WOI Book Review: Trace of Echoes by Paul Steinberg

Sometimes love comes to us in unusual or unexpected ways as Dalton Hunter learned in Hurry Moon. Imagine falling in love with someone in your dreams and not really knowing if this person is an illusion or real. What would you do if you found or met your true love each time you went to bed,

had talks, went places and woke up remembering what happened but the person was gone? Sienna and Dalton had this make believe storybook or fairytale romance in his dreams from the time he turned seven. Their love and their adventures progressed over time until he became an adult. She was

there to guide him through many adolescent experiences, dating, friendships and even his first job. Becoming a famous photographer and working in the fashion industry was his entry into the world of film. Working for a man named Marcel for a while gave him hefty start and a huge salary thanks to

one of his professors. But, uneasy and wanting more he meets Samantha Choice and develops what he thinks could be a permanent relationship except Sienna is watching from the sidelines and realizes disaster when she sees it. So, when Dalton overhears her talking to her father and realizes her motive for wanting to marry him or have him in his life he takes action. But, Tony Choice is not someone you trifle with and revenge is on the menu in this second of the series Trace of Echoes by Paul Steinberg. The story starts where it ended off in the last book with Sienna recounting the past, telling

what happens with her mother who is not sure it is time for her to become Dalton’s reality and finding her way to a train station and that’s where we shall begin. 

 

When Sienna finally finds Dalton what happens next is right out of a romance novel with an unusual plot as Dalton introduces her to his father and his wife Sherry and then he meets with Francesca and Garrett her father.

 

The interaction is unique as his father is not completed convinced or overjoyed on the phone as yet. Hoping to buy a home in New York and both starting their own businesses there are two people that will do anything to foil their ambitions. Why Dalton decided to use Lindsey a friend of

Samantha Choice to help with these prospects is quite startling as Tony Choice and his daughter Samantha will do anything for revenge. Dalton is about to open Dream Brink photography studio and Sienna an office in her parent’s company. As their lives intertwine and the wedding plans are going

forward will Tony Choice with the help of Jasmine, Samantha’s assistant take Dalton down?

 

When both sets of parents finally meet and the reveals come out Sienna has to decide whether she can forgive her mother for not telling her about her connection with her father. Not the same as hers with Dalton yet powerful too. Things take a different turn as Dalton leaves for Paris, Sherry and Don

go home and their new offices built as Sienna and her mother come into a working relationship and hopefully can repair the rift that almost tore them apart. As Tony Choice and his new interest in Jasmine, Samantha’s assistant is trying to undo the business contracts set up by Marcel for Dalton. Lies, betrayals, deceits, backstabbing and revenge come into play in this second book in the series.

The relationship between Sienna and her mother deepens as her mother explains the meaning of A Trace of Echoes as the sounds she heard when connecting with Garrett at the start of their relationship. As Dalton learns that someone is out to sabotage his new venture hoping Marcel can find the answers. 

 

Throughout the novel the author allows readers to hear many different viewpoints and voices in each chapter as Don relates his feelings and his experiences with Dalton and Sienna and Jasmine and Terry reveal how they are both working to destroy him and why. Each voice is distinct and each one expresses his/her emotional strains and reasons for their actions whether positive or negative. Jasmine is enjoying the increase in her funds in the bank so why not allow Tony to pay for her time and pleasure. Added in Samantha stole the designs from someone named Ivan from a designer

named Anna who she is using as the main logo or take AN NA for her new company. 

 

An event for Samantha’s new company brings all the parties in contact and the icy frost cannot be denied. Yet, Samantha seems to have an unusual relationship with Terrence/Terry and their work and outside relationship is quite unique. Added in Jasmine and Tony seem closer but the dialogue in

some places seems uneven and not like normal conversation. Although Samantha seems to want to move ahead her father is bent on destroying Dalton could his ace in the hole be Francesca? The hard feelings run far and wide and before the ending or solution comes will Dalton’s company open

with any clients and success? Just whose side is Jasmine on and what about Jennifer? Each side having someone to do the dirty work and yet reporting to both sides what they find? Who can be trusted? 

 

Things backfire as you hear several new voices as Tony Choice never sees it coming and Jasmine will learn the real meaning of deception and being used. As the sides take on each other wait until you see which one wins. Revenge, backstabbing, distrust and loyalties are all broken and severed as someone is bound to come out on top but who? 

