The Art of Reinvention

Posted on February 16, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have multi-published, award-winning author Claire Gem sharing her leap into a spectacular second act.

Here’s Claire!

The day I turned fifty years old, I had what could be described as the perfect life. I was healthy and happily married to the same man since I was twenty. My kids were all healthy, successful adults. I’d recently landed a fantastic job at Tufts University in the field I’d been working in all my life – scientific research – and was making more money than I ever dreamed. My 35-hour workweek was Monday through Friday, no weekends or holidays. I was the manager and had free reign to redesign the department any way I saw fit.

Still, something was missing.

It took me the next four years—and many thousands of dollars—to find out what that something was. I wanted to be a writer. It was an activity I’d always enjoyed, but I’d never taken the time to develop the skill. Being the scientific, logical thinker that I was, I decided I needed to go back for a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. I needed to learn “the right way” to become a writer.

Now, don’t get me wrong: The time I spent earning my degree at Lesley University was enlightening, enriching, and motivating. But honestly? I don’t think I had to spend an exorbitant amount of money to “validate” my writing talent. I’d already gotten that validation, almost forty years earlier, when I was in the seventh grade. I just hadn’t believed in that advice, or in myself, enough.

My English teacher, Nancy Prather, taught heavy on the essay skills and was equally scorned by all her students. That included me, until the day she called me up to her desk waving my latest essay like a flag, a serious expression on her face. I was terrified.

“Miss DelNegro,” she began, and none too quietly. “You have produced a rather impressive piece of writing here for a girl your age.”

I blinked. The way she said it—almost accusingly, I wondered . . . was that a good thing, or a bad one?

Miss Prather saw the confusion that was apparently written all over my face. “What I’m saying, my girl, is that you have a natural talent for writing.” She thrust the paper at me and issued a stern command. “No matter what you choose to do with your life, remember this: You are a writer. Don’t let this natural ability go to waste.”

Oh, if only I’d believed her. Turns out my writing ability was not only a talent, but also critical to my state of balance, of well-being. To be fulfilled, and completely happy, I had to be writing.

Still, at fifty years old with not a single piece of published writing to my credit, I needed additional validation: those three little letters—MFA—behind my name. And I’m sure those letters did catch the attention of the editors to whom I submitted over the next few years. But I still had enough rejection letters to paper my office before my first novel, Phantom Traces, was accepted by SoulMate Publishing in 2013. That was five novels, two short stories in anthologies, a memoir, a writer’s resource book, and numerous literary awards ago.

Today, at sixty, I still work by day in scientific research. But my dream—to be a full-time writer—is right around the corner. Yes, it’s been a hard-earned dream. Dedication and focus. Many midnight hours and long weekends at the keyboard. But I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.

Is fifty too old to reinvent your life? Is sixty? Hell, no. Does it seem crazy to some of my family, friends, and colleagues that I yearn to leave the security of a dream job to become a writer? Sure does. But the ones who truly know me see that I am now what I was not ten years ago. Complete.

And I will say it to the world, as well as to Nancy Prather, wherever she is now: I was born to be a writer. I am a writer.

It’s never too late to reinvent yourself into what you were born to be. Everyone has a secret passion. A gift. Figure out what yours is, and don’t let anything stand in your way. Go for it.

Bio

Strong Women, Starting Over
~Redefining Romance~

Claire is a multi-published, award winning author of five titles in the genres of contemporary romance, supernatural suspense, and women’s fiction. She also writes Author Resource guide books and presents seminars on writing craft and marketing.

Her supernatural suspense, Hearts Unloched, won the 2016 New York Book Festival, and was a finalist in the 2017 RONE Awards. Also in 2017, her women’s fiction, The Phoenix Syndrome, was a finalist in the National Reader’s Choice Awards, and her contemporary romance, A Taming Season, was a Literary Award of Merit finalist in the HOLT Medallion Awards. Her latest release, Spirits of the Heart, was a finalist in the 2017 “I Heart Indie Awards.”

Creating cross-genre fiction she calls “supernatural suspense,” Claire loves exploring the paranormal and the unexplained, and holds a certificate in Parapsychology from the Rhine Research Center of Duke University.

A New York native, Claire has lived in five of the United States and held a variety of jobs, from waitress to bridal designer to research technician—but loves being an author best. She and her happily-ever-after hero, her husband of 39 years, now live in central Massachusetts.

Claire is available for seminars & media interviews & loves to travel for book promotional events.

Where to find Claire…

Joanne here!

Claire, I’m in awe of your achievements. Thanks for sharing your inspiring reinvention story.

