Talli Roland's Blog, page 4
December 31, 2013
A Year of Change... Now On to the Next One!
Happy New Year's Eve, everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. We've had a wonderful one with friends and family in a very snowy Canada. Watching the fluffy flakes drift through the air on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day was downright magical. Add Baby TR's first birthday and a visit from Santa to the mix, and you have some very fun-filled days.
Fun in the snow our first week in Canada.
Santa makes a house call!
Baby TR's first birthday.
The wonderful snowy scene!
Christmas morning anticipation.
And now on to 2014! The past year has been a strange one for me, filled with a lot of change as I got used to my new role as mother while adjusting to writing at a slower pace than usual. But I'm pleased that amidst the sleepless nights, I managed to start and finish a novel and a novella, get a wonderful agent, sign a publishing contract with Amazon Publishing, and copy edit The Pollyanna Plan for re-release next March! And, of course, I'm proud that my little guy is growing into a very active, spirited (!!), fun boy who I'm enjoying more every day.
However, I am disappointed that I haven't been able to make the blog rounds as much as I'd like. By the time the evening rolls around, I'm so tired, I usually fall asleep on the sofa. I miss you all and I try my best to keep up on all of the news... thank you to those who continue to read this blog and leave comments. They are greatly appreciated and always read! Your support for me over the past year and before has meant a lot.
So my resolutions for next year? Well, I just want to keep up with everything and continue doing what I'm doing -- hopefully well. I plan to start in on my next novel upon my return to London next week, and I'm crossing my fingers for the release of The Pollyanna Plan and then The No-Kids Club next June.
I wish you all a wonderful last day of 2013. Bring on the next year!
Fun in the snow our first week in Canada.
Santa makes a house call!
Baby TR's first birthday.
The wonderful snowy scene!
Christmas morning anticipation.And now on to 2014! The past year has been a strange one for me, filled with a lot of change as I got used to my new role as mother while adjusting to writing at a slower pace than usual. But I'm pleased that amidst the sleepless nights, I managed to start and finish a novel and a novella, get a wonderful agent, sign a publishing contract with Amazon Publishing, and copy edit The Pollyanna Plan for re-release next March! And, of course, I'm proud that my little guy is growing into a very active, spirited (!!), fun boy who I'm enjoying more every day.
However, I am disappointed that I haven't been able to make the blog rounds as much as I'd like. By the time the evening rolls around, I'm so tired, I usually fall asleep on the sofa. I miss you all and I try my best to keep up on all of the news... thank you to those who continue to read this blog and leave comments. They are greatly appreciated and always read! Your support for me over the past year and before has meant a lot.
So my resolutions for next year? Well, I just want to keep up with everything and continue doing what I'm doing -- hopefully well. I plan to start in on my next novel upon my return to London next week, and I'm crossing my fingers for the release of The Pollyanna Plan and then The No-Kids Club next June.
I wish you all a wonderful last day of 2013. Bring on the next year!
December 20, 2013
Home for Christmas
Happy Friday, all! I'm a bit late posting this week owing to the topsy-turviness of travelling across the Atlantic. And if I'm a little mixed up, then Baby TR is downright befuddled. He's spent the past five nights waking at 3 a.m. and wanting to play!
Apart from a little (okay, a lot) of sleep deprivation, we've had a great time in Canada so far. Despite my worries, Baby TR performed admirably well on the seven-hour flight. He didn't sleep a wink (too much to look at!) but he kept his ear-piercing shrieking mostly to himself.
And since we arrived, we've gone to Prince Edward Island to see my grandmother and other relatives, played in the snow, and done A LOT of eating.
We arrived the day before the first big snowstorm of the year.
Baby TR's first taste of snow.
And more snow!
Do you see a theme here?
Today, we will be putting up the tree, and next week we have Baby TR's first year celebrations, along with Christmas! Yay!
I will be back before the New Year, but until then... Merry Christmas, everyone.
Apart from a little (okay, a lot) of sleep deprivation, we've had a great time in Canada so far. Despite my worries, Baby TR performed admirably well on the seven-hour flight. He didn't sleep a wink (too much to look at!) but he kept his ear-piercing shrieking mostly to himself.
And since we arrived, we've gone to Prince Edward Island to see my grandmother and other relatives, played in the snow, and done A LOT of eating.
