I'm sure it's happened to all of you.....a person crosses your path on this journey we call life and you say, "what a neat person! Down-to-earth, friendly, authentic."  And many times there's a reason why your paths have crossed.  For me, that's how it was meeting Hank Phillippi Ryan at the RWA conference in Dallas.

I don't mean to sound mysterious, however, I've had a "situation" going on in my life for a few months now that's run the gamut from frustration to anger to downright bewilderment.  And because it's still not resolved, I don't feel comfortable sharing it here.  However, suffice it to say, Hank has proved to me that basically people are kind and helpful.  People that you might not even know that well.  With her extremely busy schedule, she has been willing to assist me in my dilemma via emails, phone calls, etc.  But that isn't what I really want to talk about here today.....I want to talk about Hank's debut novel. 

First a little background on Hank.....She's been the investigative reporter for WHDH TV in Boston for the past 22 years.  Since that was my station of choice when I lived in Boston, I now vaguely recall when she joined the news in 1985, two years before we moved to Florida.  And my daughter still watches her faithfully on the Boston channel.  Hank has won twenty-four Emmy Awards, along with dozens of other regional, national and international honors for her hard-hitting investigations. 

"Prime Time" is her debut novel for Harlequin NEXT and features Charlotte "Charlie" McNally, a journalist on the hunt for her next big story.

Many of you know that I gravitate toward an older main character both in my reading and my own writing.  I'm just beyond the stiletto, looking-for-Mr-Right, Sex-in-the-City type female characters.  So maybe you'll understand how refreshing it was to come upon Charlie McNally......an outspoken, strong-willed, independent, intelligent and oh-so-classy type of woman. 

The scoop of the century is hiding in Charlie's junk mail folder.  What appears to be an innocent email leads to murder and mayhem and Charlie takes us along for the ride.  Fast-paced, humorous and most of all, believable, Ryan's expertise in the world of behind-the-scenes journalism comes through in her writing.  And yes, there's a love interest for Charlie.  Finely drawn characters will have you feeling like you personally know Charlie, Josh, Franklin and Stephen. 

Aside from the fact this is a great read, I loved reading about a female character that's getting older and in the world of TV and ratings, that's something to be concerned about.  We might not like it.....but it's reality.  However, Charlie proves that while the exterior must be maintained, it's the interior that proves her essence.  And prove it, she does.

Dialogue is snappy, the setting is my native Boston area and this is a page-turner I highly recommend.  AND best of all?  Hank has book two of the series coming out in October....."Face Time" and this will be followed by "Air Time" in June 2008.  So if you're looking for a great series to get involved with......Hank Phillippi Ryan's the author for you.  And if you'd like to know more about Hank and keep up with her writing, visit her website at this link www.hankphillippiryan.com

Now get yourself to Barnes & Noble or over to Amazon and order yourself a book I'm sure you'll enjoy.

See you here next time..........