Chick Lit Goddess

...because every author wants to feel like a goddess!

Guest Author

Sarah Louise Smith

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About author, Sarah Louise Smith:  Sarah Louise Smith lives in Milton Keynes, UK, with her husband, two cute cats and a loopy golden retriever. She has an extremely lovely step-daughter and spends most of her free time writing, reading, cooking, and taking long walks.

She’s the author of two chick-lit novels: Amy & Zach and Izzy’s Cold Feet, both published by Crooked Cat. Read Sarah’s blog at: www.sarahlouisesmith.com.

INTERVIEW

Welcome back, Sarah!  What have you been up to since our first interview?  Thank you, it’s lovely to be back! I’ve been very busy promoting my first novel, and also finishing and editing my second. It’s been hard work but a lot of fun!

Congratulations on your upcoming book, “Izzy’s Cold Feet”!  How excited are you?  Thank you so much … Very excited! It was a dream come true to have one book published so it’s a real pleasure to have a second.

What is the book about?  Izzy is about to get married, but she’s not sure her fiancé is the man she wants. She takes the reader on a journey through her past, recounting the stories of her past loves, and comparing each one. As each of her ex-boyfriends turn up unexpectedly in the week before her wedding, her feet grow ever colder… then there’s the added complication that her sister has been missing since Izzy was 12.

How long did it take you to write this one?  It’s hard to say, I started it before I was offered a contract for Amy & Zach, so then it went on hold while I went through the editing process, then I came back to it. But I’d say in total probably about six months.

How does “Izzy’s Cold Feet” compare to your other book, “Amy & Zach”?  There are similarities in my style of writing but it’s obviously a very different story. I feel this has a little more depth perhaps… Two characters from Amy & Zach do make a cameo appearance though!

What made you want to write this story?  The story is an amalgamation of ideas that came to me, like several separate love stories, merged into one. So Izzy has four different boyfriends (and therefore love stories) over a time span of about ten years.

Is anything in your new book based on reality?  No, but I’m sure some of my past relationships and experiences are in there somehow if you look closely enough! 🙂

What do you and Izzy have in common?  We both love to cook. And, I think, we both over-analyze and take a while to figure out what we want.

People would be surprised to know that you:  Changed the ending of this book… I actually had a different plan in mind when I set out to write the book but Izzy didn’t like it, and changed it to suit her!

What advice can you give to someone who’s writing their second book and feel under pressure to make it as good as their first?  Only that I really do believe that each sentence you write is better than the last. All the time you’re learning and improving, whether it be as you write or as you absorb feedback from readers. Having said that, although I do feel ICF is better than A&Z myself, I’m very nervous that readers will not agree!

How do you plan to celebrate the release of “Izzy’s Cold Feet”?  There’s an online launch party on Facebook on the day, and then a few weeks later I’m going out for a meal and drinks with some close family and friends.

What are you working on now?  My third novel is in note-form and hasn’t really got a full developed plot yet, but I’m working on it.

Izzy'sColdFeetCoverPic**Blurb of “Izzy’s Cold Feet”:

One bride to be. Three ex-boyfriends.

Izzy is engaged to Greg, who is everything a girl could want.

The trouble is – all she can think about is the men she loved before she met him: sexy Ewan, the first love of her life; dependable Jason, who loved her more than she deserved; and irresistible Dexter, who broke her heart…

Then there’s the fact that her sister has been missing since Izzy was twelve. After such a traumatic childhood all Izzy wants is a normal, happy, settled life, but love is never simple.

In the week leading up to her wedding day, Izzy is forced to ask herself who she loves the most. And, given the choice, who would she want to spend her life with?

**Contact Sarah:

Website   Facebook   Twitter

**Buy “Izzy’s Cold Feet”:

Amazon – US   Amazon – UK

**Buy Sarah’s first book, “Amy & Zach”:

Amazon – US   Amazon – UK

Emma Bennet

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“The Green Hills of Home” by Emma Bennet

Guest Post

My Perfect Hero. By Emma Bennet, Author of ‘The Green Hills of Home

One of the absolute non-negotiables for me when I began writing my romance ‘The Green Hills of Home’ was that my hero be totally irresistible – the sort of hero its not just the heroine who falls in love with, the reader should feel an attraction to him too. I hope that’s what I’ve achieved with John Thatcher, the frankly delicious publishing editor male lead in my novel. But what magic formula did I use to create such a fine specimen of manhood?

To begin with, a romantic hero should be strong, both physically and mentally – he needs to be able to literally carry that heroine wherever she needs to go! He also needs to be able to handle difficult situations, and support his woman when she needs it, but definitely without taking over and bossing her around. Boy, it’s a complicated business being a hero isn’t it?

Next up is kindness – John may come across as a little unsympathetic when Gwen first meets him, but he soon proves himself in his acts, both big and small – whether it’s giving the heroine a lift in his car or rescuing a beloved pet, a great hero must be thoughtful and compassionate – in a terribly manly way of course!

