Shirley Hailstock says “Some Like Them Rich”

by Lisa Dale on 28. Feb, 2011 in Book Lovers Contest, Interview: Writers on Writing

Hi all!

I’ve got a great treat today. Writer Shirley Hailstock is here today to tell us a little about her latest release (and to give away a copy to a reader anywhere)!

To enter to win, just leave a comment!

A bit about Shirley (she’s very impressive!): Shirley Hailstock began her writing life as a lover of reading. She likes nothing better than to find a quiet corner where she can get lost in a book, explore new worlds and visit places she never expected to see. As an author, she can not only visit those places, but she can be the heroine of her own stories. The author of twenty-five novels and novellas, Shirley has received numerous awards, including theWaldenbooks Bestselling Romance Award and The Emma Merritt Award from Romance Writers of America. Romantic Times Magazine awarded her a Career Achievement Award and The New York Chapter of Romance Writers of America gave her theirApple Award for Lifetime Achievement. In addition, one of her books was included in the the Top 100 Romances of the 20thCentury list and she is a recipient of Fairleigh Dickinson University’s highest award, the Pinnacle. Shirley is a past president of Romance Writers of America and the current president of the New Jersey Chapter. Her books have appeared on Blackboard and Library Journal Best Seller Lists.

Shirley, you are such an accomplished writers: You’re listed for Best Books of the 20th Century, you have a Romance Writers of America Artemis Awards, a Romantic Times book review award for Career Achievement, new novel just coming out…Okay–spill! What’s your secret? What keeps you going?

The sheer joy of writing keeps me going. I love the process. I love creating new characters, bringing them to life, finding out what they are about and what story they have to tell. It’s exciting and interesting. It gives me energy and I keep going until I complete the book.

I also set goals for myself. I want to write a certain number of pages and I head for it. I don’t beat myself up if I don’t make it. I know life happens. And I go with it. But I think making my goal is fantastic, and not making it will be all right, I free to create. And my muse works with me.

Tell us about your new book!

My March release is called Some Like Them Rich. It’s a little of a departure from my usual romances in that this one involves not one heroine, but three of them. Friends since childhood, these three women are nearing their thirtieth birthdays and unmarried. They decide to spend the summer finding husbands – rich husbands. With a definite nod to How to Marry a Millionaire, the three head for the one place where rich, black men under fifty can be found – Martha’s Vineyard. Publisher’s Weekly had this to say about Some Like them Rich: “Hailstock’s characters and situations feel vividly real, and her portrayals of African-American professional women looking for love and security will resonate with all readers.”

Where can readers learn more about you?

Readers can check my web page http://www.shirleyhailstock.net/ (which is always under construction) for information. I also have a newsletter they can subscribe to. To join it send an e-mail to

ShirleyHailstock-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

One or two word answer questions:

What you ate for breakfast: Coffee and raisin toast

Last book you loved: Smart Women Finish Rich By David Bach

Thing that will make you smile later today: A new Contract

One unusual thing in your purse: Lottery Tickets

READERS: Leave a comment to enter to win!

22 Responses to “Shirley Hailstock says “Some Like Them Rich””

  1. Susie Pipkins 01. Mar, 2011 at 12:07 am #

    Have always enjoyed Shirley, She was past Preident of RWA. Wonderful person and books =)
    I willbe looking forward to her newest book coming out !!
    Thank you for the contest,Lisa
    Warmest Regards,
    Susie

  2. Anne Martel 01. Mar, 2011 at 12:17 am #

    Just wanted to stop by an say “Hi Shirley!’ Some Like Them Rich is up next in my tbr pile (well, mountain more than pile! ;-) ) Can’t wait to read it.

    I miss you and all of ‘my’ wonderful NJ ladies. Hope to make it up to RWA in June and hopefully this time we will actually get to chat as opposed to just passing each other by in Oct. in Jersey.

    Till then,
    Many hugs,
    Anne

  3. Pat L. 01. Mar, 2011 at 3:36 am #

    Cover looks very intriguing. Count me in.

  4. Pat L. 01. Mar, 2011 at 3:39 am #

    Whoops, didnt see the questions:

    What you ate for breakfast: Coffee and raisin toast – RICE CAKE WITH CC AND JELLY AND COFFEE

    Last book you loved: Smart Women Finish Rich By David Bach – HERE TO STAY – CATHERINE ANDERSON

    Thing that will make you smile later today: A new Contract – IF I SEE MY GRANDBABY

    One unusual thing in your purse: Lottery Tickets – LOOSE TIC TACS

  5. karenk 01. Mar, 2011 at 1:57 pm #

    i’m interested…please count me in…thanks :)

  6. Andrea I 01. Mar, 2011 at 2:41 pm #

    Count me in. It looks like an entertaining book.

