Samantha March's Blog, page 15
October 23, 2013
Release Day: Zoey & The Moment of Zen by Cat Lavoie
Where to start this post? I really can’t believe another launch day is here for Marching Ink and Cat Lavoie. I feel so incredibly lucky to have such an amazing working relationship with Cat. She chose me as her editor for her debut novel Breaking the Rules, and while I read her book I knew there was something magical about the story. I was hooked. Imagine my shock – and extreme joy – when I offered my small, independent publishing company contract to Cat and she said yes! Then double all that again when we decided to work together once again on her sophomore novel Zoey & The Moment of Zen. I’m not sure what I did to deserve connecting with such a person as hard-working, fun, inspiring, and dedicated to her passion as Cat Lavoie. It’s truly been such an amazing experience to work with her, and I am so excited to get to meet her in person in just a few short weeks at BookBuzz Toronto. I sincerely hope you will get your copy of Zoey & The Moment of Zen, and hopefully you have already read Breaking the Rules. Cheers to you Cat – hope you enjoy your release day!
September 27, 2013
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Shake Down the Stars by Renee Swindle
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I never grew up thinking I’d become a writer. I didn’t know people actually became writers. When I was coming up, there was no mention at all of MFA programs and the idea that I could become a writer never crossed my mind! Even after I started college, writers to me, were people who came out of the womb basically writing books. I didn’t know writing was something one could develop. I thought you were either Toni Morison or Stephen King or you weren’t. I always loved to read, though, and I kept a journal religiously. On a whim, and because I was curious, I took a creative writing class while in college. It was my junior or senior year and I absolutely loved it.
How would you describe your books?
I’ll tell you what I’m aiming for. I hope to write a well-paced story that keeps the reader guessing. I love surprising myself and hope that the reader is ultimately surprised by certain turns in the narrative as well. I strive to write characters I’ve never seen before who are also flawed and human. And I love funny. Even with more serious stories, I love adding elements of humor.
Why was Shake Down the Stars a book you wanted to write?
I’m a one-idea-at-the-time kind of writer. I usually start with voice when I first start writing. When I started Shake Down The Stars I saw a woman in a room by herself nursing a drink while her best friend was celebrating her wedding. I sort of let her speak to me as I played around and “listened” to what she had to say. It wasn’t long before I realized her struggle dealt with loss. I then thought, “Uh-oh, this is not going to be easy of fun,” but I fell in love with Piper—her sassiness, her humor and courage—all of it. I liked the challenge of telling her story while keeping myself from falling into melodrama. And like I said, since I’ve learned I do humor well, I also wanted to add elements of funny.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
When I first started, everything about the writing process was tough. Even convincing myself to sit down and write was difficult. I learned, however, to find my way to kindness. I stopped beating myself up and started thinking of writing as “practice.” Over time, I started to enjoy it. Which is a true miracle if you knew how torturous it was for me when I first started. Anyway, that’s my long way of saying, I kinda like all of it—editing, writing crappy drafts, all of it.
What are your favorite genres to read?
EVERYTHING! Noir, thrillers, literary, graphic novels, contemporary fiction… What I don’t read is fantasy. But I watch Game of Thrones, does that count?
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
That’s a great question. I hope readers learn that it’s possible to find happiness again; that if you’re the outsider of your family, you can create a loving family from friends; and that humor is the antidote to many a momentary problem. Also, that the night sky is wondrous and amazing.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Very! My guess is that the only writers who don’t use social media are already established. For the rest of us, or most of us, you shouldn’t expect a big publicity campaign and social media allows you to meet more people than paying for your own book tour, for instance. Blog tours are an awesome idea as well and I’m happy to be on a tour with ChickLitPlus. (Samantha, did not pay me to say this, by the way! 
)
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Be yourself. Write the story you want to tell and not the story you think you should tell. Do your best to discover what you’re good at and run with it. In the meantime, continue to hone the weaker aspects of your writing. Read a ton. As you read, watch how writers set up scenes and use dialogue and all the rest. Finally, find a way to make the process of sitting and facing your fears every day enjoyable. I know that sounds nuts, but it’s such a long haul, the sooner you learn to become your own cheerleader and best friend, the better.
**Excerpt**
I turn from the window and begin scanning the library’s massive leather-bound collection
until I decide on The House of Mirth. I’m about to sit at a small table near one of the stained-glass
windows when a man the size of a troll walks inside. He steps directly up to me with an expectant grin on his face as though we know each other, but I’ve never seen him before in my life and
have to assume he’s with the wedding party that’s rented the east wing of the estate. He’s built
like a wrestler and wears a silver suit that strains against his Popeye-like biceps; his chest bubbles
out from his shirt like a growth. He looks, in fact, like a baby shark standing on its dorsal fins.
He runs his tongue over his upper lip while staring at me. “You. Are. Lovely.”
“And you,” I say, waving my hand at the alcohol-induced stench rising between us, “are.
Shit. Faced.”
