Best books of the month: June edition

After an eighteen-month journey, we can’t believe YOUR PERFECT LIFE is finally out. Not to mention it’s in such fabulous company this month!

 All_Fall_Down1. All Fall Down by Jennifer Weiner (out June 17th)

The scoop: Allison Weiss got her happy endinga handsome husband, adorable daughter, a job she loves, and the big house in the suburbs. But while waiting in the pediatrician’s office, she opens a magazine to a quiz about addiction and starts to wonder…Is a Percocet at the end of the day really different from a glass of wine? Is it such a bad thing to pop a Vicodin after a brutal Jump & Pump class…or if your husband ignores you?

The pills help her manage the realities of her good-looking life: that her husband is distant, that her daughter is acting out, that her father’s Alzheimer’s is worsening and her mother is barely managing to cope. She tells herself that they let her make it through her days…but what if her increasing drug use, a habit that’s becoming expensive and hard to hide, is turning into her biggest problem of all?

With a sparkling comedic touch and a cast of unforgettable characters, this remarkable story of a woman’s slide into addiction and struggle to find her way back up again is Jennifer Weiner’s most masterful work yet.

Our thoughts: This is her best yet!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Monday, June 23rd after 8am PST.

See Jen on tour >>

The_Unexpected_Waltz2.  The Unexpected Waltz by Kim Wright

The scoop: From the author of the critically acclaimed debut Love in Mid Air comes this moving novel about a middle-aged widow who finds her feet by embracing a new hobby: ballroom dancing.

Kelly Wilder becomes recently widowed from a much older wealthy man with whom she spent her married life doing charity work, building a lovely home, and, as she says, “pretending to be a whole lot more conservative and stupid and nicer than I really am.”

Now, with too much time and money on her hands, Kelly has absolutely no idea what happens next. So on a whim she signs up for a ballroom dancing class, and slowly, step by high-heeled step, begins to rebuild her life with the help of friends old and new: Nik, a young Russian dance teacher who sees the artistic potential she left behind; Carolina, a woman in hospice, anxious to experience a whole lifetime in a few months; and Elyse, Kelly’s girlhood best friend who knows all of her past secrets—including the truth about the man who long ago broke Kelly’s heart.

In the vein of Jennifer Weiner's novels, Unexpected Waltz is a deeply felt story about moving on after loss and finding a new walk—or dance—of life through the power of second chances.

Our thoughts: We've loved Kim since she wrote Love in Mid Air (check that one out too!). This book is a must-add to your summer reading list.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Monday, June 23rd after 8am PST.

the-glass-kitchen-by-linda-francis-lee3. The Glass Kitchen by Linda Francis Lee

The scoop: Portia Cuthcart never intended to leave Texas. Her dream was to run the Glass Kitchen restaurant her grandmother built decades ago. But after a string of betrayals and the loss of her legacy, Portia is determined to start a new life with her sisters in Manhattan . . . and never cook again. But when she moves into a dilapidated brownstone on the Upper West Side, she meets twelve-year-old Ariel and her widowed father Gabriel, a man with his hands full trying to raise two daughters on his own. Soon, a promise made to her sisters forces Portia back into a world of magical food and swirling emotions, where she must confront everything she has been running from. What seems so simple on the surface is anything but when long-held secrets are revealed, rivalries exposed, and the promise of new love stirs to life like chocolate mixing with cream. The Glass Kitchen is a delicious novel, a tempestuous story of a woman washed up on the shores of Manhattan who discovers that a kitchen—like an island—can be a refuge, if only she has the courage to give in to the pull of love, the power of forgiveness, and accept the complications of what it means to be family.

Our thoughts: The perfect summer escape!

Giveaway: Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Monday, June 23rd after 8am PST.

Save_the_date4. Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews

The scoop: A savannah florist is about to score the wedding of a lifetime—one that will solidify her career as the go-to-girl for society nuptials. Ironically, Cara Kryzik doesn't believe in love, even though she creates beautiful flower arrangements to celebrate them. But when the bride goes missing and the wedding is in jeopardy, Cara must find the bride and figure out what she believes in.  Maybe love really does exist outside of fairy tales after all.

Told with Mary Kay Andrews' trademark wit and keen eye for detail, mark your calendars for Save the Date!

Our thoughts: We're not sure what her secret is, but her books just keep getting better!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Monday, June 23rd after 8am PST.

 

 

The_Never_Never_Sisters5.  The Never Never Sisters by L. Alison Heller

The scoop:  Marriage counselor Paige Reinhardt is counting down the days to summer, eager to reconnect with her workaholic husband at their cozy rental cottage in the Hamptons. But soon a mysterious crisis at Dave’s work ruins their getaway plans. Paige is still figuring out how to handle the unexplained chill in her marriage when her troubled sister suddenly returns after a two-decade silence. Now, instead of enjoying the lazy summer days along the ocean, Paige is navigating the rocky waters of a forgotten bond with her sister in the sweltering city heat.

As she attempts to dig deeper into Dave’s work troubles and some long-held family secrets, Paige is shocked to discover how little she knows about the people closest to her. This summer, the self-proclaimed relationship expert will grapple with her biggest challenge yet: Is it worth risking your most precious relationships in order to find yourself?

Our thoughts: We just love Alison! She's not only a talented author but a great person! Definitely throw this novel in your beach bag!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Monday, June 23rd after 8am PST.

Right_Click6. Right Click by Lisa Becker

The scoop: Love. Marriage. Infidelity. Parenthood. Crises of identity. Death. Cupcakes. The themes in Right Click, the third and final installment in the Click series, couldn't be more pressing for this group of friends as they navigate through their 30's. Another six months have passed since we last eavesdropped on the hilarious, poignant and often times inappropriate email adventures of Renee and friends. As the light-hearted, slice of life story continues to unfold, relationships are tested and some need to be set "right" before everyone can find their "happily ever after."

Our thoughts: Love this series! Download to your e-reader and prepare to devour this delicious novel!

Giveaway: ONE e-copy or print copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Monday, June 23rd after 8am PST.

 

 

 

The_Scenic_Route7. The Scenic Route by Devan Sipher

The scoop:Austin Gittleman is running late, and not just for the seaside wedding he's attending. Austin's an eye doctor, who doesn't see what's in front of him, until he crashes into Naomi Bloom, a pastry chef with a taste for adventure. Naomi believes a straight line isn't always the shortest distance between places -- or people.

Do any two people look at love the same way? Austin and Naomi offer conflicting narrative accounts as they circle each other through a series of miscommunications and missed connections. In The Scenic Route, life is what happens on the way to where you're going. It's unpredictable and sometimes fleeting, but it can be pretty wonderful when you bring the right person along for the ride.

Our thoughts: A man that can write books for women. What more could you ask for?

Giveaway: Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Monday, June 23rd after 8am PST.

What Sarah Jio had to say about Your Perfect Life

Sarah_Jio_authorWe're just back from an incredible time at #BEA14 and have so many stories to tell (look for the post tomorrow.) But one thing we can tell you now is that it was overwhelming to be in the company of so many talented authors. Authors who supported and championed us. Lil' ol' us?! Who said they couldn't wait to read YOUR PERFECT LIFE (out in just eight days--June 10th!). All of the author-to-author love made our hearts melt. And we couldn't be more thankful. We've been fortunate to have received amazing blurbs from many of these very authors. Like New York Times bestselling author, Sarah Jio, whose sixth novel, GOODNIGHT JUNE, was released on May 27th. We absolutely loved it! And she has a seventh book coming out this Fall, THE LOOK OF LOVE. (Does she ever sleep? She can't!)

Sarah had these kind words to say about YOUR PERFECT LIFE:

“I loved this from the very first line (which will go down in history as the funniest, bravest first line ever). Hilarious, honest and truly touching, Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke are two important new voices in women's fiction who write about life in such a real, relatable way."

Thank you so much, Sarah! To celebrate, we're giving away a copy of GOODNIGHT JUNE. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. The contest closes on Wednesday, June 4th at 8am PST.

Calling all book clubs! Fun giveaway for your group!

dr-seuss-quotesSo...YOUR PERFECT LIFE is out soon! (June 10th!) *squeal* And one of the things we're most excited about is hanging out with book clubs. (If you'll have us!) We've been in our own book club for two since we were 14, when we'd swap and devour Danielle Steel and Judy Blume novels like there was no tomorrow. Reading has always been one of our favorite things, as has dishing with each other--and all of you on this website-- on what we love about the books we've read.

