Finding Hope Finals for EPIC Award

My women's fiction novel published by Wings in December, 2008 has finaled for a 2010 EPIC e-Book Award.

I wrote this book for NaNoWriMo, which challenges writers to complete at least 50,000words in thirty days. Well, I was so drawn into the characters that I finished the first full draft in just seventeen days!

I think when you meet Janet/Hope DeMarco, her family and, in particular, Grandma Carmela who decides to be called Sofialoren, you will be drawn into their lives as well. While I anxiously await EPICon in March in New Orleans to see if Finding Hope wins an award, I'd like to share a blurb and excerpt with you.

Blurb:

Janet DeMarco has had enough! It's time to make some changes, and no one in her family is exempt. She resigns as cook, laundress, housekeeper, chauffeur, shopper, and ATM. In her new persona of Hope, Janet learns that the questions we sometimes ask of ourselves may force a change. And, sometimes, they lead us right back home again.

Excerpt:

Dear family,

I quit. Effective immediately, I am no longer the cook, laundress, shopper, housekeeper, chauffeur, landscaper, or resident problem-solver. Oh, I’m also not the banker or the ATM. I am, however, the instructor. Classes will begin tomorrow and seating is limited, so you should sign-up early.

A cooking class will be conducted at five-thirty sharp. Bring your inquiring mind and appetite. A cook book will be available. On Saturday, I will offer two sessions--general housekeeping and laundry. Supplies will be provided. However, if you are attending the laundry session, please separate clothing into lights and darks and bring those with you. This class begins at nine a.m. in the basement.

Housekeeping will commence at ten, once you have mastered washing machine settings and drying times. Rubber gloves are recommended for those who have delicate skin or have had expensive manicures recently.

Other workshops, such as money-management, will be scheduled as needed and announcements will be posted. Don’t be late and get left out in the cold.

Janet R. DeMarco, Wife, Mother, Person
(not necessarily in that order)

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Linda Rettstatt
www.lindarettstatt.com