A Resort Chat w/ Gail Barrett

The Book Resort is thrilled Gail Barrett stopped by for a little chat.

Ready? Let's go!


Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
GB: I'm working on another suspense novel for Silhouette Romantic Suspense. I don't have a release date yet, but it involves espionage, stolen nuclear secrets, and two former lovers determined to keep the dangerous information from enemy hands.

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
GB: Neither, I'm afraid. I don't pay attention to superheroes.

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
GB: See above.

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
GB: Chunky.

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
GB: Chocolate fudge.

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
GB: Chocolate fudge (Did I mention that I like chocolate fudge?)

Me: Subway or Taxi:
GB: I like taxis but live on a subway budget.

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:

GB: How about Netflix?

Me: TiVo or DVR:
GB: DVR.

Me: Favorite vacation place:
GB: Spain.

Me: Next vacation destination:
GB: Probably Montana, then Spain.

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
GB: Uh...

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
GB: Drinking a glass of good wine while reading in bed.

Me: Good luck charm:
GB: :(((

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
GB: Writer. I knew what I wanted to do from an early age.

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
GB: Socks.

Me: Item on your grocery list:
GB: Kleenex. It's allergy season.

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
GB: Onion rings.

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
GB: White sauce, tons of veggies.

Me: Midnight snack:
GB: Cheese.

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
GB: Both, but mostly dog ear.

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
GB: I try to leave it on, but it usually falls off or rips.

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
GB: Mountain.

Me: Favorite book:
GB: No clue. I have way too many to count. I mostly read mysteries and romance.

Me: Item you can't live without:
GB: Washing machine. A long time ago I spent four years living in Spain and had to wash my clothes by hand. It was a total pain.

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
GB: Roderic Jeffries, C.J. Sansom.

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
GB: Dostoevsky, Herman Hesse, Ayn Rand, Tolstoy. I was pretty intense as a teenager.

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
GB: My office.

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
GB: My office. I get distracted too easily in other places.

Me: What are you reading @ the moment? Sovereign by C.J. Sansom. Where do you usually read?
GB: In bed.

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
GB: Yes, usually two or three.

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
GB: Yes. I tend to skim non fiction, sometimes reading it from the back of the book forward, and I usually read it while eating or in doctor's offices, on airplanes, etc.

Thank you, Gail for stopping by!

Check Gail's website: http://www.gailbarrett.com/

Grab a copy of Gail's latest:

His 7-Day Fiancee

A Resort Chat w/ Jen Calonita

The spectacular Jen Calonita stopped by The Book Resort to dish.

So, let's kick back & enjoy Jen's visit!

Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
JC: I'm editing Secrets 5 aka Broadway Lights. It's so much fun working on a Kaitlin story again and I'm loving the chance to have Kaitlin in New York. It's fun writing about my favorite places since I'm a New Yorker (or should I say a suburban girl who likes to go to New York!)

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
JC: Superman -- my son Tyler is a huge fan! I do love the Spider-Man movies (1 and 2 at least. 3 annoyed me a bit)

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
JC: Wonder Woman. She kicks butt!

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
JC: Chunky all the way! Chunky peanut butter, ice cream -- the more crunch the better!

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
JC: Friendly's Butter Crunch

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
JC: Marshmellow

Me: Subway or Taxi:
JC: Depends on where I'm going --if I have to transfer three times to get there I'll probably take the taxi instead

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
JC: I love seeing Broadway shows but my heart belongs to the movie theater. Monday nights are girls night at our local theater and my girlfriends and I go all the time.

Me: TiVo or DVR:
JC: TiVo is my true love. I have a DVR too, but it just doesn't compare to TiVo.

Me: Favorite vacation place:
JC: Disney World. If I could kick Cinderella out of her castle, my family would seriously consider living in the Magic Kingdom.

Me: Next vacation destination:
JC: Um...Disney. LOL! We did just get back from Jamaica where a friend of ours got married.

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
JC: Kaitlin will have to take me to one of hers because I don't have one. These aren't hot spots, but I do love Tequila Flats and Magnolia Bakery.

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
JC: A spa day! I love facials and massages.

Me: Good luck charm:
JC: My sons, Tyler and Dylan.

