Interview with Laura Jensen Walker

Captain’s Log, Stardate 04.12.2007

Today I get to interview my friend and fellow chick lit author Laura Jensen Walker!

Laura's latest chick lit novel is Miss Invisible!

A feast of romance and laughter featuring a delightful and courageous heroine that you can relate to no matter what your size.

Convinced that her larger size relegates her to wallflower status, Freddie Heinz hides behind the wedding cakes she creates as a professional baker. But life is about to change for Miss Invisible.

First of all, Freddie's found a new friend who encourages her to come out of her shell. Then Hal, the cute veternarian, starts showing interest in the woman behind the delightful cakes. And when Freddie decides to break every rule in the "big girl's" book and find out who she really is, life gets even more exciting--and hilarious.

Cinderella, look out! Miss Invisible is becoming the belle of the ball--and having a ball in the process. Because when you finally find God's call for your life, any size is the right size--and love can see what the rest of the world passes by.

And now, here’s me and Laura!

What was the funnest part of writing Miss Invisible?

All the great food-tasting I got to do, especially at Danek's, the local bakery that was the loose (very loose--they didn't have an evil boss) inspiration for Jorgensen's. Yumm. They make gorgeous wedding cakes that are works of art. Thinking outside my stomach, it was also great fun to write Deborah. I love her! Freddie made me a little crazy and I wanted to throttle her at times 'cause she was so clueless and let too many people walk all over her, but Deborah NEVER would. Deborah rocked!

What CD would your heroine play ad nauseum and why?

The Voice of the Sparrow: The Very Best of Edith Piaf - because it's great music for wallowing :) Especially, “Hymne A L'Amour (If You Love Me, Really Love Me)”

What was your hero's childhood pet?

Um, I don't think she had one. That's why Zsa Zsa was so special to her :)

You know how much I love food, right? Italian's at the top of my fav
list. What's your favorite Italian dish and why?

That's a tough one 'cause I love Italian too. Hmm. A great lasagna (my husband makes the best, although Macaroni Grill is a close second). It's the marriage of a great tomato sauce and all that cheese. How can you go wrong? I was also recently introduced to risotto (I know, I know. I don't get out much.) A yummy mushroom one at Lucca's, an Italian restaurant in downtown Sacramento--that was simply amazing. Talk about delicious comfort food. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!

If you were a coffee drink, what would you be and why?

Let's see... how can I put this gently? I wouldn't be ANY coffee drink, because like Freddie, I HATE coffee! I know this puts me in the minority of the Starbucks frappuccino, latte-loving world, but we don't all want to be alike, right?
I've never liked coffee, or anything coffee-flavored (including mocha cake or truffles.) Hate the taste and the smell. Especially the smell. Partly due to undergoing chemotherapy 15 years ago and the dietary folks at the hospital would keep forgetting and bring me coffee every morning. The moment I caught a whiff of the strong brew, my stomach heaved. So coffee does not have good associations for me.

Tea, on the other hand, always takes me back to England. I'd be a cup of PG Tips tea - strong and flavorful and quick-to-brew (which works well with my impatient nature :)

That’s right! Sorry, girlfriend, I forgot you drink tea. I should have remembered, too, since I have only a few friends who will enjoy a cuppa (English-style) with me.

Well, you're off the hotseat! Any parting words?

I hope that every woman who has ever felt invisible--whether it's due to her size, age, or circumstances--will enjoy Miss Invisible. And tell your friends! Thanks, Camy.

Camy here: Thanks yourself, Laura!

Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 6: Martyr - Prologue

I’m posting an excerpt of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 6: Martyr ! A Christian Historical Adventure set in Regency England with slow-burn romance and a supernatural twist Part six in an epic-length serial novel Lady Wynwood has discovered the gardening notebooks belonging to Bianca Jadis, the deceased mistress of the late Lord Wynwood and a former member of the treasonous group, the Citadel. However, the team is dismayed to discover that parts of the notebooks have been written in some sort of code. Mr. Sol Drydale has kept hidden the fact that the notebooks have been found because he is unable to fully trust his superior officers at the Ramparts, the secret branch of the Alien Office. After all, when one of his own was kidnapped, the men who should have assisted him had seemed more interested in obtaining the Root potion that gives men supernatural strength. But then two Ramparts agents bring information about an opportunity to capture the poisoner Apothecary Jack, one of th

What are you reading today?

What are you reading today? I’m reading the latest volume in the Japanese light novel series (translated into English), Infinite Dendrogram by Sakon Kaidou . It’s a LitRPG or Gamelit series, and if you enjoyed Sword Art Online, you might like this series. The story is about a college student in a full-dive virtual reality role-playing game, and there’s nothing deadly about the game itself, but it soon becomes obvious that the game world is not what it seems. The hero is just an overall nice guy, which makes me root for him. What are you reading?

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures

What are you crafting today?

What are you crafting today? I’m working on yet another pair of socks, even though I have tons. I find myself making socks often because I like to read on my propped-up iPad while also knitting something easy enough that I don't need to look at it very often (such as stockinette stitch). Have you made anything fun today? Post pictures!

Follow Camy on Amazon

Follow my Camille Elliot author page on Amazon! You’ll get an email from Amazon whenever I have a new ebook release and occasionally when Amazon decides to run a special on one of them. Click here to go to my Camille Elliot page on Amazon.

