A low calorie look at life, writing and cake.

Tuesday 22 October 2013

Stella from Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes visits Chloe from Lying to Meet you in NYC!


 
 

Chloe and Stella Take Manhattan

Chloe from 'Lying to Meet You tells us what happened when she met up with Stella, from 'Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes' in NYC... and if you want to know what happened to Chloe when she visited here, pop over to Baking Hot in Birmingham
 
Oh my god, I had such a fabulous time with Stella!
We met up at Rockefeller Center. I was running late (no surprise there) so I had to skip breakfast, but lucky for me, she handed me a box of four super scrumptious cupcakes—or fairy cakes, as she calls them. Each was decorated with a fondant handbag. Stella said she designed them especially for me, you know, since I work in fashion. Aww. I gave her a big hug and then hustled her into the building. While she was dealing with the security thing, I wolfed down two of the cupcakes (so good. So, so good) and as soon as she was given the necessary clearance, we took the elevator up to the ABC studios.

 
I introduced Stella to everyone on the set of The American Dream, and she had a great time talking shop with the crew. William Shannon showed up, and let me put it this way: Stella and I clearly have the same taste in men! She went all quiet and coquettish when I introduced the two of them. William Shannon had the same effect on me that he always does, but thankfully, Mathieu (my stylist and the only one in the world who knows Ethan and I aren’t really a couple) was there to keep me in line. I guess I was grinning at William Shannon like love-struck fool when Mathieu jerked me away from him under the guise of a little last minute hairstyle tweaking.

After the taping, I took Stella downtown and showed her my boutique. She tried on a few things while I ate another cupcake, and was all set to purchase the pink silk wrap top from my new collection, but naturally, I told her to put that money away. I wanted her to have it as a gift, she refused and neither of us was willing to back down, so she murmured something about buying it from one of the shops in London that carry my line. Little does she know I slipped the top into the side pocket of her tote bag. I wish I could see the look on her face when she discovers it!




We had dinner that night at an upscale Mexican restaurant in SoHo and stayed for another couple of margaritas each… Or was it three? In any case, when we left the restaurant, we were feeling festive. We weren’t far from Ethan’s apartment, so I suggested we stop by there to see what he was up to. He was working. (Shakes head.) He’s as hopeless as I am sometimes. After surprisingly little cajoling, we managed to drag Ethan back out with us. I was dying to take Stella to Magnolia Bakery, and it isn’t far from Ethan’s place, so we headed a couple blocks west to the best little bakery in New York. The three of us, each with a cupcake in hand (mine was the fourth fairy cake courtesy of Stella) went back outside and fed our sugar fixes under the night sky. Old friends, new friends and delectable cupcakes under a New York night sky. Does life get any better than this?


Like to read more about Chloe? Here's an excerpt from ‘Lying to Meet You’...

Mathieu grabs my arm and mutters, “Why did you not tell me about the boyfriend? I will not judge. If you want to seduce William Shannon even though you have a boyfriend, this is fine with me.”

“Ethan isn’t really my boyfriend,” I mutter back.

“What? I do not understand.”

I sigh. “It’s complicated. He and I are in a fake relationship. The idea behind it is that by being a couple, we might seem more attractive to potential love interests. It’s sort of a social experiment. But this is top-secret stuff. Nobody knows. So you can’t tell a soul.”

Mathieu brings a hand to his forehead and utters a dramatic, “Oh mon dieu.”

When we get to the green room, Mathieu shoves me in and says to Johnny, “I must talk to this girl. Two minutes. Yes?”

“Whatever,” Johnny says, leaning against the wall.

Mathieu comes into the room and closes the door firmly.

“Cherie, this changes everything. You must stop acting like a silly schoolgirl around Wily Willy.”

I stare at him, aghast. Was I really being that obvious?

“Use this pretend boyfriend in your mind to stop you from being so silly. When you see Wily Willy, you must send him silent messages that say,” (in the high pitch voice, of course) “‘Oh, I am so fabulous and it is so sad that you cannot have me, Mr. William Shannon, but I already have a lover.’”

I bite my lip to keep from breaking out into a grin, but apparently I have no control over the laughter in my eyes.

Mathieu responds with an icy glare.

“Perhaps you are not serious about seducing Wily Willy, after all.”

“No, no, Mathieu,” I tell him, suddenly feeling very solemn. “I’m sorry. I am serious about this.”