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
JC: A writer. Really! But I thought I'd be working at a newspaper, which I never did.

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
JC: Soap! Bath and Body Works is having their semi-annual sale and I stocked up.

Me: Item on your grocery list:
JC: Everything from baby food to Weight Watchers Oreo ice cream bars (they're SO good!)

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
JC: French fries all the way

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
JC: New York for sure!

Me: Midnight snack:
JC: I'm slightly obsessed with Stacy's Naked Pita Chips. I can't stop eating them.

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
JC: Dog ear. I know, I know, so bad!

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
JC: Dustjacket on

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
JC: Ocean, but the mountains in Utah can't be beat.

Me: Favorite book:
JC: I don't have just one. At the moment, I'm loving The Glamorous Double Life of Isabel Bookbinder by Holly McQueen. I can't stop laughing.

Me: Item you can't live without:
JC: My sunglasses. I can't be outside without them. Sometimes I wonder if I'm a vampire.

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
JC: I tend to like funny girls so my picks are all pretty popular (sorry!). Sophie Kinsella is one of my faves, as is Meg Cabot.

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
JC: I lived for this series called Sweet Valley High. They had almost two hundred books in the series plus all these summer and mystery specials and I probably read all of them. I also loved Judy Blume and Cynthia Voight. Homecoming was amazing.

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
JC: In my office, but when I'm stressing out I head to Panera Bread because I like the commotion going on. It's great background noise.

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
JC: I need some music playing -- usually light rock (think John Mayer). It can't be anything too loud or I sing along. I need a pillow on my chair and I need my dog, Captain Jack Sparrow hanging out on the couch in my office. He silently cheers me on. I'm sure of it.

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
JC: Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot

Me: Where do you usually read?
JC: In bed. But last week was the best -- I laid in a tube in our hotel's lazy river and went round and round with my book. Yes, it got pretty wet, but it was worth it.

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
JC: No. I've never been good at book multi-tasking.

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
JC: Yes, actually. Nonfiction I never read before bed. Usually on the couch. And I have no clue why!

Me: Thank you so much, Jen!
JC: Thanks. These are really fun questions!

For some incredible beach reads... or rainy day reads, grab Jen's books:

Secrets of My Hollywood Life

On Location

Family Affairs

Paparazzi Princess

Sleepaway Girls

Check out the fabulous Jen @ http://jencalonitaonline.com/

A Resort Chat w/ Aimee Friedman

The fantastic Aimee Friedman has decided to pop over to The Book Resort for a little chat.

Ready?

Here we go...

Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
AF: I'm working on a book for slightly younger readers--a spooky story set in New York City.

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
AF: Spiderman all the way! First of all, he hails from Forest Hills, Queens--where I was born and raised! Second, I have a total celeb-crush on Tobey Maguire.

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
AF: Wonder Woman. She did wonders (ha!) for brunettes, AND managed to pull off a multicolored outfit in the coolest way.

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
AF: Smooth. I just love the word.

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
AF: Baskin Robbins chocolate-chip. Nice and simple and divine.

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
AF: Does anything compare to chocolate sprinkles?

Me: Subway or Taxi:
AF: If I ever go broke, it's because I took way too many taxis in my life.

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
AF: Though Broadway shows are a fun, special, not-ever-day experience, nothing beats a movie, especially on a hot summer day when the air-conditioner feels like sweet relief.. The smell of popcorn, the ice-cold Coke, the darkened theater, the expectation and nostalgia, and of course the previews!

Me: TiVo or DVR:
AF: DVR is my life. Sad, but true.

Me: Favorite vacation place:
AF: South Beach, Miami--the location of my very first novel! (SOUTH BEACH). The runner-up would be Paris, which is the location of FRENCH KISS, the sequel to SOUTH BEACH.

Me: Next vacation destination:
AF: I would love to go to Prague.

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
AF: I love the Boat Basin in Riverside Park on Manhattan's Upper West Side. It's a restaurant/bar that is perched over the Hudson River, and on a summer night, there's nothing better than sipping cool drinks under the stars with your friends and feeling the river breeze.

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
AF: Gummi Worms and Us Weekly. Often at the same time.

Me: Good luck charm:
AF: A pair of big silver hoop earrings I bought in a boutique in the Village years ago. I wear them on every flight I take. I'm superstitious like that.

