Reinventing Rita

Is fifty too old to start over and reinvent yourself? That's what Rita Reynolds has to decide after a series of unwelcome occurrences arrive in time for her fiftieth birthday.

Suffering from a bad case of empty-nest syndrome combined with the possible loss of her part-time job, Rita is also facing the unwelcome realization that, since her divorce, she's been coasting on the highway of life. Now, it’s time to hit the gas and start moving ahead, if she can overcome her fear that it might be too late for a fresh start.

Is fifty too old to start over and reinvent yourself?
 
That's what Rita Reynolds has to decide after a series of unwelcome occurrences arrive in time for her fiftieth birthday. First, she learns that her college-age son would rather spend the summer with his new girlfriend rather than at home with his mother. 

Then comes the unpleasant news that her part-time job might be ending, which will toss her back into the job market.

Underscoring it all is the realization that since her divorce, she's been coasting on the highway of life. Now, it's time to hit the gas and start moving ahead, even if the bumps in the road are slowing her down!

A chance to teach a six-week baking class brings Rita's almost-forgotten dream of becoming a professional baker back to the surface. Can she overcome her fear that it might be too late for a midlife makeover? With the help of two friends—Donna, her employer, and Karen, her ex-husband's second wife—she's about to find out.

Reinventing Rita is a 2023 International Firebird Book Award winner, Bronze award winner in the 2023 Royal Palm Literary Awards (RPLA) competition and semi-finalist in the 2023 Kindle Book Awards.

Nancy Christie is the award-winning author of the novel, Reinventing Rita (BookBaby), the first in her Midlife Moxie Novel Series; three short story collections: Mistletoe Magic and Other Holiday Tales, Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories and Peripheral Visions and Other Stories (all from Unsolicited Press); two books for writers: Rut-Busting Book for Authors and Rut-Busting Book for Writers (both from BookBaby) and the inspirational book, The Gifts Of Change (Atria/Beyond Words).

Her short stories and essays have appeared in numerous print and online publications, with several earning contest placement.

The host of the Living the Writing Life podcast and the founder of the annual “Midlife Moxie” Day and “Celebrate Short Fiction” Day, Christie teaches writing workshops at conferences, libraries, and schools. She is a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA), the Florida Writers Association (FWA) and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA).