News Blues

by Marianne Mancusi
 
Local News, Designer Handbags, Broken Families and Edward R. Murrow

Maddy Madison, 27 year old assistant news producer for News 9 in San Diego, tracks down important stories such as Cosmetics That Kill. Truth is the least important aspect of local news at News 9 in San Diego. Advertisers, making promos for prime time shows, and above all, placating the news anchors even when the editors spark friction are key ingredients to success at Maddy's job. In her heart, Maddy has big dreams, producing national news at Newsline. Instead she is promoted to investigative reporter for a special segment starring none other than aging news anchor diva Terrance Toller. Things go from bad to worse when her parents divorce, leaving her sixteen year old trouble-making sister in her care. Sexy photographer Jamie Hays walks into the news room to steal her heart and the leads to her real story only turn up Kate Spade handbag knock-offs and a night in the desert with the toe-curling Jamie (who just happens to be getting married and not to Maddie). How will Maddy ever get herself out of this comedy of errors and back to her dreams of producing news, carrying real designer handbags, true love and a real family? When family and job collide, will Maddie stand up for her dreams or cave in to the pressures of the job?

Emmy Award winning television producer Marianne Mancusi gives readers an irreverent and humorous behind the scenes look into a local new program and news as entertainment. News Blues incorporates emails, website texts, school principle letters, police reports, drug culture guides and even facsimiles of handwritten notes, giving this romance a modern slice of life atmosphere. Mancusi's light satirical look into the news culture will have readers laughing and sharing passages aloud with friends. As the novel progresses, the reader roots for Maddie's quest in the midst of the rating boosters and scary promos as she risks her job to uncover the city's shocking truth. When her story hits a little too close to home, will she have the courage to pursue her dreams? As her family disintegrates in front of her eyes, Maddie struggles with her roles as sister and daughter while her dreams of a fairy tale romance seem impossible for a career girl. Can a modern girl find a meaningful job and true love amidst all the craziness and broken dreams?

Marianne Mancusi's romance has a wonderful mix of humor and lightness, combined with a touch of sadness as Maddie's understanding of life and her dreams deepen and enlarge to include her own life. News Blues leads to several humorous surprises at the end that will have readers smiling and cheering. Sassy and modern, News Blues is light contemporary romantic comedy with an unusual tribute to Edward R. Murrow. Zany, humorously flippant and surprisingly emotionally moving amidst the chaos of modern life!

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From the back cover: TUNE IN All 27-year-old Maddy Madison wants is a cute guy, a designer handbag and to work at Newsline. What she has is a dead-end job at News 9 San Diego, a psycho boss and a counterfeit Kate Spade. One with a badly glued-on label. Oh, and no guy. TURN ON Just when Maddy’s sure her days of producing sensationalistic puff pieces will never end (“Perilous Pets!” “Deadly Dishwashers!” “Clay that Kills!”) she’s offered a promotion. She’s now an investigative producer—and that’s not all; she’s also partnered with the station’s newest photographer: sexy, motorcycle-riding bad boy and former moviemaker Jamie Hayes. But every silver cloud has a stormy lining. Her new job is with News 9’s narcissistic anchor, Terrance Toller; Jamie’s getting married (not to her); and reporting the truth is about as easy as watching your divorced parents get remarried (not to each other). TAKE OFF So, how does Maddy get to produce real news, bag her boss and win her man? Stay tuned. It’s the story of a lifetime.