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Romcom Book Launch’s Coming: A Change Would Do You Good in 15 Questions & Answers

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Happy Wednesday, fellow writing addicts! My second novel, romcom/drama A Change Would Do You good is up for pre-order! And it launches on Thursday, March 18th.

Want to read the first chapter? Go here.

Want to pre-order? Go here.

So, I created a fun FAQs post to tell you the important, entertaining, and interesting tidbits about my baby. (Yes, we are still talking about the book!)

A Change Would Do You Good in 15 Q&As:

A Change Would Do You Good. A romcom novel by Pinar Tarhan.
  • What’s the genre?

Romance/Comedy/Drama.

  • What’s the setting?

California.

First Los Angeles, then San Diego. Vancouver, Canada gets an honorable mention.

  • When’s the setting?

The present, but in a world without the pandemic.

  • Who’s the protagonist?

 Janie, a 35-year-old fashion designer desperate to change her life after the death of her boyfriend.

  • Who are other important characters?

This is an ensemble piece. Most of the characters are directly or indirectly connected to Janie, but there are several main characters with their own storylines that might not include her.

Main Characters:

Kevin: A world-champion pro surfer with the looks of a Norse God and a casual look outlook on relationships.

Denise: Kevin’s biggest rival and one of the best surfers ever.

Greg: A handsome therapist with a good heart and an unlucky romantic who is more focused on solving his friends’ problems.

Linda: A marketing professional stuck at a thankless, low-paid job and in a relationship that ran its course. She’s just too broke and unmotivated to get out. She’s Greg’s best friend.

Ben: A part-time model/part-time fashion designer who lives his life to maximize the fun. He’s also Linda’s boyfriend.

Ashley: loves drugs, metal music, and driving her neighbors crazy with wild parties and stunts.

Michelle: is an accomplished freelance writer suffering from severe agoraphobia. She hasn’t left her house in six years.

Ian: Michelle’s 20-year-old son absolutely obsessed with curing his mom.

Tom and Sam: Tom and Sam

  • Is this a series or a standalone?

It’s both.

It’s a standalone book without a cliffhanger. But I love these characters, and I’m planning to continue.

  • That’s a lot of characters. How will we keep up?

They all have distinct personalities and roles in the book. I hope I’ve done a good job, but just in case, how about using this post as a cheat sheet?

  • How did this story come about? Why this story? Why you? Why California? Just, why?

When I was 15,5, I stayed in Santa Barbara for a month. It was one of the best times of my life. I met a lot of interesting characters (though none of them made it to the book), attended a lot of parties (don’t worry, I didn’t drink – and the parties did make it to the book), and fell in love with the beauty of the place. People were also incredibly friendly and welcoming.

One day, I woke up with the idea of a woman dealing with a huge loss by making this huge change, and how she dealt with the challenge. Then came her second chance at romance, complete with a bunch of colorful new friends and neighbors.

  • How long is it?

Less than 55K words. It’s short.

  • Standalone or series?

It’s both.

This book contains no cliffhangers. There is one scene toward the end with two characters where you might wonder what will happen next – and that will be explored further in the second book. But all the main plotlines are resolved.

I love these characters. I originally created this as a TV series, so even if the second book took 5 years to write – which I’m hoping it won’t, I’ll be working on it.

However, this is a satisfactory and complete read on its own.

  • What’s with the title?

It really encompasses the theme. It’s not just Janie who will go through massive changes.

  • How was it writing so many characters?

It was so much fun!  The possibilities were endless.

  • If this was a TV series, who would play whom?

I’ve given the most thought to my male protagonist to Kevin. Because I know quite a few actors who would be perfect.

Chris Hemsworth with no beard/long hair. He’s only a few years older than Kevin.

If I was shooting it in the early 2000s, Jason Lewis! You might remember him as The Absolute Hunk from Sex and The City series.

And it’s not I said no to Charlie Hunnam.

Ben – William Levy (or someone who is a few years younger.)

Greg – Ricky Whittle.

However, I can’t wait to hear your suggestions after you’ve read the book.

  • What are some of the positive reactions this thing received?

Olga Mecking says: “A Change Would Do You Good is a real page-turner, always leaving you wanting to know more about what will happen to the characters. And it won’t leave you alone until you’re done.”

