Shakespeare's in love with Lian Dolan....plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Kathryn Hamilton

**Giveaway is now closed**

Give a big CLC welcome to Lian Dolan, who joins us today to celebrate the release of her sophomore novel Elizabeth the First Wife and share her fantasy movie cast. Chances are you already know who Lian is but may not realize it. She has made quite the name for herself outside of the literary world. She has a nationally syndicated radio show, "Satellite Sisters," that she hosts with her sisters and she has a blog about motherhood called The Chaos Chronicles which was developed into a sitcom. As if that’s not enough to keep her busy, Lian also regularly contributes to Oprah.com as a relationship exert, has made several TV appearances and does frequent speaking engagements. Whew! Lian is known for her wit and her high level of energy. She sounds like someone we’d love to be friends with! Lian had considerable success with her first novel Helen of Pasadena which made it to the L.A. Times bestseller list, and no doubt will continue to find herself on many more best seller lists.

You can find Lian at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to Wunderkind PR, we have FIVE copies of Elizabeth the First Wife for some lucky US readers!

(Please note that this post contains potential spoilers for the novel.)

This was a fantastic exercise because I'm terrible at The Casting Game. I think every movie should star Kate Winslet and/or Hugh Jackman, but I understand that’s not always possible. So here goes:

Katie Holmes as Elizabeth Lancaster (Hip 30 -something Shakespeare Professor who loves the Bard and US Weekly with equal zeal.) I saw a picture of the never- aging Katie Holmes after I finished the book and I thought, “That’s Elizabeth!” Like my main character, Katie was married to action star and played second fiddle in the press to her man. But then, out of nowhere, Katie rebounds with a spectacular divorce coup followed by a Broadway show and a Bobbie Brown contract. Yeah, Katie. Take that, Tom. Katie’s self-discovery story mirrors Elizabeth’s and she’s got the right hair for the part.

James Marsden as FX Fahey (Elizabeth’s college sweetheart, then husband who crushed her heart then went on to become one of the top-grossing action stars of all time. Still, as likable as a Yellow Lab.) Who doesn’t like James Marsden of Enchanted and X-Men? He can play a good guy, a bad guy or a storybook prince who wears tights in NYC. He sings, he dances, heck, he’s the reason I’ve watched 27 Dresses like, 27 times. He’s so darn likable—and really sexy -- he’d be perfect for hard-to-hate, easy-on-the-eyes FX Fahey.

Freddie Prinze Jr. as Rafa Moreno (The dark horse in the love triangle who’s also the Chief of Staff for a US Congressman and looks spectacular in white button-down shirts.) Yes, Freddie Prinze Jr. because it’s time for a FPJ revival. Where’s he been since She’s All That? Why does Sarah Michelle Geller get to keep him to herself? He’s too cute to be a househusband. I’d love to see Freddie back on the big screen as the sharp, behind the scenes political operative.

Charlize Theron as Bumble Lancaster (Elizabeth’s older, more glamorous sister. A former Hollywood PR person now married to a US Congressman/zillionaire.) I think Charlize needs a fast-talking comedic role every once in a while. She plays so many earnest, drab parts to prove that she can act, forever trying to camouflage the fact that she’s the most beautiful person on the planet. We get it, Charlize, you can act. Now go have some fun in a film and a decent wardrobe.

Hugh Jackman as Taz Buchanan (Brilliant, but demanding, Australian director hired to stage an avant-garde production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream) Oh, wait! There is a role for Hugh Jackman. Phew. How clever of me to write an Australian right into the book to assure the appearance of Wolverine. Do you think he’ll shave his head and wear a sarong in order to play Taz? I hope so.

Thanks to Lian for sharing her casting choices and to Wunderkind for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win Elizabeth the First Wife:
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.)

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US only. Giveaway ends May 21st at midnight EST.