Interview with Jennifer Jabley

Today we’re in for a LIPSTICK APOLOGY. Author JENNIFER JABLEY’S debut novel, a mystery with heart, was just released.

Here’s a little glimpse of what a great story you’re in for when you open Jennifer’s book.

Four little words written in lipstick mean Emily must say goodbye to everything she knows. Emily Carson has always been a good girl. So when she throws a party the night her parents leave for vacation, she’s sure she’ll get busted. What Emily doesn’t know is that her parents will never return. That their plane will go down. And the only thing left amidst the wreckage will be a tray table with the words: Emily please forgive me scrawled in lipstick - her mother’s last words.

Now it’s fall in New York City and Emily’s trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life. Her public tragedy captures the attention of more than just the media - and soon two very different boys at her new school are pursuing her: the cute, popular Owen, and the quirky chemistry partner slash pastry-baker-by-night, Anthony. But even with such delicious distractions, Emily can’t let go of her mother’s mysterious apology. Does she have the courage to face the truth?

With help of a whole new kind of family - one that includes a make-up artist to the stars, a teen hand model, and a wacky hairdresser - Emily must choose between the boy who makes her forget it all, and the one who encourages her to remember, and ultimately, heal.

Jennifer Jabaley was born in New York and raised in Bridgewater, New Jersey. She graduated from James Madison University with a degree in chemistry and received a doctorate from Southern College of Optometry. A part-time optometrist and mother of two, Jennifer began writing her first novel after a phone call from her sister sparked an idea for a story that lingered in her mind and stirred her creative juices. LIPSTICK APOLOGY will be released in August of 2009 by Razorbill. Jen lives in Blue Ridge, Georgia and is currently at work on her second book.

She stayed around a bit and answered a few questions, so her fans will know a little more about her. My questions aren’t the greatest, but Jennifer has some super answers anyway.

Of all your favorite books, which one do you wish you had written?

Wow, there are several, but my top choices would be:
“The Center of Everything” by Laura Moriarity because her character development is so great.
“Walk Two Moons” by Sharon Creech because I love the way she smoothly blended two stories.
“Something Borrowed” by Emily Giffin because I feel like she takes chick lit a step up and everyone I know who has read it relates to the story in some way - and that is just amazing.

You’re giving me more books to add to my reading list, Jennifer. Here’s another sort of literary question.

What fictional character do you wish you could be?

Gosh, that’s hard. How about Mia from The Princess Diaries? It would be pretty cool to be a modern day princess. Oooh, or how about Elle Woods from Legally Blonde - to be beautiful and rich and show the world you are smart too! Plus, she has really great clothes.

Love the clothes!

Every writer I’ve ever talked to has writer-block at some time, so after chocolate what do you eat to make the writer-block pain go away?

Hot Chocolate from Starbucks or a mint chocolate chip milkshake from Dairy Queen (maybe it’s all the sugar that gets my mind working!)

Thanks, Lee!

I should thank you. It’s been wonderful having another great Deb here.

Be sure to order your copy of Lipstick Apology now and enjoy another 2009 debut novel. It’s available at Amazon and your local Indie.

Also visit Jennifer at her website to see what else she’s up to.