February 19 the authors of the boxed set Trying Out For Love are each giving away one free ecopy of their novels that are included in the set. Additionally, one ecopy of the boxed set Trying Out For Love will also be offered as a giveaway on Catherine Castle’s blog during that time frame. To be entered to win, click on the Rafflecopter box in the Tuesday Wedding Tales blog series featuring any of the six authors and follow the instructions. Winners will be announced February 20.

About the Author

Catherine Castle is a multi-award-winning author who loves writing, reading, traveling, singing, watching movies, and the theatre. In the winter she quilts and has a lot of UFOs (unfinished objects) in her sewing case. In the summer her favorite place is in her garden. She’s a passionate gardener who won a “Best Hillside Garden” award from the local gardening club.

Her debut inspiration romantic suspense, The Nun and the Narc, from Soul Mate Publishing was an ACFW Genesis Finalist, a 2014 EPIC finalist, and the winner of the 2014 Beverly Hills Book Award and the 2014 RONE Award. A Groom for Mama, is a sweet romantic comedy from Soul Mate Publishing. Her latest release, Bidding on the Bouquet, from Forget Me Not Romances, is an inspirational contemporary romance, and is included in the boxed set Trying Out For Love. Her books are available on Amazon.

Where to find Catherine…

Website | Blog | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Stitches Thru Time

Buy Links

Bidding on the Bouquet | Trying Out for Love | A Groom for Mama | The Nun and the Narc

Spotlight on R. E. Mullins

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome The Wild Rose Press author R.E. Mullins. Today, R. E. will share her writing journey and the Amber Hearts Series.

Here’s R. E. Mullins!

For fools’ rush in where angels fear to tread.
(English poet Alexander Pope’s An essay on criticism, 1709)

I’m not known for doing things the easy way. It’s not that I intentionally plan on making things difficult for myself – it’s just the way things usually turn out. Like the proverbial fool I heedlessly jump into projects without a clue as to what I’m getting into.

That’s exactly what happened when the first germs of a story started niggling at my brain. Without any appreciable concept as to what writing a novel entailed, I sat down at my computer and opened a little used program called Word. Easy? Not so much. The only thing I really had going for me was the fact I’ve always been an avid reader. So, at least, I knew what I looked for in a book. And, for me, reading is a chance to escape into new worlds and to be entertained.

I considered the romance novels I inhaled as sitcoms in paper form—or, nowadays, Kindle formatted. Nothing too heavy. Remember the old Calgon bath salt commercial, “Take me away?” That’s what I looked for when perusing book blurbs.

I began writing, It’s A Wonderful Undead Life (I think it was 2004 or 2005). While at work during the day, I turned over plots and characters in my mind. Newly divorced, after tucking my seven-year-old into bed each night, I wrote. And wrote. Deleted and wrote some more. Almost a year later I had a 96,000 or so word document on my hands with no idea what to do with it.

After some encouragement from my children and a few friends, I submitted it to the Wild Rose Press. I chose them as they were highly rated in Editors and Predators. They were also willing to look at unsolicited manuscripts. Still, nothing could have surprised me more than when one of their editors contacted me. She said the story had good bones, she liked the characters, and wanted to contract it.

All I had to do, she said, was re-write the entire thing using the third person POV. She also wanted me to alternate between the female and male perspective. I found this utterly overwhelming. Not only would it be a massive undertaking—all I could think was, I’ve just gotten divorced so what did I know about the male mindset. Lack of self confidence had me putting the manuscript in a box and tucking it under the bed.

It wasn’t until late 2010 that I came across it again and contacted the editor. She remembered me, the plot to my book and was still interested. With her encouragement, and constant hand-holding, I slowly re-wrote the story using third person POV.

It’s A Wonderful Undead Life was finally published in 2012.

Hmm, I thought. My vampire, Gabe Blautsauger has three siblings…and their stories need to be told. Heedlessly, I again rushed into writing a series. Not once did I stop to consider how difficult it would be to juggle characters and keep timelines straight.

