What
are your Favorite: food, beverage, pet, place visited, place you would like to
visit, car, etc?
Favorite food: Chocolate and bread are tied
for first place.
Favorite beverage: wine—I’m a big fan of
Washington wines, which is why I wrote The Vineyard at Painted Moon, a book
that came out in 2021.
Favorite pet: A mom isn’t supposed to have
favorites, but I’ll confess just to you—Alex, my cat, is my guy. He always
wants to be close to me, and I love that, too. You’ll often see him when I do
virtual events, usually demanding dinner and affection, in that order. I do
love my dog Kelli, too, but she’s more into her daddy than she is me.
Favorite place visited: My husband and I enjoy
cruises. We’ve visited so many wonderful places, but one country whose beauty
surprised me was Estonia. It’s filled with historical character and charm, and
the people are warm and delightful.
I also love visiting my hometown, Los Angeles.
That’s why I set The Boardwalk Bookshop in LA, so I could spend a few months in
California—in my imagination, that is.
Place I would like to visit: Our next cruise
will be to the British Isles, and I’m very excited. I’ll share pictures on
Facebook and Instagram. I’m @susanmallery in both places, if you’d like to
travel there vicariously.
Favorite car: My husband’s a total car guy.
I’m mostly indifferent, though there are features I love. Heated seats are very
nice, but a heated steering wheel is true luxury. When I need to know what kind
of car a character would drive, I describe the character to Mr. Mallery and let
him decide.
Tell
us about your latest book, who is the main character(s) and what can we expect
when we pick it up?
The Boardwalk Bookshop
is about three strangers—Bree, Mikki and Ashley—who lease a beachfront retail
location together and the friendship that blossoms among them. Bree owns the
bookshop, Mikki the gift shop, and Ashley the bakery. I wanted to explore the
transformative power of friendship. Because
they have one another, these women are empowered with the strength and courage
to change their lives. The Boardwalk Bookshop is an
emotional, uplifting story that you’ll finish with a happy sigh. And I hope it
will inspire you to strengthen your own bonds of friendship.
Bree is one of the most wounded characters
I’ve ever written—hurt by neglectful parents when she was young, and by
repeating that pattern with the man she married. Now widowed, she’s determined
to protect herself at all costs. Then Ashley’s brother comes to her bookshop, a
motivational author and adventurer who has inspired the world with his story. .
. and teaches her that loneliness is a choice she doesn’t have to make. If only
she can find the courage to risk her heart again.
Mikki is kind of rocking her divorce, or so
she thinks. She and her ex have remained friends, and the whole family still
celebrates holidays together. But when she starts dating again and meets a guy
with real potential, things get messy fast. Mikki is one of those women who
goes into mom mode for anyone in need of nurturing. She also has a wicked sense
of humor and a very special, secret relationship that I know will make readers
laugh. And maybe blush.
The youngest of the three friends, Ashley is
deeply in love with the guy of her dreams. And he loves her, too! Finally, she
found The One. Except she’s about to discover that Seth doesn’t believe in
marriage. He believes that love is stronger when people make a choice every day
to stay together. Can she be happy with him forever, even if she never becomes
his wife?
Which
of the characters in The Boardwalk
Bookshop would you want to have a drink/coffee and a chat with?
I love them all, but if I have to choose, I’ll
go with Bree. She’s the most complicated and the most snarky, and I find
snarky, complicated women endlessly amusing. Plus, she owns a bookshop! Hello!
The
Boardwalk Bookshop : A Novel
Susan
Mallery
On Sale Date: May 31, 2022
9780778386087
Trade Paperback
$16.99 USD
ABOUT
THE BOOK:
With her unique brand of witty, emotional
storytelling, Susan Mallery's latest is a heartfelt tale of friendship between
three women brought together by chance who open a bookshop together on the
boardwalk of the California beaches and ultimately become one another's family.
Fans of Elin Hilderbrand, Robyn Carr and Susan Wiggs will love The Boardwalk Bookshop!
