Monday Mashup

It’s been a lovely few days off due to the 4th of July (although my blog was still having things posted!) I read, ate homemade ice-cream, and visited with family. And thought of how, next 4th of July, I’ll be an aunt- and have a baby niece or nephew to take patriotic pictures of!

Giveaways:

1. The Life List by Lori Nelson Spielman- still plenty of time to enter my #giveaway– but Goodreads is also hosting a #giveaway!

2. Final Sentence by Daryl Wood Gerber (you might know her as Avery Aames)- well I’m hosting a #giveaway of that as well!

3. Recipe for a Happy Life– interview and #giveaway with Brenda Janowitz! Plus Brenda was featured at Amy Sue Nathan’s Women’s Fiction Writers website- read all about why Brenda Janowitz’s third novel was worth the wait for her (and the readers!)

Book Lovers Unite Online Book Club

4. It’s July- so the adorable Jen S of Book-alicious Mama got to choose the book- She picked The Painted Girls! Join in the chat all month long!

Happy News!

Love at First Book celebrates 1 year as blog! Join me in congratulating, R, for this achievement- and here’s to many more!

Meeting Marie Moore- author of Game Drive and Shore Excursion

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting Marie Moore, author Game Drive and Shore Excursion, at Lemuria Books in Jackson, MS. Marie was fantastic, answered some questions and made everyone at the signing feel comfortable.

Two young people, Teresa and Matt, had come to Lemuria on their way back to New Orleans- stopped in for a New York Times, saw the book signing in progress and decided to stick around and grab a book to read instead. Others were more local folks, people who had read Marie’s books, but wanted to get them signed.

I asked Marie about the inspiration for her characters and she replied that “she does not base her characters on people she knows because it limits your imagination”. However, people she sees in everyday life are fair game. One time she saw a person, and after observing them for a bit- told herself “You don’t know it, lady, but you’ll be in my next book!”

Marie says that she generally writes between 4am-8am and writes some in her library at one of her houses. Her #literarycrush is Mr.Rochester from Jane Eyre. And while she is working on her books, she does not read- but she is looking forward to reading Deadly Harvest by Michael Stanley.

Marie Moore has a 3 book deal with Camel Press- with her third, yet to be titled book, to be released in Spring 2014. She would like to call it Open Jaw ( a travel agent term- as her books are travel themed); but her agent is not partial to that title. Her first 2 books are Shore Excursion and Game Drive.

Marie Moore likes to write books that are fun and cute- but that also have a deeper level, a level of knowledge for the reader. For example in Game Drive, she made sure to educate the readers about illegal hunting – animals are being killed for their tusks for the ivory. It’s an issue that Marie feels that people should be made aware of.

If you are looking for fun books, cute mysteries and a main character that likes to solve mysteries- check out Marie Moore’s Sidney Marsh Murder series. I reviewed Game Drive several weeks ago as part of the Cozy Mystery Reviews Game Drive blog tour- to read my review, click HERE. I plan to read and review the first book, Shore Excursion, in the next few months.

Lie Still by Julia Heaberlin

Lie Still is my first Julia Heaberlin book- but it will not be my last.

Meet Emily Page. Young, successful, married to a man who is the love of her life, and expecting a baby. When his job brings them to Texas, Emily knows she will miss some things about Manhattan- but she won’t miss it all. Including her stalker.

When Emily and Mike arrive in Texas, Mike encourages her to make friends with some women- so Emily begins the process. Little does she know that Texas women play a game of friendship like no others- these women collect secrets like some collect handbags. At first, Emily is not worried- she’s not from the area- so how would these women learn her secrets, her secrets that she kept under wraps in her Manhattan life?

A juicy secret is hard to keep, though, and someone in the group knows the secret about Emily’s life in college- but do they intend to use it to hurt or help Emily? When Caroline, the head of the group, disappears- Emily is worried. Then as pieces of her past turn up, and her stalker increases contact- Emily worries more. Does she have 2 stalkers? Just 1? Is someone in the group playing a game of cat and mouse?

