May 2014
Photo © Jane Reed Wilson
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Photo © Natalie Zaman.
Putting characters into difficult situations is fun for Charlotte Bennardo, who loves to write young adult, new adult, and middle grade fiction, although she has written poetry and non-fiction articles. She is the co-author of Blonde OPS, Sirenz, and Sirenz Back In Fashion, and is working on several solo novels. She lives in central New Jersey with her family, a lunatic squirrel, and 2 cats.
When not on the road Natalie can be found in central New Jersey where she lives with her family, a dog-bear and several fine looking chickens.
What are you reading? What's on your nightstand?
On my nightstand I have George R Martin's Game of Thrones, Kevin Mitnick's Ghost in the Wires (non-fic), D.P. Lyle's Stress Fracture (detective) and Christopher Paolini's Brisinger.
Where do you go to get inspired?
I like to watch the Discovery or Smithsonian Channel, or go to the library for research, or listen to my kids talk.
What's something that surprised you recently (in a good way)?
That I can write sci fi- I'm not a science genius, but it wasn't that hard!
Where do you write?
In my office, in the car when my son is at fencing/tutoring lessons, or where ever I get an idea, even if I have to write it on my arm.
What/who makes you laugh? Why?
I LOVE silly stuff, like the Home Alone movies, really bad puns, and general goofiness.
Favorite fictional character ever?
Aragorn from Lord of the Rings. He's flawed and doubting and reluctant- yet he goes on an epic quest anyway, knowing it may all be for nothing, but because it was the right thing to do.
What are you working on?
Several things! Finishing up edits on my new adult sci fi, edits for my middle grade WW2 story set at the Berlin Zoo, waiting on a revision letter for my Jeckyll & Hyde middle grade story. (And I have several other manuscripts that need attention in my desk drawer.)
"Bennardo and Zaman offer a light mystery filled with fashion tips, entertaining dialogue, a pair of potential romances for Bec and an alluring roman setting... an energized pace, every shifting suspects, and an intriguing glimpse into the benefits and drawbacks of art and fame."
—Publishers Weekly
"Love, fashion, kidnappings. Which one does not belong?...In a seamless blend between two authors-Charlotte Bennardo and Natalie Zaman-the story moves along at a quick pace. You find yourself unable to put the book down as, like Bec, you want to know who is safe to trust and who is after the First Lady. A unique novel that perfectly blends together a mystery, with a dash of love, and a pinch of fashion is truly fitting for any girl to read as it hits aspects of everyone's interest... it surely will be one of my best reads of 2014."
—Teen Ink
"Readers will be taken with the pink-haired protagonist and her Italian exploits."
—Kirkus Reviews
"The premise is irresistible, and sounds like Clueless meets Veronica Mars. If Tina Fey and/or Amy Poehler hopped on as producers, this one could have huge potential."
—Studio System News, 2014 SSN Picks, The Bologna Children's Book Fair
"A big, delicious ice-cream cone of a novel! Blonde OPS is a hilarious, fast-paced mystery/thriller combining high fashion, computer hacking, and international intrigue, plus a couple of very hot guys and one of the most engaging and original heroines ever, set against the background of Rome at its most romantic. I dare anyone not to love this!"
—Molly Cochran, NY Times bestselling author of Legacy, Poison, and Seduction
"This series debut weaves a web of mythology, romance, bird beaks, and high fashion. Readers, of course, will have to suspend disbelief but the experiences of this sartorial odd couple are funny and entertaining, and the mythological elements add a little extra pizzazz. Don't expect historical accuracy; these are not your everyday Homeric deities. Bennardo and Zaman are bringing the gods into the twenty-first century, and Meg and Shar get caught up in the fast-paced drama."
—Booklist
Blonde Ops by
Expelled from yet another boarding school for hacking, sixteen-year-old Rebecca "Bec" Jackson is shipped off to Rome to intern for Parker Phillips, the editor-in-chief of one of the world's top fashion magazines. But when a mysterious accident lands Parker in a coma, former supermodel and notorious drama queen Candace Worthington takes the reins of the magazine. The First Lady is in Rome for a cover shoot, and all hands are on deck to make sure her visit goes smoothly.Bec quickly realizes that Parker's "accident" may not have been quite so accidental, and when the First Lady's life is threatened, Bec is determined to uncover the truth. On top of that, Bec must contend with bitchy models, her new boss, Candace, who is just as difficult as the tabloids say, and two guys, a hunky Italian bike messenger with a thousand-watt smile and a fashion blogger with a razor-sharp wit, who are both vying for her heart.Can Bec catch the person who's after the First Lady, solve the mystery of Parker's accident, and juggle two cute boys at the same time? Blonde Ops is a fun, action-packed romp through the hallways of a fashion magazine and the cobblestone streets of Rome.
Sirenz Back in Fashion by
It's Hell on heels--again! When Shar tries on a Tiffany's diamond ring from Hades, the annoyingly hot Lord of the Underworld, it activates an obscure contractual clause that puts Shar and former-frenemy-turned-friend Meg in Hades' service once more. Shar is whisked away to prepare a ball, while Meg is sent to help a spoiled rich girl. Just when it appears the girls will be doomed to serve Hades for eternity, two gorgeous demigods show up. But can the girls finally ditch Hades forever?
Sirenz by
Bickering frenemies Meg and Shar are doing some serious damage at a midnight sample sale when the fashionistas find themselves arguing over a pair of shoes-with fatal consequences. One innocent bystander later, the girls are suddenly at the mercy of Hades, Lord of the Underworld himself. To make them atone for what they've done, Hades forces the teens to become special-assignment Sirens, luring to the Underworld an individual whose unholy contract is up. Finding that delicate balance between their fashion addiction and their new part-time job in the eternal hellfire biz turns out to be harder than Meg and Shar expected, especially when an entire pantheon of Greek deities decides to get involved. Then there's the matter of the fine print in their own contracts...
