Friday 13 January 2012

Guest Blogger: Marie Astor


Ooh! It's Friday the 13th. A day when crazy things happen . . . no matter how hard you hope they don't or try to prevent them. With that in mind, please help me welcome author Marie Astor to Hearticles.

So, Marie, tell us, what's the craziest thing that's ever happened to you on Friday the 13th? Good or bad, we want all the gory details!

Thank you for inviting me to Hearticles! Here is a story about what happened to me on Friday the thirteenth a year ago . . .

It was a Friday like any other, shaping up to be a quiet, uneventful day except for the fact that it was Friday the thirteenth, but, at the time, I did not give the matter much thought. I had a few hours of free time on my hands, and I could think of no better way to spend the time than writing. So, I promptly turned on my recently purchased computer and started writing away – my fingers were flying on the keyboard as I churned out page after page, amazed by my burst of creativity.

Three chapters later I was ready to call it a day – pleased with my word count, I was about to click the ‘save’ button when the screen suddenly went black.

Yes, I screamed – really, really loud. And then, I pulled on my hair, and then I bit on my knuckles, and then I slapped my face the way Macaulay Culkin did in Home Alone. Only I was not home alone . . . My fingers shaking, I dialed the help number provided in the computer manual, and after a series of complicated instructions provided to me by the technical support specialist, I was able to retrieve my Word file, which by the way contained the first three chapters of On the Rim of Love.

In fiction, heroes often perform incredible feats and sweep the heroines off their feet, but that memorable Friday the thirteenth, computer tech support specialist named Jake became my hero as he helped me retrieve the first three chapters of On the Rim of Love and reminded to always save and back up my work along the way.

Thank goodness for Jake! He really saved the day. Good thing too because On the Rim of Love is a really sweet story.

Thanks for visiting with us. And for sharing your Friday the 13th story. It was truly horrifying. Any writer will know that losing ones work is the worst thing that can happen.

Readers, please check out Marie's story here. Buy links below.

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Maggie Robin has been dating the irresistibly good-looking, successful Jeffrey Preston for two years. But when Jeffrey proposes marriage a week after Maggie’s college graduation, she is no longer sure if she wants to marry a workaholic TV producer.
Her doubts culminate when during a ski trip to British Columbia, Maggie meets Taylor Denton, a handsome, free-spirited big mountain skier who is the complete opposite of Jeffrey. It does not take Maggie long to realize that she has fallen in love with Taylor and she decides to break off her engagement with Jeffrey. But just when she thinks she has found the love of her life, an ill-fated misunderstanding tears Maggie and Taylor apart.
A week later, Maggie is told that Taylor has died in a tragic ski accident; yet, her heart refuses to believe in Taylor’s death. When Maggie returns to Taylor’s native town, she learns that Taylor is indeed alive, but has been seriously injured. Resolved to bring her lover back to life Maggie stands by Taylor’s side, convincing him to embrace life again.

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“Maggie, we have been seeing each other for a while, and now that you’re done with school, I think it’s time that we took our relationship to the next level.” Jeffrey placed a robin-blue jewelry box on the table.

Maggie stared back at him, suddenly at a loss for words.

“Go on, open it.”

Slowly, Maggie pulled on the white ribbon. Inside, was a smaller box of black velvet. Feeling Jeffrey’s expectant gaze upon her, Maggie flipped open the lid. A giant diamond glinted against the black material.

“Timing is everything, and I think that right now is the perfect timing for us, don’t you?” Jeffrey pressed on without waiting for her answer, “There are a lot of opportunities for me at the network, Maggie, and our engagement will show my father that I am a ‘reliable fellow,’ to use his words exactly. You see, my father is rather old-fashioned, and he has made it pretty clear that he expects me to settle down before he is going to entrust me with a more serious role in the company. When it comes to climbing the corporate ladder a man’s character is often judged by his personal life, and I do plan to climb to the very top.”

Maggie blinked, wondering what getting engaged had to do with timing and reliability.

“Of course, that is not the main reason why I want to marry you.” Jeffrey reached for her hand. “I love you, Maggie. We are perfect for each other. But when it comes to climbing the corporate ladder a man’s character is often judged by his personal life, and I do plan to climb to the very top.” Jeffrey winked.

“Yes.” Maggie nodded.

“I’m so glad.” Jeffrey put the ring on her finger where it dangled loosely.

Maggie’s first impulse was to explain that her ‘yes’ was directed at Jeffrey’s statement regarding the corporate ladder, but instead, she remained silent, thunderstruck by the enormous diamond on her finger: it was blindingly ostentatious - a single emerald-cut solitaire - just what a future studio producer’s wife would wear.

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Marie Astor is a die-hard romantic who wholeheartedly believes in true love, which is why she writes in the contemporary romance genre.

Marie is the author of contemporary romance novels, On the Rim of Love, Lucky Charm, and a short story collection, A Chance Encounter and Other Stories.

In addition to being a writer, Marie is an avid hiker, an excellent swimmer, a good skier, and a capable badminton player.

Currently, Marie is working on her next novel - stay tuned for details!

BUY LINKS -- On the Rim of Love is available on Kindleand Nook.

If you would like to receive updates about book releases and events, please visit Marie’s website, or visit Marie at her Facebook page or on Twitter.

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Thanks for visiting with us Marie. You're welcome to Hearticles any time!