Tuesday, April 7, 2020

That thing Jacqueline Friedland did...plus a book giveaway

A while back, Jacqueline Friedland wrote some guest book reviews for us. We really enjoyed working with her and Melissa A even met her in person during Book Expo in 2015. She was just as friendly in person as she was online. So we were thrilled to find out that she was publishing a women's fiction novel that was totally up our alley. Melissa A recently devoured That's Not a Thing and says Jacqueline has a flair for women's fiction. (Review coming soon.) Jacqueline has TWO copies to share with some lucky readers!

Jacqueline Friedland graduated Magna Cum Laude from both the University of Pennsylvania and NYU Law School. She practiced as a commercial litigator at the New York law firms of Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP and Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP. After determining that office life did not suit her, Jacqueline began teaching Legal Writing and Lawyering Skills at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law in Manhattan and working on her first book in her limited spare time. Finally deciding to embrace her passion and pursue writing full time, Jacqueline returned to school to earn her Masters of Fine Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, graduating from the program in 2016.

When not writing, Jacqueline is an avid reader of all things fiction. She loves to exercise, watch movies with her family, listen to music, make lists, and dream about exotic vacations. She lives in Westchester, New York with her husband, four children and two very bossy canines. (Bio courtesy of Jacqueline's website.)

Visit Jacqueline online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram


Synopsis:
Meredith Altman’s engagement to Wesley Latner ended in spectacular disaster—one that shattered her completely. Years have passed since then, and now she’s about to marry Aaron Rapp, a former Ivy League football player and baby-saving doctor. As they celebrate their engagement at a new TriBeCa hotspot, Meredith is stunned to find the restaurant owner is none other than Wesley, the man she is still secretly trying to forget.

When Meredith learns that Wesley has been diagnosed with ALS, her feelings about their past become all the more confusing. As she spends more time with Wesley and is pulled further under his spell, she discovers what kind of man her new fiancĂ© really is—and what kind of woman she wants to be. (Courtesy of Amazon.)


Which authors were inspirational to you when writing That's Not a Thing?
That’s Not a Thing is a story about love and obligation told in a plot-focused, upbeat narrative style. In writing it, I was probably influenced most greatly by Jojo Moyes, Emily Giffin, Christina Lauren, Samantha Young, and Colleen Hoover. It’s so hard to narrow it down, and I’m undoubtedly leaving out many authors who have inspired me over the years. Those I’ve listed all tell truly romantic stories and make it hard to put a book down when it’s time turn out the lights. That’s Not a Thing has the same kind of complicated romantic feelings and suspenseful plot questions.

In which ways are you similar to or different from Meredith?
Hopefully, I’m more different than similar to Meredith because for most of the book, she’s kind of a hot mess. Our similarities include feeling stifled by working at a large law office and also being a real sucker for romance. However, Meredith is a much less decisive person than I am. I tend to make up my mind pretty quickly and stick with my decisions, whereas Meredith sees all sides of an argument and has trouble choosing. She’s also more of a bleeding heart, always so eager to help those in need, including her ex-fiance. Unfortunately, she doesn’t think quite enough about consequences before she acts, and she sets all sorts of chaos in motion.

If That's Not a Thing were made into a movie, who would you cast as the lead characters?
I love this question! Here you go:

Meredith: Melissa Benoist
Wesley: Channing Tatum
Aaron: Chris Pratt
Lana: Halston Sage
Reese: Taylor Lautner

What is something you've learned about yourself during the social distancing quarantine?
Ha. As a writer, I was basically already living the quarantine life. The big difference is that now I have to figure out how to do it with a house full of people. I’ve learned that I can’t write with my husband on work calls behind me, but I can write if I throw in some headphones and play white noise on Spotify. I’ve also learned that fear makes me hungry.

What TV series are you currently binge watching?
I can’t get enough of Outlander and the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. I’m excited to try out the American version of The Baker and the Beauty when it premiers. I loved the Israeli version.

What is your go-to breakfast item?
I’ve been eating the exact same breakfast for 18 years, and I get grouchy if I ever deviate. I go for nonfat Greek yogurt mixed with bran cereal. Not super exciting, but for better or for worse, that’s my jam.

Thanks to Jacqueline for visiting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

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


Giveaway ends April 13th at midnight EST.

15 comments:

Linda May said...

The book sounds terrific, Thanks for your great generosity.

traveler said...

When I was on vacation when I was young I met this young man who was very special. I miss him even though it is now 50 years later. I think of that week spent together at a resort and I know that it was magical.

Hailey Fish said...

This book sounds so good and I have heard great things! Thanks for your generosity!

JeanneK said...

I would really love to read this. Thank you for this Giveaway, especially now when everyone is shut in, scared and vulnerable.

diannekc said...

The one that got away was meant to be. Now that I look back, it never would have worked.

Rita Wray said...

There was someone when I was young. But it just wasn't meant to be.

Rita Wray said...

Stay safe everyone. Stay home and read.

Donamae Kutska said...

Wasn't meant to be. Thank you for the chance

Mary Preston said...

He didn't get away. I let him go.

Linda Kish said...

I lost track of him after Vietnam. I never did find out where he was after that.

bn100 said...

none

Nancy P said...

I was always too independent to really have anyone who got away. Some I should have sent on their way sooner.

rubynreba said...

The one that got away is one I never should have had anyway! Thank goodness he got away!!

Peggy Russo said...

LOL He didn't get away. We've been married almost 40 years.

Jeanne said...

There wasn’t one who got away because I wasn’t interested in any of them. More like mercy dates...goodbye.