Emma Barry puts the chick in chick lit...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to welcome Emma Barry to CLC to celebrate the publication of her latest rom-com, Chick Magnet. This story sounds like so much fun and we are enjoying the eye candy on the cover. ;) Melissa has this in her five-book pie and is excited to read it soon. Thanks to Kaye Publicity, we have one copy to give away!

Emma Barry is a teacher, novelist, recovering academic, and former political staffer. She lives with her high school sweetheart and a menagerie of pets and children in Virginia, and she occasionally finds time to read and write. 

Visit Emma online:
Website * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Nicole Jones needs a fresh start. “Chick Nic” to millions of internet fans, the social media star and her flock of chickens bask in the spotlight—until she’s publicly dumped by a YouTuber for clout. She has no choice but to round up her birds and move on.

But when one of her hens has an emergency, Nic gets her first taste of her new stomping grounds—and it isn’t good. Veterinarian Will Lund is wildly attractive, yes, but he’s also surly. In fact, he comes right out and calls her a menace for parading her chickens on social media.

As neighbors, Nic and Will can’t exactly avoid each other. Then again, maybe they don’t want to. The two can’t deny their smoldering attraction, and it isn’t long before late-night confessions lead to backyard shenanigans.

Is this the start of a neighborly relationship—or could something more be hatching?

Emma Barry has been one of my favorite authors in the world for many years now, and Chick Magnet only deepens my already fervent love of her writing. Her books are always crafted with exquisite care and thoughtfulness, abounding with graceful prose, extremely likable characters, rueful humor, and a thorough grounding in how good people think, work, and love. Plus, her writing is simply fun, not to mention sexy. With the release of this book, I expect new hordes of fans to join the Emma Barry Stan Club, but rest assured: I will always be the club’s president and most enthusiastic member.”
—Olivia Dade, national bestselling author of Spoiler Alert and All the Feels

“One of the chief pleasures of being a romance reader is getting to watch Emma Barry’s complex, honorable characters forging themselves into stronger, happier versions of themselves. Chick Magnet is Emma Barry at the peak of her powers: hilarious and humane, it will restore your faith in the power of love.”
—Jenny Holiday, USA Today bestselling author

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
Several years ago, I wrote a book, called The One You Hate, about rival aides falling in love during a presidential campaign. Someone who had been a real senior campaign aide reached out to me and said, “Hey, so do I know you? Who did you work for? Because every single detail is accurate.” I’m telling you, that email kept me going through years of writer’s block. 

How is Nicole similar to or different from you?
I want to be Nic when I grow up. I love how resilient she is, how sunny she can be. I tend to catastrophize and, as a result, to get stuck. When we meet her, Nic has been through the absolute wringer, but she’s trying to put her life back together, and I really admire that. We both share a love of animals (especially chickens)—and of a good charcuterie board. 

If Chick Magnet was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
For Will, we’ll need someone who’s extremely large and good looking, who’s into sports, and who goes tender around children and animals. I’ll admit, I had Chris Hemsworth in mind. For Nic, she has to have that mix of sassy and sweet, with a sort of girl next door charm. I think Rachel Bilson fits the bill.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna is essentially a warm mug of cocoa in book-form. The protagonist grew up totally isolated, hiding her magical powers. She accidentally becomes the governess to three adorable young witches living in this amazing rambling house by the sea. So you have found family, a romance with a grumpy librarian, and this wonderful self-actualization arc for the female protagonist. It’s great.

If we were to visit you right now, what are some must-see places you would show us?
I live in the southeast corner of Virginia, and what we have is coastal beauty and history. I’d take you to see the mantua maker at Colonial Williamsburg, the Hamilton redoubt on the Yorktown Battlefield, the Apollo 12 Command Module at the Virginia Air and Space Center, and the view of the Chesapeake Bay from Grandview Nature Preserve.

What is your favorite thing to eat in the winter?
When it’s cold, I’m always craving warm, spicy, filling soups, stews, and my personal favorite, ramen. I’m a big fan of this recipe from Half-Baked Harvest. I add roasted tofu glazed with Korean barbeque sauce.

Thanks to Emma for chatting with us and to Kaye Publicity for sharing her book 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 January 29th at midnight EST.

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