Michelle Griep: A Proud Member of the Sandwich Generation!

By: MICHELLE GRIEPView More: http://bethanyaleshire.pass.us/michellekelly

I’m the pastrami between a slice of young adult and senior citizen bread. My youngest still lives at home while my mother resides in a retirement community. Both are needy, but more often than not, it’s my mom who ends up getting the lion’s share of my attention.

And that’s a great thing when writing a novel with retired heroines.

Lots of inspiration for the zany antics of Zula Hopkins, one of the main characters in Out of the Frying Pan, comes from my experiences at my mother’s senior living community. From walkers gone MIA to bingo party cat fights, there’s not a day that goes by wherein something ridiculous doesn’t happen. Don’t worry. I’ve changed the names to protect the innocent.

That scene with the dumpster diving diva? Yes, I really know someone who looks forward annually to the day after Memorial Day for the best flower pickings. Those questionable culinary casseroles served up in the scene with the BBQ? You better believe I’ve choked down a few “crunchy” egg salad sandwiches. The matchmaking and busybodying are altogether too reality based.

While I wouldn’t choose to fill my schedule with so many elder activities, it has come in quite handy. It would be easy to begrudge so much time spent with my mother instead of using it for writing, but honestly, no time is wasted. Every minute of life can be salvaged for story—even if you’re not a writer. Passing those stories on to the next generation, verbally or in writing, leaves a legacy that shows how you cared for someone other than yourself.

I co-authored this story in particular to highlight how loveable the older generation can be despite their quirks of age, and also how capable seniors truly are to younger folks. It’s easy to discount the old. I wanted to show otherwise.

Step aside Lucy and Ethel, because here comes Fern and Zula.

ABOUT THE BOOK ~ OUT OF THE FRYING PANoutofthefryingpanb-cover

Murder in Paradise whips life into a froth for FERN and ZULA HOPKINS. When the retirement center’s chef is found dead, the two ladies get folded in with the case. Their zany attempts to track down the killer land them in hot water with Detective JARED FLYNN. Should he be concerned about their safety—or the criminal’s?

But there are deadly ingredients none of them expect. Drugs. Extortion. International cartels. And worst of all…broken hearts, especially when the Hopkins sisters’ niece KC arrives on the scene.

Life at Sunset Paradise Retirement Village will never be the same.

ENTER TO WIN A SIGNED BOOK BY COMMENTING BELOW AND LEAVING YOUR EMAIL.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~ MICHELLE GRIEP

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. Her latest release is OUT OF THE FRYING PAN, but historical romance is her usual haunt. THE CAPTIVE HEART releases in October. Follow her escapades at www.michellegriep.com or www.writerofftheleash.blogspot.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

ALSO CHECK OUT OTHER WORKS BY MICHELLE GRIEP:

   THE CAPTIVE HEART…Would you marry a murderer?
   BRENTWOOD’S WARD…Sherlock Holmes meets Dickens in this Regency adventure.
A HEART DECEIVED…Lies Were Born in a Garden–and Just May Be the Death of Miri Brayden

10 thoughts on “Michelle Griep: A Proud Member of the Sandwich Generation!

  1. TY for the chance. Sounds interesting.

    1. Hi, Lucy! Thanks for checking out Michelle’s guest post.

  2. I love cozy mysteries!

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

    1. I do, too. Thanks for stopping in, Meredith.

  3. Thanks for inviting me to share!

    1. Always a joy, Michelle!

  4. I always enjoy the stories my mother tells me of her life. Love the sound of this.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    1. I’m like a kid in a candy store when my mom starts talking about her life.

  5. Michelle’s co-author here, I’ve met Michelle’s mom. There’s a whole lot of material for future books in that lil lady alone. Thanks for featuring Out of the Frying Pan, Erin.

    1. It’s always a joy to have Michelle! I can’t wait to read this book, myself. The best to both if you.

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