And now, to have the opportunity to talk about our own novel with you and your book club would be humbling to say the least.

Also, we'll bring wine. Did we mention wine?  Maybe we should've said that up front! Or if we aren't/one of us isn't local, we'll Skype in or do a Google Hangout and ship you a bottle-- and we can all drink virtually together. Because wine's wine, right?

We also thought it would be fun to run a CONTEST for y'all. Because you know we're contest/giveaway whores. (Contest will close June 24th at 8am PST!) Here are the deets:

If you book us to talk with your book club, we'll enter you in a contest to win TEN COPIES of one of the most fabulous, thought-provoking, you-can't-stop-turning-the-pages-and-are-so-sad-when-it's-over, novels we've read this year: AFTER I DO by Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Here's the scoop: From the author of Forever, Interrupted—hailed by Sarah Jio as “moving, gorgeous, and at times heart-wrenching”—comes a breathtaking new novel about modern marriage, the depth of family ties, and the year that one remarkable heroine spends exploring both.

When Lauren and Ryan’s marriage reaches the breaking point, they come up with an unconventional plan. They decide to take a year off in the hopes of finding a way to fall in love again. One year apart, and only one rule: they cannot contact each other. Aside from that, anything goes.

Lauren embarks on a journey of self-discovery, quickly finding that her friends and family have their own ideas about the meaning of marriage. These influences, as well as her own healing process and the challenges of living apart from Ryan, begin to change Lauren’s ideas about monogamy and marriage. She starts to question: When you can have romance without loyalty and commitment without marriage, when love and lust are no longer tied together, what do you value? What are you willing to fight for?

So what do you say? You, your club, us, wine?

Just leave a comment here and/or email us at Lisa@lizandlisa.com or Liz@Lizandlisa.com to set it up!

xoxo

 

5 Questions for Cecelia Ahern + giveaway!

One Hundred Name PB CWe're HUGE fans of Cecelia Ahern (nine books, anyone?) and were thrilled when she made time to answer some questions! (Yay, yay, yay!) Did you know she's not just an author? She develops TV shows too... We delve into that and some other fun facts about Cecelia below. But first, her latest novel, ONE HUNDRED NAMES, is out in paperback now (it's just as good the second time around!) and is the perfect book to take on your summer vacation. So pick up your copy right away. And, if you leave a comment on this post, you'll be entered to win one copy (US). The contest closes May 25th at 8am PST. The scoop: Scandal has derailed Journalist Kitty Logan's career, a setback that is soon compounded by an even more devastating loss. Constance, the woman who taught Kitty everything she knew, is dying. At her mentor's bedside, Kitty asks her—what is the one story she always wanted to write?

The answer lies in a single sheet of paper buried in Constance's office—a list of 100 names—with no notes or explanation. But before Kitty can talk to her friend, it is too late.

Determined to unlock the mystery and rebuild her own shaky confidence, Kitty throws herself into the investigation, using her skills and savvy to track down each of the names on the list and uncover their connection. Meeting these ordinary people and learning their stories, Kitty begins to piece together an unexpected portrait of Constance's life. . . and starts to understand her own.

5 QUESTIONS FOR CECELIA AHERN

ahern author photo1. L&L: ONE HUNDRED NAMES is your ninth novel and the premise is so intriguing. How do you keep thinking of such great ideas? And how did you come up with this one?

Cecelia Ahern: I came up with this idea in the most unusual way. I was half-watching the MTV movie awards a few years ago and an actress appeared onscreen to introduce an exclusive trailer to her new movie. I thought that she said it was called ONE HUNDRED NAMES and immediately I stopped what I was doing and paid attention. In the time it took me to actually watch the trailer I created an idea of what I thought it could be about. A journalist finds a list of names, she needs to write a story which is incredibly important to her career, to her life but in order to write it, she has to find out who the people are on the list and how they're linked. The idea came to me instantly. By the time I had this idea I realized I had completely misheard the title of the movie and it was actually called 'The Hunger Games'. I was so excited that I had my new idea and title!

2. L&L: We just have to say this. Samantha Who? was one of our favorite TV shows and we were so sorry when it ended. Any plans to develop another TV program? And on that note, what are you watching now?

CA: I loved Samantha Who? It was such an exciting show to be part of and I certainly caught the TV bug after that. I've since created a TV movie called Three Wise Women for Hallmark, two TV movies for ZDF which aired in February called, Between Heaven and Here and My Whole Half Life. I'm currently developing more TV ideas for ZDF. My novels The Book of Tomorrow and Thanks for the Memories have both being optioned for TV series so I'll be involved in their development, so there's lots of TV activity.

My favourite show on TV is Homeland, I like Game of Thrones, and just started watching True Detectives, I never grow tired of Law and Order's Special Victim's Unit. BBC's Sherlock is exceptional.

3.L&L: When you are writing your books, do you think about the celebrities who you'd want to play your main characters in a movie? If so, who did you picture while writing ONE HUNDRED NAMES?

CA: No I never picture celebrities when I create my characters, I just create entirely new people in my mind and I never think about them becoming TV or films while I'm writing. I have to focus on my story as a novel, immerse myself in that, and if the TV and film people are interested in what I do, then that's a lovely bonus. I've been very lucky to have such incredible actors in all of my work so far.

4.L&L:  What books have your read lately/are you reading now?

CA: I'm currently reading 'Life after Life' by Kate Atkinson which is so fantastic I can't wait to finish it but don't want to finish it at the same time. The book before that was The Never List by Koethi Zan, AppleTree Yard by Louise Doughty and before that was The GoldFinch by Donna Tartt which is definitely one of the best books I've ever read.

5. L&L: Can you give us any details about your next book?

CA: My tenth novel is called 'How To Fall in Love' and it's about a character named Christine who comes across a man on a bridge who is threatening to jump. In the panic that ensues she ends up doing a deal where she has two weeks to convince him that his life is worth living, that life can be beautiful. The problem is she is not feeling particularly joyful about her life at all, having just left her husband, and so they both go on a journey to try to fall back in love with life again.

Thanks so much, Cecilia!

Pictures of Perfection: Our 30 day challenge

Our novel, Your Perfect Life, is out in just under a month--29 days to be exact! (June 10th!) Woo hoo! One of the themes we explore in our book is the idea that no one's life is perfect, although it might seem like it is. Our protagonists, Rachel and Casey, who've been best friends since childhood, drink a magical shot and wake up in each other's bodies the morning after their twentieth high school reunion. And they find out very quickly that the grass is not as green on the other side as they might have thought.

So to celebrate the book's upcoming release, we've decided to have a little fun with this idea of "perfect" and challenge ourselves to post a picture every day that represents what perfection means to us. Maybe it will be a cocktail at the end of a long day or a picture of Josh Duhamel looking really, really hot or an unmade bed that we chose to leave that way. Look for our posts on Instagram and on Facebook and please join in and post your own photos too (be sure to add the hashtag #yourperfectlife) because we'd love to see what symbolizes perfection for you.

To see our first photo, head over to Instagram/Facebook now. It's the card Lisa's three-year-old gave her for Mother's Day yesterday. It equal parts made her laugh (because of what it says) and tear up (because she did such a good job trying to write her name) and he juxtaposition of these two ideas is just perfect.

And if you haven't already, check out how you can order a copy of Your Pefect Life!

Liz & Lisa's Book Tour Events!

Hi! We can't believe the publication date for YOUR PERFECT LIFE is just a little over a month away! (June 10th!) Pre-order info here >>

And guess what? We're going on tour!

And guess what else? Jen Lancaster, Tracey Garvis Graves, Allison Winn Scotch and Anita Hughes will be joining us at various stops along the way!  It doesn't get much better than that!

We hope to see your gorgeous faces at one of our events! Come one, come all and please bring friends because we need more than just our moms showing up! :)

 

Chicago & surrounding suburbs

Downtown Chicago    Saturday, June 7th & Sunday, June 8th-

Printers Row Lit Fest

Location: Printers Row Lit Fest is located on historic Printers Row, on and around the area of Dearborn Street, from Congress to Polk streets in Chicago. (Google map of area)

Deets: Great writers are the foundation of Printers Row Lit Fest, which aims to start a citywide conversation about books and ideas. Each year, Printers Row Lit Fest hosts more than 200 authors, performers and presenters in a variety of programs. More info here >>

Online Chat  Monday, June 9th @7pm ET

BookTalk Nation

Location: Google hangout

Deets: Virtual book signing via Google hangout with Allison Winn Scotch. She'll be asking us all the hard-hitting Qs you're dying to know. (Or just asking us about the season finale of Scandal.  Either way, it will be fun!)

