Winners of the Chantel Simmons book sets

To choose the winners, we assigned a number to each entry and asked Chantel Simmons to pick five numbers at random.
Here's what she had to say:

A huge thank you to Melissa & Melissa for running this contest! I loved reading what trends everyone loves, and especially what they're looking forward to this holiday season. You've inspired me to make hot chocolate tonight while I curl up with a good book in front of the fire (or more accurately, the fireplace channel on my TV).

My randomly selected numbers are:

5, 14, 28, 34, 52

Thanks to everyone for entering. I'd love to hear what you think of my books - feel free to leave me a comment on my blog or Facebook page!

xo
Chantel

Congrats to:
PoCoKat
Michele Weiss
Karen K
Jonita
and
Pia

Thanks again to everyone for participating and to Chantel for the interview and giveaway.

Don't forget to enter our current giveaway to win Alice Eve Cohen's amazing memoir, "What I Thought I Knew". (US/Canada only. Ends Thursday at midnight EST.)

Interview with Alice Eve Cohen and book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Alice Eve Cohen has done it all...raised a family, taught college courses, written plays and children's television shows, performed solo on stage and written a memoir. "What I Thought I Knew" (reviewed here) won the Elle's Lettres 2009 Grand Prix for Nonfiction, it was selected as one of Oprah Magazine’s 25 Best Books of Summer, and has been optioned for a television movie by Lifetime. She holds a BA from Princeton University and an MFA from The New School, and is the recipient of fellowships and grants from the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. In a nutshell, Alice is amazing! Her memoir is amazing, as well. Today, she stopped by Chick Lit Central on her blog tour and answered some of our questions. Plus, one lucky reader from the US or Canada gets to read "What I Thought I Knew" courtesy of BookSparks PR.

MP: What was the most difficult part of sharing such an intimate part of your life in "What I Thought I Knew"?
AEC: Before the book was published, I was deeply concerned about my family’s response, since it was their story, too. To a certain degree, my fears were warranted. It took my husband almost a year to warm up to the idea of our very intimate family story becoming so public. He and I both worried that the book would be upsetting to my daughter, who is the central character, and who was only eight when it was published. As it turned out, she was very eager to read it, because it was about her, so we talked to her in advance about the events in the book. The book then became an opportunity for us to grow closer as a family.


MA: What inspired you to write about your health/pregnancy situation?
AEC: For years, I was unable to talk about my experience, because of my terribly conflicted feelings about my unexpected and difficult pregnancy. Ultimately, I had to tell the story or I would implode. I also thought that perhaps my tale might bring comfort to readers as they reflected on their own life trials and their best efforts to do what is right.
I hope readers will enjoy the book as an exciting and moving story filled with suspense, surprise twists, vivid characters, and unexpected humor. I’ve been told it’s a page-turner, which delights me. (Spoiler alert—it has a happy ending.) I also hope it invites discussion about the topical issues embedded in the events of the book—including the problems with our country’s health care system.
As this is a memoir, I’ve written as honestly and candidly as I can about my personal odyssey and about the complexities of motherhood. In my story, there were times when I didn’t recognize myself, times that I feared for my daughter’s life and for my own. Somehow, my family, my marriage, my children and I all survived and thrived, despite (and maybe because of) the storm we weathered together.
I imagine that the book will speak to anybody who has been through difficult times—which of course includes just about everyone. Since writing the book, I have felt hugely relieved, and deeply gratified that readers enjoy and relate to it.


MP: How do you like to spend your time when you are not writing?
AEC: Bicycling, jogging, reading, going to plays and movies, hanging out with family and friends.

