Meet and Greet is a regular feature on my blog. Be forewarned…Unlike the typical interview, these brief questions will get to the true heart of my guests…or at least the heart of what’s in their kitchen. Grab a latte (or other beverage of your choice), find a comfy chair, and prepare to make a new friend.
All my Meet and Greet guests are special, but I’m extra, extra excited today because my critique partner is here! Krista Phillips’s debut novel just released, and I’m soooo excited to share in the celebration! Having gotten a sneak peek at her book, I can assure you that it will make you laugh out loud and turn pages way past your bedtime.
Krista Phillips writes inspirational romantic comedy. She believes a sprinkle of laughter (and a wee bit of chocolate) makes everything a little better! She blogs regularly about life as a wife, mother, follower of Jesus, and mother of a child with a rare congenital heart defect at www.kristaphillips.com. Her debut novel, Sandwich, With a Side of Romance, releases in September, 2012.
You can also connect with Krista on Twitter and Facebook.
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Welcome, Krista!!! Have I said how excited I am you’re here?! 
Let’s get to the questions, shall we?
Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?
Pretty, Good, Awesome, Amazing, Smart, Funny, Talented (I asked my children and this was their answer…I totally have them fooled!!!!)
MY answer would be…
Perpetual-dieter, Procrastinator, Nice, Forgetful, Opinionated, Goofy, Dreamer
Either/Or Questions:
1) Fjords of Norway or Pyramids of Egypt? Pyramids… only because I have no clue what a Fjord is. Actually, let’s do the Fjord thing. I’ll get to learn something!
2) You’ve Got Mail or Notting Hill? Are you kidding me??? You’ve Got Mail. No competition there.
3) Kit Kat or Twix? Twix. Nothing beats chocolate and caramel!
4) Day at the mall or Day at the spa? Um. Both? A day at the mall that has a spa in it I can go to? If I have to choose, it depends how much money I have. If I was only going to window shop, I’d take the spa. If I had a shopping spree and could buy whatever I want, mall.
5) Jump in with both feet or Enjoy the view? Jump in with both feet. Although I’m working on trying to enjoy the view more!
6) Gourmet chef or Chef Boyardee? Neither. McDonalds. *grin*
7) Flip flops or Slingbacks? Flipflops, but ones without the little thing between your big toe and whatever you call the toe next to it. Uncomfortable!
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LOL, Krista, I have to admit to being a flip-flop addict, but I don’t blame you for finding them uncomfortable. Definitely not a shoe for a day at the mall. And wouldn’t it be nice to get an unlimited shopping spree? I can’t even imagine where I’d begin! Hmm, The Loft, Bed Bath and Beyond…the options are endless.
Thanks so much for visiting today! I can’t wait to read your book (again)!
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Sandwich, With a Side of Romance
She moved to Sandwich, Illinois, in search of a new life, but ended up in a giant pickle.
Sandwich represents hope for twenty-year-old Maddie Buckner and Kyle, the eleven-year-old brother Maddie wants to spring out of foster care. Then she loses her new job after less than a day. It’s all Reuben-the-Jerk’s fault, and she’s determined to make him right the wrong.
He does so, reluctantly, by giving her a job at his restaurant, The Sandwich Emporium. Then crazy things start happening at the restaurant, and Kyle’s foster parents apply to adopt him. To stop it all, Maddie must learn the art of humbling herself and accepting the help God has arranged, risking her heart to Reuben in the process.
And she’d rather eat a million corned-beef on rye sandwiches than do that.
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Blog Readers: Let’s Talk…If you were given an unlimited shopping spree, where would you go first? What would you be most excited to spend the money on? Or if you’re not a shopper, let’s talk sandwiches since Krista’s book is making me hungry….What’s your favorite sandwich ever?
*Giveaway Details: Krista has offered to give away a copy of Sandwich, With a Side of Romance! All you have to do is leave a comment. (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!