“No shame in it. I’m here to celebrate, after all. I see you’re not holding back either,” he
adds, nodding toward my scotch.
I raise my glass and take a sip. “Touché.”
“Name’s Selwyn. And you are?”
“About to read my book, if you don’t mind.”
He points at me with the same hand that’s holding his glass. “You’ve got spunk. I like that.”
“Spunk?”
“Yeah. Gotta little fire going on.”
I look him over while taking another pull from my drink. He’s not exactly troll-sized,
probably five foot seven at best, but I’m five foot nine and in heels, so from my vantage point he
may as well be a Lilliputian. An Oompa Loompa. A hobbit. “How tall are you exactly?”
“Five-six-and-a-half and proud of it. Never let a man’s height fool you. Height is never an
indicator of a man’s sexual prowess.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
He studies my face briefly. “I don’t remember seeing you at the wedding rehearsal last night.
You a friend of the bride or the groom?”
“Neither.”
“Neither? You with the other wedding party?”
“Yeah. But it’s an engagement party.”“Wooooo. Having an engagement party up here? Must be some engagement. So, you gonna
tell me your name or what?”
“Why should I?”
“Because I’d like to get to know you better. Seriously, girl, I’m here all alone, and I have a
feeling we’d hit it off. I’m the groom’s cousin. I’m here for the wedding tonight, and I’ll be on
my way home tomorrow morning. I’m a good guy. I live in Livermore. I work for the mayor. No
kids. No wife. What do you say we spend a little time together before I leave? Celebrate this
weekend of . . . amore . . . with a private celebration of our own. You. Me. A bottle of Dom?”
I stare at his finger as it’s making its way up and down the side of my arm. I can only hope
that he’s behaving like a throwback to 1970s bachelorhood because he’s high or drunk—or both.
Otherwise, there’s no excuse.
***
Author Bio:
Renee Swindle is the author of Shake Down The Stars (NAL/Penguin) available now.
Her first novel, Please Please Please, was published by the Dial Press/Dell. Please Please Please was also published in Germany as Mehr Mehr Mehr and published in Japan. Please Please Please was an Essence Magazine bestseller.
Renee Swindle earned her BA from UC Irvine and MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University. She lives in Oakland, California
Connect with Renee!
www.reneeswindlebooks.com
September 26, 2013
CLP Blog Tours: Excerpt from Last Diner Standing by Terri L Austin
There are some absolutes in this life that are irrefutable. If you leave the house looking like crap, you’ll see someone you know, usually an ex-boyfriend. If you’re running late for an appointment, you’ll hit every red light on the way. And a three a.m. phone call is never good news. Either someone’s dead, in the hospital, or you’re a drunken booty call. But that Saturday morning, I discovered another reason to avoid the ringing harbinger of bad news.
“’ello,” I answered, my eyes still closed.
“Rose, I’m in jail, girl.”
I sniffed and sat up on my futon. “Janelle?”
“Of course it’s Janelle. Get your shit together. They think I tried to kill Asshat.”
Scrubbing a hand over my eyes, I glanced at the clock. “Asshat?”
Janelle lowered her voice. “Rose, wake up and listen. I’m in jail, Asshat’s in a coma, and they’re saying I tried to kill him. I need help.”
Her dilemma finally penetrated my sleep-fogged brain. “Oh my God. Where are the kids?” Janelle had two, Damon, nine, and Sherise, seven. Both so cute you wanted to pinch their little cheeks. But I wouldn’t recommend it—that Sherise was a biter.
“They’re staying with my cousin, Sondra. But I got to get out of here. If they think I’m spending Christmas in jail then I’m Halle Damn Berry.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Call that fancy lawyer you know. He’ll figure it out.”
Dane Harker. “I’ll call him and come see you in the morning. Will they let me bring you anything?”
“Cigarettes and toiletries. These bitches trade everything for cigarettes. And Rose? Thanks.”
Oh my God, my study buddy, Janelle Johnson, was in jail, accused of trying to kill her ex-husband, Asshat. I’d never found out his real name, but his moniker seemed apt. When Janelle found him in her bed one afternoon, diddling another woman while eating a drumstick, the marriage was over and the name Asshat was born.
I flipped on the lamp and stood, stretching my legs. I didn’t want to call Dane, especially in the middle of the night. For one thing, we kind of dated until a few weeks ago. But he quickly figured out I was too complicated, and I decided he couldn’t handle my kind of awesome. And by awesome, I meant crazy dysfunctional drama.
And then there was the fact that I killed a man. Six weeks and one day ago. That sort of thing tended to wither romantic connections pretty fast.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Last Diner Standing before October 14 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
As a girl, Terri L. Austin thought she’d outgrow dreaming up stories and creating imaginary friends. Instead, she’s made a career of it. She met her own Prince Charming and together they live in Missouri. She loves to hear from readers. Find her on Twitter, FB, TerriLAustin.com,Goodreads and Henery Press.
Buy the Book!
