Stacy Alesi

Guest Blogger: Mary Kay Andrews

June 26, 2014

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I am delighhted to welcome one of my favorite people and favorite author, Mary Kay Andrews. Read through to the end to find out how you can your own copy of her latest (and my new fave!) SAVE THE DATE.

INSPIRATION POINT

by Mary Kay Andrews

It’s probably the number one question I get—the question all writers get—where do you get your ideas?

Sometimes I jokingly say I find them under the sofa cushions. Or at an outlet mall just off the interstate.

The truth is, I never know when inspiration will strike. But as a writer, whenever an idea occurs to me—or an image stops me in my tracks, or I have a recurring dream, I know it could be an idea for a book.

Take the inspiration for the “meet cute” way the protagonist meets her eventual love interest in SAVE THE DATE. Years ago, a friend in Savannah (where the book is set) told me how she’d met an eccentric neighbor after her dog escaped and she spotted an elderly woman dragging her dog down the street by a piece of string. The woman had mistaken my friend’s dachshund for her own dog—and it was only after Sue followed her all the way home and showed her that the woman’s own dog was in her garden that the woman admitted the mistake. They later became fast friends. As soon as I heard that story, I knew I’d use it someday.

So—in SAVE THE DATE, Cara Kryzik, a florist who happens to live in a fictional townhouse on the same block my friend lives on—meets a handsome stranger when her golden doodle puppy runs away, and the stranger mistakes her for his own missing golden doodle.

Sometimes the idea for a book comes from deep within my subconscious. Or is that unconscious? I can never keep them straight. Anyway, I had a recurring dream that I was sitting in church, and an attractive woman was sitting in the pew in front of me. After a couple nights of the same dream, I started wondering if maybe the muses were offering me an idea. So in my dream that night, when I was back in the same church, I tapped the woman on the shoulder and asked her what she was doing there. “I’m watching my ex-husband get re-married,” she said.

The next morning, I knew I had a great premise for a book, which turned out to be SPRING FEVER. The book opens with the protagonist, AnnaJane, sitting in a beautiful church on a spring day, watching her ex-husband, standing on the altar, dressed in a charcoal-gray Armani tux, waiting for his bride to float down the aisle.

The wedding march plays, the bride starts down the aisle, and AnnaJane, who’d convinced herself she was so over him, realizes she’s still in love—and wants him back.

The premise for LADIES’ NIGHT came about because I had a title I loved, but didn’t know what the story would be. I started thinking about a group of people in a therapy group—who all meet at a dive bar, after their sessions, for the real therapy. I knew I wanted to have one very reluctant male in the group—who feels threatened by all the free-floating estrogen in their sessions. That morphed into a book about a group of people who meet through divorce therapy.

All the members of the group have been betrayed by their spouses and have “acted out” in outrageous ways to get their revenge. Where did I get the ideas for all their awful behavior? Lots of them came from “crowd-sourcing.” I have a very active, fun Facebook page, and I asked my followers to tell me about their worst/best revenge stories.

Boy, did I get some doozies! Some of the stories were so scary the fans private messaged me their stories. One story in particular triggered something in my imagination. So when my LADIES’ NIGHT protagonist Grace, catches her husband being pleasured by her young assistant in the husband’s expensive sports car, Grace reacts in a murderous rage—driving his Audi convertible straight into the family swimming pool.

I never know when the next idea will end up in the lint trap that is my imagination. Some of my best ideas come on long, boring car rides, or in the shower. Or while I’m watching Seinfeld re-runs. My inspiration could be anything at all.

It might be an overheard conversation at a bar, an anecdote shared with an old high school classmate—or, as is the case with the title of next summer’s book, it might be the title of an oldies song. And no, I can’t share. You’ll just have to wait til’ next June to find out about my latest inspiration.

If you’d like to win a copy of SAVE THE DATE…

Send an email to contest@gmail.com with “SAVE THE DATE” as the subject. You must include your snail mail address in your email.

