The Love In Bloom Extravaganza will feature an author a day from 3/30 – 5/16/12. Daily book give aways and a GRAND PRIZE of a Nook Touch or Kindle Touch ($99 gift cert for INT) See form at end of post for details.
Today author, Brenda Whiteside, is interviewed by her heroine and hero from Honey On White Bread.
Claire: What’s your favorite movie?
Brenda: I have a couple and it’s hard to choose.
Claire: Oh, I know exactly what you mean. Don’t you just love a good musical?
Brenda: One of my favorite movies is Dirty Dancing and although not exactly a musical, there is a great deal of music and dancing.
Claire: Dirty Dancing? I’ve never heard of it. That sounds so brazen!
Benjamin: A deep throated laugh.
Brenda: Oh, sorry, Claire. I can’t exactly explain it. How about I stick to my favorite movie that you might know? The Dolly Sisters with Betty Grable is a good one.
Claire: I just love Betty Grable.
Benjamin: Tell us how your writing career began. Did you always know you wanted to write or did it come to you after you’d tried something else, like when I decided that construction was the business I wanted?
Brenda: I’m not sure of the exact beginning, but I suppose I could call it a career when my first book was published in 2010. What a thrill. I knew writing was what I wanted to do the rest of my life.
Claire: Do you sing?
Benjamin: Claire, honey, movies and singing?
Claire: Oh, Ben, everyone is interested in Hollywood.
Brenda: I do sing, Claire, all the time but, no one wants to hear me sing like they want to hear you sing.
Benjamin: What’s your favorite time period to write?
Brenda: I had a lot of fun writing about the forties. I think it’s easier to write in my own time period but the forties are so romantic, so stylized.
Claire: So you really enjoyed telling our story?
Brenda: I did. I hope I got it all correct.
Claire: I got tears, how `bout you Benjamin?
Benjamin: No, honey, not tears, but I got a good laugh now and then.
Claire: Not at me, I hope.
Benjamin: Well, you did put Arnold in his place a time or two.
Claire: I didn’t see the humor.
Benjamin: A chuckle. Clears his throat. I understand the inspiration for our story actually came from your mother.
Brenda: Oh yes. She’s a bit like Claire. And as for you, well, very masculine like my dad.
Claire: Oh how sweet. I didn’t know my mother but according to my father, Hamish, she was like a beautiful Indian princess.
Benjamin: Very masculine, huh?
Claire: (Bats her eyelashes at Benjamin, flicks her hair from her neck.) You are, Benjamin.
Benjamin: (Standing a little taller, biceps flexed.) Who has most influenced your life?
Brenda: I can’t give you just one. Can I give you a few? Joan of Arc for refusing to deny who she was and what she fought for. I read about her when I was ten years old and I was touched.
My father for his entrepreneurial spirit. Just like you, Benjamin. Writers need that spirit. My son for his creative work ethic and hardheadedness about his beliefs.
Benjamin: So is there another forties book coming up?
Brenda: Right now I’m writing a contemporary romantic mystery. But I think I see another book set in the forties or even the thirties in my future.
Thank you, Claire and Benjamin, for taking time to interview me. I appreciate it.
Benjamin: You’re welcome.
Claire: Oh, Brenda, by the way – if someone should want to do a movie from our story, do you think I could play myself?
Brenda: I’ll certainly propose that to the studio, Claire.
Most historical romances are pre 1900.
What year range, post 1900, would you enjoy reading about ?
Brenda is giving one lucky commenter a night at the movies 1945 style, this would include 2 dvd movies, popcorn and candy. Winner will be selected using random.org, on 4/23. Winner must leave a comment and fill out the form at the end of this post.
For me (DiDi) I enjoy anything up to the 1950’s. Somewhere after the 50’s. In real life I feel like we lost a bit of romanticism, chivalry and true HEAs. Yes I LOVE the clothes of the 50’s, if I had the shape I would totally be rockin’ Pin-up girl type clothing.
Honey on White Bread Blurb
When seventeen-year-old Claire Flanagan is wrenched from her father and deposited at the Good Shepherd’s Home for Wayward Girls, all dreams for Hollywood stardom are lost. But when twenty-year-old Benjamin Russell helps secure her release, she starts to believe in a happy future with him…until she discovers his ex-girlfriend is pregnant.
In this post WWII coming of age novel, Claire discovers the silver screen can’t compare with the fight she takes on for the leading role in her own life.
“I’ve never snuck into a theater before. Sneaking into a dark theater with Arnold …” Paulie laughed. “Are you sure this isn’t supposed to be a date?” Paulie appeared at once timid and suspicious.
“I’m sure. He’s getting me … us in to see a movie for free. Dick Hames! He’s so dreamy.”
“Arnold’s dreamy.”
“You know, Paulie, Arnold is a dear friend …”
“Oh, pooh, Claire.” Paulie batted at my skirt.
“Okay, okay, a special friend. We haven’t made any promises to each other or anything. He’s cute, he’s fun … but …”
“But what?”
