Party with Jenny O'Connell

Welcome party girl and GCC sister, Jenny O'Connell to the blog.

Jenny's the author of Plan B, the Book of Luke, and the Island Summer Series books, Local Girls, and Rich Boys. She received her BA from Smith College and her MBA from the University of Chicago and now lives outside of Boston. Oh, and she likes chocolate ice cream with sprinkles!

Here's the official blurb for Rich Boys:

For seventeen-year-old Winnie, summer can’t arrive fast enough—anything to get out of the house and escape the cold war brewing between her parents. With her older sister Shelby spending the summer in Boston, Lindsay’s left to deal with the situation all by herself. Which is why she’s happy to spend all day away from home at a cushy job—camp counselor at the prestigious Oceanview Inn.

When the Barclays, a wealthy summer family, offer Winnie an additional babysitting job in the evenings after work, she jumps at the opportunity. Little Cassie Barclay is fun to take care of, and hanging out in the gorgeous Barclay mansion overlooking the harbor is far more pleasant than being on the front lines of the battle between her parents.

Then Cassie’s older and devastatingly attractive stepbrother Jay arrives on the island after a disastrous first year at college, and he seems to want nothing more than to wreak havoc for his stepmother and the rest of his family. Winnie soon discovers that life in the Barclay home isn’t so perfect after all, and what was supposed to be a carefree summer escapade is quickly becoming more complicated than she ever thought possible…..

Here's Jenny's reading:

Your compound numbers are thirty-two, thirty-eight, and eleven.

Eleven is a master number. It is associated with wisdom, intellect and spirituality. Elevens are altruistic, sensitive, artistic, visionary, idealistic, have a sense of community. Eleven can also be a warning of hidden dangers, treachery from others, or a person who has a great deal to contend with.

Thirty-two is usually a fortunate number if the person it represents holds to her own judgment and opinions; if not, she is likely to see her plans wrecked by the stubbornness and stupidity of others. Thirty-two’s are generally tolerant and non-judgmental and will likely have friends from all walks of life. They like to ponder new ideas and concepts.

A person influenced by Thirty-eight is usually spiritually inclined, peaceful in nature, values integrity and is widely respected. She is a die-hard optimist and radiates an aura of happiness and relaxed confidence.

Your name number vibration is seven.

The number seven indicates someone who is intuitive and introspective, philosophical and spiritual. They will seek answers about their existence and things unseen. Sevens are happiest near water. They can be witty and composed in front of large groups. They often have terrific imaginations and make good entertainers, actors and writers.

Her response:

OK, so I just read this, and it's totally right on!!!! (I mean, who doesn't want to be self-confident, honorable and respected?) But, really, it does ring true, I am totally a glass half full kind of person (married to a glass half empty)

You can read more about Jennifer at jennyoconnell.com.


Today's daily giveaway are signed copies of Dark Flame and Radiance by Alyson Noel.

Late Post: WINNERS

hey guys... u dont really know me, but this is Haley<3 - i'm Linda Gerber's daughter... its take ur child 2 work day 2day, n her eyes r like screwd up n she cant really like sit in front of the screen 4 long w/o like flippin out, so i gotta do this stuff 4 her- woohoo!! Lol, n i cant really say much... but i will tell that im gonna b her 'secret consultant' on one of her upcoming "projects", lol- hows that 4 a teaser?? But anyway, my mama says that if she owes u an email, then she sry... n she'll have me get back 2 u soon.

and now- the moment u guys actually care about; THE WINNERS!!! **claps n cheers from the audience** lol, kk, so the winner of the Jennifer O'Connel books r : Judy Bloome= Marjolein, Rich Boyz= robin_titan, n Local Girlz= bridget3420!!!!! WOO WOO!!!! nice goin peeps... :-D n then the winner 4 the freebie friday bonus thing is Mitzy...

FREEBIE FRIDAY with Jenny O'Connell

Welcome to another FREEBIE FRIDAY. This week I am pleased to bring you GCC sister Jennifer O'Connel. And check this out - she's offering three chances to win!

Jennifer is the author of ten books, the most recent of which are her two teen novels Local Girls and Rich Boys, and the editor of the anthology EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A GIRL I LEARNED FROM JUDY BLUME, a collection of essays by such cool authors as Meg Cabot, Megan McCafferty, Cara Lockwood, Melissa Senate, Laura Caldwell, Stacey Ballis, Shanna Swendson and 17 others.

The Chicago Sun-Times calls the anthology "honest... emotional reading" and Entertainment Weekly says it's "Wry... more than a nostalgia trip."

First, the interview - then your chances to win:

What inspired EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A GIRL I LEARNED FROM JUDY BLUME?
I was about to begin writing my first teen book, PLAN B, and I sat at the computer and thought to myself, “Everything I needed to know about being a girl I learned from Judy Blume.” And so the idea for the collection of essays was born. Because I knew I wasn’t the only one who felt like that.

Are any of your characters based on real people that you know?
Oh my god, yes. In my teen books I use a lot of people I went to high school with (mainly for the mean girls, my own little revenge). All my guys in my books are based on what I imagined my husband like in high school. Cute and nice.
What excites you?
Summertime.

What turns you off?
Sunday nights.

What's the biggest lie you ever told, and what happened as a result of the telling?
Hmmm. You know, I actually try not to lie. You know why? Because it’s never worth getting caught. I learned that early in life from my brother, who got caught doing EVERYTHING. He’d take the car out when he was grounded and end up passing my parents on the road, that sort of thing. I never thought it was worth the punishment. You know what else? I find that even if you tell the truth and it’s not good, people actually respect you more and don’t get nearly as mad as you thought they would.
What's the most suspenseful thing that's happened to you in real life?
I was convinced my daughter was a boy. I didn’t know for sure, because I believe in finding out when your baby is born, but I just KNEW she was a boy. So when I was in the hospital ready to have her I couldn’t wait to be proven right. When I heard her crying and saw her for the first time I swear I saw a boy part that proved it was a boy. I remember thinking, “See, I knew it.” Then I turned to my husband and he said, “It’s a girl.” And I was like, “What? That’s not possible.” So all that suspense for 9 months and in the end I was totally wrong.

If you could invite anyone you wanted - living or dead - to hang out with you at a weekend retreat, who would you invite and why?
My mother in law, who passed away from breast cancer 5 years ago. I’d love to tell her what we’ve been up to.

What's one thing most people don't know about you?
I don’t cry, not at sad movies or anything you’re supposed to cry over. I cry at stupid things that make people happy, like parades.

What's your favorite quote?
“You get what you settle for.” I even used it in one of my adult books.

Milk Chocolate or Dark?
Milk. But I’ll take any chocolate I can get.

Jennifer has generously offered copies of EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO LEARN ABOUT BEING A GIRL I LEARNED FROM JUDY BLUME, LOCAL GIRLS and RICH BOYS for this week's freebie. That means three winners! To be entered to win, leave a comment below. This contest will remain open until Tuesday, April 21.

If you'd like to know more about Jennifer and her books, you can find her on her website here or here.

NOTE: Keep reading in the post below for a BONUS Freebie Friday giveaway!