MA: You had mentioned to me in the past that the Jewish High Holidays have a significant role in “What I Thought I Knew.” Would you care to elaborate on that?
AEC: When I was writing the book, I was surprised to find that the Jewish holidays kept emerging as turning point moments in my odyssey. On Rosh Hashanah, I was sent for an emergency CAT scan for an abdominal tumor…and discovered that I didn’t have a tumor at all; I was six months pregnant. The next week, on Yom Kippur, I was in the office of an abortion doctor, discussing the option of a late term abortion. On Rosh Hashanah, seven years later, after years of being unable to write, I suddenly started writing the book, and I finished the first draft on Rosh Hashanah, one year later. To a surprising degree, questions about Judaism, religion, and faith became central themes in my book.

MA: Have you been contacted by anyone who said that sharing your story helped them in their own situation?
AEC: Yes! I’ve been very gratified to hear from readers who felt that my story helped them understand their own experience, gave them the courage to talk about their situation, or opened up a door that allowed them to think about something in a new way.

MA: You have written for Nickelodeon and PBS in the past. What was the shift like for you between writing for children's shows and writing for an adult audience?
AEC: I’ve always loved writing for both children and for adults, and I continue to do so. My first published book was a middle grade children’s novel, and I’ve written plays and solo shows for both adults and for kids. I’m currently working on a book for kids as well as a new memoir for adults. While the subject matter is generally different for adults and for kids, the basic elements of storytelling are the same. I enjoy working simultaneously on projects for adults and for kids, because they allow me to channel different sides of my imagination and my sense of humor.

MP: You currently teach in New York City. Is that where you grew up? What is your favorite thing about New York?
AEC: I grew up in the suburbs outside of New York City, and never thought I’d end up living in the city. I always loved being outdoors; if anything, I thought I’d end up living in a more rural area. But in college, my artistic goals changed from visual art to theatre, I became more and more involved in theatre, and I learned that NYC was the ideal place to find like-minded theatre artists. Ironically, my favorite thing about New York City is Central Park—the ease with which we city dwellers can immerse ourselves in nature in the middle of this huge metropolis.

MA: How did you get into performing solo theatre?
AEC: After graduating from college, I was immersed in writing, composing, and performing experimental theatre. I co-founded a performance company called Practical Cats, Inc., with a wonderful collaborator—dancer/choreographer Anne Hammel. After creating a number of duets and ensemble works, Anne and I each became interested in solo performance, and in the particular challenges and opportunities it presents. I’ve been teaching solo theater to college students and adult education students at The New School for eleven years. Each year, I am blown away by the depth and originality of my students’ solo works. I’m wearing my producer’s hat right now, planning the upcoming performance of my students’ solo works-in-progress.

MP: I read that you are an advocate for Arts in Education. What resources are available for those looking to get involved and join the crusade?
AEC: I was a teaching artist for twenty years, and I’ve taught and performed in literally hundreds of public schools, in New York City and throughout the country. I’ve also been a consultant and writer for The Center for Arts Education (CAE), which is the largest advocacy organization in the field. If you are interested in getting involved and “joining the crusade,” as you say, go to http://www.cae-nyc.org/ and click on “Advocacy.” If you’re not ready to join the crusade, but you want to enhance the arts-in-education experiences in your child’s school, CAE offers many wonderful resources, including a parent handbook that I created for them, available to parents, for FREE, in nine different languages, at: http://www.cae-nyc.org/resources/cae_publications/parent_guide_pre_k_second_grade
You can also contact your local or state arts agency, find out what local artists and performers work with children and with schools.

Special thanks to Alice Eve Cohen for answering our questions. Also to Crystal Patriarche and Lisa Steinke at BookSparks PR for arranging the interview and providing the book for the giveaway.


How to win "What I Thought I Knew":
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 if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: What would you title your autobiography?
2. Please tell us: What is your favorite TV show from your youth?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends Thursday, December 2nd at midnight EST.

Winners of the Cozy Mysteries

To find the winners, we assigned everyone numbers by the order in which the entries came in and used the Custom Random Number Generator.

For "Dying for a Date" by Cindy Sample, the winners are:
2-Heather
45-Bonnie

For "How to Crash a Killer Bash" by Penny Warner, the winners are:
15-Kat
30-ADR

Congrats everyone!