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
AF: Writer! Seriously. I remember in the second grade we all had to draw pictures of what we wanted to grow up to be. All the girls drew themselves as ballerinas and the boys drew themselves as astronauts and I drew myself sitting behind a desk with a pen in my hand. Everyone looked at me like I was a freak.

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
AF: I don't really shop in malls, since there aren't very many of them in New York City. Probably my last purchase at one was an adorable flowered eyeglass case from one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie.

Me: Item on your grocery list:
AF: I always have to buy at least 7 Dannon Strawberry yogurts every week. They're my staple.

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
AF: For a long time now, I have struggled with an ever-growing addiction to French fries.

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
AF: As a native New Yorker, I have to say NYC pizza is the way to go. Whether it's a Lombardi's pie or a slice from Ray's, NYC pizza is the perfect meal.

Me: Midnight snack:
AF: Tofu lo mein. Preferably in front of the TV.

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
AF: Sadly, dog ear. I love books but I don't handle them with care. Most of my books have cracked spines, bent pages, etc. I guess it's how I show my love!

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
AF: Generally with the dustjacket, though heavy hardcovers are a pain to lug around the subway (see above re: my taxi problem).

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
AF: I adore the beach (see above), but if I had to pick my summer-home spot, it would probably be the mountains. Peaceful, serene, fresh air. The best place to write.

Me: Favorite book:
AF: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. I come back to it time and time again and it never disappoints.

Me: Item you can't live without:
AF: I'm surgically attached to my iPod.

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
AF: Growing up I was obsessed with a series of books called All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor. The series followed five sisters who were growing up in New York's Lower East Side at the start of the nineteenth century. The books are sweet and smart and charming and I was surprised to discover how many people had not read them or heard of them. But those who have read All of a Kind Family are equally in love with the characters and the stories.

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
AF: Wow, where do I start? Ann M. Martin and the Babysitters Club had a HUGE impact on me--I devoured those books like candy, and though I didn't realize it at the time, they were a great lesson in excellent storytelling and character development. Sweet Valley High and Sweet Valley Twins. Everything Judy Blume, of course. R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. Reading at that time in my life meant so much to me, so now it's nice to "give back" a little, and hopefully inspire teen readers as much as I was inspired.

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
AF: I have serious trouble writing in my own apartment--my bed is too inviting, the fridge is too full, the TV too tempting! So I usually write in a nice little coffee shop right near my apartment. It has squishy seats, free WiFi, delicious iced lattes, and, perhaps most importantly, tons of other people with their laptops, working away. Being around other people who are working gets me motivated, too.

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
AF: A quiet patio with a view of the mountains and a stream.

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
AF: A couple things. Summer Girls by Hailey Abbott--the perfect beach read. Also, Love The One You're With by Emily Giffin--she's a great writer who really elevates the "chick lit" genre.

Me: Where do you usually read?
AF: Anywhere and everywhere: on the subway, in bed, on a blanket in Central Park, sometimes walking down the street (dangerous!)

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
AF: Always!

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
AF: I definitely read less nonfiction than fiction. It's rare that I'm GLUED to a nonfiction book--that I have to keep reading it, and can't put it down, which happens to me all the time with novels. However, one exception to that was MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, which I read while I was writing SEA CHANGE (because it's set in Savannah)--that's an amazing non-fiction book that reads like a novel.

Grab a copy of Sea Change this summer for a fun, beach read.

Check out Aimee @http://www.aimeefriedmanbooks.com/.

A Resort Chat w/ Molly Harper

The Book Resort is thrilled Molly Harper has decided to stop over to dish!

Ready?

Here we go...

Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
MH: A werewolf romance. Ah! I said too much!

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
MH: Superman.

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
MH: Batgirl

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
MH: Smooth, baby.

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
MH: Ben and Jerry's Phish Food

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
MH: Hershey's Chocolate Syrup. I'm a fan of chocolate.

Me: Subway or Taxi:
MH: I was traumatized on the DC subway system (smackdown: crazy political activist versus potty-mouthed little old lady), so taxi, please!

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
MH: Depends on the show.

Me: TiVo or DVR:
MH: DVR

Me: Favorite vacation place:
MH: Paradise Island, Bahamas

Me: Next vacation destination:
MH: Florida (Still fun.)

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
MH: Does the ice cream counter at FAO Schwartz count? Best ice cream soda, ever.

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
MH: Bad scifi movies. Really bad ones. I mean, "starring Casper Van Dien" bad.

Me: Good luck charm:
MH: Lucky number 13.

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
MH: A novelist. So really, it worked out for me.

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
MH: A pair of cute high-heeled sandals, which I immediately regretted as I am clumsy, and apparently, blister easily.

Me: Item on your grocery list:
MH: Coke Zero.

ME: French fries or Onion Rings:
MH: Onion Rings.

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
MH:New York. But only at Famous Original Ray's on 7th Ave. (Yeah, I said it.)

Me: Midnight snack:
MH: Granola bar

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
MH: Bookmark

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
MH: Use it as a bookmark.

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
MH: Ocean

Me: Favorite book:
MH: Three-Way Tie: Pride and Prejudice, The Stand, The Villa

Me: Item you can't live without:
MH: Ipod. I would go crazy without it.

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
MH: I'm pretty mainstream, so there aren't many little known authors in my library

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
MH: Matilda; Little Women; The Chocolate Wars, Alas, Babylon; Brave New World; Animal Farm.

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
MH: I am a bed and couch writer. I really need an office.

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
MH: An office with a comfy chair, big window, no TV and a thick soundproof door that my young children cannot open.

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
MH: I'm editing one book and finishing the rough draft of another, so nothing. :(

Me: Where do you usually read?
MH: In bed or the car. (while my husband drives.)

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
MH: Yes.

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
MH: I tend to shy away from non-fiction as it tends to break my heart a little.

Check out Molly @ http://www.mollyharper.com/

A Resort Chat w/ Aprilynne Pike

The Book Resort is thrilled to have the fantastic Aprilynne Pike stop by for a visit. She is quite interesting lady!

Ready? Let's go!


Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
AP: I am just finishing up an unrelated, stand-alone novel that is a modern retelling of The Scarlet Pimpernel involving a klepto ghost and the only guy who can see her. After that I am starting on the third book in the WINGS series!

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
AP: I'm a sucker for Superman.:)

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
AP: Wonder Woman

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
AP: Chunky! I love "stuff" in my ice cream! . . . Wait, maybe you meant peanut butter. I have ice cream on the brain. Either way, same answer.:)

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
AP: Baskin Robbins' Peanut Butter 'n Chocolate.

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
AP: The funky Shell stuff that pours on and then hardens. I LOVE that stuff!

Me: Subway or Taxi:
AP: Thus far I have been a taxi girl, but I really want to learn the subway system. I took the subway with my agent last year and it was fun! (Yes, I am easily amused.:))

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
AP: Give me Broadway any day of the week!

Me: TiVo or DVR:
AP: Neither.

Me: Favorite vacation place:
AP: The beach! Almost anywhere as long as there is sand, waves, and sun!

Me: Next vacation destination:
AP: The city. Big cities like New York and Chicago. I love the life of cities!

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
AP: Is it weird to say my publisher's offices? I love visiting them! And not just because they give me free books.;)

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
AP: Long, hot baths.

Me: Good luck charm:
AP: Dolls. I love dolls!

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
AP: Princess! No really. I always wanted to be a princess when I grew up. I even figured I could find a prince to marry if they wouldn't make me a princess on my own merits.

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
AP: *smile* A little black dress for an amazing party I went to last month in NYC.

Me: Item on your grocery list:
AP: Pickles!

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
AP: French Fries.

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
AP: I enjoy Chicago style pizza, but I'm afraid everything is better in NYC.:)

Me: Midnight snack:
AP: Chocolate. Kisses, usually.

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
AP: Neither. I have a thing with numbers and I generally just remember what page I am on. Often in multiple books . . .

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
AP: Remove it. Otherwise it gets worn on the edges.

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
AP: Ocean, ocean, ocean!!!

Me: Favorite book:
AP: The Giver, by Lois Lowry

Me: Item you can't live without:
AP: My iPhone.

