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Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark
Chick Lit Review

Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark

When Lauren Clark approached me about doing another tour for her second novel, I was ecstatic. I highly enjoyed Stay Tuned, and I had been looking forward to the release of her second novel. Dancing Naked in Dixie is the story of Julia Sullivan, a travel writer who can’t stay still. Not only did she suffer from ADD as a child, but her adult life is always on the go as well. She blames her career for never being able to settle down – and this includes in her love life. Her boyfriend is a great guy, but Julia just can’t see herself being able to settle down with him. Her life gets an upheaval when her new editor turns out to be her estranged father – and his first assignment to her is a doozy. Instead of jet-setting to Brazil or Italy, Julia is forced to travel to Eufaula, Alabama, for the coverage of their local Pilgrimage. How will Julia fare against Southern charm, sweet tea, her handsome host – and a mystery?
Another great one from Lauren Clark! I loved Dancing Naked in Dixie even more than the first. There was intrigue, romance, beautiful descriptions, and the characters were so well-written. I was completely won over from the Southern charm that oozes out of the book, and I felt that Julia was such a relatable character. A bit all over the place at times, but that made her more real to me. The romance between her and host Shug Jordan was paced just right. I love the animosity between Julia and her father, and there was even a sweet ending there for them. 5 stars from me, and a must-read for you!
[Rating: 5]

June 13, 2012
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Finding Felicity by Monica Marlowe
Chick Lit Review

Finding Felicity by Monica Marlowe

Monica Marlowe is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Finding Felicity. This turned out to be quite an intense read. I really wasn’t prepared for all the emotions I was going to feel while taking a journey with Madeline O’Connor. Marlowe’s writing is beautiful, and the descriptions that take place made me easily feel like I could be in Manhattan or Italy. Madeline, a business woman that created her own successful lingerie line, heads from her home in New York to be with her ailing sister in Italy. Madeline hasn’t spoken to Carrie in years, since Carrie’s betrayal was brought to the light. She travels to an ancient Benedictine monastery that houses visitors, the same monastery that Carrie’s son belongs to. While there, she meets Brother Anthony Lamberti, and soon comes to release she may be falling for him. But how could she make a relationship with a monk work – and how could she leave behind her life in New York?
There were a few elements that made me unsure I would like this book, but once I finished, I knew it was meant for a 4 star review. There was mystery, love, heartache, family woes, religion, and a journey on finding one’s happiness. I loved when the story flipped to the past and shared little snippets and seeing how that connected readers with the present story. Madeline’s life sure isn’t easy, and I really felt a connection with her. Some of her decisions surprised me, but I liked never knowing what path she would take. The fight she has with her friend and co-worker was a bit distracting, and I don’t think it was necessary. There is already a lot going on with the plot, and that almost made it over-the-top for me. The beginning started off a bit slow for me and kind of all over the place, but I found a rhythm I really enjoyed the ending. A recommendation from me.
[Rating: 4]

June 13, 2012
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The Rock Star in Seat 3A by Jill Kargman
Chick Lit Review

The Rock Star in Seat 3A by Jill Kargman

The Rock Star in Seat 3A by Jill Kargman follows Hazel, who has everything that she’s ever wanted: good paying job in the gaming industry, great apartment, awesome friends, and a loving boyfriend who is on the brink of proposing. The morning after her thirtieth birthday, Hazel boards a plane to LA for business, gets bumped up to first class, and is seated next to her life long crush, THE rock star Finn Schiller. During a bout with rough turbulence, the two get to talking and what ensues is an instant infatuation and connection for both. At first Hazel is hesitant, but after taking a break from her perfect boyfriend back home in New York, she dives head first into a life unlike anything she imagined- life on the road with a rock star. What ensues is like a wild dream … but is her wildest dream enough to make her happy?

An absolute riot, The Rock Star in Seat 3A by Jill Kargman is everything one would expect from a book about living out a rock “n” roll fantasy- uncensored and vulgar language, sharp wit, and over the top eccentricity. I absolutely adored the book and found myself actually rooting for Hazel and Finn because it was such an interesting twist on the stereotypical love story that we read so often these days. This book is an absolute blast and will make you rethink your “list” and would you, or wouldn’t you, actually go through with it if you were face-to-face with someone from yours. I for one doubt my own bravery and know that I would hardly say a word if I were put in the same situation. An absolute must-read for summer- deliciously fun!

June 12, 2012
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Yours Unexpectedly by Susan Fox
Chick Lit Review

Yours Unexpectedly by Susan Fox

I received a copy of Yours Unexpectedly by Susan Fox in exchange for an honest review. This is book four in the Wild Ride to…

June 11, 2012
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Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer
Chick Lit Review

Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer

I received a copy of Southern Charm by Tinsley Mortimer in exchange for an honest review. Let me start off by saying – loved it! I was totally engrossed in the story from page 1, and never lost my enthusiasm throughout. From the cover, the plot, descriptions, even names of characters, this book had it all. A favorite chick lit book of mine for the year, most definitely.
Southern gal Minty Davenport has been obsessed with New York since a little girl in her Eloise-obsessed days. After graduating college, Minty makes the decision to say good-bye to Charleston and head to the Big Apple, where she knows her dreams will come true. NYC immediately takes a liking to the charming Minty, and her photograph ends up in Women’s Wear Daily. A domino effect starts from there. Before Minty can catch a breath or decorate her apartment, she is becoming friends with socialites, attending the most exclusive parties, and has hooked one of the most eligible bachelors as a boyfriend. But can born and bred Southern belle Minty every really fit in with the NY scene and the attitude that comes with being at the top?
Again (in case you missed it) LOVED this book! Minty’s character is so extremely likeable. Even though she has a lot of money (seriously – the designers named in this book had me drooling) she acts so unlike someone that is well off. She never feels entitled, or gets arrogant or shows a hint of snob throughout. I loved reading about how she understands what it feels like to become a jaded New Yorker, and what happens when she is faced with making some tough decisions. My enthusiasm did not wane even for a second while I was reading. And the names that I mentioned – from Minty to Scarlett, Tripp and Ryerson – loved that aspect. The details, designers, mannerisms of the South; Southern Charm doesn’t miss a beat. A Favorite on my list for sure, and one for you not to miss!
[Rating: 5]

