I want to share a great author duo with you all today. They are new standouts in women’s fiction. Long time BFFs, they now write together, too, and their new release is getting fantastic reviews and lots of love from readers. Liz and Lisa have also been so supportive of my fiction career, featuring me on their blog, hosting me for Q&A’s and giveaways, and I’m absolutely delighted to return the favor and shine some light on their wonderful new novel, The Status of All Things!
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In our latest release, The Status of All Things, we ask the question—what would you do if you could literally rewrite your fate on Facebook?
Facebook fascinates us—it is amazing how we each build our own online communities and frame our lives around them. We came up with the concept for our novel after realizing we each had a Facebook nemesis—that person someone whose life always looked so damn perfect online (Photogenic kids! Amazing and thoughtful husband! Beautiful house!), that it made us feel, well, inadequate. Even though common sense told us that this person had bad days just like we did, that she also spilled coffee on herself whenever she dared to wear white, it still drove us crazy! So, we knew we had tapped into something people could relate to and decided it would be fun to explore a Facebook-themed book.
In The Status Of All Things, Kate is a thirty-five-year-old woman who is obsessed with social media. So when her fiancé, Max, breaks things off at their rehearsal dinner—to be with Kate’s close friend and coworker, no less—she goes straight to Facebook to share it with the world. But something’s changed. Suddenly, Kate’s real life starts to mirror whatever she writes in her Facebook status. With all the power at her fingertips, and heartbroken and confused over why Max left her, Kate goes back in time to rewrite their history.
Kate’s two best friends, Jules and Liam, are the only ones who know the truth. In order to convince them she’s really time traveled, Kate offers to use her Facebook status to help improve their lives. But her attempts to help them don’t go exactly as planned, and every effort to get Max back seems to only backfire, causing Kate to wonder if it’s really possible to change her fate.
And in honor of TSOAT, we have a great recipe that is Facebook-picture worthy!
FIGS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND BACON
- 4 to 6 regular smoked bacon slices (2 1/4 to 3 1/2 ounces uncooked)
- 12 small fresh ripe figs, such as white or Calimyrna, halved lengthwise
- About 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 cup (about 1 1/2 ounces) crumbled mild herbed goat cheese
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 350° F. In a medium heavy skillet, place the bacon slices in a single layer and cook over low to medium-low heat, turning as needed until just beginning to brown. Transfer to a paper towel to drain. Cut each bacon slice into 4 or 6 pieces.
Arrange the figs on a baking sheet, cut sides up. Brush the cut surfaces with balsamic vinegar. Place a piece of bacon on each cut side. Top with a small crumble of cheese. Bake until the figs are warmed, about 8 minutes. The cheese will not melt but may toast a bit. Serve immediately.
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Thank you for sharing with us, Liz and Lisa. Readers, please put The Status of All Things on your tbr pile soon. To help them celebrate Liz and Lisa’s new release, I’ve got a women’s fiction surprise giveaway filled with great reads, gift cards and lots of reader treats! For a chance to win, leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win. You can just say hello to Liz and Lisa or share your thoughts on what sort of impact social media has had in your life! Contest ends Tuesday with winner announced Wednesday.
I love all of their books. They are so talented. =]
Congrats to Lisa and Liz on the new release. It’s been easier to stay in touch with family and friends through social media, but I only check my twitter and FB about twice a day.
Congratulations on your new release! I would love the opportunity to rewrite my life. There are so many things I would have done differently.
Hi Ladies!! Your book sounds like a great way. Thanks Jane for sharing these ladies to us.
They are new authors to me but I put this one on my wish list. I’d love to read it.
I think I have someone like that on my FB page…maybe a couple…
Sounds like a really interesting read!
Social media has allowed me to interact with my favorite authors, and some have become friends.
That recipe is to die for!
I like FB for I reconnect with old friends from my hometown and college and family for we all live over the states. Also, have authors that talk about their lives and books that are coming out and all! I make this recipe all the time for I have a fig tree also its so yummy! Would love to read their book, some new authors too to add to my list! thanks for this giveaway!
interesting question and recipe
Hi Liz and Lisa! I plan on reading this book before the end of summer.
I loved Facebook at first for connecting with family and sharing pictures. Then I found many people posting status updates about their “perfect lives, kids, dogs, husbands,” etc). Sounds like the reason behind your book!
Currently Twitter is my favorite!! I love it. I’m still hanging around Facebook but only to talk books. 🙂
Jennifer
This books sounds amazing. It’s on my TBR list and I hope to get to it sooner than later. I’m a social media junkie. Hi, I’m Marlene and I’m addicted to Facebook and Instagram 😉
Ladies the book sounds interesting and If Jane gives you her stamp of approval that’s all I need to know!