He stares at me for a moment. “D’accord. Now listen very carefully, Chloe. You must be cool around Wily Willy. And I am not talking about Gaultier-wearing-drinking-at-Bungalow-Eight cool. What I mean is that you must be aloof, unavailable. Do you understand?”

I nod, and he goes on.

“You must act casual around him. Not interested. When you see him, keep repeating these things in your mind. Cool, aloof, unavailable, casual, not interested. After a while, it will be easier to act that way around him.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes, I do,” Mathieu says, but after studying my face, he says, “I hope.”

After he leaves, I do something very uncool. I reach into my new Kate Spade bag, take out my planner, and write down Mathieu’s key words to remember. Cool, aloof, unavailable, casual, not interested. I kind of doubt that focusing on these words will do much to help me to relax around William Shannon, but it’s worth a try.


 
Writer Anna Garner (who also writes under the name Libby Mercer) lives in San Francisco where she currently spends her days cranking out stories.
 Does being in a relationship make you a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?
Chloe Lane is about to find out. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. As a work-crazed fashion designer, boutique owner and soon-to-be reality show judge, Chloe has no time for a real boyfriend, but being part of a faux pair will do just fine. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else.

However...

Opportunity unexpectedly knocks when Chloe meets fellow reality judge, William Shannon. Super successful and super sexy, this high-powered entrepreneur inspires Chloe to test Ethan's theory herself. Now, on top of keeping her fashion business productive, carving out a new role as a television personality, maintaining a fake relationship and attempting to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, she's lying to William, lying to her friends, lying to her family and quite possibly lying to herself. Will Chloe be able to keep it all together, or are things about to explode?
You can find Lying to Meet You on Amazon UK  Amazon.com  and Barnes and Noble
 

 

Monday 21 October 2013

United Authors of ChickLit!

It’s been a busy couple of weeks with my second book ‘Younger, Thinner, Blonder’ launched into the book-shpere last Thursday. And now I’m about to take a pink and fluffy flight across the Atlantic to drink champagne, eat cupcakes and share chickLit with author friends who live in the US.

So fasten your seatbelts and put your tray tables in the upright and locked position. Over the next few days, some favourite Chick Lit characters will be jetting across the Atlantic to visit with fictional friends on the other side of the pond... beginning on Tuesday, when Stella from Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes meets up with fashionista Chloe from Lying to Meet You

 Chloe will be whisking Stella around NYC with a trip to the Magnolia Bakery. On Libby Mercer’s blog

I considered a trip to Greggs for a sausage roll, but decided Stella’s kitchen and a baking lesson would be much more fun!
 
 

 Here's the departure and arrivals timetable.

The flight takes off on Monday, 21 Oct and here’s a little sneak peek at the fun, frothy books and sassy gals featured in our international promo, all of which are priced at £2.99 or less:

On Tuesday, 22 Oct.: Read about Stella from Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes and Chloe from Lying to Meet You as they travel across the Atlantic to visit each other.

Stella will be on Anna Garner’s blog http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com/ and Chloe will be on Sue Watson’s blog http://fatgirlsandfairycakes.blogspot.com/

 On Wednesday, 23 Oct., It’s time to discover what happens when Emma from The Pollyanna Plan and Kim from Blogger Girl meet. Emma will be on Meredith Schorr’s blog http://meredithschorr.com/blog/ and Kim will be on Talli Roland’s blog http://talliroland.blogspot.com/

On Thursday, 24 Oct: Izzy from Izzy’s Cold Feet and Jamie from Finding Lucas will be taking you on a trip alongside their characters. Izzy will be on Samantha Stroh Bailey’s blog http://samanthastrohbailey.blogspot.ca/ and Jamie will be on Sarah Louise Smith’s blog http://sarahlouisesmith.com/

 And on Friday, 25 Oct. Kate from Sealed with a Kiss and Pilar from In Need of Therapy will be chatting about their overseas experiences. Kate will be on Tracie Banister’s blog http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/ and Pilar will be on Rachael Lucas’s blog http://rachaellucas.com/blog/

 Here’s a little sneak peek at the fun, frothy books and sassy gals featured in our international promo, all of which are priced at £2.99 or less:

 And if you are interested in learning more about any of the books see below:

Finding Lucas by Samantha Stroh Bailey – Daytime talk show producer Jamie Ross is beyond fed up with her toxic bad boy turned metrosexual boyfriend. Spurred on by her gang of quirky friends, she goes on a hilarious, at-times disastrous, and totally life-changing hunt to track down the ”one who got away.” But are some loves best left behind? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Lucas-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A/ Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-Lucas-Samantha-Stroh-Bailey-ebook/dp/B007VIIU6A and Kobo http://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/books/Finding-Lucas/-wfpLcDV6keHZR-T80qCUg

In Need of Therapy by Tracie BanisterHandling the problems of hysterical hypochondriacs, lovelorn neurotics, and compulsive man whores is all in a day’s work for super-shrink Pilar Alvarez. But can she deal with her crazy Cuban family, a trio of unsuitable suitors, and a threat to her practice without ending up on the couch herself? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/In-Need-of-Therapy-ebook/dp/B008N6Z36Y and B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-need-of-therapy-tracie-banister/1112265620?ean=2940015006889

Lying to Meet You by Anna Garner – Overworked New York fashion girl Chloe Lane has no time for a real relationship, but when her childhood pal asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test a theory, she decides to go for it. The lies start piling up and things start getting crazy. Will Chloe be able to keep it together? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lying-to-Meet-You-ebook/dp/B00EZR5M9I and B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lying-to-meet-you-anna-garner/1116838753?ean=2940148616924

Sealed with a Kiss by Rachael Lucas – Kate breathes a sigh of relief when she's dumped at her best friend's wedding. When she takes a job on the island of Auchenmor, she's determined to have a year off men, but that's before she rescues Flora the seal pup with the help of Roddy, her mysterious new boss... Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/ and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealed-with-a-Kiss-ebook/dp/B00BE9EUW0/ 

The Pollyanna Plan by Talli RolandEmma Beckett has always looked down on 'the glass is half full' optimists. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancĂ©, Emma makes a radical decision: from here on in, she'll attempt to see the upside, no matter how dire the situation. Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Pollyanna-Plan-Talli-Roland-ebook/dp/B00AFAW2GK

Blogger Girl by Meredith SchorrKimberly Long has two passions: her successful chick lit blog and Nicholas, her handsome colleague down the hall. But when her high school nemesis pops onto the chick lit scene with a hot new book and eyes for Nicholas, Kim has to make some quick revisions to her own life story. Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blogger-Girl-ebook/dp/B00EDTLDSW B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blogger-girl-meredith-schorr/1116358028?ean=2940148503125 and Apple iTunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/blogger-girl/id686654939?mt=11

Izzy’s Cold Feet by Sarah Louise Smith – Izzy is engaged to Greg, who is everything a girl could want. The trouble is – all she can think about is the men she loved before she met him. In the week leading up to her wedding day, Izzy is forced to ask herself who she loves the most. And, given the choice, who would she want to spend her life with? Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Izzys-Cold-Sarah-Louise-Smith/dp/1909841005/


Fat Girls and Fairy Cakes by Sue Watson – TV Producer Stella is over worked, over weight and under fire battling to balance family, career and those weighing scales. In the past she’s always found comfort at the bottom of her mixing bowl but now the most delicious lemon sponge with zesty frosting has no effect. However, life is about to get even tougher... and Stella has to face some truths about herself, her life and her future. Available on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8 and Amazon UK http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fat-Girls-Fairy-Cakes-Watson-ebook/dp/B005L92JB8

 

 
 

 

Friday 11 October 2013

New Book Baby!

Tomorrow, 17th October, my second book ‘Younger, Thinner, Blonder’ comes out and I’m excited, delighted ... and very scared.
After two years of writing and rewriting, my new book baby is about to be born and for any author of a newborn, the days and weeks before publication are a tortuous time. The book is delivered to those all important book critics and sometimes followed by days, weeks, even months of silence. Meanwhile reviewers slap the book’s bottom for signs of life and begin the process of prodding and poking before revealing their verdict. It’s like waiting for your baby's apgar score, or your child's first school report.  Is she healthy? Is everything in place? Is there something glaringly wrong that my editor-midwife and I didn't see on delivery? And what does the reviewer say the future holds for her?
Consequently, I've spent the past few weeks fretting that reviewers won’t love my new baby in her beautiful blue gown. A review is vital for an author, it can make your week or break your heart, sell your book or see it pulped.  Like a new mum I've had sleepless nights worrying about her; Is she likeable? Clever? Funny enough? IS SHE GOOD ENOUGH? Please like her so she can survive and breathe in that big brutal old world out there?
So, I held my breath and read that first review...

Here it is...  http://kimthebookworm.blogspot.co.uk/