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Two New Books ~ Two Cool Contests

Crystal — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:05:36 +0000

Two great books out today: Jenny Nelson’s debut novel Georgia’s Kitchen (if you like women’s fiction, romance and a taste of Italy) and bestselling author Lisa Unger’s Fragile (for you Jodi Picoult and Anita Shreve fans who love family drama with some suspense. People Magazine called it a “nail-biter”).

Must-reads for summer and each author has a fantastic contest~ check it out:

Fragile Contest
Order Fragile between now and August 6^th and you could win an iPad. Just leave a comment on Lisa Unger’s Facebook page telling her where you picked up her book and then a random drawing will take place August 10^th.

About Fragile:
Everybody knows everybody in The Hollows, a quaint, charming town outside of New York City. It’s a place where neighbors keep an eye on each other’s kids, where people say hello in the grocery store, and where high school cliques and antics are never quite forgotten. As a kid, Maggie found the microscope of small town life stifling. But as a wife and mother, she’s happily returned to The Hollows’ insular embrace. As a psychologist, her knowledge of family histories provides powerful insights into her patients’ lives. So when the girlfriend of her teenage son Rick disappears, Maggie’s intuitive gift proves useful to the case – and also dangerous.

Eerie parallels soon emerge between Charlene’s disappearance and the abduction of another local girl that shook the community when Maggie was a teenager. The investigation has her husband, Jones, the lead detective on the case, acting strangely. Rick, already a brooding teenager, becomes even more withdrawn. In a town where the past is always present, nobody is above suspicion, not even a son in the eyes of his father.

It’s a page-turner and the Associated Press says “Unger fans won’t be disappointed.” For more info: www.lisaunger.com.

Georgia’s Kitchen Contest
Georgia’s Kitchen is a dazzling debut made with the finest ingredients: romance, cooking, Italy, New York, and one woman’s appetite for more. Order Georgia’s Kitchen between now and August 6th (it’s only $10!), email your receipt to jennynelsonauthor@gmail.com and be entered to win Georgia’s Kitchen Giant Giveaway which includes a bag full of these great novels, your choice of a food magazine (a full year subscription!) and more. The other great books you’ll win in this giveaway are:

Everyday Italian by Giada DeLaurentiis, After You by Julie Buxbaum, Super in the City by Daphne Uviller, She’s Gone Country and Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter, Girls in Trucks and Men and Dogs by Katie Crouch, I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci and Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.

PLUS A one year subscription to the food magazine of your choice (Food and Wine; Bon Apetit, Fine Cooking or Everyday with Rachael Ray) and a $50 gift certificate to Crate & Barrel.

WOW!! What are you waiting for? Enter to win now.

Happy reading and good luck!

Tuesday 5

Crystal — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 04:16:30 +0000

I’m super excited to be heading to L.A. this week – for a press junket with some fabulous mom bloggers. Also, will be joining some great women authors like Irene Zutell, Lisa Steinke & Liz Fenton and Laura Dave to swing by Borders in Westwood for Allison Winn Scotch’s The One That I Want book signing. I love these women and feel blessed every day to work with them. And who doesn’t love a GNO in L.A.?

So before I head on over to Hollywood, wanted to give out the Tuesday 5 for ya – 5 great things to check out this week.

The Tuesday 5

#1 People Magazine
Pick up this week’s issue of People and you’ll see an incredible list of summer reading recommendations including Fragile by Lisa Unger – which the mag calls a “nail-biting, nuanced whodunit.” Pre-order Fragile (August 3 release date). As an added bonus, the issue just happens to be the 50 Most Amazing Bodies, uhm…hello Zac Efron! (#cougar).

Earlier this week on People.com, the lovely Emily Giffin was asked what’s on her summer reading list and she recommended The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen, which is in like its 4th printing. Congrats Sarah!

#2 Sand in my Eyes by Christine Lemmon
Looking for the perfect beach book? Check out Sand in my Eyes from Christine Lemmon, which according to this fantastic book blog review, is the pefect beach book “to lose yourself in for those precious hours by the pool, the beach or just in a quiet room.” Sand in my Eyes is coming out July 1, pre-order the book.

Sand in my Eyes was also a finalist in the fiction category for the 2010 National Indie Excellence Awards – congrats Christine!