All entries must be received by July 15, 2014. One (1) name will be drawn from all qualified entries and notified via email. This contest is open to all adults over 18 years of age in the United States only. One entry per email address. Subscribers to the monthly newsletter earn an extra entry into every contest. Follow this blog to earn another entry into every contest. Winners may win only one time per year (365 days) for contests with prizes of more than one book. Your email address will not be shared or sold to anyone.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

TALK by Michael Smerconish

June 26, 2014

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Narrated by James Edward Thomas

I must admit to having a bit of a crush on Smerconish, so when I heard he wrote a novel I wanted it. I might have been happier had he read it, or not – usually authors are terrible readers, but despite the narrator (who did an excellent job,) I still had Smerconish’s voice in my head.

I thought the name was pronounced “Smer CONE ish,” like my name should be pronounced “A LEE see” (but rarely is) but turns out it’s “Smer KAHN ish.” I like learning stuff, and this was only the beginning.

If you are not familiar with Smerconish, he is a long time talk radio host based out of Philadelphia airing on Syrius XM’S Potus channel and more recently, host of his own TV show on CNN. I found him during his four years of guest hosting for Chris Matthews on MSNBC, but he’s not a left leaning liberal. He’s much more middle of the road, so CNN seems like a good fit.

Talk centers around a right wing talk radio host, Stan Powers, based out of Tampa but with an eye on the national stage. While Stan doesn’t necessarily espouse all the drivel he spiels, he likes his paycheck and is willing to do what it takes to get on top of the ultra competitive media pile.

Set slightly in the future, the liberal president (after Obama) has decided not to run for re-election, causing both parties to move into high gear for the primaries. The frontrunning Democrat is the governor of Florida, so Stan is in a good place for national attention.

The machinations of talk radio, political TV, and the politicians themselves was just fascinating. Stan is a great character, flawed but very likeable, and he’s surrounded by a cast of interesting people from his agent to his mentor to the first lady of Florida, with whom he had a brief college fling. The characters all ring true, which may be unfortunate, but nonetheless help make the story all the more compelling.

This is the first “adult” audiobook that I’ve listened to that held my attention throughout. Smerconish is a smart cookie, writing about what he knows, and anyone who listens to talk radio or watches FOX or MSNBC will be hooked on Talk – I was.

6/14 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TALK by Michael Smerconish. Audible Audio Edition. Audible Studios (May 6, 2014). ASIN B00JRABMY2. Listening Length: 8 hours and 31 minutes.

Hardcover: Cider Mill Press (May 6, 2014). ISBN 978-1604334906. 272p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

HAUTE DOGS by Russell Van Kraayenburg

June 25, 2014

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Nothing quite says summer like breaking out the grill – and hot dogs are generally my grilled meal of choice. Simple or complex, I do love ‘em, which is why Russell Van Kraayenburg’s new cookbook, Haute Dogs, was a must have for me.

From classics like the Chicago Dog and the Coney Island Dog to more unique entries like the São Paolo Potato Dog and The Norwegian, this cookbook has every variety and combination you can imagine and some you’d probably never come up with on your own.

Best of all, Van Kraayenburg includes recipes for just about every component in each recipe: chilis, sauces, and other condiments as well as the dogs themselves and even homemade buns. There are also variations and shopping suggestions for some of the harder to find ingredients.

So far we’ve tried the cabbage, jalapeno, and cream cheese topped Seattle-Style, the Colombian Pineapple Dog (complete with homemade pineapple relish and Van Kraayenburg’s Salsa Golf), and the Coney Island Dog paired with the book’s tasty cole slaw.

While I likely won’t try my hand at making my own dogs, I do have plans to try many more of the recipes in this unique and so far excellent book.

6/14 Becky Lejeune

HAUTE DOGS by Russell Van Kraayenburg. Quirk Books (April 29, 2014). ISBN 978-1594746758. 168p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

THE MARRYING OF CHANI KAUFMAN by Eve Harris

June 25, 2014

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I found this book on the long list for the Mann Booker prize in 2013 and it was published here in the U.S. by Grove Press in April.

I always find books about the Orthodox Jewish community fascinating, it’s a whole different culture from anything I’ve personally experienced. This story is set in London, which adds another layer to the story.