Emily knows she must figure it out- what happened to Caroline, who knows her secrets, and more- she must find out for her life and for her unborn child’s life.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Lie Still opens with a bang. We, the readers, know 1 of Emily’s secrets immediately. Julia Heaberlin does a great job, though, with dangling the other secrets and keeping the reader guessing. For fan of mystery and suspense- Lie Still will be a book that you should read. Texas, crazy women, former beauty pageant ladies, and a group who likes to collect secrets- all mixed in with a cocktail atmosphere. It’s definitely worth reading.

*This book was requested through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

The Painted Girls — Week One!

Join Jen S and me, T, as we discuss The Painted Girls all July long. Remember- discussion will take place at Book-alicious Mom for the month of July. In August, we’ll be back at Traveling With T. Can’t wait to discuss!

Interview with Brenda Janowitz- author of Recipe For A Happy Life

Brenda Janowitz, author of Recipe for a Happy Life, stopped by to answer questions about the writing process, who would be perfect for a movie version of Recipe for a Happy Life, and much more. Read on for Brenda’s fun and interesting interview!

Interview with Brenda Janowitz

Brenda, thank you so much for agreeing to an interview. Recipe for a Happy Life sounds like a fun read!

-Thanks so much! I’m so delighted to be here!!

What was the inspiration for Recipe for a Happy Life?

-One summer, when I was single, my Grandma Dorothy informed me that she would be renting a house in the Hamptons. No more of these silly share houses I was doing with my friends each summer. They were getting me nowhere (read: still single and over thirty). Instead, I was to stay with her and she would help me meet someone. The only problem with this scenario was that I was sure she’d meet a man before I did. She had sparkling crystal blue eyes and a killer figure. My own hazel eyes and good birthing hips were no match for her easy glamour and style.

When she found out that a Hamptons summer rental costs more than the gross national product of some countries, the idea sort of fell apart. But it gave me an idea—what if a young woman spent the summer out in the glamorous Hamptons with her even more glamorous grandmother?

Are any of the characters based on people you know in real life or created from your imagination?

-See above: my grandma Dorothy! But becoming a mother also inspired me, as did my own mom, who is my best friend.

Both of my own grandmothers really inspired me to come up with the character of Vivienne, the glamorous widow six times over. Neither was a widow six times over, but both of my grandmothers were very glamorous ladies. When I think of my childhood memories, I’m not likely to picture them in aprons baking cookies. I picture them in evening gowns.

This (Recipe for a Happy Life) is your 3rd book. Does the writing process get easier with each book?

-I don’t think that it does. Every time I finish a book, I feel like everything I know about the world—everything I ever knew—is wrapped up in those pages. It feels like I don’t have anything more to say. I’m amazed each time I come up with something new.

If Recipe for a Happy Life was made into a movie- do you have an idea of a dream cast?

-Oooh, this one’s tough, because one of the main characters in the book is a 76 year old grandmother. There’s not too many 76 year old grandmothers running around Hollywood.

I think Joan Collins would be perfect to play the part of Hannah’s grandmother, but my editor likes Shirley Maclaine. (Joan, Shirley, call me!)

For the granddaughter, there are so many talented actresses I love: Natalie Portman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Garner, Drew Barrymore. The list could go on….

Brenda, can you describe Recipe for a Happy Life in 15 words or less?

-Oh God, no. I definitely cannot. I can’t even do it in less than 30!! But here’s as short and sweet as I can get it:

When Hannah finds herself spending the summer with her glamorous grandmother, a widow six times over, at her sprawling beach-front Hamptons estate, she learns that there’s more than one recipe for happiness.

How long from beginning to end did Recipe for a Happy Life take to write?

-Years and years!! I began work on this novel back in 2006, before my first novel was even published. But I don’t think I was ready to write this story just yet.

