Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Catching Air by Sarah Pekkanen

Calling all Sarah Pekkanen fans! Mark your calendars because tomorrow is a BIG day. May 6th is the release of Sarah's fifth (and we say, BEST!) novel, Catching Air--a story full of rich characters that will stay in your thoughts long after you've finished reading the book. So pre-order a copy for for someone you love, just in time for Mother's Day. We absolutely adore Sarah as a person because she's warm and hilarious (to have fun on her upcoming book tour, she plans to bring Ryan Gosling's head on a stick!) and we also love, love, love the way she writes. *swoon* We also have ONE copy (US) for giveaway. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. The contest will close at 8pm tonight (May 5th).

The scoop: From the internationally bestselling author of four books, including The Opposite of Me, a vibrant, compulsively readable novel about two married couples who pursue a dream to open a bed-and-breakfast in small-town Vermont.

In her previous works including The Best of Us, “rising star” (Library Journal) Sarah Pekkanen captivated readers by penning “refreshingly introspective, sharply realistic, and tenderly humorous” novels (Booklist) that had readers “flying through the pages” (Hoda Kotb, Today show). Now, in Catching Air, Pekkanen turns an unflinching eye on the tangled relationships of two pairs of thirty-somethings.

A chance to run a B&B in snowy, remote Vermont—it’s an offer Kira Danner can’t resist after six soul-crushing years of working as a lawyer in Florida. As Kira and her husband, Peter, step into a brand new life, she quells her fears about living with the B&B’s co-owners: Peter’s sexy, irresponsible brother Rand, and Rand’s wife, Alyssa…who is essentially a stranger.

For her part, Alyssa sees taking over the B&B as the latest in a string of adventures. Plus, a quiet place might help her recover from the news that she can’t bear children. But the idyllic town proves to be anything but serene: Within weeks, the sisters-in-law are scrambling to prepare for their first big booking—a winter wedding—and soon a shy, mysterious woman comes to work for them. Dawn Zukoski is hiding something; that much is clear. But what the sisters-in-law don't realize is that Dawn is also hiding from someone…

Relatable and dynamic, Catching Air delves deeply into the vital relationships that give shape to women’s lives.

Where you can read more about Sarah: Her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Catching Air by Sarah Pekkanen

1. Catching Air is such a great title and we love the tie in to the novel. So which came first--the title or the idea of catching air when snowboarding/in life? Tell us the story behind it. 

I'm so happy you love the title, because this is the first book I've titled on my own (even though it's the fifth one I've written!) For some reason, titles are the hardest part of the process for me. They're like a specialized form of haiku - you have to inject so much meaning into a few small words. But CATCHING AIR came to me early on, a gift from the title gods. I knew I wanted to set the novel near a ski resort, so I began to Google ski terms, and stumbled upon CATCHING AIR. I knew the term would convey something my characters were seeking, and I also hoped it sounded catchy and memorable.

2. After reading your book, we now have a VERY strong desire to open a B&B. you made it sound so desirable. What kind of research did you do?

Ha! Well, it IS a lot of work (remember how stressed Kira became while planning for the wedding?) I actually read Running a Bed&Breakfast for Dummies (hey, if the title fits!) and did some on-line research. I knew I needed to weave in realistic details, such as the required visits by health inspectors, but for me the fun part was focusing on the very different guests who visited the B&B, and their interactions with my three main characters. In a way, the guests gave my main characters a chance to intimately glimpse other lives and relationships - you learn a lot about people when you're staying in close quarters - which was a kind of gift, as it helped them sort out what they truly wanted in life.

3. You usually check into a  hotel to finish the book you are working on. Can you share some details about that process? Why a hotel and is it always the same one? Do you have a routine? How many words do you typically write?

I do! I have a busy life, with three active boys who attend three different schools, so my writing time is very fractured. Sometimes I need a chunk of time to concentrate - this usually comes toward the end of the book, when I'm struggling to synthesize story lines - so I pack a little bag and head to a hotel for an intimate 24-hours with my laptop. Other than perhaps stepping out for a quick meal or coffee, all I do is sit there in my pajamas and write, write, write. Usually I go to one of the Kimpton hotels in D.C., since they're so pretty (and they have a complimentary wine hour in the evening) and I can get anywhere from 5,000 to 8,000 words written, depending on the complexity of the scenes.

4. We are still thinking about the characters from Catching Air. Are there any characters from your novels that stick with you more than others?

Thank you! I have such affection for all of my characters - they're kind of like my children, in a way. I feel oddly protective of them, maybe because I know they're doing their best, despite their flaws. As with my kids, it's impossible for me to pick a favorite from among my books and characters.

5. We just read that you're planning your next book tour. What can you tell us about it? (No pressure, but we hope you are coming to L.A. and Chicago!)

I think I will be coming to Chicago though not L.A. this time, sadly. Last year I did a mini-tour with Jennifer Weiner, which was amazing, and I learned so much from her (plus she's one of the funniest women on the planet, so we had a blast together!) I'm thrilled that my publisher Atria is sending me on my first solo book tour for CATCHING AIR. It will be a whirlwind, as I'll be in each city for about 24 hours, but I'll be hitting Lexington KY, Mobile AL, Memphis TN and New Orleans, as well as Bethesda, Baltimore. Arlington VA and Chicago. I've been giving a lot of thought to book tours and what I can do to make the experience enjoyable for readers. It's truly an honor when readers come out to see an author, so I want to do everything I can to make the experience fun. I don't plan to just stand up at a podium and read from my novel - in fact, I don't think I'll read from it at all! Instead, I'll tell funny stories about the creative process, and do giveaways of books by new authors that I love (including YOUR PERFECT LIFE!), plus a few other surprises.

Thanks, Sarah!

Stephanie Elliot on why she wrote her controversial novel, A Little Bit of Everything Lost

Today's guest: Stephanie Elliot Why we love her: She's the best. From supporting other authors on her Manic Mommy Reads & Reviews Facebook page to writing her own novels, she's a superstar.

Her latest: A Little Bit of Everything Lost

The scoop: At 19, Marnie plunged into first love with Joe, a guy who was completely wrong for her. Their romance was fast and exhilarating and like nothing Marnie had ever experienced or understood. Just as quickly as it began, it was over, with no explanation. He left her with unanswered questions and unexpected feelings of loss and regret, and a quiet grief she would carry with her for the next fifteen years.

When Joe returns, Marnie is a 34-year-old wife and mother to two rambunctious little boys, who is slowly healing from a devastating loss. All the emotions she suppressed from the past fifteen years surge to the surface, threatening to ruin her marriage and destroy her family. She'll need to confront the one person who hurt her the most to realize that love and loss sometimes go hand in hand… and that you have to live with some of your toughest choices for the rest of your life.

A Little Bit of Everything Lost is part coming-of-age/part love story. It's a story about a woman desperate to make peace with the past. It's for all women who have ever experienced the magnitude of first love, whether it was a lasting bond or a fleeting moment. Because first love - while it might not have been the best love - is a love none of us ever forgets.

What she's dishing on: Why she wrote her latest novel, which, in Stephanie's own words, has content that could be considered sensitive to readers.

Giveaway:  TWO e-copies. Just leave a comment to be entered to win. Contest closes on May 2 at 8am PST.

The Background Behind A Little Bit of Everything Lost

By Stephanie Elliot

When I began thinking about writing what would become A Little Bit of Everything Lost I was a stay-at-home mom to three very young children. I can tell you that I was bored and tired and thinking about all of the 'what-ifs' in life, and remembering what it was like to be free of responsibility back in college and not having a care in the world. I was also thinking back to someone that I had what I would refer to as a "not-really-real" relationship with, one that ended as quickly as it started, and one that ended without any resolve. It was one of those flingy type things that was never defined but left me shaken, for lack of a better description, someone that I never really understood, someone mysterious and elusive, and so I decided to write my own ending.