Well now, what about looks? Of course, being handsome isn’t everything, but, for me, it was absolutely essential that my heroine, Gwen, be physically attracted to John – she had to really want him! And so John, is deliciously tall, dark and handsome, and definitely manly enough to make Gwen feel like a real woman.

As for finances…. that’s a little bit of a tricky subject isn’t it? Obviously I didn’t want my leading lady falling in love with someone because of his money, but, on the other hand, John couldn’t be a bum! He needed to be hard-working and intelligent, and definitely earn enough to provide well for himself. Interestingly, although John has more money than Gwen, it isn’t anything physical he gives her that means the most to her, it’s the little kindnesses he bestows. And, from John’s side, an inexpensive birthday present Gwen gives him is so thoughtful, that he values it far more than expensive gifts he’s been bought in the past.

Right, where are we? Our hero is strong, both in body and mind; he’s good-looking; he’s kind, and he’s got a bit of cash. The final touch I added was a drop of mystery – my story wouldn’t be much fun if everything was all plain-sailing would it? John has a secret which means a great deal to him, and which is leading towards something very important. In fact, it had completely taken over his life before meeting Gwen. During the novel he has to decide just what he values most: his plans or his woman. But I guess you’ll just have to read the book to discover his choice!

INTERVIEW

What does being an author mean to you?  I love stories and the escapism of a good tale. I read a huge amount – I’m a little renowned in fact for how absorbed I become in a gripping book. In a way, I guess it was almost inevitable that I’d write ‘properly’ at some point! To me, being an author means – hopefully – being able to give something of that joy back – to give others the thrill of a good plot, to weave my own tales and invoke in my readers the happiness of a character you adore finding their true love. Actually having my book out and becoming a ‘real’ author is like a dream come true!

You like Cary Grant, what is your favorite movie he’s in?  Oh the choices, the choices! Probably ‘To Catch A Thief’, Cary Grant and Grace Kelly make a great team, and the whole film is gloriously glamorous and beautifully shot. It’s classic, timeless and hopelessly romantic – a story of love that transcends circumstances.

Describe your writing/editing/publishing process:  I do try to carefully plan my writing. However, things generally go a bit array when I get carried away and write my favourite scenes all at once and then sort of fill in the blanks! Unfortunately this means that the editing process is long and laborous – a labour of love as it were, but more than worth it when everything all comes together!

As for publishing: emotional and exciting!

Are you (or anyone you know) like your characters?  My heroine, Gwen, is kind and loyal, if a little hotheaded at times! In fact, it’s her intense loyalty to her family which could mean her losing John, the man she’s in love with. I like to think I have at least some of Gwen’s good qualities!

On the other hand, Bronwyn and Brian, my tearoom owners, are most definitely, and very lovingly, based on real people – but I’m not revealing who!

How did you come up with the title of your book?  The setting of the novel plays a huge part in the story and I wanted something that would encapsulate it. The rugged landscape around the Welsh town I live is truly inspiring, and I think anyone who is lucky enough to be surrounded by such beauty will understand Gwen’s attachment.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks?  As long as its a captivating yarn, the format doesn’t matter.

Where is your favorite place to write?  Anywhere quiet and ideally without an internet connection! We have a study at the top of the house which is generally pretty free from mayhem. A cup of tea, a proper fountain pen and some pretty paper and I’m away.

What are five things that people would be surprised to know about you?  I’ve performed on stage at the Royal Albert Hall – though only for about 5 minutes. I have video evidence. I’m pretty tiny, 4’10”and a quarter. You can imagine the quarter REALLY matters in my case. I was once shushed by George Lucas. I have an awesome double backhand. After failing miserably with my ginger cake in this year’s WI competition, I’m already planning my preserve comeback!

How did you celebrate when “The Green Hills of Home” was published?  Flowers, champagne and a candlelit dinner.

What is your favorite word?  Definitely rhubarb – it’s just trips off the tongue in such a delicious way!

Who is your favorite author and what have you learned from them?  That’s an impossible question to answer! There are just so many wonderful storytellers with so many marvellous stories, though Jane Austen stands out for me (and not just because it’s her bicentenary). She was a woman both of her time and before it.

There’s such a lot that can be learnt from all our any fantastic authors, both old and new, but perhaps the most important lesson of all is that a good love story is a good love story.

What are you working on now?  I’m finishing off my next novel, ‘The Spaniard’s Secret Daughter’, which should be out later this year. Not quite as sweet as ‘The Green Hills of Home’, but just as romantic, and still a ‘traditional’ romance. It’s a tale of passion and jealousy, with a frankly fabulous male lead!

**About author, Emma Bennet:  Emma grew up and lived in London, before falling in love and moving to Wales to marry her own hero. Emma now lives with her husband, children, and many animals in a small Welsh market town, fitting in her writing around the many demands of little people and cats.The beautiful landscape around her home gave her the inspiration for ‘The Green Hills of Home’.

Her second novel, ‘The Spaniard’s Secret Daughter’, will be available late 2013.

