Author Guest Post
It’s very exciting to be talking about my debut novel. I’ve worked on it for years. When I was asked to write a guest post for your blog, I found myself thinking back and remembering all the people who have come into my life because of Viewer Discretion Advised. There have been so many, especially since October until April when it was finally published. What I want to write about is how supportive the virtual writing community has been. My professional career background is in broadcasting. For nearly twenty years I was an anchor/reporter/producer in the television news industry. I won an Emmy for a political show I wrote and produced with a team of bright colleagues.
I’ve always wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl, but as I made the transition from news I didn’t have many friends in the writing community, let alone the novel writing community. I took some classes at local community colleges, but I often found myself wandering the Internet looking to connect with others who were as passionate about writing as I was. I think there are a lot of people reading this who wonder, “I want to write. I feel alone. What do I do?” Well, first of all, keep writing. That’s the most important thing. Secondly, don’t feel alone, because you’re not. All you have to do is reach out.
I had my novel safely placed in my desk drawer, so to speak. I was on Facebook like so many others and I was reading a lot of books. I read that the Chick Lit Central blog was looking to add some reviewers so I pursued a position and I became an associate. I was really surprised, but at the same time, Melissa and Amy and the girls gave me confidence in my own writing. In time, I was able to finally do something with Viewer Discretion Advised. At the beginning, I developed friendships with Jen Tucker, Lisa Lim and Dee DeTarsio who are self published and doing well with their writing careers. After a while they encouraged me to go for it, so I figured why not! I got Viewer Discretion Advised edited and worked with a design team to get the cover made. I paid CreateSpace to do most of the packaging but I created BluePointPress Publishing House and self published Viewer Discretion Advised. It’s my goal to publish other women writers and we’ve already talked about several projects that would be perfect for BluePointPress.
You must know this all takes time. Writing takes time, as does developing friendships and the one thing I always like to say is there are no rules except this one: writing is rewriting. Your last draft never reads like your first draft. It just doesn’t happen. I don’t think it even happens with Aaron Sorkin and I’m his biggest fan and proud to say it.
So I started out writing about one thing, wrote about a couple others, but the bottom line is people were there for me and will be there for you. If you want to write, write. If nothing else, you see all those links listed below to my website, blog, Facebook and the rest. Feel free to contact me 24/7 with any questions you may have at any hour. I love getting email. I always respond.
Right, Kathleen, Don’t we bloggers and authors just love hearing from our audience. Why else do we write? We want to hear back from YOU GUYS!
Thank you so much Kathleen. I love the JERSEY GIRLS! I grew up on the South Shore of Long Island, so we’re “kinda” (chewing gum) similar, chickie! Enjoy the rest of the summer!
About The Author:
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Cindy Roesel's Viewer Discretion Advised Virtual Book Tour Page On Chick Lit Plus
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
* Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway *
$10 Amazon Gift Card
Everyone who leaves a comment on Cindy Roesel's Viewer Discretion Advised Virtual Book Tour Page on Chick Lit Plus will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Viewer Discretion Advised before August 20th and sends their receipt to Samantha@ChickLitPlus.com, will get five (5) bonus entries.
Book Review
Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel
Published By: Blue Point Press
Release Date: March 22, 2012
Format: Paperback - 282 pages / Kindle - 390 KB
ISBN: 0985128100
ASIN: B007Z5POVS
Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Romance / Mystery & Suspense
BUY THE BOOK: Viewer Discretion Advised
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus.
Book Description:
Book Excerpt:
Once everybody was seated, Lefton reintroduced Charley. “Any questions for Charley?”
“Why do you want to leave LA, Candy?” Miranda asked in a condescending tone Charley would soon learn was her regular way of speaking to people.
“Yeah, why,” Peter echoed, looking at Charley as if she were about to deliver the cure for some deadly disease.
“I heard you were fired. You could probably get another job in LA,” she added with a mouth full of bread.
Charley took another spoonful of soup, patted her lips with her napkin and sat back, choosing her words carefully. “First of all, my name is Charley not Candy,” Charley said staring at Miranda. Turning to the rest of the group she added, “I’d say it’s not about leaving LA, as much as coming to work for Jonathan at WCAR. Jonathan has some ambitious goals and I want to be a part of his vision. And its no secret Miami is a highly charged competitive news market.”
“We do a lot of International news from the satellite center,” Brian said. “What are your thoughts about how to balance the two?”
“I’m all for it, but bring it home,” Charley said looking over the whole group. “We are doing local news. We have to find the local angle. We’re in South Florida. We are not going to have better pictures from Russia, South Africa or wherever. We have to have a strong local angle to do an International story.”
Nancy smiled. “What is your philosophy regarding talent and product? It’s no secret you’re product driven, right Jonathan?”
“I’m about product and talent,” Jonathan said. “But if you don’t have a good product who the *** going to care whose delivering it.”
There is was - out in the open. The line was definitely drawn between talent and management. Charley saw this happen before. So-called talent, also known as the anchors and reporters, people whose faces were on camera, and whose egos were on the line, were always trying to size up management’s perspective on their relevance. John was wearing a big grin. Charley turned to Lefton who was waiting for her answer. She knew what she had to say.
“I completely agree with Jonathan.”
