Thursday, June 5, 2008

Olivia Parker Visits the Lair!

by Anna Campbell

It is with great pleasure that I introduce to the lair the fabulous new Avon author Olivia Parker. Her debut book AT THE BRIDE HUNT BALL is out this month and is garnering some great reviews.

Olivia, welcome to the lair! Pull up a chair. We’ll get you a margarita and a cabana boy, not necessarily in that order. Congratulations on the release of AT THE BRIDE HUNT BALL. This Regency take on The Bachelor sounds like such a hoot. Can you tell us about the story?

Ah . . . I'll have one rasberry margarita, jumbo please, and one cabana boy (man) with a jumbo . . . umbrella--I freckle. Seriously though, let me tell you what a thrill it is to be here. Thank you for inviting me to visit the super-talented Romance Bandits!

My story is a light-hearted romp about an arrogant duke who shocks society by claiming he will not marry. He decides instead to find a bride for his fickle younger brother by hand-picking seven suitable ladies and ensconcing them in his castle where one will be picked for the esteemed position at the end of a fortnight. My heroine, Madelyn, is the only young woman in England who doesn't wish to attend. Alas, in trying to avoid the younger brother, she ends up putting herself directly in the path of the duke.

Can you tell us about your writing journey? This question is also known as “How did a nice girl like you end up in a joint like this?”

My writing journey was a surprise. In 2005 I entered the Beau Monde's Royal Ascot contest with the first chapter of my debut book. As I was just looking for feedback, you can imagine my utter shock when I finaled. About a month later, I got a call from the coordinator of the contest telling me that the final judge placed my chapter first and asked to see the full. You could have knocked me over with a feather.

Congratulations! In the lair, we love, love, love call stories. Can you please tell us yours?

I love call stories, too! It was a brisk October afternoon and I was just on my way out the door to pick up my daughter from school when the phone rang. The caller ID said, 'New York Call', and of course, I thought it was a solicitor and contemplated not answering for a half second. I'm super glad I did. Although, I must point out that my brain stopped functioning properly after I realized who was on the other end of the line. Once I made it to the kitchen, I mouthed, "It's Avon," to my mother, then promptly slumped to the floor.

What’s coming up next from Olivia Parker?

Right now, I'm working on another light-hearted tale involving two secondary characters from my debut book.

Are you a plotter or a pantser? Where do you find your inspiration?

Definitely, a panster through and through. I like to feel my way through a story and I read through it over and over as I'm writing, tweaking as I go along. However, being a panster, it isn't so practical when one's on deadline.

As for inspiration . . . anywhere and everywhere. I got the name for a secondary character while staring off into space at the grocery store. In fact, I believe he's named after a brand of croutons.

LOL on the croutons. Can you give us a peek into your working day?

I write the fastest in the morning and evenings, though it's not always possible with three children. And, I should add, one of those children is a VERY active three-year old boy. Future scoundrel, I fear. Blond hair, dark-blue eyes, possessive, bossy, and calls any pretty girl in sight his "honey-honey". Where in the world did he learn that?

He definitely sounds like a romance hero in the making! The public’s fascination with the Regency shows no sign of waning, especially in Romancelandia. Why do you think this short period in English history exercises such a hold on the public imagination?

Because Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy is HOTTT! All right, while he certainly is, he shouldn't be given all the credit. I feel it's a number of factors, really. Some readers love the fashion, poetry, style, and architecture of the period and want to immerse themselves further. And without question, Jane Austen's works churn out Regency enthusiasts with each new generation who discover her either through books or movie adaptations.

Yes, I think Colin in the wet shirt was a boon to all Regency writers! Do you have any favorite Regency romances?

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE is the ultimate for me. I've read it over and over, savoring every perfect word and enjoying falling in love with the Bennets (and Mr. Darcy, of course) all over again.

Tell us five quirky/unusual facts about Olivia Parker!

1. I can recite the entire dialogue and narration of the movies The Princess Bride, and Willow, though I'm a bit rusty now.

2. I'm terribly claustrophobic.

3. I simply MUST sleep with some sort of light on. A lamp, a nightlight, the TV, a candle, a man standing in the corner holding a torch . . . anything!

4. Spiders make me gag. Literally.

5. I'm incredibly shy and when pressed to talk in any social situation, I'm quite adept at uttering the most unintelligent, bizarre string of words in existence.

Olivia, do you have a question for our visitors to get the conversation going?

Madelyn Haywood, my heroine, suffers from a string of events that some might call downright embarrassing, but for her it's rather commonplace. Unfortunately, I share this aspect of her character. Funny thing about embarassing moments is that after the intitial mortification wears off, retelling the events to friends often makes for some hilarious stories. Would anyone like to share?

Olivia has very kindly offered one lucky commenter to today's blog a signed copy of her debut release AT THE BRIDE HUNT BALL! Good luck, everyone!

129 comments:

Fedora said...

Welcome, Olivia!!

Fedora said...

Ooh, Olivia, thank you for taking the time to give such a great interview! I'm intrigued to read more about Madelyn and this high-handed duke :) And kudos on writing at all, much less doing so with three spirited children also requiring attention!

I'm sure I've many mortifying stories, all of which I'm completely blocking... which must be while I'm so completely unhilarious ;)

Enjoy the cabana boys and their sizeable... umbrellas :)

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Fedora, one chook coming your way! It's a while since he visited, isn't it? And for a while there, I thought it was true love!

Yes, I do so love a cabana boy with a sizeable umbrella! Snork!

Andrea who often visits us here in the lair gave ATBHB a fantastic review on Romance Novel TV:

http://www.romancenovel.tv/wordpress/2008/06/02/book-review-at-the-bride-hunt-ball-by-olivia-parker/#comment-3424

cheryl c said...

Congrats on the new book! It sounds like a really FUN read! I enjoyed reading your blog...especially the picture of Colin Firth! Thank you for that! ;)

Anna Campbell said...

Cheri, I thought the CF photo might garner a few smiles ;-)

By the way, I noticed my link to RNTV didn't come out right. Just go to:

http://www.romancenovel.tv

Click on blogs, then it's about the third article down. You can't miss it! Or there's a link from the home page if you just scroll down a few paragraphs.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hi Olivia - Welcome to the lair. Love that cover as well as your premise.

I have many, many embarrassing stories, but not to many that I'll publish for the world to see. Let's just say it sounds like I have a lot in common with your heroine and leave it at that *g*.

Congrats fichen1 on the rooster. Now that's one teleporting bird.

Minna said...

I don't think I'll publish the few embarrassing stories I can remember. All the rest I have blocked completely...

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, girls! You're all wimping out on the embarrassing story front. Perhaps Olivia should start us off with one of hers LOL!

Donna, how's the head after yesterday's exertions? I had to do a lot of cleaning up in the lair before we were ready for a guest. And who owns the scarlet g-string?

Minna, great to see you!

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Welcome Olivia!

ATBHB sounds wonderful! Alas, I now require a high-rise crane to add more books to my TBR tower.

Congrats on the GR, Fedora! He should be nice and rested after his day lounging at Jennifer's yesterday. Let your kiddoes give him a run for his cluck today. :-)

Aunty has paid off all the cabana boys and gladiators to not reveal any embarrassing moments during the last 2 book launch bashes here in the Lair. And that is most decidedly NOT my g-string!

AC

pjpuppymom said...

