SAVE THE DATE: Body Movers Book Club Meeting!

These books look way fun! I've looked at them before and must have had way too many books to be read. I will be looking into these right away! :)

Who is her mysterious friend Hannah anyway?  Why does she keep everything about her personal life a secret? 

 I'm also curious how you are going to decide which man Carlotta ends up with???

Ok- I am addicted to these books. I am eagerly awaiting 5 then six. I do like the triangle. I found these books because I am fan of the Stephanie Plum- J. Evanovich series. I would like to say that Carlotta is so more realistic. I like to see that struggles that her and her brother go through.

 I am getting a bit worried. I am a Coop fan. Of the three he seems the most suited for Carlotta & Wesley. But he seems to have developed issues.

Q: though I am sure you can't answer but I am curious..... Will Wesley every tell E- what her boyfriend is truly like? Will Wesley ever become involved with E. Will Carlotta ever hear from her Mom? Her Dad keeps getting in touch but where is Mom????

I guess I will wait for Friday.... Is Stephanie going to be on all day???? I live in Mountain time.  

Will Carlotta end up with Coop?  or will Mitch become an additional man in her life?   P.S.  I screwed up when I registered - my name is really Brenda :)

On the Carlotta forgiving Peter. Peter has asked for forgiveness but I think you are right... I don't think she has truly forgiven him for leaving her when she truly needed him. It says in 5 that she will be moving in w/ Peter. That should cause some fireworks w/ Jack and Coop. I sometimes wonder if Carlotta is keeping Peter in her life more for help clearing her Dad's name vs. love. What does everyone think????

Three more days till the release of five.... it is going to be a busy day on Friday...Stephanie on-line and a new book to read. Looks like the kids will have to eat pizza cause I will be too busy enjoying a visit with my friends Carlotta, Hannah, Wesley and my favorite Coop. 

Stephanie, I love this series!  I absolutely love Carlotta and all her escapades. 

I want to know a few things: 1. Will Carlotta finally choose between Coop, Peter and Jack by the end of the series? (BTW - I'm rooting for Coop.) 2. Will her father's crime be resolved by the end?  3. Will Wesley's life be straightened out by the end?

I'm in the middle of #4 right now, I just got my Amazon package today with #5 in it, and I've already pre-ordered #6. 

Thanks for letting me know that Amazon ships out so you get the book on release day. I usually sign up to have the local library buy the book then get impatient and I go buy the books at a local bookstore. I guess this way sales go up if they are buy books and so am I.

My question is will we ever hear from Carlotta's mother. We hear how the kids miss the Dad but what about Mom.

I work in Substance Abuse and the writing of Wesley and his OC addiction is very accurate - the withdrawals, cravings, mood swings - very nicely portrayed

My other question is how on earth could her parents EVER be redeemed after abandoning their children. Whether they are guilty of crimes or not, there is NO excuse for a parent to walk away from their young children - no matter what.  

Jayne- how did you get to read 6??? I want to be in the know.

Okay, I am hooked on the body movers series.  I just finished book 5 and without giving away part of the story oh my it can't be true.  I'm a Jack fan all the way Peter can take a flying leap, Coop was a good guy.  Carlotta would be bored with Peter and Coop can't figure himself out.  She needs someone who will keep her hoppin...of course Jack!.  Anyway I have 2 questions.  Was the cat in book 5 reincarnated as Angela?  And is there going to be more to the series than a #6?  Please say yes....

Stephanie I love the way you write, the charachters are original and fun.  The visuals you give are just enough to keep my attention.  Keep it up your books will always have a place in my library! :)

I found out about the body movers books on another authors site.  Read 1-5.  Read Ms. Bonds other books...whole lotta trouble...etc. Love 'em.  I noticed there are alot of hot cops in her books and Jack does seem to be there to save the day for Carlotta.  I vote for Jack as Carlotta's man.  Am I seeing hints of Jack needing a paternity test?

there is not one book of yours, ive not read and absolutelty loved!

in deep voodoo, the body series, love your sense of humor

im really looking forward to number 5 and 6.

im ashamed to say, i havnt gotten 5 yet, but plead stupidity on the dates

how many more of the series will you do and will you be doing any more series of the voodoo?

love the charms on the books, and love all of your coves actaully, i love getting your newlster and im was borned in ga,

tami

Hi Stephanie:

   Looks like my last comment didn't post.  I really want to know if Carlotta and Wesley are going to open the Christmas presents?  Any major twists planned for what's in there?  I know the police already opened them, so it won't be completely obvious, but maybe someone makes a switch?

Love the series.

Debbe K.

Welcome all to the online Book Club discussion for Body Movers!  I'll be answering all the questions one at a time, all day today.  Please keep adding questions if you have more. 

Jayne asked:  I have to confess that I've become a Body Movers junkie, and rapidly inhale the books as soon as I find them here in the office.  But I DO have a question for Stephanie and that's whether she actually knows what is in the Christmas Presents under Carlotta's tree and whether we'll ever know what's inside them?  Ok, that's TWO questions...

