June is busting out all over...

Here it is - my latest book released earlier this year - a love story buried in the annals of history depicting the Vietnam War - Paradise Revisited – A Vietnam Era Love Story (https://mybook.to/PARADISE). 

The inspiration for this story comes from actual history, April 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War, in fact the middle of the Tet Offensive.  Soldiers were allowed a week or so of what was called R&R (Rest and Recuperation), many of them choosing Hawaii where they would meet their wives or girlfriends. It was a strange time that captivated me. I've been to Hawaii many times for many reasons and every time I land, I think of all these couples who grabbed a week together and then hoped and prayed for the best. It was there that the War became real for me. I spoke to actual people involved, people touched by war, those who lost loved ones. That period of time haunted me and so I wrote about it and saved the piece away. One day recently, my publisher asked me for a short story. They were launching anthologies. I pulled out the story, dusted it off and sent it in. They loved it so much that they decided to publish it as a standalone book as well as include it in an anthology. So that’s the “rest of the story”, as they say.

Well, my "Meet the Author" event in April was fantastic -- very well attended and terrific questions. As usual, there were many questions about my background, my work, and why and when I started writing. So many were interested in where my ideas for the novels come from, how I develop such deep characters and beautiful intriguing settings. We discussed "Treacherous Waters" and where the seed for that story came from. By the way, I'm writing a sequel to that one...more Sabrina and Nick as well as the Black Witch and Christopher. I'm also working on a sequel to the Oyster Point Mysteries. Will a character meet an untimely death? Hmmmm...don't know yet.

So that's where my writing stands right now. These last few months had been very hard for me losing loved ones from my youth...college mates and roommates...those who live in my single memories. I lost three of them in two weeks...the last one being the hardest. We shared an apartment with a bunch of girls...the best time ever. When some friends moved in for the summer, she and I shared a bedroom for a while, but shared more than that bedroom - we shared dreams, loves, heartbreaks, secrets. Through the years, we continued to laugh about those times, convertibles where doors were frozen in the morning when we tried to get to work, cooking new recipes, Bruins games, painting the kitchen bright yellow - her favorite color...life was good. So I've buried myself these last few months in my writing as I always do when I try to cope, mourn.

I hope you are writing and enjoying life...it goes by so fast!

Till,

Judi

  

Happy Valentine's Day!!

 Paradise Revisited will soon be available on Amazon...

"Amidst the turmoil of the Vietnam War, a pilot and his fiancée seek refuge in the lush paradise of Hawaii. Surrounded by the heady scents of exotic flowers, they discover a love so intense it feels like the only thing that matters. Time stands still as they bask in the beauty of the islands, unaware of the looming shadow that the war will cast over their lives. Embark on a journey of passion and escape in this compelling tale set against the backdrop of Honolulu in the 1960s."

It's a novella that my publisher loved. I had written it quite a few years ago but never thought about publishing it until my publisher asked for some shorter stories for an anthology they were putting together. When they read it, they decided to put it out as an e-book and audio as well as including it in the anthology! I'm so pleased that this piece will be released soon and has found a home.

I'm working on two sequels... a Treacherous Waters follow on in Paris. Sabrina gets herself involved in...we'll see and a third Oyster Point Mystery where we find out what happens in the Jack and Jamie relationship and if Mike and Lizz spoil it. I'm switching back and forth as I find myself wondering what comes next...you know me, I'm a "pantser" so I'm never sure where I'll find the characters :-) 

I'm excited to be doing another Book Club in April on my latest book...Treacherous Waters. I did a book club with this group last year and we had such a great time. They had wonderful questions. I'm thrilled that they asked me back.

I'm trying to fit some reading in but have found that audio books work better for me...I can listen while I walk or do other things. I've finished "The Women" so far this year and am listening to "The Frozen River".

Happy Valentine's Day to all!  Keep in touch and keep writing!

Till, Judi

Happy, Healthy and Productive 2025!!

 I wish you all much writing time and many stories and novels published. May you accomplish whatever it is that's on your "to-do" list for this year!!

I'm going to start this year off with a little different approach to help you understand your characters...an interview with them. I love doing these, so today, you will meet Jenna Kastle from "Unanticipated Consequence - a Second Chance".