Welcome, Olivia! We have some avid Bachelor fans over at RNTV (myself included) and Andrea's review (posted June 2) of your book has us all anxious to read it.

How do you plan to celebrate your debut release?

Jane said...

Hi Olivia,
Congrats on your debut novel. I love the cover. Are you a fan of "The Bachelor?" I've also tried to block out all of my embarrassing moments. It's not cute when I turn red.

Unknown said...

Hello Olivia. Great interview--spiders make me gag too! Oh god, it's been over four years and the mortification of my most embarrassing moment still hasn't worn off. It's fun to hear about other's embarrassing moments, though. Can't wait to read Madelyn's :)

Christine Wells said...

Hi Olivia, welcome to the Lair and congratulations on your new release! Thanks for the fun interview, Foanna. I haven't read a good Regency romp for ages, so I'm looking forward to your debut, Olivia.

Now, Fo, I see you slithering out of naming an embarrassing moment, too. Maybe if YOU go first others will follow. How about that time... ah but you have dirt on me, so I won't finish that sentence;)

OK, I'll play. One of my many embarrassing moments happened when I was working and I thought my secretary said my boyfriend Jamie was on the phone, when in fact the caller was Jenny, a rather difficult client. She was a little surprised at the greeting she received, I can tell you!

Fedora, congrats on the GR! I think he'll need a debriefing now he's escaped P226's clutches.

Eva S said...

Welcome,Olivia!

Congrats on the release, one more great Regency to my shelf (although it's nearly breaking already, but there is always room for more!)I love arrogant dukes...

Please Anna, send here some margaritas and a cabana boy too, our weather is perfect for some outdoor reading...

Annie West said...

Hi Olivia,

I thoroughly enjoyed your interview, thanks. Still giggling over the crouton character. Next time I'm seeking inspiration I'll go to the supermarket. Who knows what I'll come up with?

Must just add I'm a little jealous. I've never been offered a drink here, much less a cabana boy!

More seriously I have to say your book's premise struck a chord with me. I'd love to read it. I'm wondering if it will hit the stores in Oz.

Christine - loved your embarrassing moment. Trying to think of one of mine that's short but none's coming to mind. Generally putting my foot in it is my style.

Annie

Amy Andrews said...

Hi Olivia - your book sounds great and your hair is gorgeous and you made it with your first ms!!! You are oviously a very talented woman. Green with envy here. For those Aussie's here - don't you think Olivia looks like Elle MeFeast???
Anyway - I'll play embarassing moments with Christine.
I once sent an email to a friend bitching about an awful title I'd just received and (you guessed it) sent it to my ed accidentally instead....
Oops!

Natalie Hatch said...

Thanks Olivia for your post. My story is this: One day, when I was just filling out as a 19yr old I was walking around the shopping centre. Many men were giving me the eye and I thought I was all that and more. Finally after being an ugly duckling for soooo long men thought I was hot! Hoooray for me. So I strutted my stuff around for about ten minutes until a friend saw me, rushed up behind me and pulled my skirt from my knickers!!! Yes I'd been to the toilet earlier, wearing stockings and luckily fairly new knickers (if it had of been the holey oldies I would have truly died). So I realised I wasn't really all that hot at the time and proceeded to quickly exit the shops via the nearest exit. To make matters worse my boyfriend at the time was a local journalist who put the whole incident into the paper as part of their 'funny stories' section.
Ahhhh, my past is littered with such wonderful tales. That's the first that comes to mind though. Won't tell you about my Manpower + wisdom teeth extraction story just yet.

Helen said...

Congrats flchen on the GR

Great interview Olivia and Anna I am so looking forward to reading this book I ordered it about 10 days ago and I am really hoping it will be on my doorstep tomorrow so as I can read it this weekend.

Embarassing moments don't we all have them don't you hate it when your mind goes blank one that comes to mind was years ago when my children were young I minded my girlfriends children for her and we all went to playgroup it was a very hectic day that day and I wasn't well so I decided to leave early I gathered my two children got them out to the car and drove home when we got their my daughter Brooke said Mum where is Ian shock horror I had left him there I quickley turned the car around and went back and got him he was happily playing with the other children it is only a 5min drive from home. I was so embarassed but we have laughed often about over the years Ian and his Mum Anne as well. He and my daughter Brooke were about three years old at the time. I really felt horrible after that.

Have Fun
Helen

Margay Leah Justice said...

Olivia, congratulations! Best of luck with the book. I've already come across it in my various journeys through cyberspace and I must say, it already caught my eye as something I would like to read. I, too, love Pride and Prejudice, but I am a bit more partial toward the Keira Knightley version. I watch it with my daughter a lot and we just crack up - it is so full of wit! Absolutely love Princess Bride (Willow's good, too). That has to rank up there as one of my all-time favorites. Again, best of luck with the book.

Anna Campbell said...

Amy, what a great embarrassing story. So easy to do! Yes, Olivia has gorgeous hair! But then you do too. I must say I love her name - the heroine of Tempt the Devil is called Olivia.

Natalie, we want the Manpower Story or you're never leaving the lair and will be tortured by cabana boys forever! Hmm, that doesn't actually sound that bad now I re-read it. Great embarrassing story!

Anna Campbell said...

Christine, that was a cute embarrassing moment. Perhaps you'll win the prize!

Eva, are you having nice weather in Finland today? Although our cabana boys come equipped with HUGE...umbrellas.

Annie, Avon books are generally pretty easy to get here, even the US ones. So with a bit of luck you should pick ATBHB up at your local Borders. You've visited twice. I'm sure the cabana boys can't have hidden from you BOTH times. Hmm, well...

Anna Campbell said...

AC, you mean that's NOT your g-string? Could it belong to Demetrius?

PJ, it's a great review, isn't it?

Jane, another wimp with embarrassing moments! ;-)

And Stephanie, you're just teasing us with that tag line about your embarrassing moment! Now we REALLY want to know what it is!

Anna Campbell said...

Sorry for the deleted comments. Blogger decided I was lovely Jo instead of scary Anna!

Goodness, Helen, that was almost like Home Alone! How funny! This book sounds right up your alley, by the way.

Margay, I love Willow too. I think Val Kilmer's really hot in it and I love the romance. Actually much more than I like the main plot - no wonder I'm a romance writer. And I like the Keira Knightley P&P too. I thought Matthew M made a lovely Mr. Darcy. And I love the scene in the morning mist at the end. A real awwwwww moment!

Gillian Layne said...

Olivia, I'm really looking forward to your book. I think the title is excellent! And I'm all for humor in historicals.

After my third daughter was born, my second daughter was three and we had a serious discussion one day about "no hitting" concerning her older sister (the first two were born close together and going through a scrapping period). Anyway, we were at the local Wal-mart--horribly crowded of course--and the baby starts crying. I start to pick her up out of the baby seat when my three year old starts chanting "We don't hit people, Mama, we don't hit people" at the top of her little sing-song lungs.

At that point I was just praying the baby would scream loud enough to drown her out. :)

Gillian Layne said...

Oh, and we are rabid Princess Bride and Willow fans as well. :)

Margay Leah Justice said...

Me, too, Anna! I also think the bit where they are deciding what he should call her - interspersed with kisses - is just classic and beautifully played out. And the way are drawn to, then repulsed by, and then drawn back to each other is well played out. I think this story serves as a classic example of a story where you eagerly forge ahead because you want to see them come together and you are captivated by the tension between them and the whole will they/won't they question. It is a resolution that is satisfying in its sweetness and its simplicity.

