Then I reflected on the past year and realized that if I had not been forced to stay home and be productive, this book probably would not yet be released. No one has ever experienced a year quite like 2020, and I hope and pray that 2021 is not more of the same. The most difficult part has been not being able to travel to see family and friends, but it also made me thankful for the dear friends who have been part of our limited circle during these pandemic months.
Never Say Hopeless was in the works for several years, put on indefinite hold by having the privilege of spending quality time with my mom before her passing in 2018. When she went to heaven, I had difficulty generating enthusiasm for returning to this project. She was my biggest cheerleader, and losing her was huge. I spent time traveling, thinking that would fill the void, but then I was stuck staying home I began digging back into the manuscript. And, finally, here it is! Available on Amazon in paperback and in e-book on Kindle. It will also be available on Nook soon, I hope. The Barnes and Noble website was hacked recently, and they are rather backlogged in processing the new Nook e-books.
The setting is predominantly the coastal town of Pawleys Island, South Carolina. It happens to be just up the road from where I live. This area is a hidden gem, but I believe that it has been discovered by those of us who exited the Northeast in search of snowless winters and lovely beach walks. The story incorporates a few of the local restaurants and locations that we enjoy, so it is a fun read for residents who like to have some familiarity with the setting.
The story began with my first book, Eyelash, which I call my experiment in writing. I then took the time and effort to truly study how to write fiction and penned Never Say Perfect. The story ends with Never Say Hopeless, and while I originally thought there might be a fourth book in the series, I wrapped up the story in this final release. I tried to write each book as a stand alone novel, but reading them all in order is probably somewhat advantageous.
In Never Say Hopeless, Laina's friend, Connor Blake (whom we met in Never Say Perfect) is a Private Investigator and asks Laina to go to Pawleys Island to spy on a client's husband. Her assignment was to live in a rented beach house next to the subject and report back on his activities. It sounds fairly simple, but what she uncovers is far more than a case of infidelity. I don't want to say too much more at this time and spoil the suspense and shock of what she finds.
I write to entertain and inspire, so there is always the theme of how our faith can get us through whatever we have to face in life. This year is a great example. I keep calling 2020 The Lost Year. I can hardly wait to pack some luggage and go visit family, but it takes faith that this will all be possible sooner than later.
So, dear friends, I trust that you will enjoy Never Say Hopeless. I thank you for your patience in waiting for this book's publication to become a reality! I always love to hear from readers at the following email address: info@awriterspresence.com. Please visit https://www.awriterspresence.com for more information.
May God bless you all and keep you safe!
Much love,
Mary Anne Benedetto