Absorbing the World Through Stimulation of the Senses

Posted on February 12, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Wild Rose Press author Gary Guinn. Today, Gary shares the highlights of his ongoing road trip and his two novels, A Late Flooding Thaw and Sacrificial Lam.

Here’s Gary!

Mary Ann and I are about half-way through a two-month road trip, and we might decide to make it three. We bought an old Safari Trek RV (Safari Treks are a whole story in themselves) and decided to head for warmer weather and places where cedar allergies are not an issue. And we wanted to see some of the country we’d never seen before. We’ve traveled about 2,500 miles. We’ve refueled our love for New Mexico, fallen in love with parts of Arizona, and finally arrived in our idea of heaven—Padre Island National Seashore, where we have no phone service, no wi-fi, and no worries.

I was concerned, before we set off, about driving an RV all day and then trying to write in the evening. But the problem solved itself in an unexpected way. For several reasons, I’ve never been an early morning writer. Didn’t think I ever would be. On this trip, I wake up at six o’clock, and Mary Ann sleeps till eight. I spend the two hours of silence sitting between our two dogs on the sofa writing, getting more done than I would in two hours at home in my study. If good writing comes, at least in part, from absorbing the world through stimulation of the senses, I may be a better writer when I get home.

Here are just three things about this trip we will remember.

The sky at Aguirre Spring Campground. I thought I knew the night sky before Aguirre Spring, but I didn’t. In fact, I didn’t have a clue. The overwhelming breadth and depth of black backdrop. The startling number and the brilliance of the constellations. On a good night in my small-town home, I can identify several constellations. When I stepped out of the RV the first night at Aguirre Spring, I couldn’t restrain a groan of pure wonder. Constellation after constellation, distinct and bright, sometimes overlapping, more than I could have imagined. The experience redefined the word awe for me.

The Cactus RV Park in Tucumcari. Nothing fancy. Right on the main road. No good places to eat nearby. But it was like stepping back into the 1950’s. Surrounded by what must have been one of those early highway motels, now defunct and shuttered, we almost had the feeling we were intruding on the lives of those people who stopped there fifty or sixty years ago in their Ford or Chevy or Plymouth or Chrysler. There would have been a central, tree-lined courtyard, where the people sat to cool off in the evening and watch the kids play, having casual conversation with strangers. It’s all now just sandy slots for self-contained RV’s, and not many of those. A bit of a haunted place.

And finally, this little slice of Heaven, the Padre Island National Seashore. Mary Ann and I love the ocean, and we try to get to its shore as often as we can. It has a magical effect on us. When we first smell the brine in the air as we approach the coast, the stress begins to melt from our shoulders down our backs. When we catch our first glimpse of the water, it’s like an electromagnet with the drawing power growing as the current increases. And finally, when we walk on the sand—well, when we walk on the sand, a kind of joy rises in us and we can’t help laughing. This time, when our aging lab-mix, Seamus, ran out onto the beach, he was like a puppy again. A puppy who didn’t know which way to turn first, who couldn’t contain all the sensual stimulation hitting him.

We understood. We felt the same way.

Blurb – Sacrificial Lam

When English professor Lam Corso receives a death threat at work, he laughs it off. A liberal activist teaching at a small Southern conservative college, he’s used to stirring up controversy on campus. It’s just part of the give and take of life. Even when violently attacked, Lam is convinced it has to be a mistake. He can’t imagine anyone who would want to kill him for his beliefs.

When his home is broken into and his wife’s business vandalized, Lam is forced to face facts. The police can’t find a single lead. Lam’s wife—a passionate anti-gun crusader—is outraged when Lam brings a gun into the house for protection. Left to their own devices, Lam and Susan must examine their marriage, faith, and values in the face of a carefully targeted attack from an assailant spurred into action by a different set of beliefs.

What will it cost to survive?

Blurb – A Late Flooding Thaw

Henry and Walter Bass struggle to escape the shadows of their alcoholic father, their reclusive mother, and the prejudice of the small town of Delaney. When Walter marries Emma Sinclair, the only child of one of Delaney’s oldest families, tragic events are set in motion that change the lives of everyone involved. Each character in the drama that follows must struggle with the shadows of the living and the dead. In the violent world of Pentecostal religion, grace offers hope, but the failure of love brings destruction and the sins of the fathers curse the lives of the sons and daughters.

Bio

Gary Guinn taught literature and creative writing at a small private college for more than thirty years. His short fiction and poetry have been published in literary magazines and anthologies. His first novel, A Late Flooding Thaw, was published in 2005, and his second novel, Sacrificial Lam, was released March 3, 2017. He loves traveling, dogs, and brewing beer.

