Getting discreet with Cindy Roesel...plus a fun giveaway!

**Giveaway is now closed**

We've said it before and we'll say it again...there's a celebrity in our midst! Yes, our very own review associate, Cindy Roesel, is an AUTHOR! She's no stranger to fame though, as she is also an Emmy award winning anchor, reporter and producer! Now she has a debut novel, "Viewer Discretion Advised," to add to her list of amazing accomplishments. Cindy lives in sunny Miami with her adorable shih tzu dog, Sassy. You can find her at her website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

Not only is Cindy giving away SIX copies of her novel, but she also has some fun prizes to go along with it! And better yet...this giveaway is open worldwide!

GRAND PRIZE: A mug with the book logo along with the book
TWO 2nd place prizes: Tote bags with the book logo along with the book
THREE 3rd place prizes: Charley's favorite candy along with the book (Hint: It's also Melissa A's favorite candy)

What are your biggest motivations to write? What keeps you going?
First and foremost, I’m a storyteller. I just love telling stories. I enjoy observing people, overhearing their conversations and then adding my imagination and turning it all into narrative. A lot of that comes from having been a journalist for so long. You could say when it comes down to it, I’m really nosey!

What do you do when you get writer’s block?
I don’t believe in writer’s block. I write when I have to write. It may not be my best, but I do what I have to do. Actually, I refuse to acknowledge the possibility of its existence.

What kind of research did you do for "Viewer Discretion Advised?"
My fifteen year career as a journalist with deadlines has been the absolute best preparation for writing my novel, “Viewer Discretion Advised.” It continues to serve me well in my writing career.

Which authors have inspired you?
There have been so many authors who have inspired me. I believe it is important to read novels out loud. I love their stories, but I find reading Charles Dickens, Joseph Conrad and Flannery O’Connor out lout a treat for the rhythm and dialogue.
As far as contemporary writers, I’m blessed to be among so many exciting women (and a few men) chick-lit writers at CHICK LIT CENTRAL, especially for them making April 24th a special day to celebrate the publication of VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. Thanks to all of you for supporting me on this journey. I am humbled by this whole process.

Characters really make the story for us. What 3 words would best describe your heroine & what about her called out to you to write her story?
Charley is resilient, bright and loyal.
People at home watching the news may think they know the anchors they see on the screen, or what we in the business call the “talent.” But there’s a whole other world behind the camera. More than likely that person on TV is a lot different from the way she/he seems. There’s a bunch of people doing much of the work for that person. In some cases, the talent do nothing, but show up and read.
Charley is the News Director so she oversees both on-air and behind the scenes employees. She personifies a hardworking woman who does it all. She takes pride in her profession, getting the facts correct and not letting anything less than the best get on the air.
I thought it was important to write a character that fully showcased all aspects of Charley’s personality, the positive ones and her flaws. Charley is fair, but she won’t let anything get in the way of her goals for the sake of ratings. She finds herself at crisis with her values in her new position and that’s part of the conflict of the novel.

If "Viewer Discretion Advised" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
If it were to become a movie, that would be the most AMAZING THING IN THE WORLD!
When it comes to casting the movie, I’d like to see Claire Danes play Charley in the next three-five years. After that, I’d love to see Jennifer Lawrence play Charley. Beyond that I have absolutely no idea about casting! Maybe when people read the novel, they can leave casting ideas on CLC or my website!

What is your most unique trait or quirk?
I REALLY like peach diet snapple. The beverage guy at the supermarket orders the 2qt. size for me by the case. I actually have his number programmed on my phone.

What is your favorite month, and why?
APRIL. It’s my birthday and it’s when spring really blooms. It’s the whole concept of seasonal rebirth and renewal which resonates within me.

What is your theme song?
I WILL SURVIVE by Gloria Gaynor (nothing could be cheesier but more perfect)

Since you obviously read a lot of chick lit, what theme would you like to see more of in chick lit novels to give them an original flair?
I’d like to see more of the tough issues many of us are facing in our daily lives reflected in chick-lit books. Amy Hatvany has done that well with her novels without making them too dramatic, and now she’s signed a new three-book deal. She’s been able to incorporate both alcoholism and mental illness into her previous books and still produce what is considered chick-lit. A lot of us have aging parents with early on-set dementia or Alzheimer’s, even serious financial issues. These are some contemporary issues I’d like to see tackled. But the bottom line is, as long as there is something for all readers and that seems to be the case, it’s a win-win for both the readers and the writers. So, everyone is happy and ultimately, that is our goal!

Special thanks to Cindy for all the support she's given to CLC with her awesome reviews and for sharing her novel with us and her cool prizes with our readers.

How to win "Viewer Discretion Advised" (and the prizes that go along with it):

Just tell us what theme would you like to see more of in chick lit novels to give them an original flair. (One entry per person.) Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you should win.

Giveaway ends April 29th at midnight EST.