Update from Regina and a Holiday Welcome!

November 20, 2017
First of all, let me say thank you, thank you and thank you to everyone who joined in on the Summer of '17 blog tour!!

We had a great time and a lot of new friendships were formed - as well as long-standing friendships rewarmed :-)

Hopefully I will be able to come up with a catchy theme at the beginning of the new year. Any ideas? Send me your concepts and I will send you an ecopy of "Spotlight on Love'.

Here's a brief recap of what it is about:
Ever-dutiful nurse Helen Middleton is an emergency room supervisor at Rhode Island Hospital. To help her family through tough economic times, she's sacrificed her dreams of a singing career for steadier employment.

Everything changes when she meets William 'Red' Williamson, a dynamic and compelling man she finds irresistible. As they to get to know each other, Helen once more considers following her musical dreams. 

As a new world of romance and song seem to be opening up to her, the horrors of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 stun the world and throw Red and Helen into the danger and chaos of wartime. Will Helen's dreams be shattered by World War II, or can the power of love triumph over seemingly insurmountable obstacles?

One of the most interesting aspects to this book is that is based on my parents' unique love story. My mother actually was a nurse (and a fantastic vocalist) and my father was an Army Colonel running the U.S. Postal Coordination in Algeria. So, as you can imagine, this book means a lot to me. I would love to share it with one of you! Leave me a comment with an idea for a theme and my nephew will select on at random from a hat for us! Be sure and leave me your email address :-)

Recently, I have participated in quite a few promotions with Book Cave.com - they are fantastic, a great way to get exposure. Here's the link to learn more:  https://mybookcave.com/d/d8f21d78/

The biggest news these days is the Upcoming Author's Expo with ARIA--the Association of Rhode Island Authors on Saturday, December 2, from 10-5pm at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet in Cranston, RI. Over 100 authors will be there signing their books, and there will be lectures and workshops, too. I hope you will be able to join us at this fun event!  Here's the link: http://www.riauthors.org/riexpo/

I am thankful to all of you for your continued interest and support! Wishing you a very joyous, happy Thanksgiving. May you be blessed in every way!

Regina Andrews shared Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA)'s event.

Yesterday at 12:20am · 

DEC2

Going

5th Annual Rhode Island Author Expo 2017

Sat 10 AM · Rhodes on the Pawtuxet · Cranston, RI

You like Association of Rhode Island Authors (ARIA)

Welcome, Writer, Proofreader and Copywriter Nicole Cunningham!

Copywriter, copy editor, and proofreader Nicole Cunningham grew up in Sandy, UT, a suburb of Salt Lake City. She now resides on the East Coast, in the suburbs of Providence, RI.

Welcome to my blog, Nicole. What is your newest project about?

Oh boy, Gina, I have several projects going all at once, as I'm sure we all do. I've recently launched my freelance business, Word: Smith & Jones, that has let me expand my reach as a proofreader and copy editor beyond the corporate world. I'm excited to currently be working on a series of blog posts called “The Layoff Club” for people who have been recently laid off. It's a subject that's close to my heart because I was laid off from my corporate job last year, then my sister and a good friend were laid off this past spring (after both having been at their company for more than 20 years). It just goes to show that it can happen to anyone.

Where did you get your inspiration for this work?

Whether you see it coming or it's a surprise to you, a layoff can be devastating to your self confidence. And so confusing! My goal is to do a step-by-step process of dealing with this kind of job loss. From what to do the first week (nothing, if at all possible, except breathe), to the second week, to the first month, etc. Of course, nobody's circumstance is exactly the same, but I share what I did after my layoff and what I wish I had done.

What kind of research did you do for this project?

It was all hands-on, baby! Although, I did take advantage of my company's employment assistance program, which was extremely helpful, and I incorporate some of the learnings I got from that. I've also had help from my fellow laid-off friends, who inspired the name, “The Layoff Club.”

Did you put real experiences from your research in this work?

You could say that! But some of the names were changed to protect the guilty.

Tell us a bit about your other projects.

My sister and I are also going to be launching a lifestyle blog called The Sassy Stapler, hopefully by mid-October. It will feature our not-so-secret passion for decorative, functional, and downright quirky office products. If you get a happy little thrill from wandering the aisles of an office supply store, or you know the office supply drawer or closet at work like the back of your hand, you'll like our new blog. We'll be writing about new products, new uses for old favorites, and covering the latest fashion trends in the world of office products. It's gonna be so much fun!

In addition, I'm writing a children's book about waking up the sun. What would you do if you found out that the sun had slept in and forgotten to rise one morning? It is inspired by my grandniece, Ruby, who has all sorts of goodnight books, but not very many wake-up books to choose from.

