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Girlfriend author April Henry

April 15th, 2010

Welcome, girlfriend April Henry, here to dish on her new book HAND OF FATE.

Hand of Fate coverIf Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?
Unintended consequences.

What was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult?
The most fun was the crazy mayhem when downtown Portland was evacuated. The most difficult was what happened with Allison’s pregnancy

Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?
My vices are all not writing related. They usually involve food.

What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?
On a MacBook Pro, often on my couch.

Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?
I was loading towels in the dryer when I got a call from our publisher. A bunch of folks were on a speaker phone yelling, “You’re on the New York Times bestseller list!” I jumped up and down and squealed and felt unreal – and then I kept putting towels in the dryer.

What do you do to celebrate your writing successes?
I am very bad about celebrating.

Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud.
Persevering, impetuous, assiduous, benevolent, convivial.

ABOUT HAND OF FATE:

When the host of a popular radio talk show is murdered, the suspects almost outnumber his millions of listeners.
Outspoken radio talk show host Jim Fate dies he opens a package and releases poisonous gas while his polarizing show, “The Hand of Fate,” is on air.
In the ensuing panic, police evacuate downtown Portland. Soon the triple threat of FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, crime reporter Cassidy Shaw and Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce begin piecing together the madness, motive, and the mystery that lie behind Fate’s murder.
While Lis has worked with Bill O’Reilly for years (often serving as the voice of reason or his liberal foil, depending on your point of view), the character is NO WAY based on O’Reilly.
This is the second in the Triple Threat mystery series, which has been optioned for TV. The first, Hand of Fate, one was on the New York Times bestseller list for four weeks! And in April 2011, readers can look for Heart of Ice, which traces the path of a destruction left by a sociopath – and based on a real-life case Lis prosecuted.

Get the book here.

About the authors
April Henry grew up in a little town in Southern Oregon where the main industries were timber and pears. When she was was 12, she sent Roald Dahl a short story she had written about a six-foot-tall frog named Herman who loved peanut butter. He not only wrote her back – he showed it to the editor of an international children’s author, who asked to publish it.

Since then, April has written nearly a dozen mysteries and thrillers for adults and teens, with seven more on the way. Look for her young adult thriller – Girl, Stolen – in October 2010.

Lis Wiehl is a former federal prosecutor who is now a legal analyst for FOX-TV.

What the critics are saying
“Exciting… readers will identify with these very real women as they try to uncover Fate’s killer, and each battles a personal demon—Allison her fear of miscarriage, Nic her fear of her daughter’s criminal father, and Cassidy her prescription drug addiction.”
–Publishers Weekly

“The second book by Wiehl and Henry featuring the Triple Threat Club ratchets up the excitement and suspense to another level. Realistic characters with authentic dilemmas will appeal to a wide array of mystery lovers.”
–Romantic Times, four stars

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Girlfriend Jenny Gardiner

March 19th, 2010

smAuthor1Jenny’s back! Funny girl and author Jenny Gardiner pays us a visit with her usual snark intact to talk life and WINGING IT, in stores now. We’ve also posted a video so you can get to know the star of the book. I was blown away how well Gracycie can imitate her housemates’ voices.

If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?

Um, how about What Took You So Long??? Actually I think I’d be so overwhelmed with undying gratitude I’d have to bring along a carload of food treats because I know Oprah would appreciate some homemade banana cream pie, maybe some amazing pound cake, I make a kick-ass pumpkin bread, too. The theme would be about plying people with food to please them…

What was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult?

I enjoyed writing the scenes about crazy things Graycie has done–and she’s done plenty. Like when she’d snuck off the cage and I was trying to get her back onto it and using a broom to sort of “direct” her and she kept biting the broom and my ankles while repeating (in my voice) “Hello, Gray chicken!” (a little term of endearment I have for her).

The most difficult had to do with things that happened along the way. In my mind this was a story about Graycie but her life and ours are inexplicably tied together, so it became a memoir of my family as well. And it’s tricky writing about family without invading their privacy, so that was hard for me to strike a balance. And hard to revisit some of the tough things we’ve dealt with over the years.

Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?

Peanut M&Ms used to be my writing vice, but then I gave them up last year for Lent. Somewhere along the line, Mint M&Ms became my writing vice this year, but I gave them up for Lent. Today, it seems that Thin Mints are my writing vice. Are you beginning to see a pattern here? (I should definitely write at coffee shops, rather than at my desk right in the kitchen!)

What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?

I have a MacBook and I usually write at home. My desk is basically in the kitchen (see above, bad food crutches) and in the main thoroughfare of the house, so it forces me to focus with external forces (i.e. kids, dogs, cat, parrot) are causing disruption, which is often. I love to work at coffee shops and when I really have to crunch on deadlines, I do that, though. But I feel guilty leaving the pets home alone all day so don’t do that regularly.

Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?

Well, maybe a peripheral one. I had the wonderful fortune of having Winging It be selected as a Pulpwood Queen’s book club book for this year, and that meant attending their awesomely fabulous Girlfriends Weekend in January in Jefferson, TX. The keynote speaker was an author whose writing I revere, and I thought at best I’d get a glimpse of him. But instead I got to join the other 30-odd writers who spent the weekend in the company of Pat Conroy, who is one of the most talented authors alive today, in my opinion. He was charming, gracious and thoughtful, he regaled us and the Pulpwood Queens with fascinating tales of his life as a writer and just funny personal anecdotes, and he even made a point of purchasing and having signed books from each author there. How cool was that?

