Guest Post & Giveaway [CLOSED]: Author Alice Clayton

Today, I have author Alice Clayton here with us talking about how she laughed her way to being a hopeless romantic.

Welcome to The Book Vixen Alice!

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One of the funniest scenes in any movie for me has always been one from Airplane. In the middle of a total panic, with passengers screaming and general mayhem occurring, a naked woman runs in front of the screen. For less than a second, we see her boobies, and then she runs out of the frame.

This, this one scene, set the tone for my sense of humor for the rest of my life. Not kidding for a second, this is the stuff that still makes me giggle to this day.

So it makes perfect sense to me that what I would find romantic as an adult is always tempered with humor. I need it, I crave it, and I simply must have it.

I spent most of my adult life reading non-fiction, historical non-fiction in fact. I didn’t read romance novels, surely you jest. Why, I snort at the idea. However, what I have come to realize as I hurtle towards my mid thirties, is that I am a hopeless romantic, and I never knew it. I gleaned what I know about romance the old fashioned way, through television and movies. And I have very firm ideas about what is romantic and who should end up together. Brenda and Dylan, absolutely. Ross and Rachel, come on now. Carrie and Big? I can’t even…I need them together like peanut butter needs his jelly. The fact that peanut butter can be underneath or on top of said jelly, well, this indulges my need for some sexy times too.

I used to travel for a living, and spent hours and hours each week on a plane. Certain books garner certain attention. When I was reading Guns, Germs, and Steel, the gentleman in 2B wanted to chat. When I was reading The World is Flat, the gentlemen in 2B, 3B, 1A and 2C wanted to chat. That was a fun afternoon, especially once the complimentary Bloody Marys began to flow. But it was when I started reading the Sookie Stackhouse series, the first book in hand as I boarded a plane for Miami, that three women went out of their way to ask me about it, tell me how much I would love it, and check in later to see how it was going. I had a blast discussing the characters, and the trajectory of these stories, and I realized…hmmm…romance/paranormal/comedy is quite a hoot.

And now, I look back and see that there were hints of my romantic proclivity all the way back. Sweet Valley High, yep. Nancy Drew? Boy did I love when Ned Nickerson showed up. I always wanted the boy meets girl, I just didn’t realize it. And now, as an adult, I want the boy meets girl, then laughter, and then maybe a little bow chica bow wow. And hopefully served up with a little schmaltz on the side.

I still read my non-fiction, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t spend some time watching the Discovery Channel…I find the steam vents at the bottom of deep oceanic channels fascinating, don’t you? But an old episode of Sex and The City? Especially the ones where the girls are laughing as much as they are sexing it up? You got me, you sooo got me.

And now I ask you, fair reader, to tell me what I should be reading next. Gimme. I need it. I’m in your hands. Guide me. I need something that tickles all my sweet spots. Can it make me laugh, as well as make me swoon? Then it’s for me. I need the modern day fairy tale, maybe with a naked woman running in and out every so often. Just me?

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Alice Clayton is a new novelist with an unholy love for her Kitchenaid mixer. Making her home in St Louis, she enjoys gardening but not weeding, baking but not cleaning up afterwards, and is trying desperately to get her long time boyfriend to make her an honest woman. Hi sweetie!!

The Unidentified Redhead is Alice's first novel, and first ever attempt at writing anything other than a grocery list. Imagine her surprise when she found out it was going to be published. Alice says "I wanted to write something that I would get a kick out of reading. I don't normally enjoy romance novels, but I am a sucker for a interesting story with a little...ahem...heat? But I also crave the funny. Why not combine the two? Why not funny smut? Why not comedic erotica?"

Why not indeed.

Alice would like you to know that she is no longer comfortable talking about herself in third person (Hi everyone!!*waves*) and thinks that you should simply trust her and give The Unidentified Redhead a try. She thinks you, and your significant other, will be pleased.
Alice would also like all her readers to help her convince her long time boyfriend that the only other thing that would make her truly happy is finally bringing home a Bernese Mountain Dog.

Find the author online: website | twitter | facebook

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The Unidentified Redhead (Redhead #1) by Alice Clayton

When Grace Sheridan returns to Los Angeles to become a working actor, it's a second shot at a life-long dream. With some help from her best friend and agent, that dream could become a reality, but at thirty-three, has Grace missed her chance at the big time? Will an unexpected sizzling romance with the entertainment industry's newest 'it' boy shine an uncomfortable spotlight on her life?

Alice Clayton spins a playful and erotic May to December romance in this, her debut novel. Clayton's funny, borderline neurotic heroine is perfect in her imperfections, and the off the charts sexual chemistry between her and her charming, yet blissfully unaware leading man are the true heart of The Unidentified Redhead. With laugh out loud dialogue and a super steamy romance that will get your heart racing, sneaking around in L.A. and dodging the Paparazzi has never been so fun.

    

Read my review of The Unidentified Redhead.

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The Redhead Revealed (Redhead #2) by Alice Clayton

As their careers catch fire, Grace and Jack -- everyone’s favorite foul-mouthed, funny, and feisty couple -- find themselves on opposite coasts. Grace has landed in New York City, where she loves being onstage again, particularly because she’s playing a fabulous character in a musical written by her old college flame, Michael. Their rekindled friendship makes exploring the city that much more fun.

Wait, it’s just friendship, right?

Meanwhile, in L.A., Jack can scarcely keep up with the swirling throngs of women who track him everywhere he goes, the endless press appearances, and the ridiculous rules his manager, Holly, keeps concocting for him -- all part of the buildup to the release of Time, his steamy new film.

Thank goodness for phone sex.

But even when their schedules allow them to connect, Grace and Jack must keep their relationship off the radar and away from paparazzi cameras. Sure, the sex is sensational, but can this duo survive swirling rumors, the demands of their chosen professions, Grace’s raging internal battles, and a whopping nine-year age difference?

Tick-tock, the clock is ticking. Isn’t it?

Alice Clayton brings the second installment of a tale told with her magical mix of humor and heat, so cuddle up under the sheets and flip on the Golden Girls. Grace and Jack are at it again.

    

Read my review of The Redhead Revealed.

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Thanks to Alice Clayton, ONE lucky winner will receive a print copy of The Unidentified Redhead (open to US and CAN residents) and FIVE lucky winners will receive a print copy of The Unidentified Redhead (open Internationally). Good luck to all who enter!

• No purchase necessary.
• Must be 18 years old or older to enter.
• Void where prohibited.
• Comments are appreciated, however, you must fill out the Google Doc form below in order to enter this giveaway.
• Please read TBV's Giveaway Policy before entering.
• Giveaway ends 9:01 pm (Pacific Time) on 8/23/2010.

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.