Connie Brockway Visits Mt. Oly and Goes Skinny Dipping!
Jan 17th 2008
Karen HawkinsGoddess Interviews
Well. Ok, Connie’s not really skinny dipping. SKINNY DIPPING is the name of Brockway’s book, which came out this month and is one of the funniest contemporaries I’ve read in months. The book is about– well, here. I’ll let Connie tell you. She’s got a way with words.
By the way, that’s Julia London interviewing Brockway, so expect some smart alecing like you’ve never seen before!
Welcome Connie Brockway to Mt. Oly!
97 Comments »
97 Responses to “Connie Brockway Visits Mt. Oly and Goes Skinny Dipping!”
Karen Hawkins on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:34 am #
Connie! Welcome to Mt. Oly! Sorry about the technical issues — we’ll get them worked out this morning. Btw, I loooove the stripper music at the beginning!
Question: Your heroine in SKINNY DIPPING is sort of an underachiever. Is she based on anyone you know . . . like Julia London, perhaps? Just wonderin’.
Sherri Browning Erwin on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:45 am #
Love it! Connie and Joolia, too funny. Connie Brockway is a brilliant writer and an inspiration (but she may want to lay off the Botox).
Ellen on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:56 am #
I can’t wait to see this interview. waiting….waiting…
SuzyQ on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:26 am #
Welcome Connie! Great job on the interview - you two were very funny!
Gannon on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:38 am #
Welcome, Connie! Hilarious as always!
Lisa H on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:07 am #
Hi Connie—its so good to have you here. Very funny video, I would expect nothing less. I’ve missed chatting with you and the other Squawkers.
Julia - congrats on the loss of 11 pounds! (I think I know where they went!)
KariE on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:22 am #
Welcome, Connie!! I always love to start the workday with a giggle. That interview was great!
Congrats to you Julia on the 11 pounds!!
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:31 am #
Good morning, gah…gah..gah…Sorry, I just can’t choke it out. Good Morning, lovely hostesses!
Karen, Julia isn’t an underachiever! She’s an under-eater! Man, ELEVEN POUNDS. And as far as finding them…I think they migrated north and are camped out on my …never mind.
Sherri— there speaks the voice of youth. Give yourself a decade and you’ll be asking the name of my supplier, too.
I recognize some name from Squawk! We miss you guys!
Okay, bring on the questions. I’m feeling chatty. (I’ll be gone for a short while this a.m. but I’ll make sure i answer all–except for rude questions about botox and weight)
PJ on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:40 am #
Love the opening music! LOL! Great interview you two. Connie, you’re so funny. Y’all, within five minutes of meeting Connie at RWA Atlanta she had me laughing so hard I thought I was going to PMP. I can only imagine how much fun that speech in San Fran is going to be.
Congrats on the success of Skinny Dipping! What’s up next from my favorite frozen tundra author?
Julia, congrats on the loss of the 11 pounds! That’s terrific!
PJ on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:41 am #
Connie, we Squawkettes miss you too!
Julia London on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:45 am #
Warning: I’ve been feeling a little off-balance since we did that interview. I can’t say for sure, but I think i have been sock-puppeted.
Thanks, gang! Here’s hoping this week makes it 12!
Kay on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:57 am #
Greetings, Connie, from another Minnesotan! It’s a bracing 2 F here–that’s -14 F windchill for how it REALLY feels for everyone in warmer climes.
We need great books for our long, cold winter nights. Thanks for providing them, goddesses & honorary goddesses!
Congrats on the 11 lb, Julia.
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:05 am #
PJ— THE PRESSURE! THE PRESSURE!
Next up for moi, I’m working on THE LIST, my part of a connected novella that is the brainchild of Eloisa James. Julia Quinn is lending her talents to the endeavor so you know it’ll be great.
Ky, I hear you. And DH has decided this weekend would be a great escape weekend at the cabin (see trailer at http://www.conniebrockway.com for summer image) because 4 degrees ISN’T FREAKIN’ COLD ENOUGH !!! He want sub zero temperatures. BUT, I have a plan to at least turn the weekend into a video worthy blog. If m,y plans work…
RachelG on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:27 am #
Welcome Connie,
Is your novella with JQ and EJ an historical? I like novellas in which each story is set in a different time period. I don’t think there are many of those around.