I picked it back up after finishing my second novel, which was published in 2008, and then worked on RECIPE for years after that. In the time since I began this novel, I met my husband, got married, bought a house, bought a car, and had two children. Shortly after getting my book deal, I lost my Grandma Dorothy, who gave me the initial idea for the book.

So, yeah, I guess you could say it took a long time.

When describing your books, would you use the term “chick lit”?

–My first two novels would be classified as “chick lit,” which is to say they’re smart, funny novels with heart about a single girl living in the city. And that’s exactly what I was at the time. But just as I’ve grown up, my writing has grown up, too. But that doesn’t mean that I mind the “chick lit” label.

I’d consider this novel commercial women’s fiction, but you can call it anything you like. I think that any label that helps readers find authors and books that they love is a good thing!

Are there any book signing/book tours in place for Recipe for a Happy Life?

-My publicist is working on it as we speak! I’m hoping to have a few readings set up soon.

Brenda, what are you working on next? Do you have an idea or are you just gathering ideas?

-I’m about 2/3 of the way done with my fourth novel! But don’t ask me what it’s about. I never really know what a book is about until I’ve completed a first draft. Up until it’s finished, it’s just a bunch of ideas on paper. It’s the re-draft that really turns it into something.

* Special thanks to Brenda Janowitz for agreeing to this interview.

Brenda Janowitz, author of Recipe for a Happy Life, is working hard on her fourth novel. If you read and enjoy Recipe for a Happy Life- consider checking out her earlier works- Scot on the Rocks or Jack with a Twist. For more information on Brenda, check out her website, Twitter, and Facebook page.

** Giveaway! A lucky person will win a copy of Recipe for a Happy Life! To enter, comment with your recipe for a happy life! Please include your email address (you may use the AT and DOT). Contest is open to US only (sorry!) Giveaway runs from Monday, July 8th- till Sunday, July 14th at 11:59pmEST. Winner will be announced July 15th!

Author Spotlight: Colette Freedman

Colette Freedman, author of The Affair, stopped by Traveling With T to talk about her #literarycrush, #literaryconfessions, favorite books and more.

Author Spotlight: Colette Freedman

Colette, when you are not writing- what do you like to do with your time?

I love to cycle and am currently training for a triathlon, though I’m a bit nervous about the swimming part. I also love to read, travel and I am trying to learn to cook because my only current culinary skill is making Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

Could you tell us who some of your favorite authors are?

Stephen Fry, Ann Patchett, Nick Hornby, Kazuo Ishiguro, Jackie Collins & Michael Scott.

Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

Try as I might, I still can’t get past “Call me Ishmael.” (Sorry Herman Melville)

Do you have a #literarycrush?

My literary crush is Atticus Finch. He is noble, honest, a good father and someone who stood up for what he believed no matter what the cost. And it didn’t hurt that the incredibly sexy Gregory Peck played him in the film.

What are some of the books you are looking forward to reading in 2013?

Lionel Shriver’s Big Brother and Stephen King’s Dr. Sleep…I loved The Shining and can’t wait for the sequel.

If you could be best friends with a character in a book- who would you pick? And why?

Tina Fey in BossyPants. Who DOESN’T want to be best friends with Tina Fey?!!! She is funny, smart, self deprecating, entertaining and loyal. Perfect qualities of a best friend.

What is your favorite “guilty pleasure” song?

It’s a toss up between Jefferson Starship’s “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now” and Adele’s “Someone Like You.”

*Special thanks to Colette Freedman for the author spotlight.

Colette Freedman, author of The Affair, is hard at work on her second book (for a teaser about the title, come back on Wednesday to read Colette’s interview!) Need to know more about Colette? Check out her website or Twitter. Want to see how funny Colette can be? Read her post Colin Firth, Brad Pitt, and why I Love Book Clubs– it’s adorable and so funny!

To read Traveling With T’s review of The Affair, click HERE.

