Chick Lit Plus Awards

And the Chick Lit Plus Award goes to……

BEST LOL NOVEL

Nominees:

Not Ready for Mom Jeans by Maureen Lipinski

Lowcountry Summer by Dorothea Benton Frank

Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Sleeping with Ward Cleaver by Jenny Gardiner

Winner: The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

BEST ROMANCE NOVEL

Nominees:

Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

Anyone for Seconds? by Fiona Cassidy

Winner: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

BEST BFF NOVEL

Nominees:

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison

Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick

Winner: Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

BEST VILLAIN IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Miranda, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger

Olga, Moonlight in Odessa, by Janet Skeslein Charles

Cici, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

Patty, The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross

Valerie, Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

Winner: Cici, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

BEST SCANDAL IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Perfect Blend by Sue Margolis

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks

Poor Little Bitch Girl by Jackie Collins

Pieces of Happily Ever After by Irene Zutell’

Winner: Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

BEST TEAR-JERKER NOVEL

Nominees:

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Promises to Keep by Jane Green

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

On Folly Beach by Karen White

Winner: Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

BEST NOVEL FROM A DEBUT AUTHOR

Nominees:

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

I’ll Have Who She’s Having by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

Reunion by JL Penn

Hook Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph

Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane

Winner: I’ll Have Who She’s Having by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke

BEST NOVL WRITTEN BY A CELEBRITY

Nominees:

LA Candy by Lauren Conrad

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler

The Truth About Diamonds by Nicole Richie

Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

Star by Pamela Anderson

Winner: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler

MOST INTRIGUING CONCEPT

Nominees:

The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch

Tuesday Tells it Slant by Holly Christine

The Lies We Told by Diane Chamberlain

Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

Winner: Espressologist by Kristina Springer

BEST FEMALE

Nominees:

Willa, Montana Sky by Nora Roberts

Darcy, Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Becky, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Rachel, Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Sammy, Sammy’s Hill by Kristin Gore

Winner: Becky, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

BEST MALE

Nominees:

Luc, See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson

Ethan, Something Blue by Emily Giffin

Luke, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Alex, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

Dan, A Vintage Affair by Isabel Wolff

Winner: Alex, I Heart Paris by Lindsey Kelk

BEST SERIES

Nominees:

Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich

Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Heather Wells Series by Meg Cabot

I Heart Series by Lindsey Kelk

Enchanted Series by Shanna Swendson

Winner: I Heart Series by Lindsey Kelk

NOVEL THAT SHOULD BE A MOVIE

Nominees:

A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder

I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella

Hook Line and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph

Winner: I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk

BEST NOVEL MADE INTO A MOVIE

Nominees:

Flirty With Forty by Jane Porter

My Sisters Keeper by Jodi Picoult

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Confessions of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Winner: The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

CHARACTER WITH THE BEST JOB

Nominees:

Sophie, Sophie Katz Series by Kyra Davis

Lydia, The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber

Becky, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Heather, Heather Wells Series by Meg Cabot

Marla, Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker by Marla Martenson

Winner: Sophie, Sophie Katz Series by Kyra Davis

BEST WEDDING IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

Wedding Season by Katie Fforde

Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz

For Better, For Worse by Carole Matthews

I Do, But I Don’t by Cara Lockwood

Winner: Shopaholic Ties the Knot by Sophie Kinsella

BEST SUPPORTING CHARACTER IN A NOVEL

Nominees:

Suze, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Kelly, Love in Mid Air by Kim Wright

Dot, The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross

Jessica, Shopaholic and Sister by Sophie Kinsella

Candace, Reunion by JL Penn

Winner: Suze, Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

BEST COUGAR NOVEL

Nominees:

Flirting With Forty by Jane Porter

The Cougar Club by Susan McBride

The Infidelity Pact by Carrie Karasyov

Winner: The Cougar Club by Susan McBride

BEST COVER

Nominees:

Fairytale of New York by Miranda Dickinson

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Misery Loves Cabernet by Kim Gruenenfelder

Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

Secrets of the Hollywood Girls Club by Maggie Marr

Winner: Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster

BEST SEQUEL

Nominees:

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

The First Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare

Slightly Settled by Wendy Markham

Killer Cocktails by Sheryl J Anderson

Winner: Something Blue by Emily Giffin

BEST MYSTERY

Nominees:

I Scream, You Scream by Wendy Lyn Watson

Killer Heels by Sheryl J Anderson

Looks to Die For by Janice Kaplan

House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

Winner: Bulletproof Mascara by Bethany Maines

THANKS TO ALL WHO VOTED AND THE AUTHORS WHO DONATED THEIR NOVELS!

