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Tuesday, March 01, 2011:
Release Day & upcoming signings: A Lot Like Love by Julie James
 The FBI wants her cooperation.
As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city’s top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there’s only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother’s release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau.
Agent McCall just wants her.
As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This “date” with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment—one they’re both determined to pull off even if they can’t be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick’s investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they’re a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more. . .
Signings!
Thursday, March 10, 6:00-9:00pm
BOOK SIGNING AND WINE TASTING AT WINESTYLES
Join Julie for a book signing at the wine shop that inspired A Lot Like Love and a complimentary wine tasting
WineStyles
1433 West Belmont Avenue
Chicago, IL 60657
(773) 549-2227
Sunday, March 13, 3:00-5:00pm
BOOK SIGNING WITH AUTHOR BETH KERY
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
Webster Place
1441 West Webster Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 871-3610
*90 minute free parking in lot
Labels: booksignings, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 3/01/2011 12:34:00 AM
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Friday, September 17, 2010:
Contest: win a signed copy of "Something About You" by Julie James
 FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . .
Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…
. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS
Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…
Recently I won a signed copy of Julie's book on Facebook, but since I am lucky enough to already have one, I decided to offer this one up in a contest.
Simple rules: just respond to the contest question no later than noon CST on Friday, September 24th. Open to everyone. Must answer the question in order to qualify.
Question: Since one of the characters in Julie's book is an attorney, my question is:
What is your favorite law show and/or character?
Now you are free to go forth and enter :)
Good luck! Labels: contest, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 9/17/2010 07:45:00 AM
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Monday, September 13, 2010:
COVER ALERT: Julie James' "A Lot Like Love"
 The FBI wants her cooperation.
As the daughter of a billionaire and the owner of the city’s top wine store, Jordan Rhodes is invited to the most exclusive parties in Chicago. But there’s only one party the FBI wants to crash: the charity fundraiser of a famous restaurateur, who also happens to launder money for the mob. In exchange for her brother’s release from prison, Jordan is going to be there—with a date supplied by the Bureau.
Agent McCall just wants her.
As the top undercover agent in Chicago, Nick McCall has one rule: never get personal. This “date” with Jordan Rhodes is merely an assignment—one they’re both determined to pull off even if they can’t be together for five minutes before the sarcasm and sparks begin to fly. But when Nick’s investigation is compromised, he and Jordan have no choice but to pretend they’re a couple, and what starts out as a simple assignment begins to feel a lot like something more. . .
“Julie James writes books I can’t put down. A Lot Like Love kept me up way past midnight!”— Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author
Check out Julie's blog for an excerpt! Labels: bookcovers, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 9/13/2010 07:26:00 AM
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Monday, March 15, 2010:
Chicago Signing: Beth Kery, Shiloh Walker, Julie James & Joss Ware
 Here's the first thing you see when you walk through the doors of the Barnes & Noble, located in Chicago on Webster. So pretty.....
Here's Beth Kery, author of one of my top favorite erotic romances of all time: Wicked Burn. She's so sweet, and much prettier than my blurry photo-taking skills would indicate. In my defense, I was using my phone to take the pictures, and it's not the best quality. But take my word for it, Beth is adorable.
I didn't notice this at the time I took the picture, but have to laugh at the sign above Julie James and Joss Ware: Bargain-priced top selections. Yeah, I'd have to agree - they are a bargain *g*
 And here she is, the object of my "obsessive" stalking: Shiloh Walker! Ain't she just the cutest thing ever???? And she left me the sweetest message in my copy of Broken, which I would have taken a picture of to show you, but I ended up leaving my books in someone else's car and don't have them back yet, but they are not far from me, so if I get them back soon, I'll be sure to take a picture and show you all. She says the nicest things LOL. It was a most fun Saturday, and I also got to meet some Twitter friends, like Colleen. Julie's adorable son Jackson was there, but I missed the opportunity to meet the brilliant Mr. James. Perhaps another time. I also missed seeing my pal Dani again. I got there around 3:30 and stayed the whole time. I figured if I'm going to drive into the city I'm going to make the most of it. After the signing, we headed across the street to the Webster Wine Bar. (I did take a picture, but it was so dark in there it's hard to see after I downloaded it). I talked to Julie a little bit about her next book - her heroine owns a wine store and Julie did extensive, um, research for the book, which has now prompted me to find out more about wine. I never really cared all that much before, but it turns out Illinois has some decent wineries, plus I checked online and there are a gazillion wine-tasting events around the city and suburbs, some of them even free. So I think I'll be brushing up on my wine knowledge. Shiloh's hubby was also in attendance. Gotta give the guy credit for listening to our chatter. He didn't talk much but you can just tell he's got some interesting thoughts and opinions, judging but the look on his face LOL. I'm sure being married to an author, he's heard it all. Got exciting news from Joss: she's working on book #4! I won't give anything away, but I'm thrilled to pieces. It's going to also reveal a lot about another character who will be getting a story later on, and I can't wait for his story. It's going to be a doozy, I'm sure. And in Colleen Gleason news, she's got a new vampire series she's working on, so I'm tres excited about that. Keep those books coming, Joss/Colleen! In other news, I have a interview with Beth to post, which will probably go up sometime this week. I'm looking forward to that. She was very patient with me, as I tend to ask really confusing questions, but I think we worked it all out. So as you can see, I had a GREAT time. These ladies are 4 of my favorite authors, all auto-buys for me. And I'm looking forward to seeing them again later in the year for other signings. There's the Chicago Spring Fling, which I'll be attending, as well as the Lori Foster get-together, and RWA. It's going to be a fabulous year :) Labels: Beth Kery, booksignings, Joss Ware, Julie James, Shiloh Walker
posted by Stacy~ at 3/15/2010 07:02:00 AM
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Wednesday, February 24, 2010:
There's Something About Julie James....
 ...that makes her an incredibly engaging writer. Right from her first book, Just the Sexiest Man Alive, it was obvious she had "it", that unique quality to draw the reader in and totally capture their attention with her snappy dialogue, smart and savvy characters, and attractive settings. She's definitely got a fan for life with me (so that means she better keep writing *g*). Julie James is an autobuy for me, no question. That's pretty amazing considering it happened right from her first book.
Her latest release, Something About You, is no exception. I fell completely in love with Jack, and wanted so badly to be Cameron. After reading it, I was curious to know how things were going with Julie's writing, so I figured what the heck, I'm nosy, so I'll just ask her. Here is what Ms. James had to say:
S~ In the 3 books you've had published, each of the heroines is an attorney or has practiced law in some capacity. Do you see yourself writing about a different profession, or do you find that you have more stories to share with readers about this profession?