Margay Leah Justice said...

Gillian, my daughter had a teacher this year who is a rabid Princess Bride fan and every time she was out, she would leave the tape for the substitute teacher to show to the class. Well, this teacher is leaving in a couple of weeks because her husband is going to Johns Hopkins (he's a doctor) and the other day, my daughter came home and told me that the teacher was packing her personal things away - my daughter was very sad when she put The Princess Bride into the box.

Buffie said...

Hey there Olivia!!! I am so excited you are here today. I have say that I have been hearing some wonderful things about your debut release.

PJ is right about the Bachelor fans over at RNTV. I think she and I could talk about that show all day long. And when Andrea wrote that in her review, I said to myself I have to find this book. So today I am hauling my boys with me in search of your book. Have you ever watched The Bachelor? Are you watching the Bachelorette this seaon?

As far as embarrassing stories, I can't really think of any. But I am one of those people who seems to be awkward all that time (or at least that is the way I perceive myself).

Joan said...

Welcome to the lair, Olivia.

You're book sounds wonderful. Another trip across county to the bookstore is in order.

Can't think of any embarassing moments off the top of my head, well one but it's TOO embarassing for the lair. :-)

I got the name for a secondary character while staring off into space at the grocery store. In fact, I believe he's named after a brand of croutons.

LOL. So THAT'S where I came up with the name of BRAN for my hero! (Thank God Wheat Chex didn't stick in my mind!)

Dina said...

Congrats Olivia on your release.
I enjoyed your interview too. :)

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome to the lair, Olivia! At The Bride Hunt Ball sounds fantastic! I love light hearted historical romps and I can't wait to read yours *g*

I have many embarrassing moments which, at the moment, escape me. Maybe after I've had more coffee, my memory will kick in :-)

I'm claustrophobic as well - even the thought of pulling the covers over my head makes me feel like I can't breathe *g*

Congrats on your debut release! Is there anything about being a published author that's surprised you? Is there anything you'd do differently if given the chance?

Andrea said...

Howdy, Olivia!

Well, you know how I feel about your debut. I really, really enjoyed it . . . especially Madelyn. She was just so endearing to me. I'm a clumsy person at times, so I felt like I "knew" her. Congrats on a great debut!

As for what you're working on now, is it possibly Rosalind's and Rothbury's story? . . .

Thanks, Anna, for the link to my review at RNTV. And thanks to my RNTV buddies PJ and Buffie as well. Olivia made it easy to compose the review by writing such a wonderful book. ;)

~Andrea

Anonymous said...

Olivia, I fear we must be twins, separated at birth (except you got all that cute, long hair and I got the straight icky stuff -- and you got the talented Regency writing gene, too! Darn it! Mom always did like you best!)

So I also can go all ooky when I am forced to meet new people and make small talk, hate spiders, and embarrassing moments? The folks in the Lair can attest -- I am the QUEEN!!

There was the now-legendary day without underwear (black undies and a white skirt...didn't work out so well...); the day of the white shirt and unpadded bra (you can figure that one out); and the day I visited the men's bathroom at work.

But what I can give everyone that's new? Hmmm...

Well, it doesn't involve clothing malfunctions, but I was at BEA last weekend and my editor introduced me to an absolutely adorable man she said was a "fellow Hyperion author". He was from London, had two young kids, and I instantly fell in love with him--but couldn't for the life of me remember what books he had written, and was way too embarrassed to ask. So we chatted for a while, and then I had to leave, and it was only later that I remembered his books and the fact that I ADORE them! And they're HUGE and POPULAR! So I looked like an idiot for not mentioning his books, and feel horrible that I missed my chance to tell him how much I liked them. WAH!!

Congratulations for all your success, Oliva, and will be keeping my eyes out for your book! It sounds fabulous!!

doglady said...

Hello, Olivia! I LOVE the premise of this book! What a great interview, as usual, La Campbell! Wow, first manuscript out of the shute. I am doubly impressed, Olivia, and with Avon, no less. Really looking forward to reading this book and many more to come.

I think everyone in the Lair has heard my embarrassing moments on the opera stage. Anyone want to tell Olivia about the baritone who split his tights in a very strategic area in the middle of his big aria? Lets just say the scene change was too short for him to don new tights and we had to make our next entrance together. So I stood backstage and held his "equipment" in place so the seamstress could stitch him back into his tights without turning him into a tenor! The director came around the corner, took one look and said "I don't want to know!"

Or how about the time I felt the laces in my boustierre give way while I was singing MY big aria in Berg's Lulu? Not bad if you are wearing something over said garment. However, my character was a high priced hooker and all of her costumes consisted of lingerie. I'm singing a love scene, ironically with the same baritone, and while he is singing I am muttering "Don't take your hand off my back!" as he was literally holding the thing up. Had he let go the front rows would have gotten an eyefull! The bad thing is once he realized what was happening he kept acting like he was going to let go and we almost cracked each other up in the middle of a performance for about 1000 plus people!

Most of my embarrassing moments now involve icing ending up in provocative places while I am talking to some big wig who has come by to check out the bakery!

I just love the idea of a Regency heroine who takes all of this sort of thing in stride. Of course I love Regency anything! This is my standard question, Olivia. What are your favorite Regency research resources?

Anonymous said...

Christine, I love your story!! I thought those sorts of lovely mistakes only end up in movies. You are so lucky! ;-)

Natalie, ooohh, your story made me wince and blush in sympathy. I've spent some extended time with the old zipper down, but not the tucked in skirt. But I'm sure I'll get to it, give me time! Glad that you recovered!

Amy, I am terrified that someday I will send the wrong email to the wrong person. I quiver with embarrassment and it hasn't even happened yet. Hopefully your editor wasn't too irritated?

Annie, I have been meaning to tell you that I read the Greek Tycoon's Unexpected Wife on the plane to LA last weekend and for once I was too busy reading to get terrified or airsick. It was awesome -- thanks for a great read!!

jo robertson said...

Welcome to the Lair, Olivia. It's great to have you here today. I love the premise of your debut book, very clever.

LOL on your son's description. Don't you wonder where they get these comments from? The other day my 2 1/2 granddaughter said, "Mom I'm worried about you" to her mother. Strange.

This may sound weird but one of the reasons I love the Regency is that it's such a short period of time and I feel that it's possible for me to learn everything about it and become sort of an expert. LOL, not that I am.

As always, Anna, great interview!

pjpuppymom said...

Doglady, it's a good thing I read your post BEFORE I took that huge gulp of water! I'm LMAO!!

jo robertson said...

Speaking of g-strings, NOT AC's of course, did anyone read the story about a couple of fellows who robbed a store wearing thongs as masks?

Too hilarious! I'd say those two guys didn't get much "coverage" and they must be No Child Left Behind dropouts!

Hellie Sinclair said...

I can't think of any entertaining embarrassing stories at this time (the electro-shock therapy must be working!); however, I too love to quote from The Princess Bride and Willow! (I can't quote the whole thing though. I do quote along with the movie, which people find very annoying.)

"'I drown in darkness without you' and it went away?"

"Get used to disappointment."

And your book sounds hysterical! I can't wait to read it!!! :)

jo robertson said...

Oh, now, Christine, you have to tell us what the "warm comment" was Jenny got. Too R-rated, huh?

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Everybody!

Thank you all for the warm welcome and for the the congrats! I'm thrilled to be here!

