Wednesday, June 27, 2012

WALLFLOWER IN BLOOM by Claire Cook

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Claire Cook is a powerhouse author. If you don’t know of her (HOW can you NOT know of her?!) she is the author of Must Love Dogs, which was a major motion picture staring John Cusack! She wrote that book, her first one at 45. As I’m 43 now, and have written (omg, I have to think of how many I’ve written!)… 3-1/2 full novels and one novella, and I’m still struggling toward publication, she is an inspiration to me for certain.

Claire Cook’s characters are lively and fun, and leap from the pages. In particular, Deidre from Wallflower in Bloom – quite literally actually, you’ll find she leaps from the pages once you get reading, because she ends up on Dancing with the Stars! You’ve got to love a book that mixes reality TV into the story!

Deirdre Griffin has a great life; it’s just not her own. She’s the round-the-clock personal assistant to her charismatic, high-maintenance, New Age guru brother, Tag. As the family wallflower, her only worth seems to be as gatekeeper to Tag at his New England seaside compound. 

Then Deirdre’s sometime-boyfriend informs her that he is marrying another woman, who just happens to be having the baby he told Deirdre he never wanted. While drowning her sorrows in Tag’s expensive vodka, Deirdre decides to use his massive online following to get herself voted on as a last-minute Dancing with the Stars replacement. It’ll get her back in shape, mentally and physically. It might even get her a life of her own. Deirdre’s fifteen minutes of fame have begun. 

Irresistible, offbeat, yet with a thoroughly relatable and appealing heroine, Wallflower in Bloom is an original and deeply satisfying story of one woman who’s ready to take a leap into the spotlight, no matter where she lands.

Listen to an excerpt read by Claire here! I guarantee you will end up laughing!


Since part of Wallflower in Bloom has to do with a reality TV show, tell me if you have a favorite reality TV show. Lately, I’m addicted to two: Hardcore Pawn and Sister Wives. In fact, the other night I stayed up until 2 a.m. watching DVRed episodes. My husband came out and ‘caught’ me. He said, “Seriously! You are NOT 16 years old.” I got busted! LOL!

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104 comments:

absolutahnie said...

my first thought was no, don't like reality shows! then i realized i watched deadliest catch last night, i like pit boss, storage wars,and that auction one that i can't ever remember the name of, bridezillas is my guiltiest of guilty pleasures!

Sslinsky said...

I am a reality TV addict. My current favorites are The Real Housewives of NJ, Sister Wives and coming soon Big Brother!

Sarah

susieqlaw said...

I like Celebrity Apprentice and Pawn Stars.

susieqlaw

ncsuloges said...

My guilty pleasure is Toddlers and Tiaras, I could watch it all day. The moms who are so unattractive and doll up the kids and then the kids throw tantrums. I laugh through it every time!!! I occasionally watch Deadliest Catch and Pawn Stars if my boyfriend has it own but usually I just read.

Ally said...

I actually can't stand any reality tv shows. Just not my thing.

Books & Reviews said...

I don't watch reality tv or much tv at all. In fact a year ago we decided to scale back on our cable and now have only basic. I go days without watching tv.

Betsy said...

Weight loss shows, and HGTV

Bev V said...

TLC's What Not to Wear!

Carly said...

I love Sister Wives! I also watch Pawn Stars and Storage Wars from time to time.
We just started watching The Great Escape...not sure if it is reality or more of a game show but it's interesting.

Waiting patiently for Big Brother to start. =)

Carly H

Emma S. said...

I admit it, I'm a TV junkie, and I'm a sucker for reality TV. There are very few shows I don't watch. I too love Sister Wives. I'm also fascinated with the My Big Fat Gypsy wedding show and I'm a sucker for Teen Mom, 16 & Pregnant, and even Jersey Shore. I also watch all of the cooking competition "reality" shows like Next Foodnetwork Star, Top Chef, and Man V. Food.

Lindsay said...

Teen Mom and Say Yes to the Dress.

Carie Casey said...

Project Runway (which starts again in July!!!!!) and Top Chef.

Carie

Megan said...

I love love love America's Got Talent. It is so uplifting and fun!
Eloisepeaches

Juliet Farmer said...

i like Cajun Justice. i'm intrigued by southern superstitions

Carol5814 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol5814 said...

