On my turntable...

Ok, I lie. I don't have a turntable. Eric does, but I am not allowed to use it. Ok, that's a lie, too. I'm sure that if I wanted to play a record he would allow me access to the little black square that sits in his office...assuming it's not a Barenaked Ladies record. That's where he draws the line.

But admit, you liked the idea that I had a turntable. And then you liked the idea that Eric holds sway over the use of vinyl in my house.

I digress. This is a post about the music that I am in love with today. I know that wasn't very clear. I hope it is now, though.

I'm totally obsessed with Ani DiFranco's Red Letter Year these days. I love it. Love it. LOVE IT. Now, as I've mentioned before, I'm a huge Ani fan. For a number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that I can map much of my adult life (including my relationship with Eric) to Ani concerts: the first time Eric came to visit me in NYC, we saw her play acoustic at Carnegie Hall; the day I moved into my first NYC apt without a roommate, Eric and I lay on my bed and listened to Reveling/Reckoning while the summer breeze blew the curtains over our heads; Little Plastic Castle is the second song on the mix cd Eric made in honor of our wedding; and the day I sold my first adult romance to Avon, November 21st 2008, we saw Ani play at Town Hall.

One might say that if my life were a Paul Thomas Anderson film, she would be my Aimee Mann.

Red Letter Year is one of her more recent albums...and when you listen to it, you can't help but notice an new, wonderful, loving, happy Ani. And perhaps it's because she played so many of these beautiful, lyric, happy songs at the Town Hall concert on a day when I was so very very happy myself that I think this album (of all of them) speaks to me the most.

You can listen to it for free over at Ani's website. And if you only listen to one song on it...listen to Landing Gear. or The Atom. or Present/Infant. *sigh* you see my problem?

Oh. My. Holmes. Yes, Please!

All i want for Christmas is Robert Downey Jr. in period costume. And...oh look! Santa is bringing him!



Are you kidding me? I cannot WAIT!!!
What are the odds my parents would forgive me for leaving the house on Christmas Day to see this?

Wrenn Scott on Inside the Characters' Studio!

Today, I'm happy to announce that Wrenn Scott, the star of Leigh Brescia's's One Wish. Ok, let's start with how much I judge this book by its cover. And I judge it as AWESOME. But then I met Wrenn (and Leigh) and I judge it also by its author and main character. That's acceptable, right?

Overweight Wrenn Scott desperately wants to be popular and snag a hot boyfriend. Her amazing voice (for once) overshadows her weight when she lands a lead role in the high school musical. Pushing to get thinner by opening night, Wrenn's waistline shrinks as she learns all the wrong ways to lose weight from a new "it-girl" friend in the show. By opening night, the old Wrenn has almost disappeared. After a crisis reveals her weight-loss tricks, Wrenn realizes there are much more important things than being thin, popular, or even dating a hunk.

Welcome, Wrenn!

What is your favorite word?
Popularity (and everything that comes with it)

What is your least favorite word?
Terrific! Ugh! It’s so overused. I hate it!

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Music

What turns you off?
Phil in his boxers. I’m serious. I’m actually throwing up a little bit in my mouth like, right this moment.

What is your favorite curse word?
I don’t really curse. My mom used to (enough for all of us), but ever since Phil came along she’s choosing her words more wisely. It’s annoying, actually.

What sound or noise do you love?
The click of the “on” button of my electric piano

What sound or noise do you hate?

Mr. Pike when he yells: “No! No! No! Cut!”

What profession would you like to attempt?
I might like to be a Broadway singer, but I have to get over the stage fright first.

What profession would you not like to do?
Work for Mitzi Monroe at Channel 8. She’s wicked.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
We’re needing a lead soprano for the angelic choir. You interested?

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

Win Free Stuff!

Get over there and win!!!!

This day in history...not at all DULL.

Today is a very special day. Very. Special. No, dear readers...not because it is the 134th day of the year. No, not because, on this day in 1804, Lewis and Clark began their expedition. No, not even because it's the feast day of St. Boniface of Tarsus. (Although I know we're all putting our party hats on for that last one)

Today is special because it is the launch date of Sarah Cross's DULL BOY--which I have been rather vocally in love with for a while.

"Who is this DULL BOY of which you speak, Sarah?" you ask.

Well, let's just say this boy is not at all dull, and the veriest of awesome. One might say he is a modern day superman. Imagine, if you will, a book that includes both superheroes and awesome, witty characters and a story that has you cheering straight to the end and desperate for a sequel. That is the DULL BOY of which I speak.