We arrived the day before the first big snowstorm of the year.
Baby TR's first taste of snow.
And more snow!Do you see a theme here?
Today, we will be putting up the tree, and next week we have Baby TR's first year celebrations, along with Christmas! Yay!
I will be back before the New Year, but until then... Merry Christmas, everyone.
December 12, 2013
Writers Who Lunch
The past week has been a bit of a blur, what with getting ready for our trip to Canada this Saturday, celebrating an early Christmas with my stepdaughter, and two Christmas lunches!
The first one was last Saturday at The Lamb in Holborn, for the RNA London Chapter.
Me and Giselle Green.
It wouldn't be an RNA event without wine!
Chattering writers.And today, I've just returned from a wonderful lunch with Notting Hill Press writers.
Me, Michele Gorman, Victoria Connelly, Matt Dunn, Chris Manby
Delicious dessert!
I am off to pack like the wind - and run copious cycles of laundry - so have a fantastic week! I shall see you on the other side of the Pond.
Until then... gratuitous baby shot!
The first one was last Saturday at The Lamb in Holborn, for the RNA London Chapter.
Me and Giselle Green.
It wouldn't be an RNA event without wine!
Chattering writers.And today, I've just returned from a wonderful lunch with Notting Hill Press writers.
Me, Michele Gorman, Victoria Connelly, Matt Dunn, Chris Manby
Delicious dessert!I am off to pack like the wind - and run copious cycles of laundry - so have a fantastic week! I shall see you on the other side of the Pond.
Until then... gratuitous baby shot!
December 6, 2013
Winter Wonderland... Sort Of
I've only just realised I forgot to post yesterday! Time is flying by at the speed of light, and the countdown to our Canada departure is on.
In the meantime, though, I've been enjoying the delights of London. Last weekend, we walked through Hyde Park to the madness that is Winter Wonderland. Every year, a Bavarian Village, Christmas market, and plenty of fair rides invade the park. It's a little crazy.
Glorious autumn day in Hyde Park.
The Bavarian Village.
Like a moth to a flame...In writing news! I had a meeting with my agent, who likes the idea for my next novel. Phew! I'm looking forward to working on something new when I return from Canada in January.
And that's all from London. See you next week!
In the meantime, though, I've been enjoying the delights of London. Last weekend, we walked through Hyde Park to the madness that is Winter Wonderland. Every year, a Bavarian Village, Christmas market, and plenty of fair rides invade the park. It's a little crazy.
Glorious autumn day in Hyde Park.
The Bavarian Village.
Like a moth to a flame...In writing news! I had a meeting with my agent, who likes the idea for my next novel. Phew! I'm looking forward to working on something new when I return from Canada in January.And that's all from London. See you next week!
November 28, 2013
Thankful for Wine!
Happy Thursday! And Happy Thanksgiving to all those in America. I hope you're having a wonderful day.
Well, this week I'm giving thanks, because I've finished my edits for The No-Kids Club! Until the copy edits come in, of course, but I'm not thinking about that. It's set to be released in June, and I'm so excited to get this novel out there.
I've also been looking at cover ideas for the re-launch of The Pollyanna Plan. Amazon Publishing will be releasing it in mid-March, complete with a shiny new cover and paperback copies, too. They've pulled together some wonderful ideas and I'm looking forward to the next versions.
And on top of all that, my novella Last Christmas is now number one in short stories on Amazon.co.uk. Huge thanks to everyone who has bought, read, or reviewed it! There's a chance to win a copy over at The Book Chick and Fictionella, too.
In other news, the lovely Laura of Daily Dodo and Chick Lit Love has launched an event on Kickstarter for a one-day celebration of chick lit, including me, Carole Matthews and Alexandra Potter. Pop by to check out the details and make a donation.
As I mentioned, last week I was out at the Romantic Novelist' Association annual winter party. This year, I was determined to take some photos, but of course I left my camera/phone at home! Argh! However, here is a picture of me in action.
I hasten to add that only one glass of wine was mine!
Have a lovely week, everyone. See you next Thursday!
Well, this week I'm giving thanks, because I've finished my edits for The No-Kids Club! Until the copy edits come in, of course, but I'm not thinking about that. It's set to be released in June, and I'm so excited to get this novel out there.