 

The office climate changes as Francesca teaches Tony a lesson that he will never forget as the CEO of the company changes hands and Samantha learns more about humility than she ever expected. With Jonny(Skip) now at her side and Terrence taking on a new role and Lindsey finding Jennifer an asset

to her company things take many different turns as Dalton and Sienna prepare for a wedding with vows that are totally unconventional. Where will they all wind up? Will everyone finally learn to trust the other? What happens when Tony’s wife lays it on the line and Jasmine finds out what that

line is? The ending is just the beginning for Sienna and Dalton as the sounds that she hears, the vibrations and noises are the beautiful Trace of Echoes created by the author for this novel. What’s next for everyone? The answer is in the final volume of this trilogy. 

 

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ Magazine

Please join Marsha Casper Cook on March28 at 8:30 PM EST 730 PM CST 630 MT PM 530 PST when she welcome two very interesting and entertaining authors Kelly Abell and Marianne Morea.

Marianne was born and raised in New York, and her stories embody the grit and complexity of the city. She's an avid traveler and uses experiences from around the world in all her books. Dark Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy Suspense and Horror are the hallmarks of her writing style.

Kelly is an international best selling author with novels that are traditionally and Indie published. She writes romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. Her aim is to write about gripping characters in tense situations that keep a reader turning the pages.

Marsha is an author of both children and adult fiction. She is a screenwriter and marketing consultant and the co owner of World Of Ink Network with Virginia Grenier. They have been doing shows for over seven years and are planning some new exciting projects.

Fascination With Real-Life Murder Stories

What Drives Our Never-Ending Fascination
With Real-Life Murder Stories?
Death Of Media Icon Dorothy Kilgallen
Latest Case Drawing Renewed Interest

America loves a good murder mystery, as evidenced by endless TV dramas, movies such as The Girl on the Train, and novels by writers such as Patricia Cornwell and Michael Connelly.

But the infatuation isn’t limited to fiction. The public is also riveted by every detail of real-life homicides, whether it’s the O.J. Simpson trial, the murder of 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey, or the extraordinary phenomenon of the TV documentary Making a Murderer.

“People can’t help but be captivated with the human drama when another person’s life ends in violence,” says attorney and investigative reporter Mark Shaw, author of The Reporter Who Knew Too Much (www.thereporterwhoknewtoomuch.com).

Shaw’s own fascination these days is focused on the mysterious death of Dorothy Kilgallen, the Pulitzer-Prize nominated newspaper columnist and panelist on the popular TV show What’s My Line. She was a household name in 1965 when she was discovered dead in her home at age 52.

“With Dorothy, I think you have all the compelling elements,” says Shaw, who served as a legal analyst for USA Today and CNN during the O.J. Simpson trial. “We have a famous journalist killed in the line of duty for writing a ‘tell-all’ book and there are celebrity suspects galore who were never investigated.”

Officially, Kilgallen’s death was ruled accidental, caused by a fatal mixture of sleeping pills and alcohol. Shaw says his research uncovered new evidence that points to murder (posted at www.thedorothykilgallenstory.org.) The motive: Her book that would have exposed a mobster’s involvement in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Shaw has called on the NYC District Attorney to investigate since “murder is the worst form of censorship” and a main suspect remains at large.

Kilgallen’s own journalistic career serves as evidence that fascination with true-crime stories is nothing new. She wrote about seemingly every “trial of the century” of her era, including the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, the Dr. Sam Sheppard case that gripped Americans and inspired the TV series The Fugitive, and the trial of Jack Ruby, who killed Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of assassinating Kennedy.

Why are we so enthralled by these cases? Shaw says there are several reasons:

• A belief in justice. Most people want to see justice served, whether they suspect a guilty culprit got away with murder or worry that an innocent person was wrongly accused. “In fiction, everything usually gets wrapped up very tidily,” Shaw says. “In real life, justice can be a whole lot messier.”
• A natural attraction to mystery. People are captivated by the unknown, whether it’s the “whodunit” at the end of an Agatha Christie novel, the contents of the large package under the Christmas tree, or the very meaning of human existence. “This is probably one reason there’s still so much interest in the JFK assassination,” Shaw says. “There are elements of mystery all around it and we can’t help but want to get at the truth.”
• A preoccupation with death. As gruesome as it seems, people have been drawn to stories about violent death for thousands of years. Even the Bible wastes little time working in a murder, with Cain offing his brother Abel in a fit of jealousy in one of the earliest chapters.
“One other reason may be that we have empathy for the victim and feel they deserve their ‘day in court,’ so to speak,” Shaw says. “And that’s true whether the murder happened five days ago or 50 years ago as it did with Kilgallen. She deserves justice today and I’m determined to get that for her at all costs.”

