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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Tuning in with Lisa Verge Higgins, plus a book giveaway

Introduction and interview by Tracey Meyers

**Giveaway is now closed**

"My Wicked Past"....It sounds like a song title, doesn't it? Well, it's not. (At least according to my Google search, it's not.) It’s the first link on Lisa Verge Higgins' website that caught my eye when I ventured over there to do research for this introduction.

So where does this mysterious link lead to? Well, it reveals that before writing about women's fiction, this RITA-nominated author wrote "really passionate stuff" for ten years. (Cue Gerardo's song, "Rico Suave," please!) Though the books are out of print, some are available for Kindle.

What I also found intriguing about Lisa Verge Higgins was that prior to writing, she was a Ph.D candidate in chemistry - I'm sure there is quite a story behind the journey that took her from one world to another.

Though her steamy writing of the past surely intrigues us, it is her writing of the present that we are celebrating with song here at CLC. On June 5th, her second mainstream novel, "One Good Friend Deserves Another" was released. The story examines how much women are willing to risk for love, happiness and friendship.

Today, Lisa is at CLC to tell us about the tunes that have shaped her life. Additionally, Lisa has been generous enough to give away a copy of her latest novel to one lucky CLC reader located anywhere in the world!

Intrigued yet? If so, visit her at her website and on Facebook!

Song I associate with Chick Lit and Why: 
Beyonce’s "Irreplaceable."  Because it’s about a strong woman choosing to sweep all that’s unworthy out of her life, knowing she can find a better man and build a better situation. [Amen, sister!]

First Song You Ever Lip Synced To:
"Jagged Little Pill" (also known as "You Learn") by Alanis Morissette. I just loved the smarm in her voice.

Song you can’t help but dance to each time you hear it: 
Nelly’s "Just A Dream."  I work my moves whenever I hear it, thus embarrassing my children.

What song describes your personality and why? 
"With Arms Wide Open" by Creed. Life can be such an incredible adventure if you make it so. It’s one of the underlying themes of all my books—both romance and women’s fiction. My characters always take incredible emotional (and sometimes physical!) risks. When I’m ninety, I hope I’m hiking the Appalachian Trail.

If you were to turn a song into a book, which song would you choose and why? 
"Timshel" by Mumford & Sons. It’s is this wonderfully moving folk rock song about how--no matter how difficult life gets--we’re never alone.

The first song you ever danced to with your husband (either at your wedding or when you were dating): 
We met over a drinking game at a very loud bar and (ahem) my memory of the songs we danced to is fading. But, knowing the bar, I suspect it was something like the B-52s "Rock Lobster."

My all-time favorite genre of music is: 
 I call it the “wailing women” genre but I suppose a better catchphrase would be Bluesy Female Soul: It includes Nina Simone, some Patsy Cline, Joss Stone’s first album, Duffy and just about anything by the late Amy Winehouse. [Gee, why do I write chick-lit?]

Tell us about a song that has a special memory associated with it: 
 Journey’s "Don’t Stop Believing."  Yeah, it’s corny. But at a college reunion mumble-mumble years ago, the pub played all these retro songs. Me and a group of my buddies took over the dance floor to sing (scream) this particular one together. It was a fresh bonding experience for all of us, and the moment that marked the start of a renewed friendship.

Thanks to Lisa for entertaining us with her song choices and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win "One Good Friend Deserves Another":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Which song has a special memory associated with it?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends July 22nd at midnight EST.

27 comments:

  1. 1) "Wild, Wild West" by The Escape Club...Road Trip to the Univ of FL with my best friend.

    2) I follow the blog.

    3) I tweeted.

    4) I loke on FB

    allieDOTsmithATgmailDOTcom

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. missamberljohnson at gmail dot com

    2. Hit the road Jack (that oldies song) because I remember always getting the giggles with that song with my mom and sister when we were kids!

    3. I am a longtime follower! Love it!

    4. I like on FB

    Have a good day :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. k_duncan21@yahoo.com

    1. Stuck on you - Lionel Richie
    2. I follow the blog
    3. Facebook
    4. I like on facebook under Kat Duncan
    5. I added John Norwood

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is so sad, but 'Wake Me Up Before You Go Go' is a song that my best girl friend and I loved to listen to in the back of the car when my mom was driving us somewhere. We loved singing along to it!

    I follow via GFC (Kristilyn).

