Everyone deserves a second chance - or do they? Sara Weber has always felt she was married to two people - her husband Paul and his ex-wife Mona. Suddenly, Sara's marriage is turned upside down when Mona demands money from Paul for their college-bound daughter Claudia. Paul's response? He wants Claudia to move across the country to Arizona, live with him and Sara, and attend the local university. When Claudia is in a car accident, Mona swoops in and attempts to re-kindle a relationship with Paul. Devastated, Sara turns to the last person she ever thought could help her - her own stepmother. Surprises await you in Second Chance - a story about marriage and forgiveness and a second chance at love.
I knew I wanted to be a writer as soon as I learned what a book was. Getting a library card, for me, was as exciting as going to Disneyland - maybe better. Reading was fun but then I discovered writing! Ah, that was where the magic happened. Creating my own world and having total control over it - it was the stuff any shy awkward little kid dreamed of. In grammar school, I wrote stories about kittens and puppies. In high school, I wrote about unrequited love. With a fellow classmate, I rewrote Pride and Prejudice as a stage play and even talked one of the nuns into letting us perform it for our class.
Just before graduation from high school, I wrote an episode for Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, a television show popular at that time. Even though I was only seventeen, I managed to obtain an agent from Samuel French, Inc. (he had no clue I wasn't old enough to sign a contract if he sold the script!). My script made it all the way to 20th Century Fox Studios and that rejection letter is still one of my most prized possessions.
I wanted to be a journalism major in college, but my guidance counselor talked me out of it. Back then, nursing or teaching were the only professions women were encouraged to pursue. So, my dream of becoming a writer was put on hold for the next few - make that many - years as life took precedence. Now that life has settled down, I have found that the urge to write won't let me be and I have once again put my pencil to paper.
My first journey into publication took the shape of a health newsletter for Baby Boomers that I started in 1997 with a friend but it wasn't a success. I think we were ahead of our time. Boomers just weren't ready to look at their health back then.
But that didn't stop me. My next venture was online and I was fortunate to publish several medical and health-related articles, even having my own monthly health column at one point. I eventually branched out into print magazines.
But making up stories has always been my first love. I knew I wanted to write fiction. I started playing a game of 'what-if' one day with an idea that had been rolling around my mind and the seeds for Second Chance started to sprout. I drew on my own emotional experience as a second wife and stepmother while giving Sara, the protagonist, her voice.
Writing novels is what I want to do. I am happiest when I am placing my characters in difficult situations and then letting them guide me out of them. I always try to include a relevant topic from today as well. My second novel, written with co-author Joyce Norman, is the story of a young film-maker and who falls in love with an orphan baby boy in Brazil and attempts to bring him home to the United States. It is a story somewhat reminiscent of today's headline story although our book is set in the 1980's and was influenced by a true story as well.
I am also halfway through two other books. One of them touches on the troubles in our health care industry and senior citizens. The other is a fun tale involving reincarnation.
My husband and I love our Arizona home and wonder sometimes why we didn't move here sooner. In my "spare" time, I read every chance I get. I love to cook and often invent my own recipes. Trouble is, I never write them down so chances are we never get to eat it quite the same way every time. My husband spends his spare time tinkering with antique Mercedes cars. And we both love playing with our fur family. We have two dogs - Jessie and Toby - and four cats - Casey, Charlotte, Riley, and new kitten Chaz. Riley has his own blog! Check it out to see what he and his buddies have gotten into recently.