About Mark Shaw

Mark Shaw, author of The Reporter Who Knew Too Much (www.markshawbooks.com), is a former criminal defense attorney and legal analyst for CNN, ESPN and USA Today.  He is an investigative reporter and the author of 25 books including The Poison Patriarch, Miscarriage of Justice, and Beneath the Mask of Holiness. Shaw, a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, has written for USA Today, Huffington Post, and the Aspen Daily News.

WOI Book Review: Blossom Dawn by Paul Steinberg

Dalton and Sienna are back in the final installment of this trilogy as we learn more about their connection, the deceit that someone close to them creates and what happens when Francesca goes after Tony Choice and a strange end result. Within this novel we get to understand their connection and how it will spill over to their children when we learn that Sienna is about to have a child and it’s a boy named Joshua. Joshua seems to run her pregnancy in the later stages and demands in his own way to see the bright or light wanting to be born even before is physically ready to greet the world and his family. But, the scene is quite unique and what Sienna does to convince the doctor definitely not orthodox when dealing with the birth of a child and yet Joshua has his wish. It seems that he has an inborn connection to Sienna and can telepathically communicate his wishes and words with her even before being born. He does not have this with Dalton at present. But, giving birth early seems to be how the book begins and the family on both sides is delighted to have Joshua to nurture, spoil and teach the ropes of being a part of two amazing and powerful families. Yet, there is much more that is presented as we learn about Jasmine and Tony Choice’s relationship and how that leads to marriage. At first it seems like the right path for her but later on you will learn that not every choice made is the right one and things between Jasmine and Tony after having his child change and not for the better. Samantha is about to marry Jonny who Dalton has given much control of his company Dream Brink why he explores other avenues to widen his network and his business connections. Things seem to go along okay as we meet Joshua at age three and find out that he too has the same connections as Sienna and Dalton but not with one dream friend two. Marie and Maria are the two girls and while young they seem to not be concerned about the other until things change when Joshua becomes a teen.

 

Bailey and Joshua are close siblings and their connection to Dalton and Sienna are quite unique. With Bailey connecting more with her mother and Joshua at times with both as something changes within him meeting Marie and Maria in his dreams and forming a relationship with both. Things do not always stay the same as Tony Choice learns what happens when he double-crosses Francesca and Garrett with the help of Skip/Jonny, Samantha’s husband. Jasmine learns more about Tony and realizes that it’s time to call it quits as young Tony Junior rebels and his friendship with Bailey and Jonny change. While Skip does his recon on Tony and lands him in jail, things change for his son and although divorced Jasmine needs him as a link to straightening him out. 

Dalton becomes restless and Marie becomes a movie star and model thanks to him and Marcel as her mother worries about her success moving too fast as her choice in Diego as a new boyfriend shows. With Joshua and Bailey pursuing their dreams him as a guitarist and singer along with getting closer to Maria his other dream time friend, Bailey has to decide which one Tony or Jonny might be right for her. Teen romance, adults that have the itch to change what they are doing and Sienna taking over for her mother as head of Risingtide, what will the final outcome be for all of them? 

Relationships change and friendships are tested when Bailey and Tony go their separate ways and he forms another with Malinda. But, when Dalton decides to change gears and move on to another area and type of photography something changes when Sienna returns home. The author adds a touch of suspense and mystery as Dalton disappears off the radar when his plane goes down and Sienna loses the connection. But, will bringing everyone that loves him together help find him or is the connection gone? What happens when the connection is broken and will anyone find where he is? A story of hope, trust and the ending will make you wonder if there are new beginnings and perhaps stories for Tony, Johnny, Joshua and Bailey as they all go off in their own directions. 

Blossom Dawn as relationships turn from small seeds, to flowers and blossom or bloom into something that is a powerful as a bouquet of red roses. The cover of the book was created and painted by the author that shows each of the members of Dalton’s family and the shadowed figures you can tell who they are.