What do you do to celebrate your writing successes?

Well, I’m never opposed to a nice bottle of champagne…And a lovely dinner out.

Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud.

Dogmatic, committed, persevering, jovial, reliable

http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Jenny-Gardiner/64294275

“As sweet as a song and sharp as a beak, Winging It really soars as a memoir about family–children and husbands, feathers and fur–and our capacity to keep loving though life may occasionally bite.”
–Wade Rouse, bestselling author of At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream, and Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler

“Jenny Gardiner’s hilarious memoir will have you alternately laughing and crying, and watching the skies for winged pets out for your blood.”
–Kristy Kiernan, Award-winning author of Catching Genius

“With her right-on humor, Jenny Gardiner manages to make owning a vengeful parrot sound like fun! You don’t even have to like pets to like this book.”
–Eve Brown-Waite
Author of FIRST COMES LOVE, THEN COMES MALARIA

“This funny, smart book is much more than a story about life with a challenging parrot. Jenny Gardiner writes with humor and grace about the challenges and joys and stresses of parenthood, too. I loved it.”
–Sarah Pekkanen
author of The Opposite of Me

To get the book, click on the book’s cover in the sidebar.

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Girlfriend Megan Crane

February 25th, 2010

Megan Crane Author PhotoWelcome, Girlfriend Megan!

If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?
The unrealistic expectations women place upon themselves because they think others will only love them if they are the perfect friend, wife, mother, daughter.

What was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult?
The most fun scene was definitely the alley scene. I will say no more! The most difficult was probably the hard-won conversation between Meredith and her former best-friend toward the end of the book, when all the truths have been aired. That was a tough one.

Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?
I am pretty sure my extremely fat and ill-behaved cats feel that they are both muses and charms; they are not. I don’t really have either, I don’t think. Though I have written every single one of my books on this very same desk, and I’m kind of attached to it, if that counts.

What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?
I write on my desktop computer with the giant screen that I can’t do without, sitting at my desk in my office, which is finally a separate room in my house–a huge step up from when it was shoved in the corner of the kitchen.

Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?
I’m not sure what a “rock star” moment means, but it was pretty cool to hit the USA Today Bestseller list. That still feels great!

What do you do to celebrate your writing successes?
I try to enjoy them. I say “try” because I am really, really bad about living in the moment. But I’m working on it!

Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud.
I asked my husband and he said: precocious, empathic, challenging, inquisitive, enthusiastic. So there you go!

Thanks, Megan. It was fun getting to know you better. Now we’re ready to read your book! Babes, see below…

Everyone Else’s Girl is the critically-acclaimed second novel by author Megan Crane, out now in the UK.

About the book:

Everyone Else's Girl UK CoverMeredith does things for other people. She irons clothes for her boyfriend, she attends her ex-best friend’s horrendous hen party for her brother (who’s about to marry the girl) and she moves back to her parents’ house to look after her dad when his leg is broken. She’s a good girl and that matters. But when she gets back home, all is not as Meredith remembered. Especially Scott, that geeky teenager from her old class at school. He’s definitely different now. And so, it seems, is she. One by one, her family and old friends start to tell her some home truths and Meredith begins to realise she’s not so perfect after all. Maybe it is time she stopped being everyone else’s girl and started living for herself…

Praise for Everyone Else’s Girl:
“Megan Crane rules! Cancel your evening plans: You won’t want to stop reading until you’ve devoured every delicious word.”
—Meg Cabot
“Amusing, heartfelt and emotionally sophisticated chick-lit.” —Kirkus
“Crane prevails with refreshingly real human emotions and reactions. In this book, actions have consequences, and no one gets off easy, despite appearances.” —RT BookClub
“I suspect a lot of readers were like me – desperately seeking fiction with a romantic edge, realistic stories, and smart writing (oh, for more smart writing).
I suspect a lot of readers were like me and dropped out of chicklit game because finding the good was damn hard work. I dedicate this review to those readers. There is hope…Everyone Else’s Girl is a good book.” —Kassia Krozser at paperbackreader.com

About Megan Crane:

USA Today bestselling author Megan Crane has written five women’s fiction novels, many work-for-hire young adult novels, and five category romances (under the name Caitlin Crews) since publishing her first book in 2004. Her novel, Frenemies, was a BookSense Notable in July 2007.　She teaches various creative writing classes both online at mediabistro.com and offline at UCLA Extension’s prestigious Writers’ Program, where she finally utilizes her MA and PhD in English Literature. Megan lives in　Los Angeles with her comic book artist/animator husband and too many pets. For more info visit her at　www.megancrane.com or www.caitlincrews.com.

You can find Megan on Twitter: http://twitter.com/megancrane

At her journal: http://megancrane.livejournal.com/

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/megan.crane
An excerpt from Everyone Else’s Girl is here: http://www.megancrane.com/eeg.html

You can buy the book here.

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Girlfriend Hank Phillippi Ryan

February 22nd, 2010

Welcome, HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN, to tell us about her latest mystery!

HPR-stoolvertCROPPED2MUG-300lgAward-winning investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan is on the air at Boston’s NBC affiliate. Her work has resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in restitution. Along with her 26 EMMYs, Hank’s won dozens of other journalism honors. She’s been a radio reporter, a legislative aide in the United States Senate and an editorial assistant at Rolling Stone Magazine working with Hunter S. Thompson.