I've also been looking at cover ideas for the re-launch of The Pollyanna Plan. Amazon Publishing will be releasing it in mid-March, complete with a shiny new cover and paperback copies, too. They've pulled together some wonderful ideas and I'm looking forward to the next versions.
And on top of all that, my novella Last Christmas is now number one in short stories on Amazon.co.uk. Huge thanks to everyone who has bought, read, or reviewed it! There's a chance to win a copy over at The Book Chick and Fictionella, too.
In other news, the lovely Laura of Daily Dodo and Chick Lit Love has launched an event on Kickstarter for a one-day celebration of chick lit, including me, Carole Matthews and Alexandra Potter. Pop by to check out the details and make a donation.
As I mentioned, last week I was out at the Romantic Novelist' Association annual winter party. This year, I was determined to take some photos, but of course I left my camera/phone at home! Argh! However, here is a picture of me in action.
I hasten to add that only one glass of wine was mine!
Have a lovely week, everyone. See you next Thursday!
November 21, 2013
Little White Lies
Hello! After spending last evening cavorting around Westminster for the Romantic Novelists' Association party, I'm feeling ever so slightly delicate today. So I'm pleased to turn the blog over to the wonderful Kat Sheridan!
Take it away, Kat.
Little White Lies
I write historical romance, which means I probably spend as much time researching as writing. I not only need to know the big things like current events of the period. And it’s not just about the clothes, either, although that’s important. Woe the writer who errs in writing a love scene with a heroine who’s wearing gloves, a bodice, a skirt, multiple petticoats, drawers (in certain time periods—in others the ladies went “commando”), a corset, chemise, stockings and garters. And shoes. I always forget shoes. And don’t get me started on men’s clothes and the question of wigs, beards, sideburns or handlebar mustaches (and whether or not the lady shaved!)
But after reams of research are complied and sorted (clothes in that stack, politics in this one, carriages and how fast trains in that one), the writer needs to make a final decision on which facts (or misuse of fact) will throw a reader out of a story, and which ones can safely be elided, or perhaps just carefully shaded.
Food, for instance, can be problematic. An author friend once got a nasty email from a reader annoyed that a character was eating potatoes in a time when they were not yet a popular food (the author, stung, revised the book so the characters consumed the more accurate turnips). I ran into a similar problem with a plot thread concerning peaches in my debut release, luckily caught just weeks before publication. I discovered they were rare and expensive at the time, eaten for dessert, and not likely to be made into jam. I hastily swapped peaches for Gillyflower apples.
One scene involves the hero washing the heroine’s hair. She’s been through a bad time, and the scene is used to show the hero’s tender, protective side. The problem is that during the mid-19th century, hair-washing for ladies was an arduous task, undertaken only a few times a year. Forgetting for the moment that a peer of the realm would be unlikely to know the first thing about washing a lady’s hair and hardly likely to do it himself, it was simply too large a chore, and could be quite injurious to hair, given available washing ingredients of the time. Ladies, whose hair was often long enough to sit on, did keep their hair clean with daily brushing with clean brushes, and the use of oils to keep hair and scalp healthy, and with powders similar to some dry shampoos we use today. But there was no such thing as “shampoo” as we know in the time period of my story. Soap was used. Soap which was based on lye and other chemicals that could be outright dangerous to healthy hair.
But I wanted that bathing scene. So I deliberately and with malice aforethought ignored all the research I’d done on 19th hair washing and soap. My heroine got her hair washed by the hero. If you’re a reader, would that be enough to make you fling a book across the room? And if you’re a writer, have you ever glided over fact for the sake of a story?
ABOUT KAT
Kat Sheridan is a former project manager whose very serious exterior hides a secret romantic. She is fond of books, bourbon, big words, coffee, and shiny things. Kat splits her time between the Midwest in the summer and the South in the winter, sharing her home with the love of her life and an exceedingly dignified Shih Tzu. She loves to hear from readers, and can be contacted at www.KatSheridan.com.
ABOUT ECHOES IN STONE
When Jessa Palmer journeys to a castle in Cornwall to rescue her niece, she discovers the past still haunts Tremayne Hall and its brooding master, Dashiell Tremayne. Then the accidents begin. Soon Jessa must choose: abandon her mission to rescue the child or surrender to a dangerous passion.
