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Book Review: The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee

I received a copy of THE TYPEWRITER GIRL by Alison Atlee in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

When Betsey disembarks from the London train in the seaside resort of Idensea, all she owns is a small valise and a canary in a cage. After attempting to forge a letter of reference she knew would be denied her, Betsey has been fired from the typing pool of her previous employer. Her vigorous protest left one man wounded, another jilted, and her character permanently besmirched. Now, without money or a reference for her promised job, the future looks even bleaker than the debacle behind her. But her life is about to change . . . because a young Welshman on the railroad quay, waiting for another woman, is the one man willing to believe in her.

Mr. Jones is inept in matters of love, but a genius at things mechanical. In Idensea, he has constructed a glittering pier that astounds the wealthy tourists. And in Betsey, he recognizes the ideal tour manager for the Idensea Pier & Pleasure Building Company. After a lifetime of guarding her secrets and breaking the rules, Betsey becomes a force to be reckoned with. Now she faces a challenge of another sort: not only to outrun her sins, but also to surrender to the reckless tides of love. . . .
My Review:

I thought this book was a lot of fun and felt instantly taken back into the past. I loved Betsey from the get go and was so excited to finally get to read such a strong and forceful female literary character (it has been a while) and I love that she truly fights for what she wants. The chemistry between Betsey and Mr. Jones definitely took hold of me during my reading and I was so eager to get to the end, only to be disappointed that the book was over and I wouldn’t be able to read anymore. Overall, this book is really well written and very well researched. A true gem and quite historical. I would definitely recommend it.
Rating: 4 stars

January 30, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica Gordon
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica …

Jessica Gordon is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Becoming Mrs. Walsh. Ooh, this novel. I am getting married myself this September, so I could instantly relate with Shoshana Thompson. We are brides-to-be, we are close in age – but she is a tad different from me in that she is marrying into one of Washington D.C.’s wealthiest families. There is a lot of pressure on her in becoming a Walsh – the clothes, the makeup, the events, not to mention her grand wedding. While Shoshana believes she loves Andrew and he is the perfect man for her, she starts to get feelings for someone else…someone she definitely cannot have romantic feelings toward.
This book was so juicy, and the ending had me practically salivating. I loved the Walsh family, from the brothers to the sisters-in-law to the mom. Shoshana is relatable but also likeable – she’s someone about to take a big step and gets scared when her feelings about her impending marriage and husband seem off. If you’re a chick lit fan, you will be green with envy reading about some of the designer clothes and shoes the Walsh’s have and the trips they gallivant off to at a moment’s notice. And I found it fun that Shoshana is from Iowa and there are scenes with her family back in that state – I live in Iowa myself. Seriously, this book was right up my alley! But let’s get back to the ending – I was happily reading along, wondering what would happen and being on my toes, then coming to terms with Sho’s final decision and being happy for her when wham – there is definitely a sequel coming out and I can’t wait to read it! You must pick this one up!
5 stars

January 30, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Mad World: Sanctuary by Samaire Provost
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Mad World: Sanctuary by Samaire …

I received a copy of Mad World: Sanctuary by Samaire Provost in exchange for an honest review by CLP BLOG TOURS.

Mad World: Sanctuary begins in the year 2017, and the Black Plague infection has now swept across most of the US, leaving countless deaths and chaos in its wake. Outbreaks continue to crop up .. and more often in areas where they are least expected. Several years after the first installment in this series, the same characters find themselves grown up facing adult realities, while at the same time, dealing with an absolute Mad World. The main characters head north in hopes of finding a sanctuary, but along the way, they face worsening odds and terrible hardships, and they fight to stay alive and protect one another. Will they find the fabled sanctuary and be safe at last? Or will they spend their every moment fighting to stay safe and alive?

Wow! I was so excited to start the second book in this series that I read this one right after I finished the first. This book is definitely gritty and scary most of the time. Yes, I am a huge wimp and I had a few nightmares from reading, but I just couldn’t put it down. There are so many heart racing scenes throughout the book that you can actually see what is happening throughout the book. Once again, Samaire does such a wonderful job at creating such real characters with real feelings as they face the terrible world in 2017. I felt for the characters in Epidemic but found myself really reeled in for them this time. Overall, a fantastic read if you like anything having to do with these types of situation. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to see what Samaire produces next!
Rating: 4.5 stars

Samaire ProvostAuthor Bio:

Born naked. Clothed and fed shortly thereafter by adoring parents who looked on in bemusement as their daughter became a reading, writing, free-spirited, feral, animal loving, bleeding-heart chocolate lover who laughs easily. Samaire Provost is a California writer of Young Adult novels. Her love of paranormal stories, odd plots, and unique tales as well as C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, E.A.Poe, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, and Stephen King has deeply influenced her writing.

