I won an advance copy of Sophomore Switch over a year ago and as I was organizing my bookshelves recently I realized I hadn't reviewed this book as I had promised. So, this past weekend I sat down and read... and couldn't put the book down. I wanted to know what was going to happen next so much that I was reading during the commericals of the Super Bowl. LOL
From the back of my ARC:
Take an administrative snafu, a bad breakup, and what shall heretofore be known as "The Hot-Tub Incident," and you've got two thoroughly unprepared sophomores on a semester abroad. For American party girl Tasha, an escape to tweedy Oxford may be a chance to ditch her recent fame as a tabloid temptress, but wading Uggs-deep in feminist theory research is not her idea of a break. Meanwhile, the British half of the exchange, studious control freak Emily, nurses an aching heart among the bikinis and beer pong of UC Santa Barbara.
Author Abby McDonald does a wonderful job creating two characters that you just care about even though they are complete opposites. She drops the girls into situations that make you laugh then cry. And you cheer the girls on as they struggle to adapt to their new situations and deal with people so very different from what they are used to.
I enjoyed this book very much. I highly recommend Sophomore Switch to anyone who enjoys a good, well-written story. If you'd like a copy, click on one of the logos below to go to directly to the bookstore of your choice.
Jen: Today our guest is Irene Zutell. Her book Pieces of Happily Ever After is kick off selection for the SheKnows Book Club (which I will be posting more information about on Thursday). Irene, will you please share a short bio with us?
Irene: I’m the author of three books. My latest is called Pieces of Happily Ever After. I’ve also written for many newspapers and magazines. I was a staff writer for People magazine’s Los Angeles bureau. I also spent a few years as a travel writer.
Jen: Tell us about Pieces of Happily Ever After and where it's available.
Irene: Pieces of Happily Ever After is about a woman whose husband leaves her for a very famous celebrity. She’s got to rebuild her life while taking care of her little girl and her mom with Alzheimer’s. I came up with the idea when my neighbor’s husband left her for…Julia Roberts.
My book is available at all major bookstores, online and, starting in February, at Target.
Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Irene: I can’t remember. It seems I’ve always loved writing. When I was a little kid, I loved rainy summer afternoons, so I could sit at my desk and make up stories.
I was first published after college in my local newspaper. I wrote an article on a cat being stuck up in a tree. (I know, very cliché, but true.)
Jen: Describe your writing in three words.
Irene: A roller coaster ride!
Jen: Do you have a writing routine?
Irene: No. I wish I did. But with little kids, it’s whenever I have some free time.
Jen: How do you pick the character’s names?
Irene: They just come to me. It’s weird. I can’t really describe it, but I never really think about it. Suddenly this name just floats into my head. Maybe I’m insane!
Jen: Do you feel as if the characters live with you as you write? Do they haunt your dreams?
Irene: Yes. It can be scary and annoying. I’ll be trying to do something else and these whole scenes will just pop into my head and I’ll have to write them down. The worst is when I begin talking out loud about it in the car. I’ll forget that my daughters are in the backseat, and they’ll just look at me like I’ve lost my mind.
Jen: Who has inspired you as an author?
Irene: I read Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird in seventh grade and was just spellbound by it. I can still recite the last few lines, even though I haven’t read it in years. I’ll read and reread anything by Joan Didion. She can say more in a sentence than most mere mortals can say in paragraphs.
Jen: If Pieces of Happily Ever After was made into a movie, which actors would you choose to play the heroine?
Irene: I always thought Renee Zellweger would make a great Alice.
Jen: Most people only dream of becoming a published writer. Now that you’ve accomplished that goal, is there anything else you dream of doing?
Irene: Making lots of money at it!
Jen: What do you do in your free time?
Irene: Free time? I have two daughters who never let me have free time. But, I love playing with them and cooking with them.
Jen: What's next for you?
Irene: Hopefully, I’ll finish my next novel soon.
