Cover Reveal–Cursed be the Wicked

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to present the cover for Jo Richardson’s debut novel…

Cursed be the Wicked final

Synopsis

Cooper Shaw lives his life under a pen name and enjoys the anonymity it provides during his journeys across the globe as a seasoned writer for a travel magazine. When his job lands him in his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts to cover the famous Festival of the Dead, he soon realizes that he can’t stay invisible forever as he faces ghosts from a past he’s been trying to forget ever since he left.

The city holds nothing but bad memories for Coop until he meets a quirky young woman with an old soul and curious insights by the name of Finnley Pierce. While she acts as his tour guide through a town he thought he knew, Finn helps him unearth the truth of his childhood and might even begin to open up his heart.

By unraveling the mystery of his father’s murder, Coop may finally accept who he is, where he came from, and perhaps even realize what he wants for his future.

Bio

jorichardson

A writer of stories and lover of life.

Jo grew up in Maryland with four siblings, three parents and an endless number of cousins within the vicinity. Today she lives in Florida with her two girls and a husband that shares her same sense of humor and basic take on life as we know it.

Life is too short to put dreams on the back burner.

She’s always loved writing, so in her spare time, she wrote a novel that’s been picked up by the good people at Soul Mate.

Where to find Jo…

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

RELEASE DATE: March 5, 2014

Second Act Wisdom

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

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Reinvention is a predominant theme in my own life and that of my protagonist, Isabella of the Mediterranean Kingdom, a beautiful mermaid who is aged thirty years and given twenty extra pounds to carry. In keeping with this theme, I introduced a Second Acts series on my blog and invited several women to share their inspiring journeys.

Continue reading on the Soul Mate Author Group blog.

Movie: American Hustle

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Loosely based on the Abscam affair, a real political sting in the 1970s, American Hustle is easily one of the year’s best films. And its A-list actors—Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence—are definitely contenders for the 2014 Golden Globes and Oscars.

While corruption is at the core of this film, it is difficult to pin down each of these complex characters. As the balding and bloated Irving Rosenfeld, Christian Bale displays the empathetic side of a con artist who actually wants life to work out for others. He bonds with former stripper Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) who joins Irving’s scams, posing as a British aristocrat with banking connections.

Volatile F.B.I. agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) catches up with these partners in crime and coerces them into carrying out his big-time sting. As this unlikely trio works together, Richie falls under Sydney’s spell. Struggling with jealousy, Irving must also deal with his much younger and unpredictable wife, expertly portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence.

I highly recommend this engaging and entertaining film.



Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

This movie tugged at my heartstrings as I recalled many fond memories of the classic Mary Poppins. After leaving the theater, I rented the DVD and watched as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke sang and danced in a magical production that continues to delight viewers of all ages.

While Saving Mr. Banks may not achieve the same acclaim as Mary Poppins, the contemporary film provides an extraordinary back story to the beloved classic.

I was surprised to learn that author P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson) was a difficult woman who did not like children and often spoke her mind. Early in the film, she asks a woman seated near her on the flight to Los Angeles: “Will the child be a nuisance?”

Appalled by the excesses in Los Angeles, Mrs. Travers constantly reprimands the pleasant Disney secretary (Kathy Baker) when she brings in platefuls of food. In her hotel room, she turns a large Mickey Mouse doll to the wall with the following reprimand: “You can stay there until you learn the art of subtlety.”

Mrs. Travers appears petty and demanding as she questions every step of the creative process. As the film progresses, however, we discover why she is so protective of Mary Poppins and determined not to depict Mr. Banks as cruel and insensitive. Through a series of flashbacks, we are given glimpses of a dysfunctional childhood with an alcoholic father (Colin Farrell), a suicidal mother (Ruth Wilson) and an upbeat, orderly aunt (Rachel Giffiths).

Emma Thompson and Tom Hanks deliver Oscar-worthy performances in one of the best films of the season. Hanks is very convincing as Walt Disney, effectively capturing the revered founder’s mannerisms, boyishness, and optimism while Thompson nails the part of the prickly author, determined to save Mary Poppins from the excesses of the Disney empire.

Interesting Disney anecdotes involving P.L. Travers…

At the Mary Poppins premiere, Mrs. Travers informed Walt Disney there was still “a lot of work to do” on the movie. Disney responded, “Pamela, the ship has sailed.” The two never spoke again.

Years later, when J.K. Rowling outlined her expectations for a Harry Potter attraction in a theme park, several of the Disney executives recalled the Travers debacle and decided to take a pass. Universal stepped in and acquired the rights.



Goddess Fish Tour Winners!

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

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On Wednesday, I completed my seven-week tour with Goddess Fish. I wish to thank Marianne Arkins for all her help and support during the past two months.

Congratulations to …

Commenter Natasha Donohoo – $75 Amazon gift card.

Host of The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl Blog – $25 Amazon gift card

A big thank you to everyone who visited and commented on my posts.

Happy Holidays!


Trailer Tuesday–Victoria Pinder

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to the Trailer Tuesday series!

Today, I am pleased to feature a book trailer from Soul Mate author Victoria Pinder.

In The Zoastra Affair, the Earth has endured a tremendous alien attack that has left Montreal in shambles. Humans, most especially Cross, intend to find the aliens who attacked our planet.

Enjoy!

Where to find Victoria…

Website | Twitter | Amazon | Facebook | Google+ | Pinterest

Honoring Nelson Mandela

Posted on by Joanne Guidoccio

mandela1Revered elder. Symbol of perseverance and reconciliation. Father of the nation. Recipient of over 250 awards, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet Order of Lenin.

These are only a handful of accolades that come to mind whenever Nelson Mandela’s name is mentioned. So, it is with great sadness that we join the South African nation in bidding farewell to an extraordinary man whose life is testimony to the Power of One.

My favorite Nelson Mandela quotes…

For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your friend.

After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.

Money won’t create success, the freedom to make it will.

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.

When the water starts boiling, it is foolish to turn off the heat.

There is no such thing as part freedom.

I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself.

What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.