Blog Tour: Dangled Carat by Hilary Grossman (spotlight, interview, giveaway)

Dangled Carat
written by Hilary Grossman
published by Hilary Grossman

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

About the book: Hilary had gotten used to dating the commitment-phobic Marc, thirteen years her senior. They had a great relationship–why rush into things? She saw no need to pressure him for marriage, believing that when the time was right, he would propose. But after they had been together for four years, their friends decided to take matters into their own hands, pushing Marc to propose and making Hilary realize how much she really did want to marry the man that she loved. Unfortunately, Marc still wasn’t ready–and their friends’ meddling in the form of a faux engagement party led to a disastrous New Year’s Eve that brought their relationship to an inevitable turning point.

Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. Dangled Carat is a funny but tender and emotional story that anyone who has had dating drama in their life can relate to.

Why did you did you decide to write Dangled Carat? While many of the things that happened to me (two faux engagement parties, for example) were very unique being involved in a relationship with a commitment-phobe is a very common situation.  But more than that, I wanted to share my story in the hopes that I could help someone else who was in the same situation.  It is a very difficult position to be in. Everyone in your life has an opinion and “advice.”  You always seem to be second-guessing yourself and your actions.  My desire to help has been accomplished! I recently received an email from a self described commitment-phobic male reader who shared that after reading the book he realized some of the ways that he has sabotaged his relationships in the past….

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects? YES!  A few weeks ago, while traveling for work, from New York to Chicago, I started working on a novel on the plane….  Unfortunately I didn’t get too far, but I am happy where it is headed.  It is a story about a mother and daughter who have a very rocky relationship… But that may change when the mom enlists her daughter to help her plan her upcoming nuptials.  I also would like to write a memoir about my experience with Hurricane Sandy.  Surviving the storm was one of the most difficult experiences in my life. But it was also one of the best experiences of my life as it gave me, and so many others, a much needed “reset” as I realized what is truly important in life.

I know you are a multi-tasker, what is one of your greatest multi-tasking moments?  Greatest?  That is a hard one… But one of my favorites was when someone walked into my office to ask me a question and found me talking on two phones (my office headset was in my right ear and I was holding my cell phone with my left hand by my left ear).  I was also pecking away on an email with my right hand.  You would think that the person with the question would have come back later on… But no… They asked it and somehow I managed to answer them too!

I saw this one on your blog, and I have to ask – why did you decide to teach yourself to write with your foot? When I was a little girl, I remember watching a human interest story on TV about a girl, not much older than me, who lost both her arms in an accident.  She had to learn how to write with her feet.  I was very worrisome as a child and as soon as I saw the show I figured that I better start practicing just in case…  I actually got pretty good at it (especially drawing hearts and stars).  One of my colleagues saw this little tidbit too and he made me autograph his copy of Dangled Carat with my foot.  Fortunately I did it on the back cover…. Let’s just say writing with your foot is not like riding a bike…

Why do you enjoy reading and writing? I love reading because it is the perfect escape… You are transported into a story and you are able to use your imagination to visualize the characters and setting. I also love that you get to set your own pace. Also, as a multi-tasker, you can read while doing something else, like exercise!

As for writing, I find it very relaxing. It is the perfect stress reliever.  I find it almost therapeutic to get my thoughts and feelings out.  And I love to help entertain someone in the process…

What is your favorite genre to read? I am actually a very eclectic reader.  My favorite genres are chick-lit and memoirs. But I also love to read contemporary fiction, murder mysteries, suspense, and thrillers.  It all depends on my mood.

Who is your favorite author?  It is so hard to pick only one, I have so many favorites.  But if I have to I will go with Jen Lancaster. She is responsible, in a way, for Dangled Carat.  When I read her first memoir, Bitter is the New Black, I didn’t know what a blog or a memoir was.  But I learned quickly….  Soon after I read the last page of Bitter I was setting up my blog, Feeling Beachie. I started the blog so that I could practice writing and see if I had the wherewithal to actually write a book.

In your opinion, what is one book that everyone should read? Dangled Carat! Sorry, I couldn’t help it 🙂 But seriously, I think that everyone should read Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. By far, it is the best book that I have read in my entire life.  The story and characters are haunting.  They stay with you long after the last page is turned.

Tell us three things about yourself that cannot be found on the internet … at least not found easily.  This is hard!   Between my blog and the book I don’t know if I have any secrets…

1. I can french braid my hair perfectly.  But I can’t do it on anyone else’s.
2. I hate to buy socks, and I often wear socks that have holes in them. Whenever I go to someone’s house and have to take off my shoes I have a moment of panic…
3. I had a word added to the urban dictionary : Sandyfied – An item that was damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy. Everything in the basement was sandyfied and had to be thrown out. by Feeling Beachie July 31, 2013

 

About the author: Hilary Grossman dated a guy so commitment-phobic that she was able to write a book about their relationship. She is currently the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer and lives on Long Island.

Find Ms. Grossman here: blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

 

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