Mar 29, 2005
Former Executive Takes Novel Approach
By CHERYL BENTLEY
The Suncoast News
NEW PORT RICHEY - A woman has turned her journey from the corporate world to a simpler life into a novel set in
this city. But Doreen Lewis' life here has not been so uncomplicated. It has been fraught with drama as she has
tried to open the city's first bed and breakfast.
The tale involves Lewis and husband Mark buying a 1927 cottage at 5850 Montana Ave. for the inn. The cottage
was in a zoning district in which bed- and-breakfast inns weren't permitted.
For two years, the Lewises have worked to persuade the city council to change the rules to allow them to open the
inn.
Meanwhile, the novel "Her Backyard" may be ordered from amazon.com and will be available later in local stores.
"It stems from the pain of being a career woman and missing out on the simple things," Doreen Lewis said.
The plot revolves around a New York executive's return to Florida. Lewis drew on her career in Tampa with a
corporation that sold retirement homes and at a real estate firm as vice president of marketing.
Additionally, she used her father's experiences with the human relations department of a Wall Street firm for details
about New York's corporate scene.
Lewis said the novel is an example of "chick lit," a form of personal writing for women by women. Perhaps one of the
best-known examples is British author Helen Fielding's best seller "Bridget Jones's Diary."
Lewis' corporate career abruptly ended, opening up what she thought would be a less complicated life.
"I turned 40 and got traded in for two 20-year-olds in the corporate world," she recalled. "So now I write books and
try to open a bed and breakfast."
That effort has not led to the simple life. She and her husband have dealt with city codes and council opposition.
But the council earlier this month approved two ordinances that pave the way for the Lewis Cottage bed and
breakfast to open.
The next step is notifying neighbors living within 500 feet of the establishment, followed by a public hearing.
Councilman Bob Langford predicted smooth sailing for Lewis Cottage from now on.
"All of the laws are in favor of them doing what they planned on doing," he said.
"I support it and wish them the best of luck."
Visit: www.doreenlewis.com