The Morning After

So ... last night was my book launch party and wow. It was everything I could have dreamed! I got there early with my husband and sister to set up, and what a thrill to see rows and rows of chairs and a rack with 100 copies of my book!



For the first hour, there was a meet and greet, where we had some wine and cheese and got to chat. I think close to a hundred people came. I did a little talk/reading, and then signed books. My burned finger was adequately bandaged and didn't even hurt.



Of course, I didn't keep track of how many I had signed, but figured we sold about 50. I was wrong.



So I think the good folks at Book Revue were pleased. My publisher, too. Me, I'll bask in the afterglow while I do laundry, tidy up the house and make the kids breakfast. And I'll try not stick any body parts into flesh-searing household appliances.

Meanwhile, a huge cyber hug to all the wonderful family and friends who came last night. Your love and support overwhelm me ...

Book launch tonight!

Friends! If you're in or around Huntington, Long Island this evening, I hope you'll join me for my gala book launch event at Book Revue. The store is open all day, of course, but my event opens to the public at 8 pm.

Fortunately, my very burned finger is healing nicely, so I'll be able to sign as many books as you want. Just don't mind the band-aid, okay?

Hope to see you tonight!

Directions to Book Revue

BITCH POSSE by Martha O'Connor

Today I'm thrilled to be doing my Hollywood blog on Martha O'Connor's dark and haunting The Bitch Posse. Here's Martha's fast pitch to our fictional producer:

Three high school seniors form The Bitch Posse and encounter various smalltime trouble. Eventually, they’re swept into a violent crime. Fifteen years later, one’s an alcoholic, one’s a sex addict and frustrated writer, and one’s in a mental hospital. What event in their past destroyed them? Can they ever recover?

Those characters sound intense. I think I'd love this movie. Here's what Martha has to say about casting it:

Casting this movie presents a challenge since the story exists in two timeframes fifteen years apart. The actresses would need to play both seventeen-year-olds and thirty-two-year olds. This rules out some younger actresses (Amanda Bynes) as well as some older ones (Winona Ryder) who I think would do well in some of the roles.


As Cherry Winters, the girls’ leader whose tough veneer masks a heartbreaking vulnerability, I would cast Lindsay Lohan. Lindsay has played the America’s sweetheart long enough, and she’s not fooling anyone. Now, it is time for her to show what she’s really made of and take a role where she can be the badass that she is.

For Rennie Taylor, the wide-eyed, vulnerable, and brainy beauty who falls into a relationship with her high school teacher, I would cast Christina Ricci. When you look at Christina, there’s a certain mystery behind her. She is absolutely mesmerizing. Also, she could pull off a role like Rennie’s which requires a tiny, girl-like build.


I think Rob Schafer, Rennie’s high school teacher, would be ideally cast as Sean Penn. That’s because Sean has that sinister sexuality which is irresistible. You could just imagine him in this Big Bad Wolf kind of a role. Also, he lives near me, so if he was in my movie, maybe I could take him to lunch and we could hang out.

Then there’s Puck, the young, vain “literati” author, much younger than the adult Rennie, with whom she embarks on a mad, cocaine-laced relationship. For Puck, I would cast Cody Linley. OK, he is only 17 and I would be accused of cradle-robbing. But, Rennie felt like she was cradle-robbing when she was sleeping with him, so it kind of fits. Besides, he would be 18 by the time the movie was filmed and so he’d be able to do the sex scenes.

I love the way Martha describes these characters, and am dying to read this book. Fortunately, it's in stores now. It's also available online. For more information, visit Martha's website at marthaoconnor.com.

A plug on The Tonight Show!

Did you see it? Lisa Kudrow plugged my book on Jay Leno last night!

She told Jay this adorable story about reading the audio book, saying it was the most challenging thing she ever did. (JAY: "Reading a book was the most challenging thing you ever did?") I was in shock so it's hard for me to remember precisely, but a friend tells me she used the words "funny" and "brilliant." Can anyone verify that?

She also mentioned we're cousins. If that comes as a surprise to anyone, it's because I've been shy about mentioning it. But it's true.

How cool is Lisa Kudrow? SHE MENTIONED MY BOOK ON THE TONIGHT SHOW!

