Showing posts with label Sandra Bullock. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sandra Bullock. Show all posts

11 Oct 2014

All's Fair in Love and Weddings by Christine Feldman

Prudence Collier spent the better part of her reckless youth proving that she was not aptly named, and unfortunately she burned a few bridges in the process, including where her family is concerned. So when her long-estranged sister invites her to her destination wedding in the Virgin Islands, Prue leaps at the chance to mend at least one broken family relationship and prove that she’s a changed person.
Tucker Davies, on the other hand, has come to the islands for a very different reason: to stop the wedding. As a childhood friend of the groom, he has reason to believe that his friend is about to make a huge mistake and is intent on not letting that happen. One thing he didn’t count on, though, was going up against Prue.
Determined to make up for the past, Prue resolves to keep Tucker from interfering with her sister’s happiness in the present and is willing to go to any lengths necessary to do so. Any. And if that requires a few tiny deceptions here and there, the occasional brush with the local authorities, and perhaps even instigating a barroom brawl, so be it. A sister has to do what a sister has to do.
But so does a friend, and Tucker has no intention of backing down, no matter how aggravating or even—to his surprise—appealing Prudence Collier can be.
The war is on, and neither side believes they can afford to surrender.
Which is a shame, because they’re both beginning to suspect surrendering would be a lot of fun…
Amazon

Do dreams ever inspire your writing? What did you last dream about?
No, I can’t say that they have—I usually forget most of them when I wake up, and the parts I do remember are usually pretty bizarre. Sometimes I wonder what that means about my psyche. Hmm…

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I first started writing paragraph-long stories when I was about six or seven years old, mostly about The Black Stallion since I was crazy about that series. I like to think my writing has improved since then, though. ☺ Later I transitioned to writing longer stuff and even a couple of screenplays that ended up placing in competitions on both coasts, so that was pretty exciting. The first novel I ever got published, though, was Coming Home (contemporary romance), and that was published by Crimson Romance in 2013.

What is it about 'chick lit' that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres?
I like chick lit because to me it seems very relatable and real, and I can just get really cozy and comfortable with that kind of book. But, yes, I do read other genres—I like a little of just about everything!

Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
All’s Fair in Love and Weddings is about a woman who is on her way to her estranged sister’s destination wedding in hopes of repairing their broken relationship when she crosses paths with a man who is an old friend of the groom. When she realizes he’s there to try and stop the wedding from happening, she tries to thwart him at every turn—by any means necessary. The thing is, both of them have very good reasons for doing what they’re doing, and both are determined to see things through—which means the battle lines are drawn, and neither side believes they can back down. Which make the sparks that begin to fly between them even more problematic…

What inspired you to write it?
I think it was partly because I was thinking about the dynamic between sisters recently (I have two myself), and then I also thought it would be a lot of fun to write an enemies-to-lovers kind of story with plenty of opportunities for humor. When I thought about those elements all together, this story is what started to take shape.

Who designs your covers?

Elaina Lee at For The Muse Designs. She’s great to work with!

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
Oh, golly… that’s actually a toughie! Well, the heroine, Prue, is an impulsive but very well-meaning young woman whose actions often have unintentionally humorous results, so I guess I would picture someone like Isla Fisher in that role. The hero, Tucker, is a very down-to-earth and unflappable type of guy, so—you know what? I think Diego Klattenhoff from The Blacklist might be a good fit. He seems pretty unflappable. ☺

What's your favourite 'chick lit' book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones’s Diary. ☺

What were the last two books you read?

Proven Guilty, the 8th book in Jim Butcher’s fantasy Dresden Files series about a private eye/wizard—it’s so addictive! And then I’m currently reading House of Many Shadows by Barbara Michaels, which is a mystery/paranormal story that’s helping to get me in a writing mood for my next project, The Bloodline.

Name one female author you think deserves to be better known.
Cheryl Reavis. I thought her book, The Older Woman, did an amazing job of combining real and heartfelt emotion with the occasional wry bit of humor, and it’s one I love to read again and again.

