Mary Jane Clark
One could be pardoned for thinking that Mary Jane Clark picked up her talent for plotting suspense while she was a part of the Higgins Clark (think Carol and Mary) family: she was once married to Mary Higgins Clark’s son. But her interest in intrigue started young; her father worked for the FBI’s espionage division during the Cold War. Clark turned to her experience working at CBS news for her first series of thrillers, centered on the fictional KEY News network. With her 13th novel, she takes a different tack—To Have and to Kill is the first in a new series staring actress-turned-wedding-cake-baker Piper Donovan.
Mary Jane Clark is our January Meet the Author guest—click here to read her handwritten Q&A. In the Q&A, Clark tells us who she would be if she could change places with one person for a day—who would you be? Leave a comment telling us on this post, and you’ll be entered to win one of two copies of To Have and to Kill. Deadline to enter is Friday, December 24.
hillary clinton, she has a fascinating life right now
It would definitely be someone male. Always wanted to pee standing up. I think I’d be will smith!!
QEII
I would like to change places with Barack Obama for a day. Please enter me in the contest–thank you! Happy Holidays!
I’d like to change places with Tina Fey for a day.
Congrats Darcy — you’re one of the winners! I’ll be in touch to get your mailing address.
My wife…the day she gave birth to our son.
I might want to try being Kate Middleton for a day. Would be nice to live the life of a princess
Actually, I kind of like being myself. Would not change.
Oooo!! Do they have to be real???? I would love to be a Disney Princess!!! Belle would be my choice – but I’m not picky!!
Merry Christmas!!!!
Rosa Parks. I would definitely want to experience her courage!
I’ve always wanted to read one of her books and have never gotten to it! I would want to be Stephanie Plum imaginary and Paul Walker’s girlfriend real LOL ok they are both silly but a girl can dream!
Mo Willems – for his talent drawing and writing such funny easy readers and picture books that so many people LOVE!
I would want to be a resident of Three Pines from Louise Penny’s series, so I could go to the Bistro in my pajamas for brunch.
I think it would be fun to be Oprah Winfrey for one day.
I would like to change places with my mother just to see what it would feel like to be 88 and have had 8 kids.
Neil Diamond- What talent!!!
I’ll just keep on being me…thank you very much!
I would like to be Elizabeth I for a day (or longer)!
skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
I would not mind changing places with Queen Elizabeth for the day! then it would be “Queen Laurie!”
I would like to be someone who has money, for just for one day I wouldn’t have to work so hard, live in a rundown house. But then, my day would be over and it would be back to reality! But, it would be nice for the day.
I’d like to change places with Barbra Streisand for a day. Besides being extraordinarily talented and gifted with one of the most beautiful voices ever, she’s also an incredible director and interior decorator, married to one of the most handsome men in America (James Brolin), and credited as being one of the wealthiest women in the U.S. Not bad for an ugly duckling from Brooklyn!
I would love to be a witch (a good one) and take care of all the problems my loved ones are going through, and help people who have fallen on hard times.
I would be Jack Hannah!!!!!!!!! I adore animals and would love to be a zookeeper. Plus, travel around and see other animal exhibits. To be a part of animal conservation is my ultimate goal in life.
Bill Gates or his wife. They seem to be kind and generous people trying to make a difference in the world.
I would like to be Vanessa Paradis (Johnny Depp’s wife) for a day.
I would like to be Christopher Smith. He’s not famous, but he is admirable.
The President of the USA, to be able to understand the pressures of that office and whip some senate butt into shape:)
Melissa Gates
Oprah…..of course!!!
Definitely……Kate Middleton
Mother Theresa of Calcutta
to tithe so unselfishly and touch so many lives…how beautiful!
Michelle Obama. One day in the White House.
Johnny Depp’s girlfriend for a day. Or two.
My Christmas dream would be to be Michelle Obama for just a day.
And in addition, my Christmas plans include food, and being with friends and family.
Of course, whatever the season, plenty of good books to read are a “must.”
I think I would like to be my daughter for a day and see life through her eyes!
i would be me thats all
I really have never had a desire to be anyone other than myself. I suppose if I could change places for someone for one day, it might be Oprah. She does such wonderful things for humanity..and money is not an issue.
