An introduction to a truly talented author—Leslie Davis Guccione

Simply magical and timeless… Book Review: Re-Scue by Laura Tolomei

An introduction to a truly talented author—Leslie Davis Guccione

When I first became interested in romance novels, Harlequin and Silhouette Desire Romances were at the top of my reading pile, as well as anything published by Avon. I would scrimp together every penny that I had and run down to the local bookstore, list in hand, seeking the perfect romance novel to add to my ever-growing library.

Among those delicious stories, there was one author that stood out, and whose work I still love to this day. I know her as Leslie Davis, the queen of those sultry, suspenseful romance novels I loved so much in the 1980s.

Ms. Davis didn't write only those endearing and timeless romances, and she has quite a few feathers in her cap that would make any writer proud!

Join me while I bring a woman whose work is much loved, and applauded, in my home!

With the simultaneous sales of a YA and adult romantic suspense novel, Leslie Davis Guccione left public relations and fundraising copywriting to concentrate on fiction. To date she has published thirty-one novels for adult, middle grade and teen readers, as well as articles on the craft of writing. Her books have garnered awards, starred reviews, and genre fiction bestseller status.

Her work for adults began with two Avon romantic suspense titles. She moved to Harlequin/Silhouette where every title for the Desire line topped B. Dalton, Waldenbooks and other bookstore bestseller lists. Two were featured as "Man of the Month" lead titles and her single title Bittersweet Harvest evolved into the six-book Branigan Brothers series. She was Harlequin/Silhouette's "Author of the Month" during the release of Borrowed Baby for the Yours Truly line.

Her work has been translated into eight languages. She has been a finalist and judge for the RWA RITA awards. As Kate Chester, she created and wrote the six book HEAR NO EVIL series for Scholastic. Six books for teen readers feature deaf protagonists; TELL ME HOW THE WIND SOUNDS has been optioned for television. Her works for young readers have been book club and readers' choice selections as well as classroom required reading. Two titles have been featured in Hornbook Magazine's "Musings" column.

In 2000, she took a break from fiction to teach, write articles on the craft and establish WORDS @ WORK, her manuscript review service. She is currently mentor and adjunct faculty member for Seton Hill University's masters program: Writing Popular Fiction. Professional memberships have included The Authors Guild, Romance Writers of America (RWA), and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

PUBLISHING HISTORY

(as Leslie Davis, Leslie D.Guccione, Leslie Davis Guccione and Kate Chester):

ADULT FICTION:

(As Leslie Davis) A Touch of Scandal, Avon, 1985
(As Leslie Davis) The Splintered Moon, Avon, 1985

Silhouette Desire (all bestsellers)

Before the Wind, 1985
Bittersweet Harvest, 1986
Still Waters, 1987
Something in Common, 1987
Branigan's Touch, 1989
Private Practice, 1990
A Gallant Gentleman, 1991
Rough and Ready, 1992
A Rock and a Hard Place, 1992
Derek, 1993
Major Distractions, 1994
Branigan's Break, 1995

Silhouette Yours Truly

Borrowed Baby, Silhouette, 1999

Middle grade and YA awards and achievements:

· Something Out There (Pocketbooks):

My Weekly Reader Bookclub selection

Finalist, 1986 RITA Awards (Romance Writers of America)

· Tell Me How the Wind Sounds(Scholastic):

IRA (International Readers Assoc.) Best Books/Teen Choice 1991

Scholastic Bookclub selection; Iowa Teen Choice, 1992

Optioned for television; featured in Hornbook Magazine "Musings"

· Nobody Listens to Me (Scholastic):

IRA international choice; featured in Hornbook Magazine "Musings"

· (as Kate Chester) Hear No Evil series:

Scholastic Bookclub selection; Reluctant Readers book lists

· Come Morning (Lerner/Carolrhoda)

"Best Books," School Librarians International, 1996

Multiple state junior book awards; "Best Books," PA School Librarians Assoc.; mother-daughter bookclub selection

Multiple titles on required or recommended reading lists; picks for reluctant readers; Kirkus, School Library Journal starred reviews

NONFICTION:

"Where Do I Go From Here?" reprinted in Many Genres/One Craft, Headline Books, Inc. 2011 (a 5 Star read from my 2011 books! tq)

*Finalist Business: Writing and Publishing category of The USA Best Books 2011 Awards, sponsored by USA Book News.

* #5 The Writer Magazine; Dec. 2011 "10 of This Year's Terrific Writing Books"

* Guest blogger: "Writing Under a Pseudonym," thesecretwriterblog.blogspot.com. May 9, 2011

*Interview: "Heidi's Pick Six," ambasadora.livejournal.com. April 13, 2007

*"Where Do I Go From Here?" Book Markets for Children's Writers, Writers Institute Publications, 2006

*"Writing For and About Children With Disabilities," Children's Writer, newsletter, Writers Institute Publications, 2004

"Travel Writing in Today's Market–Editors' Tips for Tenuous Times,"

The Best of the Magazine Markets, Long Ridge Writers Group, 2003 edition

*"Dialogue: The Key to Effective Storytelling," Pointers from the Pros,

*Long Ridge Writers Group, 2002

*"The View From Here—One Day at Time" The Duxbury Clipper; Duxbury, MA.

Experience as a volunteer at the Family Assistance Center following the events of 9/11

*Edited Duxbury Bay by Frank and Margaret Lawson; Duxbury Rural & Historical Society, 1992-3

*Profile: Roger Crawford boatbuilder–the Melonseed Offshore Magazine c.1987

Recently, Leslie has brought her magic back to the heart of devote romance fans with the novel, The Chick Palace. The Chick Palace has joined my ever-growing TBR pile, and I hope it ranks in yours, as well:

THREE DILEMMAS, TWO FRIENDS, ONE DESERTED TREE HOUSE…

The friendship of Boston bred Johanna Lawrence and Two Rock, South Carolina's Lilly Covington spans, well, decades. From their days as college roommates through their years as lakeside neighbors, they've offered each other sympathy, support and solace for life's rough edges. Summer's come round again and with a new crop of concerns, they commandeer their sons' long-deserted tree house for morning coffee, evening margaritas and soulful contemplation.

Happily married Johanna has a family reunion to organize, a husband needing attention, a daughter wanting advice, and a son sweeping Grand Central terminal as community service for graffiti violations. Fresh from her mother's memorial service, she carries her small bag of ashes on morning walks around the lake, "waiting for wisdom" as she grapples with her emerging role as materfamilias. Who has she become? How did she get there so fast?

Single again Lilly, bemoaning her fresh status as an empty nester and the second divorce from her only husband, hopes to seek refuge in her aging bungalow next door~~until "Ex-ex" announces that he and his paramour, graphic designer Cat Gallordi, intend to use it on alternate weekends.

Complications deepen at the far end of picturesque Lake Allamuchy. Johanna's first love, the bad boy she used years ago to defy her parents, suddenly appears. Quicker than he can dub their tree house The Chick Palace, he embroils Johanna and Lilly in a triangle, steals hearts and turns summer upside down. Just as he did one long-ago August.

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-chick-palace-leslie-davis-guccione/1108055479

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Chick-Palace-ebook/dp/B0072HYDSY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327698240&sr=8-1

If you want to find out more about this beautiful and talented author that still manages to take my breath away, drop on over to Leslie's website at: http://lesliedavisguccione.blogspot.com/