Special Guestblogger - Gena Showalter
I met Gena Showalter … well I can’t remember the first time. I can only remember thinking, boy is she pretty. And young. I hated her for that but only for a little while because really, Gena is a sweet, talented author that no one can hate.
She’s prolific and writes too many books a year (another reason I could hate her but don’t!). Gena has one other thing that I envy: a best friend who is a fellow writer who lives so close they can hang out together, write together, get Starbucks together, and torture each other together. What do I mean? You’ll soon see.
I asked Gena to guest blog because I love her writing and her sense of humor and you will too. Gena asked me what she should write about and I said that Plotmonkey readers love to laugh, so I suggested she talk about Gnome. Who is Gnome? I first got hooked on the Gnome story in Gena’s blog. I got my daughter hooked too. We’d go there daily to catch up on the story of how Gena held Gnome hostage from her best writer friend Jill Monroe and how Jill retaliated …
Gena’s June book, Catch a Mate, is on bookshelves now (along with my quote on the cover!) … But right now it’s time I let Gena tell the story – her way, so please give a warm Plotmonkey welcome to New York Times Bestselling Author GENA SHOWALTER!
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GIFTS WERE MADE TO BE TAKEN NOT GIVEN!
Or, perhaps a better title for this entry is: the day I stole my best friend’s gnome. You see, when I discovered that my best friend and fellow author Jill Monroe feared garden gnomes, I bought her one as a Get Well gift. I’m sweet like that. I wrapped it and everything.
Bow – $1.99.
Pink ribbon – $4.50.
Cute kitty cat card – $2.99.
The moment she opened the package — – priceless!
She totally hated it, but she played it off pretty well. With a smile that would have made any mother proud, she thanked me for my thoughtfulness – as well she should have. I did indeed put a lot of thought into it. And yes, I giggled like a school girl every time I thought about it.
A few days later, I had to pick some papers up from her house. She wasn’t going to be there, so she left them on the porch. And what did she use to keep those papers from blowing away? The gnome. I stood there for a long while, just staring down at his frighteningly happy face. Should I? Shouldn’t I? I knew Jill had given the gnome a place of honor on her porch only five minutes before leaving the house, just so I’d see that she liked her “thoughtful” gift.
So in the end, yes, I stole the gnome. I blindfolded it, held a lighter to its head and snapped picture. Yes, I even emailed her the picture and demanded 1800 yen for his safe return. She declined to pay. What’s more, she waited until I was gone and snuck inside my house. She then stole the singing lobster she’d given me for hitting New York Times. I loved that lobster.
Now, Gnomey experiences torture on a daily basis – I am cruel, what can I say — and Lobby is on the run, trying to find Gnomey and save him from my evil clutches. Will Lobby succeed? Only time will tell.
It’s safe to say that when Jill and I get together, amazing/fun/freaky things happen. We even plotted my newest release, Catch A Mate, during a road trip. We were laughing, having a good time and discussing our not-so-fond memories of old boyfriends. One of us (and if asked directly, we’d each probably blame the other) said, “Men are pigs!” and the other replied, “Let’s be the slaughterhouse!”
Here’s a little about the book,
CATCH A MATE:
How to catch the love of your life…with his pants down!
Jillian Greene is always getting caught in the act—it’s her job! Working at Catch A Mate, Jillian is paid by suspicious wives to smile, flirt and prove that no man can be trusted around the opposite sex. But she never gets physical—until a heart-stoppingly gorgeous male walks in…
Marcus Brody has just been hired to test female fidelity. But the last thing he needs is a partner—especially the infuriating, irresistible Jillian who’s got him desperate to break all the rules. . .
Yes, the heroine is named Jillian and her best friend is named Georgia.
Coincidence? I’ll let you decide!
This proves the Monkeys have good taste cuz I’m already a fan - loved “Animal Instincts” and already bought “Catch a Mate”, plus I have several of Gena’s books in the old tbr pile. The woman is living off my money *g*
And something cool: I met Gena last yr @ RWA - I was sitting next to the infamous Jill Monroe btw - and let me tell you, those two are a riot, and both so cute it would be sickening if they weren’t nice and so much fun. I lurk @ Gena’s blog and have been through the trials and tribulations with Gnomey And Lobby.
Welcome Gena!!! :love2: Love your books ! :love2:
Comment by Stacy ~ — June 12, 2007 @ 6:15 am
Hi, Gena!!!
Plotmonkey readers, I do remember the first time I met Gena…on our Bad Girls Booktour (gulp) three summers ago around Texas. What a hoot! We had a ball. We’ve been online buddies ever since and I am SO excited to have her here at Plotmonkeys!
Comment by Julie Leto — June 12, 2007 @ 7:59 am
Welcome Gena
After reading the excerpt for Catch A Mate I will be heading to the bookstore to pick it up along with “Animal Instincts”
I have never read any of your books
, but this is why I :love2: Plotmonkeys because I get to read more Authors
Comment by Cherylann — June 12, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Hey everyone. So very wonderful to be here. Stacy — and I thank you dearly for that money LOL Cherylann, thank you so much! Julie, you delicious vixen! I miss you
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 9:02 am
Welcome, Gena! Are you focusing on many genres again this coming year?
