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  • The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn on Shelves!

    So I went to my local Barnes and Noble today, just to browse. Right. To browse. That’s our story, and we’re going to stick with it. 🙂

    And I stumbled upon quite an interesting little find.

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    Yes, yes. I did put my books face out. And I called my mom. And I was in such a good mood I bought 3 new books. Hehe.

    Can’t wait until I see my book on another shelf until next time. -LJ

    The Reviews Keep Coming … And They’re Good!

    More reviews of TKOKT. (I just realized the initials of my book are a palindrome.  Yay for silly things like that!) A couple reviews, a couple interviews, and a few nice words. Thought you might like to know what people are saying.

    Richmond Christian Examiner
    Virginia’s Journal
    Coffee Time Romance
    A Romance Review
    My Shelf

    Blogger Reviews:
    All4Boys
    A Book Lover Forever
    Novelized
    And Then I Woke Up
    Jessy Ferguson
    On the Write Path
    ElCloud
    Paradoxology

    Teaser Tuesday – sort of …

    So today, I want to offer you a bit of a Teaser Tuesday of sorts. I’ve been reading a book that I can never remember the name of. I just call it the Potato Peel book. If you’ve read it, then you know what I’m talking about. But if you haven’t read it and you aren’t familiar with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Soceity by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows, you’re missing out. I’m 20 pages in, and I love it! It’s absolutely delightful.

    For the first time in my life, I wish I’d never used the word delightful to describe anything else. I wish I could have saved it for this very book.

    So today’s teaser is three-fold. First the quote from pg. 10, ” Perhaps there is some secret sort of homing instinct in books that brings them to their perfect readers. How delightful if that were true.”

    Second, the challenge: Leave a comment to this post with the title of the book that you think might have a secret homing instinct to find you. (Today mine is the Potato Peel book. I had no idea I needed to be reminded of the delights of being a writer–even one in the middle of terrible revisions–until I started reading it.)

    Third, I’ll pick one commenter at random on July 14, and that person will win a copy of the paperback edition of the Potato Peel book.

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    Dreaming of our fair heroine Juliet and the guy she ends up with … whoever that is … until next time. -LJ

    Interview with Betsy St. Amant

    As I’ve been traveling the last week and haven’t had time to see a movie for our normal Mondaybetsy-st-amant Movie segment, I thought I’d treat you to a little interview with my good friend and fellow Steeple Hill author Betsy St. Amant.

    Welcome, Betsy. We’ve known each other for several years now. One of my favorite memories is when Perfecting Kate by Tamara Leigh came out with your endorsement on the front cover. Tell everyone about that moment.
    Liz, that’s one of my favorite memories of us too! I was so excited when you asked me to endorse the book, and then thrilled beyond belief when it came out on the front cover. Definitely an exciting moment for a pre-pubbed author. I still beam every time I see that book on the shelf and have even (yes, I admit) told strangers walking down the inspirational fiction row “that’s me!” haha. It really seemed to have gotten me more blog hits from it, too. Fun times!

    return_to_loveTell us about your new book Return to Love.
    Return to Love is a story about a woman named Gracie who works as the penguin keeper at the Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. She is planning a fundraiser gala to earn money to house penguins from a closing aquarium upstate and unfortunately, her only hope at a successful event is to hire Carter-her childhood best friend who broke her heart before making it big in the music industry. This is their story of returning to love.

    Where were you/what were you doing when you got the call that Steeple Hill wanted a contract on your book?
    I was actually at work when my agent, Tamela Hancock Murray, called me and I squealed so loud people came out of their offices to look. I buried my face in my hands and just kept on. My poor agent is probably deaf now. As are my coworkers.

    What’s you’re favorite scene in Return to Love?
    Ohhhh, let’s see, I would say the chapter where Carter takes Gracie on a walking tour of New Orleans. I love the tension between them amidst the romantic French Quarter background. Lots of culture in those scenes.

