Book Title: What’s Not True by Valerie Taylor

Category: Adult Fiction 18+

Genre: Women’s Fiction, Chick Lit

Publisher: She Writes Press, 321 pages

Release date: August 2021

Synopsis

With her court date set for her divorce and her plans with the younger man in the rearview mirror, Kassie O’Callaghan shifts attention to reviving her stalled career. But things get complicated when she unexpectedly rendezvous with her former lover in Paris. After a chance meeting there with a colleague and a stroll along Pont Neuf, Kassie receives two compelling proposals. Can she accept them both?

But Kassie’s decision process screeches to a halt when her soon-to-be ex-husband has a heart attack, forcing her to fly home to Boston. There, she confronts his conniving and deceitful fiancée—a woman who wants not just a ring on her finger but everything that belongs to Kassie. In the ensuing battle to protect what’s legally and rightfully hers, Kassie discovers that sometimes it’s what’s not true that can set you free.

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Praise

“What’s Not True…is an enthralling, character-driven story that will appeal irresistibly to fans of women’s fiction…Taylor’s prose is crystalline…she does not waste words, rather using them to create a tense, nerve-shredder that offers full entertainment to readers.” — Readers’ Favorite 5-star review

Guest Post

Why I Read Stephen King

By Valerie Taylor

Author of What’s Not Said (She Writes Press, 2020) and What’s Not True (She Writes Press, August 2021)

A question I get often is: Who is your favorite author? You’d think that would be easy for any author to answer. But there are so many great authors, and so little time!

That said, growing up, I remember cozying up in bed or on the beach with Carolyn Keene’s Nancy Drew and, of course, Agatha Christie, mysteries. When I think back on that now, I’m surprised I ended up writing women’s fiction instead of mysteries. As an adult, my interests shifted or expanded to historical fiction, the latest New York Times best sellers, and non-fiction business and self-help books.

Nevertheless, throughout the years, one author’s latest thrillers and horror stories have found their way consistently to the top of my to-be-read pile. That would be Stephen King. How could this happen, when I am not a regular reader of other horror fiction authors, like Dean Koontz, Bram Stroker, Peter Straub, or a host of others? It’s just Stephen King.

And more than a dozen years ago, I made a commitment to be sure I read at least one of King’s books a year, no matter what other career or book club selections competed for my eyeballs. Choosing which King book I’d read seemed like buying myself a gift. While putting in long days, I had my cherished King book to look forward to late at night.

What makes King so compelling to me personally as a writer is his storytelling prowess. There really is no one better. I find his main characters deeply flawed, yet worthy of being saved. His worldbuilding sucks you in, and sometimes down, to a place you could never imagine even after binging on your favorite booze. The stakes are always the highest, and the conflict and tension never subsides even after the last page! The story lingers well into the night and the next day.

King freaks us out because he writes about things we’re familiar with: a cell phone, a prom, a hotel, JFK’s death…to name just a few examples.

Most of all I’m enthralled by and admire King’s actual writing. His sentences aren’t overly complex, but he tells the story with the best words. In essence, that’s why I read Stephen King. Because I learn about writing and storytelling. It’s as simple as that.

Which reminds me of my second favorite author, Ernest Hemingway, who has inspired me to write that one perfect sentence.

I’m afraid I never will.

About the Author

Valerie Taylor was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut. She earned a B.S. Marketing degree and an MBA from Sacred Heart University, as well as a graduate certificate in health care administration from Simmons University (formerly Simmons College). She had a thirty-year career in the financial services industry as a marketer and writer. Valerie is a published book reviewer with BookTrib.com; and a member of Westport Writers’ Workshop, Independent Book Publishers Association, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association. She enjoys practicing tai chi and being an expert sports spectator.

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Giveaway

Enter to win an ebook of WHAT’S NOT SAID, plus 1 of 5 print or 1 of 5 ebooks of WHAT’S NOT TRUE or a $20 Amazon Gift Card! (11 winners/USA only)(ends Oct 19)

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