The Genesis
I’m a news junkie. Most of my plot ideas have
arisen in part from newspaper article I’ve read. I start playing the “what if”
game, adding elements from my own personal experiences or those of others I
know. Such was the case with Finding
Hope, a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart finalist that’s now
available as an ebook.
The idea for Finding Hope came to me after reading about a fertility doctor in
Virginia who had used his own sperm to impregnate the eggs of his in vitro
patients. My cousin had gone through many years of unsuccessful fertility
treatments at that point. When her insurance refused to pay for another
treatment, she and her husband adopted a baby from China. But what if my cousin
had become pregnant and years later she and her husband discovered he wasn’t
the biological father? That “what if” led to other “what if’s” which I won’t give
away here because I don’t want to include any plot spoilers. Let’s just say, I
gave the factual story a few very unique fictional twists.
I’ve also been deeply touched by our troops
overseas, especially those who have given their lives to keep us safe. I’ve often
wondered about how their young widows have coped with the loss. So I sent
Hope’s husband off to war where he’s killed in action.
In addition, I put some of my own experiences
into the book. I have a degree in graphic design and illustration. My husband
is an architect. I made Hope an artist and Ben, my hero, an architect. Write
what you know, right?
For me, Finding
Hope was an extremely emotional book to write. Even though I’ve infused it
with touches of humor (how can you not have humor when you’ve got
three-year-old triplets in a book?) there were many places in the book where I
cried as I wrote the scenes. I still get teary-eyed when I reread parts of the
book. If you like romance that tugs at your heartstrings, I hope you’ll give Finding Hope a read. If you do, I’d
love to hear from you to find out how you liked it.
Blurb
Hope Morgan was always the good girl, doing what her conservative parents
expected: she gave up her dream of going to college, became a secretary right
out of high school, and married the boy next door. When Hope is suddenly
widowed, she finds the courage to pursue her own dreams. Twelve years later, after
working full-time and going to school at night, she obtains her degree and is
offered a position at a prestigious architectural firm.
That’s when her long-exiled libido decides to resurface, and Hope finds herself falling head-over-heels for Ben Schaffer, her married boss. What Hope doesn’t realize is that Ben’s marriage is less than ideal. Within days of Hope starting her new job, Ben’s wife walks out on him and their three-year-old triplets–the same day the nanny lands in the hospital. When Ben can’t find a last-minute replacement, Hope agrees to step in as a temporary nanny, not the best decision she’s ever made, given her raging hormones.
Ben is fighting a battle with his own hormones, but an office romance is the last thing he needs or wants. However, neither he nor Hope are a match for three very determined three-year-olds on a mission to find a happy ending.
That’s when her long-exiled libido decides to resurface, and Hope finds herself falling head-over-heels for Ben Schaffer, her married boss. What Hope doesn’t realize is that Ben’s marriage is less than ideal. Within days of Hope starting her new job, Ben’s wife walks out on him and their three-year-old triplets–the same day the nanny lands in the hospital. When Ben can’t find a last-minute replacement, Hope agrees to step in as a temporary nanny, not the best decision she’s ever made, given her raging hormones.
Ben is fighting a battle with his own hormones, but an office romance is the last thing he needs or wants. However, neither he nor Hope are a match for three very determined three-year-olds on a mission to find a happy ending.
Bio
Emma Carlyle is the pen name of award-winning
author Lois Winston. As Emma, she writes romance, romantic suspense, and chick
lit. As Lois, she writes mystery, women’s fiction, romantic suspense, and non-fiction.
Kirkus Reviews dubbed her critically
acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series, “North Jersey’s more mature
answer to Stephanie Plum.”
Buy Links
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/208925
Sony: https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/emma-carlyle/finding-hope/_/R-400000000000000776589
Sony: https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/emma-carlyle/finding-hope/_/R-400000000000000776589
Links
11 comments:
Great post, Emma - love the premise of your novel!
Thanks for coming today, Emma. It sounds like a story of hope. Lovely premise. Best luck.
You didn't just take one idea from the news or your life, you took many ideas and wove them together. A fascinating story and gorgeous cover. Thanks for coming, Emma!
Thank you, Rosemary, Rose, and Jane!
A very moving story, a must read.
Sounds very interesting! Great interview!
-Lani
Thanks so much, Rayne. I'm glad you enjoyed the book.
Fascinating- where the story came from and how you morphed into your book.
Tweeted.
I love the way you braid all the strands together, Emma. I'm a "what iffer" as well and it can be fun to follow the thoughts and see where you land. Wishing you successful sales - lovely cover.
This story sounds like at least a 1-box-of-tissues-story. ;-) I'm not a news watcher/listener, so a lot of times, a picture or a passing comment spawns my stories. Have added this story to my list of winter reads. :-)
Thanks, Victoria, Gemma, and Kaye!
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