Reinventing Rita by Nancy Christie - Book Tour and Giveaway

Reinventing Rita - Book Tour and Giveaway

3/8/2023

Reinventing Rita
A Midlife Moxie Novel #1
by Nancy Christie
Genre: Women's Fiction

Is fifty too old to start over and reinvent yourself?

Rita Reynolds is an empty nester with a second shot at life. Her college-age son is spending the summer with his new girlfriend instead of at home with Rita as she had hoped. Her part-time job might be ending, which will toss her back into the job market. Underscoring it all is the realization that since her divorce, she's been coasting on the highway of life. Now, the bumps in the road are too big to ignore.

A chance to teach a six-week baking class brings Rita's almost-forgotten dream of becoming a professional baker back to the surface. Can she overcome her fear that it might be too late for a fresh start? With the help of two friends—Donna, her employer, and Karen, her ex-husband's second wife—she's about to find out.

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Chapter 1 Excerpt

“Well, that’s not how it was supposed to look! Can’t anything turn out right?”
I dropped the paint roller on the tray and pushed my hair out of my face, then took a better look at the color. It was meant to be Marine Blue to go along with the nautical theme I had envisioned for my son’s room, figuring it would be more appropriate for a twenty-one-year-old than the sports motif wallpaper that had been on the wall since Zack turned twelve.
That was the idea anyway. But as the paint dried, it was a darned sight closer to robin’s egg, giving it the unmistakable air of a nursery. Granted, he would only be staying here during summer break, but still I wanted it to be perfect.
I wanted everything to be perfect—the color, the room, the entire three-month visit. I wanted it to be so perfect that, when Zack graduated next June, he might just come back here to live.
But so far, nothing was going according to plan. Not only had I selected the wrong shade of paint, but I was also now left on my own when it came to picking out new curtains and bedding for Zack’s room, since my mother had backed out of our Sunday shopping plans.
“Oh, honey, I forgot to call you,” she said when I finally reached her. Lately, every time I called my mother, it either went straight to voice mail, or if she answered, it was a brief conversation because she was on her way out. For a woman in her mid-seventies, she sure had a busy social life.
“I can’t go. I promised the group that I would be one of the drivers for the trip to the outlet mall in Pennsylvania.”
“Couldn’t you have told me this sooner?” I asked.
“I’m sorry, Rita. But can’t you get your boss to go with you?”
“No, I can’t. Weekends are busy days at Design2Go, and Donna can’t take time off from her business to go shopping just because I need advice,” I said.
“Well, maybe we can do it another day. But now I really must go. Have a good day, sweetie,” and without waiting for my answer, she ended the call, leaving me thoroughly aggravated, although I wasn’t sure whether it was at her or the prospect of venturing alone into the home linen and accessory arena.
Design had never been my strong point, which made my position as a salesclerk at Design2Go problematic. People flocked to our thousand-square-foot store for everything from curtains for the kitchen and towels for the bathroom to décor for living room walls and throw rugs for the laundry room. And my job is to help them develop a look that was uniquely theirs—despite my woeful inability to distinguish between trendy and classic, modern and contemporary, or organic cotton and polyester.
And apparently, if my most recent purchase was any indication, between nursery room blue and the navy shade I really wanted.

Nancy Christie has been making up stories since she learned how to write, and she plans to continue as long as her fingers can work the keyboard. She can often be found walking the streets of her neighborhood, reciting lines of dialogue or recording plot ideas on her cell phone before they escape her mind.
Reinventing Rita (the first in her Midlife Moxie novel series) is Nancy's sixth book. Her other books include The Gifts of Change, Rut-Busting Book for Writers, Rut-Busting Book for Authors, Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories and Peripheral Visions and Other Stories. Mistletoe Magic, her third fiction collection, will be released late 2023. Her books and short stories have won awards and earned contest placements.
Nancy is the creator and host of the Living the Writing Life podcast and founder of the annual "Celebrate Short Fiction" Day. She's a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Women's Fiction Writers Association, and the Florida Writers Association. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads. For more about Nancy, visit her website at www.nancychristie.com.

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Author Kim Knight
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68 Comments

Marcy Meyer

3/8/2023 06:12:02 am

I really enjoyed the blurb and excerpt. This sounds like a good story.

Nancy M Christie link

3/18/2023 03:16:21 pm

Thanks so much! I'd love it if you'd consider reading it—either the ebook format or the paperback—and sharing your thoughts!

Beyond Comps

3/8/2023 07:46:19 am

Book sounds great!

3/18/2023 03:17:25 pm

Thanks so much! I had a lot of fun writing about Rita—and road-testing her recipes! There's one on the website now for Irish Soda Bread: https://www.nancychristie.com/books/reinventing-rita-a-midlife-moxie-novel/recipes/

Rita Wray

3/8/2023 08:42:06 am

Sounds like a book I will enjoy reading. I like the title, lol.

