FEATURED AUTHOR: LISA BECKER

ABOUT THE BOOK


In high school, Charlotte Windham was a typical student going through an awkward phase -- glasses and all. She harbored a crush on Garrett Stephens, the teen heartthrob everyone can’t help but fall for during that unfortunate ugly duckling phase of one’s teen years. Flash forward fifteen years later, and Charlotte and Garrett have a second chance encounter at a Los Angeles restaurant. However, this time around, Charlotte has leveled the playing field. She’s a bestselling novelist and no longer “Glasses,” the humiliating nickname Garrett called her in high school. In short, she’s a catch now and, thanks to corrective eye surgery, it’s not just her eyes that see better…so does her heart! Garrett hasn’t fared poorly either, transforming from teen heartbreaker to adult lothario. A now successful professional golfer, he’s recently suffered a major setback in the form of a possible career-ending injury. With the upper hand, can Charlotte forgive Garrett for his past ways, and for his more recent Don Juan lifestyle? Will she even want to? And, can Garrett change his ways for a second chance with Charlotte, who may just be the perfect fit for him? 



LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT INTERVIEW WITH LISA BECKER

Hardest thing about being a writer:
Self-motivating. It is so easy to get distracted with all of the other fun things to do in life such as grocery shopping, online banking, and laundry.

Easiest thing about being a writer:
The uniform. Nothing's better than being productive in a cozy pair of sweatpants and slippers.

★

Things you love about where you live:
I live less than two miles from the beach and love being able to see the ocean every day, take a walk along the beach and enjoy the sea air.
Things that make you want to move:
Because my little beach town is so lovely, we endure lots of traffic and parking woes due to people wanting to visit.

★

Words that describe you:
I've always been described as "nice" and now that I'm a parent and living in a world where kindness seems to be in short supply, it's a label I'm proud to wear.
Words that describe you but you wish they didn’t:
"Nice." I've joked in the past that my tombstone will read, "Here lies Lisa Becker. A very nice girl." As much as I appreciate that I'm known as a "good" person, there are times it would feel good to be the bad girl.

★

Favorite beverage:
A margarita on the rocks with extra salt around the rim. Mmmmm.

Something that gives you a pickle face:
Beer. Believe it or not, I haven't had one since my freshman year of college.

★

Favorite smell:
Baking brownies.

Something that makes you hold your nose:
Pumpkin. I can't even be in the room when my kids carve them for Halloween.

★

Something you’re really good at:
Baking and making desserts. I have a recipe for amazing chocolate chip cookie dough truffles that are always a hit.

Something you’re really bad at: Unfortunately, I'm not so good at resisting aforementioned desserts.


★

Something you wish you could do:
I've always wanted to know how to professionally decorate cakes. Not only does it sound fun, but quite yummy.
Something you wish you’d never learned to do:
I wish I never learned to write compelling complaint letters that yield action. My family has taken notice and now anytime anyone has a problem with an airline, bank or retail store, I am enlisted to write their complaint letter for them.

★

Something you like to do:
I love to read. I could spend hours every day, sitting in a cozy chair and reading a good book. My favorites are romance novels with flawed heroes, major heart swoons and happily ever afters.

Something you wish you’d never done:
I wish I had never attempted zip lining. After hiking up a ridiculously tall mountain and careening through one course, I chickened out of the rest only to hear there was no other way down the mountain. I ended up screaming my way through a 10-rope course in Costa Rica.

★

Favorite places you’ve been:
My favorite place on the planet is Lizard Island, a small private island off the coast of Australia's Great Barrier Reef. It is a little slice of heaven.

Places you never want to go to again:
If I didn't need to go for hygiene reasons, I would never step foot into the dentist office again.

★

Things that make you happy:
My children. I have two girls - ages 12 and 10. They are smart, silly, clever and so fun to be around.

Things that drive you crazy:
My children. Didn't you notice above I have two girls - ages 12 and 10. Enough said!

★

Best thing you’ve ever done:
Online dating. I met my husband 17 years ago when online dating was in its infancy. Not only is he my soulmate, he also helped create the two loves of my life - our children. Our relationship also spawned my third baby; our story loosely inspired my first novel, Click: An Online Love Story.

Biggest mistake:
Letting petty family squabbles impact relationships I have with people I care about.

★

EXCERPT FROM LINKS

I stand but hesitate when I see Tamika's disapproving look. Fi notices as well. "It's okay, T. I got this," she says, motioning for me to follow her back. When we get to her small office, she closes the door and gestures for me to sit on a red vinyl chair, circa 1972. She stands in front of me, leaning against the desk, and crosses her arms in front of her chest. "Spill!"

"Where should I start?"

"At the beginning." She walks around to her chair behind the desk and pulls out a yellow legal pad.

For the next half hour, I go over my encounter with Garrett, from the moment we bumped into each other and he didn't recognize me, to the embarrassment of being called 'Glasses.'

Fi takes notes furiously on her pad and grins, nods, and cringes at all the appropriate times. When I finish, she puts her pen down and asks, "Do you want the 'best friend experience' or the 'brilliant legal mind experience'?"

I can't help but laugh. "Are they mutually exclusive?"