JJ: Funny you should ask. . . shockingly, the heroine in my fourth book is not a lawyer. She owns a wine shop in Chicago. That being said, I think there are a lot more stories I could write that involve the legal profession--I'm definitely not done with that!
S~ I like how you've incorporated some part of your personality or interests into your heroines. For example, we know you like wine and that you're a vegetarian (both of which have been traits shared by one or more of your heroines). Do you find yourself including little pieces of yourself into your characters or is it more that it just feel right with the story you're telling?
JJ: It's certainly easier to write a character's personality traits and interests if they are ones I personally identify with. But my knowledge of, or interest in, a subject is really just a spring board for what I use in the book. For example, before beginning to write my fourth book, in which the heroine owns a wine shop, I only knew the basics about wine. My heroine obviously needed to be more familiar with the subject, so I took a wine education class, read some books, and have gotten to know the owner of my local wine store, who was nice enough to let me shadow her for a day. So I guess the real question is, do my heroines take on my interests and personality traits, or do I adopt theirs? Hmm...
S~ Something About You is definitely your sexiest story so far, and we get to see a lot more intimacy between Jack and Cameron. Is it difficult to throw the bedroom door wide open and write those sexy love scenes between your characters? Or do you think it's something that feels comfortable within the scope of a romance?
JJ: I felt comfortable writing "hotter" scenes in this book because they fit with the overall story. With the suspense subplot, this book has more of an edge than my previous two, and I felt that more intimate love scenes worked better with the tone. Plus, there's a LOT of sexual tension between Cameron and Jack, and I thought people might kill me if I didn't show the scenes where that tension finally boils over. ;-) (You got that right, sister! *g*)
S~ Do you listen to any type of music to inspire your stories?
JJ: I don't listen to music while I'm actually writing, but I do play music during breaks that I feel fits with the book I'm working on. For Something About You, I listened to a mix of Rihanna, Billie Holiday, and the Black Eyed Peas. Weird combo, I know.
S~ We know that you've used real actors as inspiration for some of your heroes. What about your heroines? Do you have a specific person in mind when you create them or are they all based on you? (LOL)
JJ: Cameron Lynde from Something About You is the first heroine for whom I had a specific actress in mind: Eva Green's character in Casino Royale, Vesper Lynd. I even borrowed the last name. I love how tough yet feminine her character is, and I wanted to create the same impression with my heroine. So this is what I picture Cameron looking like:
 S~ Has writing novels gotten easier since you first started? Where do you see your stories going? Are you happy writing contemporaries, or do you see your exploring other genres? JJ: I wouldn't say it's gotten easier, no. Actually, my first two books were easier to write than Something About You. Adding a suspense subplot definitely makes things trickier, especially when other parts of the book are light and humorous. Balancing those two was a challenge at times. As for where I see my books going. . . I'm happy writing contemporaries, and I plan to continue with that for now. With my fourth book, I've again added some mild suspense, but like in SAY, it's just a subplot.
S~ How extensive does your research get? JJ: I'll be honest--I did pretty much no research for my first two books. Particularly Practice Makes Perfect--I mean, I lived that life, I KNEW it. For Something About You, however, I had to do a fair amount. Since the hero is an FBI agent, and there's a suspense element, I researched guns and tiny spy cameras, how criminal investigations are conducted, those kinds of things. And I also had to do research for my heroine--even though I was a civil trial lawyer myself and obviously know what lawyers do in general, I wanted to know more about the day-to-day life of a criminal prosecutor. Luckily, I have a friend who is an Assistant U.S. Attorney, like Cameron, and I would send him emails with odd questions like: "How many other people do you share your secretary with?" or "When you meet with FBI agents to discuss an investigation, do you meet at their office or yours?" I had the big picture of the job, but I needed to know the little stuff.
S~ How has the transition from practicing law to writing full-time been? JJ: I do sometimes miss being in a courtroom, taking depositions, things of that nature. But I enjoy writing full-time even more, so it's been worth it. And it's nice to have a job you can do in sweatpants. ;-)
S~ Since writing romance, have your reading preferences changed, or do you still continue to read in the same genre as before? JJ: I definitely read more romance now that I write romance--before my first book came out, I was pretty unfamiliar with the genre. Now I read a mixture of both romantic fiction and literary fiction. Within romance, I try to read a mixture of all the subgenres.
S~. Since it was just Valentine's Day, what do you think, without getting too specific of course, is the most romantic thing your (brilliant :D) husband has done for you? JJ: Oh boy, Mr. James just eats these compliments up. ;-) Probably one of the most romantic things he's done for me was on my 30th birthday--I went to New York with some girlfriends and left on my actual birthday. He gave me a card before my flight and said I couldn't open it until I got to New York. Once we checked into our hotel, I opened the card and inside was a scavenger hunt-type message directing me to go to a store located at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, and that I'd find my gift there. My girlfriends and I walked there from our hotel, and since none of us were that familiar with New York, we had a lot of fun on the way guessing what store it would be. And since you said not to be too specific, I'll end the story there. ;-) (WHAT?! That is just so wrong! LOL)
S~ Where can we expect to see you this year, either at signings or conferences? JJ: I'm doing a signing in Chicago on March 13th with Beth Kery, Shiloh Walker and Joss Ware/Colleen Gleason. If people are in the Chicago area, we'd love to see you! (I love all these authors! And I'll definitely be there). Details on that, and my other upcoming appearances, can be found at: I'll also be signing books at the Chicago-North RWA Spring Fling on April 24th, and then I'll be attending the RT Convention in Columbus. As for the July conferences, I plan to attend RWA and may attend Rom Con as well, if I can make it work.
S~ What's next for Julie James? Readers like me are DYING to know!
JJ: I'm finishing up my fourth book, about a wealthy wine store owner who agrees to pose as the girlfriend of an undercover FBI agent (as part of a sting operation) in exchange for her twin brother's release from prison. And people who like Something About You will be happy to know that a couple of the characters make appearances in supporting roles. I liked Jack so much, I had to bring him back. ;-) It's the first time I've linked two books together, which was fun for me. Then it'll be on to my next book, the hero of which I think is going to be a character from the book I'm finishing now. But I won't know that for sure until I get into the story and start drafting a synopsis. S~ Well consider me a happy little camper! I cannot wait for that one to be in my possession. Sounds fabulous! Thanx Julie, for spending your precious writing time answering my questions. I really appreciate it. Now, as for the rest of you, I can't just leave it at that. Now I'm not sure if Julie will be stopping by today (Wednesday) but regardless, I will be having a random drawing for a copy of Something About You, which will be released on March 2nd. So here's the deal: Contest is open to anyone who can receive mail, and will end on Sunday, February 28th, at 3pm CST. All you have to do is answer the question(s). One entry per person, and please do not leave your email address. Winner is responsible for contacting me no later than one week from the time announced, otherwise a new winner will be randomly selected. Since Something About You is about two people who, due to a terrible situation, cannot stand each other, yet due to unexpected circumstances, are thrown together for an indefinite period of time. What I want to now: What book and/or movie portrays your favorite love/hate relationship, where the characters can't stand each other but are also very attracted to each other?
