Welcome to my Friday blog, everyone. Marsha R. West has been my good friend for a lot of years. I’m so pleased to know her and to have followed her career in which ten years later, she’s appearing on my blog. the author of ten books, no less! She’s passionate about her writing and life. Doesn’t get any better than that, does it? Please welcome Author Marsha R. West to Help From My Friends Friday as she tells us about her newest release, Vulnerable. ~ Donnell
Acting-Writing-Interior Design
By Marsha R. West
Author Marsha West
Thank you, Donnell for hosting me to celebrate the release of my tenth book, VULNERABLE. The heroine teaches interior design at a community college and has her own company with one of her daughters. Given how hooked I am on HGTV, I’m surprised it’s taken me so long to have a heroine in the business. My interest in decorating goes back to when I was in ninth grade and took an Interest Inventory. You know, one of those tests designed to point you in the direction of what you might want to do when you grow up. My interests lay in law and decorating and any sort of entertainment.
I didn’t grow up to be a lawyer, or an interior designer, but I became a theatre arts teacher—so I kind of hit the entertainment area—and I served on our local school board, which kind of covered the law.
But let’s talk more about interior decorating. We’d lived in the first house my husband and I owned for ten years when we realized the place cried out to be spruced up. I found a designer friend to help with ideas. We picked out the carpet. Then realized we needed new furniture for the den. And oh, maybe that old Saltillo tile in the entry and dining area should be replaced. We replaced it with beautiful parquet floors. Are you getting an idea of how long ago this was? LOL But I loved those floors.
Well, after a time we sold that house and bought a “new” older home in desperate need of remodeling. I worked with the same decorator, and we completely re-did that house: kitchen and den where we installed Berber carpet, all the rage at the time.
Our daughters got to pick out the colors of their rooms. Our older daughter picked peach and teal. (This was before I had officially picked turquoise (or some shade of turquoise) as my “signature color.” But that’s another story. Our younger daughter wanted purple carpet with paint spattered walls. We settled on lavender carpet and wallpaper that looked paint spattered. She was delighted.
Then years later, we were fortunate to build a new house. Now that is an experience. The number of details is mind blowing. I didn’t work with a decorator this time but had help from the builder. We loved this house. It was the kind of house that required two Christmas trees. The fancy one with white and gold decorations in the front bay window and then the typical red, gold, and green in the family room with all the old family ornaments. You know the kind. The ones you made as a kid, and the angels your kids made.
Then we were blessed to move to a small cottage on a lake that was stuck in the 50s and again we remodeled. My daughters and I 
served as the decorating committee. My husband said as long as the committee agreed, he’d be good with the decisions. By then I’d retired and become hooked on HGTV. I took pictures of things I liked from the various shows. I remember meeting my daughters at Lowes to look for door pulls in the middle of the day. It was the most fun—selecting colors, types of shelves, counters, floors. It was the very best.
So in a way, I did get to pursue that long ago interest in interior design. I’ve been blessed in so many ways, not the least of which is to be able to write books. I guess that fills the entertainment niche, too. I wanted to grow up and be an actress in movies, TV, and the stage. Getting to teach theatre and to perform in various ways was wonderful. As a writer, I get to continue filling that need and perhaps bring encouragement and hope to others with my stories with older characters (40s & 50s) that always have second chances and happily ever afters.
So have you been bitten by the redecorating bug? Love to hear about your experiences. You can check out VULNERABLE to see how the heroine Maddy juggles her teaching responsibilities, her interior design business, her family, a handsome security man, and a harasser. Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4Nd0GG
About the Book: Interior designer and junior college professor Maddy Crawford Crain strives to stand on her own after the unexpected death of her husband two years ago in a car wreck. Being sexually harassed at work makes her feel vulnerable and forces her to seek help.
Former LA Homicide Detective and now security expert David Bourland wants to protect his clients and protect his heart after seeing his wife gunned down. Maddy’s problems draw on all his protective instincts to keep her safe.
Will the harasser’s obsession turn deadly? Will David’s fear of falling in love with someone who could die violently, and Maddy’s determination to stand on her own keep them from finding each other?
(Maddy is the sister of the heroine in COMPROMISE. David Bourland is the brother of the heroine in TRUTH BE TOLD.)
Here’s the link for the Trailer: https://youtu.be/Q2uaEusbZtI
About the Author: A retired elementary school principal, a former school board member, and theatre arts teacher, Marsha R. West writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. She lives in Texas with her supportive lawyer husband and Charley, a deaf, Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier. Their two daughters presented them with three delightful grandchildren all who live nearby.
The theme of Marsha’s ten books is always second chances, and she even has a four-part series titled The Second Chances Series. She believes in Happily Ever Afters. Her husband picked up a plaque for her on one of their several trips to Maine that states her philosophy exactly. Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. The Heroines and Heroes in her books are in their 40s and 50s with their parents and children often playing supporting roles.
She’s a member of Romance Writers of America, North Texas Romance Writers, Authors Marketing Guild LLC, & the WORD BY WORD Blog. She has her own weekly blog and monthly newsletter. Her books can be found on AMAZON, B & N, KOBO, iTunes, and other sites. Print books are also at Draft 2 Digital, Indie Lector Stores, and Amazon. Blurbs for each of her books with links can be found on her website. https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/ where you can also sign up for her blog and her NEWSLETTER MRW Press LLC (list-manage.com) Contact her at marsha@marsharwest.com , and follow her on…
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Marsha, welcome! I’m traveling today so I will be checking in. I absolutely adore the following philosophy! Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end. As the “survior” of two home remodels and one kitchen renovation, I share your love of decorating. I’m off to purchase Vulnerable for my road trip. Here’s to many sales, my friend!
Hey, Donnell. Thanks you so very much for hosting me on your excellent blog. Have safe travels and I hope you enjoy Vulnerable. 🙂
I’m thrilled to be a guest here on Donnell’s blog and I’ve love to chat about pretty much anything. 🙂
Congratulations on the new book. I’ve got a handman right now who is doing so many odds and ends. New appliances and light fixtures.
Hey, Vicki. It’s amazing how the list can grow. One thing just seems to morph into another. Exciteded for your changes. Thanks so much for stopping by.