 Smart Sister Act with Ali Ahearn and Ros Baxter! Posted by Anna Campbell May 2 2012, 12:02 am
I’ve been dying to bring Alison and Ros to the lair. They’re such fun in person! Alison is well known to us through her Amy Andrews persona as Mills and Boon Medical Romance (and now Riva/Presents) author extraordinaire . Their joint project SISTER PACT is Ros’s publishing debut. Not only that, but SISTER PACT is fantastic. I read it in one gulp last month. Seriously, I laughed, I cried, I hissed, I cheered. It’s a wonderfully rich reading experience and in between the riotous humor, it packs a big emotional punch. Definitely one for the TBR pile, guys! Here’s their fun bio: Ali and Ros are sisters who are as close as they are different. Ali married the first boy she ever loved. Ros tried to remember the name of hers the other day and gave up and had a chocolate bar instead. Ali thinks everything will work out. Ros thinks everything will get found out. But for all their differences, they are fiercely close and desperately proud of each other. Nothing feels real until it has been spoken aloud to the other. They both love to talk, laugh and write preferably over a bottle of bubbly and something coated in chocolate. They live in Brisbane. SISTER PACT has its own website: www.sisterlit.com Ali/Amy’s website is: www.amyandrews.com.au You can buy SISTER PACT from Booktopia: http://www.booktopia.com.au/sister-pact/prod9780732293130.html and at all good Aussie book stockists.
Ali: Thanks so much, Anna. It’s fab to be here with the Banditas – we love your blog! So what’s the story about …… Fencing, fighting, torture, revenge, giants, monsters, chases, escapes, true love, miracles… oh, hang on, that’s PRINCESS BRIDE. Ros: But there is fighting and torture and revenge and chases and true love and miracles and a quest for money and honour, but something a lot more precious than that, for sisterhood. No Inigo Montoya. Anna: LOVE Inigo Montoya! Ali: There is Nick, though. Hunky gorgeous hard man who can shear a sheep, build a shelter, light a fire and slay dragons all before breakfast. – Ros: And Lex who can quote Shakespeare and smuggles pink doughnuts ….
Two very different sisters. Once inseparable, they have long been estranged after an unimaginable betrayal. Organised and uptight Frances married the only man she’d ever slept with. But no-one ever told her that seven years later she’d be having sexual fantasies about everyone from the pizza delivery guy to Denis Thatcher. Scatterbrained animal-lover Joni never knew she was so attached to her kneecaps until she thought she might have to say goodbye to them forever. After their beloved grandmother - a game show addict – dies, they discover that they have each been left one million pounds in her will. The kicker is they can only inherit if they participate as a team in a gruelling reality TV program, Endurance Island. They can survive the jungle. They can survive the humiliating challenges. But can they survive each other? Anna: What were the inspirations behind this book?
Ros: And a terrible addiction to bad reality television… Ali: The crazy idea we could do it despite our mother’s presentiments of doom. Ros: And lots of experience at sister stuff – love, laughter, and the usual catastrophes. Most of all, we really wanted to write a book that nailed sisters – in all their glory, love and ferociousness. Anna: We love call stories in the lair. Can you give us yours? Ros: Well, we got the chance to pitch to HarperCollins at the 2010 Bundaberg Writers Festival but Ali (the far more experienced of the two of us in such matters) couldn’t make it. I had zero experience with such things and was convinced I was going to blow it completely. Of course, I made sure I was lookin’ good and feeling sparkly by being up entire night before with multiple vomiting children (was still sponging puke off my shirt when they called me to go in for the pitch – nice!). I then broke all the rules of playing it cool and just about crawled into the lap of Jo Butler from HarperCollins the minute she started saying nice things about the book. Also displayed huge amounts of self-belief by continually shaking my head and saying “really?” at each compliment. She then started harassing Anna Valdinger to read the manuscript and we started to get tingles… Ali: And then, I was at the Coogee Romance Writers of Australia conference a couple of months later and I spied Bandita Anna talking to HarperCollins Anna and I hadn’t met her yet just knew she was the gatekeeper. So I sidled up to Bandita Anna who introduced me, being the polite, well-mannered Bandita she is and then HC Anna started raving about the book, compared it to Marian Keyes – yes, Marian freaking Keyes!!! – and poor Bandita Anna was very confused for a minute but she caught on like wildfire and even though it was another couple of months before we got an official offer through our agent, the tingles multiplied!
