7 Things You Don't Know About Melissa Walker

Happy anniversary, readergirlz!
In honor of our seven-year anniversary, we're catching up with rgz divas and featured authors. Kicking off our anniversary series (or shall we say, anniver-series?) of posts is none other than our own Melissa Walker.

7 Things You Don't Know About Me:
1. I have kept a diary every year since third grade.
2. I have been known to sip pickle juice straight from the jar.
3. My dad passed away 10 years ago, but I can still hear his voice when I need advice.
4. I love the idea of collecting sea glass, but I'm lazy about actually doing it when I'm at the beach.
5. I find it delightful when cocktails are served in their proper glasses.
6. I sing show tunes to my two-year-old in hopes that one day she'll be my Broadway companion (my husband isn't into musicals).
7. I still think the world looks magic if someone is blowing bubbles nearby.

We'll be posting updates and tidbits from familiar faces all month long here at the readergirlz blog. Stay tuned and celebrate with us!

Story Secrets: LOVESTRUCK SUMMER by Melissa Walker!

It wouldn't be summer without chatting with readergirlz diva and author Melissa Walker, author of LOVESTRUCK SUMMER - exactly the book you want to pick up for a lazy August day (especially if that day happens to involve beaches or indie music or charming Austin types or all of the above).

This book is a delight - I even overheard my husband thumbing through a few pages and laughing at Melissa's hilarious depiction of Quinn's romance tribulations. So I'm very pleased to invite Melissa to chat all things Lovestruck and Summery with us today!

*****

Lovestruck Summer is the story of Quinn, an indie rock girl who came out to Austin, Texas for a music internship. She also plans to spend long, lazy days in the sun at outdoor concerts -- and to meet a hot musician or two. Instead, she's stuck rooming with her sorority brainwashed cousin, who now willingly goes by the name 'Party Penny.' Their personalities clash, big time. But Sebastian, a gorgeous DJ, definitely makes up for it. Sebastian has it all: looks, charm, and great taste in music. So why can't Quinn keep her mind off Penny's friend -- cute, All-American Russ with the Texas twang? Two guys + one girl in the live music capital of the world...


Holly Cupala: Melissa, tell us about your inspiration for LOVESTRUCK SUMMER.

Melissa Walker: I went to a wedding in Austin one summer and I loved EVERYTHING about the town! I took notes on all the places we visited, and I knew I had to set a book there one day...

Find out more of Melissa's summery secrets here...

~Holly Cupala

Leave a Mark: Authors Mark Up Books for Charity!

Awesome bloggers Chelsea and Lauren have teamed up to create Leave a Mark, a blog that's hosting different authors all month who have agreed to mark up a copy of their books and auction them off for charity.

That means the authors scribble in the margins--everything from what inspired a character name to how a scene came about. Cool, right? And what a great holiday gift for a readergirl!

Today through Sunday, my latest book, Lovestruck Summer, is up for auction. I promise to fill it with fun stories about the writing process and music that helped me along!

Remember, all proceeds go to charity, and there are more fantastic authors' marked-up books coming up, so follow Leave a Mark to keep up with the auctions. Happy bidding!

rgz LIVE! with diva Melissa Walker

Come celebrate Lovestruck Summer with rgz, postergirlz, divas, and diva Melissa Walker! The chat will begin at 6:00 Pacific. Here's to a great kickoff for your upcoming summer!

rgz LIVE! Chat Tonight at 9pm EST/6pm PST

We'll throw a little confetti because diva Melissa Walker's Lovestruck Summer is here, we'll discuss the merits of iced coffee, sparkly shoes and good jukebox lists... or whatever you're feeling.

Join us tonight, here at the readergirlz blog, for rgz LIVE! at 9pm EST/6pm PST. Bring questions, deep thoughts and knock knock jokes. We hope to see you there!

Lovestruck Summer Release Day Contest!

Today's the day that my new release, Lovestruck Summer, officially hits stores. There's a week of Cover Stories and giveaways going on at melissacwalker.com, so come on over!

There's also this month-long contest that I'm co-hosing with Susane Colasanti, whose Waiting for You is released May 14th. Watch the video, and then go to my blog and Susane's blog to enter to win books and makeup and musical things!



Thanks for celebrating with me, readergirlz!

Tuesday: Lovestruck Summer Releases!!!

The divas are DANCING! Because we have a release of one of our very own! Melissa Walker's Lovestruck Summer hits the stores officially on Tuesday, May 5th!

As a summer romance in the HarperTeen "Beach Reads" category, here's Melissa's synopsis from her blog:

Lovestruck Summer is the story of 18-year-old Quinn, an indie-rock girl spending the summer in Austin on a coveted music internship. While she hopes to find the perfect hipster boyfriend, she unexpectedly falls in love with a college cowboy who makes her challenge her own stereotypes, expand her musical tastes, and ultimately open up her world.

Watch for Melissa to load cool contest info on Tuesday. Then get ready for summer romance, rgz! Congratulations, Melissa!