TO BUY
Amazon: (print and Kindle)Barnes and Noble: (print and Nook)Kobo: (e-book only)Smashwords
Thank you, Kat!
I'll see you all next Thursday when I shall be fully recovered. Have a lovely week, everyone.
Take it away, Kat.
Little White Lies
I write historical romance, which means I probably spend as much time researching as writing. I not only need to know the big things like current events of the period. And it’s not just about the clothes, either, although that’s important. Woe the writer who errs in writing a love scene with a heroine who’s wearing gloves, a bodice, a skirt, multiple petticoats, drawers (in certain time periods—in others the ladies went “commando”), a corset, chemise, stockings and garters. And shoes. I always forget shoes. And don’t get me started on men’s clothes and the question of wigs, beards, sideburns or handlebar mustaches (and whether or not the lady shaved!)
But after reams of research are complied and sorted (clothes in that stack, politics in this one, carriages and how fast trains in that one), the writer needs to make a final decision on which facts (or misuse of fact) will throw a reader out of a story, and which ones can safely be elided, or perhaps just carefully shaded.
Food, for instance, can be problematic. An author friend once got a nasty email from a reader annoyed that a character was eating potatoes in a time when they were not yet a popular food (the author, stung, revised the book so the characters consumed the more accurate turnips). I ran into a similar problem with a plot thread concerning peaches in my debut release, luckily caught just weeks before publication. I discovered they were rare and expensive at the time, eaten for dessert, and not likely to be made into jam. I hastily swapped peaches for Gillyflower apples.
One scene involves the hero washing the heroine’s hair. She’s been through a bad time, and the scene is used to show the hero’s tender, protective side. The problem is that during the mid-19th century, hair-washing for ladies was an arduous task, undertaken only a few times a year. Forgetting for the moment that a peer of the realm would be unlikely to know the first thing about washing a lady’s hair and hardly likely to do it himself, it was simply too large a chore, and could be quite injurious to hair, given available washing ingredients of the time. Ladies, whose hair was often long enough to sit on, did keep their hair clean with daily brushing with clean brushes, and the use of oils to keep hair and scalp healthy, and with powders similar to some dry shampoos we use today. But there was no such thing as “shampoo” as we know in the time period of my story. Soap was used. Soap which was based on lye and other chemicals that could be outright dangerous to healthy hair.
But I wanted that bathing scene. So I deliberately and with malice aforethought ignored all the research I’d done on 19th hair washing and soap. My heroine got her hair washed by the hero. If you’re a reader, would that be enough to make you fling a book across the room? And if you’re a writer, have you ever glided over fact for the sake of a story?
ABOUT KAT
Kat Sheridan is a former project manager whose very serious exterior hides a secret romantic. She is fond of books, bourbon, big words, coffee, and shiny things. Kat splits her time between the Midwest in the summer and the South in the winter, sharing her home with the love of her life and an exceedingly dignified Shih Tzu. She loves to hear from readers, and can be contacted at www.KatSheridan.com.ABOUT ECHOES IN STONE
When Jessa Palmer journeys to a castle in Cornwall to rescue her niece, she discovers the past still haunts Tremayne Hall and its brooding master, Dashiell Tremayne. Then the accidents begin. Soon Jessa must choose: abandon her mission to rescue the child or surrender to a dangerous passion.TO BUY
Amazon: (print and Kindle)Barnes and Noble: (print and Nook)Kobo: (e-book only)Smashwords
Thank you, Kat!
I'll see you all next Thursday when I shall be fully recovered. Have a lovely week, everyone.
November 14, 2013
Edits, Romance, and Leaves
Happy Thursday!
I've no idea where the weeks are going. In exactly a month, I'll be jetting off to Canada with Mr and Baby TR in tow to celebrate the babe's first birthday and Christmas in one go. Crazy.
In the meantime, though, there are loads of edits to get through. Structural edits for The No-Kids Club plopped into my inbox on Monday, and I've been hard at work since. And next week, I get another rounds of edits plus the copy edits for The Pollyanna Plan! Plus the RNA Winter Party! It's all systems go here, I tell you.
Last weekend provide a bit of R&R from the usual routine, though. I was off to Bedford, just north of London, for the Festival of Romance.