EDITED TO ADD:
D'oh! I can't believe I missed the opportunity to put in a link for ordering the audiobook! There are like six versions of it, but the most popular one--the unabridged audio CD--is buried on Amazon and you really have to dig around for it. (I don't get this. Why do they list the abridged version and the very expensive unabridged library version, but not the one most people want?)
Anyway, here a link to the unabridged CD version.
Here's a link to the MP3 version.
It's also available on cassette.

Of course, the audiobook is available at your local bookstore as well as other online booksellers.

RELEASE DAY!

It's finally here! Nearly six years after I decided to write about the hopes, dreams, joys, heartaches and desires of three PTA women, Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA is at bookstores everywhere.

I'm a little too choked up to blog much now, but a couple of friends have taken the ball and run with it. The divine Patricia Parkinson interviews me for The Canadian Writers Collective, and my dear friend Myfanwy Collins is running a feature all week on her excellent blog.

Thank you friends and readers! I'll weep a bit now.

xo

EDITED TO ADD:
Okay, I need to talk a little bit about self-sabotage. Shortly after I posted the above, I was making my kids breakfast and stuck my hand into the toaster oven to extract some waffles, only I SMASHED my fingers into the heating element and got ghastly second degree burns. On my right hand. The hand I sign books with.

It's now 8 hours after the accident, and the agonizing pain is just starting to subside. Of course, the strong painkillers might have something to do with that.

I'm kind of hating myself right now. What an idiot. What a stupid, moronic, self-sabotaging idiot I am.

Okay, no more on this.

On a happier note, did you know that in addition to this being the release date of my book, it's also the release date of The Comeback on DVD? God, that show was AMAZING! I'm sorry it was too edgy to stay on the air, but I'm thrilled that I can buy the DVD and watch those excruciatingly hilarious episodes again. (I miss Valerie Cherish!) Anyway, here's a link for ordering..

I *heart* romance readers

I'm just back from the Romance Writers of America convention in Atlanta, where I got to meet scores of romance writers and readers. I hereby make this vow: If anyone has anything bad to say about these women, I will personally bitchslap them on the spot. These ladies are the warmest, friendliest, most supportive and enthusiastic group I have ever met. I had the pleasure of doing my first book signing at this convention, and what a way to get my feet wet! It was tremendous.

The only down side of the trip was that I flew AirTran. Ugh. If you can avoid this airline, do. If not, be prepared to spend an hour just checking your luggage, which you'll have to drag through this long, snaking line. And get this, when I departed from LaGuardia, I waited on this hot and horrible line to check my bags, and after I did, the guy hands them back to me! They don't even put them on a belt for you! You have to shlep all your luggage yourself to the X-ray area. Yikes.

Departing from Atlanta, the slow and ghastly line was outside, in the 100 degree heat. Of course, by the time I got home I was sticky and exhausted. But seeing hubby and the kids picked me right up. What a greeting I got! Maybe I should leave home more often ...

Anyway, I woke up this morning to this fab piece by Aileen Jacobson in Newsday:


Click the image to enlarge. But if you can't make out the text, here's what it says:

SEX, SCANDAL . . . PTA?

Six years ago, long before "Desperate Housewives" hit TV, Ellen Meister of Jericho looked around at other mothers at a PTA meeting and thought of her own lifelong dream of writing a novel. "I felt, none of these other women know I have this dream or any inner life at all. They only see me as a smiling PTA face. " That's when she decided, she says, that she'd dig beneath the surface of the carpool set for her first book. In "Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA," the prospect of a George Clooney film being shot at their school gets three moms hot and bothered. The sex and scandal are "figments of my imagination," says Meister, a mother of three using her maiden name for the book. She'll speak at 8 p.m. Thursday at Huntington's Book Revue, 631-271- 1442.

So, this is truly the home stretch for me, as my official release date is this Tuesday. And if that's not exciting enough, my darling friend Myfanwy is blogging about me all week. How incredibly generous is that? Here's a link: Myfanwy Collins.

ETA: Speaking of friends, a whole bunch of mine are featured in brand new anthology from Rebel Press. Here's the lineup:
Robin Slick • Susan DiPlacido • Tom Saunders • Steve Hansen • Katrina Denza • Myfawny Collins • Marcus Grimm • T.J. Forrester • Grant Jarrett • Matt St. Amand • Tripp Reade • Donald Capone
These are all incredibly gifted writers, so check it out. Click here to order.

