Melissa Senate

The Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit proudly presents another great new book for you to check out!:

SO MUCH FOR MY HAPPY ENDING by Kyra Davis 

"Kyra Davis brings insight and energy to So Much For My Happy Ending…In April, Davis has created a narrator with a sensitive, honest, engaging voice." –-Boston Globe

Kyra Davis, the author of the very successful mystery series that includes SEX, MURDER AND A DOUBLE LATTE, was married to man diagnosed with a bipolar disorder. The symptoms were barely noticeable at first. But as the marriage wore on, her husband’s erratic behavior—his lies about his job, his extravagant spending sprees using her credit cards that almost resulted in her filing for bankruptcy, his fits of temper and other highly unsettling behavior—led to her divorce. In her latest book, SO MUCH FOR MY HAPPY ENDING—a departure from her light-hearted mystery series—Kyra Davis tackles the subject of mental illness. With her usual wit and humor, Kyra probes a very serious subject, and one that is close to her heart: What happens when the man you love and subsequently marry turns out to be someone entirely different from the man you dated? How do you recognize the difference between mental illness and the usual marital problems that afflict all couples? How could a man who was so romantic and loving turn out to be bipolar ? Kyra explores these questions as she chronicles the relationship between April and her soon-to-be husband, Tad, who is the man of her dreams: romantic, attentive and adoring who holds the promise of a normal, secure life. But on their honeymoon—Tad’s withdrawn behavior, his refusal to leave the hotel room, and other disturbing behavior—are cause for alarm. 

Check out Kyra's website: www.kyradavis.com and her blog: www.myspace.com/kyradavis

What I love about My Space: famous friends! Okay, I know these people who I admire are not really My Friends in real life, but they are in My Space world!: my beloved Hugh Laurie (actually, I think it's his Dr. House persona who is my friend); Jennifer Weiner; Sarah Dessen (if you have not read a Sarah Dessen novel, go buy That Summer to start with (I love all her books, but That Summer and Keeping The Moon are my favorites); Sarah McLachlan, whose songs saw me through a very bad time in my life, and yes, I admit it: Dr. McDreamy!

http://www.myspace.com/melissasenate

The GCC is the Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit, a talented group of authors who blog about newly published books you'll want to check out! I'm proud to introduce: 

MORE CONFESSIONS OF A HOLLYWOOD STARLET by Lola Douglas

 Just when Morgan Carter was falling in love with the simple life she'd built in Fort Wayne, Indiana, her true identity as an infamous Hollywood starlet was exposed. Now Morgan has a choice to make: return to her glamorous movie star existence–or stick with the wholesome life, and the new love, she's found in the Midwest. In this sequel to True Confessions of a Hollywood Starlet, Lola Douglas's heartfelt prose and headstrong heroine return to delight readers.                THE BLOG: http://loladouglas.livejournal.com THE WEB SITE: http://www.loladouglas.com WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING: "The continuing travails of 17-year-old Morgan … come across with delightful zing, yet address serious subjects. … Douglas manages the lightest of styles while delving into deep issues for adolescents. Fun, breezy entertainment with thoughtful undertones." –Kirkus Reviews 

So happy about this sweet review from PW!:

"Abby Foote, "Best Of" editor at Maine Life magazine, has a history of choosing the wrong guy. But when one of the latest in her list of disasters, Ted Puck, turns up murdered the day his engagement to someone else is announced, she becomes the prime suspect in this lighthearted romp from Senate (See Jane Date). To complicate matters, Benjamin Orr, the lead detective investigating the case, also happens to be the guy Abby had a major crush on during her high school years. When two other ex-boyfriends report attempts on their lives and even Abby's co-workers and family are suspicious, she begins her own investigation. Readers will cheer Abby every step of the way as she tries to clear her name and find her prince for whom the glass slipper will finally fit." –Publishers Weekly 

Happy Election Day!  

I received two emails from readers (both teens) this week asking me for a list of my favorite things, so here goes (in no particular order):

Favorite book of the year: Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (also loved The Last American Man). Just heard that Eat Pray Love will be made into a movie starring Julia Roberts, whose face I miss seeing, so wonderful news.

Favorite food: I would rather eat chana saag than anything else. And yes, there is good Indian food to be found in Maine! Second favorite is Mexican and third favorite would be the kind of spread you'd have at your grandmother's on a Saturday morning: bagels, lox, whitefish salad and butter cookies.

Favorite color: red

Favorite thing to do: play super hero with my 4 year old in the morning (we switch off from being super hero and monster) and read.

Favorite drink: Diet Coke w/lime

Favorite song: Right now it's the If I Lay Here song because I heard it first on Grey's Anatomy and it's always on the radio when I'm driving back home from droppiig Max off at preschool.

Favorite TV show: Am madly in love with Hugh Laurie so of course it's House, MD. I've also recently fallen for Grey's and Veronica Mars. Continue to love ANTM and all the Law & Order shows, but especially SVU. And who doesn't love Chris Meloni even more now that he's turned up on Noggin? I'm also a big fan of both What Not To Wear

Favorite kid's TV show: My new favorite and Max's: The Wild Thornberries, featuring the squeaky voice of Lacey C, young Party of Fiver.

Favorite movie of all time: Annie Hall

Recent favorite movie: Adored Little Miss Sunshine. I also rented Pieces of April the other day and loved it. Will always love Joey P. (I mean Katie).

Dog or cat: I have two black cats, Pierre and Blue, brothers I adopted as kittens five years ago. I've always had cats and have never had a dog, but I dream of adopting a black pug or a beagle.

Where I would live if I could live anywhere: I'd live 1/3 of the year in Rome, 1/3 in New York City, and 1/3 on a tropical island 

Do you miss New York City: All the time. But when I visit, I end up missing the serenity of Maine. In the two years I've lived here, I have yet to hear a car horn honk.

Have a great day!

The Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit consists of a great group of female authors who share info and news about new releases that you might enjoy. I'm proud to present:

 Bleed by Laurie Stolarz

 Ten teens, one unforgettable day.  Over the course of a single day, the lives of ten teenagers will intersect in powerful and unexpected ways.  Among them are Nicole, whose decision to betray her best friend will shock everyone, most of all herself; Kelly, who meets the convicted felon she’s been writing to for years; and Maria, whose definition of a true friend is someone who will cut her. Derik discovers his usual good looks and charm won’t help him get the girl he really wants, while Joy, a fifteen year old waitress, hoping for true intimacy, narrowly escapes a very dark fate. Seamlessly woven together, this collection of interconnected short stories paints an authentic portrait of today’s teen experience that is at once funny, moving, and often very haunting.  

What the Critics are Saying: “Stolarz expertly weaves a combination of stories the reader will remember for a long while.”  – Anne Keller, RandomReads “The reader is swept along in this masterful plotting of characters as their lives intertwine in most unexpected ways. Laurie Faria Stolarz has captured perfectly the angst and folly of the teenage world.” – Teenreads.com “…a funny, yet poignant book of interconnecting short stories in which the lives of 10 teenagers are seamlessly woven together….The author demonstrates the ability to identify with today’s teen experience…” – School Library Journal

About the Author: Laurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.  She is currently working on Project 17, the companion novel to Bleed, also for young adults.  To learn more about Laurie, please visit her website: www.lauriestolarz.com.

Four-year-old Max trick or treated himself a big bag of candy, took one tootsie-pop (of which he took 2 licks) and threw everything else away. Does not take after his mother in this aspect.