I’d like to be my 8 year old grandson for a day. Just imagine what it would be like, especially at Christmas, to be in the head of a child again! He is so curious, and happy, and he loves to read too, lol, and while I don’t really want to go back in time, I’d love to see the world through his eyes just once.
I would like to trade places with Queen Elizabeth. I was meant to live as a Royal.
The President of the United States, but probably would want to give the position back in 5 minutes!
I think I’d like to go back to my younger me — elementary school years — and thoroughly enjoy life as a kid again!
Don’t think I would want to be anyBODY else for just a day. However, I would like to by my dog for a day to see what he does when I am gone and also to see what makes him really happy and what he thinks about. Then I could be sure I am giving him the best life could offer. (He was adopted so I do not know what this previous life was like)
Any Librarian at the National Library of Congress!
I’d like to trade places with my ex-boyfriend for a day. Seems to me like he’s really got it made and maybe if he walked a mile in my shoes, he’d understand me better.
I have been a fan of Sir Paul McCartney since I was in high school, in 1964. I would like to be Sir Paul for a day.
I would love to trade places with Gayle King (Oprah’s best friend).
i think meg ryan or julia roberts…they are amazing actresses and really seem to enjoy acting.
thanks!
angie,
topeka
I would like to be a pioneer woman out on the Western prairies during the early 1800′s, just to appreciate what life was really like.
I would love to be a disciple while Christ was preaching
I have always been star struck so I would change places with Tom Selleck’s wife.
I’d like to be Donald Trump. This way I could buy a whole bunch of really great stuff and not care about the prices, and then give to charities and just see what it is like to be someone with money.
I would choose to be Lady Gaga. Just to be that ‘crazy’ and carefree and funky – for just one day.
I would like to walk in my 15 year olds shoes for just one day. I know times have changed, but I would like to see how much.
I would like to have been my birth mother and see what she endured in Eastern Kentucky being pregnant and having her husband die before I was born.
I would like to be the President of the US for one day, one would be enough, so I could make a few changes.
I would want to be the author Deanna Raybourne. She writes great stories and seems to have a very interesting life in which she earns money doing what she loves to do.
I would like to be Kyra Sedgwick for one day to see what it’s like to be married to Kevin Bacon.
I would like to be my 2-year-old granddaughter, she always has fun. aahhh….to be young again!
I would like to be Oprah. Just to see what it’s like to have all that money and be respected.
I’d like to be my grandmother to see what it was like living in the 20′s and 30′s raising my mother and my aunts.
Mickey @ Disney World! It would be great to bring happiness to so many.
Laura Ingalls Wilder…to live on the prairie and then write about it.
I would like to trade places with anyone who signed the Declaration of Independence and witness the beginning of the United States.
I’d like to be ME! The true, centered, present me without the everyday demands of life.
Idon’t think I’d want to change with anybody. I’m happy with my life right now.
I would like to be someone with enough money to help all the people who are having such a hard time right now. I know so many who have lost their jobs or have health problems or barely have enough food to feed their children.
For one day huh? Hmmmmm…… I would like to be J K Rowling for one day so I can get inside her head and see if she is thinking about another book and maybe “assist” her with that idea….
LOL
i think i would really like the chance to just be me and not who i have to be for everyone else all the time.
I would like to be Albert Einstein for a day. I recently read a biography of his life, which makes me more curious about him.
I would like to be Michelle Obama for a day. I greatly admire both her and her husband, but I would not want to be President, in case something happened that day.
I would like to be Bill Gates for a day and give $1 million dollars to all the libraries in the Great state of Indiana. Hopefully this would keep many of them open so our future generations can still find out what wonders can be found by reading books!
Love your books. can’t wait to read the new series.
Would love to win the lottery because we live in a small town of 5700 and it would be great to help so many of the people in town. Also to help the schools and churches and programs for the needy our town is working on.
I would choose to be myself married to my high school sweetheart to show me what I didn’t miss out on.
I would like to be Stephen Colbert for a day because he seems to be having such a good time right now.
Angelina Jolie…Brad Pitt. Need I say more?
I would like to be my niece who travels the world and enjoys life.
I would like to be Bill Clinton. All the perks of being an ex-president with none of the responsibilities of being president now. And having a wife who doesn’t care what I do.
I would like to be my great-grandmother so I could see what her life was like in Sweden and then when she came to the U.S.
