Do you ever wonder what it'll be like when you get "The Call"? (Notice I didn't say "if you get "The Call." Positive energy, folks!) Do you wonder what you'll be doing, how you'll feel? What about when your book shows up on the shelves of your local bookstore? We can imagine, but do we really know what we'll feel like?
Well, I don't have a book and haven't gotten "The Call," but I was in my local bookstore yesterday and experienced the next-best-thing to seeing my book on the shelf.
Jenny Gardiner's, my friend and fellow American Title-III Finalist-and winner-book, Sleeping With Ward Cleaver, stared out at me from the top shelf at my local Barnes & Noble. (Sorry, Borders, but I was in there on Saturday and you didn't have it.)
Face out, her name across the bottom, the "star" proclaiming "American Title III Winner" in yellow, like we'd seen at last year's Romantic Times Convention in Houston when the cover had been unveiled, there was Jenny's book.
And, for the grace of a few thousand emailed votes, it could have been mine.
But you know what? It didn't matter. Because Jenny and I, and eight others, lived that contest together, from getting the request for the full manuscript the previous June, to the email in September that we were finalists, to forming our chat loop that is still active a year and a half later, to the first round of judging and the intense promotion.
And, by virtue of her win, no one did more promotion than Jenny.
And for good reason. Sleeping With Ward Cleaver is a wry, sarcastic, humorous look at what happens after Happily Ever After. When daily life takes over the romantic sighs and petal-strewn beds and soft looks of a new love. When reality intrudes its need-tos and have-tos over want-tos:
SLEEPING WITH WARD CLEAVER, Dorchester, 2008. The funny yet poignant story of a woman at a crossroads in life, who years earlier married a man who swept her off her feet, but now finds that her Mr. Right has evolved into Mr. Always Right, and the only sweeping going on in her life involves a broom and a dustpan. As her dreams collide with reality and the one that got away shows up trying to worm his way back into her heart, she must decide if her once charmed marriage is salvageable, and if so, how she's going to go about saving it.
Check out what these reviewers had to say, including cover quote author, Meg Cabot:
A fun, sassy read! A cross between Erma Bombeck and Candace Bushnell, reading Jenny Gardiner is like sinking your teeth into a big frosted chocolate cupcake...you just want more.
-author Meg Cabot
REVIEWER TOP PICK AND LIFETIME KEEPER! Jenny Gardiner brings to life Claire Doolittle with such vibrancy that I feel I know her. With her sharp wit and hilarious descriptions, Ms. Gardiner has a delightful voice that left me wanting more.
Vee, Night Owl Romance
"The "Bridget Jones Diary" for all married and harried mommies! And perhaps a good gift to give to our younger and single girlfriends-it's a gentle and humorous way to give them a glimpse of what's to come . . . Sleeping With Ward Cleaver (is) the perfect romantic comedy for a 30-something Mommy, who still wants to be a sexy and sassy gal, despite the spit up encrusted on all of her clothing. I can only hope Rob Reiner and friends, will put this sassy book on the big screen!"
Mama Lit
Ms. Gardiner shares a heartfelt and witty tale packed with the trials and joy that comes with being in love. Compelling and wonderfully realistic, Sleeping With Ward Cleaver will keep readers laughing while they cheer Claire on to happiness.
Kimberly Swan, Reader to Reader
In this "woman's fiction," debut novelist Jenny Gardiner achieves the difficult, if not impossible, task of creating sexual and romantic tension between characters who have been married more than a few years. And they said it couldn't be done. The risk with writing about a married couple is how to sustain the conflict without getting shrill or soapy. Gardiner pulls it off. I wanted to see Jack and Claire fight for their marriage and their romance.
Armchair Interviews says: Sleeping with Ward Cleaver is a clever and engaging romance with humor and heart.
Carrie Padgett, Armchair Interviews
I can tell you that Jenny hits it on all points: humor, poignancy, reality and what all Romance readers look for, that happy ending.
Of course, my favorite part is pages two and three of the acknowledgement at the beginning: "(to) Judi Fennell-a really fun fellow Penn Stater who let slip her alumni chapter support;" and:
"Lastly, it's been an added bonus to have forged friendships with my fellow American Title contestants, who all have shown great class and character: Kate, Judi, Kim, Raz, Linda, Cathy, Sally, Lindsey and Meretta: no doubt soon to appear in print as well."
For a fun read, check out Sleeping With Ward Cleaver at the following links as well as Jenny's website and blog:
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 71
I like happy endings.
Thanks
Well done, Judi. I can't wait to see books by my writer friends at the bookstores.
Hope you guys enjoy the book!
You'll sell, too. Writers write. I think you dropped by the thread when I wrote an article of encouragement for one disheartened author (I didn't name the author, kept it anonymous). If not, your take on that would be great. If you want the link, let me know.
What was great about that thread were the examples of VERY famous writers who were rejected first, time and again.
And yours as well. When that time comes, I'm planning on a whole day in the book store just standing there and saying, "I bought her a drink in Sausalito" to everyone who walks by.
You'll sell a book soon. Don't give up!
A few of my on-line critique friends sold books in the last months and I'm glad for them. Now. After the envy faded, that is. :)
BTW - you must be losing your "touch." 35 votes and the lowest one is a 9? Where are your DB1's??? LOL
cheers,gayle
thanks for your support!
Like everyone else I'd like to echo that we expect good news from you soon. I can almost smell the phone ringing :)
Toes crossed while maniacally twirling my Trolls hair- for you.
And thanks to Judi for tootin' her friend's horn. How cool is that?! =:o)
You make it sound like a winner - with a friend like you, Jenny is a double WINNER!
Very nice job
and
I believe others are correct above when they say
YOU WILL BE NEXT!
Justice DOES come through sometimes and for you I'm sure it will.
.
My late Uncle Sydney had a garage sale every year, & I was his main assistant, so sold everything from clothes to car parts to vacuum cleaners.
I loved it.
Blessings always...