Rachel Gibson
Freedom Writer on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:28 am #
Connie,
Welcome to the forum.
Even though I live in balmy south central Wisconsin, where it is 25 degrees and snowing, I have a daughter who goes to college in “Darn Near Minnesota” I understand your love of the bitter cold, and expect to have some come our way this weekend too. But at least for today we can curl up in front of our roaring keyboard and keep our fingers warm with blogging.
Hope your week plans work. I’ll be checking You Tube for the video, or will it be the kind I have to use my credit card to see?
Julia London on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:28 am #
That’s it, Connie? A novella? Come on…tell us what you are really working on!
Ann in IL on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:35 am #
Woo Hoo, I’m so glad Connie is here today and I’m home with the flu.
I have an ARC of SKINNY DIPPING (won on Connie’s website) and let me tell you it is fantastic. My favorite kind of book - a laugh out loud til tears come kinda humor. Everyone run out an buy it immediately.
I’m chatting with a East Grand Forks, MN friend today. He’s complaining about the -11 temps up there. SOMEday I’m going to experience a ND/MN winter. They sound awesome to me. Think I’ll look for one of the cabins in the book and setttle in and enjoy the scenery.
My only question is how are all the Squwakers doing not that they don’t entertain us on a daily basis? I miss ‘em.
Karen Rose on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:40 am #
Welcome to Mt. Oly, Connie!
I’m headed up to the northern MN climes in a few weeks and this FL girl is not looking forward to it! Last year I visited MN in February and you all were having a heat wave. I think it was 45 degrees. The grass was showing! (Oh nooos). One might have thought it was the apocalypse, LOL.
Still, it took me days to get warm again when I got home. I’m thinking sub zero temps are not my friend! What do you do at this cabin when it’s subzero outside, hmm? Or is that the material that Freedomwriter thinks she’ll have to view by credit card?
Ann in IL on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:41 am #
Shoulda typed “NOW that they don’t entertain us on a daily basis”
I blame the flu drugs for typing errors. Good Lord, I mis-spelled Squawkers, too. Sorry.
KariE on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:51 am #
Who/What are Squawkers? (I’m out of the know, obviously)
Claudia Dain on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:59 am #
Connie, I read SKINNY DIPPING (great placement on the new release table, btw) in nearly one sitting. I had to sleep, okay? Does a sleep break count? Pretty sure it doesn’t; okay, I read it in ONE sitting and thought that Mimi was a great character. I love how you meshed her with Preston; they were like mirror images of each other. I REALLY loved how you used Mimi to give the guys another view of Preston’s mom AKA The Saint. That moment was priceless.
I could go on and on, but I’d love to know, was SKINNY DIPPING fun to write?
Kim on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:01 am #
Welcome Connie!! You look absolutely gorgeous in the interview. That botox isn’t freezing your face at all. *G*
KariE–The Squawkers were Connie, Eloisa James, Lisa Kleypas, Elizabeth Bevarly, Teresa Medeiros and Christina Dodd. They had a group blog, Squawk Radio. Its now been shut down and there are some of us who protest with nekkid chickens.
Ann in IL on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:02 am #
Squawkers are the main chicks at Squawk Radio.
Connie, Teresa Medieros, Christina Dodd, Lisa Klepas, Liz Bevarly and Eloisa James.
The blog is not active anymore. Just occasionally.
KariE on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:14 am #
Thanks Kim and Ann. Sounds like they were another fun blog group.
“Nekkid chickens”, huh? haha
Sabrina Jeffries on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:41 am #
Welcome, Connie!! I always regretted that the project you and Julia and I talked about didn’t work out. You’re so much fun!
I’ve got my copy of Skinny Dipping, but haven’t dipped into it yet. *G* I’ve been trying to get skinny though. Does that count?
Cool video–thanks for doing it and joining us here at the Mount!
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:00 pm #
Hi Rachel, the novella is all set in the regency which is fun for me because the last few historical romances I wrote were Victorians.
Freedom Writer, the only upside of the Minnesota winter is the sobbing gratitude that fills the heart if every resident come spring. We know how to enjoy the summer! And I have no odea what you mean about the credit card videos…have you been talking to Julia???
Julia, if I told you I’d have to sock monkey you.