Chani Kaufman is getting married. She’s 19, she’s had three dates with Baruch, who is looking for a wife before he goes off to Jerusalem to rabbinical school. Baruch comes from a very wealthy family, but Chani does not. Her father is a good man, a rabbi himself, but of a small congregation.

Baruch’s mother is none too pleased with her son’s choice. She wants him to find a rich girl to subsidize his studies, and to keep things on an even playing field. But Baruch sticks to his guns and Chani thwarts her future mother-in-law’s plans to end the relationship.

The book is about these families, and also about the Rebbetzin that Chani is studying with. She is a deeply unhappy character, and the book moves between these various characters and their families, as well as moving back and forth in time, but it is always interesting and easy to follow. Definitely for fans of Naomi Ragen’s books or The Innocents by Francesca Segal.

6/14 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

THE MARRYING OF CHANI KAUFMAN by Eve Harris. Grove Press, Black Cat (April 1, 2014). ISBN 978-0802122735. 384p.

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Posted by Stacy Alesi

Guest Blogger: Miranda Neville

June 24, 2014

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I am delighted to offer this Q&A with Miranda Neville as her new book arrives in stores. Read through to the end to read an excerpt and find out how you can win your own copy!

Q&A with Miranda Neville

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I have always written, but non-fiction of various kinds. I’d toyed with the idea of writing a novel for years, but only got serious about a dozen years ago.

What was the first romance novel you read that made an impression on you?

Powder and Patch by Georgette Heyer, when I was about twelve. I loved it so much I went on to read all her books, most of which I liked even better. I just read Powder and Patch again and thought it was brilliant!

How did you start writing romance novels?

I stopped reading romance for some years, until I picked up a Catherine Coulter and discovered that Regency romance now had sex. Hot damn! After reading many books by writers like Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Julia Quinn, Victoria Alexander, and Liz Carlyle (to name only a few!) I decided to have a go at writing my own. It took me about five years to get published (not with my first book – that one’s staying under the bed!)

How do you balance your writing schedule with the rest of your life?

I have no idea. I always say it’s a miracle I ever finish a book.

What do you hope readers will get from your book?

I always aim to take my readers back into the world of the past to meet intriguing and sympathetic characters who meet challenges and find love. I hope to inspire some laughs, some sighs and even the occasional tear.

What inspired you to write Lady Windermere’s Lover?

The book stands alone, but it’s part of my Wild Quartet series in which a group of friends have to face the consequences of their youthful errors. In the case of Damian, Lord Windermere, it is gambling away his estate during a drunken birthday bash. One of the things that fascinates me is the way writers use the same romantic tropes and produce such different results. I love marriages of convenience but I had never tackled an estranged spouses story. So I decided that’s what Damian would have.

How real are your characters? And their houses?

Like any writer, I borrow from any source that suits me, including my friends and family. But, if anyone says one of my characters is modeled after them, I will deny it to the death! As for houses, I love architecture porn, especially English stately homes. I have volumes of books on the subject. I never use one exactly, only the basic look, then I adapt the layout and features to suit my plot. We writers have power and we like to wield it.

Why do you think so many historical romances are set in Regency England?

It was the time when Britain came fully into its position as the world’s dominant nation. That makes the ruling classes very powerful and power is sexy. It is also a transitional period between the bawdy Georgians and the uptight Victorians with a tension between surface expectations and actual behavior that makes for great romantic conflict. Or the short answer, great male clothing: think Mr. Darcy!

Why are heroes and often heroines usually wealthy aristocrats?

Romance is all about the fantasy and historical romance even more so. No one wants to fantasize about being poor, downtrodden, and dirty. I am surprised there aren’t more characters who are self-made but the fashion at the moment is for dukes all the way. I expect the pendulum will swing back to heroes like Lisa Kleypas’s Derek Craven.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Absolutely. It has happened to me many times. Since none of them turned out to be lasting, I call them infatuation. But if one of them had worked out we’d have been telling our grandchildren we fell in love at first sight. Let’s face it, it’s not the first meeting the counts, romantic as it may be, but what happens afterward.

Tell three things about yourself that may surprise your readers.