Ali: Step 1. Open a bottle of wine. Ros: Step 2. Drink the bottle of wine between the two of you then come up with a plot. Ali: Step 3. Laugh a lot as plot gets wilder and you start thinking everything is hilarious. Ros: Step 4. Read it in the cold light of day and cull the bits that are less lucid.
The process was very much like a conversation between sisters – wild tangents and plot turns, somehow getting back to the point, having lots of laughs along the way and realising at the end of it all that you’ve learned a lot about each other. Anna: Sounds like great fun! I only get to raise a glass with the characters in my head. Much better in the flesh. What’s next for you both? Ali: We’ve just finished the second Joni and Frances instalment – Frankie gets kidnapped by a cult and Joni has to come to the rescue. Fingers crossed it will be in the stores this time next year. Ros: Baby number four.
Ros: Booking my husband’s vasectomy. Anna: Snigger. Ali: Not saying I told you so when four children really do drive my sister over the edge…. Ros: Using the respite offered by some maternity leave to do some revisions to a single title manuscript that I’ve had some interest in. Ali: More books for the Medical and Presents line for Harlequin. Hoping to finally sell a much loved single title of mine. And please, please get a chance to read something from my enormous TBR pile! Anna: Do you girls have anything to ask the Banditas and Bandita Buddies to get the conversation rolling? Ali: Ros and I love the way women converse with each other and tell stories. It’s never linear, always meanders and diverts into little side alleys along the way but is always enthralling and hours can pass before you know it. When you get together with girlfriends or female relatives what are some of the weirder tangential conversations you’ve had?
Posted in Ali Ahearn, Alison Ahearn, Amy Andrews, Anna Campbell, Australian, Bandita Booty, Co-writers, Contemporary fiction, Contemporary romances, Great reads, Guests Authors, Medical Romance, Ros Baxter, Sister Pact, sisters, women's fiction Comments118 thoughts on “Smart Sister Act with Ali Ahearn and Ros Baxter!” |
   
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by Anna Campbell
Anna: Ros and Ali, welcome to the lair! Congratulations on the release of SISTER PACT. Can you tell us about this story?
But the real blurb is here
Anna: Great call story, gals! I remember thinking I’d stepped into an alternative universe for a moment there. Nice to know I can keep my wits about me when the next dimension takes over! I think most people will be utterly fascinated by how you managed to write a book between you and what impact that process had on your relationship as sisters. Can you give us a glimpse of your working method?
Seriously, though, we did some good plotting initially, but tried to balance it with letting the muse have her head as the story took shape. Ali would write one chapter from her character’s point of view, and I’d write the next. It was exciting seeing the next instalment drop into your in-box and wild (and sometimes terrifying) to see where the plot would go. 
ROFL!! Ali and Ros, VERY lovely to meet you both! I adore my sister, and can totally imagine that we’d both love this story
As for weird conversations, really, is there any topic we don’t end up hitting at some point? Anything from breastfeeding to diapering to when you allow your kids cellphones and other parenting dilemmas all the way to nail polish, birth control, queries about work, whether hot lingerie really does anything, and of course, book recommendations 
Can’t wait to pick up Sister Pact!
Fedora, SISTER PACT is a great read. Seriously, kept me awake into the wee smalls. Even kept the Rooster quiet for a couple of hours when I gave it to him. Maybe you should try giving him a good book today if he plays up too much!
That sneaky bird helps himself, alas
So he’s quiet, but never around when I might need some help! Plus, he has a tendency to raid my secret stashes of treats–shame on him! 
Or possibly extremely clever…
Help? I’ve NEVER had help from the bird, Fedora. He always finds where the treats hide too, the rotten fowl. The foul fowl?
Hey Fedora!
Did you get the rooster?? Clucky thing!
Love your sister conversations! Ros can talk about breast feeding and nappy changes in particular at the moment!
Hi Fedora – nice to meet you – I want to know the answer to the lingerie question!
hey Fedora! Congrats on snagging the bird for the day. he likes it at your house. :>
I had to LOL about your sister convos. Sounds like the ones I have with both my blood sister and my sisters of the heart.
And what about allowance? When DO you start that and how much? Jeeeesh….
I know Jeanne! We started with one dollar/grade. So when they were in grade 1 they got $1/week etc. And they had to chores for it – no free rides in our house
Sister Pact sounds like a wonderful read and i would love to read it. I have two great sisters myself and I just spent this past weekend with them. We always have a great time when we are together and we get into some pretty wild conversations.