Brought together by chance, Bree, Mikki, and
Ashley become fast friends and open up a beachfront bookshop together, bringing
together their three different businesses. To celebrate, each Friday at sunset
they pop open champagne on the beach and enjoy the sunset together. Little did
they know that that chance meeting and this simple ritual would make them one
another’s family.
Bree owns the bookshop. Funny that she can’t
stand authors. They’re far too demanding. But when NYT bestselling author
Harding Burton, the memoirist who wrote about being paralyzed as a teenager and
how he fought his way back, comes in, Bree never expected to actually like him.
But anything beyond casual sex is out of the question for her. She trusts no
one—a brutal first marriage and a painful childhood taught her well. Still as
much as she wants to walk away, she can’t quite do it…
Ashley, Harding’s brother, owns the muffin shop
and she has her own problems. She’s been happily in love with her boyfriend,
Seth, for eight years. He’s thoughtful, supportive, kind, generous…but he
hasn’t proposed and, she can’t hold it in any longer. When he announces that
marriage isn’t for him, she’s shocked. And as much as she wishes this was
enough, the truth is that she wants to be married. But what now?
And Mikki, the gift shop owner, is getting a
second chance. She married her high school sweetheart, but three kids and
completely different interests made them drift apart until they divorced a few
years ago. They’re still close for the kids, but when someone new enters her
life, he makes her feel appreciated and alive. Suddenly Mikki’s ex is making
her dinner and asking her advice and Mikki must choose between the man she
loved and let go of—and a chance for a brand new beginning.
BUY
LINKS:
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/books/the-boardwalk-bookshop-9780778333296/9780778333296
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-boardwalk-bookshop-susan-mallery/1140127614?ean=9780778386087
Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Boardwalk-Bookshop/Susan-Mallery/9780778386087?id=8318065423495
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-boardwalk-bookshop-susan-mallery/1140127614?ean=9780369718433
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Susan_Mallery_The_Boardwalk_Bookshop?id=KBZBEAAAQBAJ
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-boardwalk-bookshop/id1584336225
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-boardwalk-bookshop
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Boardwalk-Bookshop-Paperback-9780778386087/560857236
Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-boardwalk-bookshop-by-susan-mallery/-/A-84881665?preselect=84397825
Teaser Excerpt:
Chapter One
“I thought there’d be more sex.”
Bree Larton stared at her seventy-something-year-old
customer, not sure how to respond. Bursting out laughing would be inappropriate
and Ruth would take offense. “You need to tell me what you want so I can get
you the right book,” Bree said with a gentle smile. “You wanted a political
thriller. Most of them aren’t sexy.”
Ruth, barely five feet tall but feisty as a badger, pursed
her lips. “Not true. James Bond has sex all the time and he spends his day
saving the world. I want a book like that. Ticking bombs, financial collapse,
kidnappings and then everyone jumps into bed.” She winked. “That would be a
good book.”
“I can do a sexy thriller. Maybe international?” Bree
started walking toward that section of the bookstore. “A couple of options come
to mind. Now, on the sexy part—do you want monogamy or can the partners play
around?”
Ruth’s eyes brightened. “I’d like them to play around, but
nothing too kinky. And no groups. That’s just too hard to keep track of.”
Bree held in a chuckle. “All right. We’ll limit the body
parts, add a little European flair.” She held out a book with a hunky guy on
the cover. “If you like this one, the author has five more stories waiting for
you.”
Ruth, an unnaturally yellow blonde wearing cherry-red
lipstick, clutched the book to her narrow chest. “I’ll take it.”
Bree suggested several additional authors. Ruth browsed for
a few more minutes, then carried a stack of books to the register.
“I think I would have been a good sidekick for James Bond.”
Ruth passed over her credit card. “Back in the day, I was quite the looker.”
“You still are,” Bree told her.
Ruth waved away the comment. “I’m too old for espionage, but
I wouldn’t say no to dinner with a charming man.” Her smile turned sly. “I’ll
just have to keep living vicariously through you.”
“Sadly, I’m lacking a man these days.”
Ruth leaned close. “What I admire about you, Bree, is that
you’re not holding out for love. You go after what you want. When I was your
age, that wasn’t an option. Not in polite society anyway. I was born in the
wrong time.”