We have a winnah!

Mr. Stan Crocker was the first to spot "Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA" in an actual bookstore. The good folks at the Books-A-Million in Raleigh, NC were understandably shy about having a picture snapped in their store, so Mr. Crocker got creative and went to the outskirts of the parking lot and set up the lovely shot you see above.

It's interesting to note that Books-A-Million has their copies and I don't have mine. I'm not complaining, just anxious. But if another week goes by, that could change.

Anyway, Stan will be receiving a copy of the audio version of "Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA," read by Lisa Kudrow. It may take a few weeks, Stan, as I ... uh... don't have my copies of that either.

Again, I'm not complaining. It's more important that the bookstores get the product, right?

In other news, this post comes to you from Atlanta, GA, where I'm attending the Romance Writers of America convention. I got in yesterday and, despite the fact that I'd been up since 3:30 a.m., managed to stay awake through one meeting and one party. It's been a blast, and I have to say I'm impressed with everyone I've met here.

My only complaint is that the hotel I'm staying in doesn't have coffee service in the room. What's up with that? A girl can't get a fresh cup of joe here before 6 a.m., and even then you have to go to the lobby for it. And you know what that means--putting on make-up before you've had your coffee. I'm sorry, but that's just uncivilized.

Anyway, thanks and congrats to Stan. More soon.

GOLDEN by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Here's another Hollywood entry on the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit Tour. Today I'm pleased to present Golden, by the talented Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Here's the tagline pitch to entice moviemakers:

Golden is about a teenage girl who uses her ability to see auras to navigate the complex social hierarchy at her new high school-- and to solve a sinister supernatural mystery that's haunting the hallways. Think 'Mean Girls' meets 'Charmed.'

I hope Hollywood is listening, because this sounds like a blockbuster to me. Here's who Jen would cast in the lead roles ...

As LISSY JAMES, reluctant new girl and even more reluctant seer: Amanda Bynes, Amber Tamblyn, Michelle Trachtenberg, or Kay Panabaker- vulnerability and an ability to do physical comedy and sarcasm are a must!






As LILAH COVINGTON, the hottest of the hot: Kristin Kreuk or Willa Holland- they have to be able to pull off quiet, but powerful, and say it all with one look.






As TRACY HILLARD, Lilah's sidekick: Alexz Johnson, Jamie Lynn Spears, or Lucy Hale- singing ability is a must!






As BROCK PHILLIPS, resident hottie, Chad Michael Murray or Jared Padalecki.

Once again, my elderliness is showing, as these beautiful young people are no where to be found on my radar screen. But I'm sure they're quite famous to everyone who got their driver's license post Y2K. Anyway, Golden sounds like a must-read for any young person coping with the social hierarchy of school--especially if they love a truly creative storyline. It's in stores now and makes a perfect summer read. For more information, visit Jen's website at jenniferlynnbarnes.com.

Amasizzle

Yo. Gizoogle dis ...

Secret Confessions of tha Applewood PTA: A Novel (Hardcova)
by Ellen Meista

Spot my book, win a prize!

Though the official release date of Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA is August 1, some bookstores may be receiving shipments before that date, and actually putting the book on the shelves. If you see the hardcover in a store and are the first to let me know, you'll win a free copy of the audiobook, either on CD or cassette (your choice).

Just drop me an email at ellen@ellenmeister.com, and let me know the name and location of the store, as well as the date and time you saw the book. A photo is helpful but certainly not necessary.

Hope to hear from you! I'm eager to give away an audio copy of the book, read by Lisa Kudrow!

"Reality Chick" by Lauren Barnholdt

Whether they admit it or not, almost every writer fantasizes about having his or her book turned into movie. So I thought it would be fun to ask my fellow Girlfriends Cyber Circuit authors to cast their books. First up is the smart and talented Lauren Barnholdt, whose new Young Adult book, Reality Chick, is in stores now.

Here's the book's tagline pitch:
What happens when a totally normal college freshman gets put on a reality TV show with a bunch of not-so-normal castmates?