Comment by Carly — June 12, 2007 @ 9:04 am
Hey Carly!! Yes indeed. While Catch A Mate is a contemporary romance, I also have an alien huntress young adult releasing this month (Red Handed) and its sequel (Black Listed) hits stands next month. Then, in late December, the 3rd adult alien huntress (Savor Me Slowly) releases. 2008 will be another busy year! In Feb I’m in an anthology with Sherrilyn Kenyon and Kresley Cole. And a bit later, the 1st three books in my new Lords of the Underworld are launching back to back (May, June, July)
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 9:31 am
And how many hours of sleep a night do you get? And do you have a life? Wow!
Comment by Carly — June 12, 2007 @ 9:37 am
Welcome! Thanks for guesting with us today. Now I have a new tbb and tbr to add to the list. I love the gnome story. I will definitely have to pop over to your site to see more of the lobster gnome saga.
Have a terriffic day.
P.S. How much sleep do you get?!!?
Comment by Debbie — June 12, 2007 @ 9:48 am
I’ve been doing a much better job of sleeping. For years, I probably only slept 4 out of 7 nights a week. My mind just refused to quiet. Now I go on a 30 min walk everyday and when I’m done writing for the day, I no longer allow myself to think about the story. (With OCD, the story used to consume me and I’d write until I basically killed myself. And when I finished writing, I’d be thinking about the next day’s chapters.) Now I write a certain amount a day (1 - 2 chapters) and no more. All of that has helped!
Still. A life? Not so much.
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Thanks Debbie! The lobster and the gnome took on a life of their own
Every time I look at Gnomey, I giggle like a school girl.
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 9:50 am
I popped on over and I have read your Stone Prince in teh past. I loved that story it is on my to keep shelf. Wow! I just love the internet and the plotmokeys the help me really get in touch with authors I have enjoyed. I am definetly shopping this week.
Comment by Debbie — June 12, 2007 @ 9:53 am
Welcome Gena. Looks like I have a couple of more books to pick up over the weekend. Love the gnome and lobster story. I’ll have to pop over to your blog to get more stories.
Comment by Liza — June 12, 2007 @ 10:00 am
Thanks ladies!!
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 10:01 am
Question Gena…is there going to be a CAM 2 in the works sometime?
Comment by Darla — June 12, 2007 @ 10:15 am
This one sounds hilarious. Don’t usually read comtemps but may have to give them one a try. Espcially since I love your paranormals.
Comment by Pamk — June 12, 2007 @ 10:20 am
Great to have you here, Gena!!! I love your gnome story…what is it with those things? I didn’t think people still actually had them.
(Did you ever see The Full Monty? Gnome abuse in great quantities…toooooo funny)
Comment by Leslie — June 12, 2007 @ 10:26 am
Thanks Pam!
Leslie, I haven’t seen it, but if there’s gnome abuse, I MUST
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 10:32 am
Welcome, Gina!
It’s so great to have you here! And Jill, if you happen to be lurking, say hello! 
I can’t wait to dig into CATCH A MATE. I’m going on a road trip with my 16 year old daughter in two weeks, and I’ll be holed up in a hotel for 5 days while she’s visiting with a girlfriend, so I’ll have lots of reading time!!! This book is going with me for sure!
Speaking of the 16 year old, she loved OH MY GOTH and can’t wait to read RED HANDED and BLACK LISTED.
She’s a huge reader (she reads about 5 books a week in the summer) and she’s a BIG fan of yours!
I just read the traveling tales of Lobby the Lobster — boy is he ever a cutie!
I’m surprised someone hasn’t snatched him up and taken him home by now! You and Jill are too, too funny! 
Oh, and I MUST get me some of that OCD you were talking about! Do you know where I can buy some?
Comment by Janelle — June 12, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Welcome, Gena. I read “Animal Instincts” and I was hooked. I am now getting ready to read “Catch A Mate” and I’m sure I will not be able to put it down untill I finish.
Besure and tell your captive gnome that garden faries rule! At least, that’s what they told me.
Comment by Carol R — June 12, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Janelle, thank you so so much!! I believe the first book of yours I ever read was Private Pleasures. I was instantly a fan. I soooo love that book! I’ve read it so many times since the pages came unglued long ago. I’ve been meaning to pick up an intact copy. I’m so glad your daughter enjoyed Oh My Goth!!
Ah, Carol! Thank you!
You guys are good for me
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 11:14 am
Hi Gena!
I have to confess that I haven’t read any of your books and I didn’t get to the bookstore yesterday, but I’ll be there today! Catch a Mate sounds like a great read!
OK, I already know you don’t sleep - you sound like my son who goes for days and days without sleeping. I don’t know how you do it, and I wish I could sometimes, but I’m curious…how many books do you write each year and how many different genres? And how long does it take you to write 1-2 chapters? I’ve heard of speed reading but I didn’t know there was such a thing as speed writing!
Comment by Jodie — June 12, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Hey Jodie!