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/last-diner-standing-terri-l-austin/1112750058?ean=2940015810479
September 18, 2013
CLP Blog Tours Stop: Lowcountry Bombshell by Susan M. Boyer
**Excerpt**
ONE
The dead are not troubled by the passage of time. I know this because my best girlfriend, Colleen, died when we were seventeen. She hasn’t aged a day in fourteen years. I turned thirty-one last February and commenced researching wrinkle creams.
My familiarity with the departed accounts for why, on that steamy Wednesday in late July, I entertained the notion that the blonde on my front porch was the ghost of Marilyn Monroe.
The doorbell rang at ten that morning. Rhett barked his fool head off upstairs where I’d stashed him. My golden retriever was unaccustomed to being on lockdown, but I’m a private investigator by trade and was expecting a new client. Out of habit, I peeked through the sidelight by the front door. The woman on the porch was dressed in white capris with a white blouse knotted at her waist. There was no mistaking the platinum-blonde hair, calendar-girl figure, and beauty mark. Clearly, I hadn’t guzzled enough coffee and needed a closer look.
I opened the door. Hot, moist air washed into the foyer.
“Hi,” she said. “Are you Liz Talbot?” Her voice was smoky and breathless. It brought to mind Little Bo Peep, if Bo were trying to seduce you. She looked crisp and fresh, in utter defiance of the weather.
“Yes.” I nodded slowly. “I was expecting Calista McQueen?”
“That’s me,” she said.
I tilted my head and looked at her sideways, as if the view might be different from another angle. I could feel my face squishing up in one of those looks Mamma has warned me countless times will cause wrinkles. All that money I’d spent on high-dollar cream would be wasted if I wasn’t careful.
The woman on my porch sighed and fixed me with a double-barreled stare. “I’m not her. I’m not related to her, and I’m not one of those tribute artists, either.”
“Of course. My goodness, I’m so sorry,” I said. “The resemblance is just—”
“Startling, I know.” She glanced around the deep porch. Her gaze drifted from the swing, to the hammock, and settled on the Adirondack chairs. “Did you want to meet out here?”
“No, please.” I jerked the door open wider and scooted out of the way. “Come in. It’s so hot out there I’m afraid my manners must have melted.”
“Thanks.” She turned and scanned the yard, then crossed into the foyer.
I swept my arm towards the room to her right. “Why don’t we talk in here?”
She undulated into what now serves as my office. Like a giant Hoover, her presence sucked my self-confidence right out. I followed, yanking the clip out of my hair and fluffing as I went. I could hear Phoebe, my hair stylist, ranting now. Three freakin’ hours to get that multi-toned blonde and you cram it into a freakin’ clip.
When the temperature and humidity approach triple digits, all this hair causes my brain stem to overheat. At least I was dressed nicely in a cobalt blue shift that matched my eyes. It’s hard to go wrong with Ann Taylor Loft.
Calista stopped in front of the fireplace on the far side of the room. She waited, posing the way models do at the end of the runway. “You have a lovely home.”
“Thanks,” I said. “It was my grandmother’s.” Gram had liked to entertain, and her living room was large enough for her fifty closest friends to gather for mint juleps. I had divided it into sections with my home office, the only office for the Stella Maris branch of Talbot and Andrews Investigations, occupying the left half. My walnut desk and two guest chairs stood in front of a wall of bookcases that wrapped around the far left corner and flanked the windows on both sides of the fireplace. The opposite side of the room held a big green velvet sofa with wooden trim and a row of fringe around the bottom. It had been Gram’s favorite piece. The sofa faced the wall of windows, with a set of chairs on each side to complete the conversation area.
I debated whether to sit behind the desk or on the soft furniture. I’d never met with a new client at home. Since I’d moved back to Stella Maris in April, I’d been holding initial meetings on neutral territory—a restaurant, maybe, or the park. But Calista had balked at that idea. I could see now why she was shy of public places.
I gestured toward the sofa. “Have a seat.” While I grabbed a pad and pen from the desk, she arranged herself on the end of the sofa closest to the door. I settled into a tropical-print wingback on her right. Calista looked at the ceiling.
I willed Rhett to stop barking. “Don’t mind him,” I said. “He doesn’t care to be left out. He’s accustomed to having the run of the house and yard.”
“You should let him come down. I had a dog once…”
“Thanks, but I think we’ll be less distracted if he stays upstairs. He’ll be quiet when he realizes I’m not letting him out.”
Mamma would have been mortified at how long I just sat there staring at Calista McQueen. I kept thinking I’d find something that differentiated her from the movie star, but the woman next to me was Marilyn’s doppelganger. I was acquainted with all manner of oddities, but a doppelganger—that was a new one. She must have been used to the staring because she just sat there with perfect posture, letting me get it out of my system.
Finally, I closed my eyes, shook my head to clear it, and located my professionalism. “How can I help you, Ms. McQueen?”
“Please,” she said, “Call me Calista.”
I nodded. “I’m Liz.”
She moistened her lips. “I’d like you to keep me alive.”
