Guest Author & A Giveaway: Louisa Edwards

Hello friends! We’ve got lovely author Louisa Edwards with us today! I’ve had the good fortune to meet her a few times, and I’m very happy to have her here visiting with us today! Did you know that Sunday with her birthday? And yet she took the time to answer a few silly questions, and beyond that, instead of taking presents, she’s offering one! Whee!

So let’s get on to it – the typical ALBTALBS Author Interview!

1. What is one thing you always wish people would ask you about yourself, or your books, but they never do?
I wish people would ask who I think should play my characters in a movie. It would really help me justify the truly ridiculous amount of time I spend googling things like “redhead actress glasses” and “blond actor rugged.”

2. Do you speak anything other than English? What [other] languages do you wish you could speak?
I was actually a romance languages major in college! So according to my diploma, I speak French, Spanish, and Italian. If I’m honest, the languages I wish I could speak are….French, Spanish, and Italian. ‘Use it or lose it’ is totally true when it comes to foreign languages!

3. What’s the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you at school? What about at a conference?
At school, let’s see. There’s the obligatory story of the time I got my period in the middle of class but didn’t realize it until I stood up—but what’s really embarrassing about that is that I was wearing a white denim mini skirt. At a conference? Probably the time I went up to Kresley Cole after she won the RITA and slobbered all over her about how amazing she was and how I’d reviewed A Hunger Like No Other for Fresh Fiction (this was before I started writing books myself) and loved it, and just generally blushed and stammered my way through an Epic Fangirl Moment. But the story has a happy ending, because Kresley was lovely and gracious—even to the point of saying she remembered my review!—and now however many years later, we’re actually good friends!

4. I know you’re a foodie – what’s your signature dish? What is something that you’ve always wanted to make but haven’t yet? What is your biggest/most abysmal cooking failure?
Not being a chef, there’s no pressure to come up with a signature dish at my house. If anything, my signature is trying new recipes—my husband complains that I never circle back to re-make the things he loved! I’ve always wanted to try to make a good, basic, old-fashioned moules frites: mussels in a white wine broth with French fries on the side. But my secret kitchen fear is shellfish. They seem so tricky, with the shells and the beards and the claws and the grit and that gross, green stuff that comes out of lobsters.

Biggest cooking failure…when I first started throwing dinner parties with my husband, I hadn’t learned the #1 Rule of Dinner Parties, which is to make recipes you know and love, that require minimal fussing at the end of cooking. I think my first party was scheduled for 7:00 and we didn’t sit down to the table until 10:00. I was frazzled, harried, didn’t have time to speak to my guests, and worst of all, the dinner I’d slaved over for hours was barely mediocre. Tons of work for very little reward. Now I follow the Ina Garten method of choosing dinner party recipes that are all about roasting, make-ahead, serve room temperature, etc…and I greet guests at the door with a smile on my face and a drink in my hand!

5. As a child which character/book(s) would you most want to be [or be in] a Laura Ingalls Wilder book, Madeline L’Engle, Lloyd Alexander, L.M. Montgomery, or Gail Carson Levine? [Or any other not listed here character.]
I loved Anne of Green Gables so much, it’s not even funny. To this day, I usually cite it as my favorite book, if only because of the level of influence it had on my at a very impressionable age—and because of how well it stands the test of time. But the L.M. Montgomery character I identify with the most is probably Valancy from The Blue Castle. Her journey from painfully awkward and downtrodden to confident and happy was pretty inspiring to this shy, nerdy middle schooler!

6. Walk in pantry, walk in closet, or extra garage space?
Dude, I specifically moved to Austin, TX instead of back to Manhattan so I could have all three. You are not making me choose between my shoes and my Le Creuset!

7. Would you rather live in a foreign drama, foreign comedy, soap opera, sitcom, or prime time show? Which?
Ha! Having just last night watched God of Cookery, Stephen Chow’s Hong Kong cinema send-up of Iron Chef, I’m tempted to say a foreign comedy. The absolute zaniness really appeals to me. But I’d probably do better living in soap opera land—I already know to avoid all twins, stay off the stairs when pregnant, and of course, the cardinal rule: no body, no death!

8. Would you shave your head for $50,000.00? If yes, would you do it for a lesser amount/what’s your minimum? If no, how much would it take for you to go bald? And then… would you do anything with your hair?
I’d absolutely shave my head, and it wouldn’t take $50K to convince me, either. It’s only hair, and mine grows pretty fast. Plus I look cute in hats. I’d love to say I’d donate the hair to Locks of Love, but I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t want it after the many highlights, low lights, and color rinses. (Again, it’s only hair! And I like to play.)

9. What five dead authors would you invite to a dinner party if you could?
Good one! I’ve done this with celebrities before, but never authors. Jane Austen is a given, and probably the most boring answer imaginable, but I’d make her stay after to help clean up, and dish about the night. I’d also invite J.R.R. Tolkein, on the condition that he speak only Elvish all night, P.G. Wodehouse to make us laugh, and Nora Ephron to keep us grounded. And, of course, Julia Child, to help me cook!

