No Funny Business

Good sarcastic banter, discussions of top comedians and enough food descriptions to make me salivate. USA Today**

Two down-on-their-luck comedians embark on a road tour and find more than a few good laughs on the way.**

Olivia Vincent dreams of stand-up comedy stardom. Bustling around a busy Manhattan office by day and hustling from club to club by night, she can t catch a break. Work is falling through the cracks, and after ditching a major client to make a performance, Olivia gets the boot.

Determined to pursue her dreams, she snags an audition in Los Angeles for a coveted spot on late-night TV. But the only way to get there is to join seasoned stand-up Nick Leto on a cross-country road tour. She agrees on one condition no funny business.

Icky comedy condos, tiny smoking nightclubs, and Nick s incessant classic rock radio are a far cry from life on the Upper East Side. Reality sets in, and Olivia wonders if she can hack it in showbiz or if she s just a hack. As Nick helps Olivia improve her act along the way, sparks begin to fly and ignite what they thought was an impossible flame. Maybe being stuck with Nick in a Jeep isn t so bad. As long as it doesn t get in the way of Olivia s actual funny business.

“Brimming with pop culture references and hilarious situations, No Funny Business is a smart, sharp look at the world of stand-up comedy. It was a joy to watch Olivia learn that the only thing riskier than stepping on stage is falling in love."—Kerry Winfrey, author of Very Sincerely Yours

"Don't let the title fool you. There's plenty of funny business in No Funny Business, but like the best stand-up acts, there's also a whole lot of heart. Readers will cheer for Olivia as she follows her own heart for a chance at the life and love she truly deserves...without ever having to fake it."—Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen On TV

“Packed full of laugh-out-loud moments and characters you can't help but root for, No Funny Business will have readers smiling until their cheeks hurt. I had a blast venturing into Olivia's world of stand-up comedy. This charming book was a welcome reminder of the importance of chasing your dreams—and being willing to laugh at yourself along the way.”—Kerry Rea, author of The Wedding Ringer

“No Funny Business packs all the laughs and so much heart.”—Sarah Echavarre Smith, author of The Boy With The Bookstore

"Books that make me laugh out loud are more precious than ever these days, and No Funny Business certainly delivers! Aksel has written a fresh, fun-filled story about the path to healing and self-fulfillment. No Funny Business has a happy energy and playfulness throughout, with a focus on chasing your dreams against all odds. Everyone knows I'm a sucker for pop culture jokes, and Seinfeld fans: you'll love all the references in this one! Another feel-good, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy with heart from Amanda Aksel."—Devon Daniels, author of Meet You in the Middle

"No Funny Business by Amanda Aksel is no joke - the chemistry is electric between Olivia and Nick. Bringing the literal 'com' to the 'rom,' this upbeat, fresh romance will have you grinning from page one."—Amy Lea, author of Set on You

"No Funny Business is a quick, romantic read that will have you rooting for main characters Olivia & Nick from page one. Shenanigans, snafus, laughs, and romance dominates this book. Every new scene and character add to their chemistry until these two finally figure out they're destined for one another. I literally loved it from page one. A truly joyful, romantic book in all the ways you crave. You'll ignore your family until you've read the last page, it's that good!"—Aimee Brown, author of The Lucky Dress

"No Funny Business is all funny business. If you are a fan of stand-up comedy, madcap road trips, romance, and strong female characters, you will love this book."—Sam Tschida, author of Siri, Who Am I?

"Brimming with endless witty banter, a few hilarious detours, and a surprising level of depth, No Funny Business is the perfect getaway for anyone who's looking for a truly inspiring story filled with nonstop laughter and plenty of heart. One of the best reads I've had in years! No joke."—Chelsea Fine, author of Best Kind of Broken

Autorentext

Amanda Aksel is a West Coast transplant whose curiosity about people led her to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology. Instead of pursuing a career as a couples counselor, she wrote about one in her first novel.

Klappentext

Two down-on-their-luck comedians embark on a road tour and find more than a few good laughs on the way.

Olivia Vincent dreams of stand-up comedy stardom. Bustling around a busy Manhattan office by day, and hustling from club to club by night, she can't catch a break. Work is falling through the cracks, and after ditching a major client to make a performance, Olivia gets the boot.

Determined to avoid the unemployment line, she snags an audition in Los Angeles for a coveted spot on late night TV. But the only way to get there is to join Nick, a seasoned stand-up on a cross country road tour. She agrees on one condition-No funny business.

Icky comedy condos, tiny smoking nightclubs, and Nick's incessant classic rock radio are a far cry from life on the Upper East Side. Reality sets in and Olivia wonders if she can hack it in showbiz or if she's just a hack. As Nick helps Olivia improve her act along the way, sparks begin to fly and ignite what they thought was an impossible flame. Maybe being stuck with Nick in a Jeep isn't so bad. As long as it doesn't get in the way of Olivia's actual funny business.

Leseprobe

One

 

Isn't life funny? Both ha-ha and strange. Lately I've been wondering exactly how I ended up with my tush glued to an ergonomic chair beneath migraine-instigating fluorescent lights, reviewing commercial real estate contracts and pretending I give a hoot. My glazed-over gaze falls on the tray of business cards behind my keyboard. If only they read my stage name, Olivia Vincent, with the title Stand-Up Comedian replacing my current one-Staff Attorney.

 

Because the thing is, there's nothing funny about drafting legally binding contracts. Sometimes I'm tempted to slip a joke in between the lines indebtedness secured hereby and successors thereto just to liven the damn thing up. It's all so serious. Stuffy. The enemies of humor.

 

Bzzz. Bzzz.

 

My phone vibrates on my desk against my heavily used coffee mug. It's Bernie, my booking agent, and at the moment, a very welcome disruption. "Hi, Bernie," I say, rebalancing my eyeglasses and distancing myself from my dreaded duties.

 

"Olivia, I got somethin' for ya," she spits out in her raspy Queens accent. Just the thing I need to escape my corporate punishment.

 

"Oh my god, Bernie. Your timing could not be better."

 

"How would you like a feature spot at Funnies?" Twenty minutes of stage time at my favorite downtown comedy club? Yes, please!

 

"That's a no-brainer. When is it?" I snatch my trusty yellow legal pad and jot down the words Funnies and feature in the margins next to the newly scribbled jokes I'm planning to workshop at an open mic tomorrow.

 

"In an hour but you'd need to be there at least fifteen minutes early. I know it's short notice but the guy bailed last minute. Can you make it happen?"

 

I glance at my watch, remembering that I'm supposed to be at a client dinner in an hour. Hmm, maybe Bernie's timing could be better. In the business of comedy, timing is truly essential. It's one of the first things I learned in comedy class. (And in case you're wondering,…