Final Sentence by Daryl Wood Gerber (plus a recipe and giveaway)

I love an easy appetizer, one that can wow my guests with not only flavor but beauty. This is it. I found this recipe in a cheese-y magazine that I have turned to often for my research when writing the Cheese Shop Mysteries and now with the Cookbook Nook Mysteries…because the second in the series, INHERIT THE WORD, features a grilled cheese competition. Oh, yum!!

Anyway, this appetizer is easy to construct.

For those who don’t know, Camembert (rhymes with pear) is like a Brie. It is a surface-ripened cow’s cheese with a firm white rind, first made in Camembert, Normandy in the 18th century. When served at room temperature, the cheese becomes soft. The rind is edible and is needed in this recipe to hold the shape of the appetizer. Some people prefer to eat the cheese without the rind. That’s okay! I would serve this appetizer with a fruity sauvignon blanc.

Enjoy!

CAMEMBERT PEAR APPETIZER

Ingredients:

1 8 oz. round of Camembert

1 Tablespoon butter

1 Bosc pear, peeled and cut into tiny cubes

1 Tablespoon rosemary (fresh, if you can, chopped)

2 Tablespoons Triple Sec (or other orange liqueur r)

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 Tablespoon honey

Directions:

Remove the Camembert from the refrigerator and slice in half. Set aside.

Peel the Bosc pear. (It does not have to be completely ripe; may be firm)

Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the pear and cook about 3-4 minutes, until the pear is tender. Add the rosemary and Triple Sec. Cook another minute.

Remove the pears from the pan.

Set one half of the Camembert, bloomy rind side down, on a pretty serving dish. Pour almost all of the pears (except 2 Tablespoons) on the bottom half of the Camembert. Top with the other half of Camembert (bloomy rind on top). Top with the remaining pears.

Return the saucepan to the stove. Add the balsamic vinegar and honey and cook about one to two minutes, letting the combination reduce. Pour over the cheese and pears. Serve immediately (if you can, but sometimes guests aren’t always on time). It’s lovely at room temperature, too.

QUESTION: Do you browse magazines or cookbooks for recipes or both? Does a beautiful picture make you want to make a recipe?

Final Sentence

Series: Cookbook Nook Mystery

Publisher: Berkley

Paperback: 304 pages

ISBN: 978-0425258040

Source: Cozy Mystery Reviews

Final Sentence is the first book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series written by Daryl Wood Gerber. This series features Jenna Hart and her new venture- which should make cozy mystery lovers and foodies happy- as she mentions several great cozy mystery books and cookbooks in her writing.

Jenna Hart moves back to Crystal Cove to manage the Cookbook Nook for her Aunt Vera. Jenna is in need of a change since her husband, David, has died in a boating accident- she’s looking for a fresh start and a way to occupy her time. The Cookbook Nook has a special grand opening planned with celebrity cook, Desiree Divine (who Jenna went to college with) being the main attraction. Desiree and Jenna are looking forward to the grand opening- until Desiree’s sister tells Jenna that Desiree and David had an affair. Before the grand opening can happen, Desiree’s body is found on the beach- and Jenna becomes a suspect!

Jenna knows she didn’t kill Desiree- so to help clear her name, she begins investigating on her own. Jenna finds several other people who would have liked to hurt Desiree- her sister, her current lover, an old restaurant friend/mentor- and several others. Jenna realizes that she’s got to get to the bottom of this investigation before the police arrive to put the handcuff on Jenna.

Set in a charming town, Final Sentence is a cute little cozy. The Cookbook Nook is a nice little place for mystery and foodie fans- and Jenna is a delightful main character.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Final Sentence is a good first book in a series. The mystery, the characters, the setting- all interesting. The only problem (to me) is that one character, Katie, says “Hoo Boy” a few too many times. For fans of cozy mystery books, this will be sure to please.

DARYL WOOD GERBER aka AVERY AAMES pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series. As DARYL, she writes A Cookbook Nook Mystery series, featuring a culinary bookshop and café owner. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. As an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. Visit Daryl & Avery at www.darylwoodgerber.com. Check out her recipes on her blog www.mysteryloverskitchen.com and friend her on Facebook.