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
AP: Janni Lee Simner. She wrote a book called Bones of Faerie that I loved so much I was kind of in a funk for a few days because it is so much better than mine.:D

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
AP: I think I read The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle a hundred times as a kid. I loved her adventures, her rebellion, her stamina, and her loyalty not only to others, but to herself. These are elements I work really hard at putting in my series.

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
AP: I love to write in restaurants with something yummy by my side, but because I am a full-time mom to three kids, it is hard to get away sometimes. So generally I write in my office. (I have a gorgeous office, I just can't complain!)

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
AP: For me, it's not the place so much as the atmosphere. I like light background noise, but not music (I start writing the lyrics into my novels if I listen to too much music), and the temperature to be plenty warm, preferably with a snack beside me and something good to drink. I also really prefer to have my internet connected so I can look things up and keep an eye on my email.

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
AP: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. I scored an ARC at BEA!

Me: Where do you usually read?
AP: Everywhere. To the point of carrying books around with me all over the house!

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
AP: Almost always. Like four or five generally.

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
AP: I usually read non-fiction in order to obtain information and fiction just for fun!

AP: Thank you!!

I want to thank Aprilynne for being such a fun interview. Thank you, Aprilynne.



Check out Aprilynne @ http://www.aprilynnepike.com/


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A Resort Chat w/ Robin Palmer

The charming Robin Palmer has been gracious enough to stop by The Book Resort for a little conversation.


Here we go!


Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
RP: JUST FINISHED UP THE FIRST BOOK IN A NEW MIDDLE GRADE SERIES CALLED "YOURS TRULY, LUCY B. PARKER"

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
RP: SPIDERMAN

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
RP: WONDER WOMAN

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
RP: CHUNKY

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
RP: MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
RP: HOT BUTTERSCOTCH

Me: Subway or Taxi:
RP: SUBWAY

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
RP: MOVIE THEATRE

Me: TiVo or DVR:
RP: DVR

Me: Favorite vacation place:
RP: PARIS

Me: Next vacation destination:
RP: PARIS

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
RP: I'M SO NOT COOL ANYMORE...IS THE STRAND BOOKSTORE CONSIDERED A "HOTSPOT"? ;)

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
RP: READING US MAGAZINE WHILE GETTING A MANICURE

Me: Good luck charm:
RP: STATUE OF GANESHA ON MY DESK

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
RP: WRITER

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
RP: PAIR OF PANTS AT THE GAP FOR $11.99

Me: Item on your grocery list:
RP: 100 CALORIE KETTLECORN POPCORN

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
RP: FRIES

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
RP: NEW YORK

Me: Midnight snack:
RP: SKINNY COW ICE CREAM SANDWICHES

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
RP: BOOKMARK

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
RP: DUSTJACKET

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
RP: OCEAN

Me: Favorite book:
RP: THE UNBEARABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING

Me: Item you can't live without:
RP: MY JOURNAL

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
RP: HARUKI MURAKAMI

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
RP: FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER; ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME MARGARET; GO ASK ALICE

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
RP: AT MY DESK IN MY BEDROOM

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
RP: MY DESK IN MY BEDROOM

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
RP: "MY LIFE AS A MAN" BY PHILIP ROTH

Me: Where do you usually read?
RP: IN BED

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
RP: SADLY, I USUALLY HAVE ABOUT 5 GOING

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
RP: YES - I CAN READ NONFICTION ON THE SUBWAY, BUT WITH FICTION, I NEED UNINTERRUPTED QUIET


I want to thank the beautiful Robin Palmer for stopping by :}.


Now, rush out & grab a few copies of Cindy Ella & Geek Charming!

Hurry! They're perfect for beach reading!


Check out Robin's website @ http://www.robinpalmeronline.com.

A Resort Chat w/ Wendy Corsi Staub

The Book Resort is excited to have Wendy Corsi Staub over for a little chit chat!

Here we go!

Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
WCS: I’m writing my next thriller, LIVE TO TELL, which is coming out in March from Avon books.

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
WCS: Neither—there’s something about a man in a unitard that turns me off…but can I do a write-in for Bono?

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
WCS: Batgirl--gotta love retro-goth-chic

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
WCS: Chunky

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
WCS: I don’t like ice cream… (continued below)

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
WCS: …other than when it’s in a “Gold Rush” sundae, drenched in hot fudge and peanut butter, at Ghiardelli’s in San Francisco.