Interesting book. Unique concept to have people connects in their dreams but even more as the young people take on lessons from the adults and hopefully they will blossom too. 

Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ Magazine

Start the Habit of Daily Journaling to Spark Your Writing Ideas

Writing in a journal every day takes discipline. There is no better way to learn the nuts and bolts of good writing, however. Daily journal writing not only helps you unwind and figure out your feelings, it also gives you that practice time needed to become a skilled writer. So how do you start this habit of daily journaling?

First, consider whether you are a morning person or a night owl. The morning person wakes with a clear, lively mind that is just bursting to get on paper. Taking a half hour or so in the morning to clarify thoughts and express yourself can be very rewarding. For the night owl, though, things unfold more slowly. If this is you, you'll probably want to schedule your daily journaling time right before you go to bed, as a way to unwind.

The time of day that you are at your creative best is important if you want your ideas to flow freely. If morning hours are at a premium, with getting ready for work and exercising, maybe you can journal on breaks or at lunch. Keep trying, and you will be able to find a time of day that works for you. It will soon become a treasured break from the routine of your real life.

How do you arrive at topics to write about in your journal? First, what is happening in your life that brings out an emotional response in you? Did you deal with road rage today? An unreasonable coworker? Are you in love? Explore the areas in your day, either looking back or looking forward, which stir up your feelings.

While pouring out your frustrations can be a release valve for daily stress, it is important to make a positive statement from it all. When you look at the proverbial bright side of an experience, you are on the way to a happier life. If you can only see the dark, depressing side, take a few moments to consider what you have in your life that makes you feel thankful. In fact, an entire journal devoted to gratitude is not a bad idea at all for your emotional health.

If you are devoid of ideas, write down what you did in the past 24 hours, diary-style. Look for chances to express yourself creatively. Do you have a baby or small child? Take a minute to describe her little cherub cheeks and silky curls. Did you have a flat tire? Write about the smell of the rubber, or the discomfort you felt as you waited to get it fixed. Everyday life is rich with opportunities for creative expression.

Another way to write daily is to carry a small notebook or bound journal with you in your pocket, purse, or briefcase. Get it out any time you wish to capture one of those fleeting creative thoughts that drift across your mind. Remember that every thought may not be worth examining and turning into a poem or paragraph. Some probably will be, though. If you fail to take the time to write them down when they come your way, even the best ideas may disappear from your grasp.

Finally, don't let your inner critic silence your efforts. Send that dude packing! Don't worry about misspelled words or unfinished sentences. If you have an idea that you later want to flesh out for some important writing, you have plenty of time for rewriting and fixing mistakes in the future.

It also isn't important if some days you feel less creative than on other days. You can still make the most of your journaling by writing some every day.

Copyright © Shery Ma Belle Arrieta-Russ

About Shery: Shery is the creator of WriteSparks!™- a software that generates over 10 *million* Story Sparkers for Writers. Download WriteSparks!™ Lite for free at http://writesparks.com

WOI Book Review: Hurry Moon by Paul Steinberg

Dalton Hunter is smart, astute and is living a life that most children would never expect. A father who is tough on him and refuses to understand that a boy can have a sensitive side and has difficulty making friends when his life is comprised of one big moving van to just about anywhere his father lands a job. At seven years old Dalton finds it hard to adjust at times but something miraculous is about the change all that. What would you do if someone appeared out of nowhere in your dreams and became your new best friend? Of course you can’t tell anyone about this person it’s your secret pal who from now on will help you through the rough patches in life? But, what if this person is only in your dreams and although you have some amazing and magical times together you soon realize that this might just be pure fantasy and it’s time to cultivate romances and relationships in the real world. Sienna Snow is her name and although she is there to guide Dalton, help him experience his first relationships with girls, the challenges faced in school and dealing with his father who often seems distant and not connected to his son, things take on many different turns as Dalton becomes conflicted with his feelings for the girls in his present world like Caitlin and Laurie as opposed to his deeper ones for Sienna. How can he struggle with these emotions? When he becomes aware of his talent in photography his father encourages him and buys him the equipment needed. Laurie focuses on that and uses it to gain favor with him and much more she hopes. Dalton is rare and too bad more guys today do not have the same moral compass and fiber like Dalton and treats a girl like a lady. But, Laurie wants to be treated as anything but as if she has to prove something not only to her friends who goad her on but herself. It’s like if she does not get what she wants or give too much of herself to a boy she feels rejected when her advances are declined. 