Feel free to give additional examples if you'd like. This is one of my favorite tropes, and I'm always looking for good recommendations. Now go forth and enter. Good luck!
Labels: contest, interview, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 2/24/2010 07:06:00 AM
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Thursday, February 04, 2010:
Something About You by Julie James (2010)
FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES. . . Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…
. . .INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS
Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…
When this ARC arrived in my mailbox weeks ago, I was beside myself with excitement. How could I not be? Julie James writes some of the best contemporary romance books out there, and I am beyond pleased to say that this one is no exception. One of my most favorite things about Julie's books is her distinctive voice. Her sense of humor and way with words is very evident here, and I appreciate reading a story where you get a feel for the author's vision because it's uniquely their own. And that's my cue to talk about the book.....
All Cameron Lynde wants is some peaceful, uninterrupted sleep, but instead she ends up sharing a hotel wall with two people attempting to break the sound barrier as they engage in some rather boisterous, wild sex. Bout after bout have the bed slamming against said shared wall, and as she marvels at the evident wonders of Viagra, it appears that the two have finally(!) settled down for the night. Or have they? When more squealing and banging ensue, Cameron realizes her hope of getting any sleep is useless, and after calling the front desk to complain, she hears a door close. Being a rather inquisitive sort, tries to get a good look at the stud as he leaves his hotel room.
When hotel security is unable to get a response from the room adjoining Cameron's, it soon becomes apparent to her that something might be wrong. And that something ends up being definitely wrong when the FBI arrive, most especially in the form of dark, brooding, scowling Special Agent Jack Pallas. Could Cameron's night get any worse? Unfortunately the answer to that question ends up being a resounding yes, because a dead body has been discovered in the room next to Cameron's, and she just might be their key witness to a possible murder. Because of the nature of the crime and the parties involved, the case is now in the hands of the FBI, most specifically the hands of Jack Pallas and his partner. Cameron hasn't seen Jack in three years, since a case they had been working on together blew up in his face, an event he blames on her entirely. Now they must work together and catch a killer who very much does not want to get caught, and who just might be after Cameron in order to protect his identity. Despite their rocky past, Jack takes his job very seriously, and intends to prevent anything bad from happening to Cameron while on his watch. Even if it means watching her every moment, whether she's on a date, throwing a bachelorette party, or attending her best friend's wedding. And most especially if it means he can't stop thinking about how soft her skin looks, how completely gorgeous she is, or how he has this incredible urge to kiss her at any given moment.... My thoughts: Julie James is on a serious roll with her writing. As I mentioned to her, she is now 3 for 3 with me, slamming those home runs outta the ballpark with her stunning sexual tension and clever dialogue. What I think makes it more enjoyable is you can actually imagine two people interacting the way Cameron and Jack do. Another reason I love Julie's books is that she creates these really complex heroines that on a superficial level, you might dislike and/or be very jealous of, but then she gives them a brain and adds a huge dose of substance and conscience which makes it hard to deny. Cameron has the type of magnetic personality that draws you in, and she's not a person who goes about drawing attention to herself or always trying to make herself look good. That doesn't mean she isn't good at what she does, because Cameron is very capable in her role as the Assistant U.S. Attorney, but she works hard at it, and her effort shows. She's no slouch in her career. In addition, we see the softer side of Cameron when she's hanging with her friends. She's the type of person that her friends can rely on to have their back, and isn't afraid to show her love for the people in her life. I'd definitely want to have someone like her in my corner. Now let's get to Jack, because really, what great romance would be complete without the perfect hero. Now Jack is not perfect, not by a long shot, but he happens to be rather perfect for Cameron. He's gruff, cantankerous, and tenacious. He's also sexy as all get-out with a scowl that just won't quit. He's undeniably attracted to Cameron, though he tries to pretend otherwise, especially in the beginning. And if that wasn't enough to make you melt, he rides a motorcycle, which is very, very hot. Let's just say I'd jump on his bike anytime. But I digress. What I meant to say is that Jack lives and breathes his life as an FBI agent, and serving in the name of justice. Three years ago, justice was denied him, and it caused an ugly rift between him and Cameron. When they first meet again, those feelings are reawakened, but also something else. Jack may think he doesn't like Cameron, but what he really doesn't like is what happened to him back then, and her part in it. Now he's responsible for protecting her as a key witness to a murder, and the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to hold on to his anger. She's not the career-driven bitch who only cares about looking out for herself. But it takes him a little while to figure it out. But by then he's already unable to stop thinking about her, and wanting to touch her. Back before things got ugly three years ago, there was mutual respect between the two of them, and a budding attraction. But things ended between them before they could even start. Now that they are spending so much time together, the walls inevitably come down. Defenses are dropped. Feelings realized. When the case becomes more dangerous and Cameron's life is threatened, a lot of truths are uncovered. The type of truths that make a reader very, very happy to be reading as Cameron's and Jack's story unfolds. These two beautiful, charismatic, intelligent, engaging people are falling in love, and there's nothing more wonderful to watch. Unless of course I was the heroine, but that's the story going on in my head. Another highlight for me would be the frequent mentions of Chicago. Oh how I love to picture the story taking place on the streets of the city not so far from me. It makes what I visualize that much more vivid and convincing. Also makes me imagine if one day, as I'm walking down Michigan Avenue, I could be walking right by two people who could possibly be Cameron and Jack. An additional mention I have to make is that a dress similar to the one Cameron is wearing on the cover of the book makes an appearance in the story, so keep your eyes peeled for that. I thought that was pretty cool. Just a special note that made this story that much more fun to read. A most satisfying read that I hated to see come to an end. Lucky for me I can go back and re-visit Jack & Cameron again and again :)
*** "Something About You" comes out March 2nd, less than a month away. I'll be getting at least one copy of the book with this gorgeous cover, and stay tuned for a contest sometime in March. Julie (along with Beth Kery, Colleen Gleason/Joss Ware & Shiloh Walker) will be having a signing on 3/13 in Chicago, so I intend to get some signed copies :) ***
Rating: ***** out of ***** Labels: Julie James, reviews
posted by Stacy~ at 2/04/2010 07:22:00 AM
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Tuesday, September 08, 2009:
So pretty....new cover for Julie James next book....
