Once again Nick's Baby is for sale at Writer's Exchange. What's so terrific about this, you might ask?
Just another writer thinking their book is the greatest,
you probably think to yourself. But sometimes, when the reader knows a little more behind the story, they begin to understand why writers "feel" so much about their books.

The idea behind Nick's Baby was born from a old movie I saw on TV. Only Nick's Baby took on a much bigger picture. I not only broached the subject of sperm donation, I tried to turn it around on the characters.
The first manuscript I sent in to New York was scoffed at. Not because it was badly written but because the research I had done wasn't thorough enough.
I believe I referred to it as the Ghetto of Manhatten. Lesson learned. So much for encylopedia research. After the rejection I dove into the researching. I contacted Hell's Kitchen on line, I toured the scenes, made note of the buildings, the climates, the atmosphere in Hell's Kitchen, my background for my hero. Before I was through I had a real working knowledge of the area, what was there, what streets it was on, and what it looked like. But that wasn't all. I wanted a real feel for the people that lived in this area. I wanted to get to know the people of Hell's Kitchen. I talked with people in that area, about the zoning laws that were changing and their attitudes towards what most called progress. The rent wars are still going on, but Hell's Kitchen people haven't given up the fight. Legitimate fights, in court, online, anywhere they can be heard. For many living in this area, it is a heritage they want to preserve. It's home. But modern progress is forcing a lot of people who have lived in this area for decades out. So I reached into the soul of this often forgotten part of the city and structured my hero.
Then after I knew I had Nick Leonetti down pat, I
matched him with the unmatchable. One of the most unlikely heroines I could find for him.
Why did I do it. Even the people of Hell's Kitchen thought I was nuts. "It'd never work." They said.
I took two very opposite people, threw them into a situation that was not only difficult, but crazy. And I built a love story I hope you will want to read and
reread...and maybe even to future generations. Not that I'm a genius, mind you, far from it. But I have to admit I'm more than a little proud of Nick's Baby. It was in this book I finally realized as a writer what "voice" is. I found a voice, my voice.
I could tell you more, go on and on about this book, but I'd rather give you the chance to read it first. So if any of you are of a mind to try Nick's Baby, I'd love to hear back from you. Drop me an e-mail at hestand@airmail.net. Let me know if I captured the heart and soul of Hell's Kitchen. Even if you don't like it, I'd like to know why...
Writer's Exchange is an Australian publishing company. The CEO is Sandy Cummins. Write her if you'd rather. We want to know what you think of ....Nick's Baby!