Thanks to all of you who participated. Thanks again to Cindy and Penny for doing this interview and giveaway with us.

There's still another chance to win more books:
"Stuck in Downward Dog" and "Love Struck" by Chantel Simmons
US/Canada only
Ends Sunday at midnight EST

Book Review: "What I Thought I Knew"

By Melissa Amster


Imagine being told that you are six months pregnant, after having exposed yourself to X-rays and CAT scans, as well as consumed alcoholic beverages over the past six months during which you didn't know about the pregnancy. For some women, this is a reality. One such woman wrote a memoir about her situation and everything that happened after she found out. This woman is Alice Eve Cohen.

In "What I Thought I Knew," Ms. Cohen writes about the six months leading up to her "diagnosis," during which she thought she had cancer or some other life threatening disease. Her OB/GYN even missed the pregnancy. It wasn't until a CAT scan on the day before Rosh Hashanah that she found out she was carrying a six month old fetus in her misshaped uterus. This was after being told she was infertile, due to a drug her mother took when she was in utero. Being told that she is a high risk pregnancy, her life plays out like a Michael Moore documentary (think "Sicko") as she tries to find a doctor who will help her and also accept the most unpopular insurance plan. I do not want to spoil what happens as a result of her situation, so I will leave things as they are and let you read the rest.

Throughout the book, Ms. Cohen makes lists of the things she does know. The lists help her organize her thoughts about her pregnancy and everything that happens throughout her story. She brings up Judaism a lot, as it is her religion, and tries to tie it into her situation, as well.

I really liked this memoir. I couldn't put it down (other than when I absolutely had to) and felt so absorbed in her story that I would think about it when I wasn't reading it. I appreciated her candid honesty and the way she tried to add humor to help keep her readers at ease. As I was reading, I'd even e-mail her to tell her about something I could relate to and ask her questions about why things were a certain way. I even suggested this for a local Jewish women's book club [I recently joined] to read. However, this book is not just for women or Jewish people. I think everyone should read it at some point in their lives. One would think that women who are expecting their own babies should not read it, but I would have to argue against that. I am currently expecting and this did not scare me about what's to come. I know that each situation is unique and was able to understand and appreciate Ms. Cohen's thoughts and feelings throughout the memoir.

To reiterate, I highly recommend this memoir and I hope everyone will take the time to check it out. It's a quick read and very easy to follow along the entire time. By the end, I felt like I really knew Ms. Cohen and her family the way I know my closest friends. I look forward to reading other memoirs by Ms. Cohen, as I heard she is working on another one.

Come back on Monday to learn more about Alice Eve Cohen and for a chance to win your own copy of "What I Thought I Knew."

Winning Wednesday--November 24th

I will only be posting giveaways on this blog from now on. If you have a giveaway that ends before Wednesday of a given week, please feel free to post it at Chick Lit Central on Facebook. You're also welcome to contact me about any giveaways you would like to have listed. (Chick Lit only, please, unless it is for a gift card or book related device.)
Finally, I am no longer going to seek out contests to post. If they happen to show up in my Facebook or Twitter news feed or on my blog reader, I'll be sure to post them. If you think I won't see your contest, please send it to me so I can include it in this blog.
Thank you!

Happy Thanksgiving to those of you celebrating it. :)

New giveaways:

"Stuck in Downward Dog" and "Love Struck" (as a set) by Chantel Simmons
Chick Lit Central
US/Canada only
Ends November 28th at midnight EST

"Dying for a Date" by Cindy Sample or "How to Crash a Killer Bash" by Penny Warner
Chick Lit Central
US/Canada only
Ends tomorrow at midnight EST

Win "Unstoppable in Stilettos" by Lauren Ruotolo from:

