Monday, June 6, 2011

Marybeth Whalen's She Makes It Look Easy


Title: She Makes It Look Easy
Publisher: David C Cook

Cover blurb: Ariel Baxter has just moved into the neighborhood of her dreams. The chaos of domestic life and the loneliness of motherhood, however, moved with her. Then she meets her neighbor, Justine Miller. Justine ushers Ariel into a world of clutter-free houses, fresh-baked bread, homemade crafts, neighborhood playdates, and organization techniques designed to make marriage better and parenting manageable.
Soon Ariel realizes there is hope for peace, friendship, and clean kitchen counters. But when rumors start to circulate about Justine’s real home life, Ariel must choose whether to believe the best about the friend she admires or consider the possibility that “perfection” isn’t always what it seems to be.
A novel for every woman who has looked at another woman’s life and said, “I want what she has,” She Makes It Look Easy reminds us of the danger of pedestals and the beauty of authentic friendship.

1) How did this story come to you?
I was sorting out a situation I saw unfold in my own community. I kept wondering if things could’ve turned out differently than they did, really questioning not only the people directly involved, but those of us who saw what was going on and did nothing. Because I process things best through writing—through telling stories—I began to play with this idea, involving other things that I had on my mind—issues of comparison and contentment with women, things like that. Out of all of that, She Makes It Look Easy came to be!

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published:
It was my second novel so it was much different than the first. I think my main challenge this time was not having the kind of time to write it that I had with my first novel, The Mailbox. When you’re writing that first novel, you don’t realize what a luxury it is to just write when you feel like it. 

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers:
1. I have never been overseas. The only “international” travel I’ve done is to Mexico and Canada.
2. My husband is the son of one of my dad’s friends. They never imagined we’d grow up and get married.
3. I actually like to cook. And read cookbooks, cooking magazines, etc. This is reflected in the book as the two characters seem to do quite a bit of cooking or talking about cooking.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I will have a new novel hopefully coming out in fall of 12. This one is a follow up (not a sequel!) to The Mailbox. I’m writing it right now.

5) Parting comments?
This book was a hard one to write. It delves into things that many women have struggled with or are struggling with. I hope you’ll grab some friends, read the book and sit down and talk about it. Some good—and necessary—conversations will come from it.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
http://www.marybethwhalen.com/

42 comments:

  1. Wow, I would imagine that this would be a hard book to write. I think that most of us at one time or another thinks that others have it easier than they do and is amazing to find out that it is not necessarily true. I defintely want this book on my wish list to read.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. This book sounds like a book all women should read - I am really looking forward to reading it!!

    grammylulu@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Enjoyed the interview. It's amazing that you can write with six children. LOL Keep up the good work.
    Deborah M.
    debbiejeanm(at)gmail(dot)com
    deborah-malone.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Clutter is my middle name. I'd love to read this!

    lr(dot)mullin(at)live(dot)come

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great interview. She Makes It Look Easy is going on my list of books I want to read.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.

    ReplyDelete
  6. would love to read this novel...thanks for the chance :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Loved The Mailbox and am anxious to read this book by Marybeth, also!! Thanks for entering me. I am so glad she will write a "follow up" to The Mailbox!!
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  8. She Makes It Look Easy sounds like a much-needed book. I remember putting a lady on a pedantic, but when I got to know her better, I found she had her own set of problems. Thankfully, the Lord can help with all of them.

    Would love your book.
    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Sounds totally amazing. Please enter me for a chance to win!! Thanks! margie at mijares dot net

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Please enter me! I'm a subscriber and a follower gfc.

    I posted this to my blog: http://dancealertreads.blogspot.com/2011/06/k-dawn-byrd-author-register-to-win_3310.html

    dancealert at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow! This sounds like an incredible book! I will be looking for it! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Wow what a wonderful topic to write on for women. I can't wait to read it! Blessings- Cheryl
    ihhcheryl(at)comcast(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  13. I cannot wait to read this book!!! Wishing you so much success!! Love, Donna Heaney (donnaheaney@triad.rr.com)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I loved The Mailbox and can't wait to read She Makes It Look Easy! It is on my summer reading list.

