Today’s guest: Darien Gee
Why we love her: We fell in love with her book, Friendship Bread, and plan to devour anything else she writes–ever.
Her latest: The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society
The scoop on it: Welcome to Avalon, Illinois, Pop. 4,243. At Madeline’s Tea Salon, the cozy hub of the Avalon community, local residents scrapbook their memories and make new ones. But across town, other Avalonians are struggling to free themselves of the past: Isabel Kidd is fixing up her ramshackle house while sorting through the complications of her late husband’s affair. Ava Catalina is mourning the love of her life and helping her young son grow up without his father. Local plumber Yvonne Tate is smart, beautiful, and new to Avalon, but finds that despite a decade of living life on her own terms, the past has a way of catching up—no matter where she goes. And Frances Latham, mother to a boisterous brood of boys, eagerly anticipates the arrival of a little girl from China—unprepared for the emotional roller coaster of foreign adoption.
Enter Bettie Shelton, the irascible founder of the Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society. Under Bettie’s guidance, even the most reluctant of Avalon’s residents come to terms with their past and make bold decisions about their future. But when the group receives unexpected news about their steadfast leader, they must pull together to create something truly memorable.
By turns humorous, wise, and deeply moving, The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society is a luminous reminder that the things we hold most dear will last a lifetime.
Our thoughts: A charming novel we couldn’t put down. We simply love the way she writes!
Giveaway: FIVE copies (US only). Just leave a comment & be entered to win. We’ll select the winners after 3pm PST on February 3rd.
Fun fact: You might also know Darien as Mia King, the author of more fabulous books!
Where you can read more about Darien: Facebook, Twitter , Pinterest and her website.
CHICK LIT IS NOT DEAD PRESENTS…DARIEN GEE’S 5 BEST EVERS
BEST SONG: Love Song by Sara Bareilles. I loved the song the first moment I heard it, but it was the video of her listening to her song playing on the radio for the first time (you can do a search on YouTube) that really did me in. I think she’s a great songwriter and artist.
BEST BOOK: She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb, which really taught me about great characters, great plot, great writing. It was a book that really spoke to readers, and it changed the way I viewed literary and commercial novels.
BEST MOVIE: Baby Boom starring Diane Keaton and written/directed by Nancy Meyer. I have a lot of respect for both of them, actress and writer. My novels, especially my Mia King work, follows in the same vein. I would follow Nancy Meyer to the ends of the earth (Something’s Gotta Give is another favorite).
BEST LIFE MOMENT: My third child was born at home. My first birth had been a Cesarean section, and there’s not a lot of respect for natural birth after a surgical birth. I’m also a chicken when it comes to pain and obviously there are no meds with a home birth. So this was a game changer for me on a lot of levels, the least of which was that I really learned to trust myself, my body and my own instincts.
BEST PIECE OF ADVICE: “Deciding what not to do is as important as deciding what to do.” Steve Jobs. I think this is especially great advice for women, who are consummate multi-taskers. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean that we should, and learning to deliberately choose where we put our time, energy and heart can make the difference between happiness and unhappiness, success and failure.
Thanks, Darien! xoxo, Liz & Lisa
Its on my to read list. Like the advice.
Sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance to win a copy!
I would love to read this charming novel that you couldn’t put down!
I was just looking at this book, and it intrigued me. I’ll have to check it out!
I’d love to win a copy!
Loved ‘Friendship Bread’ so I am super happy to know she has a new book out!
I am a scrapbooker and we used to scrapbook at a coffee shop, which is funny since this book is similar in that they scrapbook at a Tea Room. I think I would like this book. I like when books have a variety of characters that are all tied together somehow.
Sounds like a delightful book! Thank you for the chance to read it.
Sounds like a good read.
Wow, love her list – I agree with fav book and movies! great advice, too. Must check out Mia King – I haven’t read her :)
The cover is so pretty I knew I wanted to read this book immediately
Love her advice – can’t wait to read her book!
Love stories that are set in a small town…
Really enjoyed her 5 things :)
Good read for a wintry day? Thanks for the review and giveaway.
Wanted to read Friendship Bread so badly, thanks for the reminder! Just ordered it! Now I have this one to add to the “to-read” list in it’s place!!!
Wow. This book really sounds good. Also, I really enjoyed this interview! Thanks!
OMG I can’t wait to read this book!
Love the title and I love some of her fave choices!
This book sounds lovely! Definitely going to purchase Friendship Bread as well!
This sounds ust delightful – coming from a small Wisconsin town, this is right up my alley. Thanks for the opportunity! :)
I have my Kindle copy – I’m drooling for a hardcover copy!
love the advice….book sounds awesome!!!
sounds like a great read! Thanks!
*Winners will be announced on February 3rd, correct? :) Love Friendship Bread. Look forward to reading the book!
Loveed Friendship Bread and all of the books that Darian wrote as Mia King. I can’t wait to read this book!
Sounds like a wonderful book!
Sounds great! I love your #5!
Enjoyed reading your 5 best evers: especially your best movie. Book is on my TBR list!
I’ve read Friendship Bread. Enjoyed it. I would love to win her The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society book.
I love the advice! I need to act on that. The book looks great too, can’t wait to read it.
Oh….can’t wait to read this!!!
Congrats to Darien on the new book! I really enjoyed Friendship Bread and look forward to this one too!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Your book sounds wonderful!
Adding to the list!
I also like the song Love Song by Sara Bareilles. Have you heard her cover of Otis Redding’s Sitting by the Dock of the Bay? It’s fantastic!
Her best evers are awesome! The book sounds great!
Love… She Comes Undone.
This sounds like a sweet story.
This looks like a fun book to me. Thank you for the chance to win it.
I enjoy reading your blog.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
This book sounds really good…and I TOTALLY agree with her favorite book choice…She’s Come Undone is one of my absolute favorites of all time!!!
I have had friendship bread on my to read list and this sounds like another great book.
Funny that her favorite book is She’s Come Undone and her favorite movie is Baby Boom because those are two of my favorites too! Sounds like a good book :)
Books that focus on friendship are my faves (and I love Love Song too).
Sounds great. Count me in, please.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
It’s some good advice.
This sounds great!
Good advice
I love scrapbooking….have to read this! Thanks for the great giveaway
Jill at Seaside Book Nook
seasidebooknook at Yahoo
I just started scrapping again after taking some time off. I’ve been doing it seriously since 2000 and I love it. I’m so excited to read this book.
Have taken a break from scapping but this might be the push I need to start up again.
Nicole
Congrats to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]! Thanks to all who entered! xoxo
Darien Gee’s 5 BEST EVERS | Chick Lit Is Not Dead