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!

What Claire Cook said about Your Perfect Life

Another week, another blurb from one of our favorite authors, Claire Cook! She's written some of our favorite books, including Must Love Dogs.  And have you heard?  There's a new series: Must Love Dogs: A New Leash on Life is only .99 when you buy as an ebook NOW though Valentines Day!  So don't wait--make sure to get your copy ASAP! We've read it and it's AWESOME. So obviously, we were thrilled when Claire read and enjoyed Your Perfect Life. Here's what she had to say:

“Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke blend their voices seamlessly and hilariously and remind us that even though the grass often looks greener under our friends’ lives, nobody gets happily ever unless they go after it. Your Perfect Life is clever, quirky, fresh, and ultimately, empowering!”

Thank you, Claire!  We heart you to pieces!  Muah!

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Twisted Sisters by Jen Lancaster

Y'all know how much we love on Jen Lancaster. In fact, we gushed about her just yesterday, the day her latest novel, TWISTED SISTERS, was released. Three words: BUY. IT. NOW. We can't say enough times how lucky we feel that Jen and so many other talented authors have not only taken the time to read our novel, but have also praised it. (Thank you, thank you, thank you, lovely ladies!). In the coming weeks, we will reveal who else gave us a glowing review. But today is about Jen and her tenth book, TWISTED SISTERS! Yes, we just wrote TENTH. Let's take a moment of silence to praise her for that! We loved her novel so much we chose it for our book club pick of the month. It's funny. It's thought-provoking. It's the perfect book to read if you need an escape from the weather or whatever else you're hatin' on right now.

And guess what? We have one copy to give away (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select that lucky someone on Sunday, February 9th after 3pm PST.

Here's the scoop: Reagan Bishop is a pusher. A licensed psychologist who stars on the Wendy Winsberg cable breakout show I Need a Push, Reagan helps participants become their best selves by urging them to overcome obstacles and change behaviors. An overachiever, Reagan is used to delivering results.

Despite her overwhelming professional success, Reagan never seems to earn her family’s respect. Her younger sister, Geri, is and always will be the Bishop family favorite. When a national network buys Reagan’s show, the pressures for unreasonably quick results and higher ratings mount. But Reagan’s a clinician, not a magician, and fears witnessing her own personal failings in prime time. (And seriously? Her family will never let her hear the end of it.) Desperate to make the show work and keep her family at bay, Reagan actually listens when the show’s New Age healer offers an unconventional solution…

Record Nielsen ratings follow. But when Reagan decides to use her newfound power to teach everyone a lesson about sibling rivalry, she’s the one who will be schooled…

Where you can read more about Jen: Facebook, Twitter  and her website.

Liz & Lisa's Book Club: Twisted Sisters by Jen Lancaster

1. In honor of your novel, TWISTED SISTERS, you've been posting "twisted" photos during the month of January. What's been your favorite picture?

I love the shot of my dogs posing with a copy of the book.  It’s really hard for dogs to look “fierce” wearing matching cableknit turtlenecks and posing in front of a floral wallpaper backdrop, but Libby and Hambone manage to pull it off.  Miss Tyra Banks would give the girls extra credit for smizing, too.  They have definite Top Model potential.

2. Your hilarious novel includes sibling rivalry, body-swapping and reality TV. How did you think of the plot?

To fully answer this question, I have to explain that I would rather die than write a love scene.  DIE.  There’s not enough bourbon in the world to keep me from giggling like a twelve year old at the thought of penning anything vaguely sexy.  (So, no, there will never, ever be a Fifty Shades of Bitter book.)  Because romance is off the table, I’m constantly trying to look at relationships outside of the sexual realm.  And, really is there anything more fascinating than the way women relate to other women?  Plus, I wanted to explore the nuances of what it might be like to have a sister.  (My theory is it’s like having a best friend you occasionally hate.)  I also had such fun with the magical realism element of Here I Go Again that I was anxious to try it again, hence the Freaky Friday aspect.  And reality TV?  Well, I wish I could quit you, reality TV, yet here we are.

3. The cover is brilliant, as was your last. You are on an awesome cover roll! What's the story behind this cover? And while we're at it, how did you think of the title and when in the writing process did you come up with it?

Thank you!  (I happen to think YOUR new cover is pretty awesome, too.)  This one is my all-time favorite.  In the beginning, the covers of my memoirs were mostly text-based.  To differentiate between the fiction and non-fiction, we wanted to diversify the brands, so the art department tried something new.  As someone who often buys a book for the cover (I know, I know), I was thrilled when this option was presented because it sums up the story so succinctly.

4. You are a huge Breaking Bad fan. Now that you've finished binge watching that show, what's next? Or what have you started that you recommend?