“If someone’s threatened you, we need to call the police.”
“No one has threatened me.”
I squinted at her. “Then why are you in fear for your life?”
“This is a long story,” she said. “Could I please have a glass of water?”
“Of course.” I jumped up. “Where are my manners? I just made some fresh tea…”
“Oh, that’d be swell.”
“Lemon, mint, or both?”
“Mint, please,” she said. “Thank you, ever so.”
I scrambled to the kitchen. While I waited for the tap water to run hot, I heard Mamma’s voice in my head lamenting my utter lapse in hospitality. I scrubbed my hands and slathered them with sanitizer. No sense running the risk of making us both sick. Bacteria are forever on the offensive, but they thrive in hot weather. Some people think roaches would be the only thing left after a nuclear apocalypse, but I’m convinced bacteria would not only survive, they would kill off the roaches. Certain members of my immediate family make great sport of trying to trace what they refer to as my “nervous habit” to some incident in my childhood, or genetic mutation. This is ridiculous. I simply have a healthy regard for personal hygiene.
I fixed two glasses of tea, took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Then, I headed back to the living room silently chanting, don’t stare, don’t stare, don’t stare…
I set the glasses on coasters on the mahogany end table between us and returned to the wingback. “Please,” I said. “Start at the beginning.”
She took a sip of her tea. “My, that’s good.” She stared at the glass for a moment. When she looked up at me, her eyes shimmered. “This will sound absurd.”
“You’ve come to the right place. I have an appreciation for the absurd.”
The edges of her mouth crept up. She fixed her gaze on something far away, outside the row of floor-to-ceiling windows. “I was born June first, nineteen seventy-six, at nine-thirty a.m., in Los Angeles General Hospital. My birthday was the fiftieth anniversary of hers. To the minute.”
I reached for my tea glass but didn’t take my eyes off Calista.
She paused for a moment. “My mother named me Norma Jeane. On my birth certificate, it says a man named Mortensen is my father, but I’ve never met him, and I doubt that’s true. When I was two weeks old, my mother put me in foster care. With very few exceptions, the first eighteen years of my life followed the same pattern as Marilyn’s.”
I set down my glass and picked up my pad and pen. “Wasn’t her last name Baker?”
“She was baptized Norma Jeane Baker, same as me. Her mother’s first husband was John Baker, but he was out of the picture long before Norma Jeane was conceived.” Calista shrugged. “Martin Edward Mortensen was her mother’s most recent husband when Norma Jeane was born, so he’s on the birth certificate. It was pretty much the same with me, or at least, that’s what they told me. Not the same Martin Edward Mortensen, of course.”
I focused on keeping my expression neutral. “Go on.”
“Sometimes my mother would pick me up on Saturdays from whatever foster home or orphanage I happened to be living in and take me places. To the movies, mostly, and out to lunch. I lived with her a couple of times, but it never worked out.” Calista blinked. “My mother insisted I was the reincarnation of Marilyn Monroe, though I think her friend Grace put that idea in her head to begin with, probably before I was even born, when the doctor told Mother her approximate due date. You see, Mother’s maiden name is Monroe. She lives in Los Angeles, and they’ve both always been fascinated by Marilyn. Mother is very impressionable. Grace is… ambitious. They were very close, Mother and Grace. Aunt Grace. That’s what she had me call her.”
“Uh-huh.” I felt my eyebrows creep up.
“I think they tried to make my life just like Marilyn’s, the foster care, living with relatives, the orphanage. All of it.”
“But they couldn’t have known how much you’d grow up to look like Marilyn.”
“No.” Calista slowly shook her head. “At first I think the date ignited Grace’s imagination. She was always into numerology, Tarot cards, horoscopes, all of that. As I got older and actually resembled Marilyn, she became more and more obsessed. The strangest thing of all is I don’t look as much like her as it seems. My hair is naturally this color, Marilyn’s wasn’t. The head of Columbia studios arranged for electrolysis to raise her hairline, and to have her hair bleached with peroxide and ammonia. Another studio type she had an affair with took her to the orthodontist and had her overbite corrected. Her agent had work done on her nose and her jaw. I’ve never had any of that done. I look like she looked when they got through with her.”
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Lowcountry Bombshell before October 7 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Visit Susan on the web at susanmboyerbooks.com
Connect with Susan!
Website: http://www.susanmboyerbooks.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Susanmboyerbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/susanmboyer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/SusanMBoyer
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/SusanMBoyer
Buy the Book!
Fiction Addition: http://www.fiction-addiction.com/?CLSN_275=1377526357275571469a2c593c4994e6&keyword=lowcountry+bombshell&searchby=title&page=shop%2Fbrowse&fsb=1&Search=Search
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lowcountry-Bombshell-Susan-M-Boyer/dp/1938383567/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371387840&sr=8-1&keywords=lowcountry+bombshell
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lowcountry-bombshell-susan-m-boyer/1116243342?ean=9781938383564
September 3, 2013
Cover Reveal: Zoey and the Moment of Zen by Cat Lavoie
When coffee shop owner Zoey Everwood takes her obsession with ex-boyfriend Braden too far, everyone—except Zoey—is convinced a bit of fun in the sun at the Moment of Zen Wellness Resort will help her get over him once and for all.