The lovely river running through Bedford Town Centre.
A building I'm too lazy to identify.I was up for an award which I didn't win (third year running I've been shortlisted and didn't claim a prize, but hey! It provided an excuse to drink lots of wine to drown my perceived sorrow).
The highlight of the festival was meeting writer friend Glynis Smy. Finally I was able to give her a huge hug -- and she gave me signed paperback copies of her novels, too. Sadly, we forgot to get a photo of the two of us together. Massive fail!
Lizzie Lamb, Adrienne Vaughan, Tracy Bloom and me on a panel discussing author publishing.
And in weather-related news (because I'm obsessed), autumn has finally arrived. Here is a photo of the glorious leaves in Kensington Gardens.
Gratuitous baby shot!
And that's all from here. Have a great week, and a huge thanks to everyone who continues to leave comments despite my inability to return them as swiftly as I used to!
I've no idea where the weeks are going. In exactly a month, I'll be jetting off to Canada with Mr and Baby TR in tow to celebrate the babe's first birthday and Christmas in one go. Crazy.
In the meantime, though, there are loads of edits to get through. Structural edits for The No-Kids Club plopped into my inbox on Monday, and I've been hard at work since. And next week, I get another rounds of edits plus the copy edits for The Pollyanna Plan! Plus the RNA Winter Party! It's all systems go here, I tell you.
Last weekend provide a bit of R&R from the usual routine, though. I was off to Bedford, just north of London, for the Festival of Romance.
The lovely river running through Bedford Town Centre.
A building I'm too lazy to identify.I was up for an award which I didn't win (third year running I've been shortlisted and didn't claim a prize, but hey! It provided an excuse to drink lots of wine to drown my perceived sorrow).The highlight of the festival was meeting writer friend Glynis Smy. Finally I was able to give her a huge hug -- and she gave me signed paperback copies of her novels, too. Sadly, we forgot to get a photo of the two of us together. Massive fail!
Lizzie Lamb, Adrienne Vaughan, Tracy Bloom and me on a panel discussing author publishing.And in weather-related news (because I'm obsessed), autumn has finally arrived. Here is a photo of the glorious leaves in Kensington Gardens.
Gratuitous baby shot!
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And that's all from here. Have a great week, and a huge thanks to everyone who continues to leave comments despite my inability to return them as swiftly as I used to!
November 7, 2013
The Twilight Zone
Hello, all!
Ever since submitting The No-Kids Club to my editor and publishing my Christmas novella last week, I've been in the Twilight Zone: that grey area where you're awaiting a huge chunk of work (in my case, edits and more edits) to fall into your lap, with no writing projects to occupy your time.
Not that I haven't been busy! I've been over at Deniz Bevan's blog, showcasing the South Bank, the location of my novella. And on Kate Lord Brown's blog, I list five of my favourite things.
These weren't on the list, but they should have been! Yummy yummy pancakes at Jamie Oliver's Recipease, our weekly breakfast locale.
Last Christmas , my novella, has been getting some lovely reviews, too. Just My Bucking Book, Handwritten Girl, Joo, and Book Geek Wears Pajamas have all had some nice things to say! Plus, there's a chance to win a copy over on Chicklit Club and Chick Lit Chloe.
Phew! I'm all linked out.
This weekend, I'm off to Bedford to be all romantic at the Festival of Romance. The Pollyanna Plan is up for an award (yay!). It's the third year I've been shortlisted, so keep your fingers crossed for me.
I'll be back next week with lots of pictures, I'm sure. Until then, have a great week!
Ever since submitting The No-Kids Club to my editor and publishing my Christmas novella last week, I've been in the Twilight Zone: that grey area where you're awaiting a huge chunk of work (in my case, edits and more edits) to fall into your lap, with no writing projects to occupy your time.
Not that I haven't been busy! I've been over at Deniz Bevan's blog, showcasing the South Bank, the location of my novella. And on Kate Lord Brown's blog, I list five of my favourite things.
These weren't on the list, but they should have been! Yummy yummy pancakes at Jamie Oliver's Recipease, our weekly breakfast locale.Last Christmas , my novella, has been getting some lovely reviews, too. Just My Bucking Book, Handwritten Girl, Joo, and Book Geek Wears Pajamas have all had some nice things to say! Plus, there's a chance to win a copy over on Chicklit Club and Chick Lit Chloe.