And Carrie Lowrence says “A Change Will Do You Good will whisk you away to sunny California to join a cast of characters that feel like friends. Janie is trying to get over the death of her ex-boyfriend and cope with her eclectic neighbors, especially the slightly arrogant Kevin. Can she overcome the pain of her past and find love again? If you love stories about close-knit groups of friends that will make you laugh and cry, this book will do you good.”

You can also head on to Goodreads to read some early reviews.

  • Can you give us the blurb already?

Janie desperately needs a change, and she needs it yesterday.

Ever since her boyfriend died and their mutual best friends moved to Canada, she’s been lost and unable to enjoy life.

So she gets a new wardrobe, job, car, and place. In another city.

The new job and apartment are great, but her colorful neighbors will be a challenge to get used to:

Agoraphobic Michelle and her car-crash happy son who is obsessed with curing his mom,
Part-time model/fashion designer Ben who seems to be competing for the worst boyfriend award and his miserable girlfriend Linda who hates her career,
Goth metal chick Ashley who loves drugs, guns, and weird parties,
Lackluster cops Sam and Tom who want a more exciting life.

Luckily Janie has met Greg, a handsome therapist who might be the best friend a person can have. And her downstairs neighbor Kevin, a pro surfer with the looks of a Norse god, seems fun and friendly enough.

With all the antics and chaos going on, only one thing seems certain: Her neighbors provide her with more distraction and change than she was ever ready for, including an epic romance…

*

There you go! I hope that you have fun if you choose to read this book! If you have any questions, hit me up in the comments! And if you want to pre-order, you can do so now.

This Romance Writer’s Top 5 Romance Books & Authors

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Disclaimer: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I’ll earn a little something at no extra cost to you.

 

Welcome to post 3 of Romance Week on Addicted to Writing!

Post 1 covered This Romance Writer’s Top 10 Romance Movies,

Post 2 covered This Romance Writer’s Top 10 Romantic (Rock) Songs.

Today I picked 5 of my favorite romantic books from 5 of my favorite romance authors. And worry, I’ve included some bonus suggestions at the end.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I mean of course.

The 2005 movie adaptation of Pride and Prejudice is a pretty great one, so check out my favorite romance movies post for the plot summary.

And yes, I’ve seen the movie more often than I’ve read the book.

But the fact remains that this wonderful classic came first, and it is a must-read.

Also read: Whatever Jane Austen writes.

Anything by Jane Austen guarantees a good time and offers writing lessons by the dozen.

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

This is my favorite novel by Kinsella and my favorite romcom novel after Pride and Prejudice. Hilarious, romantic, and pure gold. Cute movie, but it doesn’t do the book justice. The book was funnier and sexier.

In Can You Keep a Secret?, British Emma works in marketing and has a few embarrassing secrets. Nothing major, but she keeps some from everyone: her colleagues, parents, boyfriend…And she intends to take them to her grave.

Unfortunately, a bumpy plane ride makes her think she will die, so she confesses all of it to the handsome American sitting next to her. They survive, and what’s the worst that could happen? He is a stranger she will never see again.

Except it turns out he is her boss, and he remembers everything. And he finds it amusing to mention them cryptically here and there. To make things more complicated, Emma finds herself increasingly more attracted to him.

Could love work if he knows everything, and you know nothing?

Also read: The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic and Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella.

What If? by Shari Low

What If? has an original and hilarious premise.

In 1999, before the Internet and smartphones, 30-year-old Carly Cooper decides to question if one of the men she loved and left was actually Mr. Right.

So with six great exes scattered all over the world, Carly looks for the answer by quitting her job and tracking them down.

Also read: Why not? by Shari Low

Where Have All The Boys Gone? by Jenny Colgan

Where have all the boys gone? is laugh-out-loud, funny, and it has great (and realistic) premise, very romantic. Good for wanderlust too.

Frustrated by London’s bad dates, high rates, and suffocating crowds, Katie goes to a job interview in Fairlish, Scotland. Nature is beautiful, and the men are plenty. But she hates her prospective boss Harry.

Unfortunately, her boss Olivia takes them on as a client, so she has to go anyway. Followed by her depressed best friend Louise, she has to endure the stern and inhospitable boarding house owner and the grumpy Harry.

Cute journalist Iain seems to make things a bit better, and she eventually gets used to her new life.

