Wendy Lawless signs "Chanel Bonfire"

Wendy Lawless will be signing copies of Chanel Bonfire: A Memoir on Saturday January 26th from 1 - 3 p.m.

A stunning memoir about an actress's unconventional, heartbreaking childhood with an unstable alcoholic and suicidal mother — a real-life Holly Golightly turned Mommie Dearest — and the unusual strength that allowed her to rise above it all.

By the time Wendy Lawless turned seventeen, she'd known for quite some time that she didn't have a normal mother. But that didn't stop her from wanting one.

Georgann Rea didn't bake cookies or go to PTA meetings; she wore a mink coat and always had a lit Dunhill plugged into her cigarette holder. She had slept with too many men, and some women, and she didn't like dogs or children. Georgann had the ice queen beauty of a Hitchcock heroine and the cold heart to match.

In this evocative, darkly humorous memoir, Wendy deftly charts the highs and lows of growing up with her younger sister in the shadow of an unstable, fabulously neglectful mother. Georgann, a real-life Holly Golightly who constantly reinvents herself as she trades up from trailer-park to penthouse, suffers multiple nervous breakdowns and suicide attempts, while Wendy tries to hide the cracks in their fractured family from the rest of the world.

Chanel Bonfire depicts a childhood blazed through the refined aeries of The Dakota and the swinging townhouses of London, while the girls' beautiful but damned mother desperately searches for glamour and fulfillment. Ultimately, they must choose between living their own lives and being their mother's warden.

Book Signing with Teresa Rhyne

Teresa Rhyne will be signing copies of her book The Dog Lived (And So Will I): A Memoir on Sunday January 20th between noon and 2 p.m.

The tale of a dog who wouldn't let go and the woman who followed his lead.
Teresa Rhyne vowed to get things right this time around: new boyfriend, new house, new dog, maybe even new job. But shortly after she adopted Seamus, a totally incorrigible beagle, vets told Teresa that he had a malignant tumor and less than a year to live. The diagnosis devastated her, but she decided to fight it, learning everything she could about the best treatment for Seamus. Teresa couldn't possibly have known then that she was preparing herself for life's next hurdle - a cancer diagnosis of her own.

She forged ahead with survival, battling a deadly disease, fighting for doctors she needed, and baring her heart for a seemingly star–crossed relationship. The Dog Lived (and so Will I) is an uplifting and heartwarming story about how dogs steal our hearts, show us how to live, and teach us how to love.

"This poignant and fast–moving memoir of Teresa and Seamus—both definitely Type A personalities— is proof that even a hard–charging lawyer is no match for a big–hearted beagle. Their mutual triumph over terrible trials is a testament to the healing power of dogs. Four paws up!" —Martin Kihn, author of Bad Dog (A Love Story)

"This encouraging tale of finding love and love in unexpected places is full of small yet valuable life lessons that any animal–lover would appreciate."—Publishers Weekly

"A book that dares to be honest and sad and hilarious all at once. It will help inspire many people to respond to the unexpected in their own lives with humor and grace."—Susan Conley, author of The Foremost Good Fortune

Book Signing with Susan Bernardo & Courtenay Fletcher

Susan Bernardo and Courtenay Fletcher will be signing copies of their book Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs on Saturday, January 19th, from 10:30am - 12:00pm.

Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs is a beautiful new book with a simple but powerful message: love lasts forever. Lyrical writing and delightful illustrations provide perfect bedtime reading for any child. The book is also ideal for supporting children through grief, separation anxiety, divorce, illness or other traumatic situations, by wrapping them in a warm and comforting emotional security blanket and opening a dialogue on the nature of love. Even when loved ones cannot be with us, we can feel their presence through our deep connections to the natural world. Sun Kisses, Moon Hugs has received glowing testimonials from parents, librarians, social workers, teachers, hospice caregivers...and most importantly, kids.

Book Signing with Jessica Seiter Niblo

Jessica Seiter Niblo will be signing copies of her book Movietown Baby Grows Up this coming Saturday, January 12th, between 2 - 4 p.m.

A blithe reminiscence of Hollywood in the 30s, 40s and 50s through the life of one family:  William A. Seiter, director of 131 films, his wife Marian Nixon, actress in 63 films, and their family as seen through the eyes of the youngest child.  How they came to "Hollywood" and made their way to fame, how they worked to lead a "normal" family life in spite of governesses, glamorous parties and famous friends.  This is a scrapbook as well - with pictures galore interspersed throughout the rambling adventures of a "Movietown Baby" and her not-at-all everyday memories.

Book Signing with Judy Gruen

Judy Gruen will be signing copies of her book Till We Eat Again: A Second Helping on Sunday, January 6th, from noon until 2 p.m.

“I had my fat tested today. It came back positive.” Facing this inescapable observation, Judy Gruen set out to lose fifteen pounds in time for a college reunion. But as she discovered, no two diet “experts” agree on anything, even whether lentils are good for people with Type A blood. Originally published as Till We Eat Again: Confessions of a Diet Dropout, this newly revised and updated edition, Till We Eat Again: A Second Helping, remains a classic and hilarious chronicle of one woman's real-life attempt to make sense out of diets named “Bad Carbohydrates and the Women Who Love Them,” and compounds like “Hyper-Meta-Phedra-Bolic,” which may boost metabolism but also might cause cardiac arrest.

During her quest for thinness, Judy also belly dances to the “camel,” runs laps while an Army major blows his whistle at a fitness boot camp, and gets tangled in yoga positions so bizarre the paramedics need the “Jaws of Life” to get her out. She also tries to avoid diet despair as medical researchers conclude that even drinking too much water can kill you. After months of these and other indignities, she’ll even earn a little star from Weight Watchers for losing five pounds. This book offers equal measures of comedy and inspiration for anyone who wants to lose five or fifty pounds.

“I laughed out loud because this book is so funny and so true. I loved it! Judy’s witty takeaway on diet scams is hysterical, and that detox section…I was ROTFL!” – Jennifer Cohen, author and founder of No Gym Required; fitness spokesperson, Weight Watchers “Who among us has not felt terror upon hearing the words, ‘Reunion coming up?’ Fortunately, Judy Gruen’s terror is tastier than a Twinkie and half the calories. Come to think of it, ZERO calories. So indulge!” – Lenore Skenazy, author of the book and blog, Free-Range Kids; host of Discovery/TLC International’s World’s Worst Mom “If I had to get dragged to the gym, I’d want to pull up my mat next to Judy Gruen. She dreams of donuts during bicep curls! Who can’t relate to that?” – Celia Rivenbark, author of the New York Times bestseller, You Don’t Sweat Much for a Fat Girl “Judy Gruen has found the funny in dropping those stubborn pounds and lightly sautéed it into a deliciously fun book. Go ahead and pile on a generous helping!” – Jen Singer, author of You’re a Good Mom (and Your Kids Aren’t So Bad Either); founder of MommaSaid.net