Once again I'm shamelessly stealing this from the blog of Julie James, but come on, look at how pretty this is! Just gorgeous! She sure lucked out, but hey, her books are phenomenal, so someone's paying attention. Gotta appreciate that. And here's the back cover blurb: FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES…
Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…
…INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS
Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…
Labels: bookcovers, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 9/08/2009 05:05:00 PM
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Wednesday, September 02, 2009:
Book giveaway: copy of "Practice Makes Perfect" by Julie James
 I was looking at all my pretty books last night (and believe there are a lot) and again realized that I had 2 copies of "Practice Makes Perfect". Since I'm in such a good mood today, I thought I'd have a contest to give my extra copy (I even think it's signed) to one lucky visitor.
Those of you who visit here with any regularity know I always like to ask some type of question for my contests, and well, this won't be any different. Yesterday on Twitter some of us were discussing qualities we find attractive in a man - sense of humor, forearms, etc - and I thought it would be find to find out what YOU find attractive about the opposite sex. Maybe it's the first thing you notice in a guy, or maybe it's a quality that catches your attention after you've known him awhile. Doesn't matter. There are no right or wrong answers. That's what makes these kinds of questions so much fun.
What trait/feature/quality first attracts you to a guy? Can you name anyone (celebrity, boyfriend, acquaintance) who possessives this fine attribute?
Contest ends noon CST on Saturday, September 5th. The winner will be announced sometime over the weekend. Anyone is eligible to enter, as long as they can receive mail. Please DO NOT include your email address in your post. It is the winner's responsibility to contact me within a week upon being notified via a blog post announcing the winner. And as usual, I cannot wait to read all of your responses. There are some really creative people out there ;)
Have fun, and good luck!!!! Labels: contest, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 9/02/2009 06:42:00 AM
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Tuesday, September 01, 2009:
Spotlight: J - Julie James
This week's spotlight is truly a treat, as it is about one of my favorite new authors. I first heard about Julie James when I saw a wonderful review from Rowena at Book Binge for "Just the Sexiest Man Alive". The review was so engaging that I was immediately hooked, so much so that I hadn't even read the book yet when I decided to go meet her last November when she was having a booksigning in Chicago.
I always get a bit nervous meeting people for the first time, but Julie is one of those people who immediately puts you at ease (much like another fave, Suz Brockmann). The signing was at a local bookstore called The Book Cellar, an independent bookstore that caters to the wine drinker crowd, which was perfectly fine by me. In addition to signing her books, there was also a the part of the event where she read a portion of her work, and had a Q&A session. Now, those in the crowd did not come across as your typical romance readers, yet I think even they were tempted to pick up a copy of such a fun, snappy book. And if you've read either JTSMA or PMP, then you know exactly what I mean by that. It's easy to see the Julie must have been a very successful attorney, because she grabbed the crowd's attention and left us wanting more.
Since that night, I've read both of her releases and LOVED them immensely, and have met her at other events. I'll admit to being more of a historical romance reader, but Julie's contemporaries are at the top of my auto-buy list. Anyone looking for sexy, dynamic heroes and intelligent, confident, sassy heroines are definitely in for a treat with Julie's books. I'm usually all about the hero, but Julie writes about heroines that we can all appreciate and respect (just ask Kati who wrote a lovely tribute to Payton Kendall recently at RNTV); women who hold their own against any man and never stoop to being petty, silly or whiny. It was such a revelation to read not one, but two wonderful contemporary romances that showcased strong, capable, funny, compassionate, likeable women that aren't bitter or self-pitying harpies. Now to be fair, not all contemporary heroines are painted with that brush, but it's rather common to come across a heroine who has some irritating quirk that renders them almost unsympathetic. But you won't find one of those in a Julie James' novel.
Julie's next release, "Something About You", is scheduled to be released in March 2010, and it's definitely on my TBB list. A loooong wait, but one that I know will be well worth it. And Julie's been recently seen teasing us on Twitter with little tidbits about the coveted Book #4. Gotta love the sound of that. I sure the heck do :) Have you met Julie and/or read any of her books? Do you have a favorite scene from JTSMA or PMP?
**** I'd also like to take this opportunity to give a little shout-out to a fellow fan, who also happens to be Julie's husband. That would be Mr. James, an incredibly brilliant individual with exemplary taste who, from what I've been told, has been known to swing by this place from time to time. Maybe one day we can find out what it's like to be the inspiration for all those heroes :D What say you, Mr. James???? **** Labels: Julie James, spotlight
posted by Stacy~ at 9/01/2009 06:50:00 AM
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009:
The J.D. debate: does Ryan Reynolds make the cut?
So there's this crazy idea out there some people have that actor Ryan Reynolds is the inspiration behind Julie James' hero in her release, "Practice Makes Perfect". Ryan Reynolds! Can you believe it? No, me either. To me, Ryan is the goofball med student from "Two Guys, A Girl And A Pizza Place" (later just "Two Guys And A Girl"), or National Lampoon's "Van Wilder", which I admit I've never seen but can imagine it quite well. Classic cinema right there, I'm telling ya. (Nostalgic moment: watching Berg (RR) being dominated by Pete's virginal stalker Irene. Good stuff...)
So Katiebabs, our favorite eccentric redhead, stands behind her claim, and I believe so does the author, Julie James, who up until that moment, seemed rather clever and level-headed. Now I'm seriously questioning her judgment, because yet having seen "Definitely, Maybe", "Wolverine", and even "The Proposal", I was still not convinced of Ryan's worthiness.
However Miss Julie is offering up "Blade: Trinity" as her proof of the wonder that is Ryan. I've been warned that the movie is pretty bad (no surprise there) but to pay especially close attention to his abs, particularly, as Katiebabs insists, during his stint as Parker Posey's bitch. She believes this will be her winning argument in the ongoing debate. But first off: Hannibal King??? Really?!
I don't know, folks. As I'm watching, definitely do I see RR's trademark smartass charm, but I'm thinking that even that isn't enough to woo me. Case in point: "I ate a lot of garlic, and I just farted. Silent but deadly." Funny but not sexy talk. Now if Parker had managed to rips his pants off, I have a feeling I would have had a much different reaction. I think the makers of this film missed a golden opportunity by not having the movie further investigate the tattoo located in the near nether region of RR's body. There was obviously an important key element of the story missing because of such neglect. Personally, I feel like I was deprived of privileged information - we were robbed!
 Verdict: Despite all the evidence, despite the sweet, lingering perusal of the muscular physique of one yummy Ryan Reynolds, despite the charisma and the humor and the winning smile, I stand by my original decision: Ryan Reynolds is not and never will be J.D. Jameson. Yeah, sure, he's the original creation of Ms. Julie James, author tres extraordinaire, and technically I guess she calls the shots here, but as a reader, I claim a tiny piece of him (obviously not THAT piece because it better not be tiny - besides it would have already been claimed by Katiebabs, or perhaps KingMhoFho, no doubt). So the search for the perfect J.D. Jameson lives on....case dismissed.