Emma likes (in no particular order): cake, books, Cary Grant films, prosecco, chocolate, guinea pigs, knitting, quilting and happily ever afters!

**Contact Emma:  Email: emma@emma-bennet.co.uk   Website   Facebook   Twitter

Cari Kamm

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About author, Cari Kamm:  Cari Kamm has worked in the beauty industry for over a decade, building brands, working behind the scenes, and even selling her own skin care line. She has a master’s in clinical nutrition from New York University. Kamm currently works in corporate social media management with clients in the beauty, fashion, and restaurant industries. Living in New York City with her mutt Schmutz, Kamm loves finding inspiration in the most unexpected places, being a novelist, and convincing her fiancé that ordering takeout and making dinner reservations are equal to cooking.

**Contact Cari:  Cari Kamm  Facebook  Twitter

GUEST POST

“Cari’s Writing Life: The Past, Present, and Future”

I connected with writing in my late twenties. I’ve always been a storyteller or that person that loved to entertain and make my friends and family laugh. It’s a characteristic I get from my father. In my early twenties, I started keeping travel journals. I moved to New York City at the age of twenty-two to attend NYU for graduate school with a goal to take advantage of JFK International airport. Growing up in a small town in West Virginia, I was eager to explore the world and wanted to document it all.

I decided to write professionally when I was twenty-eight and craving inspiration at a specific point in my life. Here I was in such an electric city, living and loving everything, even a shadow. However, there was still something missing in my life. There was a void. So… I researched new hobbies from cooking (high burn risk), painting (too messy), volunteer opportunities, and new career paths. I ended up taking a creative writing class with Mediabistro and it changed my life. I quickly learned that the void was passion . . . to write stories. The class challenged me, made me insecure, and sparked my spirit. The workshop assignments got me writing in class and at home. Sometimes, I would come home from a late dinner or having cocktails with friends and find myself writing until 3:00 a.m. Eight months later, I had a manuscript, my first novel–Fake Perfect Me.

Writing isn’t a job. It’s a habit. I begin first thing in the morning. Before anything can shift my mood or motivation, I make coffee and hit the keys. Writing is my morning stretch. I write from anywhere, anytime, and on anything. A notebook, a cocktail napkin, or even taking a photo of a person, place or thing that inspired me. I love being surrounded by music, strangers, voices… simply just life. When a theme moves me, I sketch out an outline breaking down Act I, II & III and write up descriptions of the characters I have in mind. Then, I just write. I don’t look back. I don’t reread. I would say it’s a crappy first draft and then I spend months on revising – editing – revising – editing.

My favorite part of the writing process is creating the outline of the story I have in mind. Then several months down the road realizing where the characters actually took me while reading the story they created. For the past two years, I’ve done just that. My second novel, For Internal Use Only, was released on February 14, 2013. Completing the book was the best birthday gift I could have given myself.

In November 2012, I had participated in National Novel Writing month and completed my third book. It’s my first romance novel! My 80-year-old Italian grandma will be thrilled. I always caught her reading books with Fabio decorated covers. I hope to release this novel later this year.

Writing has taught me one of the most important lessons. If I could go back in time and tell my younger self one thing, it would be that . . . ‘You grow more from criticism than you do from compliments.’

ForInternalUseOnlyCoverPic**Click HERE to see the trailer of “For Internal Use Only!”

Jennifer Brown-Thomas

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About Jennifer:  Smart, ambitious, and never willing to accept no for an answer. It’s what defines rising writer-director star Jennifer Brown-Thomas, and her drive is definitely paying off.

At just 25 years old, the book author and movie director phenom has her first novel, Blissful Lies, published, topping charts and on sale nationwide on e-books and at Barnes & Noble stores.

Certain to see her star shine all the way to Hollywood, Brown-Thomas’ talents were on display at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival, where she presented Blissful Lies the movie to arousing ovations. YTINIFNI Pictures, the widely acclaimed movie distribution company, noticed the artistic value in her work, and is now working on deals to bring the film to the big screen and television sets around the globe.

However, Blissful Lies is merely the start of the Brown-Thomas empire. The hard-working writer-director is also in the process of writing her second manuscript, Vindictive Grounds, which will also become a published novel.

And, she doesn’t stop there. Brown-Thomas has also partnered with fashionista and Runway Ready owner, Fanitsa Limberis, to form Limberis Brown Thomas Enterprises (LBT). Together, LBT plans to create a fragrance line, clothing line, coffee shop and more.

Often referred to by her friends and family as “Super Woman,” Brown-Thomas can really do it all — and, with a humble attitude – a trait she learned from Teenia Brown, her mom and manager.

Growing up an only child, Brown-Thomas found it easy to dream big with the unyielding support of those near and dear to her. Always on a mission to exceed expectations, she graduated a year early from High School, participated in many sports, and volunteered for youth organizations in the area. Now an alumna of Texas Christian University, she is enjoying post-graduate life as an author and director, wife and mother.