Where do you write?
Usually on my couch with my computer on my lap and my beagle next to me. She’s my muse.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I can ask where the post office is in Japanese. Hasn’t come in real handy yet…

Who would play you in the movie about your life?
photo credit: Cinema em Séries via photopin cc
If it could be anyone I wanted? Sandra Bullock.

Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live on a tiny urban farm complete with a chicken coop in the backyard that we named Chez Poulet. We figured a French name would help class it up a bit. ☺

What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I’m currently rewriting one of my screenplays into a novel, and that one’s sort of a mystery/suspense book with a ghostly element. I also have a fantasy series planned, plus I’ve got a few ideas for some contemporary stuff—so I should be pretty busy for a good long while!

Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
Do an unassisted pull-up. Right now all I can do is pretty much hang from the bar like a limp rag and kick my feet out a little bit. It’s kind of sad, really.

Name one of your all time favourite songs.
Cat’s in the Cradle by Harry Chapin.

What do you listen to whilst writing?
If I listen to anything while I write, it’s usually something quiet and instrumental because otherwise I get distracted and start singing along or daydreaming book scenes that would go great with a particular song but really have no place in my current work-in-progress. It’s kind of like imagining up my own movie trailers, which is fun but doesn’t exactly help me get the words onto the page, darn it.

Who (or what) did you want to be when you were a kid?
Horse rancher. Like I said, I read a lot of Black Stallion books. ☺

Christine S. Feldman writes both novels and feature-length screenplays, and, to her great delight, she has placed in screenwriting competitions on both coasts—and has even won a couple of them. In 2012 one of her screenplays was featured as a staged reading in New York City at the Gotham Screen International Film Festival, and later that same year she signed her first publishing contract. When she is not writing, she is teaching kindergarten, puttering around in her garden, ballroom dancing with her husband, or doing research for her next project. Please visit her at her website, on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter

18 Sept 2013

Hello... Nicky Wells

Over the past year I've got to 'know' her (through social networking) just a little and I must say, I already think she's totally fab and you can really tell why through this interview. Welcome Nicky!


When did you first start reading Chick Lit?
Oh. Well. Um. Showing my age here but… about 20 years ago. See, I came across this book by Catherine Alliott, The Old-Girl Network, and I absolutely loved it. I’ve read it at least a dozen times since, and I sill laugh out loud. To me, hers is the first quintessential Chick Lit novel, long before Bridget Jones appeared on the scenes. (Loved BJ too, by the way!)

When did you first start writing Chick Lit?
My first ever attempt at writing Chick Lit occurred in college, in between degree courses. But let’s draw a veil over that one! I started writing in earnest when I was four months pregnant with my first child. I’d quit my job and decided to just ‘do it’. You know, ‘write that book.’ That would have been almost nine years ago now.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which? 
What appeals to me about Chick Lit? How long have you got? Let’s see. It’s funny and light-hearted. It tackles relationships but in a practical, hands-on, very real way. Every woman has a Chick Lit heroine in her, and it’s wonderfully inspiring to read about fictional characters acting out our secret dreams. And I don’t just mean the spicy scenes, I mean every day stuff. Repartee. Jokes. Reactions to awkward situations.
Apart from Chick Lit, I read pretty much everything under the sun except from sci-fi, horror and autobiographies.

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
I’d have to go back to Catherine Alliott’s, The Old-Girl Network.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?
My latest release is called Sophie’s Encore. Here’s the blurb:
Her rock star is waiting in the wings, but will he get a second chance?
It’s all change for Sophie Jones—only this time, there is more at stake than just her happiness.
Rock star extraordinaire, Dan Hunter, has been her patient and caring friend through the highs and lows since her wedding day, but now he figures it is time for her to start over. By stealth, the rock singer draws Sophie into the behind-the-scenes work for his band’s latest album. Through the days and weeks spent together at the mixing desk, Sophie discovers whole new horizons for her life, yet before she can even begin to explore them, she faces the very real threat of losing her rock star for good.
Join Sophie and Dan in Sophie’s Encore to find out how their journey will end…

