Thursday, January 22, 2015

Tracie Banister has "piqued" our interest...plus a special giveaway

I have a confession to make (I have these a lot)...I haven't read a book by Tracie Banister until now. And, of course, I had no idea what I was missing either! I have only heard good things about Tracie's previous novels, Blame it on the Fame and In Need of Therapy (links are to past reviews), so I decided to dig in with Twin Piques, her latest novel. I am more than halfway done and enjoying it a lot so far. I keep finding posts, articles, and videos that are related to what Tracie mentions in the story and sending them to her.

This past year, Tracie started watching The Mindy Project and then convinced me to watch Jane the Virgin, so we dish often about such fun, chick-lit themed shows. And in doing this post, I sent her an example of what I did a few years ago and we found out that we share a love for Broadway musicals too!

Tracie was recently at CLC to help us celebrate celebrity month. Her fun answers to our themed questions were enjoyable to read. This time around, she's sharing her favorite things and we think you'll enjoy what she has to say.

In honor of Twin Piques taking place in San Francisco, Tracie is giving away one of our favorite things to a lucky US reader... CHOCOLATE! She will send a Cable Car Gift Tin w/17 Ghirardelli Chocolate Squares to the winner of our giveaway.

You can find Tracie at her blog, Facebook, and Twitter.


Synopsis of Twin Piques:

Forensic accountant Sloane Tobin and kooky pet psychic Willa may have the same face, but that’s the only thing these identical twins have in common.

How she can read the hearts and minds of animals has always been a mystery to Willa, and her rotten luck with men is equally baffling. Although she’s been looking for “The One” for what feels like forever (A teenage marriage to a French mime and dating a guy named Spider seemed like good ideas at the time!), optimistic Willa refuses to give up on love. When she meets Brody, the handsome rose expert hired to save her grandmother’s garden, she’s instantly smitten, but why does he keep sending her mixed signals? Does he return her feelings, or is their attraction all in her fanciful head?

Unlike her twin, Sloane has zero interest in romance. Her passion is her job, where she uses her gift for numbers to take down slimy embezzlers and asset-hiding spouses. When she’s assigned two high profile cases, Sloane feels confident the promotion she’s been angling for is within her grasp. But will her plan to climb the corporate ladder be thwarted by difficult clients, her co-worker-with-benefits, or – most surprisingly of all – her own sister? And how’s she supposed to stay focused on the drama at work when her childhood friend, Gav, moves in next door and the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore?

To get what they both want, can Willa and Sloane band together and rely on each other’s strengths? Or will their differences drive them apart once and for all?


Playing Oprah on Chick Lit Central today feels like a strange sort of kismet as it was O’s “Favorite Things” show back in 2008 that introduced me to the Kindle, the clever, little device that would go on to change my life as both a reader and a writer! I don’t know if I’ll be setting any trends with the items on my Favorite Things list, but all these goodies have certainly brought joy to my life!

Kate Spade Shanghai Deco Dot Scarf – Having been obsessed with polka dots since I was a child, my eyes lit up like a pinball machine when I saw this scarf. It’s black with white dots, which is très chic, and I love that Kate Spade New York is spelled out on the scarf with pink stitching. So fun, so girly; it’s the perfect fashion accessory for this winter.

The Mindy Project S1/S2 DVDs & Mindy’s BookThe Mindy Project is TV Chick Lit, and I can’t get enough of it! I want everyone to watch this show and love it and quote it as must as I do, so I am giving my faux audience the first two seasons on DVD, which I recommend you marathon in one weekend. And since money is no object in this scenario, I’m flying Mindy Kaling in to sign copies of her very funny book, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, for all of you.

Fitbit – We all start out the new year making resolutions to lose weight and get on a regular exercise routine, right? The Fitbit can be a big help with that as it tracks your steps, distance, and calories burned all day long. I absolutely love the one I received this Christmas. It helps me to set different exercise goals for myself every day, and it’s super motivating to see those stats on my wrist. Bonus: The Fitbit comes in ten different colors, so you can choose the one that suits your style best. Mine is classic black, and I love how sleek it looks.

