Author event and book giveaway: Mary Kay Andrews
I was lucky enough to attend a recent Book Your Lunch event featuring the adorable Mary Kay Andrews. I was able to sit at Mary Kay’s table and found her to be cute, funny,and easy to talk to. Her newest novel, Spring Fever, is her 19th published novel – she’s written 10 mysteries under her real name, Kathy Hogan Trocheck, and 9 humorous novels as Mary Kay Andrews. Her pen name is a combination of her children’s names – her daughter is Mary Kay and her son is Andrew.
A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Mary Kay earned a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. She and her husband were high school sweethearts. She worked as a journalist for a while and later decided to pursue her childhood dream of being an author. She says she has a short attention span so writing is torture for her, but she loves touring and meeting her readers.
Mary Kay said she gets ideas everywhere and will even ask her friends on Facebook for advice as she’s writing. She does some research to make sure her story lines are plausible. The idea for Spring Fever came from a dream – she kept seeing a woman in church. When she asked the woman what she was doing she said she was watching her ex-husband get re-married. She claimed she was over him, but Mary Kay knew she was lying!
There may not be any more mysteries since the Mary Kay Andrews books have outsold them from the very beginning, but characters from those books may be woven into some future storylines. Mary Kay does plan to write another book with the ever popular Weezie in it.
I got Mary Kay to autograph a copy of Spring Fever for one lucky reader. To enter to win a copy of SPRING FEVER, simply fill out the entry form. Contest is open worldwide – one entry per person, please. I will use random.org to determine the winner. Contest ends at midnight EDT Saturday, June 30, 2012. Winner will be announced on Sunday, July 1, 2012. Comments are welcome (and appreciated) but will not get you an entry in the contest.
I’ve read a few of her MKA novels and really enjoy her humor. Thanks for the chance to win her latest!
Aw, yay for southern gals!
I have some of her MKA books on audio.
I’ve never read anything by this author, but she sounds like fun.
I love that she used her kids names to create her pseudonym! I loved her book Deep Dish…I’d read anything by her and then share it with my mom.
I luv Mary Kay Andrews. Her books are always fun. Would feel mighty proud to win this one.
I keep saying I’m going to pick up one of her books, not yet though.
This is why I love blogging. I meet new and exciting authors and am introduced to new books, thank you so much for a great post. I’ve never read anything by this author so it’s exciting to learn a little.
I haven’t heard of her books before. I will keep them in mind. Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
I hadn’t heard of this series before. I’ll have to give one of them a try.
You are so lucky to have met Mary! I’d love to meet her. I’ve read a few of her books and really enjoyed them all! I’ll be reading this one soon.
Mary Kay is a real gem, and she has a generous heart. I met her in Atlanta when she made a surprise appearance to introduce me to the audience at the Georgia Center For The Book. I hope she visits my area so I can return the favor!
I had no idea that Mary Kay Andrews and Kathy Hogan Trocheck were the same person! I remember both of those authors from stocking at the bookstore where I used to work. Love finding out that authors are the same person.
May Kay spoke at a recent conference where I also presented, and I got to sit in on her talk about character development. Good stuff!
How funny that writing is torture for her yet she’s written 19 books!
This was a cute book and perfect for a light summer read!
I like the picture you took of the author. She looks like she would be fun to talk with. I’ll bet her books are like her. I’ll have to check them out.
Oooh la la…I love her books…I bet lunch was amazing…it’s not fair that so many of these…or rather all of these are in your back yard!
I adore her books! And how lucky to have gone to the lunch….thanks for the opportunity to win this book.
She sounds like a really neat lady! Very cool that you got to meet her!
I absolutely adore Mary Kay Andrews and love all of her books. Can’t wait to read this one.
I loved Deep Dish, so thanks so much for the giveaway. You go to so many great author events and are so generous!
I’ve been wanting to read one of her books for so long but there are so many books out there. I’m trying to get away from so many mystery/thrillers and start reading lighter reads.
I am not sure if I knew she wrote mysteries. I love her books and look forward to this one as well as another Weezie book! Thank you for the giveaway.
Thank you for sharing and specially for makingit open to all. Much appreciated.
MKA is such a fun author to read! Once again I am jealous of the grate authors you get to visit with!
I can’t imagine watching an ex get married. Still this sounds like a fun read!
I read a couple of her books and thought they were great. This must have been a fun lunch!!
So lucky to be able to sit at her table for lunch. I have lots of dreams that would make great books
This sounds like a great book! I love her books! Thanks for the giveaway!
nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
I absolutely love this woman!! I’ve been a fan for so long and even through my changing tastes of books, I will forever be a fan of MKA. I also enjoy her mystery series, though Weezie and Bebe are my favorite gals!!