But why do Harry and Iain hate each other? And why is she so confused?

Also read: The Little Shop of Happy Ever After by Jenny Colgan.

Highland Fling by Katie Fforde

I’ll read anything with Katie Fforde and enjoy it, but nothing will make me as happy and entertained as Highland Fling. I read this book several times.

English virtual assistant Jenny packs up for a job in Scotland, much to the dismay of her boyfriend Henry. She has to settle in the Dalmain House, a cold, unwelcoming structure that could belong in a horror movie. She also has to deal with a failing mill, handsome and abrasive Ross who couldn’t be more different than her (or Henry), and remain sane while doing an impossible job.

This is the novel that made me want to go to Scotland. And I definitely wouldn’t mind a guy like Ross.

Also read: Any Katie Fforde book is fair game.

Want More Suggestions? Check out:

The Nanny by Melissa Nathan

Sex, Lies, and Online Dating by Rachel Gibson

Café Tropicana by Belinda Jones

Like my taste?

You might try my romcom Making A Difference (M.A.D.) It’ll be $0.99 until the 15th of February. It’s free to read for Kindle Unlimited members.

Making A Difference (M.A.D.) Plot Summary

Making A Difference (M.A.D.) is a contemporary romantic comedy set in NYC.
Everybody loves Jay. He’s that humanitarian PR guru who doesn’t live like the rich and runs a profitable company so that he’ll have more resources to help people. He defines himself through how much he and his company make a positive impact.

He’s engaged to a gorgeous CEO whose purse collection could feed the homeless in NYC, but he’s only human.

If anyone notices the irony, it’s Jay’s new partner Zoe. 10 years older than her, Jay is the reason she studied PR. So when Jay’s business partner/best friend takes a less pressuring position, she’s delighted to return to the firm she interned for.

But Jay and Zoe have a big secret: 5 years ago, they fell hard for each other. She was a student at NYU where Jay was a lecturer. To Jay, his legacy was everything, and he’d never risk his reputation by dating a student. Moreover, he’d die before he let Zoe ruin her career. She is furious he doesn’t take the risk for them. She leaves the country to get over him.

And now she’s happily coupled-up with lovely writer Colin.
Colin detests Jay, and he doesn’t even know the entire story. Zoe’s upset Colin’s turning into a whiny jerk, but he’s the first guy she has felt strongly for in a long time.

Jay can no longer dismiss his feelings as nostalgia, but Zoe’s still furious at him. And the last time he tried to fix things, she left the company and the country. And now that the stakes are even higher.

Will Jay be able to follow his heart even when improving the world seems easier?

Are you a writer looking to create an amazing romance? Check out my romance writing guides. They’re $0.99 until the 15th of February.

This Romance Writer’s Top 10 Romance Movies

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It’s romance week on Addicted to Writing!

Valentine’s Day is approaching, and as a romance writer, what better week than this to talk about romance? Today’s post is about my favorite romantic movies: romantic comedies and romantic dramas.

I’ll talk about my favorite movies, give a bit of a plot summary, link to my entertainment blog if I’ve reviewed them in detail before, and of course, talk about why these movies come before others.

I’ve watched them in their entirety several times. I’ve seen some of them probably more than 10 times. I frequently revisit my favorite scenes.

For this list, I’ve included romcoms, romantic dramas, and the occasional romance with other genre elements, like fantasy or sci-fiction.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase through them, I might earn a little something.

Ready? Let’s roll!

Pride and Prejudice (2005) starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen: Romance, Comedy

It really is my favorite romantic movie of all time.

What’s not to like? We have a strong, smart, modern, and gorgeous female lead who is her own person.  Our male lead is well, Mr. Darcy, the ultimate epitome of tall, dark and handsome. He is also adorably flawed, but a total romantic at heart.

Pride and Prejudice Plot Summary:

Living in the early 19th century England, Elizabeth Bennet (Keira Knightley) doesn’t quite belong. She loves to read and take long walks. She is perfectly happy wearing plain clothes, is opinionated, and will not settle for anything less than true love.

Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen) is shy, rich, and he hates parties.

During a ball, Elizabeth and her sisters meet Mr. Darcy and his best friend Mr. Bingley. But when Darcy acts cold and Elizabeth overhears him saying not-so-great things about her, she speaks his mind and astounds him.

