Stacey Ballis' latest ballad, plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Melissa Amster


**Giveaway is now closed**

As you may already know, I love Stacey Ballis and all her novels. I'm currently reading her latest novel, "Off the Menu," and being tantalized by all the descriptions of food (including some yummy sounding Jewish treats). Alana, her new leading lady, is also a real treat to read about. I can't help but grin from her sunny disposition.

Even though Stacey didn't pick me as the winner of her Stennifer lunch contest, I won't hold it against her. I do hope to meet her someday, but I am thrilled that she's back at CLC today to talk about music. If after reading her answers, you decide you also love her and can't get enough of her, visit her at her website and blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. And if you're in the Chicago area for business, pleasure or just because you live there already, check out some of her upcoming tour dates this month. (Just know I'll be jealous of you that you got to meet her in person.)

As an extra morsel of good cheer, Stacey is sharing THREE copies of "Off the Menu" with some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

Song you danced to first at your wedding: 
Which wedding, the wrong one or the good one? (Kidding...sort of.) For my recent wedding to my wonderful hubby, Bill, to whom "Off the Menu" is dedicated, we decided we were much more interested in BEING married than in GETTING married, so we did a very small intimate afternoon ceremony, followed by cake and champagne. All bread, no circus. No meal, no receiving line, no dancing. Later that evening our families had dinner in a private room at a favorite local restaurant. Again, no dancing. But I think if we had needed a first dance song, it would have been Otis Redding’s “These Arms of Mine”.

Song that went through your head while writing your novel: 
Since this book was inspired by my true life courtship with Bill, the song that was most in my head was Dusty Springfield’s “Son of a Preacher Man”. Bill’s dad is a retired Methodist minister. “Preacher Man” has always been my go-to karaoke number, so it was funny that I actually fell in love with one! It is Bill’s ringtone on my cell.

Which song are you proud to know all the lyrics to?
That’s an easy one, “American Pie” by Don McLean. Has won me a couple of bar bets.

Favorite "one hit wonder":
Oh, my, that is a very hard question! Probably either “I Melt With You” by Modern English or “Let The Music Play” by Shannon. (OOOOooo or “Obsession” by Animotion!)

Song which reminds you most of your teenage years:
"Pretty In Pink" - Psychedelic Furs

First album (or cassette, 8-track, etc.) you ever bought:
Michael Jackson’s Off The Wall, on vinyl.

Song that reminds you of one of your characters (from any of your books): 
"Wind Beneath My Wings" by Bette Midler always makes me think of my amazing sister and best friend, Deborah, so it also makes me think of Jill and Jodi Spingold from "The Spinster Sisters," which I wrote as a love letter to Deb. And when Sugarland came out with “Stay”, I wanted to go back in time and play it for Sidney, from "Inappropriate Men!"

If you were only allowed to play one song ever again, what would that song be and why? 
I’m very much a pop 80s girl, but just one song forever? "Symphony for the New World" by Dvorak. I’m not hugely into classical music, but this has always been a very special piece for me, and I find something new in it every time I listen to it. Plus then I could make up different sets of lyrics for it whenever I wanted!

Thanks so much to Stacey for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers!

How to win "Off the Menu":
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 or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Which song are you proud to know all the lyrics to?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends July 17th at midnight EST.