* A Nut in a Nutshell
US only
Ends November 29th at 10 pm EST

* Simply Stacie
US/Canada only, no PO Boxes
Ends November 28th at 11:59 pm EST

Gratitude Giveaways

* A Cozy Reader's Corner
Ends November 28th

* Colloquium
Ends November 28th at 11:59 pm PST

Simply Stacie
Ends November 28th at 11:59 pm EST

"The Birthday Party" by Veronica Henry
Cherry Picks
UK/Ireland only
Ends 11/25 at 11 pm GMT

"The Love Goddess' Cooking School" by Melissa Senate
The Debutante Ball
Ends November 27th
http://www.thedebutanteball.com/?p=13220

"A Weekend with Mr. Darcy" by Victoria Connelly and some goodies
Victoria Connelly's website
UK only
Ends December 15th at midnight GMT

"Keeping Time" by Stacey McGlynn
Read it Forward
US only
Ends November 29th

"Life After Yes" by Aidan Donnelley Rowley
Chick Lit is Not Dead
Ends Thursday

"Nice to Come Home To" by Rebecca Flowers
Free Book Friday
US/Canada only
Ends tomorrow at midnight EST

Two contests from Jane Porter: "Feels Like the Holidays"
JaneBlog
Kickoff "girlie" contest ends November 28th
Cozy contest ends December 3rd

"Hollywood Ending" by Lucie Simone
The Book Chick
US only
Ends December 6th at midnight EST

"Sundays at Tiffany's" by James Patterson
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
US/Canada only, no PO Boxes
Ends December 10th at 11:59 pm EST

"Winter Garden" by Kristin Hannah
"Like" Kristin Hannah's Facebook Fan page and you're automatically entered!
Ends December 10th

Previously posted (still going on):

Extra Shorty Contest, Technology Twist
Chick Lit Shorties
Ends tonight at 11pm EST

Win an ARC of "The Weird Sisters" by Eleanor Brown from:
* Reading Group Guides
US only
Ends December 1st at 12pm EST

* Goodreads
US only
Ends December 1st

$30 Amazon or Chapters.ca Gift Card
Simply Stacie
Ends tomorrow at 11:59 pm EST

$100 Amazon Gift Card
She Scribes
US only
Ends Friday at 11:59pm EST

"Moonlight in Odessa" by Janet Skeslien Charles
The Book Chick
Ends Friday

"Safe Haven" by Nicholas Sparks (Audio)
A Bookworm's World
US/Canada only, no PO Boxes
Ends Saturday at 6 pm EST


"What I Thought I Knew" by Alice Eve Cohen
The Book Chick
US/Canada only, No PO Boxes
Ends today

From Melissa Senate (on Facebook): If you read and review (positively OR negatively) "THE LOVE GODDESS' COOKING SCHOOL" on Amazon and Goodreads (if you're a member), you will automatically be entered in my contest for one reviewer to win all 10 of my novels and a little gift from Maine.
Ends November 30th

We are thankful too!

With Thanksgiving coming tomorrow, we wanted to take some time to share what makes us the most thankful!