Lake Forest, IL    Tuesday, June 10th @7pm

Lake Forest Book Store

Location: Sullivan Center

635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills, IL  60061

847-996-6800

Deets: Talk & signing with Jen Lancaster. Like many of you, we worship Jen!  Come join us!
** You must register for this event: Register online here >>

Naperville, IL  Wednesday, June 11th @7pm

Anderson's Book Shop

Location: 123 W Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL 60540 630-355-2665

Deets: Talk & signing with Tracey Garvis Graves!  TGG will be in da' house--we LOVE Covet, and feel so lucky that she's joining us!

Lincoln Park, IL   Thursday, June 12th @7pm

The Book Cellar

Location: 4736-38 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 60625

773-293-2665

Deets: Talk & Signing. Want a night out in downtown Chitown? Come see us!

Southern California

Huntington Beach, CA  Monday, June 16th @ 7pm

Barnes & Noble

Location: 7881 Edinger Ave. #110, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

714-897-8781

Deets: Talk & signing. More info here >> We'll be kicking off the So Cal leg of the tour in the OC. Spice up your Monday by joining us!

Manhattan Beach, CA   Tuesday, June 17th @ 7pm

Pages Book Store

Location: 904 Manhattan Avenue, Manhattan Beach, CA

310-318-0900

Deets: Talk & signing. More info here >> LA peeps!  You must come see us here!

La Jolla, CA  Thursday, June 19th @7:30pm

Warwick's Book Store

Location: 7812 Girard Ave., La Jolla, CA

858-454-0347

Deets: Talk & Signing. (And maybe some wine too!) More info here >> We're hitting San Diego, our hometown, and can't wait to reunite with all of our peeps!

Laguna Beach, CA   Friday, June 20th @6pm

Laguna Beach Books

Location: 1200 S. Coast Highway

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

949-494-4779

Deets: Talk & Signing with Anita Hughes. We adore Anita and can't wait to chat with her--we can't think of a better way to spend a Friday night.  Bring your honey and join us for a date night!

Laguna Niguel, CA   Sunday, June 22nd @2pm

Laguna Niguel Library

Location: 30341 Crown Valley Parkway Laguna Niguel, CA, 92677

949-249-5252

Deets: Talk & Signing with Anita Hughes. More info here >> Another day with Anita!  How lucky are we?!

 

 

 

What Sarah Pekkanen said about Your Perfect Life

Sarah_Pekkanen_author_photoWe could sing Sarah Pekkanen's praises all day long. She has it all--she's funny, smart, sweet, gorgeous (check out that picture to the left!) and talented. (In fact, her fifth novel, CATCHING AIR, is out today! So,  stop reading and go buy a copy, then come back and see what else we have to say!) So when Sarah not only agreed to read our novel, Your Perfect Life, but took the time to write kind words about how much she loved it, we were like two teenage girls who'd just been asked to the dance by our crushes. We were giddy as hell! And her perfect words are now on our back cover for all to see!

Here's what Sarah had to say about Your Perfect Life:

Your Perfect Life puts a fresh twist on a ‘Freaky Friday’-scenario: What if you switched bodies with your best friend, and got the life you’d always secretly coveted? I adore Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke’s witty, winning style and gobbled up their debut novel.”

Thank you so much, Sarah! To celebrate, we're giving away a copy of CATCHING AIR. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. The contest closes on Thursday, May 8th at 8am PST.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Catching Air by Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah_PekkanenCalling all Sarah Pekkanen fans! Mark your calendars because tomorrow is a BIG day. May 6th is the release of Sarah's fifth (and we say, BEST!) novel, Catching Air--a story full of rich characters that will stay in your thoughts long after you've finished reading the book. So pre-order a copy for for someone you love, just in time for Mother's Day. We absolutely adore Sarah as a person because she's warm and hilarious (to have fun on her upcoming book tour, she plans to bring Ryan Gosling's head on a stick!) and we also love, love, love the way she writes. *swoon* We also have ONE copy (US) for giveaway. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. The contest will close at 8pm tonight (May 5th).

The scoop: From the internationally bestselling author of four books, including The Opposite of Me, a vibrant, compulsively readable novel about two married couples who pursue a dream to open a bed-and-breakfast in small-town Vermont.

In her previous works including The Best of Us, “rising star” (Library Journal) Sarah Pekkanen captivated readers by penning “refreshingly introspective, sharply realistic, and tenderly humorous” novels (Booklist) that had readers “flying through the pages” (Hoda Kotb, Today show). Now, in Catching Air, Pekkanen turns an unflinching eye on the tangled relationships of two pairs of thirty-somethings.

A chance to run a B&B in snowy, remote Vermont—it’s an offer Kira Danner can’t resist after six soul-crushing years of working as a lawyer in Florida. As Kira and her husband, Peter, step into a brand new life, she quells her fears about living with the B&B’s co-owners: Peter’s sexy, irresponsible brother Rand, and Rand’s wife, Alyssa…who is essentially a stranger.

For her part, Alyssa sees taking over the B&B as the latest in a string of adventures. Plus, a quiet place might help her recover from the news that she can’t bear children. But the idyllic town proves to be anything but serene: Within weeks, the sisters-in-law are scrambling to prepare for their first big booking—a winter wedding—and soon a shy, mysterious woman comes to work for them. Dawn Zukoski is hiding something; that much is clear. But what the sisters-in-law don't realize is that Dawn is also hiding from someone…

Relatable and dynamic, Catching Air delves deeply into the vital relationships that give shape to women’s lives.

Where you can read more about Sarah: Her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Catching Air by Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah_Pekkanen_author_photo1. Catching Air is such a great title and we love the tie in to the novel. So which came first--the title or the idea of catching air when snowboarding/in life? Tell us the story behind it. 

I'm so happy you love the title, because this is the first book I've titled on my own (even though it's the fifth one I've written!) For some reason, titles are the hardest part of the process for me. They're like a specialized form of haiku - you have to inject so much meaning into a few small words. But CATCHING AIR came to me early on, a gift from the title gods. I knew I wanted to set the novel near a ski resort, so I began to Google ski terms, and stumbled upon CATCHING AIR. I knew the term would convey something my characters were seeking, and I also hoped it sounded catchy and memorable.

2. After reading your book, we now have a VERY strong desire to open a B&B. you made it sound so desirable. What kind of research did you do?

Ha! Well, it IS a lot of work (remember how stressed Kira became while planning for the wedding?) I actually read Running a Bed&Breakfast for Dummies (hey, if the title fits!) and did some on-line research. I knew I needed to weave in realistic details, such as the required visits by health inspectors, but for me the fun part was focusing on the very different guests who visited the B&B, and their interactions with my three main characters. In a way, the guests gave my main characters a chance to intimately glimpse other lives and relationships - you learn a lot about people when you're staying in close quarters - which was a kind of gift, as it helped them sort out what they truly wanted in life.

3. You usually check into a  hotel to finish the book you are working on. Can you share some details about that process? Why a hotel and is it always the same one? Do you have a routine? How many words do you typically write?

I do! I have a busy life, with three active boys who attend three different schools, so my writing time is very fractured. Sometimes I need a chunk of time to concentrate - this usually comes toward the end of the book, when I'm struggling to synthesize story lines - so I pack a little bag and head to a hotel for an intimate 24-hours with my laptop. Other than perhaps stepping out for a quick meal or coffee, all I do is sit there in my pajamas and write, write, write. Usually I go to one of the Kimpton hotels in D.C., since they're so pretty (and they have a complimentary wine hour in the evening) and I can get anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 words written, depending on the complexity of the scenes.

4. We are still thinking about the characters from Catching Air. Are there any characters from your novels that stick with you more than others?

Thank you! I have such affection for all of my characters - they're kind of like my children, in a way. I feel oddly protective of them, maybe because I know they're doing their best, despite their flaws. As with my kids, it's impossible for me to pick a favorite from among my books and characters.

5. We just read that you're planning your next book tour. What can you tell us about it? (No pressure, but we hope you are coming to L.A. and Chicago!)

