Here’s my list of why I love Eileen Cook…

1) Her author picture includes dogs.

2) Her capacity for snark is matched only by her capacity for outrageous screwball-comedy plot-twists.

3) She loves a good list.

Okay, I actually don’t know if in her personal life she loves a good list, but every single one of her books features at least one, and usually several, lists.  In fact, here’s a great drinking game: have several people sit in a circle, each holding a different one of Eileen’s books.  Take turns reading one chapter at a time, and each time there’s a list, everyone drinks.  I guarantee you’ll all be blitzed by the second time around.

But today I’m not here to talk about Getting Loopy With Eileen Cook (though that’s certainly something on my long-term to-do list), I’m here because she’s part of the GIRLFRIENDS’ CYBER-CIRCUIT, and she’s touring her newest book, The Almost Truth.

Shall I present you with a summary?  I shall.

From the author of Unraveling Isobel and The Education of Hailey Kendrick, a smart, romantic novel about a teenage con artist who might be in over her head.

Sadie can’t wait to get away from her backwards small town, her delusional mom, her jailbird dad, and the tiny trailer where she was raised…even though leaving those things behind also means leaving Brendan. Sadie wants a better life, and she has been working steadily toward it, one con at a time.

But when Sadie’s mother wipes out Sadie’s savings, her escape plan is suddenly gone. She needs to come up with a lot of cash—and fast—or she’ll be stuck in this town forever.

With Brendan’s help, she devises a plan—the ultimate con—to get the money. But the more lies Sadie spins, the more she starts falling for her own hoax…and perhaps for the wrong boy. Sadie wanted to change her life, but she wasn’t prepared to have it flipped upside down by her own deception. With her future at stake and her heart on the line, suddenly it seems like she has a lot more than just money to lose….

Hmmm… “one con at a time?”  Might that include a list of cons?  I’ll go fill my red Solo cup just in case, and in the meantime I’ll present you with:

If you had no other responsibilities and could take off on a retreat to your dream place to write, where would that be, and what would your dream daily schedule be like?

I would retreat to a place near the ocean. There is something about the sound of waves that puts me in a state of bliss. The house would have great views, comfy sofas, and an endless supply of great tea in the morning and wine at night.  I’m more an introvert so there wouldn’t be parties at night, but I’d love to snuggle in with my dogs, some good movies and great friends.

Is there a character you thought would be in the book, but who landed on the cutting room floor?  Conversely, is there a character you never expected to appear, but turned out to be intrinsic to the story?  If so, tell us about him/her.

 This is one of the few books where I did quite a bit of planning and plotting before I started writing. (I’ve been known to wing it.)  Everyone I thought should be there did make an appearance, but the character of Chase took on a greater importance than I expected. Funny how cute boys can have that kind of staying power.

Writing rituals: do you have any?  If so, what are they?  If you don’t follow them, do you find it harder to write?

I’m not a very ritual driven person- my life is too chaotic to be too rigid!  I can write just about anywhere at anytime.

Ever gotten a piece of fan mail, or had an experience with a reader that really stands out in your mind?  Tell us about it!

A reader wrote me once to tell me that her mom was going through cancer treatment and that she was able to laugh during it because she was reading my book.  Knowing I was able to make someone feel a bit better, even for just a moment, was fantastic.

Let’s reach back to school and describe your book in a single… HAIKU!  Three lines, five syllables-seven syllables-five syllables.  Ready?  Go!

ARGH. I hated writing poetry in school. I was terrible at it then and still really bad.  I’m going to simply say the book has con artists, boys, missing kids, and a stuffed bunny. Trust me- you want to know how it all comes together.

Really?  No haiku?  Eileen!!!!

Okay then, guess it’s up to me.

The brilliant Eileen

Her books make me laugh so hard

Milk snarfs out my nose.

See?  How hard was that?

Thanks for stopping by, Eileen, and best of luck on the latest release!  I can’t wait to read it!