Order your copy now. It's as awesome as its cover. I swear.

Have I ever steered you wrong? Well...aside from hyping the feast of St. Boniface of Tarsus?

BEA Update! Mark Those Calendars!

I'll have more info on my Book Expo shenanigans next week, I hope, but I just wanted to put myself on your calendars!

I'll be signing at Table #2 at the BEA Autographing Area on Friday, May 29 from 10 - 10:30am! This is during the "Romance Salute," which sounds awesome...I'm not a little bit sorry that I can't go stalk the other Romance Authors on the list!

But I shall persevere...and hopefully see you all there!

Ai Ling on Inside the Characters' Studio!

Today, I'm happy to announce that Ai Ling, the awesome star of Cindy Pon's's Silver Phoenix. Ai Ling is amazing. She's beautiful, brilliant and buff. Do not mess with her. She will take you down. No joke.

On the day of her first betrothal meeting--and rejection--Ai Ling discovers a power welling deep within her. She can reach into other people’s spirits, hear their thoughts, see their dreams…and that’s just the beginning.

Ai Ling has been marked by the immortals; her destiny lies in the Emperor’s palace, where a terrible evil has lived, stealing souls, for centuries. She must conquer this enemy and rescue her captive father, while mythical demons track her every step. And then she meets Chen Yong, a young man with a quest of his own, whose fate is intertwined with hers. Here is a heart-stopping, breathtaking tale for fans of action, fantasy, and romance--of anything with the making of legend.

Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon is one of my favorite movies of all time...so when I heard of Silver Phoenix I practically clawed my way to the front of the line to read it. It did not disappoint. Well, except for the fact that you have to wait for a sequel to get more of super hawt Chen Yong. ;)

Welcome, Ai Ling!

What is your favorite word?
Meal

What is your least favorite word?
Betrothal

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
i love to paint and find that the scenery in nature, the jaded peaks, the opening of a lotus flower, a dragonfly fluttering above a pond--these small moments really inspire me.

What turns you off?
brutish behavior. the idea that women are not good for anything but remaining within the inner quarters and birthing babies.

What is your favorite curse word?
there aren't curse words in the xian language. more so phrases. "dung of a diseased turtle" is one.

What sound or noise do you love?
ink stick ground on stone before i begin to paint.

What sound or noise do you hate?
dead silence, when i feel too alone.

What profession would you like to attempt?
i haven't thought about it truly. an artist would be a fine profession, although i'm not very good yet. and there aren't too many women artists.

What profession would you not like to do?
anything that is forced upon me, without my say.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
You've done well, Ai Ling.

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.

OMG! Carrie Ryan goes HOLLYWOOD!!

This is late to the party, slightly...I meant to post last week when the news went public, but life got away from me...so apologies...but as you all know, I *heart* Carrie Ryan and her incredible book, The Forest of Hands and Teeth which is all zombies and romance and yes, please.

So...imagine my incredible SQUEE when I heard from Publishers Weekly that:

Alan Nevins of Renaissance Literary & Talent has just closed film rights on Carrie Ryan's YA novel, The Forest of Hands and Teeth. Nevins, who brokered the deal on behalf of Jim McCarthy at Dystel Literary, sold the book, which Delacorte Books for Young Readers published in March, to Seven Star Pictures (K-11, forthcoming). Nevins said the book, a zombie thriller set in colonial times about a girl who lives in a religious community in the woods and is equally worried about a zombie invasion and her planned marriage, is in line to "do for zombies what Twilight did for vampires." Supposedly Seven Star is developing the project for an-as-yet-unnamed A-list starlet, and fast-tracking the project with a first draft of the screenplay already in the works.

Uhm...I think it's worth repeating that FHT will "Do for zombies what Twilight did for vampires."

That's my girl Carrie, yo.

Spencer Kelly on Inside the Characters' Studio!

This week, we have a special Double Edition of Inside the Characters' Studio!

Today, I'm happy to announce that Spencer Kelly, the star of Micol Ostow's's Golden Girl.

Paige, Spencer, and Madison have it all: the looks, the connections, the money, the boys. As the daughters of three of the most prestigious families on Philadelphia's Main Line (read: old money, and lots of it) and the ruling juniors at Bradford Prep, nothing can stand in their way....except, perhaps, their own dark secrets. When an old frenemy from Paige's hidden past shows up at Bradford and plays nice--too nice--Paige is desperate to smother the threat. How far will she go to silence the truth?

