Plan Bea by Hilary Grossman **Interview, Review & Giveaway**

Plan Bea by Hilary Grossman **Interview, Review & Giveaway**

Hey Everyone!

I'd love to introduce you to Hilary Grossman, who is on tour with her latest novel, Plan Bea.

Hilary Grossman loves to find humor in everyday life. She has an unhealthy addition to denim and high heel shoes. She likens life to a game of dodge ball - she tries to keep as many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. When she isn't writing, blogging, or shoe shopping she is the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer. She lives on the beach in Long Island.

Connect with Hilary via


Interview

Your first novel, Dangled Carat, was autobiographical. How much of Plan Bea is based on personal experience?


The majority of Plan Bea is completely fictional. My relationship with my mother is the complete opposite of Annabel and Beatrice’s. My mom is my best friend, and I talk to her at least daily. However there is a lot of me, and the people in my life, scattered into the story. For example, there is a scene in the book where Annabel and Cecelia are at a difficult client’s office. It was a boiling hot day and they weren’t offered a glass of water. That actually happened to me.


There was another scene where Annabel was telling her mother about how her husband always wanted to be an architect. She shared that as a little boy he drew a senior citizen home to scale but titled it Senior S-I-T-I-Z-E-N. My husband did that when he was a child.




Did you know how Plan Bea was going to end when you started writing? Are you a plotter or a pantser?


I am a combination of both. When I started writing the book I knew exactly how the twist ending would play out. However, I didn’t see the sequel coming until the very end when the good judge showed up to officiate the wedding. There were several times when Annabel and Beatrice had heated conversations and completely took over. I remember after I wrote the scene when they were in the diner I gasped. I took my fingers off the keyboard and muttered to my screen, “Annabel I had no idea that happened….” She totally shocked me!



Which character do you relate to most and why?


I relate most to Annabel. I think she and I have a lot of the same personality characteristics. I think that if I were put in the situations that she was I would have handled everything very similarly.



Do you listen to music when you write?


Sometimes, but usually not.


Cats or dogs? Ha ha just kidding, we all know it's cats.


HA! Now it is my turn to laugh because my answer may not be what you think J. Yes, right now I am a huge cat lover. I adore my girl Lucy, who I swear is the feline version of me. But for the majority of my life I was a dog girl all the way! In fact I hated cats. When I met Mr. Commitment-Phobic and I learned he had a cat I was convinced our relationship was doomed. I never imagined I would fall in love with his cat, and cats in general.



Hmmm, how about this one. Summer or winter?


Summer! I love it hot and I love hanging out on the beach. The only thing I like about the winter is making a fire. But I would gladly give that up for warm temperatures every day!



Silver or gold?


I go through phases… Right now I prefer silver.



Camping or luxury?


I am a luxury girl all the way. I have zero desire to go camping. Roughing it doesn’t appeal to me at all. Although, after surviving Hurricane Sandy, where the majority of my house was severely damaged and we didn’t have electricity for over five weeks, I know that I actually would be an amazing camper.



Are you working on anything else at the moment? (Please say the sequel!!!)


Yes, I am working on the sequel to Plan Bea, Plan Cee. I took the summer off, but I am getting back into my writing groove.



Is there anything else you would like to share with us?


I just want to say thank you for welcoming me to your blog!


Plan Bea by Hilary Grossman

How well do you really know the people in your life?

Annabel O’Conner has the perfect husband, two adorable children, an amazing job, and the mother from hell! Annabel doesn’t like it but has come to terms with the fact that her relationship with her mother, Bea, deteriorated to the point of forced and strained communications. However, an unscheduled call from Bea turns her world around and makes Annabel question everything she believed about her life.

Despite the fact secrets, lies, and misplaced blame have destroyed the women’s relationship; Annabel reluctantly agrees to help Bea plan her wedding. Little does Annabel know the impact of her decision.

In this Women’s Contemporary Fiction novel, Hilary Grossman explores the complex relationship that exists between mothers and daughters in a light-hearted and relatable manner.
 




Hey! Here's my review.

Plan Bea is a wonderful exploration of a mother and daughter trying to rebuild a broken relationship. There were moments that made me laugh, moments that choked me up and moments I just wanted to slap someone.

The characters were well developed and I found Annabel likeable and relatable, as for her mother Bea..... see the last point in the previous sentence.

This is the second of Hilary's books I've read and I'm really looking forward to the next one (You big tease Hilary! Leave me hanging like that! Now hurry up and publish Plan Cee!) I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.


★★★★★ 


  • Where: Author Invitation
  • Format: ebook
Purchase link





Yesterday was Hilary's birthday
Here's a giveaway to celebrate!