Coconut Body Butter by The Body Shop – This smell of this product is divine; it always makes me think of suntan lotion and the beach. I have super dry skin (as most of us do at this time of year), but this body butter keeps my skin soft and hydrated all day long. Love! Since this is a fantasy giveaway that will cost me nothing, I’m giving you all a year’s supply of this yummy body butter, which made Nylon’s 2014 Beauty Hit List.


Tiara – I am of the firm belief that every woman should own one of these so that she can feel like a queen at all times. I received a beautiful, rhinestone-encrusted tiara with a heart design from a dear friend of mine, author Kathleen Irene Paterka, who shares my love of royal-watching. She actually works at a castle (Castle Farms in Charlevoix, MI) and my tiara came from the gift shop there, so it’s legit! I like to wear it when I’m writing, taking a bubble bath, even when I’m doing chores around the house. I would gift everyone with their own tiara and then conduct a class on how to do a proper royal wave (As you can see from the picture, I practice mine on my neighbors quite a bit.)

Thanks to Tracie for sharing her favorite things with us and giving our readers a chance to win chocolate!

~Introduction by Melissa Amster


How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


US only. Giveaway ends January 27th at midnight EST.

22 comments:

Janine said...

As Tracie said, every woman should own a tiara. I don't let it known by many, but I have one too. I started reading Twin Piques last night and loving it so far too. I loved both of her previous books too. She tells fabulous stories. I love the prize for this contest too.

Kathleen Irene Paterka said...

Queen Tracie, you were royalty before the tiara arrived! Love your novels (BLAME IT ON THE FAME is one of my all-time favorite reads!) and TWIN PIQUES (just finished reading last week) is an absolute delicious read. Congratulations, you! Well done!

~ Kathleen

P.S. Love how you've perfected the 'royal wave'... the Queen Mum would definitely approve!

traveler said...

What a wonderful feature and giveaway. I would don a tiara but I know that I would look silly but my beautiful 3 year old granddaughter would be a lovely princess and suit it perfectly. Many thanks for this feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Jessica said...

I don't think I could ever wear a tiara, lol. But I guess I'll say I deserve to wear one because I've been to England. Has nothing to do with wearing one but whatever. I can't think of a good reason.

Rose-Marie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Margie said...

I think I would be embarrassed wearing a tiara! But maybe I would wear it when nobody sees me! Thanks do much for the giveaway.

jodi marinich said...

as my daughter would say because i am awesome...lol

Carl Scott said...

I'm 6'1" and 195 pounds. I think I'd look adorable in a tiara, don't you?

Bonnie K. said...

I think the only time I would wear a tiara is with the little ones when playing dress up. By all means, every women needs to feel like a princess from time to time.

bluedawn95864 at gmail dot com

Nova said...

i would love to have a tiara so that i could be the queen of my castle...i have my two younger sons (19 & 21) still living with me, and then i could tell them, "because the queen says so", when they ask "why?"..lol

Rita Wray said...

I would wear one if I was playing princess with my granddaughter.

Rita Wray said...

I would wear one if I was playing princess with my granddaughter.

Mary Jo Burke said...

Taking care of my sick hubby and daughter while wearing my "tiara"

Kathy A. LaMaster said...

Because I am the queen of everything!

bn100 said...

because I don't have one

StaceyW said...

You know, I have a tiara in my closet. :) I bought it years ago for a Halloween costume, saved it for my future kid(s), and then had a boy! I should take a cue from Tracie and wear it to perk me up when I'm not feeling so queenly.

rubynreba said...

Because I take care of my little grandchildren a lot and they'd be thrilled if I wore a tiara!

Connie Porter Saunders said...

After waiting for many years, I am finally the grandmother of a 11 month old baby girl and a tiara would be perfect for our tea parties.
Connie

javalotta said...

Well, I married a "King" (my last name) so that makes me a Queen, right? Lol Queen is a nickname one of my friends calls me also. And I always wanted to wear one because they are so pretty and sparkly!<3

susieqlaw said...

I simply must wear one as I am the Aunt of three adorable princesses!

Heater said...

Yum, I've always loved coconut in skin care products and food

Oake said...

Yummy chocolate- good idea.