Goodie! Goodie! Goodie!...bag

So my good friends at Pink Veil (a blog for everything Bachelorette Party related) chose THE FIDELITY FILES as one of their MUST INCLUDE books for bachelorette party goodie bags! I love being listed alongside authors like Sophie Kinsella and Lauren Weisberger (two of my idols!)

Thanks Pink Veil!

Bachelorette party go-er or no, be sure to check out this fab site!

Guest Star: Carolyn Jewel

Hello all! Time for another guest star! This week it's Carolyn Jewel, author of the fantastic new romance novel, SCANDAL.

Scandal
Berkley Sensation
February 3, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-425-22551-6
Author's Website

The earl of Banallt is no stranger to scandal. But when he meets Sophie Evans, the young wife of a fellow libertine, even he is shocked by his reaction. This unconventional and intelligent woman proves to be far more than an amusing distraction-- she threatens to drive him to distraction. Unlike the women who usually fall at Banallt's feet, and into his bed, Sophie refuses to be seduced. And soon Banallt desires her more than ever-- and for more than an illicit affair.

Years later, the widowed Sophie is free, and Banallt is determined to win the woman he still loves. Unfortunately, she doesn't believe his declaration of love and chivalrous offer of marriage-- her heart has already been broken by her scoundrel of a husband. And yet, Sophie is tempted to indulge in the torrid affair she's always fantasized about. Caught between her logical mind and her long-denied desire, Sophie must thwart Banallt's seduction-- or risk being consumed by the one man she should avoid at all costs...

And here's a special interview with me and the author:

1. Who is your most embarrassing in-retrospect heartthrob?

I have only ever loved Adrian Paul and Jet Li. Ever in my whole life.
But Ringo was my favorite Beatle.

2. Since becoming a writer, what's the most glamorous thing you've ever done?

HAHAHAHAHA! The dishes?

3. What's the main thing you hope people take away from your book?

A burning and insatiable desire to buy my backlist and everything else I ever write for the rest of my life. And to tell everyone they know to do the same thing. OK, seriously, I just hope they enjoy the heck out of the story.

4. What is your process of getting out a first draft? How long might it take?

I print out drafts from time to time because the words look different on paper. I rarely have a complete draft. I just have more and more words that make up a mess that needs constant and massive fixing which I do constantly until somehow the story isn't a mess any more. And then it's done.

5. If you could only own and read 5 books for the rest of your life, (excluding your own) what five books would you choose?

Villette by Charlotte Bronte, Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Some edition of O'Henry Best Short Stories, A Summer to Remember by Mary Balogh.

The Oscars: My Take

Just finished watching the Oscars. Here are my two cents (for whoever is interested):

- Sean Penn, next time you win an Oscar for best actor, remember to thank your wife! She's the woman who was sitting next to you in the beautiful black dress. Does "Jennay" ring a bell? Ask Tom Hanks, he'll point her out for you.

- You would think that Angelina and Brad (both best actor nominees!) could do a better job pretending to smile when Jennifer Aniston was on stage. You're actors for God's sake! I've seen better fake pleasantries on the Hills.

- Way to go Slumdog Millionaire! It's not often that I've not only seen the landslide winning film but actually thought it deserved to win.

- Edward Cullen was AT. THE. OSCARS! Need I say more? Although, why'd he have that silly British accent?

- Congrats to Kate Winslet. Well deserved. But to be honest, you had me at Titanic.

- The Duchess won for costume design. No surprise there. The period piece ALWAYS wins! My observation: the older the time period of the film, the higher chance of it winning. Yes, you can quote me on that (although I doubt anyone will care.)


What's your take?

New York Times Bestseller!

No, not me. But just as good. If not, better!

My very dear friend Alyson Noel's first book in her brand new Immortals Series has just debuted at #3 on the New York Times Bestsellers Children's list!!!!!!

And as if that wasn't exciting enough, the book is also #84 on the USA Today Bestseller list, #51 on the Bookscan Bestseller list AND the TV rights were just optioned to Spring Creek Productions. Just a little production company that has released titles like, Blood Diamond, Rumor Has it, Monster-in-Law, Analyze This, and Recount...to name a few. No biggie, right?

This is so well deserved. And for those of you who don't know Alyson, you'll just have to take my word for it. She is one of the coolest, funniest, most prolific, inspiring, kind-hearted, spiritual, and loving people I have ever had the pleasure to know. And I couldn't be more happy for her. After 7 fantastic books in release, she has finally made it to the top. And there's no better place to be than there!

New French Cover

So, the sales team at my French publisher decided that my previous cover didn't "pop" enough. I'm learning that the word "pop" is a very popular verb in the publishing industry. Everything has to pop! So this is the brand new design they came up with it and I am in love with it. Now, I'm not an pop expert or anything (except if you count pop music) but I think this cover totally pops!!!

Evermore is EVER-Awesome!

So, I'm not normally one to drop names or brag about all the celebrities I know. That's probably because I know so few of them. (Read: None). But all of that changes today. Because my good author friend Alyson Noel has just become a real, bonefide rock star celebrity! Her new book, EVERMORE (which is the first book in a fantastic new series called "The Immortals") released yesterday and it already reached number 748 in Amazon's total book rankings (and number 25 in their Teen Parnormal genre!) IN ONE DAY! And today it only continues to rise.

Let the name dropping begin! I envision all future conversations going something like this.

ME: "Yeah, when Alyson Noel and I were chatting the other day..."
RANDOM PERSON I MET ON THE STREET: "Wait, THE Alyson Noel? You mean the same Alyson Noel that writes those bestselling Immortals books?"
ME: "Yep. That's the one."
RPIMOTS: "You KNOW her?"
ME: "Oh yeah, we go WAY back."
RPIMOTS (with sudden envy): "Wow"

Oh and all celebrity-status aside, did I mention how freaking AWESOME the book is. I read it one day. And for anyone who reads my blog, you know what a total Twilight junkie I am. Well, move over, Edward Cullen. Damen Auguste is now my new unhealthy fictional character obsession. Yes, I know, I'm such a fickle stalker.