GCC Tours Jennifer Banash and THE ELITE series

I'm so excited to have Jennifer Banash touring on my blog this week! She is an amazing writer and the author of The Elite Series. Her latest book, IN TOO DEEP, delves deeper into the glamorous and drama-filled lifestyles of the uber-cool crowd in NYC. Fans of Gossip Girls will ADORE this series that focuses on the spoiled and privileged lifestyles of the teens of the Upper East Side. Banash-- a native of the Upper East Side who currently teaches at a private high school in California--writes from an insider's perspective.

About IN TOO DEEP

If you don’t belong here— you just don’t belong…

The Bramford building’s newest resident and small-town transplant Casey McCloy is adapting to life in the Big Apple and loving it. She’s got the look, the attitude, and a delish new boyfriend, Drew Van Allen. But she’s starting to have second thoughts as to whether the “New York” Casey is the real Casey. And she’s not so sure she likes herself much anymore. She’s not the only one.

Madison Macallister has always had her Manolo Blahniks firmly planted on the top rung of the social ladder—until that corn-fed cow Casey stole Drew away from her and made her look the fool. So what if Madison wasn’t exactly dating Drew at the time? She wanted him. And everyone knows that Madison gets what she wants, like Drew—and a little revenge.

My interview with the amazing Jennifer Banash:

Do you (or did you ever) have a writing group? Who are the first people to read your book once it’s completed?

I have never had a writing group *hangs head in shame.* But I'd like one! SoCal YA authors hit me up! I'd really love the experience of workshopping my writing with a supportive group. The first person to read anything I write is my agent--followed by my boyfriend!

What writers do you consider your “sisters”? Are there any published writers that you hang out or tour with a lot? Call? Email? IM?

Alexa Young. She has gotten me through bad reviews, horrible writing moments, and just plain bad days! I also talk to Robin Benway a lot online, and am dying to meet her! We are planning lunch at some date in the not-so-far-away (I hope!) future. I've just recently become friendly with Alyson Noel--she lives really close to me, so hopefully we'll meet up one of these days. Although now that she's on the NYT bestseller list and all, she may not have time for the little people . . . :) And, of course, you, Megan have offered invaluable advice. I'm so glad we got the chance to meet on Facebook! (MKH note: Awww, you are too sweet, J. I’m so happy we’re friends too!!)

Who do you find yourself being compared to or are often put together with in reading lists or book clubs?

GOSSIP GIRL. THE A-LIST. But mostly GOSSIP GIRL!

What writers do you wish would be in your “clique”? (It doesn’t have to be in your genre….doesn’t even have to be living! For example, I’d pick Alice Hoffman, Jodi Picoult, Sarah Dessen, Oscar Wilde, Stephenie Meyer, Meg Cabot, Stephen King and Joan Didion).

Oscar Wilde, Bret Easton Ellis, Carole Maso, Betty Smith, Joan Didion, Anna Godbersen, Maureen Johnson, Barry Lyga, and all of the GCC!

If someone was going to join your book club, what would be a “must read” in order to join?

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. No question.

What was your “initiation” to writing?

I started writing poetry when I was about 11. I was always an enormous reader though--one of those girls with the humungous stacks of books by her bed that come up past her chest? Yep, that was me!

When did you first feel that you’d officially joined the “published writers’ club”?

Umm . . . I'm still waiting? I know, I know--I'm a dork, but I still can't believe that anyone really reads my books! It's like a miracle that happens to me every day!

What was your best/worst memory of high school?

I don't have any good memories of HS--it was a scary, confusing, and chaotic time in my life. I finished HS when I was 16 because I just wanted to get the hell out of there. Maybe in some way, it's why I write YA--I have the chance to do it all over again--albeit through my characters!

In SISTERS OF MISERY, the last place new members want to go to is Misery Island. But if you had the choice, what island would you go to and what would you take with you?

Manhattan, my hometown :) I'd take my Manolo's and my beagle, Sigmund! He's never seen it!

Finally, what can you tell me about your book? Give me a quick run-down about why I’d want to pick it for my own book club.

IN TOO DEEP picks up where THE ELITE leave off. Drew and Casey are now boyfriend-and-girlfriend, but things don't always go smoothly . . Without telling you TOO much, all I can say is that the plot has something to do with reality television and a FABULOUS sweet sixteen party. You should definitely pick up ITD if you are a fan of drama-packed YA, because this book has drama to spare!