    ReplyDelete
  15. She is a great author and I am looking forward to reading this, whether I win it or not!

    emily at personallyyoursfairhope dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. I loved her first book and can't wait to read this one.
    Erin
    bordens@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. giginow@aol.com

    What a blessing it has been to me, a great grandmother, to realize that God has raised up such gifted young women for my girl, grands and greats to learn about true faith. I am recommending your site and book to them.

    Thank you and thank God for you.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks for writing this book. We all need to read this because sooner or later we all fall into the trap of thinking that someone else life is better than ours.
    Mary
    marymcmmiller@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds like a GREAT read! I would love to win a copy!

    I really enjoyed the interview--especially the part about how the story came to be.

    Rebecca
    tiggerdaisy@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I might just change the book i chose for the women in my small group to read this summer to this one! From the synopsis I feel like i can relate to this story. I just woke up this morning wishing that if there was some way for me to exit my marriage with my kids,not hurting my kids or husband, and not displeasing God, I would do it today.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Please enter me to win a copy! Looking forward to reading this!

    laughlinr@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would love to read Marybeth's novel!! :)
    frugalflamingo@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm looking forward to reading this book. It looks great!
    barefeetinthekitchen(@)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. My MOPS group is reading this book for our book club. I just finished reading my copy, but would love to give this to another mom in my group.:o)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Can't wait to read this book!!!

    Great interview!!

    nckristib@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. It is really magic when you can capture real life issues with fictions. So excited for you, Marybeth!
    Christina
    yogabean1(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to read this. I overheard a woman in a restaurant yesterday saying how much she envied another woman who "had it altogether" and I thought wow, we really do compare our insides to someone else's outsides. Apples to oranges. I would love to read your book!

    Jessica

    ReplyDelete
  28. Can't wait to read and share with friend

    ReplyDelete
  29. Glockgirl957@gmail.com

    I have heard awesome things about this book! I hope I win!

    ReplyDelete
  30. This book sounds great. As a kindergarten teacher I come home exhausted. I stack, pile, shove and then move the stack to a new place, begin a new pile and just keep shoving. A great topic. I would love to learn how to "make it look easy".
    Thanks,
    Tracy
    tracy6674@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I really like the focus of this book being on what makes a friendship authenic! Great idea.
    Please enter me for this giveaway.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. She Makes It Look Easy sounds so intriguing, there is so much more than what we see on the surface sometimes. Please add me!
    worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I finished reading the mailbox last night, and that meant being up until past midnight. The topic of this new novel is something we women can really relate to!! Can't wait!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hmmmn, perhaps I have met some people like Justin. I would like to read this book to find out how it turns out.
    Kaye
    kayewhitney@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  35. Now this one i would love to read to my group of women where i volunteer. it sounds like it has a great life storyline
    rdg.rendezvous@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  36. Interesting basis for this story! Can't wait to read it.

    twinwillowsfarm at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Beautiful cover. The basis for this story reminds me of the movie 'The Stepford Wives'! Has anyone seen that!? Lol it's a good movie with a hiddeen agenda ; ) Sounds really good, I'd love to read it. Thanks again for the opportunity!
    Hannah
    hccelie(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  38. I'd love to win this book. It sounds like a great read! Thanks for the chance!

    judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I would love to read your book Marybeth. During my 68 yrs I have wondered what it would be like to change places with someone. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

    Blogger still will not let me post comment on this type comment format.

    ReplyDelete
  40. This sounds like a fun book! Hope I win!

    ReplyDelete
  41. After re-reading my blog, that should be pedestal, not pedantic. LOL

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  42. We love to win a big prize.

    ReplyDelete

Interview with Barbara M. Britton and spotlight of Lioness...

We're happy to have Barbara M. Britton with us talking about her book Lioness . To learn more about her and Lioness, please read o...