I plowed through seven seasons of Weeds over the summer after inhaling Orange Is the New Black.  (Jenji Kohan, you’re the best.  Call me!)  I’m currently binge-watching The Good Wife and now I’m mad at all my friends who clearly didn’t insist strongly enough that I watch this show.  The one thing that’s making me absolutely crazy is that for as well as they nail Chicago politics, they’ve completely biffed the logistics.  Why would the Cook County State’s Attorney live in Lake County?  Why would a realtor in Oak Park list a house in Highland Park?  And hot dog vendors?  On the street in this city?  No.  And how come no one ever walks around in Chicago team shirts or has a mustache?  The tiny details annoy me, I guess largely because they get all the larger points right.

5. You're very open with your fans on social media. But is there something they might be surprised to know about you?

After writing seven damn memoirs, I’m not really sure there are a lot of surprises left.  People know how much I love husband and my friends and how I spoil my pets.  I always share reading/watching/listening suggestions and they’re kept abreast of whatever my hobby-du-jour is, such as my current obsessions with refurbishing old furniture and learning Italian and growing roses.  I guess they don’t know I just ordered a bunch of supplies to start building my own terrariums?  So, terrariums.  When I start to yammer on about terrariums, please, everyone, do your best to seem surprised.

Thanks, Jen!

What Jen Lancaster said about Your Perfect Life!

We've been lucky enough to get endorsements about Your Perfect Life from SEVEN authors that we love--and we're so excited about it we can barely control ourselves.  And, to celebrate over the next few months, we're going to reveal them one at a time and give away copies of their books! *Can we get a woot woot* To kick things off, we're starting with the wonderful Jen Lancaster--someone that we've always looked up to. She's talented.  She's freaking awesome. And you guys know how much we've boned out on her over the years.  So, imagine how we felt when she read an advanced galley of Your Perfect Life--AND ACTUALLY LIKED IT. In short-it was UH-MAZING.

Here's what Jen had to say about Your Perfect Life:

"Your Perfect Life has all of the ingredients that I love in a book—relatable characters who make me laugh out loud, a delicious, page-turning premise, and sweet and surprising insights about the    perfect life may be the one you've already got."

We're so stoked about what Jen had to say that we are giving away a copy of her latest novel, Twisted Sisters! (Out TODAY!) Leave a comment here and we'll choose the winner after 1pm on Sunday, February 9th.

40 going on 80?

Most of you know that I'm a Cali girl who was dragged here kicking and screaming willingly moved to the Midwest five years ago for love. And while I joke and get surly about the weather, the weather, and did I mention the effing weather? (I will slay you Polar Vortex!), all kidding aside, it was the best decision I've ever made. I now have a beautiful family and a writing career- two things I've always dreamed of having. But back to the weather.

I think y'all know how bad it's been, well, everywhere. To put it in perspective, when it's 21 degrees outside, we now consider that a "good" day.

So when I saw that another Polar Vortex was fast approaching, first I cried, then I told my husband I needed to get the hell out of Dodge immediately if not sooner. And that our destination must be somewhere WARM. Thankfully, he's just as over the snow and ice and cold as I am, so we headed to Florida where we have family. And while even sunny Florida, wasn't as sunny as usual, it was at least 60 degrees warmer there than home. So it was a win. But it was also a win for another reason. It turns out, I'm destined to live in a retirement community maybe sooner than I thought. I discovered I'm 40 going on 80--in a good way! And if you ask me, 80 is the new 40!

The Villages in Florida is a retirement community so large that it has it's own zip code! And as far as I'm concerned, it's one of the happiest places on Earth! And I think I fit in perfectly. Here's why:

1. I drive a mean golf cart!

In The Villages, golf carts are the main mode of transportation. And while I may or may not be known to drive above the speed limit in my regular car, I am perfectly content cruising along at 15mph in a cart. You can take it from your home anywhere you need to go--including to one of several "squares" where you'll find everything from a movie theater (with low sodium popcorn--more on that in a minute!) to Barnes and Noble (maybe we'll be back to do a signing for YOUR PERFECT LIFE?).

2. The early bird gets the worm!

I rise early and I go to bed early. Early bird special? I'm your woman! Dinner at 5 and bed by 9? My perfect day!  Not to mention, they have all-day happy hours! And City Fire had great food and awesome live music! Plus, it was refreshing to watch so many couples dancing together. You just don't see that anymore!

3. I found the perfect shower cap to protect my blow out.

Forget those flimsy caps they give you at a hotel (that's what I'd been using). To really protect your tresses (you know how I milk those blow outs) you need one like I have pictured. A dime a dozen down at The Villages! Maybe a little upsetting for the hubs to look at, but if it extends the life of my hairstyle, I'm willing to deal with his horrified face!

