Hippie Mermaid by Joanne Guidoccio

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Joanne Guidoccio will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

From sea to shore, betrayal follows her wherever she goes.

On Christmas Eve, psychic Kendra Adams reveals the secret she’s hidden for decades—she was once Rosina, a mermaid torn between sea and shore. Betrayed in her ocean kingdom and desperate to escape banishment, she persuades a politician to smuggle her into the human world. But freedom on land comes at a cost, as she soon finds herself ensnared in another web, this one spun by the politician’s power-hungry sister.

Read an Excerpt

A smile crept up on Aunt Lina’s face. “We have seven days to captivate your human.”

“What…How?”

“I heard all about the excursion from the Ettas,” Aunt Lina said. “They couldn’t stop talking about the attention you received from those four men. And that, my dear Rosina, is why Annabella is determined to get rid of you. She doesn’t want any reminders of a competition she didn’t win.”

“But I wasn’t competing. I said nothing and let the others pick their humans.”

“Ah, but the humans wanted you. And the one called Blake was not too happy when Annabella claimed him.” Aunt Lina spoke more briskly, “You made a good impression. You stayed much longer than the others, and you risked your life for a man.”

I shook my head. “I forgot about the time.”

“Something you cannot afford to do when you go up there tomorrow night.”

“I can’t go up there.”

“Did La Bella forbid you?”

“No, but I don’t want to upset her any further.”

“If she has mentioned Crete, she has already decided. You need to find a way out of this disaster. Go up there each night until you connect with the human. Persuade him to take you with him. If a human desires you, La Bella will not interfere. She will expedite the process.”

I tried to recall scattered bits of the conversation with Lloyd. At one point, he did mention wanting to take me with him, but there was uncertainty in his voice. He already had issues with the two women in his life.

“Cry,” Aunt Lina advised. “Humans cannot handle our tears. And if necessary, beg him to take you away.”

“His life is already complicated.”

“And yours is not?” Aunt Lina grabbed my shoulders. “This human is your only way out of this mess.”

About the Author:

Joanne Guidoccio enjoyed a rewarding career teaching mathematics, business, and co-operative education courses before retiring to pursue writing. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, she writes paranormal romances, cozy mysteries, and inspirational stories from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

Website: https://joanneguidoccio.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio
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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Guidoccio/e/B00FAWJGCG

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Hippie-Mermaid-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B0FVHQ2T3N
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No More Secrets by Joanne Guidoccio

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Joanne Guidoccio will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Five Little Known Facts About Me

1. Decluttering is one of my favorite stressbusters. Whenever I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I take several deep breaths and search for something (anything) to declutter. It could be an individual file, drawer, closet, or storage area. I can spend anywhere from fifteen minutes to an entire week on the project. Once everything is in its proper place, I feel happy and peaceful. And often lighter…I lost three pounds the week I decluttered the storage area.

2. I love my stability ball. Ten years ago, Guelph trainer Rose Parr introduced me to this flexible, easy-to-store vinyl ball that has helped improve core stability and balance. I quickly learned how to do push-ups, sit-ups, curls, chest flies, and squats using the ball and eight-pound weights.

3. I am controlled by a bird clock. Each hour, one of my feathered friends, among them the Downy Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, and Great Horned Owl, chirp and remind me to pace myself. A much kinder reminder than the annoying kitchen timer.

4. I was a toastmaster from 2008 to 2015. During those seven years, I achieved the following designations: Competent Communicator, Competent Leader, Advanced Communicator Bronze, and Advanced Communicator Silver.

5. David Bowie’s song— “(You Will) Set the World on Fire”—inspires and motivates me whenever I need an extra dose of confidence. While Googling the title, I discovered it’s also part of the following quote by Saint Catherine of Siena: “Be who God meant you to be, and you will set the world on fire.” Even more inspiring!

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...

Read an Excerpt

Tupperware in all the pastel shades. Head-to-toe clothing and accessories in the same hues. Who does that? Bellastrega shook her head at the avalanche of plastic that accompanied Velia Russo into the kitchen. She was already on her third trip back from the car, puffing and panting as she placed her food gifts on the kitchen table. Bellastrega could feel her jaw clenching at the thought of all those white devils—heavy sauces and creams and pounds of sugar—contaminating the kitchen.

Velia held one finger. “One more trip,” and then she was gone.

Bellastrega turned her attention back to the hearty vegetable stew that had been simmering on the stove. She sighed contentedly as she breathed in the aroma of the rosemary and Italian seasonings. Angelica’s favorite. As she glanced at the appetizing array of vegetables, she mentally calculated how long it would take to finish cooking. Everything was on schedule, and dinner would be on the table at six o’clock. Why had Velia decided to arrive three hours early?

From the start, Bellastrega had her misgivings about this all-girls weekend. She had listened while Angelica lovingly described each niece and shared her concerns regarding their unhappy lives. At first, Bellastrega had humored her, not realizing Angelica was intending to help her nieces get back on track. Her duty as aunt, she had explained.

