I started writing my second novel while I was still working on The Platypus Party. Since my son was my chief consultant during Platypus, it seemed natural to pattern the protagonist in the next book after him. Truth be told, the story I finished is different than the one I imagined. Once I diverged from my original idea, it became a lot more fun to write. Like Platypus, I just let the characters take the lead and the story formed around them. I guess that’s evidence that I shouldn’t think too far ahead when I’m writing. This time around, the lead consulting role was handled by my dear friend, Summer Rohricht. She even named the book (”Different job. Still important.” ) and wrote this blurb for the cover:

Self-reliant and resilient, Jasper Adams has overcome a childhood tragedy and carved out a life that suits him just fine. At 25, he lives in a modest flat with some interesting perks, has a job that enables him to use his musical talents, volunteers at a local shelter and has a small family of friends—well, two—that he reluctantly relies on and occasionally trusts. Jasper has put up strong walls to maintain this seemingly simple world where he stays protected from life’s complications.

Carrie Chandler is pretty and smart. And hurting. After the loss of almost everything she has resurrected herself and found purpose in helping others at the Newton Center. But hers is a happy face masking a tortured soul. And her demons are closer than she thinks.

When Jasper and Carrie collide, his well-constructed, controlled life starts to crack and he finds himself at a crossroads—desire for something more but reluctance to risk what it takes to get it. As much as they push each other away, an even greater force pulls Jasper and Carrie together. But for them to make a true connection Jasper will have to face some of his own demons - demons that maybe neither he, nor Carrie, can handle.

So goes Jasper’s journey to discover if life has more to offer. If he has more to give. And how to find true happiness. Will he take a leap of faith to land firmly on the ground? With a combination of well-developed characters and a plot that puzzles until the last page, NTL tells the story of what lies at the intersection of what we do and don’t believe in, what we can and can’t control, and what happens when we choose to not let fate take the wheel.