I just want to me myself as I am now. I would do nothing over again. I like myself they way I am. I would like to simplify some things like Mary Jane as well.
I would love to be Bette Midler. I have always enjoyed her songs and I love her style.
I would like to be George W Bush and NOT invade Iraq but catch Osama bin Laden. Now that’s a good day’s work!
I would like to be myself and have more talent – I play music as a hobby, but would love to be talented enougn to be a professional
For one day, it would have to be Angelina Jolie! To be with Brad Pitt for one day…..
nataliew2@gmail.com
:0)
I would like to be myself but living in a different situation or feel better about myself. Working on that!
For one day I would be Mary Cassatt, paint a masterpiece and meet the French Expressionist artists.
I would like to be Beryl Markham for a day. I was fascinated with her when I read her memoir, West with the Night and I think she was a woman ahead of her time,who lived an adventurous life as an early woman aviatrix in Africa.
I’d be Amelia Earhart. I’ve always wondered what happened to her.
I would like to be my dog so that I can figure out just how he is getting out of the yard!
I would like to change places with Kelly Ripa, work 1 hr a day, & have a handsome husband.
Ellen! Who wouldn’t want to host a show that gives great gifts to people who need them, make people laugh, and of course “dance!” Ellen has many influenced so many people with her wit and charm! I’d love to trade places for a day!
I’d like to be my mother just to see if she really was as calm, efficient, gracious, and loving as she always seemed to others.
notsure but maybe maybe the blond anchor during noon to 2 slot on fox news she seems to enjoy her job and is fun to watch
Love your suspense books but love that you added the foodie element too! Looking forward to this release!
I would like to be a fairy godmother and grand all little girls and boys their wishes!
I would like to be Obama for a day…maybe see what I could get done in 24 hours and to have some more empathy for the challenges of his position.
I honestly cannot decide. A librarian, an author, or a book reviewer, maybe even a celebrity!! Either way they are all a little bit neurotic in their own way!! (No offense!)
I would like to be Gene Simmons of Gene Simmons Family Jewels and KISS. I could then be wealthy and do some wonderful good and be a rock star as well.
I think I might want to change places with a writer for a day. Maybe Ted Dekker. I have seen him and he seems to really have a lot of fun in his job as a writer!
I would like to be Michelle Obama for a day.
I would have liked to be Neil Armstrong when he stepped on the moon.
I would like to spend on day being Paris Hilton. I would help alot animals. PLus wear all her fabulous clothes.
I would like to spend a day as Kelly Preston and be John Travolta’s wife!
So you want to trade places with Jackie Kennedy, huh? It was an exciting time in Washington, D.C.
I’d like to be a philanthropist for a day and give away lots of money to people who need it and charities that I think are worthy.
I’d also like to be President of the US for a day to restore the Constitution to its place in our government and have God and country allowed in our schools.
I would also like to be Donald Trump for a day and help our small town of 5700 people out. Give money to the school and library and be able to help out the programs for the needy in our area.
How great that would be to make sure everyone has gifts under the tree and food for a good meal.
I would like to be Andrew Carnegie, in the days when he was giving money for towns to build public libraries.
Billy Graham in his younger years. To just see what it feels like to have that spiritual influence on so many people would be a thrill.
I would like to be Oprah Winfrey because shes such a good person and she loves to help people like I do.Shes just great.
I would change places with President Obama for one day.
I would like to change places with a Peace Corps worker for one day, to see what it is like because I want to join after college.
I have sat here giving this a lot of thought. I don’t know that I would want to trade to be anybody for even one day. I have a decent life, not without problems, but I figure everybody does. Everybody has some problem and I don’t know if I would want to trade to be somebody else because who knows what problem(s) they have? I’ll just stay myself and deal with my own problems and my own life. I can’t complain too much and to trade to be someone I think I might admire might only take away from my admiration of that person when I find out what their life is REALLY like. I’ll keep my idea of those people and who I think they are rather than be let down by finding out what they might really be like.
i would like to trade places with Don larsen and pitch that “perfect game”.
I would like to change places with my mother who recently died so she could know that her granddaughter is going to have a baby…but maybe she already knows.