**The winner of last week’s Amazon giveaway is Melissa Tagg! I’ll contact you this week with details.
Fun interview, Sarah and Krista! (I didn’t know what a fjord was either, Krista. lol)
Hmmm…unlimited shopping spree? Does online shopping count? I’d have to pick Amazon, or maybe a Lego store for my kids.
LOL, Heidi, I guess I can thank my middle school geography teacher for telling me about fjords.
And an unlimited Amazon shopping spree would be my dream come true!
I’m with Sarah… unlimited amazon? SOLD! (although, to be honest, I’d still love to have an unlimited mall one…. ha!)
Ahhh, how fun! Yay for winning!
And it’s funny because if I had unlimited spending, I just might spend the bulk of it on Amazon…books! Or Target. Because I’m pretty sure I could easily spend a fortune there.
I love romantic comedy, so I definitely need to read Krista’s book. Great interview!
Ohhh, I didn’t think about Target. Excellent choice, Melissa.
Target’s a good choice too!!!!
Unlimited shopping?!? I would definitely head first to Kohl’s. I may be a little bit of an addict to their sales and their kids clothes…
As for sandwiches, I really enjoy a good peanut butter and banana sandwich. We seem to have lots of peanut butter sandwiches around our house lately!
I love Kohl’s kids clothes, Debbie! Most of my kids’ wardrobes come from there. Well, except for what comes from Grandma.
And I had a peanut butter and banana sandwich for breakfast! (minus the bread)
Great minds…..
My kids love PB&B sandwiches!!!
And Kohls is awesome!
Congrats to Krista! It’s great to learn more about her. So excited about her book.
As far as shopping goes, if funds were unlimited, I might buy a car and then take a vacation. And of course, hit the mall for new clothes to wear on vacation!
Happy Monday!
Oh wow, you’re thinking big, Karen! I love it.
Happy Monday to you too!
Ohhhhhhhhh, okay, I change my vote! I want to go shopping where Karen is going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ll add my congrats to Krista, for sure. Unlimited shopping? I’d start out with fancy cosmetics that keep your skin looking younger, then a haircut, move on to clothes, INCLUDING tailoring (I’m only 4’6″…rarely do adult clothes, even petite fit me correctly), then on to the kitchen store where I can buy cool stuff for my bread-baking hobby. Some newer techie stuff would be fun, too. An I-phone, etc. The book store, duh!
So, how’s THAT for dream shopping?
Blessings, Voni
Oh my goodness, Voni, you know how to live it up! I love your list. I didn’t even think about techie stuff. An iPad would definitely be on my must-buy list.
Yeah, Sarah, I kept saying, “oh yeah, I didn’t think about that!” so I kept adding and adding! lol
LOL, I love it.
Yes, yes! See? The mall would need to have a Barnes n Noble AND a Mac authority store… and a Williams Sonoma (i think that’s what it’s called??? I went there once and almost fainted at the first price tag…!) I’m starting to really want this shopping spree!
great question…i think i would go on a furniture shopping spree…and redecorate the house
thanks for the chance to read krista’s novel, sarah
Great idea, Karen! Especially since furniture is far from cheap.
THIS is a good option too… as I sit on my kid-stained couch… better wait on this shopping spree until my kids are a little bit older and 1.) all past potty training and 2.) can learn to actually NOT put muddy shoes on the couch. It might be a while… at least on #2!
I love shopping, but only if I have the time, money, and friends to do it.
I’d probably go to Kohl’s and buy a whole new wardrobe…after I lose the 15 pounds I’m aiming to lose by the end of the year. Yep. That would be fun!
LOL, A shopping spree just isn’t the same without friends along, is it, Lindsay?
And I’m a Kohl’s fanatic too. There’s one right across the street from my kids’ preschool, which makes for a big temptation when I drop them off. :/
Love me some Kohls! And right there with you on the weightloss outfit…although I need to lose about 3 times what you do!
Fun interview. I’m a Kit Kat girl all the way. My kids love Twix. Great to meet you, Krista!
Kit Kat and Twix are both my faves, Loree. But I have to admit that Kit Kat wins by a teensy tiny little bit.