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Irene: www.irenezutell.com
Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Irene: Sure. Would you please buy my book— www.piecesofhappilyeverafter.com. And please tell all your friends to buy it. Thanks!
Jen: Readers, we have three (3) copies up Pieces of Happily Ever After up for grabs this week. The contest is for US residents only. To enter, first leave a comment or question for Irene. Then to finish, you need to either leave your email address in your comment or send a message to contests.bookblog@gmail.com. The contest will end on Sunday, February 14.
Jen: This weekend we welcome Jennie Marsland to Romancing the Book. Jennie, will you please share a short bio with us?
Jennie: I’m a teacher, a painter, a musician and, for over thirty years, a writer. I fell in love with words at a very early age and the affair has been life-long. I enjoy writing songs and poetry as well as fiction. I’ve always loved history, and I grew up enjoying the stories my parents and grandparents told about life in rural Nova Scotia in the early years of the last century, and during the Great Depression. When I’m not writing I read, paint with watercolors, play guitar and garden. I live in Nova Scotia with my husband, our cat Emily and our Duck-Tolling Retriever, Chance.
Jen: Tell us about McShannon's Chance and where it's available.
Jennie: McShannon's Chance, my first novel, is now available as an e-book and in print from Bluewood Publishing, and in print from Amazon and Barnes&Noble. The book is a historical Western, set in the Colorado Territory in 1871.
The hero, Trey McShannon, is a Civil War veteran, a Georgia boy who fought for the Union and decided it would be smart to make tracks for the West afterwards. After spending a few years getting his homestead up and running, Trey realizes he’s overworked and lonely and sends for a mail-order bride. He gets Beth Underhill, a watercolor artist from a once-affluent Eastern family, now in reduced circumstances. Trey needs a wife and Beth needs a home, it’s as simple as that…until the sparks of attraction start flying between them. Trey is still haunted by his wartime experiences, and Beth has been hurt by a man she thought she loved, so they have a lot of work to do before they can find happiness together.
You’ll find Bluewood Publishing’s bookstore at http://www.bluewoodpublishing.com. By the time this interview is posted, you should be able to order the book through bookstores as well.
Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Jennie: I started writing poetry and short stories when I was 9 or 10, and moved on to songs when I learned to play guitar as a teenager. I kept writing sporadically through the years, but never attempted anything longer until the hero for McShannon's Chance popped into my head in a moment of inspiration. I was on a camping trip at the time and couldn’t find anything to write on but paper towel. I grabbed three sheets and a pencil and started scribbling. I still have those sheets tucked away. After a lot of revision and several rejections, the book went through two aborted publishing efforts with small publishers that closed. That hurt, but it made me realize that in the end, I write for myself. That makes it worth it. And the third attempt was the charm! The moral of the story is, never give up.
Jen: Are there any other writers, published or not, in your family?
Jennie: My grandfather, Fred Marsland, had short stories published in several newspapers in the 1930s. He’s the only one I know of.
Jen: Do you have a writing routine?
Jennie: Not really. In general I’m a morning person, so I try to get some writing time in before leaving for work. I aim for at least two hours of writing time every day.
Jen: What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?
Jennie: I believe in happy endings. They might be rare in real life, but they aren’t non-existent. I also believe in commitment and ‘for better, for worse’. My parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary last year and my husband and I have been together for fourteen, so I know it can work.
Jen: How do you pick the character’s names?
Jennie: I steal them wherever I find them. Whenever I hear a name I like, I file it away in my mind to be mixed and matched with an appropriate surname. I’ve always liked the name Beth, I once had a student named Trey, and McShannon is a name I found in Lucy Maud Montgomery’s journals. Logan, Trey’s friend, and Sidonie, his mother, are also named after former students.
Jen: Is there a genre that you’d like to write? Is there a genre you’ll probably stay away from and why?