But Zoey’s relaxing vacation turns out to be anything but peaceful when she meets Shane Lawson, a resort guest who bears a striking resemblance to Braden. And things get even more complicated when the resort’s owner starts spilling secrets about Zoey’s aunt Nessa, the woman who raised her. Add a snarky Wellness Coordinator and Nate Holmes—Shane’s grumpy friend—to the mix, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect tropical storm.
When Zoey comes back home with a new husband instead of tacky souvenirs, she must convince everyone she hasn’t completely lost her mind. As Zoey and Shane struggle to keep the magic alive outside the resort, Zoey discovers that she isn’t the only one having trouble letting go of the past. And when Nate drops a bombshell that changes everything, Zoey must decide if the old saying is true—what happens at the Moment of Zen stays at the Moment of Zen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Cat Lavoie lives in Montreal, Canada with her tempestuous cat, Abbie. Her debut novel, Breaking the Rules, was published in August 2012 by Marching Ink. If Cat isn’t reading or writing, she’s most likely watching too much TV or daydreaming about her next trip to London.
CONNECT WITH CAT
Website: http://www.CatLavoie.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CatLavoieAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Catenabi
August 27, 2013
Book Ideas: What If?
With my third book in the works, I’m starting to fill in family and friends on the plot. It’s fun to talk about the story and the characters and their lives, and one question that I’m getting a lot is “Where did the idea come from?” Without giving too much away (yet) the story focuses on a friendship between two women, and how it might look so perfect from the outside but actually has quite a few cracks and flaws. So where did I get the idea? A simple misunderstanding with a friend. We got in a bit off a tiff one day (and quickly made up) but my imagination started running wild. I thought “What if this went differently? What if that went differently? What if she did this? What if I did that?” And the plot was born. The characters have nothing to do with my life and are not based on anybody I know. It was a lot of fun writing about them, as they are both married and one has a child, neither of which I am familiar with yet, and none of my past characters were either. So it was a new challenge for me and I really enjoyed tackling it! So to me, all my ideas and characters are really based on one thing – a fight, a conversation, an event, and then I take parts of it and say “What if?” and run (or write) from there. My fourth book is going to be based on a wedding (as I am walking down the aisle myself shortly) but I’ve slowly been taking bits and pieces from the wedding planning and asking myself my favorite question – what if – and sketching out concepts and plot points from there. I’ll be sharing more from book three soon and I’m excited to do so!
August 23, 2013
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Adventure to Love by Bethany Ramos
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I’ve always loved writing and other creative channels, like drawing, singing, acting, etc. It wasn’t until my husband suggested that I start working as a freelance writer four years ago that I gave it a second thought as a legitimate career!
How would you describe your books?
My books are intended to be brain candy, ridiculous, fun, and pretty much the equivalent of reality TV. If you’re looking for something entertaining that doesn’t involve deep thinking, that’s what you’re going to get. 
Why was Adventure to Love a book you wanted to write?
I happen to be obsessed with reality TV. I personally haven’t read a chick lit novel focused on behind the scenes reality TV, so it seemed like the perfect plot to explore. I also got to poke fun at all of the reality TV characters that everybody loves to hate.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Objective editing. There’s nothing worse than spending hours and hours writing a book, only to receive constructive criticism or feedback that tells you that a certain chapter, character, or plot idea isn’t working at all. Then you have to figure out how to cut it out, rewrite, or restructure.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I love reading chick lit! I’m also a fan of some women’s fiction, but it has to be fun, witty, or incredible captivating. I generally prefer not to read thrillers, mysteries, or very sad books that will stick with me throughout the day.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
Most of all, I want my readers to genuinely enjoy reading my book without reading too much into it, pun intended. I’d love readers to see the book as a great way to relax and unwind with a little mental entertainment.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Very! One of the best ways to connect with other writers and readers is by staying active in social media. Beyond the major social websites like Twitter and Facebook, there are tons of writing communities that you can join to get feedback, ideas, or support.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Don’t quit your day job just yet. Everyone has a dream that they want to pursue, but I’m still working full time as a freelance writer, and I’ve published two novels. If you want to be a writer, write as much as you can and try to get your work out there. Even better, build your reputation by working as a writer for pay, either freelance, as a blogger, or for a company.
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**Excerpt**
Chapter 1
Harper sat sandwiched between what appeared to be two identical women. No, she wasn’t seeing double. She just happened to be at a casting call in West Hollywood where the typical women that fit the bill were blond, blue-eyed, and impressively tanned. Whether all of the above were real or fake was still to be determined.
Not like Harper was one to talk. Her long, honey blond hair came from a little friend called Clairol. But that was only a temporary fix until she could get back on her feet again and continue seeing her colorist, Avondre. He was known for making magic out of what was once mousy, drab-brown hair.
