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Author Profile: Lou Aronica

Author Name: Lou Aronica

Website: http://www.fictionstudio.com/Fiction_Studio_site/Home.html

Bio: Lou became associated with the book world by starting out as an assistant in the Managing Editor’s Department at Bantam Books. He began his first publishing imprint, Bantam Spectra, and published his first New York Times bestseller with that imprint a year later. Lou also launched the Bantam Crime Line mystery imprint, and the Bantam Fanfare romance imprint. He has worked for the Berkley Publishing Group, Avon Books, and The News Corporation. Lou now devotes his time to The Fiction Studio, and is a novelist and non fiction writer. He has also written novels under the name Ronald Anthony.
Titles under Lou Aronica: Blue
See my review of Blue
Bio Retrieved from fictionstudio.com

Author Profile: Shelley Stout

Author Name: Shelley Stout

Website: http://shelleystout.librifiles.com/

Bio: Originally from Annandale, Virginia, Shelley Stout resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she enjoys spending time with her two grown sons. She also enjoys volunteering at a local homeless shelter. Shelley has been a contributing writer for two Charlotte area magazines, and her award-winning fiction has appeared in anthologies, The Storyteller Magazine and online at WordRiot.
Titles: Radium Halos and Celebrities for Breakfast
See my review of Celebrities for Breakfast
Bio Retrieved from smahswords.com

Author Profile: Beth Orsoff

Author Name: Beth Orsoff

Website: http://bethorsoff.com/

Bio: Beth Orsoff did not always know she would one day want to be a writer. She graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in English/Film Studies, and then her plans stalled. Unsure what to do next, she got a job as a lifeguard. Though she enjoyed the tan and blonde hair from the career choice, her parents were not pleased. They paid Beth to take the LSAT prep class, and after she scored in the top 1% on the exam, she decided she needed to go into law. She moved to California, enrolled in USC Law School, and set out to be an entertainment lawyer. It was sometime into between there and taking the California Bar Exam that Beth decided she wasn’t meant to be a lawyer. She started attending the UCLA Extension Writers Program workshops, and decided to quit her job at Warner Bros. Theatrical Legal Department and work on writing a novel.
Current Titles: Romantically Challenged, Honeymoon for One, and How I Learned to Love the Walrus.
See my review of How I Learned to Love the Walrus
Bio Retrieved from teresamedeiros.com

Author Profile: Teresa Medeiros

Author Name: Teresa Medeiros

Website: http://www.teresamedeiros.com/website_2b_001.htm

Bio: New York Times bestseller Teresa Medeiros wrote her first novel at the age of twenty-one, introducing readers to one of the most beloved and versatile voices in romantic fiction. She has appeared on every national bestseller list, including the New York Times, USA Today and Publishers Weekly lists. She currently has over seven million books in print and is published in over seventeen languages.

She was chosen one of the “Top Ten Favorite Romance Authors” by Affaire de Coeur magazine and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award for “Best Historical Love and Laughter”. She is a seven-time Rita finalist, two-time PRISM winner, and two-time recipient of the Waldenbooks Award for bestselling fiction.

Teresa is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America Honor Roll, Kentucky Romance Writers, and Novelists, Inc. She lives in Kentucky with her husband and her cats Willow and Buffy the Mouse Slayer.
Current Titles: The Vampire Who Loved Me, Some Like it Wicked, Some Like it Wild, The Devil Wears Plaid, and Goodnight Tweetheart
See my review of Goodnight Tweetheart
Bio Retrieved from teresamedeiros.com

