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You've packed your swimsuit, sandals, suntan lotion, and slinky sundress, but did you remember to pack the one thing that will make you laugh, feel sexy, and give you some serious girl power?   This summer's new Chick Lit releases are super fab, laugh out loud fun. So, don't forget to stick one or two (or more) of these novels in your beach bag or carry-on.  (I suggest starting with Working It - but that's merely a suggestion). You know how you have that favorite summer dress - the one you bought a few years ago, but still makes you feel fantastic?   You probably think you'll never find a better summer dress, right?  But one day soon, you will be walking through the mall and... WAAHHHH  (that's the heavenly chorus sound effect that plays whenever a woman finds the perfect garment)... ...There it will be!  A new summer dress that looks as fab on your body as it did on the mannequin .  A dress that is slinkier, sexier, and more sensationa...

I write a lot of blog pieces and Facebook posts about my crazy life and unbelievable, but true, adventures.  I post silly questions, risqué jokes, and way too many pop culture references (sorry/not sorry for the jabs Gwynnie ).  Today, with this post, I am scratching much deeper than the surface.  If you don't like to go deep, click here for a fun, but more shallow, read. Thursday night, Kelly Clarkson, American Idol's poster girl turned anti-establishment chanteuse, paid a visit to her alma mater. An older, heavily pregnant Kelly sang her new song, "Piece by Piece".  If you haven't heard it yet, you might want to take a listen or you won't really get what I am about to prattle on about. I have never been a Kelly Clarkson fan, but this song hit me straight in the heart.  My biological father abandoned me when I was a baby.  He abused my mother and neglected me.  I am truly a better person because my  young mother had the cour...

When I woke this morning, I detected a nip in the air, an unmistakable drop in temperature heralding the approach of autumn.  Here in Colorado, that means getting the snow blower serviced, pulling out your down filled parka, and stocking the pantry with survival food (caramel chocolate bars, tortilla chips, and wine).  Unlike other places in the world, Colorado does not slip gently into that good season.    When the first cool breeze blows, snow is soon to follow. Rather than mourn the demise of bathing suit season, I made myself a pot of tea and toast with strawberry jam.  For me, tea and toast slathered with strawberry jam are inextricably linked with autumn. I blame it on Scotland.  Several years ago, my best friend nagged/bargained/convinced me to go on a three week tour of the United Kingdom with her.  I was the reluctant tourist.  Not because I loathe travel.  On the contrary.  J’adore travel!  But...

"Chick Lit is soooo last century." "Oh my god!  I know, right?" "They're all fashion, fun, and female empowerment." "Eww!  Who wants to read a novel about some sad woman stumbling through life in overpriced designer shoes?" I was standing in my local bookstore when I overheard the above conversation and I literally had to stop myself from raising my hand, jumping up and down, and crying , "Oo!  Me!  Me!  I want to read about a less-than-perfect woman balancing life, love, and lustful pursuits in a pair of fabulous Louboutins!” But then, I have always been the hot pink mini in the closet full of little black dresses.  Remember Joan Cusack’s bit part in the movie Sixteen Candles ?  The comically, awkward girl in the back brace, trying valiantly to take a sip from the water fountain.  Yeah, that’s me .  When everyone else was reading time travel romance, I was reading (and writing) historical fiction.  When everyone else was ...

From a young age, I determined to adhere to the words of the incomparable Audrey Hepburn, who once declared, "Paris is always a good idea." Paris is always a good idea: as a vacation destination, a place of residence, and as a setting for movies and novels. In the movie Sabrina, Audrey's character writes a letter home to her father, waxing poetic about her feelings for Paris.   "I am looking at the world through rose colored glasses and it says everything I feel.  I've learned so many things, Father...I have learned how to live." Why?  Why is Paris the setting parfait for an exploration of one's character...or for a novel? Because when you are there, every breath you inhale is tinged with hope, every exhalation with gratitude. Hope for a grand histoire d'amour -  a great love affair.   Hope for one of those serendipitous moments - when the light filters through the spires of Notre Dame leaving a lacy patterned shadow on the square ...

Let's face it, births are messy and painful, but  birthdays are fabulous and fun!   To c elebrate my novel's one month birthday, I am throwing an uber-fabulous online party, and you are invited.  There will be virtual glitter , champagne, music , a celebrity appearance , and prezies for all!   So don your swankiest ensemble, mon amie , and let's get ready to paaaarty !   Nothing is worse than walking blind into a party.  Am I right?  I don't mean  literally walking blind - that would be painful.  You still have your sense of sight, but you don't know a single person at the party.  You are the outsider...and you feel awkward, a little self-conscious, constantly checking your breath, hair, pits.   I don't want any of you to feel that way.  Let's just forgo the nervous tummies and sweaty pits, shall we?  Allow me to share the guest list... Vivia Perpetua Grant will be in the house.  Vivia is the heroi...