Best Celebrity Novel Nominees

The nominees for Best Novel written by a Celebrity:

LA Candy by Lauren Conrad

Chelsea, Chelsea, Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler

The Truth About Diamonds by Nicole Richie

Sweet Little Lies by Lauren Conrad

Star by Pamela Anderson

Please vote for your favorite by commenting below. Everyone who votes is entered to win!

Chelsea Handler to Host VMA’s

Outspoken E! comedienne Chelsea Handler has been tapped to host this years MTV VMA’s. Handler, who hosts her own late night comedy show and has penned three books, says in a statement, “”This has been a huge year for hip-hop and rap, and it is well-known that I have the closest ties with these communities – musically and sexually. I am to rap and hippity-hop what Warren Buffet is to finance, minus the sex.” MTV said they have put “the censors have been put on high alert,” in order to prepare for the funny woman to take the stage. Handler, 35, will be only second woman to host the VMAs solo, following Roseanne Barr in 1994. The VMA’s will air live from the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles on Sept. 12 at 9 p.m. ET.

Photo Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

Chick Lit Plus Awards: Day 1 Nominations

Categories: Best Laugh Out Loud Novel, Best Romance Novel, and Best BFF Novel (Best Friends Forever.)

Prizes: Starting off big! One lucky winner will win a copy of all THREE of Marla Martenson’s novels: Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate is Waiting, Good Date, Bad Date, and Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker.

Winners will be announced August 23^rd.

Please post below to enter your nominations, or email me directly at Samantha@chicklitplus.com. The top 5 from each category will go on to the final voting process.

Some early nomination votes for these categories include:

Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Hander- Best LOL Novel

Hook, Line, and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph- Best LOL Novel

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner- Best BFF Novel

Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea

I have been a fan of Chelsea Handler since the beginning of her popular late night show Chelsea Lately on the E! network. When I learned she had books out, of course I had to scoop them up. I started with Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea. And I loved it! The story speeds through Chelsea’s life, ranging from her as a young girl up until she is an adult, highlighting some of the most bizarre and hilarious events that has taken place. From telling her classmates that she is a major movie star with Goldie Hawn, a girl-on-girl stint in jail, and all her crazy family issues in between, this book kept me laughing until the end. Handler’s uninhibited point of view and sarcastic remarks kept me laughing out loud, and even though at times the story line seemed a bit all over, her narrative kept it all flowing together. If you can appreciate cynical, self-deprecating humor and raunchy situations, be sure to check this one out! If you have seen Chelsea Lately and don’t find her funny, or are sensitive to racy content, I would suggest passing.

In My Mailbox: Week of April 11

In My Mailbox: Week of April 11th

 

 Title: Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea

Author: Chelsea Handler

Received: Public Library

Synopsis: When Chelsea Handler needs to get a few things off her chest, she appeals to a higher power — vodka. You would too if you found out that your boyfriend was having an affair with a Peekapoo or if you had to pretend to be honeymooning with your father in order to upgrade to first class. Welcome to Chelsea’s world — a place where absurdity reigns supreme and a quick wit is the best line of defense.

In this hilarious, deliciously skewed collection, Chelsea mines her past for stories about her family, relationships, and career that are at once singular and ridiculous. Whether she’s convincing her third-grade class that she has been tapped to play Goldie Hawn’s daughter in the sequel to Private Benjamin, deciding to be more egalitarian by dating a redhead, or looking out for a foulmouthed, rum-swilling little person who looks just like her…only smaller, Chelsea has a knack for getting herself into the most outrageous situations. Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea showcases the candor and irresistible turns of phrase that have made her one of the freshest voices in comedy today.

 

Title: Perfect on Paper

Author: Maria Murnane

Received: From Maria Murnane

Synopsis: Waverly Bryson is a late-20s successful businesswoman who almost has it all: dream job in Sports PR, two best friends, and a bar where everybody knows her name. What she doesn’t have is a ring on her finger, and after being left at the altar, she’s in no hurry. Besides, she has plenty of other issues to tackle, including her wayward father, a new rival at work, and an ever-shrinking amount of personal time. To keep sane, Waverly makes a habit of jotting down “Honey Notes,” her own brand of self-deprecating wisdom and pipe-dream for a line of greeting cards.
As Waverly stumbles back into the dating scene (no stalkers or jean shorts, please), her personal and professional lives threaten to collide. Perfect on Paper reminds readers that everyone has a bad date (or twelve), and that everyone needs a best friend to tell them, “Honey, you are not alone.”

 

Title: Enchanted Inc.

Author: Shanna Swendson

Received: Public Library

Synopsis: Katie Chandler had always heard that New York is a weird and wonderful place, but this small-town Texas gal had no idea how weird until she moved there. Everywhere she goes, she sees something worth gawking at and Katie is afraid she’s a little too normal to make a splash in the big city. Working for an ogre of a boss doesn’t help.

