Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Getting close with Emma and Nicola...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus back at CLC today to play a lively game of Loaded Questions. They recently published So Close and it is part of BookSparks' 2016 Summer Reading Challenge. BookSparks even has one copy to give away! In addition, Emma and Nicola are giving away a copy of their 2015 novel, How to Be a Grown-up.

Newsweek declared Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus’s The Nanny Diaries a “phenomenon.” It is a #1 New York Times bestseller and the longest-running hardcover bestseller of 2002. In 2007 it was released as a major motion picture starring Scarlett Johansson, Laura Linney, and Alicia Keys. McLaughlin and Kraus are also the authors of three other New York Times bestsellers—Citizen Girl, Dedication and Nanny Returns—as well as Between You & Me and their young adult novel, Over You. They have appeared numerous times on CNN, MSNBC, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Tonight, and The View. In addition to writing for television and film, McLaughlin and Kraus travel around the country speaking to young women about feminism and gender issues in American corporate culture.

You can find them at their website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Synopsis of So Close:

Amanda Beth Luker has spent her whole life desperately looking for someone who can show her the way out of her trailer park Florida town. And then, finally, help arrives―in the form of Tom Davis, a successful lawyer with political aspirations who grew up just a few towns over from Amanda. But it’s his wife, Lindsay, who really captures Amanda’s imagination. Strong, smart, and determined, she gives Amanda something she’s never had―a role model. Meanwhile Amanda is introduced to the wealthy, charismatic, and deeply troubled Pax Westerbrook. He clearly desires Amanda, but if she gives in will that move her closer to the life she’s always dreamed of―or make it impossible?

Amanda rides Davis’s political success all the way to Washington, where he becomes Senator and will later be tapped for president and even make a bid for the White House. But when Amanda starts to suspect, and later confirms, his moral indiscretions, her loyalty is tested. Will a girl from a trailer park even be believed if she goes public with damning information? Will she be willing to risk losing everything she’s gained?
(Courtesy of Amazon.)


Emma McLaughlin:

If you could choose any college to attend, what would it be?
The American University of Paris. If I had only known! I can’t believe I was on a snowy hill in Connecticut and could have been in Paris. But then I never would have met my writing partner, never written the Nanny Diaries and never had the privilege of answering this question. So never mind. :)

What song reminds you of a past or present relationship?
The Cure’s "Pictures of You" takes me RIGHT back to the angst filled days of high school where I was longing for the touch of FirstNameLastName crushes and waiting for life to start. It reminds me of a past relationship with a version of myself I find mortifying/endearing. Me as played by Lena Dunham.

What book do you frequently recommend to people?
The Rules of Civility. Gorgeous, brilliant and nailing the Gershwin/Gatsby Manhattan. It makes me want to be a better writer, woman, and urbanite.

Nicola Kraus:

What is your favorite kind of cereal? 
Granola. But the really not-healthy kind. I like it high in fat.

What is one thing you always wanted as a kid, but never got? 
Cool clothes. You name the trend, I did not have it. My parents had a very post-war outlook on Children’s clothes. They were supposed to keep us warm and that was about it. I just wanted a Benetton rugby sweater SO BADLY.

What is the funniest thing you can write in five words or less? 
IKEA’s new tampon: the Üptwaat.

Thanks to Emma and Nicola for chatting with us and sharing How to Be a Grown-up with our readers. Thanks to BookSparks for sharing So Close with our readers, as well!

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


Ends July 25th at midnight EST.




17 comments:

Janine said...

I always wanted a real Barbie when I was a little girl. But all I ever got was the cheap knock off one. That's probably why I started collecting them when I got older and could buy them for myself.

Jennifer C said...

I always wanted an Easy Bake Oven! I just used one at a friend's house but never had my own. When I was in graduate school, my boyfriend at the time knew about this and bought me one...It was the thought that counted but I don't think I ever took it out of the box and donated it to Toys for Tots. :)

Amber said...

I always wanted one of those cars that you could drive yourself in! I pictured myself driving my sister and I down the sidewalk to our friends house all the time!

Burma Turner said...

I always wanted my own clarinet. I always had to use one of the band's, lol.

Tatum Rangel said...

I did want a Cabbage Patch Kid. Honestly, I can't remember if I had one that I'd misplaced or if I didn't get one at all.

traveler said...

I would have loved a cowgirl outfit.

Jennifer said...

I always wanted to go to Disney World but never got to. Maybe now that I have a son, I'll plan to take him!

Elizabeth G said...

I always wanted a baby sister or brother. I used to imagine that we would find one on the side of the road. Unfortunately , I never got one!

therealjennc said...

I never got a lite-brite as a kid, despite wanting one pretty desperately. My husband gifted me a lite-brite a few years ago to correct the egregious error of my parents.

Bonnie K. said...

Strangely, it was a certain brand of shampoo that smells of lemon. I can't remember what it was. I remember my friend having it, an I begged my mom to buy it but she wouldn't. I guess it was too expensive. I had to google it. LOL It was Lemon Up.

Linda Kish said...

I can't remember wanting anything and not getting it.

Kelly Rodriguez said...

I always wanted a Sit & Spin and never got one.

Mary Preston said...

I wanted a Barbie doll, but my mother thought they were too ugly.

jpetroroy said...

An American Girl doll.

Delonna said...

I always wanted a pool in our backyard - LOL

Kimberly V said...

An Easy Bake oven.

Nova said...

i always wanted a Barbie Dream House! i got my daughter one when she was little, so i could also play with it!