Bree honest to God had no idea what to say. “I guess we have
to work with what we have.” She tucked a flyer into the shopping bag. “Harding
Burton is signing here in a couple of weeks.”
Ruth looked at the poster next to the counter. Her bright
red lips curved into a smile. “He’s a good-looking man.”
Bree mentally shrugged. “I suppose.”
“You don’t think he’s exceptionally handsome? Those eyes,
that smile. Isn’t he the one who was hit by a car and left for dead on the side
of the road when he was just a teenager?” Ruth clucked her tongue. “So tragic.
But he pulled through and walked again and now look at him.” Her gaze darted to
Bree. “You should have your way with him and then tell me all about it.”
Bree held in a wince. “First, I’d never tell you about it
and second, I don’t date authors.”
Between her late husband and her parents, she knew enough
about the type to want to avoid them forever. At least on a personal basis.
Work-wise, she was stuck. What with owning a bookstore and all.
“Harding seems exception-worthy,” Ruth told her. “He might
have some interesting scars you could trace and—”
Bree held up her hands in the shape of a T. “Stop right
there. If you’re interested in Harding’s scars, go for him. How could he resist
you?”
“I’m old enough to be his mother.”
Grandmother, Bree mentally corrected, but kept silent. She
had a soft spot for the ever-outspoken Ruth.
“Maybe he’s into older women,” she said instead.
“Wouldn’t that be nice.”
Ruth was still laughing when Bree walked her out of the
store. Anson, Ruth’s driver, was waiting in the no-parking fire lane. Anson
helped Ruth into the Mercedes. Bree stayed outside until the car drove away.
Early evening on the beach in Los Angeles was nearly always
magical but in June, if the skies cleared, it was the stuff of dreams. Warm
air, palm trees, sand and surf. Honestly, she shouldn’t admit to having any
real problems in her life. Even Ruth’s impossible book requests were
insignificant when compared with the view outside the front door of her store.
Until six months ago, Driftaway Books had been located about
two miles north and a good three blocks inland from the actual beach. Last
fall, when the current space had come up on the market, Bree had stopped in to
drool and dream. But beachfront came at a premium, and the square footage had
been nearly double what she’d needed.
In one of those rare moments when fate stepped in and
offered an unexpected opportunity, that very day two other women business
owners had also been swooning over the same retail space. They’d agreed it was
an unbelievable location, right there on the sand, but it had also been too big
and expensive for each of them.
Impulsively, Bree had suggested they go get coffee together.
Over the next hour they’d discussed the possibility of sharing the lease. Bree
generally didn’t trust people until she got to know them, but there had been
something about Mikki and Ashley that had made her want to take a chance. By
the end of the week Driftaway Books, The Gift Shop and Muffins to the Max had
signed a ten-year lease and hired a contractor to remodel. Bree had changed the
name of Driftaway Books to The Boardwalk Bookshop, the final step in fully
claiming the business as her own. The first Monday after the holidays, they’d
moved in together.
Bree looked at the long, low building. Huge display windows
were shaded by blue-and-white-striped awnings. The large glass doors could
slide completely open, blurring the line between retail and sand. She and
Mikki, the gift-store owner, had their stores on either side, with Ashley’s
muffin selection taking up the middle space.
Big, bright displays showcased books, gifts and muffins,
grouped together in seasonal themes. An array of beach books, sunscreen,
flip-flops and wide-brimmed hats enticed tourists who had shown up to the beach
unprepared.
Bree headed back inside, aware of the approaching sunset.
She collected blankets and champagne glasses, then paused to straighten the
poster announcing a book signing by Jairus Sterenberg, author of the
popular Brad the Dragon children’s books. Jairus lived in
next-door Mischief Bay and was always a pleasure at signings. He was one of the
few authors Bree liked. He arrived early, stayed late and asked only for a desk
and a glass of water. The man even brought his own pens.
At the other end of the spectrum was a not-to-be-named
famous mystery author who was a total nightmare. Demanding, slightly drunk and
very handsy, he’d patted her butt one too many times at his last signing and
had been banned from the store. Despite pleas from his publicist and a written
apology from the author himself, Bree had stood firm. She owned The Boardwalk
Bookshop and she made the rules. No literary books, no existential anything and
no guys touching women without their permission. Not exactly earth-shattering,
but she could only control her little corner of the world.