Virginia, sounds like a fun weekend you’ve just had. And believe me, Sister Pact is a GREAT read.
hi Virginia. A whole weekend with your sister sounds like a wonderful treat!
Maybe grab a copy of Siter Pact for her and you
Also wanted to mention that SP is available
digitally through Amazon!
Amy, is it up? When I put the post up, I couldn’t find an e-book link.
Oh, goodie! I’m not eligible for the draw, being a Bandita and all, and I’ve been out and about already for the day. Gotta put bum in chair and hands on keyboard and get some writing in. However….Amazon only takes a keystroke…
Wow Victoria – two sisters sound even better than one. I was trying very hard to cook up a sister for my little girl with baby #4 but alas – looks like more AFL in my future…
AFL? Aus Footie League? Grins.
yep Jeanne – you guessed it.
Different style of football to rugby league. But still just a bunch of guys getting paid too much to throw a ball around if you ask me….
Congratulations on the release of Sister Pact, Ali and Ros! Wow, it sounds like so much fun and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
Conversation with my writer friends always involves books, agents, publishers, indie vs traditional publishing, writing highs and lows. With my non-writer friends, some of whom have just become first-time mothers, the conversation often turns to bewildering stories about childbirth. And that’s when a good dose NZ sauv blanc comes in handy. (During the conversation, that is. Not during childbirth.)
Fabulous interview as always, Anna!
Thanks, Vanessa. We always love having Ali in the lair and it’s wonderful to welcome Ros. Yes, everything goes better with Sauvignon Blanc, doesn’t it?
Well I dont know Vanessa – a good glass of wine may well help the child birthing process immensely! Not so much need for epidurals and morphine maybe
I love child birth stories – every woman has such a wonderfully unique story but they’re probably not so fascinating when you haven’t been there yourself – icky is probably more like it. Probably not that fascinating for Ros either who is staring down the barrell of – that’s right, I have to get this baby out, dont I??
Agreed – LOVE childbirth stories, think it’s how we women process the horrors. Having been through three “natural”childbirths I always say it feels pretty bloody un-natural to me! x
Natural? Are you insane? Wait…you’re a writer so that’s a given, but really? THREE???
Eeeeeep!
Yep, definitely insane ’cause #4 is about 5 weeks away…. x
I don’t know about weird, but we certainly talk about anything & everything. Often it’s like when you follow the links on a computer. You have a starting point, but by the end, you are light years away from the initial spark.
The fun’s in the journey, isn’t it, Mary?
Oh yes yes yes Mary! That’s exactly how it is!!
Love the clicking analogy! To take it one step further, Ali and I often end up on some Nigerian site promising us untold riches, unable to find our way back to the shopping site we started on. But hey, the fun is in the journey! x
That’s it exactly, Mary! Too funny.
Ali, do you want to give us that e-book link for Amazon?
Here tis Anna!
http://www.amazon.com/Sister-Pact-ebook/dp/B005U7F1YS/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1
HI Amy and Ros (and waving to Anna)–seems like forever we were both presenting on a contemporary romance panel! I loved the sound of Sister Pact then and am so glad it is out now. I’m a big fan of chick lit and women’s fiction and I can’t wait to read it.
When women get together, I am sometimes amazed at the private details they share–anatomical and otherwise–about the guys in their lives. When I next see the man in question I can sometimes be a tad embarrassed as I now know more about him than he might imagine anyone other than his wife might know…
HI Kandy – gosh, that panel does seem a looooong time ago, doesn’t it??
I know what you mean about the personal stuff, I can remember strating a conversation with a bunch of gf’s one day over lunch that started with communism and ended in women with long vaginas!!
I kid you not!
I’m so with you Kandy. My husband often says”: “you’re not going to tell your friends about this, are you?” and I shake my head gravely and issue denials. But, really, as well know, it depends how good the story is….
Snork! Yep, I’ve had this exact conversation and thought….
Actually, Kandy, sometimes you can get TOO much information. By the way, you’ll love SISTER PACT!
Congratulations to Ali and Ros on Sister Pact! Those close female relatives like sister, mother and daughter are unique. Since my sister has young children and mine are in college we talk about kids a lot when we are together, mostly the unexplained things about them. Why do they not want to sleep when they are tired and all the ways that children are illogical.