IF I COULD TRADE PLACES WITH SOMEONE FOR JUST ONE DAY IT WOULD BE DIANE SAWYER. THE PEOPLE SHE MEETS. THE PLACES SHE GOES. TO HAVE THAT ADVENTURE, AND AT THE SAME TIME KNOW I HAVE A LOVING HUSBAND AND FAMILY TO GO BACK TO.
Any of the Beatles on 2/9/1964, all these years later and people still remember that moment fondly, I’d love to have been in the audience.
I would like to change places with my daughter so I could redo my 20′s.
I would like to be Stephen King for one day. I would like to know what he dreams and thinks because of the different characters and stories he comes up with.
Hi! This is so hard…I would like to go back in time and meet Abraham Lincoln. He was a wonderful man.
i would choose to be Oprah Winfrey. She has so many resources at ther fingertips with which she can do so much good.
I would like to be a fictional character. Travis McGee. He was the ultimate in cool.
President of the USA. I would dismiss the help, lock the door and quietly undo as many laws & executive orders as possible before I was assassinated by a mentally ill loner with no co-conspirators. Every little bit helps.
I would like to trade places with a rock star and perform in front of thousands then go on a round the world tour. I would then donate half of my profits in order to buy state of the art protection gear for U.S. soldiers.
I would trade places with – ME! How could I want to trade places with someone else and give up my wonderful family to someone else? No way! My family is the best part of my life!
I’d like to trade places with Socrates, so I could develop the Socratic method of teaching and then make sure it was the only method used in schools!
I would trade places with President Obama for one day, and as commander in chief I would end the pointless war we are now involved in.
I would like to trade places with Nancy Grace. She is my heroine. She makes people aware of things going on in the world that we would probably otherwise not know about.
I would like to be Joyce Carol Oates – I would love to know what goes on in her mind when she writes a book!
I would like to trade places with Gail King – it would be great to hang out with Oprah and travel with her.
I would like to change places with someone alive 100 years from now to see what progress the human race has made for world peace.
I would love to be Oprah or Ellen Degeneres (both rich, funny, talkative and everyone loves them plus they can go anywhere and do anything – wouldn’t that be nice?)
For one day…James Patterson. Then I can find how he does it, write all those books, and find out where the ideas come from.
Then sign all my (well HIS) books, and talk to alot of book fans!
Happy Holidays!! Jackie Kennedy White House years.
This books sounds like a fun read. To combine a mystery with the awesome are of creating beautiful cakes would be just up my alley. Would love to read this!
Everyone has problems so I’m not sure I would want to take a day in their life, it might be ‘their day they wish they could forget’. I guess I would like to be a wealthy lady in Scotland that could hire someone to take her on a day tour of historical castles.
If I could be anyone for a day, I would be ??? Eleanor Roosevelt, Dianne Keaton, Goldie Hawn, Oprah, the possibilities are endless.
There is no particular person I would trade places with but would like a day with no worries. No financial worries, work or kids. Laying on a beach with someone waiting on me hand and foot. A total me day.
Judith Harlan
There is no particular person I would like to trade places with but would just like a total me day. Laying on a beach with someone waitng on me hand and foot. No money, job or kid worries
I would want to trade places with my mom,Connie because when she was alive she did everything with strength,grace,she was completely unselfish.She had Breast Cancer and died in 2007,after she died her doctor let us in on a secret from day 1 of the diagnosis she knew she was living on borrowed time and swore the doctor to secrecy…her exact words were don’t ever let the kids know how bad it is.I was a little angry but then I thought of course she would say that because that’s how she was and she was until the end a mom,totally awesome.I miss her everyday.
I would trade places with one of the Imagineers that worked with Walt Disney. I would have loved to have met the man and been a part of the beginning of the “Magic”
I would like to be someone who could solve the world’s health problems.
I would love to be the person who gets to read all the books that get reviewed in Bookpage!
I would like to be my 11 year old daughter for a day so I can see the world through her eyes!
I would like to be the person who had the power to eradicate all forms of child abuse and heal all the children who have been hurt and traumatized.
I would like to be my dog to see and feel what it would be like.
I would like to be Diane Sawyer, married to a brilliant man like Mike Nichols, traveling all over the world living and experiencing so many interesting stories as well as meeting facinating people.
I would like to be my 5 1/2 yr-old daughter. It would be fascinating to see how she views the world.
I would like to be my 20 year old daughter.It would be fun to be that young again.
