Best Scandal Nominees

The nominees for Best Scandal in a Novel:

Perfect Blend by Sue Margolis

Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner

Still Thinking of You- Adele Parks

Poor Little Bitch Girl- Jackie Collins

Pieces of Happily Ever After- Irene Zutell

***I didn’t want to post the scandals for each novel, some come as a surprise and I wouldn’t want to give anything away!***

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

Forget Me Knot by Sue Margolis

Abby Crompton, owner of a trendy London florist boutique, is struggling in her relationship. While everything may seem picture perfect to outsiders, Abby fears there is something array with her fiancée Toby. Other than their complete opposition in the social aspect- Toby comes from a highly wealthy family, Abby not so much- but now their lack of any activity in the bedroom is making Abby unsure of her future wedding plans. When she is running late to meet the dreaded soon to be mother-in-law, Abby confronts her fears of an elevator and promptly gets stuck in one. While waiting to be rescued, Abby confides all her doubts about her impending marriage and fiancée to the handsome stranger that is trapped along with her, filmmaker Dan.

Abby’s embarrassment is elevated when she later meets Dan in a business setting- he is going to be directing a film where scenes take place in Abby’s boutique. While continually assuring her that he doesn’t think anything less of her and the inebriated personal babble she bestowed on him, Abby finds herself thinking of Dan in a more romantic setting. When her relationship with Toby comes to a direct halt, Abby wonders if anything more could happen with Dan. Before she can even begin to rebound,, she finds some unsettling news that Dan has been hiding from her, and gives up hope on that budding relationship. But following all great chick lit patterns, Abby is able to find love in the end even after all the false starts.

Forgot Me Knot is a romantic delight from British author Sue Margolis. A lightweight comedy that chick lit readers will enjoy. This was one of the better books from Margolis in my opinion, the characters were a riot, especially the heroine’s mom who finds a way to stand up for what she believes in during a cruise vacation gone bad. The storyline moves along quickly, and remains charming throughout.

Rating: 3.5/5

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.

Gucci Gucci Coo by Sue Margolis

Gucci Gucci Coo by Sue Margolis became one of my favorite books before I even finished the first chapter. Ruby Silverman runs a posh baby boutique for London mothers that have money to spare, and even celebrities can’t resist the adorable and high end items from Les Sprogs. But what happens after Ruby inadvertently sees one of the biggest stars sporting a prosthetic baby bump? Could there be something shady behind why all celebrities that give birth at St. Lukes “the Bentley of birth centers” come out skinny as a rail after having their baby? And if there is, could Ruby’s new love interest, the handsome American doctor, be involved?

Right from the beginning, Margolis brings the humor, the compassion, and the mystery with the supporting characters and their problems. Her mother has just found out she is expecting her second child- at age 50. Her co-worker is desperately trying to get pregnant, but having no luck with IVF treatments. And now, a possible scandal involving the biggest hospital and even bigger celebrity names. Can Ruby put together all the missing pieces before it’s too late- and before she loses the love of her life? Read all about it Gucci Gucci Coo.

Original Cyn by Sue Margolis

Cynthia Fishbein is a good person. As a young girl, she watched her mother struggle and eventually win her battle with breast cancer. During that ordeal, she learned how to be good. Never one to complain, Cynthia (who goes by the name Cyn) is still a good girl, now working as a junior copywriter at a London ad agency. She works hard, protects other, and stands up for everyone but herself. Even her therapist tells Cyn to find a mean streak in her. Cyn takes this advice a little too literally when another co-worker, Chelsea, steals her fabulous advertising pitch, putting Cyn’s job in jeopardy. Cyn decides to do something that is usually unthinkable: steal Chelsea’s identity. She pretends to be her co-worker after Chelsea has a yoga accident and is laid up in the hospital, taking over the ad commercial that was originally her idea. At the same time, Cyn is breaking the cardinal rule of her group therapy, dating another member. Joe Dillon seems to be perfect for Cyn, if you can overlook the fact that he is therapy because he has commitment issues due to being abandoned by his parents as a child. And the fact that he is hiding something about his career.

Original Cyn by Sue Margolis has interesting parts, but generally the plot is too slow moving. There is not enough suspense and build-up of the main character stealing another’s identity. I found myself uninterested in turning the pages. The characters are humorous, with a gay best friend and foreign import turned love interest for Cyn’s best friend, but overall, I wasn’t excited about this un-inspiring novel.

Breakfast at Stephanie’s by Sue Margolis

Stephanie Glassman needs her luck to change.  A single mother to Jake on the verge of not being able to pay her bills, Stephanie is pleasantly surprised when she runs into an old crush- Frank Waterman-while showcasing her singing talents at a department store during Christmas time. But of course, Frank is shopping with his gorgeous fiancé, and Stephanie’s hopes of finding love seem to be dashed again. But wait! Stephanie’s two week fling from Verona, Albert, has shown up on her doorstep. Albert is Jake’s father, and though he is usually non-existent besides from occasional phone calls and short visits, he has turned a new leaf. He wants Stephanie to marry him, so the three of them can be a proper family.

At the same time, Stephanie’s hopes of becoming a jazz singer could be getting closer to a reality. She has been picked up by Ossie Da Costa, a pint sized yet powerful London agent who has offered a job that could solve her money woes for years to come-but the job is unethical. Stephanie is faced with a decision- go with her morals, or take the money.

And now Frank is back in the picture. His wedding plans are no longer after ending it with his fiancée, and he wants Stephanie. Suddenly, Stephanie is faced with too many life changing decisions that she can handle. Her career. Marrying Albert and letting her son have his father in his life. Being with Frank instead, whom she now thinks she is truly falling in love with.

Breakfast at Stephanie’s by Sue Margolis is full of wacky characters such as Stephanie’s 79 year old grandmother, who is still leading an active sex life and eager to talk about it. Stephanie’s father who is having problems with penis extensions. Stephanie’s friend Cass who seems to be somewhat of a sex addict, and Lizzie, who realizes her husband has been having an affair.

The writing is fast paced, but sometimes too fast for my fancy. Frank’s character is too small, I was left with confusion about who exactly he was, why he was no longer with his fiancée, and just how he became so infatuated with Stephanie after only a handful of meetings. Be aware of the graphic sex scenes that had me cringing in multiple spots, but just like with Margolis’ other novels, the British humor is right on in this entertaining tale.