Jennie: I like writing for children. I have a middle-grade novel on the back burner, waiting to be completed. As for genres I’ll probably avoid, I don’t think I’d be very good at writing thrillers, though I enjoy reading them.
Jen: If you could travel back in time for one year, what time and place would you choose? And if you could only take 3 things with you, what would they be?
Jennie: The Victorian period appeals to me, especially the clothes. Not that I could ever lace into them! I once stepped into a 150-year-old Victorian gown, and it was tiny. I wouldn’t mind spending a year in an English country home or a snug farm during those times, but I wouldn’t want to be in London. I’ve read enough Dickens for that. I’d be sure to take antibiotics and painkillers with me...could I sneak in my laptop, too? No, no power. I’d have to resort to paper and pen. Maybe my penmanship would improve.
Jen: If McShannon's Chance was made into a movie, which actors would you choose to play the hero and heroine?
Jennie: I’d choose Jude Law to play my hero. I loved him in Cold Mountain, and he has the right quiet intensity for the part. Laura Prepon would be good for Beth; she’s gorgeous and has the right look of refinement, though her hair isn’t red now. She’d be lovely in period clothes.
Jen: Most people only dream of becoming a published writer. Now that you’ve accomplished that goal, is there anything else you dream of doing?
Jennie: I studied biology in university and I have a fascination with genetics, so I’d like to go to the Galapagos Islands some day and see living tortoises that Charles Darwin might have seen, too.
Jen: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Jennie: I just finished reading Anna Campbell’s Captive of Sin, and thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s a review on my website. It’s so different from most Regency romances. I’ve read Pamela Clare’s MacKinnons’ Rangers stories and found them wonderful, too. I hope to post reviews over the holidays. Next up is Judith James’ Highland Rebel. But I could never pick a favorite author any more than I could pick a favorite child.
Jen: What's next for you?
Jennie: I’ve just finished the first draft of a prequel to McShannon's Chance, McShannon’s Heart. It’s the story of Trey’s twin sister, Rochelle. When her mother dies just before the outbreak of the Civil War, Chelle moves with her father to his old home in Yorkshire. She thinks she’s leaving love behind, but she soon finds herself attracted to a talented local musician, Martin Rainnie. With her brother and lover on opposite sides of the war and her heart torn between two men, Chelle has a lot to learn about love and loyalty, but her honesty and big heart lead her to a happy ending. I’m looking forward to a spring release for this one.
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Jennie: You can find me at http://www.jenniemarsland.webs.com
Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Jennie: Yes: how many of you are writers? If you are, tell me about your work!
Jen: Readers, we have a download copy of McShannon's Chance to give to a random commenter. Due to the content of the book, the winner must be over the age of 18. To enter the contest, first you need to leave a question or comment for Jennie. Then to finish your entry, you must either leave your email address in your comment or send an email to contests.bookblog@gmail.com (with Jennie in the subject). The winner will be chosen on Thursday, February 11.
September sunlight, as thick and golden as molten honey, filtered through the willows and danced along the ripples of the creek. Up to his armpits in the water, a small boy shouted.
“Hey, Trey, you comin’ in or not?”
“Yeah, I’m coming, Justin, keep your pants on.”
Justin slipped underwater, stroked to the bank and came up splashing, sending jeweled droplets flying. “You’re the one with pants on.”
Trey jumped back to avoid being soaked, skinned out of his shirt and overalls and tossed them next to Justin’s clothes. With a running leap, he cannon balled into the creek. The cold water forced the air from his seven-year-old lungs. He bobbed to the surface, gasping.
Justin was nowhere to be seen. Trey steadied himself, expecting an underwater attack, but nothing happened. A magpie called from a nearby branch, the only sound except for the murmur of the water.
“Justin Sinclair’s an old wet hen!” He-n echoed off the bank, but only the magpie answered. The sun slid behind a cloud, stealing some of the day’s warmth. Shivering, Trey hugged himself and scanned the creek up and down. Justin must be planning something, trying to scare him.
