RANDOLPH - Former Randolph resident Peggy L. John released her first novel recently. Entitled, ''Taking off Her Rose Colored Glasses,'' the book is inspired by her marriage to the late Sheriff Dennis B. John.
"The story itself is entirely different than I had originally conceived it to be," Ms. John said.
In an interview from her home in North Carolina, Ms. John expressed her excitement and hesitation about the publication of the revealing account of her life and insight into her marriage.
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The ex-wife of the late Sheriff Dennis John and former Randolph resident has just released her first novel based on their lives.
"Although I moved to the warmth of the southern sun several years ago, I lived in the Randolph area for my entire life. It would be impossible for anyone not to recognize me or my ex-husband in the main characters of this story. What they didn't see was what went on within that relationship," she said.
Considering the recent death of her ex-husband, Ms. John was asked if there was any consideration to not publishing the book.
"I couldn't have timed the publishing of my book and the death of Dennis to fall within months of each other even if I had tried to. This book was completed years ago and it was already in the hands of the publisher long before Dennis' death. In the end, knowing there is a story to tell and lessons to be learned made me believe that it is more important than ever that the book be released," Ms. John said.
When asked why she believed it was so important, she said: "Although this is a personal story and the journey is uniquely mine, I now realize that there are a lot of people that can easily slide into any one of the characters. Behaviors, whether purposeful or unknowing can be sinful or righteous. They can be destructive or uplifting. I have challenged myself to change and I am hopeful that everyone else will challenge themselves to change too."
Ms. John relayed that she is an avid reader and there was a time when she couldn't read enough romance novels.
"In a short period of time I think I read every book ever written by the masters of romance," she said.
Authors such as Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele, Fern Michaels and Belva Plain.
"While in theory I realized these books were fictional (there is a reason romance novels are listed under the genre fiction), I guess my romantic nature always hoped that the stories themselves were based on real situations," she said. "Even though we were already divorced, I was still clearly disillusioned about our marriage as one day I became inspired to write a novel that paralleled the great love between my husband and me. You can probably surmise by the title of my book I was indeed living with rose colored glasses on because through my writing I realized our marriage was far from the great American love story."
Ms. John's book, Taking off Her Rose Colored Glasses, is available now through www.amazon.com.
This is her first novel and she is currently working on her second, ''Choosing Her Next Path,'' which is the beginning of a journey toward faith.