Interview with Maria Geraci

Q: When did you know writing was for you?
I didn’t start writing until 9 years ago. I was taking my husband to the airport for an extended business trip overseas, which was going to leave me home alone with three kids for two weeks. I was gleefully planning all the take out dinners we were going to splurge on, when the idea to write a novel came to me. Just like that. Out of the blue. I know it sounds strange, but I went home and began writing that very day. I’d always been a voracious reader, and I think somewhere in the back of my mind, the idea to write must have always been there.
Q: Where did you get the idea for your latest novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club?
The idea came after a night spent at a friend’s book club meeting. Talking about the book only took up about ten percent of the night. The other ninety percent was spent talking about work, family, husbands, kids, and I remember thinking if these women were single, they’d be talking about men they dated!
Q: You haven written two other novels, Bunco Babes Tell All and Bunco Babes Gone Wild. Now I have never heard of Bunco, can you explain what this is and why you chose to write about it?
Before I wrote my Bunco books, I thought everyone knew what Bunco was, but boy was I wrong because I get this question a lot! Bunco is a dice game played by women. It’s like men’s poker night but instead of whiskey, cigars, and cards, think frozen margaritas, gossip, and dice. It’s a great excuse for women to get together for a girls’ night out and the perfect background for a novel about female friendships. So I wrote a book about a group of women who’ve played for years, but one of them was still single and looking for Mr. Right. It’s a great mixture of chick lit and romance. I really loved writing those books!
Q: Are you currently working on another project?
I’m working on another chit lit novel with the working title, The Ugly Girlfriend. It’s about a woman who accidentally discovers she’s the “ugly friend.” It’s not sold yet, but keep your fingers crossed for me!
Q: When you begin writing, how do you start? Do you just start typing, create your characters first, plot each chapter?
I start with an idea or a concept then flesh it out from there. The characters always seem to spin off from the concept. I do have to work up a rough outline because my agent likes to know what I’m writing, but I veer off from that outline if the story calls for it. I try not to plot too much in advance because then the story can feel stale.
Q: Social networking has been becoming all the rage. How important do you think it is to have online profiles as an author?
It’s definitely important to have an online presence. Most authors have to do a majority of their own promotion and social networking is a cheap and easy way to do it. Unfortunately, it requires a lot of time! Plus, you have to stay true to yourself. If you’re not comfortable with a certain medium (Twitter makes me twitch!) then you have to stick with what works for you.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?
Sophie Kinsella, Emily Giffin, Jennifer Crusie, Jane Austen, Madeline Hunter, and the list can go on!
Q: What are you currently reading?
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O’Neal. I love her writing. She’s also a wonderful person and a great mentor to other writers.
Q: Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year?
Well, I always resolve to lose weight and become more organized. Those are works in progress and probably will be for the rest of my life.
Q: Where would be your dream vacation?
I want to vacation at the beach house from the movie Something’s Gotta Give. I want to write at the desk that Diane Keaton wrote at, drink wine and walk along that fabulous beach. Oh, and if Keanu Reeves wanted to take me out for dinner, that would be okay too. Just don’t tell my husband.

Debut Author Spotlight: Shannon Hart

Debut Author: Shannon Hart
Debut Novel: Until the End of Forever
I met Shannon when she emailed me in hopes I would read and review her debut novel. Until the End of Forever had a catchy title and looked decidedly chick lit, so I agreed. I emailed back and forth with Shannon, and I thought she was very humble about her writing and quite nervous for me to review her book, which made me like her even more. And I was happy to report to Shannon good thoughts on Until the End of Forever. Here is a clip of my review:
“I enjoyed that the novel was written from both Sarah and Rob’s point of view. I think by having the multiple viewpoints gives readers an extra oomph on understanding and engaging with the characters. I definitely think the ending showcased some fantastic dramatic scenes, and really tied the entire story together nicely.”
Shannon was even kind enough to donate two copies of Until the End of Forever to my chick lit reading challenge! If you are interested in signing up, you can read the guidelines and access the sign up page, and anyone who posts a review in the month of January will be eligible to win a copy.
You can find Shannon on Facebook and Twitter, and she also runs an entertaining blog that I’m sure many readers and fellow writers will enjoy.

Debut Authors & Novels- January, February

Here are some debut authors and their novels coming out in January and February. Chick Lit Plus challengers- I hope this helps find some debuts for you to count towards the reading challenge! More debuts will be posted each month.

Title: A Valentine’s Kiss
Author: Lucie Hart
Synopsis: This Valentine’s day Imogen is going to meet the man of her dreams. If only she can discover who he is…At a gloriously over-the-top house party in the balmy South of France, British trainee chef Imogen finds herself playing blind man’s buff with a host of impossibly handsome men. And then one of them kisses her. It’s the most perfect kiss she’s ever experienced in her short – and frankly, to date romantically disappointing – life. Sweet, sexy and full of promise. Imogen wants more, but by the time she recovers her wits sufficiently to remove her blindfold her mystery kisser has disappeared. Could her Prince Charming be one of her fellow-chefs, Dimitri or Bastien? Both are clearly interested in her. But there’s also enigmatic Latino hunk Enzo, good-times-guy DJ Cheyenne, aristocratic Amaury, and the American visitors – Archer and Everett…So many men, so little time. And Imogen can’t just keep kissing men until she finds the right one…can she?
Release Date: January 20, 2011

Title: Playdate
Author: Thelma Adams
Synopsis: Inside their picture-perfect homes, the residents of this quiet California suburb are not at all what they seem.
Lance is a former weatherman, now a buff yogi, stay-athome dad, and manager of his daughter’s Girl Scout troop’s cookie distribution. Belle is his precocious and quick-witted daughter. Darlene is a classic Type A work-a-holic, she has little time or patience for the needs of her husband and daughter
And just down the street are Alec and Wren. Alec, a womanizing businessman, is also the financial backer—and sometimes more—behind Darlene’s burgeoning empire. Meanwhile, Wren is a doting mother and talented yogi, ready to lay down the mat for a quick session with Lance.
As looming Santa Ana winds threaten to turn brushfires into catastrophe; Playdate proves that relationships are complicated and the bonds between families, spouses and children are never quite what they seem. What happens next door, beyond the hedges, in the romper room and executive office—it’s all as combustible as a quick brushfire on a windy day.
Release Date: January 18. 2011