#3 Unabashedly Bookish Blog
We love Lisa Steinke and her Monday posts for this popular B&N book blog, especially what she had to say about Jane Porter’s upcoming novel, She’s Gone Country – that from the moment she picked it up, she couldn’t put it down. We hope you are all as excited about She’s Gone Country as Lisa is- and we are. Pre-order She’s Gone Country (coming August 23).

#4 Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson
Congrats to Jenny Nelson whose debut novel, Georgia’s Kitchen, has been selected by Target as a Break-out Book for August (Pre-order, it’s coming August 3!). Be sure to become a fan of Georgia’s Kitchen on Facebook and follow Jenny on Twitter to stay up to date on the latest news and contests for this fabulous debut. And one of our favorite book bloggers, Luxury Reading, is currently giving away an early copy. Enter to win.

#5 Cupcakes!
We love author Jennifer Ross’s book, The Icing on the Cupcake, and how she shared delicious cupcakes at the beginning of each chapter. Now she’s doing something super fun on her blog. She’s having guest bloggers share their favorite recipes handed down from their grandmothers, like this one Allison Winn Scotch provided – Allison’s Pumpkin Pie Ice Cream. Yum!

And last, speaking of Tuesday – Holly Christine, author of Tuesday Tells it Slant, is sharing her 5 favorite big books (over 700 pages) that she couldn’t put down. Great list!

Happy reading, y’all! Or as they say in Hollywood, have your peeps call my peeps!?

Best Books for Guys and Dads

Crystal — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:33:33 +0000

I get a ton of emails from girlfriends looking for book recommendations or comments on my Facebook page about books I’m promoting or raving about that they are excited to read. Lately, what I love is that I’m getting guys asking me for book ideas too - suggestions for books their wives/girlfriends/moms might like. And recently, even ideas for books that they would enjoy reading.

So, with those guys in mind (and for you ladies who want your guy to pick up something other than the remote), I put together a fun Guy’s Summer Book Guide over at SheKnows. 6 books recommendations for cool guys and hip dads - many which appeal to men and women.

Also, if you missed my Father’s Day essay, I’d love for you to check it out and leave a comment.

Happy Father’s Day guys and I’d love to hear your thoughts on these books and other books you are reading or have read and liked.

6 Books for Cool Guys and Hip Dads

#1 Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris
Joshua Ferris, just named one of the top fiction writers under the age of 40 by The New Yorker, can do no wrong in my eyes. I love his bestselling debut novel, Then We Came to the End, an incredibly funny, moving and modern portrait of corporate, cubicle life.

Set during the dot-com bubble at an unnamed Chicago advertising firm, the book is a hilarious romp of cubicle culture- office gossip, ridiculous pranks, free food in the breakroom. A great view of how work becomes your dysfunctional family - a la The Office but so much more.

Also recommend: The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris, his new book that came out earlier this year about a man who loves his wife, his family, his work, his home. And one day, he stands up and walks out.

#2 This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
Speaking of dysfunctional families, Jonathan Tropper captures the drama, complexity and sibling dynamics perfectly in his book, This is Where I Leave You. Coming out in paperback July 6, this family saga is outrageously funny and heartfelt.

The book is about the wildly dysfunctional Foxman family - the dad has passed away and the adult children return home to sit Shiva for seven days together. Old sibling rivalries, marriage issues, sex, love, enemies all surface and make for a messy, funny, sad and delicious read.

Also recommend: How to Talk to a Widower by Jonathan Tropper, a moving and funny book about a man raising his stepson after his wife dies.

#3 The Accidental Adult by Colin Sokolowski
If your guy is reluctantly responsible and marginally mature, he’s likely an accidental adult. As writer Colin Sokolowski defines, ”An accidental adult is an individual whose age indicates maturity but whose approach to life suggests otherwise.”

This comic collection of essays is perfect for the guy who longs for the carefree days of hanging out in a bar and feeling like you belong there, but who now has a minivan-driving wife, kids and a mortgage to pay. Part How-To advice and part How-Not-To narrative, The Accidental Adult will have you laughing, remembering the good ‘ole days and realizing just because you’re older doesn’t mean you have to be lamer.