Connect with Samaire!

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/samairep
Twitter – https://twitter.com/samaireherself
Goodreads – http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6453849.Samaire_Provost
Amazon author page – http://www.amazon.com/Samaire-Provost/e/B008PVTXMW
Amazon book page-
http://www.amazon.com/Mad-World-SANCTUARY-ebook/dp/B0093RSLUW/
Blog – http://samaireprovost.tumblr.com/
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January 29, 2013
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Book Review: Alberta Clipper by Sheena Lambert
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Alberta Clipper by Sheena Lambert

I received a copy of Alberta Clipper by Sheena Lambert in exchange for an honest review. This novel unfolds the love story between Christine Grogan and Mark Harrington. Christine is a highly successful meteorologist at an investment bank with a loving father and sister – and a past that continues to haunt her. Mark thinks he is on top of the world. He has a lucrative career, a woman, a house – but then a flip is switched and his great life is now surrounded by question marks. The two struggle to regain their balance – and find one another.
Alberta Clipper is such a lovely romance story. Readers find out early on that Mark is in love with Christine, but she doesn’t have a clue. She tries dating other guys and even seems to hit the jackpot with one, all while Mark suffers in silence as he holds back his true feelings. There are many fabulous sub-plots in this novel – Christine’s past, her family life, even their co-workers and their issues. One word I keep thinking of while writing this review is smart. This is a smart book that explores a lot of different topics, and I highly enjoyed it. And it’s from an Irish author – not sure why that’s so fascinating to me but it is and I wanted to mention it! One for your shelves.
4 stars

January 29, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: The Darling Girls by Emma Burstall
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: The Darling Girls by Emma …

I was provided with a copy of THE DARLING GIRLS by Emma Burstall in exchange for an honest review by CLP BLOG TOURS.

The Darling Girls by Emma Burstall begins as Leo, a world famous conductor, dies and his three lovers meet for the first time at his funeral. The three women realize that they have an abdundant amount of unanswered questions and wonder about the man who was capable of juggling his brilliant career and his secrets all at the same time, whilst none of them ever had a clue.

Victoria, his partner of twenty years and mother of two of his children, relishes the fact that she thinks she knew Leo best, but when secrets start to come forward, she begins to question whether or not she knew him in the first place. Maddy, mother of Phoebe, is a typical career woman who creates trouble of her own when she becomes involved with someone off limits. And then there is Cat, the youngest of the trio. She is dealing with some emotional family issues and seems to be the most wounded of the three. All three of the “Darling Girls” couldn’t be more different … but you soon realize that they couldn’t be more alike as well.

The Darling Girls is a heartbreaking story that touches on loss, heartache, love and friendship and I absolutely adored every second of it. Emma magically orchestrates the tale of the three women in a way that makes them like puppets in the grand scheme of things in Leo’s world, and you wonder if he will forever control their worlds. Luckily for us, and for the trio, everything works out for the best, but we see how connected everything in the story truly is. I found myself putting pieces of the puzzle together until the very end. Beautifully written, heartbreaking and honest – a truly magical tale.
Rating: 5 stars

January 28, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Battle-Born Love by Lynda Bailey
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Battle-Born Love by Lynda Bailey

Lynda Bailey is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Battle-Born Love. This is a steamy romance novel with a fabulous lead female. Rory Dawson is an owner of a repo shop, a fierce chick whose only soft side appears to be her father. She struggles keeping her shop open between having to repeatedly bail him out of jail. When a prison sentence looms over them, Rory thinks the only hope to save him is by giving up her business. But Kane Williams, handsome, rich, and someone in need of female company, gives her a business proposition she can’t refuse. An unlikely friendship and even unlikelier relationship forms, but Rory understands there is no future with Kane. They are from opposite sides of the tracks, but when a new twist gets thrown their way, big decisions are ahead for them both.
Whew, what a read! The chemistry between Rory and Kane jumps off the pages, but it should come to no surprise that nothing about their relationship is easy. Even up until the very end I wondered what their resolution would consist of, something I highly enjoyed. Kane’s life was quite intriguing, and the sub-plot with Rory’s dad was moving and really added a lot to the story overall. The narrative was quick and kept the book moving along, and I had a good time reading Battle-Born Love. If you enjoy a good romance, check this one out!
4 stars

January 28, 2013
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Book Review: The Green Ticket by Samantha March
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Green Ticket by Samantha March

I was provided with a copy of THE GREEN TICKET by Samantha March in exchange for an honest review.