I think I will be coming to Chicago though not L.A. this time, sadly. Last year I did a mini-tour with Jennifer Weiner, which was amazing, and I learned so much from her (plus she's one of the funniest women on the planet, so we had a blast together!) I'm thrilled that my publisher Atria is sending me on my first solo book tour for CATCHING AIR. It will be a whirlwind, as I'll be in each city for about 24 hours, but I'll be hitting Lexington KY, Mobile AL, Memphis TN and New Orleans, as well as Bethesda, Baltimore. Arlington VA and Chicago. I've been giving a lot of thought to book tours and what I can do to make the experience enjoyable for readers. It's truly an honor when readers come out to see an author, so I want to do everything I can to make the experience fun. I don't plan to just stand up at a podium and read from my novel - in fact, I don't think I'll read from it at all! Instead, I'll tell funny stories about the creative process, and do giveaways of books by new authors that I love (including YOUR PERFECT LIFE!), plus a few other surprises.

Thanks, Sarah!

Stephanie Elliot on why she wrote her controversial novel, A Little Bit of Everything Lost

a-little-bit-of-everything-lost-e-reader-copyToday's guest: Stephanie Elliot Why we love her: She's the best. From supporting other authors on her Manic Mommy Reads & Reviews Facebook page to writing her own novels, she's a superstar.

Her latest: A Little Bit of Everything Lost

The scoop: At 19, Marnie plunged into first love with Joe, a guy who was completely wrong for her. Their romance was fast and exhilarating and like nothing Marnie had ever experienced or understood. Just as quickly as it began, it was over, with no explanation. He left her with unanswered questions and unexpected feelings of loss and regret, and a quiet grief she would carry with her for the next fifteen years.

When Joe returns, Marnie is a 34-year-old wife and mother to two rambunctious little boys, who is slowly healing from a devastating loss. All the emotions she suppressed from the past fifteen years surge to the surface, threatening to ruin her marriage and destroy her family. She'll need to confront the one person who hurt her the most to realize that love and loss sometimes go hand in hand… and that you have to live with some of your toughest choices for the rest of your life.

A Little Bit of Everything Lost is part coming-of-age/part love story. It's a story about a woman desperate to make peace with the past. It's for all women who have ever experienced the magnitude of first love, whether it was a lasting bond or a fleeting moment. Because first love - while it might not have been the best love - is a love none of us ever forgets.

What she's dishing on: Why she wrote her latest novel, which, in Stephanie's own words, has content that could be considered sensitive to readers.

Giveaway:  TWO e-copies. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. Contest closes on May 2 at 8am PST.

The Background Behind A Little Bit of Everything Lost

By Stephanie Elliot

When I began thinking about writing what would become A Little Bit of Everything Lost I was a stay-at-home mom to three very young children. I can tell you that I was bored and tired and thinking about all of the 'what-ifs' in life, and remembering what it was like to be free of responsibility back in college and not having a care in the world. I was also thinking back to someone that I had what I would refer to as a "not-really-real" relationship with, one that ended as quickly as it started, and one that ended without any resolve. It was one of those flingy type things that was never defined but left me shaken, for lack of a better description, someone that I never really understood, someone mysterious and elusive, and so I decided to write my own ending.

It turns out I didn't really write my story at all. I took very few pieces of the truth, and then found Marnie one day and created her story. In reading what other writers say about their books, I think many do this -- hear about something that happens in the real world, or they think about an incident in their own lives, and then they expand it into something larger. That's what I did with A Little Bit of Everything Lost. Marnie did have a relationship with Joe. So did I. But that's basically where the truths and similarities ended.

I wrote about some hard topics as well, and feared that it might put off some readers, which made me very apprehensive about putting this book on amazon. I wrote about these topics because I think women place a lot of blame on themselves for choices made when they are young and don't ever internally let go of the guilt they have. And while the past can't be undone, we should be able to understand that we are given choices because they are there for us to make.

I also wanted to show what it's like to be 19 again, to be so free in ourselves that we can do whatever we felt like, without thinking, and have those feelings and experiences. Everyone has a first love, and I feel that most women can relate to those first feelings of wanting to be with someone so desperately that we'd do anything to please that person, things we could never imagine in our whole lives doing. It's a universal feeling and I wanted to experiment with that so I didn't hold back in the writing of Joe and Marnie's relationship.

In Marnie's current state, at age 34, married with two crazy little boys, I wanted to show readers how it is for a lot of moms - the day-in and day-out of taking care of a family while a husband travels, how hard life can be. And what can happen when one person wants something that the other doesn't - how it can tear a family apart. These are the things that I wanted to explore in A Little Bit of Everything Lost.

What I hope that readers will take away from A Little Bit of Everything Lost is that we women are hard on ourselves, we make mistakes, we can forgive and let go of any guilt we may carry in our hearts from past or present mistakes in our lives (And Marnie makes a few!). And that no matter what someone's first love was like, whether it was fleeting moment, or a heartbreaking dramatic experience, or even if you're still with your first love, it's not something any one of us easily… or ever… forgets.

Thanks, Stephanie!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Never Say Never (Especially When You Have Kids)

Meet Lily. The newest member of our family. I've made no secret of the fact that living in the Midwest has been an adjustment. The weather is this wild card I never had to deal with before. Moving here from southern California, I was spoiled rotten with my perpetual 75 degree, sunny days and my ability to complain when it was never quite cold enough to wear my favorite new sweater or to look "all cute" in my spiffy new wool hat I had no business buying in the first place.

And then there's the fact you can be a dog owner and not have to think about things like how to handle when your pooch has snowy paws or how to give him a proper walk when it's negative 20 degrees or it's  been raining, cats and you know whats, for two days straight.

So for this reason, I said I'd never get a dog while living here. Never, never, never. It wasn't even a maybe. It was a resounding (insert eye roll and cocky, I know something you don't tone) never. My thought was I'd wait until I eventually relocated back to Cali to rescue my four-legged friend. He could wait, I could wait and we'd all be a hell of a lot warmer when it happened.

But then I had my daughter who, of course, is a humongous dog lover. In fact, she could probably give Cesar Millan a run for his money with her dog whisperer ways. But still. Even though she's been like this since she was six-months-old, she's still only three and doesn't really know what she wants! So I was still saying that word, you know the one that always bites you in the ass because you should, well, never say it.

Until I didn't.

Until five days ago when I abruptly paused our newest binge watching obsession, Friday Night Lights, turned to my husband and said, want to go to the animal shelter and take a look?

Of course we both knew we could never go there and just browse, then head home and think about it. Like that time we were considering buying a treadmill. We both knew that if we stepped foot inside one of those kennels we would not be leaving there empty handed.

I casually texted Liz from the shelter, peppering her with questions. (As you all know, she's a self-proclaimed animal-a-holic.) She finally said, Wait! Are you looking for a dog for you? I could picture her face all scrunched up into a confused expression as she stared at the screen on her phone wondering what had come over her best friend.

And now we have Lily. (Liz also has a Lily she recently adopted which I took as a sign. Plus, of course we would both end up with dogs with the same name!) She's an eight-month-old, gorgeous pointer mix and we love her. She rode home in the back of our car, her tail thumping wildly as we blasted  80's Dance Party and never flinched once (not even when Ton Loc came on!), which I took as another sign.

In two days time, I already have enough "new dog parent eff up stories" to fill a dozen blogs. And I'll eventually share those with you, but for now, I'll share a valuable lesson learned:

Never say never. Especially when you have kids. Because once you become a parent, it's simply not all about you and your ridiculous blanket statements anymore.

Tell me your pet stories! Can't wait to hear.

Best Books of the Month, Part 2: April Edition

As we mentioned on Monday, there are so many awesome books out this month that we had to divide them into two posts. So here's part two of our Best Books of the Month for April!

The_Idea_of_HimThe Idea of Him by Holly Peterson

The scoop: Allie Crawford has the life she always dreamed of—she's number two at a high-profile P.R. firm; she has two kids she adores; and her husband is a blend of handsome and heroic. Wade is everything she thought a man was supposed to be—he's running a successful news magazine and, best of all, he provides the stable yet exciting New York City life Allie believes she needs in order to feel secure and happy.

But when Allie finds Wade locked in their laundry room with a stunning blonde in snakeskin sandals, a scandal ensues that flips her life on its head. And when the woman wants to befriend Allie, an old flame calls, and a new guy gets a little too close for comfort, she starts to think her marriage is more of a facade than something real. Maybe she's fallen in love not with Wade—but with the idea of him.

Captivating and seductive, told in the whip-smart voice of a woman who is working hard to keep her parenting and career on track, The Idea of Him is a novel of conspiracy, intrigue, and intense passion—and discovering your greatest strength through your deepest fears.

