Today on Love Books Group Blog we welcome Author Jennifer Irwin. This is A Dress the Colour of Sky’s publication day! (17/10/2017). Thanks so very much Jennifer for stopping back. A review will follow very soon on LBG Blog.
For too many years, Prudence Aldrich has been numbing the pain in her life with random sexual encounters. Her marriage to cold, self-centered Nick is, not surprisingly, on the rocks. But after several dangerous experiences with strangers, Prudence finally realizes the needs therapy to stop her self-destructive behaviour, and so she checks into the Serenity Hills rehab centre.
Prudence blames herself for her irresponsible behaviour and is filled with self-loathing. She’s convinced she is completely at fault for Nick’s manipulative attitude and believes with therapy, she can return their relationship to its idyllic beginnings. However, her therapist and the other members of her rehab group see the person behind the pain. As Prudence learns for about herself and the reasons for her behaviour, including startling revelations about her childhood, she begins to understand the basis for her lack of sexual self-respect. She also learns she is not entirely to blame for the failure of her marriage. With the positive reinforcement of everyone at Serenity Hills, Prudence learns not to define herself by her past. But moving forward would mean letting go of Nick for good, and Prudence isn’t sure she can.
Exclusive Interview with Jennifer Irwin
A native New Yorker and captivating storyteller with a flair for embellishment, Jennifer Irwin currently resides in Los Angeles with two cats, a dog and her boyfriend. After earning her BA in Cinema from Denison University, she worked in advertising and marketing raised three boys, and ultimately became a certified Pilates instructor. While she has written screenplays and short stories since her college days, A Dress the Color of the Sky is her first novel.
- What book first ignited your love of reading?
The book that ignited my love of reading was A Cricket in Times Square by George Selden. This was the first book I could remember which made me think and feel. Once I finished it, I was hooked on reading and never stopped.
- If your current book had a theme song, what would it be and why?
The theme song of my book would be Dear Prudence because the protagonist’s name is Prudence Aldrich.
- Which book have you read more than once?
There are a few books that I have read more than once: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt, Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck.
- Do you plan your writing or go with the flow?
This book I didn’t plan at all and it took me quite a long time to write it so I’m rethinking my writing process and seeing if planning works for me. I’m not sure it will because I tend to binge write which is not conducive to planning!
- Do you enjoy the editing process?
I actually did enjoy editing A Dress the Color of the Sky because my editor, Vince Font was amazing to work with. We had the same work ethic to focus and move things along in a timely manner. It wasn’t long and drawn out which might have been totally agonizing for me.
- If you could what advice would you give your sixteen year old self?
The advice I would give my sixteen-year-old self is to love yourself.
- Do you read your book reviews?
My book reviews have just started rolling in from the advanced copies I sent out a few weeks ago and I love reading them. I get so excited when a review comes in! Thus far, the reviews have exceeded my expectations and I couldn’t be happier. It’s so fun to read what someone thinks about your book and believe me, I know not everyone will love it so I just have to thicken up my skin and take the good with the bad.
- What is your opinion on social media and it’s unique gift of connecting writer and reader instantly?
I absolutely love social media. I owe this interview to the fact that you and I met on twitter. It amazes me how many book lovers are on social media. The number of followers some of the bigger bloggers have on Instagram is just insane. It has been fun to see how many people love to read and talk about the books their reading. I’m incredibly grateful for social media because it has been an avenue for me to share the news of my book launch with the world. I make a point to answer all messages and thank people for reposting and retweeting. I’m incredibly grateful for everyone’s support!
- If you could give one literary villain a happier ending, who would you pick and why?
I would make the White Witch in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe lose her power to turn children to stone and instead of killing Christmas, she spends most of the book planning a perfect holiday for the kids.
- If your book could come with a preemptive message for the reader, what would yours say?
Nothing is ever as it seems.
- What are you currently reading?
Mrs Fletcher by Tom Perrotta.
- Where did you get the inspiration for your current novel?
I was inspired to write A Dress the Color of the Sky to heal from the pain of a broken marriage. What started as a personal journey of healing turned into a four-year project. The other inspiration to write the book came from a fascination with the difference between the male and female sex drive. It started when Tiger Woods and a few actors came out that they had been diagnosed as sex addicts and I wondered why there weren’t more women doing the same.
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