Ah yes and they say women are illogical! Why is it that kids would do anything to avoid sleep, while I fantasise about getting more of it on a daily basis?? When asked that question ie “why do kids do x, y and z”our Mum used to say “just so you never think you have all the answers”. Of course, she also used to say: “never boast about your children because that’s the day you’ll get a call from the principal to say one of them has riden a motorcyle through the assembly hall”. Ah, the joys of parenting. x
Ah, the difficulties of kids! An eternal topic of fascination, Maureen!
Wonderful Anna Campbell – thanks so much for hosting us today.
Hi Ros! Thanks so much for being my guest today (and you too, Ali!). As you know, I adored the book and it’s such fun to share it with all the Bandits and Bandita Buddies. I think it’s great that it’s out just in time for Mother’s Day here in Oz. I bet lots of Mums are going to have fun with Frankie and Joni!
What a good blog Anna , Ali and Ros
I don’t have sisters only sister in laws but the live away from me…..mind you when we get on the phone we can be on for a while ….. but I have a good friend Helen and we are off to the Sydney ARRA lunch on Sunday …. so we will talk about romance books and put the worlds to right lol and land up at the Lindt choc cafe for desert lol
We are all sisters-in-chocolate.
Ahhh, Barb, you’re Helen’s friend? I can just imagine the natter-fest
Fingeras crossed you can get the world to rights – I often think just hand the mess over to a bunch of mothers and we’ll fix it!
Barb, actually when I see you and Helen together, I get that sisterly vibe. You’re such lovely friends – and I love that you’re both such romance novel fiends!
Welcome Ali and Ros! Anna, this is some of the most fun I’ve had reading an interview – thank you.
I love the sound of your writing process, Ros and Ali and the sound of the end results. I’m looking forward to this one enormously.
Thanks Annie. Hope you get as much pleasure from reading as we did from writing. x
Hey Annie – great to “see” you again!
Annie, have you been lucky enough to spend time with Ali and Ros together? I remember a really riotous pizza lunch at the ARRA Conference in Bondi in 2011. And then I had to stagger off and present a talk for a couple of hours! Oy, hope I made sense! Thanks for swinging by. So glad you enjoyed the interview.
That was a great lunch, Anna. I think Ros and I and HC Anna were still there hours later
Yes we must definitely have another one of those lunches very soon!
Whoo Hoo Ali and Ros
I have this book lined up on the e reader to read and am looking forward to it.
I am the eldest of 4 sisters and when we get together watch out we are noisy and talk about everything and anything. We laugh so much that we end up with such sore jaws from all the laughing and talking we do and our kids just wonder at the things we did as kids there is only 5 years and 10 days between myself and the youngest so we have had our arguments and tears and laughter a lot LOL.
I also have my friend Barbara and boy can we talk a lot as well as Barb has already said this Sunday is our romance readers lunch here in Sydney and yep all of us are romance readers and when we start talking about the books we have read and the ones on the TBR pile there is no stopping us especially when we end up at The Lindt Cafe.
I am looking forward to catching up in August at The Book Signing on The Gold Coast Ladies I will be there for the weekend.
Whoo Hoo huge congrats on the release Ladies and thanks Anna for inviting Ali and Ros along today.
Have Fun
Helen
Looking forward to seeing you at the GC too, Helen.
My hubby has 4 sisters so I understand the noise factor
I think its also why he’s so wonderfully grounded.
Oh, how interesting he has sisters, Ali. I think you can tell that when you meet him.
yes, I reckon you can too, Anna!
Helen, so looking forward to seeing you in Surfers Paradise! Feels like ages since we’ve got together. I was hoping to get down for the ARRA Awards this year but then something came up and I couldn’t make it. Grrrr!
HI Anna and Ali and Ros! Fun interview and I love your writing process! A real voyage of discovery as you receive the other point-of-view chapter – and maybe just a little scary as you wonder what might be arriving! I’m looking forward to my copy of Frances and Joni’s story arriving! It sounds like a fab read!
I do love those wonderful meandering conversations with friends that start off at one point and seem to end up somewhere completely unpredictable!
Good luck with your next projects!
Sharon
Hey Sharon – unpredictable can be good for your writing right after it scares the bejesus out of you!
Sharon, you’ll love SISTER PACT. I think the humour in particular will appeal to you.