When you have time to read, who are some of your favorite authors?

It's funny, there are people who were surprised to find out that after I've been proofreading all day, I actually do enjoy going home and reading for pleasure. My favorite genre is young adult fantasy/sci fi, and my most favorite author of all is Madeleine L'Engle. I think I've read her book, “The Young Unicorns,” at least 15 times, if not more. I love it every time. My other favorite author is Tamora Pierce, who writes about strong female warriors. My oldest niece actually introduced me to Ms. Pierce's books, and I love that her writing has been so inspirational for girls.

Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring thing you’ve ever done.

Hmm, the most daring thing... I think moving across the country 17 years ago with only 2 suitcases and 2 cats is still the most daring thing I've ever done. I didn't have a job where I was going, and I didn't bring my  car because my sister said, “just take public transportation, Nik.” Except getting from the suburbs of Rhode Island, where we lived, to anywhere else using public transportation is not the fastest or most efficient way to travel. But I survived!

To learn more about Nicole, visit her website at wordsmithandjones.net.

www.wordsmithandjones.net

Thank you so much for visiting “Gina’s World of Good”, Nicole! I wish you many sales and much success!!

Welcome, Medieval Romance Author Joyce DiPastena!

Author Joyce DiPastena grew up in the small copper mining town of Kearny, Arizona. She now lives in Mesa, Arizona. Sign up for Joyce's newsletter at http://joycedipastenaauthor.blogspot.com/ and receive a FREE ebook copy of the first volume in her Poitevin Hearts romance series, Loyalty’s Web.

Welcome to my blog, Joyce! What is your newest book about?

Courting Cassandry is part of what I call my Hearts in Autumn historical romance series. This series is based on heroes and heroines finding love in their 40s and 50s. I know those aren’t anywhere near considered the “autumn years” today, but they would have been during the Middle Ages when my stories are set. Here’s a short description of Courting Cassandry.

Is it too late for second chances when the girl you loved in your youth comes back into your life?

Gerolt de Warenne became guardian to a child-heiress named Cassandry when he was only nineteen-years old. As he watched her grow into a lovely young woman, he found himself falling in love with her, but Cassandry viewed him as an older brother. So, burying his feelings, he gave permission for her to marry another.

Twenty-four years later Gerolt and Cassandry meet again. With the loss of their respective spouses, Gerolt hopes to finally court Cassandry, but she desires to remain a widow. Instead, they agree to a betrothal of their children. Matters become complicated as their friendship begins to evolve into the romance Gerolt has always wanted. But by the law of the medieval Church, Cassandry and Gerolt can’t marry if their children do. Can they find a way to be together? Or must they sacrifice their future for the love of their children?

"Courting Cassandry" is a “Hearts in Autumn” romance, medieval romances revolving around heroes and heroines “in the autumn of their years.” Because love isn’t only for the young!

Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

Several years ago, I received a challenge in a writing group to write an “autumn romance.” The idea came to me to interpret “autumn” as a more mature season of life, rather a season of the year, and that, in return, inspired me to begin my Hearts in Autumn series. The first title in the series is Loving Lucianna. Courting Cassandry is  

the second, but since these titles are theme, rather than character, related stories, they are all stand alone novels and can be read in any order. (I haven’t written a third book in the series yet, but I’m planning to!)

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I’ve been writing medieval-based stories for a very long time, so I’m familiar with much of the basic research elements by now. For this particular story, though, some of the subjects I researched were the Battle of Hattin during the Crusades, medieval treatments for headaches, and color blindness.

Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?

I usually don’t include real experiences in my stories, perhaps an occasional exception being my love for music. But for Courting Cassandry, I drew on an experience I was familiar with of emotional abuse in marriage, both on a spouse who is suffering from it and on the children who are aware of it, even when both parents try to conceal it from the children. I didn’t intend that to be a theme when I first started writing the story, but that’s where my characters ultimately determined to take it. Maybe they knew I would understand.

What intrigues you most about writing these stories?

I think at this point it’s a matter of age. (As in, I’m getting older, folks!) Most of my romances still center on young love, which is fun because it’s always “new and exciting” for the characters. But I’m finding it refreshing to occasionally approach the subject through the eyes of characters who have lived more of life, who have a greater degree of experience over a longer arc of time, and have different kinds of relationships with family

members. Instead of writing about a daughter or a mother with young children, I get to write about parents with teenagers from the parents’ point of view. That was an entirely different kind of experience to explore and was tremendous fun for me in Courting Cassandry. I’m looking forward to doing more of that type of thing with future Hearts in Autumn romances.

Tell us a bit about your other books.

