Over Easy by Pamela Ford - Review, Interview and Giveaway

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review

Published: May 10, 2016

Number of pages: 262

Genre: Romance

Series: The Continental Breakfast Club #1

Synopsis:

Allie Parker's had enough. Just because she's a dog groomer, her overachieving family of doctors and lawyers treats her like a child. She's convinced that a successful husband is all she needs to change their attitudes.

So when she and her friends come up with a brilliant new way to meet eligible men, Allie squeezes into her sister's stylish clothes and sneaks into continental breakfast at an upscale hotel to find herself the perfect guy. Before Allie has taken her last bite of syrup-laden waffle, she's met the man of her dreams. But what she doesn't know is that he's a jewel thief who mistakenly thinks she's his contact—and so does everyone else who's after his stash of diamonds.

Suddenly Allie's world is crazily upended. And as she scrambles to prove her innocence and get back to her old life, she discovers happily ever after sneaks up when you least expect it.

My thoughts:

This is the first book in a series that I was lucky enough to get to read. This was such a fun book to read. It was a light book that reads very quickly. Another thing I like about this book is that the way the author writes and makes you feel as if you are a part of the story. What a funny plan to go to a continental breakfast to find yourself a boyfriend. I can just imagine what was going through Allie's mind or maybe not going through her mind. Going along with Allie is like being with your best friend. Full of adventure and laughs. I am starting book two asap and watch for my review of that at the end of the month. 

About the author:

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, waitress, pantyhose salesperson, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer – and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best and the Laurel Wreath, and is a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and children.

Interview:

When did your love of writing begin?
I’ve always liked to write, but my goal from high school forward was to break into advertising—not write a book. Only after being a copywriter for several years did the idea of writing a book occur to me, and even then, I didn’t give it a try until I was in my thirties.

Do you have a scheduled writing time, place, and/or routine?
The earlier I start each day, the more productive I am. I have a dedicated workspace in the house (not a separate office, but a corner of the living room with windows on both sides) where I work. I’ve found, though, that I’m even more productive if I leave the house and work in a coffee shop or the library. There are just too many ways to procrastinate at home!

What do you do to get over writer’s block?
A change of location is really helpful for me. Working in a new place seems to give my brain a creative jolt. I will also go back and revisit my main character’s history, goals, and motivations to make sure my writing isn’t stalling because I don’t know my character well enough.

What was it like to get your first writing contract?
Chasing the dream of publication was such an emotional roller coaster of hope and rejection that when the call finally came, it was almost surreal. As the editor was saying she wanted to buy my book, it actually felt like time stopped for few seconds. I was so excited, I forgot to ask how much the advance was and had to call her back.

How has the publishing/writing world changed since you first started writing?
I sold my first book in 2004 and the changes since then have been huge. My first few books involved mailing the hard copy of the print manuscript back and forth with the publisher, with shipping fees easily $50 each way. The biggest, most recent change has been the public acceptance of ebooks and the rise in digital publishing. Suddenly, instead waiting 18 months for a book to come out, authors could launch them immediately upon completion.

You write about strong female characters. Are they modeled after anyone?
They’re not modeled after anyone in particular, although I will say that a bit of me ends up in every character I write. I might borrow one aspect of someone’s personality that I find interesting, but I never base characters on real people. I think I tend to create characters I would like to be friends with.

When you are not writing, what do you like to do?
I like to spend time with my family and to stay active—running, skiing, biking, walking. I’m not very good at sitting still, which is probably an odd trait for a writer.

Do you have any advice for beginning authors?
Two things, actually! First, learn the craft. I stumbled around for years trying to write a book without realizing there is actually a method. Once I understood scene and sequel; goal, motivation and conflict; turning points; black moments; and character arcs, it made writing easier, and I finally sold. Second, keep writing. As life starts to interfere—family, job, house—it can be easy to put off your writing dreams thinking you have plenty of time to do it later. Don’t let yourself do that. Fight for your dreams because the years slip past much too fast.

Do you have a favorite author or book you would like to recommend to readers?
I love so many different types of books, but my all-time favorite is probably The Mists of Avalon by Marian Zimmer Bradley. It’s a big book and I’ve still read it a few times!

Please tell us five random things about yourself.
-I’m a dog lover.
-I was a tomboy growing up.
-I like reading young adult novels.
-I’m going to Paris for the first time in November.
-I am a big Star Wars and Star Trek fan

Giveaway:

Five winners total: 

2 winners will get a print copy of Over Easy + a $10 Starbucks gift card, 

2 winners will get a print copy of Fresh Brewed + a $10 Starbucks gift card, 

1 winner will get a print copy of both books + a $25 Starbucks gift card

Ends Sept 17

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Aug 1 - Library of Clean Reads - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Aug 1 - All the Doodles 'n Scribbles - review of Over Easy / author interview

Aug 1 - XoXo Book Blog - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 1 - Working Mommy Journal - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 2 - Bookishly Devoted - review of Over Easy

Aug 2 - Rockin' Book Reviews - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 2 - Room With Books - review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 3 - Library of Clean Reads - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 3 - XoXo Book Blog - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 3 - Room With Books - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 4 - Sahar's Blog - review of Over Easy

Aug 4 - Laura's Interests - review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 5 - Working Mommy Journal - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 5 - Rockin' Book Reviews - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 8 - Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine - review of Over Easy

Aug 8 - A Wondrous Bookshelf - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 9 - Writing Pearls - review of Over Easy

Aug 9 - Tragically Dull Adventures of an Almost Librarian-review of Over Easy/ giveaway

Aug 10 - Being Tilly's Mummy - book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Aug 10 - Writing Pearls - review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 11 - Sahar's Blog - review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 11 - Laura's Interests - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 12 - Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine - book spotlight / author interview

Aug 12 - Tragically Dull Adventures of an Almost Librarian - review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 15 - Wondrous Bookshelf - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 15 - The Travelogue of a book addict - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 15 - The Writing Garnet - review of Over Easy / author interview

Aug 16 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 16 - A Bookaholic Blog - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 16 - A Splendid Messy Life - review of Over Easy / giveaway / author interview

Aug 17 - A Holland Reads - review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 17 - Library of Clean Reads - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 18 - Christa Reads and Writes - review of Over Easy

Aug 18 - fuonlyknew - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 19 - Fascinating Quest - review of Over Easy

Aug 19 - Readers Muse - review of Over Easy

Aug 22 - The Travelogue of a book addict - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 22 - A Bookaholic Blog - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 23 - Corinne Rodrigues - review of Over Easy

Aug 23 - A Splendid Messy Life - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 24 - Pause for Tales - review of Over Easy

Aug 25 - Bound 4 Escape - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 25 - Fascinating Quest - review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 25 - fuonlyknew - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 26 - #redhead.with.book - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 29 - A Holland Reads - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 29 - Genuine Jenn - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 30 - Corinne Rodrigues - review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 30 - Bookaholic Banter - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 31 - Pause for Tales - review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 1 - Thoughts on This 'n That - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Sept 1 - Fantastic Feathers - review of Fresh Brewed 

Sept 2 - Thoughts on This 'n That - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 2 - Book and Ink - review of Over Easy / giveaway

Sept 5 - Book and Ink - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 5 - #redhead.with.book - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 6 - Bookaholic Banter - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 6 - Genuine Jenn - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 7 - Bookishly Devoted - review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 7 - Readers Muse - review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 8 - Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers - review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 9 - The Writing Garnet - review of Fresh Brewed