MARKET STREET by Anita Hughes

WINNER: ERIN G!

Market Street
Anita Hughes

I'm really excited to share this next book with you all by Anita Hughes, whose first book was Monarch Beach. Her second book, Market Street comes out NEXT WEEK and it was simply what I like to call Literal Eye Candy, in the sense that as I was reading it, I could envision so many delights -- Anita writes about food and fashion in a way that makes you want to spend a day in San Francisco, precisely in her author-created department store Fenton's. Here is the back of the book blurb on Market Street:

Cassie Blake seems to lead a charmed life as the heiress to Fenton's, San Francisco's most exclusive department store. But when she discovers her husband, Aidan, a handsome UC Berkeley professor, has had an affair with a student, she flees to the comfort of her best friend Alexis's Presidio Heights mansion, where she wonders if she should give their marriage one more chance.

Whether or not she can forgive Aidan is not the only choice Cassie has to make. Cassie's mother is eager to have her oversee the opening of Fenton's new Food Emporium, which Fenton’s hopes will become San Francisco's hottest gourmet shopping destination. Cassie’s true passion has always been food, not fashion, and Cassie suspects her mother might be trying to lure her into the Fenton's fold by entrusting her with such an exciting opportunity. And then there is James, the architect designing the Emporium, who is quietly falling in love with her…

I had the chance to ask Anita a few questions about Market Street and these are the things I wanted to know after reading it!

First thing, I LOVED the book! I originally picked it up and had time to read through the first chapter to get a feel for the book since I have so many I need to read... but all of a sudden, I was captured and I whizzed through it! It's gorgeous! What an awesome book!

Me: Fenton's is an Anita Hughes originated department store, right? Did you base it on memories from a department store you visited as a child, or one that you love as an adult? How did you 'create' Fenton's?

Anita: Fenton's is a blend of some of my favorite stores. Growing up in Australia, (SHE WAS BORN IN AUSTRALIA YOU GUYS!!!) there was a store called David Jones that was very high end. It was only in the city center and we lived in the Eastern Suburbs, so going to the store was a treat and something I always looked forward to. San Francisco has a unique and beloved department store called GUMP'S, on Maiden Lane next to Union Square. It primarily has home furnishings and flatware (it is the place to go if you are getting engaged!) but it is a gorgeous store and quintessential San Francisco. And I absolutely adore Neiman Marcus - as you climb the floors the clothes get more glamorous, I could ride the escalators all day!

Me: There was a character I wasn't too keen on and when I got closer to the end of the book, I literally shouted out, "OH MY GOD!" (I can share that page number with readers, but I won't! However I did tweet my shock!). When you write a 'bad' character, do you know ALL the bad things that character is going to do, or do some of the things she/he does shock even you as you're writing?

Anita: I never know exactly what my characters are going to do, they develop as I write, but I think I know the scene you mean. I did see it coming, and enjoyed the build up!

Me: You show equal love in this book for food and fashion -- which do you love more and why? 

Anita: That's a tough question because they are both important to me. I love clothes. I love gorgeous fabrics and bright colors and beautiful styles. I think surrounding ourselves with beauty (when we can) makes us happier. And I love wonderful foods - I'm a big believer in always having something to look forward to and anticipating a delicious meal makes my day a little brighter!

Me: Can you tell me what your next book is about?

Anita: It is called Lake Como and it is set in San Francisco and Lake Como. It is about a young San Francisco interior designer who finds her fiance and her boss in a compromising position and decides to put some distance between them and spend the summer with her half-sister in her villa on Lake Como. There she discovers secrets about herself and her family that make her question who she is and her future.

Lake Como will be released on August 13, 2013. I really enjoyed writing it, I can't wait to see what you think!

Me: I can't wait for Lake Como either and I just realized your main character has my LAST NAME!?!? Coincidence? Hmmmm… Hahahah!

Thanks to Anita for taking the time to answer my questions, and here's a question for you if you would like to enter to win Market Street! If YOU could open ANY kind of shop of your own, what kind of 'emporium' would you want to open - what would you want to sell at your store?

I would probably want to open a kitschy little store that sold stationery, unique books and chocolates and also had a little section where women could sit and chat. But not a coffee shop -- maybe a spot where the women could go and then write letters to their friends --you know, write out the cute cards they just bought from my store!

You can still enter to win: 
The Sunshine When She's Gone

Winners have been announced for the following:
Check to see if you've won!!! Click below and find out if you've won the previous books:
A Whole New You by Brett Blumenthal


The Crooked Branch by Jeanine Cummins

Covet by Tracey Graves Garvis  

If you've never been here, you gotta read the fine print:
If you're new to Booking with Manic, thank you for stopping by! We love new readers! Some notes - If you're entering to win a book, please leave a comment on this post and use an identifying name when commenting. It's usually a great idea to include an email, which I will never give out to anyone else. You can only enter once please. You'll need to check back here in a few days to see if you've won the book -- I will either list the winner in a new post OR highlight the winner's name at the top of this post, or tell you where you can find the winner's name at the top of this post. I do NOT personally contact the winners. It is YOUR responsibility to come back to see if you've won. Most books are supplied directly through publishers, publicists and the authors. Winners will receive books directly from the publisher or author within 3 weeks from the time you provide me with your address, unless I send you the book (sometimes I will). Sorry, but we can only ship to U.S. and Canada so if you're from another country, thank you for coming by to read and discover new authors, but we can't send you a book. Any questions on how I run the blog or suggestions on who you would like to see featured, please email me at stephanieelliot[at]gmail.com. Thank you for your support!