3/18/2023 03:18:31 pm

I'm big on alliteration. The next one is Finding Fran, due out in 2024!

wendy hutton

3/8/2023 01:42:09 pm

very nice cover, congrats on the release

3/18/2023 03:19:35 pm

Thanks! I was so pleased with the job the BookBaby designers did—with very little input from me, I might add! I share a little about that here: https://www.nancychristie.com/books/reinventing-rita-a-midlife-moxie-novel/

Susan Smith

3/8/2023 03:12:47 pm

This sounds like a good book. I like the cover and excerpt.

3/18/2023 03:20:39 pm

Thanks! I was so excited when I got my author copies! Even considering this is my sixth book, it never gets old to hold the finished product in your hands!

Terri Quick

3/8/2023 04:39:40 pm

Nice cover

3/18/2023 03:21:54 pm

Thanks! It has just enough of a Parisian air to fit the book, even though it takes place in Ohio!

Sherry

3/8/2023 06:17:06 pm

I like the excerpt and think the book sounds good.

3/18/2023 03:22:52 pm

Thanks so much! I'd love it if you'd read it and tell me what you think! You can check out two chapter excerpts here: https://www.nancychristie.com/books/reinventing-rita-a-midlife-moxie-novel/

Heather Mahley

3/8/2023 08:19:50 pm

Adding to my TBR

3/18/2023 03:23:50 pm

Wonderful! It would mean so much to me if you would write a brief review after you've read it, too. You have no idea how much authors care about readers' thoughts!

bn100

3/8/2023 09:59:40 pm

nice cover

3/18/2023 03:25:03 pm

Thanks. I loved it too. Between seeing the cover and working on the recipes for the book (not that I actually included any although they are on the website) I think I gained five pounds!

Debbie P

3/8/2023 10:52:58 pm

This sounds like a book that I would really enjoy.

3/18/2023 03:26:26 pm

I hope so. The challenges Rita faces all stem from the same issues I think many of us have: is it too late, are we too old, or do we have what it takes to pursue our dream?

Piroska

3/8/2023 11:24:13 pm

Thanks for the great blurb and excerpt. The book sounds fantastic. Love the cover!

3/19/2023 01:01:21 pm

Thanks! So glad you enjoyed it!

Valerie Seal

3/9/2023 11:14:12 am

Midlife? Too young for me!

3/18/2023 03:27:47 pm

I guess it all depends on what midlife means to you. I prefer to think of it as a stage, not an age. You can be in midlife at 40 or midlife at 70—it's more about taking chances, pursuing dreams and expanding your sense of who you can be in the time you have.

Wendy Jensen

3/9/2023 11:33:47 am

The book details are interesting.

3/18/2023 03:29:33 pm

I don't know about you, but in my life, there's never just 1 challenge. They seem to come in pairs, or triplicate! Rita certainly has her share but she has friends to help.

Miss Quinn

3/12/2023 08:56:31 pm

Love the cover!

3/18/2023 03:30:04 pm

Thanks! I think BookBaby outdid themselves with it!

Danielle Day

3/15/2023 09:23:21 pm

I like it.

3/18/2023 03:34:08 pm

Thanks! I hope you'll be intrigued enough to order it and then share your thoughts!

Angela Heerde

3/15/2023 10:01:49 pm

I like book details

3/18/2023 03:35:04 pm

I wanted it to be intriguing enough to catch a reader's attention, even if that reader isn't an empty-nester. After all, don't we all wonder if we can still try something new?

Karin

3/16/2023 07:20:31 am

nice excerpt

3/18/2023 03:36:38 pm

Thanks. I have to tell you, I stole it from my own life experience, except in my case, I dumped half a can of oil paint down my bare leg while I was outside painting the porch railing. (I should never be allowed near a paintbrush...)

beth shepherd

3/16/2023 12:17:55 pm

This looks like a great read!

3/18/2023 03:37:20 pm

Thanks! I wanted to write something that was lighthearted and fun to read, even though it does come with an underlying message or two...

susan atkins

3/16/2023 01:22:27 pm

It is never too late to reinvent yourself and start over!

3/18/2023 03:38:14 pm

In my case I have started over multiple times, yet in the end, I am doing what I started doing when I was in second grade: writing.

Calvin

3/16/2023 03:02:21 pm

Getting a warm homey vibe from this book, cool!

3/18/2023 03:39:20 pm

Thanks! That's what I was going for—along with humor and a bit of introspection.

Debbi Wellenstein

3/16/2023 03:29:33 pm

I enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!

3/18/2023 03:40:32 pm

Thank you for checking it out. And if you don't win, I hope you consider reading the book. If you liked the excerpt, you'll love the whole story!

