Priceless by Nicole Richie

Charlotte Williams is a typical New York socialite, enjoying the finer things in life and being the apple of her father’s eye. But when darling daddy is taken to federal prison on embezzlement charges, Charlotte’s charmed life is suddenly in ruins. Cheated investors are after her, and even her household staff was duped by her father and questioning her about their money. Charlotte flees New York and finds comfort in the only person that can provide it for her–Miss Millie, the woman who helped raise Charlotte after her mother passed away. Charlotte tries to settle into her temporary life in New Orleans–making a new friend in the fashionista Kat, securing a job as a waitress, and possibly finding romance with Millie’s son, Jackson. But a stalker that set up an unpleasant website about Charlotte is not letting her find peace. He is determined to bring her down because of her father’s actions, and the threats are soon out of control.

Priceless is the follow-up novel from Nicole Richie after The Truth About Diamonds. This novel seemed more fiction to me than the first, where I was able to see parallels from those characters to Richie’s celebrity life. With Priceless, I was much more invested in the story and Charlotte’s troubles, even though I’m sure Richie relied on her socialite experience for some of the scenes. But casting the celebrity bit aside, I thought this novel was a fast read that entertained me throughout. The characters were well-written and made relatable, even though I am far from that social status. I thought Charlotte was very likeable, even though her character could have gone the other way, so I was really rooting for her throughout the whole story. More books like this from Nicole Richie will definitely not be a bad thing.

[Rating: 4.5]

In My Mailbox: Week of May 15

In My Mailbox: Week of May 15

Title: Priceless

Author: Nicole Richie

Received: From Cristina @ Simon and Shuster

Synopsis: Tall, blond, and willowy, this twenty-two-year-old seems to have everything going for her—she’s rich and gorgeous, a talented singer, and has just returned to her Park Avenue penthouse after a year studying in Paris. But since her mother’s tragic death years ago, her father, an extremely successful financier, has been her only family—and if she’s being honest, her only true friend.

All that changes when Jacob Williams is arrested on charges of fraud, and the SEC freezes the family’s bank accounts. With her father in jail and her partying pals suddenly scarce, Charlotte escapes Manhattan and heads to the one place she doesn’t think anyone will come looking: New Orleans.

Determined to rebuild her life, Charlotte moves in with her beloved former nanny and finds a job in a local restaurant. Between trying to make ends meet and hiding from her past, she meets Kat, a fellow fashionista who introduces her to the best of the Big Easy’s bohemian style. With Kat by her side, Charlotte begins to haunt nightclubs, securing singing gigs that soon begin to heat up—as does her friendship with a local boy, Jackson.

But Charlotte’s being followed by an angry stalker who wants nothing more than to destroy her for her father’s crimes. And with Mardi Gras just around the corner, the masquerade has only just begun . . .

From the stylish avenues of Manhattan and dark clubs of the French Quarter to the bright lights of Los Angeles, the multitalented Nicole Richie’s scintillating tale shows that the very life you run from is the one that won’t let you hide.

Title: Phone Kitten

Author: Marika Christian

Received: From Julie Smith @ BookBnimble/CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: Marika Christian’s PHONE KITTEN introduces an absolutely unique, first-time-ever kind of female sleuth—a totally lovable, intelligent, downright hilarious down-home girl who happens to earn her living as a phone sex worker.
Shy, slightly overweight Emily would die if she had to talk dirty face-to-face—especially to her hot cop boy friend. She sure didn’t set out to do phone sex—she wanted to be a writer. But when her BFF framed her for plagiarism, she got in a tiny financial hole and saw this ad for “phone actresses”… Hey, it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds. No pantyhose or pantsuits, no regular hours, you’re your own boss, and lots of people to talk to. Guys, that is. But here’s the odd thing—lots of them want to talk about more than Emily’s imagined attributes; they start to think of her as the best friend they’ll never have to meet. Next thing you know, one of her customers gets killed and Emily knows a lot more about it than she should. But she can’t tell the nearest cop, who’s also her own true love, because then he’ll find out about her secret life. What’s a phone kitten to do? Solve the murder herself, of course—because wouldn’t it be a great story for the newspaper that wrongly fired her? It’s her ticket back to her real life—if it doesn’t get her killed.
PHONE KITTEN is your ticket to hours of giggles—so long as you’re not looking for raunch. Because this is so not it. Somehow, first-time author Christian manages to handle a potentially smokin’ subject with such sly wit, authentic detail, and clever writing that you’ll wonder why this subject was ever considered taboo.

Title: A Pug’s Tale

Author: Alison Pace

Received: From Erin @ The Penguin Group

Synopsis: Hope McNeill is a New York City gal who finally has it all—an amazing boyfriend, an adorable pug named Max, and a great job in the restorations department of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  In fact, when a wealthy society woman and a major benefactor of the museum takes an interest in her and Max, Hope is thrilled and flattered.