*GIVEAWAY: Thanks to Daryl Wood Gerber, each blog stop on the Final Sentence blog tour sponsored by Cozy Mystery Reviews has a copy of Final Sentence to give to a lucky person! Comment on this post for a chance to win- please include your email (you may use the AT and DOT).

Giveaway is open to US only (sorry!) and will begin July 8th and end July 11th at 11:59PM EST. Winner will be notified on July 12 and will have 48 hours to reply to email before a new winner is chosen.

The Longings of Wayward Girls by Karen Brown

The Longings of Wayward Girls is a psychological thriller- a book where the reader is never quite sure where the author is headed. By the end of the book, the reader has been given some answers and left with many questions. Perfect for discussing.

Set in an ideal New England town, a town where nothing bad happens, until it does. Years earlier, a girl disappears from town after leaving a friend’s house to head home. While police do not suspect foul play at first- after some time- it is considered. The townfolk tell their children to stay out of the woods that are around the town, as parents are trying to be cautious with their children.

Sadie, a precocious girl, has imagination. She likes to create plays and play-act with friends and kids in the neighborhood. She and her friends ignore the parent’s warning about the woods and continue to play there. One day, Sadie’s mom, Clare, makes her play with another girl named Francie- a child that does not fit in too well in town. Sadie and Betty decide to play a prank on Francie- and they begin leaving her notes from a fictional character that Sadie has created (although the character is based on a boy in town). The prank continues- until one day, Francie is never seen again.

20 years later, Sadie still lives in town. Married, with 2 kids, Sadie has suffered from a loss of her own. When she sees Ray, the boy she had a crush on when she was a kid, she finds herself drawn to him. As their time together continues, Sadie’s life is changed in ways that she never would have expected. Being with Ray reminds Sadie of that summer 20 years ago- and brings up memories.

Told in alternating tales of the summer of 1979 and year of 2003- Sadie begins to figure things out about 1979 and sees how the summer of 1979 influences her choices of 2003.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

The Longings of Wayward Girls is a book that the reader is never quite sure what to expect. As the story happens, the reader begins to understand what happened that fateful summer of 1979 and how it lead to the events of 2003. Interesting read and one that is highly discussable.

If you enjoyed my review, be sure and check out this: Interview with Karen Brown and Author Spotlight: Karen Brown.

*This book was won as part of Goodreads First Reads program. As part of winning, you are asked to consider giving a fair and honest review- although you are not required. The above thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Lori Nelson Spielman: Author Spotlight

On Tuesday, I posted an interview with Lori Nelson Spielman- who just had her debut novel, The Life List, published! It’s in stores- just waiting for readers to come by and pick it up!

Today, Lori is back to talk about her #literaryconfessions, #literarycrush and more!

Author Spotlight: Lori Nelson Spielman

1. Lori, when you are not writing- what are some of your favorite things to do?

–I love to sail, and here in Michigan we’re lucky to have the fabulous Great Lakes. I love listening to live music, baking, traveling, reading, and being outdoors. Most of all, I love time with my friends and family, sharing a meal or chatting over a glass of wine.

2. Could you tell us some of your favorite authors?

–Some of my all time favorites are John Steinbeck, Maeve Binchey, Elizabeth Berg, and Edith Wharton.

3. What book (or books!) will you always make room for on your shelf?

–The Help and East of Eden. Always.

4. Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

–Ha! Yes, I do! I’ll whisper it to you: I never finished Harry Potter. And I’m not talking the series, I’m talking the first book, The Sorcerer’s Stone. I started reading it with one of my students, but he returned to school before we’d finished and I never picked it back up.

5. Do you have a #literarycrush?

–Okay, this is really a confession, since my crush is based on a real person, the author of Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts. His character, Lindsay, was courageous and kind, strong yet gentle. I listened to this book on audio, so the Australian accent didn’t hurt, either!