The pic of Colin is scrumptious, but it is all Anna's doing . . . thank you, thank you for the hunky picture! (Throwing kisses--some at Anna, but most at Colin)

;)

Anonymous said...

Hi! I can't wait to pick up your book - it sounds go great! :)

And so love it whenever and however people find a reason to put pics of Colin Firth as Darcy up. Sigh. ;)

And I gag at spiders too. . . most bugs, actually.

And my embarrasments are usually related to the fact I'm fairly clumsy (which is why I love it when there is a Regency heroine who wears glasses and is clumsy! LOL) so, there really isn't anything unusual there. Thankfully. :)

Lois

jo robertson said...

Hehehe, Anna, I thought we'd gotten some porno embarrassing moments when I saw the admin deletions.

These stories are hilarious! Helen, your story reminds me of when we moved to a new town, went to church the first Sunday with our six little kids, ages 3 to 10 and left our four-year-old Kennan at the church some twenty miles away.

The sad part is that I didn't even know she was missing until our neighbor (who attended the same church) rang the doorbell with Kennan in tow, saying, "Does she belong to you?"

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Miss Donna MacMeans!

It was great to meet you at the NEORWA meeting . . . would have loved to talk with you more!

I've had so many embarrassing moments, that I hardly bother feeling embarrassed about it any more. :D

So, I'll start by sharing one of my husband's . . . very hungry and very much in a hurry, he pulled up at the drive-thru window at McDonalds, paid for his food . . . and left. Yep, he paid and motored off without the food. He was SO embarrassed he refused to go back and get it.

Unknown said...

Hello Olivia!!! I really enjoyed your interview. As far a embarrassing stories go for me I am still trying to forget them all. So I am going to wimp out on you and not tell them.

Olivia Parker said...

Hi, minna.

I've embarrassing moments that I've blocked out, too. Like the time I told a good neighbor that she had a piece of a pizza crumb on her face. Turns out, it was a mole. I felt TERRIBLE. And stupid, too. She lived next door all my life, I KNEW it was a mole. How did I forget?

Oh, wait . . . I must not have *totally* blocked that one out.

Olivia Parker said...

Hi pj, Jane, stephanie, and "aunty cindy"!

So far, I haven't had time to celebrate. Hopefully soon!

As for the Bachelor show, for me, it's one of those shows where I say I hate it and never watch it, but there I sit, glued to the tv, telling my husband I'm just flipping channels and not really watching.

The episode that inspired ATBHB had made me angry (I can't recall what season) because a woman was having some serious self-esteem issues because the dude hadn't picked her. It made me so angry that she allowed him to make her feel unworthy. Just who the heck did he think he was?!

Now taking a deep, cleansing breath . . .

M. said...

*snerk* Croutons! That's a great story. I'll always associate salad with historical romance now!

I'm intrigued with the thought of a historical heroine who lands in series of embarrassing situations - haven't come across too many of those. I write contemporary heroines who find themselves in those situations, sometimes, sadly, culled from my own life.

I'm going to follow your example and go look in my pantry for inspiration for character names now. {mumbles: Ms. Nutella Muffin? Mr. Poppo Corn?)

Olivia Parker said...

Thanks for sharing, Christine!

I've had one of those phone moments, too. Only, I was talking to my sister about something personal and I was totally unaware that she was at a swanky little cafe and had accidentally put me on speaker phone.

Olivia Parker said...

Hi eva s and Annie West!

Amy Andrews! I hope they changed the title after they realized how much you didn't like it. :)


natilie hatch . . . HILARIOUS!

Helen . . . I'm always so paranoid I'm going to leave my middle one behind . . . I almost did once and she'll never let me forget it!

Denise Patrick said...

Wow! I'm glad I happened on this blog today. I was just looking at this book on Amazon and telling myself "I have to get that one". I love Regencies, too. They are so much like fairy tales to me.

Thanks for an entertaining read. And, no, I don't have any embarrassing moments - at least none that I remember.

Terri Osburn said...

Hello, Olivia! I've heard lots of buzz about your book. Sounds like a fun read. Is the next in the series inspired by a show like The Bachelor as well?

Embarrassing moments...hmmmm. I'm sure I have lots. I'll pick the one from when I was in college. I lived in a 2 BR/1 Ba house with three other women. One weekend after taking a shower, I walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel on my head and another around my middle.

Stepping into the hall, I looked up to find one of my roommate's brothers standing outside the door. He and my roommates mother had arrived while I was in the shower. He was my age and it would be hard to say which of us was more startled. But I was so proud of myself because after a few seconds of shock, I managed to act as if I were fully dressed and said hello as if this sort of thing happened all the time.

I was more careful about scanning the hall before leaving the bathroom after that. LOL!

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Margay and thankyou! I love the Kiera one, too, And Val Klimar is so very cute in Willow. I think he was married to "Sorcha" at that time, too, which makes their romance in the movie all that more special.

Anna, my hair is terribly flat. And gray. And I'm chopping it all off very soon.

Hi flchen1 and cheri2628!!!!

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Gillian Layne. I LOVE your name. :)

Your story had me laughing . . . my kids are always spouting off things they heard at home and making want to crawl under the nearest rock!

Hi Buffie! I tell everyone I don't watch the Bachelor, but it's really a guilty pleasure. This last season, I just knew he'd pick the blond with the celebrity dad. Did you notice at all the Rose ceremonies, he gave her the rose first.

limecello said...

Hi Olivia, thanks for visiting with us and congratulations on your new release! That's such exciting news and your story sounds terrific! I'm a sucker for high handed dukes ;)

pjpuppymom said...

I was 22, single and working as a bank teller. I had this enormous crush on a guy who banked with us. He'd come in every Friday to cash his paycheck and always stood in my line. I always smiled and was friendly but hadn't quite worked up the courage to flirt. One week I made up my mind that I was going to let him know, subtly of course, that I was interested. I saw him come through the door and head for my line. When the customer in front of him stepped to my window he handed me an envelope and said it was for our bookkeeper. I said "I'll be right back" and took the envelope through the door behind my teller station into the bookkeeping area of the building. While I was back there I fluffed my hair, applied fresh lipstick, put a huge welcoming smile on my face and stepped back through the door to greet my crush...only to trip on an electrical cord carpenters had laid across the doorway and fall face first on the floor in a perfect spread eagle. Did I mention I was wearing a short dress? Yeah, that one was a little hard to live down.

Donna MacMeans said...

Anna - Sorry, the scarlet g-string isn't mine. If it were, it would be scarlet & gray *g* (Okay - Suz gets the joke & probably Olivia)

Donna MacMeans said...

Doglady - ROTFLMAO. You have the best stories! I do hope you incorporate some of these personal experiences in your book.

Hellie Sinclair said...

pj's story has dislodged a story for me!

Okay, first thing you must know: I hate raspberries; and I hate raspberries that are artificial. That sun-ripened raspberry scent at B&B? Hate it.

So I was in a hurry (on my way to the gym) but I had to make a detour to the store to buy a box of Nesquik. I was wearing a cute summery short skirt and adorable white strappy kitten heels. I was totally feeling sexy and thin and like the WW's diet was working, you know? I strutted through the store, headed to the Nesquik aisle when I glanced to my right at a tower of Bartle's & James' winecoolers: pina colada flavor. Ooh, I hadn't tried that flavor--that sounded...

"Ma'am! Stop..wait.."

