Monday, July 30, 2012

Aimee Pitta and Melissa Peterman's fabulous duet...plus a book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

What are the odds that we get to interview a writing team where the authors have the same first names as us? Better yet, that one of them even shares the same first name and last initial as one of us? Well, it has happened! Today, Aimee Pitta and Melissa Peterman are here to talk about music (and they have a LOT to say...and they're super funny) and share their novel, "Happily Ever Before" with our readers. In fact, they have EIGHT e-books to share with some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

"Happily Ever Before" is what would happen if the hit comedies Bridesmaids and Baby Mama had a love child. It tells the story of two sisters and the biggest, most important question anyone has ever been asked: "Would you, if I for some reason couldn’t, loan me your womb and give birth to my baby?"

Aimee Pitta is an Award winning Writer/Producer and Marketing Executive with over 20 years experience creating cutting edge theatrical marketing campaigns for almost every major studio in Hollywood. She spent her formative years at New Line Cinema as VP of Creative Advertising where she produced award winning campaigns for some popular 90s films such as The Mask and S7ven. Even after she left New Line Cinema to become a writer, she worked as a freelance producer and copywriter for some current well-known films such as The Amazing Spiderman, Crazy Stupid Love, The Devil Wears Prada and The Blind Side.

Her skills as a writer and marketer has also allowed Aimee to create a niche as one of the top film “retitlers” in the business, and she has titled such films as Mirror Mirror, It’s Complicated, Almost Heroes and the upcoming Seth Rogen and Barbara Streisand comedy, The Guilt Trip.

You can find Aimee on Facebook and Twitter.

Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Melissa Peterman first made a name for herself when she was cast in the local production of Tony and Tina's Wedding. She went on to perform in over 600 shows and became a staple on the comedy and improv scene.

Melissa is best known for her starring role playing Barbra Jean on the hit series Reba. Her first televised comedy special, Melissa Peterman: Am I The Only One?, aired on CMT, and she currently hosts CMT"s The Singing Bee. She is currently working on her first comedy album, and this past year she toured with Reba McEntire, George Strait and Lee Ann Womack. You can currently see her on Baby Daddy, which airs on ABC Family.

Melissa is committed to many charities, including Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross and the non-profit Buzzworks Theatre Company.

She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and son.

You can find Melissa at her website and on Facebook and Twitter.

Favorite "One Hit Wonder":

MP: It has to be Dexys Midnight Runners: “Come on Eileen”. I don't know if it's his overalls, the beat, the slow down to the speed up in the middle of the song or the fact that it was playing the only time a guy almost got in a fight over me.

AP: The Token's "The Lion Sleeps Tonight." I have no idea why this song speaks to me, or even if it actually speaks to me and if I just really like it's whimsy and it's beat, but it always makes me smile and tap my toes and sing-a-long. Seriously, every time I hear this it puts me in a great mood and it's my go to song to get me out of a funk, like if I need to walk away from what I'm working on, this puts me in a better frame of mind and gets me back on track.

Favorite TV theme song:

MP: I love the theme song from Cheers. I would like to think it's because I have such great memories of watching it with my Aunt's and my Grandpa and not because I now enjoy hanging out in bars.

AP: Well it's a toss up between The Facts Of Life and Gilligan's Island. Now that I think about it, their themes of being lost, the whole world not living up to your dreams, and making the best out of a bad situation might speak volumes about who and I am, and well, now I must find me a therapist and dig deeper into my psyche.

If you could only play one song ever again, what would it be?

MP: Most definitely a Prince song. I am a Minneapolis girl and have worshipped Prince since I was 14 years old. The hard part is picking just one. I will go with "How Come You Don't Call Me Anymore?": It's sexy, shows his range and even though she isn't calling him anymore, it isn't a sad song.

AP: Tough one, so tough. Judy Garland's version of "Come Rain or Come Shine." But the Judy at Carnegie Hall version, it's more Jazzy. And it's just spectacular. It's a whole roller coaster ride of every emotion you can feel, it's exhilarating, it's heartbreaking, it's joyful, and that voice, oy that voice, the whole song for me is just WOW!

Last artist you saw perform live:

MP: I was lucky enough to introduce my friend Reba McEntire last month as she was inducted to The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame. She performed that night and was absolutely amazing. I have seen her perform live many, many times and she never fails to give me goosebumps. In my opinion there isn't a better place to see an artist perform than the Bowl. It's magical. Chaka Khan was also inducted that evening so pretty much a ridiculous night of Divas!

AP: This is sad and pathetic, but I haven't been to a concert in so long I don't remember who I last saw, it might have been Bette Milder or no, Mary Chapin Carpenter. Unless well, seeing Melissa host the Sound of Music at the Hollywood Bowl counts or for that matter going to see Prairie Home Companion at the Hollywood Bowl counts.

Song that would make for a good chick lit novel:

MP: Pick any Alanis Morrisette song.

AP: That's tough. Old school, I'd say Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," new school, Kelly Clarkson's "Stronger." And because I think it actually could be a hoot to write a chick-lit novel with this title, a title I love, "Someone Left The Cake Out In The Rain!"

Song you are proud to know all the lyrics to:

MP: Arrested Development's "Mr. Wendel" My friend Eric Nelson and I wasted an entire summer trying to be the 1st one to learn all the words. Also I can Karaoke to "Baby Got Back" without looking at the screen once.

