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Ginger and her identical twin brothers ,Pat and Nat,are going are going to a camping trip with their parents and go deep into the woods.First of all when they got there they got lost plating hide and seek.Not a problem at all,Ginger had to go to a dumb nature camp anyway,but then when they get deeper in the woods everything is very strange,the trees are huge and the bushes are and plants are purple and the grass is a dark yellow.Then Ginger and her brothers meat the beasts from the east,they look like huge gorillas with their fur blue and their skin a raspberry sort of coser with blueberry in it,too.But then the beasts say they want to play tag,not a kind of "Tag Your It!!"it's more of "Tag you are it the winners live and the losers get eaten" kind of tag...

What I don't like about the book is the cover,R.L calls them beasts but from what they look like on the cover I think they are cute especially with the fangs.Maybe they should just add red eyes and toe nail fungus that is what I like about the cover is the cuteness.What I do like about the book is I love nature and I would love it if I was there and I would probably call my dad with my cell phone!Or I would say "No I am not playing this game!!!!I also love the name Ginger because I also like the spice.

Beauty Shop for Rent
By Laura Bowers
Harcourt Books
978-0-15-205764-0
Copyright 2007
Hardcover, 330 pages
YA/General Fiction
12 & up

Reviewed by Mayra Calvani

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel by first-time author Laura Bowers.

Fourteen-year old Abbey Garner lives with her great-grandmother and works part-time at her struggling beauty shop. The place has been displaying a ‘For Rent’ sign over a year, to no avail. Then one day a beautiful and sophisticated young woman comes to rent it, bringing with her modern ideas to remodel the shop. Soon Abbey grows to love and admire her. How can she not? She’s everything Abbey’s mother is not—successful, independent, reliable. Now that the shop has been turned into a modern spa, Abbey is able to work more toward her big dream: to become rich by the time she turns thirty five. But then, her mother, who had Abbey when she was sixteen and practically abandoned her, comes back into the picture, turning Abbey’s orderly life upside down.

Don’t be fooled by the fun, whimsical aspect of the beauty spa idea; although the setting adds a touch of hilarity to the story, this is a strong, beautifully written and heart-warming tale about a young teenager’s search for maternal love. It is a coming-of-age novel about overcoming disappointment and about forgiveness. Abbey is a sensitive, thoroughly sympathetic protagonist. Beauty Shop for Rent is fine piece of work that will appeal to both young adults and adults alike.

*This review originally appeared in Armchair Interviews

Laura Bowers on Laura Bowers: "I'm a wife, mother of two active boys and I live in a house where baseball season never ends. (Go ahead, ask me the rules on balking!) As a kid, I was a total tomboy who loved everything about horses. As an adult, I've had a lot of job titles: waitress, gym membership salesperson, data entry, telemarketer, real estate agent, receptionist, secretary, and in my broke college days, a roving character in costume at holiday mall parades. In 1998, I made the decision to add my favorite job title: writer. (But dressing in costume was pretty cool, too!)

Could you tell us about your path to publication, any sprints or stumbles along the way?

I've had many, many stumbles and lots of trials and errors! My trials? The time spent trying to write sophisticated books like Sidney Sheldon or epic novels like Jean Auel first comes to mind. That didn't exactly work out. My errors? Thinking I could be the next Dr. Seuss during my picture book phase is one of my many errors. Sprints? The editing process of Beauty Shop for Rent (Harcourt, 2007).

Was there anything during your apprenticeship that you felt was especially helpful? Was there anything you wish you'd skipped?

It's such a blessing to have fantastic writer friends who love and support me. Having someone in your corner is a definite must in this biz! What could I have skipped? The many times I procrastinated instead of writing. But hey, live and learn, right?

Congratulations on the publication of Beauty Shop for Rent (Harcourt, 2007)! Where did you get the initial idea for this book?

For years, I would pass a sign posted in front of a charming old house that read, "Beauty Shop for Rent...fully equipped, inquire within." The rusted corners and the way it started to slant with time intrigued me and I was often tempted to pull up the driveway and find out what the owner was like. Was she old? Longing to retire? When I asked myself what would happen if a young girl was left on her doorstep, I realized the sign wasn't just a curiosity--it was a book!

What was the timeline from spark to publication, and what were the major events along the way?

September 2002: Began writing.

Spring 2003: Talked myself out of it and quit.

October 2003: Had an editor tell me she loved the first chapter at a conference. Knew I had to tinkle or get off the pot. Wrote book.

February 2004: Submitted manuscript to editor, found an agent.

May 2004: Editor said no. Darn.

November 2004: Agent submitted to eleven publishers.

May 2005: Was offered contract from Harcourt. Screamed "Hallelujah!"

What were the challenges (literary, research, psychological, logistical) in bringing it to life?

As you can tell from my timeline, I was sometimes my biggest challenge by the way I'd let those nagging feelings of self-doubt take over. This is when my awesome writer friends would kick in with all their encouragement!

What is it like to be a debut author in 2007? What moments already stand out?

Wow, it's a lot of things. Wonderful, scary, exciting, surreal. I'm also fortunate to be a part of Class of 2k7, a group of mid-grade and young adult authors with books debuting in 2007. It's awesome being surrounded by so many talented writers who are all going through the same wonderful, scary, exciting and surreal experience as me!

What do you love about the writing process and why?

Editing. I love taking that big, fat rough draft and molding it into shape. Most of all, I love those rare and wonderful moments when you finally figure the story out, or when you fall so in love with a new, dynamic character and can't wait to tell their story!

What about do you wish you could skip and why?

Writing the first draft! And, while I do enjoy marketing, it's hard to strike that balance between writing and marketing.