I own boxes of beautiful fabric remnants, none of which I ever make into anything.

I really want to fly in a balloon.

I’d rather eat fruit than chocolate.

How can readers connect with you?

I love hearing from readers. Please join me on Facebook, Twitter, or contact me through my website.

About LADY WINDERMERE’S LOVER–

Hell hath no fury…

Damian, Earl of Windermere, rues the day he drunkenly gambled away his family’s estate and was forced into marriage to reclaim it. Now, after hiding out from his new bride for a year, Damian is finally called home, only to discover that his modest bride has become an alluring beauty—and rumor has it that she’s taken a lover. Damian vows to keep his wife from straying again, but to do so, he must seduce her—and protect his heart from falling for the wife he never knew he wanted.

like a woman abandoned…

Lady Cynthia never aspired to be the subject of scandal. But with her husband off gallivanting across Persia, what was a lady to do? Flirting shamelessly with his former best friend seemed like the perfect revenge…except no matter how little Damian deserves her loyalty, Cynthia can’t bring herself to be unfaithful. But now that the scoundrel has returned home, Cynthia isn’t about to forgive his absence so easily—even if his presence stirs something in her she’d long thought dead and buried. He might win her heart…if he can earn her forgiveness!

If you’d like to win a copy of LADY WINDERMERE’S LOVER –

Send an email to contest@gmail.com with “LADY WINDERMERE’S LOVER” as the subject. You must include your snail mail address in your email.

All entries must be received by July 10, 2014. One (1) name will be drawn from all qualified entries and notified via email. This contest is open to all adults over 18 years of age in the United States only. One entry per email address. Subscribers to the monthly newsletter earn an extra entry into every contest. Follow this blog to earn another entry into every contest. Winners may win only one time per year (365 days) for contests with prizes of more than one book. Your email address will not be shared or sold to anyone.

EXCERPT

He couldn’t have said who kissed whom first but declared it a tie because when it came down to it, who cared? All that mattered was she was intoxicating and finally he was going to put an end to far too long a celibacy. Somehow his exhilarated brain kept a grasp on his good intentions. His physical condition was approaching desperation and he doubted he’d last long enough to please anyone in his current state. He needed to slow down.

She lolled against the cushions, a golden angel in a den of iniquity, her eyes big and dreamy, her hair a honeyed cloud, her lips plump and dark from his kisses and asking for more. She represented an invitation to sin as sultry as any Persian houri, despite her nightgown, covering her from chin to toe like a nun. True, it was an improvement over the thick flannel shroud. It fell smoothly about her curves, giving him a better impression of her figure than he’d yet been afforded: high breasts, a small waist, and a lovely curve of the hips. Through the superfine cambric he caught a shadowy impression of nipples; dark pink, he fancied. His favorite kind. With thickened fingers he unlooped the button at her neck, and couldn’t resist the indentation of her collarbone, allowing himself a quick taste of the tender skin. She arched into his mouth and the nightgown fell open, revealing round, pert breasts that his palms itched to touch. “You are lovely,” he whispered. “I want to see all of you.”

He could have bit his tongue, thinking he was going too fast, but he needn’t have worried. The fragrant smoke or some other cause had shredded her inhibitions. With two shrugs and a wriggle she got out of her nightdress, tossing it aside, and arranged herself on the claret-colored velvet like a goddess in an Italian painting. She took his breath away. How could he have ever made the mistake of thinking her short and dumpy? She was a pocket Venus, perfectly proportioned, with ravishing curves to her arms and thighs, and narrow waist above a gently swelling belly.

“You are absolutely made to be naked,” he said with a voice full of awe. “It’s a crime that such beauty should be hidden.”

“A hanging offense or transportation?”

Her smile would entice a monastery of abbots to mass fornication. She stretched like a sensual cat, undulating her hips to draw attention to the blond thatch of her pubis. The anticipation of possession tortured him. It was impossible to believe that he’d had her before, unaware what a treasure he had captured. But now he had to make sure that she was so incredibly satisfied that she would never again give Julian Fortescue as much as a passing thought.