“I always knew she was driven, but I see now that when Jennifer sets her mind on something there’s just no stopping her. From the minute she sat down with her laptop to write the screenplay, I knew it was the start of something huge,” said Teenia.

Chapter 1 tease of “Blissful Lies”

It was a typical star-studded Los Angeles night; the streets were consumed with the bright lights of aspiring talent, major celebrities and an overall abundance of indulgent taste amongst the people walking in and out of some of the most luxurious restaurants and shops in town. It was typical, however, for everyone except Addison Hamilton. Tonight was a celebration and the night she would publicly accept the great honor of being named the first woman Chancellor of the ivy-league educational institution, Brown-Thomas University, a goal she strived to achieve for most of her adult life.

At the age of forty-five Addison was not only successful and brilliant; she was stunningly beautiful, a pillar of her community, hardworking, talented and confidant. She was the kind of person every woman would fail to live up to, and every man would fail to conquer. She married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Spencer Hamilton, just out of college. Together they shared one flawless son, Parker. As the limousine pulled up to the grand ballroom and the driver opened her door, she gracefully stepped out and paused for a moment before walking in. She couldn’t help but think that every dream she ever had for herself, at this moment, had officially been realized. She entered the ballroom to find herself surrounded by over five hundred people waiting to welcome her into her most recent accomplishment. As she walked in, every guest leapt to their feet and a thunderous applause imploded the four walls of the ballroom. This was it… the perfect night to accompany her picture perfect existence.

After a short meet and greet, everyone was asked to take their seats as Dr. Jim Crawford approached the podium. “It’s been a long journey for our University, to find the next person who will honor and cherish the value of our institution, as we all do, and hold its future in the highest regard. But we found her.” The crowd began applauding again with an astounding amount of support.

“With that said I would like to introduce the new Chancellor of Brown-Thomas University, Dr. Addison Hamilton.” Addison emerged from her table of family and friends and approached the stage.

“Thank you, Dr. Crawford, and thank each and every one of you for being here with me tonight. It is an overwhelmingly incredible honor to be named the next Chancellor of Brown-Thomas University and one I do not take lightly. From this point forward I will strive to instill in all of our prospective and current students, the true value of an education.” She paused for an instant as she noticed her husband eagerly excusing himself from the table to answer a phone call. She wondered, at that moment, what was more important than she was? With the crowd waiting, she continued, “I will dedicate myself entirely to the continued prosperity of Brown-Thomas University as well as its faculty, staff and students. So I’d like to thank all of you again for the opportunity to serve my community, my students and my Alma Mater, Brown-Thomas University. Thank you.” She eloquently waved to the crowd and excused herself from the stage, focusing solely on returning to her table to address her husband’s brief disappearance.

As she sat down to rejoin her group, Spencer kissed her on the cheek. It was obvious to her that something was amiss. After all, they had been married for close to twenty-five years and she thought she knew him better than anyone else.  “So? How was I?” She asked with a gleaming sense of attitude, knowing he had missed part of her speech while taking his phone call. “You were amazing honey, we are so proud of you.” He smiled charmingly.  “So then what the hell was so important it couldn’t wait Spencer?” She asked with that Addison Hamilton force and attitude that made grown men instantly long for their mothers.

“The office called, I have to be in Boston tonight.” He recited with absolutely no remorse for excluding himself from her important evening.

“Spencer!” she exclaimed with disgust.

“I’m sorry Addison, but this is business. It is not negotiable.” An awkward silence consumed the table as Kate stepped up to break the ice. “Hey, um, Kinsley and I are going to do some serious retail therapy tomorrow. Come with us.”

Addison set her napkin on the table as she responded, “Thanks girls, but I have a lot of work to do tomorrow.” She paused momentarily as she glared at Spencer, “If you’ll excuse me, this is a very significant night for me and I have guests to greet.” She angrily excused herself from the table leaving Parker, Kate and their best friends, Jackson, Kinsley and Leighton sitting to witness this monstrosity of what started out to be such a promising evening.

Parker sat in shock of hearing his dads’ holier-than-thou attitude, “Dad?”

“Parker, do not start with me. I can’t help it. I have business to attend to and I refuse to apologize for doing my job.”

**Contact Jennifer Brown-Thomas:

Jennifer Brown-Thomas

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Cat Lavoie

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About the author:  Cat Lavoie was born in the small town of Jonquière in Québec, Canada. At the age of nineteen, she packed up her things (mostly books) and moved to the big city of Montreal where she currently lives with her tempestuous cat Abbie—who is both adorable and quite possibly evil.

An incurable Anglophile since her university days where she studied English Literature, she can often be found daydreaming about her next trip to London. Since she’s an expert at the art of procrastination, Cat is easily distracted by cooking and home improvement shows—even though she’s not particularly good at either.

Cat grew up watching soap operas and legal dramas and—had she not decided to be a claims analyst by day and write chick lit by night—she would have probably become a designer suit-wearing lawyer. Or a character on All My Children (which is what she really wanted to be when she was twelve).

