Talli Roland talks cuteness...plus a book giveaway

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we welcome back the lovely Talli Rolland, and her latest novel, The Pollyanna Plan.  As we all (hopefully) know, Talli writes fun, romantic fiction. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine). Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories--complete with happy endings. Talli's debut novel, The Hating Game, was short-listed for Best Romantic Read at the UK's Festival of Romance, while her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as an Amazon Customer Favorite. Her novels have also been chosen as top books of the year by industry review websites and have been bestsellers in Britain and the United States.

Talli took time out of her newly busy schedule as a first time mom (!!!) to answer some of our questions. We're doing an animal and pet theme this month and she had some fun things to say on the topic!

Thanks to Talli we have TWO e-copies of The Pollyanna Plan to give to some lucky readers anywhere in the world. (If you can't wait till a winner is chosen, it's currently $1.99 for Kindle!)

You can find Talli at her website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

Favorite animal from a TV show:

Wow, tough one! I'm going to have to say the Littlest Hobo. He's a dog in a Canadian TV series who doesn't have a home, but who makes new friends every episode and helps them out of a dangerous situation along the way. Then, he moves on! It breaks my heart every time  he takes to the road at the end of each program. 

 

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

I'm not sure I can pinpoint one (cop out, I know!), but every time I receive an email from a reader, it reminds me how wonderful being a writer actually is. There's nothing scarier than baring your soul each time you publish, and to know your efforts have been appreciated really can't be beaten.

 

Favorite zoo animal: 

I love koala bears! The way they hug the trees and their fuzzy little bodies are so endearing.

 

How do you react to a negative review?

One word: wine. Or whine! Seriously, though, I grizzle a bit to my husband, then move on. It's taken me a while to grow a tough skin, but now I realise it's impossible to please everyone. Some people will like my books, and some won't. I'll write for those who do!

 

Funniest/cutest thing you've seen an animal do:

My cat used to curl up in the sink. For some reason, I found this beyond cute! Until I needed to brush my teeth...
 

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read The Pollyanna Plan.

The Pollyanna Plan is an uplifting novel without being too kitsch (I hope!), and drives home the point that despite the potential for hurt and pain, it's worth living life to the fullest.

  

Favorite animal from a commercial:

There's a type of loo roll (toilet paper) here in the UK called Andrex, and their commercials feature legions of cute fuzzy puppies! Makes me go gooey every time. 

What do you think the key is to a successful chicklit novel? Lots of sexiness? A studly hero? Plenty of angst? (or others)

I think a successful chick lit novel has a heroine who faces challenges, makes wrong decisions and faces obstacles, but by the end of the book is stronger because of them. A little romance and a hunky hero always help, but for me the heroine needs to learn and grow on her own, not because a man has swept her off her stilettos.

Special thanks to Talli for answering our questions, even with an adorable little distraction (and we don't mean a pet this time) and for sharing her latest novel with our readers!
 

How to win The Pollyanna Plan:
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. Since The Pollyanna Plan is about thinking positively, please tell us: What is something you really like about any kind of animal?
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. Follow us on Twitter and/or Pinterest.
6. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends January 9th at midnight EST