Nancy’s Theory of Style
by Grace Coopersmith
Paperback
List Price: $15.00
Publication Date: 2010-05-18
ISBN-10: 1-4165-9886-3

Grace Coopersmith guest post:

I’m very excited that my romantic comedy, Nancy’s Theory of Style, will be released next week. I’m primarily a humorist, and I sometimes treat myself like one of my characters. Like my heroine, Nancy Carrington-Chambers, I say things that I think are amusing or entertaining and encourage a certain eccentric idea of who I am. All right, I confess, I am eccentric!

But the truth is that I take writing humorous fiction very seriously and I’ve worked at both writing and humor ever since I learned the alphabet. I recall being chosen to tell a funny story in first grade. When my classmates burst into laughter, I felt both amazement and delight. I still get that delicious feeling when readers tell me they laughed out loud at something I wrote. There’s a connection there, a shared understanding of the human condition when we laugh together.

My character, Nancy, is the girl you love to hate. She’s pretty, privileged, judgmental, and self-centered. She separates from her increasingly boorish husband to work on her event planning company, Froth. She leaves their horrible McMansion in a half-abandoned development and returns to her chic bachelorette apartment in San Francisco’s posh Pacific Heights.

The very first thing she does is hire an assistant to help her resurrect one of the city’s most venerated fundraisers. Her assistant, Derek, is impeccably dressed, British, gorgeous, and gay. Things are going well, when Nancy’s irresponsible cousin abandons her four-year-old in Nancy’s care. Somehow, Nancy, her assistant, and the child begin to forge a sort of family.

Nancy begins to let go of the tight control she’s had on the details of her life. Little by little we learn that Nancy’s life has not been the “lovely, lovely” image she projects. It’s more like a beautiful piece of glass that has a slight crack. The crack is only visible when you hold the glass to the light, but it’s enough to make the glass much more fragile than it appears to be.

When Derek asks Nancy why she puts on parties, she says, “Something magical happens when the ambience is right and people are celebrating. It’s momentary and elusive, but as glorious as a butterfly. I want to think that creating that shared joy is important.”

And that’s why I love writing stories that make people laugh and feel happy – I want to think that creating a shared joy is important.

About the author (from the author’s site):

I’m a San Francisco Bay Area native and still live there. I went to Stanford, where I studied creative writing, literature, and theatre. (I had a mad idea that I wanted to be a theatre reviewer. Anyway…)

With this extremely useful ability to sit around and read books and talk about them, I took miscellaneous low-paying jobs. I frequently worked for non-profits, including theatre companies. One of my job skills was properly opening a bottle of champagne for special guests. I can’t remember if I put that on my resume.

I was a frequent contributor of home, gardening, and style columns and features for newspapers and magazines. So, yes, I have written in-depth articles about modern wallpaper trends, worm composting, and luxury home libraries.

Right now, I’m working on another novel set in San Francisco.

Giveaway:
Leave a comment, and fill in this form at the same time.
Contest open to US.
Extra entries: tweet, blog, sidebar link. Please leave the links in the comment form.
Drawing will be two weeks from today. Winner’s address will be forwarded to the publisher for shipping.

Tags: Ayelet Gruenspecht, Grace Coopersmith

Nancy’s Theory of Style
by Grace Coopersmith
Paperback
List Price: $15.00
Publication Date: 2010-05-18
ISBN-10: 1-4165-9886-3

I just got this book to review. Reading it now, and I can’t wait to post my review. I thought I’d post a heads up of books I receive, that way you’ll know what to look forward to.

Product Description from Amazon.com

Lively young socialite Nancy Carrington-Chambers has always believed an excellent sense of style and strict attention to detail are what it takes to succeed, but her own husband Todd is showing symptoms of incurable tackiness, so Nancy flees their McMansion for her posh San Francisco apartment. She knows her event planning company, Froth, is a real winner, but she must prove herself by reinventing the turgid Barbary Coast Historical Museum fundraiser. Luckily, Nancy now has the perfect assistant. Derek Cathcart is British, impeccably dressed, gorgeous, and clearly gay—so why does Nancy find him so attractive?