From then on, Elizabeth is on a mission to be even more herself and not impress Darcy. Darcy does his hardest to avoid crushing on Elizabeth: this strong, confident, extroverted woman. Of course, to no avail.

We end up with the greatest romantic comedy of all time.

And if you need more reasons to watch, the cast includes Donald Sutherland, Brenda Blethyn, Carey Mulligan, and Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl).

 

Forget Me Not (2010) starring Tobias Menzies and Genevieve O’Reilly: Romance, Drama

I usually prefer romantic comedies over romantic dramas because life is bleak enough and romcoms guarantee a happy ending.

But some romantic dramas are so good that you forgive them for any tears they might cause you.

Forget Me Not is one such movie.

I have covered it in detail here:

Forget Me Not: Will Not Be Forgotten Any Time Soon

But here’s the plot in a nutshell:

Musician Will (Tobias Menzies) is struggling with a horrible condition and wants to end his life. One night, he saves bartender Eve’s life, and as he accompanies her to a party. They end up staying up all night in London and becoming closer by the minute. But Will’s secret threatens to blow up the magic.

The acting is top-notch, and a 24-hour love story set in contemporary times in a big city makes us believe in love and connection again.

It’s a definite must-watch.

A Royal Affair (2012) starring Mads Mikkelsen and Alicia Vikander: Biography, Drama, History, Romance

Set in 1700s Denmark.

A young queen is set in a loveless marriage. So, she gets close with the royal physician, where there is a meeting of the minds. They don’t only fall in love, but they also try to change the country for the better together.

Unfortunately, others aren’t exactly rooting for enlightenment, and this – along with a pregnancy – brings tragic consequences.

It’s a beautiful period piece and turned me into a Mads Mikkelsen fan for life.

What makes A Royal Affair so powerful and remarkable is that there is a meeting of the minds, and that makes it way more appealing than most opposites attract sort of stories out there. They think alike, and that’s what draws them together.

For more details, check out:

Review for A Royal Affair starring Mads Mikkelsen: Denmark’s Submission to the Oscars

Your Love Sleeps With Another Guy or You Lose Your Baby: A Royal Affair-Most Enthralling Story Conflicts 5

Forever Young (1992) starring Mel Gibson: Romance, Drama, Sci-fi

 

Forever Young is a different kind of romance movie. It follows the male protagonist’s journey, and the love of his life doesn’t get that much screen time, and for solid, logical plot reasons.

It’s 1939, and pilot Daniel (Mel Gibson) is in love with his childhood sweetheart Helen. But just when he is about to propose, Helen is hit by a car and goes into a coma.

Not knowing how to handle his grief, Daniel does something drastic: He persuades his scientist friend to freeze him. He will be woken up if Helen wakes up.

But things don’t go according to plan. Two kids playing where they shouldn’t be wake up Daniel up accidentally – in 1992. Daniel is still in his 30s.

With the help of one of the kids (Elijah Wood) and his mom (Jamie Lee Curtis), Daniel tries to adjust to a life five decades later than his own.

Unfortunately, the side effects of the experiment catch up with him. As he starts to age rapidly, he also finds out that Helen is still alive.

A race against time begins to reunite Daniel with the love of his life.

While you won’t be watching two people falling in love, it is a sweet and quality testament to love and friendship. And it was written by none other than J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost).

Dirty Dancing (1987) starring Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey: Drama, Romance, Music

And of course, the classic. Set in the early 60s, Dirty Dancing is the love story between Johnny and Baby.

In Dirty Dancing, Baby (Jennifer Grey) goes on a vacation with her parents and sister and is bored out of her mind until she meets the resort’s dance instructor Johnny (Patrick Swayze). Dealing with his problems and his best friend’s, Johnny doesn’t exactly take a liking to Baby at first sight. But when she replaces his dancing partner and they start practicing together, they fall for each other.

I don’t remember my first viewing because I was three. No, really. Mom and dad discovered their hyperactive child loved the movies and stayed quiet there. So they took me to see this. Of course, I have seen it many, many times since then. Dirty Dancing is responsible for a lot of things: my love for dancing, my love for Patrick Swayze, and my taste in men.

Amazing soundtrack too.

If you are a romantic, you need to see this (again).

