Whole Latte Life by Joanne DeMaio

Whole Latte Life by Joanne DeMaio is a poignant novel that examines life and the unbreakable bonds of love and friendship. The story follows Sara Beth Riley who suddenly and unexpectedly leaves a note to her best friend at a restaurant one night and takes a break from her own life. In the beginning, all Sara Beth really wants is a few days of freedom, but she doesn’t realize just how close she is to completely losing it all. Her marriage, her family, her life, her forgotten dreams, and the loss of her mother have all taken their toll on her, and she can do nothing but run away.

Her best friend Rachel, alone now more than ever since the death of her husband and her daughter away at college, fears for her friend and attempts to bring her back to her life. Will Rachel be able to reach her friend in time?

I found the two women honest and absolutely loved the bond of their friendship. This novel had me thinking about my relationship with my best friend and all of the wonderful (and unforgettable) moments that the two of us have shared. Together, Rachel and Sara Beth create an unforgettable team that really create a “whole latte life” for one another. This book is endearingly heartfelt and left me thinking often times about the decisions and choices that I have made thus far. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a women’s fiction book with a little more depth.

I will be sharing this one with my best friend and my mom!

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Charming Tuesday: A Beauty Favorite

Chick Lit Plus is kicking off a fabulous new feature called “Charming Tuesday” on our website. Every Tuesday, we will choose a beauty product and narrow down our absolute favorites, often times featuring a giveaway of one (or two) of our beauty “must-have’s”.  So, check back every Tuesday to see which products make the cut.

Charming Tuesday Product Of The Week: Foundation

Samantha’s Must-Have:

My favorite foundation hands down is Almay’s Smart Shade, Smart Balance. I wrote a post on Almay products and highlighted this foundation way back in December of 2009, and it is still a staple in my bag. I remember when I first bought it and squeezed some product into my hand, freaking out because it was white. I didn’t understand that it literally blends into your skin, matching your skin tone perfectly. So not only do not I have to worry about those pesky lines showing, but this foundation also balances your skin so you don’t get oily or dry throughout the day. I absolutely recommend this product!

http://chicklitplus.com/category/chicklitplus/style-fashion-beauty/page/7/

Sara’s Must Have:

Living in Texas, it can be difficult to wear foundation most days because of the extreme heat in the summer. In the past, I have usually used a tinted moisturizer pretty much year round, but during pregnancy,  I felt like I needed a little more coverage than what a tinted moisturizer could offer. So, naturally, since I am a huge fan of Bobbi Brown makeup in general, I thought I would stop in and give them a try. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed. This foundation did it all- the weightless coverage helped even out my ever changing skin tone, minimized the appearance of pores and blemishes, and helped my super-dry skin stay hydrated. Plus, there is the added benefit of UV protection. I highly recommend this foundation to anyone looking for a smooth applying, never cakey (or dry) foundation for their skin that still provides a natural (almost tinted moisturizer like) feel.

Please leave a comment below telling us what your “must-have” foundation is and stayed tuned for Charming Tuesday next week.

Three Daves by Nicki Elson

Three Daves was such a fun book to read. I loved the throwback to the 80’s and Nicki Elson did a fantastic job with creating characters and situations. The story is set in 1986 and features Jennifer Whitney, who thinks of herself as the last American virgin. She is a sophomore at Central Illinois University, and getting a bit restless that she still has her V-card. But she doesn’t want to just give it up to just anyone and be coined a campus slut. And she also wants to feel somewhat experienced her first time. Readers follow Jen through her journey that features three Daves, three very different men in her life who will all leave an impact.

Even though this story is set in the 80’s, it had a very contemporary feel to it. The dialogue is very realistic, as is Jen’s inner turmoil and thoughts. This book read very fast for me, and is one that I would recommend to chick lit readers. There is a lot of profanity and use of the word “slut,” as well as some intense sex scenes that some may not enjoy, but they didn’t bother me. They were there for a reason and fit in smoothly with the story. I really enjoyed watching Jen and her journey with the three Daves, and was curious up until the end about how her story would close. I will look forward to more from Elson!

