Guest post by Joan Leotta, author and story performer

Joan Leotta is my guest blogger today. You can find her at www.joanleotta.com, at http//:joanleotta.wordpress.com and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Joan-Leotta-Author-and-Story-Performer/188479350973

1) Joan, what is the working title of your next book?
"Letters from Korea."

2) Where did the idea come from for the book?
It's a continuation of the series, Legacy of Honor. Book One came out in July 2012 ("Giulia Goes to War")
Letters from Korea deals with the love and adventures of Giulia's little sister, Gina, and her love interest, Sal, who is off to Korea.

3) What genre does your book fall under?
Historical, Sweet, Romance--also suitable as YA.

4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
Hmm, hard to think of modern actors for this one. I am going old school for the woman--Maureen O'Hara or Rosalind Russell for Gina and new school for the man, David Boreanz.

5) What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Girl wonders if boy loves her or thinks of her as a sister while they are separated by war, her work and his injuries.

6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
It's already under contract to Desert Breeze Publishing, an ebook publisher.

7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Six months, and it is taking longer to work the kinks out with my editor--a wonderful, helpful woman.

8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
It's more like a Hallmark Channel story--I see things in action sequences. Consequence of being a performer.

9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?
My own family.

10) What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?
Set in Pittsburgh during the 1950s, discusses the development of Salk vaccine. Two real Korean vets provided information that is used to develop the storyline in Korea, complete with Red Chinese "raiders.”

Thank you, Joan, for guest blogging. I loved "Giulia Goes to War" and look forward to reading "Letters from Korea." Good luck to you.

Check out this blog post

http://judyteel.com/2013/02/08/streamline-your-writing-know-what-happens-next/

Review of “Guilia Goes to War” (Legacy of Honor Book One) by Joan Leotta

  In the novel “Guilia Goes to War,” book one in the Legacy of Honor series by Joan Leotta, Giulia (pronounced Julia but spelled in traditional Italian) DeBartolo of fictional Avocatown, Pa. wants to contribute her share to the war effort in the forties, but her parents construct a roadblock she has difficulty breaking. With their two sons already fighting overseas, they want to protect their daughter, but what lies underneath is their strict adherence to Italian culture, including spelling Julia the Italian way. They don’t want Giulia to have dates, although she has graduated from high school. They want her to stay close to home and work in the family store.

  Relatives convince the DeBartolos that Giulia is needed at the shipyard in Wilmington, N.C., and that’s where a new world opens up for this young lady. She makes friends, meets single men, witnesses subterfuge and confronts head-on conflicts with her parents.

  Romance, history and intrigue are interwoven with the historical data and cultural mores in this novel. Leotta, a professional storyteller, wraps her arms around facts not usually taught in history class, shows how important it was to the DeBartolos to maintain their cultural heritage, and demonstrates how Guilia acquires her independence.

  The book is a solid basis for understanding American families during World War II and a fascinating contrast to life in America today. Book Two, “Legacy of Honor: Letters from Korea,” is due out May 2013. Check out Joan's Web site at www.joanleotta.com.