Also recommended: Not sure if you or your man are accidental adults or assimilated adults (those who embrace the responsiblity of adulthood)? Take this fun Adult aptitude quiz to find out. And read some cool stuff my favorite chick lit bloggers, Liz and Lisa, found out when they spent Seven Seconds in Heaven with The Accidental Adult.

For the rest of my list, check out the Guy’s Summer Book Guide and let me know what you are reading!

Friday Must List

Christelle — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:11:51 +0000

Hello! I’m Christelle and I am an intern here at BookSparksPR. I am thrilled to be working with Crystal (and crew) as well as all of the fabulous authors she works with. I will be taking over the Thursday Must List - now the Friday Must List and doing some other fun posts, too. Follow me on Twitter for some fun Friday Must List, book- and intern-related tweets.

The Friday Must List

There are few things I love more than watching a favorite book jump off the pages and onto the big screen. Seeing a perfectly casted actor breathe life into a novel’s leading character can be like seeing the ocean for the first time. We’re excited that BookSparksPR client Allison Winn Scotch (who is busy promoting her new book The One That I Want) is having her bestseller Time of My Life adapted into a movie soon. We’ll keep you posted on the latest, including which actors come onboard for the lead roles of Henry and Jack. We also love that Emily Giffin is keeping fans updated on her book, Something Borrowed, being made into a movie starring Kate Hudson.

All this book-to-movie talk got me thinking about what I think the best (and worst) movies based on books are so here’s my must list for books made into movies.

The Best

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks… Is there really any need for explanation? The book and the movie can make me cry every time and they both make me question “Why can’t I have that?” anytime a relationship is in the toilet. Two telling signs of a great love story.

Atonement by Ian McEwan – I have a sort of backwards feeling about this combo. Usually a book can give so much more than a movie, but in this case the theatrical visuals are so breathtaking I am not sure anyone can put into words what Hollywood did with a camera.

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen – This is one of my favorites in both categories… life in a mental hospital from the perspective of a patient; you can’t make this stuff up. And she didn’t, the true story element just makes this double treat a little tastier.

The Worst

Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare – The attempt to blend modern day themes with Shakespearean vernacular sounds uber-creative, but just comes off weird and corny most of the time. Apparently, not everything Leo Dicaprio touches turns to gold.

The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown – I admit I was as hooked into the book as the next person, but it would have taken a holy miracle to keep me awake through that movie.

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne – Am I truly supposed to believe that a woman who starred in Striptease is capable of pulling off the role of Hester Prynne gracefully? Love you Demi…but you’re no Puritan.

More to love (or hate)!

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane – This thriller just came out on DVD and although I went straight for the movie and skipped the book, but I could definitely see myself going back and reading it.

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks – This movie just hit stores and bottom line I’m never disappointed with his books or movies. Sparks had me at A Walk to Remember and I’ve never looked back.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen – This book is not only at the top of my reading list it is also in the early production stages. Add to the fact that it stars everyone’s favorite dirty-pretty boy Rob Pattinson and my all time favorite actress Reese Witherspoon… I see a midnight showing in my future!!

What are your favorite movies based on books?

Thursday Must List

Crystal — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 00:14:02 +0000

It’s back by popular demand! The Thursday Must List – I know, I know. You’ve been missing it – not sure how you’ve been getting along without it: my rants and raves on everything from books, to movies to pop culture to beauty products.

Well, be still your heart: The Thursday Must List is back!

#1 The One That I Want
Redbook, Glamour and Cosmo agree: New York Times bestselling author Allison Winn Scotch is back with a must-read book for summer. The One That I Want hit stores on Tuesday – and Allison is giving away some fantastic prizes for anyone who orders before end of day on June 4th (tomorrow!) Buy the book, email a copy of your receipt to allisonwscotch@gmail.com and you’ll be entered to win a cool FLIP cam, a new Blackberry, a sweet pair of Oakley women’s sunglasses and a beach bag full of other fantastic books for summer. Details on the contest are here. Hurry and enter to win!

#2 Georgia’s Kitchen
This sizzling debut novel by Jenny Nelson is one you won’t want to miss – and I’m giving away an advanced copy of it. All you have to do is became a fan of on Facebook and leave a comment with your favorite Italian dish (mine is Pasta Milano!) and you’ll be entered to win. Check out this book summary of Georgia’s Kitchen and you’ll be craving more!