Her first mystery, the best-selling PRIME TIME, won the Agatha for Best First Novel. It was also was a double RITA nominee for Best First Book and Best Romantic Suspense Novel, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award Winner. FACE TIME and the new AIR TIME are IMBA bestsellers. DRIVE TIME, February 2010 from MIRA Books, just earned a starred review from Library Journal. Hank is on the national board of Mystery Writers of America.

Her website is http://www.HankPhillippiRyan.com

“Sassy, fast-paced and appealing. First-class entertainment.”
**Sue Grafton

“I love this series!”
**Suzanne Brockmann

Hank Phillippi Ryan knows the television business entirely, she understands plotting and she writes beautifully. No wonder I loved Drive Time. Anyone would.”
**Robert B. Parker author of Spenser for Hire

Hank’s new book is DRIVE TIME

HPRdrivetime FINAL 300med (2)Investigative reporter Charlotte McNally is an expert at keeping things confidential, but suddenly everyone has a secret, and it turns out it may be possible to know too much. Charlie’s latest TV scoop–an expose of a dangerous recalled car scam complete with stakeouts, high-speed chases and hidden-camera footage–is ratings gold. But soon that leads her to a brand new and diabolical scheme (incredibly timely!) that could put every driver in danger.

Charlie’s personal and professional lives are on a collision course, too. Her fiancé is privy to information about threats at an elite private school that have suddenly turned deadly.

Charlie has never counted on happy endings. But now, just as she’s finally starting to believe in second chances, she realizes revenge, extortion and murder might leave her alone again. Or even dead. Emmy and Agatha award winning reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan proves that when everyone has a secret, the real mystery is knowing when to tell.

Tell us about Drive Time.
DRIVE TIME is about secrets. TV reporter Charlie McNally’s working on a story about a dangerous scheme that could absolutely happen…and let me just say, if you own a car, or rent a car, you’ll never look at your vehicle the same way after reading DRIVE TIME. In fact, after writing the book, I now get a bit creeped out when I go into a parking garage. That’s all I‘ll say.

Charlie’s also drawn into another frightening situation—this one at the prep school where her fiancé is an English professor. When Charlie learns a secret that might put her step-daughter-to-be in danger, and might also be an blockbuster investigative story—how does she balance her loyalty to her husband-to-be—with her need to protect the public?

So this is a tough one for Charlie. And she must make many life-changing decisions. Just when she begins to think she might be able to have it all—a terrific career and a new husband and a new life–revenge, extortion and murder may bring it all to a crashing halt.

DRIVE TIME just got a fabulous starred review from Library Journal. Just a snippet of the rave: “Placing Ryan in the same league as Lisa Scottoline…her latest book catapults the reader into the fast lane and doesn’t relent until the story careens to a stop. New readers will speed to get her earlier books, and diehard fans will hope for another installment.”

And dear Robert B. Parker’s quote is on the cover—he says “I loved DRIVE TIME!”

Growing up, did you ever think you’d be an investigative reporter?

Definitely—not. You know, I have a funny juxtaposition of desire to be in the spotlight—and sheer terror of being in the spotlight. I love my job in TV—and have to go live and unrehearsed al the time. Confession: I’m still terrified every time. I want to be perfect, and when you’re on live, you can’t possibly be. That’s one reason why I love investigative reporting—there’s more time to work, and dig, and polish, and produce, It’s like making a little movie, and I can make it as perfect as possible.

Anyway, my sisters and I used to create musical shows when we were all young, and perform for our parents in our back yard. I did acting in high school and college. I wanted to be a DJ on the radio for a long time! But I thought I would be an English teacher, or a lawyer for the Mine Workers union, or for awhile, a political activist.

(My mother, though, says she always knew I would be a television reporter—but I think that was just her way of rationalizing that all I did as a pre-teen and teenager was read books and watch TV.)

I knew from my first Nancy Drew that I loved mysteries. Nancy was my first best friend—I was a geeky unpopular kid, and it was such a relief to go home and hang out with Nancy. She was smart, and made it be okay to be smart. She was confident and inquisitive and resourceful. I loved that. But being a TV reporter was not in my sights. Little did I know!

Your website and blog site URLS.

http://www.HankPhillippiRyan.com

http://www.JungleRedWriters.com

http://www.theLipstickChronicles.typepad.com

http://www.femmesfatales.typepad.com

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Girlfriend Author Judi Fennell

February 12th, 2010

Atta-babe to author Judi Fennell on the release of book three in her Mer Trilogy. Welcome, Judi!

Headshot_Judi Fennell1. If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be? If Oprah ever decided to have Romance on her show, I’d love the theme of that show to be about the industry. How it has changed from those covers of the 70s to empowered women rescuing heroes and the characters growing together, as well as the modern take we have on them. That we’re not stuck in the bodice-ripper image and that they’re written by smart, intelligent, funny, talented people – male and female. And then I have a bridge to sell her in Brooklyn because I have about as much chance of doing that as appearing on her show. :)

2. What was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most fun scene in Catch of a Lifetime, was any one with Ginger in it. That character just flew off (pun totally intended) the page for me and she’s such a smart-alec, that it was fun to let her loose.
The most difficult? The scene where Logan discovers Michael is missing. I’m a parent; it’s my greatest fear.

3. Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice? I have a muse. When she decides to show up. :)

4. What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write? I’ve gone through waaaaay too many laptops recently, and, as I type this, I’m on a netbook I bought one of my kids for Christmas because my laptop is ONCE AGAIN in for repairs. I don’t get it; I don’t mistreat my “babies.” I take really good care of them, but every single one seems to have had a design flaw or wonky component.

5. Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? The first fan email. I honestly can’t describe what that moment is like, other than to say, we (authors) put our work out there. Work that we’ve spent countless hours over, sweating the details, doing the research, worrying about one little word, or conveying the emotions properly to do the story/characters justice. Then we send it out there, not knowing if it’s any good. Then our editor says, “Fabulous!” and the worry lessens. But once it hits the shelves, it’s open season. I’m so happy that people have embraced my world and characters. I hope they love the genies just as much.

COAL_ Judi Fennell6. What do you do to celebrate your writing successes? I smile a lot. :) And maybe open some bubbly with good friends.

7. Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud. I’m going to defer to the answer I gave the last time I was on your blog, Malena, because my family had so much fun with it: Confident, eloquent, dedicated, considerate, thoughtful. Okay, those came from my family. And here are the rest they’re throwing out: braniac, shakespearian, bitchy, blonde, farfegnugan. Yes, my family has an odd sense of humor. Guess there’s no question where mine came from.

Thanks, Judi! Babes, get your CATCH today!

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Girlfriend: Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

December 3rd, 2009

It’s Thursday, and I’m giddy. Not only do I get to share cheese and chocolate fondue with my Book End Babes tonight at my house while we drink and dish about life and good books, but today girlfriend Wendy Nelson Tokunaga has so graciously stopped by to fill us in on her second novel, LOVE IN TRANSLATION. Give her a big atta-babe!

WendyB&wIf Oprah invited you on her show to talk about Love in Translation, what would the theme of that show be?

I think a show with a theme about finding yourself by living and experiencing a foreign culture, or one about the rewards and challenges of cross-cultural relationships would work very well. Actually, I never like the Oprah question because I am quick to say that I don’t write “Oprah” books. But after taking the time to really think about it, thanks to your interview question, I have begun to see things in a whole different light. So can you excuse me for a minute? I’m going to get on the phone with one of her producers.

What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?

I use an iMac at home. Once in a while I bring my pink Acer NetBook with me to a coffeehouse or somewhere. But more often, if I’m away from my desk, I’ll take a printed copy of what I’ve already written and make notes or a paper notebook to work with. I usually write in my office at home.

Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?

That’s an interesting question, which I will take a little more literally since, when I was young, I wanted to be a rock star, not a writer. Recently I participated in an event for the California Writers Club called “We Know They Can Write, But Can They Sing?” where authors performed karaoke with a live band. Since I’ve done a lot of singing, this was perfect for me. I sang “You’re No Good” and “At Last” and I got a nice feeling of being a “rock star” from the audience reaction to my performance.

What do you do to celebrate your writing successes?

Eat a great dinner and crack open a great bottle of wine. But, come to think of it, we do that most nights!

Describe yourself with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud.

equanimous
temerarious
sanguine
steatopygic
graphophobic

WOW, smarty pants! Those are more like twelfth grade, sister! Go, you.

About LOVE IN TRANSLATION:

The San Francisco Chronicle called Wendy Nelson Tokunaga’s debut novel, Midori by Moonlight, a “terrific first novel.” Now she’s back with her second book, Love in Translation, which again explores the themes of Japan and Japanese culture and being a stranger in a strange land, which have played a major role in her life and writing.

Love in Translation coverFIN1Love in Translation
by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga
Trade Paperback $13.99 ($17.99 Canada)
978-0-312-37266-8
240 pages St. Martin’s Griffin
Available: Now (Published November 24, 2009)
Web Site: www.WendyNelsonTokunaga.com

For anyone who’s ever dreamt of finding love and family in an unexpected place…

After receiving a puzzling phone call and a box full of mysterious family heirlooms, 33-year-old fledgling singer Celeste Duncan is off to Japan to search for a long, lost relative who could hold the key to the identity of the father she never knew. Once there she stumbles head first into a weird, wonderful world where nothing is quite as it seems—a land with an inexplicable fascination with foreigners, karaoke boxes, and unbearably perky TV stars.

With little knowledge of Japanese, Celeste finds a friend in her English-speaking homestay brother, Takuya, and comes to depend on him for all variety of translation, travel and investigatory needs. As they cross the country following a trail after Celeste’s relatives, she discovers she’s developing “more-than-sisterly” feelings for him, although his mother seems to have other plans for her son. But it is when Celeste learns a Japanese song called “The Wishing Star” that things begin to change for her in ways she never expected, leading her to ask, what is the true meaning of family? And what does it mean to discover your own voice?

Amazon Link:

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Translation-Wendy-Nelson-Tokunaga/dp/0312372663/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258672687&sr=1-1

Praise

“A delightful novel about love, identity, and what it means to be adrift in a strange land. This story of a search has an Alice in Wonderland vibe; when Celeste climbs down the rabbit hole, one can’t help but follow along.”
—Michelle Richmond, New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Fog

“An amusing story of one woman’s quest for her father and the improbable path of love.”
—Meg Waite Clayton, author of The Wednesday Sisters

“Tokunaga… describe[s] Japanese culture in absorbing detail.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Witty, lighthearted and charming story of finding love in an unexpected place.”—Fresh Fiction

“A delightful plot with wonderful characterizations.”—Affair de Coeur Magazine

“Four stars!” —RT Book Reviews Magazine

Get your copy! If you buy one as a gift, be sure and enter it in our HoLITday contest!