Iconic Line: Nobody puts Baby in a corner.

Patrick Swayze Tribute post

What Women Want (2000) starring Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt: Romance, Comedy, Fantasy

What Women Want is a romcom with a fantasy element, and arguably, it is funnier than it is romantic. But written and directed by Nancy Meyers (The Holiday, Something’s Gotta Give), it’s a wonderful and original story about one man’s transformation from a selfish, womanizing, career-oriented advertising executive into a better lover, parent, and human being.

Nick (Mel Gibson) thinks he is god’s gift to women. After an accident, he gains the ability to hear their thoughts. Initially, he uses his gift for selfish gains, like one-upping his co-worker Darcy (Helen Hunt) and bedding the cute barista (Marisa Tomei). But as he gets to know women better, including Darcy and his own daughter, he starts to become a better man.

What Women Want is the kind of romcom that guys should never complain about being dragged to. After all, it’s comedy gold first and a romantic treat second.

The Ugly Truth (2009) starring Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl: Comedy, Romance.

Romantic and uptight television producer Abby (Katherine Heigl) isn’t a fan of Mike Chadway (Gerard Butler), the handsome but misogynistic TV host of The Ugly Truth. But when her network forces her to work with him and she seems to be getting nowhere romantically with her cute doctor neighbor Colin, she accepts Mike’s help. As Mike helps her become desirable for her crush, he starts falling in love with the real Abby.

The Ugly Truth is a hilarious romcom with ultimately two great messages: The person will love you as you are. And you shouldn’t let your past disappointments turn you into a cynical asshole.

Some of you will be baffled that I chose The Ugly Truth over P.S. I Love You, Gerard Butler’s other great romantic hit. Arguably, Gerry (Butler’s character in P.S. I Love You) is a much better partner than Mike.

And you’d be right. Gerry is adorable, goofy, hot, fun, romantic, nice, and if he has flaws, we don’t quite see it in the film. He is a musician to boot, too.

And while it is indeed one of my favorite romantic movies, I prefer The Ugly Truth because laughter is more fun than pain. I love that the protagonists live and get a happy ending.

27 Dresses (2008) starring Katherine Heigl and James Marsden: Comedy, Romance

Jane (Katherine Heigl) is potentially the world’s best PA and bridesmaid. She’s been a bridesmaid 27 times. She’d love to get married, but her handsome boss George (Edward Burns) isn’t aware of how she feels about him. Things get a lot worse when her sister starts dating him. Wedding journalist Kevin (James Marsden) wants to do a piece on her, and things get even more complicated.

27 Dresses is endearing and funny. I love how Kevin and Jane’s relationship progresses, and I like how the “wrong” guy is also a pretty decent guy.

The Holiday (2006) starring Cameron Diaz and Jude Law

Yes, I love writer/director Nancy Meyers as you can see from me featuring two movies from her in a top 10 list.

But what kind of romantic would I be if I didn’t include the lovely and funny The Holiday?

The Holiday is about two women who are stuck in different places in their lives, though they are both unlucky with men. So, movie trailer maker Amanda from Los Angeles (Cameron Diaz) and English Iris (Kate Winslet) swap their houses for the holidays.

While they were planning to stay away from men, they both meet someone that will change their lives for the better: Amanda falls for Iris’ brother Graham (Jude Law), and Iris gets close with Amanda’s friend Miles (Jack Black). But there will be a lot to figure out before we can get our happy ending.

While You Were Sleeping (1995) starring Sandra Bullock and Bill Pullman: Romance, Comedy

Yes, I am a 90s kid, can you tell? 🙂 This gem is from 1995 and has always been one of my favorites to (re)watch.

Starring Bill Pullman and Sandra Bullock, While You Were Sleeping is a wholesome romcom with a crazy concept that can be enjoyed with your entire family.

Hopelessly romantic Lucy (Sandra Bullock) is in love with Peter, a man (Peter Callagher) she has never met but sees on his way to work every day. One day, she saves his life but he goes into a coma. People at the hospital think she is his fiancée, so she doesn’t correct them to be able to see him. But when his family gets there, the situation spirals out of control before Lucy can correct them. Now, Peter’s handsome brother Jack is convinced Lucy is lying and is out to prove it. But as Jack and Lucy end up spending time together, romantic feelings emerge.