Phew! I'm all linked out.
This weekend, I'm off to Bedford to be all romantic at the Festival of Romance. The Pollyanna Plan is up for an award (yay!). It's the third year I've been shortlisted, so keep your fingers crossed for me.
I'll be back next week with lots of pictures, I'm sure. Until then, have a great week!
October 31, 2013
Novellas, Weddings, and Meerkats
Happy Thursday, all! And Happy Halloween! (I'm always so confused about whether or not to put in that apostrophe.)
Hope the week has been treating everyone well. It's been a busy one for me! I published a Christmas novella...
Click here for Amazon UK; here for Amazon.com.
We attended the super-fab wedding of writer Michele Gorman...
Chris Manby, the beautiful bride, and me.
And this little guy needed a costume!
Isn't it obvious? I'm a meerkat!
And such is the life of a writer! Hope you all have a great week. I'll be back with a meatier post soon, I promise!
Hope the week has been treating everyone well. It's been a busy one for me! I published a Christmas novella...
Click here for Amazon UK; here for Amazon.com.
We attended the super-fab wedding of writer Michele Gorman...
Chris Manby, the beautiful bride, and me. And this little guy needed a costume!
Isn't it obvious? I'm a meerkat!And such is the life of a writer! Hope you all have a great week. I'll be back with a meatier post soon, I promise!
October 23, 2013
Blogger Girl Meets The Pollyanna Plan in NYC
Happy mid-week! I've no idea where the days are going. As promised, here I am for my second post of the week. I'm taking part in United Authors of Chick Lit, and today Emma from The Pollyanna Plan will be hitting New York. Her guide is the character Kim from Meredith Schorr's Blogger Girl.
Over to Kim and off to NYC!
I am delighted to share the details of the exciting day I spent with Emma Beckett from The Pollyanna Plan. We were introduced by two authors and became such fast friends that I invited Emma to visit with me in New York City and I flew to London to spend time with her. I was totally stoked for my trip across the pond, home of my favorite characters in chick lit, like Becky Bloomwood, Bridget Jones, and Serenity Holland. The mini holiday in London did not disappoint but I will let Emma tell you all about it while I recap her visit to The Big Apple.
Emma met me at my office in the New York Life Building instead of breakfast at Serendipity as originally planned, since Rob was preparing for a crazy trial and I had to supervise a copy job of epic proportions first thing in the morning. I felt guilty that my uninspiring job got in the way of delicious frozen hot chocolate but Emma had a great attitude; she was actually excited about spending time in a law firm. I introduced her to Rob who, of course, made a point to give me shit about my blog in front of Emma. I forgave him when he gave me the rest of the day off.
Once I escaped from prison, er, work, I treated Emma to lunch at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, where we indulged in the best burger, fries, and shake combination ever. We had time before meeting my best friend Bridget for drinks and so I took Emma on a walking tour of Gramercy Park, the Flatiron District and Union Square. I thought Emma would be impressed by the cool shape of the Flatiron Building but she said there is a Flatiron Building in London too. Who knew? I even dragged her to the Strand Bookstore and showed her books where authors included my name in the acknowledgment section.
If Emma was bored senseless, she kept it to herself, but I knew she was happy when we finally met Bridget at Banc Café for happy hour. I told Emma it was at Banc Café where I had my first non-work-related conversation with Nicholas. We had a moment of silence for swoon-worthy Nicholas and then Emma told us about her love interest, Will. Over our second round of w
After two cocktails, I was buzzing big time (being under 5”0’ doesn’t bode well for drinking on an empty stomach) and the three of us went for dinner at Primehouse across from my office. The restaurant brought back bad memories because it was during Rob’s birthday lunch there that he announced hiring condescending Daneen, who not only wants to jump Nicholas’ bones but also makes my life miserable at work on a daily basis. Emma promised we would make new memories and we did.
At the end of the night, Emma gave us a big hug and said we reminded her of her best friend from home, Alice. When Nicholas made an appearance after finally getting out of work, Emma even offered to stay at Bridget’s apartment so I could have sex with him. While I thought it was an awfully sweet and tempting offer, I declined. Spending the evening as a wanton sex goddess with a very bad man between my thighs would, of course, be wonderful, but hanging out with my new British BFF was even better.