It turns out I didn't really write my story at all. I took very few pieces of the truth, and then found Marnie one day and created her story. In reading what other writers say about their books, I think many do this -- hear about something that happens in the real world, or they think about an incident in their own lives, and then they expand it into something larger. That's what I did with A Little Bit of Everything Lost. Marnie did have a relationship with Joe. So did I. But that's basically where the truths and similarities ended.

I wrote about some hard topics as well, and feared that it might put off some readers, which made me very apprehensive about putting this book on amazon. I wrote about these topics because I think women place a lot of blame on themselves for choices made when they are young and don't ever internally let go of the guilt they have. And while the past can't be undone, we should be able to understand that we are given choices because they are there for us to make.

I also wanted to show what it's like to be 19 again, to be so free in ourselves that we can do whatever we felt like, without thinking, and have those feelings and experiences. Everyone has a first love, and I feel that most women can relate to those first feelings of wanting to be with someone so desperately that we'd do anything to please that person, things we could never imagine in our whole lives doing. It's a universal feeling and I wanted to experiment with that so I didn't hold back in the writing of Joe and Marnie's relationship.

In Marnie's current state, at age 34, married with two crazy little boys, I wanted to show readers how it is for a lot of moms - the day-in and day-out of taking care of a family while a husband travels, how hard life can be. And what can happen when one person wants something that the other doesn't - how it can tear a family apart. These are the things that I wanted to explore in A Little Bit of Everything Lost.

What I hope that readers will take away from A Little Bit of Everything Lost is that we women are hard on ourselves, we make mistakes, we can forgive and let go of any guilt we may carry in our hearts from past or present mistakes in our lives (And Marnie makes a few!). And that no matter what someone's first love was like, whether it was fleeting moment, or a heartbreaking dramatic experience, or even if you're still with your first love, it's not something any one of us easily… or ever… forgets.

Thanks, Stephanie!

Guest Post: 5 Things I wish I'd known about publishing by Catherine McKenzie

The one thing we keep learning on our publishing journey is how much we DON'T know. So we turned to savvy bestselling author Catherine McKenzie for some advice--what did she wish she knew about publishing?  She gives some great advice! and she should know--she's had two fantastic releases in 2014.  Hidden, (Which we LOVED, btw) and Spun (Out TODAY and only 2.99!).

5 Things I wish I had known about publishing by Catherine McKenzie

Publishing Can Be A Full-Time Job. Don't Let It Be.

I'm fond of saying that I took my fun hobby of writing books (I work full time as an attorney) and turned it into a second job. And while this is a quip, it's one with a deep truth to it. There are so many steps to getting a novel out into the world after you get your book deal or decide to self-publish (and a million other steps once it is out in the world) that it can easily take up all your time. All your writing time, anyway. The important thing is: not to let it. Your job is to write books. While the rest of it is important and necessary, you need to continue to make writing a priority so you can get that second book done. And so on. Doing that is hard. It takes discipline. But that's how you got your first book done, right? So you know how to do it and you can do it again.

Promoting A Novel Can Be A Full-Time Job. Don't Let It Be.

This is very much related to the point above. Having a website, a blog, a Twitter feed, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Stumbler (I just made that last one up (I think), but I like it! Dibs.) can take up all of your time. The polar vortex is made up. The Internet vortex is a very real phenomenon. Do not get sucked into it or you will never accomplish what you need to do: write your next book. Here's a tip. Limit all book promotion etc. to one hour a day. Have a running list of things you need to do and work at it like a job, but one you can do in an hour a day (this sounds like a late-night infomercial but it's important, and possible). If you limit your online presence to things that you're good at (not everyone can blog or be good at Twitter but everyone can be good at something online) and use tools like scheduled posts, you can avoid the pitfall of The Book That Never Got Written Because The Internet Ate It.

You Are Running A Small Business. Treat It That Way.

Even though we're artists (we are artists, right?) that doesn't mean your book business isn't your book business. Whether you go indie or traditional publishing doesn't change this (it just means you have a partner in your small business if you go traditional). This means lots of things--you should treat it like a business as much as you can, it can be precarious, it can be exhilarating--but mostly, to me, it means that no one will care about your business as much as you do. Of course my publishers care (a lot) if my books do well and they want to help them do so. But I'm the one who's going to notice if my book's sold out on Amazon, or if a link isn't working on my website or if the promotion someone was supposed to run didn't run on the day it was supposed to etc. It's a hard balance to strike: being the squeaky wheel that calls these things to your publisher's attention v. being that annoying author who takes up too much space. But ultimately, your name is the one on the front cover of your book, right? That's you out there. And your Inc. (oh, another terrible pun!) is yours.

You Are Never Going to Know Everything You Want To Know.

I've often thought that there should be a boot camp for authors once they know they are going to be published (again, this would apply to both kinds of publishing). There are books out there (What To Do Before Your Book Launch being a good example), but like in many things, there's nothing like experience, and every publisher has its own set of rules and regulations. For example, when my first book, Spin, came out, I didn't know it was okay to ask to see the marketing plan for the book--in truth, it didn't really occur to me that there would be one. Positive side: an amazingly pleasant surprise when I found a huge pile of my books on a front table next to Audrey Niffenegger's latest book. That being said, four books in, I know there are things I can ask and things I can't. I've accepted that even if I ran my own publishing company, there would be things I didn't know the answer to (just exactly how each bestseller lists work, for instance.). But figuring out those boundaries can be hard, though important.

Don't Forget to Celebrate.

Perhaps it's just my personality, but I've found over the years that I often don't celebrate milestones in the book business like I should. I think part of it has to do with the process. If, say, you got your book deal (yeah!) and a month later you were at your book launch (woohoo!) it would be easy to keep the celebration going. But in reality there's often a long, long time between those two events. In between there's lots of little cool things that happen--seeing the cover, getting your first pass pages, getting your first reviews--but there's a lot of work too. By the time the book actually comes out into the world, it can seem like it's just one more small step in the big process. But hey, you've published a book! And whether it's going to be read by millions or just your immediate family, that's something. Thanks, Catherine!

Never Say Never (Especially When You Have Kids)

I've made no secret of the fact that living in the Midwest has been an adjustment. The weather is this wild card I never had to deal with before. Moving here from southern California, I was spoiled rotten with my perpetual 75 degree, sunny days and my ability to complain when it was never quite cold enough to wear my favorite new sweater or to look "all cute" in my spiffy new wool hat I had no business buying in the first place.

And then there's the fact you can be a dog owner and not have to think about things like how to handle when your pooch has snowy paws or how to give him a proper walk when it's negative 20 degrees or it's  been raining, cats and you know whats, for two days straight.

So for this reason, I said I'd never get a dog while living here. Never, never, never. It wasn't even a maybe. It was a resounding (insert eye roll and cocky, I know something you don't tone) never. My thought was I'd wait until I eventually relocated back to Cali to rescue my four-legged friend. He could wait, I could wait and we'd all be a hell of a lot warmer when it happened.

But then I had my daughter who, of course, is a humongous dog lover. In fact, she could probably give Cesar Millan a run for his money with her dog whisperer ways. But still. Even though she's been like this since she was six-months-old, she's still only three and doesn't really know what she wants! So I was still saying that word, you know the one that always bites you in the ass because you should, well, never say it.

Until I didn't.

Until five days ago when I abruptly paused our newest binge watching obsession, Friday Night Lights, turned to my husband and said, want to go to the animal shelter and take a look?

Of course we both knew we could never go there and just browse, then head home and think about it. Like that time we were considering buying a treadmill. We both knew that if we stepped foot inside one of those kennels we would not be leaving there empty handed.

I casually texted Liz from the shelter, peppering her with questions. (As you all know, she's a self-proclaimed animal-a-holic.) She finally said, Wait! Are you looking for a dog for you? I could picture her face all scrunched up into a confused expression as she stared at the screen on her phone wondering what had come over her best friend.

