Backstage Secrets - Softcover

Backstage Secrets forms the first novel of a trilogy and centres around the life of Martha DiPinto. Martha is a single woman in her thirties who works as a Teleprompter (Autocue Operator) in the conference and live events industry. Her antics are risque but hilarious whilst at the same time her personal life is tinged with heartbreaking sadness and dogged by complications. The novel is based around a large conference being held in Cannes, South of France for KAYSO Inc. a US based fashion company. The conference crew have flown in from the UK to stage the event and during this time, Martha encounters more than she bargains for! The story is not about the conference itself it's what goes on behind the scenes that's of real interest. The novel gives a true insight and portrayal into life amongst crew who work 'backstage' in the events industry. However, it's Martha's promiscuity with its twists and turns that gives variation to emotions, that makes it such an hilarious as well as sad emotive read. Martha's rule of never sleeping with a client falls by the wayside when she meets Howard Johnson III, Senior Vice-President of KAYSO Inc and an affair begins in Suite 444. He is handsome, clever, witty, wealthy and going through a divorce. However, deep within her heart lies her true love, Alexandre, who just happens to live in Monaco but is married. Her on/off relationship with him is definitely off. He has hurt her too many times in the past and she has vowed never to get involved with him again. But when she finds herself in such close proximity, she succumbs to temptation and re-ignites the tempestuous affair. When her work is done and conference ends, Howard invites Martha to stay on in the Cote D'Azur for the weekend, aboard a yacht; she accept his invitation, but inadvertently finds herself stepping onto Alexandre's yacht, with Howard, Alexandre and of course Alexandre's wife aboard! So what happens?

Michelle Shingler Michelle has spent over 20 years working backstage as a teleprompter, on various conferences and events all over the world. She has worked with Royalty, Heads of State, Politicians, Movie Stars, TV and Sports Personalities, Rock Stars and many, corporate directors and managers. She has listened to hundreds of speeches: some have made history, some have changed the world, some of course have not (but they had hoped to) some have been enlightening, some have been hysterical and others have been well . . . With the state of the global economy being as it is, there's not a huge amount for people to laugh about. Therefore she feels the time is right to bring her diaries to life and share the laughter, tears and ups and downs of crew experiences whilst on the road. Michelle lives in deepest, rural England and has three daughters. They describe their mother as being, 'outrageous, funny and a complete nightmare, but she's ours and sadly there's nothing we can do about it' (Their words not hers) Her favourite places are; New York, Bermuda, Baden-Baden in Germany and Abersoch in North Wales. Her mother, on reading the manuscript said: "Oh, my goodness! I hope you are using a pseudonym' Vincenza Astone Having arrived into the live events and conference industry some twenty years ago to do 'just the one small live show at Silverstone, Vincenza has yet to escape the intoxicating world of demanding clients, impossibly tight deadlines, ridiculously unimaginative budgets and total sleep deprivation, but somehow she still manages to love it. Having stepped out of the highly glamorous world of motor-racing (no, not as a racing driver . . . ) life has never quite stood still for her. Event lows followed by amazing highs - global travel allows the creative juices to flow and sometimes, exceptional events are born.