Welcome to my blog, Lori! It’s a pleasure to have you here! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you so much, Emerald! It’s my pleasure to get to know you and your readers more. About myself? I’d have to describe that I’m a wearer of many hats: mom, stepmom, cat mom, wife, friend, author, business consultant, scullery maid (I say this in jest), chauffer of many children, boater, reader, napper, and taker of bubble baths.
You have just released a new book, Unexpecting. What’s that about?
Shelley and David are a couple of almost-empty-nesters whose kids are just about all off to college. They’ve just ordered white furniture and planned the vacation they’ve waited their entire lives to take. Their life is catapulted in a completely different direction when Alexandra, seventeen and pregnant, shows up at their door and announces that she’s the daughter they never knew they had!
It sounds like a fun, witty read! Do you prefer writing books that are fun and witty or do you think you’ll ever branch out into something a little darker?
Funny that you should ask. “Unexpecting” is actually written in a bit more serious tone than “Momnesia” was. This is not to say that it doesn’t have a humorous streak, it’s just that it’s not quite as hilarious as “Momnesia.” In “Unexpecting,” I wanted to delve more into the personalities and dilemmas of each of the characters more so than focusing on just the one main character like I did in “Momnesia.”
However, as for “dark?” I doubt I will ever write anything that would be considered dark, although only the future will tell for sure.
Okay, that question was sent before I had read the book Now that I’ve read it, it is a more serious book than what I expected.
Review: Shelley and David have raised their kids. They aren’t really expecting to raise more, but all that changes when Alexandra, David’s long-lost daughter shows up. No one knew she even existed, so they were beyond surprised when she showed up, and even more surprised when they realized she was with child.
Needless to say, things aren’t easy on all of them. Especially, Shelley. She’s the one who is stuck uprooting her life because of Alexandra’s mistakes.
Now, I say that because I absolutely did not feel sorry for Alexandra. Grant it, I probably should have, but she was a spoiled brat in my eyes. Sure, she was dealing with A LOT, but it didn’t give her the right to act like she does in the book.
But, I have to admit to not connecting with the characters in this book. Sure, I liked them. I felt for them, but honest, I couldn’t really connect.
Lori did a great job at writing the book. It was well thought out, and I’m sure it’s the right match for people with step-kids and kids. But for me, it wasn’t exactly a perfect match.
Even though it wasn’t a perfect match, I still want to give this a 3.5/5 star rating. If I could’ve connected at a deeper level with the characters, I would’ve felt better about the book.
How does Unexpecting differ from your book, Momnesia?
One major difference is that “Unexpecting” is written in the third person, whereas “Momnesia” was written in first person point of view. This allowed me to help readers get to know all of the characters more, and experience the thoughts and nuances of the story from different perspectives.
What do you feel like is the best way to describe your writing and style of writing?
Definitely “conversational.” Many readers of all of my books (even my nonfiction, “Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs”) tell me that they enjoy my conversational writing style that feels kind of like spending time chatting with (or being told a story by) a friend.
Now, for a little fun, if you can have any vehicle in the world, no limit to costs, etc. What would it be?
A jet! A super, super fast one so that I could travel anywhere in the world without it taking so long to get there that my vacation time is practically used up before I’ve even arrived! (I do not do well on 14-hour plane rides. I’m a big baby.)
Now! Enter to win a copy of Unexpecting either in paperback (US ONLY) or digital format (International). You have a week to enter!
Visit the Blog Tour Page to find more features, book giveaways, and enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card or a Kindle Fire! http://www.LoriTheAuthor.com/UnexpectingRelease
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About Lori:
Lori Verni-Fogarsi has been an author, speaker, and small business consultant since 1995. She has been featured in media including “Lifetime Women’s Network,” the “My Carolina Today Show,” and “Boston Globe Forums Live.” Her public speaking has occurred at many prestigious venues including “North Carolina State University,” “Nassau Community College,” and many more. She has received two awards for her novel, “Momnesia,” and her nonfiction, “Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs,” continues to be one of the most highly recommended in its genre since 2005. Lori is a happy married mom of two, step mom of two more, and has two cats, both rotten. She is very excited about the release of “Unexpecting,” and enjoys getting to know her readers via social media and in person. She invites you to learn more at http://www.LoriTheAuthor.com.
- “Unexpecting”: Shelley and David are a couple of almost-empty-nesters preparing to embark on the next stage of their lives. They just ordered white furniture and planned the vacation they’ve waited their entire lives to take when Alexandra, seventeen and pregnant, shows up on their doorstep and announces that she’s the daughter they never knew they had!
- “Momnesia”: Feeling invisible under all the responsibilities of caring for her family, a suburban mom sets about finessing a new version of her old vivaciousness… seeking balance between her “momminess” and her “sexiness!”
“Everything You Need to Know About House Training Puppies and Adult Dogs”: Whether you have a puppy who is first learning, an adult dog with ongoing confusion, or simply want to teach your pet to use a designated area, this book answers literally every housebreaking question!
Dreaming Awake 