What inspired you to write it?
Is it part of a series?
I’ll answer these two questions together, and in reverse, if I may. The ‘Encore’ is the third book in my ‘Rock Star Romance Trilogy’ and as such brings the finale in the romance between Sophie and Dan. I knew from the very first word in the first book that I wanted to take the story ‘there.’ It’s just that Sophie had other ideas along the way!
What inspired me to write the Trilogy in the first place? Well, to quote Sophie, “Rock Stars are Viagra for my soul.” I just love them. And I love rock music. My personal obsession (long tamed and under control, of course) with a variety of rock stars prompted bountiful ideas for writing Chick Lit novels with a rock theme. And because of that, there’s a large fairy tale element in my books. You know, girl-next-door (Cinderella) meets rock star (prince). But they’re also glamorous and exciting and fast-paced. My dream life, if you will ~ lived through my heroine.

Who designs your covers?
I come up with the original concept which I mock up in Photoshop, and the publisher’s design team takes it from there and sprinkles star dust all over my ideas. I love how that partnership has worked!

If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
Photo credit: qnibert00 via photopin cc
Well. For Dan, I’d have to cast the man himself, the one and only Mr. Jon Bon Jovi!
And for Sophie, I think I’d cast Sandra Bullock.
I have to admit, I change my mind quite a lot on this question, especially on the part of Sophie. And whoever played them would have to adopt a British accent, please. It’s core to the story.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones. (I’m yet waiting for Universal to make me an offer on Sophie’s Turn, etc.!)

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
Polly, from Catherine Alliott’s Old-Girl Network. (Can you tell I’m a big fan?)

Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
ME! Ha. Sorry. You did ask!

In the movie of your life, who would play you?
Me again, I’ve always wanted to be a big-screen sensation! (Oh God, you’re going to think I’m totally egocentric here, aren’t you? Truth is, I don’t think my life is exactly movie material, so the question had never occurred to me before.)

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy?
~ Strawberry margaritas
Shopaholic or shopadon't? ~ Shopadon’t. I hate shopping. I really do.
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? ~ Closer to the ground. I suffer from a complete inability to walk in heels and am liable to break one or several legs (not all my own, you gather) by toppling over catastrophically.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? ~ Jilly! OOOOH love Jilly! *cracks whip*
Cry baby or tough cookie? ~ Tough cookie. I live by the motto of a song of one of my all-time favourite rock bands, FM. The song being, Tough It Out.

About Nicky Wells: Romance that Rocks Your World!
Hi! I’m Nicky Wells, your ultimate rock chick author. Signed to US Publisher, Sapphire Star Publishing, I write Romance That Rocks Your World, featuring the rock star and the girl next door.
My books offer glitzy, glamorous contemporary romance with a rock theme ~ imagine Bridget Jones ROCKS Notting Hill! If you’ve ever had a crush on any kind of celebrity ~ rock, pop, movie or other ~ you’ll connect with my heroes and my leading ladies!
Like my first leading lady, Sophie, I love listening to rock music, dancing, and eating lobsters. When I’m not writing, I’m a wife, mother, occasional knitter, and regular contributor to The Midweek Drive show on Lincoln’s Siren 107.3 FM. Rock on!


Sophie’s Encore sales links: Amazon.co.uk Kindle | Amazon.co.uk Paperback | Amazon.com Kindle | Amazon.com Paperback | Barnes & Noble Paperback | Nook

12 Sept 2013

Hello... Claire Upton

I've got the lovely Clair Upton with me today. Read on to find out what makes her tick... well, when it comes to chick lit anyway ;) ...
When did you first start reading Chick Lit?
Probably in my early twenties, I used to read a lot of Virginia Andrews & James Herbert, but after I left home, I became a bit of a scaredy cat, so turned to the softer fiction. The first book I remember was Woman to Woman by Cathy Kelly.

When did you first start writing Chick Lit?
‘Twisted Fate’ was my first attempt at a full blown novel, ten years ago, anything before that was just me ranting on paper to release emotion.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? 
I think it is just relatable, and it is a way of understanding life as a woman better.

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
Adele Parks- husbands was one of the most emotional reads ever for me.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?
My debut novel is called ‘Twisted Fate’, it is a tale of love, loss and acceptance. So far most of my readers have reported back that they loved it & it made them cry. Although I don’t like to think that my work made people feel upset on the other hand it shows that people relate to me characters, which is fab.

