Born
in Brooklyn, D.V. Stone has moved around a bit and even lived for a time on a
dairy farm in Minnesota before moving back east. Throughout her wandering, she
always considered herself a Jersey Girl. She met and married the love of her life,
Pete—a lifelong Jersey Man, and moved this time to Sussex County. They live
with Hali, a mixed breed from the local shelter and their cat Baby.
Beverley: What’s your name?
Gloriana Hi, my name is Gloriana
Jones. My parents were hippies, and Grandmas, Gloria and Anna, were two old
fashioned for them. Try going through school named Gloriana.
Beverley: Where did
you grow up?
Gloriana I’m a
Jersey girl through and through. I love the shore (in New Jersey we don’t call
them beaches) and the mountains. I love Taylor Egg and Cheese sandwiches and
not pumping my own gas.
Beverley: During
what time period does your story take place?
Gloriana: Even
though issues in my life are timeless, my story takes place in the here and
now—Present-day Lake Unami in Northern NJ.
Beverley: What’s
your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?
Gloriana: You know
when you’re young, you have dreams. You fall in love, get married, and look
forward to growing old together? I fell in love, and my husband Frank and I
were nearing retirement and we had dreams. We were going to open an Ice Cream
parlor. Frank would say, We could bring joy and smiles to people. But then my husband died. I tried so hard to
keep the dream alive, but…
Beverley: What’s
your goal in this story?
Gloriana: Short
term— to keep Rainbow Sprinkles running. Business has been tough. Bad weather
and storms have put a damper on the ice cream business. Long term—may be to
find joy in life again? Sometimes I get lonely.
Beverley: What
conflicts are you facing?
Gloriana: Well, the
spring and summer weather has been less than ideal for a seasonal business. If
I don’t make enough to sustain me over the winter, I’m not sure what I’ll do.
And, well, to be honest, I’ve recently met someone. His name is Nathan. We met
during one of the recent storms. He’s charming and handsome too. Frank’s been
gone a long time, but I’m experiencing guilt. And can we talk about insecurity?
At this stage in life, everything is not where it used to be. Plus, he lives in
a different state. Ah, who am I kidding? We had a moment, but the moment
doesn’t have a chance.
Beverley: Do you
have a plan for resolving them?
Gloriana: Keep on
keeping on. You know what I mean. Since meeting Frank, the weather has
improved. Did I mention he’s a business consultant? I’m also looking into
full-time employment to get me through the winter.
Beverley: Is there
anything else you’d like us to know about you?
Gloriana: Yes, I’m
a retired corrections sergeant, it’s a hard job. That’s where Frank and I met.
My best friends and the only family I have are the people I’ve worked with
through the years. They love and support me. They came up to Lake Unami
recently and brightened my entire week. It’s important to have that kind of
support.
Thanks for interviewing me today. If
you’re ever near Lake Unami, stop in, and I’ll make you Rainbow Sprinkles signature
treat. A salted caramel sundae with rainbow sprinkles.
Blurb
for Rainbow Sprinkles
Retired and widowed
Gloriana Jones is forging on with the plans she and her late husband dreamed
of—bringing joy and happiness, one ice cream cone at a time, to Lake Unami. But
bad weather is drowning her dream. A trip to Upstate NY is bittersweet for
Nathan James. He is excited to see his first granddaughter but without his wife
he's lonely. When his car breaks down, he heads to the only light he can see,
an ice cream shop. With aid from a heavenly source, electricity sparks, but
will the two weather the summer storms and find love a second time? Or will
their hopes and dreams melt away?
Excerpt for Rainbow
Sprinkles
“Do you
mind if I wait until the tow truck gets here?” He plucked the wet shirt away
from his chest with the long fingers of one tanned hand. “It must be
electrical, even the radio stopped working.”
“No,
you're welcome to hang around as long as you need.” Gloriana riffled through a
cardboard box under the counter, pulled out an extra-large t-shirt, and tossed
it to him. “Here you go. The restroom is through there.”
Mr.
Gorgeous beamed a perfect toothy smile. “Thanks. I'll be right back.”
When he
disappeared into the hallway, and the door clicked shut, Gloriana fanned her
face. What the hot fudge was wrong with her? “Coffee. Make coffee.”
Buy links for Rainbow Sprinkles
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Thank you for having me and Gloriana on you site. Gloriana and Nathan are given a second chance at romance. D. V.
ReplyDeleteYour welcome, and I look forward to reading if the second chance works.
ReplyDelete