Today we are pleased to have Julie Edelman here to discuss her new captivating novel, The Accidental Sisterhood. Melissa looks forward to diving into its pages for an engaging exploration of unexpected bonds and relationships. We are giving away a copy to one lucky reader!
Julie Edelman's journey illustrates the power of transforming personal struggles into purpose. After facing domestic chaos, she wrote the bestselling The Accidental Housewife, sharing unconventional housekeeping strategies with humor and optimism. Her success led to appearances on The Today Show and The View, where her relatable voice resonated with millions.
In winter 2023, Julie was diagnosed with stage one breast cancer but faced it with grace and wit, famously keeping her heels on during treatment. This challenge inspired her debut women's suspense novel, The Accidental Sisterhood, described by bestselling New York Times author Jenna Blum as "witty and unexpected."
Now cancer-free, Julie celebrates survival and transformation. Her message of resilience resonated at the Moffitt Cancer Center's 2024 National Board of Directors Meeting, where she shared her survivor story. Living in St. Petersburg, Florida, she finds inspiration in her son Luke, embracing life's accidents with an open heart and the power of sisterhood. Stilettos optional!
Jules Malone has sworn off love after two failed relationships: one with an abusive fiancé she calls her white knight-mare, and the other with a nice-but-boring ex with whom she co-parents their son, Max. But then one fateful Christmas Eve, Jules meets Sean, a twinkly-eyed charmer with a captivating smile and an unexpected invitation. Despite Jules’s efforts to stay guarded, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him.
As their relationship deepens, so does Sean’s unpredictable behavior. He misses Jules’s calls, changes plans abruptly, and hangs up quickly when she enters the room. One night after returning home from a charity meeting, she finds Sean missing and blood everywhere. Panicked, she’s about to call 911 when she hears a phone ringing on her patio. It is Sean’s. By the time she gets to it, the caller has hung up. Multiple texts follow—as does Jules’s journey of shocking discoveries. The first? That she is one of four women sharing full lives with Sean.
But it is the devastating secret these women uncover together that leads to a resolution none of them could ever have imagined… and to the power of sisterhood. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
From LoveBooks2119 on Goodreads: "This book resonates with anyone who has experienced illness or the joys and struggles of friendships/relationships. It serves as a reminder of the importance of community and support in navigating life's toughest challenges."
What would you tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
- Be prepared to wake up at 2:00 a.m. and write or text yourself thoughts you have!
If The Accidental Sisterhood was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I love this question and dream about it daily—we're waiting for the call! I'd also be happy to see it as a streaming series since I'm working on Book Two as we speak!
Jules Malone: Rachel McAdams
Sean Conners: Ryan Gosling. I love his chemistry with Rachael in The Notebook!
Jude Conners: Nicole Kidman
Jessica Wright: Margo Robbie
Jazmine Reynolds: Zendaya
Bagels (the dog): Bagels
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I am an avid and eclectic reader, and I highly recommend two of my latest reads.
The Personal Librarian is an insightful perspective into the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, who had to conceal her African American identity while creating J.P. Morgan's legendary library collection. In contrast, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a captivating exploration of fame, identity, and forbidden love, told through the complex life of a fictional Hollywood icon.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Having Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, or Nicole Kidman—love her accent—would be sublime!
What is something you are thankful for?
Breast cancer: I know it may not be the expected answer, but it has brought me unexpected gifts, including...
- Pursuing A Dream: It gave me the courage and the determination to pursue a dream, which was writing The Accidental Sisterhood.
- Embracing—Celebrating the present: An appreciation of every day -embracing it and staying present, grateful for the people, opportunities, and things in my life in the here and now.
- Embracing a passion: having a platform to connect and help others going through challenging times with hope, positivity, humor and the power of sisterhood.
From LoveBooks2119 on Goodreads: "This book resonates with anyone who has experienced illness or the joys and struggles of friendships/relationships. It serves as a reminder of the importance of community and support in navigating life's toughest challenges."
What would you tell the debut novelist version of yourself?
- Be prepared to wake up at 2:00 a.m. and write or text yourself thoughts you have!
- An empty page or screen can become a book…stay patient and believe in yourself.
- It's a journey, but it's a beautiful ride since it allows you to go places you can't in real life!
- Be authentic, pull from your life experiences —it's great cause you can be and do whatever you wish without guilt or ramifications! I refer to it as "faction"—a blending of fact and fiction, which is what Jules Malone is for me…and there is a little bit of me in each of the other characters! It's cathartic!If The Accidental Sisterhood was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I love this question and dream about it daily—we're waiting for the call! I'd also be happy to see it as a streaming series since I'm working on Book Two as we speak!
Jules Malone: Rachel McAdams
Sean Conners: Ryan Gosling. I love his chemistry with Rachael in The Notebook!
Jude Conners: Nicole Kidman
Jessica Wright: Margo Robbie
Jazmine Reynolds: Zendaya
Bagels (the dog): Bagels
What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I am an avid and eclectic reader, and I highly recommend two of my latest reads.
The Personal Librarian is an insightful perspective into the true story of Belle da Costa Greene, who had to conceal her African American identity while creating J.P. Morgan's legendary library collection. In contrast, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a captivating exploration of fame, identity, and forbidden love, told through the complex life of a fictional Hollywood icon.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
Having Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock, or Nicole Kidman—love her accent—would be sublime!
What is something you are thankful for?
Breast cancer: I know it may not be the expected answer, but it has brought me unexpected gifts, including...
- Pursuing A Dream: It gave me the courage and the determination to pursue a dream, which was writing The Accidental Sisterhood.
- Embracing—Celebrating the present: An appreciation of every day -embracing it and staying present, grateful for the people, opportunities, and things in my life in the here and now.
- Embracing a passion: having a platform to connect and help others going through challenging times with hope, positivity, humor and the power of sisterhood.
Thanks to Julie for chatting with us and providing a free copy of the book for one lucky winner!
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.
Giveaway ends November 26th at midnight EST.
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Listen to this book on Speechify!
7 comments:
My friend Edi
A friend for many years, Ruth. I too had stage one breast cancer.
My dear friend Chrisy.
My best friend, Carol.
Noone at the moment. I was close to my brother's partner. She was like a sister-in-law to me, even though they weren't actually married. However, in the last two years she has become quite distant and I don't feel as close to her as I did before.
A friend I have known and of since we were about 9-10 yrs old and then I was her boss for a few years.
I have a few others but this is one of them.
My friend Cory.
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