A Welcome from the Author

[dotfrank]

Dear Reader,

The idea for The Land of Mango Sunsets was actually a small collection of ideas. First, I read a funny little piece in the New York Times about African Gray parrots, that they have the cognitive skills of a three-year old child. Well, that was pretty interesting. Then I started thinking about the average American woman who comes of age in a small town and her world is unchanging, her behaviors are prescribed from birth and her choices are fewer – marriage, secretarial school, nursing, middle management in some bank, etc. If she stays she will have two children, a minivan, golf club membership etc.

So, what if an early marriage catapults her into a major city and her husband, who is wildly ambitious, begins to play by another set of rules? What if her whole world implodes and self-righteous white hot fury is her alimony? What are the lowest emotional and financial circumstances in which I could place her so that she could dig her way out and still be of interest to my readers? And, perhaps most importantly, how do you make this entertaining?

She thinks her mother is a hippie – she’s wrong. She thinks she’s in love with Manny – she’s wrong. She thinks Harrison is in love with her mother – she’s wrong. She thinks her sons don’t love her – she’s wrong. A woman like this is interesting to me. I have been her more times than I care to admit. Finally, how important is place? Very. Is it a love story? You bet. But it’s about so much more than love between a man and a woman. It’s about allowing, no, insisting that you pack as much love and happiness into your authentic life built of values you embrace. And it’s about learning to laugh, really laugh. These are the things I was thinking about when Mango started to take shape.

So I welcome you to this discussion group and I know that we are going to have a great time analyzing Miriam/Mellie and all her supporting cast. Personally? I’m working on a mango smoothie and invite you to do the same. Does anyone care how much mango I ate on book tour? I’m guessing probably not but there are some pretty funny stories to tell about book tour too!

Sending y’all tons of hugs and huge thanks for your support!
Dot Frank

[Hildegard1]

Hi Dot,

I'm so excited to be with you in another group with another book!

I'll check in again on Monday to see what's happening.

KathyH

[kiakar]

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Hildegard1 wrote:
Hi Dot,

I'm so excited to be with you in another group with another book!

I'll check in again on Monday to see what's happening.

KathyH

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That goes double for me! Can't wait for Dot's arrival! Her books are so awesome! And this one, has become #l on my list. Wow! So intriguing.

[AnnMar]

I loved this book. I could related to Miriam and hoping to become more like Mellie. I also want to visit Sullivan's Island someday. Your descriptions were wonderful. This is the first time I read one of your books, but I assure you it won't be the last!

Ann

[kiakar]

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AnnMar wrote:
I loved this book. I could related to Miriam and hoping to become more like Mellie. I also want to visit Sullivan's Island someday. Your descriptions were wonderful. This is the first time I read one of your books, but I assure you it won't be the last!

Ann

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AnnMar, all of her books are so engrossing. Everyone I read gets better and better each time she writes a new one. You will just have to start on another and read them all.

[bettymac]

Hi, Dot. Your Benton cousin from Raleigh checking in. I'm really looking forward to discussing this book with you and the group. This discussion is my first with you but certainly not my first of your books! I love them all...and this one is as scrumptious as a mango marguerita...and that's saying something..by the way,do you have a mango marguerita recipe to share? LOL
Betty

[Liz1017]

Yay, Dot! So glad you decided to write about this. I absolutely loved this book and the situations Mellie got herself into! Can't wait to discuss this book with you and everyone here!

Liz

[mairwill]

Welcome Bettymac--

I've got some mangoes and Margarita mix in my fridge. I need a recipe for a mango Margarita, too. Maybe I'll get industrious and look one up.

Later--

Mair

[lynna]

As I mentioned to you in an email the moment I finished the book, it is wonderfully a place to fill a void in my heart and I loved it all the way to the end. Thank you and thanks for being a part of this site.

[LizzieAnn]

Let us know when you have a pitcher ready!!! ;D

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mairwill wrote:
Welcome Bettymac--

I've got some mangoes and Margarita mix in my fridge. I need a recipe for a mango Margarita, too. Maybe I'll get industrious and look one up.

Later--

Mair

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[KathyS]

Yeah, I have an empty glass sitting, right here, waiting! I've never had a mango margarita before, virgin, or otherwise!

Kathy S.

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LizzieAnn wrote:
Let us know when you have a pitcher ready!!! ;D

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mairwill wrote:
Welcome Bettymac--

I've got some mangoes and Margarita mix in my fridge. I need a recipe for a mango Margarita, too. Maybe I'll get industrious and look one up.

Later--

Mair

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[dotfrank]

KathyH - I'm excited too! Thanks!

[dotfrank]

Ann - Thanks! Sullivans Island is awesome for sure. anytime you want to go let me know - I make recommendations like I work for the Chamber of Commerce! Dot

[dotfrank]

Hey Betty! How are you? The the mango one I have used comes from a Williams Sonoma mix and truthfully? It's disgusting. I'd rather have a glass of Sauvignon blanc! how hot is it in NC? It's 100 in NJ! yuk.

[dotfrank]

Hey Liz! So glad you're here! Questions? Fire away!

[dotfrank]

Lynna - glad to have you here!

[Bill_T]

Hey mairwill -- the Food Network actually made this one
pretty easy...

Somebody let us know how it tastes! (I've got mangoes at home but no tequila...) I'm assuming this one works better than the Williams-Sonoma mix type.

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mairwill wrote:
Welcome Bettymac--

I've got some mangoes and Margarita mix in my fridge. I need a recipe for a mango Margarita, too. Maybe I'll get industrious and look one up.

Later--

Mair

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[mairwill]

Bill--

Thanks for the mango Margarita recipe. My book club is coming over Thursday night. Think I'll have a batch of those for the ladies. Might make our discussion more interesting. LOL!

Later--

Mair

[mairwill]

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dotfrank wrote:
Hey Betty! How are you? The the mango one I have used comes from a Williams Sonoma mix and truthfully? It's disgusting. I'd rather have a glass of Sauvignon blanc! how hot is it in NC? It's 100 in NJ! yuk.

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Nothing wrong with a nice cool crisp Sauvignon Blanc!

Mair

Message Edited by mairwill on 07-10-2007 05:09 PM

[kiakar]

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KathyS wrote:
Yeah, I have an empty glass sitting, right here, waiting! I've never had a mango margarita before, virgin, or otherwise!

Kathy S.

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LizzieAnn wrote:
Let us know when you have a pitcher ready!!! ;D

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mairwill wrote:
Welcome Bettymac--

I've got some mangoes and Margarita mix in my fridge. I need a recipe for a mango Margarita, too. Maybe I'll get industrious and look one up.

Later--

Mair

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I bet that would be good, though. Have to try it, if I can find one.>