Before Nancy can unravel her feelings, her irresponsible cousin Birdie abandons her little daughter with Nancy and takes off. Nancy, Derek, and Eugenia make an unlikely “family,” but strangely it seems incredibly right. Now Nancy’s parents are pressuring her to return to Todd, and she still has to pull off a spectacular party. For someone who’s always known exactly where she’s going, Nancy is in dangerously uncharted waters.

Tags: Grace Coopersmith

by Gwyn Cready
Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages
Pocket, March 2010
ISBN-10: 1439107246

I had a tough time getting into this book. I wanted to read it because it couldn’t have won all those accolades if it isn’t any good. Sometimes, my mind gets into a certain mindset when I hear a certain word, like “time travel”. I find myself getting into the story about a fifth of the way through. It just all come together and I was hooked.

I love the way she landed back into the past. There’s so many time travel books out there, and it makes it really fun for me when the author comes up with unique ways to get there. Cam and Peter’s story has many surprises that I love their moving story. If you’re reading this book and you find it a little slow in the beginning, don’t give up. It picks up and heats up when Cam goes back into the past.

This book reminds me so much of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. I adore that book, but you couldn’t tell the first 7 times I tried to read it. Then I finally got into it and couldn’t get enough. Cready’s book is brilliant.

Thanks to Ayelet of Simon & Schuster for my review copy.

About the book:

In RITA® Award–winning author Gwyn Cready’s fun and sexy new time-travel adventure, an ambitious writer discovers that bad-boy painters are as timeless—and irresistible—as their art. . . .Art historian Campbell Stratford is about to make a name for herself with her scandalously sexy tell-all “fictographies” of famous seventeenth-century artists, but she’s more iintimately familiar with her subjects than her eager readers can imagine. Thanks to a time portal she accidentally discovered, she has caused quite a stir in the Great Beyond. To save their reputations, the Guild protecting dead artists convinces playboy Peter Lely, portraitist to the king, to sabotage Cam’s latest project. A few hours posing on Sir Peter’s modeling chaise leads to a night of seductive passion—then Cam returns home and discovers his betrayal. But before she can turn her angry pen on her lover, Sir Peter makes a surprise visit to the future and transforms Cam’s twenty-first-century life into chaos of classic proportions. . . .

Tags: Gwyn Cready, Sarah Rea

Healing Luke
by Beth Cornelison
Mass Market Paperback, 320 Pages
Published 2009 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

List Price: $6.99
Published in 2009
ISBN-10: 1-4022-2434-6

My Take:
This book reminds me so much of what I love most about reading romance books. It’s not about the sex, although I’ve learn to live with those hot-sexy-scenes-keep-husband-handy sort. What I love most about romance story is one that will make me sniffle and even cry, and then a happy ending that puts a smile on my face. Healing Luke is such a book. Luke had an accident that changed his life. Along came Abby, whose fiancé cheated on her right before the wedding. She went on their honeymoon trip anyway and end up meeting grumpy Luke. I would have stayed far, far away from this guy, but Abby didn’t. She’s a occupational therapist. I love Luke’s brother and father. This book is such a joy to read. I’m keeping my copy because I’d like to re-read it again and sigh and cry at exactly the same places.

Ten Things You Didn’t Know About Healing Luke and Beth Cornelison

If you’re addicted to Facebook like I am, you’ve probably seen the 10 Things About Me list circulating. Today, as I celebrate the release of my contemporary romance, Healing Luke, I thought it might be fun to share a list of 10 things about the book and about me that you don’t know. Totally trivial facts, as it were, but fun nonetheless! So let’s get started…
1) Okay, the first one is kinda a repeat since I mentioned it earlier but…I’m addicted to Facebook. I play Wordscraper, Farkle, and Chain Reaction on FB when I need a break from writing.

2) Many years ago, the first draft of Healing Luke was written in long hand in spiral notebooks. Finally my husband saw the need for a home PC, and I’ve worked on a computer ever since.

3) Many revisions ago, Healing Luke took third place in the 2000 Southern Heat writing contest for unpublished writers.

4) The original title for Healing Luke was Second Chances.