    If you could “borrow” one character from a movie, TV show, or another book for your current WIP, who would it be? Why?
    Oh this is hard! I would say I’d borrow Pablo (Greg Serano) from the TV show “Wildfire” (ABC family) because he’s the exact image of a secondary character in my current contracted western WIP. Maybe he’ll get a sequel one day =)

    It’s Girls Night Out, and you’re next in line at karaoke. What are you going to sing?
    Great question. I actually won a karaoke contest in junior high, singing with my friend Rose. This is awful to admit, but we sang “Waterfalls” by TLC. Haha! Talk about a long time ago! That bowling alley didn’t know what hit ‘em. =) I guess today I would sing a Taylor Swift song in honor of my daughter, probably the song “Love Story”. My 11 month old adores Taylor Swift. Its hilarious.

    If you had a Saturday all to your self-no deadlines, no kids (they’re off with the hubby), no commitments-what’s the first thing you’d do?
    Oh, I dream of this all the time so I have my answer ready! Haha! First, I’d sleep in, ridiculously late. Then I’d sit in a hot bath and read for at least an hour. Then I’d work uninterrupted on my WIP, take a nap, read some more, watch a sappy romantic comedy with lots of junk food, and then be very ready for my family to get home. I’m addicted to them =)

    If you could have a role in any musical, what would it be?
    Grease!!!!! Without a doubt. I’d want to be Sandy. Or Rizzo, just for the shock factor of me playing a “bad character”. Haha!

    What’s one bad habit of your own that you’ll never give to one of your characters?
    I have to say “never” because, well, you “never” know! =) But so far its safe to say I won’t give my love of tanning beds to my characters. Lol

    Is there anything else you’d like to share?
    Readers can contact me at betsystamant@yahoo.com or visit my blog at www.betsy-ann.blogspot.com or my website at www.betsystamant.com Also, if you enjoy Return to Love, be sure to look for the sequel, A Valentine’s Wish, releasing February 2010! Thanks for having me Liz, and I look forward to helping you promote your story in July as well!

    Thanks for swinging by, Betsy.

    Here’s a little more about Return to Love. From the back cover:
    “I’m not the man I used to be!” – if only Gracie Broussard could believe that. Years ago, Carter Alexander broke her heart and betrayed her. Now, just when she needs him most, he’s back — asking her to believe he’s changed. But this time, its not just Gracie who’ll be hurt if he disappears. A penguin keeper, Gracie urgently needs to find a new home for her beloved birds. Carter is the only one who can help. He promises that she can trust him, that he’s not the rebel he once was. And that he needs Gracie as much as her birds do.

    You can swing by Amazon.com, CBD.com, or Barnesandnoble.com to pick up a copy of Return to Love. Don’t miss out on this very romantic, super-fun read.

    Wishing I could visit New Orleans until next time. -LJ

    Another Review of TKOKT

    Starting this week, reviews should start coming in pretty regularly for The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorn. I have 40 bloggers and over 20 websites reviewing the book and interviewing me this month. I look forward to sharing those with you. The newest is from Jennifer over at All4Boys blog. Check it out here.

    Also, don’t forget to check out my brand new Appearances page. I’ll keep it updated with booksignings and events and such. Right now I have my three appearances in Yuma, AZ, July 18-26. If you’re in the area, be sure to swing by. I’d love to meet you.

    Teaser Tuesday – The Sound of Sleigh Bells

    teaser_tuesdays1MizB of Should Be Reading hosts the Teaser Tuesdays weekly event

    Here are the rules:
    * Grab your current read
    * Let the book fall open to a random page
    * Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12
    *You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
    * Please avoid spoilers!

    This week’s teaser is:
    “Lizzy had no doubt that even Jonah heard the disdain in her niece’s voice. She lowered the phone. ‘Could you take your wet-blanket attitude elsewhere for just a minute please?'”
    pg. 101 – The Sound of Sleigh Bells by Cindy Woodsmall

    – Okay, so this Christmas novella doesn’t officially release until October 6, but I’ve been reading it for work, and it’s wonderful! It’s so fantastic and it’s written by New York Times bestselling author Cindy Woodsmall. Take a trip to Amish country with Beth and Jonah and you’ll be swept away into the beautiful story of learning to forgive. Seriously. You don’t want to miss this.