Unfortunately, things take a wrong turn at work—a painting has disappeared from the museum and Hope’s boss is desperate to keep it quiet.  Since the painting was in Hope’s department when last seen, she feels it’s up to her to get it back.  Along the way she receives some surprising help from an enigmatic detective and her own intuitive pug.

Title: Night Road

Author: Kristin Hannah

Received: Unknown/Unsolicited

Synopsis: For eighteen years, Jude Farraday has put her children’s needs above her own, and it shows—her twins, Mia and Zach—are bright and happy teenagers.  When Lexi Baill moves into their small, close knit community, no one is more welcoming than Jude.  Lexi, a former foster child with a dark past, quickly becomes Mia’s best friend.  Then Zach falls in love with Lexi and the three become inseparable.

Jude does everything to keep her kids on track for college and out of harm’s way.  It has always been easy– until senior year of high school.  Suddenly she is at a loss.  Nothing feels safe anymore; every time her kids leave the house, she worries about them.

On a hot summer’s night her worst fears come true. One decision will change the course of their lives.  In the blink of an eye, the Farraday family will be torn apart and Lexi will lose everything.  In the years that follow, each must face the consequences of that single night and find a way to forget…or the courage to forgive.

Nicole Richie & Joel Madden Marry

Nicole Richie is a married woman! After four years together, Nicole Richie married Joel Madden in front of about 130 family members and friends on Saturday, according to People.com. Richie, 29, wore a wedding dress by Marchesa, and the rings were designed by jeweler Neil Lane. Guests at the wedding included the groom’s twin brother and Good Charlotte bandmate Benji Madden, Sam Ronson, and Gwen Stefani and husband Gavin Rosedale. Richie and Madden, 31, became engaged in February and have two children together.

Photo Credit: MAXA/Landov

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!

Nicole Richie Engaged!

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden are making it official! Richie, 28, announced her engagement to the
Good Charlotte rocker on The Late Show with David Letterman on Monday. The wedding is expected to be held this summer. Richie and Madden began dating in December 2006 and have two children together- Harlow, 2, and Sparrow, 5 months.

Photo Credit: MAXA/Landov

Nicole Richie to Act and Produce in New ABC Sitcom

Nicole Richie just can’t seem to find enough to do. The former Simple Life star, 28,  is already writing her second novel, debuting a clothing line and shoe line, being a mother to her two children, recovering from pneumonia- and now will be headlining a half hour sitcom to premier on ABC. Usmagazine reports that the show is in development and will center on a ‘professional woman with complicated family relationships who is struggling to figure out what role she’ll take as her life and her family evolve.’ Variety reports that the pilot will loosely follow the reality star’s own life. Richie herself came up with the idea and will produce as well.  

Photo Credit: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

Nicole Richie Home From Hospital

Nicole Richie has checked out of Cedars Sinai after suffering from pneumonia.  She is at home and resting according to Joel Madden. Madden wrote on his band’s webpage, “So I stepped off the plane after a month out of the country, and basically went straight to the hospital for the week. But don’t worry all is well and we are home with no problems.”   

Photo Credit: MAXA/Landov

Nicole Richie In Hospital

Nicole Richie, 28, has checked herself into the L.A. hospital Cedars Sinai after coming down with pneumonia. A rep for the star gave this comment to Usmagazine: “Nicole has checked into Ceders Sinai where she is being treated for pneumonia. She is doing well.”

Richie has two children, Harlow 22 months, and two month old Sparrow with partner Joel Madden.

Photo Credit: Jason LeVeris/FilmMagic

Nicole Richie Granted Restraining Order

Nicole Richie was successfully granted a temporary restraining order against two photographers, approved by a Los Angeles judge on Friday. Eduardo Arrivebene and Ivon Miguel are also ordered to stay at least 100 hundred yards away from Richie’s two young children, Harlow, 21 months, and Sparrow, 6 weeks.

In the filing, reported by People.com, Richie states that Arrivebene and Migeul “stalk” Richie and her family, and that they “sit outside my house, waiting for me to leave.” These are the same photographers that rear-ended Richie earlier in the month, causing her to need to medical attention after the accident. Richie made this statement, “I am fearful that [their] continued presence may cause yet another accident, this time with my infant children in the vehicle.”

Arrivebene was behind the wheel during the crash, and was arrested for driving without a license. He was later released after posting $1,125 bail. There has been a hearing set for November 16 to determine if the restraining order should be extended.

Photo Credit: Fame Pictures

Nicole Richie’s Clothing Line to Premier in February

Nicole Richie’s contemporary women’s clothing collection is set to premier in February of 2010. The line is named Winter Kate, after Richie’s daughter Harlow Winter Kate Madden. The line will feature mostly tops, vests, and jackets, People.com reports, with colorful vintage-inspired silk, crepe and chiffon. The 37 piece line is inspired by Richie’s own bohemian style, and will also include long slip dresses, asymmetrical short dresses, tunics, a kimono-sleeved maxidress, cotton macrame, suede and silk vests, and a shrunken leather jacket. Winter Kate will be sold in stores such as Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ron Herman, Intermix and Kitson.

Photo Credit: Michael Kovac/Filmmagic

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