I watch more reality tv than I should, but Master Chef, The Amazing Race, and Big Brother are some favorites.

A.C. said...

I honestly don't watch much reality tv. My favorite might be Top Gear on BBC, but I'm not sure if that counts.

Kristin from Louisville said...

All of them! But especially cooking competition shows (Top Chef, Master Chef, Hells Kitchen, etc.) and the Real Housewives (any state!)

Kim W. said...

My fave reality show is still American Idol! Haven't really gotten into any others (more of a drama series queen - haha!!).

buttah said...

I love all things reality TV, from Real Housewives to Jersey Shore (I know...but it really is sooo funny!)!

Ready To Be A Momma said...

I love storage wars and american pickers. My boyfriend and I watch them together all the time.
qweska8402

CAnative said...

I am embarassed to say I am a total reality show junkie. A few favs right now are Dance Moms, Dance Moms Miami and of the Housewives show and Deadliest Catch.

Nicole

Melissa said...

The Glee Project! It's so campy and catty and I love watching people do theatrical stuff. Plus, it's emcompassing of people with disabilities, which makes it that much more amazing.

Melissa A from CLC

jdstec said...

DWTS, Dance Moms, and Toddlers and Tiaras.

Mary Jo Burke said...

Antiques Roadshow

Literary Chanteuse said...

I'm actually a closet Dog the Bounty hunter fan lol!

Margaret(Literary Chanteuse)

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

My favorite reality shows are all the Real Housewives casts on Bravo and Duck Dynasty. My husband is repulsed and says it is all scripted, but I don't care they are entertaining!

So glad to see Claire Cook has a new book out, I love her stuff!

Leah B said...

Sister wives, dance moms, the glee project and the next big thing. Oh and Deadliest Catch!

accidentalgypsy said...

I love auction hunters, the biggest loser, master chef, hell's kitchen, my big fat gypsy wedding (UK version only), and all the wedding shows on TLC. :)

Unknown said...

My favorite reality show is Survivor & the Amazing Race. Are those reality or game shows though? LOL

Coleen said...

My favorite reality show is teen mom and 16 and pregnant!!

Melissa said...

Any of the Real Housewives of...
Seriously, I'm addicted!
-tmd636

Katie said...

All I watch is reality shows anymore! My favorites are Storage Wars and Pit Boss and Pitbulls and Parolees.

Sherry said...

I don't like reality TV so I am not hooked on any shows.

faithspage said...

Umm well. I don't watch tv
But I did watch the first episode of Dallas.

kyfaithw at aol dot com

Lizett34 said...

I watch Real Housewives of New Jersey & Orange County, Top Chef, Project Runway, The Voice, X Factor, So You Think You Can Dance and Duets.

Bridget said...

Family Jewels and Sister Wives, just started that one.

iambtinrb

Denise said...

Oh man, so many reality tv shows! Too many favorites to name, but lately Dance Moms and Pregnant in Heels are on my DVR the most!

-Denise F.

DaphneSFL said...

My Big Gypsy Wedding, and, the Real Housewives. Trashy and lovely :)

your invisible pixie said...

I watched the last season of the Bachelor...but other than that any cooking show, which I don't know if that actually counts as reality tv!

Nanette said...

We *love* reality TV at our house. Currently our new favorite is Duck Dynasty and America's Got Talent. We also faithfully watch American Idol, Survivor, The Amazing Race and a LOT of the Food Network. Oh! Food Network Star is on right now, too. LOL!! Yep....too much TV watchin' goin' on up here!! :)

Hugs, Nan

P.S. OMG...I almost forgot. Have you SEEN the "Dead Files"? I am addicted and I think that would count as a reality show. And I LOVE LOVE LOVE "Long Island Medium" as well. I'm hopeless!! :)

Margie said...

I haven't gotten into watching any reality shows, but I always watched American Idol!
Margie T

Anonymous said...

I hated reality TV, until The Voice. I can not get enough of that show. Actually that is not entirely true. I've sort of been a closet Dancing with the Stars watcher too!

Colbey J

equinn726 said...

I'm not much of a reality TV person these days, but I do love Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and I used to love Hell's Kitchen.

Marla W. said...

I'm not a fan of reality TV for the most part; however, I do like Pawn Stars and Extreme Makeover Weight Loss Edition (I LOVE Chris Powell)!