Can Lucy get her happy ending with the right brother without losing the family she has come to love as well?

If you are a romantic, you need to watch While You Were Sleeping. It will have you watch it with a big smile on your face, and making you wish you could meet your own Jack.


*

Because I had to pick 10, I had to leave some darlings out. Check these out if you are looking for more suggestions.

– Ghost starring Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore, and Whoopi Goldberg. Comedy, romance, drama, fantasy.

– The Last of The Mohicans starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe. Action, adventure, drama. But the romantic storyline is one of the best. It’s the second highest-rated on IMDB of all the movies I’ve suggested.

– Cold Mountain starring Nicole Kidman and Jude Law.  Adventure, drama, history, romance.

– 10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Comedy, romance.

– Jane Eyre starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender. Drama, romance.

– Before Sunrise starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Drama, romance. The highest-rated on IMDB of all the movies I’ve suggested and the first movie of the trilogy.

– Lake House starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. Drama, romance, fantasy.

– Chocolate starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp.

 

First Chapter of My New Romance Novel: A Change Would Do You Good

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A Change Would Do You Good. A romcom novel by Pinar Tarhan.

 

My upcoming novel is called A Change Would Do You Good, and it’s a romcom drama set in California. It features an ensemble cast of colorful characters, and my protagonist Janie has to navigate loss and a crazy amount of change if she wants to adjust to her crazy new world.

If I were to name chapters, this first chapter would be called Welcome to the Neighborhood.

Read on for a surprise at the end!

 

A Change Would Do You Good

Chapter 1

Los Angeles

 

Janie sat in her therapist Dr. Lucia Lopez’s office for the twenty-seventh time. She had been seeing her for about seven months.

Eight months ago, her boyfriend Lenny had died. Seven months ago, to add insult to injury, her two best friends Sarah and Andy had moved to Canada. That was when Janie knew she wouldn’t survive this without professional help.

It was the right call. They had talked through her pain, as well as feelings of abandonment and betrayal. Who would move abroad when their best friend was mourning the loss of her boyfriend? He had died two days before her thirty-fifth birthday. And a few weeks after his.

But, of course, it wasn’t that simple. Sarah and Andy weren’t just Janie’s best friends. They were also Lenny’s. Not that grief was, or ever should be a competitive sport.  If it were, they would all probably be sharing the medal for first place: Sarah and Lenny had met when they were in diapers. Literally. Their parents were neighbors and dear friends. Luckily for them, their kids — both only children — had taken to each other immediately. Sarah had been inconsolable when Lenny’s father took a job in New York; they were in ninth grade. That’s when she met Janie.

Andy was Lenny’s college roommate. The two bonded over their dream to become Formula 1 drivers and realized it together.

Lenny had introduced Sarah to Andy, and after their move back to LA the four of them had been inseparable. Lenny was a close friend for years before he and Janie started dating.

Yes, the three of them were in immense pain. The difference was Sarah and Andy had each other. And Vancouver had them.

To be fair, Janie did see the appeal of making a new start in a new environment. Yes, she still felt a bit let down. But she was no longer angry with her friends. Talking things through with her therapist had helped immensely.

Lopez observed her patient as Janie studied the beautiful scenic photos of San Diego sprucing up the walls. She was particularly drawn to the blue-dominant one, where high, wild waves crashed onto the golden beach sand.

“Ever been?” Her therapist asked.

“When I was a kid. We vacationed there a lot. It was lovely.”

“Still is.”

Janie could hardly look away from the pictures. She was thinking. Planning. “I never went there with Lenny.”

“Might be just what you need to start over,” her therapist prompted.

“I turned down a job there a couple of weeks ago. Loved the firm. Loved what they offered. But I wasn’t sure I could handle such a huge change.”

“And now?” Janie leaned back and smiled. Her therapist continued. “Being the new person in an environment can provide a lot of distraction. And I definitely encourage you to go out and meet as many new people as you can. Still, never hurts to have someone you can call.” Lopez picked at the neatly stacked Rolodex on her desk. She searched a bit before she found the name she wanted. She took the card out and handed it to Janie. “Greg’s a good friend of mine from school. He’s a therapist himself, but he works for a corporation.”

Janie threw her a curious look.

“I’m sure he can recommend a few decent local therapists should you need one, but I’m really just giving you the number of a friend. He can show you around. Introduce you to people,” the therapist explained.

