Our guest today: Shelley Noble Why we love her: Her writing is rich and satisfying!

Her latest: Beach Colors

The scoop: While renowned designer Margaux Sullivan was presenting her highly praised collection during New York City's Fashion Week, her husband was cleaning out their bank account. A week after he disappeared, the bank foreclosed on Margaux's apartment and business.

Suddenly broke, betrayed, and humiliated, Margaux has nowhere else to turn to but home: the small coastal town of Crescent Cove, Connecticut, where she once knew love, joy, and family before she put them behind her on the climb to fame. When she's stopped for speeding by local interim police chief Nick Prescott, Margaux barely remembers the "townie" boy who worshipped her from afar every summer. But Nick is all grown up now, a college professor who gave up his career to care for his orphaned nephew, Connor. Though still vulnerable, Margaux is soon rediscovering the beauty of the shore through young Connor's eyes . . . and, thanks to Nick, finding a forgotten place in her heart that wants to love again.

But as she continues to work on a bold new line that will get her back into the game, Margaux realizes that soon she will have to make the most important, most difficult decision of her life. . . .

Our thoughts: Another great beach read to throw in your bag this summer!

Giveaway: FIVE copies! Leave a comment and we'll choose a winner on Sunday, June 17th after 6pm PST.

Fun fact: Shelley also writes under the name Shelley Freydont.

CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS...SHELLY NOBLE'S 5 THINGS I'D TELL THE TEEN ME

1. Your mother is right: pretty is as pretty does. Those girls who are wearing the latest fad, the ones the boys like, the popular ones? Yeah the ones who are always mean to Tony the nerd? That’s not pretty. You can wear the designer stuff, but don’t let being popular define you, and don’t let it keep you from being nice to Tony and other nerds . . . like you. And those girls and their boyfriends? In a few years you won’t remember their names. (But you might remember Tony. I just Googled him and he’s turned out pretty darn good.)

2. Your mother is right—and wrong. Life will probably be more secure if you go to work for the telephone or power company instead of following those iffy dreams. You’ll retire with a pension, but you’ll miss a lot of wonderful things, amazing people from different walks of life, and incredible places throughout the world. Go for it, security will be waiting if you chose to come back. That’s why they call it security.

3. When things don’t go your way, when someone disappoints you, as they invariably will, when things look bleak, take a step forward, there is good stuff going on out in the world. And you’ll be one step closer to finding it.

4. Don’t make gagging noises and roll your eyes when someone tells you to follow your dream. They might sound corny, or embarrass you, but listen and remember this. It’s your dream, it deserves to be followed.

5. Do nothing that when you think about it later, makes you writhe with shame.

Miscellany-Okay once I got started I couldn’t stop. A few more short ones.

One day there will be easier ways to straighten your hair than coke cans.

Don’t worry, there really are people besides teachers who like Shakespeare.

Even people who went to their senior prom don’t remember much about it now.

When someone tells you you don’t have the talent or the brains or the personality to do something. Prove them wrong.

Thanks Shelley! xoxo, L&L

To read more about Shelley, head on over to her website or find her on Facebook!