Love the cover – looks like a fun book! I’m not a shopper by nature, but since losing thirteen pounds of baby weight I’m starting to enjoy clothes shopping once again, so I’d take the shopping spree at New York & Company or Old Navy!
Woohoo for losing the baby weight, Gabrielle! I’d say that’s a great reason for a shopping spree.
Thanks Gabrielle! NY&C was my go to place when I worked for good business casual clothes! Love them! Love me some Old Navy too… but have a few more pounds to lose before I can dream there!
Talking about food is right up my alley! I finished (& published) my cookbook last Oct that has lots of funny stories of my pastor & missionary wife days. My favorite sandwich? In 4th grade a friend & I created the first PEANUT BUTTER AND MUSTARD SANDWICH. To this day – you ask my grown kids..what’s your mom’s favorite sandwich…this is the one!
Oh my goodness, Melody, I can’t imagine what a peanut butter and mustard sandwich would taste like. But now I may just have to try it. Do you use regular yellow mustard?
Wow… my husband is KING of creative sandwiches, I’ll have to share this one with him!!!!!
Krista, you seem so fun! I think a little chocolate makes everything better as well (but I’ve become a chocolate snob these days…only Swiss chocolate will do).
Sarah, I’m addicted to avocados right now, so my new favorite sandwich is avocado and hummus. YUM.
Avocados are so good in sandwiches, Melanie! A friend in college used to make a breakfast bagel sandwich and would put a slice of avocado on it. Yum!
So nice to see Krista here!
An unlimited shopping spree? It’s hard to pick one store because I usually can’t find everything I want in a single place. I’d have to say, “Macy’s.” I was in there on Saturday, and they had some clothes that made it hard to resist.
Love me some Macy’s too, Susan!!! I stay away unless I’m really wanting to buy though… SO very tempting!
I love your shopping choice, Susan. Macy’s has it all.
No need to enter me. Just wanted to celebrate Krista’s book! I’m so excited about it!
Wow, this is dangerous. Start me off at Banana Republic. And my favorite sandwich is a panini with mozzarella, basil pesto, and a garden fresh tomato…heavenly.
Looking forward to meeting the author and the interviewer
*hugs* Thanks, Julia!! I’m looking forward to meeting BOTH you and Sarah too! Banana…. ahhh, My dream is to actually fit into those clothes (and my next dream is to afford them, HA HA HA!)
Wow, are we all meeting NEXT WEEK?! Holy moly, that came fast.
Everyone needs a bit of a fun read now and then. This one sounds like total fun! What kind of sandwich do I like? Well I like a good dark & hardy bread. I like lots of mayonaise. I like dill stackers or ovals, sliced onion, really good deli meat (maybe turkey and roast beef), and a slice of harvarti cheese. Oh, don’t forget some really good crisp romaine. A lot of crisp, a bunch of meat/cheese protein, and the slider effect with the mayo. Yummy
Very, aren’t fun reads just so… fun?
Your sandwich sounds like my husband’s dream sandwich!!!! I’m a meat/cheese/bread kinda girl… but LOVE me some roast beef deli meat (angus, on the pink side… not that I’m picky or anything!)
Oh my goodness, Vera, I’m drooling….seriously. Your sandwich sounds soooo good!
Tweeted https://twitter.com/GG_Survey/status/245369029559205889
You should be able to click the link and re-tweet it
I’m a soup/sandwich girl all around. Ask any of my girlfriends and they’ll tell you! My favorite sandwich is the Turkey Melt from McAllisters! Yum!
I would probably hit the Home Store, a mom/pops decorating store here in town because I love buying stuff for the house!
Krista, I am looking forward to reading your book. I love to laugh!
Ohhh, I love-love-love McAllisters, Jessica! I just discovered my new favorite salad of all-time there. I forget what it’s called, but it has chicken, feta cheese, cranberries, almonds, and everything else that tastes like perfection all mixed together. Yum!
Have to say a shopping spree on Amazon. Books…music and pretty much whatever else you need is probably available on there.