Things change and relationships come and go as Caitlin moves on and Laurie realizes her mistakes but Dalton is about to move ahead to college and live in a separate apartment as his father breaks the news about something else. No matter how close he gets to these other girls the draw and pull to Sienna is undeniable. What does he do? He even goes to visit his mother’s grave to ask her advice while Sienna explains she can see her too. A touch of paranormal within this novel and even more as a young boy develops to a find young adult and has to decide whether to focus on what is reality or not. Wanting to go into the fashion photography is his goal but will Sienna be apart of his new life? It’s a story about evolution and change within the heart, mind and soul of Dalton Hunter.

Within this novel we hear the father’s voice, Sienna’s voice and that of a third person narrator who relates the other events that happen. When his father gets married and then he goes off to college things change. Many women vie for his attention but Dalton is conflicted with his emotions and relationship with Sienna and a professor who has her sites set on him too. But, where will this go and what happens when the real world and fantasy come together in the present? Time intervals pass quickly and we don’t often get to see how Dalton deals with this father’s relationship in total or do we learn about his years in college as they pass rather quickly in the story winding up with Amanda his professor wanting to get him a job in fashion photography even though he wants some type of art. Her motives might appear to be good but her intentions might surprise the reader.

The time frames move quite quickly at points and readers have to remember that Dalton is moving on with his life quite rapidly as he is now in Paris and Sienna although still in his dreams might turn out to be more than just his midnight fantasy as we hear the voice of her mother and her concerns hoping that she would move on with someone other than Dalton. But, she stands her ground and her mother finally stands down. Everywhere he goes including his big moment when his photographs are on display and he meets one of may favorite people in the fashion industry Tim Gunn, Dalton remains humble, above reproach but someone is watching him carefully and things just might be about to change as Samantha Choice comes into his life. There are many women who find him attractive and although he seems enthralled with Samantha from the start and she with him appearances can be deceiving and sometimes the best-laid plans are anything but.

Samantha Choice had her eye on Dalton when she saw his photographs and decided to make sure that her father, Tony Choice would give her free reign, benefits and salary too in order to make sure she snagged him for Choice Enterprises. Editor of Fashion Expose Magazine she manages to ambush him in his favorite deli pretending that she just works in an office. She is smart, cunning and manipulative and her father allows her to handle him on her own as long as she and he reap the benefits later on. Although they are having an innocent lunch, Sienna spies it all. Things take on a different turn when Dalton works for Samantha’s father and decides to take a risk and leave his other job. Things seem to be going their way but Samantha has her eyes on a new designer named Anna and the way she gets hold of her and the designs is not exactly what she wants Dalton to overhear. A confrontation and an accusation and things take a downward spiral as Dalton finds himself back to almost square one without Sienna in his life, without a job and deciding where to go. Will he take the train ride and find himself somewhere else? What happens when he realizes that the truth is right in front of him he just had to see it more clearly? This is a story about connection, creating your own way in life and finding the ability to trust your instinct when deciding where your life should go? When he learns the truth behind Samantha/s interest in him and just who her partner in crime really is what will he do? Turn a blind ear or eye? Take a hike and go back to Marcel? Escape all together and find a new niche? The ending lets you know that it’s another beginning for Dalton? Where? With Who? Why? Hurry Moon is what is says every night when he wants Sienna to appear and the moon is coming out? Hurry Moon or goodbye moon? Find out when you read the second in the trilogy: Traces of Echoes by author Paul Steinberg.

Do you believe in telepathy? Do you think two minds can connect and eventually become one? Hear the voices of Dalton, his father, Samantha, Sienna and the narrator as they guide you along with Dalton from age seven until adulthood and learn: the definition of a perfect match.

Fran Lewis; Just reviews/MJ Magazine

Three Faces Of Writing

Three Faces of Writing - Fran - Robin - Marsha World Of Ink Special

 LINK TO THE SHOW

 
Please join Marsha Casper Cook on Wednesday March 15 at 11AM EST 10AM CST 9AM MT 8 AMPST when Marsha welcomes two very important guests in the Independent Marketing world. Fran Lewis and Robin Surface.