Title: Postcards from the Heart
Author: Ella Griffin
Synopsis: Life is looking up for Saffy. She has a great job, a gorgeous flat in the most desirable part of Dublin and – after six years – it looks like her boyfriend, Greg, is going to propose. Greg (just voted the 9th most eligible man in Ireland) is on a high too – he’s about to swap his part as a heartthrob in an Irish soap for a break in Hollywood. His best mate Brian wakes up every morning with Daryl, the most beautiful woman on the planet but, even after seven years and two kids, she won’t get married. He spends his days teaching teenagers and his nights writing the book he hopes will change everything, including Daryl’s mind. But their happy endings are playing hard to get. It seems everyone’s keeping secrets – one night stands, heartbreak, grief and loss are all in the mix. It’s going to take some tough questions and even tougher answers before anyone’s being honest – even with themselves. POSTCARDS FROM THE HEART is a book about four friends in their thirties. It’s about love, lust, life, death, balloon rides and missing hamsters. But most of all it’s about figuring out how to stop saying ‘I don’t’ and how to start saying ‘I do’.
Release Date: January 2011

Title: 666 Park Avenue
Author: Gabriella Price
Synopsis: Ever since fabulously wealthy Malcolm Doran walked into her life and swept her off her feet fledgling architect Jane Boyle2 s world has become an absolute fairy tale. When he proposes with a stunning 5-carat diamond to seal the deal Jane can2 t believe her incredible fortune and decides to leave her Paris-based job and make a new start with Malcolm in New York. But when Malcolm introduces Jane to the esteemed Doran clan one of the most feared and revered families of the New York City upper crust Jane2 s fairy tale takes a darker turn. Soon everything she thought she knew about the world and herself is upended and Jane is left to struggle with newfound magical abilities and the threat of those who will stop at nothing to get them. Bringing together the dual fascinations of high society and black magic 666 Park Avenue is a story of a young woman2 s discovery and survival when her mother-in-law to-be turns out to be a horrible grasping witch…literally.
Release Date: February 1, 2011

Author Profile: Sibel Hodge

Author Name: Sibel Hodge

Website: http://www.sibelhodge.com/

Bio: Sibel has dual British/Turkish Cypriot nationality, and divides her time between Hertfordshire and North Cyprus. She is a trained fitness instructor and sports and massage therapist and writes freelance feature articles on health, fitness, and various lifestyle subjects.
Sibel’s debut novel, Fourteen Days Later, is a romantic comedy and was short listed for the Harry Bowling Prize 2008. Written in a similar style to Catherine Alliott and Marian Keyes, Fourteen Days Later is My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets P.S. I Love You.
The Fashion Police is Sibel’s second novel and was a runner up in the Chapter One Promotions Novel Competition 2010. It is a screwball comedy-mystery, combining murder and mayhem with romance and chick-lit – the first in a series featuring insurance investigator, Amber Fox. Written in a similar style to Janet Evanovich, it is Stephanie Plum meets Bridget Jones.

Currently: Sibel currently is working on the sequel to Fourteen Days Later.
Titles: Fourteen Days Later and The Fashion Police.
Read my interview with Sibel or check out her health and lifestyle blog!
Bio Retrieved from sibelhodge.com

In My Mailbox: Week of December 26th

In My Mailbox: Week of December 26th

Title: These Things Hidden
Author: Heather Gudenkauf
Received: From Judy Zuklie with BookTrib.com
Synopsis: Allison Glenn tried to hide what happened that night…and failed. The consequence? Five years in prison. Now she’s free. But secrets have a way of keeping you caged…When Allison is sent to prison for a heinous crime, she leaves behind her reputation as Linden Falls’ golden girl forever. Her parents deny the existence of their once-perfect child. Her former friends exult in her downfall. Her sister, Brynn, faces the whispered rumours every day in the hallways of their small Iowa high school. It’s Brynn – shy, quiet Brynn – who carries the burden of what really happened that night. All she wants is to forget Allison and the past that haunts her. But then Allison is released, and is more determined than ever to speak with her sister. Now their legacy of secrets is focused on one little boy. And if the truth is revealed, the consequences will be unimaginable for the adoptive mother who loves him, the girl who tried to protect him and the two sisters who hold the key to all that is hidden.

Title: The Other Boyfriend
Author: Sylvia Massara
Received: From Sylvia Massara
Synopsis: Sarah Jamison is on a mission to find a boyfriend for her lover’s partner; and Sarah’s best friend comes to the rescue with an idea so crazy that it just might work. Enter the enigmatic Mike Connor. Sarah hates the man on sight, but her body tells her otherwise. Mike Connor is smug and full of himself; even so, Sarah thinks that with his help she can finally be with the love of her life.

Title: A Scottish Ferry Tale
Author: Nancy Volkers
Received: From Nancy Volkers
Synopsis: Cassie Wrentham goes to Scotland and has her heart broken. She is cynical enough to close the door on true love, but hopeful enough not to lock it. Instead she escapes, to an island off the west coast, where she meets someone who could change her life… if she’d only allow it. Does she? And who is this life-changing person, anyway? Are there dragons? Fairy godmothers? Chocolate cake? What about happily ever after?