When I first set out to write Finding the Dream, I had a basic story in my head. It was about a woman who loses it all and has to recreate herself. I’m a pantser so I usually start writing and I see where the story and characters take me. Jessica James was soon born and she was a Broadway actress.
Why Broadway? I love musicals and, long ago, I performed with a local theater company. While I did it on the side, I was always fascinated with the idea of doing that as a career. As I thought about the story I wanted to tell, I found myself coming back to one question. What would happen if someone was used to being on stage every day and suddenly had it taken away? That’s what happens to Jessica.
In Finding the Dream, Jessica has to come to terms with the fact that her life on the stage is over. She has to adjust to a quiet life in Lincoln Falls and find a new career, which she discovers is quite the challenge.
Luckily for her, she not only has her parents’ support, but the love of her neighbor’s little girl to help her along the way.
Giveaway:
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Blurb:
Jessica James had her dream””a career on Broadway as a successful actress””until one night when it was taken all away. Forced to move back to Lincoln Falls and live with her parents, Jessica’s only goal is to regain her career and go back to New York. She doesn’t count on a honeysuckle hating man standing in her way or the town of Lincoln Falls itself. Now everything she thought she ever wanted may not be her dream at all.
Eric Mason and his daughter have quietly lived next door to Jessica’s parents. That all changes when he meets Jessica. She is overly dramatic and the most annoying person he’s ever met. Yet, he can’t get her off his mind.
Will they find a new dream together?
Excerpt:
Eric had heard a lot about Lorraine’s daughter, the actress, but he hadn’t had the opportunity to meet her since she’d come home. So far, she’d made quite the impression on him. Who knew there’d be this much drama over a honeysuckle.
“I’m wearing slippers.” She turned, anger in her brown eyes.
“With reindeer?”
“No. Moose.”
He laughed. God, she was easy to bother and, for some reason, he enjoyed bothering her a lot.
“Why would you wear those?”
“They keep my feet warm,” she said it as if it should have been obvious.
“You know they sell slippers without antlers.”
“These were a gift,” she said, pointing at them.
“You could have returned them.”
“Why would I do that? I like them. I need a cup of coffee. Goodbye.” She pushed a tangle of blond hair out of her face as she turned to walk away.
He held up his hands. “Whoa. I didn’t realize you were so sensitive about them.”
“I’m not. I’m just done with this conversation. Eric, I wish I could say it was nice to meet you, but under the circumstances . . . well, you understand.” She shrugged and walked toward the house.
“Wait. You know my name, but I didn’t get yours.”
“Jessica.”
“Jessica James. As in Jesse James. You’re named after the infamous outlaw?” That was a good one. What had her parents been thinking?
She flipped him the bird as she turned to go and he laughed.
“It was a pleasure,” he said, watching her as she retreated across the backyard. She had a willowy frame and, in her slippers, stood almost as tall as him.
She glanced over her shoulder one last time with her full lips pursed and fire in her eyes. He couldn’t wait to meet Jessie James again.
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