WELCOME AUTHOR
JUDITH TOWNSEND ROCCHICCIOLI
Author bio:
Judith
is a registered nurse and native Virginian who grew up in Richmond who holds
graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the
University of Virginia. She has been a
practicing clinical nurse for over 25 years and is currently a professor of
Nursing at James Madison University and the author of numerous academic and
health-related articles and documents.
In addition to her academic writing she is the author of the Alexandra
Destephano novels, a group of medical thrillers set in New Orleans and
Virginia. When not teaching or writing,
Judith is an avid silk painter and multi-media artist. She is an owner of the Artisan Galleries, an
art gallery with locations in Harrisonburg and Massanutten. She lives in the Shenandoah Valley of
Virginia with her family and a multiple number of canine creatures. Feel free to contact her at
judithrocchiccioli@gmail.com or through her website at www.judithrocchiccioli.com.
Brief synopsis of
your book:
It's Mardi Gras in New Orleans and thousands
of tourists have flocked the city, paralyzing traffic and jamming the French
Quarter with drunks and garbage. City officials are hoping for record crowds
and the greatest economic boost since Hurricane Katrina. Alexandra
Destephano, a nurse and legal counsel for the prestigious Crescent City
Medical Center, is eagerly anticipating her third Carnival Season and her
Saturday night date with dashing art historian Mitch Landry to the Endymion
Extravaganza, the biggest Mardi Gras Ball in New Orleans. However,
things change when Alex is stat-paged to the medical center, where she learns
from her former husband, hospital surgeon Robert Bonnet that the first lady
of Louisiana has been found unconscious in her bed covered in blood.
|
THE IMPOSTER
It is hotter than hell in New Orleans and newly promoted
NOPD Commander Jack Francoise is battling horrific crime in the Vieux Carre
in the August heat. At Crescent City
Medical Center's Psychiatric Pavilion, nursing staff are constantly doling
out Thorazine Slurpees and Geodon shots to some of the most criminally insane
and viciously psychotic patients in the South. Alexandra Destephano, a registered nurse
and legal counsel for CCMC, is concerned about inadequate staff and safety
issues in The Pavilion. So, she enlists the help of her former husband,
dashing surgeon Robert Bonnet, in her battle against Lester Whitset, the odd
and often bizarre Pavilion administrator. In the meantime, staff and patients
are being brutally beaten and killed at Crescent City Medical Center and Alex
must set aside her feelings about the chronic understaffing at the hospital
as she works with Jack, Robert, and others to bring the perpetrators to
justice.
|
VIRAL INTENT
It's a beautiful October day in Crescent City, probably the
most beautiful day of the year, and Alexandra Destephano and Commander Jack
Francoise are savoring the silence before the arrival of the most powerful
leaders in America. Unfortunately, the
serenity does not last for long, as
they learn of a lethal viral outbreak in the Crescent City Emergency Department. The
unidentified virus has already claimed the lives of a political
attache and a food service worker.
When another tragic murder in the Vieux Carre claims the life of a
young politician, the protege of Alex's powerful grandfather, Congressman Adam Patrick Lee of Virginia, Jack becomes suspicious of numerous threats
to Crescent City. With the arrival of
POTUS in less than 48 hours, Jack must learn to play well with the FBI and
the Secret Service, while Alex coordinates with medical leaders from the CDC,
Tulane, LSU, and the University of Virginia to control the raging virus.
|
Book titles:
See above
Current book or project you’re working on:
Book 4 in the Alex Destephano Series
What was the
inspiration for your novel?
The need to advocate for patients and healthcare providers
and a desire to share my knowledge of issues relating to healthcare.
Please share
three interesting facts about your book which are not covered in the synopsis.
1) They
are based on events from my clinical practice.
2) Many
of the scenarios in the book are true.
3) I
research the books meticulously.
Who is the most
complex character from your current novel?
Alexandra Destephano because she is always trying to do
the right things and refuses to acknowledge her vulnerability.
Are there any
characters in your book that remind you of yourself?
There are bits of me in every character.
If you could pick
any well known or famous author to review your book who would you pick and why?
David Baldacci.
Genre/Author/Reader:
What genre does
your book fall into?
Medical thriller.
What is the first
book you remember reading that affected how you thought or felt about something?
Little Women.
Which three
authors have inspired you the most, and why?
1) David
Baldacci because he develops believable and memorable characters.
2) Robin
Cook because he added the medical element to the thriller genre.
3) Patricia
Cornwell because she pays such incredible attention to detail.
Have you ever read
a book you couldn’t finish reading?
I always finish what I start, as frequently books get much
better once one has gotten familiar with the characters and plot line.
Do you read a
book, while you are writing a book?
Always, both for inspiration and diversion.
The process:
How many books
have you written? Which book is your favourite and why?
I have finished three books and am working on my fourth
one. My favourite is always the one I am
working on as I can’t wait to see what happens.
Is there anything
that helps get you in the mood to write?
A quiet place at 4 in the morning.
What were three
challenges you faced when writing your book?
1) Managing
my time.
2) Overcoming
writer’s block.
3) Creating
believable characters.
What lessons have
you learned as an aspiring writer?
I have learned to persevere in my writing and to have a
thick skin in the face of critics.
Do you ever
experience writer’s block? If so what helps you to ‘overcome’?
My prescription for writer’s block is to sit back and
think about where I want to book to go.
What is the most
important thing you’ve learned, either in the self-publishing or traditional
publisher, route?
Be good to your fans and get several good editors.
How long does it
usually take for you to complete a book?
Six months from concept to publication.
Do you have any
ideas for your book and Hollywood? Actors, directors, music.
While I would be thrilled to have my book turned into a
screenplay, right now I am happy connecting with my readers through the written
word.
Which book to
movie conversion is your favourite?
None come to mind.
Do you watch a
lot of science fiction or fantasy movies?
No.
Do you study
science, the planets, history or anything special to help you with your
writing?
No.
What, who, and
when first inspired you to write?
I was inspired by reading.
Personal favs:
Drink – Wine
Food – Avocados
Vacation – Europe
TV show – Any
crime dramas and action shows
Movie – Thrillers
with non-graphic violence
Animal – Dogs
Sport – Aquatics
Book – I have
so many, I can’t name just one.
How can people
connect with you?
Facebook: Alex
Destephano Novels
Where can readers
find your book?
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