In addition to my Hearts in Autumn romance series, I have a series called Poitevin Hearts. These are romances set in an area of France known as Poitou, which was ruled by the kings of England in the 12th century. Although this series (so far only 3 volumes but I hope to write more) is connected by recurring characters, each of the stories can be read as a stand alone novel and therefore, they can be read and enjoyed in any order, even if the reader hasn’t read the previous books. I also have a few completely stand alone titles, although one (The Lady and the Minstrel) is actually connected to my first Poitevin Hearts romance, Loyalty’s Web. But since it takes place in England rather than Poitou, it doesn’t actually “fit” in the series title.

All my romances are clean medieval romances, spiced up with lots of mystery and adventure! You can read more about all of my books by visiting my website at www.joyce-dipastena.com.

Which of all your characters is your favorite?

I’d have to say Robert Marcel, from The Lady and the Minstrel. Born the son of a villein (the unfree peasant class of medieval England), he’s hot tempered and impulsive and can be somewhat insolent when he thinks he’s being condescended to by people who consider themselves “his betters.” But when someone of any class treats him fairly, they for that loyalty, for the way he never gives up, and the way he demanded that his world
for that loyalty, for the way he never gives up, and the way he demanded that his world allow him to become more than it said he could be. And hey, plus, he sings!

How did you get started in this genre?

When I first started writing clear back in high school, I dabbled with several historical time periods: the American Revolution, the American West, the Stuart kings of England, even a little Regency. Those were all stories I started and never finished. The first story that captured my interest to write it all the way to the words “the end” was set in the Middle Ages, and I’ve stayed with that time period ever since. I guess it was just meant to be.

When you have time to read, who are some of your favorite authors?

The Regency romances by Georgette Heyer are among my very favorite books. I never

grow tired of reading and re-reading them! I’m also a huge fan of The Three Musketeers and it’s sequel, Twenty Years Later, by Alexandre Dumas. No one does not only adventure, but also suspense, dialogue, and pathos better than Dumas in those books. I especially love Twenty Years Later for the historical angle it covers. Without giving anything away to those who haven’t read it, no matter how many times I re-read this title, Dumas always keeps me on the edge of my seat believing that “this time, the Musketeers are going to change that tragic bit of history.” That’s how deeply I get caught up in the story every single time.

Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring thing you’ve ever done.

I went to Italy with my sister. That wasn’t the daring part, because I was with my sister—but I also wasn’t with her much of the time, because she was on a work trip and I was just there to keep her company. So she was gone on work projects for most of the day and I was left to fend for myself in the city of Torino. I tried to teach myself Italian before I went (I do havwere kind as I wandered in and out of bakeries and stores and eventually discovered a museum (a replica of a late medieval castle) where thankfully,

were kind as I wandered in and out of bakeries and stores and eventually discovered a museum (a replica of a late medieval castle) where thankfully, they did a tour for me in English. I’m generally a very introverted person, so pushing myself to explore a city on my own where I didn’t speak the language was extremely daring for me! But as I said, the local people were kind and I will always be grateful to them.

Favorite meal? Depends on the season of the year. Probably pasta in the winter. And a good rib-eye steak with a baked potato slathered in butter is always a treat.

City you would love to visit and why? I’d love to visit Venice, because one of my works-in-progress is set in medieval Venice and the more research I do, the more I know what I don’t know that I need to know. Haha! Yeah, I’m as confused about some of the research as that confusing sentence implies. A trip to Venice is obviously required, don’t you think? (Now, if I can just convince my bank account.)

To learn more about Joyce, visit her website at http://www.joyce-dipastena.com  You’ll find all her books at this site. And if you sign up for her newsletter, you will receive a FREE ebook copy of the first volume in her Poitevin Hearts romance series, Loyalty’s Web. Join her newsletter here. http://joycedipastenaauthor.blogspot.com

Joyce's links:

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJoyceDiPastena

Twitter @JoyceDiPastena.com

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/899999

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jdipastena/

Thank you so much for visiting “Gina’s World of Good”! I wish you many sales!!

Welcome, Author Miss Mae with your Audio Book "Catch Me If you Can"!

Author Miss Mae spent her childhood in east Tennessee, but now resides in Georgia. To be honest, she still wishes she was in Tennessee. "Miss my home state!"

Welcome to my blog! What is your newest book about?

I’d love to chat up my new audio book, “Catch Me If You Can” produced by Roger Rittner of Los Angeles, California. If I may gush a little with an opening from the PR release? (

You Can Now Hear the Award-Winning "Catch Me If You Can"

The howling wind of a hurricane. The creak of footsteps on the stairs. The wailing of a dog in the dark of night.

"Catch Me If You Can", the thrilling romantic mystery by award-winning author Miss Mae, is now available in an enhanced audiobook at PulpRadio.net.

