Sure, we’re squealing about Carrie Bradshaw’s return this week. But fans of author Jennifer Echols are just as eager to welcome back Lori McGullicuddy, the protagonist from her 2007 ro-com, THE BOYS NEXT DOOR. And like lady Bradshaw, your gurl Lori is back in a much-anticipated sequel. Yes, the newly-released ENDLESS SUMMER is finally here! And to sweeten the pot for followers and newcomers alike, both books (THE BOYS NEXT DOOR and ENDLESS SUMMER) are included in this one volume.

Here’s a teaser to catch you up on all the fun in the sun:

About ENDLESS SUMMER:
Two irresistible boys. One unforgettable summer.
Lori can’t wait for her summer at the lake. She loves wakeboarding and hanging with her friends–including the two hotties next door. With the Vader brothers, she’s always been just one of the guys. Now that she’s turning sixteen, she wants to be seen as one of the girls, especially in the eyes of Sean, the older brother. But that’s not going to happen–not if the younger brother, Adam, can help it.
Lori plans to make Sean jealous by spending time with Adam. Adam has plans of his own for Lori. As the air heats up, so does this love triangle. Will Lori’s romantic summer melt into one hot mess?

EndlessSummercover

The awesome Ms. Echols, a 2010 Rita Award finalist (for GOING TOO FAR), delights readers with her colorful characters and saucy storytelling. I totally consider myself a fan, so the below Q&A with Jenn was all the more enjoyable…

DR:  What’s your favorite stage of your work process: researching, writing or editing?
JS: I get the biggest high from writing. When it’s going well, there’s no better feeling. But wow, I love editing, and it’s so much easier!

DR: How do you get over a major bout of writer’s block?
JS: I don’t get writer’s block. I have taught enough writing classes to know that usually if I’m having trouble writing, it’s because I’m having trouble making a decision about the direction of the book. That’s what I work on until I have a breakthrough.

DR: What bad habit are you desperately trying to break out of?
JS: Eating after 7 p.m. Whoops, it’s 9:16 and I might possibly have some cookies in the oven.

DR: What’s the craziest or coolest thing you’ve done in the name of research?
JS: I have taken a lot of long, strange road trips that will make their way into my novels sooner or later. I love a good road trip story!

DR: Think back to your sophomore year in high school. What were you like at age 15?
JS: Determined, definitely, because that was the year I tried out for drum major even though no girl had ever held that position in my high school marching band, and I made it.

DR: In PERFECT SHOT, London steps out of her sporty comfort zone to participate in a modeling contest. When was the last time you ventured far out of your comfort zone?
JS: Every time I go to a writer’s conference! Networking is made for extroverts. Introverts like me have to pretend to be extroverts for four days straight. It’s fun but exhausting!

DR: What’s your favorite spot to cozy up with a book?
JS: I have a beautiful screened-in porch on the second story of my house, surrounded by trees. I love to read and write there.

DR: These days, everyone and their pet pooch is a multi-hyphenate. What talents or professional titles would you include your multi-hyphenate profile?
JS: Author/mother/copyeditor/reader/runner! Gotta include the running because of those cookies in the oven. Let me go check on them.

Save a batch for me, Jenn! Cookies would go great with my marathon reading of ENDLESS SUMMER.