Jayne, first thanks for the support--I can't imagine how many books you COULD be reading, so I'm thrilled you're reading the books in the BODY MOVERS series.  To your questions:  I have a list of things that COULD be in the Christmas presents under the tree, and they keep changing as the story progresses.  I think I've narrowed it down to a few things, but depending on how many books I'll get to write in the series, they could either provide a nice, tidy ending, or knock Carlotta off her feet!  But yes, I promise that if I'm allowed to end the series the way I want to, I will be revealing the contents of the Christmas presents!

Brenda wrote:  Will Carlotta end up with Coop?  or will Mitch become an additional man in her life?

Carlotta hasn't told me yet which man she's going to choose!  But don't you think she deserves to be awash in men after giving up her twenties to raise Wesley?  I'm so happy for her because even though her heart is being tugged in different directions, I'm pleased that after being on her own for so long, she has three men who are willing to come to her rescue at any time.

Mitch...well, to be honest, I had thought to introduce Mitch as a spoiler for the men in her life, that he would breeze in on leave from the military and charm Carlotta and shake everything up....but about that time my editors asked me to write a back to back trilogy to give the series some momentum (books 4, 5, and 6).  Part of having a trilogy was to introduce an element that would be contained just in those books, so some of the story lines I had planned had to be changed or postponed, and one of those was realizing I could use Mitch in a different capacity. I can't say more without giving away too much, but I'll just say that at the moment, Mitch's future is up in the air. 

Brenda said:  I think Peter is weak. He showed lack of backbone when he dumped Carlotta. Personally- I don't think he has grown much. So how far is Stephanie going to take this series???? OMW (Oh My Word) what if it ends at 6..... No way, I keep telling myself that it can't be wrapped up in 5 & 6.

No doubt, Peter was weak when he left Carlotta all those years ago when she needed him most.  But...he was only 20 years old then, about the same age as Wesley, and we know how many bad decisions Wes has made!  Peter has paid for his mistake in the form of a bad marriage, and horrible guilt because he never stopped loving Carlotta, yet knowing he abandoned her, just as her father did.  So, in many respects, I feel sorry for Peter...he totally blew it as a immature young man.  And now that he's older and wiser, he's desperate to get Carlotta back, but knows that he faces steep competition from Jack and Coop.  But he does have one thing on his side:  history with Carlotta.  And since he works for the firm that Carlotta's father was accused of embezzling from, he's in the best position to help her figure out if her father was guilty of those charges, and that will go a long way toward winning her back.

As far as the length of the series, that's up to readers!  I would like at least 2 more books after book 6 to properly end the series....but if the trilogy sells really well, and my editors are willing, I'd like to see the series go to book 10, or longer.  I certainly have enough story lines in my head for these characters to keep going for as long as the series will sustain itself.  It has helped tremendously that those of you who like the series are helping to spread the word, so thank you!

HotRodMommy wrote:  Q: What I really want to know is if Carlotta will ever really forgive Peter for leaving her when she needed him the most? I think that's why she's having such a hard time letting him back into her life.  

I agree...Carlotta is so torn where Peter is concerned.  She remembers loving him and a part of her wants to go back to that time, when her life was perfect, before her father was arrested, before they lost everything and before her parents skipped town.  Peter reminds her of a time when her life when she was most secure and happy.  Plus, Peter was the first man who made love to her, and first love is a hard emotion for women to shake.

Ivote4Coop wrote:  On the Carlotta forgiving Peter. Peter has asked for forgiveness but I think you are right... I don't think she has truly forgiven him for leaving her when she truly needed him. It says in 5 that she will be moving in w/ Peter. That should cause some fireworks w/ Jack and Coop. I sometimes wonder if Carlotta is keeping Peter in her life more for help clearing her Dad's name vs. love.

I do believe that one of the reasons Carlotta can't let Peter go is because he feels like her one last link to her father, especially since Randolph has been in touch with Peter by phone.  (And yes, Jack in particular is not too happy about Carlotta moving in with Peter!)

I haven't read 5 yet- I thought it came out today, so I will be purchasing and reading today. Now about my favorite guy Coop- someone posted earlier along the lines of he was a good guy or something like that. I think the reason I like Coop so much is because he is the only male of the trio that seems to want to enhance Wesley's life. Jack uses Wesley and Peter spoils him. Coop tries to make him be a man. But I guess even the wonderful and perfect sometimes fall, but please, I am begging you don't blacken Coop to much.

CarolynA asked:  I want to know a few things: 1. Will Carlotta finally choose between Coop, Peter and Jack by the end of the series? (BTW - I'm rooting for Coop.) 2. Will her father's crime be resolved by the end? 3. Will Wesley's life be straightened out by the end?

Yes, Carlotta will have her happily ever after by the end of the BODY MOVER series.  I think she deserves that much after what she's been through.  And if I get to write 2 more books after book 6, then the questions about Randolph, Carlotta's father, will be answered.  And Wesley....well, he's 19 and he's bound to make more mistakes, but I'm hoping he'll at least be on a straighter path by the series end!  Remember that a lot of Wesley's problems (and Carlotta's) are wrapped up in not knowing what happened to their parents, so as those questions are answered, look for sister and brother to be ready to move on with their lives.