Thanks for these lovely words Sharon. Now that we’ve finished Joni and frances #2, Ali and I really looking forward to writing together again (if we can find time between other books, work, tuckshop….) x
Ros and I love the way women converse with each other and tell stories. It’s never linear, always meanders and diverts into little side alleys along the way but is always enthralling and hours can pass before you know it. When you get together with girlfriends or female relatives what are some of the weirder tangential conversations you’ve had?
I don’t have that many girlfriends I get together with; but when I do get together with my Mum (who is the person I usually have a coffee with) we talk about the funniest things that have happened to us that we’ve never told anyone else. More recently, since Mum’s brother passed away from Prostate Cancer, we’ve been chatting more about how it was his spirit we saw and that the body we knew was just the carrier to make the spirit shine through. Mum’s not into God, but she’s into other spiritual guides; which is very cool.
Otherwise, I can talk to her and my brother, Gabe, about anything… and we can have a great laugh about stuff too. Gabe is one of the best cooks around (and has taught me everything I know about cooking). So, whenever I cook for him, he often comes into my kitchen and looks at how I do something and tastes it then searches my pantry to see if he can improve the cooking, asking if he can add it… so we talk and chat about stuff like that…. while listening to jazz and blues on vinyl on my stereo turned up loud! It’s very cool to hang out with my bro!
Most of my other friends – one of whom is a bass player for a band – are usually overseas and I often see them online and chat to them. extroverted, bass player friend was in NYC having dinner with Joan Jet one night when she and I were on Facebook chatting and asked what I was up to… I told her I had just done some Life Modelling and she turned around and told Joan Jet (yeah, the one who sang ‘I Love Rock’n'Roll in 1978!) that the shyest kid from her high school form group was doing Life Modelling. Joan’s reply was: “Hey, it’s the shy ones you gotta watch for, Kylie… they’ll always be the most surprising ones!”
So, that what I get to talk to my friends about… life modelling, cooking, music and I get to know some of the most famous people through them too! Great stuff!
Okay, Mozette, so I think I’m seriously in love with Gabe….
Not to mention how that is one of my all time fav hero names!
It’s cool that you hang with your Mum. Ros and I are approaching our first Mother’s day without our Mum so I’d give anything to be able to call in and have coffee with her
You know, it wasn’t until around the time of my Melanoma (that’s 16 years ago now) that we really connected. He realised he could have lost me… and me? I began really living and traveling a lot. However, it wasn’t until I didn’t get married and had one really stuffed-up relationship that he knew I’d probably never have children – and he had a baby girl – that he let me really close. We became very close and really got to know each other better than we ever did as kids or teenagers.
I’d be lost without my brother… and a lot of my friends had massive crushes on my brother too; which I thought was really weird. But now, he’s 41 and has found the woman of his dreams and they’re engaged to be married in about two years… good for him – I say! 
It’s dreadful when you can’t call your Mum up for a chat or advice. And I’m so pleased when I can. We get to laugh and giggle about all kinds of things now and I’m glad we can. The Friday before Mum’s brother passed away, Mum and I walked around Garden City (a large shopping complex here in Brisbane) arm in arm and we chatted about Mother’s Day, Dad and what’s going to happen this year like we didn’t have a care in the world… and we haven’t done that in a long time.
I do enjoy those times with Mum; as I’m sure you girls did with yours.
Hey Mozette – you’re a Brissy girl! Does that mean I could be wandering aruond in the same city as the wonderful Gabe???
Yeah… he lives out at Brighton and works in the city. A long way to travel to work but he’s living out that way to be closer to his 12-year-old daughter.
I’m with you there, on the calling your mum bit. So sorry for your loss.
Wow, Mozette, cool Joan Jett story!
You know last year, we had our 20 year class reunion and Kylie showed up (she’s our shining star; the one who made it big in the world and she never turned away from any of us; and that’s great!). Well, she played a set with the band at the reunion and forgot her fat pick which used for her bass guitar. This is what came across the mic
‘Oh, shit, I forgot my fat pick!’ rummage, rummage, ‘I can’t believe I forgot that damned thing!’
people across the audience begin laughing, but I don’t. The dud next to me gives me a puzzled look, and I tell him, ‘A fat pick is used on a bass guitar.’ he stops laughing.
Kylie finds a pick, ‘Hey, guys, I’ll just use the one Joan Jet gave me!’
The whole room goes completely silent!
