NBtM Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway: No More Secrets by Joanne Guidoccio

Welcome to my stop on the NBtM virtual book tour for No More Secrets by Joanne Guidoccio. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a great guest post from the author. There's also a tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour for more content. Enjoy!

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Title: No More Secrets

Author: Joanne Guidoccio

Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing

Publication Date: September 16th 2020

Print Length: 190 pages

Genre: Women's Fiction

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Angelica Delfino takes a special interest in the lives of her three nieces, whom she affectionately calls the daughters of her heart. Sensing that each woman is harboring a troubling, possibly even toxic secret, Angelica decides to share her secrets—secrets she had planned to take to the grave. Spellbound, the nieces listen as Angelica travels back six decades to reveal an incredulous tale of forbidden love, tragic loss, and reinvention. It is the classic immigrant story upended: an Italian widow’s transformative journey amid the most unlikely of circumstances.

Inspired by Angelica’s example, the younger women share their “First World” problems and, in the process, set themselves free.

But one heartbreaking secret remains untold...

Goodreads * Amazon

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EXCERPT:

“Go,” Kelly said. “Your aunt is dying, and this could be your last opportunity to spend some quality time together.”

“Her oncologist shared good news last week,” Nora said. “Her blood counts have improved, and the cancer hadn’t spread since her last visit. He mumbled something about a miracle.” 

“A miracle?” Kelly’s eyes widened. “Has your aunt been seeing a healer?”

“You could say that,” Nora said as her eyes twinkled. “Right after Christmas, she hired a companion who’s been able to transform her life. I don’t know her real name. My mother calls her Bellastrega—beautiful witch.” All recent conversations with Ma had focused on Bellastrega. Relieved not to have to share her own problems, Nora had encouraged her mother to talk about the beautiful witch who had turned all their lives upside down. Nora enjoyed the weekly updates that sounded like soap operas.

“Is she a beautiful witch?”

Nora shrugged. “My mother mentioned her dyed-blonde hair, too-skinny body, and watery eyes. She’s put Zia on a vegan diet and an exercise regimen. At Christmas, Zia needed a walker to get around, but now she’s walking freely. My mother and aunt are convinced that Bellastrega is a witch who’ll end up robbing Angelica and leaving.” Nora had tried to point out that if Bellastrega’s intention was to steal, it would make more sense to let Angelica get weaker. 

“She sounds intriguing,” Kelly said. “I’d go just to meet this woman.”

“Hmm. I guess.” Nora was curious and wouldn’t mind sitting and chatting with the woman about wellness. But from Zia Angelica’s email, it sounded like Bellastrega would leave soon after everyone arrived.

“Think of it as an adventure. How many beautiful witches have you met in this lifetime?”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

In 2008, Joanne Guidoccio took advantage of early retirement and launched a second act as a writer. Her articles and book reviews have been published in newspapers, magazines, and online. When she tried her hand at fiction, she made reinvention a recurring theme in her novels and short stories. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Joanne writes paranormal romances, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

Website * Amazon * Facebook *

Goodreads * LinkedIn * Pinterest * Twitter

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GUEST POST:

A Letter to My Younger Self
by Joanne Guidoccio

Dear 25-Year-Old Self,

One of my friends suggested I write and share advice, gleaned from four decades of life experiences. Seven months into the pandemic—an unexpected reality in 2020—I’m also hoping to acquire more clarity about my own future.

Here goes…

Release expectations. You don’t have to get it all together by age 30 or even age 40. Expecting to work full-time as a teacher, deal with personal and family challenges, and write the great Canadian novel during your “free” time will only frustrate and disappoint you. That eight-year-old writing dream concocted at age seventeen will not suddenly vanish or come to naught. Keep the faith: You will write and publish several novels traditionally.

Start a “doable” writing practice. What do I mean by doable? Write one page a day. That page could be a reflection, devotional, description, short piece of dialogue, or a rant. You can type or write longhand. Don’t worry about grammar or punctuation. Let it rip! As for saving or shredding those pages…I recommend reviewing them every four to six weeks and deciding what to keep and what to discard. Your future selves will appreciate finding these gems.

Get involved in the local writing community. Attend readings and workshops within a 60-mile radius. Introduce yourself to visiting authors and buy their books. Take advantage of local and regional opportunities for budding writers. Put yourself out there, and don’t worry about being good enough. You alone are enough. Don’t ever forget that, and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Make wellness a priority in your life. Right now, you’re brimming with health and vitality. At times, you feel invincible, almost daring in your attitude. While I don’t want to alarm you, I want you to start tweaking your health habits. Nothing too radical: Eat less. Move more. Destress. And don’t forget to schedule annual check-ups.

TAKE MORE RISKS! You will be gainfully employed for 30+ years as a teacher, and you will retire early. That Freedom 55 dream…you’ll achieve it at age 53. So, let loose a bit, especially in your 20s and early 30s. Travel and experiment with other careers. Take a year off and get that Masters’ degree. Consider it time and money well spent. Spoiler Alert: Tuition rates will soar in the 1990s and beyond.

Love,

Your 65-Year-Old Self

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GIVEAWAY:

Joanne Guidoccio will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter after the tour. To increase your chance of winning, leave a comment at a different stop on the tour each day. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway