We love memoirs over here at Chick Lit is not Dead,  especially the ones that read like good fiction.  You know, when you have to keep stopping and reminding yourself that these things ACTUALLY HAPPENED to the author!

When Liz picked up Perfection: A Memoir of Betrayal and Renewal by Julie Metz in Target a few weeks ago, she was immediately drawn to Julie’s amazing story. Because let’s face it ladies-there’s a part of us that loves to read about other people’s dirty laundry!

Julie’s life changed forever when her husband collapsed in her kitchen and died in her arms, leaving her a single mother in a small town.  But that was only the beginning-she soon began to find out that he had hidden another life from her.  Her narrative is honest and insightful, her storytelling pitch perfect.  And as we did many times, you’ll wonder what the hell you’d do if it had happened to you. You’ll cheer for Julie as she begins to pick up the pieces of her broken life and rebuild.

But don’t just take out word for it-Perfection quickly became a NYT bestseller upon it’s release. AND Oprah thought Julie’s story was so compelling that she invited her to be a guest!  In fact, Julie’s episode is re-airing this Friday, July 30th.  Make sure to set your Tivo! Or you can find it here.

And we’re so lucky that she’s sharing not five, but EIGHT things we didn’t know about her.  And we were excited to discover that, like us, she has more books than she knows what to do with.  And wait until you find out at what age she got her drivers license!

We also have three SIGNED copies to give away to our fabulouso readers. You know what to do-just leave a comment and we’ll select the winners randomly this Friday evening.

CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS: 8 THINGS LIZ & LISA DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT…JULIE METZ

1. I move houses more than I’d like…and every time I do…like now…I wish I didn’t own quite so many books. But once they are unpacked it’s like seeing old friends again.

2. I never really had a granny, but my old kitty Sweetie Pie kind of takes her place. She’s a bit dottery but absolutely lovable, and still likes to show up for meals, ours most of all and always has something to say.

3. A lot of readers ask me when someone will make Perfection into a movie…the answer is, soon. I just sold the film option, so stay tuned!

4. I like telling my daughter a story about college, how we stole tea trays from the dorm kitchen one winter evening, and went sledding. Some apricot brandy was involved.

5. As a young woman I loved traveling alone and was surprisingly fearless. I still remember so many of the people I met on European trains and the chocolate covered cookies we shared—cheap and filling.

6. I finally quit smoking at 34…it took at least ten tries.

7. I learned to drive late, at 27. I have been to a hypnotist on two occasions hoping to overcome my fear of city driving.

8. I have a bit of a green thumb that always surprises me. I think it’s because I talk to the plants. My mom always said it worked, so I have continued the tradition.

Thanks Julie! xoxo, Liz & Lisa

To read more about Julie, head on over to her Facebook page or find her on Twitter.

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

Where do we begin? The brilliant, eye-catching book cover (it’s her own German Shepard, Argo. Need we say  more?). The fantastic writing? The story that makes your heart melt over and over again? Since discovering Allie Larkin and devouring her DEBUT novel, STAY (in stores NOW), we’re in love (yes, we’ve fallen hard- again!).

STAY is the story of how heartbroken Savannah”Van” Leone, in love with her best friend’s husband (ouch!), finds comfort in a dog “Joe” that she adopts from, um, Slovakia. Best part? She buys the dog over the internet while in a drunken vodka and Kool Aid haze after watching a Rin, Tin, Tin marathon. Hey, it could happen to anyone… Er, like the time Lisa picked up her home phone and called everyone in her address book (remember those?!) after drinking too many shots of Captain Morgan’s that she chased with chocolate chips?!  This was in college, before cell phones, before internet. Before common sense & good taste in liquor. But we digress…

When Van discovers the pint-size dog she thought she ordered isn’t so pint-sized (try 100 pounds!) she rolls with it. (At least Joe’s vet is HOT!) She’s someone you root for and someone you feel for. She’s someone you can relate to- especially when you think of how lonely it can be to nurse a broken heart.  And when her best friend and her husband return from their honeymoon (yup, to make matters worse they recently tied the knot), Van must decide just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to have the life she’s always wanted.

After reading STAY, we had a million questions for this break out author. Because we’re deep in the trenches trying to find an agent for our our next project and we know many of you are aspiring writers, we wanted to know everything about how Allie got her book from the computer to the bookstores. And because we’re, well, US, we threw in some “hard hitting” Q’s like her “GNO drink of choice”.

And we have FIVE copies of her book to give away! You guys know the drill…. leave a comment to be entered and we’ll randomly select the winners this Friday!

1. How long did it take to write your book?

STAY started as a writing exercise in a class in 2002.  I turned the exercise into a short story, and then filed it away for several years.  I revisited it for a writing group, and realized it needed to be a novel.  I wrote the first few drafts at a rate of eight pages a week for my writing group.  So, it took many years, but I wasn’t working on it full time until the very end.

2. How long did it take you to get your book published? What were your rock bottom moments along the way?

I had my share of rejection and mopey moments while I was trying to find an agent, but I really believed in the story and the characters, and that kept me going.

Two years ago, our dog, Argo, who is the inspiration for the dog in STAY, had a growth that turned out to be cancer. I was a wreck.  I had shelved STAY to work on something new.  But while we were waiting for his surgery date and through his recovery, there was so little we could do.  I felt like I needed to finish STAY.  I know Argo will never know one way or another that he inspired a book, but it was important to me to finish it. STAY is fiction, but it’s also a celebration of the way Argo has changed my life and made me a better person.  I’m thrilled that Argo recovered fully and has been a part of this whole process with me.

3. How did you get teamed up with your publisher? Why did you feel your publisher was a good match for you?

Rebecca Strauss, my agent, met with Erika Imranyi at Dutton, and gave her the manuscript.  Dutton is the perfect match for STAY.  They have an amazing reputation for strong commercial fiction, and give so much attention to every book they publish. Everyone I’ve worked with at Dutton cares passionately about what they do, and I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to work with them.

4. Knowing what you know now about publishing your first novel, what would you have done differently?

I feel really lucky, because my agent has been an amazing guide through this process and it’s really helped me to make decisions I feel good about along the way.  I don’t think there’s much I would change if I could.

5. What did you do to celebrate your book deal?

My husband took me out to dinner at our favorite restaurant, and I called a bunch of friends and cried at them.

6. Who is your writer crush?

When I read NAKED in college, I was positive David Sedaris was my soul mate and we were meant for each other.  Then I got to the chapter entitled “I Like Guys.”  I guess I’m not his type, and I’m married now anyway, but I’d be open to being just friends.

7. What’s your biggest distraction or vice while writing?

Twitter and Facebook are big distractions.  Although, also useful.  When I’m feeling like I want to take a break, it keeps me home and in my office to spend a few minutes on Twitter.  Otherwise, I’d get the itch to run errands or go grab coffee, and might not make it back to my desk that day.

8. GNO drink of choice?

I love Campari & soda.  I get teased about it being an old lady drink all the time, but it’s my drink of choice anyway.  I also enjoy driving slow and going to bed early.

9. Favorite trashy TV show?

There was a BBC show called Hotel Babylon.  Most of the seasons are on Netflix.  I watched as many as I could get my hands on in an embarrassingly short amount of time.  And I plan to do it again when I can.  So fun!

10. What celeb would you love to have a Twitter war with?

If @NathanFillion ever tweeted at me – war or otherwise, I’m pretty sure I’d pass out.

To find out more about this fab Lit It-Girl Allie Larkin, follow her on Twitter, Facebook and visit her website. And definitely buy her book!

Thanks so much, Allie!

xoxo, Liz & Lisa

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

Teens have it so good these days.  I mean, come on. Cell phones, (we’re from the “pager” era) IPods, (um, is this where we mention we remember 8-tracks?) and YA fiction.  So not only do these kids get to listen to their favorite song over and over without rewinding a tape, they also have a whole genre of fiction devoted just to them.  And the best part? There’s a ton of awesome YA writers out there. (Just ask Liz-she’s a closeted YA addict!)

And we’re lucky enough to have Sarah Mlynowski sharing 5 things we don’t know about her today.  She’s the author of the popular Magic in Manhattan series. Her latest YA effort, Gimme a Call is a lot of fun (AND has already been optioned by Paramount!).  It’s a lighthearted read about a girl who, after dropping her cell phone in a fountain, is able to call her fourteen-year-old self and tell her all the things she wish she had known three years ago.

Want to win a copy?  We’ve got five! Just leave a comment and you’ll be entered to win!  We’ll choose the winner by random drawing on Wednesday evening.

And if you’re just unable to embrace your inner teen, don’t fret-Sarah’s got some chick lit up her sleeve too.  In fact,  Me vs. Me is one of our favorite books and See Jane Write is a must read for any aspiring chick lit author!

So take a minute to get to know more about the fabulous Sarah! And wait till you see the VIDEO evidence she provided to back up one of her 5 things! Love it!

5 things Liz & Lisa didn’t know about…Sarah Mlynowski!

1. I speak four languages. English, French, Hebrew and Yiddish. Yes, Yiddish. I’m not kibitzing with you.

2. I’ve moved eleven times in the last fifteen years. Two countries, four cities, six roommates, one husband, and one adorable baby. So much packing tape.

3. My mom is a novelist too. She’s published four romance novels under the name Elissa Ambrose. Obviously, when I read her books, I skip over the sex scenes.

4. I hate soda. I don’t understand the appeal. I’ve never understood the appeal. Those bubbles burn. Why would anyone want to drink something that causes pain? It makes no sense.

5. I learned how to ride a bike when I was twenty-seven. My dad tried to teach me when I was a kid, but I refused to let him take off the training wheels. My husband decided enough was enough, and taught me on our honeymoon. Unfortunately, I mowed down some flowers. Unfortunately, there is video evidence-see below!

To read more about the lovely Sarah Mlynowski, head on over to her website or find her on Facebook and Twitter!

xoxo, Liz & Lisa

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

Gotta love summer and all the new releases from  our favorite writers these past few months.  Between great books by Emily Giffin, Allison Winn Scotch and Jane Green, our beach bag is getting damn heavy(maybe we can find a hunky lifeguard to carry it for us?). And we’ll have to make room for one more NYT bestselling author because the lovely Beth Harbison has a new book out TODAY.  Thin, Rich, Pretty is a must read! (PS: It’s also her birthday! What a perfect way to celebrate!)

We first fell in love with Beth after reading Shoe Addicts Anonymous and were lucky enough to have her answer 25 Things we wanted to know last year.  Thin, Rich, Pretty is Harbison’s fourth novel and it follows three women as they attempt to escape the bitterness of their past. Poignant and funny, Thin, Rich, Pretty is for any woman who remembers that bratty girl who made fun of her but is happy today in spite of it.

And we’ve got FIVE copies of Thin, Rich, Pretty to give away.  Just leave a comment and we’ll choose the winners by random drawing on Thursday evening.  How easy is that?  So don’t be shy, leave a comment!

Photo Credit: Paige Harbison

Now let’s get to Beth’s five things.  If you’ve never read her books before, we have a feeling you’ll be running out to the nearest Barnes & Noble after checking out what she has to say (just the fact that she could pick us up for lunch in a limo OR a Haz-mat truck makes us love her). She had us LOLing. And that’s saying a lot because we don’t LOL for just anyone…I mean, we might COL(chuckle out loud) occasionally but we’re definitely not LOL whores.(Although *someone* (Liz!) has developed a serious snorting out loud problem lately…)

But now, without further adieu-let’s give a warm welcome to the ultra-fab Beth Harbison!

5 Things Liz & Lisa didn’t know about Beth Harbison!

1. That, when asked to come up with five things people don’t know about me, I really struggled to come up with anything.  Then I realized the no one out there really knows anything about me, so it’s not really five things you don’t know about me that I’m having trouble with but five things about me that might be interesting at all.   So, in conclusion, 1. I’m boring.

2. Except, I’m really not boring, it’s just that all the good stuff about me is secret. I can’t tell you the good stuff without being afraid you’ll blackmail me with it later, or that it will come out the night before the New Hampshire Primaries when I’m running for president and my bid for the White House will be completely ruined because my bossy publicist wanted me to get out here and trumpet myself so people will buy my books.  So 2. I’m running for President.  Someday.

3. I’d be a horrible president.  Really. I don’t understand politics that well and I can’t really keep my own money budgeted, so you don’t want me in charge of yours.  On the other hand, if Katie Couric asked me what magazines and newspapers I read, I could answer.  In fact, I would answer.  Because maybe the People Magazine, InStyle, and Allure people would give me a free lifetime subscription which, believe me, would save me lots of money.  Wait!  Did you catch that?  I was being budget conscious.  So maybe I’d be a pretty good president.  Or at least Governor of California.  Except I don’t know what to do about the oil spill, since Certain People laughed at my “lots and lots of cotton balls” idea.  Incidentally, the White House phone operator didn’t otherwise demonstrate any sense of humor at all, so I don’t think she was laughing with me, so much as at me.  So, yeah, 3. I am not the political expert I appear to be.

4. So clearly if the writing thing doesn’t work out, I’m kind of screwed as far as a career in politics is concerned too. It’s too late to join the military, though drab green is my color, and even if the Peace Corps would have me, I think the fact that I’m afraid to walk around my suburban neighborhood at night — because of all the frogs and rabbits and shushing noises in the trees — might indicate I’m a bad candidate for jungle living.  I actually have a commercial driver’s license and can legally drive a limo, or bus or non-Hazmat truck, but I also have a driving phobia so the CDL is really just for show now.  Really, my greatest asset seems to be that I’ve eaten at virtually every restaurant in Disney World.  And a bunch of good ones in Manhattan as well.  And D.C.  But what job consists of basically eating in fancy restaurants and going to events?  I know!  4. Would make excellent hired escort Vice­-President.

5. I don’t want to be vice-president! For one thing, I kind of like the idea of living in Florida, at least in the winter, and you just know the media would be all over me for leaving Mass Avenue and going on down to Key West for a few months every year.  President Schwarzenegger might also not be too pleased with me for that, because then he’d get a bunch of heat for begging me to be his running mate.  As he should, actually, because you totally know he’d have strong armed me into doing it because he so desperately needed someone with my charm, intelligence, and lack of easily-imitated-by-Tina-Fey annoying accent to boost his ticket.  When you come right down to it, you just know he begged me, using emotional blackmail like “the children of America look up to you and need your guidance” and “only you can pass a bill allowing dogs to vote”.  And frankly I don’t like being manipulated that way, Arnold.  So, I guess, 5. is: I’m going to just keep being a writer as long as I have readers.  But you probably already knew that.

In which case: I am very grateful to have the opportunity to do what I love every day and get paid for it.  Being a working hired escort writer.

To read more about Beth, check out her Facebook fan page or follow her on Twitter.

xoxo, Liz & Lisa

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

Photo Credit: Lizzie Himmel

Today is a BIG day for us! Especially for Lisa… because one of her biggest author crushes, Sarah Dunn, is HERE. Yeah, we know what you’re thinking, we have A LOT of author crushes. What can we say? We’re kind of author crush whores! But hey, we’ll take the label. Because we’re thrilled that there are so many fantastic female writers out there to lust after.

Now back to Sarah. It all started with The Big Love. When Lisa read the story of Alison Hopkins who gets dumped-hard-when her live-in boyfriend, Tom, goes out for MUSTARD and, um, never returns. Let’s just say Lisa could relate. No, none of her boyfriends went out for a condiment and disappeared, but many of them did dump her-hard. So she could feel Alison’s pain. Especially when Tom calls to say he’s in love with another woman AND he’s been sleeping with her for FIVE months. OUCH. And now Alison, flat broke and working for a floundering newspaper, must jump back into the single world. *Sigh*

And then Sarah wrote Secrets to Happiness and we both boned out over the story of Holly Frick (love that name) who is still in love with the man she’s divorcing. Double Ouch. And Holly’s happily married best friend reveals she’s about to have an affair…And then another woman comes to Holly asking for love advice- with Holly’s EX. (Sarah knows how to build the drama!) So Holly, determined to find happiness, gets herself a much younger man (score) and a dog… And we LOVED the theme of this story that we can all relate to- searching for happiness.  And if you leave a comment, you’ll be entered to WIN 1 of 5 copies of Secrets to Happiness- out in paperback now!

And now, here’s Sarah… who we love even more after this mother of a newborn (she gave birth just weeks ago) *raise champagne glass* managed to find time to bust out five things and reveal, among other things, that she LOVES inappropriate TV! Have we died and gone to Heaven? Can Sarah get any better? We’ll let you be the judge… (PS: Hopefully we can get more scoop about #1!)

5 Things Liz & Lisa didn’t know about…Sarah Dunn!

1. The book Sex and the City is dedicated to my husband, Peter Stevenson. I find this more than a little alarming.

2. The first animal sound my son Harry learned how to say was the camel’s. He still won’t meow, moo, or go woof-woof, but if you ask him what a camel says, he spits.

3. My Secret Celebrity Crush is Brody Jenner. Related to this, I suppose, is the fact that I watch a lot of age-inappropriate TV.  I’ve only recently come to terms with the idea that I am too old to be on The Real World.  I also love ‘Snapped’, a true crime show wherein ordinary women just like you and me kill their husbands.  They can’t help it.  They just snap.

4. One of my most cherished possessions is a hot water bottle shaped like a little horse that I call The Hot Pony. I bought it in Ireland, where liability issues are such that children are encouraged to sleep with stuffed animals filled with boiling water.

5. I just had a baby.  Her name is Alice. I haven’t slept for more than three straight hours in seven weeks.  I wish I could think of something more clever to say.

Um, Sarah, we think you deserve an award for even finishing these five things! And we love them!

For more info on the lovely Sarah Dunn, visit her website.

Thanks! xoxo, L&L

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

photo credit: Jeremy Lawson

So let’s be honest.  No one comes up with better titles than NYT bestselling author Jen Lancaster. When we first came across Bitter is the New Black: Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-centered Smart-Ass, Or why you should never carry your Prada bag to the unemployment office a few years ago, the title stopped us in our tracks. Any book with that funny of a title just HAD to be good.  And it didn’t disappoint!

Now on her fifth memoir, Lancaster just keeps getting better and better!  In her latest, My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict’s Attempt to Discover if not Being a Dumb Ass is the New Black, or a Culture-Up Manifesto, Jen attempts to achieve cultural enlightenment and gives us a front row seat to the hilarious missteps and genuine moments of inspiration she encounters along the way.

And we’re as giddy as schoolgirls that she reached deep down for five things we didn’t know about her.  Liz is a huge fan, even going so far as to stand in line for over an hour at a Pretty in Plaid book signing and then shamelessly forced her to take the copy of I’ll Have Who She’s Having that she had brought for her. (Sorry about that Jen!) But it was worth it to meet her-she was just as fabulous in person as she is in her books.

We just gave away a copy of the fabulous My Fair Lazy last week as part of our Flip for Liz & Lisa giveaway. And guess what?  We have two more copies for some lucky readers!  Just leave a comment to be entered!

5 Things Liz & Lisa didn’t know about…Jen Lancaster!

You guys want five things no one knows about me?  Considering I make my living by writing about myself in books, on my website, though my syndicated column, and via Twitter, that’s a little harder than it sounds, but I’ll do my best.

Okay, first… I am Always Prepared. I’m prepared to the point of needing to capitalize the first letters of the words Always Prepared for I’m that prepared.  I perpetually hurt my back and strain my shoulder because of the amount of preparations I’m always carting around in my handbag.  Of course, I have the requisite chick-stuff in my bag… lipstick, compact, wallet, keys, sunglasses, pens, notepaper, business cards, dental floss, sunglasses, mints, gum, Kleenex, Kindle, iPhone, iTouch, hand sanitizer, dog treats, combination lock, four kinds of tampons, earplugs, a spare string of pearls in case I forget to wear them, and three different tubes of mascara depending on if I’m going for fullness, length, or curl.  Yet it’s those extra items that make all the difference in terms of preparedness.  For example, right now I’m not only carting around a gossamer-thin-matches-everything cashmere Burberry wrap but also a folding Benchmade combat knife.  I mean, how many times have you found yourself chilly or in need of a sharp knife for stabbing?  Well, not me, for I am Always Prepared.

Second, apparently my friends find my preparedness an endless source of amusement. I’m often tasked with emptying the contents of my purse at parties.  And yet I’m the only one of them who can pack for seven days on the road with a single carry-on bag.  I’m pretty sure that means I win.

Third, I missed the entire summer after my sophomore year of high school due to a particularly virulent case of mono. For two months, I did nothing but watch James Bond movies and read Danielle Steel books, thus beginning a lifelong love affair with smart-mouthed British dudes, well-timed explosions, and epic, cheesy romances.  Should Hugh Grant ever make a movie where something blew up, I’m pretty sure my heart would fly out of my chest.

Fourth, despite having my last three books debut on the New York Times best seller list, I can’t quite shake the feeling that the success is fleeting. Ergo, I still have every outfit I used to wear while working as a temp.  Should I suddenly need to take a letter, make a copy, or fetch some coffee, I’m all over it.

Last, I recently pre-ordered the entire set of Mad Men Barbies. (Seriously, how does any fan of the show not want these?  I mean Don and Betty Draper AND Joan Holloway?  Come on!)  However, in order to be allowed to purchase the Roger Sterling doll – and everyone wants a lecherous old white-haired Barbie, yes? – I had to join the Barbie Fan Club.  My official collector packet came via UPS.  I had to sign for the big pink envelope and I’m fairly sure my UPS guy is still laughing at me.  Mattel even sent me an official fan club membership card.  I carry it in my purse for I am Always Prepared.

You can read more about the lovely Jen Lancaster at her website or follow her on Twitter so you don’t miss her sassy tweets!

xoxo, Liz & Lisa

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

Julie Buxbaum might just have the best book covers evuh! The cover for her novel, After You, (out in paperback now) tells a story all its own. If we saw it in the bookstore, we’d pick it up instantly and flip it over to read the back, wanting to know more. (which is what you should do next time you’re in Target. It was just picked as a Target Breakout Book!)

And that’s exactly what Lisa did when she noticed Julie’s first book, The Opposite of Love in Barnes and Noble. And she’s so happy she did!

For us, the cover is half the battle.  And with both books, Buxbaum doesn’t disappoint. Her novels grab you from the moment you see them sitting on the shelf at your favorite book store to the moment you turn the last page, sorry to see the story end.

After you is the gripping story eight-year-old Sophie who witnesses her mother Lucy’s death. Lucy’s best friend, Ellie, immediately travels across the Atlantic ocean to help Sophie who’s stopped speaking and whose father has retreated to drinking to deal with his own grief. To help Sophie, Ellie turns to the book, The Secret Garden. And as she begins to discover things about her best friend’s life, she also must face things about her own- things her best friend didn’t even know. Anyone who’s had a past full of regret, a best friend or a lost love will relate to this book. And if you’d like to win one of five copies, leave a comment here!