1. Please introduce yourself to our readers. Where do you fit into the story? What should we know about you?

I’m Jenna Kastle, owner and Marketing Director of a New York Advertising company, First & Foremost.  When we first meet, I’m on my way to give a presentation to a Boston based architectural firm that’s looking for a new marketing campaign.

Ten years ago, I became engaged to my college sweetheart. He enlisted in the Air Force after graduation where his first tour was Afghanistan. He was a fighter pilot. I hadn’t heard from him for six weeks when he called, broke our engagement… no reason given.  He shattered my heart. I left Boston for New York where I started my own marketing company and here I am returning to Boston for the first time to give this presentation.

I think you should know that I’m tough but have a soft heart. The other thing you should know is that I don’t think I ever stopped loving him.

2. What do you think about the author? Tell us everything. We want to know.

What I love about Judi is that she writes like a painter. By that I mean, you can see and feel everything around you as you read my story. She lets you see Boston at Christmas and Vermont with its iced over lake. Someone once said, you are actually in her character’s shoes. She knows and understands her characters inside and out. She places me in an untenable situation where I unexpectedly come face to face with the man who  broke my heart. She of course creates him as irresistible as ever even ten years later – tall, dark and handsome as they say. Throughout this book, she creates a whirlwind of situations, which drive me crazy - loving him, hating him and loving him again. She forces us together even though I fight her at every step. Nevertheless, she wins because she’s the author. When you experience her story, you will never want to put this book down. You and I will know each other very well.  I overheard someone tell her it was her best story yet. I loved being her main female character.

What’s truly amazing about Judi is her background; her degrees are in mathematics and physics with advanced degree in Computer Engineering, not fiction writing. But she has studied her craft well at FAU and worked with author Heidi Jon Schmidt at 24 PEARL STREET, Provincetown, MA. She does that with everything she tackles. 

3. What are your feelings about this story?

As I said earlier, this is a story that you don’t want to put down and you also don’t want it to end. My character is challenging because I try to stay away from Brett but Judi throws us together constantly. She tosses in a little intrigue with a new character who seems interested in me but also seems interested in Brett’s business. Of course, he has a character interested in him, a French woman. I’m not happy about that situation. The many twists and turns, up and downs, keep you turning pages for sure.

4. How do you feel about being a character in this book?

As I said earlier, I loved being Jenna in this story. I’m multi-faceted, tough, soft, smart, crafty… all the things a reader wants to see and feel in a character. And I love the face-off with Brett. And Judi also has another male character, Luke, my current boyfriend… well, maybe you should read that part.

5. What do you see in your future? (No spoilers please!)

Will I get back with Brett? That’s a very hard decision for me to make because trust has been broken. Can I ever trust him again? I don’t know.

6. Is there Sequel /another book in the future? Will you be part of it?

There will be no sequel. When this story ends, it’s over. BUT, I do know Judi has just finished the draft of a new story with a new character, Sabrina. Now she would make an interesting interview… or maybe her ancestor would too.

7. Say a movie producer comes knocking. What actor/actress would you want to play you and why?

Well, I’m hoping that a movie producer comes knocking. I originally was in the published novella, Broken Christmas Promise. A producer was interested in my and Brett’s character interaction but the novella didn’t really tell our entire story. Their guidance was to write a more involved story so Judi wrote this book in order to tell our entire story.

Who would I want to play me? I would really have to have guidance with that. There are so many wonderful young female actors who could take on my part – Hailee Steinfeld, Chloe Moretz, Sophie Turner… I can’t wait to see who plays me!

Thank you Jenna. I enjoyed this time together very much.

Thank you...so did I.

Let me know if you enjoyed this interview and I'll do another...maybe Sabrina from my new novel, "Treacherous Waters".

Again - Happy and healthy new year.

Till, Judi

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!!

 

Happy holidays to you all!  I wish good success, health and fortune for you all in 2025!  

I haven't had much time for writing with the holidays almost upon us - shopping, wrapping and readying the house for the days to come!  I love this time of year... not the cold winter winds but a little snow and cheer is always  welcome.  Snuggling down with a good book or a memory-filled old Christmas movie is always enjoyable. Such a special time.

I continue to receive wonderful reviews on "Broken Christmas Promise" - https://mybook.to/qzJc

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐"Loved it!
What a great heartwarming love story! I found myself lost in her pain and with tears running down my face. I definitely recommend reading this book !!"

