Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for So Hard to Do by Sally Basmajian. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as a guest post regarding the characters in the book. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Author: Sally Basmajian
Publisher: Creative James Media
Publication Date: January 18th 2023
Print Length: 264 pages
Genre: Romantic Comedy
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Suze Foster has always been devoted to her daughter. As a child, Jannie required extra support in school, but now-at age 29-she's a rising executive. Suze, thrilled with Jannie's success, is finally free to follow her own dreams.
Without Suze's dedicated attention, though, Jannie flounders. In a careless moment, she floods her apartment. Enter our hero, Aram-her hot but significantly older neighbor. He saves the day, and for Jannie, it's love at first sight.
Not so much for Aram, though, who falls head over heels for Suze when they accidentally meet. Unaware of Jannie's feelings, Suze is equally smitten.
In this twisted triangle, can a happily-ever-after be achieved? Or will someone's heart break and the mother-daughter bond be severed forever?
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EXCERPT:
He was the most good-looking man she’d ever seen. Luxuriant locks. She bet that’s how a Harlequin Romance would describe his hair. And under the full beard, maybe even a cleft chin. And most definitely, a sensuous lower lip. Ooh la la.
As she mused in an X-rated way about his mouth, Jannie remembered something from a book she’d read where the heroine had a habit of biting her lower lip. It drove men mad.
So she tried it. Nibble, nibble.
Aram just looked at her. His breathing didn’t accelerate. His chest didn’t heave.
She tried again. Nibble, nibble. The prolonged silence was beginning to be uncomfortable.
“Are you all right, Jannie?” Aram finally asked. He studied her.
Well, that hadn’t gone so well. But she’d never tried to flirt with an older man before. Maybe they needed something more obvious.
She attempted to look coyly up at Aram through her eyelashes. This wasn’t as easy as all those romance authors made it sound. She felt her forehead contract, her nose wrinkle and her upper lip pull away from her teeth in her effort to do the impossible.
“Jannie, are you having an allergic reaction? Shellfish, maybe? Isn’t that crab I smell coming from your condo? Do you carry an EpiPen?”
She stamped her foot in frustration. It was supposed to look fierce and cute, but she could tell from Aram’s face that he was way more startled than turned on.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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After leaving the corporate world, Sally Basmajian discovered the joy of writing. Her fiction and nonfiction stories have appeared in newspapers such as The Globe & Mail and in several anthologies. In 2022 she won prizes for memoir pieces (Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop, Gulf Coast Writers Association), and was thrilled to have a poem selected by the journal Antithesis. She expects to be busy in 2023, when her first two novels appear: in January, a light-hearted romance, So Hard to Do (published by Creative James Media) and in October, a much darker one, Fountain of Evil (Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC).
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GUEST POST:
- Are any of your characters based on people you know?
Before I answer your question, perhaps I should make a quick call to my lawyer.
Done.
She tells me I should evade this query at all costs! Being the intrepid (foolhardy?) author I am, however, I’ll try to give you a few printable insights.
There’s a minor but important person in my book named Shivani, in honor of a very dear ex-colleague of mine. In actual fact, she’s not at all like the real-life Shivani, apart from the fact that they’re both consummate professionals and thoroughly wonderful human beings.
Several years ago, I attended real-life Shivani’s wedding, and we were all encouraged— and delighted—to wear saris. The swirling colors, the music, the joy in the air, and the family’s kindness are all things I’ll remember forever. Perhaps they inspired me to dress my fictional Shivani in beautiful silks and exotic hues, but I didn’t do this deliberately.
Jannie and Suze, who are my two female protagonists, represent facets of my own quirky personality. Jannie is me as my most obnoxious younger self. I didn’t have the same problems as she faced in school and I was never as talented at advertising sales, but I was just as clueless when it came to remembering people’s names, and I was as helpless in the kitchen when my mom stopped cooking meals for me. Suze is my aspirational older self. She’s wiser and infinitely more patient than real-life me, but we share a lot of the same values, and above everything else we love our kids.
There are a few characters in the book who are on the autism spectrum. For decades, I’ve lived with and loved folks who are neuroatypical. They haven’t given me their okay to write about them, though, so I’ll just have to assure you that I didn’t have to do much research when it came to describing certain personality traits and behavioral issues of people on the spectrum. I did give them all happily-ever-after romantic endings, which is what I wish for most in the personal lives of those I love.
Finally, my very favorite character in the book is the audacious and glamorous Lola Devine. She leapt fully formed out of my imagination. I’ve never met anyone like her, but I wish she was my best friend. If only we all had Lolas in our lives, the world would be a happier and more stylish place!
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GIVEAWAY:
Sally Basmajian will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)
I admire Sally's wit in including the differences in each character (autism, aging, Lola!!!). this is not your typical story, and it makes the book so interesting to read!!!
ReplyDelete100% agree with this - the characters are wonderfully and uniquely developed, with no small amount of humour.