10. What’s the best admonishment your mom ever gave you, or that you’ve ever given a kid? e.g. if you make that face it’ll freeze like that. or… if you walk from the kitchen to the table w/ a fork in your mouth you’ll stab yourself through the throat and die.
If you pee in the pool, there’s a chemical that will turn the pee purple and everyone will know. I actually am not sure where I heard that one, but I still believe it.

11. What was your first job? And your most interesting one? Got any stories to share from either?
My first job was probably babysitting. My most interesting job…other than author? Probably waiting tables at the ritzy, rich-folks-only retirement home in my town. Some of those people were so used to being waited on hand and foot, it was impossible to get their creamed chipped beef to them fast enough. I heard a lot of, “You, girl!” as I rushed around with a tray of prune juice.

12. What would you name a pet rock?
I would never own a pet rock. I’m not the type to expend energy and affection on something that will never snuggle me back.

13. If you had to become a bear, which type would you choose?
Polar bear! Because they’re beautiful and funny, and also the tallest! It would be nice to finally be tall.

14. If you were to become a spammer, what product would you peddle? And what would your message be? Come up with the most attention getting, creative, crazy thing. Yes, that’s a challenge.
You are killing me here. Can I refuse to answer this on the grounds that I haven’t had enough coffee yet? Oh! How about: Coffee! It only SEEMS bad for you! But actually it’s proven to make you smarter, live longer, and reduce the risk of everything from acne to Parkinson’s. You can’t afford NOT to drink it.

The winner gets to choose her (or his) choice of any of Louisa’s books! Now it’s your turn! Have you ever read any of Ms. Edwards’s books before? What do you think of chef/foodie romances?

What question do you have for her? As usual, the crazier the better. 😉

30 thoughts on “Guest Author & A Giveaway: Louisa Edwards

  1. Maureen (@MaureenCE)

    I read Louisa’s first series and really enjoyed it. I do like to read about chefs and food related stories. My question is: For the holidays, do you try different recipes or stick to traditional ones?

    Reply
    1. Louisa Edwards

      Hi Maureen! Glad you enjoyed the first trilogy. Good question, too–at holidays, I usually try to mix and match, sprinkling a few new recipes in amongst the old favorites. How about you?

      Reply
  2. jovialvampyre

    I own one of Louisa’s books but haven’t read it yet. I do like foodie books.
    What’s the biggest foodie disaster you’ve had?

    Reply
    1. Louisa Edwards

      Hi! Hope you enjoy my book if you ever make it that far down your TBR stack! I can sympathize, my stack of books to be read towers toward the ceiling. My biggest recent foodie disaster was probably a lemon tart I baked on vacation with friends. The crust smoked and burned in the oven, and then the lemon filling would NOT get thick. I finally gave up and served it like a slice of “caramelized” crust with a lemon sauce. LOL

      Reply
  3. Cathy P

    I laughed so hard during this blog that I almost choked. I can remember starting my period in the summer while I was wearing white short-shorts. I walked all over the Mall before I found out about it. I have also heard the saying about peeing in the pool. Lol! Now to put my serious hat on. I don’t think I have read any of your books before, but would love to start. They sound yummy (food included). What kind of coffee do you like the best and who are the actors you think should play your characters in a movie?

    Reply
    1. Louisa Edwards

      LOL Cathy!! Coffee: when I’m feeling indulgent, a mocha. But most days, I live on iced coffee, even in winter. As for the characters–it changes for every book! But I will tell you the hero I’m writing now is played (in my head) by Alex O’Loughlin. ROWR!

      Reply
  4. Kelly Bennett

    I have not read any of your book but I will like to read one. I don’t mind food with my romance.
    What is your favorite dessert?

    Reply
  5. Mary Preston

    I obviously don’t read enough by Louisa Edwards – personality plus. It has been a while to my utter shame.

    I worked in a retirement home for a while, mine were sweethearts though. Come on Louisa admit it. If you were in a home wouldn’t you want to exert every last bit of authority you could muster while wearing a diaper & being fed baby food?

    Reply
    1. Louisa Edwards

      LOL Mary! I’m sure I’d be the nastiest, most demanding old lady ever seen. But the people I waited on were definitely not at the diaper and baby food stage! It was more like they had retired to all live together at their country club.

      Reply
  6. Timitra

    I haven’t read any of Louisa’s books but I have heard great things about them-thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of one of her books!

    Reply
  7. JoAnne

    Love Louisa’s books and loved the interview. What great answers to some equally great questions.
    My question would be if you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why and would food be involved?

    Reply
    1. Louisa Edwards

      Hi JoAnne! They were some fun questions, weren’t they?

      As for travel, that’s one of my favorite things to do–and I’m so lucky that I’ve had opportunities to see some very cool places. But the trip I’m most excited about at the moment is this Christmas! My husband and I are traveling with another couple to the UK. We’ll be in London, then driving through the English countryside, then Edinburgh, and I cannot wait to stuff myself with steak and kidney pie, roast pheasant, and sticky toffee pudding!