Doesn't that sound perfect for teens? Here's how Lauren would cast the starring roles:

"Emily VanCamp, who plays Amy on Everwood, as Ally, my main character. I think she's really pretty without being too 'Hollywood' so she'd give Ally that normal feel. Plus I really loved her on Everwood."



"Chad Michael Murray as Corey, Ally's boyfriend. Do I really need to explain this one? He's H-O-T. Although not sure what to make of his new engagement news... Hmm..."






"Nick Lachey as Drew, Ally's castmate who she starts crushing on. Okay, okay, so he's too old to play a college freshman. But I love, love, love him."

I have to admit, I feel about a hundred years old, since I haven't heard of any of these people. But I'm sure they're hugely popular, and will get my blog tons of hits from people who have never heard of me, either.

Anyway, whether you're a teen who found this blog by search engine, or a regular visitor who knows some young readers, please check out Reality Chick by Lauren Barnholdt. It's in stores now. For more information visit Lauren's website, laurenbarnholdt.com.

Odds and Ends

Sorry I've been such a bad blogger lately. My schedule is berserk and I just haven't had the time. But I'm feeling guilty that people click in here and there's rarely something new, so here are some random thoughts ...

If you want to drive an author completely crazy, tell her you're sure you saw her book mentioned in People magazine ... or maybe Newsweek ... or something.

Lately, my kids are insane over this website called ClubPenguin.com. They're begging me to pay the annual fee, but so far I've held out, and they're doing lots of fun stuff there for free.

Hey, if Oprah can recommend products, so can I. Here's a haircare thing I can't live without, Bed Head Shine Junkie. It's getting harder and harder to find, and I've resorted to ordering it online. Yeah, it makes your hair super-shiny. But also, if you have color-damaged hair, it smoothes it out. Fantastic!

I hate Capri pants. I just HATE them. If you're a fashionable female, you probably have at least a few, and maybe they don't look bad on you. But for most people, they just make you look shorter and squatter. Ick. Who needs that? Certainly not this 5'4" woman.

My talented friend Mark Ebner, a New York Times bestselling author, says some nice things about me and my book on his Hollywood Interrupted site.

If you do a search on George Clooney at Barnes and Noble or Amazon, my book comes up. Cooool!

If you want to read an excerpt of Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA, click here.

File this under Another Reason It's So Hard to Age Gracefully. I exercise and diet and diet and exercise and I'm still ... not thin. The only women my age who stay really trim are either runners or smokers. Alas, I don't have the knees for running. As far as smoking, the only thing I fear more than being fat is being dead. Sucks.

As long as I'm whining, can I just tell you that I'm suffering from allergies that make my sinuses swell, and I'm in pain practically all the time? The medications help, but I hate the idea of taking decongestants, antihistimines, steroid nasal spray and painkillers every day. Hot wet compresses help, but not enough. I'm open to suggestions, friends.

If you want to get emails from me about events and other book-related news, sign up for my mailing list.

Did you know that you don't need a Blogger account to post a comment on this blog? It's true! Just click the word "comments," below. I'd love to hear from you.

Meet Joshilyn Jackson

"Meet" isn't exactly the right word, as you're probably familiar with this critically-acclaimed bestselling author of Gods in Alabama. Smart readers everywhere fell in love with her first book, and are already gobbling up her newest, Between, Georgia. Here's the summary:

Nonny Frett understands the meaning of the phrase "in between a rock and a hard place" better than any woman alive. She's got two mothers, "one deaf-blind and the other four baby steps from flat crazy." She's got two men: a husband who's easing out the back door; and a best friend, who's laying siege to her heart in the her front yard. And she has two families: the Fretts, who stole her and raised her right; and the Crabtrees, who lost her and won't forget how they were done wrong.

Now, in BETWEEN, GEORGIA, population 90, a feud is escalating, and random act of violence is about to ignite a stash of family secrets. Ironically, it might be just what the town needs ...if only Nonny weren't stuck in between.

And here's just a small taste of the accolades this extraordinary book is getting:

***Starred Kirkus Review***
"In her accomplished second novel, Jackson sweeps the reader away to where gravel crunches underfoot and the smell of corn bread wafts in the air. The plot is precise and sweet, and Jackson includes the perfect ingredients: quirky characters, a picturesque setting and ample surprises. Evocative and lovingly crafted."