Still the Blautsaugers of Amber Heights Series was born.

Vampire In The Scrying Glass featuring Rafe Blautsauger was released in 2014.

A Vampire To Be Reckoned With is Metta Blautsauger’s story. It came out in 2016.

And, finally, Michaela Blautsauger’s novel, Cold Hearted Vampire was published in 2017.

By this time, I was on a roll. In 2017, I also released two novellas: Diaper Duty Vampire and Back To Hell.

Diaper Duty Vampire features a few of the Blautsaugers as secondary characters as it bridges the gap between The Blautsaugers of Amber Heights Series and Vampires of Amber Heights Series.

Back To Hell, however, is a departure from my vampires in Amber Heights. Written for Kindle Worlds, it is loosely based on the world found in Vampire Girl by Karpov Kincade. This novella tells the story of Eli Grayheart, vampire demon, lesser Lord of Inferna who was banished to the mortal realm. For a decade, he has been reduced to working the night shift for human employers and little pay. As he desperately seeks a way back to his homeland, he has been busy plotting his revenge. The pink Fae, known as Keeda Weranseer is going to regret the part she played in his exile.

Buy Links

Amazon | The Wild Rose Press

Keep up with what R.E.Mullins is working on and read a free Christmas story on her website. https://www.remullins.com

Leave me a comment to get your name put in a hat. The winner will get a tee-shirt (M – 3X) featuring my book covers on the front and my logo on the lower back.



Inspired by the Real Rocky Story

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

On Wednesdays, I share posts, fables, songs, poems, quotations, TEDx Talks, cartoons, and books that have inspired and motivated me on my writing journey. I hope these posts will give writers, artists, and other creatives a mid-week boost.

In mid January, it’s very easy to start feeling down and less productive. Whenever that happens, I turn to several real-life stories that inspire and motivate me to get back on track. Here’s one of my favorites:

In 1974, Sylvester Stallone was a broke, discouraged actor and screenwriter. While attending a boxing match, he became inspired by a “nobody” boxer who “went the distance” with the great Mohammed Ali.

Stallone rushed home and, in a three-day burst of creative output, produced the first draft of the screenplay entitled Rocky.

Down to his last $106, Stallone submitted his screenplay to his agent. A studio offered $20,000 with either Ryan O’Neal or Burt Reynolds playing the lead character. Stallone was excited by the offer but wanted to play the lead himself. He offered to act for free. He was told, “That’s not the way it works in Hollywood.” Stallone turned down the offer though he desperately needed the money.

Then they offered him $80,000 on the condition that he wouldn’t play the lead. He turned them down again.

They told him that Robert Redford was interested, in which case they’d pay him $200,000. He turned them down once more.

They upped their offer to $300,000 for his script. He told them he didn’t want to go through his whole life wondering “What if?”

They offered him $330,000. He told them he’d rather not see the movie made if he couldn’t play the lead.

They finally agreed to let him play the lead. He was paid $20,000 for the script plus $340 per week minimum actor’s scale. After expenses, agent fees, and taxes, he netted about $6,000 instead of $330,000.

In 1976, Stallone was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor. The movie Rocky won three Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. The Rocky series has since grossed almost $1 billion, making Sylvester Stallone an international movie star!

Source: The One Minute Millionaire by Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen (2002)


Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

martinlutherking

Today is Martin Luther King Day, an American federal holiday that marks the birthday of an inspirational clergyman, activist, and leader who is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights in the United States.

My favorite quotations from Dr. Martin Luther King…

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?”

We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.

We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.

The time is always right to do what is right.


Merging My Passions

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have Mrs. N sharing her inspiring journey from shy booknerd to entrepreneur and her latest release, N. N. Light’s Book of Daily Inspiration.

Here’s Mrs. N!