Who is YOUR J.D.? (a.k.a. anyone else but Ryan Reynolds!) What's the worst movie you've ever seen just to watch a certain hot actor appear in it? Who was it and was it worth the pain? Labels: Julie James, Ryan Reynolds
posted by Stacy~ at 8/19/2009 06:45:00 AM
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Monday, August 17, 2009:
Book blurb alert: "Something About You" by Julie James
FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES…
Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…
…INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS
Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…
To be released March 2nd!!!! That's forever-away, but wow, does it sound hot or what???? So can't wait for the cover..... Labels: Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 8/17/2009 02:07:00 PM
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009:
Book alert: Julie James book blurb
FATE HAS THROWN TWO SWORN ENEMIES…
Of all the hotel rooms rented by all the adulterous politicians in Chicago, female Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron Lynde had to choose the one next to 1308, where some hot-and-heavy lovemaking ends in bloodshed. And of all the FBI agents in Illinois, it had to be Special Agent Jack Pallas who gets assigned to this high-profile homicide. The same Jack Pallas who still blames Cameron for a botched crackdown three years ago—and nearly ruining his career…
…INTO EACH OTHER’S ARMS
Work with Cameron Lynde? Are they kidding? Maybe, Jack thinks, this is some kind of welcome-back prank after his stint away from Chicago. But it’s no joke: the pair is going to have to put their rocky past behind them and focus on the case at hand. That is, if they can cut back on the razor-sharp jibes—and smother the flame of their sizzling-hot sexual tension…
____________________________
Okay I totally swiped this off her website, but it just sounded too good not to share. Doesn't this sound awesome? Stop on by Julie's blog and let her know how much you want this book! You never know, maybe we'll get it sooner? There's always hope :) Labels: books, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 6/16/2009 05:23:00 AM
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Tuesday, April 07, 2009:
"Practice Makes Perfect" by Julie James (2009) - review
WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION . . .
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face to face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they’ve kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as co-workers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm. . . . THERE ARE NO RULES.
But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. At first apprehensive, they begin to appreciate each other’s dedication to the law—and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection doesn’t last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it’s an all out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar . . .
It's already been said and done by better reviewers than me, but I couldn't go without saying how much I adored Julie James' 2nd romance, Practice Makes Perfect. This book is the kind of contemporary that I think has been missing out there for awhile. It fairly crackles with the lively verbal exchanges and simmering sexual tension, the kind that creeps up on you until you don't care when or how it happens, you just want these two characters to rip each other's clothes off and work out their frustrations in the most basic way, which I'm thinking should take a good week, without cellphones and Blackberrys and laptops. Just Payton and J.D., a flat surface and years worth of catching up to do. I wouldn't categorize the conversations that Payton and J.D. have as witty banter because that implies a playfulness, and frankly that is not the way these two relate to each other. There's some hostility, a lot of impatience and eye-rolling moments, but not any kind of fondness, at least not anything obvious. What I enjoyed is that they both give as good as they get in return, and once again I'm pleased with a heroine that does not come across as defensive or flustered but instead very smart, poised and more than capable of dishing it out without having to resort to crying or yelling. Yet as tough as Payton is, you do see a softer, caring side to her. She loves her mother and makes time to spend with her, even though she drives Payton crazy, and she's close to her good friend Laney. She's not a man-hater and tries to make time to meet someone new. She wasn't weighed down with a boatload of issues, and this reader was breathing a huge sigh of relief to read about a heroine who's actually well-adjusted and normal. How refreshing. I think the same thing can pretty much be said about J.D. as well. Good-looking, confident, damn good at his job and he knows it, he's also a guy who values his close friendships yet has his stupid "guy" moments that he ends up regretting. He comes from money but he lives his own life and goes about his career his own terms, without family handouts. He's earned the lifestyle he enjoys, and nothing makes him more proud than knowing he's wholly responsible for what he's achieved. Making partner would be the icing on his multi-layered cake. And if he can get the best of Payton in the process, well, all the better. He enjoys their skirmishes just a little too much, yet I think they keep him at the top of his game. She's no slouch when it comes to the law and he recognizes and respects that. Something else I really liked about this book is that Julie didn't create a bunch of ooey-gooey mushy moments. Not that there's anything wrong with that, and in the proper forum I enjoy them just like I would a box of chocolates, but with these particular characters, it just wouldn't have felt right. That doesn't mean there weren't sigh-worthy moments of romance, because there were. One in particular made me just about fall out of my chair, and there wasn't even any sexin' going on at the time. It was just one of those instances that caught me a little off-guard because I wasn't quite expecting it to happen the way it did, but it ended up being just perfect. Timing can be everything. I had such a blast reading this book, moreso than I've had while reading in a long time. It was one of those stories I really hated to see come to an end. I really wanted more glimpses into the lives of Payton and J.D., and I'd love to see where they are now. Wouldn't it be nice to think they are walking together down Michigan Avenue on a warm spring day, totally in love and all is right with the world, or is that just me? Rating: ***** out of ***** Labels: Julie James, reviews
posted by Stacy~ at 4/07/2009 06:36:00 AM
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Friday, March 27, 2009:
Contest alert: "Practice Makes Perfect" by Julie James
I know that just about everyone and their best friend has read this book by now, but for those rare few who haven't gotten their copy of Julie James' "Practice Makes Perfect", I'm giving you an opportunity to win this book so you can read what all the fuss is about. Julie writes fun, fast-paced, smart and sexy romances that keep you flipping the pages because you just can't wait to find out what happens next. They are the kind of stories that remind me why I love to read in the first place. So, I'm giving everyone until oh, 3pm CST on Sunday, March 29th to tell me what book they are currently reading, because I'm curious to know. I'd also love to know what you think of it - recommend it or not. I look forward to reading your responses :) Labels: contest, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 3/27/2009 05:51:00 AM
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009:
Chicago spotlight: Julie James & Beth Kery a.k.a. my new best friends
Okay I have to tell you that I really love where I live. (Well, except during our miserable winters). Chicago is an incredible city, blending midwestern sensibilities with a more sophisticated urban flavor. But being a total suburbanite, I don't take advantage of all there is to offer as much as I'd like to. However this week, I was uncommonly brave and for one of the few times ever, drove into the big, bad city. 
Michigan Avenue (click on pictures to make them bigger) Anyone who knows anything about me is very aware that I have a horrible sense of direction and can get lost in the grocery store, but putting my fate in Mapquest's hands actually turned out to be a good thing. Go figure. I managed to find my way, no problem, and only had to circle around once to find a decent place to park. My day was off to a good start. And it only got better. I had left the scary yet familiar surroundings of the suburbs to meet some very cool people for coffee: Chicago authors Beth Kery and Julie James. Yet another reason to love where I live. And where else could we meet but at one of the places that has been the recipient of thousands of my hard-earned dollars - the bookstore. 