Love in Translation Theme Song

The fictional song becomes a reality! Listen to the Love in Translation original theme song, “The Wishing Star (Nozomi no Hoshi)” Music by Manabu Tokunaga, Lyrics by Hiro Akashi and Wendy Nelson Tokunaga, Vocal by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga.

Download at my website:

http://tinyurl.com/yfsuebh

Download on iTunes:

http://tinyurl.com/yecqc3g

Love in Translation Audio Drama Podcast

Hear the dramatic excerpt:

http://tinyurl.com/yfsuebh

Author Bio

Wendy Nelson Tokunaga is the author of the novels, MIDORI BY MOONLIGHT (St. Martin’s, Available Now) and the forthcoming LOVE IN TRANSLATION (St. Martin’s, November 2009). Her novel, NO KIDDING, won the Literary/Mainstream Fiction category in Writer’s Digest’s Best Self-Published Book Awards in 2002. She is also the author of two children’s non-fiction books, and has had short stories published in various literary journals. Wendy signed her two-book deal with St. Martin’s just as she was beginning the MFA in Writing program at the University of San Francisco in 2006. Along with her MFA, she also holds a BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University. In her spare time Wendy sings bossa nova, cool pop, jazz standards and Japanese songs accompanied by her surfer dude husband Manabu on electronic keyboards. They live with their cat Meow in the San Francisco Bay Area, a short walk from the Pacific Ocean.

Find more information at Wendy’s website (http://www.WendyTokunaga.com). And look for her on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wendy-Nelson-Tokunaga/52795977320) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/Wendy_Tokunaga)

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Girlfriend Melissa Senate

November 17th, 2009

new.photo.Melissa.SenateMelissa is a curly girlie after my own heart. We both love chick lit and she’s written a lot of it. Now Melissa’s new women’s fiction book tackles a topic we can all relate to (family drama and secrets; skeletons, anyone?) and it’s a book ripe for book clubs! See the reading guide link below. Melissa thanks for visiting with the Babes today.

If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?

A: I really and truly almost made it on the Oprah show back in 2001 with my debut, See Jane Date. (The theme was Generation X vs. Baby Boomers, but my taped segment ended up on the cutting room floor.) The theme of the Oprah show about The Secret of Joy would be an Oprah classic: What makes a family? If a half-sister you never met, never knew existed, came knocking on your one day, are you family just because DNA says so? Does the word family, the word sister mean something in and of themselves? Oprah, this is so your show—call me! It’s funny that my sometimes motto is: if it can happen once, it can happen again, but in this case, I think I’ll be waiting forever. ☺

Ooh. So close, Melissa! On the bright side – look at you! – you’ve got a career despite not having appeared on her show! So, what was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult?

A: I loved writing the first scene on the “love bus,” when Rebecca joins the quirky singles tour of Portland, Maine, that her half-sister Joy conducts from her orange mini bus. There are some characters on that tour. The most difficult was the opening scene, when Rebecca’s dying father confesses his secret: that he had an affair twenty-six years ago and turned his back on the resulting baby. Very emotional for me.

I can imagine. A relative of mine found out a secret about her parents after they both died and she felt betrayed for a long time. Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?

A: A little photograph of my then four-year-old son, hanging from the monkey bars with a comical little grin of pure happiness. It’s my favorite picture. Also: lots of Coke Zero, which tastes amazingly like regular Coke. Tootsie Rolls. And I’ll read a page or two from a novel I love, which is pure inspiration for me.

My 4 year-old would fight you for those Tootsie Rolls. What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?

A: I use an old but beloved tiny Mac Powerbook. Something less daunting to me about writing an entire novel on a little screen.

Let’s pause briefly for a moment of silence for my black Macbook which died last year after my 4 year old sent it crashing to the ground. Okay, I’m better now. No, I’m not. Hold on while I go get some wine. Okay, back. Where were you? Oh, yeah, you have a Mac Powerbook and I don’t. Let’s move on. Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?

A: My debut novel, See Jane Date, brought a few rock star moments my lucky way. There was the almost-Oprah moment, and See Jane Date was made into a TV movie (I can still barely believe it happened) for ABC Family. And ridiculously fun: this is a question in the “written word” category in the 20th Anniversary Edition of Trivial Pursuit: What 2001 Melissa Senate title attempts to lure young female readers to romance novels by hearkening back to Dick and Jane? A: See Jane Date. That was unexpected.

What do you do to celebrate your writing successes?
A: My favorite way to celebrate selling a new book and seeing it in stores for the first time is to write. Seriously, the utter happiness inspires me because it reminds me (especially when I’m feeling low, low, low) that I can do it.

Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud.
Extroverted-introvert (she would be pleased by the paradoxical nature of the combination), benevolent, compassionate, unconventional, optimistic.

Some of my favorite adjectives in a person! Hurrah, Melissa and best of luck to you on the new novel.