Praise For THE ELITE series, and IN TOO DEEP:

“The Elite is Pretty in Pink for the millennium generation.”

—Romance Reviews Today

What's a Normal, Illinois girl to do when she enters the world of New York City's rich and bitchy? Hold tight, because this is one drama-filled ride."

--Melissa Walker, author of Violet on the Runway.

"In Too Deep is a seductive read."

—Innovative: A Word for the WriTeen Blog

“Fans of the drama, romance, gossip, and privileged lifestyle depicted in Gossip Girl and Blue Bloods will be drawn to In Too Deep... In Too Deep continues to showcase the glitzy and glamorous lifestyle of New York City’s privileged teens...Banash’s Elite series continues to rock above the rest.”

—The Compulsive Reader Blog

“As you know, life in the posh and drama-filled Upper East Side is never easy! Hold onto your Hermes scarves and Coach handbags, the Bram Clan is back for more action and drama!”

—The Book Vault Blog

“Banash is fabulous at creating relatable characters in over-the-top situations.”

—In Bed With Books Blog

About Jennifer Banash:

Jennifer Banash attended high school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and currently lives in Southern California with her Beagle, Sigmund, and her vast designer shoe collection. She is the author of THE ELITE series, published by Berkley Jam. Watch for the third installment of THE ELITE, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE, coming in July 09!

Links:

IN TOO DEEP on Amazon:

THE ELITE on Amazon:

Jennifer’s Blog:

jenniferbanash.wordpress.com

Jennifer’s Website:

http://www.theelitebooks.com

MySpace:

www.myspace.com/theeliteseries

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=14826272&ref=profile

So if you haven't started reading THE ELITE series, go out NOW and buy the first two in the series (The Elite and In Too Deep) and get ready to buy the third installment coming this July, SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE. Thanks so much for stopping by Jennifer!! xoxo

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GCC Tours Wendy Toliver

Yes, I'm late again at touring my girlfriends of the GCC (Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit), but don't blame me! Blame the germs currently circulating my daughter's kindergarten class. She's been on three (count them--one, two, three) separate doses of antibiotics (that accounts for about 30 days of being medicated) within the last few months. When will it end??!!! And when will schools stop being germ factories???

Sorry, I digress...

I'm here to talk about Wendy Toliver's amazing new book and I'm thrilled to tour her for the GCC. Here's the nitty gritty lowdown on Wendy's book, Miss Match:

Simon and Schuster releases Eden resident’s second YA novel right in time for Valentine’s Day. Filled with romance, humor, and fun local references, Miss Match is sure to delight young adults and adults alike.


Sasha Finnegan has always had a knack for setting people up, and at sixteen, she's turned her talent into an online business, molding high school crushes into true love. But Sasha finds her toughest match yet when hottie Derek Urban asks her to set him up with Sasha's gorgeous sister, Maddie. It's not that Derek isn't a good catch. In fact, after spending so much time with him, Sasha can't help but think he's perfect -- for her, that is.
Can Sasha push her feelings aside for the sake of her business? Or has this miss finally found her match?

More Info about Miss Match
Product Details
Miss Match by Wendy Toliver
Simon Pulse, February 10, 2009
Mass Market Paperback, 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1416964134
ISBN-13: 9781416964131
Ages: 12 and up
Grades: 7 and up

Miss Match is Wendy Toliver’s second Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy. It was a 2007 finalist in the Romance Writers’ of America© Golden Heart® contest in the Young Adult category (under the title Cupid Girl).
“What I like best about this book is that it’s about a smart, funny, down-to-earth sixteen year-old who isn’t super skinny and drop-dead gorgeous. It takes place in Salt Lake City, close to where I live, so I was able to weave some fun local aspects into it.” --Wendy Toliver

Author Bio
Wendy Toliver lives in the Utah mountains with her three little boys, her husband, and other various wildlife. She graduated from Colorado State University with a BA in Speech Communication/Broadcast and has had a variety of jobs, from performing singing telegrams to working at an advertising agency.
Now a soccer (etc.) mom and the author of The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren and Miss Match (both Simon Pulse), she couldn’t be happier. Well, if she had a self-cleaning house, a Porsche, and an endless supply of chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, she just might be a tad happier. Visit her online at www.wendytoliver.com.