Ann, you really ought to experience a northern Minnesota winter. It should be on everyone’s list… right above “root canal without novacaine”
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:08 pm #
Karen Rose! Ha! You know that old saw about doing *something* to keep warm? Well, it doesn’t work in Minnesota. A little known fact…when the temperatures dive to a certain point below zero, blood turns to sludge. We generally hit a comfortable position and don’t move for days on end.
Ann in Il, you’re forgiven (g) Lord knows, I myself have been known to make the occassional spelling and/or typing gaffe. And the Squawkers are all fine and dandy.
KAriE– a bunch of sick sock monkeys (okay…sock chickens?)) whose presence was a blight on the blogging community for a couple years.
Hey Claudia! Thank you! yes, i had a blast writing SKINNY-DIPPING. My favorite part was making her a psychic hotline advisor. I got goofy coming up with all sorts of customer exchanges, had to cut most of them out but I always liked the idea of a Scandinavian medium. It’s such an oxymoron!
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:11 pm #
Ann– there’s plans afoot to resurrect SQUAWK in a limited fashion. Will keep you guys advised via…squawk.com
Hi Sabrina! Yes, I know. It would have been a great collaboration! Personally, I blame Julia. You don’t have to say anything…
I’m trying to get skinny, too. that’s why i was stalking Julia to Weight Watchers. Susie Law and I are on the plan, too. Have been for months. But then Xmas came and so did butter cookies and cream cheese dip and …lord. All my pre-Christmas losses were recouped. Now I’m back to square one.
Ann in IL on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:12 pm #
Here’s my theory on northern MN winters………….
The residents just tell you that they are horrible.
Do they leave? NO.
Do they encourage visits? NO.
They just sit there hoarding all that delicious crisp white snow and laugh at us folks in the south who call winter anything under 40 degrees.
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:15 pm #
Did you watch the interview, Ann? That wasn’t really botox. I just walked in from the gargage…
Julia London on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:17 pm #
You are so sly, broco — you didn’t tell me you were on WW. And I never would have guessed it, you look so lovely and botoxed.
Explain for people here who are curious about those Minnesota winters how it is I saw a picture recently, taken at Christmas, and everyone in their shirt sleeves? That defies comprehension if you are wearing a sweater at Christmas in Texas!
Don’t sock monkey me! I am still trying to get my bearings from the last time you sock-monkeyed me!
Yasmin on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:25 pm #
Welcome to My. Oly Connie B. !!
I have several of your historical books, will try your contemporary next!!
I think Im missing something I dont see a video ???
Yaya
Nicole Jordan on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:32 pm #
Welcome to Mt. Oly, Connie! Your video was lots of fun. I’ll bet you and Julia had a blast. Have you known each other a long time?
With all the raves about Skinny Dipping, you’ll have to tell us about it. It sounds delicious!
Julia London on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:41 pm #
I’ve never met Connie Brockway.
J Perry Stone on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:52 pm #
Hi Connie. Always fabulous to hear your voice.
You said: “Ann– there’s plans afoot to resurrect SQUAWK in a limited fashion. Will keep you guys advised via…squawk.com”
WHAT?????
I have to pee now. Nervous, excited kind of pee.
And I couldn’t read all these wonderful comments in depth, because I was afraid of Skinning Dipping spoilerage.
I just slogged through an obligatory read (NO ONE HERE OR AT SR) and now I feel like I have to go rinse my eyeballs. Seriously, thank God Mt. Oly and SR talents have raised the bar–and I used to love her so much! I had no idea my reading tastes have been polished to such a degree. Anyway, now I’m rewarding myself with SD … today … to get the icky taste outta my mouth. I hope there’s sufficient snark, Connie, because if I read one more purple sentence, I’m going to yark.
And you MN and WS (is that right?) people have nothing on us Atlantans. It SNOWED last night. My kids thought we’d moved to Mars.
Christina Dodd on 17 Jan 2008 at 12:57 pm #
Connie, honey, that’s not botox. That’s rigor mortis.
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:00 pm #
Julia, Julia, Julia– what is there to explain? Despite the boasts about things being bigger in Texas, apparently one of them isn’t the ability to MAN-UP! We’re just a naturally more hearty stock. (Though layers of fat could have something to do with it, too)
As for sock-monkeying you… you haven’t even begun to feel the effects of the stinky monkey eye
Yasmin!! It’s on the top of the blog. There should be a little PLAY button in the middle.