Her blue eyes really were her natural color. Only they happened to be enhanced just a smidge with nonprescription color contacts that she’d picked up at a gas station near her month-to-month rental apartment in the cheapest neighborhood she could find in Manhattan Beach.
And, yes, she was tan just like the rest of them. She spent every single afternoon lying at the beach. Not out of luxury but out of necessity. It seemed that the air-conditioner in her tiny, pre-furnished studio apartment was nothing more than a puff of lukewarm air that blew at random. Normally at 7 PM at night when the apartment had already cooled down after the sun had set.
So afternoons in her tiny shoebox of an apartment were unbearable, to say the least.
One of the she-clones to the right of Harper elbowed her in the ribs to get her attention. A little too hard, in her opinion. Harper looked up with a wide-eyed expression on her face that she had perfected after years of playing the victim to family, friends, and especially men in her life.
“Yes?”
The Glamazon hissed out of the side of her mouth, barely turning her head to acknowledge Harper’s existence. “Um, I’m pretty sure they’re calling your name.”
She tapped one perfectly manicured fingernail on the clipboard that sat in Harper’s lap. It held her lengthy application and background check, which were required to even be considered for the show in the first place. And at the top of the application, clear as day, read her name: ‘Harper Berry.’
Harper was suddenly all ears. A petite production assistant who was attractive in an edgy/emo kind of way scanned the room with a bored expression on her face. “This is the final call for Ms. Berry. Does anyone know if there is a Harper Berry here for casting?”
She didn’t want to seem too eager. Even though this was the moment she had waited four hours and thirty-five minutes for, not counting the insane traffic gridlock that had cost her fifty-five extra minutes on the way to the studio.
She stood up slowly. She smoothed her Size Three Genetic skinny jeans in charcoal gray and plastered a cheery, professional smile across her face that would have made her the perfect spokesperson for a toothpaste ad. “Here! I’m right here.”
She took three short steps across the lobby and held out her hand to the disinterested production assistant. In one swift motion, she pumped the malnourished assistant’s hand up and down and covered the ‘F’ on the Fucci knockoff label on her handbag with the other.
That was a move she did so often that it had become second nature. Any time she came across someone she needed to impress—whether it was an executive in the industry, an older, wealthy gentleman who wanted to wine her and dine her, or even a catty Kim Kardashian look-alike bitch that she bumped into on the boardwalk—Harper automatically hid the label on her faux-designer handbag so that it only read ‘ucci.’
As far as she could tell, ‘ucci’ translated the same in any language.
She followed the PA down a long corridor. She fixed her eyes on the back of what appeared to be an asymmetrical, nouveau Flock of Seagulls hairstyle. Was the 80’s comeback really that popular?
Author Bio:
Bethany Ramos is a chick lit author that is passionate about the fun, witty, and clever dynamic that can be found in a good chick lit novel. Her chick lit novel 5 Stages of Grief was published by Black Opal Books in 2011. Her second chick lit novel Adventure to Love was published by Soul Mate Publishing in 2013. She has also written a children’s book called Lions Can’t Eat Spaghetti that is under contract to be published through 4RV Publishing in 2015.
Bethany works as Editor in Chief for Naturally Healthy Publications, as well as a freelance ghostwriter through Elance.com. She also co-owns her own website with her husband at The Coffee Bump. Bethany can be reached for further information about her writing services at bethany_ramos83[at]yahoo[dot]com or follow her on Twitter.
August 21, 2013
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Thirty-Two Going on Spinster by Becky Monson
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I’ve always loved to write. I wrote a fictional story in the 6th grade about a girl who was born blind and when she was twelve they found a cure. I wrote about how it felt for her to see things for the first time – to see the sky and the people she loved. I have it somewhere in a box. I should try to find it… but I have probably romanticized it to be more than it truly is. For me, when people ask me when I started wanting to write, I always think about that story I wrote in the 6th grade.
How would you describe your books?
Well, so far it’s only a book – not books yet (I’m working on that now). I would say that my book is fun. It’s an escape. It’s what I like to read, so of course that is what I would end up writing. Is it high literature? Um, no. It won’t change your life, but it will give you a break from life for a bit.
Why was Thirty-Two Going on Spinster a book you wanted to write?
It’s a story that has been changing and evolving in my head for a long time. When I finally figured out my characters, this crazy thing happened where they sort of came to life in my head. It was almost as if they were living inside my head, bothering me every day until I finished their story. I sound like I should be institutionalized, don’t I? But it’s true. I would get butterflies (the good kind) in my stomach when I thought about writing these characters, and I was excited to get them out of my head and down on paper. I thought they would go away when I finished Thirty-Two Going on Spinster, but they are still there, which means there is more to write!
I love the cover! Can you tell us who designed it and where you got the concept from?
