1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into writing?
As a child in school, I loved creative writing and even remember some of my compositions. Then, during my junior year of college, I considered changing my major from Elementary Education to Journalism, though I would have had to stay in school longer to fulfill requirements and I was not about to dothat. So, I became a teacher like many women of my era. During my short stint in the classroom, creative writing was, again, my favorite subject though now I was teaching it. My students enjoyed the odd topics I gave them to write about, my favorite being to pretend they were a door knob and write how it felt having hands grabbing them constantly. After only two years, I left the profession and started my own fitness business. I did do some writing, penning fitness articles for local magazines and newspapers, both in print and on-line. I never even considered writing fiction, though, as an avid reader, I always said I wished I could write a novel. And then, as I was nearing my sixtieth birthday, my creative side begged for more. Choreographing aerobic dance routines, needlework, and gardening weren’t enough. I started playing around with photography and while looking for a class to improve my picture taking, I discovered a writers workshop in a nearby town. That was it! I signed up and since then my fingers have been flying across the keyboardcreating stories.
2) What inspired you to write your book?
I was sitting on a beach in Hilton Head Island with my sister-in-law and another friend. Roni, my sister-in-law, whose middle name is Carolyn (hence my protagonist’s name) was telling us the story of what happened while she was preparing to sell her mother’s home, the home where she had grown up. There was a painting that had hung on the living room wall practically her entire life and though Roni didn’t have an empty spot to hang it in her own home, and no one else in the family wanted the portrait, tossing or selling it in an estate sale was not an option. She came up with an idea and Googled the artist, found her living in San Francisco and decided to return the painting to her. Hearing that, I turned to my friend, Ingrid, who was relaxing on a sand chair next to me. We locked eyes. Mine were wide-open. Ingrid said, “What a great idea for a story.” I nodded and my mind took off in all sorts of directions. And, Disharmony was born!
3) What theme or message do you hope readers will take away from your book?
I hope readers will contemplate the true meaning of family. Each will have their own opinion, though I’d love them to consider that “family” is more than blood.
4) What drew you into this particular genre?
Writing upmarket women’s fiction was not a conscious decision. I gravitate to that genre – to novels that are layered and where the focus is on the main character’s emotional journey. I enjoy reading those kinds of stories, therefore that’s what I write.
5) If you could sit down with any character in your book, what would you ask them and why?
When writing the novel, it took me a long time to decide how it was going to end. Ultimately, it was Carolyn, the protagonist, who led me to the words on the last page. I know that sounds strange, yet it is true. Her voice was strong and I had been wavering with what she was going to do with the secret she had uncovered. Although I am the writer, I would like to sit down with Carolyn and discuss her reasons, weigh the pros and cons, and ask her if she is really satisfied with the decision she made.
6) What social media site has been the most helpful in developing your readership?
The Disharmony of Silence just came out on March 5, so it’s too early to judge. If I were to guess, I’d say, at this point, Facebook. Between my author page and several groups I’m part of, especially The 2020 Debuts which is made up of over one hundred debut authors with wonderful novels coming out this year, I believe my readership has grown.
7) What advice would you give to aspiring or just starting authors out there?
Don’t give up! Hone your craft, keep writing, revise, revise, revise – keep your dream alive.
8) What does the future hold in store for you? Any new books/projects on the horizon?
Presently, I am writing a novel set on a hillside vineyard in the Hudson River Valley in the 1960s. It is upmarket women’s fiction, populated by a sisterhood of women, each who grows in her own way, as they break in to the all-male fraternity of wine makers. I’m having a great time developing the characters, both male and female, with all their strengths and weaknesses, conflicts and struggles plus, I’m learning how to make wine!
Book Summary
In her desperate quest for family, Carolyn Lee is determined, against all advice, to reveal the shocking eighty-four-year-old secret she uncovered…until she realizes that “family” means more than blood.
In 1915, jealous, bitter Rebecca Roth cuts all ties with her life-long friends, the Pearls. Eight years later, Rebecca’s son and young Lena Pearl begin keeping company in secret. Rebecca agrees to a truce when the couple marries. But the truce is fragile. Rebecca’s resentments run deep.
In 2010, Carolyn Lee, fitness instructor and amateur photographer, must come to grips with the fact that her mother’s imminent death will leave her alone in the world. While preparing her childhood home for sale, she realizes for the first time that her mother’s antique brooch is identical to the one pinned to the lady’s dress in the painting hanging above the fireplace. Coincidence or connection? Carolyn is determined to find out. What she discovers has the potential to tear lives apart or to bring her the closeness and comfort she longs for. It all depends on how she handles her newfound knowledge.
Print Length:
Genre: Women’s Upmarket Fiction
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
ISBN-10: 1684334306
ISBN-13: 9781684334308
The Disharmony of Silence is now available to purchase at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.