Where to find Gary…

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Spotlight on Marian Lanouette

Posted on February 5, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Amazon best-selling author Marian Lanouette. Today, Marian shares her inspiring journey and upcoming release, All the Deadly Lies.

Here’s Marian!

I’d like to thank Joanne for hosting me today. She gave me an interesting assignment to post briefly about my writing journey.

When I first started writing, I, like every other author, wanted the New York publisher, and the New York agent. Did I get them after many letters, inquiries, or form letter rejections? I did, but it took me nine years to get there.

I was offered a contract from a small press immediately after completing my second book. Naturally, I was thrilled that someone wanted me and my stories. The publisher and I worked together to put out the Jake Carrington series. But Jake didn’t splash into the large pool like I wanted him to. That was no fault of mine or the publisher’s. I had expected more than they offered and as with any book, it’s up to the author to promote it, and themselves. And more important, to have your next book ready to keep your readers captivated.

After the contracted time period I took my rights back and decided to journey into the ocean of self-pub authors. I met with some success. Jake Carrington and his crew were well received and I was now making a living at something I loved with a passion–Writing.

Along the way I’ve met some great authors like Joanne, and readers alike. I’ve been out and about at readings, libraries, and conferences all while learning the business. It’s been a thrilling expedition and even today I still continue to learn.

So nine years later…I met my NY publisher/editor Michaela Hamilton at Kensington, and agent Doug Grad from the Doug Grad Literary Agency, in the same night. Needless to say I was off the wall when I was offered a four book deal from Michaela for Jake’s series. I think and hope (fingers crossed) that readers of the series will be as excited for Jake and his new journey as I am for him and myself as well as welcoming new readers to the series. We look forward to many years of working together with this team and can’t wait to see what’s around the next corner.

Blurb

Homicide detective Jake Carrington takes murder personally…

The victim was bludgeoned, stripped, and left for dead. Shanna Wagner deserves justice—and there’s no better cop than Lieutenant Jake Carrington to find her killer. The brutality of the crime reminds Jake of his sister’s murder seventeen years ago, and the remorseless man responsible, now up for parole.

Then another woman is killed—and Jake goes dangerously close to the edge. He’ll have to face his personal demons and focus his formidable skills if he hopes to stop a vicious murderer from striking again—and hold on to his career, and his life . . .

Buy links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Where to find Marian…

Sometimes It Just Takes Courage

Posted on February 2, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my Second Acts Series!

Today, we have author D.R. Grady sharing her writing journey and latest release, The Nerd Who Spied Me.

Here’s D.R. Grady!

I knew I wanted to be a writer from the first moment I learned that by combining words you got a sentence and sentences a paragraph and then – wow, a story! The story teller within me awoke—a magical moment in my young life.

However, I’m a practical person, and I knew becoming an author who could support herself with her art probably wasn’t in my immediate future. So I opted to study Biology at college and graduated with a B.S. in Biology. This led to a series of jobs after college, and I did manage to support myself with my lab skills.

I did not, however, write. The stories were there, piling on top of each other, but I didn’t have a computer at the time, and buying one wasn’t cheap then, so I worked and saved and ignored my muse.

Over the course of a few years, and after making rent, student loans, and a car payment, I finally had saved enough money to buy a computer. A massive desktop that I couldn’t believe I finally owned!

For the first year or so I used it to keep in touch with friends via email, and I started a file for all those books in my brain. Then I changed jobs and moved a couple of times and life got busy. I kept up with email, but no writing.

One day I mentioned to my boss at the time how I had this idea in my head that kept niggling. He encouraged me to start writing the story. And he and a work colleague both urged me to attend my first Romance Writers of America local chapter meeting.

That took more courage than I thought I had, because I had convinced myself all the writers there were multi-published senator’s wives who lived in their dream homes with dream careers and… I was daunted. After much support from my fabulous boss and colleague, I finally mustered the courage and attended my first meeting.

And found people just like me!

Not a senator’s wife in sight (who are probably lovely people, by the way). I instead met plenty of other authors who were just trying to build a career writing books they loved and that they hoped others would love too. I finished that first book and many more since.

Since then, I’ve just seen my twentieth book published, The Nerd Who Spied Me! I continue that idea file and have replaced that first computer several times. (: All it took was courage to take that first step!

Blurb

Cian Hunter is tasked with the impossible: find Verity Wellington and bring her home safely. His survival is not guaranteed.