DeleteFirst, to the All the Ups and Downs folks -- thanks so much for hosting me today! You are an important part of my journey, and I appreciate being here to share my thoughts about writing. And to this first lovely comment from Anonymous -- I want to tell you I'm thrilled you not only have read my book, but you thought it was original and interesting. And witty (insert girlish blush here)! Thank you so much..
ReplyDeleteHi Sally! Thank you and thanks for visiting my blog. =)
DeleteSounds like a fun read.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was a fun write! I hope you’ll let me know if you enjoyed it, Anita, if you do have the chance to read it.
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeletesounds like a great read
ReplyDeleteI do, in my heart, think it is, WG! Moreover, I am so glad that you are getting that impression -- this makes me very happy. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and question! I was wondering the exact same thing. Love how you used Toronto as the hometown. Was there ever a discussion whether to go with T.O. or not? All the best Sally.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Luis. This is such a great question! I get irked when publishers and/or agents tell their northern authors to change the setting from Canada to the USA, in order to make the book more "marketable." I'm so grateful that my publisher (Creative James Marketing) never brought this up. What could be more exciting than Toronto, anyway?! I can just see my characters cruising along the glam stretch of Bloor Street and the funky Queen Street West blocks . . .
DeleteA well-written, fun read. Each character is so well described. I am only halfway through the book and am enjoying every page!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kind Anonymous! I am glad the book entertains you. Hope you like the upcoming scene set in the shop that sells items of a titillating nature!
DeleteSounds like a very good book.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sherry. I hope you manage to get your hands on a copy. I'd be interested in your feedback!
DeleteThe book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteIt is -- it really is! At least, in my totally unbiased way, I believe this to be true! Thanks, Deb, for your comment.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this interview. This is a delightful book.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! And I'm blushing at your lovely adjective, "delightful." It makes me all squishy with happiness!
ReplyDeleteCan’t wait to read this! It sounds a lot more interesting and layered than most rom-coms.
ReplyDeleteWhat a splendid comment--you've made my day! Yes, there's definitely romance in it, but there's heaps of comedy, too, overlaying some serious issues. In my own life, I've found that a sense of humor has been essential in getting me through the toughest patches. Thanks, and I hope you read and enjoy the book!
DeleteDo you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteSome of my friends tell me they write because they must. I'm not like that. I write because I must WORK. I have a high energy level, and if I don't have a challenging project, I'll create one, whether it's writing or learning Italian. So, my advice is to pitch in and work hard at it. Find joy in your quest. Take advice from experts, and incorporate it into your stories. And polish, polish, polish!
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteDebbi, thank YOU for your comment. I'm very happy you liked the excerpt. My goal is to entertain!
ReplyDeleteWhat is your favorite time of year?
ReplyDeleteI'll opt for late September through 'til mid-October. You can't beat the colors, or the crunch of the leaves! Plus, there are fall fashions and fabrics and sexy boots. It's altogether delish!
DeleteI love the cover, so cute
ReplyDeleteThanks--my design team was so much fun to work with! The artist took my request to make the background a rich blue--the symbolic color for autism. Then we added the three main characters who form the love triangle, and had them interact with the title. I like it, too!
ReplyDeletelooks like a fun one
ReplyDeleteIf it's as fun to read as it was to write, then, YES! It's barrels of fun! Hope you check it out.
DeleteCute cover and it looks like a fun read.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Thanks, Sherry! You'll have to email me once you've read it, and tell me your verdict as to where it falls on your fun-o-meter!
ReplyDeleteThis novel looks like a good read, and the cover is eye catching and fun.
ReplyDeleteHi, Christy. I am glad you like the cover, and that you're intrigued by the concept of the novel. Please give it a try!
DeleteDo you have any health issues?
ReplyDeleteWell, Jamie, this is a bizarre question, but I'm happy to answer it. At the moment, I feel terrific! Three years ago, though, I had a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and THAT wasn't precisely a walk in the park, but I've bounced back to write again! Now I take every healthy day as a gift, and am grateful for my blessings. Hope you're thriving, too!
DeleteThe romantic comedy book looks fun to read and the blue book cover is very eye catching.
ReplyDeleteI hope you pick up a copy and enjoy it, Jen. Thanks for liking my bright blue cover!
DeleteIt looks like a good read.
ReplyDeleteYes,, indeed. And you seem like an avid reader, Leela. I hope you enjoy the novel!
DeleteThank you again for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Debbi, for your comments. Really enjoyed our exchange.
Deletethanks again for the giveaway best wishes with the book
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, and thanks for chatting with me. I really appreciate your good wishes, and I hope they come true!
ReplyDeleteSounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteSure do hope so! Please let me know if it amuses you. I appreciate your interest.
DeleteCan't go wrong with love at first sight..
ReplyDeleteAh, but if both women fall unknowingly for the same man, things CAN get complicated! Still, I agree that love conquers all.
DeleteDo you like to wear leggings?
ReplyDeleteThe question is, Jamie, do YOU like to wear leggings? I'm all for comfort, especially when I'm trying to write!
ReplyDelete