My first act is painted with brushstrokes of shyness and trying to fit in. My mother tells me I was an introvert, even when I was in the womb. I didn’t want to leave, and the doctors had to “coax” me out. Being an only child, I wasn’t forced to socialize and get along with siblings which only heightened my shyness when around other kids. I tried to fit in at school but was soon labeled the shy kid with her nose always in a book. I wanted to change, to be more like my best friends but hadn’t a clue on how to do it. By the time I graduated high school, I was ready to reinvent myself.

“When I left for college, I told myself that this was a chance for reinvention. No one on the other side of the country knew that I was an introvert, so maybe if I tried not acting like an introvert, I wouldn’t be one.” — Andrea Seigel

This quote sums up my feelings when I left for college. No one knew who I was at university and I stripped away my shy persona and became the bubbly person I knew was buried deep inside. People responded to my outgoing nature and I loved the new me.

Every once in awhile, though, the shy booknerd ached to come out and play. I stuffed her down for several years, pretending she didn’t exist. I was the new me and didn’t have room for her. As time went by, though, I got tired of the whole party-girl image and wished the emptiness in my chest would disappear.

“Why couldn’t I be both?” whispered booknerd girl.

My second act opens with a successful career in the book industry and newly engaged. I left my family, career and friends emigrating to Canada to get married. I had never been happier and had fully embraced booknerd girl into my persona. I was shy one minute and outgoing the next while inhaling books as fast as I could read them. I married a chef who cooked incredible food and I became his official taster. Sure, it was an adjustment being newlyweds and living in a new country, not to mention not having to work, but I did it. I focused on what I wanted to do with my life without the financial worries, thanks to MR N (my husband). Dreams I thought long dead bubbled to the surface and I wondered… could I do it?

With the support of my loving husband, I wrote and published my first book. My dreams suddenly appeared doable, not fantasies. I became a published author and N. N. Light was born. As I navigated the other side of the book industry, I realized my years of working for a big box bookstore were for naught. I could merge my two passions: writing and promoting books into one business. With the help of MR N (now retired chef and working his passion: numismatics), we started a home business: N. N. Light Author Promotions.

In all my years, I never thought I’d be an entrepreneur. I didn’t have the business skills to be successful, or so I thought. I’m what many call a creative artist. Instead of trying (and failing) to be business savvy, I partnered with MR N. He worked the business side of things and I managed the writing/marketing side. We started small and have grown to a very successful family-run PR firm, catering to authors.

I can’t wait to see what the next act brings!

My advice for anyone looking for a change is to go for it. Don’t be afraid to try something new and/or change directions. Reinvention is nothing more than flying higher and higher into the stratosphere and making your dreams come true. You’re never too old or too young to live the life you’ve always dreamt of. You must take that first step, though. Opportunity doesn’t knock on closed doors.

Some Inspiring Quotes

Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. – Albert Einstein

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. – Edith Wharton

Want to live a fulfilled life? Make a gratitude list. – N. N. Light

Need more motivation? Check out our latest release…

Blurb

“Spread the Light and inspire others to do the same.” — N. N. Light

In 2013, we wrote a mission statement and started the Princess of the Light (POTL) blog. We wanted to test a theory. Could one person (or in our case, one couple) use uplifting words to create change?

The answer is a resounding yes! People from all over the world responded to our short inspirational thoughts of the day, and our following grew. What started out as a few people promoting kindness and goodwill turned into a movement. In every city, there are Light-Bearers making a difference and we want you to join us.

Everyone needs inspiration. It doesn’t matter what spiritual belief you hold dear, you have the Light inside you. Kindness, compassion, empathy, encouragement are all attributes of the Light. In this book, you’ll find a ninety second inspirational thought for each day of the year. You’ll be inspiring people to spread the Light daily with our collection of inspirational thoughts. From giving of yourself to simply smiling, these are easy concepts for anyone to apply!

Buy Links

Available for FREE on Kindle Unlimited until February!

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Goodreads

Bio

N.N. Light is the award-winning husband-wife writing team, commonly known as Mr. N and Mrs. N.