"They are," she says nodding.

"Okay. I want the best friend experience."

She rushes around from behind the desk, wraps her arms around me soothingly. "I'm so sorry, hon. That sounds just awful. Let's go get margaritas tomorrow and drown our sorrows in tequila and lime wedges."

"Thanks, Fi. You're the best."

"Anytime," she says, rubbing my back. She pulls away and walks around to the back of her desk. She sits down and puts the legal pad to the side. I can't help but notice the writing scrawled across it.

"Just for kicks, what would you have said if I had asked for the 'brilliant legal mind experience'?"

"You sure you want to know?" Her lips pull into a grim line. Honestly, I'm not sure I do want to know, but curiosity gets the better of me.

"Lay it on me," I say.

"You need to get laid. Not the kind of bland, missionary style sex you had with Alex. You need hot heat, sweating up the sheets, crazy animal sex."

I bust out laughing. "That's your brilliant legal advice. Crazy animal sex?"

"Yes. That's my brilliant legal advice," she says with complete seriousness. "Listen, hon, it's been a year since that insecure jerk Keane dumped you. I have no doubt it's been even longer since you've, well, you know." She wags her eyebrows up and down. "Before that, you only seriously dated Travis the cheater and Alex who, let's face it, despite being completely gonzo for you, was a cold fish and a bore. It's time to stop comparing every man to this fantasy of Garrett Stephens and just do it with him to get it out of your system. He asked you out for Saturday night. Go! Enjoy!"

"I don't compare every man to Garrett," I snap at her.

"Don't you?" she asks, looking down at me sternly.   

"I'm offended you even suggested that." She looks at me, her sharp eyes boring into me, like she can read my every thought and knows I'm full of it. I imagine this is how she bears down on witnesses on the stand. I don't like being on the receiving end of that look.

"Even if that's true," I start and she nods her head, "and I'm not conceding it is." I point my finger at her. "Even if he did mean to ask me out, there's no way it's a good idea. He's a total player. It would only be one night of fun and I don't think I could get over that kind of hurt."


"Then you need to get over it now. Sorry for the tough love, hon, but you need to move past the fantasy of this man and find someone passionate and amazing who is deserving to love you for all of the great things you have to offer including your messed-up childhood and your incredible success today.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Becker is a romance writer whose previous novels include Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click and Right Click. The books, about a young woman's search for love online in Los Angeles, have been called, “a fast read that will keep you entertained,” “a fun, quick read for fans of Sex and the City,” and “hard to put down.” The first in the series was optioned for a major motion picture.

Lisa’s writings about online dating have been featured in Cupid’s Pulse, GalTime.com, Single Edition, The Perfect Soulmate, Chick Lit Central and numerous other book blogs and websites.

As Lisa's grandmother used to say, "For every chair, there's a rush." Lisa is now happily married to a man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for anyone!

Connect with Lisa:
Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter |  Goodreads  |  Book Trailer  

Buy the book:
Amazon  |  Kobo 

FEATURED AUTHOR: LISA BECKER

ABOUT THE BOOK

Clutch is the laugh-out-loud, chick lit story that chronicles the dating misadventures of Caroline Johnson, a single purse designer, who goes through a series of unsuccessful romantic relationships she compares to various styles of handbags – the “Hobo” starving artist, the “Diaper Bag” single dad, the “Briefcase” intense businessman, etc.  With her best friend, bar owner Mike by her side, the overly-accommodating Caroline drinks Chardonnay, puts her heart on the line, endures her share of unworthy suitors and finds the courage to stand up for the handbag style that embodies what she ultimately wants – the “Clutch” or someone to hold onto.  




INTERVIEW WITH LISA BECKER

Welcome back to A Blue Million Books, Lisa. How did you come up with the idea for Clutch – comparing men to purses?
When I was writing the Click Trilogy, I was obsessed with NCIS reruns and would have the show on in the background as I wrote. There was an episode when one of the characters mentioned that men were like purses – something useless to hang on a woman’s arm. I started thinking about how men are like handbags and the idea grew from there.

What books do you currently have published?
Click: An Online Love Story - Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds entirely through emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical “B” celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee wades into the shallow end of the dating (cess)pool and endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will cheer, laugh, cry, and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends. And ultimately, they will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.


Double Click - Fans of the romantic hit Click: An Online Love Story will enjoy another voyeuristic dive into the lives of Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and Ethan, as Double Click picks up with their lives six months later. Are Renee and Ethan soul mates? Does Mark ever go on a date? Has Shelley run out of sexual conquests in Los Angeles? Will Ashley's judgmental nature sabotage her budding relationship? Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby, and unexpected love twist, Double Click answers these questions and more. Readers will continue to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.


Right Click - Love. Marriage.  Infidelity. Parenthood. Crises of identity. Death. Cupcakes. The themes in Right Click, the third and final installment in the Click series, couldn't be more pressing for this group of friends as they navigate through their 30's. Another six months have passed since we last eavesdropped on the hilarious, poignant and often times inappropriate email adventures of Renee and friends. As the light-hearted, slice of life story continues to unfold, relationships are tested and some need to be set "right" before everyone can find their "happily ever after.