COVER.SecretofJoyIntroducing THE SECRET OF JOY (Simon & Schuster trade paperback, $15.00) by Melissa Senate, the “warm, winning” new novel from the bestselling author of See Jane Date and Love You To Death.

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Joy-Melissa-Senate/dp/1439107173/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258292510&sr=8-1

What would you do if you discovered you had a half-sister you never knew existed?

28-year-old New Yorker Rebecca Strand is shocked when her dying father confesses a devastating secret: he had affair when Rebecca was a toddler—and a baby he turned his back on at birth. Now, his wish is that the daughter he abandoned, Joy Joyhawk, read the unsent letters he wrote to her every year on her birthday. Determined to fulfill her father’s wish, Rebecca drives to a small town in Maine—against the advice of her lawyer boyfriend who’s sure Joy will be a “disappointing, trashy opportunist” and demand half her father’s fortune. But when hopeful Rebecca knocks on her half-sister’s door, Joy—a separated mother who conducts weekend singles tours out of her orange mini-bus—wants nothing to do with Rebecca or the letters her father wrote to her. Determined to forge some kind of relationship with Joy, Rebecca sticks around, finding unexpected support from Joy’s best clients—the Divorced Ladies Club of Wiscasset—and a sexy carpenter named Theo . . . .

The Secret of Joy is a Simon & Schuster Book Club Pick! For more information, check out the Reading Group Guide:

http://books.simonandschuster.com/Secret-of-Joy/Melissa-Senate/9781439107171/reading_group_guide

Praise:

“The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate opened my heart, made me laugh, cry, and smile all at the same time. A don’t-miss read!” –New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips

“The Secret of Joy is a warm hug of a book. Insightful, wise, and romantic, it’s as inviting as the small-town life it depicts.” –Claire LaZebnik

“A wonderfully heartfelt story about hope, possibilities and the yearning for real connections. Senate’s latest will take you on a much needed vacation, while sneaking vital life lessons in when you’re not looking.” –Caprice Crane

Author’s Bio:
Melissa Senate lives on the coast of Maine with her son and their menagerie of pets. She’s the author of eight novels (seven women’s fiction and one young adult) with two on the way. Visit her website (http://www.melissasenate.com) for more information and she’d love if you became her friend Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MelissaSenate) and followed her on Twitter (http://twitter.com/melissasenate).

handbagpicReaders, tell me what you think the SECRET OF JOY is in your own life with a comment below and one random commenter will win this PhiloSophie’s magnet set. The bottom quote reads “All I need in life I carry in a cute handbag.”

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Girlfriend Jessica Brody

November 13th, 2009

The BEbabes lounge is open and we’re talking FIDELITY! But relax, it’s only fiction, ladies! Join me in welcoming best-selling author Jessica Brody to talk about her new book LOVE UNDER COVER.

Jessica Brody - Author PhotoIf Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?
Definitely “Trust.” Women who have trust issues. Men who cheat. Relationships that have faced betrayal. As my main character is a “fidelity inspector,” she obviously sees a lot of those kinds of relationships in her job. But in this book, she’s now in a relationship of her own. And although she may be a pro at figuring out someone else’s love life, she’s pretty clueless when it comes to her own.

What was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult?
I loved writing any of the scenes with Jennifer’s friends. They’re all fun in their own way. Zoë has a terrible road rage problem and she has a habit of talking on the phone while driving so those conversations with Jen and Zoë on the phone are always really entertaining for me. I get to channel my inner turrets patient. John is the flamboyant gay boy from West Hollywood who is always quick with his sarcasm and wit. Sometimes I don’t know where his remarks come from. I must be channelling my inner gay man because I’ll write something that he says and think, “That’s really funny. Where the hell did that come from?”

The most difficult scenes in this book were definitely the scenes when she’s in her staff meetings at The Hawthorne Agency. All the characters were brand new to me and it was hard to get a handle for each of them individually, let alone how they would interact in a room together. It was definitely a challenge!

Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?
This year I discovered the wonders of coffee. I’m 30 years old and I’d never drank coffee in my life! But then one day I had a Café au Lait at the coffee shop where I like to write and an hour later, I looked down at my screen and saw that I had written ten pages. Like it was nothing! It was like someone had replaced me with a writing robot. It’s hard to say no to a cup of coffee when I write now. A very, very dangerous habit…


What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?
I have a desktop and a laptop but I prefer to write on my laptop. I do all my “busy work” like emails, interviews, website stuff, on my desktop and I found that switching computers helped me switch focus.
I used to not be able to write in a public place. But then I discovered “white noise” mp3s. They basically play nothing but…well, white noise. Now I go to my favorite coffee shop, pop in my ear phones, crank up the white noise and the world around me dissolves away. Plus…that coffee helps. ☺

Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?
Okay, this is lame but the other day my boyfriend and I were talking to an insurance agent about insuring our home and he told me that because I was a “bestselling author” he had to check some box on our form claiming that a “famous person resides here.” I’m sure it ended up costing us a hundred bucks more a month, but I still felt pretty smug about the whole thing.

Praying the paparazzi don’t stalk you, darlin’. What do you do to celebrate your writing successes?
My boyfriend always have about three bottles of champagne chilling at all times. It feels like there’s always some big and exciting news that I’m waiting on at all times, so I like to be prepared just in case it comes today!

Oh, and then I usually treat myself to a massage.

*note to self* three bottles of champagne are better than one. Heck, I could use some bubbly AND a massage right now. Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud.