"Catch Me If You Can" is a 2017 Platinum winner of the Hermes awards. With it’s five-star reader ratings at Amazon.com, the brand new audio version enhances the story with extensive sound effects, background accents, and a complete music score. The story is performed by five of Hollywood's best voice artists, and is produced by Roger Rittner Productions of Los Angeles.

In this riveting story, Lois Steinberg is washed ashore on a South Carolina island during a category four hurricane. She seeks shelter inside an old plantation house that was scheduled to host a video game convention to announce the newest mystery game, "Catch Me If You Can". But almost immediately, the cook is found murdered. Then the prize to be awarded at the convention, a CD of the game, goes missing. The quest to discover the answers becomes a maze more complicated than any "Catch Me" game could ever be devised, as Lois races to save her life ... and keep hidden her mysterious secret.

The new audiobook is available in a deluxe 6-CD set in library case, or as an instant MP3 download at PulpRadio.net.

Where did you get your inspiration for this book?

Several ideas/inspiration came to mind. First, I’ve always loved mystery and suspense stories, starting as a young girl with the likes of Nancy Drew, Donna Parker, Trixie Belden, etc. Graduated to Agatha Christie, Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney. So when “Catch Me If You Can” came to mind, I wanted a complicated who-dun-it. And I wanted all my characters to be confined in a group – meaning they HAD to interact and their personalities, motives, secrets, etc. would slowly be revealed for all to learn.

What kind of research did you do for this book?

In 1989 we moved to south Georgia, right before Hurricane Hugo hit. It was targeted to make landfall at Savannah, and we lived on the outskirts of town. However, right before it did so, it curved and aimed for Charleston, SC.

So when I needed a reason for my characters to be located together in one spot (see above question), I chose a hurricane. I placed the story in SC too, on a fictional island, though.

For some technical issues involved in my story, (government related), I had the aid of Mike Angley, OSI retired.

Did you put real experiences from your research in this story?

Yes. Describing the setting of the hurricane was similar to some things we experienced that night of Hugo.

What intrigues you most about writing these stories?

I assume the main character’s role and I imagine myself trying to muse and puzzle out the answers. I hope I make it as much fun for the readers as I have while ‘role playing’. (

Tell us a bit about your other books.

Would love to. I’m not all about mysteries, you know. LOL I also have a quirky, warped sense of humor. My latest is the “Ahoy, Mischaps!” series written for kids, but with grown kids-at-heart in mind. Number 1 in the series is: ‘Ahoy, Gum Drop!” It’s in print, ebook, and audio. The second book is: ‘Ahoy, Out There!’ It’s in print and ebook, and signed with Roger Rittner for the audio. I’ve released the third book: ‘Ahoy, Mummy Mia!’ Again, just in print and ebook. Hopefully, audio will come later.

If anyone has a love of chocolate and just plain old downright silliness, then these books are for you!

Which of all your characters is your favorite?

I love all the characters in “Catch Me If You Can”, of course. Each has their own unique personality. And I must say that the actors in the audio book were astounding at how they captured the characters’ quirks and feelings. J.W. Terry, who “plays” the obnoxious Bob took my breath away with how real he portrayed him; Stephen Mendel’s deep tones who plays Victor, the hero, made my heart go pitter-patter; Robin Riker who plays Lois, the heroine, sent shivers down my spine at how she knew exactly when to be soft and the next instant to be hard as nails (depending on the scene); Toni Attell, as Jenna the resort owner --ooh, she had “catty” to an art, and Dave Mallow as Andy was Nasty with a capital N.

How did you get started in this genre?

See above reference about loving Agatha Christie, etc. (

When you have time to read, who are some of your favorite authors?

James Herriot!

Let’s get personal for a moment: Please share with us the most daring thing you’ve ever done.

Favorite meal? City you would love to visit and why?

Most daring this? Hm, probably trying to take a horseback ride. Learned instantly that was NOT for me! LOL

Favorite meal? I love meatloaf.

After our episode of “travel” to Savannah, I’m not interested in visiting any other city, thank you. I’m a home girl and just want to spend my days with Mr. Mae and our three dogs. (

To learn more about this author, visit her website:

http://www.themissmaesite.com/p/welcome-readers.html

Miss Mae site

Thank you so much for visiting “Gina’s World of Good”, Miss Mae! I wish you many sales!!

Readers, remember that "Dove Island" and "Fated Destiny" by Miss Mae are always free. They are wonderful mini-reads, not full lengths, and you are more than welcome to enjoy them!

Miss Mae's links:

http://pulpradio.net/Catch_Me_If_You_Can.html

Next week the wonderful Medieval romance novelist Joyce DiPastena visits!