AP: Don McLean's "American Pie." This was one of my dad's favorite songs, whenever it came on the radio he'd blast it and we'd all sing along. It brings back great memories and it was such an epic song that to learn all the words was quite the feat. And dammit I'm proud of that. And I also know all the words to Tanya Tucker's "Delta Dawn," and "Leaving On A Jet Plane." Both songs used to reduce me to tears, such sad, sad songs, my four sisters used to torture me about this. I was a kid who felt things very very deeply and they therefore subjected me to cruel and unusual punishment, my only revenge was putting on too much Jean Nate right before we all had to pile into the car.

Favorite Music Video:

MP: I loved each and every Michael Jackson video made. He made mini-movies and the best example of this is "Thriller"...I mean, Come on!!! It was a horror movie, a zombie dance off and he wore red leather pants. How can you top that?!!

AP: Well "Thriller" is a masterpiece, but that seems obvious. So I'm going to with Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl." I love that it had a backstage feel to it and that it combined black and white and color, it was playful with all those kids and Paula looking like she's directing a movie. The video was directed by David Fincher, before he got all moody and dark and the kids were Elijah Wood and Nikki Cox, it was just fun. I loved how it came together to show you the "Movie" after all the backstage stuff.

Song that gets in your head the most:

MP: I have a six year old boy who is obsessed with "My Little Pony". He's a "Bronie." And he watches the show constantly and I dare anyone to hear that and not get it stuck in your head for weeks. Even as I type this I'm hearing "My Little Pony, Sweet Little Pony..something something blah blah Pony" I hope you're impressed that I even got through these questions!

AP: Okay right now, there are two ear worm songs that are playing Jedi tricks with my mind. Wait I lie, there are three. "Call Me Maybe," "Moves Like Jagger" and "Payphone." I could be in the middle of my bikram yoga class or swimming laps or in the middle of a meeting and one of these songs pop into my mind, I have no idea why. Obviously something I will discussing with my new therapist once we've figured out the what the whole love of the Facts of Life-Gilligan's Island theme songs say about me. Oh and occasionally, I have to be honest, sometimes Tanya Tucker's "Delta Dawn" will pop into my head and it just stays there for like weeks on end, apparently I do need extensive hard core therapy!

Special thanks to Aimee and Melissa for sharing their music interests with us, as well as their names (although Aimee spells her name like Melissa P's sister), and also sharing their book with our readers!

How to win "Happily Ever Before":
Please tell us what song you think would make for a good chick lit novel (either based on the title or the lyrics).

One entry per person. Please include your e-mail address or another way to contact you if you win.

Giveaway ends August 5th at midnight EST.

29 comments:

Kritters Ramblings said...

I like the song We Are Young by FUN.

kdurham2@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

The Night Before (Life Goes On) by Carrie Underwood. I'd love to win the book.
tparker001@bak.rr.com

Riley said...

"Wine After Whiskey" - Carrie Underwood.

rileylange@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

"Good Friends and A Glass of Wine" by Leann Rimes

Megan
strumabanjo@gmail.com

Mary said...

Before He Cheats by Carrie Underwood would make a great chick lit novel. Empowerment to women!

mryward(at)yahoo(dot)com

susieqlaw said...

I Love The Way You Hold Me by Jamie Grace

sendsusanmail AT gmail DOT com

Jessica said...

"Untouched" by the Veronicas

Thanks so much!

-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

Na said...

7 Day Fool by Julie Black. The title would have me thinking of a female protagonist NOT being a fool when it comes to love.

GFC follower
Cambonified(at)yahoo(dot)com

Cyndee said...

The Dance by Garth Brooks.
cyndee.thomas0@gmail.com

StereoQueenBee said...

Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen.

queenofcrunk at gmail dot com

Kristen said...

"Brokenhearted" I think my Khamrin or something like that? Catchy and on the radio all the time lately.

kly(dot)327(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I think "The night the lights went out in Georgia"...and in Tennessee and Florida and wherever else...

Lilian said...

Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen!

lilianxchengATgmail.com
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

JD said...

"Come Over" by Kenny Chesney

Anita Yancey said...

Live For Today by The Grass Roots. Thanks for having the giveaway.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

bn100 said...

Wide Awake by Katy Perry

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Literary Chanteuse said...

Paparazzi Lady Gaga

Margaret
singtim(at)hotmail(dot)com

Bridget O'Neill said...

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyonce!!!

bjoneill@hotmail.com

Cyndee said...

"That Summer" by Garth Brooks.
Cyndee Thomas
cyndee.thomas0@gmail.com

WildWriting said...

I wonder if anyone was ever thinking about a chicklit after Michelle, by Beatles.
wildwritinglife@gmail.com

Maureen said...

I would pick This is Me by Faith Hill.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Jeryl M. said...

I think the song titled "I'll Be Over You" would make a good chick lit book title.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

rhonda said...

Call me maybe Lomazowr @gmail.com

Dani said...

I think Glad You Came by the Wanted would a good title

lebeldani AT gmail DOT com

Shari said...

What a fun topic for a contest - and what an intriguing concept for a book!

I'd choose Carrie Underwood's "One Way Ticket."

dreambig906@yahoo.com

Kathy Abbott said...

I like every time we touch by concada!! Great song !! Would luv to win a book rebafan1@live.com

Kathy Abbott said...

I meant I love the song EVERYTIME WE TOUCH by CASCADA!!! Would love to win a book!! rebafan1@live.com

Krystal Lynn said...

Kate Nash's We Get On is a story within itself. Not the usual verse-chorus-verse kind of song. Just one long story set to music with a british accent and an upbeat feel. It's the happiest heartbreaky song I've ever heard!

Think I'm too late to enter but sharing anyway... :)

Anonymous said...

What a great e-book download Happily Ever Before has been my favorite read this year! http://happilyeverbefore.net