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:01 pm #
Hi Nicole! Yes, I met Julia when she was a newly sprung author. So young, so sweet and …wait that was someone else. Yes. Julia and I have known each other since the mud dried on god’s boots.
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:03 pm #
Oh and Nicole, thank you for asking about SKINNY-DIPPING. Allow me to quote my STARRED REVIEW in LIBRARY JOURNAL, which explains it a great deal better than I:Noted primarily for her award-winning historicals, Brockway (Hot Dish) continues her successful foray into the contemporary market with this funny and quirky yet poignantly touching story that takes an obligation-averse, second-sighted heroine with an unstructured, chaotic life, pairs her with an analytical, orderly hero with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and adds a cast of delightfully offbeat characters. From the cute meet (the heroine is naked, dripping with weeds, muck, and twigs after skinny-dipping; our hero is impeccably dressed) to the satisfying conclusion, this heartwarming tale sparkles with humor and love as an extended family finally discovers the real importance of their shared lakeside vacation home. An exquisitely rendered setting, an abundance of complex family dynamics, a story that explores what it means to belong, and a beautifully developed romantic relationship guarantee the appeal of this well-crafted tale for both romance and women’s fiction fans alike. Brockway, who lives in Edina, MN, has penned another winner.
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:07 pm #
JPerry Stone (god, I love saying that..it sounds so toney!)
Now I’ll be anxious and you know If you don’t write within an hour of midnight i’ll be sure you hate the book. because that’s the way of most authors I know, obnoxious, in your face, cocky but underneath about as secure as a safety pin holding up an elephant.
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:08 pm #
Speaking of obnoxious…
Hi xtina
Suzanne Enoch on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:08 pm #
Welcome, Connie! And allow me to say that I thought you looked fab in the interview piece. Picture perfect.
Karen Rose on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:13 pm #
Connie, great review! I’ll have to grab me a copy of Skinny Dipping and read it when I’m in Edina, MN in a few weeks!
Actually, I’m stopping in Edina for a day or so, on my way up north-er to Rochester, MN where I understand it is REALLY cold.
I can’t believe nobody’s doing the MN horizontal shuffle when it’s subzero. Otherwise every baby in MN would be born during a two week span in April, conceived in the only “summer” you all have in the middle of July.
So ARE all MN babies born in April?
PJ on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:20 pm #
WOW! TWO Squawkers on the Mount! Hi Christina! (waves wildly)
Connie, Connie, Connie…you *know* you can’t just throw out a teaser like “there’s plans afoot to resurrect SQUAWK in a limited fashion” and leave it at that! Good Gawd, woman, have pity!
twolilhahas on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:26 pm #
You guys might bring squawk back? I’m so excited! Yay!
Christina Dodd on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:30 pm #
Was that mean? I shouldn’t be mean to Connie. And I wouldn’t be if she didn’t constantly talk about her starred review for SKINNY DIPPING. Every day, day after day, we hear it. “Did I mention my starred review?” “Have I told you that LIbrary Journal mentioned that I’m ‘Noted primarily for my award-winning historicals’?” “I’m sure we all agree SKINNY DIPPING is a ‘funny and quirky yet poignantly touching story, as my starred review in Library Journal said it was.”
It’s getting old, people!
Sort of like … oops! Never mind.
Lisa H on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:34 pm #
Hi Christina — how I’ve missed you too. Just mentioned your walking penis the other day on one of the blogs here, the ladies at Mt. Oly demurly let it slide. HA!
I too need Squawk info. Although, Mt. Oly is just as fun to hang out around.
Connie - I just let my neighbor borrow “All Through the Night” she loved it as much as I did and we gushed about it together. I can’t wait for your collaberation with Eloisa and Julia.
Christina Dodd on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:39 pm #
Hi, PJ! FYI, I’m having email problems. I can receive and read, I just can’t reply. (Don’t ask, you don’t want to know, but it has gone on wayyyy too long.) So it’s yes to your question and I’ll get the stuff sent soon.
JPerry et al, we are NOT resurrecting Squawk (and btw, Brockway, the URL is squawkradio.com), but we are still using it for a bulletin board. You know, putting up our covers, letting you know when we have a book out, talking incessently about our starred reviews … (”Xtina, have I mentioned my starred review says SKINNY DIPPING has ‘appeal … for both romance and women’s fiction fans alike?’”)