Slippery rocks rolling under his feet, Trey took a step toward the shore. Something boomed in the distance, loud enough to send the magpie flying. It sounded too short and sharp for thunder, but what else could it be? Trey glanced at the sky, looking for storm clouds that weren’t there. Best get out of the water, just in case. He yelled again.
“Hell, Justin, this isn’t funny.”
That clap should have brought Justin running, but it didn’t. Stumbling, fighting the current and his growing panic, Trey headed for shore. The thunder cracked again and again in rapid succession – much too rapid.
Cannon.
“Justin!”
The sunlight dissolved into darkness. The clammy chill on Trey’s skin came from cold sweat, not creek water. He sat up in bed, trembling.
He heard nothing from the loft. He hadn’t wakened Beth. Trey rested his head on his knees, waiting for his heart to stop pounding in his ears like the cannon in his dream. Over a year. Congratulations. He’d hoped his nightmares had stopped for good, but he’d learned long ago to focus on the positive.
When he’d settled down, Trey pulled on his pants and lit the lamp. Reading for a while might calm him enough to go back to sleep. As he lifted Two Years Before the Mast from the bookshelf, his hand brushed the picture frame he’d taken from Beth before supper. He’d meant to put it away before she arrived, but in the hurry of getting the place ready for her, he’d forgotten.
If only other things could be forgotten as easily.
When Red Sage approached me to review this newest anthology in their Secrets series, I jumped at the chance. I'd been wanting to read one of these books for quite a while, but just never picked one up. I always ended up going with a safer choice, sticking with picking up the newest releases by some of my favorite authors instead of trying an anthology of lesser known names. However, I was not disappointed with my first experience with Secrets and I can't wait to read more.
This anthology had it all: romance, red-hot sex scenes, and a variety of settings (location and times). "Kiss Me at Midnight" by Kate St. James is contemporary story revolving around L.A. talk show co-hosts. "Mind Games" by Kathleen Scott is set in futuristic US and is filled with suspense and had paranormal elements. Jennifer Lynne's "Seducing Serena" is a contemporary tale set in Australia. And the historical offering in this anthology is "The Pirate's Passion" by Juliet Burns.
All of the authors were new to me. I felt a little confused by Kathleen Scott's story, only because it was part of a series that I felt like I was coming in without back story. And the fact that it is a futurist also put it at a disadvantage for me, as I don't read the genre all that often. However, I was able to overcome my preconceived ideas and enjoyed the novella. I would have loved for "The Pirate's Passion" to have been a longer story as I feel there is opportunity to add and expand on the tale. The other two stories were just the right length to tell a satisfying story.
I look forward to reading more books from the Secrets series. The authors of the next volume of Secrets will be our guests during a special week in July. If you want a copy of this volume, you can by the book at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.
Jen: Today is the debut of Romancing the Book and we are happy to have Chick Lit authors Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke as your first guests. Will you each please share a short bio with us?
Liz and Lisa: Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke have been friends for over twenty years since the day Lisa walked into Freshman English class wearing eye glasses that made her look like Sally Jesse Raphael’s younger, but much more stylish sister. They both attended Cal Poly Pomona University and each graduated with a degree in Communication. Ten years later, they began writing their debut Chick Lit novel I'll Have Who She's Having. Liz is married with two children and Lisa is engaged. Until six months ago, they both resided in Long Beach, CA. But now Lisa has moved to Chicago and can no longer deny that she is, in fact, living there. They just finished writing their second dual narrative Chick Lit novel. Both Liz and Lisa contribute to the popular women’s website, Sheknows.com, Lisa writes a weekly post for the Unabashedly Bookish blog on BarnesandNoble.com and Liz is a regular contributor to RealMomsGuide.com
Jen: Tell us about I'll Have Who She's Having and where it's available.