#3 Cake Boss
So after spending a weekend couped up in a hotel room, I’m suddenly addicted to the fabulous TLC show “Cake Boss” – it’s a serious problem. I did nothing Saturday except watch this show and crave cake. I love watching Buddy and his team make some of the most amazing cakes I’ve ever seen. The new season just kicked off – so check it out on TLC – and follow Cake Boss Buddy on Twitter. Love this show!

Tell me what’s on YOUR must list! And don’t forget to buy Allison’s new book - GREAT book, GREAT prizes!

5 Tips on Book Publicity & 2 Super Cool Contests

Crystal — Wed, 26 May 2010 17:11:49 +0000

In this guest column by Livia Blackburne, an MIT neuroscientist by day and a YA writer by night, she talks about book publicity tips she got when she recently attended “Publishing Books, Memoirs, and Other Creative Nonfiction,” at Harvard Medical School. The tips came from Rusty Shelton, managing director of Phenix and Phenix Literary Publicists, who spoke about book publicity at the event.

I picked a few of the tips below and think you should check out Livia’s fascinating blog, A Brain Scientist’s Take on Writing. And read to the end for details on 2 Super Cool Contests you won’t want to miss!

5 Tips on Book Publicity…

1. Media is changing
Before the Internet era, the media landscape was like a classroom. The teacher (i.e., The New York Times or the Washington Post) stood at the podium and disseminated information. Now, with social media, the students are passing notes amongst themselves. Plus, if a note gets very popular, the teacher picks it up and reads it to the class.

2. Your website is not about selling your book
Many authors mistakenly think their website is about selling their book. But in that case, people would have no reason to visit your website except to buy your book. Instead, make your website useful to people so they keep coming back. Keep a blog so there’s always fresh information. Then, you start building up a base of followers who may not only buy this book, but future books as well.

3. It’s more important than ever to write a good book
With the old media landscape, you might have been able to trick people into buying a bad book with advertising or a high-profile review. But now with social media, people are sharing information, and people trust their friends more than they trust professional book reviewers.

4. Don’t be a media snob
There is an urban legend about an author who went to New York City for a book signing. He couldn’t book many venues, but he was offered an interview in a small upstate New York radio station. A NY Times reporter was driving through, heard his story, and write a feature story on him. The moral of the story? You never know who’s watching or listening.

5. On choosing a publicist
Look at their recent media bookings to see what kind of media contacts they have. Also, be wary if the publicist agrees to take you on without even looking at your book. The publicist should be interviewing you the same way an agent does so he can make an educated decision about whether he can help you.

Read the full guest post with even more tips, here.

And 2 Super Cool Contests…

Aspiring Writers – Your break-out opportunity is here!
For all you aspiring writers out there – don’t miss this fantastic contest that bestelling author Allison Winn Scotch is currently running – her amazing agent, Elisabeth Weed, is opening her inbox to your submissions. Get your query lettters and first chapters all snazzy and enter this outstanding contest. Check out the details and don’t miss Allison’s new novel coming next week: The One That I Want.

Bestselling author Lisa Unger Fabulous Giveaway
Just in time for your summer reading pleasure, bestselling author Lisa Unger is giving away a complete set of her hardcover novels – signed! All you have to do is “Like” her Facebook page and leave a comment to be entered to win. Her 4-year-old will pick a winner on Friday – you’ll be all set to read her incredible books all summer long … and then dive into her new highly anticipated, superb novel Fragile, coming in August!

Best Mother’s Day Books

Crystal — Fri, 07 May 2010 15:30:24 +0000

I’m a mom of three (including this cute little stinker playing in the rain the other day) so Mother’s Day is one of my favorite times of year. I get to sleep in, have breakfast made for me and do what I want – all. day. long. What’s not to love? And, for me, that will involve lots of reading and napping!

If you’re like me, you’ve waited until the last minute to think about mom…and now you need a gift, and quick! I recently put together a fabulous Mother’s Day Book Gift Guide – a great list of book ideas for every type of mom. The perfect book is the perfect gift, I say!

Next up for me- I’m working on a super fun Summer Entertainment Guide which will highlight what fabulous books are coming out all summer long. So if you’re a book publicist or author and want me to consider your book for my Best Books of Summer list, send me an email.