Websites, Blogs, Etc.
www.wendytoliver.com
www.teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com
www.pulserocom.com
www.simonandschuster.com
www.myspace.com/roxytoliver

Where to Purchase
Amazon

Barnes and Noble

or a bookstore near you
In The Not-Too-Distant Future
Coming in Spring 2010 from Simon Pulse ... Lifted, in which a transplant to parochial school learns that not all students are as pious as they seem when she's inducted into a shoplifting clique and soon finds herself in over her head.

My Q&A with Wendy Toliver

Do you (or did you ever) have a writing group? Who are the first people to read your book once it’s completed?

Yes! I have a local writing group, and though I’m not as active as I used to be (deadlines, deadlines) I still hold them dear to my heart. They’re the Eden Writers. (http://www.edenwriters.org) Also, I have a core group of CPs, and though we’ve all branched from our chick lit roots, Aryn Kennedy, Nadine Dajani, Jenny Evans, and Kristin Wallace are still great for bouncing ideas around and giving each other quick critiques. Other awesome writers who’ve given me input include: Drienie Hattingh and Angie Bulloch (also Eden Writers), Marley Gibson, Sara Hantz, Kwana Jackson, Denise Hale, Kay Lockner, Alesia Holliday, Bev Rosenbaum, and Anna Haze. My mom, husband, and friends Christina Nordgren and Marsey Iverson also will read my projects and give me feedback. I’m also lucky to have amazing agents Christina Hogrebe and Annelise Robey of the Jane Rotrosen Agency, who sometimes know what I’m trying to say better than I do.

What writers do you consider your “sisters”? Are there any published writers that you hang out or tour with a lot? Call? Email? IM?

I’m lucky to be a part of the Teen Fiction Café (http://www.teenfictioncafe.blogspot.com) and have the support of so many fine authors. I’m also in the Rock Canyon Writers Group, which are nationally published Utah authors. That’s especially cool because we get together from time to time, to write, hang out, and put on various writing events. I’d have to say that the writers I feel closest to, whether we meet in person or call and email regularly, include the people mentioned in the previous answer, with special shout-outs to Drienie Hattingh, Angie Bulloch, Marley Gibson, Kay Lockner, Sara Hantz, Kwana Jackson, Anna Haze (who’s only 16) and Linda Gerber.

Who do you find yourself being compared to or are often put together with in reading lists or book clubs?

Meg Cabot and Niki Burnham come to mind. What an honor!

What writers do you wish would be in your “clique”? (It doesn’t have to be in your genre….doesn’t even have to be living! For example, I’d pick Alice Hoffman, Jodi Picoult, Sarah Dessen, Oscar Wilde, Stephenie Meyer, Meg Cabot, Stephen King and Joan Didion).

Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Meg Cabot, Judy Blume, Allison Van Diepen, Stephenie Meyer, and Stephen Hunter. Hmm, there’s a group for you.

If someone was going to join your book club, what would be a “must read” in order to join?

Snitch by Allison Van Diepen

What was your “initiation” to writing?

My first manuscript, Strappy Sandals, a chick lit about a twenty-something girl who befriends an A-list actor. I’m afraid to read it now, because I know it’s awful.

When did you first feel that you’d officially joined the “published writers’ club”?

I had a few nonfiction titles published before my novels, but I think I felt my first real “I’ve made it!” tingles when I saw The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren at Barnes and Noble in Layton, Utah.
What was your best/worst memory of high school?

Oh, so many good ones. Loved my friends, loved playing basketball, being in choir and musicals. Dating was definitely my pitfall. For example, once I was watching a video in my friend’s dimly lit basement with a group of kids. One of the guys told me, “You’re actually kinda pretty, in the dark.” Now my husband says that from time to time, just to torture me.

In SISTERS OF MISERY, the last place new members want to go to is Misery Island. But if you had the choice, what island would you go to and what would you take with you?

Hmm, let’s see. I’ve been to Hawaii and it’s great. Love Maui. Would like to go to the Caribbean Islands sometime. What would I take with me? My bathing suit, gallons of sunscreen (I’m a whitey), my new Steve Madden sunglasses, flip-flops, a case of Corona Light (and limes), chocolate-covered cinnamon bears, cereal and skim milk, mascara and lip balm (my beauty essentials), a good book, and most importantly, my adorable husband.

