Shane Madison

Rule 1: The client must never, ever break up and tell.

I stared at Mrs. P in shock. "How did you ever hear about that? And it's more of a hobby than anything. Anyway, I'm retired. No more breaking up people for me."

"Why not? And of course I heard about it. I hear everything. Your friend Annie said you've made almost a career out of convincing poor, deluded men that they really want to break up with their girlfriends, just so the girls don't have to go through the confrontation of doing the dumping."
"Well, career is a strong word. I--"

She waggled her finger at me. "Don't deny it. I heard about that boy in high school who smashed your car with a baseball bat when you broke up with him."

I scowled at the memory. "I loved that car. And the Breakup Artist thing was kind of self defense, after that," I said defensively. "It's easy enough to convince a guy that he wants out of a relationship, and it's all happy times when he thinks it's his idea."

She chortled. "Sure, if you're willing to live with the humiliation of everyone thinking you got dumped."

I shrugged. "That's the only flaw in the concept. But what's more important, eating a little humble pie or avoiding the trauma of dumping a guy who may outweigh you by a hundred pounds?"

Mrs. P's gaze sharpened, and she pursed her lips. "Is this something that happened to you, Shane? Did somebody hurt you?"

"What? Me? No, no. I'm just talking theoretically," I said, not meeting her eyes.

Copyright 2006, Alesia Holliday

SEVEN WAYS TO LOSE YOUR LOVER is a book about breakups, on the surface. But it's also a book about believing - not only in the goodness of your friends and family, but also about believing in yourself. Shane first showed up as a minor character in NICE GIRLS FINISH FIRST, but she stuck with me. She was so determined to improve her lot in life and she had so much initiative when she wrote that letter to Kirby. I just knew she was someone I wanted to get to know better.

Sure enough, she was definitely worth getting to know!! Shane, Lizzie, and all the gang come up against some insanely funny situations as they try to juggle their dreams, their goals, their lack of funds, and a very small Chihuahua-Pug-Poodle mix named Lulu. Because sometimes life gives you exactly what you need.

I've always been fascinated with the art of the Break Up. I had a standard "it's not you, it's me" speech I used a lot, but I wondered if there were a better way to let down someone who had cared about me without hurting him (unless he deserved it, of course!). Shane caught on early that the best way to break up with a guy is NOT to break up with him.

Let him break up with YOU - and breathe a huge sigh of relief. But what would happen if she took that idea public? The Breakup Artist was born - a reverse Cyrano de Bergerac. The Anti-date Antidote. I hope you have fun with it!

Holliday does it again! The reader won't be able to put down this uproariously funny story filled with colorful and heartwarming characters. One can't help but root for Shane as she struggles to stay one step ahead, both financially and romantically.
-- Romantic Times Book Reviews, 4 ½ stars!

Shane Madison describes herself as the Anti-Date Antidote, but she's also the Perfect Anti-Boredom Antidote! I laughed out loud so many times as her plans backfired. Another winner from Alesia Holliday!"
- Michelle Cunnah, award-winning author of 32AA

Alesia Holliday's books have that rare quality of being both hysterically funny and ripping good reads.
-- Whitney Gaskell, author of TESTING KATE

Once again, Alesia Holliday has created characters who make you smile while touching your heart. SEVEN WAYS TO LOSE YOUR LOVER is a keeper.
-- Eileen Rendahl, author of UN-BRIDALED

This is an amusing yet emotional look at relationships . . . Fans will appreciate this fine contemporary look at the dating scene starring a young lady who wants to believe that NICE GIRLS FINISH FIRST.
-- Harriet Klausner