Can you share some of your marketing strategies with us?
My background is in public relations and marketing. In fact, before starting a career as a writer, I spent nearly 20 years working at public relations agencies, so I have a natural tendency to plan for this type of effort. Given the significant handbag theme in clutch: a novel, I reached out to handbag designers and am working with more than a dozen on 40+ giveaways of purses in every size and style to support the launch. 

How fun! Tell us . . . for what would you like to be remembered?
Aside being a great wife, mom, friend and citizen, I would like to be remembered for writing movies that people love to watch. The book actually started out as a screenplay that was optioned by a production company housed at one of the major movie studios.  Unfortunately, it fell out of development. I was eager to have this fun story with some of my favorite characters told, so I turned it into a short novel.

If you had a swear jar, would it be full?
It would be practically empty. Once I had kids – more than 10 years ago, I cleaned up my act.

What is the most daring thing you've done?
I went on a 10-course zip line in Costa Rica (and screamed the entire time!). I was so scared that I would only go in tandem with the guide.

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done?
See above!

Those two often are connected! Have you ever been to a fortune teller? What did she tell you?
When I was a junior in high school, there was a fortune teller at a bowling party I attended. She read my palm and told me I would marry a man named Steve one day. My husband’s name is . . . Steve. Spooky!

What’s the worst thing someone has said about your writing? How did you deal with it?
One of the Amazon reviewers for Click said it wasn’t worth the 99 cents she paid for the book. I reached out and offered her a refund. Then I sat down, cried, and ate some frosting from a can.  


What are you working on now?
In addition to promoting the new book, I’m looking into making connections within the motion picture industry to try and get a movie version made. As mentioned, the book started out as a screenplay that was under option at a major studio, but fell out of development. I’m eager to see if there’s interest from someone else on bringing this fun and quirky story to the big screen. So if you happen to be a well-to-do movie producer looking to make a new romantic comedy, please get in touch!


Lightning round:
Cake or frosting? Frosting . . . straight from the can (as noted above).  YUM!
Laptop or desktop? Desktop. I’m old school.
Chevy Chase or Bill Murray? Bill Murray all the way.
Emailing or texting?  Email. As mentioned above, I’m old school.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In addition to her new book, Clutch: a novel, Lisa Becker is the author of the Click Trilogy, a contemporary romance series comprised of Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click and Right Click. She’s written bylined articles about dating and relationships for “Cupid’s Pulse,” “The Perfect Soulmate,” “GalTime,” “Single Edition,” “Healthy B Daily,” and “Chick Lit Central” among others.  She lives in Manhattan Beach, California with her husband and two daughters.


Connect with Lisa:

Website  |  Facebook  |  
Twitter  |  Goodreads 

Featured Author: Lisa Becker

Lisa Becker is the author of the chick lit Click series, which includes Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click, and Right Click. Lisa was here in January 2013, when she braved my 20 Questions and shared an excerpt from book one. In April 2013, not only did she sit down for an interview with me, she also shared a talk she had with her main character Shelley Manning, and she brought an excerpt from Double Click. I'm happy to have Lisa back today with the third and final installment of the Click series.

About the book:

Love. Marriage.  Infidelity. Parenthood. Crises of identity. Death. Cupcakes. The themes in Right Click, the third and final installment in the Click series, couldn't be more pressing for this group of friends as they navigate through their 30's. Another six months have passed since we last eavesdropped on the hilarious, poignant and often times inappropriate email adventures of Renee and friends. As the light-hearted, slice of life story continues to unfold, relationships are tested and some need to be set "right" before everyone can find their "happily ever after."

Click: An Online Love Story Book Trailer

Interview with Lisa Becker

Lisa, how long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I remember writing short stories and poems as a little girl and always told myself I would write a book someday.  So, it was incredibly gratifying to see a “bucket list” item/dream come true when Click: An Online Love Story came out in 2011. The feedback has been tremendous, so much so, that I’ve turned it into a trilogy which includes Double Click, released in 2013, and Right Click, which just came out in May 2014. 

What’s the story behind the title of your books?

I liked the double meaning of click – both “clicking” a mouse while using a computer for online dating and “clicking” or making a special connection with someone. 

Do you have another job outside of writing?

I’m fortunate to have had a series of wonderful careers outside of writing including being a wife, mom, PR professional, college professor, community volunteer and Girl Scout troop leader. Needless to say, there is never a dull moment around here.

How did you create the plot for this book?

My husband and I met online on a popular dating website. After we married, I was recalling some of the hilarious experiences that I had with both traditional and online dating. I decided to capture some of them in writing and from there, a novel emerged. The books are loosely based on my real-life dating experiences, as well as stories friends have shared with me. In some cases, things are written as they actually occurred. Other scenarios are exaggerated for entertainment value or comedic affect. And some scenarios are completely fictionalized. I really did go out on a date with someone I met online who started every story (no joke!) with “My buddies and I were out drinking last night.”  The ultimate goal was to create a fun read for anyone who has ever had a bad date, been in love, been dumped, or is searching for "the one." But, the happy ending is real. Steve and I have been happily married for more than 10 years and have two amazing daughters - ages 9 and 7.

Which character did you most enjoy writing?  Are any of your characters inspired by real people?