Location, location, location This is the wondefull 3-story Borders on Michigan Avenue where we met. Though I was very sad when Julie told me that this store would be shutting down, quite possibly later this year. How awful! One of the worst things in the world for a reader to hear. My heart aches at the thought. 
Beth & Julie, looking ultra classy These ladies are both just as friendly as they look. Though with those pearls and sweet disposition, you really wouldn't think Beth would write something as erotically steamy as "Wicked Burn", but she did, and am I ever so grateful for that *g* And maybe she's on to something because pearls certainly play a significant role in one very sexy scene. Obviously inspired ;) I have definitely added Beth to my auto-buy list. I just really love her style and how she digs deep to tell a genuinely moving story. She had me at Vic. Now I certainly can't forget about Julie, who wrote another of my favorite books of 2008. She writes such snappy, smart dialogue, which sadly, you just don't see a lot of these days. One of my favorite things about her characters is how much they actually converse, matching wits and challenging each other every step of the way. She has some intriguing ideas for future stories and I really hope she's given free rein to tell them. If you take her experiences as a lawyer, and blend those with her exotic travels, I think they would be interesting and different and really fun and engaging to read about. So editor/publisher/agent/manager/husband of Julie, please let Julie write what she wants, because her fans want to read it! Happy news: both Julie & Beth are going to be attending Lori Foster's & Dianne Castell's June get-together! Yeah baby! Naturally we spent the afternoon discussing lots of books and authors, past and present. I was, obviously, the voice of knowledge and experience, what with my 25 years of reading experience (Okay, I just like to talk about me *g*). At one point Julie brought up Nalini Singh's newest, "Angel's Blood", which prompted some talk about angels and vampires, demons and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", that is until a quiet young woman came up to our table, having overheard part of what we were saying and somehow she thought we were talking about real-life demonic attacks. Huh. I think we truly burst her bubble when we just stared at her in disbelief and told her we were talking about books. Maybe she was just as horrified at the thought of romance readers as we were of demon possession. Easy mistake. Once we got our voices back, Beth admitted....okay, never mind. I wasn't supposed to say anything. We went from devil talk to blogging, mentioning some of the blogs we frequently visit, and I was asked about Twitter, which I admit is a guilty pleasure but I continue to question the value, at least for myself. Others may utilize to its fullest potential. We touched on Facebook versus MySpace. Julie doesn't like....nope, I can't tell you THAT. She'd kill me.
Julie with her two releases, "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" and "Practice Makes Perfect" Before I knew it, my adventure was over. And before anyone asks, yes I really was there and not just imagining all this. I'm not quite creative enough to make this stuff up. Beth has a picture of me somewhere, and Julie mentioned me in a blog post. It was a fun day in the city. I want to thank both Beth and Julie for such an enjoyable afternoon. Alas,no scandal or juicy gossip or even a cat fight. But sometimes drama is not all it's cracked up to be. Labels: Beth Kery, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 3/11/2009 06:13:00 AM
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Friday, December 05, 2008:
Contest for"Just the Sexiest Man Alive"
I have a signed copy of Julie James' "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" to give away today. The contest will run through Sunday, December 7th @ 5pm CST. All you need to do is respond to the following question: What is your favorite black & white movie? It can be romantic comedy, suspense, Abbott & Costello, anything. Just list your top choice and you'll be entered in the drawing. Good luck! *** Don't you just love this cover? *** Labels: contest, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 12/05/2008 05:10:00 AM
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Wednesday, December 03, 2008:
Just Julie... chatting up author Julie James
I first heard about Julie James when the awesome Rowena @ BookBinge raved about her book, "Just the Sexiest Man Alive". Wena was so enthusiastic and endearing in her review that I just knew I had to read it myself, especially since we share a lot of the same tastes. (Sidenote: Julie appreciates Rowena from BookBinge and Buffie from RomanceNovel.tv for all the support they've given to her and would like to say "thank you"). So I read it last month (review here) and when I went to her website to see what else she had coming out, I discovered she lived in Chicago and was having a booksigning on November 19th. Since one of my fairly new favorite things to do is to meet authors, I trekked into the city and stopped in at The Book Cellar to meet this debut author. She's a total sweetheart, and we got to chat a bit before she read to the group and did a Q & A. It's great meeting new authors, and I have to admit, it's very cool to support someone who lives in your city, especially when you like their book so much and you want others to read it too. And since she's so nice, she agreed to do a blog interview for me. Since a lot of you probably hang out over @ BookBinge, I tried not to ask the same questions, and if you haven't already done so, you can pop over and read their interview. 
me & Julie ********************
S ~ Congrats on the release of your first book. Do you read romances yourself? If so, who are some of your favorite authors?
Thanks! I do read romances—although admittedly, I got into the genre fairly recently. Probably about the time I realized I wrote one myself. : ) So now I’m having a blast discovering all these authors who are new to me. In terms of favorites: okay, I know this isn’t exactly original, but I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series. Also Jennifer Crusie’s Bet Me. And I read my first J.D. Robb book, Naked in Death, and now I think I have a serious crush on Roarke. (S ~ Just wait, he gets even better.)
Awesome series
S ~ You mention that you drew on your love of the old black and white romantic comedies for inspiration. What are some of your favorites?
Pretty much anything with Cary Grant or Clark Gable. Particularly His Girl Friday, The Philadelphia Story, and It Happened One Night. A lot of the older films have such great dialogue exchanges between the hero and heroine.
I love this movie
S ~ I just loved Taylor. I found her to be spunky, smart and really confident. Did you have anyone in mind when you created her? What was your favorite thing about her?
Taylor practices the exact type of law that I practiced (employment discrimination defense), and her work experiences were loosely drawn from my own experiences in that field. I certainly aimed to have a heroine who was smart and confident and quick with a one-liner, but I think my favorite thing about her is that despite all that, deep down she has fears and vulnerabilities just like everyone else.
S ~ Would you say that the courtroom scenes in the book are close to what you might see in real life, or do you have to embellish that quite a bit?
I think the legal scenes, for the most part, are pretty realistic. In fact, the courtroom scenes are very similar to arguments/cross-examinations I’ve actually made. When you litigate sexual harassment cases, things can certainly get pretty interesting!
S ~ Jason was just the sexiest hero, yet because of how he's lived for the past 2 decades, he comes across as kind of a jerk in the beginning. Did you have an experience with actors/movie stars when writing his character, or did you just draw on what you've seen in the media?