We’re thrilled to be learning more about this talented author. Just like so many of our other fave’s, she’s got a great sense of humor. And, apparently, so does her husband (wait ’til you find out how he proposed!). So….drum roll please… here’s 5 Things we didn’t know about…Julie Buxbaum.

1. I have the handwriting of a six year old. Somehow, I have gotten through high school, college and law school, and yet I’ve never learned how to hold a pen properly. That should really be on the SAT.

2. I know this is blasphemous, but I hate to shop. Despise it. Not only because my body is incredibly disproportionate—my top half and bottom half are more than a little mismatched, which definitely makes the shopping thing harder—but mostly because I hate to make any decisions.  In fact, would prefer to never have to make any decisions at all.  About anything.  Even what topping to put on my pizza. Or whether I want pizza at all.  Maybe I want chicken. Or tacos.  See, hate decisions.  Hate them. And thus, shopping too.

3. I am that person who shows up at the airport, only to find out their flight is tomorrow, or yesterday, or ten minutes ago. Shortly thereafter, I am that person who cries at the check-in counter.

4. I’ve read THE SECRET GARDEN at least one hundred times. Which is why it plays such a huge role in AFTER YOU.  I think it is as close to a perfect book as you can get.

5.  After meeting my husband for the first time, I turned to my best friend and said, “You never know who you’re going to meet that’s going to change your life.” Little did I know, though, that seven years later, after kidnapping me and whisking me off to Tahiti, he would propose.  But that’s not the interesting part.  Upon taking me to the most romantic spot on the planet, how did my future husband pop the question? Did he get down on one knee and declare his abiding love in a move that would be befitting the setting?  Nope.  He thought it was a much better idea to moon me.  Yup, my husband proposed via lipstick on his butt.  Of course I said yes.

To learn more about Julie, follow her on Twitter and Facebook. You should also check out her sassy new blog, Julie has writer’s blog.

xoxo

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

She’s baaack!

The Queen of Chick Lit is paying us another visit and we’re rolling out the red carpet! (She is the Queen after all!) Last time, she made us this entertaining video (with appearances by her children and other glimpses into her home life!) and today, she reveals five more things that have us LOL’ing. (And we don’t just LOL over anything, people!)

It’s no secret that we love us some Jane Green. Not just because she’s a talented author, but she’s also personable and just downright nice. So it should come as no surprise that her latest novel (out now!), Promises to Keep is also at the top of our list! It’s a story about the hard choices we have to face, about having to be your parent’s child long after you’ve grown up and about the enduring nature of love. And not only do we think you should buy this book because it’s fabulous, but also because 20% of the royalties go to City of Hope!

But you know us, we’re giveaway whores too… so of course we have FIVE copies of Jane’s novel in our hot little hands. Just leave a comment here and you could be the proud new owner of Jane’s latest masterpiece.

And if you’re not already following Jane on Facebook or Twitter, you should. You can get constant updates about her life (she’s a mother of SIX) and her books (Promises to Keep is her 12th!). Plus, she’s hilarious. As you’ll see below…

5 (more) Things Liz and Lisa Didn’t Know about…Jane Green!

1. I am allergic to exercise. Truly. I have been through phases in my life when I try, but…but…I just can’t be bothered.  A couple of years ago I quite liked running on a treadmill. I never made it past a mile or so, but it felt quite good. And then I stopped. I spend many nights lying in bed planning to exercise in the morning, and then morning comes and…I still can’t be bothered.

2.  I cry when I laugh. Always. This makes mascara-wearing a bit of a liability, and I do not go anywhere without at least four tissues in my bag.