Okay, 5th grade English teacher I can do. If you had asked for 12th grade English teacher, I might have to forfeit. But let’s see. Motivated, sensitive (sometimes overly so!), passionate, obsessive, and hilarious (but usually only to myself).

Love Under Cover - FINALAbout LOVE UNDER COVER:

In her job, she’s an expert on men…

In her own relationship, she doesn’t have a clue.

Boyfriend behaving badly? Suspect your husband of straying? Jennifer Hunter can supply the ultimate test. She runs a company which specializes in conducting fidelity inspections for those who suspect their loved ones are capable of infidelity.

An expert on men, Jennifer can usually tell if they’re single, married or lying… Unfortunately, her new boyfriend, Jamie, is one of the few men that she’s never been able to ‘read.’ Has she finally found the perfect man or is he too good to be true?

A captivating new novel from the bestselling author of The Fidelity Files.

Available November 10, wherever books are sold.

Praise:

Currently in development as a TV series by the executive producer of Crash!

“With a complicated, sympathetic protagonist, worthy stakes and a clever twist on the standard chick lit narrative, Brody will pull readers in from the first page.”
– Publisher’s Weekly

“Those who enjoyed Brody’s debut will be eager to catch up with Jennifer, but newcomers will be intrigued, too…an honest, witty portrayal of modern love.”
- Booklist

“With her usual smart, deft, and witty prose, Brody delves deep into the psychology of a woman who tests the fidelity of strangers for a living but struggles with commitment in her own life.”
- Joanne Rendell, author of Crossing Washington Square and The Professors’ Wives’ Club

Watch the trailer:

About the Author:

Jessica Brody graduated from Smith College in Massachusetts with degrees in economics and French. In 2005, she left her job at MGM Studios in Los Angeles to become a full-time freelance writer and producer. Jessica currently lives in Los Angeles, where she is working on her next novel. Visit Jessica’s website at: www.JessicaBrody.com

_______________________________________________________________
Love Under Cover – Commercial Fiction -November 2009 – St. Martin’s Press
The Karma Club – Young Adult Fiction – April 2010 – Farrar, Straus, Giroux
The Fidelity Files – Commercial Fiction -Available Now! – St. Martin’s Press
______________________________________________________________

Book trailers, reviews, excerpts and more at: www.JessicaBrody.com

THANKS, JESSICA! Readers, leave a comment on what you think should be done to guys (or gals) who cheat for a chance to win our Impulse prize this week: the darling Watt’s Up notecard set. RT on Twitter for an extra entry! Drawing held Sunday at 10 p.m.! Be creative. :-)

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Girlfriend (and Debut author) Marilyn Brant

October 5th, 2009

MarilynBrant[1]Marilyn Brant is in the reading lounge with me today, and we’re wearing our bunny slippers and drinking hot tea. (Don’t you think Jane Austen would approve?) See, in Marilyn’s creative debut, her protagonist hears the voice of Jane Austen, guiding her every move in her love life. Marilyn, thanks for coming by, especially on your debut week! So girlfriends, leave a comment on the best love advice you’ve ever been given and one lucky commenter will win an advanced reading copy of ACCORDING TO JANE signed and mailed by Marilyn herself. (randomly drawn at 9 p.m. CST and announced in the comments. Per usual, all BEbabes chapter members get one extra vote.)

If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?
How becoming your “Best Self” can require many long years of soul searching and endless hours of listening to sappily sentimental ‘80s tunes.

What was the most fun scene in your book to write?
One scene I had a lot of fun with was the bar scene in the first chapter where my main character runs into her ex-high-school boyfriend for the first time in four years. It was a situation I had never experienced personally, but I could imagine the comical possibilities so clearly and feel and the frustration of my heroine as if I’d been the one standing there, facing the jerk and his latest girlfriend, while Jane Austen ranted about how “insufferable” he was.

Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?
Before I sold According to Jane, the manuscript was a Golden Heart finalist and my son, an avid coin collector who was 8 at the time, gave me one of his “special quarters” for good luck. I won the award and now keep his quarter on my desk for good luck and inspiration. As for writing vices–I have a terrible tendency to “quote” things (not just in dialogue, but in narrative). Oh, and I also use too many ellipses…

What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?
I use every possible type of writing tool, and I use them everywhere. I have a desktop HP for my home office (I’m there most of the time), a Compaq laptop for coffee shop visits and I actually still draft a lot of scenes by hand on notebook paper. I’ve been known to use the occasional carryout menu or paper towel when necessary, too.

Have you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?
I’m a debut author, so I don’t expect name or sight recognition yet (and I happen to love anonymity, so I’m not rushing it!). But, right after my photo and book cover were printed in the library newsletter, I did get a flurry of phone calls and people stopping me at the local Piggly Wiggly to tell me they’d seen it… That I was famous (!!) and that everyone was going to be coming to my Author Talk. While I’m fairly certain not “everyone” will actually be at that talk, I look forward to assuring those who are that I’m really, seriously NOT famous.

What do you do to celebrate your writing successes?
I’m a huge fan of Thai spring rolls and English chocolate bars.