Finally, what can you tell me about your book? Give me a quick run-down about why I’d want to pick it for my own book club.
Here’s what it’s about:

Sasha Finnegan has always had a knack for setting people up, and at sixteen, she's turned her talent into an online business, molding high school crushes into true love. But Sasha finds her toughest match yet when hottie Derek Urban asks her to set him up with Sasha's gorgeous sister, Maddie. It's not that Derek isn't a good catch. In fact, after spending so much time with him, Sasha can't help but think he's perfect -- for her, that is.

Can Sasha push her feelings aside for the sake of her business? Or has this miss finally found her match?

I think this story is a great conversation-igniter because of its conflicts. There’s the problems that arise when the guy Sasha likes is interested in her sister. Also, divorced parents starting to date again (and getting remarried) is an interesting topic, as is learning to love one’s body.

___________________________________________________________________


Thanks for stopping by, Wendy!! I'm sorry for the late post, but I've been dealing with a sick six year old, and that's never any fun. At least I have some AMAZING books from the ladies of the Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit to keep me busy while I'm housebound and taking care of my little girl's sniffles.

Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to give a great big shoutout to Alyson Noel, who I toured in my last post. Her latest book Evermore was recently on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Way to go, Alyson!!! I am so honored to be a part of this group with you! You definitely deserve all the accolades.

xoxo

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GCC Tours Alyson Noel

I'm so excited to announce the debut of Alyson Noël’s first paranormal YA novel, EVERMORE (February 3, 2009; 0-312-53275-X), the first in her IMMORTALS series.

Sixteen-year-old Ever used to have two parents, a little sister, a dog, and a nice house in Oregon. She used to be a varsity cheerleader and go to school dances. But that was before the horrible accident that claimed the lives of her family.

Now Ever blares the Sex Pistols through her headphones and hides under her hoodie in class. She doesn’t need to listen to hear, or see to know. All she needs is to touch someone to know their entire life story, not to mention always seeing their auras and hearing their thoughts. She’s been branded a freak at her new high school in Laguna Beach as she goes out of her way to avoid human contact, but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste.

From the moment Ever first looks at Damen, she feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen is equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies, and nothing is as it seems…

Do you (or did you ever) have a writing group? Who are the first people to read your book once it’s completed?
I don’t belong to a critique group—I’m too big of a hermit to ever work like that! Though before I was published, I enrolled in a couple of online writing classes where we’d critique each other’s work, but now I rely solely on my husband and editor for feedback.

What writers do you consider your “sisters”? Are there any published writers that you hang out or tour with a lot? Call? Email? IM?
Jessica Brody, author of the FIDELITY FILES, is definitely my writing sister, and not only because she’s fabulously talented and funny and nice, but she’s a total inspiration to me! We mostly e-mail and text, since she’s in LA and I’m in the OC and there’s this horrible freeway that divides us called the 405. But every now and then one of us will make the trek so we can hang out, and it’s always a blast!


Who do you find yourself being compared to or are often put together with in reading lists or book clubs?
Hmmm, I have no idea. I’ll have to look into that because I’d like to know too!

What writers do you wish would be in your “clique”? (It doesn’t have to be in your genre….doesn’t even have to be living! For example, I’d pick Alice Hoffman, Jodi Picoult, Sarah Dessen, Oscar Wilde, Stephenie Meyer, Meg Cabot, Stephen King and Joan Didion) MKH NOTE: I'D HAVE TO INVITE EITHER STEPHENIE MEYER OR STEPHEN KING--I DON'T THINK THEY'D WANT TO BE IN THE SAME ROOM ANYMORE.).
Oh, I’d pick JD Salinger (providing I could convince him to leave his house), Truman Capote because he wrote with such heart and I just know he’d have all sorts of scandalous gossip, Meg Cabot because I’m pretty sure she’d bring tiaras for everyone, Judith Krantz so I could tell her how I read SCRUPLES a gazillion times as a teen, and David Sedaris because he’s so dang awesome I can hardly stand it.

If someone was going to join your book club, what would be a “must read” in order to join?
Anything by JD Salinger gets you in.

What was your “initiation” to writing?
Embarrassingly pathetic, yet extremely heartfelt poetry written by my 7th grade self that, thankfully, no one will ever see!

