Let the panic ensue.
Here we go, folks. I’ve been a busy little bee working on getting my debut, The Trouble with Possibilities out into the world.
I’m so grateful to Lainey Cameron and her 12 Weeks to Book Launch Success course and my fellow writer and critique group friend, Leslie Kain (Secrets in the Mirror and What Lies Buried) for all of their support and advice. Even so, circumstances have me forging forward with determination and a whole bucket of hope.
First, here’s the full cover:
And the back blurb:
The trouble with possibilities is they are as unexpected as they are infinite.
Del thinks possibilities are the trouble.
When tragedy forces her (literally) to pull the plug on her unhappy marriage, her family is in shambles. Desperate to escape and regain control over her spiraling life, Del boards a flight to Africa.
New continent. New Del.
Armed with spreadsheets and an impeccable plan, she steps into her future– straight into the world of Ben Mahoney. The celebrity orphanage founder makes her heart stutter. Sure, he’s handsome and charming, he’s a Hollywood heartthrob, after all. And Del isn’t looking for another mistake.
Except, Ben shares Del’s passion for education and appreciates her bold ideas to improve the school. He also possesses an uncanny ability to catch her off guard.
He’s a living example of her mother’s mantra. What’s worse? In spite of her damage, he seems to like her.
Pre-orders are live through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Bookshop.org, Kobo, or through your favorite local bookstore!
This book is special to me (aren’t they all?) because it didn’t start out as mine.
Years ago, my sister called me with a confession. She’d come up with a rom-com plot and hired a ghost writer to bring it to life.
It was a high point for my confidence, let me tell you. But she had (in her eyes) a good reason for not coming to me first. You see, I love fantasy and had been working on what has been affectionately dubbed My Crappy Fantasy Novel (so much angst around this gem). She didn’t think I’d want to write anything else.
Joke’s on her, isn’t it because here we are!
The initial premise has not changed, but so much else has. Through massive edits and a precipitous trip to Tanzania which inspired another much-needed rewrite, the story has evolved, pushing Del’s journey firmly into the women’s fiction realm. There is still a healthy dose of romance, and it’s maintained its beach-read feel.
Don’t worry, the heavier novels are waiting in the wings.
Let me tell you about Del.
She’s a mess.
When we meet her, she’s just landed at Arusha’s Kilimanjaro Airport. It’s 2:30 in the morning and she’s watching as her fellow passengers are picked up and whisked away into the African night, until she’s the last woman standing.
Oh, and her phone won’t work.
The opening scene was inspired by first-hand experience. That 2:30 AM flight is a thing. And our ride was scheduled, but never showed up. The same thing happened to my sister-in-law a year before. In the hotel’s defense, it was a bit confusing.
Back to Del. She’s trying to escape the demons of her past mistakes and the damage they caused. Convinced that a second chance to become the woman she wants to embody will solve all her problems. Hint: she’s the problem.
She does finally reach her destination, but things there don’t unfold smoothly either.
Del traveled to Africa to teach but in many ways she’s the student. She learns the meaning of a “meet-cute” and how not to interact with wild elephants among other vital lessons. Add in a cute dog, loud monkeys, new friends, and found family for good measure.
If you want to read more, The Trouble with Possibilities releases on September 10, 2024!!
Nancie Abuhaidar 