Oh, and if you haven’t entered this fabulous contest to win Emily Giffin’s Favorite Things - then you must do it! There are tons of chances to win and some of the best prizes (a new Blackberry, a pair of designer shoes and more!) I absolutely loved her new book, Heart of the Matter, which comes out on May 11th.

To all you mamas out there – Have a wonderful Mother’s Day and Happy Reading!

Thursday Must-List

Crystal — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 20:35:22 +0000

It’s literally cold enough in the midwest today for winter coats … my feet are perpetually cold. I am chilled to the bone. I am fantasizing about Phoenix weather and sand between my toes. I am drinking coffee all day instead of just first thing in the morning. And today I’m being continuously interrupted by my comedic five-year-old and his impersonation of the president from the Monsters v. Aliens movie. He keeps coming up to me and pretending he’s sipping from my coffee cup, and says “Oh, that’s a good cup ‘o joe,” and rubs his tummy. (If you’re a friend on Facebook, you saw the video!) And how can you not stop what you are doing and laugh at this?

So, finally, despite numerous interruptions, here is this week’s Thursday Must-List!

Vampires v. Werewolves
With all the Twilight hype on the upcoming release of New Moon, fans are picking sides. Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob? Well, I happen to adore both and I am ….Team Sam. Who? Sam, my new favorite wolf. Check out my article on Vampires v. Werewolves to read more about Sam – a wolf who comes to us from the magically fantastical mind of Maggie Stiefvater in her new comtemporary fantasy novel Shiver.

And here is the New Moon trailer I reference in the article, the one that Gave. Me. Goose. Bumps.

The Looking Glass Wars
I recently had the chance to interview movie producer of There’s Something About Mary and author behind The Looking Glass Wars trilogy – a fantastical and utterly creative genius this man, Frank Beddor, and so very warm and friendly. The third book in the trilogy – Arch Enemy - is out today. I will post my story when it comes out, but meantime, you can learn more about The Looking Glass Wars and Frank Beddor.

Everyone in my house is devouring these books and the world Beddor created in the series – which all started when he came across an incomplete deck of cards in a British museum that reminded him of Alice in Wonderland. Beddor’s Alyss and Wonderlandia will BLOW you away. And for young adults who are reluctant readers – both boys and girls – Beddor and his trilogy (and accompanying graphic novels, virtual games and fantastical world) is your answer.

Bent Objects
Since this list seems to be continuing along the line of …out there (vampires, werewolves, the bizarre and fantastical world created from Alice and Wonderland), I wanted to share this …er, interesting book I was emailed about this week from an Indianapolis area author, Terry Border, whose passion for Bent Objects has now been made into a book. Somehow, I think I need to meet the person behind this.

Here’s the book trailer…

Uhm…. Happy Thursday, y’all!

Must-Read Monday

Crystal — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:08:30 +0000

Must-Read Monday (Tuesday edition)

So, I’m a bit behind the eight ball today. Which is good. It means I’m busy…which is better than that alternative, I suppose. Lots of great stuff going on that I can’t wait to share…. and lots to read these last few days. It was hard choosing just a few must-reads.

But, here goes:

Mom in the City
I recently re-connected with a college friend of mine on Facebook. We both graduated from ASU J-School together (Go Devils!) and both dated Sigma Chi frat boys. Needless to say, times have changed and now we’re both busy moms with a shared passion for writing.

She sent me a wonderful story she wrote on leaving suburban life behind and heading back into the city where she belongs – a tough choice she recently made with her family, but the right one for them. Read her article, Mom in the City: Leaving the Suburbs, and let her know what you think and where your family thrives.

The Nicholas Effect
This wonderful story breaks my heart and gives me hope at the same time. Read about one family’s tragedy in losing their son Nicholas – who has become known as the boy who saved thousands of lives. And think about it, could you do what they did? It’s a tough subject, but an important one. When you leave your comments on the story, you could win one of 7 copies of the book we’re giving away.

Ruined giveaway
Speaking of giveaways, author Paula Morris is guest blogging over at SheKnows about her teen ghost story -Ruined. Read about how Paula came up with her love story set in New Orleans, her love of Wuthering Heights and enter to win the Ruined giveaway: a cool digital camera and autographed copy of the book. And check out the Ruined book trailer as well.