I most readily identify with Renee. She and I share a lot of qualities including a self-depreciating sense of humor, fear of flying, motivation in our PR careers and love of baking. Mark is loosely based on a friend who encouraged me to try online dating. He’s a terrific guy who is still himself searching for “the one.” So if you know any nice single girls, let me know. But my favorite character is Shelley. She’s confident, brash, outrageous and wholly unapologetic for her choices. She was so fun to write. Her hilarious habit of giving nicknames to her “man du jour” was inspired by a childhood friend of mine who had a nickname for a guy in college that she admired from across the dorm cafeteria.  She called him Maverick because he looked like Tom Cruise in Top Gun. Much like Shelley, she is a self-confident, gorgeous, lovely gal and it wasn't long before they met and dated for a spell. 

What book are you currently reading and in what format (e-book/paperback/hardcover)?

I just finished the independently-published book Ripple by L.D. Cedergreen. She is a friend, and her son goes to school with my daughter. It’s a wonderful love story about difficult choices and the consequences they create. 

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?

I sit in my home office at an HP desktop computer with a really big screen. My eyes grow tired pretty easily in my old age;) And I like to write with the television on in the background. When I first started writing, I was obsessed with Law & Order reruns.  Now, I can’t seem to get enough of NCIS. I guess there’s a part of me that likes to see justice served. 

If you were leaving the country for a year, what’s the last meal (or food) you would want to have before leaving?

I’ve had this question before and honestly, if I could only have three foods for the rest of my life, I’m confident I could survive on macaroni & cheese, carrot sticks and chocolate pudding. 

Why did you decide to self-publish?  Are you happy with your decision?

Don’t write off (HA! Like the pun?!?) self-publishing. I explored the traditional publishing route and got feedback from multiple literary agents. One in particular explained the current economic state of the publishing industry to me. Due to the large investment to edit, produce, distribute, and market a work by an unknown author, many large publishers won’t take the risk. Self-publishing is a way to get your work out there.

I'm also reminded of some advice I was once given. I had interviewed Charles Rosen, one of the producers of the original Beverly Hills 90210, for an alumni magazine article while I was in graduate school. And I'll never forget what he told me: "Don't fall in love with your words, because somebody above will probably change them." One of the great benefits of self-publishing is that you can really take control of the process.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

“So shines a good deed in a weary world.”  -Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

What’s your favorite candy bar?

I’ve been known to hide candy bars all over the house and my office, so I’ve been known to sneak a Snickers or two among others. 

Snickers with almonds? They're the best! What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I live in a part of Los Angeles County called Manhattan Beach, less than two miles from the ocean. I love walking along the strand, looking out over the ocean, searching for dolphins and playing in the sand with my girls. 

What are you working on now?

Like most everyone else in Los Angeles, I’ve decided to try my hand at screenwriting. I’m nearly finished with my first script called Clutch. It’s a light romantic comedy about a young single handbag designer in Los Angeles who has a series of relationships that she equates to different style handbags, searching for “the one” she wants to hold onto or “clutch.” I hope it is coming to a theatre near you soon. 

More about the Click Series

Click: An Online Love Story -Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds entirely through emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical “B” celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee wades into the shallow end of the dating (cess)pool and endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends. And ultimately, they will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.



Double Click - Fans of the romantic hit Click: An Online Love Story will enjoy another voyeuristic dive into the lives of Renee, Shelley, Ashley, Mark and Ethan, as Double Click picks up with their lives six months later. Are Renee and Ethan soul mates? Does Mark ever go on a date? Has Shelley run out of sexual conquests in Los Angeles? Will Ashley's judgmental nature sabotage her budding relationship? Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click answers these questions and more. Readers will continue to cheer, laugh, cry and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends.

About the author:

Lisa Becker had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story, Double Click, and Right Click.  She is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for you!

Connect with Lisa:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads 

Buy the book:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Featured Author: Lisa Becker

Some of you may remember reading my Twenty Questions interview with Lisa Becker and an excerpt of her debut novel, Click: An Online Love Story, on this blog in January of this year. Lisa has just published the sequel to that novel, titled Double Click, and I'm pleased to have her back for an interview. Lisa also let me sit down with main character Shelley Manning, and she's treating us to an excerpt from this newest book. So grab some sweet tea and settle in for two interviews and an excerpt.

Double Click is a sequel to Click: An Online Love Story, the modern epistolary novel that book bloggers and reviewers called hilarious, clever, and full of fun. 

In the first book, fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene reluctantly joined her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolded entirely through emails between Renee and her best friends as well as the gentlemen suitors she met online. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's, and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers rooted for Renee to "click" with the right man. 

Double Click, which follows the same all-email format, picks up with the same main characters six months after the original books ends. If the first book was about Renee’s search for love online, this book is about whether she and her friends have all found their “HEA” or “happily ever after.” Through a marriage proposal, wedding, new baby and unexpected love twist, Double Click allows readers to cheer, laugh, cry, and cringe following the email exploits of Renee and friends. 

Interview with Lisa Becker

How long have you been writing, and how did you start?