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Well-Heeled Writer Platform

Building a writing platform is an important ingredient in finding success with our craft.  I’m talking more about how we validate our work, answering the question … Why are you the one to write this Mystery/Romance/Family Drama/YA book?  What expertise can you bring to the work?  Take this chair, for instance.  It definitely has “platform” going on.  At the same time, it brings something fresh to the seat genre.  But without that platform, the chair so lacks authority!

Platform is helpful in both fiction and nonfiction, and there are several ways a writer can build one.  Some include holding an MFA.  Are you a lawyer?  Back up the legal thriller you’ve written with that title.  Love to cook?  Parlay that passion into your own unique cookbook.

Authority in a subject does lend credibility to a piece of writing, and can help influence agents, editors, and especially your reading audience.  At the same time it gives you a rich knowledge of wisdom and experience to bring to the page, layering your story with authenticity.

For me, I’ve developed my blog as an extension of my novel Whole Latte Life.  The blog looks at the same questions the book does, that of living our passions, whatever they may be.  I’ve posed questions to my readers, initiated active dialogues in the Comments, and interviewed experts in the arts of music, writing, greeting card design, cooking, and others, to bring their experiences to my readers, and to build my own base of knowledge on the subject.

So think Platform … Consider your education, employment, hobby, expertise, craft, as a shoe-in to building your writing resume.

~Joanne

A review for Joanne’s novel, Whole Latte Life, will be reviewed right here on Chick Lit Plus on Wednesday, so stay tuned and check out the link below.

Surprise Me! by Nancy Goodman

Debut novel Surprise Me! by Nancy Goodman is an entertaining novel that follows main character Genie Burn and her chaotic life.  The never-ending struggles that Genie faces are entertaining to say the least … whether it be woeful dating issues, personal fears and holdups, binge/emotional eating, or simple everyday issues- Genie handles each issue with a fresh sense of humor and honesty. It isn’t too often that I find a book that I can relate to when it comes to dieting issues, but for some reason, I found Genie so appealing and real.

Nancy has struck gold with her first novel and I am so delighted that I got to be an early reader of this one. There are so many things that I enjoyed about Surprise Me! … but I think most of all, I really enjoyed Genie’s can-do-attitude. She is faced with dilemma after dilemma and never once failed to amaze me with her witty humor and her honest approach to living a life that she really wanted. I feel that as a reader, I’m often faced with books that deal with these issues in such a depressing, woe-is-me type of approach, and Nancy Goodman does a wonderful job at making you feel at peace with yourself. Overall, a stellar debut! I can’t wait to see what Nancy Goodman comes out with next.

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Blog Tour Sign Up: Kat Fight by Dina Silver

Dina will be on tour in late July with her chick lit novel Kat Fight. Please use the sign up form below if you would like to be in the tour. eBooks copies will be provided and Dina will also be available for a guest post or interview. Book excerpts can be provided as well. I will contact everyone chosen to participate. Thank you!

The seriously funny, fabulously flawed Kat Porter has arrived, and she may just steal your heart—not to mention your boyfriend. Readers everywhere will revel in this sharp-witted, well-meaning whirlwind in author Dina Silver’s hilarious new novel, Kat Fight. In her quest for love, Kat makes every wrong turn, juggling two men, one best friend, and her own deeply confused heart’s desires.

Kat Porter is a consummate romantic, eager for her chance to find love and commitment. But after her boyfriend of four years, Marc, begins to grow apathetic and sends her calls straight to voicemail one too many times, Kat finally musters the courage to confront her so-called sweetheart, who seems more interested in dodging her than courting her. Though she’s no fan of ultimatums, Kat is at the end of her considerable wits, and lobs a massive one his way, completely confident that he’ll make the right decision when faced with losing her. He doesn’t.

With radio silence from Marc, Kat’s lifelong dream of finding a husband and forging a family is decidedly on the skids. That’s when her childhood friend Julie steps in, forcing Kat on a blind date to help her move beyond the break-up. Not only does Kat botch the setup, she instead finds herself in hot pursuit of Julie’s love interest, Ryan Sullivan. A man who, in addition to literally taking her breath away, is the living, breathing personification of everything Kat wants in a husband.

Can Kat connect with the man of her dreams without hurting two of the people she cares most about? At the same time, she must also contend with the quips of her beloved catty coworker Adam, her bi-polar boss Brooke, and a string of comic, unpredictable plot twists. All the while, Kat’s cheeky perspective and generous heart will leave readers adoring every moment of her journey while chuckling and cheering for the ever cute, razor-sharp Kat as she fights to land the love of a lifetime.