Everyone in their business knows Verity is perfectly capable of getting herself home, since she’s the gut-them-first-and-ask-questions-later type of operative. She also has the advantage of knowing where she is, which would be helpful.

He accepts the assignment, aware two operatives are better than one when dealing with the nebulous factions who lurk in the shadows. Plus, the chance to get close to Verity to see if his attraction to her is more than a fleeting interest is too good to pass up. Provided she doesn’t gut him first.

Cian is confident in his secret operative abilities, despite wishing to leave them behind. However, his relationship goals leave something to be desired. If he can figure those out… he might stand a chance of getting them both home alive.

Pitch line: They’re confident in their secret operative abilities, but maybe not so much in their relationship goals.

Excerpt

“Thanks for playing nice with my family.” He whispered this to Verity as Chrissy flitted into the kitchen to get them both a beverage. Jay followed, to “help” her. Cian guessed.

Jay tagged along to steal a smooch or two.

“I have no reason not to.”

Her logic was faultless.

“I’m still thankful for the effort.”

She didn’t snort but did eye him as though sorting through the various means she had of offing someone—as though deciding which to use proved challenging.

It sent all of his blood fleeing from his brain. His eyes dipped to her lips.

“Don’t even think about it.” Her warning came a second too late.

“Sorry, already did.”

“You’re not sorry,” she scoffed. “I will eviscerate you in your sister’s living room.”

“That’s not nice.” More blood pumped from his brain. This was not going as well as could be expected. He couldn’t seem to drag his gaze from those pouty lips.

One side of those delectable treats rose in a snarl. “Don’t even think about kissing me, Hunter.”

He, in usual form, ignored her warning. Wrapping one arm around her waist, he yanked her against him. Then he melded their lips because he had to know.

“You are in such big trou—” Her words halted because his mouth blocked them and he ran his tongue over the seam of her lips. She gasped, and he pressed the advantage, using any and all available.

A groan escaped his throat and meshed with hers.

Buy Links

Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | Smashwords |
Createspace – Coming Soon!

Bio

D.R. Grady lives with her husband near Hershey, PA. She adores chocolate, laughing, collecting bags, books, and shoes, and writing stories that resonate with others.

Where to find D. R. Grady…

Joanne here!

Thanks for sharing your inspiring journey. Best of luck with all your creative endeavors.

All About Japanese Robots

Posted on January 29, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome Wild Rose Press author Linda Nightingale. Today, Linda introduces Japanese robots and shares her latest audiobook releases, Love for Sale and Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody.

Here’s Linda!

This may seem to fly off the pages of science fiction, but it’s a hot new research field and making rapid progress.

At the Toshiba booth at the Consumer Electronics show, Chihira Aico, a life-sized robot in a pink party dress with pearls, stood like a mannequin, perfectly still—at first. Suddenly, the android began to gesture wildly.

“I can be a news reader, consultant or cheerleader!” She threw her arms up and squealed, “I can get excited!”

Chihira is a new concept for a life-like android. Her creators intend to make her seem even more expressive when interacting with humans. By adding additional motors to her joints, engineers are refining her movements to make them appear fluid while programmers work on her language processing, improving her communications skills and responsiveness. The ultimate goal is for the robot to read human behaviors and emotions, then mimic them, thereby appearing human herself.

This complicated piece of hardware has over 40 motors in her joints to coordinate her body’s movements. Fifteen tiny air pumps on her fact control the blinking of her eyes and the opening of her mouth as she speaks. Toshiba developed Chihira under the direction of Hitoshi Tokuda, the project leader. Osaka University performed the muscle research, building on previous work on prosthetic limbs.

On-lookers thought Chihira was creepy. What do you think?

A hi-tech hotel in Japan, Nagasaki prefecture’s Henn-na Hotel, opening in July will employ ten robots at the check-in counter as receptionists. If you think these humanoid androids are creepy, you might think twice about visiting this hotel. They can establish eye contact and respond to body language.

When I wrote Love For Sale, my sci-fi romance from The Wild Rose Press, I didn’t know about the Japanese life-like robots. In fact, Love for Sale was inspired by Tanith Lee’s immortal Silver Metal Lover. I don’t find robots creepy but extremely interesting. I’d love to interact with a human-like android.

A recent Pew report entitled, “A.I., Robotics, and the Future of Jobs,” suggests that while it might be some time before we see a robot takeover of our workforce, we’ll be having sex with them sooner than we think. Hum. Interesting. Would you find a sentient being programmed to love you disturbing?