6. What are some of the books that will be in your beach bag for 2013?

–Oh my gosh, there are so many fantastic books out there. I’m reading The Glass Wives right now, Amy Sue Nathan’s terrific debut novel, and I just received a copy of Anita Hughes’ Market Street, which is sure to be a fun read. My book club is reading Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter and I hope to find time for Caroline Leavitt’s latest, Is This Tomorrow, along with Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings.

7. What was your favorite childhood book?

–Here’s another #literaryconfession: My childhood library was pretty lame. I did read and love some of the Laura Ingalls Wilder books, but mostly I’d swipe and devour my brother’s Encyclopedia Brown books. In third grade Miss Travis read The Boxcar Children to our class and I was completely and utterly spellbound. I’d have to say that was my favorite.

8. Was there a person or a book series that helped start your love of reading?

–I remember being at my grandmother’s house when I was about ten, bored to tears, and finding an old dime store paperback called, First Love. It was my first romance/YA and I couldn’t put it down. That’s when I discovered how much fun it was to get lost in a novel. I’d love to see that silly book now.

9. If you were not an author, what would you want to be?

–My fantasy profession would be either a pastry chef or an actress. I know—acting seems inconsistent with my earlier claim of not enjoying the spotlight or public speaking, right? But something shifts when playing a character. I’ve dabbled in community theater, and someday, when time allows, I’d love to audition again.

10. If you could be a character in a book, who would you be? Why?

Wouldn’t it be fun to be Anne, from Anne of Green Gables, living at the Avonlea farmhouse on Prince Edward Island? She’s a great character, spunky and smart, with a great imagination and joy for life.

Author Spotlight: Karen Brown

Karen Brown, author of The Longings of Wayward Girls, found some time in her schedule to stop by to talk about her #literarycrush, #literaryconfessions and more!

Look for The Longings of Wayward Girls to be in stores July 2nd. It’s a psychological thriller that might give a person second thoughts about children playing in the woods.

Author Spotlight with Karen Brown

1. Karen, when you are not writing- what are some of your favorite things to do?

Reading comprises much of my free time. Even though it is intricately part of the life of a writer and in that sense might be considered “work,” I’ve always been an avid reader. I also find time to fit in running, which I enjoy, and hosting family gatherings.

2. Could you tell us some of your favorite authors?

This is such a hard question for a writer—I read for different reasons—but ultimately my favorites are those that somehow inform my own work, so on that note, some classic and current favorites: Emily Bronte, Shirley Jackson, John Cheever, William Trevor, and John Updike (my male triumvirate). Other writers who interest me: Claire Messud, Steven Millhauser, Jeffrey Eugenides, Don Delillo, Josh Weil, Lauren Groff, and Elizabeth Strout. (I’ve revised this response five or six times—clearly my favorites change from day to day.)

3. What book (or books!) will you always make room for on your shelf?

The Stories of John Cheever, first edition, with the inscription: To Mary Lee in honor of our sojourn in Naples, and other things, March 1979, Mary L. Ward. (My grandmother’s book)

4. Do you have any #literaryconfessions?

As an academic who sometimes teaches American literature I’m ashamed to confess I’ve never read a word of Moby Dick. (But I have read Sena Jeter Naslund’s wonderful Ahab’s Wife!)

5. Do you have a #literarycrush?

I love the “Mad Men” era, and John Updike’s male characters are awfully bad in a good way, so I’d say Richard Maple from Too Far to Go: The Maples Stories.

6. What are some of the books that you want to read for 2013?

So very many on my list, but here are a handful: The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer, The Flamethrowers by Rachel Kushner, A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra, You Are One of Them by Elliot Holt, The Son by Philipp Meyer.

*Thank you, Karen Brown, for answering these questions.

Look for my review of The Longings of Wayward Girls and my interview with Karen Brown. Once you read, The Longings of Wayward Girls, come back and let me know how it was!