And now we have Lily. (Liz also has a Lily she recently adopted which I took as a sign. Plus, of course we would both end up with dogs with the same name!) She's an eight-month-old, gorgeous pointer mix and we love her. She rode home in the back of our car, her tail thumping wildly as we blasted  80's Dance Party and never flinched once (not even when Ton Loc came on!), which I took as another sign.

In two days time, I already have enough "new dog parent eff up stories" to fill a dozen blogs. And I'll eventually share those with you, but for now, I'll share a valuable lesson learned:

Never say never. Especially when you have kids. Because once you become a parent, it's simply not all about you and your ridiculous blanket statements anymore.

Tell me your pet stories! Can't wait to hear.

What Beth Harbison said about Your Perfect Life

We love Beth Harbison.  Her books are witty and charming, and so is she!  We jumped with joy when she agreed to read an advanced copy of Your Perfect Life, and were so happy that she had this to say about it:

"Liz and Lisa's voices are warm and comforting, like a relaxed chat with great friends while wearing cozy PJ's and sipping wine. I highly recommend Your Perfect Life!"

Thank you Beth!  To celebrate, we are giving away an audio copy of Chose The Wrong Guy, Gave Him The Wrong Finger!

Leave a comment here to enter-contest closes Sunday, April 27th after 8am PST.

Best Books of the Month, Part 2: April Edition

As we mentioned on Monday, there are so many awesome books out this month that we had to divide them into two posts. So here's part two of our Best Books of the Month for April!

The Idea of Him by Holly Peterson

The scoop: Allie Crawford has the life she always dreamed of—she's number two at a high-profile P.R. firm; she has two kids she adores; and her husband is a blend of handsome and heroic. Wade is everything she thought a man was supposed to be—he's running a successful news magazine and, best of all, he provides the stable yet exciting New York City life Allie believes she needs in order to feel secure and happy.

But when Allie finds Wade locked in their laundry room with a stunning blonde in snakeskin sandals, a scandal ensues that flips her life on its head. And when the woman wants to befriend Allie, an old flame calls, and a new guy gets a little too close for comfort, she starts to think her marriage is more of a facade than something real. Maybe she's fallen in love not with Wade—but with the idea of him.

Captivating and seductive, told in the whip-smart voice of a woman who is working hard to keep her parenting and career on track, The Idea of Him is a novel of conspiracy, intrigue, and intense passion—and discovering your greatest strength through your deepest fears.

Our thoughts: LOVED her NYT bestselling debut, The Manny and are big fans of this one too! Perfect  to read on a beautiful spring day.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only) . Leave a comment to enter. Contest closes April 29th at 8am PST.

The Art of Floating by Kristin Bair O'Keeffe

The scoop: At a time when nothing seems real,it takes something truly unusual to put your life into focus. When her beloved husband Jackson disappeared without a trace, popular novelist Sia Dane stopped writing, closed down her house, stuffed her heart into a cage, and started floating. It wasn’t the normal response to heartache, but Sia rarely did things the normal way.

Exactly one year, one month, and six days after Jackson’s disappearance, Sia discovers a mysterious man on the beach. He’s mute, unresponsive, and looks as if he has just walked out of the sea. It’s the sort of situation Jackson would have solved with a simple call to the police. But Jackson is gone.

As unreal as he seems, Sia is determined to help this man. Perhaps she can return him to his place in the world—to whoever lost him and loves him. Perhaps she can answer their questions the way no one could answer hers.

But as her friends and family help her winnow her way to the truth, Sia comes to realize that the unfathomable leap between sorrow and healing begins with a single step.

Our thoughts: An engrossing novel that we didn't want to end!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Just leave a comment to enter. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

The Collector of Dying Breaths by M.J. Rose

 The scoop: Florence, Italy—1533: An orphan named René le Florentin is plucked from poverty to become Catherine de Medici’s perfumer. Traveling with the young duchessina from Italy to France, René brings with him a cache of secret documents from the monastery where he was trained: recipes for exotic fra­grances and potent medicines—and a formula for an alchemic process said to have the poten­tial to reanimate the dead. In France, René becomes not only the greatest perfumer in the country, but also the most dangerous, creating deadly poisons for his Queen to use against her rivals. But while mixing herbs and essences under the light of flickering candles, René doesn’t begin to imag­ine the tragic and personal consequences for which his lethal potions will be responsible.

Paris, France—The Present: A renowned mythologist, Jac L’Etoile—trying to recover from personal heartache by throw­ing herself into her work—learns of the sixteenth-century perfumer who may have been working on an elixir that would unlock the secret to immortality. She becomes obsessed with René le Florentin’s work—particularly when she discovers the dying breaths he had collected during his lifetime. Jac’s efforts put her in the path of her estranged lover, Griffin North, a linguist who has already begun translating René le Flo­rentin’s mysterious formula. Together they confront an eccentric heiress in possession of a world-class art collection, a woman who has her own dark purpose for the elixir for which she believes the ends will justify her deadly means. This mesmerizing gothic tale zigzags from the violent days of Catherine de Medici’s court to twenty-first-century France. Fiery and lush, set against deep, wild forests and dimly lit cha­teaus, The Collector of Dying Breaths illuminates the true path to immortality: the legacies we leave behind.

Our thoughts: Pulls you in and keeps you engaged until the very last page.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

The scoop: New York Times bestselling and Edgar Award winning author Lisa Scottoline is loved by millions of readers for her suspenseful novels about family and justice. Scottoline delivers once again with Keep Quiet, an emotionally gripping and complex story about one man’s split-second decision to protect his son - and the devastating consequences that follow.Jake Buckman’s relationship with his sixteen-year-old son Ryan is not an easy one, so at the urging of his loving wife, Pam, Jake goes alone to pick up Ryan at their suburban movie theater.　 On the way home, Ryan asks to drive on a deserted road, and Jake sees it as a chance to make a connection. However, what starts as a father-son bonding opportunity instantly turns into a nightmare. Tragedy strikes, and with Ryan’s entire future hanging in the balance, Jake is forced to make a split-second decision that plunges them both into a world of guilt and lies. Without ever meaning to, Jake and Ryan find themselves living under the crushing weight of their secret, which threatens to tear their family to shreds and ruin them all. Powerful and dramatic, Keep Quiet will have readers and book clubs debating what it means to be a parent and how far you can, and should, go to protect those you love.

Our thoughts: Love Lisa Scottoline and the emotional journey her books take us on. Keep Quiet is a thought-provoking book that will stay with you long after you read the final words.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. Contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

The Other Half by Sarah Rayner

The scoop: In the internationally bestselling author Sarah Rayner's The Other Half, Chloe, bright, hip and single, is a feature writer with ambitions to launch a magazine of her own. When she meets James, her potential new boss, she knows she shouldn't mix business with pleasure, but finds it impossible to resist...Maggie appears to have it all.  She's beautiful, a talented writer, and has a gorgeous husband. But something's not quite right: his job as a magazine publisher is keeping him in the city until late most evenings, and some nights he doesn't come home at all...

Told in the alternating voices of the mistress and the wife, this story of an affair is a sharp, seductive take on modern love. Who, if anyone, comes out unscathed? In writing that is lively, sexy and sharp, the international bestselling author Sarah Rayner explores modern-day relationships and age-old moral dilemmas.

Our thoughts: We love the way Sarah Rayner writes! This novel is smart, sassy and entertaining.

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

No One Could Have Guessed the Weather by Anne-Marie Casey

The scoop: The middle part of your story might just be the beginning…After her husband loses his job, Lucy has to leave behind her posh life in London and settle into a tiny East Village apartment. Now she’s a middle-aged mother in the midst of hipsters, homesick and resentful until she embarks on a new love affair—with New York City and three new friends. Julia has left her family for a mini breakdown and a room of her own. Trophy wife Christy is a bit adrift, as only those who live in penthouses can be. Robyn is constantly compensating for her wunderkind husband who can’t seem to make the transition to adulthood. And all of them are starting to learn that what you want in your twenties isn’t always what you need in your forties…

Our thoughts: She had us at Isabel Gillies' endorsement... This book is clever, wickedly funny and really hits home for us as we both turned 40 this year!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US only). Leave a comment to be entered. The contest closes on April 29th at 8am PST.