      Reply
      1. JoAnne

        Sounds like a fun trip but I have to be home for Christmas. When away when I was in my early twenties to Bermuda for Thanksgiving. While it was a great trip and lots of fun Thanksgiving at a hotel without all the favorite foods I associate with the holidays plus it wasn’t the same not being with family.
        Went to England once when I was much younger and only married about 7 years. My husband and I enjoyed all the history, the plays we saw, the sightseeing but the food – not so much.

        Reply
  8. Louisa Edwards

    Hi Jo Anne! They were fun questions, weren’t they?

    I love to travel, and I’m lucky enough to have had the chance to go to a lot of my top choices already. But this Christmas, my husband and I are traveling with another couple to the UK–and I cannot wait! London, the English countryside, and Edinburgh–and I plan to eat a LOT of steak and kidney pie, roast pheasant, and sticky toffee pudding.

    Reply
  9. Jen - At Random

    I’ve read the Rising Star Chef books and one (so far) of the Recipe for Love books.

    What’s the strangest ingredient you’ve cooked with?

    Reply
    1. Louisa Edwards

      Ooh, good one! I guess it depends on your definition of “strange.” When we lived in Ohio, I got weird looks from grocery checkout kids for buying parsnips. But I have to say that the strangest, ickiest stuff to work with is (for me) fake meat. Like tofu or seitan…the texture always surprises me. Not to insult vegetarians! But it’s all about what you’re used to.

      Reply
  10. Kimberly Kincaid

    I’m sure this come as a shock to no one (especially Louisa), but I fangirled Kresley that night too 🙂 Like, embarrassingly. Shamelessly. Awfully. Fangirled her. Kind of like the way I fangilred Louisa in NYC a year and a half ago. Some things just cannot be helped.

    So of course I’m going to ask foodie questions! What is your favorite comfort food, and do you make it or buy it? What is the one dish/food that surprised you the most when you tried it for the first time? And, to validate your Google time, what movie stars would you choose to star in your Rising Star Chef books?

    Reply
  11. Louisa Edwards

    Aw, Kimberly! Everyone, Miss Kincaid, here, is a foodie romance author in her own right. Keep an eye out for her novella in the holiday anthology The Sugar Cookie Sweetheart Swap!

    Favorite comfort food is cornbread and collard greens, homemade by me–or ham biscuits homemade by my dad! My most surprising dish was probably sushi–I couldn’t believe how much I loved it when I finally tried it.

    And the Rising Star Chef heroes are played by Tom Hardy (Max,) Jensen Ackles (Danny,) and Eric Bana (Beck)–when Bana was maybe a little younger and had longish hair. ; )

    Reply
    1. Kimberly Kincaid

      Aw back at’cha– I have great mentors 🙂 Thank you!

      And now I want cornbread. Really bad. And Eric Bana. But not in that order…

      I can absolutely see all three of those actors for your heroes. I’m a huge Beck fan, but all three books are so good. Can’t wait for more!

      Reply
  12. Megan

    I actually have not read any of your books before, but that will be quickly remedied! I love incorperating food and especially pets into romance books.
    My question for you: Being a shy girl in school and knowing that food is a way to a guy’s heart, did you ever cook/bake to try to impress a guy you liked? And did it work?

    Reply
  13. Quynh

    I’ve read her Rising Star Chef series. Beck’s story is my favorite! I find myself often hungry after reading Louisa’s books. And it gives me some ideas too to try new things in the kitchen.

    Reply
  14. flchen1

    LOL! Awesome interview, Louisa and Lime! And Louisa, I DO have some of your titles on my TBR, but I just need more time so I can actually get to them! They sound droolworthy, in more than one way 🙂

    What’s your number one, go-to comfort food/meal? What’s your favorite comfort re-read? Do you like to eat and read? Or are those separate activities? 🙂

    Reply
  15. Diane Sallans

    These books look yummy (pun intended)! There is something very sexy about a man who cooks so I know I’d enjoy these! Tho they would probably make me hungry as I read them.

    Reply
    1. Audrey Gilliam

      Interesting, food and romance is a great combination. Would you ever want make your books into a tv show or movie?

      Reply
  16. Stella_ExLibris (@Stella_ExLibris)

    I haven’t had the chance to read any of her books yet, but ever since I saw Hot Under Pressure on a blog I was hooked! I LOVE cooking/baking and having these combined with a love story makes the perfect romance and Louisa’s novels sound wonderful, I’ can’t wait to read them! 😀 Thanks for the great and fun post!

    Reply
  17. QuenKne M

    I wasn’t aware of Louisa Edwards’ books until today, but now that I’ve discovered them, I’m adding them to my TBR list!! I’ve never read food / romance books but if they’re as good as each topic is separately, then they’ve got to be good. My question is… if you could go back & relive one year.or even one day of your life, what would it be?

    Reply

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