Our thoughts: LOVED her NYT bestselling debut, The Manny and are big fans of this one too! Perfect  to read on a beautiful spring day.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only) . Leave a comment to enter. Contest closes April 29th at 8am PST.

The_Art_of_FloatingThe Art of Floating by Kristin Bair O'Keeffe

The scoop: At a time when nothing seems real,it takes something truly unusual to put your life into focus. When her beloved husband Jackson disappeared without a trace, popular novelist Sia Dane stopped writing, closed down her house, stuffed her heart into a cage, and started floating. It wasn’t the normal response to heartache, but Sia rarely did things the normal way.

Exactly one year, one month, and six days after Jackson’s disappearance, Sia discovers a mysterious man on the beach. He’s mute, unresponsive, and looks as if he has just walked out of the sea. It’s the sort of situation Jackson would have solved with a simple call to the police. But Jackson is gone.

As unreal as he seems, Sia is determined to help this man. Perhaps she can return him to his place in the world—to whoever lost him and loves him. Perhaps she can answer their questions the way no one could answer hers.

But as her friends and family help her winnow her way to the truth, Sia comes to realize that the unfathomable leap between sorrow and healing begins with a single step.

Our thoughts: An engrossing novel that we didn't want to end!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Just leave a comment to enter. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

The_Collector_of_Dying_BreathsThe Collector of Dying Breaths by M.J. Rose

 The scoop: Florence, Italy—1533: An orphan named René le Florentin is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici’s perfumer. Traveling with the young duchessina from Italy to France, René brings with him a cache of secret documents from the monastery where he was trained: recipes for exotic fra­grances and potent medicines—and a formula for an alchemic process said to have the poten­tial to reanimate the dead. In France, René becomes not only the greatest perfumer in the country, but also the most dangerous, creating deadly poisons for his Queen to use against her rivals. But while mixing herbs and essences under the light of flickering candles, René doesn’t begin to imag­ine the tragic and personal consequences for which his lethal potions will be responsible.

Paris, France—The Present: A renowned mythologist, Jac L’Etoile—trying to recover from personal heartache by throw­ing herself into her work—learns of the sixteenth-century perfumer who may have been working on an elixir that would unlock the secret to immortality. She becomes obsessed with René le Florentin’s work—particularly when she discovers the dying breaths he had collected during his lifetime. Jac’s efforts put her in the path of her estranged lover, Griffin North, a linguist who has already begun translating René le Flo­rentin’s mysterious formula. Together they confront an eccentric heiress in possession of a world-class art collection, a woman who has her own dark purpose for the elixir for which she believes the ends will justify her deadly means. This mesmerizing gothic tale zigzags from the violent days of Catherine de Medici’s court to twenty-first-century France. Fiery and lush, set against deep, wild forests and dimly lit cha­teaus, The Collector of Dying Breaths illuminates the true path to immortality: the legacies we leave behind.

Our thoughts: Pulls you in and keeps you engaged until the very last page.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

Keep_Quiet_Lisa_ScottolineKeep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

The scoop: New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award winning author Lisa Scottoline is loved by millions of readers for her suspenseful novels about family and justice. Scottoline delivers once again with Keep Quiet, an emotionally gripping and complex story about one man’s split-second decision to protect his son - and the devastating consequences that follow.Jake Buckman’s relationship with his sixteen-year-old son Ryan is not an easy one, so at the urging of his loving wife, Pam, Jake goes alone to pick up Ryan at their suburban movie theater.  On the way home, Ryan asks to drive on a deserted road, and Jake sees it as a chance to make a connection. However, what starts as a father-son bonding opportunity instantly turns into a nightmare. Tragedy strikes, and with Ryan’s entire future hanging in the balance, Jake is forced to make a split-second decision that plunges them both into a world of guilt and lies. Without ever meaning to, Jake and Ryan find themselves living under the crushing weight of their secret, which threatens to tear their family to shreds and ruin them all. Powerful and dramatic, Keep Quiet will have readers and book clubs debating what it means to be a parent and how far you can, and should, go to protect those you love.

Our thoughts: Love Lisa Scottoline and the emotional journey her books take us on. Keep Quiet is a thought-provoking book that will stay with you long after you read the final words.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. Contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

The_Other_HalfThe Other Half by Sarah Rayner

The scoop: In the internationally bestselling author Sarah Rayner's The Other Half, Chloe, bright, hip and single, is a feature writer with ambitions to launch a magazine of her own. When she meets James, her potential new boss, she knows she shouldn't mix business with pleasure, but finds it impossible to resist...Maggie appears to have it all.  She's beautiful, a talented writer, and has a gorgeous husband. But something's not quite right: his job as a magazine publisher is keeping him in the city until late most evenings, and some nights he doesn't come home at all...

Told in the alternating voices of the mistress and the wife, this story of an affair is a sharp, seductive take on modern love. Who, if anyone, comes out unscathed? In writing that is lively, sexy and sharp, the international bestselling author Sarah Rayner explores modern-day relationships and age-old moral dilemmas.
Our thoughts: We love the way Sarah Rayner writes! This novel is smart, sassy and entertaining.
Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

No_One_Could_Have_Guessed_The_WeatherNo One Could Have Guessed the Weather by Anne-Marie Casey

The scoop: The middle part of your story might just be the beginning…After her husband loses his job, Lucy has to leave behind her posh life in London and settle into a tiny East Village apartment. Now she’s a middle-aged mother in the midst of hipsters, homesick and resentful until she embarks on a new love affair—with New York City and three new friends. Julia has left her family for a mini breakdown and a room of her own. Trophy wife Christy is a bit adrift, as only those who live in penthouses can be. Robyn is constantly compensating for her wunderkind husband who can’t seem to make the transition to adulthood. And all of them are starting to learn that what you want in your twenties isn’t always what you need in your forties…

Our thoughts: She had us at Isabel Gillies' endorsement... This book is clever, wickedly funny and really hits home for us as we both turned 40 this year!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

 

 

The (Inanimate) Object of my Affection (part 3)

VitamixYou all might remember that infamous scene in Father of the Bride where Bryan gets his fiance a blender. And she freaks out. And although it's always been one of my favorite movies, I have to be honest, I never got the problem with giving your bride-to-be an appliance? Maybe because I think like a man. (Or a woMAN as I have mentioned before.) Or maybe it's because I can be a bit of a robot (cough *emotionally unavailable*) so that means the things that top my list of wants from my spouse aren't poetry or flowers or chocolates. I'm not big on Valentine's Day or Hallmark cards either. And while I wouldn't balk at those romantic gestures, I think it's far HOTTER to ask for the things that turn me on or that I can turn on. You know like a juicer (my Christmas present) or my recent birthday gift, the Vitamix Professional series 300!  OMG! The Vitamix. The latest inanimate object of my affection... (Because, don't tell him, but there have been others! The Keurig, the Magic Bullet...)

I'd been eyeing him for months on the endcap of an aisle at Target. I'd get a little giddy as I'd pass him with my shopping cart. Flirting with the idea of just taking him home right there and having my way with him. But I waited. I was patient. I dropped a lot of hints to my husband about my love of smoothies and soups and all things pureed. I hoped that my husband would be okay with an open marriage, that he would understand I could have eyes for something else. I hoped when I opened my birthday present, my beloved Vitamix would be inside. And he was!

And last night, I made delicious tortilla soup. This morning I made a smoothie. (And it was like a Jamba Juice quality creation!) And tomorrow? I might make a sauce. Oooh...

So do tell, ladies, am I alone in this or is there an inanimate object that gets your heart pumping the same way a candlelight dinner might?

Best Books of the Month: March edition

This month, whether you live somewhere warm (Liz!) or plan to escape to somewhere sunny (Lisa!), take one of our favorite books, coming out in March, with you! Leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win one of these novels! The contest will close on Sunday, March 16th.

The Moon Sisters by Therese Walsh

The_Moon_Sisters_bookcoverThe scoop: This mesmerizing coming-of-age novel, with its sheen of near-magical realism, is a moving tale of family and the power of stories. After their mother's probable suicide, sisters Olivia and Jazz take steps to move on with their lives. Jazz, logical and forward-thinking, decides to get a new job, but spirited, strong-willed Olivia—who can see sounds, taste words, and smell sights—is determined to travel to the remote setting of their mother's unfinished novel to lay her spirit properly to rest. Already resentful of Olivia’s foolish quest and her family’s insistence upon her involvement, Jazz is further aggravated when they run into trouble along the way and Olivia latches to a worldly train-hopper who warns he shouldn’t be trusted. As they near their destination, the tension builds between the two sisters, each hiding something from the other, until they are finally forced to face everything between them and decide what is really important.