And then I was lying flat on my back in the middle of the floor, and I heard footsteps rushing toward me. I blink up at two teenage bag boys/stock boys who look panicked. And I smell RASPBERRIES and feel this cold, nasty wetness on my thigh.

Apparently in not watching where I was going, I slid right through some spilled raspberry yogurt and fell on my back.

"Ma'am, ma'am, are you okay?"

I hate getting ma'amed. I mean, I'm not really old enough to be ma'amed; so not only am I non-observant, but I'm OLD. I glared at them, sitting up, and realizing my short skirt had flown up to my waist, and there are my cute sunflower-print underwear on display. I right myself and stand. Then they rush off to get me stuff to clean up with--and leave me standing there for 10 minutes, dripping this nasty yogurt.

Meanwhile a dozen carts go by with people, all of the noticing this spill and avoiding it, and then them going, "Oh, you poor dear" in a clearly unconvincing manner.

Maureen said...

Hi Olivia!
Congratulations on the new book. It sounds like a great book for the beach to me.

Ellory said...

Congrats on your book. Sounds like a delightful read. I'm becoming a historical reader once again. All these great storylines.

Elyssa Papa said...

I've heard a lot about this book on the Internet too from reviews, etc. And anything that touches upon The Bachelor has to be fun!

Olivia, I think I know which Bachelor and what girl you're talking about. She kept taking in huge gulps of air and is like but... but... I thought you liked me. I felt so bad for her and the guy looked just as uncomfortable.

Hellion, I loved your story about the raspberries and so agree about being ma'amed.

Since I tend to do humiliating things all the time, I've grown used to knowing that in some way, shape, or form that I will make a fool of myself.

So, I use this story for why I don't work out. When I was in college, I went to the gym and decided to use the treadmill. I was one if my kicks of oh, let's be healthy, blah, blah, blah. (Those moments never lasted long btw).

So I get on the treadmill and the gym is a medium-sized room full of people working out. I notice that someone left magazines on the shelf to the treadmill but I don't think anything of it and start working out. I'm going and going, feeling yeah, you're doing awesome and you'll have Linda Hamilton arms in no time. (Seriously, I want Linda Hamilton arms especially when she was in The Terminator!). And then time slowed down.

I glance down and see the magazines fall onto the treadmill. The magazine meets my foot and I fall on the still moving treadmill to my knees. I glance behind to see the magazines fly to the floor and I'm trying to get up on the moving treadmill. It dawns on me that I should just let go, so I do and the treadmill's trajectory shoots me to the floor. The treadmill's still running, I'm sitting on the floor on top of those blasted magazines, and out of the crowded gym, five people come over, asking if I'm okay.

I start laughing becuase if I don't, I'm either going to cry and my philosophy is make fun of yourself before anyone else can. I get up, ignoring the pain, and finish the blasted workout. But my knees were not a pretty sight when I got home and it was painful!

Anonymous said...

Hello Olivia and Anna, It's me Amy!!! I made it. I laughed with your interview Olivia. Great stuff!! You know I adore your book and I'm ecstatic about more to come. I also have 3 children, that you have a career beyond that is amazing. You ROCK!!! You think you need a story... At an outdoor party, we were all sitting around the fire pit, yes, it was that kind of party...LOL...I got up to go around to the other side did not see the log that was beside me, and dropped like a stone in the tall grass. Everyone got real quiet and waited, so I took stock, realized that I was fine, jumped up and took a bow. Everyone laughed and cheered. That could very much have gone a different way for me, and no one even remembers it! I'm a lot like Madelyn as well when it comes to those kinds of things, and have also learned how to make them not important!!!!! Have a great day all!
Amy

Donna MacMeans said...

Olivia - Yes, I think we just got to meet in passing at NEORWA. Unfortunately, I had to attend an accounting seminar (zzzzzzz) on Friday so could only make it for Saturday. I'm sure we'll have other opportunities in the future.

J said...

Hi Olivia, congrats on your debut! Your boy sounds like a little ladies man in the making. I too have the hots for Colin Firth.

Speaking of embarrassing moments, I've definitely had my fair share. Once, I approached a local personality to sign my copy of her book. I was so nervous I mispronounced her name. Later, when we took a picture together and she asked me to check the photo, I fumbled as the camera was borrowed last-minute from a friend and I wasn't familiar with the interface. Flustered, I began to utter the most silly things...

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Joan!

Thanks for the warm welcome! Wheat Chex--lol. Lucky for him you hadn't any Fruit Loops in your cupboard.

Hi Dina! :)

Erin said...

Well, my sister read your book and she gushed and gushed about it. I am very excited to read it but I have to wait for her to send me a copy in the mail. *sigh* If my sister says a book is good, IT'S GOOD! *smiles*

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Beth!

Thanks! :)

What surprised me the most about being a published author was my family's reaction. Only my mother knew that I wrote and I'm pretty shy so if it wasn't for her telling the rest of the family that my book was being publshed they would probably still not know. LOL. Everyone was completely surprised and very supportive. I just didn't expect it at all.

What would I do differently? I would have liked to have had more mss in the wings to offer them.

Great questions, by the way! :)

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Andreaw!!

I'm so glad you enjoyed my book. And your review was very well-written. You brought up some points on character and scene that I hadn't read on any other review. Thank you!

I dearly hope not to disappoint you, but the next book is Rothbury and Charlotte. Except, at this point, they don't even realize it yet. Rosalind's in the book though, but as of yet, hasn't met her match.

:)

Andrea said...

Olivia Parker said: I dearly hope not to disappoint you, but the next book is Rothbury and Charlotte. Except, at this point, they don't even realize it yet. Rosalind's in the book though, but as of yet, hasn't met her match.

Nope, not disappointed at all! I like the unexpected. *g* Rothbury and Charlotte . . . WOW! Can't wait for this one!!

~Andrea

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Kirsten!

OMG. ROTFL!! Your post nearly made me laugh right out of my chair.

Thanks for sharing. I really don't mean to laugh at your expense, but I, too, believe we were seperated at birth. So, how was the men's bathroom anyway? lol

Let's see, I've done the undies thing, except it was white skirt, white undies--so far, okay, but wait--undies with bright red hearts all over them, that is. My, what a fashion statement.

Oh, and then there was that time I ran inside a busy restaurant, totally missed the wet floor sign and did the splits in front of about thirty people. Let's just say I never knew I was that flexible and if they had score cards, I would have gotten a TENS across the board.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Welcome to the Lair, Olivia! I have to tell you first that I love your name. Have ever since seeing Olivia Hussey in Romeo & Juliet. (okay does anyone else think it cool that a woman with the last name of Hussey played Juliet or is it just me?)

Secondly, I actually bought your book last week or the week before, (too many trips to the bookstore lately) and it is in my TBR pile already!!

And third........Yes, telling embarrassing moments later can be quite funny, especially in a bar after a Long Island Ice Tea. :)

robynl said...

a very enjoyable interview and congrats on the book. As another commenter said it would be nice to have you put your stories into a book; one could sure get a good dose of healthy laughter.

Olivia Parker said...

Hi doglady!

Your stories are priceless--lol. My heroine had a similar problem with her corset.

As for resources, mine's a bit self-indulgent. I actually LOVE reading books about Jane Austen's life, expecially those that contain excerpts from her letters to her sister Cassandra and her neice, Fanny. I think it's a great way to get a feel for the period.

