JEN'S JEWELS - INTERVIEWS

A Monthly Column by Jennifer Vido

Interview with Amulya Malladi
We all dream of cleaning that slate that needs dusting off and embarking on a journey that knows no bounds. This month’s jewel epitomizes that reality through not only her life, but also in her latest release, The Sound of Language. 

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Top Seven Jen's Jewels
As a special holiday treat, I am checking back in with the Top 7 Jen’s Jewels from the past two years.  Find out what your favorite authors have been up to and what special surprises they have in store for their readers. 

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Interview with Dorothea Benton Frank
Her latest release, The Christmas Pearl, is just the perfect book for the busy, holiday season.  Set in Charleston, S.C., the story will touch your heart and make you take a step back and reevaluate what truly should matter most in your life.  It’s certainly not the gifts or the abundance of decorations and sparkling lights.  Christmas is all about family.

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Interview with Louise Shaffer
This month's jewel has lived out my dream! Louise Shaffer is an Emmy award-winning soap opera star as well as a talented and gifted writer! She is a multi-faceted and dynamic person who has experienced quite a bit in her life.
 
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Interview with Monica McInerney
I selected Monica McInerney for this month’s jewel because her latest release, THE FARADAY GIRLS, deals with just that…family.
 
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Interview with Kim Raye
This month’s jewel selection is quite apropos for this time of year. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical about reading YOUR COFFIN OR MINE? . A vampire romance? C’mon! How could that be? It’s hard for me to take an idea like that to the next level, but I have to say that I was quite taken in with Kimberly Raye’s lead character, Lil.
 
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Interview with Gemma Halliday
How many of you have taken the leap and made a career change?  It seems that fewer and fewer people these days stay in the same job.  Perhaps it has something to do with the world in which we live.  Everyone is always on the move.  For a mother, I think a new career is especially hard because everything we do has an immediate impact on the family.  Speaking from my own experience, I never thought I would be a writer, but honestly my job suits the lifestyle of my family perfectly.  It’s a win-win situation for us which makes it all worthwhile.
 
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Interview with Michael Gates Gill
Coffee has never really appealed to me.  I’m one of those people who do not drink caffeine.  (Can you imagine?!)  The way I look at it is quite rudimentary. Why stain my teeth with coffee when I don’t need that extra jolt to make it through the day?  Then, I encountered Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and my theory was blown to bits.  If you have never experienced this autumnal treat, you are really missing out.  I hate to publicly admit this but it’s just not fall without a cup of my favorite latte securely in my hand on Saturday mornings as I try to stay warm on the soccer fields. 
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Interview with Laura Moriarty
This month’s Jen’s Jewel touches upon that feeling of newness but at the other spectrum…the end of the school year.  You know that feeling.  School is out!  No more homework (for us to check)!! Lazy days of summer ahead sipping iced tea by the pool.   But what if…what if your child was involved in an accident and from that point forward, her life was never the same?  How would you possibly be able to live your life with the constant guilt in knowing that your child ended someone else’s life?  It’s truly something we never stop and think about, but we all know it could happen in a blink of an eye. 
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Interview with Jacqueline Mitchard
This month’s jewel, Jacquelyn Mitchard, has been blessed with a once in a lifetime experience that seems too truly remarkable to even describe. Her novel, The Deep End of the Ocean, was chosen as Oprah’s FIRST book club selection.
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Interview with Maeve Binchy
As a child, I remember how after a long day my mother's greatest pleasure was escaping to the porch and reading a novel. The names of those authors that she so meticulously chose have always stuck in my mind as writers I, too, would eventually like to read. As you probably have guessed by now, Maeve Binchy was one of those authors and still today is one of her all-time favorites.
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Interview with Kristin Gore
I don't know about you, but I've always wondered what it would be like growing up in the White House. Think about it. You'd have your own Secret Service agent, not to mention a personal chef, doctor, and maybe even a stylist. Now that's something I could definitely get used to! And how about all of the people you would meet? From heads of state to movie stars, the
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Interview with Claire Cook
While recovering from my hip replacement this past January, I was lucky enough to have landed a copy of Claire Cook's latest novel, LIFE'S A BEACH. Wow! What a perfect escape it was from the blistering snow we were having here in Maryland, not to mention it kept my mind occupied as my body was trying to heal. For me, a
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Meet Paulina Porizkova -- model, celebrity and author!
I'm not sure about you, but when I was a little girl I always dreamed of becoming a model. You know the drill. You parade around in front of the mirror when hopefully no one is looking and then strike a pose. Who knows? Maybe you still do it now, but don't worry! Your secret is safe with me. This month's jewel probably had the same dream but unlike most
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A chat with Patry Francis
As a writer, I spend many hours facing an empty computer screen trying to create the perfect story that will captivate my audience and make them want for more, which as I have learned, is quite the feat. This month's Jen's Jewel has mastered her craft and then some. I first heard about Patry Francis from my
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Arthritis Walk in May
I hope you all are well. It's that time again. For the 4th year in a row, I am chairing the walk-a-thon here in Harford County for the Arthritis Foundation on May 19. This year will be extra special due to my recent hip re-replacement! I am hoping to be able to walk 1/4 of a mile. At least that's my goal. Who knows!! I may even get crazy
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A Conversation with Elaine Viets
I don't know about you, but I have a heck of a time trying to keep up with what's hot and what's not. Thank goodness I have an eleven year old son who is more than willing to inform me when I am teetering too close to the line of geekdom. Take for instance blogging. Honestly, do you even know what the word means or more importantly, how to join one?
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Chatting with Jennifer Apodaca
If nothing else, the title of this month's Jen's Jewels author's latest release obviously hooked you and that's why you are here. The Sex on the Beach Book Club is not your ordinary, run of the mill title for a book. Heck, imagine if there really was a book club named that? Then again, if you are looking to form a group, you may want
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Interview Laura Pedersen
As I started to prepare for this column, I had to pull out my huge manila folder containing all of my past book club fliers. According to my files, it was just over a year ago that I first met Laura Pedersen. Her book, Heart's Desire, was our January 2006 Book Club pick. The club was also lucky enough to be selected for an author phone chat from Ballantine Reader's
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Interview with Kelley St. John
With the beginning of each New Year come resolutions that we all hope to keep. Whether it is a lifestyle change or maybe just adhering to healthier eating choices, it's refreshing to be able to get a chance to start over. It seems like many adults are doing just that, but instead of limiting it to exercise, they're opening themselves up to a wider playing field, their careers. How many people do
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Talking with KIM EDWARDS
As is always the case, the absolute best place to find out any scoop is in the carpool line at school. Don't you agree? If you want anything to be spread like wildfire, just mention it on the lot and I guarantee by dinnertime, it'll be old news. It seems that the topic of conversation among my friends tends to be books since I am in the publishing business and a lot
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Interview with Rebecca Campbell
Let's face it. We all know how different men and women are. You don't need an advanced degree to figure that one out. But, what if you could actually step inside your husband's head for just one day without him even knowing and learn firsthand what makes him tick? How great would that be? Better yet, imagine being able to find out why he repeatedly says those insidious remarks that absolutely
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