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    Monday Movie – Princess Protection Program

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    After last year’s debacle that was Camp Rock … wait. Let me back up just a little bit more.

    When the original High School Musical aired on the Disney channel, I was one of many who tuned in. I love the original High School Musical. What’s not to love about star-crossed lovers, random outbursts of song, and cheesy teen dialogue?

    I love teen movies–as witnessed by my blog about the Au Pair 3. So after enjoying High School Musical, I thought I’d try Camp Rock last summer. Oh, it was bad. Not good. Amy and I just cringed the whole time we watched it.

    So imagine my hesitation when I saw that Disney was doing another made for TV movie–Princess Protection Program–starring Demi Lavato, who was also in Camp Rock. But I’m all about giving a second, so I thought I’d take a chance.

    Turns out it was a cute movie. No earth-shattering revelations, but the acting was 300% better than Camp Rock. It was a cute movie about friendship and worth a watch with the family. My favorite part was the compltely over the top general trying to take over a country no one has ever heard of. Awesome!

    Thinking that teeny bopper movies should air on ABC Family and Disney every weekend until next time. -LJ

    Friday Favorite – Burn Notice

    My name is Michael Weston.  I used to be a spy until … when you’re burned burn-noticeyou’ve got nothing. No cash. No credit. No job history. You’re stuck in whatever city they decide to dump you in. You do whatever work comes your way. You rely on anyone who’s still talking to you. A trigger-happy ex-girlfriend. (“Should we shoot them?”) An old friend, who used to inform on you to the FBI. Family too. If you’re desperate. Bottom line … until you figure out who burned you, you’re not going anywhere.

    Thus begins every episode of Burn Notice, which–you guessed it–is about a spy who is burned. But he’s not just any spy. Michael Weston (played by Jeffrey Donovan) is thespy. He’s like MacGyver, only with bombs and guns and tracking down bad guys. Wait. That is totally like MacGyver. Okay … I got it … Michael is like MacGyver, only really cool! And modern–like making cell phones work even when there’s a signal blocker.

    As a spy you have a lot of ways to get information. You can get it with a gun. You can get it with a lock pick. You can get it with a listening device. But most often, more than all the other information gatherin techniques combined, you get it with a free lunch.

    Michael’s tips and tools of the trade between scenes are like a “how to” book for smart spys. Makes me want to be a spy. Except for the being shot at thing. But really, it’s awesome! Who knew getting lunch for an informant could get you everything you wanted?

    Each episode Mike and the gang help someone in Miami who is in trouble. Single parents looking for their kids. Big brothers on the run from a gang because they were protecting family members. The combinations are endless, and Mike’s ability to solve the problems are incredible.

    burn-notice2In a hostage situation any idiot can steal a gun and start shooting. It’s a great way to get a bunch of innocent people killed. Keeping people alive, means fighting like a spy.

    One of my favorite things about this show is the supporting characters. Fiona, played by Gabrielle Anwar, who all you girls out there will remember from Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken, is Michael’s arms dealing, sharp-shooting ex-girlfriend. Fi is spunky and funny, and the tension between Michael and her is almost enough to set my 6-year-old TV on fire … in a good way. 🙂

    Sam, a former Navy SEAL, is Mike’s side-kick and the truest kind of friend. He literally has put his life at stake to keep Mike and Fi safe. And the bickering between Sam and Fi is generally laugh-out-loud funny.

    Life with a hypocondriach mother gives you a useful knowledge of pharmacuticals.

    Mike’s mom Madeline is forever asking him to go to family therapy, help his brother, or help one of her random neighbors. She doesn’t understand what Mike does, but she does know he’s a good man.

    One of my favorite quirks in the show is Mike’s penchant for yogurt. Every episode, he’s spooning the good stuff in. Or going to the store to buy some more.

    The one-liners are brilliant, and the dialogue is super-smart. If you haven’t seen this show yet, meander over to USA Network or pick up seasons 1 and 2, now available on dvd. This show absolutely rocks!

    Thinking about a career as a spy until next time. I’d be an awesome spy! -LJ