Great Joan Jet story. Stories. I’m bathing in the reflected cool here…. Ros x
Hey Ali and Ros! Great to see you in the Lair!! So thrilled for your success with this book – sounds awesome. Can’t wait to get it and dig in!
Ah yes, the wonderful meandering and sometimes bizarre conversations with gal pals! Love ‘em! Even better with fellow writer gal pals LOL. That’s why some of my favourite memories are associated with the bars of various RWA and an RWAus conference!
Anna, I was thinking about when you and DH visited last year only yesterday and what lovely chats we had sitting on my sofa, watching the rain tumble down. I think I’m reminiscing because I’m STILL watching the rain tumble down! Sunshine Coast? Bah!
Thanks Anna. I’m with you. All conversations get better in bars… x
Oh yes, writing gal pals are on a whole other tangential plane, right, Anna?
Because then we start to talk about the people in our head and no-one else really gets that
Amy, I think writer pals are a special kind of insane!
What a wonderful interview. This book sounds memorable and special. Congratulations on the release and best wishes.
Thanks, Pearl. I’m so glad I had a chance to introduce this wonderful story to you all today.
Thanks Pearl!
I enjoyed learning about Sister Pact and loved the photos. Fabulous book and interesting interview. Sisters always provide great and unique conversations.
Ellie, I love the photos too. That one of the two girls as little uns is just so gorgeous.
Thansk Ellie. Our Dad took that pic when I was 5 and Ros was 1. Doncha just love the lurid patterns of the 70′s bathroom towels in the background??
Love love love that photo too, ’cause it makes me think about al the times my big sister Alison has carried me (literally or metaphorically) from the time I was so little. But the first reaction our poor Dad had when he saw the photo was: I can’t believe you chose that one, look at the state of the lawn (he’s very garden proud!). x
Sounds like a great book!
My best friend and I switch topics very abruptly and quickly according to both of our husbands. To us, it always make sense… So I know exactly what you meant!
May, I remember my brother hearing me on the phone to Annie West one day and killing himself laughing. He said I didn’t shut up and he knew she didn’t shut up. But somehow we each knew exactly what the other one was saying.
Hey May – as long as we can follow it, that’s all that counts, right?
Welcome to the Lair, Ali and Ros! I love, love your call story for this book. And how delightful that you sisters can work together. SISTER PACT sounds like a must-read story!
Jo, it’s a great call story, isn’t it? And I have to say, I felt like I was in on the ground floor with this one.
Thanks Jo – definitely a must read
And yes Anna you were so in on the ground floor – even if you didn’t quite realise it at the time!
So glad you liked the call story. It really was v funny how it all happened, and those Harper Collins women were just great. x
Hi Ali and Rosi –
I loved the interplay in this interview so much I’m sure the book is wonderful. What a fun way to write a book, each doing a chapter in their character’s POV. Love it!
I have sisters. I have friends. I love to talk. I drink wine. Need I say more?
Donna, do you love to talk? I had NOOOOO idea! LOL! And wine? Gee, that’s a secret you’ve kept really well.
Oh, I love a bit of sarcasm in the morning!
Snork!!!
Well now Donna, you sound like a kindred spirit
Hey Ali and Ros! Welcome to the Lair and congrats on Sister Pact. It sounds like an absolute romp, and one I’d love to read. Glad ya’ll put up the Amazon link. Grins. Now that I actually HAVE a Kindle and have moved past my Luddite distaste for them, I do love getting books with the click of a button. Grins.
I was ROFL about the bottle of Sauv Blanc. I remember a quite drunken ride in a golf cart and some side-splitting, laugh-till-you-hurt moment with my sister after a bottle (or perhaps a wee bit more) of a good Sauv Blanc. Grins.
And the premise of the book sounds so sisterly. One of my friend/sisters and I keep joking about going on that reality travel thing from here in the States. We’d make great partners and have a blast….but the time away from kids and spouses….hmmmm. Still….
I love the tangential conversations with girlfriends and sisters. Anna, I seem to recall a really stellar, winding conversation over margaritas in the airport lounge….bwahahaha!
Jeanne, I have to say I’m suffering major withdrawal from our wonderful conversations. I also remember lots of long, save the world, where’s my chocolate, conversations with you in the car as we drove all over the countryside when I visited too. I think you’d be great on a reality show!!!!
