Book Excerpt: Family Plots by Mary Patrick Kavanaugh

Family Plots

Experts claim that the secret to a happy relationship isn’t sex, children, money or even love. It has much more to do with the power of self-deception—a belief that your spouse is wonderful, even when evidence starts pointing to the contrary. Of course, if you happen to learn that Mr. Wonderful is making extracurricular whoopee with a woman who is, say, thinner or more successful than you, you can’t pretend that your love life hasn’t just splattered in your face, like a bug on a windshield. But there are trickier, more elusive marriage malignancies—such as lies of omission, financial infidelity, or a dogged refusal to change anything, be it a behavior, an opinion, or even a zip code. These may be easier to ignore.

The story that follows involves marriage and money, death and deception.

There is also some messy business regarding an unresolved murder. It was the last decade of the twentieth century, when Big Brother wasn’t watching people so closely. I was a budding private investigator and young single mother in love with an attractive criminal attorney who, it turned out, was committing a few crimes of his own. Through much of our marriage, I managed to disregard my better instincts—even as I slid into a world of
pseudonyms, fake weddings, hidden bank accounts, and unexplained cash. It all made perfect sense to me at the time.

Looking back on the bizarre chain of events that changed the course of my life, I’ve concluded that there’s no blaming my husband for what happened.

He never forced me to lie or cheat or to commit ridiculous fiduciary crimes just to keep up with him. He certainly never asked me to stick my nose into the dark business of his past. Being immersed in this drama was like diving into an ice-cold lake—shocking and exciting at first, but then I became used to it. It never occurred to me that this could be dangerous—that hypothermia could lead to incoherent, irrational behavior.

But if happiness is the goal, perhaps denial is underrated. Especially so when you are trying to hang onto something you desperately desire. Though my former life is not one I would ever choose again, I’ll never regret how I let love pull me along the slippery path that eventually landed me a permanent place in this secretive family plot.

–Excerpt from Family Plots by Mary Patrick Kavanaugh.  You can visit Mary’s website at www.marypatrick.com or purchase her newest book, Family Plots, by visiting Amazon!

Mailman, where are you?

What an exciting day! I’m telling you, if you told me I couldn’t do something, I’d at least try, especially when the passion takes over, but I received an email from the author of this book right over here to the left. Yes! I know you can’t believe it, either! Now, if Obama sends me a note, I believe I will have done everything in this life and don’t need to do anymore.

Putting political persuasion aside, no matter who you voted for, Obama is our President and he’s going to be a very good President. Trust me on this one.

But look, I’ve got to tell you about my note from the author of The Obama Revolution. I had emailed him through a form on his website, or was it Facebook? I’m not sure, anyway, the message got through to him and look what he left in my email box!

Hi Dorothy,

Thank you so much for your kind email! I am excited that you will be reading and reviewing The Obama Revolution. I have been extremely impressed by Phoenix Books and the professional manner in which they turned this book around in record time. Like you, Barack Obama’s campaign kindled a fire in me that continues to burn. The book gives the first in-the-trenches look at a campaign that made history not only by the excitement it generated but also by the participation it garnered from Americans everywhere. I hope that you will have the opportunity to get a copy soon and let me know your thoughts!

Best,
Alan

Is this guy the bomb or what? I am so thrilled to be reviewing this book. Mailman, where are you???

The Obama Revolution is coming!!!

I am simply ecstatic. One of my buds who now works for Phoenix Books has gotten me a galley of this book over there to the left!

Can you believe the luck????

It’s called The Obama Revolution by Alan Kennedy-Shaffer. Is this my birthday? Christmas? I am so freaking beside myself!

Here’s what it’s about:

The first book to be written by a campaign staffer and offering rare insider glimpses, The Obama Revolution explores how a generation of believers and the politics of hope won the presidency for Barack Obama and changed the world.

The Obama Revolution carefully examines what Obama plans to do as president, how Obama clinched the Democratic nomination and won the general election, and why Obama’s evocative rhetoric inspired millions of Americans to create a political revolution that toppled the status quo and changed the face of American politics forever.

Drawing on both first-hand campaign experience and scholarly analysis, the author delivers everything from personal stories of grass-roots organizing and grueling all-nighters to candid assessments of the Obama campaign’s strengths and weaknesses. Powerfully written and insightful, The Obama Revolution offers an enlightening, annotated, documented overview of Obama’s path to the White House and what it means to every American.

Learn how Obama used policies of change, strategic vision, and the rhetoric of hope to transform the campaign into a political movement. Discover how field organizers (most under 30), using cell phones and the Internet, mobilized and energized a whole new generation of voters. Follow the author as he registers voters, spreads the word and is touched by the people he meets.