I started writing Click: An Online Love Story after my husband and I married but before we had kids. Then I had to take a break from writing due to the rigors of motherhood. But I had always told myself – even as a little girl – that I would write a book one day. So I made the commitment to finish the book. I wrote in the mornings while the girls were at school or at night after they went to sleep. I made it a goal to write – even if only for a half hour – every day. Based on the positive reader response to the book, I started work on the sequel, Double Click. 

How did you come up with the title of your book?

I liked the double meaning of click – both “clicking” a mouse while using a computer for online dating and “clicking” or making a special connection with someone. 

Do you have another job outside of writing?

I’m fortunate to have had a series of wonderful careers outside of writing including being a wife, mom, PR professional, college professor, volunteer, and Girl Scout troop leader.  But I’ve always wanted to learn to professionally decorate cakes. Not only does it look fun, but really yummy!

How did you create the plot for this book?

My husband and I met online on a popular dating website. After we married, I was recalling some of the hilarious experiences that I had with both traditional and online dating. I decided to capture some of them in writing and from there, a novel emerged. Click: An Online Love Story is loosely based on my real-life dating experiences, as well as stories friends have shared with me. In some cases, things are written as they actually occurred.  Other scenarios are exaggerated for entertainment value or comedic affect. And some scenarios are completely fictionalized. I really did go out on a date with someone I met online who started every story (no joke!) with “My buddies and I were out drinking last night.” But the happy ending is real. Steve and I have been happily married for nearly 10 years and have two amazing daughters.

Tell us a book you’re an evangelist for.
Years ago, I read a book called e by Matthew Beaumont, which tells the story of a fictitious ad agency vying for a big account, with the story all told in emails. I laughed out loud (on an airplane, no less) reading e. I highly recommend it!  I thought that narrative style would work really well for the story I wanted to tell about the online dating world.  It was a modern way of storytelling that fit the topic and the times. 

Sophie’s choice: Do you have a favorite of your characters?

I most identify with Renee. Her online dating profile is almost identical to the one I had when I met my husband. But my favorite character is Shelley. She’s confident, brash, outrageous and wholly unapologetic for her choices. Although she and I are as different as can be, she was so fun to write. Her hilarious habit of giving nicknames to her “man du jour” was inspired by a childhood friend of mine who had a nickname for a guy in college that she admired from across the dorm cafeteria. She called him Maverick because he looked like Tom Cruise in Top Gun.  Much like Shelley, she is a self-confident, gorgeous, lovely gal, and it wasn't long before they met and dated for a spell. 

Tell us about your favorite scene in the book.

I love the interaction between Renee and her two best girlfriends, Shelley and Ashley, who don’t always get along with one another. Their differing styles of support, friendship, and dating have a hilarious impact on Renee. It was fun to write their email exchanges and imagine their rapid fire responses. In my opinion, there’s nothing like having a group of close friends who can support you when things get tough, laugh with you when things get ridiculous, console you when you’re down, and cajole you into doing things that they can see are good for you, but you are reluctant to embrace.
 
Do you have a routine for writing? Do you work better at night, in the afternoon, or in the morning? 

I sit in my home office at an HP desktop computer with a really big screen. My eyes grow tired pretty easily in my old age ;) And I like to write with the television on in the background. When I first started writing, I was obsessed with Law & Order reruns. Now, I can’t seem to get enough of NCIS. I guess there’s a part of me that likes to see justice served. 

Do you ever get writer’s block? What do you do when it happens?

Chocolate! No joke, I eat chocolate. If I’m stuck on a certain section or not feeling motivated to write, I give myself little chocolate incentives to get past the blockage.  Judging by my thighs, I had some serious problems writing this book. ;)

What’s one of your favorite quotes?

Based on my response above, it should come as little surprise that my favorite quote is from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It’s from the end of the movie when Charlie decides not to give evil Slugworth his everlasting gobstopper and instead returns it to Mr. Wonka, even though he feels he was cheated out of a lifetime supply of chocolate. As he leaves the candy, Mr. Wonka covers it with his hand and says, “So shines a good deed in a weary world.” It’s a beautiful moment that makes me tear up every time. 

Lisa, it's been fun talking to you. Can I have a few minutes alone with Shelley? I have a feeling she'll give us some real dirt!

Interview with Lisa Becker's Shelley Manning

Shelley Manning is a confident, sometimes brash tell-it-like-it-is gal with three missions in life: (1) recruit top talent for the evil corporate trolls she works for; (2) recruit top talent for her active social life and; (3) give her best friend Renee the boost she needs to be her very best. 

What's the best pick up line you’ve ever used?

Oh sweetie, I don't use – or need – pick-up lines.

What's the best and worst pick-up line used on you?

Well, that’s a whole ‘nother story. I have heard plenty of them over the years from “Do you believe in love at first sight? Or, "Should I walk by again?” to “Do I know you, because you look a lot like my next girlfriend?”

To be honest, I’m not a big fan. But I certainly don’t mind being complimented. Trust me, even the waiter who calls me “Miss” gets a MUCH better tip than the one who calls me “Ma’am.”

What's the first thing you notice about a guy?