***Starred Booklist***
"Jackson returns with a second quirky and touching novel about the South. Jackson has been compared to Fannie Flagg, and rightfully so; her characters are vivid and lovable, put in situations that are so hard to explain it's just easier to pass the book lovingly along to a friend. A climatic ending with perfect story resolution makes this book tidy and uplifting, and even the most cynical reader will surely smile as the back cover closes."

This is one of those books I want to own, and not just borrow from the library. I'm that confident I'm going to love it. So even though I haven't yet read it, I'm giving it a strong recommendation. You can buy Between, Georgia at your local chain or independent bookstore, or from any online bookseller. For more information, visit Joshilyn's website at joshilynjackson.com.

Lisa Kudrow gets an Emmy nom!

Today I was thrilled to learn that Lisa Kudrow got an Emmy nomination for her lead role in The Comeback. That show was hilarious yet chilling (in an exquisitely cringe-y sort of way), and Lisa's performance was perfect. Too bad America wasn't quite ready for such subtle and scathing humor. Like so many of the smartest TV comedies (Sports Night, Buffalo Bill, etc.), it got cancelled. I wonder if The Office will hang in there.

Anyway, congrats to Lisa. Well-deserved!

See other nominees here.

It's a BOOK!

It feels so much like giving birth I think I'm lactating. Anyway, here I am holding the actual book:



And that pink that used to bother me? At least I don't have to plan a Bris.

Meet Kyra Davis!

Today I'm excited to blog about Girlfriends Cyber Circuit author Kyra Davis, who follows up her successful "Sex, Murder And a Double Latte" with "Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights." It looks like one of those smart, funny, page-turners that booksellers will have to keep reordering. Go Kyra!

Here's the summary:
Sophie Katz has just offered a man $12,000 for his services…is she desperate or just meshugeneh?

Considering the kind of disasters that usually befall the half-black, half Jewish mystery writer, probably both. Because the last time Sophie saw sexy P.I. Anatoly Darinsky, he practically danced a jig when she waved goodbye-a normal reaction for a man who’d nearly bought the farm due to her misguided attempts at vigilante justice. What are the chances he’d agree to take incriminating pictures of her sister’s philandering husband? Or that he’d let her tag along-you know…for research?

But when her brother-in-law turns up dead and her sister becomes the prime suspect Sophie’s priority is finding the real killer. With or without Anatoly’s help. Her brother-in-law’s secret life yields plenty of suspects, but the San Francisco police aren’t taking any of them seriously. So Sophie does what comes naturally to her: she stirs up trouble (to lure the killer out, of course).

But if her crazy plan works will everybody survive the outcome?

And here's what critics are saying:

"…a high-octane hookup." --Cosmopolitan (Cosmo’s choice for July’s Red Hot Read)

"Davis's San Francisco-based saga will appeal not only to female readers but to any mystery fan who has an offbeat sense of humor. Davis effortlessly explores serious social issues -- racial discrimination, sexism, adultery, multiculturalism, etc. -- while keeping the mood light and laugh-out-loud funny. Additionally, the cornucopia of subtle symbolism throughout…is priceless. To borrow a line from the book: 'Fabulous, absolutely fabulous!'" --Barnes & Noble Ransom Notes Reviews

"Following hard on the red spike heels of 2005's Sex, Murder and a Double Latte, Davis's second whodunit delivers on the promise of the first...A cast of charming caricatures…round out a version of San Francisco in which racial politics are fun to play with and sex is steamier than frothed milk." --Publishers Weekly

"Davis spins a tale full of unexpected turns and fun humor." --Romantic Times

"…lively writing, action-packed plot and keen character development." --Santa Cruz Sentinel

“…the perfect summer read…Davis constructs some broad sweeping social commentary in this book…which is bundled up amongst-what else-murder, fashion and frappuccinos.” --The GoodTimes

You can buy "Passion, Betrayal and Killer Highlights" at your local chain or independent bookstore, or from an online bookseller. For more information, visit Kyra's website at kyradavis.com.

I just got an early copy of my book!!

WOO-HOO! The world's greatest UPS man just delivered one single early copy of my book!!! If you have a low tolerance for corniness, stop reading now. If you're still with me, don't say I didn't warn you.

