Watch for my next novel, Running to Stand Still, from MTV Books in March 2009. It's about a 17-year-old who avoids prosecution for a high school stunt by spending spring break on night patrol with the 19-year-old rookie cop who arrested her. Read the first chapter!
 
 
My next Simon Pulse Romantic Comedy, The Ex-Games, will be available in Fall 2009. It's about a snowboarder who challenges her ex-boyfriend to a battle of the sexes on the slopes. Read about my inspiration at the Simon Pulse Romantic Comedies Blog.
 
 
The Boys Next Door is in bookstores now. To celebrate, the heroine, Lori McGillicuddy, is throwing a virtual book launch party! She is a little socially challenged, so it would mean a lot to her if you went over to say hi (but DON'T tell her I said that about her because she will FREAK).
 
 


 

 
Flamingnet.com, a book review site written by teens, has given both The Boys Next Door and Major Crush their Top Choice Award! Come, pet my dragon.
 
 
Ooooooh, aaaaaah. MAJOR CRUSH won the Young Adult categories of the National Readers' Choice Awards and Aspen Gold. It was also a finalist in the National Readers' Choice Awards Best First Book category.
 
 
How good is the food at your house? Good enough to write about? Come share at the MTV Books Blog.
 
 
Would What Not to Wear approve of your closet, or would Stacy and Clinton run away screaming? Come share at the Pulse Romantic Comedies Blog.
 
 
Contact! You can find me here:

: : MySpace Blog
: : MTV Books Blog
: : Ro-Com Blog
: : E-mail

Snail-mail address: Jennifer Echols, PO Box 190032, Birmingham, AL 35219.

The world's greatest agent is Caren Johnson.

The world's greatest critique partners are Golden Heart finalist Catherine Chant and Vicki D the Girl Emcee.

 
Cover art by Amy Saidens.
 

The Boys Next Door

Read the first chapter

Cute, available, and one cabin over...

Lori lives for summertime at her family's lake house. She spends all season wakeboarding, swimming, and hanging with her friends--including the two hotties in the cabin next door. With the Vader brothers, Lori's always been one of the guys.

But while Lori and the "baby" brother, Adam, are inseparable friends, she can't deny a secret crush on Sean, the older Vader boy. This year Sean's been paying Lori a lot of attention, and not in a brotherly way.

But just as Lori decides to prove to Sean she's girlfriend material, she realizes that her role as girl friend to Adam may be even more important. And by trying so hard for the perfect summer romance, she could be going way overboard...

Published by Simon Pulse, a division of Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 1416918310.

Available in bookstores everywhere or online at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

"THE BOYS NEXT DOOR takes you on the ride of your life, making you want to scream and squeal at all the troubles Lori has to go through, just to get the guy of her dreams. Jennifer Echols makes Lori one of the most likable characters out there with her outrageous but very hilarious ideas and, before you know it, readers will be scrambling to be in Lori’s shoes. Another awesome novel from Jennifer Echols..."--Teens Read Too

"...Everyone should take advantage of the fact that Simon and Schuster’s cheap paperback editions retail for a mere $6.99, because books this fun usually cost a lot, lot more."--Word Candy

"I really liked Lori and Adam. Lori is funny, outspoken, and determined. There is not one shy bone in her body. Her exploits made me laugh all the while cheering her on. Adam is sensitive, thoughtful, and in love."--All About Romance

"Faster than you can say Laguna Beach Lori’s entangled in a plot of soap opera proportions, pretending to hook up with her best friend, (the now jilted Vader brother) Adam, to create enough jealousy to breakup the Sean/Rachel love-fest. Only is it really pretending if she’s experiencing all those important firsts—first date, first make-out session—with Adam and not Sean? And if Sean does come around to the new and improved Lori, how will it affect her relationship with Adam?...Lori and Adam are appealing characters (with amazingly hot chemistry) in a fun story that I really did enjoy."--Paperback Reader

Major Crush

Marching to the beat of a different drum...

Tired of the beauty-pageant circuit, Virginia Sauter tosses her tiara, pierces her nose, and auditions for the most unlikely of roles--drum major of the high school marching band.