Me too! Bummed that you aren’t coming this year either. *pout*
Hmm, I’m not sure being in a golf cart with my sister after a bottle of Sauv Blanc would be all that safe
The thought of going on a reality tv show is enough to multiple those increasingly stubborn grey hairs of mine! I think I would wimp out at the first bit of psychological torture….
Now that’s rubbish Alison. You would kick ar*e! You’d have everyone eating out of your hand in hours. And then you’d whip them in the comp. x
Only if you were by my side xx
always wished I had a sister, only child
Dina, no sisters for me either. One brother. Must say I’ve got girlfriends who feel like sisters!
I’m kind of sad that my daughter doesn’t have a sister.
She’ll have sister-friends and she adores her Aunty Ros and her little cousin Neve!
Enough that I would have considered having a 3rd child – no way!
Sounds like my TBR pile has just grown again!
I love the idea of two sisters set in a reality show…all in a book! I’m hooked on many of those shows and I love to read…so now I’ll be able to have my cake and eat it too?
Deelynn, definitely get hold of Sister Pact. You won’t be sorry! And it sounds like it’s right up your alley.
Hi Deelynn – I think we only realised afterwards how popular the reality tv angle would be. So many people (including our editor) have told us how addicted they are to reality telly. I guess it’s the joy/horror of seeing other real people screw up in ways we often do ourselves…?
Hmmmm, cake, hmmmmm……
Very fun interview. Sounds like an enjoyable read.
It definitely is, BN! Thanks for swinging by.
Thansk BN!
I think my sister and I inherited a conversational gene from my mother. When we were children we would often sit in and listen to conversations between my granny and up to three of her daughters. We never quite knew what or who they were talking about as there were a lot of so and so and you know who, and I can’t think of her names in the conversation.
Now when ever my sister and I get together either in person or on the phone I hear these same phases being used.
My maternal grandmother quite often would call one of her children by another one of her children’s name. My sister does it as well. I don’t have children but I subject my nieces and nephews to the misnaming gene. My sister’s daughters would often get called by my name if I had been visiting or had phoned.
Kaelee, love your story about conversations among the female members of your family. Love it when that stuff gets passed down generation to generation.
I’m with you Anna, I absolutely LOVE this post. x
But how about when your mother runs out of sibling names, still can’t find yours in her creaking memory banks and resorts to the dog’s name?
And to make matters worse, thanks to an Enid Bloghton book, our dog was called Bimbo – I kid you not!!!
Oh yes Kalee I think you’re right I think little girls learn the art of conversation very early by listening to their female relatives talking to each other. I used to love to sit in and listen to my Mum talking with her gf’s – there was such a sense of community and sisterhood.
I kind of imagine that must be how it was for cave women too while they gathered food and cooked it around the camp fire. Talking and laughing about whatever it was that took them away from their pretty harsh existence – maybe Ugg’s penis size or the latest fur fashion!
YAYAYAYAY!!! Welcome to the lair, Ali and Ros. Thanks Anna for hosting today. I loved Sister Pact too and highly recommend it to all of our BBs! It’s everything a great women’s fiction novel should be–funny and poignant. Makes me wish I had a sister!
I had a wonderful time at your launch. Hope you did, too! Funny you should mention girl talk because on that very night a conversation I was having with Denise Rossetti at La Dolce Vita was overheard by a passing waiter, in which D said, “And I asked her, what percentage of these people would be hetero and what percentage gay?” and she replied “Oh, it’s quite fluid in that regard.” The waiter was grinning from ear to ear.
Have a lovely time with the launch and best of luck with all you have on your plate!
Thanks so much Christina. We had a ball at the launch – now that was a room full of chatting girlfriends! (Some boys too, but mostly drag-alongs…). Think this is def a book for sisters and girlfriends…
lol Christina! Fancy Ms D talking about that!
I like to think I’ve been at dining tables that have entertained many a waiter
Great seeing you on Tuesday night, Christina, sorry you missed out on a book
Oh, Christina, how funny! Do you remember you and me and Denise Rossetti entertaining the entire Pelican Waters tavern with a frank discussion on the level of language in our books. Although that’s not what it sounded like. It sounded like we were VERY interesting women indeed!
Thanks, guys, for giving Ali and Ros such a wonderful welcome. Thanks, Ali and Ros, for being such great guests. I wish you all the best with the wonderful SISTER PACT.
Don’t forget to check back to see who won the signed copy of SISTER PACT!
Thanks to you Anna and the lovely Bandita’s for having us – we had a blast!