Synopses & Reviews
Temple Sachets got style, smarts, and the party planning gene in her blood. Having grown up in New Orleans, surrounded by the pageantry of Mardi Gras, Temple learned a thing or two about how to turn a fantastic party into a money maker. Its a skill that pays off big when her gala for the Missouri Opera turns into a Ray of Hope internship at the White House. Within weeks, Temples caught Potomac Fevera hopeless, incurable addiction to D.C. for which there is only one cure: a nasty-tasting spoonful of disillusionment
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Temple rises quickly through the ranks of the Republican Partys fundraising elite, navigating a treacherous community of lobbyists making deals for dollars, gossiping staffers, and child-like senators, to be appointed the highly coveted position of Finance Director for the Republican Senate Campaign Committee. Her every waking moment is spent convincing the über-rich and ultra eccentric to hand over the cash money green and, in the process, she learns everyones secrets. Temple knows which senators can be manipulated by baked goods, which donors are most likely to pass out drunk at dinners, which chiefs of staff are still in the closet” and, unbelievably, which senators are actually good people, behaving with integrity even if no one is watching. She is envied, adored, respected, feared, and most of all needed as a fundraiser.
From the outside, Temples life looks like one fantastic party, but on the inside shes tired of dating the wrong men and sleeping on the office floor. Her successes are measured in dollars, all of her status is derived from the politicians she knows personally, and all of her friendships stem from her career. But with her entire identity so wrapped up in D.C., can she walk away from it?
Party Favors gives a deliciously witty peek into the secretive world of political fundraising in D.C. Written by a former Director of Finance for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the novel explores the very real truth that favor
means you owe, winning wont save you, and, ultimately, you will be betrayed.
Review
This is the book on the seamy side of political fundraising, and the politicians those dollars help elect, that no oneI mean no one in either partywants you to read. Nicole Sexton actually makes the story of professional fundraising a fun read and the main character, Temple Sachet, is a delightfully spirited 21st century version of Scarlett O'Hara.”
Stephen Moore, Political Editor, Wall Street Journal Editorial Board
"[A] tongue-in-cheek novel about the dark underworld of political fundraising."Washington Post "Nicole Sexton is a Washington insider's insider. Her fictional take on the high stakes world of political fundraising is unmatchable--and makes for a great read."Former Congressman David McIntosh (R-IN) In the midst of a widely watched political campaign
Nicole Sexton and Susan Johnston offer a brilliant novel explicating the savage nature of the political world. A fast-paced force of hilarity combined with an intelligent narrative and a main character worthy of adoration
the adventures of Temple combine the best efforts of storytelling in a cathedral of entertainment perfect for the political season upon us.”- J. EDWARD SUMERAU, Metro Spirit
Synopsis
Party Favors gives a deliciously witty peek into the secretive world of political fundraising in D.C. Co-written by a former Director of Finance for the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a published playwright, the novel tracks the meteoric rise and fall of the young Temple Sachet, the Big Money Babe of the Republican Senate. As a Ray of Hope” intern at the White House, Temple caught Potomac Fevera hopeless, incurable addiction to D.C. Hooked, smart, and desperate for more, Temple navigates her way through the treacherous community of lobbyists making deals for dollars, gossiping staffers, and child-like senators to become the second most powerful fundraiser in America. Now shes expected to raise $95 million and must find creative ways to get the uber-rich and ultra-eccentric to hand over the cash money green. From the outside her life looks like one fantastic party, but on the inside shes tired of dating the wrong men and sleeping on the office floor. Luckily, she has an elite cadre of political friends to help keep her sane . . . or does she? When Temples own career begins to surpass that of her mentor, Prudence, a rude awakening awaits. But an unexpected betrayal and a major hurricane force Temple to reexamine everything she believes in
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About the Author
Nicole Sexton worked as a Republican fundraiser for fifteen years and served as the Director of Finance for the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2002 2005 where she helped to regain the Republican majority in the Senate. She currently works for the ONE Campaign helping to raise awareness of the crisis of AIDS and extreme poverty around the world.
Susan Johnston is a native West Virginian and four-time published playwright who completed her MFA in Dramatic Writing at NYUs Tisch School of the Arts. Her plays have been produced all over the country and shes been the recipient of a MacDowell Colony residency, a Jerome Fellowship and was a Fulbright nominee. Susan worked as a film industry reporter for Interview magazine as well as a writer for A&Es popular Biography series. She currently lives and writes in Los Angeles, CA.