New Indie Book Release:
Second Chance Grill - Christine Nolfi -
Contemporary Fiction (October 30, 2012)
“It is great fun to meet up with all the extraordinary women of Second Chance Grill."
About the Book
160.jpg "Second Chance Grill (Christine Nolfi)") |
| Click to Read an Excerpt |
Second Chance Grill is the prequel to Treasure Me, 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards Finalist, which The Midwest Book Review calls “A riveting read for those who enjoy adventure fiction, highly recommended.”
Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the precocious preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.
Welcome back to Liberty, where the women surrounding the town’s only restaurant are as charming as they are eccentric.
"[...]combines with Nolfi's beautiful use of language and her ability to tell a truly engaging story, making Second Chance Grill a vastly enjoyable read and a triumphant celebration of love in all its forms."
"Christine Nolfi writes this captivating story, Second Chance Grill, applying her expertise writing brilliance. Her characters are all unique and we care about each one of them"
About the Author and Q&A
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| Author Christine Nolfi |
Christine Nolfi about Christine Nolfi: "Some writers are gifted with an unusual life and I'm certainly one of those. I've lived in Ohio, Virginia, California, Utah and now South Carolina. In college I was featured on the front page of the Houston Post for a lark that erased all my debt. I met my four adopted children for the first time in the sweltering heat of the tropics. I helped build several companies and was lucky enough to earn a living doing what I love best--writing--in a PR firm I owned."
Alan Kealey (Indie Author News): Second Chance Grill is the second book in a series. Will characters from the first book, Treasure Me, make an appearance?
Christine Nolfi: All of the books in fictional Liberty, Ohio will feature a core cast—the most notable character is feisty Theodora Hendricks, the town’s gun toting, elderly matriarch. Of course Theodora’s nemesis, the fluttery Ethel Lynn Percible, also makes an appearance in Second Chance Grill, as does the short-tempered, skillet-wielding cook, Finney.
Speaking of Treasure Me: recently the novel became a finalist in the 2012 Next Generation Indie Awards and landed on The Midwest Book Review’s “Bookwatch” for libraries as “highly recommended.”
Christine, tell us about Second Chance Grill:
Dr. Mary Chance needs a sabbatical from medicine to grieve the loss of her closest friend. But when she inherits a struggling restaurant in Liberty, Ohio she isn’t prepared for Blossom Perini. Mary can’t resist falling for the precocious preteen—or the girl’s father. The bond they forge will transform all their lives—and set in motion an outpouring of love that spreads across America.
Does the story follow the events in Treasure Me?
Actually the novel is the prequel to Treasure Me. Why publish the books out of order?
Believe me, the decision wasn’t easy. After months of weighing the pros and cons, I decided to release Treasure Me first because the novel featured a wider ranging plot and a larger cast of characters. This allowed the reader to meet more of the characters that will carry the Liberty series in the future.
Like many series books, I develop each storyline with enough independent plotting to allow the reader to pick up any of the novels out of order and enjoy the town’s eccentric cast.
Has the book received some reviews?
It will soon—I send all of my books out to a large group of incredibly dedicated review blogs, as well as traditional venues like Midwest Book Review. Writers shouldn’t feel bashful about querying review sites—believe in your work, research book blogs and traditional reviewers, and write a stellar query letter. Yes, it takes time and organization. But those positive reviews will help launch your career.
What is your target group of readers?
Readers of contemporary fiction who enjoy page turners that are both comical and poignant. As far as I’m concerned, the best books have the power to make you laugh one minute, and bring a tear to your eye the next.
Where did you self-publish? How did the process work for you?
I use Amazon’s CreateSpace for my paperbacks. Currently I’m working on extended distribution for all my novels in both eBook and paperback. I did place Treasure Me in Amazon’s KDPS program for a short while—and was pleasantly surprised when the book reached #8 on the free bestseller’s list. I’m not sure if I’ll use the program again. Restricting an eBook to Amazon strikes me as a high price to pay for visibility.
What makes your book special?
Second Chance Grill stretches the boundaries of traditional romance through deep characterization of the principal cast—Dr. Mary Chance, Blossom Perini, and Blossom’s father, Anthony. The dialogue is snappy and comedic, especially when eleven-year-old Blossom advises her long-single and socially inept father on how to romance a woman. There’s also a scene with an over-eager Golden Retriever, a box of condoms and a family picnic, but please don’t make me give too much away.
Connect with Christine Nolfi via Twitter @ChristineNolfi