When did you first feel that you’d officially joined the “published writers’ club”?
When I first saw my debut novel, FAKING 19, on the bookstore shelf—everything leading up to that moment felt completely surreal.

What was your best/worst memory of high school?
Best- the first day of ninth grade- I was optimistic and excited and eager to make the best of it!
Worst- the first day of twelfth grade- I was bored and jaded and just wanted to get the heck out!

In SISTERS OF MISERY, the last place new members want to go to is Misery Island. But if you had the choice, what island would you go to and what would you take with you?
Well, I lived on the Greek Island of Mykonos (MKH NOTE: SO JEALOUS!!) for many years, and then right after that, I moved to the New York island of Manhattan, but if I could go to any island at all—I’d visit the Seychelles—and I’d bring my husband along because he’s really good company!

Finally, what can you tell me about your book? Give me a quick run-down about why I’d want to pick it for my own book club.
EVERMORE is the first book in my new five book IMMORTALS series, and it’s about a sixteen-year old girl who undergoes a near death experience that leaves her with tremendous psychic powers she doesn’t want. And just when she’s beginning to adjust, the sudden arrival of the gorgeous, exotic, and wealthy Damen Auguste turns her world upside down . . .it’s full of mystery and romance and it’s a really fun read! (MKH NOTE: OOOOHHH!! SOUNDS VERY COOL!!)

So a great new series (with a very cool title--love the sound of Evermore) from an exceptional author. I don't know about you, but I know what's on my reading list!! For more information on Alyson Noel, check out her website at www.alysonnoel.com.

More info on Alyson:

Alyson Noël is the best selling, award-winning, author of FAKING 19, ART GEEKS AND PROM QUEENS, LAGUNA COVE, FLY ME TO THE MOON, KISS & BLOG, SAVING ZOE, CRUEL SUMMER, FIRST KISS (THEN TELL)- an anthology, and the upcoming IMMORTALS series including: EVERMORE (Feb 09), BLUE MOON (Aug 09), and three more titles for 2010. Her awards and honors include: the National Reader’s Choice Award, NYLA Book of Winter Award, NYPL Books for the Teenage, TeensReadToo 5 Star Gold Award, TeenReads Best Books of 2007, Reviewer’s Choice 2007 Top Ten, nominated for a CYBIL award, nominated for a Quill Award, nominated for YALSA’s Teen’s Top Ten, chosen for the CBS Early Show’s “Give the Gift of Reading” segment, and selected for Seventeen Magazine’s “Hot List” and Beach Book Club Pick. Her titles have been translated into French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Hungarian, and Romanian. She lives in Laguna Beach, CA.

Fun, fast, Alyson Facts:

Born and raised in The OC, Alyson's lived on the Greek island of Mykonos, the New York island of Manhattan, and now resides in Laguna Beach. (MKH QUESTION: DO YOU HANG OUT WITH LC, HEIDI, LO AND THE REST OF THE GANG?)

She is married to a brilliant man who is so good at so many things she sometimes wonders if he's a secret immortal.

Her favorite color used to be turquoise, though it's recently been replaced by purple.

She and her BFF answer to the code name "Sthnark," which is purposely pronounced with a lisp.

She's hopelessly addicted to: Seven jeans, Dior lip-gloss, Buffy DVD's, and playing Rock Band on the wii.

Even though she loves writing about immortals, she wouldn't actually want to be one herself.

Praise for Alyson

"Alyson Noël truly captures what it's like to be a teenager struggling to find herself."

–Portrait magazine

"Noël...writes with a bit more humor and authenticity than some of her chick-lit contemporaries..." —Booklist

Praise for EVERMORE


"Every once in awhile, a book comes along that I end up getting sucked into and become addicted. EVERMORE was one of those books. When I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about how I could sneak away to read some more. I couldn’t put it down. I dreamt about this book. When I finished, I couldn’t get it out of my head. This book was simply breathtaking.” 5 STAR GOLD AWARD, TeensReadToo

"Teen angst and the paranormal make for a combustible mix as Noel utilizes typical themes and gives them a dangerous and eerie twist. Getting hooked on this new series, IMMORTALS, is guaranteed."- 4 STARS, Romantic Times magazine

Top Choice Award, Flamingnet

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A Day in the Life of a Writer

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