What inspired you to write it?
The inspiration came from the farm in Suffolk which the children & I visit each year, it is a truly magical place. The front cover is of one of the fields there & the back cover is the view from my back garden.

Is it part of a series?
No it is not, I feel to stretch the story any further would not have worked. However I’m working on my second book.

Who designs your covers?
My cover was designed by my son-in-law Sam Taylor who is a graphic designer, I’m hugely grateful for his help.

If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
I would love to cast local aspiring actors for my film.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
It has to be ‘In Her Shoes’ by Jennifer Weiner.

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
Too many to choose from to be fair, I love them all for different reasons.

Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
My inspiration came from reading Sue Welfare’s write up in her books, she was also a mother of four children & lives not far from me. We have since met and are facebook friends, she is a fabulous woman. Her books and status updates keep me going!

In the movie of your life, who would play you?
Image by Gage Skidmore
Sandra Bullock… that would be the coolest thing ever!

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy?
Malibu & pineapple juice.
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopadon’t.
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Closer to the ground.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Jilly Cooper.
Cry baby or tough cookie? Crumbly cookie.

Claire has four children aged nine to twenty. She lives out in the Norfolk / Cambridgeshire countryside in the quaint, homely bungalow she always dreamt of. She has recently completed a degree in Psychosocial Studies, she works hard to prove that she, along with any other woman, is capable of everything and anything they put their mind to.
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10 Sept 2013

Hello... Lois Winston

I'm delighted to have the lovely Lois Winston with me today. Lois is the bestselling author of The Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries...
When did you first start reading Chick Lit?
I was first introduced to chicklit when I read Sex and the City.

When did you first start writing Chick Lit?
When U.S. publishers were jumping on the Chick Lit bandwagon back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, my agent suggested I try writing one. I found I enjoyed writing in first person, something that’s usually frowned upon in the romance genre, and I also found my voice lent itself to the Chick Lit vibe.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
Definitely the voice. It’s more realistic and less pretentious. I read and write in other genres, and I’m often drawn to reading books with a Chick Lit voice. I also enjoy writing in that voice. I currently write a Chick Lit-esque mystery series, The Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, and although technically the book is more Mom Lit than Chick Lit because of the character’s age, the Chick Lit voice infuses the books. Same for my romantic comedies. Hooking Mr. Right is romance, not Chick Lit, but the Chick Lit voice is evident throughout the pages.
As for reading, I’m a very eclectic reader. My favorite genres besides Chick Lit are amateur sleuth mysteries, historical mysteries, romantic suspense, romantic comedy, and women’s fiction, but I’ve been known to read the occasional YA, urban fantasy, or even literary fiction. Again, it goes back to voice. If I enjoy the author’s voice, it doesn’t matter what genre the book falls into. The voice has to captivate me first, whether it’s a Chick Lit voice or not.

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?
I Don’t Know How She Does It. I guess that’s technically Mom Lit, though, isn’t it?

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?
My latest book is Mosaic Mayhem. It’s a novelette companion to my Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series. Here’s a blurb:
So much for a romantic getaway...When cash-strapped mom and reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack is offered an all-expense paid three-day trip to Barcelona, her only worries are whether her passport is still valid and arranging care for her semi-invalid mother-in-law during her absence. However, within hours of landing in Europe, she finds herself staring down the barrel of a gun and needing to convince a Spanish crime syndicate they’ve kidnapped the wrong person. Why do people on both sides of the Atlantic keep trying to kill this pear-shaped, middle-aged single mom, and magazine crafts editor?

What inspired you to write it?
In May my husband and I took a trip to Barcelona, and I fell in love with the city. I wanted to use it as a setting in my next book, but given Anastasia’s back-story, I knew I couldn’t send her off to Barcelona for an extended period of time. I had begun writing novelette e-books as companions to the full-length mysteries. The first was Crewel Intentions, and I had plans to continue writing more novelettes. I decided the novelette format was the perfect vehicle for getting Anastasia to Barcelona.

Is it part of a series?
Yes (see answers above.)

