Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Interview with Beth Albright who talks about her debut novel The Sassy Belles–"This series is best described as STEEL MAGNOLIAS MEETS SEX AND THE CITY."






  • ISBN-13: 9780778315285
  • Publisher: Harlequin
  • Publication date: 5/28/2013
  • Edition description: Original
  • Pages: 304

Overview

 Meet the Sassy Belles 
They're strong as a mint julep, sweet as peach cobbler, and no matter what, they stick together.
There are only two seasons in Tuscaloosa—football and waiting-for-football.


Please welcome Southern Belle extraordinaire Beth Albright;
she’s a novelist, a screenwriter, Radio talk show host, voice over talent, and a former star of the TV Soap Opera The Days Of Our Lives. She’s married to her college sweetheart and her son is a nationally ranked figure skater. She was born and raised in Alabama where she’s a rabid fan of the Crimson Tide. After 15 years in show biz she’s decided to return to her roots of storytelling. The Sassy Belles is her debut novel.

Beth welcome to my blog.
Tell us a bit about your new novel.
My novel is set in my hometown of Tuscaloosa Alabama, home of the Alabama Crimson Tide. The play-by-play announcer, Lewis Heart is missing after a sexy tryst with Vivi McFadden. Blake O’Hara Heart, Vivi’s BFF, is a lawyer and they are on the case to find Lewis and clear Vivi’s name. This series is best described as STEEL MAGNOLIAS MEETS SEX AND THE CITY.


Are there more Sassy Belle novels coming?
I certainly plan many more! Three will be out this year. June, August and October!
The titles are: THE SASSY BELLES/ JUNE 1ST
                            WEDDING BELLES/ AUGUST 1ST
                            SLEIGH BELLES/ OCTOBER 1ST

Are the Sassy Belles based on anyone you know?
My mother is evident in every single character. But mostly, they are an amalgamation of all of the women in my life. It was wonderfully fun to create these funny, smart, sarcastic, sexy women. They are all very typical of Southern Women!

Being involved in the entertainment business you’re a seasoned pro.
Was it still exciting selling your novel?
Oh, my gosh! YES! I had to pull over in a parking lot and cry like a baby! I was ecstatic! This was the biggest thing EVER! These were my words, my stories…and someone loved them—other than my family!

Who will enjoy reading your novel?
Everyone from age 15 to 90! These are the girlfriends everyone wants. They always have your back and they love living life together. The fun they have is not about an age. I have characters that are in their mid-thirties, but also some in their 40s, late 50s and even an 80-year-old spitfire who is absolutely hilarious. She throws herself a “Hollywood Nights” themed birthday party complete with half-naked men!
The Sassy Belles aren’t about an age or a color or a waist size—it’s all about sheer attitude and love and zest for life!

Beth, you used to act on Days Of Our Lives, I started watching that soap opera when I was a little girl at my grandmother’s house.
How long did you appear on that show and what part did you play?
I was on the show for about a year. My part was Mandy Cox, the Ballistix store manager. I, too, watched soaps with my grandmother. My favorite was actually The Young and The Restless when I was growing up. It, ironically, became the very first soap I was ever on. I left Days Of Our Lives when I had my son. Best decision I ever made. He is the love of my life!

Tell us about the screenplay you wrote, Kiss Me Goodnight.
Have you sold it?
Is it for the screen or is it a play?
It is for the screen. It is a dramatic love story of a woman whose son has just left for college. She discovers her husband has been having an affair. But she and her husband have been basically not much more than roommates forever. She is incredibly lonely and can’t seem to find herself after her son leaves. She joins Facebook and discovers her old boyfriend from when she was just 13 years old. He pushes her to become a writer and makes her see herself through his eyes, the way he remembers her. She becomes very successful as his belief in her rekindles the real self she has been missing. He helps her find herself again. She and her husband divorce. She makes plans to finally meet with her man—the man who has saved her and helped her love herself again—but all is not what it has seemed when she finally meets up with him on a windswept rainy beach in November…
I love this story so much! I actually finished it before I finished any of my novels, and I’m thinking of turning this into a novel, as well.

Who are your favorite authors?
I love Mary Kay Andrews and Dorothea Benton Frank. Those two wonderful women were an inspiration for me! I also love Southern humorist Celia Rivenbark—she is the funniest writer ever!

Will there be signing events where fans can meet you in person?
Absolutely! I love meeting my readers! I am launching my series at Barnes and Noble in Tuscaloosa on June 1st from 2-6 and will be in several other Southern cities all summer—from Birmingham to Nashville to Atlanta and Charlotte. I hope to be in Philadelphia, Kansas City and Dallas in the early Fall.
I will always have book signings! It will be one of my very favorite parts about being an author!

Beth, thank you so much for chatting with us. Your novel looks scrumptious; I can’t wait to read it. Good luck with the novel and all your endeavors.
Be sure and visit Beth's website for more information about her, reviews etc... The Sassy Belles




Barnes & Noble

4 comments:

  1. This series sounds great and I love that you refer to it as a blending of Sweet Magnolia meets Sex in the City. Thanks for sharing the interview Debbie, I look forward to reading the first novel.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kim, thanks for the post and I hope you enjoy the novel. Check out her website she has videos of when she starred on the soap they're a hoot!! very retro
      deb

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    2. I'm in! I'm gearing up to read it real soon, I can't wait! I LOVE the cover and when I love a cover, I'm sure to fall in love with the story, too! That southern charm ;) Thanks for sharing her story here!

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    3. Can't wait to hear what you think Lorelei :)

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