5) When I originally wrote Healing Luke, I also started a book for his brother Aaron. Somewhere, on an old hard drive to a former computer and an obsolete 3.5 inch floppy disc, I still have the first 200 or so pages of that book. I’m desperately trying to find a way to recoup those pages!
6) When I was writing the first drafts of Healing Luke, the GooGoo Dolls Iris became my “theme song” for Luke.

7) A local hand therapist helped me with my research for the therapy scenes in Healing Luke.

When Luke and Abby accompany Aaron to the karaoke bar, I had specific songs in mind that they sang. Aaron- Garth Brooks’ Two Pina Coladas, Abby-Jo Dee Messina’s Bye Bye. While I don’t imagine Aaron is a fan of country music, Abby might be. When I wrote the book, country was my mainstay, but my musical tastes are usually pretty eclectic.

9) The idea for Healing Luke came to me after a family vacation in Destin, Florida. Destin and snorkeling remain family vacation favorites.
10) To date, I’ve had 8 romantic suspense novels published with three publishers. Healing Luke is my first contemporary romance, and Sourcebooks becomes my fourth publisher. I have 6 more romantic suspense books due out in the next 18 months or so. Whew!

11) BONUS! The most frequent question I’ve had since Healing Luke was released has been “Will Aaron have his own book?” The answer is: I hope so! (See # 5) As soon as my schedule allows (See # 10) I will begin working on Aaron’s book! Stay tuned for more information…

There. Now you’re all ready for the Healing Luke category when it comes up on Jeopardy!
I love to hear from readers, so feel free to contact me through my website (www.bethcornelison.com). Happy reading!

Beth Cornelison

About the Author

Georgia native Beth Cornelison worked in public relations before pursuing her love of writing fiction. She has published five category romances, winning numerous honors for her work, including RWA’s coveted Golden Heart. Cornelison is active in her local RWA chapter and presents writing workshops across the country. She lives in West Monroe, Louisiana. For more information, please visit www.bethcornelison.com

The Giveaway:
Thanks to Danielle of Sourcebook for my ARC and this giveaway.
Contest open to US and Canada. No PO Boxes please.
Contest ends September 30. There will be one winner, and item mailed straight from the publisher.
Winners will be announced within a week after deadline. Please make sure to subscribe to this blog’s feed to find out if you’re a winner. Please contact me within 1 week of posting the winners, or I get to pick another winner.

+1: Blog or link to this contest on your sidebar.
+1: (for each link) Tweet, stumble, or facebook this contest. Make sure to leave me link where I can find it.
+1: If you could ask Beth one question, what would it be?
+2: Tell me what is your idea of a romantic story.

Tags: Beth Cornelison, Danielle Jackson

My Cousin Caroline; In Stores September 1, 2009!

My Cousin Caroline: The acclaimed Pride and Prejudice sequel series The Pemberley Chronicles Book 6
by Rebecca Ann Collins
Paperback, 352 Pages
List Price: $14.99
Published in 2009
ISBN-10: 1-4022-2431-1

In this installment of The Pemberley Chronicles series, Mr. Darcy’s cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth’s cousin Caroline Gardiner take center stage.

The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Caroline develops from a pretty young girl into a woman of intelligence and passion, embodying some of Austen’s own values. Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth, Jane, Mr. and Mrs. Bennett, and the Wickhams all move through the story as Caroline falls in love, marries, and raises her children. Caroline rejects the role of a compliant Victorian wife and mother, instead becoming a spirited and outspoken advocate of reformist causes in spite of the danger of scandal.

Caroline’s advocacy of reform, undaunted by criticism, demonstrates strength in a time when a woman’s role was severely restricted.

My Take:
What can I say about a book that’s very enjoyable to read? If Ms. Jane Austen is alive to write related books to Pride and Prejudice, I think that she’d have Rabecca Ann Collins’ My Cousin Caroline in mind. I enjoy the air of authenticity of this story. I didn’t really notice Caroline Gardiner in Pride and Prejudice. That book is dominated by Darcy and Lizzy.