I’m all about a sparkling personality and strong sense of humor. HA! Couldn’t even say that with a straight face. When it comes to the first thing I notice, I’m as superficial as they come - and damn proud of it. Nothing beats a striking set of eyes or bulging biceps to get me going. 

What dating advice would you give?

I just read a great slogan on Facebook, of all places, which I think applies well to dating: “Don’t worry about people talking behind your back because it just means that you are one step ahead of them and they are facing exactly in the right direction to kiss your ass.” 

Seriously, don’t worry about what other people think. Just do what feels good. That’s my motto and believe me, I feel great. 

What dating advice hasn't worked?

When I was 13, my friend’s older sister was reading a new book that had come out and was all the rage called The Rules. It was supposed to change the way men and women relate to each other in dating and was basically about how to snag a husband by not calling a guy back, wearing lots of make-up, and letting him take the lead. My friend and I “borrowed” the book and decided to put those “rules” into practice. Let’s just say when you play hard to get in junior high, you get a reputation as a prude. And that's certainly not how I viewed myself. So, I decided right then and there if I wanted something – or someone – I would go after it. And I won't apologize for it. I seem to be doing something right because I'm loving my fun-filled life.

Is there anyone special in your life right now? 

They’re all special in one way or another. And finding their hidden talents is what makes my life so much fun. 

Like your best friend, have you tried online dating?

As I recall, I joked to Renee that I wouldn’t mind reviewing, chatting with, judging and mocking a whole host of men while looking busy at my desk. But honestly, it’s not for me.  It’s a great idea for her. She needed a gentle but oh-so-swift kick in the ass to get back into the dating scene after that bastard Derek broke her heart. (What a fool! He will never meet anyone better than her.) But, Renee is looking for a relationship and that’s why you date. I’m just looking for a good time and contrary to all of the porn sites online, you don’t need the Internet for that. 

If you had a free day with no responsibilities and your only mission was to enjoy yourself, what would you do?

It all starts with a late lunch at Gladstone’s in Malibu complete with Mojitos and raw oysters on the half shell. (Nothing like an aphrodisiac to get things going.) After a long lunch, my companion and I would drive down the coast back to my place where we engage in some – Wait!  Will any minors have access to this interview? – let’s just call it “adult fun.”  In the early morning, after we’ve had our “fun,” he leaves without any drama, commitments or regrets.  

Other than cuddling, are there any other dating deal breakers?

Smoking (except the occasional cigar, which can be kind of sexy). Cigarette smoking is a nasty habit. Not only does it stink and result in cancer, it causes wrinkles. Wrinkles!

Just between you and me, is there anything going on with you and Mark Finlay?


Finlay?!? Our drunken Valentine's Day hookup is probably one of my most embarrassing moments, which is really saying a lot. If you haven't guessed by now, I've had my fair share of moments where I've been (literally!) caught with my pants down. 

Excerpt from Double Click

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:25 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Should I be worried?

Are you feeling okay?  You don’t have a terminal illness that I, as you very best friend, should be aware of, do you?
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 9:27 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

No, I’m not dying.  Why do you ask?
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:34 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

You just don’t seem like yourself.  That really good looking guy at Flint’s happy hour was totally into you and you…well…you didn’t even really give him a second look.  That’s so out of character for you that I’m just wondering if you are okay.
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 9:37 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
Goodness, girl!  I can’t take a night off of being aroused without arousing suspicion?
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:42 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Ha!  That was funny!

But seriously, you just haven’t seemed your “normal,” make-me-“Greene”-with-envy self for quite a while now and I wanted to make sure you were okay.
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 9:47 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

I’m fine, Sweetie.  And if you haven’t noticed, you don’t need to be – as you’ve joked about it – “Greene” with envy.  You’ve got a great guy.
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:48 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Are you bothered that you don’t have a great guy? 
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 9:54 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

My, oh my.  These emails are becoming so serious.  I just didn’t feel like hooking up last night.  Don’t make it into something bigger than it is. 
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 9:59 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Okay, okay.  But really, we are getting older.  Maybe you are thinking that you want to find that someone special.  Maybe you’ve already found that someone special and it scares you?
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 10:04 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Oh, Sweetie.  The beauty of life (and me, for that matter), is that it doesn’t matter how old you are.  You can still be as immature as you want to be. 
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 10:05 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Come on!  I’m being serious!
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 10:07 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Renee Michele Greene!  If this is another veiled attempt to get me to admit (not that I’m admitting anything!) that I have feeling for Finlay, well, I’m going to scream.  But this is email.  So I will just have to type in ALL CAPS.  Again, I DO NOT LIKE FINLAY!
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 10:09 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?
I hear (read) you.  I hear (read) you.  I will drop the subject.  Just glad to know you aren’t dying. 
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Shelley Manning – August 22, 2012 – 10:10 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Just dying to stop having this conversation. 
____________________________________________________________________________

From:  Renee Greene – August 22, 2012 – 10:12 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject: Re: Should I be worried?

Message received! But thanks for bringing some levity back to things.  I’d better get back to work.  Talk with you later.
____________________________________________________________________________

About the author:

Lisa Becker had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story and Double Click. She is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for you!

Connect with Lisa:
Facebook / Amazon

Excerpt from Click: An Online Love Story

About the book:

Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley, and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical "B" celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man.