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    readinginwinter(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Heartbreaker by Pat Benater. I performed it live at the age of 13 my first real live gig.

    -blog follower

    -tweeted on twitter

    - member of CLC on FB

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. 'I don't want to lose your love tonight' by the Outfield! It takes me back to high school every time I hear it...back to a simpler time in not just my life, but in the world!

    I follow the blog! I follow on FB and Twitter!

    kimberley2229@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Ah, I do love to lip sync along with Alanis! For me, the songs that I listened to while recovering from a break-up always hold the most meaning. Somewhere Only We Know by Keane is a big one.

    I follow :)

    marthalynn16 at gmail

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hanging by a Moment by Lifehouse :)

    GFC: Na
    Cambonified[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Lisa, and here I thought I knew everything. I love how you met hubby.
    Since my daughter is a classically trained Opera singer I guess you expect me to out snob everyone, not a chance I love to Boot Scoot N Bogie, sing along with Loretta and Patsy. Okay once in a while I have to do all instrumentals too and blast my Out Of Africa song list.
    See I'm very diversified
    ps if you haven't read this novel do, if you have read her last novel The Care and Maintenance of Friendship it was great too.

    Deb

    ReplyDelete
  10. 1. email address is sparkle40175(at) hotmail(dot)com
    2. i follow the blog
    3. liked & following CLC on facebook
    4. song; Sara Smile by Hall & Oats; it is the reason i named my daughter Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  11. That's What Friends are For! Every summer camp ended by burning the year made of wood wrapped in towels covered in gasoline while That's What Friends are For played. Sad and happy memories at the same time! "Keep smilin, keep shining, knowing you can always count on me, for sure that's what friends are for"

    brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

    I follow via facebook, twitter and gfc

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sounds like a great book.

    sunnydaysrule AT hotmail DOT com

    1. One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey has special memories for me.
    2. I follow on FB.
    3. I will post about the contest on Twitter (@greenurlifenow).
    4. Member of CLC on FB.



    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have special memories of "Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams. I would drive my niece and her friends around to eat out and see movies. We all enjoyed the group sing along.
    I follow! I am a member on FB,CLC Group.
    Cyndee Thomas
    cyndee.thomas0@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Firework by Katy Perry

    I follow the blog.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Fabulous thank you.

    Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen takes me back to the Summer I stayed with my cousin. So much fun.

    GFC: Mary Preston

    FB: Mary Preston

    Email Subscriber

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
  16. At the moment, Eric Church's Springsteen is the song of my summer so far. And the song itself happens to be about music that takes people back and reminds them of a certain place and certain time. Country music at it's best. :)

    miss_kris_11 (at) yahoo (com)

    ReplyDelete
  17. thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. i'm a follower, too

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. "When The Sun Goes Down" by Kenny Chesney...It reminds me of the summer when my husband and I started dating because I listened to this cd every time I came home from his place.

    I follow this fabulous blog.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lady - Kenny Rogers

    I am a GFC follower

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. "American Pie". I remember dragging main to that song while in high school.

    I follow on Chick Lit Central and Goodreads.

    nrcasa07@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. sendsusanmail@gmail.com

    song: Ocean by Bebo Norman

    honorable mention: soundtrack to A Walk To Remember

    I tweeted this contest @susieqlaw

    I follow CLC on Facebook, twitter, and the CLC blog.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Forever Young by Rod Stewart reminds me of when I was pregnant with my daughter.
    I follow on GFC
    tweet: https://twitter.com/MaureenCE/status/227118011759345664
    mce1011 AT aol DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  24. e-mail: jenniferstarr@ymail.com

    Song: Ladies Night ( my friends love singing and acting crazy to this song)

    Tweeted giveaway and shared on Facebook

    Can't wait to see who wins!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. HElp MeRhonda the beachboys.people. hear my name and will just start. Singing the song.I follow on twitter fb will tweet.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I have to go with Juicy by The Notorious B.I.G. because my bestie and I must have listened to it a hundred times on our first road trip way back in the day. I can't help but smile every time I heard it!

    GFC follower Tiffany Drew

    Facebook Member Tiffany Drew

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/enterthedrew/status/227245594752729088

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  27. Lots of songs bring back special memories but one that comes to mind is Hard to Say I'm Sorry by Chicago because it was used in a show I was in.

    I am a subscriber.

    I am a Facebook fan.

    ReplyDelete