Cat is not sure whether she’s a geek or a nerd—and is afraid she might be both. Breaking the Rules is her first novel.

Interview with Cat Lavoie

You’re an author! How does it feel to have your book published?  It feels so awesome! These last few months working on edits and getting everything ready for Breaking the Rules’ release have been really exciting.

Facebook or Twitter?  Both. I left Facebook for a few years and—for the longest time—my only social media outlets were Twitter and my blog. But now I’m back on Facebook and I love how I’ve connected with readers and other writers in such a short time… so now I’m trying to balance both.

Did you always want to be a writer?  As far as I can remember, I’ve loved stories and books. When I was in grade school, I used to beg my teacher to let me stay inside during recess so I could read at my desk. Being a writer was definitely one of my dreams when I was growing up.

What is your snack and/or drink of choice when writing?  Oh no. This is the part of the interview where I reveal my crippling addiction to Lays Salt & Vinegar potato chips and Cadbury’s Dairy Milk chocolate bars! But I also drink a lot of water (with tons of ice cubes) when I’m writing. So it’s not all bad!

Where did you get the idea for “Breaking the Rules?”  I was having a conversation with a male friend about the age-old question: can a man and a woman really be just friends? Then I started asking myself: what if a lifelong platonic relationship got really complicated, really fast? The characters and the rest of the story just grew from there.

How long did it take to write it?  I worked on it on and off for a few years, taking notes, doing research and outlining. But once I decided to focus on completing my first draft (i.e. stop working on the outline and actually write the story) it took me a little under a year.

What was your writing/experience like?  Painfully slow. I tend to edit as I write and I have trouble moving on with the story until I feel the sentence/paragraph/chapter I’m working on is ‘perfect.’ It was definitely a challenge to silence my inner editor long enough to finish writing the first draft.

When your book was published, how did you celebrate?  I seem to recall a horribly uncoordinated happy dance in the middle of my living room that scared Abbie (my cat) and sent her hiding for cover. Then I had a celebratory dinner with my best friend. (Followed by another happy dance when I got back home.)

Paperback or eBook?  Why?  Mostly eBooks. As a tech geek and a shopaholic, I love the fact that I can carry all my books with me everywhere I go and that I can go from wanting a book to owning that book in just a few simple clicks.  But I still love the look and feel of a physical book, though. When I really love a novel, I usually end up buying a copy for my bookshelf.

What authors inspire you?  That’s a tough one because there are so many! I’d have to say my main inspiration is Sophie Kinsella. Reading “Confessions of a Shopaholic” helped me find my voice. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to write chick lit. And I love authors like Marian Keyes who combine humor with more serious issues.

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?  The best writing advice I’ve ever been given is: “write the book you want to read” and “write.” For the longest time, I was talking about writing, thinking about writing and even writing about writing… but I wasn’t really writing. So that advice really hit home.

Are you working on anything now?  If so, would you like to share anything?  I’m currently working on the first draft of my second novel called Zoey & the Moment of Zen. It’s the story of a woman who gets sent to an island resort by her friends and family to help her get over an ex-boyfriend. Hopefully, hilarity will ensue.

**Contact Cat!:  Cat blogs about the writing life and posts adorable pictures of Abbie over at the Catenabi Chronicles.  You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter!

**Click HERE to read my 5 star review of Cat’s debut novel, Breaking the Rules!

Lauren Clark

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Q & A with Lauren Clark

In five sentences, tell us about yourself:  I am a mom to two great boys. I live in a historic house (aka The Money Pit) in a wonderful neighborhood in the Deep South. I adore the color pink (I have a pink cell phone case, a pink Kindle cover, etc). I used to be a TV news anchor and once interviewed Eliot Spitzer (client # 9…eww!). I have no sense of direction (It’s terrible. Ask my husband).

Have you always wanted to be a writer?  Not always. My parents love to remind me that I wanted to grow up to be an Indian Princess named Tiger Lily!

Do you have a system for writing and editing? If so, what is it?  I have to plot first, as my writing meanders all over the place if I don’t! My first-ever manuscript (probably 7 years ago) was a mess to fix!! I learned my lesson then, and now start out with note cards to brainstorm ideas for chapters, later type up a rough outline on my Mac, and then, get to work. The library is one of my favorite places to work, as it’s really quiet, allows coffee (with a lid), and I don’t have the password for the Internet connection!

What kind of research do you do for your books?  With Dancing Naked in Dixie, I had visited Eufaula a dozen or more times, so I was very familiar with the setting. Now, however, I live four hours away, so I spent a lot of time on MapQuest and GoogleEarth to make sure my locations were accurate. I also fact-checked with books about the history of Barbour County and, of course, the official “Eufaula Pilgrimage” website.

George Clooney or Ryan Gosling?  Ryan Gosling.

Which do you prefer, coffee or tea?  Coffee. Flavored coffee, please!!