If you have a few minutes, pick up a copy if you haven't read it...only in Kindle and audible format.

I'm hoping to get to work on my two in-process sequels...Jack and Jamie and Sabrina and Nick...love how these two couples work together and it seems that the readers do too.

That's all for now... happy holidays and may these days bring you clarity, calmness, love and beautiful memories.
Keep on writing!
Judi

Happy Thanksgiving ALL!

I'll try to keep this note short and sweet! Hopefully you are able to take a breath and recall all the things that you are thankful for. Me - I'm thankful for everyone who is or was in my life. They all play or played a part in who I am... my husband, my parents, sisters, friends, even old boyfriends...and everyone who has made me who I am today. I have a good life; not that there haven't been many sad times- losses that made me feel like I couldn't live through them. But life moves on even when you don't want it too. And here I am...stronger, tougher, more charitable, more loving all because of these people...and animals...who entered my life 💗

I'm also thankful for my current life...as an author. Never did I think this would ever happen. And yet here I sit with ten traditionally published novels! My current book has received such wonderful reviews! It was a book I never thought I'd write but actually loved doing all the research and character development for it. I'm also a lover of time travel even though this travelling back happened through the main character, Sabrina, reading her ancestor's journal.

I'm also thankful for all my readers who leave such wonderful reviews...I'm forever thankful for you.

Well, I have to return to my cooking and cleaning!! Please enjoy this very sweet family day! I'll return in December to tell you about the two sequels I'm working on.

Thankfully yours,

Judi

 

 

JUST RELEASED!

 

Treacherous Waters - https://mybook.to/50ZBKq

Well, here it is, the product of the last book club's inspiration and the story they wanted! I never thought I'd be writing about pirates - female pirates at that. Yet, here she is - the Black Witch - well know in the Bahamas in the 1600's.

The plot thickens with intriguing twists as we delve into the story of the Black Witch, a captivating beauty and beloved daughter of a major shipping company owner in the Bahamas. Known to many as Lady Sabrina Harcourt, her true identity as the Black Witch remains a well guarded secret. 

She encounters Lord Christopher Stone, the owner of a shipping company as well. Both of them are captains of their own ships. He charms her for awhile and then vanishes.  I then bring her descendant into the story again... and she ends up being pretty interesting. I utilize the ancestor's journal to guide her descendant. And as always, there is a man enters the story ... an FBI agent.

When i reached the end of the manuscript I didn't want either story to end... so there will be sequel!! That's all I'll say.

I'm also working on the next Oyster Point Mystery! Jack and Jamie still getting into trouble and I brought back a few of the characters from the other books. So maybe in 3 or 4 months that one might be ready to go. I usually work on two books at the same time 😉

Planning on a bit of traveling the next few months so I maybe back in October... we shall see.

Keep writing... enjoy!

Till,

Judi

Submitted another novel!

 

Treacherous Waters... She was gorgeous, young, fearless and unbeknownst to most, she was the pirate called the "Black Witch"; she also was the ancestor of Sabrina Harcourt-Stone, a wealthy heiress in the shipping industry who knew virtually nothing about this ancestor until...

I have been working on this novel for months and FINALLY, I submitted it to  my publisher on July 3rd. 

I'm not one to write about pirates and scoundrels but I wrote you last time that at my April Book Club, the group was very interested in the story I was really just fooling around with.  Well, in the end, I decided to write it. But, I ended up with two stories developing at the same time... the 1600s love story and the today's ancestor who becomes roped into working with an FBI agent on a smuggling and money laundry scheme in the Bahamas. I loved the characters - Sabrina and Nick - and when I came to the point where I normally type THE END - I added "Or is it?"  I'm going to do some research on their next case together... I have an expert who I'm hoping will spend some time with me explaining how he works.  That's about all I can say now until I formulate the story a bit more.

I'm also writing the next chapter of Jack and Jamie's life, the Oyster Point Mysteries. I've developed a few pieces of the story so far but still haven't found a cold case that Jamie could sink her teeth in. So - more work in that area.

I wish you a wonderful 4th of July weekend! May we all remember how much this freedom has cost.

Keep writing and I'll try to be back soon!

Till...

Judi