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Cringe

Teenage diaries, journals, notes, letters, poems, and abandoned rock operas

-Stephanie Elliot

When I lifted my copy (not lifted it in the sense of STEALING IT! - but when I physically picked it up), the sheer weight of the book suggested there are secrets to be revealed in Cringe!

And secrets there are!

It's heavy in both senses of the word.

Cringe is what you do when you find your old journals, open them up and discover the passages you wrote about the angst over the boy who deemed you non-existent. The turmoil of finding out your best friend is also in love with THAT SAME BOY but he knows SHE EXISTS! And the fact that he knows she exists AND she has boobs! Read more about Cringe...

Recommended Read

Party Favors by Nicole Sexton with Susan Johnston

Fundraising might not be all it's cracked up to be

-Stephanie Elliot

While we're deep in the pit of this election and if you're tired of mulling over whether or not Sarah Palin can really see Russia from her front porch, you may be looking for a lighter, fun distraction. If so, then check out Party Favors by Nicole Sexton with Susan Johnston, a fictional "tell-all" in the tradition of Primary Colors and The Devil Wears Prada.

While the protagonist, Temple Sachet, fundraises for the Republican party, this is not a book for "elephant lovers" alone! In fact, when Party Favors first debuted, because of its too-close-to-home subject matter, the GOP kindly suggested that the author put a halt to her book-signing event during the Republican National Convention. Wonder what is so threatening between the pages of this seemingly chick-lit novel that would have the GOP so concerned?

Could it be that author, Nicole Sexton, (co-authored by playwright Susan Johnston*) worked as a Republican fundraiser for 15 years and knows all of the inside scoop? That perhaps this fictional account of what goes on in D.C. is sprinkled with bits of truth and tell-alls that you won't find elsewhere? That you might be able to read Party Favors and think, "Hey, that character sounds a little bit like Senator ..."

Read more about Party Favors...

Memoir

An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination: A Memoir

A love letter to her first son

-Stephanie Elliot

Eight years ago I received one of those middle-of-the-night phone calls you never want to receive. It was my best friend, who, at 38 weeks pregnant, was calling me because her husband was out of town.

"The baby's not moving."

I drove her to the hospital and sat with her as we watched the resident OB perform the ultrasound. I knew before the words were spoken. All I had to do was watch his face. I saw his Adam's apple move within his throat as he swallowed, trying to find the words.

Her baby was stillborn.

It is still, eight years later, one of the most horrifying experiences in my life, and it didn't even happen to me. I remember making deals with God, threatening never to have any more children of my own, wondering how something like this could happen.

It happens a lot. More than you think. read more about McCracken's memoir...

A Book to Check Out

Friend or Frenemy?

A guide to the friends you need and the ones you don't

-Stephanie Elliot

When Friend or Frenemy? came across my desk, I was hooked at the title.

We all have friends, and like it or not, you know we've all got our frenemies too! These are the chicks we pretend to like because of either proximity or life instances that make it difficult to be anything other than friends with the person. These are the people that it's easier to just be a friend with than to not be a friend.

If only it was easy to just say to a frenemy, "Hey, look, you know we don't like each other, why the hell are we pretending? Can't we just say hi when we see each other and let that be well enough?"

Here's co-author Andrea Lavinthal taking it to the streets to ask what women think about their friends:

Authors Andrea Lavinthal and Jessica Rozler have come up with the book to help you navigate your way through all types of situations to figure out who your friends (and frenemies) really are!

With hilarious chapters such as "Like Kissing Your Brother" (Can you really be friends with a guy?) to "Because Like Paula Abdul Said, Opposites Attract" (which includes lists of famous unlikely friendships - Michael Jackson and ... who are we kidding ... Michael and ANYONE, and fantasy opposite friendships - Paris and Bono?) to the intricacies of office friendships and balancing friendships when you're a couple, Friend or Frenemy will have you rethinking every relationship you've ever had, and quite possibly calling up some old girlfriends to rekindle those friendships that have dwindled away.

Check out Friend or Frenemy? This handy guidebook makes a great gift for, yep, you guessed it, all your friends. You can even give a copy to a frenemy, and maybe she'll get the hint!

Check out the Friend or Frenemy Web site for more info on this great book!

Stephanie Elliot is Manic Mommy. Visit her at www.stephanieelliot.com or www.manicmommy.net.

Betty's Lit Lounge Featured Book Giveaway

Time of My Life

Allison Winn Scotch answers the what-if question we all wonder about!

-Stephanie Elliot

Click here to enter to win an autographed copy of Time of My Life!

Allison Winn Scotch has been a frequent contributor to many national magazines (I guarantee you've already read something she's written!). She's also the talented and successful author of The Department of Lost & Found. I'm excited that her latest book, Time of My Life: A Novel, hits stores this week. It has already received great reviews and has been called "a fabulous, madcap read." It's a great tale for any woman who's ever wondered about the one who got away or the one she let go. Basically, it's a book for all women! read more of the interview with Allison Winn Scotch...

Betty's Lit Lounge Featured Book Giveaway

Win an Autographed Copy of Driving Sideways!

Jess Riley's debut takes readers on an unforgettable ride

-Stephanie Elliot

CONTEST CLOSED - WINNERS CHOSEN!

I first met Jess Riley in person at a writer's conference. We had been cyber pals for awhile, and another friend and I invited her to share our hotel room for the weekend. Who shares a hotel room with literal virtual strangers? She braved the odds and accepted the invitation, and when we met up at this writer's conference, my friend and I hailed Jess Riley as a star. She was going to be a real live author! She had sold the book she had written! It was going to be published!

And two and a half years later, after all the edits, an unexpected publishing house change (and all the paperwork that goes along with it), a title change and a roller coaster ride of an experience, Driving Sideways: A Novel made its debut into the world! Not only did it hit all the requisite bookstore shelves, it was named a Target Breakout Book and then became a Target Bestseller, and it's still going strong!

Stephanie: Give us a synopsis of the story, Jess-Riley style; feel free to use all the snark and foul-language you'd like! read more about Driving Sideways...

Betty's Lit Lounge

Welcome to Betty's Lit Lounge!

The BettyConfidential.com spot for book lovers

-Stephanie Elliot

You're obviously a reader, because, heck, you're doing so right now, and we're so excited to be unveiling a new feature for you here at BettyConfidential.com!

Once a reader, always a reader, and obviously, I'm also a writer, and I'll be bringing to you on these virtual pages information about the books you'll WANT to know about, the authors you can't wait to meet, and I'm so excited to be doing so! We'll have featured books bi-weekly including fabulous GIVEAWAYS so come back often to win books from incredibly talented authors! read more about Betty's Lit Lounge...

Archived Books

Betty's Lit Lounge Library

Great Betty-recommended reads

-Staff

Check out the fabulous Betty-Recommended books. Click on any of the links to order with ease online from Amazon.com! New books will be added as they're featured so check back often!