Future Tour: What a Texas Girl Wants by Kristina Knight

Kristina will be on tour July 23-30 with her novel What a Texas Girl Wants

Kathleen Witte is a down-to-earth girl. She has to be, with the family ranch on the verge of success. After seven months of keeping it all together by swearing off men, however, Kathleen needs a bit of fun in the sun. Waking up with a husband she can’t remember isn’t how she planned to blow off steam.

The last thing Jackson Taylor wants in his life is a down-to-earth girl. He has four weeks of freedom in which to find his birth mother. He’s done well avoiding commitment until now, so when he wakes up on a Mexican beach with Kathleen his first reaction is curiosity. When he spies the matching wedding rings on their left hands curiosity turns to concern.

Neither Jackson nor Kathleen want to stay married, but when her family shows up, they have no choice. Once back in Texas, however, can they keep this all-business marriage from turning into an all-consuming love?

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour schedule!

Beauty Review: Neutrogena Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub

I admit – I am a girl, and I like pink. When I started looking for a new exfoliating scrub, the Pink Grapefruit Foaming Scrub from Neutrogena immediately caught my eye. But as it turns out, I am very pleased with my girly purchase. I can definitely tell it is working when I use it, and my face feels super clean afterwards. And oh yeah – it smells so good! I am excited to try the whole line of the Pink Grapefruit products. One thing I will say – if you do get dry skin easily, don’t follow the directions and use twice a day. I use it twice a week at most or it will dry me out too much.

[Rating: 4.5]

On Tour: BaSatai Outside In by Suzan Battah

Suzan will be on tour June 4-25 with her novel BaSatai: Outside In

Seventeen year old, Armani Radnelaq a full blooded BaSatai is plagued by a curse in her blood. A curse created from hate and designed to break the divide between two parallel worlds of Earth and H-trae when Armani’s blood is spilled in attack and she dies.

S’teuqoubs have been travelling back and forth across the divide for centuries without trouble. The BaSatai and Guardians monitoring activity and enforcing rules to ensure peace and harmony but if the divide splits and opens, a much greater number of supernatural S’teuqoubs will filter into earth destroying equilibrium which the BaSatai and Guardians will be unable to control. Humanity and the BaSatai will suffer and perish. The parallel divide must remain secure at all costs.

Armani has remained hidden on earth with her adopted father Elijah since her birth. She has been raised in the human way and fights her natural instinct to evolve into a BaSatai. The BaSatai in her requires her to evovle and shift, use her powers and strength. Yet Armani is freaked out by the need to shift. She smokes, has a bad attitude, must deal with aggressive bullies and control her natural BaSatai instinct. Her Guardian with BaSatai Warriors are coming for her. She refuses to accept her fate and doesn’t believe any BaSatai should die to protect her.

The blood curse maturing in her veins makes her a target for her enemies. Her Guardian Karhl and an elite BasSatai Warrior Rafael are the first to arrive and prepare her for her crossing over. Her attraction to Rafael complicates her purpose to stay on earth even more. They both insist she fall into line and follow their lead but she is not ready to leave earth just yet…

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops! **Everyone who leaves a comment on Suzan’s tour page will be entered in the BaSatai giveaway! You can win: 1) a $30 Amazon gift card 2) a $25 JC Penny’s gift card, or 3) 5 winners will receive an eBook copy of BaSatai: Outside In. If you purchase your copy of BaSatai before June 25 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!***

Willow Pond by Carol Tibaldi

Carol Tibaldi is currently on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Willow Pond. I was really curious about this book as it is set just after the Roaring Twenties, an era that I am in love with. Seriously, I can’t tell you how many times I have dressed up as a flapper for Halloween or costume parties. I love it! The story revolves around the kidnapping of Laura’s infant son, Todd. Snatched out from under the nanny’s nose, Todd’s kidnapping makes headline news because his father is a famous movie star and Laura is a popular author. Laura’s Aunt Virginia is also infamous as one of New York’s toughest and most successful speakeasy owners, and is known to be flourishing in the bootlegging business. After Todd is taken, eyes turn to Virginia, who may know more about the abduction than she is letting on. A new romance in Laura’s life also shakes things up in her world, but her most important quest is getting Todd back. Will she ever be reunited with her son?