Mrs. N. has been creating stories ever since she was little. Her grandfather remembers when she was two years old, she would stand at the top of the stairs and tell him a story filled with emotion (and in a language foreign to him) with her hands on her hips. Let’s just say she was a born storyteller.

Sign up for their author newsletter to get exclusive content, sales and be entered to win a $5 Amazon US Gift Card every month: https://t.co/6B7trIIph6

They’re blissfully happy and loves all things chocolate, books, music, movies, art, sports, trains, history, cooking and baking. Their mantra is to spread the Light.

Most of the time you can find them on Twitter or getting new ideas on how to spread the Light on Pinterest. They’re a proud member of ASMSG and Independent Author Network.

In addition to being authors, they’re also book promoters/reviewers, social media marketers/influencers and the owners of N. N. Light Author Promotions. They both love books, have ever since they were young. Matching up books and readers is something that gives them great pleasure.

Social Media Links

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Goodreads | Twitter | Bookbub | Pinterest | Google+ | Instagram | LinkedIn | Amazon Author Page | Independent Author Network

Joanne here!

Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey. I enjoyed reading and highly recommend N.N Light’s Book of Daily Inspiration.

For over a year, I have followed Mrs. N’s delightful blog. Each day, I look forward to reading her daily dose of inspiration and/or motivation. I was thrilled when I learned she had compiled all that positive energy into this collection of quotations, anecdotes, and reflections. If you’re looking for a devotional to uplift your spirits or simply want to jump-start your day with practical, down-to-earth advice, pick up this collection. And consider putting it on your list of Gifts-to-Buy for family and friends.

The Fringe Benefits of Failure

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

On Wednesdays, I share posts, fables, songs, poems, quotations, TEDx Talks, cartoons, and books that have inspired and motivated me on my writing journey. I hope these posts will give writers, artists, and other creatives a mid-week boost.

Best known for writing the Harry Potter fantasy series, J.K. Rowling has experienced a “rags to riches” life in which she progressed from living on state benefits to multi-millionaire status. She is the United Kingdom’s best-selling living author, with sales in excess of £238M.

In her inspiring and entertaining commencement address to the class of 2008 at Harvard University, J.K. Rowling offered powerful advice to dreamers and overachievers, including one hard-won lesson that she deems “worth more than any qualification I have ever learned.”


Movie Review: Battle of the Sexes

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Almost forty-five years have passed since the 1973 clash between women’s tennis champion Billie Jean King and self-proclaimed male chauvinist pig Bobby Riggs. I can still recall the excitement and anticipation around the televised match. Along with millions of viewers worldwide, I watched as both players competed for the winner’s trophy, a cash prize of $100,000, and lifelong acclaim. As for the backstory, I knew very little about their personal struggles and the level of misogyny that existed within the tennis establishment.

Directors Jonathon Dayton and Valerie Ferris have created an entertaining and multi-layered film that explores and exposes those issues while demonstrating equal sympathy for Billie Jean King (Emma Stone) and Bobby Riggs (Steve Carrell). Both actors deliver stellar performances, worthy of their Golden Globe nominations. Hopefully, Oscar nominations will follow.

A feminist symbol, King didn’t hesitate to point out the disparity that existed within the sport: male winners received eight times as much as their female counterparts. But her complaints fell on deaf ears. In a patronizing tone, retired pro Jack Kramer (Bill Pullman) justifies the discrepancy: “Men are more of a draw; the men are more exciting to watch…It’s not your fault. It’s just biology.”

Frustrated, King creates a woman’s pro circuit, sponsored by Virginia Slims Cigarettes. In a later confrontation, King faces down Kramer: “It’s when we want a little of what you’ve got, that’s what you can’t stand.” Off the court, King struggles with her sexuality as she vacillates between her marriage and a blossoming relationship with her hairdresser.

A chronic gambler, Riggs embraces his chauvinistic side, participating in a series of outlandish publicity stunts. Much of the humor in the film comes from Steve Carrell’s excellent portrayal of the over-the-hill hustler who likes to gamble big; Riggs actually wins a Rolls-Royce in one bet. On an ironic note…the chauvinist appears to be living off his wealthy wife.

