Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

Latest Youtube Videos

Book Review: The Rockin’ Chair by Steven Manchester
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Rockin’ Chair by Steven Manchester

I received a copy of The Rockin’ Chair by Steven Manchester in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

Memories are the ultimate contradiction. They can warm us on our coldest days – or they can freeze a loved one out of our lives forever. The McCarthy family has a trove of warm memories. Of innocent first kisses. Of sumptuous family meals. Of wondrous lessons learned at the foot of a rocking chair. But they also have had their share of icy ones. Of words that can never be unsaid. Of choices that can never be unmade. Of actions that can never be undone.

Following the death of his beloved wife, John McCarthy – Grandpa John – calls his family back home. It is time for them to face the memories they have made, both warm and cold. Only then can they move beyond them and into the future.

A rich portrait of a family at a crossroad, THE ROCKIN’ CHAIR is Steven Manchester’s most heartfelt and emotionally engaging novel to date. If family matters to you, it is a story you must read.

Review:

I have been a fan of Steven’s for quite sometime now and was so eager when he approached me to read and review his latest, The Rockin’ Chair. And let me tell you, this book does not disappoint. By far my favorite so far of his, this story is full of details and the characters are really well written. Steven has a gift of tugging at the heart strings and this book definitely does that. Heartfelt and real, this book rocked me to my core and really had me thinking about my family and about everything that we’ve been through. I highly recommend this book.

July 18, 2013
3 Comments
Book Review: Everybody Has Everything by Katrina Onstad
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Everybody Has Everything by Katrina Onstad

Reviewer: Kate I received a copy of Everybody Has Everything by Katrina Onstad in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: After years of unsuccessful attempts…

July 17, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Undeclared by Jen Frederick
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Undeclared by Jen Frederick

Reviewer: Joelle “The moral of the story is I can’t go around telling people my greatest fear because someone will use it against me.” At…

July 17, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Little Sacrifices by Jamie Scott
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Little Sacrifices by Jamie Scott

I received a copy of Little Sacrifices by Jaime Scott in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

How much would you risk to stand up for your beliefs?

When the Powell family moves to Savannah Georgia in 1947, they hope against hope that they’ll be welcomed. But they’re Northerners and worse, they’re white civil rights advocates almost a decade too early. The American South is deeply segregated.

At first May can pretend they’re the same as everyone else. It means keeping quiet when she knows she should speak up, but it’s worth the sacrifice to win friends. Unfortunately her parents are soon putting their beliefs into action. And when they wake to find that they’re the only family on the block with a Ku Klux Klan cross blazing on their front lawn, the time comes for them to finally decide between what’s easy and what’s right.

Review:

I’ve been a fan of this author for quite some time and was so excited when I found out that she would be writing a different style of book under a pen name. Although the material is different than I am used to from this author, she hands it wonderfully. I absolutely adored the historical aspect and I loved the rich details that are provided to accompany the story. Overall, the writing is smooth, the characters are fantastic and the story is truly one-of-a-kind. Little Sacrifices really is spectacular and is a must read.
Rating: 5/5 stars

July 16, 2013
Leave a comment
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Looming Murder by Carol Ann Martin
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Looming Murder by Carol Ann …

Carol Ann Martin is now on tour with Looming Murder and CLP Blog Tours
Summary:
Della Wright has come to peaceful and picturesque Briar Hollow, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, to realize her lifelong dream of owning a weaving studio. To promote her new business, Dream Weavers, Della is offering weaving workshops for all levels of ability. In her first class, she meets half a dozen of the town’s colorful characters, who seem as eager to gossip as to learn how to work a loom.

But when a shady local businessman is found murdered, Briar Hollow suddenly appears a lot less idyllic. And when one of her weaving students is suspected of the crime, Della can’t help getting entangled in the investigation—with some help from her criminologist friend, Matthew. But can she weave together clues as well as she weaves together yarn—and stop a killer from striking again?
Review:
I tend to enjoy cozy mysteries, and Looming Murder was no exception! The beginning started off just a tad slow for me, but it was easy to get into Della’s life and follow her story. Mysteries are fun for me and I like trying to figure out whodunit while enjoying the story. I thought Della was interesting to read about, especially when it came to her love life – and shoe choices! I loved that nod to chick lit 🙂 I also thought she was a strong heroine and someone who was independent, so more points for Della. Briar Hollow was a cute little community to immerse myself in, the supporting case was interesting to read about, and I recommend the book!
4 stars

July 16, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: The Moon Dwellers by David Estes
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Moon Dwellers by David Estes

Reviewer: Andrea I received a free copy of this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. Summary: In a desperate attempt to…

July 15, 2013
Leave a comment
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Getting Skinny by Monique Domovitch
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Getting Skinny by Monique Domovitch

Monique Domovitch is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Getting Skinny Summary: Owning a restaurant is as crazy for Nicky Landry as an…

July 15, 2013
1 Comment
Book Review: A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard

I received a copy of A Certain Summer by Patricia Beard in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:

“Nothing ever changes at Wauregan.” That mystique is the tradition of the idyllic island colony off the shore of Long Island, the comforting tradition that its summer dwellers have lived by for over half a century. But in the summer of 1948, after a world war has claimed countless men—even those who came home—the time has come to deal with history’s indelible scars.