Julia Roberts Scandal
Want to know how Irene Zutell came up with the idea for her new novel Pieces of Happily Ever After? Well, it all started with a Julia Roberts scandal.

Irene dishes about the scandal and her book over at My Daily Find.

First paragraph contest
Speaking of how a book gets started, check out this fun contest on the best first paragraph challenge. Put on by Curtis Brown literary agent, Nathan Bransford, on his popular publishing blog for writers and industry peeps, the Third Sort-of Annual Stupendously Ultimate First Paragraph Challenge is going on until this Thursday at 4 p.m. PST.

You could win your choice of a partial critique, query critique, or phone consultation with Nathan on your work in progress and a copy of The Secret Year by Nathan’s client, debut author Jennifer Hubbard, which will be published by Viking in January 2010. The book is a young adult novel about a secret love affair between two teenagers – being touted as mixing the romance of Romeo and Juliet with the violence of The Outsiders.

I’ve read The Secret Year for an upcoming review I’m doing, and Hubbard is one to watch. Her subdued voice throughout the book reminded me of one of my favs (Curtis Sittenfeld) – Hubbard pushes and pulls you in subtle ways you can’t put your finger on, with emotions and realizations simmering just below the surface and, at times, crashing into you like the river in the novel. It’s a must-read and I look forward to Hubbard’s career.

So, enter Nathan’s fun contest, and maybe you’ll win the chance for some advice from him on your career as well.

Okay, Happy Monday …er, Tuesday, y’all.

Thursday-Must List

Crystal — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:10:38 +0000

This week has completely flown by and I’m shocked that it’s already time for my Thursday-Must List again!

Thursday-Must List

Warriors in Pink
I had such a great interview with some folks at Ford yesterday about the AMAZING things they are doing for Breast Cancer Awareness (for October and beyond.) For 15 years, Ford has supported Susan G. Komen and breast cancer awareness. Their line up of Warriors in Pink apparel is rockin’ – so no matter how you are supporting this great cause, you can look good doing it. Check out their Warriors in Pink site and apparel. My fav is this Warrior Cap but I love the Warrior t-shirt, the new scarf and so many of the items! Follow Ford’s Warriors in Pink on Twitter.

And check out these 10 other great pink products that support breast cancer awareness.

Dana’s story
Speaking of breast cancer, I want to introduce you to fab mom, wife, career woman, reality star and breast cancer survivor, Dana Hooper. I’ve had the honor to get to know Dana over the last several months through the Real Moms reality show I help promote – Dana is one of four real AZ moms from the show. She went public about her breast cancer on the show and is such an inspiration to all. Please check out Dana’s story and watch her on season one of RealMomsGuide.

Author Susan Crandall
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting women’s romance and suspense novelist Susan Crandall for lunch. I’m doing a feature on her for The Indianapolis Star. We met in person not too far from her Indiana hometown and talked about her 9 books, reading, writing, growing up in Indiana and so many wonderful things. Her newest book – Sleep No More - will be published soon and I devoured it in hours. It’s got everything women want: suspense, romance, danger, passion and characters that are relatable, going through real-life things. You can stop by Susan’s site to register for a chance to win a copy of her new book (beware, however, once you read it you will want to immediately go out and buy all 8 of her other books). Also, several of you have already taken my advice to become a fan of Susan Crandall on Facebook, so thank you! If you haven’t, please become a fan of Susan Crandall here. And follow Susan Crandall on Twitter. You will love her work!

Birthdays
Today is my aunt’s birthday – my aunt who I adore. My aunt who bought me my first bra, embarrassed me in front of high school boyfriends, shares my love of reading, helped me plant a garden. My aunt who showed so much love and forgiveness and grace when my dad died – who also made me get up and dance in front of all the old folks at the nursing home because life is what it is and sometimes you just got to dance. So Happy Birthday Auntie!

And speaking of birthdays, my fast friend, Chick Lit Is Not Dead blogger, and client Liz Fenton has this funny and relatable post on her husband’s Birthday Blunder that is a must-read. Not only did it make me laugh, it made me realize I am also high maintenance when it comes to birthdays and gifts. Thank you for the laugh Liz.

Happy Thursday, y’all!