Today we’re partying with Cynthea Liu, prolific author, bunny-lover, and the multitasking site guru / creator / manager / powerhouse mama for AuthorsNow!

About THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA

Chinese-born Cece was adopted when she was two years old by her American parents. Living in Texas, she’s bored of her ho-hum high school and dull job. So when she learns about the S.A.S.S. program to Xi’an, China, she jumps at the chance. She’ll be able to learn about her passion—anthropology—and it will give her the opportunity to explore her roots. But when she arrives, she receives quite a culture shock. And the closer she comes to finding out about her birth parents, the more apprehensive she gets. Enter Will, the cute guy she first meets on the plane. He and Cece really connect during the program. But can he help her get accustomed to a culture she should already know about, or will she leave China without the answers she’s been looking for?

Cece’s 2009 Debut Party

Thanks, Cynthea, for letting us sneak in without passports!

The Guest List

Cece’s an intimate-friends type of gal. So the cast of THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA would be it. Peter (her Da Ge, or metaphorical big brother), Kallyn (her closest friend at the program), Jess (her brash roommate), Alison (her BFF), and Will (the hottie)!

The Party

First, Cece would insist on food she’s already eaten before. After the first day in China, she learned her lesson. Then they’d go somewhere as a group– the potential options in Xi’an are endless. She never got to go to Huaqing Chi in the book. It was the hot spot for Emperors when they went on vacation back in the day. Gorgeous hot springs set in the moutainside. Today, Huaqing Chi accepts private guests, and you can bathe in the hot springs for relaxation. Now THAT would be a sweet place to have a party.

Now that we’ve got everyone at some HAWT springs, it’s a party. The theme, of course, is all about feng shui – earth, water, wind, fire … Hopefully nothing will be burned down. Peter will bring floaties for everyone just to be goof-off.

The Guest of Honor: Cece

Cece’s embarrassed to be in a bikini, but she looks good in it, and Will has noticed. And her theme song? “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. After everything she’s been through in the book, she’s ready to start a new chapter “with arms wide open.”

*Um, did not get memo about bikinis. Gulp.*

Did you guys bring your suits? Really? I’ll just be, um, over there. On the side. In my special hot springs parka. 🙂

Cynthea Liu’s Advice for Cece on Her Big Debut

Cece, just have fun and be yourself tonight. I swear, I won’t revise a single thing you say or do. Now how can you beat that?

No more revisions? That’s like a Get Out of Jail Free card! I’d take that deal if I were you, Cece!

Thanks for the great party, Cynthea, and best of luck to you and Cece on your big debut!

THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA is available in book stores now, and also online at Amazon.

Cynthea spent her formative years in Oklahoma and Texas where she was a Whiz Quiz member, an Academic Decathloner, and a spelling bee champion. (Yes, she was very popular.) After attending college on the East coast, she worked at a corporate job where she mastered PowerPoint and racked up thousands of frequent flyer miles. Eventually, she traded in her suit for sweats to do the fun stuff–writing for children. In addition to PARIS PAN TAKES THE DARE and THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA, Cynthea’s nonfiction book WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE (how to write, revise, and publish your kid’s or teen book with children’s book publishers) is available in paperback. You can also visit her online.