Liz and Lisa: What happens when a man comes between one desperately single and one very married sister? Kate’s been depressed ever since yet another long-term boyfriend unceremoniously dumped her. When her younger and married sister Kelly convinces her the way to meet a quality man is for the two of them to sign up for a volleyball class, she’s just desperate enough to agree. But Kate becomes so fixated on her volleyball coach that she fails to see an unlikely but perfect match right in front of her
Kate’s been less than happy for longer than she wants to admit. She’s the one who appears to have it all: the perfect husband, the big house and the beautiful daughter. Despite it all, she feels an emptiness that she can’t explain and is conflicted when it’s her volleyball coach who offers an answer.
I'll Have Who She's Having follows Kate and Kelly as they battle themselves and each other in their search for a happy ending. Through a series of self-doubt and hardship, they both realize they were looking for happiness in all the wrong places. It’s a novel for anyone who ever secretly let their insecurities get the best of them.
Jen: At what age did you each discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Liz and Lisa: I (Lisa) was nine years old when I wrote my first book, There’s a Jungle In My Closet. It wasn’t officially published (unless you count my mom passing it around the neighborhood) but it did help me discover my passion for writing. I (Liz) also started writing at a very young age- short stories and poems, mostly about my brothers and how annoyed I always was with them. I'll Have Who She's Having is our first published work.
Jen: How do your families feel about your career?
Liz and Lisa: (Lisa) My fiancé brings new meaning to the word supportive. About six months ago, I moved from Los Angeles to Chicago to live with him and left my television career behind. His support has allowed me to be able to write full-time. Thank you future hubs!
(Liz) Thankfully my husband is also incredibly supportive. Trying to write in the middle of Grand Central Station (also know as my house) can be challenging but he’s a pro at diverting our two children so I can get some work done. I couldn’t do it without him.
Jen: How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
Liz and Lisa: Oh we’re very fly by the seat of our pants with our writing. Other than coming up with a hard and fast deadline for when we have to be finished, we “go with the flow”… We come up with our concept, talk about a “direction” the book will go in and see where the writing takes us. Not traditional, but it always seems to work well!
Jen: What kind of research did you do for this book?
Liz and Lisa: Lucky for us, I'll Have Who She's Having didn’t require much research. (Unless you count sitting on the beach checking out hot men playing volleyball research.)
Jen: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Easiest?
Liz and Lisa: (Liz) The most challenging aspect for me is making time. I’m still working full time as a pharmaceutical sales rep have two kids under six that think Mommy spends way too much time on the “puter”. The easiest part? Writing with Lisa. We really feed off other and have fun! (Lisa) For me, it’s not succumbing to the addictive side of both Facebook and Twitter. And the easiest? The fact that I can have an extremely productive day without ever stepping foot outside or changing out of my Juicy sweat suit!
Jen: What’s the most rewarding aspect?
Liz and Lisa: For us, the most rewarding part of being a writer is making someone laugh! If we can elicit even a chuckle, we’re happy we’ve entertained you. And if we can get a full LOL, we’re on cloud nine!
Jen: Is there a genre that you’d like to write? Is there a genre you’ll probably stay away from and why?
Liz and Lisa: It’s Chick Lit/women’s fiction all the way for us. We’d probably never attempt to write historical fiction. Three words: Too. Much. Research. And we went through a YA phase for one day. Until we remembered that we hadn’t been YAs in a very, very long time.
Jen: Who has inspired you as an author?
Liz and Lisa: It was after reading, Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (our absolute favorite Chick Lit novel), that we decided to get off our arses and finally write our novel (Thanks for the push, Emily!). And we’re also very inspired by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus because you’d never know that two people are writing their books- they have a very fluid voice. And as a writing team, we now have a full appreciation for how challenging not only to write with another person but to learn to compromise, take criticism and work as a team while doing it.
Jen: What five authors or people, from the past or present, have been important to you as an author? What question or comment have you always wanted to say to them?
Liz and Lisa: Emily Giffin, Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus are on this list too.