Okay, here goes ... I now know what it's like to hold your dream in your hands.

Thanks for indulging me. Have a great (safe) 4th of July!

July Horoscopes

Once again, Astrology Zone does not disappoint. Here's a snippet from this month's Scorpio forecast:

I have been saving the very BEST news for you, and here it is! You may know that this is to be YOUR year to soar, but you may be wondering when your luck is really going to change. You might be thinking, "It doesn't really FEEL like my lucky year yet." Well, there's a good reason for that.

Jupiter, the planet of good fortune and happiness, has been orbiting in retrograde motion since last March as it moved through Scorpio. Now, Jupiter will resume strong and sure orbit on July 6. Wow!

Watch the days surrounding July 6 for VERY good news to develop! The more seeds you have planted over the past few months, the more opportunities will start to pop up now. You will absolutely see the tide start to turn in your favor. Jupiter will be with you until late November - lots of time to allow Jupiter to work its magic.

To read yours, click here.

Special thanks to the dedicated Susan Miller. May she have a full and speedy recovery!

Appearances!

Less than 5 weeks until the official release date of my first book. Do I feel ready? No I do not! (Kind of reminds me of the day I went into labor with my first child. In fact, I think I'm getting cramps at regular intervals.)

Anyway, ready or not, I've got some local stuff lined up. Here's an early peek at where I'll be appearing:

Thursday, August 3, 8pm
Book Revue
Huntington, NY

Friday, September 29, 8pm
Borders
Syosset, NY

Early October (date to be announced)
Collingswood Book Festival
Collingswood, NJ

I'll post more details on my website when it gets closer. Meanwhile, I'll keep practicing my Lamaze breathing.

Read Bonnie Glover!

What? You haven't read Bonnie Glover? Click over to my website immediately, where I feature one of her fine pieces on my Storyboard page. And then go buy her kickass book, The Middle Sister. You'll thank me! Bonnie is a wonder.

Meet Sara Rosett!

I always enjoying blogging for my fellow Girlfriends Cyber Circuit authors, but it's especially fun when I get to introduce you to a debut author. Sara Rosset's first book is a "mom lit mystery," and it sounds like a treasure. Here's the summary:

Air Force wife Ellie Avery is an ace at moving. A professional organizer, she plans ahead, packs efficiently, and even color-codes the boxes. But nothing in her bag of tricks could prepare her for the secrets that shadow her new neighborhood…secrets that drive one of her neighbors to murder.

Moving four times in five years has honed Ellie’s considerable skills. But moving with a newborn daughter and husband Mitch in tow, a record-breaking heat wave, and the realization that their dream neighborhood is known as Base Housing East is enough to make her turn to chocolate for comfort. Now half of their neighbors are with the 52nd Air Refueling Squadron. Forget privacy.

Forget peace of mind, too. Driving home from her first squadron barbecue, Ellie finds neighborhood environmental activist Cass Vincent dead on the side of the road. The police call it an accident—Cass, fatally allergic, was stung by wasps—but Ellie’s not so sure. And when it looks like Mitch’s best friend might be a suspect in the murder, Ellie starts snooping in earnest. What she finds shocks her—and when suspicious “accidents” start happening in her own backyard, Ellie realizes she’s getting closer to the killer…maybe too close!

Doesn't that sound like a great read? Here's what critics are saying:

"Mayhem, murder, and the military! Sara Rosett's debut crackles with intrigue. Set in a very realistic community of military spouses, Moving is Murder, keeps you turning pages through intricate plot twists and turns. Rosett is an author to watch." --Alesia Holliday

"Packed with helpful moving tips, Rosett’s cute cozy debut introduces perky Ellie Avery…an appealing heroine, an intriguing insider peek into Air Force life." --Publishers Weekly

"A cozy debut that'll help you get organized and provide entertainment in your newfound spare time." --Kirkus Reviews

"Readers will salute Sara Rosett's fine mystery that sheds light on military life with the hopes that more such tales starring Ellie and her neighbors come soon." --Harriet Klausner, FAMM

To buy "Moving is Murder," visit your local chain or independent bookstore, or purchase online. For more information, visit Sara's website, sararosett.com.