Best Books of the Month, Part 1: April Edition

WOW--there are so many UH-mazing books this month, we couldn't fit them into one post! So stay tuned later this week for part two of our book picks for April--so many great titles to throw in your beach bag!

Driving Lessons by Zoe Fishman

The Scoop: An executive at a New York cosmetics firm, Sarah has had her fill of the interminable hustle of the big city. When her husband, Josh, is offered a new job in suburban Virginia, it feels like the perfect chance to shift gears.

While Josh quickly adapts to their new life, Sarah discovers that having time on her hands is a mixed blessing. Without her everyday urban struggles, who is she? And how can she explain to Josh, who assumes they are on the same page, her ambivalence about starting a family?

It doesn't help that the idea of getting behind the wheel—an absolute necessity of her new life—makes it hard for Sarah to breathe. It's been almost twenty years since she's driven, and just the thought of merging is enough to make her teeth chatter with anxiety. When she signs up for lessons, she begins to feel a bit more like her old self again, but she's still unsure of where she wants to go.

Then a crisis involving her best friend lands Sarah back in New York—a trip to the past filled with unexpected truths about herself, her dear friend, and her seemingly perfect sister-in-law . . . and an astonishing surprise that will help her see the way ahead.

Our thoughts: A sweet treat this Spring!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

We'll Always Have Paris: A Mother/Daughter memoir by Jennifer Coburn

The scoop: Jennifer Coburn has always been terrified of dying young. So she decides to save up and drop everything to travel with her daughter, Katie, on a whirlwind European adventure before it's too late. Even though her husband can't join them, even though she's nervous about the journey, and even though she's perfectly healthy, Jennifer is determined to jam her daughter's mental photo album with memories—just in case.

From the cafés of Paris to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Jennifer and Katie take on Europe one city at a time, united by their desire to see the world and spend precious time together. In this heartwarming generational love story, Jennifer reveals how their adventures helped vanquish her fear of dying...for the sake of living.

Our thoughts: Wonderful and charming--you will LOVE this one!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

On the Rocks by Erin Duffy

The Scoop: Six months ago, Abby's life fell apart for the entire world to see. Her longtime boyfriend-turned-fiancé, Ben, unceremoniously dumped her—on Facebook—while she was trying on dresses for the big day.

When the usual remedies—multiple pints of Ben & Jerry's, sweatpants, and a comfy couch—fail to work their magic, her best friend, Grace, devises a plan to get Abby back on her game. She and Abby are going to escape Boston and its reminders of Ben and head to Newport for the summer. There, in a quaint rented cottage by the sea, the girls will enjoy cool breezes, cocktails, and crowds of gorgeous men.

But no matter where they go, Abby and Grace discover that in this era of social media—when seemingly everyone is preserving every last detail of their lives online—there is no real escape. Dating has never been easy. But now that the rules are more blurred than ever, how will they find true love? And even if they do, can romance stand a chance when a girl's every word and move can go viral with a single click?

Our thoughts: Witty and fun, take this to the beach this summer!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

A Paris Apartment by Michelle Gable

The Scoop: When April Vogt's boss tells her about an apartment in the ninth arrondissement that has been discovered after being shuttered for the past seventy years, the Sotheby's continental furniture specialist does not hear the words “dust” or “rats” or “decrepit.” She hears Paris. She hears escape.

Once in France, April quickly learns the apartment is not merely some rich hoarder's repository. Beneath the cobwebs and stale perfumed air is a goldmine, and not because of the actual gold (or painted ostrich eggs or mounted rhinoceros horns or bronze bathtub). First, there's a portrait by one of the masters of the Belle Epoque, Giovanni Boldini. And then there are letters and journals written by the very woman in the painting, Marthe de Florian. These documents reveal that she was more than a renowned courtesan with enviable decolletage. Suddenly April's quest is no longer about the bureaux plats and Louis-style armchairs that will fetch millions at auction. It's about discovering the story behind this charismatic woman.

It's about discovering two women, actually.

With the help of a salty (and annoyingly sexy) Parisian solicitor and the courtesan's private diaries, April tries to uncover the many secrets buried in the apartment. As she digs into Marthe's life, April can't help but take a deeper look into her own. Having left behind in the States a cheating husband, a family crisis about to erupt, and a career she's been using as the crutch to simply get by, she feels compelled to sort out her own life too. When the things she left bubbling back home begin to boil over, and Parisian delicacies beyond flaky pâtisseries tempt her better judgment, April knows that both she and Marthe deserve happy finales.

Our thoughts: Delightful!  A Must read!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams

The Scoop: Lily Dane has returned to Seaview, Rhode Island, where her family has summered for generations. It’s an escape not only from New York’s social scene but from a heartbreak that still haunts her. Here, among the seaside community that has embraced her since childhood, she finds comfort in the familiar rituals of summer.

But this summer is different. Budgie and Nick Greenwald—Lily’s former best friend and former fiancé—have arrived, too, and Seaview’s elite are abuzz. Under Budgie’s glamorous influence, Lily is seduced into a complicated web of renewed friendship and dangerous longing.

As a cataclysmic hurricane churns north through the Atlantic, and uneasy secrets slowly reveal themselves, Lily and Nick must confront an emotional storm that will change their worlds forever…

Our thoughts: The suspense and intrigue will have you hanging on every page!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

I've Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark

The Scoop: When Laurie Moran’s husband was brutally murdered, only three-year-old Timmy saw the face of his father’s killer. Five years later his piercing blue eyes still haunt Timmy’s dreams. Laurie is haunted by more—the killer’s threat to her son as he fled the scene: “Tell your mother she’s next, then it’s your turn . . .”

Now Laurie is dealing with murder again, this time as the producer of a true-crime, cold-case television show. The series will launch with the twenty-year-old unsolved murder of Betsy Powell. Betsy, a socialite, was found suffocated in her bed after a gala celebrating the graduation of her daughter and three friends. The sensational murder was news nationwide. Reopening the case in its lavish setting and with the cooperation of the surviving guests that night, Laurie is sure to have a hit on her hands. But when the estranged friends begin filming, it becomes clear each is hiding secrets . . . small and large.

Our thoughts: MHC delivers again!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

Hidden by Catherine McKenzie

The Scoop:While walking home from work one evening, Jeff Manning is struck by a car and killed. Two women fall to pieces at the news: his wife, Claire, and his co-worker Tish. Reeling from her loss, Claire must comfort her grieving son as well as contend with funeral arrangements, well-meaning family members, and the arrival of Jeff’s estranged brother, who was her ex-boyfriend. Tish volunteers to attend the funeral on her company’s behalf, but only she knows the true risk of inserting herself into the wreckage of Jeff’s life.

Told through the three voices of Jeff, Tish, and Claire, Hidden explores the complexity of relationships, the repercussions of our personal choices, and the responsibilities we have to the ones we love.

Our thoughts:  We LOVED this one--you'll be thinking about HIDDEN long after you finish the last page.

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

Jane's Melody by Ryan Winfield

The Scoop: What boundaries would you cross for true love?

That’s the question a grieving mother must answer when she takes in a young street musician she believes can shed light on her daughter’s death—only to find herself falling for him. A sexy but touching love story that will leave you both tantalized and in tears, Jane’s Melody follows a forty-year-old woman on a romantic journey of rediscovery after years of struggling alone.

Sometimes our greatest gifts come from our greatest pain. And now Jane must decide if it’s too late for her to start over, or if true love really knows no limits.