What are your guilty pleasures?  I adore flavored coffee and drink wayyyy too much of it! I am also totally smitten with Downton Abbey. I loved every episode and cannot wait for Season 3!!

What are you reading right now?  Divergent (audiobook). It is sooo good that I want to stay in my car and keep listening!

If you could write anywhere, where would it be?  Santorini, Greece

What other authors inspire you?   Sophie Kinsella, Jodi Picoult, Stephen King (love his book, On Writing)

Do you have any upcoming projects?  I am working on story about The Pie Lab, which is an actual restaurant in Greensboro, Alabama. It’s a great little place, has wonderful pies (both dessert pies and quiche-type pies), and provides a place where local folks can get on-the-job training. My protagonist is a young woman who’s vowed never to return to Greensboro (her hometown), but is forced to do so when her husband leaves her for another man.

Additional comments by Lauren:  The highest compliment a reader can pay an author is to write a quick review for sites like Amazon, BN.com, and GoodReads. It means the world to me and it’s helpful to see what people liked about the book (or thought could be improved). Also, I love getting email and answer every message!

**Visit Lauren at any of the below links:

Email: laurenclarkbooks@gmail.com.

Lauren Clark Books Website

GoodReads Lauren Clark

Facebook Lauren Clark

Twitter Lauren Clark

Carol Cadoo

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Q & A with Carol Cadoo

Tell us about yourself by describing yourself in 5 words:  Saucy Irreverent Funny Tough and Mom

What is a typical day like for Carol Cadoo?  I live in a blender set on frappe.  My typical day is never typical but one thing is constant. I live out in the country so at 5am I am on my patio having coffee and getting my list of to do, for the day. Love a list because I love to mark things off the list, not necessarily to keep track.  I always write in the morning for 2 hours and at night for2 hours. The difference between a writer and someone who writes is that a writer writes daily, as a matter of self- discipline. Someone who writes gets to write whenever they want.  On MWF I write for an additional 8 hours. When I am in first draft or first rewrite mode.  I also have a busy life as a wedding planner and mom of one left at home with two adorable dog babies. I have an adult son living in Tulsa. Being the control freak I am; I also touch base to micro manage his life daily. I garden and work with others in creative projects.  My house tends to be the Kool-Aid house for artist, musicians and other writers. They always know there is good coffee and conversation in my garden.

What or who inspires you?  I tell you my sister inspires me she is a schizophrenic and has to work real hard to live a normal life.  Things that we take for granted are hard work for her.  She inspires me with her courage and steadfast desire to get better, in order to live a normal life.  She is funny and bright a special person in a mean world; she lives her life with dignity and hope.  I am awestruck by her courage. I always remind myself of that when I feel like I am having a bad day.  There are worse days for people, so my little minor problems seem just that…minor.  You know they say you can’t pick the path you walk.  But you can decide how you will walk it. Colette walks her path with grace.

How long did it take you to write your book, Déjà vu of Love?  Well I say 20 years because I started thinking about a book at 20 and actually wrote it at 40. Once I sat down to do it two weeks for a first draft.  I naively thought the process was done, oh no little grasshopper.  What I discovered was that writing the first draft just starts the process.  So I made a lot of mistakes and had to learn how to write a book with this one.  Got a few editorial critiques rewrote, restructured so my rewrite process with this book has been about 10 years.  There is much to learn before the book actually makes it to peoples Kindle.  I had to learn how the whole process of publishing worked.  So this book has been a journey.  The next two benefitted from all the learning, total time on each from first draft to publication about 18 months.

At what moment did you feel that you were a real author?  When one of my editors cried when she read a passage, another one laughed those were the moments that I said to myself okay, you are now an author.  I believe that writing is about putting the reader right smack dab in the middle of the story…living it.  If they read the book from one of the characters prospective you have done your job as a writer.

If your book were to be a movie, who would like to play your characters?  I would love for Bethany Frankel to play Jazz and Charlie Sheen as Gianni probably the guy who played Jack on Will and Grace for Patrick.

How did the idea come for Déjà vu of Love?  Like most of my ideas it came up while I was gardening and playing the, what if game.  I spend a lot of time growing 37 different sunflowers plus roses and lavender. After I come up with the basic story line I let the characters fill in the blanks.  I find the more I stay out of their dynamics the better it all flows.  So when I get into editing I really think it is more like channeling the characters. I have to go back and reread as I have no memory of writing anything.  It is a real bazaar thing.  If you have never experienced it, no one can explain it but weird is an understatement.

When writing, what are the 5 things you must have with you?  Cold Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pepsi, Jalapeno almonds, coffee and my laptop

Have do you deal with writer’s block?  I don’t believe in writers block, I think it is a myth. See here is the thing if you try and force your characters into dialogue or try and dictate how you want them to react; they plant their feet and go “no way”.  Writers block is just an author trying to force their views or agenda onto the characters the characters rebel.  That is why nothing works, it is best to walk away come back and write another day. Clean the house, play with your grandkids let thoughts of the book go away.  Let the characters sort everything out amongst them, then when you go back everything falls into place.  If you fight the characters nothing will happen.