Ann Fantom

3/16/2023 05:09:32 pm

This sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.

3/18/2023 03:41:57 pm

Thanks! I wanted the book to appeal to a wide range of ages, since everyone goes through those stages of wondering who else they can be or what else they can do with their life.

Daniel M

3/16/2023 05:57:29 pm

like the cover

3/18/2023 03:33:22 pm

I absolutely loved it! I gave the BookBaby designers barely any input and when I saw it I knew it was exactly what I wanted—kind of how Rita felt when she saw the logo for her business cards. Hmmmm.... life imitating art imitating life...

Jamie Martin link

3/17/2023 10:22:24 am

Do you have any advice for new writers?

3/18/2023 03:31:43 pm

One piece of advice (which admittedly I have trouble following) is to never compare yourself to other writers who may be better known or more successful than you. It just takes all the energy out of you.
Advice #2: make time for writing every day, even if it's just half an hour. The longer you go without writing, the harder it is to get started again.

Christy R.

3/19/2023 06:48:04 am

The book details sound great. Best of luck with the success of it.

3/19/2023 01:03:24 pm

Thanks! I’m on Cloud 9 today because I just got a fab review and 5 stars from Leslie Rasmussen, a terrific author!

Julie Feldermann

3/20/2023 07:19:34 pm

How long does it take to write a book?

3/21/2023 08:36:51 am

There’s no real answer to that question, since it depends on what kind of book it is, how much research is needed, and how much time the author has to devote to the task. And then there are the revisions and edits, after it’s gone through beta readers and editors. And sometimes, the book idea itself takes a long time to formulate and clarify, before the writer can start actually writing it. In short, the book takes as long as it takes, and the only thing that can move it along is to have more time to devote to the task at hand and more skill at writing.

Alma C Fisher

3/20/2023 07:20:32 pm

looks great

3/21/2023 08:38:25 am

Thanks! I was so happy when I saw the author copies! BookBaby did a wonderful job!

Jennifer Donelow

3/20/2023 09:20:28 pm

I like the story line especially since it fits my life I'm in my 50's and an empty nester.

3/21/2023 08:47:34 am

You are my ideal reader! The whole Midlife Moxie Novel Series focuses on women early fifties and up, because I think it’s time we had books that didn’t relegate that age group to being supporting characters. Speaking as someone on the high side of sixties, my life is more exciting and fulfilling than I ever thought it would be and I can’t wait to see what comes next! Check out the page for the series: https://www.nancychristie.com/midlife-moxie-novel-series/ And be sure to sign up for my Nancy’s Book News newsletter so you’ll know what’s coming next! https://www.nancychristie.com/my-newsletters/

Candie L

3/21/2023 07:49:47 am

I like how cute the cover is. It is very quaint

3/21/2023 08:49:40 am

Thanks although all the credit goes to BookBaby. What I like is that it really matches Rita’s long-ago dream, with just enough of a Parisian air!

Stephanie Liske

3/21/2023 09:42:31 am

I like the book details.

3/21/2023 10:12:27 am

Thanks! I’d love it if you’d read and let me know what you think!

Stephanie Larison

3/21/2023 12:01:27 pm

I like the cover and it has me interested to learn more.

3/21/2023 12:10:24 pm

There’s an excerpt from Ch 4 here: https://www.nancychristie.com/books/reinventing-rita-a-midlife-moxie-novel/ I also have a cool trailer that shows some highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/@midlifemoxienovelseries3804/

Judy Gregory

3/21/2023 05:35:00 pm

Good luck with all your future endeavors.

3/22/2023 09:49:51 am

Thanks! I am actually deep into edits on Finding Fran (novel #2 in the series) plus writing Moving Maggie (novel #2 in the series). I am just loving writing these books!

Sand

3/21/2023 10:14:45 pm

Sounds like a great book!

3/22/2023 09:52:07 am

Thanks so much! I really had fun writing it! I hope you’ll take a chance and read it. There’s another chapter excerpt on my website https://www.nancychristie.com/books/reinventing-rita-a-midlife-moxie-novel/ and a trailer that shows some highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/@midlifemoxienovelseries3804/

Renata

3/21/2023 11:39:15 pm

Nice cover!

3/22/2023 09:54:19 am

All the credit goes to BookBaby. The designers did a fab job that really fits the story!

Reinventing Rita - Book Tour and Giveaway

Reinventing Rita
A Midlife Moxie Novel #1
by Nancy Christie
Genre: Women's Fiction

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Reinventing Rita - Book Tour and Giveaway

Reinventing Rita A Midlife Moxie Novel #1 by Nancy Christie Genre: Women's Fiction

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Categories

Archives

Reinventing Rita
A Midlife Moxie Novel #1
by Nancy Christie
Genre: Women's Fiction