Virginia wins, but is forced to share the title with Drew, whose family has held the position for generations. Sure, Drew is hot, but because of his superior attitude, he and Virginia are constantly arguing. That is, until they share more than just their half-time salute...

But as the drum majors' heated competition turns to sizzling romance, explosive rumors threaten everything--including the band's success. Love seemed to be a sure hit, but Virginia and Drew may be marching straight into disaster.

Published by Simon Pulse, a division of Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 1416918302.

Available in bookstores everywhere or online at Barnes & Noble or Amazon.

"I have to say that this is one of the best, not to mention funniest, young adult romance stories I've read this year... With well-developed characters, fresh dialogue, and a great cast of supporting characters, MAJOR CRUSH is one story you don't want to miss."--Teens Read Too

"The best part of Major Crush is Virginia, who tries to fight against her attraction, while the sparks fly between her and the super cute Drew. Readers will find themselves crushing a little on Drew, a hottie with sweet emotions you just can’t help but love. Echols writes a savvy story with all the elements for a happy ending, so dream a little and fear not, sometimes a crush can become reality."--Young Adult Romance Writers

"The other delicious part of this book is the dramatic sexual tension between Drew and Virginia. Forced to work together and talk to each other on long-ass bus rides all over the state, they form a friendship of sorts, and become each other’s confidantes, revealing the truth behind their public images... A full band salute to Jennifer Echols from this very giddy Smart Bitch."--Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books (WARNING: The review is PG, but the site as a whole is NC-17.)

"Reader, don’t be fooled by the cutesiness of the cartoon cover, Major Crush is a sharp-witted tale for teens and adults alike. Echols does not pull any punches with her humor or her subject matter..."--Paperback Reader

"Echols keeps readers turning pages with a variety of funny high school antics, the trials of a marching band and the fragile, painful experience of a teenage crush. Virginia leaps off the pages as a feisty, wisecracking heroine.... It's a great read, from beginning to end."--Acadiana Parent (page 16)

 

F A Q

 

When is your next book coming out?

Running to Stand Still will be published by MTV Books in March 2009.

I heard it was called Boy in Blue.

It was. My editor changed the title. It's very common for editors to change the titles of novels. My original title for Major Crush was Queen Geek, but there was another book coming out with that title. A chick named Elke who worked for my publisher came up with the name Major Crush, which I actually like much better. As a thank-you, I changed a character's name to Elke. You can find Elke on page 58 of Major Crush. I thought it would be funny to give her a boyfriend named Gator.

Are you writing sequels to Major Crush and The Boys Next Door?

My editor has asked me to write a proposal for the sequel to The Boys Next Door. No guarantees. I have to think of something really good. In the meantime, I'm writing a new romantic comedy called The Ex-Games, which will be published by Simon Pulse in Fall 2009.

Do you wakeboard like Lori in The Boys Next Door?

No. I did grow up on a lake in Alabama like Lori, and I learned to waterski when I was five. Wakeboarding wasn’t invented yet.

Is bryozoa real?

Oh yes.

Did someone really smear it on you?

Yes. This sort of trauma makes the most compelling fiction.

Were you in marching band like Virginia in Major Crush?

Yes! I was the first female drum major of my high school marching band. I also played saxophone (well), drums (a little), trumpet (badly), and oboe (very badly). I wanted to be a high school band director myself, so my first major in college was music education. Then I switched to English and got serious about writing.

Did you star in The Notebook?

No, that’s a different Jennifer Echols.

Do you have a secretary?

You’re funny. First I’d get a personal chef.

How can I get my novel published?

The best book I’ve read on the subject is Pat Walsh's 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might.

Will you read my writing?

I’m sorry but I have a standing rule not to. I don’t have time. In addition to my own writing, I read novels in progress by my critique partners and other writing buddies. I suggest you find your own buddies who love the kind of stories you love and will give you honest feedback. Good luck with your writing!

I've heard getting a novel published is hard. Did you ever want to give up?

Once I got a rejection letter from a literary agent I'd been very excited about. While I was standing there reading the letter, devastated, a bee flew out of the mailbox, zoomed down my pants, and stung me on the butt. Another person might have taken this as a Sign. Luckily I am not that superstitious or self-aware.

Did you design your own website?

Isn't that like asking me if I cut my own hair?