Jeffie T said...

I'm a reality TV junkie. I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance, Amazing Race, Ducky Dynasty, Swamp People, Design Star, and Food Network Star.

Kimmi said...

I'm mortified by how much I enjoy the Mob Wives franchises (the Housewives too).

EKB said...

I like too many reality shows. its sad. I am currently watching real Housewives (NY and OC good lord) and Tia and Tamara. I am sure there are more.....sad.

Tami said...

Amazing race and survivor.

Anonymous said...

I used to love watching MOB WIVES, but then there was so much bleeping there was practically no dialogue, as if what they were saying was dialogue.
I used to watch ICE ROAD TRUCKERS, which for the life of me, I can't believe.
My all time favorite has to be THE DEADLIEST CATCH but those guys eventually "went Hollywood." I mean come on, you're Alaskan fishermen, and suddenly, they think they're big TV stars! REALLY?
It's all fun, though!
writeoncindy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sarah C said...

I love Dancing with the Stars!! I like trying to figure out who is dating their dance instructor :)

QuenKne said...

Top Chef and Project Runway

Lilian said...

I am a secret fan of HGTV's Design Star and Oxygen's The Glee Project.
And I recently watched one episode of Storage Wars and ended up thinking "are these people just making up prices?!?"

lilianxchengATgmail.com
Lilian @ A Novel Toybox

Jessica said...

Big Brother is the only show I watch and I love it!

Thanks!
-Jessica M
walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

TinaPow said...

Not a big reality TV watcher, but I do like the next food network star

Becki*** said...

ADORE all reality shows that are NON SLEAZY and don't involve sex/violence, though anything with Gordon Ramsay does have bleeps.

Master Chef
So You Think You Can Dance
Chopped
Cupcake Wars
Iron Chef
Amazing Race
Deadliest Catch

TinaB said...

I love reality tv!
Survivor
Cake Boss
Deadliest Catch
Million Dollar Listing
Storage Wars
The list goes on and on...
Brannanflooring@aol.com

lucy872 said...

I'm not that into reality shows. But every once in a while, you'll find me watching Cake Boss, or House Hunters. Probably most embarrassing is the Kardashians. As much as I hate them, I will watch it if I have nothing else...it's like a train wreck I cant' look away from.

The Book Chick said...

Oh my word, almost everything that I watch is a reality show! It's kind of sad (but really, really enjoyable, LOL). I won't tell you all the ones that I watch, because there would be too many but I have the DVR set to tape:

Sister Wives
MasterChef
Hell's Kitchen
Say Yes To The Dress (all varieties)
Four Weddings
Storage Wars
Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition
Pawn Stars

Told ya it was a long list, LOL!

Christi said...

Dancing with the Stars, Top Chef, Amazing Race and Pawn Stars

Joelle said...

First off...LOVE Claire!! :D

My guilty reality tv pleasure is My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding. oh holy train wreck. lol.

- jobella.

Lisamarie said...

My favorite reality shows are Bachelor/Bachelorette & Big Brother.

Mom'sLove said...

Biggest Loser is really the only realty show I watch..
Amanda
byacourt at gmail dot com

bluestarbrite said...

The reality shows I like to watch are So You Think You Can Dance, X Factor, Dancing With The Stars, and previously Project Runway when we had cable. This season I have been watching the Bachelorette too!

TaraUB said...

We only have local TV so I don't get all the reality shows, and then I limit myself to one, otherwise I'll get absolutely nothing done. I watch America's Next Top Model faithfully. I keep thinking I should write Tyra a letter asking to be a guest judge because I have picked the winner early on for many seasons.

Susan @ The Book Bag said...

I am kind of ashamed to say that I do not have a favorite reality show. In fact, I don't watch much TV at all. Hubby and I usually watch a movie on Friday nights after a week of working. I love reading too much. Yep, I am a bookaholic!

slm8803 said...

The Biggest Loser and The Voice-my all time favorite reality tv shows!

Krystal said...

We only have local channels so, thankfully, my options are a little more limited. I enjoy watching Master Chef and Hell's Kitchen with my husband. Although, HK is starting to annoy me with all the bleeping lately. But, I'm ashamed to say, my guilty pleasure lately has been Love in the Wild! I happened upon it in the middle of the first episode and it sucked me in!
kndyer

Kristin said...

