Erin Duffy's 5 Things I'd Tell the Teen Me

Today's guest: Erin Duffy Why we love her: She has a sharp wit and strong voice--the perfect combo for any book. (Not to mention this is her debut novel!)

Her debut: Bond Girl

The scoop: When other little girls were dreaming about becoming doctors or lawyers, Alex Garrett set her sights on conquering the high-powered world of Wall Street. And though she's prepared to fight her way into an elitist boys' club, or duck the occasional errant football, she quickly realizes she's in over her head when she's relegated to a kiddie-size folding chair with her new moniker—Girlie—inscribed in Wite-Out across the back.

No matter. She's determined to make it in bond sales at Cromwell Pierce, one of the Street's most esteemed brokerage firms. Keeping her eyes on the prize, the low Girlie on the totem pole will endure whatever comes her way—whether trekking to the Bronx for a $1,000 wheel of Parmesan cheese; discovering a secretary's secret Friday night slumber/dance party in the conference room; fielding a constant barrage of "friendly" practical jokes; learning the ropes from Chick, her unpredictable, slightly scary, loyalty-demanding boss; babysitting a colleague while he consumes the contents of a vending machine on a $28,000 bet; or eluding the advances of a corporate stalker who's also one of the firm's biggest clients. Ignoring her friends' pleas to quit, Alex excels (while learning how to roll with the punches and laugh at herself) and soon advances from lowly analyst to slightly-less-lowly associate. Suddenly, she's addressed by her real name, and the impenetrable boys' club has transformed into forty older brothers and one possible boyfriend. Then the apocalypse hits, and Alex is forced to choose between sticking with Cromwell Pierce as it teeters on the brink of disaster or kicking off her Jimmy Choos and running for higher ground.

Our thoughts: It's sassy, smart and satisfying!

Fun fact: Duffy used to work on Wall Street and wrote Bond Girl after being laid off after a decade long career. Way to make a come back!

Giveaway: 5 copies! Just leave a comment and be entered to win. We'll randomly select the winners after 6pm on Sunday, March 25.

CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS...ERIN DUFFY'S 5 THINGS I'D TELL THE TEEN ME

One good thing about getting older is that you learn a few things along the way, (if you’re me, it’s usually the hard way). Don’t get me wrong, I loved being a teenager, but let’s just say there are some things I wish I knew then that I know now, and in a lot of ways, life in your thirties is easier than they were in your teens. So teen Erin, if you’re listening, there are a few things I’d like to tell you.

1.    You can’t change people. That goes for the men and the women in your life. Don’t even try, people are who they are, and don’t change. The only thing you can do is change yourself, and move on from people who bring you down. It might not be the easiest thing to admit, (with boys especially), but you’ll save yourself a world of pain if you follow this advice.

2.    Wear sunscreen! Sure, everyone thinks a tan looks good when you’re in your teens, and yes, your face is blissfully unlined at the moment, but trust me, the sun is your enemy. You don’t want to hit thirty and have to start dropping a ton of money on Botox to get rid of the ridges in your forehead. Later in life, your friends will wish they were as smart as you, and that they hadn’t sunned themselves like seals on spring break.

3.    Avoid long distance relationships at all cost. They are toxic, and rarely ever end well. Relationships are hard enough when both people live in the same time zone and can see each other on a regular basis. If you have to get on a plane to see your “boyfriend”, run. Run fast. I promise you, down the road, you won’t regret it.

4.    Listen to your mother. Yeah, I know, you think she doesn’t really understand you, but believe me, she does. If she tells you you're making a huge mistake, you probably are, and swallowing your pride might not be fun, but neither is heartbreak or disappointment. Sometimes, mother really does know best.

5.    Be your own woman. Know how to take care of yourself. Make your own money, pay your own bills, and live on your own for a while. You never know what will happen in life and relinquishing control to someone else too early is never a good idea.

Teen Erin was smart in some ways, but she was stupid in a lot of others. If only I had future me to tell me these things then, I could have avoided a fair amount of grief in my life. One other thing I will remind teen Erin when she finds herself upset over something, is that time heals all wounds. Some day, the things you thought would destroy you you won’t even remember, and that’s one of the best things about not being a teenager.

To learn more about the fabulous Erin Duffy, follow her on Facebook.

Thanks, Erin!

xoxo,

Liz & Lisa

Amy Hatvany's 5 Loves and a Dud

We have three words for you. Outside. The. Lines. Amy Hatvany's latest novel. To give you an idea of just how good it is--it's already in its second print and was selected by Target as the February book pick! Amy is blowin' up! Outside the Lines is available TODAY and we're thrilled to celebrate the release with Amy.

So what is Outside the Lines about?

When Eden was ten years old she found her father, David, bleeding on the bathroom floor. The suicide attempt led to her parents’ divorce, and David all but vanished from Eden’s life. Twenty years later, Eden runs a successful catering company and dreams of opening a restaurant. Since childhood, she has heard from her father only rarely, just enough to know that he’s been living on the streets and struggling with mental illness. But lately there has been no word at all. After a series of failed romantic relationships and a health scare from her mother, Eden decides it’s time to find her father, to forgive him at last, and move forward with her own life. Her search takes her to a downtown Seattle homeless shelter, and to Jack Baker, its handsome and charming director. Jack convinces Eden to volunteer her skills as a professional chef with the shelter. In return, he helps her in her quest. As the connection between Eden and Jack grows stronger, and their investigation brings them closer to David, Eden must come to terms with her true emotions, the secrets her mother has kept from her, and the painful question of whether her father, after all these years, even wants to be found.

And now, without further adieu, heeeeere's Amy Hatvany sharin' her 5 Loves and a Dud!

LOVES 1. The Body Shop’s Satsuma products: I’m telling you, this is the BEST fragrance - almost as good as the fruit itself! I’m always packin’ in my purse - I have the body butter, body scrub, shower gel, and perfume oil. I cannot get enough of it!

2. The Food Network: Seriously, this channel is like crack for me. My husband is a military channel fanatic and gives me a hard time when I’m watching my Barefoot Contessa and Drive-ins, Diners, and Dives, but I tell him food porn is way better than war porn. Am I right?!?

3. My girlfriends: I have one of the best groups of down-and-dirty, tell-it-like-it-is, don’t-take-no-crap-off-me women. Quite simply, they keep me sane, and I could not live without them.

4. Social Networking: Before BEST KEPT SECRET and OUTSIDE THE LINES, I had two books published almost a decade ago, before the dawn of social media, and I cannot tell you how different the experience has been this time around. What a glorious thing to connect not only with other writers, but the beautiful, funny, supportive, amazing readers out there! It sometimes makes me want to weep with gratitude. (Yep, total sap.)

5. My kids: Maybe that’s an easy one, but honestly, I am so in love with them right now! At 12 and 10 they are full of such funny - sometimes even brilliant - bits of perception and wisdom. I adore seeing shades of the grownups they will be mixed in with the babies I cradled. I’m bracing myself for the teen years (yikes!), but until then, enjoying every moment!

DUD Kardashian-mania: Ugh. I can’t tell you how much this overexposed family gets under my skin. I’m a huge reality TV fan, too! Love my Housewives, Top Chef, and the Bachelor - but these people just make me feel like I need to take a shower.

To get your hot little hands on a copy of Amy's book, click here. To find out more about Amy, head over to her website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks, Amy! xoxo,

L&L