Authorpreneur Dashboard – Cheryl Powell

Cheryl  Powell

Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping: An Anna Romano Mystery Series, Book One

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

"Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping" is the first novel in the Anna Romano Mystery Series. It is a funny, whimsical, murder mystery series that appeals to 'mystery readers' of all ages. Anna Romano is a middle-aged, Italian woman who is also a successful published author, a lover of cats, and an excellent cook with a hankering for Italian cuisine. She lives by herself in her quaint house, in a quiet community, with a white picket fence in Central New Jersey. When she is not writing her next book or hosting book-signing events with her publicist, she is cleaning litter boxes and baking Cannolis…but never at the same time, of course! In this first installment, on a typical day in Anna's somewhat-perfect life, a book-signing event turns her world upside down. Is it a case of mistaken identity or was she just being paranoid? After being stalked for weeks, Anna quickly finds herself literally 'tied up', fighting for her life, and desperate to get back home to her cats; all while unwittingly falling in love with the detective who was trying to save her. How she finds her way out of this mess is anyone's guess! Find out more about Anna and the dangerous cases of murder and mayhem she 'haphazardly' gets herself into, in the new Anna Romano Mystery Series.

Book Bubbles from Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping: An Anna Romano Mystery Series, Book One

There Is Such a Thing as a 'Good Pain'

One of the lines I often use in my social media posts is “Write the pain.” Now that doesn’t mean you can only write well if you are pain, sad, lonely, or depressed. It means whatever emotion you are feeling, get it down on paper, or the pain of NOT telling your story will torture you until you do. Being a writer, whether fiction or non-fiction, means putting it all out there for the world to see and not being afraid to share life’s embarrassing moments. It often requires shutting ourselves off from the world, and squeezing writing in wherever possible, as many authors like myself, work full-time jobs and have families to care for. It means creating characters who may be similar to ourselves, or someone we know, or someone we wish to be, or the complete opposite of ourselves, like a serial killer. Our stories occur in our own towns or halfway across the world. Writing takes research, months of writing and rewriting, editing, marketing and publishing. For me it is a long, meticulous process that has the ultimate reward of bringing a reader into my newly created world…if only briefly…and hearing their feedback upon their exit. In this blurb, Anna describes her schedule as a writer in her own humorous and slightly sarcastic tone.

A Leap of Faith

In the year 2000, I made the boldest decision of my life. My friends were shocked, my parents were flabbergasted and distraught, yet I was elated. I left Corporate America to work as a freelancer full-time. Recently divorced and raising a special needs child on my own, I was unable to work full-time away from home, and give her the care she needed. I made the decision after a software launch where I was required to work past 5 pm. There was an emergency and I had to pick up my child. When I told my boss, he shrugged and replied “Can’t you have a neighbor or somebody do it? This launch is important!” That’s when I made the decision. I had already been freelancing part-time for a few years with a handful of consistent clients, creating software user guides. I was ready to take the leap. 20 years later I am still going strong and proud of my decision and my tenacity to endure through to good times and the bad. My parents were shocked at first, wondering how I would survive, but soon realized they had taught me well. Check out this bubble where John decides to step out on faith and make a bold move in his personal life, after being a widow for many years.

Author Daydreams

Many quotes and memes involve "you know you're an author when...". In my case, the end of that phrase would "write stories in the shower" or "look like you're daydreaming, but really developing a character or flashback". I feel like everything in my life and the world around me is a story, full of unique and interesting characters for me to pick from. In the grocery store, library, shopping mall, you name it. Many people think I am referring to a grocery list, but I am actually taking notes about my surroundings! So watch out if you see me in the store...I may be taking notes about you! lol And, did you know that in my full-time job I incorporate those same characters and stories into the employee training courses I produce? It definitely keeps them entertained and engaged. I share more tidbits about myself and my personal life on Instagram, as well video updates. Meanwhile, enjoy this excerpt of Anna doing some 'daydreaming' of her own. :-)

When Fiction Turns Into Reality

Anna's nose for investigating has gotten herself into a dangerous situation, and she's beginning to think the detective on the case is not going to find her in time. She's about to make one final attempt to convince her kidnapper that her books are ONLY fiction. Will she succeed?

Caught Redhanded

Anna's kidnapper was almost home-free, about to set the final steps of his deadly plan in motion, until he sees flashing red and blue lights in his rear view mirror. He is forced to pull over and face the consequences.

Preparing For The Big Bang

Anna didn't know it yet, but the boat she is being held captive on is rigged with explosives. She is trying to get free and get away, but her captor is coming for her. This was her last chance to fight back, and all she could think of was what would happen to her babies (her 7 cats) if she died.

Rescued and Recuperating

Anna had just escaped the boat explosion and made it to the nearest police station when she collapsed. When she comes to, she is in a hospital bed greeted by a perky, southern nurse who seemed to have way too much coffee that morning. She was not in the mood.

Who is Anna Romano?

If you are curious to learn the Biography of Anna Romano, this is her in a nutshell! Hence her nickname around town as the author-cat-lady! Ha!

The Interrogation

After the kidnapper was caught, and the bodies were piling up, it was obvious he was not ready to talk. What would be Detective Solace's next move?

The Getaway

After the boat explosion, Anna had to swim to shore and find a mode of transportation to get to the police...and this was it! LOL

The 'Real' Kidnapping

Anna's fictional stories of murders and kidnappings had somehow invaded her real life. Things just got very real...as real as the cold steel pressed against her head. Doesn't this guy know her books are all fiction!?