Connie, have I mentioned that on January 29, a reprint of PRICELESS, my third, long out of print historical, will knock your book off the top of Squawk Radio?
Teresa Medeiros on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:42 pm #
Hey Constance! I’ve never seen your hair look so good. But you might want to lay off the Botox because your face moved even less than Joan Rivers’.
And I do not follow strangers down the street begging for massages. I follow strangers down the street begging for chocolate. If they want to throw in a massage while they’re at it, that’s completely within their rights
And besides, what’s wrong with asking people to rub your body for money? Or for that matter, for free!
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:44 pm #
First, who let Dodd in? Karen Hawkins, you PROMISED if I blogged, you’d keep her out.
About Squawk— no blogs but increased info flow. Maybe some links to blogs. Maybe some newsletters posted online. Maybe a video link or two…
Thanks Lisa! I’m looking forward to it, too!
PJ on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:44 pm #
Thank you, Christina!
Freedom Writer on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:47 pm #
I think I need to get Squawked. What is the url/web address/little thingy you type into the little whachamacallit at the top of the internet pagimibob? Or should I google it.
J Perry: Wisconsin is WI
And Karen R. I don’t know about MN babies, but being from WI we get summer in July and the first part of August so I have 2 April babies, 1 May baby. Oh yeah, and one August baby, but what else is there to do when you get trapped by a snowstorm at your parents house just after Thanksgiving.
As for subzero weather, have you ever stuck your tongue on a metal flag pole in winter?
Freedom Writer on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:50 pm #
Oh I just saw CD’s reply and now I have the URL thingy. Thanks!
PJ on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:52 pm #
Hi Teresa!
Begging for massages and chocolate…I like that!
Karen Rose on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:52 pm #
Freedom,
Not even on a dreaded Triple Dog Dare.
Lisa H on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:56 pm #
Teresa- Karen H has posted a couple nice pictures of Russell on this site. Look under “FRO’s” You won’t be disappointed!
twolilhahas on 17 Jan 2008 at 1:56 pm #
Oh, oh, oh…Teresa! What’s the story on your 2008 release? Can you give any information? Please, please!!
PJ on 17 Jan 2008 at 2:00 pm #
So, Connie I have to ask. *Are* those your legs on the cover of SKINNY DIPPING?
Cookiedough on 17 Jan 2008 at 2:24 pm #
excellent interview!
Connie, I have to admit, I’ve never read your books, but glad to have something new to look forward to!
twolilhahas on 17 Jan 2008 at 2:29 pm #
Oh, Cookiedough, Connie writes great books! I read one of the McClairen’s Isle books and I’ve been wanting to get the other two forever. So good!
PJ on 17 Jan 2008 at 2:36 pm #
All three of the McClairen’s Isle books are terrific, as are the rest of Connie’s historicals. I really liked The Rose Hunters trilogy.
Kim on 17 Jan 2008 at 3:38 pm #
Holy Smokes! I go out for kitty litter and xtina AND Teresa both show up AND dropping a bomb like that. For shame for shame. You should see the scorching email I just sent someone. *g* Now, I’m really getting out the nekkid chicken. I mean it Connie, I am. Teresa, cover Buffie’s eyes. She’s too young to see it.
Cookiedough–You need to read Connie. She writes awesome books! (Connie-you have my address for the check;) )
Teresa Medeiros on 17 Jan 2008 at 4:57 pm #
Oh, dear, is Connie quoting her own reviews again? I knew I was feeling sleepy…very very sleepy…
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 5:33 pm #
PJ– yes. Those are my legs. And that’s all I want to here on that matter.
Cookiedough— yes, you should read my books
Medeiros — don’t go there. I could tell some pretty interesting tales.
And that is why we still hang around together. We have too much dirt on one another to ever truly escape.
Now, I must go an do a polar bath in the snow outside. I just caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and the right side of my face seems to be melting…
Julia London on 17 Jan 2008 at 6:13 pm #
Yep, Teresa, its been a real snooze fest all day. Skinny this, starred review that. Bored. So bored.