She’d just made a deal with the “The Velvet Ax” and had become the new WCAR news director. She also knew her comments annoyed some of those seated at the table and they might make her life unpleasant, but she could overcome that. She decided she’d talked enough and wanted to eat. “This looks good,” Charley buttered a piece of bread.
Jonathan looked at Charley, while the others picked up their menus. His silent nod sealed their deal.
“Why do you want to leave LA, Candy?” Miranda asked in a condescending tone Charley would soon learn was her regular way of speaking to people.
“Yeah, why,” Peter echoed, looking at Charley as if she were about to deliver the cure for some deadly disease.
“I heard you were fired. You could probably get another job in LA,” she added with a mouth full of bread.
Charley took another spoonful of soup, patted her lips with her napkin and sat back, choosing her words carefully. “First of all, my name is Charley not Candy,” Charley said staring at Miranda. Turning to the rest of the group she added, “I’d say it’s not about leaving LA, as much as coming to work for Jonathan at WCAR. Jonathan has some ambitious goals and I want to be a part of his vision. And its no secret Miami is a highly charged competitive news market.”
“We do a lot of International news from the satellite center,” Brian said. “What are your thoughts about how to balance the two?”
“I’m all for it, but bring it home,” Charley said looking over the whole group. “We are doing local news. We have to find the local angle. We’re in South Florida. We are not going to have better pictures from Russia, South Africa or wherever. We have to have a strong local angle to do an International story.”
Nancy smiled. “What is your philosophy regarding talent and product? It’s no secret you’re product driven, right Jonathan?”
“I’m about product and talent,” Jonathan said. “But if you don’t have a good product who the *** going to care whose delivering it.”
There is was - out in the open. The line was definitely drawn between talent and management. Charley saw this happen before. So-called talent, also known as the anchors and reporters, people whose faces were on camera, and whose egos were on the line, were always trying to size up management’s perspective on their relevance. John was wearing a big grin. Charley turned to Lefton who was waiting for her answer. She knew what she had to say.
“I completely agree with Jonathan.”
She’d just made a deal with the “The Velvet Ax” and had become the new WCAR news director. She also knew her comments annoyed some of those seated at the table and they might make her life unpleasant, but she could overcome that. She decided she’d talked enough and wanted to eat. “This looks good,” Charley buttered a piece of bread.
Jonathan looked at Charley, while the others picked up their menus. His silent nod sealed their deal.
My Book Review:
Welcome to the world of broadcast news where anything and everything goes and Viewer Discretion (is) Advised!
When three time Emmy award winning news producer Charley Thomas is fired from the LA news station where she had worked at for the past three and a half years, she doesn't sweat the small stuff ... within two days she's offered the challenging position of news director at Miami's WCAR news station. She's up for learning from the best in the business, station manager Jonathan Lefton aka "The Velvet Ax," known for his innovative and ruthless approach towards getting the news out first to the viewers and achieving first in ratings no matter what the cost. With a station full of catty and cutthroat personalities, a ruthless SOB of a boss, an alcoholic best friend, a casual/intense long distance relationship, and a crazy cop stalking her, can life be any more challenging for Charley?
Viewer Discretion Advised is an intense, exhilarating and fascinating behind the scenes insiders view into the broadcast news media industry. Written in the third person narrative, the author transports the reader into the intriguing world of broadcast media and masterfully captures the essence of the inner workings of the newsroom. This fast paced story immediately peaked my interest, and the high octane action, twist and turns, and intense drama captivated my full attention. Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, Author Cindy Roesel has used her professional experience as an Emmy Award-Winning reporter, anchor, producer to weave a sizzling insider's view of the broadcast news media.
The author has created a large cast of characters who are complex and intriguing people, whose individual personalities made this story a very entertaining read. I loved Charley's character, she is a strong ambitious lady who knows the media business, and I think her various actions were dictated by what she had to do to maintain her position while trying to stay true to her beliefs. I really enjoyed the casual-yet-intense long distance relationship she had with Oz, can you say sizzling? I loved the contradiction in their feelings/actions within their relationship, I think it was an intriguing relationship that kept my interest. I liked the supporting cast of characters at WCAR, the author does a really good job of providing the reader with varying types of characters within the broadcast industry, I think their interactions and dialogues made the story that much more an entertaining, powerful and compelling read. I really enjoyed the drama and suspense of Charley's cop stalker, Officer "Gorgeous" Jim McManus.
I think the author provided a nice mixture of an insider view into the broadcast media industry, romance and suspense. This entertaining story has whet my appetite for more, I want more Charley and Oz, can a sequel be in the works?
Viewers Discretion Advised is a must read for news junkies that have always been curious about the behind the scenes inner workings of the broadcast media industry. This fascinating story will change the way you look at the news media! Kudos to author Cindy Roesel on a fabulous first novel, I look forward to reading more of your books!
RATING: 5 STARS *****
Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind comment! Thank you for the opportunity to read, review and host this virtual book tour event. :)
DeleteThank you, Kathleen! I'm pumped up to keep working on the sequel! xo cindy
ReplyDeleteHi Cindy! Loved the book and I look forward to reading the sequel! Thank you for the opportunity to read, review and host your virtual book tour event. :)
Delete