We’re also huge fans of Allison Winn Scotch, Stephanie Klein and Judy Blume. And we would LOVE to know more about their writing process. Are we the only ones who can’t type one word before total caffeination?
Jen: What did you do to celebrate your first book?
Liz and Lisa: We’re not even 100% sure we’ve celebrated yet. We’re not sure it counts as an official celebration, but we clinked our champagne glasses together once and said “congratulations”. Did we mention it was good champagne?
Jen: What's next for you?
Liz and Lisa: We’ve just finished our second dual narrative Chick Lit novel. It’s about two women who never expected to find themselves in the complicated world of divorce.
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Liz and Lisa: www.chicklitisnotdead.com @lizandlisa/twitter www.facebook.com/chicklitisnotdead
Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Liz and Lisa: Who are your favorite Chick Lit writers? Why?
Jen: Liz and Lisa are giving away 5 copies of I'll Have Who She's Having to 5 random commenters. The contest is open to US residents only. To enter the contest you first need to leave a comment or question for Liz and Lisa. Then to finish your entry, you need to either leave your email address in your comment or send a message to contests.bookblog@gmail.com. The winners will be announced during the evening of Tuesday, February 2. We're extending the contest deadline to Sunday, February 7.
Here is a video of Liz and Lisa talking about I'll Have Who She's Having.
To read an excerpt from I'll Have Who She's Having, click on the book title. Amazon has the first pages available for you to read.
You can buy the book at Barnes and Noble, or Amazon.
Welcome to Romancing the Book. The blog has been around for the past year and a half under the name Book Talk with J&J. We've been interviewing authors, reviewing books, and just plain talking bout books of all genres. But after many discussions between Jess and Jen, as well as talking with the blog readers, it was decided that we would change the focus of the blog to feature mostly authors and books of romance, erotica and other women's fiction.
So tomorrow, Monday, February 1, we will have our first guests at the new blog. Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke will be visiting the blog to discuss their Chick Lit book, "I'll Have Who She's Having". And then on Friday, February 5, Jennie Marsland will be stopping by to promote her book, "McShannon's Chance".
With the changes at the blog, we are in the process of setting up a posting schedule. It's still a work in progress, but right now the schedule looks something like this:
Monday-Tuesday: Author interview or guest blog
Wednesday: Book review
Thursday: Coming soon or some other book discussion
Friday-Saturday: Author interview or guest blog
Sunday: Contest news
With the new blog we also set up a new Facebook account. If you want to be our friend, the link is http://www.facebook.com/romancing.the.book?ref=name. Please note that this page will only be used to send out invitations/reminders about our promotions and contests. We will not be participating in any applications on that page. So, if you do not want event invitations, please do not send a friend request.
We will also send out promo reminders at Twitter (http://twitter.com/booktalkblog) and MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/371387488) if you would like to follow us there.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by the blog during the month to support our guests and enter their contests. Here are the list of winners from the month of January. And if you'd like a quick link to Amazon.com for the book they promoted, click on the author's name.
Elizabeth Boyle contest -- Tawania
Sheila Boneham contest -- Zelda
Mark Freeman contest -- Julie
Nolwynn Ardennes contest -- Liza
Shauna Glenn contest -- Anne Y.
Liara Covert contest -- Wayne
Helen Scott Taylor contest -- Dina
Angie Fox contest -- Cheryl
Judith Guralchuk contest -- kmmcconville
Katie O'Sullivan contest -- Rebbie
Annay Dawson contest -- Debby
Bob E. Sherman contest -- Shannon
Please note that none of these contests are run by Romancing the Book. We are just posting the information for the authors. You are asked to visit their websites or contact them directly for more information or to enter.