4. Unsalted popcorn at the movies!

I'm a finicky eater to put it simply. So being able to find unsalted popcorn, lactose free ice cream and gluten free meals everywhere feels like being back in L.A. again (man how I took the healthy food options for granted while I was there!). I was in hog Heaven as I ate my plain kernels while watching Philomenia (very apropos that it stars Judi Dench who is  insanely talented and still going strong at age 79!).

5. Zumba in the sunshine!

Down in the square you can take a Zumba class while basking in the sun (this was the one 78 degree day). For me there is no better combination than sunshine and exercise. I could live here...Hmm...

xoxo

Our chat with Stephanie Evanovich + giveaway!

Today's guest: Stephanie Evanovich Her latest: Big Girl Panties

(Out in paperback today!)

The scoop: Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich is a rollicking and poignant romantic comedy about a young widow who decides to get in shape...and winds up getting her groove back—and a whole lot more!

Holly Brennan used food to comfort herself through her husband’s illness and death. Now she’s alone at age thirty-two. And she weighs more than she ever has. When fate throws her in the path of Logan Montgomery, personal trainer to pro athletes, and he offers to train her, Holly concludes it must be a sign. Much as she dreads the thought of working out, Holly knows she needs to put on her big girl panties and see if she can sweat out some of her grief.

Soon, the easy intimacy and playful banter of their training sessions lead Logan and Holly to most intense and steamy workouts. But can Holly and Logan go the distance as a couple now that she’s met her goals—and other men are noticing?

Our thoughts: A hilarious and fun read. Just what we needed to kick off 2014!

Giveaway: ONE copy (US). Just leave a comment to be entered to win. We'll select the winner on Sunday, January 26th after 3pm PST.

LIZ & LISA CHAT WITH STEPHANIE EVANOVICH

L&L: How did you come up with the idea for Big Girl Panties? And what's the story behind the title? (We love it!)

Stephanie: Thanks for the love!  BGP was an idea born during my own journey into personal training after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.  I started working with trainers in the attempt to increase my fitness level without further injuring my joints. I've had about seven trainers since I started my experiment in 2002 and somewhere along the line, I came to the realization, these guys are hot!  And since a good trainer really takes all the guesswork out of it (everything from what exercises you do to the heaviness of the weights, even the counting) it really frees up a lot of time for a mind to wander. I had gotten tired of  thinking about all the ways I'd like to make my trainer suffer (just cause they're hot doesn't mean they aren't kicking your butt), so I tried turning to warm romantic thoughts instead.  I have to admit, not only did I get enough material for a book, it really turned my workouts from a revenge-filled hate fest to something rather enjoyable.  As for the title, it was actually suggested by my agent.  Once I stopped giggling, I thought it was perfect.  What woman hasn't heard or used the phrase "put on your big girl panties" when being faced with a challenge?

L&L: What books are you reading now?   Stephanie: I just finished Vintage by Susan Gloss.  It completely charmed me, I really enjoyed it.  It won't be out until early 2014.  Totally one of the main perks of the job...scoring the occasional Advanced Reader Copy.   L&L: What is something your readers would be surprised to know about you?

Stephanie: I am a rabid fan of the band Fall Out Boy.  I think everything about them is amazing.  In 2007, I paid an outlandish sum for a single ticket - front row seat on the isle (at the PNC Arts Center, for all my Jersey friends) to the Honda Civic Tour, that they were headlining.  I told everyone my reasoning was, I didn't want to worry about having to stand to see the bands when all the young whippersnappers stood up, which wasn't exactly a lie. I still smile thinking of all those enthusiastic concert goers on their feet and me, Mid-Life Mom, occupying the best seat in the house with my feet comfortably resting on the stage and politely clapping at the end of each song.

L&L: Do you have any New Year's resolutions you'd like to share/what are the odds you'll stick to them?

Stephanie: My resolution for 2014 is to try and step up my game in regards to social media. Back in July, when I first started my book tour for BGP, I posted a pic to my then 130 followers on Twitter that included a little joke about hoping the GPS on my rental car was as good as it claimed.  Well, the rental car company answered the Tweet, and it blew my mind.  Since I am old enough to remember rotary dial phones, the technology completely overwhelmed me. I spent the next week looking behind shower curtains to make sure someone from the rental car company wasn't actually following me.  And it turned me into a total social media wallflower. A writer who is afraid to write stuff is probably a terrible combo. Next year is the year I conquer that fear and embrace all the great things social media has to offer.  Odds I'll stick to it?  Considering I either will or I won't, I guess it's safe to say 50/50.

L&L: What can you tell us about your next novel, The Sweet Spot?

Stephanie: The Sweet Spot is the backstory to the secondary characters in BGP, Chase and Amanda Walker.  A prequel, if you will.  How they met, how they fell in love and how a scandal put that love to the test.  A lot of readers really took a liking to them.  When I suggested them for my next book and got the go ahead, I was thrilled.  I think they are just so much fun.  I hope you will too.  :)