Cookiedough on 17 Jan 2008 at 6:57 pm #
I flipped web pages and put a few on hold at my local library branch right away!
Julie on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:21 pm #
Oooooohh Connie I just finished reading Skinny Dipping
I gotta admit that I am a Big Fan of Historicals. So I was a little…you know… curious to see if a book that didn’t have the words corset or stays in it could keep my boooss… um… ah interest up.
What a Great Book! I honestly can’t say enough good things about it.
My only complaint was that I hated reading the last chapter… because I didn’t want the story to end.
Sigh
SD was so funny and poignant. And your characters were… such Characters! I Loved em, Connie!
Julie D
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:22 pm #
Ha! Miss NYT— I distinctly recall you putting me into a coma a few months ago!
Karen Hawkins on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:32 pm #
I was gone today because of an emergency, but I’m back and I can see we’ve been invaded by Squawkers!
youknow what they say about trying to keep the barn door shut . . . something about ‘the goats know the back door’ or perhaps it was ‘lil’ chicks’ in this instance.
Anyway, sorry I wasn’t here, although I do see that Brockway managed to mention her STARRED REVIEW only uhm . . . let me see . . . four, five, six . . . eight, nine — TEN times. Sheesh. Would have been easier just to have flashed that tattoo in your video!
Karen Rose on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:55 pm #
Nice legs, Connie
Hi Teresa and Christina! Welcome and come back anytime.
Julie on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:55 pm #
“sniff”
I missed Connie and Christina and Teresa and …and… giving each other a hard time. And…oh hi PJ… and eww look there’s that J Perry Stone…and her overactive bladder. Golly Connie It just Not The Same. I missed you Squawkers teasing and tormenting each other and… I missed… I… hey
Connie said:
J Perry Stone (god, I love saying that..it sounds so toney!)
Julie said:
Yah know I’ve been thinkin’. If a fan of Squawk Radio is called a Squawker. Than a fan of JPerry Stone would be called a Sto… OMG!
J Perry! Girl You have to come up with a nom de plume
I refuse to go through life being called a Stoner.
Yep …I Really missed… giving J Perry Stone a hard time.
Ellen on 17 Jan 2008 at 7:59 pm #
I’m with you Karen H….missed the whole day and look who showed up. By the by…I gotta get me some BOTOX…There was not and expression line on her face for the entire interview. But what was with the head bobbing. What was Connie up to? hmmmm
Also…did I see a naked baby tethered to her back desk?
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:06 pm #
LOL, Ellen— that’s a stuffed Gollum Xtina sent me (god knows why) When you press it’s tummy it hisses things. Maybe Christina thought I missed hearing her voice…
Kim on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:37 pm #
I gotta say I’m totally impressed. A whole day and no one even mentioned Connie’s typos. WOW!
J Perry–Puh-lease tell me you haven’t been spreading around that story about your frozen…behind?
Gannon on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:39 pm #
I’m away from Mt. Oly all day, and I missed all the fun of Connie, Christina, and Teresa “squawking.” Ah, makes me nostalgic for the good ol’ days of SquawkRadio. Can’t wait to read SKINNY DIPPING, Connie. And your legs look fabulous on the cover!
Lisa H on 17 Jan 2008 at 8:47 pm #
I had guests for dinner, so I haven’t been able to be on much…but oh how I love you ladies…can’t wait to get my hands on Skinny Dipping.
Can’t wait for all the squwakers new releases.
Oh Ellen - LOL where have you been all day.
Karen H - hope everything’s okay at your house.
Julia - you have such a nice southern accent, you sound like a regal southern lady, a very slim might I say southern lady.
Julia London on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:29 pm #
Did you all hear that? REGAL SOUTHERN LADY. A SLIM, REGAL SOUTHERN LADY
Thanks, Lisa!!
doglady on 17 Jan 2008 at 9:46 pm #
Goodness, I just got home and some of my favorite authors are having a free for all! Of course my current very favorite is Ms. Nicole Jordan!! Thank you, thank you for my hot off the presses copy of To Pleasure a Lady! I can put your book on my shelf of honor between Claudia Dain’s and Teresa Medeiros’s, if you like. Looks like the Squawk gang is all here! I actually met Teresa in Birmingham at a luncheon (I wrote Tiger, tiger in the Avon novella, Teresa) She is a lovely lady I am sure she has a perfectly good reason for dissing Connie’s review!!! LOL
Connie, I LOVE your historicals! Your characters are so memorable! Skinny Dipping sounds like a great way for me to get a taste of your contemporaries! How hard is it to make the leap from one to the other and to keep them separate in your head? Or is that really necessary.