A little excerpt from the wonderful Blogger Girl (definitely on my TBR list!):
Nicholas patted the seat next to him. “Sit with us.”Daneen looked at me like I was a rescued stray cat she wished would get lost again. “Yes, join us if you’d like. Although, it will probably be super boring for you. We’re working.” She pointed towards the pile of papers like I wouldn’t have noticed them otherwise. “A little break won’t kill us,” Nicholas said winking at me. I smiled at him and took a bite of my sandwich. When no one said anything, I took another bite and decided to feign interest in what they were working on just to break the awkward silence. “So…”“So, how long have you been a legal secretary?” Daneen interrupted.“Almost three years,” I answered. I was too taken aback that Daneen had actually initiated a conversation with me to go into more details.“Have you taken the LSAT yet?” Daneen asked.Surprised by the randomness of the question, I stuttered, “Huh? Um, no.” “You are going to law school, right?” She probed. “Why do you ask?” Nicholas questioned.Daneen looked at Nicholas like he had an eyeball in the middle of his forehead. “I just can’t imagine anyone graduating college and working as a legal secretary unless she hoped to get good recommendations from attorneys for law school.ˮ Turning her attention to me, she said, “You went to college, right?” I shredded my napkin wishing it was her face. “Yes.” Daneen nodded. “Where’d you go?”“Syracuse,” I said.Momentarily looking at me with envy, Daneen said, “I wished my parents would have let me go to a party school!” “Syracuse had a great communications program and it might seem shocking to you, but I’ve never had any desire to go to law school,” I said assuredly.“It’s not shocking to me,” Nicholas said, squeezing my knee under the table. “And Syracuse did a great job. Kimmie is a super communicator. You should check out her blog.” Daneen looked at me with renewed interest. “What kind of blog?”“It’s a chick lit blog where I post about chick lit novels. I write reviews, interview authors. That sort of thing.” With a furrowed brow, Daneen said, “I thought chick lit was declared dead ages ago. I read Bridget Jones’s Diary in college but don’t know anyone who reads it now. Except my sixteen year old niece. She has that Shopaholic series, but I assume she’ll grow out of it soon.” “No one writes chick lit like Sophie Kinsella,” I said. Daneen looked at me blankly. “Well, that’s great, Kimmie! Your blog sounds cute.”I tried not to lose my lunch over her use of his nickname for me, especially since it might have been the first time she had ever directed me by name.
What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read Bridget Jones’s Diary, Kim, with her blog, "Pastel is the New Black," has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that "chick lit is dead" once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim's day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that's turning heads--and pages--across the land. It's also popped into Kim's inbox--for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim's coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl”makes the grade in her off-line life.
Available on Amazon.com; Amazon UK; B&N; and Apple iTunes.
Thanks for the tour, Meredith and Kim! You can check out where in London Emma took Kim on Meredith's blog.
I'll see everyone next week!
Over to Kim and off to NYC!
I am delighted to share the details of the exciting day I spent with Emma Beckett from The Pollyanna Plan. We were introduced by two authors and became such fast friends that I invited Emma to visit with me in New York City and I flew to London to spend time with her. I was totally stoked for my trip across the pond, home of my favorite characters in chick lit, like Becky Bloomwood, Bridget Jones, and Serenity Holland. The mini holiday in London did not disappoint but I will let Emma tell you all about it while I recap her visit to The Big Apple.
Emma met me at my office in the New York Life Building instead of breakfast at Serendipity as originally planned, since Rob was preparing for a crazy trial and I had to supervise a copy job of epic proportions first thing in the morning. I felt guilty that my uninspiring job got in the way of delicious frozen hot chocolate but Emma had a great attitude; she was actually excited about spending time in a law firm. I introduced her to Rob who, of course, made a point to give me shit about my blog in front of Emma. I forgave him when he gave me the rest of the day off.
Once I escaped from prison, er, work, I treated Emma to lunch at the Shake Shack in Madison Square Park, where we indulged in the best burger, fries, and shake combination ever. We had time before meeting my best friend Bridget for drinks and so I took Emma on a walking tour of Gramercy Park, the Flatiron District and Union Square. I thought Emma would be impressed by the cool shape of the Flatiron Building but she said there is a Flatiron Building in London too. Who knew? I even dragged her to the Strand Bookstore and showed her books where authors included my name in the acknowledgment section. 