Excerpt from Chapter Two

From:  meet@choosejews.com/L’Chiam22 – January 14, 2011 – 5:54 AM
To:  meet@choosejews.com/PRGal1981
Subject:  Shalom

Shalom, PRGal1981.  Don’t know your real name…yet :) 

You seem like a really smart and interesting person and I think we would have a lot in common.  I’m originally from New York – Queens to be specific – but made Alliyah to Israel a little more than 8 years ago.  I had visited when I was 13 for my Bar Mitzvah and felt a spiritual connection to the land and to my people. So, when an opportunity came up to transfer from the Internet company I worked for to the Tel Aviv office, I jumped at it.  When the Internet boom went bust, so did my job.  But I decided to stay and found work as a computer engineer for a software developer. 

I live in Tel Aviv and am looking for a spiritual woman to share a Jewish life with.


From:  Renee Greene – January 14, 2011 – 9:04 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject:  Fwd: Shalom

Okay, so I sent my profile in last night and thought I would take a chance that someone emailed me this morning.  Yes, I know that seems egotistical thinking that someone would email me so quickly after my profile was posted.  And considering it didn’t officially go online until 1:00 am, I’m not sure I want to date anyone who was trolling the Internet for a date in the wee hours of the morning.  But, to be honest, I’m kind of excited about the possibilities.  Imagine that.  Me…being hopeful.  Who knew?  Anyway, I was elated – yes, elated – to find I had a message.  Hurrah!  Then I read it.  He is very religious, is looking for a “spiritual” woman and lives in Israel.  Good lord!  (HA! Maybe that does indeed make me “spiritual” enough for this guy.)  Israel!!! 

Okay, don’t get me wrong.  I have nothing against Israel.  I am one of the Chosen People after all.  And, apparently “chosen” in more ways than one, huh?  But do you picture me living in an area where 1) Most people take the bus – I’m from LA for goodness sake, where we LIVE in our cars.  In fact, I have this theory that no one walks in LA.  But, we all own treadmills.  So, even though it is nice all year long, we won’t walk outside.  We’d rather walk in our houses.  But, I digress.  Back to what’s important here: 2) These buses blow up into fiery messes; 3) And speaking of fiery messes, it is hot in Israel. Yes, yes.  It’s a dry heat.  But you know what?  A blast furnace is a dry heat.  But it’s still HOT and I wouldn’t want to live in it.  Yeah, right.  Like I’m going to start a relationship with some man in Israel.

And, he is so intense about Judaism.  I haven’t been to temple since my nephew’s baby naming three years ago.  Oh, this would NEVER work.  NEVER.

So, how do I get out of this?  Do I ignore his message?  Do I email back and say thanks but no thanks?  Yikes!  I’m not sure what to do? 


From:  Shelley Manning – January 14, 2011 – 10:45 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject:  Re: Fwd: Shalom

Step 1.  Revise your profile.  No spiritual junkies or out of towners accepted. 
Step 2.  Email him back and tell him you are not interested in a long distance thing. 
Step 3.  Laugh your ass off.  He obviously does NOT know you. 

Okay.  So this one isn’t going to work out.  But, to your point, it’s only been a few hours.  And, in this man’s defense, it’s probably not 1:00 am his time.  It’s like two days later and early evening or something.  So, it is flattering that he thinks you are the funny, smart and…okay, maybe not “spiritual” but certainly awesome…person that you really are.  You’re going to get a TON of emails and have your pick of tons of great guys.  Just you wait.  Trust me.

Speaking of great guy, going out again with The Cuddler tonight.  Hoping to break him of his bad habits.  I’m willing to use force if necessary.  Hope he likes it rough ;)  Gotta run. Evil corporate trolls demanding reports.  Call me tonight.  Mwah! Mwah!


From:  meet@choosejews.com/PRGal1981 – January 14, 2011 – 11:30 AM
To:  meet@choosejews.com/ L’Chiam22
Bcc:  Shelley Manning
Subject:  Shalom back

Dear L’Chiam22.  Thank you very much for your nice email.  I must confess yours is the first email I’ve received.  It’s quite flattering, especially to have someone from so far away take an interest.  Thank you.  But, I also must confess that I’m looking to meet someone local.  So, best of luck in meeting that woman of your dreams.  I’m sure she’s out there. 


From:  Shelley Manning – January 14, 2011 – 11:34 AM
To:  Renee Greene
Subject:  Re: Shalom back

Nicely done, sweetie.  Ever the diplomat. 


From:  Renee Greene – January 14, 2011 – 11:47 AM
To:  Shelley Manning
Subject:  Re: Shalom back

It’s so much easier to reject someone over the Internet than in real life.  Score one for online dating!

About the author:

Lisa Becker had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story and Double Click.  She is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters.  So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for you!

Follow Lisa on Facebook here
Buy Click on Amazon

Twenty Questions With Lisa Becker

Lisa Becker, author of Click: An Online Love Story, stopped by and accepted the challenge to my new feature--Twenty Questions. The questions are short and sweet but help us get to know Lisa.

