Having a great "time" with Claire Cook...plus a book giveaway

Introduction by Kathryn Hamilton

**Giveaway is now closed**

A chick lit icon is hanging out with us today at CLC. Welcome Claire Cook and wish her a happy pub day, as she celebrates the release of her latest novel, which is a June Indie Next pick, as well as a summer book pick for Working Mother Magazine, Deep South Magazine and GoLocalProvidence. In honor of the title, she's playing a little "time" themed "This or That" game with us! What can we say about Claire Cook that hasn’t already been said? She is one of the most recognizable and renowned authors in the chick lit genre and continues to write novels that speak to her readers on many levels. Claire has come a long way since writing her first novel in her minivan at age 45. Her longevity and loyal fan base is a testament to her storytelling ability. Time Flies is her 10th novel and we look forward to another ten!

You can find out more about Claire is up to via her website, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Thanks to Simon and Schuster, we have FIVE copies of Time Flies for some lucky readers in the US.

Sunrise or Sunset?
I wrote my first novel in my minivan at 5:00 AM in the parking lot outside my daughter's swim practice, and morning is still that magical time for me, when you can make all your dreams come true. I'm at my most creative as the sun is coming up, and done for the day by sunset.

Clocks: Digital or Analog?
Time flies either way, so either one is fine with me!

Time travel: Past or future?
The future. I can imagine it so clearly that I sometimes forget it's not here yet!

Nostalgia: 70s or 80s?
I love them both. All that great music, not to mention the bad hair and makeup. I had so much fun strolling down memory lane while writing Time Flies, and my iPhone is still blasting everything from "Stairway to Heaven" to "Nights in White Satin" to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun."

"Time After Time" or "If I Could Turn Back Time?"
I've got Cyndi Lauper's voice stuck in my head just from reading the question, so I guess I'd have to say "Time After Time." The concept of turning back time doesn't really interest me. I'd rather see what's around the next corner!

Early to bed or early to rise?
Both! Or neither!

"A Stitch in time saves nine" or "An inch of time cannot be bought with an inch of gold"?
You just gave me a math headache! I guess I would say time is precious but not for squandering. Live your life! Make mistakes! Have fun!

Spring forward or fall back?
Spring forward. Always and forever.

Thanks to Claire for being so generous with her time and to Simon and Schuster for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win Time Flies:
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:
1.Please tell us: What is one way you "measure a year?" (Think of "Seasons of Love" from RENT.)
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.

US only. Giveaway ends June 16th at midnight EST.