What is your favorite part of the writing/editing/publishing process?  Why?  I love, love, love the rewrite process.  I love the angst, the suffering the whole deal.  It really makes me know I am a writer when I am knee deep in rewrite. Just love it fleshing out the details of the story line and really getting to know my characters.

Paper/hardback or eBooks?  Why?  Ebooks all the way.  Somewhere in a forest in the world a mother tree and her children are thanking me.  Somewhere in the world of the future, a mom will take her kids to a park to climb a tree.  It has to come, the time is now, and we can no longer waste our resources.  You know there will always be paper books.  I believe that is the future role of the library. I write very good fluff.  Not War and Peace but fun easy hammock, vacation, airplane and sick bed novels.  I write them well; they are entertainment. I believe Kindle will replace paper books like elevators replaced stairs, not at all. There is nothing that will replace the smell and feel of paper and ink. But again use our resources sparingly.

Do you have any upcoming projects?  If so, can you tell us anything?  Yes the second install of this standalone nightstand trilogy Inheritance of Love is in final rewrite scheduled release is Nov 15th ish. The third Journey to Love is scheduled for release Jan 15th it just finished in first draft. Waiting for the first edit.

Additional comments by Carol:  I hope everyone enjoy reading Déjà Vu of Love as much as I loved writing it.  Also if anyone wants to drop me a line I would love to hear from you.  They should always feel free to let other readers know what they think at Amazon by placing a review.  Thanks for having me and I wish everyone a great summer and one good read in a hammock.

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Email: carolcadoobookstore@gmail.com

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Anita Hughes

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Q & A with Anita Hughes

Who is Anita Hughes?  I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. I live with my family in a villa on the grounds of the St. Regis, Monarch Beach. I am a mother, writer, taxi service for my children, cook, laundress and dog washer.

What are your days/nights like?  I take my children to school and then sit down and write. At noon I take a break and walk my dog to the beach. I love to think while I walk. By the time I get home I usually have the next section of my manuscript worked out. Then I pick the kids up, help with homework, make dinner and hang out with them in the evening. After they have gone to bed I revise what I wrote that day and plan the next day’s writing.

How did you come up the title of “Monarch Beach?”  Actually an editor at St. Martin’s Press came up with the title! I am so grateful because it fits perfectly. I love my cover and my title: they make me feel like I’m at the beach even when I’m not.

If “Monarch Beach” were turned into a movie, who would you choose for actors?  I could see Natalie Portman or Ann Hathaway as Amanda. Adrian Grenier would make a perfect Andre and Alec Baldwin would be terrific as Edward. I see Stephanie as someone really fun – maybe Kate Hudson.

What inspired “Monarch Beach?”  I live on the grounds of the St. Regis and I am surrounded by beauty. I thought – if you were really unhappy would living in a gorgeous place make you feel better – or do you take your grief wherever you go?

How did you celebrate your first book being published?  My children and I went out for frozen yoghurt. I did browse online for pretty shoes and dresses but I decided I would save that for my first author event.

What are your favorite must-haves for writers?  I need my laptop, coffee and a good book. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, so I always have to have a great book on my bedside table.

Explain what would be your perfect day?  Sleep in and then go to the spa and sit in the Tranquility Room. Then go for a swim or walk along the beach. At night, I love to watch a great movie or a show on HBO.

What’s your favorite snack to eat during the editing or writing process?  I like a cup of coffee when I’m revising. It gives me a burst of energy to do my best work.

Do you have any advice for new writers?  My advice is to completely immerse yourself in your manuscript. When I am working on a novel, I think about it all the time. Make your characters your friends, live in their world, and it will come alive.

What is the best advice you’ve been given?  To write the books I want to read. I look forward to sitting down and writing – it is like reading but better. It is exciting to see what appears on the page.

Do you have any upcoming projects?  If so, tells us:  My second novel, MARKET STREET, will be released on March 26th,  2013. I love the cover and I’m really excited about it. A third novel, LAKE COMO, will come out some time next year.

Additional comments from Anita:  Thank you so much for hosting me on your wonderful blog, Isabella!

**Visit Anita at any of the below links:

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**Click HERE to read my review of “Monarch Beach”

Erin Duffy

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Q & A with Erin Duffy

Tell us about yourself in 5 sentences:  Let’s see, I’m a Capricorn, I enjoy women’s fiction, baking, and long walks on the beach as long as it’s not too hot because I get sunburned really easily. I grew up about thirty minutes outside New York City and absolutely love everything about Manhattan, especially since my parents and siblings all live here, too. I’m very close with my friends, and keep in touch with them often, but I am horrible, and I mean, horrible, at responding to voice mails. I played sports my entire life, including two Varsity sports in college, but for reasons I will never be able to explain, I can’t really ride a bike. I am not a beach person, and I’d be much happier wearing a big cozy turtleneck, buried under a blanket, in front of a fireplace somewhere, than I would lying in a bikini on a beach anywhere in the world. (That last one drives my friends absolutely crazy when we travel!)