1.    Love or money? 

My husband and I met 12 years ago when he was a poor, struggling medical resident and I was a successful PR executive. He always joked this would be his marriage for money and the next time he married, it would be for love. I always respond that my next marriage will be for looks. HA! In all seriousness, it's definitely love.

2.    Plain or peanut?



Peanut. I can justify eating more because I’m getting protein. 

3.    Beef or chicken?  



Neither. Nearly a year ago, I read Michael Pollan’s nonfiction book, In Defense of Food, which examines the western diet and its effect on our health. His advice is simple: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” That, coupled with a viewing of a documentary called Forks Over Knives, which examines how many degenerative diseases can be controlled or reversed with a whole-food, plant-based diet, changed my life. I’m now nearly a year into being a vegetarian and have never felt better.

4.    Coffee or tea?   



Neither.  Believe it or not, I’ve never had a cup of coffee. Ever. I tried it once and didn’t like it, so I never tried it again. Sadly, I fell in love with chocolate after the first taste and haven’t stopped. My thighs can attest to that, believe me. So, I suppose a hot chocolate with a big dollop of whipped cream would be my go-to choice.

5.    Oxford comma: yes or no?  



Thank goodness for Google! I had no idea what an Oxford comma was.Now that I’ve been educated, I say no. Not a fan. Seems extraneous.

6.    Hardback or Kindle?



I’ve surprised myself and become a Kindle girl. I always thought I would be married to physical books, but I love the freedom, ease and portability of my Kindle. 

7.    Salty or sweet? 



Oooh…put them together and you’ve hit gold!

8.    City or country? 



I’m a city girl at heart. I love museums, shopping, historical sites, movies, malls and all of the hustle and bustle that comes with big city living. 

9.    Dog or cat?  



Neither.  With two active little girls (and a husband who sometimes acts like a third child), I don’t have time for a pet. 

10.    Fame or fortune?



Fortune!  I live in Los Angeles where famous people (and I use this term loosely, as many are famous for the most inane reasons) are a dime a dozen. I’d rather be one in a million by having millions.

11.    Laptop or desktop? 



Desktop. I like a big screen and full-sized keyboard when I’m writing. Oh, and I like to write with the television on in the background. When I first started writing, I was obsessed with Law & Order reruns. Now, I can’t seem to get enough of NCIS. I guess there’s a part of me that likes to see justice served. 

12.    Health food or junk food?  



Health food, of course. I make well-informed food choices. I buy organic and locally-grown produce. I’m an excellent role model for my children and instill good eating habits in them. Oh, who the heck am I kidding? It’s junk food. I have candy and cookies hidden all over the house. You don’t get a body like this munching on kale all day, my friends. 

13.    Mountains or beach?  



I live in a part of Los Angeles County called Manhattan Beach, less than two miles from the ocean. I love walking along the strand, looking out over the ocean, searching for dolphins and playing in the sand with my girls. 

14.    Gourmet or diner?



Take the diner chow, make it gourmet and you’ve got yourself a winner. Nothin’ I love more than a high-end version of mac ‘n’ cheese. 

15.    Sweet or unsweet? (Tea of course.)  



True story: After graduate school I moved to Atlanta to work at a boutique PR firm.   During the 1996 Olympics, I wrote the “Official Grits Guide to Atlanta” as part of a guerilla marketing effort for Quaker. I got quoted in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as saying, “I’ve eaten grits once in my life. It’s corn. Who knew?” After that embarrassing mistake, I have learned my lesson. It’s sweet tea. My dear Southern Belle friends, the Skinner sisters, would be so proud.

16.    Humor or drama?  



Humor! I get enough drama dealing with the other moms in the PTA.
 
17.    Dr. Seuss or Mr. Spock? 



Dear Dr. Seuss makes my heart sing. He’s taught me many an important thing. He’s all about kindness and being true. True the very best parts of you. So if I had to choose, make a good choice, I’d pick Dr. Seuss, who helped give me a voice. 

18.    Halloween or Christmas? 



Halloween! As previously established, I’m all about candy. My girls come home with huge buckets full of the stuff and get to keep as many pieces as they are years old. The rest is left for the “Halloween Fairy” who whisks the candy away and leaves a toy or book. Then the Fairy (read: me) eats the candy. It’s the BEST!

19.    Spring or fall? 



Fall.  I love wearing a sweater and sunglasses at the same time. Feeling the cool breeze and being all nestled and cozy, but still feeling the warm sun on my face is fantastic. I live in the Los Angeles area where it’s pretty much the same all year long. But I went to graduate school in Boston and seeing the leaves change in fall was really a miracle of nature. Plus, I have to flash too much skin in the summer and spring. No one wants to see that, trust me. (Are you noticing a self-deprecating pattern here or what?!?)

20.    Morning or night? 

Late morning/early afternoon is when I’m at my best. Good thing that’s when I was answering these questions.  ;)   



About Lisa:

Lisa Becker had endured her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates, many of which inspired Click: An Online Love Story and Double Click. She is now happily married to a wonderful man she met online and lives in Manhattan Beach with him and their two daughters. So, if it happened for her, there’s hope for you!

Find Lisa on Facebook
Buy the book on Amazon

      Trailer for Click: An Online Love Story