Sign on my local library today:

Bummer. I was planning on doing some work there today, but as I arrived the custodian was putting up that sign. I asked what the building emergency was, and he explained that they had found a snake in the nonfiction section. I was stunned. I had no idea Ann Coulter even did public library appearances.

Tuesday Night Book Club

Last night, CBS unveiled its new reality show, Tuesday Night Book Club. The concept is that the camera follows around a bunch of gorgeous, wealthy women to see what happens to them between their Tuesday night book club meetings. I think it's supposed to be a cross between Desperate Housewives, The Real Housewives of Orange County and ... er... Charlie Rose. Since they never got around to discussing or, for that matter, reading the book, it failed most of all in its literary aspirations. But I think we're supposed to like that. The idea, I believe, is for us to feel superior because we actually read, whereas they merely have lots of money, cool cars, hotel-sized homes, hot bodies and spectacular clothes.

Anyway, the book they were supposed to read was Jennifer Weiner's Good in Bed, which was a good choice for them. Too bad they didn't read it, because I think they might have liked it. It's got a lot of humor, an engaging plot, a good dose of pathos, and is fun read all around. If I was picking the book list for these gals, that one would have been on it.

Which brings me to the point of this post. I think all 8 episodes for this season are already in the can, but if this show gets renewed, I'd like to offer the producers my own list of books these gals can read. Even though these women seem more interested in discussing their sex lives than literature, it's an earnest list; I really think they'd like these books if they actually committed themselves to reading. Here goes:

1. The True and Outstanding Adventures of the Hunt Sisters by Elisabeth Robinson
This book has everything--a sister story, Hollywood glitz, relationship angst, outstanding writing and enough humor and pathos to make you seem like a lunatic to anyone watching you read. God, did I laugh and cry from this one! I think I scared the children.

2. Lily White by Susan Isaacs
An oldie but a goodie. Everyone should read this Susan Isaacs classic, which Publishers Weekly describes as "Marjorie Morningstar meets Nancy Drew."

3. Good Grief by Lolly Winston
Being widowed at a young age isn't funny, but this tender, hilarious book manages to pull it off like magic. It's just one of those books you devour because every page is a delight. (See? I told you this was an earnest list!)

4. The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman
This book is so smart and so funny and so perceptive, I challenge anyone to read it and not become an immediate Elinor Lipman fanatic.

5. A Widow for One Year by John Irving
I had to put at least one book by a male author on this list, and thought hard about which one to include. It was between this and She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, another lush, gorgeous novel. I know I have a bias here, as nearly character in this book is a writer, but it deals with such intense emotional issues that I just have to believe it would strike a chord with these women. Another book that's got everything--murder, intrigue, marriage, infidelity, death, love, sex, belly laughs, etc. etc.

6. The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank
Is is possible not to love Melissa Bank's brilliant, funny and honest voice? This book slayed me. Like Elinor Lipman, she's a great example of a smart writer who can deliver lit fic with commercial appeal.

7. Angels by Marian Keyes
This is the only one I'm recommending that could qualify as genuine chick lit, but damn is it good! Great plot, well-developed characters and deep, hearty, well-earned laughs.

8. Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA by Ellen Meister
Ha! You didn't really think I'd leave off my own book out of some misguided sense of modesty, did you? Besides, I really do think they might like it. So c'mon, CBS. What do you say?

Meet Deborah LeBlanc!

Oh, man! This book looks scary, creepy, goosefleshy GOOD! With several critically acclaimed novels already under her belt, Girlfriends Cyber Circuit author Deborah LeBlanc is making a hit with her newest book, A House Divided. Here's the synopsis:

Keith Lafleur thinks he's cut the deal of a lifetime. The huge old, two-story house is his for the taking as long as he can move it to a new location. It's too big to move as is, but Lafleur's solution is simple: cut it in half. He has no idea, though, that by splitting the house he'll be dividing a family, a family long dead, a family that still exists in the house . . .

Angelica Batiste is a young, mentally challenged woman with a unique gift. Her mind, no more advanced than a ten-year-old child's, sees things before they happen. Not only does she see them, she draws them with extraordinary perfection.

When Angelica moves into part of an old, two-story house with her cousin and a friend, her gift suddenly turns into a terrifying power she can not control. The house feeds it. The house needs it. And only death can make it stop.

Want even more of a taste? Click here to sample Deborah's chilling trailer.

