Exclusive Interview with Loree Lough: Author of 50 Hours
NEW BOOK RELEASE
From Bestselling and Award Winning Author
Loree Lough
Loree Lough
Based on a Screenplay by Kevin James O'Neill
"This is the kind of book that wins Pulitzer Prizes."
- Catherine Lanigan, Author of Romancing the Stone
50 HOURS
Loree Lough
Genre: General Fiction
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
Publication Date: June 30, 2017
Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press
Publication Date: June 30, 2017
A broken man, a dying woman, and a friendship that changes them both.
Franco Allessi is a broken, lonely man who wants nothing more than to outrun the ghosts of his past. For years, he tries to numb the pain of his wife's death with cheap beer and whiskey. When he's convicted of drunk driving, the judge revokes his license for six months and orders him to serve fifty hours of community service. Franco chooses Savannah Falls Hospice for no reason other than it's walking distance from his dilapidated house trailer.
On his first day on the job, he meets Aubrey Brewer, a woman whose time on earth is quickly ticking to a stop. Their unusual connection teaches powerful, life-changing lessons about friendship, acceptance, and the importance of appreciating that precious treasure called Life.
Loree Lough is an exceptional author, and that's why I approached her about writing the novel for my Feature film, 50 Hours. But I had no idea how wonderful her novelization would be until I read it. Loree was able to dig so deep into my characters. She unearthed and richly developed the film’s skeletal characters and give them three dimensional lives. I am so happy with the book!
- Kevin O’Neill, writer/director/actor/producer
An Interview with Loree Lough
I am pleased to share my recent interview with the talented Loree Lough, multi-published and award-winning author of 50 Hours.
1. What's your daily routine when you are working on a book?
Most days, I’m up by 6. After spending a few minutes on devotions, I exercise, holding free weights (8 lbs. each), and ‘planking.’ Then I eat a little something while waiting for the coffee to perk. By then, my retired hubby is awake, so I make the bed, shower, and get dressed. I like to get things clean and tidy next, so household or yard chores can’t interrupt me with their incessant nagging while I’m trying to work. While I’m ‘choring,’ I give some thought to supper, and either pop something into the crock pot or take something out of the freezer. THEN I sit down to write. And I don’t stop until it’s time for supper.
2. Have you always aspired to be an author? What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome to get to where you are now?
My siblings tell me I always had a knack for storytelling. It’s how I kept them entertained (and from ripping each other limb from limb) when I babysat. As a young wife-and-mom, I sorta-kinda kept a journal. And then one day I submitted an article to The Sun Magazine…and when I saw my byline in a major metropolitan newspaper, I was hooked. I’d accumulated something like 2,500 articles by the time frustration bit hard: Years of seeing how publishers changed salient facts to appease advertisers really got my goat. So I thought “If you’re gonna write fiction, why not try a novel?” The end result, Pocketful of Love for Barbour’s 4-a-month book club earned the Readers’ Choice Best Contemporary in 1994. I guess you’d say that’s when I succumbed to a really serious case of Fiction Addiction. 115 published books later, I’m still addicted!
3. What do you enjoy doing on your spare time? Do these activities shape the books or characters that your write?
If it breaks fingernails, gets me dirty, or makes me sweat, it’s a sure bet that I’ll enjoy doing it: Gardening, building stuff, repairing things—or making them from scratch—is therapeutic and rewarding. When I’m not in the shed or garage, you’ll find me in the kitchen, cooking and baking (which explains my Lifetime Weight Watchers membership). I’m always looking for excuses to spend time with the grandorables. And love going to our humble cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, trying to perfect my “Identify the Critter Tracks” skills.
4. What keeps you passionate about being an author and continuing to write books?
Without fail, following the release of every book, readers write to tell me how the story touched them, impacted their lives, changed them in some small way. Often, they compare my stories to those of Nicholas Sparks—high praise, indeed! I love hearing how they identified with a particular situation or character, or the way something that happened mirrored events in their own lives. Most inspiring of all, the words “I can’t wait for your next book to come out!” keeps my fingers on the keyboard and my head in the fiction clouds!