Mikki saw her and smiled.
“Once again, we’re waiting for Ashley. Have you noticed
that?”
“Young people today,” Bree teased.
Mikki, a generally upbeat kind of person, with thick blond
hair and more curves than Bree and Ashley combined, laughed. “I like that. I’m
only ten years older than her, so if she’s young, then I’m less old than I
thought. Maybe I won’t mind turning forty this fall.”
“You’re not seriously worried about it, are you?”
Mikki wrinkled her nose. “I don’t know. Sometimes. Maybe.
Forty sounds a lot worse than thirty-something.”
“Forty is the new twenty-five.”
Mikki’s humor returned. “If I’m twenty-five, then Ashley’s
barely eleven. That could create some legal issues with our lease.” She waved
the bottle of champagne she held. “Come on. This needs our attention. When
Ashley’s done texting love notes to Seth, she knows where to find us.”
They left the store and walked out onto the sand. With the
approach of sunset, the temperature had cooled and the Friday crowd had
cleared. The sky had started to darken, while the part that kissed the ocean
still glowed bright blue with a hint of yellow.
To their left were a grove of palm trees, a handful of
kiosks and a boardwalk that went all the way to Redondo Beach. To the right
were more shops and restaurants, benches, parking and hotels. In front of them
was the Pacific Ocean. Big, blue and tonight, unexpectedly calm.
They stopped about thirty feet from the shore and sat on the
blankets. Mikki held up the champagne.
“Perrier-Jouët Blason Rosé,” she said proudly. “Ladies Know
Wine gave it 93 points and said it had ‘delicious hints of sweet earthiness
that complement fruit flavors including strawberry and peach with a hint of
spice in this perfectly balanced rosé champagne.’”
Bree grinned. “I don’t know which is more impressive. That
you’re branching out from traditional champagne or that you can quote a Ladies
Know Wine review that well.”
“I love Ladies Know Wine. I savor every issue. If Ladies
Know Wine were a man, I would make him fall in love with me. Then we’d have
sex.”
“Earl would be crushed.”
Mikki unwrapped the pink foil and tucked it into her khaki
pants pocket. “Earl would need to get over it.” She held up the bottle. “Look
at the shape of that. It’s beautiful. And the label. Kudos to the design team.”
She held the cork in her left hand and used her right to
grip the bottom of the bottle. Instead of pulling on the cork, as often
happened in movies, she rotated the bottle several turns until the bottle and
cork separated without a hint of a pop.
Last fall the three of them had signed the lease late on a
Friday. They’d been so excited, they’d driven out to their new location. The
sunny, warm day had promised a beautiful sunset. Bree happened to have a bottle
of champagne in her car and had suggested they share it to celebrate their new
venture. The following Friday they’d done the same and a tradition had been
born.
The first time Bree had opened a bottle of champagne with
her business associates, she’d popped the cork and the frothy liquid had
spilled over. Mikki’s expression of horror had been so clear as to be comical.
“You’re letting out all the bubbles,” she’d explained. “It
changes the essence of the champagne and ruins the experience.”
“Ruins is kind of strong,” Ashley had pointed
out. “It’s still really good champagne. Better than what I usually have. Of
course most of my champagne drinking is done at weddings where they’re buying
for two hundred, so price is a concern.”
“Champagne needs to be treated with reverence,” Mikki had
told her. “Don’t drink bad champagne.”
From then on they’d alternated providing the Friday night
sunset champagne. Ashley always ran her selection past Mikki, but Bree took her
chances by picking it herself.
Mikki poured them each a glass, then put the bottle into the
sand, pushing down a little to keep it upright.
“To us,” she said, touching her glass to Bree’s. “And to
perfect sunsets.”
Bree smiled and then took a sip. She closed her eyes as she
let the bubbly liquid sit on her tongue for a second before swallowing. Mikki
was going to ask her how she liked it, and saying it was fine was never an
option.