It takes me 1 - 3 months to write a book. More often than not I’m clocking in at 3 lately. Though the current book, Savor Me Slowly, will be done in 2 because I have not been working on any other projects. No revisions for other books, no copy edits, just me and Savor. It’s been a rare treat!
Writing a chapter or 2 a day can take anywhere from just a few hours (if the story is really flowing for me) to 8 or more (if every word is torture).
This year I’ll have 5 brand new books out. Next year I’ll have 4 or 5 as well.
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 11:39 am
I haven’t read your books yet either but I have CATCH A MATE and I’ve read the first chapter. Very cute. I think it will be a fun read.
Now about the gnome and the lobster… I LOVE IT! Adding these blogs to my daily list!
Comment by Patricia W — June 12, 2007 @ 11:42 am
Sounds like a wonderful book and since I have to go to the bookstore today, I will have to pick it up.
As for the gnome,
. Love it. It sounds like something that I would do to my best friend.
Comment by Patty L. — June 12, 2007 @ 11:59 am
Good grief! OK, I’m with Janelle, where can I get some of that OCD stuff?
I’ve been sitting at my computer for an hour and 8 minutes and I’ve gotten 2 pages edited! I think it’s time to pull the internet plug!!
Comment by Jodie — June 12, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Not like your gift? Who could not LOVE a gnome petting a frog while eating an ice cream cone?!
I do believe Lobby updated his blog today. How he finds the time I’ll never know.
And Catch A Mate is fantastic. The book made me laugh from beginning to end - just wonderful!
Comment by Jill Monroe — June 12, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Comment by Cherylann — June 12, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
Comment by katie — June 12, 2007 @ 1:15 pm
Hi Gena
Thanks to the Plotmonkeys, I have a new author to add to my reading list. 
Look out Borders, here I come.
Love the adventures of Gnomey. My girlfriends in San Francisco have one that goes on vacation and sends all of his friends the coolest postcards from his adventures. I am off to read the adventures of Gnomey and the lobster.
Comment by Ardie — June 12, 2007 @ 1:47 pm
Hi Gena, Welcome to the Plotmonkeys. Love your story about Gnome & Lobby! Too funny! What fun to have a friend like Jill.
Your book Catch a Mate sound like good reading, I love romance & humor all wrapped up in one book. One of your books is in my TBR pile & I will get to it one of these days!
Enjoy blogging with us today.
Donna M
Comment by Donna M — June 12, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
Welcome, Gena! I was so happy to hear that you would be guest blogging here today. I fell in love with your writing while reading Playing with Fire. I am now getting ready to relax with Catch a Mate. I anxiously await your releases just as I do the Plotmonkeys.
Comment by Stephanie S. — June 12, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
Welcome Gina to the jungle!! I love your blog. I can’t wait to read the new book.
Comment by Vicki — June 12, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
Comment by Kelli McBride — June 12, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
HI Gena,*waves*
from you
It’s
Poor gnomey always having to
fun reading gnomey and lobby’s adventures
Hugs, Danette
Comment by danette — June 12, 2007 @ 5:41 pm
Thanks so much, ladies!!
Kells, one of the many reasons I love you
Guess who I’ve been writing about today? Devyn. . . He sends his love.
Comment by gena showalter — June 12, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Love your gnome and lobster story…gave me quite a laugh.
Will definitely have to add “Catch A Mate” to my ‘to buy’ list…sounds very interesting and quite humorous.
Comment by Shari C — June 12, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
cute great to see u here gena
Comment by kim h — June 12, 2007 @ 8:00 pm
Gena I adore your writing. You have the best sence of humor. It really comes out in your stories. I look forward to reading Catch A Mate.
Comment by Paula — June 12, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Wow I missed all the fun today
Gena your books sound like fun and I will definitely order Catch a Mate
Not being a big fan of gnomes I got a really big kick out of the gnomey and lobster story
Comment by Tina Martinesi — June 12, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
I can’t wait to read Catch a Mate - Something to look forward to as I fly out of Newark on Friday!
(the book, not airport). And embarassed to admit that there are may of her books in the TBR pile … I’m working my way through the pile … 
And you can never have too many books …
Comment by Yolanda — June 12, 2007 @ 11:12 pm
I love the gnome saga roflmao
Comment by catslady — June 12, 2007 @ 11:50 pm
Loved the gnome story. im lmao.
Comment by Elisa V — June 13, 2007 @ 1:26 am
Comment by ev — June 13, 2007 @ 5:46 am
Thanks again everyone, for the wonderful comments, questions and fun!
Comment by gena showalter — June 13, 2007 @ 8:59 am
[...] I’ll use a paragraph from Julie Leto’s upcoming book, Phantom Pleasures, out in April 2008. By the way, I chose Julie because she asked me to join you all on Plot Monkeys (and no good deed goes unpunished) and I just don’t get the feeling that Julie gets messed with enough by her friends (see this post on the PlotMonkeys a few weeks ago) [...]
Pingback by Plot Monkeys » Blog Archive » Saturday Guest Blogger: Jill Monroe! — November 24, 2007 @ 6:02 am
Really nice=)but look this:,
Comment by name — July 27, 2008 @ 4:02 pm