A Bart’s Book Talk on The Truth According to Ember with author Danica Nava in conversation with Emma Bailey on Saturday, August 10 from 6 - 7 pm
A Chickasaw woman who can’t catch a break serves up a little white lie that snowballs into much more in this witty and irresistible rom-com by debut author (and Ojai local) Danica Nava.
Ember Lee Cardinal has not always been a liar—well, not for anything that counted at least. But her job search is not going well and when her resumé is rejected for the thirty-seventh time, she takes matters into her own hands. Accountant Ember thrives in corporate life—and her love life seems to be looking up too: Danuwoa Colson, the IT guy and fellow Native who caught her eye on her first day, seems to actually be interested in her too. As the manipulation continues to grow, so do Ember’s lies. She must make the hard decision to either stay silent or finally tell the truth, which could cost her everything.
Danica Nava is an enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and works as an Executive Assistant in the tech industry. She has her MBA from USC Marshall School of Business. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband and daughter. The Truth According to Ember is her debut novel. You can find her on Instagram at the handle @danica_nava.
Emma Bailey is the director of Bart’s Books events. You can find her in the courtyard in conversation with authors and readers. She has been a bookseller at Bart’s since 2015.
The conversation doesn’t need to end when our event does! Enjoy a free glass of wine at Sam's Place when you buy a book after our event. Stroll from our courtyard to theirs, located next to the tunnel between Ojai Avenue and the Arcade Plaza. At Sam's Place, their philosophy is simple: cook like it's for family (charcuterie, anyone?!) and pour like it's for friends.
Praise for Danica Nava
“The Truth According to Ember is a truly funny and wonderfully heartfelt comedy of errors with a plucky, lovable heroine I rooted for from page one. Danica Nava is a fresh, exciting new voice in the world of romantic comedies and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”—Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happy Place
“My heart was in my stomach as I watched Ember weave herself a tangled web and have to figure her way out. Danica Nava’s The Truth According to Ember gives us a fresh, relatable heroine in Ember, who has been so focused on helping everyone else that she doesn’t always know how to ask for help herself. And Danuwoa! No wonder Ember blushes every time the swoony IT technician tells her to unplug it and plug it back in. This book provided the perfect escape mixed with the perfect amount of grounded reality, bringing the characters to life.”—Alicia Thompson, USA Today bestselling author of With Love, from Cold World
“The author delivers some delicious rom-com moments while also sensitively portraying the overt and covert racism her characters face. … With wit, smarts, and abundant heart, this office romance is a triumph.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A captivating romance that effortlessly balances laugh-out-loud scenes and heartwarming family moments.”—Kirkus, starred review
“With relatable storylines about identity, family, and self-worth and endearing characters, this steamy rom-com is a strong debut and a must-have for romance collections.”—Library Journal, starred review