CaseyKones asked:  I know most people are Coop fans but I think her lifestyle would keep him flirting with the bottle!

She needs someone just as exciting - someone who can also get her out of trouble and create a few sparks along the way (Jack!)

Do we know when she will finally choose her man?

I do hear from a lot of Coop fans.  Coop has some issues he has to work out that have nothing to do with Carlotta, the extent of which you'll learn by the end of book 6.  And Carlotta would be a fool to ignore the risk of giving her heart to someone who hasn't dealt with his own demons.  Coop has so many good things to offer Carlotta, but she can't fall into the trap that so many women do that she can save him from himself.  Let's hope that Coop is strong enough to work through his problems without involving Carlotta.  (She has enough of her own!)

Carlotta and Jack:  They have chemistry, no doubt.  But is it only physical with them?  Jack doesn't seem willing to open up to Carlotta...she doesn't even know where he lives!  And can you imagine the problems that would emerge from Jack being involved with a woman who like to involve herself in murder mysteries?  Protecting her now is practically a full time job--imagine if she had access to his police scanner!  On the other hand, if Jack was living with her, he could at least keep an eye on her.

As far as WHEN Carlotta will choose her man...I can't see her getting her personal life in order until she's able to find out and deal with what happened with her parents.  That's been such an emotional stumbling block for her, I think she needs closure there, for example, before she can objectively evaluate her feelings for Peter, since he's so intertwined in her father's case.

ChristaT asked:  Who is her mysterious friend Hannah anyway?  Why does she keep everything about her personal life a secret? 

 I'm also curious how you are going to decide which man Carlotta ends up with???

 Hannah is becoming curiouser and curiouser....she's been Carlotta's best friend for so long, but Jack's new partner Maria brings up some good questions in book 4:  How well does Carlotta really know Hannah...and is Carlotta friends with Hannah precisely because Hannah demands so little of her?  I didn't have room in the spring trilogy (books 4-6) to reveal too much about Hannah simply because there's so many other things going on, but look for more layers to peel off Hannah in subsequent books!

How am I going to decide which man Carlotta will end up with?  I'm going to let Carlotta tell me...Carlotta's background and personality are so different than mine, I don't pretend to think that my choice for her would be the same as the choice she'd make for herself.  Maybe she'll decide that she wants to experience the life she would've had with Peter.  Or maybe she'll decide that she needs the electricity she generates with Jack to feel alive.  Or maybe she'll decide she needs Coop's calming influence to level out her chaos.  I think a lot of it will depend on her state of mind after the business with her father/parents is resolved.

Ivote4Coop wrote:  Caseykones has a point regarding Wesley and how his drug use is portrayed. Do the parents even know about Wesley and the issues that are going on? You see dad only concerned about declaring his innocence- telling Carlotta to stay close to Peter. Do Mom and Dad even care that they abandoned their children or are they just concerned with clearing Dad's name so they can stop hiding? I think Stephanie does a good job with a tough issue... you have abandon children that do get angry with their parents yet they love their parents and want to see them. I would like to know if Carlotta will ever get angry and speak her past hurt to her Dad? Wesley seems emotionally stunted. He is an adult yet his choices, actions are consistent with a teenager. I wonder if there will ever be a scene of Carlotta and Wesley truly speaking their hurts, feelings-

You bring up some very good points.  We know the parents were unbelievably selfish for leaving their children, and for leaving Carlotta to raise Wesley with very few resources.  And we know from the few times that Carlotta has had contact with her father that he's "been keeping tabs on them."  But how?  And to what extent?  Does he simply know they still live in the townhouse, or does he know what kinds of things they've been going through since they were abandoned?  I do foresee a time when both Carlotta and Wesley will have the chance to express to their father--and perhaps their mother--how they feel about them and their actions.  And you're right--Wesley has certainly suffered a great deal from their absence.  On the other hand, Wesley has said before that while he had Carlotta, she had no one.  Shame on the Wrens for doing what they did...can they ever redeem themselves?  And even if they offer an explanation, will it be enough to satisfy Carlotta and Wesley?  Or Jack?  He's been pretty vocal to Carlotta about what he thinks of her father for running from his obligations.  Jack would certainly be in a position to take the law into his own hands.... 

SunshinePS wrote:   Was the cat in book 5 reincarnated as Angela?  And is there going to be more to the series than a #6?  Please say yes....

I won't answer the question about the cat to keep from spoiling it for those who haven't yet read book 5, but...isn't it fun to think that Angela would come back to haunt Carlotta?  And just the thought that Carlotta would consider something so crazy says a lot about her guilt and her unease about getting close to Peter, about being in the home he once shared with Angela.

 And I'm talking to my editors now about the future of the series.  I'd like to do at least 2 more books after book 6, but with the state of the economy, it really boils down to how well the spring trilogy sells.  I know my editors like me and the books, but this is about business, and it all comes down to how many copies of the books they can sell.  I know I have many loyal readers...I just hope there are enough of you to keep the series going!