The Next Level of Scary

The stalker had taken the crank calls and verbal threats to a whole new level. Anna was not ready for this invasion into her home and life. Especially when it involves her babies!

Meet Anna Romano!

On a typical day in Anna’s somewhat-perfect life, a book-signing event turns her world upside down. Anna quickly finds herself literally ‘tied up’, fighting for her life, and desperate to get back home to her cats; all while unwittingly falling in love with the detective who was trying to save her.

A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller: An Anna Romano Mystery Series, Book Two

A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller: An Anna Romano Mystery Series, Book Two

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

In this second installment of The Anna Romano Mystery Series, Anna gets herself into a mess that lands her in hot water with the prime suspect and her new Bo, Detective John Solace. Their new romance was going great, when all in the sudden, a simple trip to the grocery store turned into wrestling match between two scorned women. Find out in A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller if Detective Solace will be able to handle Anna’s crazy antics, or if he will make her vow to stay OUT of the realm of ‘Murder and Mayhem’ once and for all.

Rough-Cut Book Bubbles from A Bloody Stiletto, Cold Lasagna, and a Bestseller: An Anna Romano Mystery Series, Book Two

Bodies Piling Up

Anna has, once again, stuck her nose into her boyfriend, Detective Solace, and his partner Billing's case. Instead of going straight home from the first murder, she goes snooping in the middle of the night and stumbles upon yet ANOTHER one. Murder that is. How much more of her snooping and antics can Detective Solace take?

Meddling Regrets

Anna has really done it this time. She should have listened to her publicist, Shirlene, and her boyfriend, John, and stayed home and out of trouble. Now everyone was upset with her.

An Act of Kindness Gone Bad

Anna was only trying to be neighborly by dropping a pan of lasagna off at the widow's home. He and his son would be burying a wife and mother tomorrow. How she ended in the middle of a hostile hostage negotiation is beyond anyone's comprehension. How will Anna get herself out of this one? And, will Detective Solace be able to save her once again?

Interrogation 101

The suspects and bodies were piling up at an equal pace and Detective John Solace was losing patience. The latest suspect had been captured and brought in for questioning...Yet another mistress of Mr. Atkinson.

Black Child to Black Woman

Literature & Fiction

“If you are looking for a true, gritty story about life in its rawest form, then Black Child to Black Woman...will fit the bill.” — Readers Favorite When twenty-four-year-old Tara Walker goes home for her brother’s funeral, she discovers the secret journal she started when she was eight. As she reads, she is pulled back into her complicated, raw, and often frightening childhood, where drug addiction, alcoholism and predators brought chaos into her privileged, middle-class home. Through the love and guidance of her hard-working parents, Tara navigates these threats and matures into a smart, strong, young woman. Yet, even as she celebrates small personal victories, she spirals into a dark depression from disturbing family secrets and rejection. Through it all, she journals her changing perspective on the world around her and continues to smile in the face of adversity. When it’s time for Tara to become a mother herself, she must once again conquer her traumatic past to discover the true meaning of life, happiness, family and unconditional love. Tara’s gripping, raw and illuminating coming-of-age journey will captivate readers as they watch this intelligent black child grow into an extraordinary black woman.

Book Bubbles from Black Child to Black Woman

To Heal or Not to Heal: That Is the Question

Within each of my first three works of fiction, Black Child to Black Woman, Words Never Spoken, and A Killer's Reflection, a topic of social concern is addressed, such as alcohol and drug addictions, domestic abuse and violence, depression, suicide, and childhood molestation. A piece of my own heart and experiences are weaved into the words on the page in some way, shape, or form, which is how I ensure the characters and dialogue are powerful and real. My goal in life is to keep writing and continue helping victims of Domestic Abuse/Violence, Grief and ANON family groups, and Corporate Health and Wellness groups, to heal through words, as well as encouraging everyone to ‘write the pain’ through journaling, and expressing themselves in short stories, songs, and poetry. In this excerpt, Tara, as a little girl, was manipulated by an older male cousin into doing the unthinkable.

The 'Peace' That Is My Heart

I’ve seen a lot of tragedy in my life, but I’m also grateful to have escaped many dangerous situations. And, when all the dust settled, I realized I was mostly thankful for one thing, the safety of my daughter. With that being said, ‘peace’ for me is knowing my child is safe, healthy and happy. Even when I am home alone, new to the whole ‘empty nest’ syndrome; even when all is well with my life, my business, my household; even when I am practicing self-care and pampering myself with spa days; if my child is not well, I cannot achieve or maintain peace. It’s funny how nine months of pregnancy, 12 hours of labor, and 18 years of parenting, connects you to this one person, this miniature version of you, forever. This excerpt shows how Tara fought for ‘peace’, protecting her child, even through the unthinkable.

Graduation Celebration Turned Tragedy

It was supposed to be a celebration. A graduation step into adulthood...Senior High School. Our favorite teacher, Mrs. Cleo, was having us all over to her home for a pool party. All of us will arrive, but one of us may never leave.

Resurrected

Tara's Aunt had what they called a 'leaky heart' and was found on the floor of her home and incoherent. Would they get her to the ER i n time to save her or would it be too late?

Facing the Ghosts of my Childhood Past

When twenty-four-year-old Tara Walker goes home for her brother’s funeral, she discovers the secret journal she started when she was eight. As she reads, she is pulled back into her complicated, raw, and often frightening childhood, where drug addiction, alcoholism and predators brought chaos into her privileged, middle-class home.

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