Fran is not only an Author she is a prominent Book Reviewer, Marketing Consultant, Radio Show Host and she is the editor and chief of MJ Magazine. She worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years and she has three master’s degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's Who of America's Executives from Cambridge.

Robin is an Author, Graphic Arts Specialist, Reviewer,Book Consultant, Editor,Marketing Consultant and she is the owner of Fideli Publishing. Her experience with hundreds of authors has given her a high profile in the Independent Publishing World.

They will be discussing all aspects of publishing and reviewing each giving expert advice.This is a show you won’t want to miss.

The World of Ink Network brings you shows on families, self-help, movies, books, marketing, paranormal, relationships, publishing, screenwriting and much more. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to be a guest on our show.

http://marshacaspercook.com

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Posted by marsha casper cook at 12:27 AM

  INTERVIEW WITH MARSHA

 

 

 

The Writing Life Blog

Eleanor Parker Sapia, author of A DECENT WOMAN: A Novel. http://amzn.to/1X0qFvK

 

 

Author Interview: Marsha Casper Cook

Welcome to the Tuesday Author Interview series at The Writing Life. Each Tuesday, I have the great pleasure of chatting with authors across genres about books and writing, and marketing and publishing. 
Today I am very pleased to welcome Marsha Casper Cook, a talented screenwriter, novelist, editor, and writer of children’s books. Marsha, who hails from Chicago, is a radio show personality on Blog Talk Radio, which is how we met a few years back. Her World of Ink Network partner for the last five years is V.S.Grenier, an author, editor, and radio show host, who lives in Utah. Marsha’s group discussions always feature interesting and talented writers and center around writing, publishing, screenplays, and books. I love her show, and always come away with pages of writing tips.
In this interview, Marsha graciously offers readers a glimpse into the business of turning books into audio books, and I’m excited to begin.


Welcome, Marsha!


What is your newest book’s genre?
Romantic comedy.


Please describe what Grand Central Station: Some Relationships Are Just Meant to Be is about.
A famous child psychologist, who has authored several bestselling books on raising children, discovers he doesn’t know as much as he thought he did when he meets a pediatrician and mother of three. Neither of them imagined how their lives would change when they shared a flight headed for Las Vegas for a medical convention.For Jack Winston and Victoria Feingold, whatever happens in Vegas doesn’t stay in Vegas. It follows them back to Chicago.Jack doesn’t want to fail, but he’s not sure he’s emotionally prepared to live with Victoria’s three children. Not to mention her mother, sister, dog, and needy ex-husband.
Grand Central Station is a fast-paced ride and a lot of fun! 



Congratulations on Grand Central Station, Marsha! How did you come up with the title?  
There was so much going on in the story, and it seemed as if Grand Central Station would be the perfect fit. A busy house with so many characters coming and going. 

What inspired you to write this romantic comedy?
It’s taken from one of the screenplays that I had written several years ago and loved. It had been optioned, but never produced.


How exciting that the screenplay was optioned, Marsha. In my mind’s eye, I can see this romantic comedy on the silver screen. Best of luck!


Does your main character resemble you? If so, in what ways?
Actually, there really were no similarities to any of the characters in my book, but I felt the family quarrels were most likely a part of any family, including my own.


What do you find is the most challenging aspect of writing?
Not coming up with another story while I’m working on one. I usually think any idea that pops in my head might be better than what I’m writing, but usually the feeling passes.


That’s a familiar scenario when I’m writing, as well. What is your favorite part of writing?
I enjoy the fun of not knowing exactly how my story will end. I always feel if I don’t know the ending, the reader will be just as surprised as I was when I wrote it.


What authors or person(s) have influenced you as a writer and why?
I have been lucky to meet wonderful people all through my life that have guided me in my writing by telling me their stories, and in turn, I listened with open ears and learned how to write good characters with real problems.


Marsha, many of your books are now audio books. Could you tell us about that process? I know I’m more than interested.
One of my favorite passed times is listening to audio books. When I hear an audio book, it’s becomes a special event and very entertaining. The story comes to life, and it’s so enjoyable I sometimes wish the story could go on forever; however I do agree with the common complaint about the narration. If you like the voice behind the words, it’s such fun to imagine the setting and the story, but if you don’t, the feeling is not the same, and sometimes it’s enough to make you go on to something else. It doesn’t hold your interest.

