Author Interview: The Week Before the Wedding – Beth Kendrick

I’m excited today to have Beth Kendrick with us chatting about her newest release, THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING.  A little fan girl moment here…when I first started reading Chick Lit / Romance type books, it was Beth’s MY FAVORITE MISTAKE that was a constant re-read for me.  To this day, I still love the story of Faith and Flynn.  Help me in welcoming Beth to Cocktails and Books!

Tell us about yourself.

I live in Arizona with two sweet red rescue dogs, Roxie Hart and Friday. When I’m not writing or wrangling my preschooler, I’m watching old episodes of “Northern Exposure” or playing Words With Friends with my mom and my brother. (All three of us are totally ruthless and competitive. Blood on the keyboard, baby!)  I’ve written nine women’s fiction books, one of which (Nearlyweds) was turned into a hallmark Channel movie.

How did you get your start as a writer?

I wrote and sold my first novel while I was in the process of finishing my Ph.D. in psychology. I tried so hard to do something “practical” with my life, but it just didn’t take!

What is your typical writing schedule like?

I write 5-6 days per week, with daily and monthly page goals that I track with my phone calendar.  But “writing” doesn’t always mean typing away at the computer—sometimes I’m brainstorming with a critique partner or doing research. For The Week Before the Wedding, I spent a few days scouring the Internet for photos of vintage wedding gowns, talking to bartenders about vodka and wine varietals, and interviewing film producers, flight attendants about their jobs.

Tell us about The Week Before the Wedding.

After enduring a chaotic childhood, Emily McKellips yearns for a drama-free life, complete with a white picket fence. Her dreams are about to come true: She has a stellar career, a gorgeous house, and a fiancé any woman would die for. But as friends and family arrive in picturesque Valentine, Vermont, for her wedding, an uninvited guest shows up.

Ryan is Emily’s first husband from a disastrous starter marriage. They wed on a whim, only to discover that combustible chemistry couldn’t ensure a happily ever after. But Ryan is no longer the headstrong boy she left behind. He’s now a successful film producer who just happens to be scouting a resort in Valentine with his adorable retriever in tow.

As the bridesmaids revolt and the mothers of the bride and groom do battle, Emily is surprised to discover new sides of both her ex and her fiancé. She thought she had life and love all figured out, but the next seven days might change her mind—and her heart.

Where did the idea for the storyline come from?

This story was inspired in part by the Sugarland song “Stuck Like Glue.”  It’s an upbeat, funny song about the people in our lives who drive us crazy but love and understand us in a way no one else does. Sometimes great chemistry overrides conventional wisdom…and that’s not always a bad thing!

What do you think readers will like/love about Emily and Ryan?

Emily is a wild child who’s grown into a worldly, responsible woman, and she’s facing a crossroads in her life as she tried to decide whether to embrace her free-spirited side or her sensible, serious side. I think every woman can relate to Emily’s struggle to achieve balance in adulthood without losing her sense of self. Leather mini-skirts or tweed suits? Minivans or motorcycles? It’s a quandary!

As for Ryan, well, he’s a (semi) reformed bad boy who’s hot like fire. And loves dogs. What’s not to like?

What was your favorite scene from the book?

Emily’s bachelorette party sort of got out of hand. Even as the author, I was sitting there at my desk, gasping, “Ladies! Behave yourselves! What are you doing?” It’s always a good sign when the characters take over—it gives the scene spark and a sense of spontaneity.

What are three things about you that might surprise your readers?

I speak Italian (badly), I don’t like orange juice (unless, of course, it is mixed with champagne!), and I spent part of my childhood in Vermont, which is where The Week Before the Wedding is set.

If you had to pick a favorite cocktail of choice, what would it be?  (It can be non-alcoholic too)

Classic cranberry juice and vodka.

What’s next for you?

My next novel is called The Cure for the Common Break Up, and it’s actually a spin-off of The Week Before the Wedding. The heroine, Summer, was Emily’s maid of honor. Summer is one of those characters who just burst onto the scene and stole the spotlight. My editor and I both adored her, so we decided she deserved her own story.

About the book

Beth Kendrick sweeps you off your feet with a captivating tale of how even the best-laid plans can falter at the altar.

After enduring a chaotic childhood, Emily McKellips yearns for a drama-free life, complete with a white picket fence. Her dreams are about to come true: She has a stellar career, a gorgeous house, and a fiancé any woman would die for. But as friends and family arrive in picturesque Valentine, Vermont, for her wedding, an uninvited guest shows up.

Ryan is Emily’s first husband from a disastrous starter marriage. They wed on a whim, only to discover that combustible chemistry couldn’t ensure a happily ever after. But Ryan is no longer the headstrong boy she left behind. He’s now a successful film producer who just happens to be scouting a resort in Valentine with his adorable retriever in tow.

As the bridesmaids revolt and the mothers of the bride and groom do battle, Emily is surprised to discover new sides of both her ex and her fiancé. She thought she had life and love all figured out, but the next seven days might change her mind—and her heart.

 About the Author

This is the part where I’m supposed to brag about all my illustrious accomplishments, but honestly, I’d rather talk about my dogs and brag about some of the things I haven’t done:

I’ve never been to prison*, court-ordered rehab*, or splashed across the cover of a salacious weekly gossip tabloid with my ladybits on display**.

I’m a Leo, a middle child, and a formidable Trivial Pursuit opponent. I read everything I can get my hands on, from the classics to comic books. I don’t drink coffee because, frankly, I’m high strung enough without adding caffeine into the mix. Here is the true story of how I became a novelist:

So I had just started seeing this guy, and on our second or third date, he invited me to be his guest at a family wedding. Being young and free and a bit commitment-shy, I was about to decline until he casually mentioned that the bride was a successful romance novelist. Well, the second I heard that, I had to go. Being a writer had always been my dream job, and I’d never met anyone who’d actually beaten the odds and made the leap into big-time publishing. So I RSVP-ed, sidled up to the bar at the reception, waited until the bride and all her author friends uncorked the good champagne, and then peppered them with endless questions about writing, editing, and landing an agent. They were so funny and encouraging and generous with their time and advice. (And drunk!) Next thing you know, I had joined a critique group and was knee-deep in the manuscript that would eventually become MY FAVORITE MISTAKE. The open bar at that wedding changed my life forever.

Oh, and the guy who invited me to the wedding? I ended up marrying him. All together: awww…

I live in Arizona in a very cute fixer-upper that my husband and I bought in a burst of can-do, pioneering confidence. We thought it would be fun to embark on a series of do-it-yourself renovations. Yeah. I know. Turns out, replacing baseboard that’s been painted over 15 times since 1958 is not as easy as those Home Depot commercials would lead you to believe. Also, freshly-installed lawn drip systems and “helpful” dogs are a bad mix.

Friday and RoxieSpeaking of dogs, here we have the indefatigable canine lawn maintenance crew: Roxie and Friday. Both were rescued from the pound when they were puppies. I think they’re Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes. (Probably. Maybe? Anything’s possible.) Roxie is the brains of the operation and Friday is…well, he’s very sweet. And so indolent he could be mistaken for a piece of furniture, which I consider a very desirable trait in a family dog.

I absolutely love hearing from readers, so please feel free to email me, with the caveat that I am often on deadline/on the road/on the ragged edge of sanity, so it may be awhile before you get a reply. Just know that it’s not you; it’s me!

Have fun exploring the site, and if you have any questions about my new book, my backlist, or finding an agent…I’ll be right over there at the bar.

*Yet.

**That I know of.

(Author profile provided through Goodreads)

Website: www.BethKendrick.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/BethKendrickBooks

Twitter:  @BKendrickBooks