ANNIE’S ANTICS WITH ANNIE MCDONNELL

ANNIE INTRODUCES Deborah Goodrich Royce

The authors chosen each month are authors that I believe were born to shine! Let me introduce you to Deborah Goodrich Royce. You will not be able to put Deborah Goodrich Royce's literary thrillers down once you start reading! All of her stories are thrilling and moving at the same time. Her novel “Ruby Falls” won the Zibby Award for Best Plot Twist in 2021 and “Finding Mrs. Ford” was hailed by Forbes, BookRiot, and Good Morning America's "best of" lists in 2019. Her newest, Reef Road, will be published on January 10, 2023. They are all 5 Star reads. They feel so personal, you wonder if there is any truth behind them. The story behind “Reef Road” is actually taken from a true crime that hit close to home for Deborah and I’m looking forward to reading her interviews once the book is released to learn more. That’s another thing I enjoy about reading her books, besides the twists and her superb writing, is learning more about the stories behind each one.

To say her covers are gorgeous is an understatement.

Deborah Goodrich Royce is one of the most talented, interesting, and kindest people I’ve ever met. You instantly make a friend once you get to know her. And what an interesting life she’s led. Before she became a best-selling author, Deborah has been an actress, film editor, and held various jobs from script writing to holding seats on various boards, like the New York Botanical Gardens.

Deborah and her husband enjoy restoring historic and extravagant buildings. There are hotels, a bookstore and even a theatre. The Ocean House Hotel in Rhode Island reminds me of The Great Gatsby. I hope I get to see it in person one day.

Deborah Goodrich Royce has so many elaborate things going on at once, I don’t know how she does it all. Deborah and I will be having a live interview with author Kimberly Belle when my book, Annie’s Song Dandelions, Dogs, and Dreams is released in March at The Write Review. I hope you’ll be able to join us.

I use the Proust Interview model to learn more about authors I introduce beyond my typical interview questions and what we learn is always fun and fascinating. Enjoy Deborah’s answers below:

1. What is your idea of perfect happiness? My idea of perfect happiness is a hot cup of coffee and a quiet place to sit and watch the sunrise.

2. What is your greatest extravagance? I am indulging myself more these days with experiences and less with things. We recently took a large family group to Normandy and it was spectacular.

3. What is your current state of mind? I am in a contemplative state of mind lately. Christmas is coming. The new year is around the corner. December is a month in which I reflect upon both past and future.

4. When and where were you happiest? I am happiest now. Older. I hope somewhat wiser. Being more myself than I have ever been and doing more of what really means something to me.

5. Which talent would you most like to have? If I were not able to write, I would love to be able to play the piano.

6. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? If I could change one thing about myself—and this is something I actively work on through meditation, yoga, exercise—I would be less anxious!

7. Where would you most like to live? I am lucky to have lived in some interesting places…from New York to Los Angeles to Paris. If I could have one more place to live, I would love it to be in the countryside of Normandy or England.

8. What is your most treasured possession? Having survived a robbery, I have learned that one can live without those most treasured possessions. That said, I would have to vote for my computer. It is the vehicle by which I am able to express myself through my writing.

9. What do you most value in your friends? I deeply value my friends’ intelligence, humor, and kindness. Those are the three essentials. 10. How would you like to die? I would like to die at peace and with the knowledge that I am embarking on the next journey.

Annie McDonnell The Write Review

Author of Annie’s Song: Dandelions, Dreams & Dogs, Book Reviewer, Author Interviewer, Teacher, Speaker, Writer, Author Consultant, Co-Admin. At World of the Write Review Book Club, Blogger, Author online event planner.