The nominees for Best Scandal in a Novel:
Perfect Blend by Sue Margolis
Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner
Still Thinking of You- Adele Parks
Poor Little Bitch Girl- Jackie Collins
Pieces of Happily Ever After- Irene Zutell
***I didn’t want to post the scandals for each novel, some come as a surprise and I wouldn’t want to give anything away!***
Please vote for your favorite by commenting below. Everyone who votes is entered to win!
Q: How did you choose a career in writing?
A: I’ve wanted this for as long as I can remember but for years I thought it was an unrealistic ambition. I just didn’t know how to go about it or whether I was producing anything any one would ever want to read! But you don’t know what you can do until you try, which is an obvious thing to say but still worth saying. Whatever your ambition is, give it a go (providing it is legal!).
Q: Where do you find the inspiration for your novels?
A: Life sparks my imagination but I never write biographies of individuals or try to reproduce people I know; my friends are saved that indignity. My characters are an amalgamation of a number of people I’ve met, watched or heard about plus a great big dose of ‘but what if…?’. The question ‘but what if…?’ is the one that kindles my imagination.
Q: You have many books in print. Is there one in particular that you really enjoyed writing or doing the research for?
A: I have ten novels in print. I’ve written ten novels in ten years which surprises me every time I think of it. I love all my babies but I can, hand on heart, say that my latest Men I’ve Loved Before is one of my favourites possibly my absolute favourite. There are some really meaty issues in there. It’s my sister’s favourite and she’s quite a tough judge!
Q: If you weren’t a writer, what do you think you would be doing for a career?
A: I might be a photographer. I love capturing who and what we are. People are infinitely splendid and stupid – that’s what’s so great about us. If not a photographer then maybe a Time Lord; I’m big into Dr Who
Q: How did you celebrate your first novel being published?
A: I got pregnant!
Q: How do you spend any free time you can get?
A: With my family. I’m married with one son. We’re a tiny unit but we adore each other. I’m very lucky and before I know it my son will be a teenager and his hormones will declare war on me so I’m enjoying as much time with him now as I possibly can.
Q: What is one personal or professional goal you have yet to achieve?
A: There are lots of things I’ve yet to achieve. It would be lovely to see one of my books made into a film or TV series. I’m always drifting in and out of options but nothing has gone into production yet. I think it’s good to have a dream though… I’d also really love to learn to stand on my head or do a cartwheel. I was a chubby kid and didn’t shine at anything remotely athletic; I’m now going to yoga classes and dream of standing on my head.
Q: Are you currently working on a novel?
A: Yes, I’m always currently working on a novel. I’m just putting the finishing touches to 2011’s novel, which is about friendship.
Q: What would be your advice to writers?
A:
1. Read. Novels, articles, newspapers – anything you can get your hands on. If you are not familiar (in fact in love) with the written word, you’ll never be a decent writer.
2. Write. Seriously, it astonishes me how many people tell me they want to be a writer but then confess they never write anything more elaborate than a shopping list. Write everyday even if it’s only for 20 minutes. Discipline is key.
3. Develop a thick skin, you’ll almost certainly get a few knock backs along the way. Pick yourself up brush yourself down and start all over again. Talent will break through.
4. Consider going on a course/join an online support group. I did a degree in English Literature and Language, I’m not suggesting you have to do the same but a weekend creative writing course may help with understanding the tools of the trade such as structure, plot and characterisation. You’ll also meet other would be writers and they can offer support.
5. Listen. Be inspired by everything that is going on around you.
Q: I’ve read that you’ve done quite a bit of traveling. What was your favorite place to visit?
A: The next place.
Rich and Tash have the love that everyone craves. A completely honest relationship, these lovers have it all: trust, commitment, sensitivity, and passion in the bedroom. When Rich’s friends tag along for the private wedding at a French ski resort, one unwelcome guest tags along: one of Rich’s ex-lovers, Jane. While Tash is under the belief that Rich has been honest with her about anything and everything, including his past conquests, this is one old flame that Rich hasn’t told a soul about. Jane is the little sister of his pal Ted, and used to be a fat ugly mess during their college years. But now, Jane has transformed herself into a beauty, and has her sights set on Rich.
Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks is a luscious read filled with colorful characters, devious plot twists, and a tearful ending. I liked that each supporting character (Rich’s gang of friends) got to tell their own story from there inside point of views. Each friend is struggling with their own issues: bankruptcy, infidelity, trying to start a family, and that brings even more to the love story between Rich and Tash. The novel started off a little too slow, I think there was a lot of information that wasn’t necessarily needed, but if you keep pushing through, you will find an incredible story. Still Thinking of You gives readers romance, deception, and a bit of relationship advice as well. A fantastic read for chick lit fans.
In my Mailbox: Week of March 7
Title: Scot on the Rocks
Author: Brenda Janowitz
Received: Borders
Synopsis: Planning a wedding can be a trying experience…
A little prewedding anxiety is normal for every bride, and Manhattan attorney Brooke Miller isn’t worried. She’s got the loving support of the world’s greatest guy, so planning her nuptials should be a piece of cake.
But that was yesterday.
Today, Brooke’s landed her first big case and has just discovered that the opposing attorney is none other than her fiancé, Jack. But that’s okay. These two professionals aren’t going to let a little courtroom sparring get their legal briefs in a bunch…. Right? Wrong! Now Jack’s pulling every dirty trick in the law books, and Brooke’s starting to suspect that maybe he isn’t the man she thought he was. Warring with her fiancé at work and at home, Brooke realizes that she’ll have to choose between the case of her life, or actually having a life.
Title: Still Thinking of You
Author: Adele Parks
Received: Borders
Synopsis: Rich has always been skeptical about falling in love. Natasha has always fully expected to. And when these two find each other, they win the entire True Love package–tenderness and hot sex and open-eyed kisses. Long weekends in bed and talk of marriage and babies. The kind of love where there’s no room for secrets. That, after all, is what Tash says will keep them going strong: total and complete honesty.
Now Rich and Tash are engaged, and Rich’s old school friends crash into their love cocoon with big plans of celebrating, along with spouses and significant others, on a trip to a stunning French ski resort. But a lot can happen in a week that’s meant to capture the free-spirited fun they all shared a decade ago. And in the glare of a whiteout on the slopes, Tash crosses paths with the one secret Rich should have kept: his colorful, vivacious, needy ex-lover, Jayne…
Title: The Opposite of Me
Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Received: SheKnows.com
Synopsis: Twenty-nine-year-old Lindsey Rose has, for as long as she can remember, lived in the shadow of her ravishingly beautiful fraternal twin sister, Alex. Determined to get noticed, Lindsey is finally on the cusp of being named VP creative director of an elite New York advertising agency, after years of eighty-plus-hour weeks, migraines, and profound loneliness. But during the course of one devastating night, Lindsey’s carefully constructed life implodes. Humiliated, she flees the glitter of Manhattan and retreats to the time warp of her parents’ Maryland home. As her sister plans her lavish wedding to her Prince Charming, Lindsey struggles to maintain her identity as the smart, responsible twin while she furtively tries to piece her career back together. But things get more complicated when a long-held family secret is unleashed that forces both sisters to reconsider who they are and who they are meant to be.
Adele Parks was born and raised in northeast England and attended Leicester University to study English Language and Literature. After moving to Italy and teaching English, Parks moved back to the UK and began a career in advertising. After living life on the fast track (and moving to Botswana for a few years in between) Parks went on to write her first novel- Playing Away- which became the debut best seller of the millennium.
Since being published, Parks has gone on to publish eight more novels- all of which have become best sellers. Her titles are: Playing Away, Game Over, Larger Than Life, The Other Woman’s Shoes, Still Thinking Of You and Husbands, Young Wives’ Tales, Tell Me Something and Love Lies. Adele Parks currently lives in Guildford with her husband and son.