Our thoughts: Therese is a beautiful writer. You will be engaged in this novel from the first page!

Giveaway:  ONE copy! (US only)

Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck

Fallen Beauty_Cover ImageThe scoop: “Without sin, can we know beauty? Can we fully appreciate the summer without the winter? No, I am glad to suffer so I can feel the fullness of our time in the light.”

Upstate New York, 1928. Laura Kelley and the man she loves sneak away from their judgmental town to attend a performance of the scandalous Ziegfeld Follies. But the dark consequences of their night of daring and delight reach far into the future.…

That same evening, Bohemian poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and her indulgent husband hold a wild party in their remote mountain estate, hoping to inspire her muse. Millay declares her wish for a new lover who will take her to unparalleled heights of passion and poetry, but for the first time, the man who responds will not bend completely to her will.…

Two years later, Laura, an unwed seamstress struggling to support her daughter, and Millay, a woman fighting the passage of time, work together secretly to create costumes for Millay’s next grand tour. As their complex, often uneasy friendship develops amid growing local condemnation, each woman is forced to confront what it means to be a fallen woman…and to decide for herself what price she is willing to pay to live a full life.

Our thoughts: This novel has it all: heart, passion and brilliant storytelling. Erika's best book yet!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

Tempting_Fate_bookcoverThe scoop: From Jane Green, the New York Times bestselling author of such beloved novels as Jemima J, The Beach House, Another Piece of My Heart, comes an enthralling and emotional story about how much we really understand the temptations that can threaten even the most idyllic of relationships….

Gabby and Elliott have been happily married for eighteen years. They have two teenaged daughters. They have built a life together. Forty-three year old Gabby is the last person to have an affair. She can’t relate to the way her friends desperately try to cling to the beauty and allure of their younger years…And yet, she too knows her youth is quickly slipping away. She could never imagine how good it would feel to have a handsome younger man show interest in her—until the night it happens. Matt makes Gabby feel sparkling, fascinating, alive—something she hasn't felt in years. What begins as a long-distance friendship soon develops into an emotional affair as Gabby discovers her limits and boundaries are not where she expects them to be. Intoxicated, Gabby has no choice but to step ever deeper into the allure of attraction and attention, never foreseeing the life-changing consequences that lie ahead. If she makes one wrong move she could lose everything—and find out what really matters most.

Our thoughts: After devouring this book in a matter of days, the characters are still with us. A thought-provoking and gripping novel!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Maybe_Someday_Colleen_HooverThe scoop: At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her--and she's forced to decide what her next move should be.

Soon, Sydney finds herself captivated by her mysterious and attractive neighbor, Ridge. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. They soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.

A passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance, Maybe Someday will immerse readers in Sydney's tumultuous world from the very first page.

Our thoughts: We love the way Colleen writes. She instantly pulls us into her characters' world and makes us forget about everything in our own lives! This novel is the perfect escape.

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

Social Death by Tatiana Boncompagni

social_death_bookcoverThe scoop: Money and fame can conceal all manner of deceit, but only for so long. A beautiful socialite is brutally murdered in her exclusive New York City apartment building. There's no sign of forced entry. No known motive. Just a neighbor's account of overhearing a heated argument coming from inside the victim's apartment on the night of the murder. Clyde Shaw has built a career covering brutal crimes for the FirstNews network, but this story may be more than the top news producer can handle. The murder victim is the daughter of FirstNews's mogul founder--and Clyde's best friend since childhood. As a high-stakes network ratings war begins, Clyde's own privileged yet troubled past comes back to haunt her, and she's forced to choose between finding her best friend's killer and losing everything-her job, her reputation, even her life. Long-guarded secrets. Millions at stake. And only Clyde holds the key to unlocking the truth.

Our thoughts: This murder mystery is a page-turner that has you guessing until the very end!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

 

 

Have a little faith

Believe there is good in the worldI recently left my wallet at a grocery store and didn't discover it was missing until the next day. I quickly made the assumption that the billfold and all of its contents would never be seen again. As my husband called the store, I rolled my eyes. It wasn't going to be there. But here's the thing: not only was it there, but everything, including my cash and credit cards, were still inside.

And I was shocked. And so were a lot of my friends. I got more comments and "likes" on the Facebook post I wrote about it than I've received on almost any other. And many of the responses from people were to share similar situations they'd been through.

I'll admit it. I can be a little, okay a lot, jaded. I'm not a negative person, but I often consider the things that can go wrong or the "worst case scenario" when making decisions or facing certain situations (like this one). And while I don't think this is a bad quality, I do think it's one that can and should be re-evaluated.

I've learned a valuable lesson here. If you believe the best in people, they might just come through. Sometimes it's okay to simply have a little faith.

My three-year-old daughter wouldn't be surprised my wallet was returned. She would simply be happy for me. She has been teaching me about having faith every day but I clearly haven't been paying enough attention. Her wide-eyed observations of the world don't include judgment. They aren't skewed by the times she's been burned. They are pure and honest and enviable. And I've decided I'm going to let them rub off on me.

I'm going to believe and remember there is good in the world. And I'm also going to be the good.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Twisted Sisters by Jen Lancaster

Twisted_Sisters_coverY'all know how much we love on Jen Lancaster. In fact, we gushed about her just yesterday, the day her latest novel, TWISTED SISTERS, was released. Three words: BUY. IT. NOW. We can't say enough times how lucky we feel that Jen and so many other talented authors have not only taken the time to read our novel, but have also praised it. (Thank you, thank you, thank you, lovely ladies!). In the coming weeks, we will reveal who else gave us a glowing review. But today is about Jen and her tenth book, TWISTED SISTERS! Yes, we just wrote TENTH. Let's take a moment of silence to praise her for that! We loved her novel so much we chose it for our book club pick of the month. It's funny. It's thought-provoking. It's the perfect book to read if you need an escape from the weather or whatever else you're hatin' on right now.

And guess what? We have one copy to give away (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select that lucky someone on Sunday, February 9th after 3pm PST.

Here's the scoop: Reagan Bishop is a pusher. A licensed psychologist who stars on the Wendy Winsberg cable breakout show I Need a Push, Reagan helps participants become their best selves by urging them to overcome obstacles and change behaviors. An overachiever, Reagan is used to delivering results.

Despite her overwhelming professional success, Reagan never seems to earn her family’s respect. Her younger sister, Geri, is and always will be the Bishop family favorite. When a national network buys Reagan’s show, the pressures for unreasonably quick results and higher ratings mount. But Reagan’s a clinician, not a magician, and fears witnessing her own personal failings in prime time. (And seriously? Her family will never let her hear the end of it.) Desperate to make the show work and keep her family at bay, Reagan actually listens when the show’s New Age healer offers an unconventional solution…

Record Nielsen ratings follow. But when Reagan decides to use her newfound power to teach everyone a lesson about sibling rivalry, she’s the one who will be schooled…

Where you can read more about Jen: Facebook, Twitter  and her website.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Twisted Sisters by Jen Lancaster

Photo credit: Deborah Feingold

1. In honor of your novel, TWISTED SISTERS, you've been posting "twisted" photos during the month of January. What's been your favorite picture?

I love the shot of my dogs posing with a copy of the book.  It’s really hard for dogs to look “fierce” wearing matching cableknit turtlenecks and posing in front of a floral wallpaper backdrop, but Libby and Hambone manage to pull it off.  Miss Tyra Banks would give the girls extra credit for smizing, too.  They have definite Top Model potential.

2. Your hilarious novel includes sibling rivalry, body-swapping and reality TV. How did you think of the plot?

To fully answer this question, I have to explain that I would rather die than write a love scene.  DIE.  There’s not enough bourbon in the world to keep me from giggling like a twelve year old at the thought of penning anything vaguely sexy.  (So, no, there will never, ever be a Fifty Shades of Bitter book.)  Because romance is off the table, I’m constantly trying to look at relationships outside of the sexual realm.  And, really is there anything more fascinating than the way women relate to other women?  Plus, I wanted to explore the nuances of what it might be like to have a sister.  (My theory is it’s like having a best friend you occasionally hate.)  I also had such fun with the magical realism element of Here I Go Again that I was anxious to try it again, hence the Freaky Friday aspect.  And reality TV?  Well, I wish I could quit you, reality TV, yet here we are.

