Title: BLUE LADY: A Friends to Lovers, Second Chances, Romantic Comedy Short Story (The Angelica Mason Series, Book 1)
Author: Stephany Tullis
Genre: Friends to Lovers Romance, Romantic Comedy
Book Blurb:
Angelica Mason is No Joke. Her Motto, My Way or the Highway.
You can take me or leave me she says but she’s more than sure you will take her.
No longer satisfied with her high-power job in Washington DC, she returns home to Smoothville, Georgia looking for love. Specifically, the love of her life, the high school sweetheart she ditched when she went away to college.
Angelica is surprised when she discovers she loves her Smoothville Georgia, City Manager position. She’s not a bit surprised, however, when she crosses paths with Shawn Mallory, her ex...
But the old Shawnee has a new look. And a new attitude!
What happened to the man she planned to marry?
Excerpt:
Angelica Mason is no joke. In ten short years, she made a name for herself. Her designer bookshelf of awards and citations shouted her accomplishments in perfect harmony synchronized to the beat of her up-tempo 'do it my way' lifestyle.
After graduating from the University of Georgia, she took advantage of two of the many graduation gifts she received: a set of Louis Vuitton luggage from her god-mother and an all-expense paid trip to Italy from her parents. For five months, she enjoyed the Mediterranean and authentic Italian cuisine while showcasing her five years of studying Italian. She'd never admit, out loud anyway, that her ethereal experience at the Sistine Chapel was overshadowed by her shopping spree in Milan's Montenapoleone. St. Peter's Square and the Vatican were no match for Dolce & Gabbana!
Refreshed and invigorated, she returned from Italy heading to the political powerhouse of the 21st century, Washington, DC. Here she planned to match the political theory behind her Master’s degree in political science with the realities of US politics. Angelica was off to a great start when she learned just before her return that she had landed a spot in the Presidential Management Fellows Program. She fast tracked through the program when the Director of Immigration learned she scripted the white paper on 'Immigration Reform: Constitutional Issues and Exploration'. Continuing to excel in her position in the Director's office, she earned quite the reputation for trouble shooting--the big and the small.
Initially she thrived on living life in the fast lane and with the powerbrokers that refused to use signal lights or warning signs or so she thought until she learned to read their unwritten, not to be violated, rules and moves.
Suddenly, and if asked, Angelica could articulate in great detail the moment she made the conscious decision to no longer interpret the DC maneuvers and machinations: Monday, January first, at 6:00 p.m.
At 6:45 a.m., Angelica woke promptly to the alarm of her internal clock, pulled and laid out one of ten identical, black, tailored pant suits, her Monday morning professionally pressed white blouse and headed to the shower. As was the norm, she sprinted into her small but efficient high-tech kitchen wrapped in her cozy terry bath robe and poured her usual glass of orange juice and hit the TV remote. Instead of 'Morning Joe', a lively sing song voice reminded her to tune in later to the New Year's Day Rose Bowl Parade. She sat at her kitchen counter staring at the high def TV 'on again off again' images for one solid hour.
By 7:45 a.m., she curled up in her massive king size bed still wrapped in her robe.
At 9:45 a.m., she woke to the flashing local winter storm warning alerts scrolling across the bottom of her TV screen accompanied by the lush green, pink, orange and yellow landscaped images of Pasadena, California and seemingly never-ending line of holiday parade floats.
At 2:00 p.m., she ordered Chinese takeout. When she opened her eyes at 5:00 p.m., she realized she had a problem.
At 6:00 p.m., she knew she would resign from her job.
At 8:00 p.m., she acknowledged that her problem was so much bigger than her job.
At 10:00 p.m., she speed-dialed Shawn Mallory only to learn he could no longer be reached on the almost ten-year-old contact number because 'this number is no longer in service'.
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What’s your favorite thing about the fall season:
I’m definitely a summer sunshine and beach ‘girl’ however there is something so special about nature’s way of reminding us that we are moving into another season. A season of new beginnings. It’s exciting to see the gradual change in the color of the trees as the green leaves magically become a bright orange. There’s no better way to enjoy this change of season than a long drive that culminates with my annual visit to a favorite apple orchard. Fresh fall vegetables, fruit and the warmth associated with the promise of a warm and cozy winter.
What inspired you to write this story:
The BLUE LADY, aka Angelica Mason’s alter ego, was created long before the release of this short story. You can find out what led to the creation of the BLUE LADY in my very first Christmas book: 48 Hours ‘Til Christmas. In the final proofs of this holiday story, I removed several chapters that I really loved—feeling even at that early point in my writing career, that the BLUE LADY deserved a life of her own.
Sixteen months later, BLUE LADY (now my very favorite character) made her official grand entrance announcing it’s ‘my way or the highway’ and shares why she indeed deserves a life of her own. I’m quite pleased to introduce, the infamous, Blue Lady. Enjoy!
Giveaway –
One lucky reader will win a $75 Amazon (US) gift card.
Open internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US account to win.
Runs September 1 – 30
Drawing will be held on October 1.
Author Biography:
Stephany Tullis is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of character-driven edgy inspirational fiction including The Master’s Plan, A Novel, her What Love Can Do, Angelica Mason and Chandler County Series. Stephany grew up in upstate New York fell in love with books after his first trip to the local library; influenced by her mother who was an avid reader!
Her motto, 'writing with purpose', reflects her intent to have her stories not only entertain readers but to inspire and uplift their spirits. Her readers write: " As is the norm with this author, she has a firm grasp on human nature and what makes them (people) tick.
Stephany currently lives in Metro Atlanta and has an extensive public service and not for profit business management background.
Stephany is energized by the sun, thrives on music (all genres) and is inspired by the serenity of the ocean. She loves to travel and summer is her season. Beach-based outdoor music festivals allow her to creatively combine these interests.
"At a time when we all need some inspiration, Stephany Tullis' books make us glad we woke up and can share another day with someone, maybe even a new friend."
Calib Prittle, III, Author/Publisher
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