“Oh, I don’t know.” A hint of guilt over the difference between how I felt about Arnold compared to how he felt about me passed like the breeze drifting over the porch boards. His were childish whims of infatuation, pushy, uninvited. “It’s kind of hard to explain…” I toyed with the folds of my skirt. If most of the girls at North High were stuck on Arnold, a great catch I didn’t appreciate, then I wished my best friend could change places with me. If only …
“Hey, ladies.” The blur of a male figure in jeans had ascended the porch steps, not pausing to pass pleasantries.
He opened the screen door and stepped into the house. Benjamin. My second encounter brought on an unexplained reaction; my heart pattered even though I’d barely caught a glimpse.
“Oh, hey, Ben,” Paulie said. “You look tired, big brother.”
Her words stopped him. “Little bit.” He paused behind the screen door.
“This is Claire.”
He tipped his head to me. “Nice to meet you, Claire.” He continued on into the house.
“Same here,” I muttered as the screen door shut.
“Now, where were we?” Paulie put a finger to her mouth.
I looped an arm through my friend’s. “We were going to see if your momma could use some help. Come on.” I pulled her from the seat. “Let’s help then freshen up before dinner.”
We let the screen door slam behind us and turned into the kitchen in time to see Benjamin lift his mother from the floor and spin around twice.
“You stop that, Benjamin Willis. Man or no, I can take a hand to your hide, if I need to.” Her hands flailed gently at his chest.
He laughed as he set her down, steadying her before letting go. Taut muscles on the back of his arms flexed with the effort; his deep laugh filled the kitchen. I couldn’t help being drawn into this entirely pleasant scene, comical and radiating warmth, inviting me to take part in their joy. His mother snatched a dishtowel from the counter and swiped at his legs.
“Hold off now. I give, I give.” He withdrew what appeared to be a check from his back pocket.
Mrs. Russell accepted the paper without comment and stuffed it into the frayed pocket of her red checked apron. He kissed her on the forehead, took the bottle of beer she offered him, and leaving the kitchen, nodded in my direction.
I sniffed the sweat of hard work and the yeasty smell of beer as he passed by. My head reeled for a moment with the warmth of the kitchen and the people within, combined with the essence of what I labeled man.
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I really enjoy reading about any/all eras. I find it fascinating learning about the difference in dress, speech,and customs. This book sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read it. Thanks.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Thanks, Joanne. So glad you came by. And I so agree with Didi about the clothes.
Personally, I prefer the 1800s. 1900s just seem so…dusty and chaotic in my head. I think it’s because of the revolution and world wars, and I prefer horse-drawn carriages and dresses and gas-lit streets. More romantic and mysterious. 😀 Haha.
But I am curious about speech and dress codes in all eras, cultures and such. 🙂
I think I would like to read a historical romance in the Depression Era. The struggles that one goes through, but their love overcomes all of that.
Lauren
I enjoy all eras especially 1940s and other war-time period.
When I did my research, I found the speech very amusing. And also realized the phrases my parents used now had a tie to their era. Thanks for the comment CYP.
Lauren, I have a book in my head for that era. There were real hobo jungles!
Yep, NA, war time tends to change the landscape and create more avenues-especially for romance novels.
I love the 1800s the best 🙂
reginamayross@gmail.com
I’m not as familiar with the 1800’s. But the volume of romance novels written in that era tells me you are not alone,Regina!
I love all time periods. If I had to choose one time frame after the 1900’s, I would choose 1920’s or 1940’s. I love those times for fashion and music.
Mel
You hit my two favorite things from those time periods, Mel. Yes, definitely fashion and music.
I enjoy reading about pretty much any time period but would really love to see more books set in the 1920’s – the “Roaring Twenties” – we don’t get to see too many books set in that time period and I think it was a fun and fascinating period. Loved the excerpt, thanks for sharing it with us. The interview between Claire and the characters was fun too.
I’m in agreement with Regina…I like the 1800’s too. Thx for the giveaway!
Thanks to both Maria and Barbara. I think the 20’s is fascinating. Those 1800’s are really popular.
I like the 1800’s. Enjoyed the post and the excerpt. Sounds like a good story.
Love all time periods as each adds its own flavor to the story.
I’d enjoy reading about the 1920’s or 1930’s.
Great interview and excerpt! I’d like to read about the 1950s.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I went out for dinner. Thanks to all for chiming in while I was gone. Man, sounds like I need to come up with a 1920’s era book. Hmmm…
The flapper era. It is so interesting. And, of course, prohibition. That era is just ripe with possiblities. jepebATverizonDOTnet
Brenda’s books are amazing reads. I have read SLEEPING WUTH THE LIGHTS ON and HONEY ON WHITE BREAD! My reviews of her books are on Amazon and Good Reads! She is one of my favorite authors!
I also love DIRTY DANCING!
Thanks!
Rebecca
Thank you all for stopping by.
Brenda thank you for a wonderful post!
Congrats to NA you are the winner of Brenda’s post.
I like to switch it up and read a little bit of every era if the story is intersting enough to keep my interest.
Wow what an interview loved it book is on my wish list.