Trouble is, I've read so many that I can't remember which is which. I do remember a funny little quote about someone's worry about they state of their trees that went something like, "I will not say your trees are dead, but I will say they are very much not alive." Makes me laugh every time.

Hi JoRobertson!

Thanks for the warm welcome. What your granddaughter said is soooo cute. Toddlers are tough to take care of, but I think they are the absolute most adorable at that stage.

Anna asked wonderful questions and made me feel so at ease . . . being a blog virgin and all. Thank you Anna.

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Mshellion!

Great quotes!

It's been awhile, but I think I'm going to watch Willow again today. :)

One of my favorite parts is where he's tied up, walking alongside Sorcha's horse and she looks down at him and says . . .

"What are you staring at?"

"Your leg. I think I'd like to break it."

:D

Cherie J said...

Welcome Olivia! Congratulations on your debut. The Bride Hunt Ball sounds like a great story. I love the unique plot and the lovely cover. Thanks for guestblogging.

Susan Sey said...

Hi, Olivia! Welcome to the lair! ATBHB sounds wonderful, and that is how my TBR piles grows...

As for embarrassing moments, here's a little gem from my college years. I had this roommate when I was a freshman--cute, blonde, curvy, & boy did she know it. I, on the other hand, was the little brown bird I still am today. More Laura than Mary, if that makes any sense, & at barely 18 still looking about 12.

So the two of us went to a fraternity party, flirted heavily with our hosts then headed for home like the good little girls we were. When we hit the front porch, one of the guys hung out an upper floor window & yelled, "Hey! Girl with the long brown hair! So & so loooooooves you!"

My roommate responded with a light laugh & a hair toss (boy, she was reeeeeally a pro with the hair toss, too), held out a lock of said hair & called back, "Hello? It's BLONDE?"

Standing beside her with an entire house full of people staring at us I said to her, quietly, "Um, *my* hair is brown. And long."

She stared at me in confusion for a beat or two, clearly perplexed at the idea that I might've been the proud receipient of a drunk fraternity boy's undying devotion rather than herself, then shrugged & laughed. Like it was funny that a) she'd just humiliated me in front of many, many people or possibly b) that anybody would find me attractive.

She later began dating a man exactly like her, & thus got exactly what she deserved.

I do love a HEA. :-)

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Lois!

I love clumsy heroines, too. And for the same reasons. ;)

Spiders *are* disgusting. I think it's the way they consume their food and makes me sick.

Hi Virginia!


Hi M!

Ms. Nutella Muffin gets my vote--lol.

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Denise Patrick!

Thanks! :) Anna asked great questions.

Hi Terrio!

It's funny you should ask that about the next one . . . I thought about doing another one, just for fun as I don't think they'd want another book with the same premise, but really, so many different things could happen, just like each season of the show.

Loved your story! I'm sure it's something he never forgot either. Loved how you played it cool. ;)

Olivia Parker said...

Hi limecello! And thank you, too! I was so excited about being invited to Romance Bandits and it's been great. :)

OMG, PJ, that's terrible, but funny, too, knowing that you're okay. Those dang carpenters. You're lucky you didn't get more seriously hurt.

Olivia Parker said...

Mshellion, your story is amazing . . . sounds like something I did. Those wet floors get me every time.

Hi Maureen! Thank you! I hope you like it.

Hi Ann M. Thanks for the congrats! :)

Jennifer Y. said...

Hi Olivia! Your book sounds great!

And to answer your question, I have my share of embarrassing stories. Some I share and some I conveniently forget.

One that is fresh in my mind (because I mentioned it in another comment on the blog earlier this week) is the time I broke my arm in kindergarten trying to impress a boy. I was "trying" to do a trick on the monkey bars and slipped and fell...I was told my scream could be heard throughout the large playground. Not sure it impressed the boy, but he did sign my HUGE cast.

Another embarrassing incident was my first weekend in college as a freshman. I had bought a loft bed (a bunk bed without a lower bunk) and was attempting to make the bed (like a good little girl) when I fell off and broke my toe. My new roommate was in the room and I could tell she wanted to laugh as she asked if I was okay. So I beat her to it and started laughing through my embarrassment. It wasn't until I stood up that I realized that my little toe was broken and that it hurt...a lot.

For a few weeks, I was known as "the girl who broke her toe." As I met new people, they would usually say, "Oh, you're the one who broke her toe"...even before they could see the purple toe or me hobbling around. I'd say, "Yep, that's me." As for the loft bed, my parents came up the day after I fell and took it down and home...LOL. I never got in it again.

So,you see, with my falling incidents, I am a little hesitant to try swinging from the chandeliers with the cabana boys...LOL Gravity seems to get me every time.

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Elyssa Papa,

Yes, I think you're right. At first I couldn't tell if she was being serious--like, did they pay her to overact?

Thanks for sharing your story . . . I'm glad you're okay! :)

I had a similar work-out horror story. Well, similar in that it took place at a gym. My sister took me with her to an aerobics (sp?)class. She must not have liked me very much that day because I remember the jumpsuit she gave me to wear was very purple . . .the leggings, the bodysuit, the legwarmers (this was in the 80's).

I didn't know the routine so I chose to go to the back of the class. Little did I know--and in the middle of marathon jumping jacks, I might add--the entire class turned backwards in unison. Everyone that is, except me. So there I stood like a giant purple beast, facing them while bouncing around to do my jumping jacks. Never went back. Never! lol :)

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Amy!

It's great to see you here! Thanks for stopping by.

Your story cracked me up . . . at least the tall grass hid some of your fall--lol!

:)

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Gillian! I laughed at your story. I remember hearing Julie Andrews interviewed once and she said she had a screaming toddler in some shop in England - and someone said, "Oh, look, there's Mary Poppins spanking her daughter!"

Margay, that's it! How beautifully you explained it. The romance in that film is just SO well done.

Buffie, WE think you're cool ;-)

Courtney Milan said...

Hi Olivia,

I just finished your debut book a few days ago! It's a lovely, light-hearted book. I have to admit that my most mortifying moment is too mortifying to share in public. :)

Anna Campbell said...

Joan, I'd never got the Bran connection before. Snork! Clearly he's a man who, ahem, gets things moving!

Dina, thanks for popping by. Delighted you enjoyed Olivia's visit.

Beth, what great questions!

Hey, Andrea, cool to see you! No probs about the link. I've just gone on and left a comment on that great interview with this link so if people want to know more about Olivia, they can just come straight over. By the way, I really enjoyed your rundown on what's coming up in June too. I need a clone who does nothing but reading!

But I had some good news this morning - Jeanne's book and Beth's book are BOTH finally on their way to me! Party down in Oz!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Kirsten, you have the BEST embarrassing stories. Your day going commando is legendary! Actually I was thinking that Hyperion guy probably thought how lovely you were that you just talked about normal stuff and didn't mention his books.

Pam, I love your opera stories. One day, you really have to write a book with all these in! They're fantastic. That baritone sounds like such a good sport!

Kirsten, because I'm a bosomy besom, I've had trouble with shirts popping open in the past. One of the advantages of a T-shirt ;-) So glad you enjoyed Stavros. I think it's a great story! Absolutely classic Presents!

Anna Campbell said...

Jo, glad you enjoyed the interview. Actually one of the things I love about the Regency is that lovely long period of relative peace and stability, at least in Britain, stretching ahead of it. I don't have to worry about my characters dying in the trenches or getting bombed in the Blitz. I sometimes wonder if that's something that operates against the popularity of stories set at the turn of the 20th century.