ひとり寿司第３１章パート４

「ひとり寿司」をブログに連載します！ひとり寿司寿司シリーズの第一作キャミー・タング西島美幸訳スポーツ狂のレックス・坂井 —— いとこのマリコが数ヶ月後に結婚することにより、「いとこの中で一番年上の独身女性」という内輪の肩書を「勝ち取る」ことについては、あまり気にしていない。コントロールフリークの祖母を無視するのは容易だ —— しかし、祖母は最終通告を出した —— マリコの結婚式までにデート相手を見つけなければ、無慈悲な祖母は、レックスがコーチをしている女子バレーボールチームへの資金供給を切ると言う。ダグアウトにいる選手全員とデートに出かけるほど絶望的なわけではない。レックスは、バイブルスタディで読んだ「エペソの手紙」をもとに「最高の男性」の条件の厳しいリストを作った。バレーボールではいつも勝つ —— ゲームを有利に進めれば、必ず成功するはずだ。そのとき兄は、クリスチャンではなく、アスリートでもなく、一見何の魅力もないエイデンを彼女に引き合わせる。エイデンは、クリスチャンではないという理由で離れていったトリッシュという女の子から受けた痛手から立ち直ろうとしている。そして、レックスが（１）彼に全く興味がないこと、（２）クリスチャンであること、（３）トリッシュのいとこであることを知る。あの狂った家族とまた付き合うのはごめんだ。まして、偽善的なクリスチャンの女の子など、お断り。彼はマゾヒストじゃない。レックスは時間がなくなってきた。いくら頑張っても、いい人は現れない。それに、どこへ行ってもエイデンに遭遇する。あのリストはどんどん長くなっていくばかり —— 過去に掲載済みのストーリーのリンクはこちらです。 *** ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊全て、彼女の背中のせいだった。レックスは痛みを感じるたびに、いつも以上に怒鳴った。女子らが出ていった後、バッグを持ってジムから出ようと歩いているレックスを、ヴィンスが脇に引っ張った。「今日もまた厳しかったね」分かっていたが、認めたくなかった。彼の手を振り払った。一体いつになったら、このヒントを理解して、さわるのをやめてくれるのだろうか？「プレイオフまで、あと数週間だからよ」「いや、違うね。プレイオフじゃない。何か君に問題があるみたいだ」「一体何な

The Robe by Wes King

Captain’s Log, Stardate 01.07.2006 I’ve been developing the spiritual theme for this current project for a while, and I think I’ve finally nailed it down. This song has inspired me in my own walk, but then it occurred to me that it communicates the emotional theme for my WIP very well, too. The Robe by Wes King Anyone whose heart is cold and lonely Anyone who can't believe Anyone whose hands are worn and empty Come as you are Anyone whose feet are tired of walking And even lost their will to run There is a place of rest for your aching soul Come as you are For the robe is of God That will clothe your nakedness And the robe is His grace It's all you need Come as you are Anyone who feels that they're unworthy Anyone whose just afraid Come sinner, come and receive His mercy Come as you are For the robe is of God That will clothe your nakedness And the robe is His grace It's all you need Come as you are From the album: The Robe c1993 Emily Boothe, Inc. (BMI)/Careers-BMG Mus

Extended excerpt - Lady Wynwood's Spies, volume 6: Martyr

My newest book, Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 6: Martyr , releases on April 26th! To celebrate, I decided to post an extended excerpt. I can only post less than 10% (because of Amazon’s policies) so the excerpt ends in the middle of chapter three. Here’s the back cover description: A Christian Historical Adventure set in Regency England with slow-burn romance and a supernatural twist Part six in an epic-length serial novel Lady Wynwood has discovered the gardening notebooks belonging to Bianca Jadis, the deceased mistress of the late Lord Wynwood and a former member of the treasonous group, the Citadel. However, the team is dismayed to discover that parts of the notebooks have been written in some sort of code. Mr. Sol Drydale has kept hidden the fact that the notebooks have been found because he is unable to fully trust his superior officers at the Ramparts, the secret branch of the Alien Office. After all, when one of his own was kidnapped, the men who should have assisted

Camy's Blog Tour!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in my blog tour for Sushi for One ! The full schedule (with links) is at the bottom of this post. Here are some highlights from a few interviews: From Julie Carobini's blog : Hey Camy, You often speak fondly of Captain Caffeine and his imported espresso maker. What's your favorite caffeinated beverage order? Honestly, tea. Strong English Breakfast or Irish Breakfast tea. I'll take Earl Grey if I'm feeling zesty, or Ginger Peach (Republic of Tea) if I'm feeling fruity. In the summer, it's iced. In the winter, it's scalding hot, sometimes with a little soymilk and honey. However, I won't turn my nose up at a latte, especially if it's from Captain Caffeine or our favorite coffeeshop, Barefoot Coffee in Santa Clara. From Sally Bradley's blog : SB: In the story, Lex mentions a girl named Camy who gets brained by volleyballs all the time. I have to ask — is that you making a cameo in your own bo

One-Skein Pyrenees Scarf knitting pattern

I got into using antique patterns when I was making the scarf my hero wears in my Regency romance, The Spinster’s Christmas . I wanted to do another pattern which I think was in use in the Regency period, the Pyrenees Knit Scarf on pages 36-38 of The Lady's Assistant for Executing Useful and Fancy Designs in Knitting, Netting, and Crochet Work, volume 1, by Jane Gaugain, published in 1840. She is thought to be the first person to use knitting abbreviations, at least in a published book, although they are not the same abbreviations used today (our modern abbreviations were standardized by Weldon’s Practical Needlework in 1906). Since the book is out of copyright, you can download a free PDF copy of the book at Archive.org. I found this to be a fascinating look at knitting around the time of Jane Austen’s later years. Although the book was published in 1840, many of the patterns were in use and passed down by word of mouth many years before that, so it’s possible these are

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