Want to read hot Gothic romance Too Wicked To Kiss before release day? Join the 30 Wicked Kisses countdown at www.2wicked2kiss.com and get a scene a day for 30 days straight to your inbox. Bonus feature: Erica Ridley will be giving away autographed advance copies to random subscribers all month long. The countdown begins Feb 1, so sign up today!Suzannah Safi contest running till February 14th
On Valentine's Day February 14th, I'm offering one reader a PDF copy of 'This Time You Are mine' and one author a choice of a PDF copy, or a free Basic Book Trailer creation for your novel from Book Trailer Design.
All you have to do is
watch the trailer for 'This Time You Are Mine' on my website http://suzannahsafi.com/This%20Time%20You%20Are%20Mine.html
and complete the following sentence:
Some are haunted by...
Email your answer to admin (at) suzannahsafi (dot) com
For authors, please mention your choice of prize.
Once an entrant has been added to her announcement and contest list, she'll keep them entered until they ask to be removed:-)
To enter, please send an email to: write@beckybarker.com and use the word 'contest' as the subject.
Here's the link http://jmsmithromanceauthor.blogspot.com/
And for those who don't want to wait they can buy a copy on her website http://jackiemsmith.weebly.com/
Jen: This weekend we welcome our last guest to Book Talk. Monday, February 1 we will start our new blog, Romancing the Book (if you come to this blog address, you'll automatically be forwarded to the new site). So, please give Bob E. Sherman a warm welcome. Bob E., will you please share a short bio with us?
Bob E: Bob E. Sherman was born and raised on the Jersey Shore. Although he didn't know it at the time, his family was poor. He enrolled at MIT (Milwaukee) to be a diesel mechanic then transferred to The U (Miami) to study marine biology before getting his degree in accounting. He has lived in Florida the past 40 years where he has never missed the four seasons. He is or was a CPA, CMA, factory trained Evinrude mechanic, yacht salesman, licensed USCG captain, condo treasurer, yacht club commodore and president of a cemetery. His opinions are as unique as his talent for signaling.
Jen: Tell us about Am I the Only One That Signals?Am I The Only One That Signals? and where it's available.
Bob E: Politically Incorrect has been redefined by Bob E. Sherman in his new book titled Am I The Only One That Signals? The book is a collection of comic essays on a variety of subjects covering everything from Alpha to Zulu. It covers current and historical events mixed in with real life anecdotes. The author’s opinions are as unique as his habit for using his turn signals. The book includes workable solutions to many of the world's problems, all of which are politically incorrect, but just might work.
It is social commentary at its best. Or as the author’s sister suggests: anti-social commentary. He is at times satirical, sarcastic, and provocative. The book for the most part is humorous, although there are several topics covered that are not meant to be funny, but are important to discuss. Sherman the Shark was so impressed that he wrote the Foreword.
The book is available online from Infinity Publishing at www.bbotw.com as well as borders.com, amazon.com, eCrater.com, Authorsden.com, and Floridawriters.net. It is also available at West Marine in Hallandale Florida and Double Diamond in Vail Colorado.
Jen: At what age did you discover writing and when were you first published? Tell us your call story.
Bob E: I starting writing in the 1st grade, but never received better than a C+. About 10 years ago I started writing down my opinions on various topics which included sending letters to magazine and newspaper editors. As the pages grew; I decided to put it into a book. The book was published in April, 2008.
Jen: Are there any other writers, published or not, in your family?
Bob E: My sister has published five books under the name of Diane Mariechild. She is also my biggest critic.
Jen: How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
Bob E: I go with the flow as I am usually shooting from the hip.
Jen: Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
Bob E: Peace and quiet. My wife thinks I spend too much time on the computer, so I’m always being interrupted.
Jen: What’s the most challenging aspect of writing? Easiest?
Bob E: The most challenging aspect is getting people to read my writing. I do have mental blocks from time to time. However, as I write humor and satire there is plenty of material. People do stupid things every day.
Jen: What’s the most rewarding aspect?
Bob E: Having my writing acknowledged. Positive comments are the best, of course. But, even when people disagree with me it means they are reading my articles.