PJ, if you really do laugh your A off - Pam is very good at sewing up delicate areas. We've got it in writing!

Oh, Jo! That g-string story is too funny. Imagine having to live with that when they go to jail!

Anna Campbell said...

Hiya Hellion! How amazing there's so many Willow fans here. It's not a movie that gets mentioned a lot - TPB does all the time. Especially Inigo Montoya! I've just ordered it on DVD so I can relive the magnificance that is Mad Martigan. Is that his name? People who can quote the script, come to my aid!

Olivia, kissing Colin instead of me? You are SOOOOO shallow! ;-)

Lois, I have to say spiders don't really creep me out. Cane toads do and our huge subtropical cockroaches. Yuck!!!

Jo, the funny thing is you're one of the most loving mothers I know. I still boggle at you abandoning your child on the church step like something out of Dickens ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Aha, Olivia, we have coaxed you into opening the embarrassment cupboard. Good stuff! More please!

Virginia, I'm beginning to think everyone here as FATALLY embarrassing moments because none of you want to share them ;-) Perhaps we should send over a cabana boy to torture you with a feather until you reveal all. And I still haven't found an owner for that scarlet G-string!

Olivia, love the mole story!

M, taking a leaf from your book, I just checked my pantry. My next hero is the Earl of Lipton - I'm a tea addict. Then there's Sir Bunny Lindt. The Duke of Cornflour. The Marquess of Timtam (now, him, I'd REALLY want to marry!).

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, the horrors of the speaker phone. Hate the things!

Hey, Denise, great to see you. We love new faces in the lair! I hope you enjoy ATBHB. I love a great Regency romp!

Terri, if that story were a romance, you two would have got married!

Olivia, your hair looks lovely in the photo! Were you gray before you had children? LOL!

Anna Campbell said...

Limecello, I'm another sucker for high-handed dukes. Oh, but you knew that, right? I can remember a favorite Anne Mather Mills & Boon from my teenage years called THE ARROGANT DUKE. She had me at hello on that one!

Oh, PJ!!! Such experiences scar us for life, don't they? I can remember when I was studying music we had this gorgeous guy visit as a casual lecturer. I was in the front row (I arrived late - I NEVER sat in the front row) and he kept looking at me. I thought, "Wow, he knows all about Liszt, he plays the piano like an angel, he's witty and charming and he seems to think I'm interesting!" Then I got outside and realized I'd had one of those button popping incidents. I just wanted to curl up and die. Oh, well, it could have been worse - at least I had a bra on!!!

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Donna, not fair! I haven't read Moonlight yet and I bet that's a reference to that!!!

Hellion, do you sometimes think life gives us these moments to remind us that we're not in fact as cool as we'd like to be? I could just picture your strut and then splat! You poor thing!

By the way, I still hate the 'ma'am' thing and sadly, my 'miss' days are over forever. I remember the first time it happened to me. A very nice looking uni student type offered me his seat on the bus and called me 'ma'am'. I boggled, gasped and then snapped at the poor boy that I was perfectly all right standing, THANK YOU! Poor dear, still is probably scared of short round older women!

Anna Campbell said...

Maureen, it does sound like the perfect summer reading, doesn't it?

Hey, Ann, glad we've coaxed you back itno the light of a great historical. It was always our nefarious plan - bwahahahahahaha!

Ouch, Elyssa! That just goes to prove my long-lasting theory that getting fit is bad for your health ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Amy, cool to see you here! Don't be a stranger - we're a friendly lot and there's always plenty of, ahem, umbrellas! Even if it's just the little teeny tiny ones in cocktails ;-)

What a cool story! As you say, that could easily have ended up so differently. I'm so glad you enjoyed Olivia's book!

Anna Campbell said...

Jenny, it's awful when you get those fangirl moments, isn't it? I met Jenny Crusie at our conference last year. It's silly - I've met a lot of great authors in the last few years and I should have taken it in my stride. But I got completely tongue tied and when I shook her hand, I swear my hand was wetter than a fresh salmon! Yuck!

Erin, great news your sister is a fan! By the way, if anyone wants to buy ATBHB, we've made it easy for you. Just click on the cover in the blog and it will take you right to Amazon. Everything done for you except putting in the credit card details ;-)

Anna Campbell said...

Olivia, snickers at the heart knickers!

Suz, I love Olivia H in R&J. And yeah, it's kinda cute. I'm sure I've told you before, but Verity in CTC was modelled on her. She was so beautiful in that film!

Robyn, I suspect Olivia has used some personal experience in Madelyn's mishaps!

Olivia, I hadn't heard that JA quote before. Isn't it priceless. It makes me think of the dead parrot sketch. These trees have shuffled off this mortal coil!

Anna Campbell said...

Hmm, Olivia, a blog virgin? Now, that has a ring! And hey, you were an easy mark to interview!

Hi Cherie! Thanks for popping in!

Susan, that's a BRILLIANT STORY!!! I love it!!!! Little cow deserved her ending, I say! In fact, it's so good, I wonder if I can steal it for a book...

You know imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, don't you? ;-)

Perhaps I could call the beyotch heroine Miss Nutella Muffin, the TOAST of Almack's. And I bet people went to a lot of trouble to butter her up! Oh, dear. MUST. STOP. NOW!!!

Annie West said...

Amy, commisserations on your title. I've inadvertantly sent an email to my ed rather than my friend but it wasn't too bad...

Kirsten, thanks so much for the feedback on The Greek Tyoon's Unexpected Wife. I's so glad you enjoyed it! What an accolade - yit stopped you getting airsick. I'm really impressed. Pity they can't sell is as a travel sicknes antidote - I'd make a motza.

Jo, with so many children I'm not surprised one managed to slip through your fingers. But what a shock!

Annie

Anna Campbell said...

Jennifer, is that your G string? Nobody seems to want to claim it! The rooster will start parading around in it if somebody doesn't grab it soon. Ouch to the broken toe. I've broken my little toe and the pain is excruciating. You wouldn't think something that small and seemingly insignificant could produce that much agony!

Olivia, purple was very IN in the '80s. They might have thought you were very stylish! Oh, OK, they didn't!!!

CM, you're another one to tantalize us with a great EM!!! No fair! Glad you enjoyed Olivia's book!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Annie, you're back! Wasn't that nice, that comment about the lovely, if cranky Stavros?

Wow, I think I've caught up! Olivia, people LOVE you!!!! You are a blog virgin no more. I now christen you anew as a blog TART!!! Do you want a scarlet G-string to go with your new status?

Jennifer Y. said...

Jennifer, is that your G string?

Nope, not mine...hmmm...I sure hope you don't take a page out of Cinderella and start trying it on people...eww.

I am not sure I want to know how that ended up left behind...although, those cocktails are pretty powerful and the cabana boys can be pretty persuasive.

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Jennifer, I had a mouthful of tea when I read your Cinderella comment! Snork big time! And what a mess I've made on my keyboard!

Dina said...

Hi Olivia,

Congrats on your release!!

Joan said...

And I still haven't found an owner for that scarlet G-string!

(Raises hand sheepishly)Um, Anna? It...er..belongs to a friend. A rather tall, sculpted friend...who does not want the other Roman boys to...er....KNOW about it (Shhhh, D....I am being circumvent!)

This friend has asked me to act as proxy in arranging its return. Plain brown wrapper. Mark it Tim Tams. Address to follow.