Me: Subway or Taxi:
WCS: Subway unless I'm rushing to Grand Central to catch a train home

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
WCS: Broadway show

Me: TiVo or DVR:
WCS:Tivo

Me: Favorite vacation place:
WCS: Cumberland Island off the coast of Georgia

Me: Next vacation destination:
WCS: The heartland leg of my 50-state tour this summer, driving from Texas to South Dakota

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
WCS: Butter

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
WCS: Cabernet and People magazine, preferably simultaneously

Me: Good luck charm:
WCS: A four-leaf clover I found in the grass as a little girl and mounted on a flat stone with decoupage (it was the artsy-craftsy 70s)

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought knew you would grow up to be a(n)….
WCS: Author

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
WCS: Probably something at Macy’s or Lord and Taylor…probably at a one day sale…probably with my store card and a 20% off coupon. I’m a great bargain shopper.

Me: Item on your grocery list:
WCS: Ketchup and Reynolds Slow Cooker liners

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
WCS: Onion rings, with yellow mustard

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
WCS: New Yawk!

Me: Midnight snack:
WCS: Never—I’d have to be awake for that!

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
WCS: Dog ear for paperbacks (see below)

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
WCS: With it…so I don't have to dog-ear my hardcovers.

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
WCS: Ocean

Me: Favorite book:
WCS: Little Women

Me: Item you can't live without:
WCS: Dual-control heated mattress pad

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
WCS: Lenora Mattingly Weber

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
WCS: The Little House books—I was obsessed long before the TV show. I read every word of the series over and over into adulthood, and I desperately wanted to grow up and become an author like Laura. I’m in the midst of a Little House site odyssey that will include 3 more stops this summer.

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
WCS: In my home office

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
WCS: See above—I can’t write anywhere else

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
WCS: FIRE IN THE GROVE by John C. Esposito

Me: Where do you usually read?
WCS: On planes and in hotel room beds

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
WCS: Yes

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
WCS: I rarely ever read fiction anymore—I can’t read it when I’m writing it and I’m always writing something.

Thank you so much, Wendy!

Check out all of Wendy's books ~ Mysteries/Thrillers, Young Adult & her romantic comedies/women's fiction written as Wendy Markham!

Read Wendy's blog @ www.wendycorsistaubcommunity.com.

Check out Wendy @ www.wendycorsistaub.com.

A Resort Chat w/ Courtney Summers

The Book Resort is ecstatic to have Courtney Summers pop over for a little dish!


Here we go!


Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
CS:I just finished revisions for my next novel, Some Girls Are. It's due out in Winter 2010 from St. Martin's Press and it's about very mean girls.


Me: Spiderman or Superman:
CS: Superman! He has Canadian ties, after all.


Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
CS: Wonder Woman. She's AWESOME. Who wouldn't want a Lasso of Truth?

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
CS: Peanut butter? Smooth.

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
CS: Chocolate!

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
CS: A cherry.

Me: Subway or Taxi:
CS: Taxi.

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
CS: Movie theatre.

Me: TiVo or DVR:
CS: DVR.

Me: Favorite vacation place:
CS: I don't have one. Yet.

Me: Next vacation destination:
CS: See above.

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
CS: Would you believe I've never been? Tragic, I know!

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
CS: I only have guiltless pleasures!

Me: Good luck charm:
CS: A penny.

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
CS: A singer. It's best for everyone that didn't happen.

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
CS: Chocolate.

Me: Item on your grocery list:
CS: Juice!

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
CS: I cannot possibly choose!

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
CS: If it's pizza, it doesn't matter. Just give it to me.

Me: Midnight snack:
CS: Crackers.

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
CS: Dog ear (shameful, I know!).

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
CS: With.

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
CS: It's a tie--ocean or lake.

Me: Favorite book:
CS: The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier.

Me: Item you can't live without:
CS: Laptop.

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
CS: I'm not sure... I like to introduce as many people as I can to Ryu Murakami whenever I can, but I don't think he's all that un-known.

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
CS: I loved Charlotte's Web. It just made me look at things differently--more closely.