And after hearing all of these Minnesota stories I think we all need to organize a road trip to the great white North. Whose with me?? Anyone? HELLO????
Lisa Kleypas on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:06 pm #
Hello Connie! Hello everyone–I love visiting these goddesses and basking in their glow, and also seeing so many familiar names!
>
Connie, Xtina also hisses things when we’re doing our Pilates.
I can’t wait to read Skinny Dipping, dear!
–Lisa
Santa on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:22 pm #
Can I just say I am as happy as a pig in - well - you know what!!
This is my Skinny Dipping weekend - as God is my witness. Mainly because of that review in Library Journal….
So, I’ve put the DH on notice and I’ve put the cherubs on notice (particularly Banana Head) that I will not be swayed from my mission! J Perry I’ll race ya!
So nice to read the ol’ gang here! Must remember to visit the Squawk on a more regular basis for the ‘on dits’.
And let me tell you, not only do the goddesses here write like, well, goddesses - they know how to throw a great blog, too!
Santa
Who just realized no one else is probably awake at this time or will respond but it feels so good! It’s like coming home!
Karen Hawkins on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:24 pm #
Connie, I want a Gollum doll! Xtina, where did you find that? I want to send it to my sister. Anonymously, of course. She ah, needs one. That hisses.
Really.
Lisa, I’m sorry but all you’ll see here is Connie talking and talking about her STARRED REVIEW. I’m sure you’ve already heard about it.
You guys have been doing pilates? I’ve started a yoga class and discovered that yoga is actually Y.O.G.A. (You’re Oafish and Grossly unAgile). It’s ain’t pretty.
Karen Hawkins on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:26 pm #
And Santa, I’m here! And you’re so gonna LOVE Skinny Dipping — it’s just fantastic.
Santa on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:42 pm #
Nice to see someone else keeps ungodly hours, Karen! ‘Sides, once I devour ‘Skinny Dipping’ I’ll be all set to read ‘To Catch A Highlander’!
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 10:46 pm #
Hey–I’m here, too! Working.
First, Julia, you simple tool, don’t you recognize irony when you hear it? Geesh.
Doglady— THANK YOU! I hope you like SD, but I gotta ask, why are you “dog lady?” Because there are three orphaned mutts in SD that sort of steal the show. Especially “Bill.” Love dogs. I have two.
Lisa–are you sure that’s a hiss? Because with all that bending and twisting…never mind.
Santa, Santa— tell me what you think when you’re done. Really.
Karen –LOL, I tried YOGA once. As soon as they told me to do a “downward dog” I started giggling so hard they kicked me out.
Finally, did I tell you guys about my starred review????
doglady on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:05 pm #
Connie, now I HAVE to read Skinny Dipping! I am a sucker for stories with dogs. My nickname was given to me by a judge in a dog-fighting case in which I had to testify. I rehab dogs with “mental” problems, for lack of a better word. I worked with a couple of the fighting dogs that were rescued from a dog fighting ring bust and I had to testify about how they were doing and how badly traumatized they were, etc. The DA told the judge he wanted to recall me and the judge couldn’t remember my name. Then he snapped his fingers and said “Oh yeah! The Doglady!” It stuck! The permanent residents of my five acres in the middle of nowhere, Alabama include a few dogs with issues that made it impossible for them to be anywhere else. I have 2 housedogs, 7 dogs in outdoor runs (with tin roofs, patios and igloo doghouses) and 3 cats with ATTITUDE!
Christina Dodd on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:19 pm #
Yes, Lisa and I do indeed pilate. We also have a personal trainer. We work out SIX DAYS A WEEK. We are toned, thin and healthy, which is why Miss Rigor Mortis is jealous.
And Lisa, I’d like to point out that I may hiss, but you whimper. A lot.
Santa, it’s not late on the west coast. I’m still working. Gotta get this book done before I have jury duty next month. ::sigh::
Karen, I got the Gollum doll at the Museum in Houston when they had their Lord of the Rings exhibit. Er … you don’t suppose that makes me a nerd or anything, do you?