The face-off in the Houston Astrodome is staged by stunt doubles shot from a distance with occasional glances at the stars. I enjoyed watching the audience reaction and was especially moved by one of the large signs: “Billy Jean for President.”

A well-crafted film that has relevance in our contemporary world.


Spotlight on Amey Zeigler

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Wild Rose Press author Amey Zeigler. Today, Amey shares her writing journey and her latest release, Baker’s Dozen.

Here’s Amey!

I first wanted to be a writer when I was nine years old. I stapled some construction paper around some printer paper and wrote the title, Young Author, on the front complete with a quill pen and ink. But I didn’t know what I was going to write on the inside, but it was going to be epic! I had read every Nancy Drew Casefiles they had in the local library and spent my own nine-year-old fortune on another twenty—which I still own. At that point, I decided to write mysteries. About this same time I watched the movie, Charade, for the first time, starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. The twists and turns really captured my imagination. I wanted to write something like that. But how?

The first creative writing course I took was in college I got a C. That average grade made me work hard the next semester and with the help of my writing professor, I wrote a short story which was published. I learned that working hard can bring results.

After college I married and had a few kids. During this time my husband was in grad school. The paychecks were small and the bills were large. My dreams of becoming a writer seemed distant, even impossible while attending to the daily needs of small children and cleaning house. However, I kept starting stories, never finishing them, thinking of ideas but I was always too busy, too tired to write them down. Then one night my husband said, “Sit down and write a scene.” I did. He read it over and said, “This is good. Keep writing.” And so I did. I kept writing, sitting in an uncomfortable cane-woven thrift store chair at a desktop computer we nicknamed Frank after Frankenstein because my husband built him out of a hodge-podge of parts. After about 90,000 words my husband said, “It’s time to get you a real computer.” With my new laptop, and in the comfort of writing in my bed, I finally finished my first novel about a half-Pixie girl. I was so pleased to finally have finished a novel! But I wanted more. I wanted publication. And I needed an identity. Who was I as a writer?

When I had been seriously writing for about two years, my husband asked me what kind of writer I wanted to be. I didn’t know. Should I be a literary writer posing deep thoughts in obscure prose or weave tales of adventure and escapism in popular fiction? I needed to find out. I needed to find my raison d’être. One dark January day, while I was in the throes of post-partem depression after the birth of my third child, I picked up a book at the library. It was the third book in a YA series. Though I had read the first book and not the second in the series, I started reading it. It had action. It had adventure. A dash of comedy and most importantly romance. Somehow, that combination burst through the fog of depression and hit the dopamine center in my brain. It healed me. Or at least part of me. And I knew, I knew then and there, that I wanted to write books that surprised, delighted and entertained readers. I thought back to my earlier love of mysteries, my fascination with Charade. I knew my stories must have a combination of action, adventure, and romance. And I want to make people laugh.

Blurb

Twenty-three year-old investigative journalist, Andy Miller is armed with her many disguises and creativity to take down the riff-raff of Saint Louis. When her stepbrother is murdered by the mob, Andy soon discovers she’s out of her depth.

Enter Hugh Donaldson who has reasons of his own for discovering the murderer. He’ll use everything in his power to achieve that, including lying to Andy about his past. Dangerous as he is attractive, his martial arts skills and his quirky ways raise Andy’s suspicions.

Although Andy balks at his lies, Hugh’s charms, twenty-inch biceps, and electrifying blue eyes are difficult to resist. Striking out on their own, Hugh and Andy try to outwit each other as they traverse North America tracking down people connected to the case.

As clues disappear and the body count climbs, Andy and Hugh must trust each other and use their combined skills to bring the murderer to justice.

Buy links

Barnes & Noble |Amazon | The Wild Rose Press | iTunes

Where to find Amey…

Blog | Website | Amazon | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook