"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.
Cheryl Powell, (writing under pen name Cheryl Denise Bannerman), is a multi-genre author of five successful works of fiction, a motivational speaker, and CEO. She resides in Orlando, Florida, where she runs a virtual Training and Development company, GC Learning Services LLC dba Learn2Engage, which she founded in 1996.
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.
Book Excerpt
Cats, Cannolis and a Curious Kidnapping: An Anna Romano Mystery Series, Book One
She opened the door welcoming me in and Tiny was there to greet me once again; up on his hind legs, paws reaching all the way up to my knees. I hoped she will forgive my intrusion into her life.
“I’m so sorry to drop in on you like this, Ms. Romano,” I stumbled over my words. It had been three days since I walked out of her kitchen, unsure how to handle the new information I had discovered on the Talon case.
“No worries Detective, come in please, and call me Anna,” she said as she smiled.
“Okay… Anna,” I blushed. I had to stay firm and remember why I was there.
“I was just cooking up some manicotti. Care to join me?” she asked as she turned back towards the kitchen.
“Before you go, there is something I need to do,” I told her. “Something that will be very hard for me, and took me a long time to make a decision about.”
“I understand and expected as much. You’re just doing your job,” she responded, as she removed her apron, set it on the back of the chair, and folded her hands together neatly in front of her.
I stepped forward, looked her directly in the eyes, reached out to touch her arm with one hand, leaned in to her face, and kissed her.
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