3. The cover is brilliant, as was your last. You are on an awesome cover roll! What's the story behind this cover? And while we're at it, how did you think of the title and when in the writing process did you come up with it?

Thank you!  (I happen to think YOUR new cover is pretty awesome, too.)  This one is my all-time favorite.  In the beginning, the covers of my memoirs were mostly text-based.  To differentiate between the fiction and non-fiction, we wanted to diversify the brands, so the art department tried something new.  As someone who often buys a book for the cover (I know, I know), I was thrilled when this option was presented because it sums up the story so succinctly.

4. You are a huge Breaking Bad fan. Now that you've finished binge watching that show, what's next? Or what have you started that you recommend?

I plowed through seven seasons of Weeds over the summer after inhaling Orange Is the New Black.  (Jenji Kohan, you’re the best.  Call me!)  I’m currently binge-watching The Good Wife and now I’m mad at all my friends who clearly didn’t insist strongly enough that I watch this show.  The one thing that’s making me absolutely crazy is that for as well as they nail Chicago politics, they’ve completely biffed the logistics.  Why would the Cook County State’s Attorney live in Lake County?  Why would a realtor in Oak Park list a house in Highland Park?  And hot dog vendors?  On the street in this city?  No.  And how come no one ever walks around in Chicago team shirts or has a mustache?  The tiny details annoy me, I guess largely because they get all the larger points right.

5. You're very open with your fans on social media. But is there something they might be surprised to know about you?

After writing seven damn memoirs, I’m not really sure there are a lot of surprises left.  People know how much I love husband and my friends and how I spoil my pets.  I always share reading/watching/listening suggestions and they’re kept abreast of whatever my hobby-du-jour is, such as my current obsessions with refurbishing old furniture and learning Italian and growing roses.  I guess they don’t know I just ordered a bunch of supplies to start building my own terrariums?  So, terrariums.  When I start to yammer on about terrariums, please, everyone, do your best to seem surprised.

Thanks, Jen!

 

 

40 going on 80?

The_VillagesMost of you know that I'm a Cali girl who was dragged here kicking and screaming willingly moved to the Midwest five years ago for love. And while I joke and get surly about the weather, the weather, and did I mention the effing weather? (I will slay you Polar Vortex!), all kidding aside, it was the best decision I've ever made. I now have a beautiful family and a writing career- two things I've always dreamed of having. But back to the weather.

I think y'all know how bad it's been, well, everywhere. To put it in perspective, when it's 21 degrees outside, we now consider that a "good" day.

So when I saw that another Polar Vortex was fast approaching, first I cried, then I told my husband I needed to get the hell out of Dodge immediately if not sooner. And that our destination must be somewhere WARM. Thankfully, he's just as over the snow and ice and cold as I am, so we headed to Florida where we have family. And while even sunny Florida, wasn't as sunny as usual, it was at least 60 degrees warmer there than home. So it was a win. But it was also a win for another reason. It turns out, I'm destined to live in a retirement community maybe sooner than I thought. I discovered I'm 40 going on 80--in a good way! And if you ask me, 80 is the new 40!

The Villages in Florida is a retirement community so large that it has it's own zip code! And as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the happiest places on Earth! And I think I fit in perfectly. Here's why:

1. I drive a mean golf cart!

Lisa_Steinke_golfcartIn The Villages, golf carts are the main mode of transportation. And while I may or may not be known to drive above the speed limit in my regular car, I am perfectly content cruising along at 15mph in a cart. You can take it from your home anywhere you need to go--including to one of several "squares" where you'll find everything from a movie theater (with low sodium popcorn--more on that in a minute!) to Barnes and Noble (maybe we'll be back to do a signing for YOUR PERFECT LIFE?).

 

City_Fire2. The early bird gets the worm!

I rise early and I go to bed early. Early bird special? I'm your woman! Dinner at 5 and bed by 9? My perfect day!  Not to mention, they have all-day happy hours! And City Fire had great food and awesome live music! Plus, it was refreshing to watch so many couples dancing together. You just don't see that anymore!

 

Lisa_ shower cap3. I found the perfect shower cap to protect my blow out.

Forget those flimsy caps they give you at a hotel (that's what I'd been using). To really protect your tresses (you know how I milk those blow outs) you need one like I have pictured. A dime a dozen down at The Villages! Maybe a little upsetting for the hubs to look at, but if it extends the life of my hairstyle, I'm willing to deal with his horrified face!

 

Unsalted_popcorn4. Unsalted popcorn at the movies!

I'm a finicky eater to put it simply. So being able to find unsalted popcorn, lactose free ice cream and gluten free meals everywhere feels like being back in L.A. again (man how I took the healthy food options for granted while I was there!). I was in hog Heaven as I ate my plain kernels while watching Philomenia (very apropos that it stars Judi Dench who is  insanely talented and still going strong at age 79!).

 

Zumba_square5. Zumba in the sunshine!

Down in the square you can take a Zumba class while basking in the sun (this was the one 78 degree day). For me there is no better combination than sunshine and exercise. I could live here...Hmm...

xoxo

Our chat with Stephanie Evanovich + giveaway!

Big_Girl_Panties_paperbackToday's guest: Stephanie Evanovich Her latest: Big Girl Panties

(Out in paperback today!)

The scoop: Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich is a rollicking and poignant romantic comedy about a young widow who decides to get in shape...and winds up getting her groove back—and a whole lot more!

Holly Brennan used food to comfort herself through her husband’s illness and death. Now she’s alone at age thirty-two. And she weighs more than she ever has. When fate throws her in the path of Logan Montgomery, personal trainer to pro athletes, and he offers to train her, Holly concludes it must be a sign. Much as she dreads the thought of working out, Holly knows she needs to put on her big girl panties and see if she can sweat out some of her grief.

Soon, the easy intimacy and playful banter of their training sessions lead Logan and Holly to most intense and steamy workouts. But can Holly and Logan go the distance as a couple now that she’s met her goals—and other men are noticing?

Our thoughts: A hilarious and fun read. Just what we needed to kick off 2014!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winner on Sunday, January 26th after 3pm PST.

LIZ & LISA CHAT WITH STEPHANIE EVANOVICH

Stephanie_Evanovich_author_photoL&L: How did you come up with the idea for Big Girl Panties? And what's the story behind the title? (We love it!)

Stephanie: Thanks for the love!  BGP was an idea born during my own journey into personal training after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.  I started working with trainers in the attempt to increase my fitness level without further injuring my joints. I've had about seven trainers since I started my experiment in 2002 and somewhere along the line, I came to the realization, these guys are hot!  And since a good trainer really takes all the guesswork out of it (everything from what exercises you do to the heaviness of the weights, even the counting) it really frees up a lot of time for a mind to wander. I had gotten tired of  thinking about all the ways I'd like to make my trainer suffer (just cause they're hot doesn't mean they aren't kicking your butt), so I tried turning to warm romantic thoughts instead.  I have to admit, not only did I get enough material for a book, it really turned my workouts from a revenge-filled hate fest to something rather enjoyable.  As for the title, it was actually suggested by my agent.  Once I stopped giggling, I thought it was perfect.  What woman hasn't heard or used the phrase "put on your big girl panties" when being faced with a challenge?

L&L: What books are you reading now?   Stephanie: I just finished Vintage by Susan Gloss.  It completely charmed me, I really enjoyed it.  It won't be out until early 2014.  Totally one of the main perks of the job...scoring the occasional Advanced Reader Copy.   L&L: What is something your readers would be surprised to know about you?

Stephanie: I am a rabid fan of the band Fall Out Boy.  I think everything about them is amazing.  In 2007, I paid an outlandish sum for a single ticket - front row seat on the isle (at the PNC Arts Center, for all my Jersey friends) to the Honda Civic Tour, that they were headlining.  I told everyone my reasoning was, I didn't want to worry about having to stand to see the bands when all the young whippersnappers stood up, which wasn't exactly a lie. I still smile thinking of all those enthusiastic concert goers on their feet and me, Mid-Life Mom, occupying the best seat in the house with my feet comfortably resting on the stage and politely clapping at the end of each song.

L&L: Do you have any New Year's resolutions you'd like to share/what are the odds you'll stick to them?

