Darlene's Book Nook: Guest Post and Giveaway with Libby Floyd, author of Sparkelicious

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Guest Post and Giveaway with Libby Floyd, author of Sparkelicious

Hi, everyone!

I am pleased to participate in Libby Floyd's Sparkelicious Virtual Blog Tour hosted by Pump Up Your Book.

About Libby:

Libby Floyd has been a national on-air television personality for over 15 years with appearances on ShopNBC, Shop-At-Home and The Food Network. She was the youngest ever nominee for the prestigious position of Poet Laureate of South Carolina following the release of her poetry book A Winning Heart. Libby is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and was a contestant in the Miss America and Miss USA programs.

Her latest book is the contemporary romance, Sparkelicious.

CONNECT WITH LIBBY ONLINE:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Welcome to Darlene's Book Nook, Libby!

Libby has written a guest post, so I will now turn the floor over to her.

From National Television to Books: How my favorite television catch phrase, ‘Sparkelicious’ became the title of my new novel

By Libby Floyd

Most of you will probably know me from television, cooking with Bobby Flay on The Food Network or as a prime time host for ShopNBC and Shop At Home, presenting Sparkelicious jewelry on your tube in your living rooms. However, by day, I’ve been busy cranking out novels on my laptop for the last fifteen years.

In 2005, when I moved to Minnesota for my hosting gig for ShopNBC, I found the freezing cold winters difficult to deal with, so my writing became my only escape and I found that it was the only thing that I wanted to do. It was in my blood. I was obsessed, writing about five to eight hours a day before I went live on TV. My passion for writing had been my little secret for so many years but now I’m happy to say that Sparkelicious has finally been born after three years of dedication and hard work. The Minnesota winters have finally served me well!

The story is set in my charming hometown of Greenville, S.C. and my spiritual home of Los Angeles -- fashion designer Laney Montgomery at a crossroads in her life on the heels of turning 40. On a much-needed vacation back home to South Carolina to visit her family, Laney realizes that her family is in disarray but while trying to fix them, Laney learns that her own marriage is in serious trouble back in California and her fashion business is on the verge of collapse. The affections of a handsome younger man don’t help matters either as Laney must fix everyone else before she can find true happiness for herself.

My love for writing began as a teenager. To me, it was a natural progression; first poetry, then original country/pop songs, which I performed with my band in Los Angeles and Nashville, and then short stories. I soon found myself immersed in writing novels. While in college at The University of South Carolina, where I majored in Fashion Merchandising, I published an award-winning book of poetry called A Winning Heart, which led to me becoming the youngest nominee for Poet Laureate of South Carolina. Also, while living in L.A. and working as a talent agent by day for Wilhelmina Models and singing at night, I wrote a parental guide called Calling All Kids, for parents who were interested in getting their children into modeling and acting in Hollywood. It sold in several children’s magazines and bookstores.

Sparkelicious is my first novel. It was inspired by one of my trips back home to South Carolina. After moving away to New York and then L.A. after college graduation, I returned after several years to discover the sleepy little Southern town of Greenville was now vibrant and alive. I also found that I’d missed so many family events and still hadn’t come to terms with my father’s death. He died in 2000 from cancer and this particular trip home was closure for me. I had also missed the Southern charm and humor of the South. When you read my book, you’ll find my fictional characters to be colorful and real. And, after living in L.A. for so many years, I had to relive my life there, so I decided to capture the glamour of Hollywood. My novel showcases several famous locales and venues in my old stomping ground. And of course, Sparkelicious hits on the touchy subject of age and turning 40, which most women find devastating, especially in Hollywood. However, I decided to explore ageism in a positive and uplifting light through Laney Montgomery’s character, who finds that it’s never too late to fall in love with your true passion and your true love. I think that life can be, truly, Sparkelicious!

Sparkelicious is now available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle. Also, on iPads everywhere, and Barnes and Noble, Nook, Baker and Taylor and more.

Thanks so much for joining us today, Libby!

One lucky winner will win a paperback copy of Libby's contemporary romance, Sparkelicious.

Laney Montgomery is living the dream – a successful L.A. fashion designer, a fabulous home in the Hollywood Hills and happily married to an English film director. But on a trip back home to South Carolina, she finds herself in the middle of a family crisis, which she’s determined to fix. However, the affections of a handsome, younger man creates havoc in her personal life. With her marriage in serious trouble back in California, Laney is faced with losing it all but maybe that’s the only way for her to find true happiness.

Buy Links:
Amazon / Barnes & Noble

To enter the giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter entry form below.

This giveaway is open to Canada/US addresses only until 12:01 AM EST on October 11, 2012.

a Rafflecopter giveaway