Our thoughts: Fans of Nicholas Sparks will gobble this up!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only) Leave comment to enter. Contest closes April 27th at 8am PST.

My binge watching addiction: Scandal (And ten questions that must be answered)

Remember those days when you used to watch TV?  When you used to sit on the couch on a Saturday and devour The Real Housewives of New Jersey or When Harry Met Sally for the thousandth time--when you had nothing else to do, nowhere else to be, no one asking if they can turn on Spongebob Squarepants. *big huge sigh* Those were the days.  I often wondered if I'd ever again lay in bed and watch TV until my eyes burned. I had never having binge watched anything, always too scared to commit to something I couldn't finish, to fall down that Netflix rabbit hole. But when the kids brought home a nasty bug that took me down faster than Juan Pablo's fifteen minutes of fame, with a 102 degree temperature and nothing but time on my hands, I found myself queuing up the first episode of Scandal.

Two days and two seasons later, I was officially in love with that speech-giving, over-sighing, sassy overcoat wearing Olivia Pope.  She was my new hero. I loved the way she stomped into rooms and shot her words out like bullets, the way she could fix just about anything except for her own hot mess of a life, the way she rocked a pants suit. I was officially hooked on Scandal.

But I have a few damn questions for y'all.

1. Olivia is one busy-ass woman.  So how does she have all that time to sit in her office, staring out the window with her lips parted perfectly? And is she charging her clients for that?

2. What is UP with those horrible bangs in all the flashbacks?  We get it, it was two years ago and maybe she couldn't find a reputable stylist on the campaign trail.  But really? REALLY?!

3. Why is everyone still using BLACKBERRYS in the first season? I don't care if it's a matter of national security, they need to upgrade to an iPhone. (That Windows phone that showed up in the second season looks pretty lame too.)

4. Did the President really not think having sex on the desk with his mistress in the oval office would be caught on camera? We have cameras at almost every intersection in America at this point--but he believes the White House is camera free?

5. Why doesn't Olivia ever close her blinds?  I close my blinds if I don't have make up on, but Olivia cuddles with the leader of the free world on her couch and makes out with the majority leader  in her living room and NEVER CLOSES HER BLINDS. W. T. F!

6. It's not fair that one woman looks that good in white. (Not a question, just something I felt needed to be said.)

7. Does anyone else laugh every time Captain Jake tries to do something grown up, like breaking and entering, or making out with Olivia, or killing someone?  Sorry, he'll always be Noel from Felicity to me.

8. Really?  Olivia still has a land line? REALLY?!

9.  We get that the President is the most powerful man in the world, the leader of the free world, blah blah blah.  Do they really need to say it SO MUCH?

10. What happens in season 3? Wait, don't tell me, I'm just about to start! #nospoilersplease

So tell me, what is your binge watching indulgence?

The (Inanimate) Object of my Affection (part 3)

You all might remember that infamous scene in Father of the Bride where Bryan gets his fiance a blender. And she freaks out. And although it's always been one of my favorite movies, I have to be honest, I never got the problem with giving your bride-to-be an appliance? Maybe because I think like a man. (Or a woMAN as I have mentioned before.) Or maybe it's because I can be a bit of a robot (cough *emotionally unavailable*) so that means the things that top my list of wants from my spouse aren't poetry or flowers or chocolates. I'm not big on Valentine's Day or Hallmark cards either. And while I wouldn't balk at those romantic gestures, I think it's far HOTTER to ask for the things that turn me on or that I can turn on. You know like a juicer (my Christmas present) or my recent birthday gift, the Vitamix Professional series 300!  OMG! The Vitamix. The latest inanimate object of my affection... (Because, don't tell him, but there have been others! The Keurig, the Magic Bullet...)

I'd been eyeing him for months on the endcap of an aisle at Target. I'd get a little giddy as I'd pass him with my shopping cart. Flirting with the idea of just taking him home right there and having my way with him. But I waited. I was patient. I dropped a lot of hints to my husband about my love of smoothies and soups and all things pureed. I hoped that my husband would be okay with an open marriage, that he would understand I could have eyes for something else. I hoped when I opened my birthday present, my beloved Vitamix would be inside. And he was!

And last night, I made delicious tortilla soup. This morning I made a smoothie. (And it was like a Jamba Juice quality creation!) And tomorrow? I might make a sauce. Oooh...

So do tell, ladies, am I alone in this or is there an inanimate object that gets your heart pumping the same way a candlelight dinner might?

What Emma and Nicola said about Your Perfect Life

Like many of you, The Nanny Diaries is one of our ALL-TIME favorite books. It was witty and clever and intriguing and juicy all at the same time. And it gave us hope that two BFFS could come together and produce something amazing.  We heart Emma and Nicola, and we were so happy/excited/relieved that they enjoyed Your Perfect Life! Here's what they had to say about it:

"For every woman who's ever wondered about the path not taken, Fenton and Steinke mine—with tremendous humor and insight—the mixed blessing of unexpected second chances."

To celebrate their fantastic blurb, we are giving away a copy of their latest, The First Affair! We loved it and we know you will too! Just leave a comment here and we'll randomly choose the winner. This contest will close on April 13th at 8am PST. US only please.

Thanks Emma and Nicola!

Why those 12 hours mattered so much by Liz

Something really odd happened this weekend. I missed my husband. And not in a hey I miss you when he's been out of town or when we're tag team parenting our two kids, crossing paths briefly and high-fiving before heading to the next thing, falling into bed at night exhausted. No, this was something I felt down to my toes and back up again, a void that demanded to be filled.

It was such a simple thing--I was heading a day early to Vegas with our closest friends and when an important meeting came up, we'd agreed he'd meet up with us a little more than twelve hours later. Truth be told, I had been looking forward to the four hour drive alone, where I'd catch up with all my friends and blast all the music that makes him cringe.(Helllooo Katy Perry!) And I had a great day--toasting champagne by the pool with my besties, people watching and over-posting pictures on Facebook.  (Sorry about that, everyone!)

But for the first time since I can honestly remember, there was a twinge in my gut that refused to leave. Maybe it was because he wasn't there to reassure me that that I could still rock that lime-colored bikini, to squeeze my shoulder lightly as he passed by, to understand the things I needed even when I didn't. It's interesting, how easy it is to forget how vital those small things can be until they disappear like fog on a sunny morning. That, in all the time we do spend apart, it was those twelve random hours that opened my eyes.

And let me say for the record, I'm pretty much as independent as they come. I travel often for my job, and he travels too. He leaves early and comes home late. I've never met a girl's night out I didn't like and I cherish alone time. And because I'm like that, I think I had told myself that it just wasn't possible to miss him the way I did.  We've been together fifteen years. We've had two kids and countless rescue animals. All the cool college stories have been told.  He's seen all my good outfits.  He knows what I'm like before I have caffeine or what happens if I don't eat. (Hint: it's not pretty!)  So yes, to miss him the way I did that day, to need him a way that had nothing to do with him picking up the kids or feeding the dogs or taking out the trash, well, it felt amazing.

It's hard in this Facebook age to show our hand, to admit we might let the demands of our busy lives pull us away from what really matters. (It's a theme we explore in The Status of All Things, due out next year.) But the truth is that marriage is hard--it's like a roller coaster with twists and turns, with peaks and valleys. And if I've learned one thing from this, it's that, like a roller coaster, you need to just keep holding on no matter what and enjoy the ride.

Best Books of the Month: March edition

This month, whether you live somewhere warm (Liz!) or plan to escape to somewhere sunny (Lisa!), take one of our favorite books, coming out in March, with you! Leave a comment on this post and you'll be entered to win one of these novels! The contest will close on Sunday, March 16th.