I would like to be myself at 20, and appreciate my youth this time!!
I would like to wake up one morning and find that I have become the wildly talented Janet Evanovich! To write books like she has would be a dream-job!
I would like to change places with one of the anchors on the Today show. Especially the weekend. They look like they really enjoy what they are doing and get to meet so many people!
I would love to be Georgia O’Keefe & be an artist for a day!
Betty White – She seems to be enjoying life to its fullest and living as long as she has seem like something I really want to do.
If I could change places with someone, I would like to trade with my youngest (13) son who just happens to have special needs. Jeremy is completely non-verbal. I would love to be in his shoes and know what he is thinking and what he wants to say to us that he can’t. I would also want to know what it feels like to be SO loved and adored by our entire large family….ahhh….to be him!!
i would enjoying this book
I would like to be Jimmy Fallon and get to play around with such pop culture icons as Bruce Springsteen!
The authors response was Jackie Kennedy. My response would be George W Bush.
I would LOVE to trade places with Oprah for 24 hrs! I would work it to the MAX!
Her reply was Jackie Kennedy during the White House Years. I would like to just for one day be Oprah!
Still love Mary Higgins best, but her daughters keep trying so I admire them.
She wanted to be Jackie Kennedy and I agree. I would love to be Jackie Kennedy for a day.
If the time frame is only 24 hours I would want to trade places with the Director of the New York Public Library. I would want to be surrounded by the books, the ambiance of such a place. But, really only 24 hours…that would be just a teaser!!
I would love to trade places with Martha Stewart for a day, I can imagine being crafty and cooking and decorating all day and night!
I love Mary Higgins Clark, but Jane Clark is catching
up to her. Her books are exciting and full of
suspense. Keep up the good work.
I would LOVE to switch places with Bon Jovi’s wife!
I would trade places with my husband. He is a Vietnam Vet with 100% disabilities. He is in constant pain everyday. I would trade places so he could spend one day pain free.
I wouldn’t want to trade places with anyone for a day. I like being me. However, I wouldn’t mind spending a day as me in the fictional town of Virgin River as written about by Robyn Carr in her series.
I would love to trade places with Queen Elizabeth for a day. I’ve always loved reading about England and enjoy British history. Would like to know how she spends her day, meet with THE grandsons, perhaps get a glimpse of Charles and Camilla. It would be fascinating.
I’d like to be Stephanie Plum for a day. I’d see Ranger and Morelli and finally make a decision. This back and forth is getting old.
I’d love to trade places with Ellen DeGeneres because she gets to rub elbows with lots of interesting people, and dance!
Can’t wait for this new book by Clark and a new series to boo!
It’s a toss up. For the here and now, if I could change places with anyone for one day, it would be
my granddaughter, Jessica, who is 9 years old. I
would love to see the world through her child’s eyes,
still so innocent and full of love.
If I were to change places for one day with someone
who lived in the past, I would choose Jane Austen, on
the day she had her first book published.
Jackie Kennedy in the.White house years House in House yearsHousH
Jackie Kennedy in whiTe house years
I would like to be a president’s wife – anyone will do! It would give me a chance to actually see the White House!!!!!
I would be Mrs. Matt Damon for a day!!
I would like to trade places with Amelia Earhart and fly high above the clouds and go anyplace I wanted.
I like being me but if I could be anyone for 24 hours
I might as well dream big………… I’d be GOD! You could end a lot a of suffering in 24 hours….. cure cancer, end war. Then I would be happy to go back to being me and rest.
Linda — you’re one of the winners! I’ll be in touch to get your mailing address.
I would love to trade places with Oprah Winfrey to have the means to provide hope and generosity to so many as well as to inspire so many.
I would love to trade places with a new writer, Lilly Gayle. She had her first book published in May, 2010. OUT OF THE DARKNESS is a very suspenseful and thought provoking vampire novel That I could not put down. The best book I have read in 2010. She has a new historical romance, SLIGHTLY TARNISHED, to be published in 2011. Can’t wait to read this one.
She is also a cancer survivor. She is an awesome person. She is enjoying life to its fullest, without a doubt.
Martha Stewart.
to make beautiful food, wonderful crafts no matter the cost or time, Then writew a few big checks to Salvation Army to help others.
I would love to be Santa for a day!
Conan for 1 night and make people laugh.