The story begins with Alex Abrams, college junior, who lands her dream job as a manager at a successful salon and spa. She is very eager and excited to have a real adult job that entails scheduling, conference calls, handling employee conflicts and massages … but she might be in over her head as she slowly realizes that her boss, Kevin Dohlman, might be her worst nightmare. A few weeks in she discovers that he is not only difficult to work for, but he is also quite the ladies man at work – but, he happens to be married to the other manager of the spa. So, what’s a gal to do? She tries to ignore it and move on because she really wants to keep the job, but it only worsens. And on top of trying to manage her school work, her own relationship with her new hottie of a boyfriend, her friendships and her own life, things become complicated. Juggling everything becomes quite a task and it is only a matter of time until everything comes toppling down on her, but will she spill the beans about Kevin first in order to save herself and everything else that she cares about? Or is she willing to risk it all to keep her dream job?

Obviously, I was very excited when Samantha asked me to read/review her second novel … and I couldn’t have loved it more. Yes, this book is definitely directed toward a much younger audience (think college age), but even though I am far past that time in my life (yikes! I’m almost 30!), I was definitely able to relate and find myself thinking back to my time in college. Samantha does an amazing job at creating real conflict and believable characters and relationships. From the get go I knew that Kevin was bad news and I was glad that Alex was mature enough to realize it. I also loved Harry from the get go. He was so charming and sweet and I think Samantha did such a great job at constructing such a strong love interest. Overall, this book is very entertaining and engaging. It grabs you from the early chapters and pulls you in until the very end. This is a great second novel from Samantha and I can’t wait to see what book #3 brings! I recommend you get your hands on it quick!
Rating: 5 stars

January 25, 2013
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CLP Blog Tour Book Review: I Kill Me: Tales of A Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tour Book Review: I Kill Me: Tales of …

I received a copy of I Kill Me: Tales of A Jilted Hypochondriac by Tracy H. Tucker via CLP Blog Tours.

Christine Bacon is your typical mom, wife and friend … but with a fatal attraction. To all things fatal. Every bump, bruise, scratch, muscle rumble or zit is a gateway to her death, well, in her mind at least. A veteran hypochondriac, her near-death experiences are exacerbated when her husband proposes they have a menage a trois with Eleanor, his busty British massage therapist, to “shake things up.” A mistake of course, Christine reluctantly agrees and her marriage slowly goes downhill afterwards. But, that isn’t the only thing that goes downhill as her fears and anxieties as a hypochondriac get wildly out of hand. The only things that save her are her two daughters, her dear friends and ironically, a few household items. Will she ever find someone who loves her despite her condition?

Tracy is by far one of the sweetest people that I have ever met and I was thrilled when she asked me to review her book. And, without a doubt, I wasn’t disappointed. This book is witty and laugh out loud but it also has a ton of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed Christine and felt for her as she navigated her life dealing with everything that she was dealing with. Tracy has a true talent of writing humor into a lot of places where I didn’t really expect to find it, but I definitely appreciated it because it felt more real. I also enjoyed the steamier scenes as well and thought that Tracy did very well spicing those up as well. Overall, this book was excellent and I was so glad that I got a chance to read/review it.
Rating: 4.5

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Author Bio:

Tracy H. Tucker is first and foremost the mother of three of the best people on Earth. She has a Master’s in Literacy from the University of Maine and has inspired the youth of America for seventeen years. She’s an avid animal lover and would like to publicly thank her husband for putting up with the pet hair, the dogs in the bed, the things the cats hack up and the repeated requests for goats. It’s a wonderful life.

Connect with Tracy!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tracy-H-Tucker/445365385497413

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15758840-i-kill-me

Blog: http://tracyhtucker.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/THTucker
Buy the Book!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tracy-H.-Tucker/e/B008KZ50OS/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_3

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/205124

I Kill Me was selected as the Best Indie Book for 2012 by Chick Lit Cafe!

January 25, 2013
2 Comments
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Baby! Baby? Baby!? by Holly Kerr
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Baby! Baby? Baby!? by Holly …

Holly Kerr is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Baby! Baby? Baby!? Casey Samms is a thirty-five year old kindergarten teacher who has become obsessed with having a baby of her own. She’s been searching for the right man to settle down with, but he continues to escape her. She decides that having a baby on her own has to be the way to go – but her friends and family members are less than supportive on that idea. When an ex appears back in her life, Casey thinks she might have stumbled upon the right guy. But as Casey’s dream comes true, a lot of unexpected surprises come with it.
What a fun read! I might not be baby-obsessed, but I thought Casey was extremely relatable. I also thought the book she is reading, A Young Woman’s Guide to the Joy of Impending Motherhood (written in the 1940’s) was hysterical. I loved the tidbits to start off each chapter, and plenty of those had me rolling. Casey’s journey was really fun to follow, through all the crazy ups and downs that her story takes us on. At times I thought Casey was bit too…slow to catch on to what was happening, but regardless, I really had a blast reading about her. The supporting cast each have their little moment as well and really added a lot to the overall story. One I would recommend!
4 stars

January 25, 2013
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