"Something’s cooking in more than the kitchen…
Tess Banyon is a ‘Martha Stewart’ type of homemaker-guru-marketing-entrepreneur-extraordinaire. Investigative journalist, Josh Farraday is determined to convince the women of America that Tess is too good to be true.
He’s right.
Tess is a marvelous marketer with tons of ideas, but she can’t really cook and has been known to attach herself to a grapevine wreath with her glue gun. Now she’s doing her own TV show, and Josh has been assigned to do a behind-the-scenes story."
Excerpt:
She stood frozen for a minute before she said faintly, “What do you think you’re doing?”
At the same time, Josh jerked back the curtain that encircled the claw-footed antique bathtub. Hands clenched on the divided curtain, his eyes widened to the size of half-dollars, and his jaw practically dropped to his chest as he stared at her for a long moment.
“Am I missing something here?”
Tess studied the length of his body, coming to rest on his most volatile piece of male equipment. “Nope, all there,” she said, “every inch.”
He laughed. “That’s a relief.”
Her heart was pounding with a staccato fury, and for a moment she felt like she’d melt. He was gorgeous. “What are you doing in my bathroom?”
Josh swiped his hands down his body to shed the excess water, then stepped out of the tub onto the bathmat. He reached for the towel hanging on a rack. Lazily, he wrapped the terrycloth around his waist, tucking the end in. He smiled. “You said the door right at the top of the stairs.”
“I said turn right at the top of the stairs.”
“Oh, turn right.” He grinned. “I thought you were being a bit forward.”
“Were you snooping in my bedroom?” she asked, amazed at the thought.
He nodded toward the door. “Are you sure that’s your room? It looks like a stage set. There’s nothing personal to identify you in there. No mementos, nothing. I found that disappointing, considering your skills.”
“You admit it? You were looking through my room?”
“Only on the way to the bathroom.”
“I don’t believe you,” she said, punctuating her words by poking her finger into his chest. “You’re a low-down snoop, that’s what you are.”
“A snoop? A reporter being called a snoop? Surely not.”
His chuckle was infectious, but Tess wasn’t buying it. She was red-faced and perspiring, although that could have been from the heat and moisture in the room, not because she was more embarrassed than she’d ever been in her entire life, or wanted to rip the towel from his hips.
About the author:
Meg has a BFA and MA in theatre, acting and directing, and a minor in Fine Arts and Promotion. Over the years, Meg has been an actress, director, producer, creative director, CEO, copywriter, creative dramatics teacher, mime, mom, college instructor, and a school bus driver. She’s established two creative marketing/media companies, working as a V.P. and as CEO, creating projects in all media: network cable programming to corporate initiatives; to video, games and interactive websites. Meg is published with Harlequin, Imajinn Books, Samhain Publishing and now Entangled Publishing. Learn more about Meg and her books on her website or at any online bookstore. Look for her new books, Something’s Cooking from Entangled Publishing, 8/13; The Sparrow and the Hawk, out now. The Sparrow and the Vixens Three, 11/13, and Million Dollar Mistake, 9/13.
Find:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
Interview:
What inspired you to write this book?
To me Martha Stewart is too perfect to be human. I wondered what it would be like to have a ‘lifestyle’ expert, Tess Banyon, who has great ideas but can’t execute them herself by herself. When she gets a half-hour TV series she’s afraid everyone will see her making mistakes like using salt instead of sugar in brownies, and catching the kitchen curtains on fire. She’s desperate to keep her secret hidden.
What characters do you connect with most?
I connect with characters who are intelligent, articulate and have a great sense of humor.
What's your favorite book-turned movie?
Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding.
As far as romantic comedies go I think this one is absolutely terrific. It is not only a well made film with terrific characterization and performances, but it is a very clever commentary on today’s society for a specific type of woman. It’s easy to relate to Bridget (Renee Zellweger) no matter what your age or circumstances. She seems human, not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but no matter what happens to her when she’s knocked down, she gets back up and copes. Sometimes her life works and other times it is a disaster, but she meets all of it with humor and hopefulness.
And let’s face it, when we talk about a dreamy character, who better than Mark Darcy (Colin Firth).
If you could be best friends with one of your characters, who would it be?