Who designs your covers?
The covers of my traditionally published book are designed by the publishing house. My indie published book covers have been designed by my son except for the recent redesign of my romantic suspense Someone to Watch Over Me, written under my Emma Carlyle pen name. I did that one myself after I found the time to sit down and learn how to use PhotoShop.

If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
Depends on the book, but we’re talking Chick Lit, right? For Talk Gertie to Me I can envision Anna Kendrick playing Nori. For Four Uncles and a Wedding I’d like to see Emily Blunt play Polly. And Tina Fey would be perfect for Anastasia in my mystery series.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
Bridget Jones’s Diary

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
Kate Reddy because I can really identify with her.

Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.
(waving hand and jumping up and down) Me!!! I haven’t had a chance to talk about my Chick Lit books yet. I’ve written two. Talk Gertie to Me was traditionally published under my own name back in 2006. It’s a combination Chick Lit/Mom Lit book. I received the rights back, and it’s now finally available as an ebook.
Here’s a blurb:
Two years ago Nori Stedworth fled the conservative mentality of both her parents and Ten Commandments, Iowa, for Manhattan. She loves her new life–until one devastating afternoon that culminates with the arrival of her mother. Mom is suffering from middle-age meltdown. Her only identity is as a wife and mother, but her husband is a workaholic, and her daughter is halfway across the country. Grandchildren would give her life new purpose. If only Nori would come to her senses and marry town mortician and most eligible bachelor Eugene Draymore.
To that end, Mom sets off to bring Nori home. But when she meets Nori’s neighbor, her plans take an unexpected twist, and she’s thrust headfirst into a career as the next Martha Stewart. Suddenly, she’s a somebody in her own right and reconsiders returning to her old life.
As a coping mechanism, Nori resurrects Gertie, her adolescent imaginary friend. A laptop mix-up lands her musings in the hands of Mackenzie Randolph, a talk-radio station manager on deadline to boost sagging ratings or lose his job. He knows he’s found the answer to his prayers when he reads Nori’s make-believe correspondence.
And maybe he’s found much more.
Meanwhile Dad, with Eugene in tow, comes in search of his AWOL wife. Tempers flare when Mom refuses to return home. However, when she and Dad hear Nori on the radio, they unite to “save” her from the corruption of both Mac and Manhattan.
And that’s when things really get interesting.

I’ve also indie published Four Uncles and a Wedding under my Emma Carlyle pen name. Here’s a blurb:
Polly Faith Harmony is the ultimate ecumenical love child. Born to former hippies turned millionaire entrepreneurs, she’s one part Jewish, one part Catholic, one part Episcopalian, and one part Unitarian–hence her name. Could have been worse. Her flower power parents might have named her Polly Esther.
Aside from her joke of a name, her great-uncles, one from each side of the family, are all members of the clergy, not to mention golfing buddies and best friends. To keep harmony in the Harmony household, Polly has grown up alternately attending all four houses of worship.
When Polly’s feminist mother decides it’s about time Polly settle down and start providing her with grandchildren before her biological clock runs out, she enlists the uncles’ help. Polly and her friend Joni have penned the Top 10 Reasons to Call it Quits After the First Date, but Polly soon finds that thanks to her interfering relatives, the list is growing at an alarming rate. Worse yet, she learns that loving relatives on a mission rarely play fair.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?
photo credit: Raios de Luz - Gláucia Góes via photopin cc
Sandra Bullock

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Margarita
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopaholic when I have money, shopadon’t when I don’t
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Close to the ground. I’m a klutz, and there’s less likelihood of breaking bones when I trip over my own two feet if those feet aren’t in stilettos.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Jilly Cooper
Cry baby or tough cookie? I cry watching Hallmark commercials. ‘Nuff said?

About the author
Award-winning author Lois Winston writes the critically acclaimed Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery series featuring magazine crafts editor and reluctant amateur sleuth Anastasia Pollack, who Kirkus Reviews called, “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” Lois is also published in women’s fiction, romance, romantic suspense, and non-fiction under her own name and her Emma Carlyle pen name.

Talk Gertie to Me
Four Uncles and a Wedding
Amazon UK
Websites: www.loiswinston.com and www.emmacarlyle.com
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