Ahh... Jason. Yes, he is kind of a jerk in the beginning—but humorously so. There were times when I’d be writing his dialogue and I’d think—I can’t believe he just said that! But I wanted to be realistic about his character and how someone in his position would actually think and act. Because of my screenwriting background, I’ve experienced some of the Hollywood element and I think that helped me in capturing that aspect of the book.
S ~ Living in Chicago is a huge difference than living in L.A., and as far as people's mindsets go, what with Chicago having the reputation of a more down-to-earth sensibility and L.A. appearing to have more interest in money and physical beauty. Have you ever lived in L.A. and how were you able to mesh both worlds so seamlessly? Would you move to California to pursue your writing?
I’ve never actually lived in L.A. but I have spent some time there and you are right—it is a very different city from Chicago. I like Los Angeles, but Chicago is where I’m from and I definitely consider myself a Midwest kind of girl. If for some reason I had to move to California, and it worked for my family, I guess I’d probably go. But I don’t think I see that being a necessity—especially writing novels, which you can pretty much do anywhere.
S ~ One of the things I liked about the male characters in your book is that you nailed "guy speak". Was it difficult to convey the "guy" persona in your characters?
Honestly, for whatever reason both Jason and Jeremy’s voices came pretty easily to me. In fact, I think it probably was easier for me to write Jason than Taylor. With Taylor I sometimes worried about whether she was sounding too sarcastic, too confident, etc., but with Jason, honestly, whatever that guy said in my head I just pretty much put down on the page. For better or worse. : )
S ~ What do you think is the most challenging thing about writing? Do you have a routine that you follow to keep on track?
My biggest challenge is probably the same one a lot of working moms face—how to find enough time to write, be with my family, and do the million other things that seemingly need to be done in any given day! As for staying on track, I set weekly writing goals and I do everything I can to keep them.
S ~ A lot of what "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" represents is about looks and charisma. What do you think makes a guy sexy? Who would you consider to be on your top 5 list of the sexiest men?
I can accept a lot of flaws in a hero (arrogance, over-confidence, etc.) as long as he’s pretty much just smitten with the heroine—whether he admits or not. To me, nothing is sexier than a man in love. As for who would be on my list of the sexiest men (aside from my husband, of course), I generally think of sexy in terms of a character or role, instead of the actor himself. Maybe that’s why I have this strange thing for Colin Firth, even though I don’t think of him as traditionally sexy—I loved him as Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice and haven’t gotten over him since. : )
Yum
S ~ Who are some of your favorite strong female characters, whether in t.v., books or movies?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer. (The television show, not the movie.) Princess Leia from Star Wars. Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in Aliens. And of course, Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.
I wanna be Buffy when I grow up
S ~ I'm really looking forward to "Practice Makes Perfect" which comes out in March. And I understand it's not connected to "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" other than it features two attorneys butting heads. What was the inspiration for this story?
The story is about two lawyers, a man and a woman, who work at the same firm and are fighting it out for the one available partnership position. It’s very, very loosely based on my own experience at the firm—there was one other attorney in my group who was the same class as me and I always wondered what would happen if he and I came up for partner together, whether the firm would choose us both or have to choose one of us over the other. As it happened, both of us left the firm to pursue other careers before that became an issue.
S ~ I understand you attended RWA this past July/August. What was your take on the experience and do you plan on attending any future events?
I loved going to the RWA conference this year! True, I pretty much knew nobody and my book wasn’t out at that point so I didn’t get to attend a lot of the author events, but I had a blast there. And everyone was so friendly and welcoming, which was great. I’m definitely hoping to attend next year’s conference as well.
S ~ How has reader feedback been since the release of your book? Have you had much opportunity to connect with your fans? How does it feel to have people reacting to your books?
The feedback I’ve gotten from readers has been wonderful! It really makes my day when someone writes to tell me how much they enjoyed the book. And I love that people like Taylor and Jason so much—if someone reading the book is cheering for them to get together, then I feel that I’ve done my job.
S ~ Do you ever see yourself going back to practicing law?
I never say never, but not right now. As much as I loved practicing law, I love writing even more, so I’m happy to go with this ride as long as I can.
S ~ When you're not writing, what do you like to do in your free time?
I’m a big movie buff and also a fairly avid reader. I like going out for drinks or coffee with friends, or just going out to dinner with my husband—a big treat for us now that we have a toddler. : )
S ~ Now I'll ask a series of "just for fun" questions:
- favorite beverage?
A great glass of Cabernet. Currently, my favorite is the Zulu Cabernet from South Africa.
- favorite indulgence or way to relax?
A bubble bath with a glass of red wine and a great book.
- favorite movie?
I can’t choose! And I love pretty much all genres.
- favorite book?
This one’s easier to answer—Pride and Prejudice.
- favorite place to visit?
The best trip I’ve ever taken was when my husband and I went on safari in South Africa. Absolutely incredible.
- favorite music?
Like movies, I tend to like a bit of everything. I pick music that seems to go with the theme of whatever I’m writing, and for whatever reason, oddly with this book it’s been Rihanna and Billie Holiday. Go figure.
- last good movie you've seen?
It’s not new, but my husband and I just re-watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Ahh... Legolas. (dreamy sigh).
 I adored Aragorn myself, but Legolas is a cutie
- the one book you'd recommend others to read?
The book I always recommend to other women is A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini. There were parts that were so tough to read, yet I literally couldn’t put the book down because I was so invested in the characters and had to see what happened.
-favorite thing about Chicago?
Lots of things! The lake, the shopping, the food, and the fact that for two months in the fall, Chicago actually has the perfect weather. (It’s how we survive the remaining ten months.) : ) Thank you so much Julie for spending time with me and for sharing some insight into your first novel. It was so great meeting you, and I wish you the best of luck with your writing. I'll definitely be picking up your next release :)
Stay tuned for a contest to win a signed copy of Julie James' "Just the Sexiest Man Alive".
***** Labels: author interviews, Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 12/03/2008 04:06:00 AM
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Thursday, November 20, 2008:
"Just the Sexiest Man Alive" by Julie James - (2008) review
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 7, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0425224201
ISBN-13: 978-0425224205
COOL. CALM. COLLECTED.
Nothing fazes Taylor Donovan. In the courtroom she never lets the opposition see her sweat. In her personal life, she never lets any man rattle her–not even her cheating ex-fiancé. So when she’s assigned to coach People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for his role in his next big legal thriller, she refuses to fall for the Hollywood heartthrob’s charms. Even if he is the Jason Andrews.
CONFIDENT. FAMOUS. IRRESISTIBLE.
Jason Andrews is used to having women fall at his feet. When Taylor Donovan gives him the cold shoulder, he’s thrown for a loop. She’s unlike any other woman he’s ever met: uninterested in the limelight, seemingly immune to his advances, and shockingly capable of saying no to him. She’s the perfect challenge. And the more she rejects him, the more he begins to realize that she may just be his perfect match. . .