“Delicious,” she said, holding in her smile. “I taste a lot
of berry with a hint of citrus. It’s surprisingly creamy.”
Mikki looked at her with approval. “That’s what I get, too.
It’s really drinkable. I like it.”
“Noooo! You started without me!”
The shriek came from behind them. Neither of them turned
around. Instead, Bree held out the third glass and Mikki filled it. Ashley, a
tall, slim redhead with big blue eyes and a full mouth, plopped down next to
Mikki. Her lips formed a pout.
“You didn’t wait,” she accused. “You’re supposed to wait.”
“You’re supposed to be on time,” Mikki reminded her. “Every
Friday you text with Seth and run late. You agreed either you show up on time
or we’re starting without you.”
Ashley ducked her head. “I thought the pressure would help.
Instead, I just feel guilty.”
Mikki sipped her champagne. “I’m sure your chronic tardiness
has to do with your mother.”
Ashley laughed. “My mom can take your mom anytime.”
Mikki grinned. “I don’t know. Rita would bring her Eeyore
self to the party and then talk about how everyone’s good time depressed her.”
“I can see that happening,” Ashley admitted. “Then I’ll
toast to both our mothers. And Seth, who is amazing. I in no way feel guilty
about texting with him. He loves me and I love him.”
Bree held in a groan. “Yes, we know. It’s all so wonderful.”
Mikki bumped shoulders with Ashley. “She’s jealous.”
“No, no.” Bree held up her glass. “You are welcome to your
cooing and clucking relationship.”
“We don’t cluck. What does that even mean?”
“I have no idea,” Mikki admitted. “Bree?”
“It’s just an expression.”
“Clucking is an expression?”
Bree chuckled, then glanced out at the sinking sun. Light
reflected on the moving water. A family walked along, close to the waves. An
older boy ran ahead, while the parents held hands with a younger child.
They looked happy, she thought, studying them the way she
would an unfamiliar species. No doubt the mom and dad loved their children,
took care of them. Mikki did that, too, with her two kids. And Ashley’s parents
were wonderful. But not all parents were good.
Mikki refilled their glasses. “Ashley, a lot of customers
are talking about your brother’s book signing. When are we going to meet him?”
“Monday,” Ashley said. “He’s moving into his new place.”
Harding, Ashley’s brother, after several months on the road
for book signings and research, had returned to Los Angeles. He’d leased a
house and was supposedly hard at work on book number three. In the meantime, he
would be signing at The Boardwalk Bookshop where he would, no doubt, pull in a
crowd.
Authors, Bree thought with a silent sigh. An annoying but
necessary species. Customers liked book signings, so she had authors come in.
“I can’t wait to meet him,” Mikki said. “Such an interesting
story. Bree, are you excited about the signing?”
“More than words can say.”
Mikki studied her. “That’s sarcasm, right?”
Bree laughed. “Yes. That’s sarcasm.”
“How can you own a bookstore, love books and hate writers?”
“I don’t hate them. I just don’t want them in my life.”
“You’re so weird.” Mikki turned to Ashley. “Help me out
here. Tell her how weird she is.”
Instead of joining in the teasing, Ashley dropped her gaze.
“Yes, well, we should talk about Harding. Or more specifically, him and you.”
Bree shifted back so she could angle toward Ashley. “I’ve
never met the guy.” Which meant there shouldn’t be a problem. Unless…
Excerpted from The
Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery, Copyright © 2022 by Susan Mallery Inc. Published by MIRA Books.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
SUSAN MALLERY is the #1 New York Times
bestselling author of novels about the relationships that define women's
lives—family, friendship and romance. Library Journal says, “Mallery is the
master of blending emotionally believable characters in realistic
situations," and readers seem to agree—forty million copies of her books
have been sold worldwide. Her warm, humorous stories make the world a happier
place to live.
Susan grew up in California and now lives in
Seattle with her husband. She's passionate about animal welfare, especially
that of the two Ragdoll cats and adorable poodle who think of her as Mom.
SOCIAL
LINKS:
Twitter: @susanmallery
Facebook: @susanmallery
Instagram: @susanmallery
Author website: https://www.susanmallery.com/
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