Character Surprise Post: Melanie Martin (The Funeral Singer by Linda Budzinski)

Today I'm welcoming Linda Budzinski to the blogfest to tell us more about the characters in her novel, The Funeral Singer. 

Meet the Characters: Melanie Martin

In THE FUNERAL SINGER, Melanie Martin's best friend, Lana, says to her, "I swear, you are the only girl I know who spends more time fantasizing about her funeral than her wedding."

Lana's right, but who can blame Mel? After all, she's surrounded by death all day long at her father's mortuary. So, what would Mel's funeral look like? If she could have her way:

The service: There'd be lots of music and of course videos. Friends and family would take turns sharing their memories of her--and not just the good ones or the sweet ones or the funny ones, but the bad ones, too. Because that's all a part of who she is.

The dress code: No black! And no jeans! (After all, this isn't a rock concert!)

The flowers: Anything but lilies. As Mel says, "They're gorgeous, but they stink up the place."

The casket: Definitely a wood ... most likely maple. Strong, natural, practical. And reminiscent of the huge tree outside her bedroom window.

The readings: Sara Teasdale's "The New Moon" (of course) and Lamentations 3: 17-26.

The music: There would be all kinds of tunes, but the featured songs would be "Amazing Grace," "You Are More" by Tenth Avenue North, and "White Out" by The Grime (her rock band).

Her epitaph: It definitely would not say, "Beloved Mother/Wife/Daughter/Etc." Perhaps it would quote Harvey Mackay: "Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be thankful. Conceit is self-given; be careful."

Linda Acorn Budzinski decided in the second grade that she wanted to be a “Paperback Writer,” just like in the Beatles song. She majored in journalism in college and now works in marketing and communications. She spent 18 years at a trade association in the funeral service industry, where she discovered that funeral directors are some of the bravest and most compassionate people on earth. Linda lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, Joe, and their chihuahua, Demitria. She has two step-daughters, Eris and Sarah. Published in September 2013 by Swoon Romance, THE FUNERAL SINGER is her debut novel. She is represented by Andrea Somberg of Harvey Klinger Inc. and can be found atwww.lindabudinski.com.

THE FUNERAL SINGER
Available now on Amazon.com!

Publisher: Swoon Romance
www.lindabudzinski.com

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