Babu's Bookshelf: The Chronicles of Moxie by Z.B. Heller

Moxie Summers is a curvy, twenty-six year-old teacher who has not had the best track record with relationships. In a drunken stupor at a bar, she meets Miles who turns out to be her sparing equal, until she vomits all over his shoes. Just when she thinks things couldn’t get worse, her dream man turns out to be the single father of the newest student in her class. While fighting an attraction for Miles, Moxie’s conniving stepmother tries to advise Moxie she needs to get in shape if she’s ever going to catch the man of her dreams. To make matters worse a Girl Scout plans Moxie’s demise, a surprise party makes everyone blush, and then there was the skunk… Can Moxie overcome all the Girl Scout cookies, food poisoning and a showdown at Costco to get to Miles?

Moxie is a sassy, foul-mouthed kindergarten teacher who doesn't know that she's looking for love. Miles is a widower with a son who has some issues. Add in Moxie's evil step-mother who is always making her feel bad about her weight, the great best friends, and coffee and you have a great recipe. The Chronicles of Moxie is the debut novel from Z.B. Heller. She has a great sense of humor and it shines in this book. However, the book seems a little scattered. There are times when it seemed that we were just being given a bunch of different euphemisms for sex that didn't have a place. Moxie is a lovable character and she is easy to relate to, especially with her insecurities. Miles is a great guy and I want to know so much more about him. I also can't wait to see what Dillion grows up to be! I look forward to reading more from this author. 3.5 out of 5.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Z.B. Heller for this post. First thing you should know is that she is absolutely HILARIOUS! Here's what we talked about.

Please tell us about your journey into writing and publishing. The journey started slow. I had this character in my head that was screaming to get out. Or maybe that was my spilt personality? Anyways, I started writing small pieces on a blog and people really took to the character of Moxie. Of course she evolved over time, but I didn’t expect her to stay the same as the original. If that was true we’d all still be ape like creates. Think Planet of the Apes.

If this series was to become a movie, who would you cast as the main characters? Moxie would have to be Emma Stone (she would have to put on some weight). But she carries that sass perfectly! I would totally want Armie Hammer to be Miles. Renee would be someone like Kristen Bell and Ryan would be some gay porn actor, I have a few in mind :)

If you had the chance to be a vampire and live for eternity, would you take it? Why or why not? What kind of vampire are we taking about? True Blood or Dracula. If it’s True Blood kind of vampires then I would say hell yes. Have you seen how hot they are?

Tell us something unique about you (that can’t be found in your author bio). I went to culinary school straight out of high school. I learned very quickly that it wasn’t for me, but I do still like to cook.

Who is your fictional character crush (Movie, TV, Literary)? Literary crush would be Gavin Blake from Collide and Pulse. Dear God I would clime that man like a jungle gym.

How do you connect with readers? Do you really like it when they contact you? I love to hear from readers! It makes me feel so good to hear what they think of the book. Part of the reason of why I write is that I love to make people laugh. I’m just an average person, leading my average life. I don’t see myself any better then anyone because I am an author.

Who is on your “list” of celebrities you can sleep with that your significant other can’t get mad about? Charlie Hunnam was on there for a while. But I like nerdy, funny guys like Jason Segal. I think funny is sexy.

Writing and editing can sometimes be exhausting. How do you relax? Honestly, I read! You would think I would be sick of books, but I love being swept away. The other thing is I’m an artist, so I like to make lots of art. I like all different mediums, but I’m really into mixed media.

If you could offer one piece of advice to a prospective author, what would it be? Stick with it! There are times where I just wanted to chuck my computer out the window, but I don’t think Apple Care covers that kind of accident.

Do you have any future projects in the works? I am in the process of writing Moxie 2. My multiple personalities say it must be done. I, however, would like to sit on a beach and drink piña coladas.

Quick Fire Questions

McDonalds or Burger King? Hmm..hard one. I like McDonalds coffee and cheeseburgers, but Burger King’s onion rings.
Coke or Pepsi? Coke all the way.
Book or Kindle? Kindle
Dogs or Cats? DOGS!!!
Favorite dessert? Anything with cream cheese frosting.
Favorite book growing up? Giving Tree, makes me cry every time.
Favorite book now? Seriously? I have to choose? Gabriel’s Inferno series. It gave me the BIGGEST book hangover.

As a little girl it was always a dream for Z.B. Heller to become She-Ra Princess of Power. Since this dream was unobtainable, she spent what was probably way to long in college trying to "find herself". Becoming an artist scratched the creative itch until the stories in her head were getting to be to loud for her to get anything else accomplished. She lives in St. Louis with her husband, son and Flemish Giant rabbit Chloe. In her spare time she likes to read, stalk celebrities on Twitter and create the type of art that people scratch their heads about.