February 24, 2021 | Issue #30 |
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Bonus Episode
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH
Lucky us! We've got a special Sunday Bonus Episode
this week! Join us as we welcome internationally bestselling author of historical women's fiction,
11 languages. She has also written historical romance as well as fast-paced contemporary sports romance under the name Julia Blake. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home before settling in London. Julia joins us to talk about her latest book The Last Garden in England, a poignant and heartwrenching tale of five women in three eras, whose lives are tied together by one very special place. See you SUNDAY Feb 28th at 5pm ET via Facebook Live on the F&F Facebook Group page and on our YouTube Channel.
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Five Facts from Our Friend, Kristin Hannah
The one thing you’ve learned you can’t live without during the pandemic:
Outdoor space.
Your perfect day:
A sunny day, sitting on a beach somewhere, reading a great book.
Your favorite independent bookstore:
Honestly, I have too many favorites to choose just one. They have become a great circle of friends.
The last book you raved about:
Your next book in ten words or less:
I don't need ten words, unfortunately. No idea what's next.
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Five Facts from Our Friend, Julia Kelly
The one thing you’ve learned you can’t live without during the pandemic:
Movies—specifically old Hollywood movies! I’ve always loved film, but I stopped watching movies for TV until the pandemic. My family started an informal little film club as we worked our way through some well-loved period dramas as well as the AFI’s 100 Years 100 Movies list. It’s been a wonderful escape.
Your perfect day:
I’m really craving the simplicity of good company these days. I’d love a day where I could wake up, go for a run, write for a bit, and then have friends and family over for one of those sprawling lunches in the garden that seem to go on for hours. Good people, good food, and good wine sound like the perfect day to me right about now!
Your favorite independent bookstore:
I grew up wandering the shelves at Vromans’ Bookstore in my hometown of Pasadena, California. It’s a wonderful bookstore with a knowledgeable staff of book lovers.
The last book you raved about:
I’ve been fortunate enough to read so many great books recently, but a favorite that will be coming out shortly is Genevieve Graham’s Letters from Across the Sea. It follows two star-crossed lovers through World War 2, weaving bits of Canadian history into their story. It felt fresh, thoughtful, and heart-wrenching all at once.
Your next book in ten words or less:
One of Britain’s last debutantes discovers a dark family secret.
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Bookseller of the Week
WELLESLEY BOOKS
Our featured independent bookseller of the week is Wellesley Books—a locally-owned, independent bookstore in the Boston suburbs, known for its helpful staff, outstanding children's department, and unique selection of gifts for all ages. Get 10% off with the code FF10 this week on our guest Kristin Hannah's simultaneous #1 bestselling books THE FOUR WINDS and FIREFLY LANE as well as on recent and upcoming books by Julia Kelly and the Fab Five.
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Up Close and Personal with Kristy Woodson Harvey
Each week, the Friends & Fiction authors will take turns writing an essay for Parade.com, the online home of Parade magazine. This week, Kristy Woodson Harvey’s turn with a column about the unexpected joy of a snow day…
Tomorrow, the Rowan County School System will be closed due to weather. In my teenage years, those words on the school system’s automated phone line were music. Magic.
In the kitchen at my parents’ house, friends gathered around, I would call that number on the landline with the twisty cord, wait a few minutes and then hit redial. Then another friend would take my place. The instant the message changed from “will operate on a normal school schedule” to “will be closed” was like Halley’s Comet. It was rare and wonderful, beautiful and ethereal, and the person who got to hear it first was the true champion.
When one of us announced the good news, Mom, who was usually cooking something for the throngs of always-starving teenagers in her midst, would motion for the phone. She had to hear the message herself before she’d confirm that we could, in fact, have a snow day party.
To continue reading Kristy Woodson Harvey’s essay on Parade.com, click HERE.
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And Now a Word from our Partners
MAMA GERALDINE'S
We are so pleased to partner with Mama Geraldine's Bodacious Foods! Not only is Mama Geraldine's the maker of the world's most delicious (and this country's bestselling!) cheese straw, they're also a woman-owned business. And we can really get behind that! Try their six flavors of cheese straws and their oh-so-delicious cookies. Get 20% off your online order at MamaGeraldines.com with the code FABFIVE. SHOP NOW!
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PAGE 1 BOOKS
The Page 1 Book Subscription provides the personal touch of an indie bookstore, with the delight and surprise of an online subscription service, curated just for you. Because real-life indie booksellers know that you are more than an algorithm. Enter your preferences and choose the 3-, 6-, or 12-month subscription. First-time subscribers get 10% off with the code FABFIVE. Visit Page1Books.com and tell them what you love!
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Latest News From "The Fab Five"
PATTI CALLAHAN HENRY is preparing for SURVIVING SAVANNAH released in TWO WEEKS. Just you wait to see what she has in store for our Friends and Fiction community! She is excited with all she has to share with you! See her full virtual tour here! She’ll be with the Satellite Sisters on their podcast this week talking about women’s history month and SURVIVING SAVANNAH. Patti is also so thrilled with the actresses who narrate the audiobook so if you’d like an audio teaser, CLICK HERE. And more this week as you keep your eye out for daily “mystery” teasers about the book and the ship starting this Saturday, and check out her novel in Parade Magazine.
KRISTIN HARMEL has now received copies of Patti's Surviving Savannah, Kristy's Under the Southern Sky, Mary Kay's The Newcomer, and Mary Alice's The Summer of Lost & Found.... and she feels like a slacker bringing up the rear, but she's convinced that she has, in her hot little hands, four of the very best books coming in 2021. She can't wait for all of you to get your hands on them, too!
Next week, MARY KAY ANDREWS (and Kristin Harmel) will be recording a new podcast with New York Times bestselling author Tana French discussing her spellbinding mystery THE SEARCHER. And in the meantime, she's making plans for the tour for her forthcoming novel THE NEWCOMER, while putting the finishing touches on her essay about Dr. Seuss and Read Across America week for Parade Magazine.
KRISTY WOODSON HARVEY is putting the finishing touches on her part live, part virtual UNDER THE SOUTHERN SKY book tour—and is so excited that her first event at Litchfield Books is sold out! She’ll have full tour dates ready to share soon. In the meantime, she’s devouring SURVIVING SAVANNAH by one Ms. Patti Callahan.
MARY ALICE MONROE is getting her second vaccination shot on Friday and can’t wait!
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News from the F&F Official Book Club |
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On Monday Feb. 15 Kristin Harmel, joined the book club to discuss her book The Winemaker's Wife. Patti Callahan Henry also popped in to preview Surviving Savannah. If you missed the livestream, you can watch the replay HERE.
On Friday Feb. 19: Brenda & Lisa hosted a Happy Hour with Ron Block🍸. If you missed it, watch the replay HERE.
Mark your calendars for these upcoming book club discussions!
We are so excited that our book club has reached 4,000 members
We would love to have you!
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Listen to the F&F Podcast!
Another original episode of the F&F podcast is now live! Patti Callahan Henry and Kristin Harmel host an episode on books about books. Listen in as they interview bestselling, award-winning author Katherine Reay about her novel, The Printed Letter Bookshop, the story of a woman who inherits her aunt's bookshop. She is joined by Janet Skeslien Charles whose novel The Paris Library, based on the true WWII story of the heroic librarians at the American Library in Paris, just debuted on the New York Times bestseller list.
LISTEN to our latest episode here:
or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Listen, download, and/or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what you hear, we hope you will leave a review, rate us, and share our shows with your peeps!
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CONNECT WITH THE FRIENDS & FICTION HOST AUTHORS! |
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