Spotlight & Giveaway: Under the Table by Stephanie Evanovich

Posted April 16th, 2019 by in Blog, Spotlight / 35 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Stephanie Evanovich to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Stephanie and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Under the Table!

 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

On the verge of divorce, Zoey Sullivan begins to embark on new adventures, mostly of the culinary kind. She gets an unexpected lesson on how to work with raw ingredients. They arrive as Tristan Malloy, a sheltered transplant from the Virgin Islands, trying to strike out on adventures of his own. Together they develop the perfect recipe for fun. With a pinch of spice and a dash of sass, they cook up a whole batch of feels.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

Zoey Sullivan didn’t mind the cold. She liked the feel of the wind in her hair, even when it bit at her ears and made her nose run. It encouraged her to walk briskly, just like natives of the Big Apple did.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • I choose Zoey’s hometown as Cleveland because I had such a great time there promoting The Total Package back in 2016.
  • I love gorgeous kitchens and looking up recipes. The research for these things was pure heaven!
  • I’ve been using #upliftature after my agent gave me feedback on Under the Table and called it that.

 

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book. As you wrote your protagonist was there anything about them that surprised you?

Zoey has a strong sense of duty, even when it works against her own best interests. What surprised me about her was how determined she was to stick to her original plans, even when she could’ve easily made herself happy for the duration. For Tristan, he was just trying to break out and taking those first steps alone was paralyzing him. A year is a long time to wait when you’re ready to make a change. Or a start.

 

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?

I think I would use the scene where Zoey takes Tristan on a shopping trip. It’s their first time together as friends and it starts to show their playful sides. And nothing can form a bond quite like shopping. They also make for good music montage scenes!

He came back a few minutes later. “I think somebody already wore these and returned them.”
She bit back a giggle. “Those are what is called the distressed look.”
“Why? Because you feel dirty and uncomfortable wearing them?”
“No, silly. The denim is distressed. It’s a process they put the material through to make them appear faded and worn. That’s why it’s mostly on the knees and thighs. Just think of it as the manufacturer breaking them in for you.”
“If you say so. They are comfy though.”
This time, Zoey was able to watch him walk back to the dressing room without fear of him catching her.

 

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

That good things can happen when you venture out of your comfort zone. That when you go with your gut, even a risk is right way to go. Mostly, I just want the reader to feel like they took a short escape to someplace where they got a few laughs.

 

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I’m working on a couple projects. But I don’t like to announce that kind of stuff until all the details are set in stone. Bad Karma and all that, you know? And right now is my favorite part of the job as an author, meeting readers. I have the launch of Under the Table and several tour spots, one being Zoey’s hometown, Cleveland (I really do love that place). But if anyone wants to follow my social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram), they can loop in to my life as a writer as it happens. I try to keep it light and fun. #upliftature all the way.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: Copies of Big Girl Panties, The Total Package, and The Sweet Spot

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: How much do you believe in first impressions and have you ever been completely off base in all the best ways?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

Excerpt from Under the Table:

If Zoey lived to be a hundred, she doubted she would
ever meet someone as courteous as Tristan. With him it
wasn’t an act or something he turned on and off. His grandparents
had raised him well. He loaded the bags into the car
himself and refused help from the doorman when they returned
to his apartment.
Zoey sat on a stool at the island in the kitchen pondering
her dilemma while he took his new clothes to his bedroom.
When would she tell him about Derek? Should she just spit
it out, or mention it in passing? Would he be disappointed in
her? Would he put the instant kibosh on their friendship and
ask her to leave? Things that others took for granted in this
day and age were monumental to him. It wasn’t like neglecting
to tell him she got suspended from school for pot smoking
or about having her tonsils taken out. She couldn’t even say
she was divorced. Whatever the outcome, she would have to
face it then come to terms with it. The longer she waited, the
worse it would be in the end. If he cooled off their friendship after hearing the news, it would sting. If they truly bonded, it
would be heartbreaking, for both of them.
Music started playing from the overhead speakers. This
time it was reggae. Just when Zoey thought she was on the
verge of figuring him out, he threw her another surprise.
When Tristan returned, it was with a bottle of white wine
and two long-stem
wineglasses.
“How do you feel about Italian?” He opened a drawer and
pulled out a corkscrew, driving the pointy end into the top of
the bottle.
She watched him opening the liquid courage. “Always
delicious. Tristan . . .”
The cork released with a resounding pop. He began to
pour half glasses. “It’s just a little glass of wine. I wanted to
use it in the recipe tonight. It’s too good to go to waste.”
“Sounds wonderful.” She was grateful for him presenting
his back to put the bottle opener away. “Look, Tristan, there’s
something you should know. Not that I think it’s a big deal,
but I’m technically married.”
She saw him stiffen again and he slowly closed the drawer
before turning back to her. The expression on his face was
new to her, tight-lipped anger.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Suffocating in a dead-end marriage, Midwesterner Zoey Sullivan fled to New York and moved in with her older sister Ruth, a carefree, vivacious beauty with a string of eligible bachelors at her beck and call. Giving herself three months in the city to clear her head and find a direction, Zoey dodges calls from her ex Derek, and distracts herself by cooking and catering a few private dinners and parties. Pursuing her passion for cooking was never an option when she was with Derek, and now Zoey relishes her independence.

