Susan Monaco of Vienna wants to help women who have experienced personal tragedies. Her first novel, "Full Circle," tries to do that through inspiration.
The book tells the story of Abby Montero, a woman who was the victim of domestic violence and rape. Over the course of the book, Montero is able to put those events behind her and move forward with her life. "I think a lot of women who are in those situations think that they are trapped and there's no way out," Monaco said. "This might give them the help they need."
Monaco, the single mother of a 2-year-old, works full time for a tax-credit syndicator — a firm that brokers tax credits from developers to agencies that build affordable housing.
As she wrote the book, Monaco said, she already had in mind a potential sequel. Some of the characters in the first book will be back for the planned second novel, but the focus will still be Abby Montero. "It will definitely focus on her," Monaco said.
While not yet available in bookstores Monaco had some copies at the signing, and the book can be found on major Internet booksellers or on the publisher's Web site www.xlibris.com. The cost varies on different sites, but it is about $20 for the paperback or $30 for the hard-cover edition.
— Ari Cetron