Monday Author Meetup: Zina Abbott

My guest today is romance author Zina Abbott. I’m shining the spotlight on her book, FAMILY SECRETS. Zina will award a FREE digital copy of her book to one reader who leaves a comment.

About the author: ZINA ABBOTT is the pen name used by Robyn Echols for her adult Golden Oaks series which includes Family Secrets, the first book in the series.

Except for the first year of her life, Robyn Echols has lived in California. She started her young life in San Diego and has had gradually moved northward. She has been writing since she was in junior high school.

After working several jobs, including that of being a rural carrier and union steward for the California Rural Letter Carriers’ Association, Robyn has spent years learning and teaching family history topics.

Robyn resides with her husband in California near the “Gateway to Yosemite.” When she is not piecing together novel plots and characters, she enjoys piecing together quilt blocks.

FAMILY SECRETS

Book blurb:

Jennie Graves Howell has a secret, including being thought of as a loyal wife to her husband serving in Afghanistan, a husband who has demanded a divorce.

Jennie’s family do not want her to delve into the past. Grandpa Mike refuses to talk about his experiences in the Vietnam War and the aftermath. He wants the biggest mistake he ever made to remain hidden in the past, including family members Jennie never heard about until hints of their existence begin to seep through the cracks of secrecy.

Her new friends at the Golden Oaks Family Ties club are willing to teach Jennie the skills she needs to unlock her family’s secrets, but is she willing and emotionally strong enough to learn what her family has kept hidden?

Excerpt:

“So you’re not afraid of opening Pandora’s Box?” Kaylee asked.

“I don’t see it as Pandora’s Box. I see it as—well, not like a treasure chest—more like a strong box with important information inside that can be of great value if only I can unlock it.”

“And your grandpa is the key, no?” said Lupe.

“No…” Jennie hesitated. “He’s the lock. He’s the one who keeps everyone from talking about it so it stays hidden away.”

“So, what’s the key?” asked Kaylee.

“I think it’s more of a case of who is the key?” said Donna.

The room grew silent as everyone looked at Jennie.

“I guess I’m hoping I’m the key,” Jennie said. “That’s one of the reasons I decided to come tonight. I need all the help I can get to learn how to help Grandpa Mike open up so he will tell us what happened.”

Helen clutched her chest and leaned to her far right, her face assuming an expression of mock shock. “And here I thought you came because Donna assured you that we at GOFT are the most wonderful, fascinating, irresistible women you would ever want to meet.”

“No, Mom, this is serious!”

“I know,” said a more subdued Helen. “And I do hope you find what you are looking for, Jennie.  I just hope you know that when Donna brought you to the GOFT meeting, you came to the best bunch of supporters in the world.”

Jennie laughed. “Yes, she did tell me you are great. Although, her husband calls you the ‘goofy ladies’.”

“We can be that, too,” said Arlene with a laugh. “We have a lot of fun.”

“We have enjoyed having you join us tonight,” said Opal.

“Thanks, and I appreciate all your help. I’m going to study these hand-outs and look up all the online sites so I can be as prepared as possible. Wish me luck on Thanksgiving Day, will you? That is the one holiday my mom’s side of the family always spends together. Even though he sometimes gets quiet and grumpy after dinner, it seems to be Grandpa Mike’s favorite holiday.”

“Really!” said Kaylee. “I think Christmas is most people’s favorite holiday. I know it’s mine, hands down.”

“Grandpa Mike says we can visit other sides of the family any other holiday, but Thanksgiving belongs to him. It’s really important to him to spend it with as many of the family as possible. I just hope that since it’s his favorite holiday, he will be in a good mood and agree to talk to me.”

“We will be pulling for you one hundred percent, Jennie,” assured Sandy. “We can hardly wait until next month when you tell us how things worked out.”

“Yeah, and find out why he likes Thanksgiving so much while you’re at it,” said Kaylee.

Jennie opened her mouth, but no sound came out as her breath caught in her throat. She had attended the meeting so she could learn how to conduct oral history interviews. In her mind, this was a one-time event. She did not plan to come to a second GOFT meeting.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1AcEfzN

Nook: http://bit.ly/1xaRcsL

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/487453

 

ZINA ABBOTT social links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zinaabbottbooks?ref_type=bookmark

Pinterest board for Family Secrets : https://www.pinterest.com/ZinaAbbott/family-secrets/

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/118176776769103279872/posts

Blog: http://zinaabbottbooks.blogspot.com

Website: http://www.zinaabbott.homestead.com

Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00OWRJ3R8