Hey Friends, I'm thrilled to introduce you to this week's author guest, Jess Riley. When I read about Jess' debut novel, DRIVING SIDEWAYS, (gotta love that title!) I had to go out and get a copy of the book. OMG, am I ever glad I did. Talk about an hilarious read! Riley covers a pretty serious topic in her novel, but does it in such a unique way, you can't help but wish you were with the characters experiencing everything with them. Now THAT'S a story! So go check it out already.....

DRIVING SIDEWAYS by Jess Riley www.jessriley.com

Cellular Memory: Is it possible for our organs to retain our energy if donated to another person?

Can we really channel someone else's tastes in music, food, or hobbies?

And what happens if you've had a transplant and simply CONVINCE yourself this is true?

Jess used these questions as the premise of her entertaining debut novel Driving Sideways, which tells the story of Leigh Fielding, a twenty-eight year-old kidney transplant recipient who--six years, hundreds of dialysis sessions, and a million bad poems after being diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease--finally feels strong enough to pursue a few lofty goals she's been mulling for years: find herself, her kidney donor's family, and the mother that abandoned her over twenty years ago.

And what better way to do just that than a solitary road trip across the country? Well, maybe not entirely solitary, because Leigh suspects she may have inherited more than just an organ from her deceased donor. It's this sneaking suspicion that takes her trip down some unexpected detours--and the juvenile delinquent who blackmails Leigh into giving her a ride is only the beginning.

Driving Sideways (Random House, May 2008) just went into its second printing and has been hailed as 'hugely entertaining and genius' by Marian Keyes, and "a hopeful and hilarious debut" by New York Times bestselling author Jen Lancaster. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Smart and funny without being forced, sentimental without being maudlin, Riley's funny, picaresque vision of America will make readers wish they could go along with Leigh on her next trip." --Booklist

"Brilliant...Jess Riley proves herself a huge new talent." --Kristy Kiernan, author of Catching Genius

Selected as a Target "Break-Out Book" for display June 19, 2008 – August 9, 2008 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BIO: When she's not reading or writing fiction, Jess Riley is reading or writing school grant proposals--which some would say are still pretty fictitious. Jess lives in Oshkosh, Wisconsin with her husband and their neurotic terrier. Driving Sideways is her first novel, and she's hard at work on her next.

Hey Friends, Long time no talk to ay? My web guru has been working to switch my site to a new hosting company, and we're still trying to work the kinks out of it. Unfortunately, my blog page has been the one giving us the biggest fit. Argg!

Anyway, it looks like we're up and running now, (fingers crossed!) and with that I get to introduce you to our new author guest, Amy Wallen. Amy's got a new novel out in paperback, and it looks to be a real hoot! Check it out....

Moon Pies and Movie Stars

a novel by

Amy Wallen

Now in Paperback!

"With a pitch perfect ear for comic dialogue and fine sense of the absurd, Amy Wallen writes herself a place on the porch swing of great Southern writing, as she follows the misadventures of three determined Texas ladies sworn to find a runaway daughter..." –Janet Fitch, author of White Oleander

"[S]pirited and honest... Wallen capably illustrates that it is not only possible but also compelling to be funny, captivating, and compassionate, all in the same book." -Los Angeles Times

"A delightful and exhilarating journey, kind of like being on a tour bus guided by Eudora Welty on speed." –Mary Gordon, author of Pearl

"Wallen launches a funny, touching, and bittersweet ride in search of family, but what her characters find is bigger than Texas and better than MoonPies." –Booklist

Amy Wallen chronicles the journey of a group of spunky Texas ladies from their small town to the glittery streets of Hollywood in her enchanting and funny debut, MOONPIES AND MOVIE STARS (Plume;On-sale: 6/24/08; Price: $14.00; 978-0-452-28895-9). Ruby Kincaid has her hands full these days. In addition to running the bowling alley after the death of her husband, Rascal, she has the daunting task of caring for her two boisterous grandchildren, since her daughter Violet disappeared without a trace four years earlier. It's 1976 and Ruby and her nearest and dearest in Devine, Texas are watching their favorite soap opera at the bowling alley when they see Violet in a Buttermaid commercial. Expecting it will only take a little motherly guilt to rein in her wayward daughter, Ruby loads up the Winnebago and heads for Hollywood to try and bring Violet back to the Lone Star State.

Along for the ride are Imogene, Violet's over-bearing and pretentious mother-in-law (who's ready to assume the title of "celebrity-in-law"), and Loralva, Ruby's wild sister who is itching to visit Tinsel Town because it's where all the game shows are taped – and nothing's going to stop her from making it to her favorite, The Price Is Right. Rounding out the group are Ruby's grandchildren Bunny and Bubbie who are confused, sad, and excited at the prospect of finding their mother. They give Ruby the courage she needs to track Violet down and try to make things right.

While MOONPIES AND MOVIE STARS is great fun and a lot of laughs, it is also a poignant story of dreaming big, finding home, and coming to terms with family.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Amy Wallen has studied with a number of acclaimed writers, including Janet Fitch (White Oleander). She has taken those talents cultivated in the workshops of these great writers and brought them to her own creative writing classes at UC San Diego Extension. Amy also hosts an open mic night in San Diego, Los Angeles and New York called Dime Stories Live, in collaboration with the national public radio show airing this summer. This is her first novel. Visit her on the web at AmyWallen.com.

MOONPIES AND MOVIE STARS By Amy Wallen On-sale: June 24,2008/Price:$14.00/ISBN: 978-0-452-28895-9 A Plume Trade Paperback