Anna Campbell said...

Welcome back, Dina!

Oh, Joan! Your man's secret is safe with me. Tim Tams on their way - shhhhhh! I know how those Roman boys like some chocolate to go with their umbrellas!

Glad you finally spoke up. The Rooster just SMSed me from Fedora's to lay claim to the G-string. But I knew it wasn't his - the size was wrong!

Amy Andrews said...

No, Olivia - they didn't chsange the title. Don't go there...

I remembered something really embarrasing. My hubby had come home from work one day and we were in the bedroom chatting as he got out of his work gear and he made some typical male comment about my breasts so I pulled my top up and flashed him. Only to discover the little friend of my daughters who was over for a play that afternoon standing in the hallway staring at me agog through the open door.
I had to explain to her mother in case the kid said something and family services landed on my doorstep.
DH thought it was hysterical.
Oooh which reminds me of another DH incident when I was doing my first online party at eharl not long after I had my first book came out. I was having a hellish time trying to log on and get all that stuff sorted and got him to help me. He was showing me how to do it and typed in "Hello ladies, show me your t**ts" (yes, he's obsessed with them) in the comment section. I gave him a stern glare and made him get rid of it. Which we both thought he had. But when I finally got on to see the new comment I'd written - there was his. On the eharl house party board for the ENTIRE WORLD to see!! Luckily I was first one there and I don't think anyone else saw it before I erased it.
>:-(

Anna Campbell said...

Amy, so glad you came back! Those stories had me snorking over my keyboard again! Your husband clearly gets you into trouble!

Keira Soleore said...

Anna and Olivia, a fabulous interview!! Welcome to the Lair, Olivia. I vow I like younger men, and I'm willing to wait for your youngest to grow up. His "honey-honey"--oh, that's too precious! From your interview itself I can tell your book's going to be tons of fun. I can hardly wait to read it. Congratulations on your debut!!

Courtney Milan said...

So Ely shared an embarrassing exercise story.... I think I have one that's worse.

I'm not a runner. I'm *really* not a runner. But one time, I figured I'd give it a go anyway. So I went to a local park, which was just a little hilly, and started running.

Going up the final hill, I look down and there's a dog--a westland terrier, if you know what that looks like. And if you don't know what it looks like, I'll give you a hint: Three inch legs.

Needless to say, this dog is also running up the hill.

It is beating me.

So I ran faster (not much), figuring that I cannot possibly let this tiny speck of a rat-dog beat me up the hill. I ran. I ran.

I failed. And just as I got to the top of the hill, I looked down and noticed that the dog was running with a really weird gait.

That, of course, was because it only had three legs.

Anna Campbell said...

Keira, I thought Olivia's youngest sounded absolutely gorgeous too. He's going to be fatal to female hearts by the time he's finished!

CM, that's absolutely priceless! Beaten by the three-legged rat dog! That's a line not everyone can say with a straight face!

Elyssa Papa said...

CM, I am laughing so hard right now. Priceless!

Dina said...

Thanks Anna, I so love it here. :)

Natalie Hatch said...

Now now Anna, that's a special story for later on! Naked men writhing around... sheesh, sounds like a book plot...
Mum used to tell the story of when I was four (and a little chatterbox I was apparently, not now though, very refined am I..)
She and all the aunties and extended female family went to a concert. Mum took me along, but went to the toilet and left me with all the Old aunties and my grandma. I was amusing them with tales from home. Just as she was walking back to her seat, there was a lull in the sound, I stood up and very proudly stated that "Daddy puts his hand on my Mummys tommy all the time" (tommy being vagina/bum) I meant bottom of course but it sent the Aunts into hysterics, my mother wanted to melt into the carpet and the rest of the audience sniggered at her.
Ever the tactful one wasn't I?

Keira Soleore said...

Courtney--har, har, har. I have a similar tale of woe. I was being beaten on the hills of Seattle by a lady in her sixties. SIXTIES! I was a third her age (then). I wanted to crawl back home in mortification.

Olivia Parker said...

Thanks, jennybrat.

I feel your pain. When nervous I either babble or turn into a dork, usually both. ;)

Hi Erin! I'm so glad your sister liked my book. Thanks for letting me know.

AndreaW: It surprised me, too. I hadn't planned it that way.:)

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Suzanne Welsh!

Thank you for the welcome. :) I *do* think it cool about her last name being Hussey.

When I was little, I had the Grease soundtrack album and would dance around my room pretending I was Olivia Newton-John. Those were the days . . .

Hi Robynl! Maybe it would be called . . . Chicken Soup for the Clumsy Soul.

Hi cherij! It is my pleasure to be here and I feel very fortunate that Anna had invited me. As for my cover . . . the man on the cover is a hottie, but my heroine could use a cheeseburger or two . . . or three.

doglady said...

Could have been worse, Keira and CM! You could have been beaten by a sixty year old woman WALKING her three legged dog.

Great stories, ladies. Just what I needed after a long day at the bakery.

Pat Cochran said...

I just got back in and my first stop is one of my favorite sites. I just read Ms. Olivia's interview and did enjoy it. I will be adding her new book to my TBR list

Cabana boys in the Lair, AGAIN! Woo Hoo, ladies and gentlemen! Sounds as if it has been a great day!

I'm sorry I missed most of the
day, but today was the last day
of school for several of my
grandchildren. Grandma had to
attend their little graduation
ceremonies, especially for the
youngest ones. They were so
cute!

Pat Cochran

Olivia Parker said...

Susan Seyfarth: that is an awesome story. I had a friend in high school who had a pretty sister that was the most vain creature I have EVER encountered. Her arrogance was absurd--you just had to laugh.

Anna Campbell said...

Oh, Keira, isn't it terrible when people twice our age are more spry?

Pat, graduation sounds like fun!

Anna Campbell said...

It's been another huge day in the lair. Just wanted to say to Olivia thanks for being an awesome guest and everyone, thanks for all your awesome comments. Just one word really. AWESOME!!!

And don't forget to check back in a day or so to see who won the copy of AT THE BRIDE HUNT BALL, Olivia's debut from Avon!

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Dina! And thank you so much for the congrats. :)

Hi Jennifer Y! You poor dear! Kindergarten boys are SO not worth it. lol

Broken toes are awful. To small to set the bone and every little little bump produces tons of pain. Ouch!

Susan Sey said...

Anna--I would be honored if my incident of college aged humiliation were to appear in an Anna Campbell novel! Have at it! I would actually, even after all these years, quite enjoy seeing that girl get a decent comeuppance. Call me petty, but there you have it. :-)

Olivia Parker said...

Hi Cm! Thank you for reading my book. :)

Amy Andrews: your stories about your hubby makes me believe my husband has a clone. He embarrasses me all the time.

Keira Soleore: Thank you so much. Yes, I do believe he's going to be a ladies man. He's already won the hearts of the cashiers at the grocery store, which surprises me, because they've seen him misbehave and STILL think he's a cutie.

Hi Pat Cochran!

Natalie Hatch and CM: Thanks for sharing and making me laugh!

Olivia Parker said...

Thank you, Anna, for having me. It was truly such a thrill. And thank you to all the lovely people in the lair. You made *my first time* (blogging) fun and memorable!

Happy Reading, everyone!

J said...

Anna, my face still burns when I think about it! I'm sure she must think me a klutz.

Anonymous said...

Olivia, Congrats!!!! Love the book cover too.