Let’s meet Francine Raggalio from Another Side of Perfect, a Women’s Fiction Romance by Karen Cino. Welcome to Romance Lives Forever. I’m Kayelle Allen, author and owner of this blog. Happy to have you here! Please tell us about your book.

Another Side of Perfect by Karen Cino

Genre: Women’s Fiction Romance
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
Richie and Francine’s marriage takes another hit. When Francine finds herself pregnant, everyone is ecstatic, especially Angelina. However, their excitement turns into worry when Francine falls putting her pregnancy in high risk, restricting her to bed rest. Gary Thompson gets traded to another team on the west coast. Toni needs to make the decision to go with him, or stay home and end their relationship. Amy and Jason’s wedding invitations are sent out. The question is will their families accept their wedding? A surprise guest the eve of the wedding will put the spin on the next day’s festivities.
When someone dies, we say they “kicked the bucket.” Therefore, a list of things that a person wants to accomplish, places to go, situations to experience, and so on have become known as a “Bucket List.”
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Birthplace: Staten Island, New York
Profession: Real Estate Broker
Ethnicity: Italian American
Please provide a physical description of yourself.
I have long brown hair complimented by big brown eyes. I’m petite, standing at only five foot two and I can afford to lose ten pounds.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
My parents were killed in a car crash, leaving me awarded to the state. I was sent from one foster family to another. Once I attended high school I met the love of my life Richie Raggalio and we’ve been together since. Yes, we have had our ups and down, but through it all we stayed through to one another. One of my flaws is that I always doubt my relationship with Richie. I never felt that I was on the same level as him, with him coming from a stable loving family. I’m a real estate broker and my two best friends Amy and Toni work with me. There is always something going on in my life be it an adventure with my friends and my latest a high risk pregnancy. I love my life and hope that you come along for the ride with me.
Who is the significant other in your life?
My high school sweetheart, Richie. I was at the first game he pitched in high school and the last game he pitched before retiring from major league baseball. We’ve been through so much together and our relationship continued to get stronger each day.
If you haven’t made a bucket list before, perhaps now would be a good time. Who knows? It might inspire another book. While you’re at it, how about telling us about some of your other favorite things? Here are the questions.
What is your birth order?
I am an only child.
Tell us about your favorite toy as a child.
I had a brown haired rag doll that my mother bought me. I still have that doll as a reminder of my mother.
Describe your favorite food and how it’s prepared.
Eggplant parmagiana made by my mother-in-law.
Tell us about your best friend.
I have two best friends but am closer to Amy. Toni and I went through the foster care system together. We were lucky to live in the same neighborhood.In high school I met Amy who was always there for me as I for her.
What are two places you would like to visit before you die, and why?
I’ve been all over the country with Richie but the one place I’d love to visit is Hawaii where I can just lay in the sun and relax. I’d also love top go to Switzerland during the winter. I always wanted to learn how to ski and I heard they have an awesome beginners path.
Where is a place you would never like to return, and why?
The intersection where my parents were killed in a car accident.
Who is someone you would like to meet, and why?
I’d like to meet the Queen of England so I can learn more about her family values and her family.
Who is someone you would like to avoid, and why?
There’s no one I would avoid. I love being around people.
If you could time travel to any date, what would it be, and what would you do there?
I’d travel back to my childhood so I could spend more time with my parents, get to know them better and be able to tell them I loved them one last time.

Questions for the Author

What was your biggest challenge in writing this book?
Besides finding time to write, I’d say it was keeping up with my characters. At times they took over, so I had to make sure I kept them in line.
Why did you choose this character for the interview today?
I choose Francine because she had a lot thrown at her and I admire how she put her family and friends before her own health.
When writing the book, what did you discover about this character that surprised you?
Francine is a strong character and at times her whining and mushiness got on my nerves. Come on-we know how much she loves her husband.
Are any sequels planned for this book?
No. This is the 3rd book in the Seaside Boulevard Series.
What genre(s) would you like to write that you haven’t tried yet?
I’d like to write a historical and/or time travel.
What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?
I hate sitting outside and I can’t write in my pajamas.
Why should readers who haven’t picked up one of your books before give this one a try?
This book is intense, dealing with real life situations that I feel the reader can relate to. Each book in the series is a stand alone.
Is there anything you’d like to say to your readers?
I’d like to thank my readers for their support. I’m hoping to get the first book in my new series out by the fall.

Where to buy Another Side of Perfect

Publisher Mandolay Press
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Another-Side-Perfect-Seaside-Boulevard/dp/1981309748/
Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/another-side-of-perfect-karen-cino/1128513634

Karen Cino Social Media

Karen Cino has been writing since she was fourteen years old. She started her career by writing poetry, short stories and writing articles for her high school newspaper. After reading Jackie Collin’s Lovers and Gamblers and Jacqueline Susann’s, Valley of the Dolls, Karen found her niche. She wanted to write women’s fiction and wrote her first book during the summer before she started college. Her daily walks down at the boardwalk are what gets her muse going. It clears her mind and helps her find realistic plot ideas and the characters boosting up her muse. Karen loves writing about local places that people can relate to. The late Paul Zindel’s books took place in Staten Island and reading them, especially My Darling My Hamburger, still brings back many memories for her.
Karen loves the summer, loves the beach. Her previous books were written and take place in various places across Staten Island. Karen relocated to Barnegat, New Jersey in 2015. She traded in the Staten Island Boardwalk for the shoreline in Long Beach Island. Her Camp Mirage Series takes place in Barnegat, NJ.
Karen is a member of Romance Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writing Association and Liberty States Fiction Writers. She is also busy writing newsletters and newspaper articles for the 55 and over community she resides at.
Karen has two adult children, Michael Giordano who’s a singer, songwriter and producer and Nicole Giordano who works in Retail Management and is also a photographer. In 2014 Karen married John Gatti. Her husband is an actor, teacher and attorney.
Website: http://karencino.com
Blog: http://karencinobooks.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karencino
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karencino
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Karen-Cino-296585170371401/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4444484.Karen_Cino
Newsletter: http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/home/?u=372e9cad72e3faf1c0a8b9a4e&id=9ac84ba873
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B008LCG31Y