![[Book Blitz, Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway] Fated Memories](https://cdn.blogarama.com/images/posts_thumbs_site_id/3304/330358-3086836579.jpg "[Book Blitz, Excerpt, Interview & Giveaway] Fated Memories")
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Synopsis:
A woman, a war, a vision of the future past…
Burdened with the scars of a tortured childhood and a shattered romance, Kitty is being forced to resign from the dull, anonymous job she’s been hiding behind. With her life in shambles and her friends moving on without her, she jumps at her cousin, Maggie’s, invitation to visit. However, Maggie’s new boyfriend, Simon, has a secret that accidentally hurls the trio a hundred and fifty years into the past. Trapped in the midst of the bloodiest war in American history, the events that unfold will require more mettle than Kitty’s ever had.
Genre: New Adult, Romance, Time-Travel
Publication Date: April 15th 2016
Excerpt:
Kitty’s hands shook and her vision blurred with tears. It didn’t matter. After having read the short note three times, the words ‘… transfer to the second floor’ had been engraved on her brain. She’d found the letter in her mail slot at the Hospital where she worked, just this morning. That’s Richard’s floor! The wound from their breakup still scarred her heart. What do I do now? Quit my job?
The elevator doors opened and Richard Delaney stepped off surrounded by his physical therapy staff, who were tittering at one of his clever quips. Kitty wheeled around, making a beeline for the restroom. She couldn’t let him or those bitchy nurses see her cry. In her haste to become invisible, she miscalculated the corner of the wall and, smacking her shoulder against it, bounced back flat on her ass. Silence washed over the unit as everyone’s eyes turned to her.
Flushed with embarrassment, she scrambled to her feet, faced her audience and curtsied. “I’m here all week, folks, don’t miss the show!” Then she burst through the lady’s room door.
Kitty locked herself in the stall, working to salvage her dignity while dialing her cell phone for her pillar of strength; the one who always knew what to do.
“Ma?” Despite her efforts to control it, her voice still shook.
“Kitten, honey, are you crying? What’s the matter, are those silly boys in school teasing you again? Should I go speak with the principal?”
“Funny, Mom, no I only need to talk to someone. Remember when I told you the hospital makes the ward clerks reapply for their jobs every few years so they can weed out the ones they no longer want? Well, it’s that time again. I got my take-it-or-leave-it offer today and it says they’re bumping me from the step-down unit, to the pits of the med/surg dungeon. If I don’t accept it, I’ll be out of a job. I don’t know what to do.”
Silence.
“Mom, are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m here.” She blew out a long breath. “Kitty, you’re a smart lady, but if you don’t respect yourself enough to stand up and take charge of your life, you’ll always be at the mercy of others. Remember, the choices we make follow us and decide our fate.”
“I know, Mom, but…”
“The best advice I have for you, sweetheart, is to move home with us so you can go back to college and learn more marketable skills.”
Kitty had battled with them before over this. In her mind, living with her parents at her age was the same as having a big red letter “L” tattooed on her forehead. “I see, okay. Um, I have to get back to work now. I’ll talk to you later, Ma. Thanks for listening.”
As she washed off the mascara tracks from her tears, she studied her reflection in the restroom mirror, mulling over the misery that was her life. You’re almost thirty years old, Kitty Trausch, what have you got to show for it? A man? Not since Richard dumped me last year. A career? More like a crappy job that’s become unbearable.
Kitty remembered her mom’s mantra “When the world gets rough,” she’d say, “remind yourself of the good things you have.” She thought hard for a positive slant, but only came up with her prized closet full of shoes and salvation from her acne plague. Great, at least that and two-seventy-five will get me on the subway. Oh, and one more good thing. Rooming with Sonia allowed her to walk the short distance to the hospital and not have to ride the train from Tuckahoe to Manhattan. Wow, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.
Like it? It gets better!
There’s an international giveaway being organised in which 3 signed copies of Fated Memories and a $25 Amazon Gift Card is being given away.
You can find this giveaway at the end of this post.
Interview With The Author:
I welcome Joan Carney to my blog today. Though she and her five siblings were born in New York City, Ms. Carney and her family now enjoy living in the sunshine of Southern California. When not at her computer writing or revising a story, she can be found sipping espresso at the local coffee house or browsing her local bookstore’s shelves. For more about Ms. Carney, visit her website at joancarneyauthor.com
What inspired your latest release?
My inspiration for writing Fated Memories came after researching my father’s family tree and finding ancestors from Pennsylvania who fought in the Civil War. Intrigued by these faceless relatives, I read as much as I could find on the daily lives of people from that era. That led me to wonder; what if a woman from our time was thrown into that life with no preparation? Could she live without a supermarket, a car, a microwave oven? After growing up in a world where women demand respect, where a woman can run for president, what resources could she rely on to survive in a time when women had no status?
Do you outline your books or wing it? Describe your process.
My first draft was a complete “seat of my pants” effort. With a firm grasp of the beginning and the end, I let the middle develop and grow on its own. I threw challenges and adventures at the characters, watching them weather every storm. By allowing my imagination to run wild though, I wound up having to slash a third of the story. My mistake taught me that planning form and structure ahead of time is a huge stress saver. You live, you learn. The one good thing that came of that error was a deeper connection to and understanding of my characters.
Have you had other careers before becoming a writer?
I’ve worn many hats. First and foremost I am the mother of four wonderful, beautiful successful grown up kids. For several years I worked as a ward clerk at a hospital where I had to re-apply for my job every so often. It was a tax saver for the hospital, a pain in the butt for me, but a good source of stress for Kitty’s character. I’ve worked in accounting officers, a police department, examined worker’s compensation claims, and ran a day care center. I’m not retired, just tired.
What do you like to read?
My reading tastes are at all ends of the spectrum. Like my character, Kitty, I’m a sci-fi nut. I’ve read almost everything Stephen King has written. Other worlds, black holes, wormholes and other time vortexes fascinate me, but I’m not above curling up with a steamy romance novel or an action packed spy thriller. As long as the players speak to me and transport my imagination to wherever they are, the genre doesn’t matter.
You’re having a party. What character from your book do you hope attends? Why? What character do you hope doesn’t attend? Why?
I hope it’s Sam—he’s hot!! He can sweep me off my feet with those piercing eyes and Southern charm any day. Of course I’d have to make sure Kitty wasn’t around. She’d kick my butt from here to next Tuesday for flirting with her man.
The character I’d be least happy to see would be any of the ones named John.
Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks)?
The window in my office faces a serene lake with ducks and seagulls squawking in the distance. When I’m stuck for the perfect word or phrase, I gaze out at the light sparkling on the water and allow the alpha brain waves to flow. If that doesn’t work, I do the opposite and munch on chips, crackers, anything chocolate or high in carbs to stimulate my creativity. The calories are balanced out with long walks around the lake or, if I’ve been especially brilliant, I reward myself with a couple hours trolling the department store racks.
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