I’m reading The Status of All Things now. I’m really enjoying it since everyone is so focused on social media these day. I’m curious to see how it all plays out for Katie and Max!
I have this book on my TBR list. I enjoy keeping in touch with relatives and friends on Facebook.
Hi Liz and Lisa!
I follow you on Facebook and the things you post always make me smile/laugh.
New author for me. Sounds very interesting. Yes I would like to rewrite my early adult life.
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on your new release, Liz and Lisa! So happy for you both! Second of all, I spend way too much time on Facebook! I like it because I can keep updated on fave authors’ pages as they post funny day to day stories about themselves, their kids, etc. I wish I was IN The Status of All Things as it’d be cool to rewrite certain aspects in my life that has happened. Congrats again, ladies! Jane, you’re absolutely wonderful for having L&L here so thank you for the chance! Good luck to all! Enjoy the weekend! xo
Way awesome and congrats
Looking forward to reading their work! Social media has been fantastic. I’ve gotten together with friends that I wouldn’t have otherwise. It also helps all our extended family stay closer together and up to date in each other’s families.
Can’t wait to read this one!
This book sounds fascinating. Thanks for having them here. I’ve met so many Authors here Jane & because of those introductions I’ve found some amazing gears. Thanks for the post.
Carol L
Social media … (mainly Facebook) has helped me stay in touch with family (all out of state) and for that reason, I LOVE IT!!!!!
Sounds like a fabulous read!!
I tend to shy away from social media. It’s just not me really. Having said that I do like blogs. They seem more user friendly in every way.
Sounds like a great story. I would love to win!
What an interesting and timely premise for a book! Best of luck to you both with this book and future ones. Sounds like fun writing with a good friend. I am not on Facebook, so maybe your book would give me a look into that world. Thanks Jane for introducing us to Liz and Lisa.
Loved this interview and recipe! Yum! I love social media, but I always find it hard to find the right balance of staying in touch with friends and family (and of course reading about reading and books!) and still having time to truly connect with my family right beside me. It’s a struggle!
I’m really looking forward to reading this and the recipe sounds amazing.
Book sounds great! Thank you for the chance to win.
Hi Lisa and Liz. Congrats on your new release! I’ve been enjoying facebook as I can follow many book bloggers and authors and discover many reads which I may miss if I didn’t have the use of this social media. Thank you for this giveaway opportunity.
Oh have seen this book everywhere, lots of great reviews. I’m excited to get my hands on it.
Thanks for the chance at winning this great giveaway Liz, Lisa, and Jane!
Hi Liz and Lisa. Can’t wait to dig in to your latest read.
xoxoxo,
Melinda
Congratulations on the new book, Liz and Lisa. Social media has put a huge dent into my reading time. I might be able to get through my tbr pile if I could just stay off of it.
Congratulations Liz and Lisa. What a great book. Best wishes and enjoyment.
Very good synopsis. Congrats Liz and Lisa. Your book is getting great reviews. I would love to win a copy and give my review. I love social media. The world is mine for the taking. FB has allowed me to reconnect with long lost friends and I have met so many wonderful booklovers and authors who are my earthly idols.
It was wonderful to learn about these two ladies and their book!
congrats on the new release; on my tbr list! Book sounds very clever.
I first joined because my family is so widespread throughout the U.S.
THEN, I discovered my authors and my want to read authors…now I’m more of a reading addict then before, if possible, because of all the great new authors I’ve discovered through FB primarily, then Blogs, then …. I think you get the point! 😉 How would I have met you two, for instance?
I’m so excited to add you to my collection of authors! I Feel Like I Found 3 Gifts today, Stumbled On Jane and now you both! Blessed Sunday-
Congrts on the release. I’m curious with the recipe, thank you 🙂
Bought it at Books a Million, read it over the weekend. Loved it.
What an interesting concept for a story. It sounds like a lot of fun. I am putting it on my list of books.
For a bit I think I lost a few years fiddling around on facebook. Now just check it a few times a week.
Congrats on your new release, sounds really good. I don’t go to facebook much!
Can’t wait to read this one. Looks like a great summer read:)
Congrats on your new book!! Sounds interesting!
Thank you, all, for welcoming Liz and Lisa to JaneBlog! Our winner is #38, Lori Berggren. Lori, shoot me an email so I can mail prize to you!
love to all,
Jane