Taylor Donovan is having a pretty damn good day as far as she's concerned. Working on a big sexual harassment case in sunny L.A., this Chicago attorney knows her business inside and out, and she's not about to let the opposing side bring her down. In fact things are looking so good for Taylor that her boss asks her for a special request: it turns out that THE biggest name in Hollywood - the drop-dead gorgeous Jason Andrews - is working on his next movie, a legal thriller, and he wants it to be as believable as possible, and head partner figures she's just the right person for this "special" case. Not exactly pleased that she is expected to tutor a movie star on top of her already full plate, Taylor nevertheless takes on the assignment, knowing full well she doesn't have much choice if she wants to make partner in the firm.
Only Jason doesn't make a good first impression on Taylor. Nor a second. Taylor is steaming mad that he's blown her off twice after all she had to do to clear her schedule to be free to work with him, and upon meeting him, she's not about to let him off the hook, no matter how gorgeous he truly is in person. In fact Taylor gives him a taste of what it's like to be given the brush-off, which Jason definitely doesn't expect. He's been too used to people falling all over themselves to please him, yet this maddening, beautiful woman has gotten the best of him, and it's definitely made him sit up and take notice. Taylor is quite pleased with herself for putting Mr. Superstar in his place, but instead of things ending there once and for all, which is exactly what she had anticipated, Jason decides it's Taylor or no one, and in less she wants to jeopardize her future partnership, she must learn to bite her tongue and play nice. It almost kills her, but Taylor is a professional after all, and she's smart enough not to let her feelings get in the way of their arrangement. She agrees to work with him for his upcoming role, and is surprised to see the discipline and attention he pays to learning the ropes. Not only that, but he also manages to make her laugh. Still, he leads a life she wants no part of, and Jason just cannot fathom this. Everyone else he's ever known, except maybe his best friend, want something from him. Everyone. So why should Taylor be any different? Only she is, and he realizes this more and more as he spends time with her and learns exactly what it is that drives her. And he likes it. He likes her. He's drawn to her confidence, her intelligence, that challenging sparkle that let's him know she's going to do something he doesn't expect, and he looks forward to it. Anticipates it even. Taylor is a woman who fascinates him possibly more than she frustrates him, and he's completely intrigued. As for Taylor, well she's surprised to discover that despite her initial reaction to him, Jason is actually a really likeable person, and that they share a similar sense of humor. She finds out a little on what it's like to be him on a regular basis, with all the attention and paparazzi and demands, the women who throw themselves at him and the pressure it takes to stay on top. It makes sense why he expects things to happen a certain way: because that's how it's always been since he's become a star. He responds to what he knows to be true, and after awhile he takes it for granted that no matter what he actually does, the outcome will always be the same and people will continue to gush and kiss his ass if it means they can get their fifteen minutes of fame. Taylor and Jason eventually spend more time together, even after Taylor's helped him for her latest film, and it's pretty obvious they're crushing on each other. Jason can't stop thinking about Taylor when she's not around, wondering what she's up to, and these things totally confuse him because he's never gone through anything like this before and he doesn't know how to handle it. Taylor on the other hand is not sure she can handle his lifestyle, or what it would be like for her if she was truly with him. And the bigger issue in the back of her mind is that one day soon in the not so distant future, the case she's working on will come to and end and then she's heading back to Chicago, so a relationship is out of the question. And even if she did stick around, could she ever trust a guy who only has to snap his fingers and scads of women will come running, ripping their clothes off along the way? Or is she ready to throw caution to the wind and take a chance on something truly special? My thoughts: I first heard about this book from Rowena's review over at Book Binge, and I enjoyed her take on the story so much that I knew I just had to get this book. Then I read Buffie's review, and knew it even more. When I did, it took me a little while before I finally read it, but still on a "high" from reading Erin McCarthy's "Flat-Out Sexy", I knew this would be the perfect follow-up, and boy was I ever right about that. It was just so enjoyable to read. Julie James wrote a very engaging story about two people from different lifestyles that meet, clash again and again, and eventually end up falling in love. Like the old black 'n white movies she loves so much, "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" is filled with snappy banter and sexual sparks. It's a flirtatous contemporary that focuses on the amazing chemistry and quick comebacks of two people who are both damn awesome at what they do and shows what happens when circumstances throw them together and they inevitably collide. I absolutely adored Taylor and how smart and absolutely confident she was, especially when it came to her career. I loved that she didn't need to rely on anyone else; this is one woman who knows how to take care of herself. Plus she had a wonderful and wicked sense of humor that was just so much fun and suited her personality so well. I was cheering her on when she put Jason in his place time and again. While she wasn't completely immune to his charms, she hid it well, and that kept him unsure of her feelings, and made him realize that she was not so easily won. And Jason, well, there's just not enough words to describe this luscious hero of many women's fantasies: the quintessential movie star with looks, personality and money to back it all up. Okay, the movie star. Now Jason needed to work his charm on me a little bit before I could get past his arrogance, but underneath that ego was a guy who could be pretty sensitive and caring, it's just not all that obvious. But he remembers things about Taylor that her ex-fiance' never did, and I found that to be completely sweet and endearing. I laughed out loud numerous times at his shock when he just couldn't believe Taylor would reject him. Him, Jason freakin' Andrews. Ha. I liked that he had these moments of uncertainty, that his normal confidence would falter in Taylor's presence, yet he was never brought so low that he came across as lame or "girly". And sometimes he still did stupid things. And I liked how he had the same best friend since college, one that put him in his place from time to time but had Jason's back when he needed it. Together, Taylor and Jason were a pretty dynamic pair, and I thoroughly got a kick out of their bickering and teasing, especially when Taylor got the best of him. Which was most of the time. What I also found surprisingly refreshing is that they didn't immediately fall into bed, despite their strong attraction for one another. I thought that made their interactions all the more potent. I would have definitely liked to have had the bedroom door thrown wide open so we could get an eye-witness view of their hot lovin' because they were such a gorgeous and exciting couple, yet it wasn't a total disappointment that most of it was left to our imagination, because sometimes that can be hotter than anything we read. However if Julie wants to write some steamy love scenes for her next book, well I say bring 'em on! Rating: ****1/2 out of ***** ***** Stay tuned for your chance to win a copy of "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" ****** And coming in 2009.... Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (March 3, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0425226743
ISBN-13: 978-0425226742 WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION . . .
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face to face, they’re perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they’ve kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as co-workers for one reason only: to make partner at the firm.
. . . THERE ARE NO RULES.
But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. At first apprehensive, they begin to appreciate each other’s dedication to the law—and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection doesn’t last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it’s an all out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers hot under the collar . . . Labels: Julie James
posted by Stacy~ at 11/20/2008 04:41:00 AM
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