5. If there is one thing you can tell readers on why they should pick up this book, what would it be?
50 Hours has special significance to me. It was hugely flattering to have someone of Kevin O’Neill’s exceptional talent (writer, producer, actor) ask me to novelize his screenplay, and I’m honored that he sings the novel’s praises. About halfway through the creation of the book, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (incurable bone/marrow cancer). To that point, I’d felt confident that my interviews with cancer patients, oncologists, and caretakers would reveal certain truths to every reader. Suddenly, my connection to Aubrey, one of the two main characters, became even more important and personal. As I wrote ‘cancer patient’ reactions into the treatments, as I introduced her to Franco (the other main character) and secondary characters, I felt compelled to shine a bright light on the hope that everyone touched by the disease—patients, loved ones, medical personnel—reaches for. Those who’ve read and endorsed the book have given me hope that I reached that goal.
Thank you for granting me this interview. I wish you good health, and hope that 50 Hours may touch a lot of other people as well.
Praise for 50 Hours by Loree Lough
50 Hours is a moving story about love, loss, friendship, and last chances. It’s a reminder that our lives are precious stories, no matter how long or short. This is a must-read for all of us who have been touched by cancer – victims, caregivers, family, and friends. This poignant and touching tale will inspire hope in the midst of even the darkest hours.
- Cerella Sechrist, author of the popular Findlay Roads series from Harlequin
You'll laugh, you'll cry... 50 Hours is an unforgettable tale of healing, redemption, and the cost of true love. With a delicate pen, author Loree Lough writes an honest and poignant view of what cancer patients face with commendable bravery. A must-read for readers of every kind!
- Rachel Muller, author of bestselling World War II series, Love & War, and the newly released, Phillip's War
Loree Lough took a difficult subject and turned it into a compelling read with light humor to soften the inevitable sadness that comes with a depressing disease.
- Emma Gingerich – author of Runaway Amish Girl; the Great Escape
50 Hours is a book you won’t be able to put down, and its messages of love and compassion will linger with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
- Kate James, award-winning author of Sanctuary Cove, Silver Linings, and The Truth About Hope
The novel is a reminder that life is indeed short, but always worth living. And almost always… one life will touch many others. Great job Loree!
- Robin Bayne, author of Reunion At Crane Lake. www.robinbayne.com
Emerson said, "To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded." Aubrey and Franco succeeded. Believe me when I say, THIS IS THE KIND OF BOOK THAT WINS PULITZER PRIZES.
- Catherine Lanigan, author of Romancing the Stone, The Jewel of the Nile, and over forty-five novels and non-fiction
To read the complete praises and accolades, visit the 50 Hours Book Page at Book Unleashed.
Purchase Links
Available now. Grab your copy today.
Giveaway
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Prizes up for grabs:
$10 Amazon Gift Card
50 Hours (eBook Copy)
50 Hours (Print Copy)
$10 Amazon Gift Card
50 Hours (eBook Copy)
50 Hours (Print Copy)
Contest runs from June 30 - July 8, 2017.
About Loree Lough
Bestselling author LOREE LOUGH once sang for her supper, performing across the U.S. and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from her 6-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she writes novels that have earned hundreds of industry and "Readers' Choice" awards, 4- and 5-star reviews, and 7 book-to-movie options. Her 115th book, 50 Hours, is her most personal to date. Recently released, The Man She Knew, book #1 in her “By Way of the Lighthouse” series from Harlequin Heartwarming.
Official website: http://www.loreelough.com/
Connect with Loree Lough on social media:
Book Tour Schedule
Follow the book tour from June 30 - July 8, 2017.
Discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and other extras on the tour.
To check the latest tour schedule, visit the 50 Hours Book Page at Book Unleashed.
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I'm a new fan of Loree Lough, and it was such a pleasure featuring and interviewing her on this post. Can't wait to read 50 Hours, and also her future works!
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