Sacramento/Central Valley Friends and Fellow Writers (Zoom available): Come learn about travel writing and muse boards in the New Year. #authorlife #sacramentowriters #travel #travelblogger Zoom is also an option. #speaker #speaking #writingcommunity
https://www.cwcsacramentowriters.org/2022/monthly-meeting-january-2023-travel-writing/
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Book Review: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Review by Jill Hedgecock
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” (Atria Books, reprint, 2018, paperback, 398 pages, $9.99) by Taylor Jenkins Reid is the compelling story of a Boomer-era Hollywood star, Evelyn Hugo, reflecting on her often-scandalous rise to stardom. Hugo’s retrospective story is intertwined with the life of a young journalist’s, who signs on to write Hugo’s biography.
While Hugo’s life is the predominant tale, journalist Monique Grant’s story is also compelling. Grant is in the midst of the fallout from a recent divorce. Suffering from a lack of confidence, Monique tends to let opportunities slide past her. As a result, her career at “Vivant Magazine” is stagnating. But when summoned to 79-year-old Hugo’s Upper East Side apartment on the pretense that Hugo will grant an exclusive interview to Vivant Magazine, Monique is instead offered the opportunity of a lifetime—to write Hugo’s biography.
Hugo’s story begins with a recounting of her childhood growing up with Cuban immigrant parents in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen. She is a teenager when she marries her first husband, Eddie, in the 1950s. Eddie agrees to take her to Hollywood, where Hugo aspires to become a famous actress. Author Taylor Jenkins Reid does a fabulous job of reminding readers of the era that Hugo grows up in—a time when Hollywood movies and producers focused on building careers of talented actors and actresses. Hugo knows how to play the game and soon divorces her first husband to marry a handsome actor who is also a rising star. And so it goes, with an unapologetic Hugo divorcing and marrying men that serve her changing needs. There are twists and turns along the way as Hugo describes her complicated life, and Monique also finds herself changing in unexpected ways as a result.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a New York Times Bestseller, an Amazon Editor’s Pick for Best Literature and Fiction. This is the perfect novel for readers who want to immerse themselves in the golden days of gossip columns, and the days when the lives of Hollywood’s rich and famous could be scripted by Hollywood agents and movie producers. Fans of The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin and People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry will likely enjoy this novel.
Taylor Jenkins Reid is the author of multiple New York Times Bestselling novels, including Carrie Soto Is Back, Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones and The Six. Other books by Reid include One True Loves, Maybe in Another Life, After I Do, and Forever, Interrupted. Her books have been chosen by Reese’s Book Club, Read with Jenna, Indie Next, Best of Amazon, and Book of the Month. Her novel, Daisy Jones and The Six, is adapted as a limited series on Amazon Prime. She lives in Los Angeles. Follow her on Instagram @tjenkinsreid.
Click here for my affiliate link to buy the book: https://amzn.to/4htZyGe
Rare ebook Sale
In honor of Halloween, the ebook format of In Shadow’s Reflection will be on sale from 10/28/24 8:00 PDT to 10/31/24 8:00 PDT. A ghost-seeing Doberman. A devastating earthquake. Twisty family secrets revealed.
October 12, 2024 Speaking Event: South Bay California Writers Club: Writing Compelling Endings
I’m looking forward to talking about endings at the South Bay branch of the California Writers Club on 10/12/24 at 10:30 a.m. in Sunnyvale. See flyer below for details.
10/16/24 SPEAKING EVENT: San Pablo Rotary Club Rhino Conservation Presentation and Book Signing
San Francisco Bay Area folks, I will be speaking on the topic of Acting Locally and Globally for Rhino Conservation on October 16, 2024, 12:00 PM.
Open to the public, no cost. I would love to see you there!
San Pablo Rotary Club
2215 Church Ln, San Pablo, CA
October 26: Art Embraces Words Novel Reading and Art Event
Join authors, Marlene Dotterer, Cheryl Spanos and myself, as well as artists, Olivia Falk and Dalia Alekna, at this Halloween-inspired event. I will be reading a ghostly excerpt from Between Shadow’s Eyes, a novel about:
A ghost-seeing Doberman. An orphan girl with a secret. A poltergeist out for revenge.
https://smile.amazon.com/Between-Shadows-Eyes-Suspense-Novel/dp/173224152X
Queen of the Rhino Now in Audiobook
I was invited to be part of Amazon’s beta testing of their Virtual Voice, a computer-generated narration. I chose a a woman’s voice and I was surprised at how good it sounds. You can check out a sample of the narration here:
https://www.amazon.com/Queen-Rhino-African-Wildlife-Thriller-ebook/dp/B0B998FH2V
Or buy the ebook or paperback:
https://smile.amazon.com/Queen-Rhino-Jill-Hedgecock/dp/1732241562
I’m currently reviewing the audio file for Rhino in the Room. I’ll send an update when the audiobook is available for that book.
Book Review for my Shadow Trilogy
AMAZON REVIEW:
“Could not stop reading…..had to finish the 3 books. Just love it.”
Get your copies today!
Book 1: Between Shadow’s Eyes
https://smile.amazon.com/Between-Shadows-Eyes-Suspense-Novel/dp/173224152X
Book 2: From Shadow’s Perspective
https://smile.amazon.com/Shadows-Perspective-Jill-Hedgecock/dp/1732241538
Book 3: In Shadow’s Reflection
https://www.amazon.com/Shadows-Reflection-Shadow-Doberman-Book-ebook/dp/B0CNVC4ZK3
September Diablo Gazette Articles
My book review of 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Hyde is on page 17, and my coverage of The Cat Chillin’ Zone in Martinez, CA is the subject for in my pet column on page 7. Click here to read these articles:
https://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Diablo-Gazette-SEPTEMBER24-D.pdf
July Diablo Gazette Articles
Check out the content-loaded July edition of The Diablo Gazette.
In addition to my article on Washington DC on page 17, there’s a piece by Michael Barrington on Papa Jake on page 4, a local WWII Veteran who is the last D-Day survivor, my book review of Wrong Place, Wrong Time on page 11 and my kitten adoptions guidelines on page 8.
Click here to read the full issue: https://www.diablogazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Diablo-Gazette-July-24-D.pdf
The Entire Shadow Series Available as Audiobooks
All three Shadow novels are now available in audiobook format thanks to being invited to be part of an Amazon beta program. I was pleased with their Virtual Voice, a computer-generated narration for audiobooks. Buy for $7.99 or $1.99 to add the audio after ebook purchase.
Book 1: Between Shadow’s Eyes
Book 2: From Shadow’s Perspective
Book 3: In Shadow’s Reflection