Praise for The Disharmony of Silence
“Linda Rosen spins an intriguing tale of long-held family secrets, an emotional search for identity, and a painting that may just be the key to untangling the complicated past. The bittersweet mystery kept me reading rapidly until the last page!” —Kristin Harmel, bestselling author of The Winemaker’s Wife
Rosen paints a vivid picture of a family torn apart then shows us what true family means. – Pamela Taylor, author of the Second Son Chronicles
A wonderful novelist . . . Ms. Rosen’s writing is both tender and inspiring. The Disharmony of Silence unfolds with emotional and wise insights. – Bunny Shulman, author of After Aida
“A family torn apart by jealousy and reunited by love is devastated again when tragedy strikes. A poignant and moving debut novel about the fragility of life, the power of love, and the cost of keeping a secret.” Gina Sorell author of Mothers and Other Strangers
About the Author, Linda Rosen
Linda Rosen, fitness professional turned writer, lives with her husband splitting their time between New Jersey and Florida. She was a contributor to Women in the Literary Landscape: A WNBA Centennial Publication for the Women’s National Book Association and has had stories published in Foliate Oak and Crack the Spine, both in their online magazine and print anthology. Follow her at www.linda-rosen.com.
Blog Tour Dates
March 2nd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us as we celebrate the launch of Linda’s blog tour The Disharmony of Silence. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book too!
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
March 4th @ A Writer’s Life
How much does setting matter in a novel? Author Linda Rosen talks about this very subject over at Caroline’s blog today. You can also enter to win a copy of her book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/
March 6th @ 12 Books
Make sure you visit Louise’s blog and read her review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence. You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!
March 7th @ Lori Duff Writes
Be sure to stop by Lori’s blog today and you can read her review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://www.loriduffwrites.com/blog/
March 8th @ Bring on Lemons
Visit Crystal’s blog today and you can read a review written by her daughter Carmen about Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence. Don’t miss it!
http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
March 10th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Make sure you visit Anthony’s blog today where you can read his interview with author Linda Rosen.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.wordpress.com/
March 11th @ A Storybook World
Blogger Deirdra Eden spotlights Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://www.astorybookworld.com/
March 13th @ Lori’s Reading Corner
Stop by Lori’s blog today and you can read a fitness inspiring post by author Linda Rosen! She shares some tips about strength training while reading audiobooks. You can also enter to win a copy of Linda’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com/
March 14th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion
Stop by Linda’s blog today and you can read her interview with author Linda Rosen. Don’t miss it!
http://bootsshoesandfashion.com/
March 15th @ Choices
Make sure you stop by Madeline Sharples’ blog today and read Linda Rosen’s blog post about inspiring your creative self by getting outdoors. Don’t miss it!
March 16th @ Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa’s blog where she interviews author Linda Rosen about her book The Disharmony of Silence.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
March 17th @ Coffee with Lacey
Grab some coffee and join Lacey over at her blog today. She reviews Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
March 18th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony’s blog again today and read his review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence. Don’t miss it!
https://authoranthonyavinablog.wordpress.com/
March 19th @ AJ Sefton’s Blog
Make sure you visit author AJ Sefton’s blog today and read a review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://www.ajsefton.com/book-reviews
March 20th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
Looking for a new book to add to your reading list? Make sure you visit Bev’s blog today and read her review of “The Disharmony of Silence.” You’ll want to add it to your list!
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
March 21st @ Bookworm Blog
Visit Anjanette’s blog today and you can read her review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/
March 22nd @ 12 Books
Are you part of a book club? Author Linda Rosen shares fun activities you can do for your book club. Don’t miss this fun, inspiring post!
March 23rd @ Cassandra’s Writing World
Make sure you visit Cassandra’s blog today and read her review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
https://cassandra-mywritingworld.blogspot.com/
March 25th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog
What do you do if you are writing about a made-up setting? Make sure you visit Bev’s blog today and you can read Linda Rosen’s guest post where she shares her advice.
https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/
March 26th @ Lady in Read Writes
Stop by Vidya’s blog today and you can read her review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
March 27th @ Jessica Belmont’s Blog
Over at Jessica’s blog today, you won’t want to miss her review of Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence. You can also enter to win a copy of the book as well!
https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/
March 28th @ Bookworm Blog
Stop by Anjanette’s blog again today and you can read her interview with author Linda Rosen.
https://bookworm66.wordpress.com/
March 30th @ It’s Alanna Jean
What does your writing space look like? Author Linda Rosen shares her tips for setting up your writing space over at Alanna Jean’s blog.
April 3rd @ Joyful Antidotes
Make sure you stop by Joy’s blog today where she reviews Linda Rosen’s book The Disharmony of Silence.
April 5th @ Teatime and Books
How much do you love revising? Does it spark joy? Linda Rosen shares her thoughts on the joy of revising over at the blog Tea Time and Books.