The Moon Sisters by Therese Walsh

The scoop: This mesmerizing coming-of-age novel, with its sheen of near-magical realism, is a moving tale of family and the power of stories. After their mother's probable suicide, sisters Olivia and Jazz take steps to move on with their lives. Jazz, logical and forward-thinking, decides to get a new job, but spirited, strong-willed Olivia—who can see sounds, taste words, and smell sights—is determined to travel to the remote setting of their mother's unfinished novel to lay her spirit properly to rest. Already resentful of Olivia’s foolish quest and her family’s insistence upon her involvement, Jazz is further aggravated when they run into trouble along the way and Olivia latches to a worldly train-hopper who warns he shouldn’t be trusted. As they near their destination, the tension builds between the two sisters, each hiding something from the other, until they are finally forced to face everything between them and decide what is really important.

Our thoughts: Therese is a beautiful writer. You will be engaged in this novel from the first page!

Giveaway:  ONE copy! (US only)

Fallen Beauty by Erika Robuck

The scoop: “Without sin, can we know beauty? Can we fully appreciate the summer without the winter? No, I am glad to suffer so I can feel the fullness of our time in the light.”

Upstate New York, 1928. Laura Kelley and the man she loves sneak away from their judgmental town to attend a performance of the scandalous Ziegfeld Follies. But the dark consequences of their night of daring and delight reach far into the future.…

That same evening, Bohemian poet Edna St. Vincent Millay and her indulgent husband hold a wild party in their remote mountain estate, hoping to inspire her muse. Millay declares her wish for a new lover who will take her to unparalleled heights of passion and poetry, but for the first time, the man who responds will not bend completely to her will.…

Two years later, Laura, an unwed seamstress struggling to support her daughter, and Millay, a woman fighting the passage of time, work together secretly to create costumes for Millay’s next grand tour. As their complex, often uneasy friendship develops amid growing local condemnation, each woman is forced to confront what it means to be a fallen woman…and to decide for herself what price she is willing to pay to live a full life.

Our thoughts: This novel has it all: heart, passion and brilliant storytelling. Erika's best book yet!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

The scoop: From Jane Green, the New York Times bestselling author of such beloved novels as Jemima J, The Beach House, Another Piece of My Heart, comes an enthralling and emotional story about how much we really understand the temptations that can threaten even the most idyllic of relationships….

Gabby and Elliott have been happily married for eighteen years. They have two teenaged daughters. They have built a life together. Forty-three year old Gabby is the last person to have an affair. She can’t relate to the way her friends desperately try to cling to the beauty and allure of their younger years…And yet, she too knows her youth is quickly slipping away. She could never imagine how good it would feel to have a handsome younger man show interest in her—until the night it happens. Matt makes Gabby feel sparkling, fascinating, alive—something she hasn't felt in years. What begins as a long-distance friendship soon develops into an emotional affair as Gabby discovers her limits and boundaries are not where she expects them to be. Intoxicated, Gabby has no choice but to step ever deeper into the allure of attraction and attention, never foreseeing the life-changing consequences that lie ahead. If she makes one wrong move she could lose everything—and find out what really matters most.

Our thoughts: After devouring this book in a matter of days, the characters are still with us. A thought-provoking and gripping novel!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

The scoop: At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: She's in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her--and she's forced to decide what her next move should be.

Soon, Sydney finds herself captivated by her mysterious and attractive neighbor, Ridge. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there's something about Sydney that Ridge can't ignore, either. They soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.

A passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance, Maybe Someday will immerse readers in Sydney's tumultuous world from the very first page.

Our thoughts: We love the way Colleen writes. She instantly pulls us into her characters' world and makes us forget about everything in our own lives! This novel is the perfect escape.

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

Social Death by Tatiana Boncompagni

The scoop: Money and fame can conceal all manner of deceit, but only for so long. A beautiful socialite is brutally murdered in her exclusive New York City apartment building. There's no sign of forced entry. No known motive. Just a neighbor's account of overhearing a heated argument coming from inside the victim's apartment on the night of the murder. Clyde Shaw has built a career covering brutal crimes for the FirstNews network, but this story may be more than the top news producer can handle. The murder victim is the daughter of FirstNews's mogul founder--and Clyde's best friend since childhood. As a high-stakes network ratings war begins, Clyde's own privileged yet troubled past comes back to haunt her, and she's forced to choose between finding her best friend's killer and losing everything-her job, her reputation, even her life. Long-guarded secrets. Millions at stake. And only Clyde holds the key to unlocking the truth.

Our thoughts: This murder mystery is a page-turner that has you guessing until the very end!

Giveaway: ONE copy! (US only)

Diary of a Debut: The Waiting Game

I'm not sure if you've noticed or not, but we are two of the most Type A, impatient bitches around. In fact, it's a miracle we've made it this far as authors because, well, in case you didn't know, the publishing process is ALL ABOUT WAITING. WAITING to finish the manuscript.

WAITING for your beta reader's feedback so you can incorporate edits. (Thanks, Mom!)

WAITING to hear what your (wonderful!) editor think of above-mentioned MS.

Because, when you've spent the last several months pouring your heart and soul into your manuscript, you really, really, REALLY want your editor to tell you that you nailed it. (Or at least just tell you it doesn't totally blow!)  And not just because of all the back-breaking work that goes into major revisions---it's more the mental aspect of it. You start to second guess yourself, start to wonder if you ever knew anything at all. We just need to hear that, ya, WE STILL GOT IT.  That we're not falling into the second book rut, that Your Perfect Life isn't the only story we'll ever tell.

We sent off The Status of All Things last week and held our breath, praying that Greer would love our heroine, Kate, as much as we did.  That she'd think we did her story justice.  And most importantly, as Kate tries to figure out if she can change her destiny by what she writes in her Facebook status, that she'd agree we found the right balance of humor, heart and spunk.

We almost didn't want to click on Greer's email when it came in today. But when we finally did, we were THRILLED to discover that she devoured our first draft--that she felt it was a great follow-up to Your Perfect Life. To say we are relieved/thankful/ecstatic is an understatement! We can't wait for you to read it in 2015! *does happy dance*

And stay tuned---we are currently scheduling book tour dates for June--we are so excited to get out there and meet y'all--we'll have some news on that soon!

Have a little faith

I recently left my wallet at a grocery store and didn't discover it was missing until the next day. I quickly made the assumption that the billfold and all of its contents would never be seen again. As my husband called the store, I rolled my eyes. It wasn't going to be there. But here's the thing: not only was it there, but everything, including my cash and credit cards, were still inside.

And I was shocked. And so were a lot of my friends. I got more comments and "likes" on the Facebook post I wrote about it than I've received on almost any other. And many of the responses from people were to share similar situations they'd been through.

I'll admit it. I can be a little, okay a lot, jaded. I'm not a negative person, but I often consider the things that can go wrong or the "worst case scenario" when making decisions or facing certain situations (like this one). And while I don't think this is a bad quality, I do think it's one that can and should be re-evaluated.

I've learned a valuable lesson here. If you believe the best in people, they might just come through. Sometimes it's okay to simply have a little faith.

My three-year-old daughter wouldn't be surprised my wallet was returned. She would simply be happy for me. She has been teaching me about having faith every day but I clearly haven't been paying enough attention. Her wide-eyed observations of the world don't include judgment. They aren't skewed by the times she's been burned. They are pure and honest and enviable. And I've decided I'm going to let them rub off on me.

I'm going to believe and remember there is good in the world. And I'm also going to be the good.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Safe With Me by Amy Hatvany

We know it's not a secret that we heart Amy Hatvany. But even we were blown away by her latest novel Safe With Me! It was incredibly thought provoking and satisfying--we ugly cried near the end but it was all worth it!  Seriously, READ THIS BOOK! NOW! So, of course, it was a no-brainer to choose it as our book club pick for March--we are quite certain that y'all will love it as much as we did. And guess what? We have a copy of Safe With Me to giveaway!  Just leave a comment and you'll be entered to win. The contest will close on March 8th at 8am PST.