“Won’t he be weirded out? Me being your patient?”

“Janie, you’re just going through a tough time. And honestly, I think you will hit it off.” Janie looked horrified. The therapist laughed a little. “Relax. I’m not matchmaking. I know you’re not ready to date again. And Greg is seeing someone. But he makes a damn good friend.”

“Thank you,” Janie said gratefully.

*

Janie wasted no time calling Greg when she went home. If she were going to change cities, she might as well start making friends. He sounded even more pleasant than described.

She made her second call to Ellen Parker, the head of the San Diego fashion design firm who had offered her the job.

*

Janie was in her bedroom, hastily packing the remainder of her wardrobe into the suitcase on her bed. She wanted to be out of there like yesterday. Her older brother Peter sat next to the suitcase, disapproving, which was his default mode. Janie kept ignoring him. That was her default in their relationship. He’d never change. And on the plus side, he couldn’t stand being ignored.

Janie looked at her almost full suitcase, and then at the other fully-packed carry-on on the floor. Her closet was far from empty. Peter read her mind.

“That’s what happens when you shop non-stop for three weeks.” Peter pointed out the obvious. Janie kept packing. “You don’t have to do this, you know,” he pressed.

She went into the bathroom. The moment she was out of sight, Peter unzipped the suitcase on the bed and threw the clothes back into the wardrobe.

Janie returned with her toiletries and saw Peter unpacking. “What the hell?” She darted to her bed, pushing him aside. She dumped the toiletries on the bed and quickly recovered the items from the wardrobe, throwing them back into the suitcase until it couldn’t take any more. Then she zipped it shut with one swift, angry pull.

“Hey, take it easy. You know I have nothing against you moving on. But transforming your whole life to do it?”

“Remind me, when did the love of your life die?” She lifted her suitcase from the bed and put it on the floor. She dragged the carry-ons as she exited the room.

Peter followed her outside. As soon as he saw the new red Chevrolet Camaro parked in the driveway, his eyes almost left their sockets – cartoon style. “What was wrong with your perfectly normal car?”

Janie just placed her suitcases in the trunk and shut it. The backseat was full of photo albums, DVDs and CDs.

“Do you have any savings left at all? And why are you still traveling like it’s the 90s?”

Janie smirked at the question. Peter looked like he might have a heart attack soon. She got in the car and closed the door. She took out what looked like a brand-new phone from her bag, gestured him to call her and drove away.

Peter frowned, then instinctively fished out his phone to test his theory. He dialed Janie’s number. No longer in use.

*

Janie sped away in her convertible. Her car’s speakers blasted AC/DC’s Highway to Hell for good measure. She smiled as she mouthed the lyrics, ironically feeling like she was escaping hell.

*

Janie looked out of the window of her new fourth-story apartment. She could see the beach down the road. On quieter days, she bet she could hear the waves splashing on the shore.

The neighborhood was stunning with just enough colorful buildings. Not too crowded. The tallest ones had five or six floors at the most, giving everyone space to breathe.

The inhabitants were intent on making the most of the beach. People who lived here weren’t exactly rich, but they didn’t have money problems either. Not that Janie cared about that. It would just be nice to hit Peter with the facts when he started nagging that she’d downgraded her life somehow.

*

A couple of hours later, Janie sat on her sofa and took in her spacious two-bedroom apartment. It was modern and vibrant without being too quirky. It was completely her. She had only a few boxes left to unpack. She smiled to herself, dialed her mom on her cell and left a message.

“Hi, mom. Just calling to say I’m almost settled. This place is amazing. Remember, you can’t give this number to Peter. Or my address. Not yet.”

She hung up and dialed Greg. Got his voicemail.

“Hey! You were right. This place is something else. Thanks for everything. Let me know when you want to meet up.”

*

Past midnight, Janie was sound asleep in her bed. Suddenly, loud hardcore metal music with brutal vocals blasted from downstairs and jolted her awake.

“What the hell?” she yelled and tried to go back to sleep. She buried her head in her pillow. The music continued. Frustrated, she took her MP3 player from her top night table drawer. She put her earphones on. Before she could push play, she heard the loud crack of a gunshot. Then another.

Shaking off her initial panic, Janie dialed 911.

*******

 

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