Thank you! I love it too. I am slightly biased, though. One of the things I love to do is graphic design. So I actually designed it myself! I do not draw (it would have been stick-figures, had it been left up to me), so the drawing was done by my talented friend Brad Condie. He does incredible work. I love bright colors, and so that’s what I started with. I wanted the picture on the front to represent what the book was about in the best way, and I really felt like Brad got what I was going for and did an incredible job with it.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I really hate writing an outline. It’s the hardest part for me, by far. But it is a necessity for me. Some authors can write with just the concept of where they are going in their head. I can’t do that. I wish I could! I have to have the story completely outlined, or I will miss out on something. It saves me, really. But it’s so hard! I dread it sometimes (most times, honestly).
What are your favorite genres to read?
I adore Chick Lit. It’s my favorite genre by far. I would say next in line is Dystopian. Although, I have to be in the mood for that. I’m extremely picky about my reading. I don’t get much spare time to myself, so what I read needs to be worth my time. Give me a fun escape with a happy ending and I am a happy reader.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
I know that we all know someone like Julia, or have a little bit of Julia in us. Being scared of change, scared of taking risks. I hope that, from my story, my readers can see that change is good and incredibly beneficial. It builds character.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
So very important! It is a must, actually. It is INCREDIBLY overwhelming, though. There is so much out there! I just Googled myself the other day and saw that my book was on a site called Shelfari… I had no idea this site even existed. So now I have yet another thing to work on! With Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon, my own site, my blog, and now Shelfari – who has time to write? For me, it’s essential not to get too caught up in it. I’ve found that the set-up is the hardest part. After that, it’s just maintenance, and that isn’t too difficult.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Write! That is the most crucial thing. Don’t get overwhelmed by all of the social media stuff out there until your book is done. Focus on the writing and only the writing. Also, have strong characters, and get to know them really well. When you are done with your book, get yourself some good beta readers, and a great editor (I made that mistake and had to do it later and now there are versions of my book out there that I would rather not be). Also make sure you have a fantastic cover. That is crucial. I see horrible covers out there and I cringe. People judge a book by its cover. It’s true. So make sure you have a good one.
**Excerpt**
Main Entry: spin•ster
Pronunciation: ‘spin(t)-st&r
Function: noun
1: an unmarried woman of gentle family
2: an unmarried woman and especially one past the common age for marrying
3: a woman who seems unlikely to marry
It certainly shouldn’t come as a shock. I’ve always thought of myself as a recluse, a loner of sorts. Now I have a new title: spinster. I think I need some ice cream or an entire chocolate cake… or both.
I am a spinster… I am a spinster. It’s true. I just looked it up in the dictionary, and there was a description of my life, in plain view:
1: an unmarried woman of gentle family.
I’m an unmarried woman of gentle family. Okay, so I’m not quite sure what is meant by “gentle family”. I wouldn’t actually call my family “gentle”. More like obnoxious. Still, I’m an unmarried woman who is part of a family, so that counts.
2: an unmarried woman and especially one past the common age for marrying.
I believe that I am past the common age for marrying. I just turned thirty-two. What’s the going age for marriage now? Twenty-five? Twenty-six? It doesn’t matter because at the age of thirty-two, my clock is ticking. My doctor informed me of that last week, in fact. He actually told me that I seriously should consider finding someone and settling down and that my eggs “weren’t getting any younger”. Pretty harsh when you consider that I haven’t been on a proper date in over a decade, right? I seriously should find myself a new doctor, one who sugar-coats everything. I could use more sugar-coating in my life right now.
3: a woman who seems unlikely to marry.
This one has to be the worst of them all… a woman who seems unlikely to marry. That is so me. I bet when people look at me, that’s what they’re thinking. I get that pity look all the time. The one where people tilt their head slightly to the side purse their lips and nod sadly at you.
Author Bio:
By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.
Purchasing my book:
http://www.amazon.com/Thirty-Two-Going-Spinster-Series-ebook/dp/B00AMS2L0C/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1375244816&sr=1-1&keywords=becky+monson
Other Links:
www.32goingonspinster.com
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeckyMonson
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7056358.Becky_Monson
https://www.facebook.com/ThisChickReads (this is a bookclub I run on facebook)
Twitter: @
bmonsonauthor
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 12, 2013
Breaking the Rules Giveaway!
It’s pretty surreal to think that one year ago Marching Ink was publishing Cat Lavoie’s debut novel, Breaking the Rules. What a year this has been! We really need to thank everyone for all the support both Cat and I received along the way. It was so nerve racking to publish the first novel outside of my own, and I truly value the experience that came with the process. I also can’t say enough about Cat. What a true friend I have made. She is so dedicated to her writing and characters, and I feel that she is only making me a better author as I continue to get to work with her. Marching Ink will be sharing some exciting news soon regarding Cat and her sophomore novel, but now, to celebrate the one year release of Breaking the Rules, please enjoy this giveaway! a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 9, 2013
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Is This All There Is? by Patricia Mann
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
When I was in second grade, I loved writing so much that my teacher allowed me to pen my autobiography for extra credit. Can you just imagine how scintillating the autobiography of a seven year old would be? I have it right here so hold on to your hat while reading the following excerpts… Page four: “I like to eat.” Page five: “I have a pet kitten.”