Jen: Is there a genre that you’d like to write? Is there a genre you’ll probably stay away from and why?
Bob E: I’ll probably stick with humor/satire. I don’t see myself writing a novel. My writers group (Florida Writers Association) has a lot of poets. I don’t see myself ever writing a poem. I thought poetry was something you studied in high school.
Jen: What five authors or people, from the past or present, have been important to you as an author? What question or comment have you always wanted to say to them?
Bob E: As a descendant of William Rittenhouse, I’d have to thank Uncle Bill for building the first paper mill in the U.S. Otherwise we might all be writing on tea leaves today. Also from the past, I have enjoyed humor writing since reading My Brother was an Only Child, by Jack Douglas in 1959. Currently I read Dave Barry and Andy Rooney; hoping to learn how to make a million dollars by being sarcastic. So far I haven’t figured it out. I wrote a letter to Andy Rooney; he didn’t answer. I met Dave Barry at a conference after I had sent him a copy of my book. He didn’t seem to remember getting it. My sister, a published author, has been important to me by encouraging me to keep perfecting my craft.
Jen: What has been your highlight of your career to this point?
Bob E: Having my book published last year. Waking up this morning was also pretty special.
Jen: Who are some of your favorite authors and books? What are you reading now?
Bob E: I guess if I still remember Jack Douglas from 50 years age he must be a favorite. Another older book, which I read again a few years ago, was Fire at Sea, by Thomas Gallagher. I am currently reading Executive Orders by Tom Clancy. I have also exchanged books with fellow authors of the Florida Writers Association. Some have been pretty good, such as The Eyes Have It, by Madelyn Lorber.
Jen: What's next for you?
Bob E: I’m working on a second book and also updating my first with the hope of attracting a traditional publisher.
Jen: Where can you be found on the web?
Bob E: On my website, www.bobesherman.com, which also has links to other websites where you can find my posts e.g. www.gather.com and www.twitter.com
Jen: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
Bob E: Why don’t you use your turn signals?
Jen: Bob E is giving away an autographed copy of Am I The Only One That Signals? to the person who gives him the best reason for not using your turn signals. The winner will be chosen in the afternoon on Sunday, January 31. If you do not leave your email address in your comment, please check back to the blog on Sunday or subscribe to the comments to be notified if you are chosen as the winner. The contest is limited to US residents.
Hi, I’m Sherman the Shark. I live with my wife Megan and the other Lagoonies in Kapupu Lagoon in the South Pacific. I am a happy-go-lucky shark who might share a popsicle with you one day and eat you the next. Being a great white shark, my hardware is daunting, however my software was never properly installed. The other Lagoonies take comfort in the fact that whatever intelligence I do possess is completely negated by my laziness. The only person I manage to outsmart consistently is Captain Quigley, a crusty old fisherman who would give anything to see me stuffed, mounted, and hanging in a Red Lobster.
Humans are only good for one thing. And I learned at an early age not to become attached to anything you will eventually eat. Then I met Bob E. Sherman. He is not very intelligent and is lazier than me. The thing I like about him the most, is that he doesn’t eat seafood. It’s not because he has a seafood allergy or doesn’t like the taste. It’s out of mutual respect.
I came across his book, Am I the Only One That Signals, while swimming off the coast of Florida, which is a long way from Kapupu Lagoon. Probably someone had fallen overboard while reading it. The human was never found. The book was not eaten as it has no nutritional value. The book is hilarious and it takes a lot to make a shark laugh. At first I didn’t know what “signaling” meant, as fish don’t have to signal. We just turn whichever way we want and the other fish can sense it. Some people drive like a fish on I-95 and it gets them into trouble all the time.
I know you will enjoy this book. So pick up a copy at the book store before you go to the beach. If you haven’t bought the book and you go swimming; my friends and I will be watching. So beware.
Sherman the Shark
www.slagoon.com Read More......