The story started off a bit slow for me. There was a lot of changing of POV’s, which threw me for a loop. I think a few could have been eliminated, and it could have been much easier to follow. I did really enjoy the ending though. A lot of action started happening and I found myself flipping pages quickly to try to keep up with the storyline. I think the writing could have been a bit tighter as a whole, and there were a few scenarios that could have been cut out completely, letting the story move along quickly throughout, but a good debut novel nonetheless.

[Rating: 3.5]

The Making of Us by Lisa Jewell

The Making of Us by Lisa Jewell begins with Daniel, a man facing his last days of life. His friend Maggie sits with him as he tells the story of his life and reminisces both his regrets and secrets- one of the biggest being the children he has never met and more than likely never will. The three children all have very different lives and the novel picks up with each of them- Lydia, Dean, and Robyn. We learn quickly about the challenges that each of them faces and how not knowing their father has changed them. Their respective lives all come to a hault and they find themselves looking for something … little do they know that they will find their way into each other’s lives. Will they find what they are looking for? Will having siblings be the missing pieces to their lives?

Endearing yet poignant, The Making of Us definitely has it all. I was very excited to get my hands on this one when I received the review request and I am glad to say that I was not disappointed. I loved the character development and felt that the novel had a ton of heart. I found myself rooting for Lydia, Dean, and Robyn as they ventured into their pasts individually and their futures together. An absolutely fantastic book with a story line unlike anything I’ve ever read before. Lisa Jewell has just added another reader to her list of fans!

[Rating: 4.5/5]

Future Tour: Fatty Patty by Kathleen Irene Paterka

Kathleen will be on tour August 6-27 with her novel Fatty Patty

Small towns, long memories. Everyone in the exclusive summer resort of James Bay, Michigan remembers FATTY PATTY, the chubby little girl with the round face and wild red curls. All grown up now, Patty Perreault teaches at the same elementary school where the painful playground memories still taunt her. She hasn’t forgotten the cruel nickname—plus she still hasn’t lost those extra pounds. Convinced her weight is the biggest reason why she’s a four time loser in the semi-finals for Teacher of the Year, Patty resolves to make some changes in her body and her life. Sam Curtis, an overweight accountant she meets at the community pool, swims into Patty’s life with romance on his mind. But as their friendship grows, Patty finds it hard to see beyond his extra pounds. She’s torn as Sam refuses to deal with his own overweight issues. Her heart tells her one thing, but her eyes see another. She’s not interested in an overweight boyfriend. When it comes to winning the Grand Prize in life and love, Patty has some hard lessons to learn. Will she be able to confront her fears about the kind of woman she yearns to be? Will she be able to put down the fork and give her heart a try? Fatty Patty is Book #1 in the James Bay Novel series.

Please visit CLP Blog Toursfor the full tour schedule! **Anyone who purchases their copy of Fatty Patty before August 27 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five entries in a drawing to win a $25 Amazon gift card!!**

Blog Tour Sign Up: Last Minute Love by Romi Moondi

Romi will be on tour in September with her chick lit novel Last Minute Love, the sequel to Year of the Chick! Please use the sign up form below if you would like to be included. eBook copies can be provided, and Romi will also be available for a guest post or interview, and book excerpts can be requested. I will contact everyone chosen to participate. Thank you!

What’s a girl to do when she meets the Internet man of her dreams, he’s better than she expected, but he lives an ocean away? And let’s not forget her parents, who with the help of a meddling auntie, are trying to lock her up in arranged-marriage doom.

That’s where we left off with Romi in “Year of the Chick.”

In book two the saga continues, with more culture clash and adventure than ever before. There’s a big fat Indian wedding, the struggle to keep a long-distance flame alive, and a totally unexpected mystery man that could set a new course in motion.

All the while, Romi leaves the neurosis of her obsessive man-search from “Year of the Chick” behind, which helps her remember the person she used to be, and the person she hopes to become. The history-loving nerd, the hopeless romantic, and the emerging author with dreams of ditching the corporate rat race.