Currently my favorite reality show is So You Think You Can Dance. My daughter loves to dance to the music and asks my husband and I after every performance if we can do that.

Bridget O'Neill said...

I don't watch a lot of reality TV (I'm more of a scripted show kind of girl), but I do like Project Runway, and I'm definitely going to watch X Factor, to see how Britney's going to do!

Emily said...

American Idol, and anything on HGTV or the Food Network!


Emily116

betsy_blixt said...

I don't have cable so I don't really have much of a choice when it comes to reality TV. I use to be the Kardashian's when I did have cable though.

Melissa said...

All real housewives shows!!! Mel Rem

EBrowning said...

I'm addicted to too many reality shows I fear. My current favorites are The Real Housewives of NJ and The Bachelorette.

Kristen said...

Project Runway and So You Think You Can Dance!

Kristen27

CherylB said...

The reality show "Love in the Wild" is my new guilty pleasure!

cabest@yahoo.com

Luvschocolate said...

I'm a sucker for the housewives, New York being my favorite

Jen said...

Due to financial concerns, I don't even have a television service, so no reality tv for me :( !!

-Jen
jenknee1976@hotmail.com

robynn78 said...

I love Food Network Star & Masterchef, we are big foodies, thats as reality tv as you will see me get!!

Read Baby Read said...

I think the Bachelor(ette) series, and like you said, Sister Wives. My husband does not understand why I watch those kind of shows. Although, I don't know how much "reality" actually exists in these shows anymore.

Crystal said...

Why don't I just tell you which I don't like. LOL!! That's seriously all I watch (except Big Bang Theory and Pretty Little Liars). I have to be in the "mood" to watch the pawn shows. but I can't stand the swampers, loggers, truckers, etc.

crystal717

Lindsay Elizabeth said...

I'm addicted to Bethenny Ever after!

Buffy Dee said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Amazing Race... the household revolves around it when it's on... Sunday dinner has to be wrapped up and dished done by 7 or Momma ain't happy!

Amelia said...

meet the Hutterites on the national Geo. channel

Tiffany Drew said...

I love American Idol. There's actually a few more shows that I watch on occasion, but none specifically that pop into my head at the moment :)

Shellybelly43066 said...

DWTS!!!!

Erin G said...

Sadly, I am addicted to the Bachelor franchise... Bachelor, Bachelorette, and even Bachelor Pad.

Dani In Chicago said...

I love DWTS! I'm trying to find a way to become a contestant. I know I have to do something controversial or join a realty show.

Nancye said...

I love "Big Brother. "Survivor", "The Amazing Race", "Teen Mom", "16 and Pregnant" and LOTS more! I guess I'm addicted! :)

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Kristi said...

I used to watch all of them. Big Brother, ANTM, Survivor, Amazing Race, all the reality shows on TLC and the History channel.

Now I just usually watch Pawn Stars and American Pickers.

I got bored.

Alice said...

Mostly Bravo shows.

Kelly said...

Mostly tlc

BrendaL71 said...

I like Operation Repo and Hardcore Pawn.

Anonymous said...

It is a hard choice for me because I love reality TV, but I would have to say that my favorite one is Big Brother.

-Donna w.

Mon_Cherie said...

I love the happy ending ones- American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, America's Got Talent-and my ultimate FAV...Deadliest Catch! Family Jewels used to be good, but since the adoption thing-I won't watch it anymore.
I wish I knew about this blog earlier.

sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com

keltban said...

Project Runway..and it starts soon! YEAH!

Terri said...

Every summer I watch Big Brother.

Terri M.

daisy 15 said...

Oh I just discovered my big fat american gypsy wedding

GoGreen said...

I really like Hell's Kitchen.

My email can be found clicking on the blogger icon.




Bonnie

Anonymous said...

I love all reality TV! Fav is definitely Survivor however my newest reality addiction is Guilana and Bill - I love them!!
RebeccaErin

Kristi said...

I love all the Real Housewives and my summer fav is Big Brother which will be starting soon!

aggiekristi04

Kelleyc said...

I'm still a fan of Survivor, and I like Say Yes to the Dress and What Not to Wear.

Christina said...

Since I'm currently planning a wedding I've become obsessed with Say Yes to the Dress!

ChristinaL

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