June 8, 2012
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Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell
Chick Lit Review

Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell

Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell follows the stories of four women: a beautiful B-list model who uses men to summer in the Hamptons, a columnist who struggles with her husbands less-than-ideal career, a wannabe Cinderella who discovers that she would be happier living anybody else’s life except her own, and an artist and former “it-girl” who struggles to come to terms with aging and feels like she is losing time to find her soul mate. Through the four creatively titled tales, the reader will witness the success and failures of love and their many adventures in the bedroom.
Usually known for her brashness of sexual exploits and adventures, Bushnell fell flat in this one. The writing is witty but the characters and their particular stories feel old and tired- not entertaining and mischievous like those found in Sex and The City. I found myself dragging in the first few pages reading about a former model, who is essentially a prostitute with no self worth, and knew that the rest of the book wasn’t looking so hot- and I was right. I guess maybe I went into the book with high expectations because I have always been such a big fan of Bushnell, but this book was missing everything that makes her the phenomenal writer that she is.

June 8, 2012
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Come Fly With Me by Sandi Perry
Chick Lit Review

Come Fly With Me by Sandi Perry

I received a copy of Come Fly With Me from Sandi Perry in exchange for an honest review. The main character is Allison Ross, a twenty nine year old gallery owner in Chelsea. Everything in her life is planned and detailed, until a curveball is thrown – her Dad’s premature death that could possibly be a murder. Her father owned and operated RossAir, a luxury jet company, and Allison finds herself suddenly the interim CEO in the wake of his death. Trying to juggle too many things at once while also trying to grieve her loss of a parent, Allison finds herself at the end of her rope. When the handsome Alex Coventry enters her life, Allison is wary at first, but the attraction is too hard to ignore.
I really struggled with Come Fly With Me out of the gate. I think it was the dialogue that was too hard for me to get past. I found it too stiff and too explanatory. The romance between Allison and Alex didn’t do much for me, I was often confused on if they liked each other at all and wondered how the attraction was there. I did enjoy the mystery aspect surrounding the death of Allison’s father. That kept my interest for a while, but I eventually I started to skim pages, and by the time the culprit was figured out, I actually didn’t know who it was. Not a book for me, but I’ve seen a few other great reviews for it so I would still check it out if it sounds like something you might enjoy. I was pretty surprised I didn’t connect with the book honestly, I really thought it would be right up my alley.
[Rating: 2.5]

June 7, 2012
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BaSatai: Outside In by Suzan Battah
Chick Lit Review

BaSatai: Outside In by Suzan Battah

I was looking forward to hosting Suzan Battah again through CLP Blog Tours. I was really interested in this second novel as it is a complete 180 from the romance novel Mad About the Boy. BaSatai: Outside In is a YA/paranormal/sci-fi book, the first in a series. The story follows seventeen year old Armani Radnelaq, a BaSatai that does not want to accept the fact that her blood is cursed. Armani hides on Earth with her adopted father Elijah, and continues to ignore the fact that she is different. But when her Guardian Karhl and an elite BasSatai Warrior Rafael arrive to help protect her and train her with her BaSatai powers, Armani must realize that a different fate has been set for her.
I have been reading a lot of these paranormal books lately, and even more YA/paranormal on top of that. I find it fascinating what an author’s mind can create with these mystical worlds and powers and rules, and BaSatai was no exception. The details and execution of H-Trae and the BaSatai were fabulous. I enjoyed the love story as well between Armani and Rafael, and never quite knew what was going to happen next. I will say that I made it through half of the book very quickly, and then everything seemed to slow down. I thought that was a bit backwards, since the beginning is filling in readers on this land and the second half was the action and fighting, but that’s the way it read for me. I would be curious to see where the second novel goes. If you have a fan of sci-fi, I would recommend this for you.
[Rating: 3.5]

June 6, 2012
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The Devil Has Dimples by Pepper Phillips
Chick Lit Review

The Devil Has Dimples by Pepper Phillips

Pepper Phillips is currently on tour with CLP Blog Tours and The Devil Has Dimples. This was such a cute, romantic read. And did I mention funny? Oh – and a bit mysterious? There were many fabulous elements wrapped up in this book, and it made for a great journey with the MC Sara McLaughlin. When Sara finds out she is adopted and her mother is Maudie Cooper, the town gossip, Sara is determined to find some answers. Why did Maudie give her up? And who is her dad? As Sara sets about her business, a romance is trying to blossom between her and Grant St. Romaine, Maudie’s attorney who made the initial contact with Sara. When the two become roommates, things get even more heated between them. Will Sara be able to find all her answers surrounding her past – and will she get the guy?
Overall, I had a really fun time reading this novel. I loved the mystery and intrigue surrounding Sara’s past, and had a blast trying to piece all the elements together. Sometimes the romance between her and Grant got a little awkward and I didn’t quite get the connection, but in the end, I was happy with how they ended up. The ending through quite the curveball, and I’m actually still not sure how I felt about it. Surprised of course, but also for happy for Sara’s ending. I thought she deserved it. I would recommend this book!
[Rating: 4]

June 6, 2012
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