Photo by Lori Berkowitz |
Jane L. Rosen is an author, screenwriter, and Huffington Post contributor. She lives in New York City and Fire Island with her husband and three daughters. (Bio courtesy of Penguin Random House.)
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Synopsis:
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. When Eliza Hunt created The Hudson Valley Ladies’ Bulletin Board fifteen years ago she was happily entrenched in her picture-perfect suburban life with her husband and twin preschoolers. Now, with an empty nest and a crippling case of agoraphobia, the once-fun hobby has become her lifeline. So when a rival parenting forum threatens the site’s existence, she doesn’t think twice before fabricating a salacious rumor to spark things up a bit.
It wasn’t supposed to happen this way. When Eliza Hunt created The Hudson Valley Ladies’ Bulletin Board fifteen years ago she was happily entrenched in her picture-perfect suburban life with her husband and twin preschoolers. Now, with an empty nest and a crippling case of agoraphobia, the once-fun hobby has become her lifeline. So when a rival parenting forum threatens the site’s existence, she doesn’t think twice before fabricating a salacious rumor to spark things up a bit.
It doesn’t take long before that spark becomes a flame.
Across town, new mom and site devotee Olivia York is thrown into a tailspin by what she reads on the Bulletin Board. Allison Le is making cyber friends with a woman who isn’t quite who she says she is. And Amanda Cole, Eliza’s childhood friend, may just hold the key to unearthing why Eliza can’t step out of her front door.
In all this chaos, one thing is for sure…Hudson Valley will never be the same.
Funny, romantic, raw, and hopeful, this is a story about being a woman and of the healing power of sisterhood. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
“Exactly what I needed! Highly recommend!”
—Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 28 Summers
—Elin Hilderbrand, #1 New York Times bestselling author of 28 Summers
“The magic of Jane L. Rosen’s novels is that they reveal the cracks in women’s facades just enough to let their true strength shine through. I loved it.”
—Jamie Brenner, bestselling author of Summer Longing
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
When you publish your first book everything is new—including suddenly being complemented all the time. It’s like walking around with a fabulous new haircut and hearing various iterations of “Your hair looks great!” over and over again. At one of my first signings for Nine Women, One Dress, a woman approached and while I was signing her book, she said rather quietly, “Meg Wolitzer told me I had to read this book.” I though I misheard her and asked her to repeat it. She did and I jumped out of my seat at the thrill of it. I couldn’t believe that Meg Wolitzer read my book, let alone recommended it. That was my favorite complement, and still is.
How is Eliza similar to or different from you?
Well, if you would have asked me this question pre-pandemic, I would have solely said we have a similar sense of humor, but now I must admit, I can really relate to her not wanting to leave the house. I think many people can.
If Eliza Starts a Rumor was made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Aaaah, my favorite game! Emmy Rossum as Olivia, Maggie Q. as Alison, Sterling K Brown as Jackie, January Jones as Amanda ( I miss Betty Draper!) and for Eliza I’m torn between Toni Collette, Drew Barrymore and Melissa McCarthy.
Which TV series are you currently binge watching?
I just learned that my favorite pandemic series, The Restaurant, has returned with four new episodes. It’s a Swedish show about a family and their posh restaurant at the end of World War Two. I’ve loved every minute of it!
What is something you have learned during the pandemic?
That JFK was right—-What unites us is greater than what divides us. And also, cleaning your own toilet is really not so bad.
What piece of advice would you give the teenage version of yourself?
Major in English in college. Travel while you’re young. Hold on to the friends who have your back.
When you publish your first book everything is new—including suddenly being complemented all the time. It’s like walking around with a fabulous new haircut and hearing various iterations of “Your hair looks great!” over and over again. At one of my first signings for Nine Women, One Dress, a woman approached and while I was signing her book, she said rather quietly, “Meg Wolitzer told me I had to read this book.” I though I misheard her and asked her to repeat it. She did and I jumped out of my seat at the thrill of it. I couldn’t believe that Meg Wolitzer read my book, let alone recommended it. That was my favorite complement, and still is.
How is Eliza similar to or different from you?
Well, if you would have asked me this question pre-pandemic, I would have solely said we have a similar sense of humor, but now I must admit, I can really relate to her not wanting to leave the house. I think many people can.
If Eliza Starts a Rumor was made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Aaaah, my favorite game! Emmy Rossum as Olivia, Maggie Q. as Alison, Sterling K Brown as Jackie, January Jones as Amanda ( I miss Betty Draper!) and for Eliza I’m torn between Toni Collette, Drew Barrymore and Melissa McCarthy.
Which TV series are you currently binge watching?
I just learned that my favorite pandemic series, The Restaurant, has returned with four new episodes. It’s a Swedish show about a family and their posh restaurant at the end of World War Two. I’ve loved every minute of it!
What is something you have learned during the pandemic?
That JFK was right—-What unites us is greater than what divides us. And also, cleaning your own toilet is really not so bad.
What piece of advice would you give the teenage version of yourself?
Major in English in college. Travel while you’re young. Hold on to the friends who have your back.
Thanks to Jane for chatting with us and to Berkley for sharing her book with our readers.
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The rumor I heard is that a locally-loved restaurant will be closing their doors and selling their business to another local restaurant.
ReplyDeleteThe rumor I heard was that a friend was going to quit her current job.
ReplyDeleteI heard a rumor that someone I knew was moving away.
ReplyDeleteI heard a rumor that a local burger joint was closing. It was not true.
ReplyDeleteNancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
I heard a rumor that the local movie theater will reopen soon.
ReplyDeleteI heard a rumor that the kids in my area will not be returning to in-person school for the rest of the year. Probably true.
ReplyDeleteI heard a rumor that my Sister was going to retire.
ReplyDeleteI heard a rumor that someone I know was moving to Texas.
ReplyDeleteThere are always rumours going around about someone being pregnant.
ReplyDeleteI never hear any rumors. Just truths.
ReplyDeleteI don't ever hear rumors, I don't like gossip.
ReplyDeleten/a
ReplyDeleteI am almost impossible to get information out of, so gossipers get bored with me. N/A
ReplyDeleteI heard a rumor about something going on at my old job.
ReplyDeleteI heard a rumor that there may be a Season 6 of Lucifer!
ReplyDelete