Bellastrega had formed her own judgments regarding the three younger women. Usually right on target, Bellastrega had been surprised when this particular incarnation of Velia Russo arrived, laden with her food gifts. From Angelica’s descriptions, Bellastrega had expected a younger version of her mother, Rosetta, a heavy-set hausfrau and gossip, not this glamour-puss who could pass for a younger Martha Stewart. But first impressions could be deceiving.

“Help. I need your help.” The whiny voice interrupted Bellastrega’s thoughts. Sighing, she lowered the heat and made her way to the living room.

Bellastrega resisted the urge to laugh as she took in the comical sight before her. To save herself another trip, Velia had decided to lug in a large Pullman using her left hand, carry a pastry box in her right hand, and use her teeth to hold on to her purse.

All this for a weekend get-together? What would she have packed for a longer trip? Bellastrega forced a smile as she took the pastry box from Velia.

About the Author:

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
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) - ttps://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/

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Between Land and Sea by Joanne Guidoccio - Interview and Giveaway

Joanne Guidoccio stops by to answer a few of our questions today as part of her virtual book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions. Joanne will be awarding a $75 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on her tour for more chances to win!

Thanks for coming by, Joanne. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I never intended to write fantasy. For most of my adult life, I enjoyed reading contemporary women’s fiction, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, memoirs and self-help books. And while I dabbled in these genres, I didn’t take myself too seriously until I attended a series of workshops facilitated by science fiction writer Sarah Totton. Impressed by her work ethic and persistence—she entered the “Writers of the Future Contest” seventeen times before winning—I listened attentively to her writing advice. After several sessions, I started to play around with different scenarios. My primary objective was to write light and breezy fantasy that would appeal to boomer women—Fantasy Hen Lit.

What research (or world-building—for fantasy/paranormal/Sci-fi) is required?

Unlike other fantasy and science fiction writers, I did not have to research extensively before writing Between Land and Sea. Determined to shatter the stereotype of the young and beautiful mermaid, there was no need to borrow from the “mermaid” literature.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

From Isabella, I learned that we must write our own reinvention stories. Not with ink, but with our choices. And we must not waste too much time and energy bemoaning the supposedly “perfect” life we left behind.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I am controlled by a bird clock. Each hour, one of my feathered friends, among them the Downy Woodpecker, Belted Kingfisher, and Great Horned Owl, chirp and remind me to stretch, switch gears, take a break or stop writing for the day.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I am a plotter and enjoy the planning stage of each novel. I start with a list of characters and include details about their appearance, careers and relationships. Location is next. In Between Land and Sea, I wanted Isabella to end up in Canada, but needed her to have a short stop in London. Once the logistics were complete, I created a rough synopsis (500 to 600 words) and started writing.

Look to your right—what’s sitting there?

A copy of The Four Doors by Richard Paul Evans. Whenever I need a jolt of inspiration, I turn to the self-help literature. I like to keep a small, pick-me-upper near me at all times. This month, I’m enjoying Richard’s latest book, chock full of wonderful advice and insights.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I am working on The Coming of Arabella, the second book in the Mediterranean trilogy. Another mermaid rises from the depths and wreaks havoc in Isabella’s life. On the back burner, I have A Season for Killing Blondes and a memoir of my cancer experience, When It Comes Out of Nowhere.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Reinvention is a recurring theme in all my books. A self-help junkie, I am open to different points of view and out-of-the box suggestions.

What advice would you give someone facing a do-over or reinvention in his/her life?

About the Author:

In high school, I dabbled in poetry, but decided to wait until I had more life experiences before writing a novel. The original plan was to get a general arts degree and take a few years off to travel and write. Instead, I gave in to my practical Italian side and obtained degrees in mathematics and education.

While I experienced many satisfying moments during my teaching career, I never found the time and energy to write. In 2008, I took advantage of early retirement. Slowly, a writing practice emerged and my articles and book reviews started appearing in newspapers, magazines and online.

My debut novel, Between Land and Sea, a paranormal romance about a middle-aged mermaid, was released by Soul Mate Publishing on September 18, 2013.

I live and write in Guelph, Ontario.

Where to find Joanne…

Website: www.JoanneGuidoccio.com
Twitter:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BetweenLandandSeaJG
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jguidoccio/
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio

After giving up her tail for an international banker, Isabella of the Mediterranean kingdom is aged beyond recognition. The horrified banker abandons her on the fog-drenched shores of southwest England, leaving her to face a difficult human journey as a plain and practically destitute fifty-three-year-old woman.

With the help of a magic tablet and online mermaid support, Isabella evolves into the persona of Barbara Davies. Along the way, she encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, among them former mermaids, supportive and not-so-supportive women, deserving and undeserving men, and several New Agers.

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