How would you describe your books?
I love to write women’s fiction/chicklit that takes readers on a painfully truthful journey into the depths of the main character’s mind. I want to reveal the kinds of thoughts, desires, choices, fears, and reactions that people don’t easily talk about. I like to make people squirm while they’re reading, especially when it’s because they have to admit they’ve felt or done what’s happening in the story. Kinda weird, maybe, but that’s my thing. I think I did pretty well in Is This All There Is?, as a start, but I’m going to even deeper, more honest and more sexual places in the book I’m working on now.
Why was Is This All There Is? a book you wanted to write?
I’ve dreamed of writing a book all my life. About ten years ago, I was a busy wife, mother, and professor dying for a creative outlet. I joined a weekly writing group and there’s simply no way to explain how much I learned and how thrilling it was. I wanted to write a story that was fundamentally about how difficult it is for contemporary women to balance it all. Why? Because that’s exactly where I was in my life: trying to be a good mother to my two sons, keep my marriage strong, build a successful professional career, get healthy, maintain important friendships and family connections, and on and on. I was completely depleted and writing about it was cathartic. I hoped other women would relate, even if their circumstances were different. The part of the story where my main character gets drawn into an affair with a former student just sort of took on a life of its own so I went with it.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
When I was writing Is This All There Is?, it was staying honest when it came to the shameful, ugly parts. But the story had to be told and there was no going back when I was that far in. There were a number of scenes I seriously considered deleting or softening, but didn’t in the end. Ironically, many readers told me those were their favorite parts of the book. Oh, and editing. Yuck.
As far as book # 2 is concerned, the only hard part is taking it one step at a time and trusting that it will eventually be an entire book. Right now, all I can think about is chapter four.
What are your favorite genres to read?
My favorite books are self-help/spiritual books. I also love women’s fiction and chicklit, but for very different reasons, of course. I’m a little obsessed with the search for happiness, contentment, finding meaning in life, and trying to slow down and relax (still unable at present J). So books that help me in those areas are my first choice. The fiction is a fun escape from my busy, over-committed life, which is why I’m always reading a great novel by one of my many fabulous author pals.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
We’re all human. We all make mistakes. Even the best of us can stray from the path if the right conditions present themselves. Be honest with yourself and others. Forgive yourself and others. Things are rarely what they appear to be on the surface. The grass is not greener elsewhere. Choose to be happy with what you have or make a change.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
It’s HUGE! A dear friend who is a journalism professor and PR consultant recommended a book when I was first learning about how to promote Is This All There Is?. It’s called The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing, and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly. All I can say is that it changed my life and shaped the direction of my strategies as an author more than anything else. And though I never, ever thought I would feel this way – I have come to enjoy blogging – most of the time. Facebook and Twitter make me anxious, because I feel I can’t keep up, but I realize they are essential and try to have fun with them.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Write what you’re most passionate about and think about the message you want to send. Join supportive online communities and ask lots of questions! Take one small step at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed by huge goals. As I mentioned earlier, I’m only on chapter four of my next book, and that’s okay. Most importantly: don’t give up, ever. No matter what other people say. Work on your book and when you get sick of it, take a break but during that time write a short story or a blog, anything to keep writing. If you have the calling, you must follow it.
**Excerpt**
“You have great arms.”
“You must be kidding. I haven’t worked out in ages.”
“No really. Look.”
He ran his fingers along the curve of my bicep and the tiny blond hairs on my forearm stood at attention. I could see what he meant. There was some definition there.
“Yeah, well that’s probably just from carrying my little one around all day.”
“I bet you’re a great mom.”
“I try to be, but… ” I stopped myself.
“What? Tell me, Beth.”
“It’s just hard sometimes, it takes everything out of you. But I love… I mean my kids are… I don’t even know how to explain it to you.”
He just nodded and looked into me with those eyes. The heat was getting worse. But he seemed so cool and calm.
“Enough about me. We were talking about your troubles with women.”
“Actually, I’d love to get your input on my situation. I could use an honest female perspective.”
The noise level was increasing by the moment. I pulled my chair a little closer to his and our knees touched. More electricity. I noticed that he didn’t pull back, so I didn’t either.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Is This All There Is? before August 26 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**
Author Bio:
Patricia Mann is a university professor. She lives in California with her husband, their two kids, and a sweet, silly old dog.
Connect with Patricia!
Website/Blog (New posts every Thursday): http://www.patriciamann.me
Book trailer video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KT6uSuyFIuM
Facebook Friend Page: http://www.facebook.com/patricia.mann.969
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Patricia-Mann/325125214262516?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PatriciaMann11
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17190494-is-this-all-there-is
Buy the Book – only 99 cents while on tour!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ASDTQQI
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/is-this-all-there-is-patricia-mann/1114038095?ean=9780983154433
