Author Gloria Joynt-Lang is Back with a New Release -

Today, a fellow Wild Rose returns to my blog to share her new release, her famous Yorkie, and an important writing tip.

Do you have an unusual hobby?

It’s not a hobby but rather a peculiar pastime. I take photos of my dog. Lots of photos. I started snapping pictures of my Yorkie during the COVID pandemic when restrictions and lockdowns first started. My intention was to make people smile. Each day, Ms. Smookie Bijoux would wear her finest attire and appear on my personal Facebook page. Since she spent most of the day in my home office, I employed her as my sassy yet lazy assistant. Truth be told, I only hired her because she agreed to work for kibble. Her popularity among family and friends grew, and eventually, she ended up with her own public Instagram account. She now uses this forum to ridicule me. According to her, I’m an incompetent boss who micromanages her. My talented sister created her extensive wardrobe. Ms. Smookie Bijoux has over a hundred designer outfits. Have I mentioned this pastime may have gotten out of control? You can check out the fabulous Ms. Smookie Bijoux and her antics at https://www.instagram.com/smookiebijoux/

Where do you get your ideas?

I create fictional stories from various sources, including the nightly news and everyday experiences. Some of my inspiration comes from meeting new people and hearing their stories. As an introvert, I don’t view myself as all that approachable, but somehow, strangers tell me personal details. Perhaps this is because I’m usually polite and listen to people, or perhaps people like to unload their troubles on strangers who aren’t invested in their lives. Telling family and friends your woes often leads to unsolicited advice or judgment. As a stranger, I absorb their truth. Recently, I was visiting a sick family member in the hospital, and just through observations and listening to strangers, I was inspired to write a new novel. Hospitals are not the only places brimming with personal stories. Coffee shops, colleges, and medical waiting rooms are filled with interesting people and their lives. Of course, I never use people’s real names nor relay their stories precisely as they told me. So, if you run into me and want to disclose, rest assured that you’ll remain anonymous.

What would one of your characters say about your book?

Eliot ‘Scorp’ Traversini would be furious upon discovering I spilled his secrets. After a lifetime of shielding the truth about his childhood, he’d cringe at the thought of people delving into his dysfunctional family. He doesn’t need well-meaning folks to feel sorry for him. Besides, there’s no reason to pity him. He’s got a great, albeit dangerous, job, and women love him. Okay, love might be too strong of a word, but he’s not lacking for female companionship. His life is under control. Or it will be once he finds the child. And I bet if Scorp reads my entire book, his outrage will dissipate. There’s a happily ever after on the horizon. But in order to get there, he has to navigate some bumpy roads. Thank goodness he has Quinn to help him. She’s his ultimate dream woman. She’s intelligent, resilient, and witty. Their love story, providing he lets go of the past, promises to be epic.

Do you have a writing tip that has really helped you get published?

Perseverance is the key to success, so don’t let rejection stop you. I sent a lot of queries before I found a publisher who was interested in my manuscript. Locating an agent, publisher, or audience can take time. You may be lucky and hit it big overnight, but odds are you won’t. It will take months, and sometimes years, to get your book in the hands of readers. Don’t be discouraged. Keep writing and learning. I found the writing community to be kind and generous. Those who passed on my manuscript were polite and even helpful. Their criticism was never mean-spirited but rather constructive. Their guidance helped me to become a better writer and storyteller.

Is there anything special that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has chosen my book from the countless options available. It’s heartwarming to know that my work resonates with you. The journey from a manuscript to a published book can be long, and it’s incredibly rewarding when someone enjoys my story. Your reviews, whether on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, or elsewhere, mean the world to me. They validate my work and inspire others to check out my books. Sharing my characters and their stories is my ultimate joy and the driving force behind my writing. I love hearing from readers and welcome them to contact me through my website. http://www.gloriajoyntlang.com

Escaping Circumstances

by Gloria Joynt-Lang

Eliot “Scorp” Traversini is no stranger to pain. He has inflicted it on his enemies and felt it on his own flesh. Beneath his gruff exterior, he conceals a horrific past that drove him to self-destruction. But his reckless lifestyle must stop when he rescues his kid sister from a disturbing situation and becomes her guardian.

Quinn loves her new apartment building but not Scorp, her neighbor. The tattoo-covered brute is annoying, persistent, and hotter than a New York summer. Having been burned by smooth-talking guys, she wants nothing to do with the menacing man. But how can she say no when he asks for help, not for himself but for a child?

As Scorp and Quinn bond over his sister, they spark a passion they never expected. But dark secrets and unrelenting fears threaten their newfound romance.

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