  7. Jeanne Miro 01. Mar, 2011 at 2:48 pm #

    Lisa and Shirley -

    This book sounds just like what we all need to help get in the soon to be warm weather spirit!

    My only complaint is that it’s set in Martha’s Vineyard – why not Block Island, Rhode Island? It’s the best little unknown secret place to go during the summer – not as crowded as the Vineyard and no photographers following people around. Beautiful beaches and nature preserves with plenty of bike paths to travel.

    All our beaches in Rhode Island are beautiful and just a short drive away!

  8. Lisa Dale 01. Mar, 2011 at 2:56 pm #

    Pat, Loose tic tacs are evil! So hard to clean up!

    Jeanne, I’ve never been to Block Island, but can’t wait to go. I actually wrote about it in my new book, Slow Dancing on Price’s Pier. Had to use my imagination and of course did a lot of research. But I will get there in person–as opposed to just in my head–one of these days!

  9. Jeanne Miro 01. Mar, 2011 at 3:23 pm #

    Lisa, just let me know when you plan to visit and I’ll meet you down in Galilee and buy you some clam cakes and chowder before you get on the Ferry!

    They have not only the regular ferry now about also a high-speed ferry. Save the money and take the regular ferry – you’ll get to enjoy the ride and the view for longer!

  10. Diana Quincy 01. Mar, 2011 at 3:27 pm #

    Hi Shirley,

    “Some Like Them Rich” sounds like a lot of fun. Professional, unmarried women looking for love (and money) is a theme so many of us can relate to. It sounds like a great movie idea too!

  11. Beverly Maisey 01. Mar, 2011 at 3:28 pm #

    Nice column. Not only is Shirley a wonderful writer, she’s also an incredibly nice person who deserves all the success. Congratulations and keep on writing.

  12. Estella 01. Mar, 2011 at 10:49 pm #

    Sounds like a great read! Best friends is a favorite theme of mine—especially when they all go man hunting at the same time/place.

  13. Marlo Berliner 01. Mar, 2011 at 11:52 pm #

    Hi Shirley!
    I love friendship stories – your book sounds awesome! I’ve heard great things about Martha’s Vineyard – it’s on my list of places to visit someday. And I agree with Diana, your book sounds like it would make a great movie. Wishing you many sales!
    Hi Lisa!
    Count me in for the contest! And I can’t wait to read Slow Dancing on Price’s Pier – your title reminds me of that song from the 70′s – “slow dancing, swaying to the music, no one else in the whole wide world” – I’m sure I’m butchering the lyrics, LOL – I can’t even remember who its by, but it’s still one of my favorite oldies when it comes on the radio. Wishing you bunches of sales, too!
    ~Marlo

  14. Leni 02. Mar, 2011 at 12:19 am #

    I love the concept of this book and How to Marry A Millionaire is a favorite movie. Have any other movies inspired your writing?

  15. Pat Cochran 02. Mar, 2011 at 2:01 am #

    Nice to meet you, Shirley! I’m looking forward to this read!

    Pat Cochran

  16. Shirley Hailstock 02. Mar, 2011 at 3:56 am #

    Thank you all for the comments. I haven’t figured out how to answer the messages individually. And of course, what I can see is the last message left. I will answer the person who wanted to know why Martha’s Vineyard. The reason was stated in the book. Huge number of successful black men go to Martha’s Vineyard in the summer. So my characters headed there to find a rich husband.

  17. Shirley Hailstock 02. Mar, 2011 at 3:58 am #

    Leni,

    I get inspired by a lot of movies. The book THE RIGHT WEDDING GOWN was inspired by the movie NATIONAL TREASURE. My character was a documentarian and when I saw how well the Declaration of Independence is protected, I thought having someone who did that kind of work would make a wonderful book.

  18. Shirley Hailstock 02. Mar, 2011 at 4:01 am #

    Anne,

    It’s always great to see you.

  19. Brenda Rupp 02. Mar, 2011 at 4:53 am #

    Sounds like a great book. Shirley – I like Raisen Toast too! ~ : )
    I would love to win the book.

  20. mary k 02. Mar, 2011 at 10:41 am #

    This sounds like an awesome read. It’s nice to meet you shirley. Raisin toast is the best!

  21. Mary Preston 03. Mar, 2011 at 8:46 am #

    I love the premise for “Some Like Them Rich”. Another book to add to my ever growing list. Cheers!!

  22. Lisa Dale 07. Mar, 2011 at 1:08 am #

    Thanks to all for commenting! And thanks to Shirley for her wonderful interview!

    This contest is now closed. I’m about to pick a winner!

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