Why we "Heart" Lindsey Kelk...plus a book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Lindsey Kelk is from the UK but lives in NY. She is the author of the well known "I Heart..." series. She keeps a list of fun facts about herself on her website, so if you want to know what movie terrifies her or what household chore she finds weirdly relaxing, stop over and check it out. She even shares a list of her favorite songs there. If you like what you see there, ask her to be friends on Facebook and follow her on Twitter. You can also read her BeautyMecca blog if you so feel inclined.

To start off the month of "hearts," we thought she'd be the perfect interview guest. She has even offered to give away two signed copies of "I Heart New York" (reviewed here) to some lucky readers anywhere in the world. If you haven't read this book yet, you'll definitely want to!

MP: What inspired you to write the "I Heart" series?
LK: I've always written, ever since I was very young, but IHNY was the first real project I managed to finish. I suppose it was just a fantasy really. I was bored with my job and my relationship but couldn't really see a way out. New York was on my mind as I'd just come back from a holiday there and so, Boxing Day 2006, I just started writing. Once I'd finished, I knew I wanted to see more of Angela and Alex and I Heart Hollywood and Paris just popped into my head. I hate getting to the end of a book and leaving the characters behind. I don't know what I'll do once I finish I Heart London.

MP: How do you like to spend your time when you are not writing?
LK: I watch too much TV. Seriously, I'll watch anything. Me and my roommate did. 9 hour Lifetime Movie Network marathon last week. I love watching bands, hanging out in little Williamsburg bars, napping... And putting on make up. I love putting on make up. Weird, I know.

MP: What is your ultimate guilty pleasure?
LK: For shame, WWE. It's my soap opera. I can't explain it but bloody hell, I love those oily giants. I could put you in a Sharpshooter as soon as look at you.


MP: What beauty product(s) do you always have on hand and cannot live without?
LK: I'm a beauty obsessor (and blogger!) so there are a few. I love Elemis skincare and Bliss Lemon + Sage body stuff. Make-up wise it's Max Factor Lashfinity, Dior Lipglow and L'Oreal True Match powder. And I'm never without a spritz of Coco Mademoiselle

MP: What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given in regards to writing?
LK: Just to never give up. There are lots of people out there to be cynical. Just keep going and don't be too critical of what you're doing until you have a finished first draft. I'm so bad at going over and over the same chapter a million times. It's taken a lot of training to teach myself how to stop doing that.

MA: What city do you "heart" the most?
LK: It's got to be New York. I've been here 18 months now and it feels like home. I miss London and I Love Paris but New York is where I belong. It's such an amazing city, full of wonderful people. I've made a family here and I'd miss them as much as my real family if I had to leave.

MA: How are you similar to or different from Angela?
LK: We're pretty similar but mostly in the bad ways! I'm clumsy, get myself into ridiculous situations and am partial to a band boy but she's much braver than me. I'm a Libra, I like to keep the peace. And I've never punched a girl out. In the beginning we were much more similar but Angela is her own person now.

Writing Angela has definitely helped me learn how to take more chances. My next book is all about taking risks and finding new experiences - I think I actually ended up identifying with that character a lot more closely in the end.

MA: If your "I Heart" series could be made into a movie, who would star in the lead roles?
LK: I get asked this all the time and I really struggle to choose! I can't imagine anyone playing the character because they're so real in my head but if I had to pick... I love Emily Blunt so she would be amazing. As for the boys, this is sheer casting couch but maybe Jackson Rathbone (from Twilight) and James Franco? He did General Hospital, why not IHNY?


MA: What is your favorite Disney movie? (I'm listening to my kids watch one now so that's on the top of my mind.)
LK: I LOVE Disney. The Little Mermaid. No question. I know every word.


MA: What celebrities did you crush on when you were a kid?
LK: I'm terrible for a crush, honestly I have to have someone to moon after or I'm miserable. It started with Joey from NKOTB, then Mark Owen, then Declan Donelly, a bit of a Hollywood break for Christian Slater, Jared Leto and Stephen Dorff and then musicians once I was a teenager. And um, I don't suppose I ever grew out of that one...

Special thanks to Lindsey for answering our questions and for contributing the books for the giveaway.


How to win "I Heart New York":
Please comment below with your e-mail address.
(Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page if you can receive messages there.)

1. Please tell us: What city do you "heart" the most?
2. Please tell us: What is your guilty pleasure?
3. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
4. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
5. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

Giveaway ends Sunday, February 6th at midnight EST. After you watch the "Glee" Superbowl episode, make sure to enter if you haven't by then!