For Nat'l Reading Group Month: "The Muffia," smart, savvy series inspired by author's own 15-year LA book club

October is National Reading Group Month, per the Women's National Book Association, so isn't it fitting to kick off your fall reading pleasure with a book series whose leading characters are the members of a book club? It's "The Muffia" by Ann Royal Nicholas, inspired by the author's 15-year, real-life Los Angeles book club.

Picture a gathering on Wisteria Lane, where the Desperate Housewives and The Jane Austen Book Club congregate monthly at each other's houses to talk books, men, intrigue, art, and sex, over great food and cocktails, and often leave their enclave for wild adventures. These women could be The Muffs, the nine women who populate The Muffia books.

Ann Royal Nicholas (Anna Nicholas) is an author, actress, playwright, teacher, and mediator. The Muffia books are inspired by Nicholas's own 15-year book club.

In "The Muffia" (Book I), Madelyn's mysterious Israeli heartthrob, Udi, dies in her bed – or did he? The Muffs set out to find the truth, damn the consequences. International intrigue combines with friendship, literary pursuits, some sexy toy shopping, and lots of home cooking, in this juicy novel that's just this side of scandalous.

"A great read, couldn't put it down. The Muffia should be required reading for every book club in America." –Susan Hito Shapiro, artist, filmmaker and attorney

In "More Muffia" (Book II) (Bournos), Madelyn's friend Quinn, who books A-list celebrities for commercials overseas, swears she sees Udi, very much alive, in the Tokyo airport. The Muffs agree that Udi might be alive, but know that finding out for sure could get them killed. Fun and intrigue combine with pole-dancing, neighbors shooting porn films, and a big charity benefit.

"The Muffia" and "More Muffia" are available in paperback, kindle, and audio from amazon.com and wherever fine books are sold. Book III in the series is coming soon.

"'The Muffia' [is] a well-rounded read which includes elements particular to intrigue and thriller stories, but successfully keeps the tone and approach woman-centered and filled with the ups and downs of friendships and life…recommended…for women seeking leisure reads that are as well-rounded, captivating, and filled with women's life experiences as they are embedded with a sense of adventure, humor, discovery, and change." …

"'More Muffia' is recommended reading for anyone who enjoyed the first story and wants a feisty follow-up… like its predecessor, More Muffia is a powerful story that women will love; recommended as a beach read or a more serious pursuit by women who love books, book discussion groups, and intrigue." —Excerpts from reviews by Diane Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

Ann Royal Nicholas is an author (The Muffia series; the bio-cyber thriller Homegrown: The Terror Within, published under the name Cialan Haasnic) … a journalist (LA Times, Vine Times Magazine) … an essayist ("Of Wine and Men," printed in Penguin's In My Mother's Kitchen) … an award-winning filmmaker (Univers'l – shown during Cinematheque Leipzig in Germany in August) … screenwriter (Big Bang Theory) … playwright (Villa Thrilla, Petting Zoo Story) … and actor (Anna Nicholas). She's a graduate of the UCLA Writers Program, former Managing Director of the Ojai Playwrights Conference, a mediator, and the single mom of a college-age son. An expert horsewoman since childhood, she now competes in Eventing - a three-phase challenge which includes dressage, cross-country, and stadium jumping - riding her horse, Will Rise, a rescued Thoroughbred.

A percentage of all profits from all Muffia books is earmarked for charitable organizations that benefit women in the US, especially for education and business development.

Nicholas stars in "Annapurna" at Coachella Valley Repertory Theatre in Rancho Mirage, Calif., near Palm Springs, October 26–November 20. www.cvrep.org for tickets, information.

Find out more at annroyalnicholas.com and annanicholas.com .

The Muffia ISBN 978-0-9907080-0-1
More Muffia ISBN 978-0-9907080-2-5