Melissa P:
I'm thankful for many things in my life, but here are some of the things that I am MOST thankful for:
1. I am thankful for my husband. Although we have a substantial age difference, nobody has ever cared for or understood me better. He is an amazing person with a loving and giving heart. He goes out of his way every single day to make sure that I feel special and loved. He is my best friend and I don't know how I would ever survive without him. I am in awe of him daily.
2. I am so lucky to have my parents and my sister living just minutes away. I get to spend quality time with my family on a regular basis and share all of life’s biggest triumphs and challenges with those who know me best.
3. I am thankful for my niece Baylee and my nephews Jayden and Dylan. Not having children of my own, I have the opportunity to watch them grow and to help them navigate their way through the world. I also get to be the fun auntie and watch their baseball games, dance recitals, and school functions. I couldn't be more blessed to have these three amazing children in my life, they fill me with wonder.
4. Two "little people" that fill me with joy every minute of my day are my dogs. My wheaten terrier Brooklyn is sweet natured, snuggly, and a complete mama’s boy. He would do anything to make sure I know I am the love of his life :)
My miniature schnoodle Sookie is energetic, crazy, and surprising. We rescued her a year ago from the "kill list" and I can't imagine her not being part of this world. She immediately attached herself to my hip and hasn't detached since...she is the most vibrant and loving dog.
5. I am thankful for ballet and all forms of dance in general. As soon as I complete a set of pliés, I am already a different person. Dance is my release and without it I would probably be insane. Nothing beats an early morning at the barre and the quiet that surrounds me when I'm there.
6. Books, books, books! I am so grateful that they exist. As a child growing up in Chicago, my family had box season tickets to the bulls. Even at 5 years old I was sitting on the floor of our box with a bag of books, reading. My dad still teases me about that. Instead of watching Michael Jordan score 32 points, I was engrossed in "The Chronicles of Narnia"! I live for the escape from reality!
7. I am thankful for my friends, both near and far. My very best friend Stacey lives in Chicago and although I don't see her nearly as often as I wish, she is never far from my mind or my heart. I have many other close girlfriends that live in Wisconsin, Philly, California, and Virginia/D.C., even Sweden. They all play a different role in my life and shape me as a person in their own way. I love and admire each one and can't imagine not having all of them in my life.
8. I am thankful for music. It is the soundtrack to my life. It makes me dance, sing, dream, reflect, remember...
Music is essential to my daily life and it is how I gauge my memories and how I measure time.
9. I am thankful for my grandfather. He is pretty much the only grandparent I have ever had and I am lucky that it was him. He is battling lung cancer at 81 years old and I am so proud of how gracefully he is dealing with his diagnosis and I pray every day that he is here with us a little longer. Or a lot longer...
He is an inspiring man; he raised 6 kids, taught ballroom dance, and helped raise 10 grandkids and now has 8 great grandchildren.
10. I know I already said I was thankful for my family, but I am thankful specifically for my sister Aimee and my mother Marie. They are my guideposts in this world and I aspire to be as gracious, patient, and beautiful as they are. I literally could not exist without them.

Melissa A:
For some reason, this list seemed hard to write. Melissa P.'s list was so beautiful and eloquent and I hope mine can be a good enough match. :)
1. One is Hashem....First and foremost, I am thankful to Hashem because he is the reason that everything else in my life is possible. I cherish my relationship with Hashem and trust him completely, no matter what happens.
2. My husband, and I could say that what Melissa P. said about her husband goes for mine as well, because it is true! The most important thing is that he always knows how to make me laugh. Sometimes I can't breathe because he said something that was just so hilarious. He's my teammate, as well. I grow more and more in love with him as each day passes.
3. My adorable little boys, who know how to make me smile, even when they're driving me crazy. I love that they are growing and changing, but that they are still my babies.
4. This baby in my belly, that seems to be doing well so far according to the past few ultrasounds. I don't know what the gender is and it really doesn't matter because I'm going to love them anyway. I can't wait to meet them this coming spring (b'shaah tovah).
5. My parents and sister. I may not get to see them as often, but we're still very close and we stay in touch in other ways. I'm excited for the next time they come to visit.
6. My friends, both old and new and the ones I've been reunited with too. I love that each friendship I have is unique and that I have lots of inside jokes with lots of different friends.
7. Where I live, as I love living in Maryland and love being close to DC. I also love my community and couldn't imagine a better place to raise my kids. I also love my house, as cluttered as it tends to get.
8. This group! I started CLC last year and then let things be for a while. I revisited it this year and have watched it grow and thrive. I am fortunate that I've been able to meet some really great authors and read some amazing books as a result. I also love that I have made some great online pals through it. And most of all, I am thankful for Melissa P.'s partnership and all the hard work she has put in. She has some great questions for our interviews and has kept me sane on multiple occasions.
9. Value Village. I have become a shopaholic because of this store, but it's so inexpensive and I've picked up some great stuff for myself and the kids. I've found some CDs I really wanted, maternity clothes, kids' clothing, pajamas, books, toys, etc. I even got a great deal on a single stroller recently. The best are 50% off days, even though it gets insanely crowded. I even got my mom addicted to the store.
10. Entertainment. I love movies, TV, music, Broadway shows and anything related to pop culture. I love to be entertained and look forward to when my favorite shows are on or when a movie I really want to see comes to the theater or DVD. Whether it's Adam Lambert, "Glee" or "In the Heights," I know there's always going to be someone or something that is going to be enjoyable and entertaining.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving (if you are celebrating it)!