Spencer hosted me over on her blog, All That Glitters to celebrate her birthday...so I am very very happy to host her here and give you all a chance to meet her!

Welcome, Spence!

What is your favorite word?
"Grace," for fairly obvs reasons! ;)
Oh, and "very." Used in every possible grammatical construct--correct or not!

What is your least favorite word?
I'm not a huge fan of "no." Or "carbs."

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
I think in general, I'm really impressed and inspired by people who have an artistic or creative side and who are in touch with it. Like my BFF Madison, for example, who is an ah-MAH-zing fashion designer! Not only does she know how to express herself through what she wears, but she also thinks about design and aesthetic as it relates to other people. She's always coming by my house with fun little scarves and belts or bags that she's "Maddie-ized" just for moi! (I mean, speaking of veriness, no?)

I also have a friend Jeremy who takes totally captivating photos and spends a lot of time blogging about things that he's passionate about. Check him out.

What turns you off?
Disloyalty=grossness. I am totally not down with friends who turn on other friends. I give a lot to the people I care about and expect the same in return.

What is your favorite curse word?
For sure it's gotta be one of Madison's home-grown phrases. Probably, "holy Gabbana!" That cracks me up every time. Better than any boring old standard four-letter blahdity-blah, right? LOL!

What sound or noise do you love?
The little chime from my computer that signals a comment on my blog (http://goldengirlspencer.blogspot.com) or an incoming email!

What sound or noise do you hate?
Oh, that's gotta be the alarm clock...or when my bratty baby sis is screaming her head off while I'm trying to relax...At times like that, one wonders what the nanny is getting paid for. :P

What profession would you like to attempt?
I've done some modeling for some of my mother's charity events, and even though it was a little stressful (some of those dresses are one of a kind, and you don't want to be damaging them in ANY way), it was a lot of fun to primp and pose for a crowd. So it could be fun to do more of that.

Of course, I also oversee our school's social planning committee, which is a huge responsibility, but it's amazing to put together a fantastic event for all of your friendlies. So maybe event planning could be my "thing?" Or even fundraising for charities of my own some day...Who knows? I've got plenty of time before I have to worry about stuff like--ew--the real world, right?

What profession would you not like to do?
As much as I love to blog, I don't think I'd want to be a professional blogger or gossip columnist! I like to keep my private thoughts set to private! I'll leave the public snarking for the Toni Barneses of the world...

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
Dah-link--what would make you think that that's where I'm headed?...
;)

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.
What is your favorite word?

Jory Michaels on Inside the Characters' Studio!

This week on Inside the Characters' Studio, Jory Michaels, the star of Sydney Salter's My Big Nose & Other Natural Disasters.

It’s the end of junior year, and summer is about to begin. The Summer of Passion, to be exact, when Jory Michaels plans to explore all the possibilities of the future--and, with any luck, score a boyfriend in the process. But Jory has a problem. A big problem. A curvy, honking, bumpy, problem in the form of her Super Schnozz, the one thing standing between Jory and happiness. And now, with the Summer of Passion stretched before her like an open road, she's determined for Super Schnozz to disappear. Jory takes a job delivering wedding cakes to save up for a nose job at the end of the summer; she even keeps a book filled with magazine cutouts of perfect noses to show the doctor. But nothing is ever easy for accident-prone Jory--and before she knows it, her Summer of Passion falls apart faster than the delivery van she crashes. In her hilarious and heartbreaking debut novel, Sydney Salter delivers a story about broadening your horizons, accepting yourself, and finding love right under your nose.

Ok. As if the cover weren't enough...isn't that description the best? I want to find love right under my nose!

Welcome, Jory!

What is your favorite word?
Passion.

What is your least favorite word?
The "N" word. Nose.

What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Will people stop asking me this stupid question. I just don't know, okay!?!

What turns you off?
Cake. Guys who only seem to like me in the dark. Diets.

What is your favorite curse word?
See, if I were smart and clever and talented I'd have a good answer for this. But I don't.

What sound or noise do you love?
Gideon's violin.

What sound or noise do you hate?
The sound of grinding gears. Oh, and my mom's blender (some things just shouldn't be blended!).

What profession would you like to attempt?
I might like to do something kind of creative, maybe with jewelry.

What profession would you not like to do?
Anything that involves driving or frosting or pervy lawyers.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
The first thing you need to do, Jory, is pick out your new nose.

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Check out other interviews from Inside the Characters' Studio here.