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Haole Wood by Dee DeTarsio
Chick Lit Review

Haole Wood by Dee DeTarsio

I have highly enjoyed Dee DeTarsio’s novels, and was excited when she asked me to review her latest, Haole Wood. A Hawaii setting – yes please! The main character is Jaswinder Park (killer name!) and she is sent to Hawaii to help bail her grandmother out of jail. While there, she loses her job as a San Diego weathercaster (pre-taping a segment calling for sunshine turned out not be the best call) but she has bigger fish to fry in the Aloha State. Mainly, her grandmother now being on trial for the murder of the cute guy she did a shot with the night he was murdered. Add to that stress she is trying to find a job or some source of income, possibly seeing the sexy derm doc, and has a guardian angel who was scraped from the bottom of the barrel. Jaswinder has her hands full and Haole Wood whips up a tale of murder and mayhem, and makes for a fun summer read.
I have reviewed The Scent of Jade, Ros, and The Kitchen Shrink from DeTarsio, and all have been great reads. If you have yet to read anything from her – get on it! I loved the intrigue in the book – and the fact that I was really wondering who the true murderer was up until the end. Jaswinder is a fun character, and her grandmother seemed super sweet – even though she only ever said two different phrases to her granddaughter. There was a lot of humor, romance, and I loved the guardian angel element, which is classic DeTarsio. One to check out!
[Rating: 4]

July 27, 2012
4 Comments
Ros by Dee DeTarsio
Chick Lit Review

Ros by Dee DeTarsio

I really enjoyed the first two books from Dee DeTarsio – The Scent of Jade and The Kitchen Shrink – so I was excited when she contacted me regarding her latest story – Ros. I was intrigued because this story featured Ros, basically an alien from the future that time-traveled back in time and planets to try to figure out what happened to her brother. Heroine Micki has to try to figure out how to hide this extra-terrestrial from the military, her mother-in-law, and her cat – who is featured pretty heavily throughout this journey. Ros gave me a lot of laughs, and I love these little twists in books, so the whole alien part only added to my experience instead of hindering it. DeTarsio has a special way of writing. In The Scent of Jade and now again with Ros she can stretch the chick lit genre into something more. I love that she pushes these boundaries and really steps outside the box. I admire that from both a reader and author perspective. I have to recommend Ros, because the story will make you laugh, but will also really touch you. And it’s so fun to read the creative ways someone thinks the future will be like. Ros going to the bathroom – amazing! I will eagerly await the next gem from Dee DeTarsio!
[Rating: 4.5]

February 8, 2012
2 Comments
The Kitchen Shrink by Dee DeTarsio
Chick Lit Review

The Kitchen Shrink by Dee DeTarsio

I was excited when Dee DeTarsio asked me to review her second novel, The Kitchen Shrink, after I had such a fun read with her debut The Scent of Jade. I gladly dove in to this contemporary, laugh out loud novel about the evils of reality TV, the stress of Do It Yourself (DIY) projects, and the struggle of finding oneself after a divorce. And did I mention this was all going to be a on a reality show? The heroine, Lisby Shaw, gets suckered in to appearing on “The Kitchen Shrink,” a new reality show that focuses on giving your kitchen a makeover while trying to also change your life. Lisby needs help in both areas- not only is her kitchen an outdated underwhelming mess, but her life has turned upside down since her divorce, and her kids are slipping further from her grasp. She dives headfirst into the reality world, letting the cameras invade her home and once private life.
I really had a good time reading The Kitchen Shrink. It was funny and current, with snappy dialogue and unique characters. Lisby was really sweet and likeable, and readers are meeting her at such a vulnerable stage in her life that you can’t not root for her to win. The characters that come with the reality show are all a hoot, and the men that Lisby tries to hook up with make for some great scenarios. I liked the relationship between Lisby and her BFF, and what strains their friendship half way through turned out to be pretty funny as well. The ending left me a little like “what happens next” and I like the endings to be a little more tidy, but overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Dee DeTarsio. I would recommend The Kitchen Shrink to chick lit fans, and be ready to wonder how your life would change if you went on a reality show!
[Rating: 4]

August 11, 2011
4 Comments
In My Mailbox: Week of May 30
Updates

In My Mailbox: Week of May 30

In My Mailbox: Week of May 30

Title: The Kitchen Shrink
Author: Dee DeTarsio
Received: From Dee DeTarsio
Synopsis: When did Lisby Shaw’s life turn into a country music song? Probably when her best friend signed her up for the debut of the new reality TV show, The Kitchen Shrink, for the ultimate life and home makeover! Unable to squirm out of this “it will be fun” opportunity, Lisby tries to juggle her upstairs-behind-the-scenes-life with her downstairs-in-front-of-the-camera persona, where everything she says and does can and will be used against her.

Hopefully, the show doesn’t find out about her fling with that hunky carpenter. Or that she and her friend smoked hootch she found in her daughter’s room. Lisby cannot believe what a freak show her life has become. At least no one knows about her crush on Sam, Sam, the Cameraman…

Lisby tries to find her way as the TV cameras capture her every move, zooming in on drama with her kids, her ex, her mom and her best friend. Stay tuned for Lisby’s extreme close-up as she becomes a jilted laughingstock on national TV. All is lost…or is it?

Title: The First Day of the Rest of My Life
Author: Cathy Lamb
Received: From Kensington Books
Synopsis: Madeline O’Shea tells people what to do with their lives. A renowned life coach, she inspires thousands of women through her thriving practice – exuding enviable confidence along with her stylish suits and sleek hair. But her confidence, just like her fashionable demeanour, is all a front. For decades, Madeline has lived in fear of her traumatic past becoming public. Now a reporter is reinvestigating the notorious crime that put Madeline’s mother behind bars, threatening to destroy her elaborate facade. Only Madeline’s sister, Annie, and their frail grandparents know about her childhood – but lately Madeline has reason to wonder if her grandparents also have a history they’ve been keeping from her. As the demons of the past swirl around her, a tough, handsome judge with a gentle heart is urging Madeline to have faith in him – and in herself. And as she allows her resistance to thaw, the pain she expects pales in comparison to the surprises headed straight to her door. With one bold, unprecedented move, Madeline O’Shea may just wake up out of the sadness and guilt that have kept her sleepwalking through life for so long – and discover that the worst thing that can happen is sometimes the very thing we desperately need.

Title: Trace of Fever
Author: Lori Foster
Received: From Tricia Carr @ Media Muscle
Synopsis: Undercover mercenary Trace Rivers loves the adrenaline rush of a well-planned mission. First he’ll earn the trust of corrupt businessman Murray Coburn, then gather the proof he needs to shut down the man’s dirty smuggling operation. It’s a perfect scheme—until Coburn’s long-lost daughter saunters in with her own deadly plan for revenge.
With a smile like an angel and fire in her eyes, Priscilla Patterson isn’t who she seems to be. But neither is the gorgeous bodyguard who ignites all her senses. Joining forces to plot Coburn’s downfall, Priss and Trace must fight the undeniable heat between them. For one wrong move, one lingering embrace, will expose them to the wrath of a merciless opponent….

May 29, 2011
3 Comments