When Zoey’s meets reclusive millionaire Tristan Malloy, she’s blown away by his kitchen—a marble and stainless steel temple worthy of the culinary gods—and charmed by his impeccable gentlemanly manners. But despite his firm body, handsome looks, and piles of cash, Tristan—a computer programmer—is shy and more than a little socially awkward. Zoey is sure that Tristan has all the right raw ingredients—and she’s the right person to spice them up turn him into a delectable dish.

But Zoey’s unprepared for just how well her makeover works. Tristan turns out to be even sexier once he’s gained a little confidence and the right wardrobe. Beneath the gorgeous package, Tristan is a great guy who deserves a woman who really appreciates him. Slowly but surely, Zoey realizes she may have found her perfect match—but does Tristan even know how her feelings have changed? Is that warm look in his eyes gratitude for the new and exciting world she’s ushered him into, or something more? And what will happen when Zoey’s ex comes to town, looking to win her back?

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

Stephanie Evanovich is a full-fledged Jersey girl who attended New York Conservatory for the Dramatic Arts, performed with several improv troupes, and acted in a few small-budget movies, all in preparation for the greatest job she ever had: raising her two sons. Now a full-time writer, she’s an avid sports fan who holds a black belt in tae kwon do.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads |
 
 
 

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35 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: Under the Table by Stephanie Evanovich”

  2. Pennie M

    Definitely! My first impression of my husband was not very good but he redeemed himself and we will have been married 30 years in June even more happily in love now.

  3. Vanessa Primer

    First impressions… Well now… I have had a first impression of gorgeousness and ended up with my partner. I have also had a first impression of nasty… and went out of my way to befriend someone that is… well a nasty nasty… words we do not use. So, I think sometimes our first impression is because of minute things our brain sees that we do not consciously know we are taking in. Sometimes your gut is right.
    So far… my first impression has been sadly accurate, and I have given waaaay to many people chances when my gut was screaming NOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

  4. janinecatmom

    I believe in always giving a good first impression. And yes, I have been totally surprised by someone’s first impression. I was way off base when I met one friend. From the first impression, I thought she was be rough and mean from her size and the way she dressed. But, she is really one of the most caring and sweetest people I know.

  6. Latifa Morrisette

    I always believe in making a good first impression. My impressions are usually spot on but sometimes I’m wrong.

  8. laurieg72

    Luckily my first impressions have been quite accurate. I think we may try to hide parts of us but truth wins out.

  11. Amy R

    I don’t put much stock in first impressions since you don’t know a person until you spend more time with them and first impressions can be an act.

  14. isisthe12th

    First impressions can be tricky. I have met a few people I didn’t think I would like from first impressions, but later learned I was wrong. Thank you

  16. Jennifer Beyer

    I try not to make snap judgments about people but I have often been disappointed in people after I get to know them. I have rarely been pleasantly surprised by people. Boy that sounds negative.

  18. Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz

    I believe it’s important to give a good first impression.
    No to bring completely off base
    Thanks for the chance!

  19. dholcomb1

    I believe first impressions can show a true self, but not always. A second look is in order for some people, and then you see them shine.

  20. Laurajj

    Yes! I learned that my first impressions…are not always correct. Love can grow and be found in the strangest of places…when you do not expect it!

  22. Shannon Capelle

    I never base it on a first impression I always give chances because sometimes when you do you find great things, my husband is one of those

  24. Banana cake

    My sister in law kind of has resting bitch face. I was hesitant to get close to her because I was close with some of my brothers exes and that friendship ends when the relationship ends. Now after them being together 10 years I am really close to each other, we both have lupus so we support each other. I only wished we lived in the same state. I’m in Texas and she is still in Minnesota.

  26. Linda Herold

    I don’t know about first impressions. I need to get to know someone to see what they are really like!

  27. Jana Leah

    I do think first impressions are important, however I think in most cases a second chance should be given.

  29. Vicki Clevinger

    First impressions can be right on the money and no I haven’t ever been wrong

  33. Barbara Bates

    I do believe in first impressions. I can tell if I like someone when I meet them for the first time.

  34. smcmahon19

    My first impressions are typically a feeling I get about person and I’m usually right to trust my instincts. There have been a few times where my gut feeling was wrong though… and always wrong in a good way.☘️