Helen Wadsworth’s husband, Arthur, was declared missing in action during an OSS operation in France, but the official explanation was mysteriously nebulous. Now raising a teenage son who longs to know the truth about his father, Helen turns to Frank Hartman—her husband’s best friend and his partner on the mission when he disappeared. Frank, however, seems more intent on filling the void in Helen’s life that Arthur’s absence has left. As Helen’s affection for Frank grows, so does her guilt, especially when Peter Gavin, a handsome Marine who was brutally tortured by the Japanese and has returned with a faithful war dog, unexpectedly stirs new desires. With her heart pulled in multiple directions, Helen doesn’t know whom to trust—especially when a shocking discovery forever alters her perception of both love and war.

Part mystery, part love story, and part insider’s view of a very private world, A Certain Summer resonates in the heart long after the last page is turned.

My Thoughts:

I absolutely devoured this book and thought it was fantastic! Set in a time that isn’t often written about, this novel brings the years following WW2 front and center. Part historical fiction and part romance, this book follows the effects that the war had on those returning from war and those who were waiting back at home for them. In a small, family oriented community, we see first hand the emotional impact. And through fabulous writing, Patricia really brings to life the characters, which she has written so flawlessly. I really enjoyed the dynamic between Helen and Frank, and although they were treading dangerous waters, I think Patricia handled the situation with comfort and ease. Overall, this story is light and and easy to read and is the perfect addition to any beach bag. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 4/5 stars

July 12, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Down and Out in Bugtussle by Stephanie McAfee
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Down and Out in Bugtussle by Stephanie McAfee

I received a copy of Down and Out in Bugtussle by Stephanie McAfee in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
With her fiancé now her ex-fiancé, Ace has hightailed it back to Bugtussle, Mississippi, and back to her Gramma Jones’s house. Her best friends, Lilly and Chloe, are delighted she’s back, but Ace still has some challenges ahead of her.

For one thing, her replacement as Bugtussle High School’s art teacher, Cameron Becker, refuses to vacate the position. So Ace is stuck working as a substitute teacher while harboring fantasies of running Miss Becker out of town. On top of that, Lilly and Chloe are obsessed with setting her up on less-than-romantic blind dates—even though all she wants is a break from her pitiful love life.

To ease her troubled mind, Ace resolves to restore her grandmother’s gardens to their former glory. But in the well-worn gardening book she’s dug out of her grandmother’s attic there are a series of suspicious notes that indicate her grandmother may have had a special someone in her past. Now, with her faithful chiweenie, Buster Loo, by her side, Ace is determined to get to the bottom of her grandmother’s secret life, all the while hoping her own life isn’t about to implode….
Review:
I’ve been having a lot of fun read Ace’s series, and I was just as excited to get to Down and Out in Bugtussle. I wondered how Ace was going to be now that she is back in Bugtussle after fleeing her seemingly-charmed life in Florida. I supported her decision in moving but was still curious how the pieces would fall into place for her. With the same wit, charm, and crass that readers are sure to know and love by now, Ace’s journey will continue to keep you laughing through it all. From trying to get her job back to being made over into an eighties chick, Ace also takes on uncovering her grandmother’s secrets and trying to find love…kind of. Such a fun series and I hope there is more!
4 stars

More reviews from this series…
My 5 star review for Diary of a Mad Fat Girl!
My 5 star review for Happily Ever Madder!

I received a copy of Down and Out in Bugtussle by Stephanie McAfee in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
With her fiancé now her ex-fiancé, Ace has hightailed it back to Bugtussle, Mississippi, and back to her Gramma Jones’s house. Her best friends, Lilly and Chloe, are delighted she’s back, but Ace still has some challenges ahead of her.

For one thing, her replacement as Bugtussle High School’s art teacher, Cameron Becker, refuses to vacate the position. So Ace is stuck working as a substitute teacher while harboring fantasies of running Miss Becker out of town. On top of that, Lilly and Chloe are obsessed with setting her up on less-than-romantic blind dates—even though all she wants is a break from her pitiful love life.

To ease her troubled mind, Ace resolves to restore her grandmother’s gardens to their former glory. But in the well-worn gardening book she’s dug out of her grandmother’s attic there are a series of suspicious notes that indicate her grandmother may have had a special someone in her past. Now, with her faithful chiweenie, Buster Loo, by her side, Ace is determined to get to the bottom of her grandmother’s secret life, all the while hoping her own life isn’t about to implode….
Review:
I’ve been having a lot of fun read Ace’s series, and I was just as excited to get to Down and Out in Bugtussle. I wondered how Ace was going to be now that she is back in Bugtussle after fleeing her seemingly-charmed life in Florida. I supported her decision in moving but was still curious how the pieces would fall into place for her. With the same wit, charm, and crass that readers are sure to know and love by now, Ace’s journey will continue to keep you laughing through it all. From trying to get her job back to being made over into an eighties chick, Ace also takes on uncovering her grandmother’s secrets and trying to find love…kind of. Such a fun series and I hope there is more!
4 stars

More reviews from this series…
My 5 star review for Diary of a Mad Fat Girl!
My 5 star review for Happily Ever Madder!

July 11, 2013
Leave a comment