Interview with Chantel Simmons and book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Chantel Simmons lives in Toronto with her husband and cat named Mr. Baz. She is an author, editor (for a digital beauty magazine) and consumer trends tracker (for a local radio station). She also teaches magazine and online writing and editing in the Book & Magazine publishing program at Centennial College. Her two recently published novels are "Stuck in Downward Dog" and "Love Struck." Along with telling us a little bit about what makes her tick, she has offered to give away five sets of both books to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

If you like what you've read here today, become her friend and fan on Facebook or follow her on twitter.


MP: What is your usual writing routine?
CS: I don't really have a time of day routine like some authors, because I really hate rules and I get bored with routines easily, so I worry that if I did decide to write every day from 2-5, for example, I'd suddenly find myself resenting those hours of the day and making excuses why I wasn't able to write. Like deciding that despite the fact that I'm not 82, I must eat dinner at 4 pm and so from 2 pm on I must chop vegetables (does it take 2 hours to make dinner? I don't cook -- see how long it would take me?). Or realizing that my life has been incoplete without seeing every episode of Judge Judy and start watching reruns at 3:30. Instead, I try my best to write every day (whether it's for five hours or five minutes) so that it's a habit. I really treat it like a job, so if I spend the day getting a manicure and going for lunch with my friends, the guilt is so great that I spend the evening writing to make up for it. As for the details, I have two laptops -- one with a large screen and a tiny one with a superlong battery. This way I have no excuses. I can write wherever I feel like it -- at my desk, in bed, at Starbucks -- and whatever suits my mood. I like to listen to my ipod as it blocks everything else out and lets me focus on the story instead of the beeping dishwasher waiting be emptied or the phone ringing.


MP: How did you celebrate when your first book was published?
CS: Stuck in Downward Dog wasn't set to be in stores for another month or so, so it was a complete surprise when a box of finished books showed up at my door. I had to go to the mall after work for a media event for the magazine I was working at, and while I was there, I bumped into my husband. It was kind of crazy -- I live in a city of 2.5 million people so I rarely bump into anyone I know, let alone my husband. I had the first copy I had taken out of the box in my handbag -- I was bringing it home to give him the first signed copy of the book. We sat down on one of those benches in the middle of the mall and I gave him the book. He was so excited for me, and then he took me to our favourite restaurant -- a little French bistro in our neighbourhood and he ordered a bottle of vintage Dom Perignon. We took the bottle home and have it displayed on a shelf with other bottles of wine we've had to drink on special occasions. (I guess it's clear to anyone who's seen the shelf that we like to drink to celebrate!)


MP: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing?
CS: I like to bake and be crafty -- but only if I can complete the project within an hour or two. If it takes any longer I lose interest...which may be the reason I have unfinished dresses in my closet and even an unfinished cake (that had about 17 million steps) in my freezer as I type this. I also like to get pedicures...so it's probably not a coincidence that I got the idea for the opening scene of Love Struck while getting my toes painted. (Note to self: check with lawyer -- surely I can be writing off my pedicures as book research?)