Stephanie: My resolution for 2014 is to try and step up my game in regards to social media. Back in July, when I first started my book tour for BGP, I posted a pic to my then 130 followers on Twitter that included a little joke about hoping the GPS on my rental car was as good as it claimed.  Well, the rental car company answered the Tweet, and it blew my mind.  Since I am old enough to remember rotary dial phones, the technology completely overwhelmed me. I spent the next week looking behind shower curtains to make sure someone from the rental car company wasn't actually following me.  And it turned me into a total social media wallflower. A writer who is afraid to write stuff is probably a terrible combo. Next year is the year I conquer that fear and embrace all the great things social media has to offer.  Odds I'll stick to it?  Considering I either will or I won't, I guess it's safe to say 50/50.

L&L: What can you tell us about your next novel, The Sweet Spot?

Stephanie: The Sweet Spot is the backstory to the secondary characters in BGP, Chase and Amanda Walker.  A prequel, if you will.  How they met, how they fell in love and how a scandal put that love to the test.  A lot of readers really took a liking to them.  When I suggested them for my next book and got the go ahead, I was thrilled.  I think they are just so much fun.  I hope you will too.  :)

Best books of the month!

Ernest_Hemingway_QuoteAs we mentioned recently, our website has a new name and also a new direction. (And to celebrate, we're giving away a majuhly awesome sauce prize. Details here!) But some things will never change. Like the fact that we heart spreading the love for our fellow authors and their books. So, each month, we'll be featuring a list of the best books we're reading and giving away copies too! (Obvs!) Details on how to be entered to win below.

So, here's a list of what we're devouring in January. Some novels that we think you should definitely add to your TBR list! And please feel free to share the books you're lovin' on too!

 

 

1. The Comfort of Lies by Randy Susan Meyers (Out in paperback: January 28th)

The_Comfort_of_Lies_paperbackFive years ago . . . Tia fell into obsessive love with a man she could never have. When she became pregnant, Nathan disappeared, and she gave up their baby for adoption. Caroline reluctantly adopted a baby to please her husband. Now she’s ques­tioning whether she’s cut out for the role of wife and mother. Juliette considered her life ideal: solid marriage, two beautiful sons, and a thriving business. Then she discovered Nathan’s affair. He promised he’d never stray again, and she trusted him.

Now . . . When Juliette intercepts a letter to her husband that contains pictures of a child who deeply resembles him, her world crumbles once more. How could Nathan deny his daughter? What other secrets is he hiding? Desperate for the truth, Juliette goes in search of the little girl, and before long the three women are on a collision course with consequences that none of them could have predicted.

Our thoughts: Loved it just as much the second time around!

Giveaway: One copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winner on Sunday, January 19th after 3pm PST.

2. Because of You by Kathryn Starke (Out now.)

Because_of_You_bookcoverLilly never wanted to settle, not in her education, her career, and especially not in her relationships. She observes the countless number of couples in her circle of family and friends, but she has always been unsure if marriage is for her. At thirty-one, she is convinced she has finally found the man of her dreams. But on her actual wedding day, she shares a conversation with a mysterious stranger in a hotel elevator. Suddenly, she begins to question her “happily ever after.”

An instant connection with this stranger leads her to doubt what and who she believes in. She recalls flashbacks of her courtship with fiancè Patrick and begins to wonder if she is indeed settling for the first time in her life. Lilly struggles internally with her decision and begins questioning her future. Will she marry Patrick or will she ultimately start her search for love all over again?

Our thoughts: A sweet novel that you can devour in one sitting.

Giveaway: One copy. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winner on Sunday, January 19th after 3pm PST.

3. Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink by Kim Gruenenfelder (Out now.)

 KCACABD_bookcoverIn Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink, Kim Gruenenfelder's delicious follow-up to There's Cake in My Future, Seema, Nic and Mel are back, adjusting to their new lives as a bride-to-be, a mother-to-be, and a recently single girl looking for love

It's been almost a year since Mel, Nic and Seema pulled their magical charms out of the cake at Nic's bridal shower and most of their happily-ever-afters seemingly came true. Seema is about to marry Scott in an elaborate three-day affair. Nic is glowingly pregnant. And Mel... well, Mel feels as if she accidentally veered off the rails of her life at some point and isn't sure how to get back on. She recently became single again, she's been threatened with a layoff from her teaching job, and she has to find her own place now that Scott is moving in with her roommate, Seema.

Nic thinks Mel just needs a new cake charm to bring her good luck. . . and decides to rig the cake pull at Seema's bridal shower. Desperate for travel, Mel asks for the passport charm. But, once again, the cake proves to have a mind of its own, and she pulls a charm she doesn't want, and can not use. Rather than be bound by the charm's prophecy, Mel realizes she, and she alone, is responsible for her destiny. A spur of the moment decision takes her to Paris and then Maui, where she finds herself on an adventure that she never could have imagined, experiencing the trials and tribulations of a life suddenly and perfectly unplanned. And, along the way, she begins to learn that, however nonsensical it may seem, the cake is never wrong...

Our thoughts:  A delicious sequel!

Giveaway: One copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winner on Sunday, January 19th after 3pm PST.

 

 

2014: Bring it on!

happy_new_year_champagne_stemware_2014What a year 2013 has been! From turning 40 to our publishing deal with Atria/Simon & Schuster to getting through all five seasons of Breaking Bad, it's been a year of big things. And as I bid 2013 adieu tonight while watching the ball drop in Time's Square from the comfort of my couch, I'll be thinking about the things--big and small--that I'm most excited about in 2014.

Oh and because we had to do ONE LAST GIVEAWAY this year, leave a comment about what you're excited to do in 2014 and be entered to win a bundle of surprise books! We'll choose the winner on Sunday, January 6th after 12pm PST.  Happy New Year, everyone!

1. Juicing!

Yes, you read that right. I'm that wife who asked for and is ecstatic she received an appliance for Christmas. A good friend said to me, of course you did, you're forty and you're a mom! Welcome to the club.  The hubs and I are so overly-excited about the endless possibilities this juicer will bring us you'd think we'd just won the lottery. I'll definitely be reporting back on the kale, carrot and ginger concoction I plan to try first.

2. More binge watching

We just watched the finale of Breaking Bad two nights ago. (So. Effing. Brilliant.) And I may never watch TV the same way again. In fact, I know I won't. Not having to wait a week to find out what Walter White was going to do next was one of the best things that has ever happened to this highly impatient person.  The only question is what TV show should I binge on next? Recommendations, please!

3. More blowouts

I know Liz and I have talked incessantly about and posted, er, a lot of pictures of our obsession with having someone else blow dry our hair--DryBar, oh how we love you! This blowdry thing *might* have even ended up in the book we're currently writing: The Status of All Things. I realize I'm not J-Lo and probably don't need as many blowouts as I think I do (you know, like 3-4 a week), but if any of you know a way for me to wash my hair as little as possible while still making it look great, please let me know! I smell a dry shampoo obsession coming in 2014.

4. Changes to our website

2014 will mark the 5th anniversary of this site. That's cray-cray! Oops, forgot that's one of the 7 things I'm supposed to stop saying because I'm over forty.  Anyway, be on the lookout for a redesign as well as new features! And important news about our new domain name! Stay tuned...

5. Getting published

This is so big that Liz and I don't have the words for it yet. In fact, we probably never will. All we can continue to say is we're grateful to be living our dream and so happy to have your support and  that you put up with our shameless plugs. Like these:

See you in 2014!

 

Flash Giveaway! Josie Brown's Totlandia: The Onesies

Totalandia by Josie BrownGiveaway: Two e-copies of Totlandia: The Onesies by Josie Brown The scoop: As summer sizzles in Totlandia, emotions boil over for the newest members of Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club, whose trust in each other is sorely tempted by Bettina and her club politics.

When Jillian's vindictive joke backfires, she learns the true meaning of forgiveness.

Jade’s betrayal puts her in a dangerous downward spiral with no bottom in sight—until she finds friendship and redemption where she least expects it.

Lorna faces the biggest trial in her marriage, and makes an important decision that may end it for good.

While Ally may regret the choices made she to get accepted in the club, her exile puts new opportunities in her path, thanks to Brady and his ceaseless desire to win her over—with Barry's help, who is playing his own little game with the Top Moms Committee.

But it's Bettina who suffers the ultimate punishment—one that changes her life, and the livelihood of the club, forever.

Our thoughts: This series is so much fun!

Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winners on Sunday, December 15 after 12 PM PST.