Lisa H on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:26 pm #
Christina, what’s your next book?
Kim on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:33 pm #
LISA! Sweets, its awesome to see you out and about! Did you hear the great news about Connie’s awesome stared review? lol
Xtina–who convinced who that it was a good idea for you two to torture yourself that way?
Santa–I’m awake and here! At least for a little bit. Poor Gene got fired. Now I need to go drown my sorrows in a bottle of something 90 proof. I plan to get into a stupor and ride The Donald a strongly worded letter about letting my guy go.
doglady on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:43 pm #
Kim, NO!!! I missed it tonight. He fired Gene???? HOW DARE HE!!! Lets set Donald’s hair on fire. With him in it!
Connie Brockway on 17 Jan 2008 at 11:49 pm #
Doglady, you’ve got to contact me. My daughter does stray -rescue. She has a pitbull rescue she got when the dog was six weeks old. I have a couple questions if you’re willing to answer them…
connie
Christina Dodd on 18 Jan 2008 at 12:00 am #
Lisa H, Thank you for asking about my next book. (The check’s in the mail.)
Not that I’ve got a *starred review* or anything, but the reprint of PRICELESS (historical) is out Jan. 29, the third book in the Fortune Hunter series, THIGH HIGH (romantic suspense), is out March 4, and the last two books in the Darkness Chosen series, INTO THE SHADOW and INTO THE FLAME (paranormal), are out July 1 and August 5.
Between all the goddesses, all the squawkers, and of course, Miss Starred Review herself, you are going to have a wonderful year!
Christina Dodd on 18 Jan 2008 at 12:02 am #
Kim, I think I may have convinced Lisa it was a good idea to work out together. She’s very grateful. Really! She says so every day. At least, I think that’s what she means when she says, “I owe you big time, Dodd.”
Sabrina Jeffries on 18 Jan 2008 at 12:51 am #
Hey, don’t you people know it’s bedtime? Or at least it is for those of us on the east coast. You Texans think you’re the only people on the planet–sheesh! Keeping us up like this, talking about books. You’d think this was a romance blog or something!
BTW, thanks for getting doglady to explain her moniker. Either I missed it the first time she explained it, or none of us ever thought to ask.
I’m going to bed. But I did want to say thanks to all the Squawkers who dropped by and thanks to Connie for rising from her botox-induced stupor long enough to give us a lovely day on the blog! We love you, Connie!!!
twolilhahas on 18 Jan 2008 at 12:51 am #
Oh, yay, Christina. I can’t wait for the rest of Darkness Chosen to finally be available. The only complaint I had was the crack on the mailmain in the second one! lol Of course, me being a hard-working, long-suffering mailman, maybe I’m extra-sensitive. haha
Lisa Kleypas, I have Cam’s book sitting on my printer. That is my very next read and I have had it since it came out. I want to read it so badly, but got pregnant and reading is just not cool with morning sickness! I can’t wait to feel up to romance again because I’ve loved Cam from hello!
Suzanne Enoch on 18 Jan 2008 at 1:23 am #
Good golly, look at all the goddesses here today! If we weren’t all so slim and toned, Mt. Oly would be sinking from the weight of our magnificence.
Since we’re goddesses, I think we should rename a constellation. Pick Orion or something and call it “the starred review”. Connie, you got one of those, didn’t you?
Karen Hawkins on 18 Jan 2008 at 9:14 am #
Oh sheesh. Suzanne, DON’T SUGGEST CONNIE NAME A CONSTELLATION AFTER HER STARRED REVIEW! She’s eaten up with it, already! She does NOT need to be encouraged. AT ALL!
Btw, I like the sound of ‘if we weren’t all so slim and toned.” I dig that. Feel free to use that tone in any sentence you want!
Karen who is working on the slim and toned part but hasn’t seen any results yet (sigh!)
Connie Brockway on 18 Jan 2008 at 9:24 am #
Dear Suzanne!
What a wonderful idea! Dare I
suggest a little contest? The best Connie Constellation name gets an autographed copy of SKINNY-DIPPING.
Just email me the names at connie@conniebrockway.com
and I’ll post the winner later this week. I’ll come back to Olympus to let everyone know, too, IF the gah-gah gah, if they’ll have me