Then, seemingly out of the blue, Katie gets a job offer from Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., a company that tricks of the trade to the magic community. For MSI, Katie’s ordinariness is an asset. Lacking any bit of magic, she can easily spot a fake spell, catch hidden clauses in competitor’s contracts, and detect magically disguised intruders. Suddenly, average Katie is very special indeed.

She quickly learns that office politics are even more complicated when your new boss is a real ogre, and you have a crush on the sexy, shy, ultra powerful head of the R&D department, who is so busy fighting an evil competitor threatening to sell black magic on the street that he seems barely to notice Katie. Now it’s up to Katie to pull off the impossible: save the world and – hopefully – live happily ever after.

 

Title: Looks to Die For

Author: Janice Kaplan

Received: Public Library

Synopsis: A smart and sassy heroine makes her debut in a stylish new mystery series from the bestselling co-author of “The Botox Diaries” and “Mine Are Spectacular!”Lacy Fields is the wife of a prominent Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, a dedicated mother of three, and an absolutely fabulous decorator to the stars. But when her husband is accused of murdering a young wannabe actress, Lacy finds out she has a killer instinct for hunting down murderers as well as antique furniture. Cleverly marrying the day-to-day foibles of family life with delicious insider glamour, “Looks to Die For” takes readers behind the scenes of a fashionable world of gossip, name-dropping, and murder. The suspense-meets-shopping page turner signals the arrival of a savvy and stylish new voice.

 

Title: Forget Me Knot

Author: Sue Margolis

Received: Public Library

Synopsis: From the acclaimed author of Gucci Gucci Coo and Apocalipstick comes a funny, sexy novel about questionable engagements—and a love worthy perhaps of the big screen.

Florist Abby Crompton has a knack for arranging the most exquisite bouquets for the hippest clientele. If only her personal life could run as smoothly. Although her fiancé, Toby, proposed a month ago, Abby’s still waiting for the ring. An up-and-coming lawyer, Toby’s been far too busy to shop—let alone muster the energy for romance. If that wasn’t frustrating enough, the night she’s supposed to meet her future mother-in-law, Abby gets stuck in an elevator—with a sexy stranger bearing fine wine. Needless to say, a tipsy Abby arrives late for dinner and doesn’t make the best impression.

In the aftermath of the dinner disaster, Abby is thrilled to learn that a film studio wants to use her shop in an upcoming movie. But when she meets the director, Dan, she’s shocked to discover that he’s none other than the same man with whom she shared the elevator—and some highly personal information. Now, with Toby putting in more overtime, Abby’s feeling even more neglected. And her attraction to Dan is growing daily—as her own life begins to mirror the romantic comedy he’s shooting.

Featuring an irrepressible heroine, Forget Me Knot blooms with charm, wit, and fun.

Healthy Recipe: Chelsea Handler’s Favorite Turkey Meat Loaf

Chelsea Handler is one of my favorite late night comedians, and the way she talks about her food and drinks would make one think she doesn’t care how many calories she consumes in a day. But actually, Chelsea is very conscious of her diet, thanks in large part to her nutritionist and her brother, Roy, who is a professional chef.  The comedienne shared one of her favorite recipes with Shape magazine, turkey meat loaf. Keep reading for the full recipe:

 

Serves: 16

Prep Time: 30

Cook Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• Cooking spray
• 1 7″ loaf (about 4 1/2 ounces) stale crusty bread
• 2 cups lowfat milk
• 5 pounds ground turkey breast
• 3 cloves sliced garlic
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup plus 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard, divided
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

 

Directions:

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and preheat oven to 400° F. Tear bread into small chunks and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the milk and make sure bread is immersed. Let sit 30 minutes, mixing the bread and milk every 10 minutes, until the bread is thoroughly moistened. Add all of the ingredients except 1/4 cup mustard and 1/2 cup ketchup. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Form into 2 equal size cylindrical loaves and put on a prepared baking sheet. Mix the remaining mustard and ketchup and spread evenly over the loaves. Bake for an hour or until juices run clear. (The loaves should be firm to the touch.) Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

Chelsea Handler Moves out of Boyfriend’s Home

Late night talk show host Chelsea Handler has reportedly moved out of the home she was sharing with boyfriend and boss of four years, Ted Harbert. A rep for E! told this to Usmagazine, “The couple is no longer residing together. Ted has nothing but the highest regard for Chelsea both personally and professionally.” Handler, 34, and Harbert, 55, began dating in 2006, and Harbert also acts as Handler’s boss. He is the President and CEO of Comcast, which owns E!, the network behind the comedienne’s show Chelsea Lately. It has not been confirmed that the couple has split, just that they are no longer living together.  

Photo Credit: Tiffany Rose/Getty Images