However, it’s a pleasant surprise to read about a forward-thinking young lady catching Fitzwilliam’s heart. This is a sweet romance book that an Austen fan should not miss. I was riveted by the details of the area and the characters. I am especially attached to Caroline’s character. When you read this book, let me know what you think. Reading this book is like watching a movie in print; the details come alive. The characters are well-developed, and so very easy to like. This is book 6 of the series, yet I don’t feel like I’m missing chunks of the story. I will definitely read the other five.

Thanks to Danielle, the author and Sourcebooks for my ARC.

Guest Post

I suppose you’d like to know what sort of book you are getting- even if it is for free? The short answer is: my book is a sequel to Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, with a twist. What sort of twist? Well, an interesting one, but, you’ll have to read the book to find out! I can give you a few hints. You may ask who on earth is Caroline and what has she to do with Pride and Prejudice? Well, she is one of the most remarkable and interesting women in the Pemberley Chronicles Series: beautiful, romantic, intelligent and ahead of her time!

For a start, My Cousin Caroline, being the sixth book in the series, was an opportunity to introduce new characters and themes and reprise some old ones. We are now some years into the period after the marriages of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy and Jane and Mr Bingley. While their marriages are both happy and fruitful and form the basis for the series by their very stability, they offer fewer opportunities for further romantic development. Meanwhile, two minor characters, Caroline (Elizabeth’s cousin; daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner) and Colonel Fitzwilliam (Mr. Darcy’s cousin) begged to have their own story told, instead of being a sub-plot in the romance of Darcy and Elizabeth.

Colonel Fitzwilliam was (according to Austen) a man of impeccable reputation and an amiable character, whose only  problem was as a younger son of a titled family, he didn’t have the means to marry a woman of his choice, unless she had a fortune as well. Caroline is a mere child in the original novel; which allowed me some flexibility in the development of her character. As the daughter of the Gardiners, whose wealth is based on “trade” (as the snobbish Bingley women contemptuously put it), she would not have been considered an appropriate choice for the second son of an earl. Yet they are both such promising, attractive characters, they offer a writer an opportunity to devise the circumstances that would bring them together, regardless of their divergent social backgrounds.

To my mind, it had all the makings of a fine 19^th century romance

How to achieve this? Not wishing to spoil the pleasure for you, I won’t go into details of plot, but suffice it to say that it is one of the most tender romances in the series, involving two people who fall deeply in love, but who are also deeply committed to a number of important causes and dedicate much time and effort to serve their community.

Against a background of Regency and Georgian England, when many of those whose job it was to serve the people spent their lives in the pursuit of pleasure and feckless pastimes, Caroline and her Colonel  find the time and energy to do their duty too. Theirs is a remarkable partnership of love and service.

If I may quote the Book News Reviews from Spring 2001—when this book was first released in Australia: “Inventive without resorting to manipulation, always maintaining the consistency of character and values,  authentic in every detail,  My Cousin Caroline throws new light on some of the characters and events of the earlier novels. Despite its setting and some of its characters, My Cousin Caroline is much more than a sequel to Pride and Prejudice.”

Thank you for having me today, and I hope that you enjoyed learning a little bit more about my book!

Rebecca Ann Collins

About the Author

Rebecca Ann Collins is the pen name of a lady in Australia who loves Jane Austen’s work so much that she has written a series of 10 sequels to Pride and Prejudice, following Austen’s beloved characters, introducing new ones and bringing the characters into a new historical era. Thoroughly researched and beautifully written, this series has been extremely successful in Australia with over 80,000 books sold.

Giveaway:
1 set of The Pemberley Chronicles and My Cousin Caroline.

Thanks to Danielle and Sourcebooks.
Contest open to US and Canada. No PO Boxes please.
Contest ends September 25.
Winners will be announced within a week after deadline. Please make sure to subscribe to this blog’s feed to find out if you’re a winner. Please contact me within 1 week of posting the winners, or I get to pick another winner.

+1: Blog or link to this contest on your sidebar.
+1: (for each link) Tweet, stumble, or facebook this contest. Make sure to leave me link where I can find it.
+1: There are many P&P fan fiction out there. Here’s your chance to name them. One entry per book title + Author + central characters if it isn’t Lizzy and Darcy (include series name if possible). Try not to repeat, if you can.

Tags: Danielle Jackson, Rebecca Ann Collins, The Pemberley Chronicles