Love For Sale is about Christian and March. March is a disenchanted dreamer. Christian is her dream man, but…inside he’s all circuits and wires while outside he is perfectly human and programmed to love her unconditionally.

Love for Sale and Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody have been released as audio books. Both are read by a woman with a lovely British accent and are enchanting to listen to.

Audible Samples/Buy Links

Love for Sale | Morgan D’Arcy: A Vampyre Rhapsody

Bio

Born in South Carolina, Linda has lived in England, Canada, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Atlanta and Houston. She’s seen a lot of this country from the windshield of a truck pulling a horse trailer, having bred, trained and showed Andalusian horses for many years.

Linda has won several writing awards, including the Georgia Romance Writers Magnolia Award and the SARA Merritt. She retired from a career as a retired legal assistant, just joined the Houston BMW Club, and the stars in her crown—two wonderful sons. In a former life, she must have had to walk everywhere because today she is into transportation with fine taste in expensive horses and hot cars! She likes to dress up and host formal dinner parties.

Where to find Linda…

Note: Visit and look around Linda’s website. There’s a free continuing vampire story. On her blog, you’ll find interesting guests and prizes.

Giveaway

Leave a comment below – You could win a sterling silver Texas charm.

The M.D. Writer-Mom

Posted on January 26, 2018 by Joanne Guidoccio

I’m happy to welcome doctor and award-winning mystery author Melissa Yuan-Innes aka Melissa Yi to the Second Act series. Today, Melissa shares her multi-act life and the Hope Sze Medical Mystery Series.

Here’s Melissa!

So far, I’m spinning three different careers simultaneously. I’m an emergency physician, which is my most stressful, high-stakes job. I’m a writer who professionally published her first short story and poem in medical school. And I, personally, wouldn’t feel complete without my children.

Medicine takes up the most real estate in my life. I was a perpetual student for a quarter century, memorizing facts, waking up at all hours of the night, and eventually making life and death decisions.

When I finally finished training in emergency medicine, I felt uneasy. I’d been shackled to a schedule, rotating from specialty to specialty and hospital to hospital, and now I could literally practice anywhere in the world, as long as I got the proper licensing and my husband agreed to it.

I told my friends, “It’s like the Simpsons episode where Homer goes up in space and smashes the terrarium, and as the ants go flying off in zero gravity, they’re chittering, ‘Freedom! Horrible, horrible freedom!’” Watch here.

In my heart, though, I knew what I wanted to do. The same thing I’d wanted to do since I was five years old. I wanted to write.

For that, I needed time and energy. Since 24 hour shifts are not conducive to creativity, I had to limit my emergency shifts.

I said to my husband, “Now that I’ve graduated, I can finally make money. That’s what everyone else is doing. Is it crazy that I want to write?”

Matt is an engineer who takes emotions out of the equation. He basically said, “You went to school for so many years so that you can afford to write.” He has offered to support me if I want to write, but I never really considered it. I wanted to be my own patron of the arts, able to support myself, my family, and my writing.

It means that I’m a relatively impoverished doctor. One of my friends made fun of me because she made more in six months than I did in a year. I wish I were a more productive writer. And my kids constantly complain that I don’t spend enough time with them, and were quite piteous as they waved goodbye to me yesterday, as I drove through the ice to my evening shift.

On the other hand, I am happy. I can and did run last Saturday’s night shift—and CBC Books selected Human Remains (https://windtreepress.com/portfolio/human-remains/), my latest medical thriller, as their top mystery pick for their holiday gift guide (http://www.cbc.ca/books/10-books-for-those-mad-for-mysteries-on-your-list-1.4442631).

Where to find Melissa…

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon

Joanne here!

Melissa, thank you for sharing your intriguing journey. I’m impressed by your work ethic and the number of books you have written. Best of luck in the future!

Intrigued by the author’s back story, I decided to read Code Blues, the first book in the Hope Sze Medical Mystery series. Captivated from the start, I found myself enmeshed in a medical drama that kept me up two nights in a row. From Ms. Yi’s vivid descriptions, I could easily imagine the dilapidated Montreal hospital and the conflicted characters, who struggle with boundaries and relationships. The murder of a beloved doctor sets in motion a riveting narrative that takes many unexpected twists and turns. I continually second-guessed myself as I attempted to identify the murderer in this well-plotted, character-driven novel.

Spotlight on Catherine Castle

Posted on January 22, 2018 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…

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 January 19, 2018 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.

Merging My Passions

Posted on January 12, 2018 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

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.

Spotlight on Amey Zeigler

Posted on January 8, 2018 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…