Describe your personality with five adjectives that would make your 5th grade English teacher proud.
Curious. Persistent. Observant. Analytical. Creative.

accordingtojane[1]According to Jane by Marilyn Brant

In Marilyn Brant’s smart, wildly inventive debut, one woman in search of herself receives advice from the ultimate expert in matters of the heart. . .
It begins one day in sophomore English class, just as Ellie Barnett’s teacher is assigning Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. From nowhere comes a quiet “tsk” of displeasure. The target: Sam Blaine, the cute bad boy who’s teasing Ellie mercilessly, just as he has since kindergarten. Entirely unbidden, as Jane might say, the author’s ghost has taken up residence in Ellie’s mind, and seems determined to stay there.
Jane’s wise and witty advice guides Ellie through the hell of adolescence and beyond, serving as the voice she trusts, usually far more than her own. Years and boyfriends come and go–sometimes a little too quickly, sometimes not nearly fast enough. But Jane’s counsel is constant, and on the subject of Sam, quite insistent. Stay away, Jane demands. He is your Mr. Wickham.
Still, everyone has something to learn about love–perhaps even Jane herself. And lately, the voice in Ellie’s head is being drowned out by another, urging her to look beyond everything she thought she knew and seek out her very own, very unexpected, happy ending. . .

Praise for ACCORDING TO JANE:
“A warm, witty and charmingly original story.” –Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Tell us, dear readers, what’s the BEST ADVICE you’ve ever been given regarding love?

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Girlfriend Tour: Hank Phillippi Ryan

September 10th, 2009

abToday we’re hanging with our gorgeous girlfriend Hank Phillippi Ryan whose latest Charlie adventure is back and full of action.

In AIR TIME, the smart and sassy TV reporter Charlotte is taking on the fashion industry, where she learns “When purses are fake – the danger is real.” I chased down Hank Phillippi Ryan –Emmy-winning Boston television reporter and award-winning mystery writer — to tell us more about Charlie’s latest adventure.

You know our BFF Oprah’s new season starts up this week. If Oprah invited you on her show to talk about your book, what would the theme of that show be?

HANK: Choices. Decisions. You know, when we’re young people always ask us—what do you want to be when you grow up? And now, at this age—here we are. Grown up. It’s no longer “want to be.” It’s “is.” And along the way, we made choices. And others were made for us. How did we get where we are? And what do we do next?

And specifically, when it comes to Charlotte McNally—what happens when you’re married to your job in TV—and the camera doesn’t love you anymore? (Wonder what Oprah would say about THAT!)

And specifically when it comes to AIR TIME—well, since AIR TIME is about the not-so-pretty world of counterfeit couture and knock-off designer purses, the theme might be—in life and in love, how do you tell real thing?

I may have to go meditate on a mountain for a while with all those existential questions, Hank! Better yet, I’m just hoping your book will answer them for me. So what was the most fun scene in your book to write? The most difficult?

Ah, I always have fun writing the scenes with 8-year-old Penny, the daughter of Charlie McNally’s possible future husband. (Note I said: possible.). She’s such a treasure and I never know if she’s going to be adorable-funny Penny, or sad-needy-child-of-divorce Penny, or 8-going-on-16 Penny. In AIR TIME, Penny’s doing her best to ruin her father’s relationship with Charlie.

I also love my action scenes—the fast-paced, high-tension, high-stakes pivotal decision-making scenes. Sometimes my fingers are flying over the keys so fast, I don’t even have a second to think about it .That’s when I know it’s working. In AIR TIME, there’s a shoot-out in an airplane hangar—and I still get goose bumps thinking about it.

The difficult scenes? Okay, confession. Yes, I write murder mysteries and romantic suspense. But I hate to kill people. I know lots of authors relish that part—but it’s really difficult for me. I always think—maybe I could make them just really badly hurt. But that wouldn’t be terribly effective.

And here I thought authors LOVED killing people in books! As for the 8 year old, my daughter is 9 and I never know “which girl” will show up, either. Do you have a muse, good luck charm, writing vice?

Ah, I can’t say yes, because if I do, that makes it so. But on my desk are two carved rocks. One says Imagine. And one says Patience. But they’re just rocks, not special tokens. I insist.

*brow raised* If you say so, Hank. What do you write on (type of computer, or notebook, etc.) and where do you write?

I have a lovely study, book shelves on one wall, fireplace on the other, lots of lovely windows. Cluttered ,cluttered cluttered—piles of books and files on the floor. And on the chairs and couch. But I’m lucky to have such a cozy place. My computer is on a semi-circular antique hunt desk.

If I tried to write by hand, I’d never be able to decipher it.

Sound lovely! And thanks for throwing in the clutter part. Because if a writer ever admits to being *neat* I may borrow your peace rocks and knock them over the head with it. (Said while staring at piles and piles on my desk and floor.) Speaking of rocks, you had a “rock star” moment regarding your writing career? If so, what was it?

Well, yeah. PRIME TIME won the Agatha Award for best first novel. How fantastic! I smile even as I write this! And got nominated for two RITAs, and a Daphne. Love it.

But also—the other day I was out doing a story (I’m a TV reporter) and as my photographer was putting his equipment away, a woman, a stranger, came up to me and pulled FACE TIME out of her purse! And she said—I love your book! Will you sign it for me? That was about as rock star as it gets.

Well, well, Hank. Now you’re making me feel bad for interviewing you in my black tank top! Should’ve worn my Little Black Dress in the presence of an award-winner like yourself! What do you do to celebrate your writing successes? » Read more: Girlfriend Tour: Hank Phillippi Ryan

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