Here's what the critics are saying:

"Equal parts Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Rice and Stephen King -- with a generous helping of jambalaya and crawfish pie -- Louisiana born and bred horror maven Deborah LeBlanc's newest novel is a supernatural thriller ... With just three novels under her belt (Family Inheritance, Grave Intent and A House Divided), LeBlanc has already amassed a huge cult following. Gruesome, creepy and chock full of jaw-dropping plot twists, LeBlanc's newest is, above all else, wildly entertaining." --Paul Goat Allen

"Magnificent!" --Louisiana Libraries Magazine

"LeBlanc's prose is a flying leap into the labyrinth of madness. Her images are unforgettable." --CelebrityCafe.com

"Riveting." --Publishers Weekly

A House Divided can be purchased online, or at your local chain or independent bookstore. For more information, visit Deborah's website at deborahleblanc.com.

It's baa-aack!

Friends, Movable Type almost gave me a nervous breakdown, so here I am back at Blogger. I'm staying here for the foreseeable future, I promise!

ellenmeister.com has launched

After months of working with the wonderful Michael Borum of Etherweave, my website is live online. The door is always open, so stop in any time for a cup of coffee ... or just to have a look around:
ellenmeister.com

Heard any good books lately?

I just googled my book title (shut up) and was happy to discover that my audio publisher, Brilliance, has a sample on their site. This was the first time I got to hear any of it, and I can tell even from this small clip that Lisa Kudrow does an amazing job. I'm so grateful! Here's a link:
Listen to Lisa Kudrow reading from Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA.

Your June Horoscope

Courtesy of Astrology Zone.

My next book?

I'm kidding. But that really is a picture of me and my parents. My very talented friend, Don Capone, did that as a gag. But it's so good you could almost believe I've led an interesting enough life to write a book about it.

Meet Shanna Swendson!

Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit author Shanna Swendson is gaining legions of fans as a premier writer of paranormal romance. In ONCE UPON STILETTOS, a follow-up to her popular ENCHANTED, INC., Katie, a Texan-turned-Manhattanite who's immune to magic, works as an executive assistant at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc. She's a wiz at spotting the deceptive enchantments and spell-laced documents that make business go a little too smoothly for MSI's competitors and contractors. If only she could avoid falling under the spell of Owen, a hunky wizard who also happens to be her co-worker. Owen, however, is too preoccupied with an alarming security breach to notice. Someone has broken into his office and disturbed top-secret files, and it reeks of an inside job. CEO Merlin (yes, the Merlin) taps Katie and her special ability to uncover the magical mole.

Keeping her feelings in check while sleuthing alongside Owen, Katie is shocked to discover that her immunity to magic is waning, putting her in grave danger. Soon she's surrendering to the charms and enchantments of everyone and everything around her, including a killer pair of red stilettos. Katie must now conjure up her instincts to get to the bottom of the break-in, regain her power, and win the wizard of her dreams.

Here's what the critics are saying:

"Swendson offers a fresh spin on a genre in this exceptional Manhattan fairy tale." -- RT Bookclub

"ONCE UPON STILETTOS is not to be missed if you're in the mood for a fast and funny read where chick-lit meets urban fantasy." -- Mary Jo Putney, author of A Kiss of Fate

"Swendson's smart, snappy novel will delight fans that loved the first installment, and win over new readers, too." -- Booklist

To purchase ONCE UPON STILETTOS, order online or visit your local chain or independent bookstore. For easy ordering links, visit this page of Shanna's website, shannaswendson.com.

New blog title

I just changed the name of this blog, as I wanted something that would complement my soon-to-launched website, which I'm calling El's Kitchen. Not sure I'm going to keep Side Dish. For now, I'm just trying it on to see if I like it. So far it's my favorite of all the food/kitchen/eating-rated ideas I've come up with. The ones it beat out include the too-cliche What's Cooking and The Main Course, the nearly pornographic Hot Dish, nonsequiturs like Melted Cheese, Spicerack, Scrambled Eggs, Tossed Salad, and Coffee and Cake, and a few that just seemed too anemic, like Fresh Ideas and Table Talk.

Feel free to share your opinions--good, bad or indifferent. Of course, I'll send up a flare when ellenmeister.com is up and running.