Kevin Dickson has the item we're looking for...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have Kevin Dickson here to talk about shopping with us today. He was introduced to us by Lindsey Kelk (author of the "I Heart" series), who I devoured his book on her holiday and says "it's a super fun, sexy romp through the lives of three young Hollywood insiders." "What book is that?" you ask. Why, Blind Item, of course! Thanks to Imprint, we have FIVE copies to give away! Blind Item was also written by his friend Jack Ketsoyan and it sounds like a perfect chick lit read for the summer!

Kevin Dickson grew up obsessed with pop culture in his native Australia. He became an entertainment journalist and worked his way up to being the TV Critic for the national newspaper, The Australian. Moving to Los Angeles in the late '90s, Dickson eventually ended up working for a start-up tabloid called In Touch. Over the next decade-plus, Dickson covered the entertainment world from both sides of the fence - as a reporter and as a friend and confidante to some of Hollywood's most scandalous names. He also formed a punk band called The Chew Toys, who toured and recorded one well-received album. He put down the guitar to work on Blind Item with his friend Jack Ketsoyan. Dickson is synesthetic, globophobic and outdoorsy. He currently lives in Los Angeles with his fiance and two wonderful dogs, and is working on three upcoming novels. (Bio courtesy of Amazon.)

Visit Kevin on Facebook and Twitter.

Synopsis:
No one knows her name, but now everyone wants to.

As an assistant publicist in Hollywood, Nicola spends her days (and nights) sweeping up the scandals of singers, movie stars, and TV actors. Fresh from Ohio, she’s rapidly discovering the real Hollywood is rotten under its glittering skin. Everyone is a hustler with a hard bottom line and a soap opera sob story.

When she breaks her own rules and starts dating a movie star, the Los Angeles scene starts to spill into her own life. As the paparazzi begin the hunt for sexy star Seamus O’Riordan’s new mystery girl, Nicola’s best friend Billy has her back while he prowls parties for the latest scoop to sell to the tabloids. Her roommate Kara keeps tabs on things too—in between befriending a former child star and transforming herself from stylist to reality TV sensation.

As the scandals pile up behind them, their pasts will be exposed… And every secret can be sold.

Written by two Hollywood insiders, Kevin Dickson and Jack Ketsoyan, Blind Item's jaw-dropping scandals are real, but the names are not. And they’ll never tell. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

Where did you enjoy shopping most when you were a kid/teen?
My mother believed that taking kids shopping was torture for both parent and child and so we rarely got to go shopping. There was a Woolworth’s near my school bus stop and I’d go in while I was waiting for a bus, and I’d see all the toys I wanted, and I’d save my lunch money so that I could buy a Star Wars figure every couple of weeks. I grew up beside a postcard-perfect beach in Australia, and that was always more interesting to me than going shopping anyway.

Last item you purchased in a store:
I fell in love with a pair of Sperry sneakers, super lightweight and comfortable but also stylish. They had them in teal and peacock blue and I could not decide which so I bought both. I don’t regret my lack of control, they’re super cool.

Least favorite thing to shop for:
Jeans. There are so many options and variations in cut and fit that it’s overwhelming. When I find a pair that fit well, I usually wear them to death and then it’s time to panic again when I have to replace them.

Favorite purchase from the past year:
I splashed out and bought a beautifully tailored Paul Smith shirt for my book launch event. Even though it is a simple black long-sleeved shirt, it fits and wears perfectly. I love it so much.

Retail or thrift?
A thrilling combination of both: I love to find things new, but dramatically reduced in price. If I fall in love with anything - a clothing item, homewares - I will wait patiently until I can get it for around 70% off. It’s pretty easy in Los Angeles, stock has a high turnover and old stock gets discounted quickly. The key is to know when a department store is going to do a “take an additional 50% off lowest marked price” sale - that’s when you get to make a killing. I was obsessed with a pair of $145 Sundek swim shorts for this summer and I was able to finally get them for $22.50.

Most amusing purchase:
My friend Katia has opened an art space slash fashion store in Tijuana called Studio 664 and the last time I was down there, they had a range of lingerie slip dresses for dogs, and I bought my chihuahua-pomeranian runt Tuna this ridiculous outfit. It’s sheer lace on top with a satin skirt. Tuna hates wearing it so much, she keeps burying it behind the couch cushions. It’s hilarious.

Thanks to Kevin for visiting with us and to Imprint for sharing Blind Item with our readers!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Giveaway ends July 23rd at midnight EST.