The scoop: The screech of tires brought Hannah Scott’s world as she knew it to a devastating end. A year after she signed the papers to donate her daughter’s organs, Hannah is still reeling with grief when she unexpectedly stumbles into the life of the Bell family, whose fifteen-year-old daughter, Maddie, survived only because Hannah’s daughter had died. Mesmerized by this fragile connection to her own daughter and afraid to reveal who she actually is, Hannah develops a surprising friendship with Maddie’s mother, Olivia.

The Bells, however, have problems of their own. Once on the verge of leaving her wealthy but abusive husband, Olivia now finds herself bound to him in the wake of the transplant that saved their daughter’s life. Meanwhile, Maddie, tired of the limits her poor health puts upon her and fearful of her father’s increasing rage, regularly escapes into the one place where she can be anyone she wants: the Internet. But when she is finally healthy enough to return to school, the real world proves to be just as complicated as the isolated bubble she had been so eager to escape.

Where you can read more about Amy: Her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Safe With Me by Amy Hatvany

1. The first chapter, where Hannah loses her daughter is so gut-wrenching, yet beautifully written.  As a mom, was that hard for you to write--to think about losing one of your own children?

It was excruciating, really. I had the first scene in my head long before I began writing and it haunted me. The idea of losing one of my children is the most painful thing I could imagine. Not too far into the story, I realized right along with Hannah, who loses her daughter, Emily, that children who lose their parents are orphans, spouses are either widows or widowers, but there is no word for a parent who loses a child. A profound finding, I thought, and totally understandable. The significance of that kind of loss is simply too devastating to fit into one word.

2. Olivia's daughter, Maddie, is such a great character and so believable--do you draw from experience with your own teenager?

With Maddie, I wanted to explore how social media tends to create this false image of perfection in our lives. People typically only post their prettiest pictures, their happiest moments. We end up comparing our insides–our insecurities and struggles–with what I like to call other peoples’ “Photo-shopped” outsides. I thought about the rising influx of cat-fishing stories in the news–people pretending to be someone other than who they actually were online–and wanted to point out how dangerous and appealing this might be to a teenager, who by nature already struggles with insecurity and are desperate to fit in.

I think more teens are turning to the internet to escape the realities of life. With smart phones, especially, it’s all too easy for them to do. With my teenagers, I can see firsthand how the way they define themselves and the world around them is shifting according to everything they do and see online. I worry about it the long term effects of this shift, but social media has become so all-encompassing, so all-consuming, I’m not sure there’s any way to stop it.

3. SAFE WITH ME is such an original story idea--what was the inspiration?

It actually came from an article I read over a decade ago, about a woman in New York city who was having her home remodeled. She became friendly with one of the workers and as the two of them got to know each other, she shared the fact that her husband was recovering from a kidney transplant. When the worker told her that he had actually donated one of his own kidneys to a stranger the previous year, they compared surgery dates and doctors names and it turned out that the worker was the person who saved the woman’s husband’s life.

I still get chills thinking about the two of them coincidentally crossing paths. The story idea grew from there.

4. You had us blubbering with tears in more than one chapter--what were your own emotions while writing those passages?

I definitely blubbered right along with you during a few of those more emotional passages, but I also found myself chuckling during others, especially some of the stuff that Maddie thinks about or says. The line, “God would have to be a total asshole to strike me down in the middle of a giggle” was so completely something my teenage daughter, Scarlett, would say if she had a life-threatening illness, I could help but laugh every time I read it.

5. SAFE WITH ME was exquisite and we can't for the next one!  What is up next for you?

I’m currently working on revisions for my 2015 release and making notes and doing research for the book I want to write after that. Since I never really know where I might find inspiration, I do sometimes worry that another idea won’t come along, but so far, I’ve been lucky. One always does.

Thanks, Amy!

What Amy Hatvany said about Your Perfect Life

In case you hadn't heard, Amy Hatvany is da' bomb! We adore her, even though every single one of her books have made us cry UGLY--it's her heartfelt, honest writing that gets to us every time. (FYI--she'll be on the site tomorrow to celebrate the release of her latest, Safe With Me.)  OUT TODAY! We were ecstatic when she read Your Perfect Life and jumped up and down when she said this about it:

"Sassy, heartfelt, and smart, Your Perfect Life is a clever take on switched identities that will make you think hard about the choices you've made in your life and what matters most to us all in the end."

And because we love Amy's blurb so much, we are giving away a copy of Safe With Me! Just leave a comment to be entered to win.  The contest will close on March 8th at 8am PST.

A Tale of Two Fan Pages

Once upon a time, there were two girls who had a Facebook fan page they adored with over 6k likes.  The only problem? They were about to change the name of their website so they knew they should change the name of their Facebook page too. So they traveled far and long to see the wizard of Facebook (or maybe they just filled out an online form) and humbly requested a name change for their Facebook fan page.  But sadly, their cries for change went ignored. So they went ahead and created a new Facebook fan page and were thrilled when almost a thousand of their closest friends came over right away. But then, the wizard of Facebook changed his mind (as he often does) and he granted their original wish to alter the name of their Facebook page.  So then, Liz and Lisa were forced to throw themselves onto the mercy of their loyal and wonderful (did we mention loyal and wonderful?) readers to help them solve this problem.  So everyone banded together and moved over to one Facebook fan page (this original Facebook fan page) and we all lived happily ever after. THE END. So long story short--we have one fan page too many and we need YOUR help!

Please, come over and like this Liz Fenton & Lisa Steinke Facebook fan page.  It will be the place where, moving forward, we'll be posting ALL giveaways, news, etc. And, because we are complete giveaway WHORES, we're going to add a little incentive to entice you and your friends to help us out.

Just like this Facebook fan page, then share the link to this Facebook fan page either on Facebook and/or Twitter (make sure to tag @lizandlisa) and leave a comment on this post letting us know you did and you'll  be entered to a bundle of TWENTY books by your favorite authors. Yes, you read that right. TWENTY BOOKS. The contest will close on Sunday, March 10th at 8am PST.

In sum: We are going to close this Facebook fan page. We want everyone to like and share the link to this Facebook fan page. And we will be forever grateful!

Thanks so much!

Guest Post: Author Erika Robuck and Fallen Beauty

We're turning the site over to one of our favorite authors today--the incredibly talented Erika Robuck.  Her latest, Fallen Beauty is out March 4th! (And just for the record, it's AWESOME and you should pre-order a copy RIGHT NOW.) Today she's dishing on the fashion, fabric and design in Fallen Beauty. And we've got ONE copy of Fallen Beauty to give away!  Leave a comment and you'll be entered to win.  Contest will close Sunday, March 2nd after Noon PST.

Fashion, Fabric and Design in FALLEN BEAUTY

“The pleasure of working with exquisite fabric filled my nights as a lover would. I’d fantasize about the work all day, the feel of the silks, velvets, furs, the glint of shiny silver lines in crumpled silver fabric, the sheen of moon blue spread over my lap like light on a snowy field…” FALLEN BEAUTY

Writing has become a bit like method acting for me. I have to take on the character to effectively convey her. Sometimes that means visiting places she has gone, drinking drinks she has tried, or reading the books she has read. Other times it means engaging in her profession. The protagonist of FALLEN BEAUTY is a seamstress, and my ability to sew is crude. From my youth, however, I have enjoyed designing and choosing clothing and fabrics, so I brought my knowledge of this to my character’s commission: to create a poetry reading tour wardrobe for Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Edna St. Vincent Millay—discovered while barely out of her teens for her poem Renascence, and the third woman to win the Pulitzer for her poetry—was trained in the theater and enjoyed dressing in elaborate costume. She was known to wear layers of jewel toned velvet with long trains to her performances, and this was especially dramatic considering she was under five feet tall. She sold out thousand seat auditoriums in the 1920s and 30s and made $30,000 a year at her peak. By all accounts, her readings were hypnotic, and though small in stature, Millay’s presence was commanding.