3.  I have the patience of a fruit fly, with no attention-span whatsoever. I spent many happy hours at school daydreaming out of windows, and am still not entirely sure how I passed any exams at all. Now they would have diagnosed ADD, but then it was just endless report cards saying: must try harder.

4.  Turning forty was one of the best days of my life. Turning forty-one, however, was miserable. I was so geared up about turning forty, it never occurred to me that I was going to continue growing older. Turning forty-two, thankfully, was fine. And if you tell me I look thirty five I will be your best friend forever.

5. According to my husband, I am not a very good driver, but I think I am the best driver in the world. Many people have been known to ride in the passenger seat with one hand hovering on the door handle. I am ashamed to admit I once sent a jogger flying over a hedge. Twin B also claims car sickness whenever he’s in the back, but I think that’s just attention-seeking…

Thanks again, Jane!

xoxo, L&L

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By Diane Dillon

Summer is FINALLY here and we are so ready for some great beach reading. (Now we just have to find time to make it to the beach!)  And with so many fantastic releases from our favorite authors, (And some great debuts too!) they’ll be plenty to choose from.

Speaking of great new releases, Today we’re learning five things about fabulous bestselling author Claire Cook!  She’s the author of SEVEN ENTERTAINING NOVELS (including Must Love Dogs, which was made into a movie starring our girl crush Diane Lane!).  Her latest,  Seven Year Switch follows sassy single mom Jill as she tries to pick up the pieces after her husband leaves her to raise her daughter by herself.  It’s an inspiring tale about starting over, finding strength and rediscovering love.  Perfect for a summer getaway!

Not only is Claire revealing five things, she made a video (complete with music-we’re impressed!) about the five things we don’t know about her. We’re loving it and have a feeling that you will too.(She has a very interesting past job that involved a leotard!  She’s been on the Today show!)

And don’t forget to connect with Claire on Facebook and Twitter too-she hosts lots of cool giveaways and we know y’all love getting free stuff!

And…To celebrate the release of Seven Year Switch, we are giving away FIVE copies.  You know what to do-just leave a comment to be entered!

So sit back, turn up the volume and enjoy!  xoxo

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.

She’s not just a majorly talented, New York Times bestselling author with three fabulous books under her belt. Allison Winn Scotch also has serious celebrity radar (case in point: she saw Tina Fey, Ben Stiller AND Cynthia Nixon in the same week!).  She picked her husband up! (Wait till you find out where…) And she has quite a thing for cereal…

We’re SUPER excited about Allison’s latest novel, The One That I Want available everywhere TODAY! We both loved the wonderful story about Tilly Farmer, a girl who’s seemingly perfect life begins to fall apart after an old childhood friend gives her the gift to see into the future. Liz was unable to put it down-she finished it in one day flat! (A new all-time record, btw…) And Lisa has already read it twice! Redbook Magazine loved it too, choosing it as a June Book Pick and we agree- it’s a must-have for your beach bag this summer!

And to launch The One That I Want, Allison is giving away some FABULOUS PRIZES if you order it between now and June 4th.  Send her the receipt and you’ll be entered to win cool stuff like a Blackberry, a Flip camera, a bag of great summer reads and more! Head on over to her website or Facebook page for all the deets!

And that’s not all!  We have FIVE copies of The One That I Want to give away!  Just leave a comment on this post to be entered!

Allison took time out of her uber-busy schedule not just to share 9 things about herself that we didn’t know, but to make a video to reveal these things to us! (Thanks, Allison!)

And that’s not as easy as it may seem. Think lighting, wardrobe and, of course, content. Well, we think she nailed it from start to finish. (But of course she did! We’re beginning to think she’s good at everything she does-she even has awesome tweets!) And we have no doubt you’ll love this video as much as we do.

So, pull up a chair and watch and be prepared to learn some pretty interesting things about Allison. And don’t forget to leave a comment here for a chance to win a copy of The One That I Want!

xoxo

©2010 Chick Lit Is Not Dead. All Rights Reserved.