It would be Tess Banyon in Something’s Cooking. She’s smart, funny, driven and ambitious. She sets a goal and works to meet it. Sometimes life works as she plans, but other times she is knocked back. Still Tess finds a way to deal with the problems and still see her way to her end goal. I like that she’s capable of being human and making mistakes, and that she’s not good at everything. There’s an unexpected aspect to her personality that I like, an aspect that keeps you on your toes when you’re around her.
Can you tell us about any other books you're writing?
I just finished writing, The Sparrow and the Vixen’s Three, which is the second book in the Tales of the Sparrow paranormal series for Imajinn Books out in Nov. 2013. I am currently working on new proposals for Entangled Publishing, including a series about 3 women who are bodyguards, and am revising another idea for the Bliss line. I am so working on a new project for my series, Million Dollar Men from Samhain. It is called, Million Dollar Rock and the hero is a rock star who is suspected as a jewel thief.
What do you do in your spare time?
Read, work out, hike, travel, visit,and try to learn new things; but most of all, I try to find something simple and natural to appreciate everyday, It might be a sunset, a flock of geese flying over my deck, or a baby’s smile and giggle.
Who's your inspiration?
My inspiration is not any one person, but rather a lot of them. I’m inspired by writers who sit down every day and accomplish something, by people who give generously of themselves to help others, and by those who try to accomplish something new, or remake something old. I am always inspired by my mother, Ruth, who is no longer with me, but always in my heart. I’m also inspired by my three daughters. I am inspired by my husband’s support, and encouraged by my family to keep on truckin’ even when I want to give up.
If you were stranded on a desert island which character do you want by your side?
Josh Faraday, from Something’s Cooking. He’s smart, funny, and sexy. What’s not to like!?
Team Edward or Jacob?
I’m not that crazy about either one actually, but I think I’d have to say Jacob, only because he’s the underdog and I love underdogs. Plus there is something so wishy washy about Edward to me. He always seems to drift about looking pale and acting noble.
Team Peeta or Gale?
Again it would have to be Gale, the bad boy. Peeta is noble and good, and I really like him, but from sheer personality, I find Gale more appealing. I do have to say though, Gale is not a ‘long-term’ kind of guy. You have to admit though, for sheer excitement—Gale takes it every time.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Annie Seaton’s novel, Italian Affair. I’m also reading the Consignment shop mysteries by Duffy Brown, and Amanda Usen’s , Into the Fire.
**Meg will be awarding a Jamberry Nails set (with a watermelon motif) and a colorful watermelon knife to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.
25 comments:
This book sounds fun and sexy! I loved the interview and I agree with your "team" answers! lol kbinmich@yahoo.com
Haha! I agree! Martha Stewart is scary and intimidating to the normal female! lol! kamclauc AT gmail DOT com
That excerpt was funny! I love the sass!
Loved the excerpt! Will you be adding different parts of the story on each blog?
kac_030 at yahoo dot com
thank you for the giveaway. aidansmama77@yahoo.com
Sounds like a great read. Can't wait.
tara98ca@yahoo.com
This book sounds so funny! I have got to read this!
sidenote:
cool_cat97@msn.com
Fun interview
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
Sounds like a great book. I've never read Bridget Jones Diary but I surprisingly loved the movie!
Barrie
books4me67 at ymail dot com
This sounds like an awesome read already...cant wait!!
simonethodges@yahoo.com
Great excerpt and interview! Something's Cooking sounds like a fun read! cheryllynne(at)rocketmal(dot)com
Sounds like a great read!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
Sounds like a good read. Interesting giveaways too. Please count me in.
schan26.wisc(at)gmail(dot)com
This book sounds amazing! Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway! :)
I love her either or answers ( Gale vs. Peeta & Ed vs. Jacob). Cool prize too by the way. sounds like it's well written book from reading the exert.
That excerpt was funny! I love the sass!
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Hehe, love the name of the book :D
An amazing giveaway :)
Amazing interview and giveaway, thank you!! :)
I love Bridget Jones Diary too. I have the book in English and the Indonesian translation ;p
cool. have a great day :)
OOOHHH!! Always wanted to try these - cool! My daughter would love to try them too!
abrennan09@hotmail.com
Love the cover of the book looks so awesome i am righting my first book ever it is a thriller-mystery- fictional crime scene. josephhawkshaw@yahoo.com
Great giveaway!
Thanks ;) Looks cool :)
Ive always wanted to try jamberry nails. They look cool!
arcs93@hotmail.com
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