I never thought my books would become audio books, but because of Audibles and the sharing method between the producer of the audio and the author of the book, it became possible.
The children’s books that I have on audio were a great learning experience for me. I got to hear every word and realized that after reading a book and listening to the audio, the experience is far greater than just the read, especially for children.


I urge authors and readers to give audio books a chance.


For authors go to www.acx.com

Marsha's Audio books Marsha's Audio Books

http://www.audible.com/search/ref=a_search_tseft?advsearchKeywords=lady+jane+sinclair&filterby=field-keywords&x=0&y=0

Thanks so much for sharing, Marsha. I love audio books, and would love to go down that path with my first book. 

Do you have a favorite place to write? To read?
I love writing in coffee shops or restaurants when I’m by myself. That’s when I truly feel I’m completely in my characters world. 


Tell us something personal about you people may be surprised to know?
I’m very organized, however as a teenager I wasn’t and didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do. I usually try to tell parents not to judge their children so harshly because life has a way of working itself out and growing up isn’t easy. Every child needs their space as do adults.


True words and great advice for parents. As a kid, my interests were varied and appeared to have no rhyme or reason to many adults. Looking back, the common denominator was creativity and a healthy imagination.

Did the writing process uncover surprises or learning experiences for you? What about the publishing process?
Over the years, I have learned so much from writing and doing my radio shows, which in turn gave me the best education ever on how to independently publish, and not worry that a publisher may have rejected my work. If the story is good, readers will enjoy your work regardless of who published the book. Enjoy writing and try to remember that if your book makes you laugh or cry, that is always a good thing because your readers will probably do the same.

I also feel that because things have changed over the years in publishing, authors have an open field for fulfilling their dreams. They just have to be persistent.




What do you hope readers will gain from your book?
It’s always good to hear your reader understood what you were trying to convey in your story, and as authors that is the best feeling imaginable.


Looking back, what did you do right that helped you write and market this book?
I used my own judgement. Listening to too many people can end up causing a writer to feel insecure and not finish their story. Finishing the story works!


I agree wholeheartedly–finish writing the book! What didn’t work as well as you’d hoped?
Usually by the time my story is written, I’m hopeful that everything worked during the journey because if I felt uncomfortable on any level, I would try to re- work my story until I got it right.


Any advice or tips for writers looking to get published?
My suggestion would be if you are having trouble getting an agent or publisher, find an Independent service and publish your own book, but don’t skimp on three very important aspects of successful publishing: editing, formatting, and getting the best artwork you can for your cover.   


Website and social media links?
Radio Show Blog – http://worldofinknetwork.blogspot.com/
Author Blog – http://whatsnewwithmarsha.blogspot.com/
Marsha’s Website-   http://marshacaspercook.com
Radio Show Website – http://worldofinknetwork.com
https://www.facebook.com/marshacaspercook


Where can we find your books?
https://www.amazon.com/Grand-Central-Station-Relationships-Meant-ebook/dp/B01B8CBDMC
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/michiganavenue
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?Query=marsha+casper+cook  


A list of Marsha’s books:
Novels: Grand Central Station – romantic comedy & audio book; Guilty Pleasures series – erotica
Children’s books: The Busy Bus; No Clues No Shoes – also audio; The Magical Leaping Lizard – also audio; Snack Attack -also audio; I Wish I Was A Brownie- also audio
Screenplay (book): It’s Never Too Late
Non-Fiction:
To Life 


What’s next for you?
I have several projects in my head. One is to write another romantic comedy, and the other is to add to my Guilty Pleasures series.


Thanks so much for joining us today, Marsha. It’s been a real pleasure getting to know more about you and your books. I wish you the very best with your many books and audio books!
About Eleanor:

Puerto Rican-born Eleanor Parker Sapia is the author of the award-winning historical novel, A Decent Woman, published by Scarlet River Press. Her debut novel, set in turn of the century Ponce, Puerto Rico, garnered an Honorable Mention for Best Historical Fiction, English at the 2016 International Latino Book Awards with Latino Literacy Now, and was selected as a Book of the Month by Las Comadres and Friends National Latino Book Club in 2015. A writer, artist, and photographer, Eleanor currently lives in Berkeley County, West Virginia, where she is working on her second novel, The Laments of Forgotten Souls, set in 1920 Puerto Rico.
Eleanor’s book: http://amzn.to/1X0qFvK
Please visit Eleanor at her website:
www.eleanorparkersapia.com

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