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February 28, 2005

And now...The moment you've all been waiting for...

From Michelle, Introducing The Wonderful Stephanie Lehmann!

Well, we've been teasing you for a bit about the identity of our first mysterious guest, and now the cat's out of the bag!

What can I tell you about Stephanie? Well, apart from being one of the nicest people I know, her third book THE ART OF UNDRESSING, is hitting the shelves as we speak. And who can resist a book that contains an exotic dancer mother, sex toys and pink feather boas? Certainly not me!

Rian Montgomery of chicklitbooks.com gave a great five-star review, and without any further ado, here is a little teaser and mini fun interview with Stephanie...plus, don't forget to pop back here to find out how you can win a copy of one of Stephanie's books.

THE ART OF UNDRESSING

Ginger's mother, Coco, used to be an exotic dancer, though now she makes her living selling sex toys and teaching classes like "The Fine Art of Striptease." A straitlaced, self-respecting twenty-five-year-old, aspiring pastry chef Ginger has no desire to follow in her mother's high-heeled footsteps. She's too busy trying to convince her sadistic French cooking school instructor of her talents in the kitchen.

When Ginger gets sweet on a fellow student, she finds herself ill-equipped in the art of seduction. And when she discovers she has a reputation for being "just one of the guys," suddenly, she's looking for some motherly advice on how to catch the man she loves.

FUN INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE

[Michelle] Have you ever taken stripping lessons or stripped for your husband?

[Stephanie] Like my heroine, I'm modest. Was born with exposure anxiety. My mom tells me I came out wearing a onesie. Problem is, I'm also an exhibitionist. Which is part of why I became a writer. I did take a stripping class once, hoping to loosen up a bit for my husband. But when I performed for him, my inhibitions got in the way. So I started out naked and gradually dressed myself. Then I made him watch me stand there in my clothes while we didn't have sex.

[Michelle] Did you have to visit any exotic dancer clubs as part of your research?

[Stephanie] Yes, I did have to. But, you know, writers must sometimes sacrifice themselves for their art. Actually, the decision to write this novel was part of an extremely elaborate plan to have a good excuse to go to strip clubs. I wanted to know what went on in these places. I went with groups of friends to a few different ones, and I have to say, it's a real eye opener -- in more ways than one.

I might mention that the ex-exotic dancer character of Coco gives a few lessons on how to strip in the course of the novel, so readers can learn all the techniques as an added bonus.

[Michelle] Did you take your husband with you?

[Stephanie] Are you kidding? I wouldn't want my daughter to see him gaping at those women!

Seriously. Some women like to go with their husbands or boyfriends, but I couldn't stand that. I'd just be sitting there fuming, thinking how dare he allow that woman to give him a lap dance?! What a sexist pig! But of course, I had perfectly good reason to be there as part of my research, so I could gape all I wanted. But no, I didn't get a lap dance. I'm too shy.

[Michelle] Do you know any exotic dancers?

[Stephanie] We all know exotic dancers. We just don't know that we know them...

[Michelle] Are you good at cooking?

[Stephanie] I am good at cooking. I have this uncanny ability to time out how long to microwave my Lean Cuisines so they're done perfectly on the first shot.

[Michelle] Do you get excited about stainless steel the way most women get excited about diamonds?

[Stephanie] I get excited about my stainless steel dishwasher.

[Michelle] Have you ever sold sex toys?

[Stephanie] Only when I auctioned off my old vibrator on Ebay. Just kidding! I did organize my own sex toy party -- as further research for the book, of course. It's enlightening to see your friends discussing whether they prefer the high-powered electric vibes or the more gentle models with less intense stimulation. Suddenly it's all fodder for casual discussion. It's a great bonding experience and really helps to "normalize" the idea of enjoying your sexuality.

* * *

Stephanie's going to be with us for the whole of the month of March, so don't forget to pop back tomorrow for her first entry!

Michelle

Posted by Michelle at 12:18 PM