This is the book of living in the moment, making the grand gesture, and putting it all on the line. This is book two, where Romi Narindra comes alive…

DISCLAIMER: this book contains occasional profanities

**Year of the Chick is now only 99 cents for your Kindle!**

**Romi’s tour is now full. Thank you to everyone who signed up!**

Charming Tuesday: A Beauty Favorite

Charming Tuesday Product of the Week: Bronzer

Samantha’s Must-Have:

I’m a big fan of bronzer, especially since I gave up tanning beds a few years back. It took me a bit to find a good product and learn how to apply it properly, but for years bronzer has been a staple in my makeup bag. Lately I have been using Too Faced Peach Leopard Brightening & Perfecting Bronzer. Too Faced is one of my favorite lines, so when I was looking for a new bronzer I scoped them out right away. They have many different options, but I have found the Peach Leopard works best for me. I would definitely recommend Too Faced for your bronzer needs!

 

Sara’s Must-Have:

Living in Texas, one tends to spend a lot of time out in the sun and most gals typically develop a summery tan all by themselves. Well, not this gal. I typically hide in the shade and slather on the sunscreen whenever I get a chance, so usually, I have to fake a tan. I am a huge fan of bronzer, both liquid and powder and about three years ago, I stumbled on to Estee Lauder Sun Goddess Liquid Bronzer. At first, I was a little intimidated by how dark the liquid looked in the bottle, but that passed quickly. I dab on a few drops here and there and spread it evenly on all of the usual “sun kissed spots” and it looks very realistic. The product doesn’t have much of a smell and is fast drying…and bonus, it is very buildable!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BRONZER? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND LET US  KNOW.

A Contented Mind by Samantha Hoffman

Samantha Hoffman is currently on tour with A Contented Mind and CLP Blog Tours. First, let me say I love the cover of this book. It immediately drew me in and I stared at for a few seconds just relishing the beauty. Mmm, good covers. Okay, moving on! Meg Scott, a bestselling author who keeps her writing identity under wraps, is forced to move after someone found out her identity and broke into her secluded home. She packs up everything and moves to a beachfront house on the West Coast with her faithful Irish setter, Bob. Meg is also a talented violin player, and when a world renowned rock band begins a search for a violinist to accompany them on an acoustic tour, Meg reluctantly goes to an audition. It is there she meets Jadon Hastings, the band’s drummer, and a love story begins.

I enjoyed the love story between Meg and Jadon. Meg isn’t aware that Jadon is her neighbor, and the two share a musical bond when she plays the violin and he plays the piano, the two combining to make beautiful music. Meg already feels a connection with her mysterious neighbor, not aware she talks to him on a daily basis. Jadon knows he is in love with Meg, but assumptions keep him from admitting his feelings. After a while, I would have liked to see Meg and Jadon move forward in their relationship. Most of the book is them seeming to not like each other, while only their inner dialogue tells a different story. Also, some of the skipping around from different POV’s got to be a bit distracting. I thought the novel could have been just as good with only letting readers in to Meg and Jadon’s thoughts. There were some very intense moments along the way, and those scenes really helped keep me invested in the journey from beginning to end. Overall, a good debut from Samantha Hoffman, and one I would recommend to women fiction fans.

[Rating: 3.5]

Connect with Samantha!

Future Tour: Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel

Cindy will be on tour July 30-August 20 with her novel Viewer Discretion Advised

LIVE FROM MIAMI! The sensationalism shown on television can only be topped by the drama that happens behind the camera! After being fired from her job in Los Angeles, Charlene “Charley” Thomas moves to sizzling Miami and begins working as news director at a local television station. While getting used to her new gig, Charley wakes up to the fact that her station manager, Jonathan Lefton, is the boss from hell who will do anything for a story no matter who gets hurt in the process. When nude pictures of noon anchor, Miranda Andrews, are discovered in the men’s room of a Key West bar, all hell breaks loose. They end up on Lefton’s desk and he promotes her over the main anchor, sparking off a firestorm. Miranda’s quickly thrown into the mix and assigned special reports. Charley finds herself overseeing an investigation that could shine light on the guilt of a dirty cop. Real life begins to mimic the drama of broadcast news when station personalities face life and death all for rating and Emmys! VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a modern day “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.”

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour schedule! **Anyone who purchases their copy of Viewer Discretion Advised before August 20 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five entries in a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card!!**

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