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TOP SECRET TWENTY-ONE by Janet Evanovich

June 24, 2014

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There is something comforting about the Stephanie Plum series. For the most part, the books come like clockwork every June. The characters were developed long ago (21 books ago, in fact) and don’t age or grow or change. Some people don’t like that in their characters and books, but I love these characters – I’m invested in them. I don’t want them to change and apparently neither do millions of readers, and Evanovich respects that.

All the usual suspects are here; Stephanie Plum, the world’s most inept bond enforcement officer, along with her sidekick, the former “ho” Lula, are after Jimmy Poletti, one of Trenton’s wealthier car dealers. Turns out Jimmy was dealing more than cars, and when he jumps bail, Stephanie and Lula are on the case.

Jimmy’s poker buddies are dying quickly and violently, and his former accountant, the nasty little person, Randy Briggs, is the object of several bombing attempts. Briggs convinces Stephanie to house him, and she figures he’ll be the bait to bring Poletti out of hiding. Another skip is a homeless man with 10 chihuahas, and Stephanie & Briggs end up babysitting the dogs.

Meanwhile, Rangeman has been the subject of a chemical attack, forcing Ranger and his men into a safehouse. A Russian hit man is after Ranger, and Stephanie gets caught up in the trouble as well, landing in an Atlantic City casino. Grandma Mazur is working her way through her bucket list, she and Lula show up, and Morelli suffers through all the insanity with his usual charm.

This was a quick afternoon read for me, and as a bonus there’s a short story at the end featuring Kate O’Hara and Nick Fox, the protagonists of Evanovich’s other series (written with Lee Goldberg.) If you haven’t read those, this is a nice introduction to the new series (2 books so far,) which I like a lot.

6/14 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

TOP SECRET TWENTY-ONE by Janet Evanovich. Bantam (June 17, 2014). ISBN 978-0345542922. 352p.

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Crime Fiction, Fiction | Tagged: Humor | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

RECKLESS DISREGARD by Robert Rotstein

June 23, 2014

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In this follow up to last year’s Corrupt Practices former child star turned attorney Parker Stern is still facing the same crippling stage fright that has him avoiding the courtroom. But when a famous video game designer reaches out to hire him, Parker finds it impossible to say no.

Poniard is the anonymous entity behind Abduction!, a game that proposes to make the player the investigator in the unsolved disappearance of actress Felicity McGrath. In the game, Poniard accuses well-known Hollywood personality William Bishop (aka William the Conqueror) of killing McGrath and now faces a libel suit in return. When Parker finds out that his ex is prosecuting, he agrees to take on the defense even when his fears about appearing in the courtroom start to seem minimal compared to the danger he faces in taking on William Bishop.

The tangled web of Hollywood happenings, cults, and courtroom drama makes Rotstein’s series a standout in thrillers (legal or otherwise).

Parker Stern is intriguing in that he has a tendency to attract danger in spite of everything. Here he is actively avoiding trial by working for a group that aims to settle disputes before getting as far as a courtroom, when he’s dragged not only into a courtroom battle but one that pits him against a man who is by all accounts completely ruthless. And why does he agree? First because of a woman and second because his new client threatens to expose a secret Parker has been trying to hide most of his life: that he is the once famous child star Parky Gerald.

Parker’s “Parky” persona is a big part of the plot of Corrupt Practices and I would definitely suggest reading that one before diving into its sequel. Both books are well worth it as Rotstein has a knack for clever storylines and engaging character development. I should note, though, that the Parker Stern series is so far a fairly dark one. There are elements in both novels that likely will not appeal to fans of cozier tales.

6/14 Becky Lejeune

RECKLESS DISREGARD by Robert Rotstein. Seventh Street Books (June 3, 2014). ISBN 978-1616148812. 352p.

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SOUS CHEF by Michael Gibney

June 22, 2014

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24 Hours on the Line

Everyone has eaten in a restaurant but do you have any idea of what’s involved in getting your food to the table? The small glimpses garnered from the Food Network and other cable TV shows merely hint at what is involved. Here, Gibney defines it for us and takes us along on his wild ride.