It’s been noted that “Bond Girl” is based upon your experiences.  Was writing any of it difficult?  I definitely based parts of the book on my experiences, but it’s not a diary by any means, so it was probably a bit easier than people would think. I was a little nervous that people would think that they were getting a first hand account of true to life events, which made me nervous, because I’m not someone who’s all that interested in sharing my personal life with just about anyone! I also found that as a first time writer, it’s very hard to open yourself up to the criticism and commentary that comes with the territory, so that was actually probably the scariest part of writing it for me.

What is a normal day like for your now that you’re an author?  How does it compare to when you worked at Merrill Lynch?  There’s no such thing as a normal day for me as far as I can tell anymore! It’s nothing like going to work in an office where you have to be up and out of your apartment with your makeup on and your hair done by a certain time. This new world I could theoretically work in my pajamas all day and no one would know or care, though I try really hard not to do that because other writers have told me that’s one of the fastest ways to go insane. Usually, I try to write about ten pages a day, get to the gym, and catch up on blogs or interviews like this one. Some days I’m more productive than others, but I’m trying to go easy on myself and say that it’s just because it’s a major life adjustment to go from working on a trading floor with hundreds of other people to working alone in your apartment all day. I’m hoping to develop a better type of normalcy as I go!

What do you like best about the writing process?  I like how there’s not really a “right” or “wrong” way to do things, and that I have the ability to do anything I want with the characters. I think it’s fun to explore personalities and character traits that are different and quirky. You can put any words you want in the mouths of a character, I mean, things you’d never have the nerve to say yourself in a million years, or things that maybe you wish you said at some point in your life and never did. For me, being able make people on paper say anything I want without consequences has been the best part so far.

Which famous person would you like to meet?  There are so many interesting and important things going on in the world right now that I KNOW I should say someone in the political arena and be smart about it. But I don’t want to lie on this blog, and the truth is, if I had the chance to meet one famous person, I’d like for it to be Taylor Lautner or one of the other guys from Twilight for the sole reason that my niece would then officially think she has the coolest Aunt on earth. You can’t underestimate the importance of being popular with the adolescent set.

How long did it take you to write “Bond Girl?”  Start to finish, it took me just over a year. The first few months I was working on it full time, and then I finished it on nights and weekends. I worked on it basically seven days a week for that period though. By the time it was done I had the whole thing memorized and felt like Alex was a roommate!

What did you do to celebrate it being published?  My friends actually threw me a cocktail party, which was so amazingly nice of them, and it was a ton of fun. I had friends fly in from all over the country, and we all got to catch up over champagne and appetizers. They even had chocolate shoes made in honor of the shoe on the cover. They still won’t tell me how they managed to find someone to do that! I couldn’t have picked a better way to celebrate.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?  How much time do you have? I have a ton! For starters I’m a chocolate fanatic, and can and will eat just about anything if there’s chocolate in it. If you are looking for examples outside of the edible persuasion, I’m obsessed with the show Top Chef, a reality cooking competition, and then there’s always my Us Weekly addiction. It doesn’t feel like Friday until I get my paws on the latest issue. I could go on but I’m afraid I’ll embarrass myself further!

Who played your favorite “James Bond?”  Pierce Bronson hands down. I’d like to say it was because of his superb acting chops, but in reality I was glazed over for most of the movie staring at how ridiculously good looking he is. How does anyone have a conversation in person with that guy without completely losing their train of thought?

What is your favorite word, and why?  I feel like this is a trick question, that writers are supposed to say that they love all words equally the way that parents talk about their kids. This is probably going to sound ridiculous, but for some reason, I really like the word ‘slush’. I like that it has multiple meanings, and can at the same time mean a nice little frozen ice desert that people love, and dirty street sludge that can ruin your shoes and make people miserable. It’s a schizophrenic word. I love that.

What is the best advice you can give to new writers who want to leave their jobs and become a writer?  Oh boy, that’s a hard one. I’m no expert, I only did it myself a few months ago and I’m definitely still trying to figure it out. I guess I’d say make sure you are self-motivated and disciplined before you decide to remove all the structure from your life. It’s probably the most difficult part of being a writer, for me, at least. It’s hard to try to build your own schedule and not get distracted by little things, or just procrastinate until you want to rip your own hair out. It’s much easier to hit the snooze button on the alarm when you don’t have a boss waiting on your arrival, and that can be a tricky thing when you’re trying to write a novel!

Do you have any upcoming projects?  If so, would you like to share anything?  I do! I’m working on a second novel right now, and while it’s not a sequel, I hope people will enjoy the characters the way they’ve enjoyed the ones in Bond Girl. It focuses around women in their early thirties. So far, I’m having a lot of fun with it!

Additional comments by Erin:  Thank you so much for having me on your blog! This whole experience of being published has been a lot of fun for me, but I’m really enjoying the opportunity to connect with people through sites like this one. Thank you so much again for your time!

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