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
CS: The desk in my room.

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
CS: I don't care where I write, just so long as I'm doing it!

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
CS: Evermore by Alyson Noel, The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp and The Boys are Back in Town by Christopher Golden.

Me: Where do you usually read?
CS: Everywhere I can.

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
CS: Recently, yes, as the above can attest to. But not usually!

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
CS: Nope!


CS: Thanks Diane!
Me: Thank you, Courtney, it was a blast!

CS: Thanks for giving me the opportunity to be interviewed! I had a lot of fun with these questions. :)
Me: Oh, thank you, Courtney! Thanks for fun time!


Hurry! Grab a copy of Courtney's captivating novel Cracked Up to Be.

Check out Courtney @ http://courtneysummers.ca/blog/.

A Resort Chat w/ Simone Elkeles

The Book Resort is thrilled the charismatic Simone Elkeles stopped over to dish.

Here we go!

Me: What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)
SE: I just signed a contract to write the sequel to Perfect Chemistry - it will be about Alex's brother Carlos. Alex/Brittany will have a big part in the story, and I'm very excited to be writing it!

Me: Spiderman or Superman:
SE: Superman (spiders creep me out)

Me: Wonder Woman or Batgirl:
SE: Batgirl (being behind a mask/mysterious seems like fun)

Me: Chunky or Smooth:
SE: Sometimes I like chunky and sometimes smooth

Me: Favorite flavor ice cream:
SE: Vanilla

Me: Favorite ice cream topping:
SE: Hot caramel

Me: Subway or Taxi:
SE: Taxi (I like chatting with the drivers)

Me: Broadway Show or Movie Theater:
SE: Movie theatre (I love romantic comedies)

Me: TiVo or DVR:
SE: TiVo (although I have a DVR now, I liked my TiVo better)

Me: Favorite vacation place:
SE: Anywhere I can relax and not think about ANYTHING

Me: Next vacation destination:
SE: Phoenix, AZ for Thanksgiving

Me: Favorite NYC hotspot:
SE: I'll let you know next week when I get there.

Me: Guilty Pleasure:
SE: Eating anything fried

Me: Good luck charm:
SE: My kids

Me: When you were a little girl, you thought you would grow up to be a….
SE: Veterinarian or actress

Me: Last thing bought at the mall:
SE: A really cute purse (I didn't need it, but it was cute. I love purses, because no matter how fat or skinny I am, a purse will always fit!)

Me: Item on your grocery list:
SE: Avocado, cucumber (seedless), tomato, muenster cheese and Italian bread

Me: French fries or Onion Rings:
SE: Not a HUGE fan of either, but I'd say French fries

Me: Pizza: New York or Chicago?
SE: I'm a native Chicagoan, so I have to say Chicago!

Me: Midnight snack:
SE: Ice Cream (I know, it's cliche but true)

Me: Bookmark or dog ear?
SE: Bookmark

Me: Read with dustjacket or remove it?
SE: With the dustjacket

Me: Ocean, Lake, Desert, Mountain:
SE: Mountain

Me: Favorite book:
SE: Flipped & Ain't She Sweet

Me: Item you can't live without:
SE: Liquid Eyeliner & my car

Me: Who is your favorite writer that most people have never heard of?
SE: Wendelyn Van Draanen (I don't know if her first name is spelled correctly)

Me: What kid or teen books made a difference in your world growing up?
SE: Forever by Judy Blume

Me: Where do you like to write your books (bed ~ coffee shop ~ an office)?
SE: See below.

Me: Describe your ideal place to write:
SE: Out of the house, either at the local Starbucks or at the Barnes & Noble by my house. I need to be away from the internet

Me: What are you reading @ the moment?
SE: The Spymasters Lady

Me: Where do you usually read?
SE: In bed before I go to sleep

Me: Do you usually have more than one book you are reading at a time?
SE: No. How do people do that?

Me: Do you read nonfiction in a different way or place than you read fiction?
SE: I don't read nonfiction often...if I do it's usually in the bathroom and it's usually mindless magazines about famous people I don't know. Fiction I read in bed.


Thank you so much, Simone for the great time.

Hurry & grab a copy of Perfect Chemistry.

Check out Simone @ www.simoneelkeles.net.