MP: Have you experienced any significant challenges while writing any of your novels?
CS: When Stuck in Downward Dog came out, people kept asking me if it was based on my life. I felt so worried that everyone thought it was, and that they thought the friends in the book were my friends (which they weren't). Eventually I realized that this is just what we do. We love a true story (isn't that why people loved "A Million Little Pieces" and felt so duped when they found out it wasn't true?). I find myself wondering the same thing when I read any book. So with Love Struck I wasn't worried that just because I was writing about a husband who has an affair, that people would think I was writing about my own life. After all, if my husband had cheated on me, why wouldn't I write a memoir and go on Oprah instead of writing a novel?

MA: Which of your characters can you relate to the most?
CS: When I read this question, my gut response was to say Mara from Stuck in Downward Dog. I mean, Poppy lets her imagination drive herself crazy trying to figure out what her husband's mistress is like, all so she can make herself over to be more like her! I was sitting down to type that yesterday afternoon at my computer, when I went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. On the floor I saw something odd and picked it up. It was a broken half a button. Immediately I realized that my husband must have had a woman in the kitchen and that while they were having mad, passionate sex on the counter, the button popped off her shirt and broke when it hit the floor. I put the broken button on countertop so that my husband could see that I knew what was going on and I could take in his guilty reaction when he got home from work.

An hour or so after he got home, the button was gone. Was he trying to hide it? Pretend it never existed? I confronted him as he was doing a Suduko puzzle.
"Did you see the button on the counter?" I asked him.
He shook his head.
"I put it right on the counter, so you could see."
He looked at me with the bemused expression he often gets when I'm talking. "Do you mean the wax from top of the cork from the bottle of wine we had last night?"
"Oh," I said. "Of couse that's what I meant." I mean, it's not like I was jealous. It was greenish-brown. Would he really have an affair with a woman who wore ugly greenish-brown tops?

Okay...so maybe I channelled a bit of my imagination into Poppy.

MA: If you could choose one of your books to be made into a movie, which would it be and who would you cast in the lead roles?
CS: I would love for Love Struck to be made into a movie -- with Kate Hudson as Poppy and Bradley Cooper as Parker.

MP: What was the inspiration behind both of your books?
CS: For Stuck in Downward Dog, I wanted to write a story about a girl who's stuck in a rut in her life - in that time of limbo when you've graduated from university (so you're no longer a student or a child who can rely on Mom & Dad) but not yet feeling like an adult with everything all figured out. I think it's something a lot of people go through in their 20s but no one talks about.

With Love Struck I was curious about the reason why a woman might forgive her husband for having an affair -- and what she would do with that information once she knew. I got to thinking, what if she knew but there was a way that he didn't? So then, could she forgive him if he couldn't remember and she couldn't forget? That's where the lightning got involved.

MA: You're a consumer trends tracker...what is one of the trends that has taken off big time since you started talking about it on the radio?
CS: Fur! My grandmother had all these gorgeous fur coats and stoles, and for years I've wanted to wear them, but I've felt like I couldn't for fear that people would throw eggs or dye-bombs at me. Now, fur is in style, and actually, designers are claiming it's eco-friendly. After all, it's recycling & reusing rather than buying new, disposable garments produced in sweatshops. I'm totally embracing this trend while it lasts.

MA: What are you looking forward to most during the holiday season?
CS: Every year once we're back in Toronto after visiting our families, my husband and I get up super early and go skating on the outdoor rink at City Hall. If you go early enough, the rink is empty, so you get it all to yourself (good for me since I use the term "skating" loosely for my walking-with-skates-on activity) before the tourists get there. Then we take a break and have hot chocolate that we bring in the snowman thermos my husband gave me one year for Christmas.

Special thanks to Chantel for answering our questions, even with lots of deadlines and an upcoming vacation to steal most of her focus recently. We also want to thank her for the sets of books she is giving away through our blog.

How to win "Stuck in Downward Dog" and "Love Struck":
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 if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: What is your favorite trend?
2. Please tell us: What are you looking forward to this holiday season?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends Sunday, November 28th at midnight EST.