They’re not ready to go from friends to lovers. Will practice make perfect?
Actor turned teacher Alex
Bethany craves a family of his own and his new lifestyle gives him the
confidence to try online dating. Meanwhile he’s sending Dana mixed messages
in the kissing department. After a surprising event rocks his world, Alex
panics, certain he’s blown his chances with his special person. From appetizers
to the main course will these two cooking buddies make it to dessert?
Good morning, Dana. Let’s start with where you are from. I’m from New Haven, Connecticut. Grew up there. Know where to grab the best pizza on the planet.
Tell us a bit about Eat Your Heart Out. It’s weird to talk about myself since I’m a figment of Shirley’s brain, but here goes. The novel is romantic women’s fiction, which is different from straight romance. Alex Bethany is the other main character and my friend. I’m pretty much struggling at school with my bitchy boss, my crappy love life, and then there’s a few food issues I’m wrestling. I’m a foodie, I’ll admit it.
What
did you think the first time you saw Alex? I didn’t recognize him. Not a clue. Can’t tell you why because that’s a
spoiler. But we’d worked side-by-side for years.
What
was your second thought? He’s hot!
Did
you feel it was love at first sight? Quite
the opposite. He irritated me. Wanted to collaborate on a project. I thought he
had an agenda and was suspicious.
What
do you like most about him? He’s there
for me when I need him in so many ways, if you catch my drift.
How
would you describe him? Funny,
playful, loving. A great father. Sexy and a good listener.
How
would he describe you? Demanding.
Soft on the inside, especially when it comes to Sara, my daughter. And Alex, of
course. He’d say I love to laugh, sometimes at inappropriate moments.
What
made you choose teaching as a career? I
love outwitting smart kids––you know, I’m talking about the whole class
management thing–– and I learn something new every day from my students.
What
is your biggest fear? That something could
hurt my daughter. Or Alex’s son.
How
do you relax? A great book. The beach
in the off-season. Doing anything with Alex.
Who
is your favorite fictional character? Scarlet
O’Hara because she’s a real heroine and so tragic at the same time.
What
is the best piece of advice you ever received? Do what you’re afraid to do. I use this when writing,
too.
Thanks for
taking time to speak with us, Dana. Now we’d like to chat with Shirley.
What
movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? I’ve always loved the old black and white Cary Grant
movies. Also, The Apartment with Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon. Now
when I watch a movie, I look for the beats since movies and novels follow the three-act
structure, from the inciting incident to the dark night of the soul.
What
event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you feel
it impacted the novel? The characters
had issues with food and since I was intimately familiar with those issues, one
of my characters had to overcome a serious addiction. Not saying which one.
Tell
us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced
your decision to submit to them? I
knew my editor personally from our Florida writers group and she encouraged me
to consider submitting my first book to The Wild Rose Press.
What
book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? A couple New Yorker magazines. I’m taking a short break from
novel reading. It’ll probably last a day.
Lastly, what's up next and
when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’ve finished my third book in the Starting Over
series. Now I’m combing through it again for inconsistencies, awkward or boring
dialog, and typos. And I have to come up with a title. I’m thinking of calling it
Dream On because it’s more angsty than my other books. Amazing that
people (my characters) can’t make up their minds about what’s arguably the most
important thing in life: choosing your special person.
Bora Bora on Chapel Street was the best after work spot for people
watching and enjoying beer on a splendid afternoon. The kiss of the afternoon
sun urged me closer to drowsy and relaxed. It had been a while since Alex and I
had been out together.
“Look. On the other side.” I gestured with my chin. My students, the Mean
Girls, poised to cross the street against the light, a trio of teenettes,
primped and pouty and aware of their power. I widened my eyes and slipped down
my sunglasses, nudged Alex, who wasn’t paying attention, with my elbow.
“Ouch—”
“Your ten o’clock.” I could almost smell their perfumed perfection from
a block away. “I’ll bet they ignore us. If they come this way.”
The Snotties headed down the street to our left, but I had no doubt we’d
been sighted. Mr. Bethany and Ms. Narvana. Together.
“Who cares?”
“You will. When they spread the word. The whole school—”
“Enough shop talk, Ms. Narvana. Don’t be an alarmist.” Alex chin-jabbed
in the direction of two twenty-somethings crossing the street. “See that couple
there? Well, she hates it when he sneaks a smoke late at night in the kitchen
downstairs, wearing nothing but his argyles and tighty-whities.”
I leaned over to whisper into the crook of his arm, breathed in his
faint piney scent with a hint of beer breath. “When they’re at her parents’
place, house sitting, they do it in the master bedroom, secretly hoping the parents
will come home early and catch them en flagrante.”
Alex made a face that gave him a bedraggled look. “En flagrante, huh?
You revised my story. I’ll let it go this time because you added clever
details.” Using his radio announcer voice. “And she used foreign words.”
To learn more about Shirley Goldberg and the stories
she creates, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/midagedating
ttps://books2read.com/u/b6OKKZ
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08VHWN56S/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
Apple Books
https://books.apple.com/us/book/eat-your-heart-out/id1552301489
Barnes&Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/eat-your-heart-out-shirley-goldberg/1138734045?ean=2940162478133
Kobo
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/eat-your-heart-out-12
Google Books
https://books.google.com/books?
id=gP0hEAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq="Shirley+Goldberg"+eat+your+heart+out&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjRpu7DpKbwAhXVRTABHZLDDt4Q6wEwAHoECAAQAQ
Love the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun! I love a foodie romance.
ReplyDelete