This is the first book written in second person that I ever loved – and I mean loved it. I read it in one sitting. Dibney takes us through 24 hours in the life of a sous chef, the second in command in a kitchen. In effect he makes the reader a fly on the wall of his kitchen.

The restaurant is nameless, but is described as a neighborhood French restaurant that is upscale for sure, but not the toast of New York City. We meet the crew, from the executive chef, the man in charge, through the line cooks, prep cooks,and even the dishwashers. Front of house staff – the servers, waiters, et al, – are merely on the fringe here. This is a book about cooking.

Everyone here is passionate but not everyone is ambitious, which is probably a good thing. Kitchens can be very competitive, and indeed Gibney describes competitions he has with himself in putting together his mise en place. But it is serving the customer that is at the heart of this kitchen.

The pacing is relentless, the writing superior, and all in all this is just a fascinating read. I loved it.

6/14 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch

SOUS CHEF: 24 Hours on the Line by Michael Gibney.Ballantine Books (March 25, 2014). ISBN 978-0804177870. 240p.

2 Comments | Book Reviews, Food, Memoir, Nonfiction | Permalink
Posted by Stacy Alesi

ROBERT B. PARKER’S CHEAP SHOT by Ace Atkins

June 21, 2014

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Spenser series, Book 42

Say, haven’t I read this before on ESPN?

Kinjo Heywood was a college all-American at Auburn and is now a ferocious Pro Bowl middle linebacker for the New England Patriots. Unfortunately, he has a penchant for off-the field violence as well.

When he thinks he’s being followed, his agent hires Boston private investigator Spenser to find and discourage the followers. But Spenser’s simple bodyguard duty turns serious when Kinjo’s 10-year-old son is kidnapped.

Perhaps it was masterminded by the boy’s mother, Kinjo’s ex-wife. Nope. She has an alibi and is every bit as invested in the boy’s return as Kinjo. How about the current trophy wife? Nope again; Spenser eliminates her fairly quickly. Perhaps the kidnapping goes back to Kinjo’s possible involvement in a shooting death at a New York dance club.

The three superheroes – Spenser, longtime running buddy Hawk, and Spenser’s protégé Z – employ their usual investigative techniques of intimidation and smart-ass repartee to solve the case. Spenser is as tough and funny as ever, and Atkins has become a worthy successor to Parker.

6/14 Jack Quick

ROBERT B. PARKER’S CHEAP SHOT by Ace Atkins. Putnam Adult; First Edition edition (May 6, 2014). ISBN 978-0399161582. 320p.

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THE DEEPEST SECRET by Carla Buckley

June 20, 2014

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Eve’s son Tyler suffers from a rare genetic disorder called xeroderma pigmentosum: exposure to uv light of any kind can be lethal. For fourteen years, Tyler’s disorder has ruled every facet of the family’s life. For Eve, it means almost total devotion to the protection of her son – at the expense of everything else. Her husband commutes to another state for work because Eve is too afraid of the risk in moving her son, her daughter’s behavior is a direct reflection of her feeling left out, and Tyler longs for nothing more than a normal life.

Eve is always so careful. Always in control. All it takes, though, is one minute. Just one minute when she lets her guard down. One minute when she isn’t completely on point. And in that one minute, everything changes. Now Eve is carrying a secret so big it could tear her family apart. As always her only desire is to protect Tyler but as time goes by her secret becomes harder and harder to conceal.

The Deepest Secret wrecked me! Eve’s desire to keep her son safe is so overwhelming that even in the midst of a truly awful decision it’s impossible not to sympathize with her. As the story progresses, the tension builds to a breaking point for both Eve and the reader as the certainty (and dread) of what’s to come for her and her family draws nearer.

While Buckley’s latest is certainly not a thriller, it does read like one. It’s tense enough to appeal to fans of Harlan Coben’s work but issue-y enough to appeal to Jodi Piccoult fans and book clubs looking for a great discussion book.

6/14 Becky LeJeune

THE DEEPEST SECRET by Carla Buckley. Bantam; First Edition edition (February 4, 2014). ISBN 978-0345535245. 448p.

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