No More Secrets
by Joanne Guidoccio
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Women's Fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Angelica Delfino takes a
special interest in the lives of her three nieces, whom she affectionately
calls the daughters of her heart. Sensing that each woman is harboring a
troubling, possibly even toxic secret, Angelica decides to share her
secrets—secrets she had planned to take to the grave. Spellbound, the nieces
listen as Angelica travels back six decades to reveal an incredulous tale of
forbidden love, tragic loss, and reinvention. It is the classic immigrant story
upended: an Italian widow’s transformative journey amid the most unlikely of
circumstances.
Inspired by Angelica’s example, the younger women
share their “First World” problems and, in the process, set themselves free.
But one heartbreaking secret remains untold...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt
Two:
“Go,” Kelly said. “Your aunt is dying, and this could be
your last opportunity to spend some quality time together.”
“Her oncologist shared good news last week,” Nora said. “Her
blood counts have improved, and the cancer hadn’t spread since her last visit.
He mumbled something about a miracle.”
“A miracle?” Kelly’s eyes widened. “Has your aunt been
seeing a healer?”
“You could say that,” Nora said as her eyes twinkled. “Right
after Christmas, she hired a companion who’s been able to transform her life. I
don’t know her real name. My mother calls her Bellastrega—beautiful witch.” All
recent conversations with Ma had focused on Bellastrega. Relieved not to have
to share her own problems, Nora had encouraged her mother to talk about the
beautiful witch who had turned all their lives upside down. Nora enjoyed the
weekly updates that sounded like soap operas.
“Is she a beautiful witch?”
Nora shrugged. “My mother mentioned her dyed-blonde hair,
too-skinny body, and watery eyes. She’s put Zia on a vegan diet and an exercise
regimen. At Christmas, Zia needed a walker to get around, but now she’s walking
freely. My mother and aunt are convinced that Bellastrega is a witch who’ll end
up robbing Angelica and leaving.” Nora had tried to point out that if
Bellastrega’s intention was to steal, it would make more sense to let Angelica
get weaker.
“She sounds intriguing,” Kelly said. “I’d go just to meet
this woman.”
“Hmm. I guess.” Nora was curious and wouldn’t mind sitting
and chatting with the woman about wellness. But from Zia Angelica’s email, it
sounded like Bellastrega would leave soon after everyone arrived.
“Think of it as an adventure. How many beautiful witches
have you met in this lifetime?”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
In
2008, Joanne Guidoccio took advantage of early retirement and launched a second
act as a writer. Her articles and book reviews have been published in
newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made
reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of
Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Women’s Fiction Writers
Association, Joanne writes paranormal romances, cozy mysteries, and
inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.
Website
– https://joanneguidoccio.com
Twitter
– https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio
Goodreads
- https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio
Pinterest
– https://www.pinterest.ca/jguidoccio/
Facebook
- https://www.facebook.com/authorjoanneguidoccio
LinkedIn
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneguidoccio/
Amazon
- https://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Guidoccio/e/B00FAWJGCG/
Buy links:
Amazon
(US) - https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX
Amazon
(Canada) - https://www.amazon.ca/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX
Amazon
(UK) - https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX
Amazon
(Australia) - https://www.amazon.com.au/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX/
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?
Twelve years ago, I intended to firmly hold onto the reins of all my stories. That was three years before I started writing Between Land and Sea, a paranormal romance about a middle-aged mermaid.
Partway through the first draft, I started dreaming about Kendra Adams, one of the novel’s minor characters. I hadn’t fleshed out her character in any great detail. In my dreams, she appeared as a psychic. When I woke up after a vivid dream, I felt inspired to devote several chapters to Kendra. In the sequel, The Coming of Arabella, Kendra is one of the main characters.
I introduced Lynn Miller, aka Bellastrega as a psychic companion in No More Secrets. My original intention was to have her appear only in Chapter 1. That didn’t sit well with Bellastrega. She invaded my dreams several times and persuaded me to assign her a separate POV. When I decided to include an epilogue, I let her take over.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
I came up with the tagline—A tale of forbidden love, tragic losses, and reinvention—long before the pandemic reared its ugly head. While I don’t imagine there are too many cases of forbidden love at this time (I could be wrong), I know that people of all ages have experienced tragic losses of loved ones. Several scientists predict that over 2 million deaths will occur worldwide before a vaccine is available. Financial losses are even more rampant.
Novels, in particular women’s fiction, can provide temporary escapes along with flashes of inspiration. Resilience and reinvention are common themes. I recommend picking up a copy of No More Secrets and following Angelica Delfino’s transformative journey amid the most unlikely of circumstances.
Have you written any other books that are not published?
Last year, I finished writing When It Comes Out of Nowhere, a memoir of my cancer journey. One of the stories, “Prayers and Positive Thoughts,” appeared in Angels All Around, a Chicken Soup for the Soul anthology (August 2019 release).
Pen or typewriter or computer?
Computer. I love the ease and convenience.
Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Readers and Fans, Thank you for your encouragement and support over the past twelve years. I appreciate your reviews, blog comments, likes and follows on social media, and congratulatory emails. You have been wonderful companions on my creative journey.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER
CODE:
Joanne
Guidoccio will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly
drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
<a class="rcptr" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3453/" rel="nofollow" data-raflid="28e4345f3453" data-theme="classic" data-template="" id="rcwidget_qc92th3y">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2020/07/nbtm-no-more-secrets-by-joanne-guidoccio.html
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me. :)
ReplyDeleteI liked the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou're very welcome, Rita. Good luck with the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very good book.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sherry! :)
ReplyDelete