My seamstress designs many ensembles for Millay, but the photo depicts two cloaks that are particularly important to the story. Both are inspired by poems of Millay, as is my character, and the themes of the novel are heavily influenced by those of THE SCARLET LETTER. It seemed appropriate that the reader would come to know a sensual woman like Millay through another sensual woman deeply connected to her craft through fabric and design.

I had great fun pretending to be a seamstress working for a scandalous Bohemian poet, but when the novel was finished, I was left in awe of Millay and longed for the “second Renascence” of this now obscure poet. It is my deepest hope that I am able to resurrect new interest in Millay through FALLEN BEAUTY.

Thanks, Erika!

Best Books of the month--February editon

Brrrr...Are y'all sick of the Polar Vortex yet? Here are the books that are keeping us warm while we wait for the sun to show up again.... And to cheer you up form the winter blues, we've got a few to give away--leave a comment and we'll choose the winners after Noon EST on Sunday February 23rd.

Data, A Love Story by Amy Webb

The Scoop: After yet another online dating disaster, Amy Webb was about to cancel her JDate membership when an epiphany struck: It wasn’t that her standards were too high, as women are often told, but that she wasn’t evaluating the right data in suitors’ profiles. That night Webb, an award-winning journalist and digital-strategy expert, made a detailed, exhaustive list of what she did and didn’t want in a mate. The result: seventy-two requirements ranging from the expected (smart, funny) to the super-specific (likes selected musicals: Chess, Les Misérables. Not Cats. Must not like Cats!).

Next she turned to her own profile. In order to craft the most compelling online presentation, she needed to assess the competition—so she signed on to JDate again, this time as a man. Using the same gift for data strategy that made her company the top in its field, she found the key words that were digital man magnets, analyzed photos, and studied the timing of women’s messages, then adjusted her (female) profile to make the most of that intel.

Then began the deluge—dozens of men wanted to meet her, men who actually met her requirements. Among them: her future husband, now the father of her child.

Our thoughts: A MUST read before navigating the tricky world on online dating!

Giveaway: ONE copy!

Must Love Dogs: a New Leash on Life by Claire Cook

The Scoop: Life after divorce for Sarah Hurlihy used to consist of juggling her job as a preschool teacher with the demands of her interfering family. But after a rocky start, Sarah and John Anderson have shared six months of dating bliss. Now their relationship is basically on hold because Sarah's brother, Michael, and his dog, Mother Teresa, are staying with her. And John's new puppy, Horatio, hates Sarah. With a passion.   Michael hopes absence will, in fact, make his wife Phoebe's heart grow fonder. Sarah hopes she can do her sisterly duty and send Michael on his merry way before she ends up single again herself. John hopes Sarah and his puppy can work things out before it's too late. Sarah's bossy big sister, Carol, hopes both Michael and their father will start dating again.   When Phoebe packs up their daughters and heads home to Savannah, Georgia, Michael follows her from Marshbury, Massachusetts, and the Hurlihy clan tags along for reinforcement. Including Dad, who has finally upgraded his Smith Corona to a laptop and already has a date with a woman named Sugar Butt.

Our thoughts: We are delighted with this new series by the lovely and talented Claire Cook!

Giveaway: ONE eCopy AND ONE signed paperback copy!

The Wedding Bees: A Novel of Honey, Love and Manners by Sarah-Kate Lynch

The Scoop: Sugar Wallace did not believe in love at first sight, but her bees did. . . .

Every spring Sugar Wallace coaxes her sleepy honeybee queen—presently the sixth in a long line of Queen Elizabeths—out of the hive and lets her crawl around a treasured old map. Wherever the queen stops is their next destination, and this year it's New York City.

Sugar sets up her honeybees on the balcony of an East Village walk-up and then––as she's done everywhere since leaving South Carolina––she gets to know her neighbors. She is, after all, a former debutante who believes that manners make the world a better place even if they seem currently lacking in the big city.

Plus, she has a knack for helping people. There's Ruby with her scrapbook of wedding announcements; single mom Lola; reclusive chef Nate; and George, a courtly ex-doorman. They may not know what to make of her bees and her politeness, but they can't deny the magic in her honey.

And then there's Theo, a delightfully kind Scotsman who crosses Sugar's path as soon as she gets into town and is quickly besotted. But love is not on the menu for Sugar. She likes the strong independent woman she's become since leaving the South and there's nothing a charmer like Theo can do to change her mind . . . only her bees can do that.

Our thoughts: Charming with a capital C!

Giveaway: ONE copy!

The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

The Scoop: A Brief Encounter for our time, The Last Letter from Your Lover is a sophisticated, spellbinding double love story that spans decades and thrillingly evokes a bygone era. In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing—not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter, signed simply "B," from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything. In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon the letter and becomes obsessed with learning the unknown lovers’ fate—hoping it will inspire her own happy ending. Remarkably moving, this is a novel for romantics of every age.

Our thoughts: Lisa LOVES LOVES LOVES JoJo Moyes and devoured this one up!

Giveaway: ONE copy!

Confessions of Wild Child by Jackie Collins

The scoop: Lucky Santangelo. A fifteen-year-old wild child ready to discover life, love and independence. Daughter of the notorious Gino, Lucky discovers her mother's murdered body floating in the family swimming pool at the tender age of four. Since then Gino has kept her protected from life closeted in their Bel Air mansion. But in Jackie Collins' Confessions of a Wild Child, Lucky finally breaks free, and running away from boarding school the adventures begin. Boys, sex, drugs and rock n' roll - Lucky explores it all in preparation for the strong, kick-ass woman she eventually becomes. Delve into the world that Lucky rules!

Our thoughts: Fun, fun FUN!!!

Giveaway: ONE copy!

Happy Reading!

Joshilyn Jackson giveaway and cool fiction sampler!

Hey y'all! We're super stoked to have a copy of Someone Else's Love Story by Joshilyn Jackson to give away-- We LOVED this quirky and heartwarming novel!

The scoop

Someone Else's Love Story is beloved and highly acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Joshilyn Jackson's funny, charming, and poignant novel about science and miracles, secrets and truths, faith and forgiveness; about falling in love, and learning that things aren't always what they seem—or what we hope they will be.

Shandi Pierce is juggling finishing college, raising her delightful three-year-old genius son Nathan, aka Natty Bumppo, and keeping the peace between her eternally warring, long-divorced parents. She's got enough complications without getting caught in the middle of a stick-up and falling in love with William Ashe, who willingly steps between the robber and her son.

Shandi doesn't know that her blond god Thor has his own complications. When he looked down the barrel of that gun he believed it was destiny: It's been one year to the day since a tragic act of physics shattered his world. But William doesn't define destiny the way others do. A brilliant geneticist who believes in facts and numbers, destiny to him is about choice. Now, he and Shandi are about to meet their so-called destinies head on, making choices that will reveal unexpected truths about love, life, and the world they think they know.

And there's MORE!

New York Times bestselling novelist Joshilyn Jackson is presenting the New Voices in Fiction Sampler: Summer Selection. This FREE e-book sampler is a curated volume of excerpts from new and upcoming titles by debut fiction authors you’ll want to get familiar with early on. It's FREE on Kindle, Nook and Kobo!

It includes:

An Introduction from Joshilyn Jackson and an excerpt from her latest novel, Someone Else's Love Story, on sale now. And excerpts from: The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor, Up at Butternut Lake by Mary McNear, The Pearl That Broke Its Shell by Nadia Hashimi, Memory of Water by Emmi Itäranta, The From-Aways by CJ Hauser, Thorn Jack by Katherine Harbour, Last Night at the Blue Angel by Rebecca Rotert, Don't Try to Find Me by Holly Brown, Ice Shear by M.P. Cooley, The Home Place by Carrie La Seur, Season of the Dragonflies by Sarah Creech

So leave a comment here for a chance to win Someone Else's Love Story. We'll choose the winner on Sunday February 16th after 3pm PST.  And now head over and download that sampler!