Anyone wondering whether America’s flame still burns as brightly needs to read this book and be inspired by the hope, the promise, and the ardor of Barack Obama and “Generation Change”—the future of America—as they work hand-in-hand to fulfill the legacy of change that is the Obama Revolution.

It’s like omg I can’t believe it. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I will be talking about it when it comes to me and then review it. I can’t wait!!!

Read the press release here!

Book Trivia: Interview with Young Adult Romance Author Barry Eva (aka Storyheart)

It’s time to play Book Trivia! Periodically, we scour the Internet for interesting authors who would like to play Book Trivia with us. By answering our book trivia questions, we get to learn things about the author no one else knows! So, let’s get ready…let’s play…Book Trivia!

Today our guest author is Storyheart, author of Young Adult Fiction – Across the Pond.

Born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, Barry Eva, also known as “Storyheart,” left his beloved England in 2000, moving to the USA to be with the woman he’d met and fallen in love with on the Internet.

Known for his short romance stories on the net and in his book Stories from the Heart, Barry is popular for narrating his stories on local TV or as a guest on other media stations, where his whit, oratory, and old-fashioned English charm make him a popular interviewee.

At present, Barry is living in Connecticut, with his wife and two children.

You can find out about his book and meet a couple of the characters at http://across-t-pond.com.

Thank you for playing Book Trivia with us, Storyheart! Here are your questions:

If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of Across the Pond, how would that help Tom find a way off the island?

Not counting adding to the fuel situation for starting a signal fire, I think it would give him inspiration that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how bad things seem sometime, there is always hope.

Everyone knows rock star idol Brittany Spears is always in trouble with everything you can think of. In what way could your book help her and set her life back on track?

In the book Brit has a secret which until the hero, Fred comes along, she is unable to face or tell even her parents. The growing love and trust she finds with Fred enables her to come to grips with what has happened in her past, and face up to her demons. Just as Brittany needs to do.

You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Kara DioGuardi determining whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your best review – and why?

Being English, Simon’s would not be impressed by the cover except for the fact it has a Union Jack on it. There are so many reviews it would be hard to tell which one is the best and which would appeal to the panel. I think therefore and excerpt would show all angles of the story, the language issues, the humor and the romance.

Hulk Hogan, the famous wrestler and star of his own reality show, has invited you and your book to appear on his show. One catch. You have to read a passage out of it to convince him you are star material. What part would you read?

Hulk would maybe like the fight sequence when Fred and the villain Steve Harris have their final confrontation. However I think from his shows he also has a sense of humor, so I think I’d read the BBQ chapter to him, I’m sure that would bring a smile to that mustache.

They’ve invented a board game using the theme of your book. What would the title of it be that would be different from your book and which retail store would they place it to make the most sales?

It would be called “Race Across the Pond”. The game would be how to collect a prize baseball, and get it back from America to England. Other players try to take the ball from you before you can get it back to England. While Wal-Mart has some games, I think smaller stores might be better, Do Starbucks sell games?

The Arbor Day Foundation has decided to pick one tree in your honor because of your writing brilliance. What kind of tree is it and why did they choose that tree in relation to your book?

The Weeping Willow comes to mind with the tears that are shed by various girls throughout the book. However I will have to say an Oak tree, the symbol of strength and steadfastness, the tree of England. As the song goes “Hearts of Oak are our ships”

President Barack Obama has become the author of several books and he has requested your presence at a special hush hush meeting to discuss ways to promote it. Through luck of the draw, you were chosen. What would be the first thing you would tell Barack?

Invite Oprah the White House.

Finally, you just got word that your book has received the 2009 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Manhattan. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. On stage, you must give an acceptance speech. What would you say and who would you thank?

I’d like thank my for my wife without whom I would never have moved across the pond, My family for putting up with me. And all the people who have given me support along the way.

Being at the Four Seasons I was not sure if it was going to about my book or a Vivaldi musical recital.

Actually writing a book is a little like the four seasons.

Winter is when you start thinking about the book. Sketching the story, developing the characters and filling out the words, that will become your novel.

Spring, the story starts to develop, fleshing out the people the places, planting the ideas, making ready for the novel to blossom.

Summer sees the story in full bloom, enabling you to glow in the words that you hope will bring a little sunshine into the lives of the readers.

Autumn, a season of contentment, the work is done, the crops are gathered in and you lay back and enjoy the ride as your book brings in the rewards such as this.

Thank you for this award, thank you for the support of those who have read the back. As Brit and Fred would say, if they were here now. “Call Beans”