How about publishing? What do you love about it? What do you abhor? And again, in both cases, why?

I loved working with my editor and the folks at Harcourt. They made the whole process relatively painless. Abhor? Waiting for reviews. It's agonizing when you know your book--your baby--is on someone's desk, waiting to be judged!

What advice do you have for beginning writers?

Find a writing buddy who can hold your hand when things are rough, always be true to your unique voice, and take time to celebrate your accomplishments, whether it's finishing a rough draft, getting a contract, having an article published or figuring out the perfect title!

How about those interested in writing for the young adult audience in particular?

Be true to the story and characters, rather than publishing trends.

Every so often, I have the opportunity to interview a kick-ass author for this blog. Today, Laura Bowers is the one kicking ass. She is the author of the brand spankin' new novel, Beauty Shop for Rent, a funny, touching and multi-generational novel about family—both the one we are born to and the one we create for ourselves. Beauty Shop for Rent is available in stores now.



“As homey, gossipy, and charming as a small-town beauty shop, Laura Bowers’ first novel will soothe your mind, cleanse your pores, and make your hair curl with laughter.”
--E. Lockhart

INTERVIEW WITH LAURA BOWERS: 

POKER QUESTIONS

Q: Have you ever played Texas Hold’em?
A: Nope, never. I rarely play any kind of poker, except for those rare occasions with my family. My boys love it, though.

Q: Is it because you fear my poker playing abilities?
A: Well, okay, maybe just a little. I could possibly be the worst player you’ll ever meet. Poker face? Forget it. I’m 100% transparent. But, I could totally kick your rear at Friends Trivial Pursuit.

Q: No really, is it because you’ve never had the opportunity or because you have something against it?
A: No, I have nothing against it. I love Texas. And I’m good at holding things. Maybe it’s because I’m a competitive gal who doesn’t play what I have no shot at winning. Wow, that sounds bratty, doesn’t it?

Q: How would you play an ace-ten on-suit in an 8-player game if you had a medium stack and were sitting to the left of the big blind?
A: Now you’re just showing off. Okay then, what’s the title of Joey’s favorite book that he keeps in the freezer?

Is it Big Slick by Eric Luper? No? Then, I don’t care.

CURRENT BOOK QUESTIONS

Q: Tell us a little about how your book came to be. Where did you get the idea?
A: I was inspired by a rusted sign that for years was posted in front of a charming old house. It read “Beauty Shop for Rent . . . fully equipped, inquire within,” and I knew that was my title!

Q: How long did it take to write the first draft?
A: I started the novel in 2002, but never finished because of procrastination, fear, intimidation—you name it. Then an editor critiqued the opening chapters at a 2003 conference and loved it, so I knew it was time to suck it up and write. It took me four months to write and edit the draft enough to send to the editor.

Q: What about revisions?
A: Lord. I seriously have no clue how many times I’ve rewritten the novel. At least ten times.

Q: Are you pleased with your cover design?
A: Adore it. There were two things I really wanted—the sign exactly as I read it all those years ago and a seated hair dryer. I was ecstatic when they included both, and the cute coffee cup!

Q: How do you feel about the impending release of your book?
A: Great. Fantastic. Couldn’t be better.

Q: No really, how do you feel about it?
A: Okay . . . I wish I could enjoy this more. This is a dream come true, right? But I’m too busy worrying about marketing and editing my next book to really enjoy the moment!

Q; What are you doing to promote your book?
A: Getting cool guys named Eric to interview me.

With a marketing plan like that, I don’t see how you can go wrong. There’s me…and Eric…ummm…Eric…well, there’s me.

WRITING PROCESS

Q: What is your writing schedule like?
A: While writing a rough draft, I’m pretty anal about word count. I don’t quit each writing session until I write at least 2,500 words. For editing, I shoot for three hours a day.

Q: What is your process for going about writing a book?
A: I do a ton of characterizations and outlining before starting a novel. Knowing the direction I’m going in makes me feel less intimidated. But most times, I veer off my carefully plotted path once I get past page 100!

Q: Are you in a critique group? How does that help you?
A: We’re not very active right now, but I was in a critique group while working on BSfR and they were a tremendous help!

MISCELLANEOUS AND SUNDRY

Q: Just because I can ask it, if you could have dinner with any famous person (living or dead) and language was not a barrier, who would it be and why?
A: Jesus, so he could maybe explain Revelations to me.

Q: Who are your favorite authors in your genre?
A: Joan Bauer and Sarah Dessen.

Q: Aside from my novel, what are your three favorite books for young people in any genre?
A; What, I can’t list yours? Forget it. I refuse to answer. Well . . . okay. HOPE WAS HERE by Joan Bauer, SPEAK by Laurie Halse Andersen and a tie between A LONG WAY FROM CHICAGO by Richard Peck and BECAUSE OF WINN DIXIE by Kate DiCamillo.

Q: Would your book be best as a big screen picture, television series, Friends Reunion episode, HBO movie, or something else?
A; Big screen, baby, think big!

Q: Who would play your main characters?
A: I will always, for any book I write, say Ashley Judd because she’s my favorite actress. For my main character? Maybe that cute girl from Little Miss Sunshine in a few years—without the glasses.

Q: What song would absolutely HAVE to be in the soundtrack?
A: “Nothing Sacred,” by Jonatha Brooke and “1963” by Rachael Yamagata.

Laura, thanks for putting up with my ridiculous questions. Best of luck with BEAUTY SHOP FOR RENT and keep those books coming! If you'd like to learn more about Laura Bowers, here are some links to her blog, author website, and MySpace page.