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

Future Tour: Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark

Lauren will be on tour June 11-July 2 with her chick lit novel Dancing Naked in Dixie.

Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet sets to Europe and the Caribbean with barely a moment to blink or sleep. But too many mishaps and missed deadlines have Julia on the verge of being fired.

With a stern warning, and unemployment looming, she’s offered one last chance to rescue her career. Julia embarks on an unlikely journey to the ‘Heart of Dixie’—Eufaula, Alabama—home to magnificent mansions, sweet tea, and the annual Pilgrimage.

Julia arrives, soon charmed by the lovely city and her handsome host, but her stay is marred by a shocking discovery. Can Julia’s story save her career, Eufaula, and the annual Pilgrimage?

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour schedule! **Anyone who purchases their copy of Dancing Naked in Dixie before July 2 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five entries in a drawing to win a $10 Amazon gift card!!**

(Release date May 21)

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender follows young Rose Edelstein, whom at the age of nine, believes that she tastes something a little peculiar in her mother’s homemade lemon cake with chocolate icing. She reluctantly swallows it down, but realizes shortly after that she possesses the unique talent of being able to taste the emotions of whoever prepares her food. From that day forward, Rose has the unwanted insight into other people’s secret emotional lives. We also learn soon after that her brother and father both possess odd gifts as well, and that together they form an interesting trio with a magical twist.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whimsical tale about Rose. At first, I had a hard time wrapping myself around the book and the magical prose, but eventually I adjusted and was able to truly appreciate it. I think Aimee Bender does such a wonderful job at hiding what is really going on … and I think that adds to the enchantment of the tale. There are so many directions that Bender could have taken with this book, but I think she does an exceptional job at examining a family with some serious issues, spinning it on its heels, and creating a magical world in which the characters reside. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone who is looking for something a little different.

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The Wedding Beat by Devan Sipher

Gavin Greene is a writer for a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, but he doesn’t write a column on stocks or sports. No, he writes the wedding column, which suits this romantic at heart. Still reeling from a bad breakup, Gavin is searching for that right woman…and finds her New Years Eve night at a party. Melinda. Gavin’s One. But when she slips out early, Gavin is left to search for the woman whose last name he isn’t even privy too. Can Gavin find her before someone else sweeps her away?

I thought The Wedding Beat by Devan Sipher was a fabulous novel! I love chick lit from a guy’s perspective, and definitely think it should be on your to-read list. Gavin reminded me a bit of Ross from Friends or Ted from How I Met Your Mother, both characters that I simply adore. His journey to find Melinda kept me invested throughout the entire novel. I was thinking five stars all the way, but the ending really tripped me up. I felt a bit cheated as a reader. We go through this incredible journey of finding Melinda, and the epilogue didn’t really wrap up their love story. I don’t want to give too much away, but I was just bummed that more details weren’t given in their relationship and how it turned out. Other than that, loved the story and think you will too.

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All the Difference by Kaira Rouda

I absolutely loved Here, Home, Hope, the debut novel from Kaira Rouda. She embodied what I hope to do with my writing – inspire other woman. When Kaira asked me to host her at CLP Blog Tours for her second novel, I was blown away. Of course I was ecstatic, and I’m happy to report I highly enjoyed All the Difference. I thought this book was very different from her first, but to me it just showed the talent that Rouda possesses. The story is set in Grandville, and follows multiple characters in this suburban town. The main focus is three women – all with different stories, different problems, different lives – but one has turned to murder to get her way.  A suspenseful novel filled with hard-hitting decisions and scenarios, I was flipping frantically to the end to tie everything together.

I will say that at first the amount of characters overwhelmed me. There is a lot going on in this book, different viewpoints, stories, opinions, and in the beginning it was a lot to handle. I was able to adjust after the first few chapters, but that’s just my warning that the beginning my throw you off. Other than getting over that bump, I had a lot of fun with this story. Again, I thought it was a different direction for Rouda, and I loved the suburban mystery aspect. I will admit that I thought I knew which woman was the murderer – and I was totally wrong. I loved the little flashbacks that we got, how all the stories entwined together and I would recommend All the Difference!

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