If Emma was bored senseless, she kept it to herself, but I knew she was happy when we finally met Bridget at Banc Café for happy hour. I told Emma it was at Banc Café where I had my first non-work-related conversation with Nicholas. We had a moment of silence for swoon-worthy Nicholas and then Emma told us about her love interest, Will. Over our second round of w
After two cocktails, I was buzzing big time (being under 5”0’ doesn’t bode well for drinking on an empty stomach) and the three of us went for dinner at Primehouse across from my office. The restaurant brought back bad memories because it was during Rob’s birthday lunch there that he announced hiring condescending Daneen, who not only wants to jump Nicholas’ bones but also makes my life miserable at work on a daily basis. Emma promised we would make new memories and we did.At the end of the night, Emma gave us a big hug and said we reminded her of her best friend from home, Alice. When Nicholas made an appearance after finally getting out of work, Emma even offered to stay at Bridget’s apartment so I could have sex with him. While I thought it was an awfully sweet and tempting offer, I declined. Spending the evening as a wanton sex goddess with a very bad man between my thighs would, of course, be wonderful, but hanging out with my new British BFF was even better.
A little excerpt from the wonderful Blogger Girl (definitely on my TBR list!):
Nicholas patted the seat next to him. “Sit with us.”Daneen looked at me like I was a rescued stray cat she wished would get lost again. “Yes, join us if you’d like. Although, it will probably be super boring for you. We’re working.” She pointed towards the pile of papers like I wouldn’t have noticed them otherwise. “A little break won’t kill us,” Nicholas said winking at me. I smiled at him and took a bite of my sandwich. When no one said anything, I took another bite and decided to feign interest in what they were working on just to break the awkward silence. “So…”“So, how long have you been a legal secretary?” Daneen interrupted.“Almost three years,” I answered. I was too taken aback that Daneen had actually initiated a conversation with me to go into more details.“Have you taken the LSAT yet?” Daneen asked.Surprised by the randomness of the question, I stuttered, “Huh? Um, no.” “You are going to law school, right?” She probed. “Why do you ask?” Nicholas questioned.Daneen looked at Nicholas like he had an eyeball in the middle of his forehead. “I just can’t imagine anyone graduating college and working as a legal secretary unless she hoped to get good recommendations from attorneys for law school.ˮ Turning her attention to me, she said, “You went to college, right?” I shredded my napkin wishing it was her face. “Yes.” Daneen nodded. “Where’d you go?”“Syracuse,” I said.Momentarily looking at me with envy, Daneen said, “I wished my parents would have let me go to a party school!” “Syracuse had a great communications program and it might seem shocking to you, but I’ve never had any desire to go to law school,” I said assuredly.“It’s not shocking to me,” Nicholas said, squeezing my knee under the table. “And Syracuse did a great job. Kimmie is a super communicator. You should check out her blog.” Daneen looked at me with renewed interest. “What kind of blog?”“It’s a chick lit blog where I post about chick lit novels. I write reviews, interview authors. That sort of thing.” With a furrowed brow, Daneen said, “I thought chick lit was declared dead ages ago. I read Bridget Jones’s Diary in college but don’t know anyone who reads it now. Except my sixteen year old niece. She has that Shopaholic series, but I assume she’ll grow out of it soon.” “No one writes chick lit like Sophie Kinsella,” I said. Daneen looked at me blankly. “Well, that’s great, Kimmie! Your blog sounds cute.”I tried not to lose my lunch over her use of his nickname for me, especially since it might have been the first time she had ever directed me by name.
What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read Bridget Jones’s Diary, Kim, with her blog, "Pastel is the New Black," has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that "chick lit is dead" once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. While Kim's day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book that's turning heads--and pages--across the land. It's also popped into Kim's inbox--for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim's coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl”makes the grade in her off-line life.
Available on Amazon.com; Amazon UK; B&N; and Apple iTunes.
Thanks for the tour, Meredith and Kim! You can check out where in London Emma took Kim on Meredith's blog.
I'll see everyone next week!
