Looking for a book on financial advice? What about a story of a recent widow finding community and security in her life? Nightingale, written by real estate professional and financial consultant Tony Lopes, is all that and more.
As protagonist Adelia adjusts to her new home in the Savannah Valley retirement community, she’s faced by a less-than-ideal welcome. Struggling with her late husband’s medical bills and an abrupt end to her career, she’s far from the average Savannah Valley inhabitant. But despite the rich locals’ constant judgment, Adelia is determined to get her finances in order and find happiness for herself in newfound retirement.
In this Q&A, Tony reveals which parts of Nightingale are inspired by his own family’s experiences, and why he set out to tell Adelia’s story of resilience.
Q: Why did you decide to write both a fiction and a nonfiction book based on the same topic? How did Freedom at Risk influence Nightingale?
A: I wanted to cast a wide net to inspire readers to live their best life. My non-fiction book, Freedom At Risk — How To Protect Your Personal And Financial Freedom, originally started as a way to help my niece and nephews understand the political and economic world around them, and how our freedoms are being taken away under a false veil of security.
Some readers will resonate this non-fiction approach that includes facts, figures, charts and the plethora of ‘how to’ protect your freedom and ultimately live your best life.
But not every reader gravitates towards non-fiction and so I teamed with the Mark Victor Hansen creator of Chicken Soup For The Soul to write Nightingale, a fiction book that inspires the reader to live their best life but conveyed in a story inspire by true events.
Whether someone is a reader of non-fiction or fiction both books capture and share how we can have a life of abundance with proper goal setting and financial planning.
Q: Tell me about the true story that inspired the novel and the main character.
A: Nightingale was inspired by my mother, Adelia. I know her story will resonate with many hard working women. What we plan for versus what actually happens can be two very different things. Let’s face it, as we get older, life is not always kind on us and tends to throw us a curve ball or two. Not only do aches, pains and mobility impact our quality of life as we get older, but often times it’s the burdens of medical payments, loss of a contributing partner, poor financial decisions and loneliness that can lead to depression and overall a poor quality of life. I don’t want that for the reader.
Adelia’s struggle is no different than many out there. Her husband, my father, had cancer and he was the sole breadwinner. Sure Adelia had social security but when the problems I mentioned above happen, social security is not enough to live your best life. We can do better and have a better life, and that is what I want for the reader.
Q: Art is a major part of the story. Do you have a personal connection to art, or did you have to do a lot of research for the novel?
A: When I was a kid I would watch Bill Alexander and Bob Ross on PBS paint beautiful landscapes. It brought me peace and joy. And it inspired a dream within me to do the same one day. Of course life gets busy and those dreams are put on the back burner but they are beginning to resurface in me … a sort of rebirth and remembrance of something that brought me great joy long ago.
And so that’s part of my calling now to deliver this gift or message of rebirth. While reading Nightingale, one will reflect on their own passions that have been put on the back burner and perhaps the reader will be inspired to reignite those passions or curiosities.
Q: You take us into one slice of Adelia’s life in this novel. Do you have any plans to continue her story in the Savannah Valley universe?
A: Readers will find Nightingale’s theme of hope and inspiration in all 10 books in the Savanah Valley Series which takes place in a posh upscale retirement community. I know the readers will love the continuity and crossover of characters and settings from one book to another. It’s a fun book series.
Right now I’m most excited for the follow-on series called Savannah Seas which takes place on board a luxury cruise ship. Will Adelia make an appearance there? Maybe. I’ll keep the readers on the edge of their seats for now.
Q: What do you hope readers will take away from Nightingale?
A: Nightingale inspires hope but also inspires the reader to take action. We need to proactively assess our health, not just physical health but also mental, spiritual and financial health so that we can live our best life. There are so many wonderful opportunities available to us as we age but we must take action now to enjoy them.
The readers will fall in love with Adelia’s story because in many ways it’s also their story, it’s so relatable. But I want all to remember that life after losing a loved one is not all sorrow. Of course we never forget those we’ve lost but we must start a new chapter, a revival of sorts, of who we are now and of passions long forgotten. Adelia’s story is a beautiful example of that and I’m so happy to share her story with the world.
Tony Lopes is a first-generation American, investor, consultant, real estate professional, author and macroeconomic enthusiast. He earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA from UMass.
Tony worked in the defense industry for 19 years in various leadership positions managing multi-million dollar programs while simultaneously building a portfolio of residential income properties. His investments, coupled with his understanding of markets and economics allowed him to retire at age 44.
He now coaches others who are seeking a more enjoyable life with greater freedoms. Tony’s journey has given him valuable insight into the topics and teachings provided in this book.
