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Death on Heels by Ellen Byerrum
Chick Lit Review

Death on Heels by Ellen Byerrum

I received my copy of Death on Heels by Ellen Byerrum via CLP Blog Tours. I was really excited for this tour because I had heard of the Lacey Smithsonian mystery series but had never had the chance to read one of the books. Byerrum and her books are super popular and have such a loyal fan base. Some of her novels were even adapted to film by the Lifetime Movie Network! So, needless to say, I was thrilled to have the chance to work with such an accomplished author.
Diving in the book, I was immediately wanting to be friends with Lacey, fashion reporter living in Washington DC. She moved there from the rugged little town of Sagebrush, Colorado, where she never wanted to return. But with her former boyfriend accused of murdering three women, Lacey is hot on the case. She knows Cole Tucker would never harm another woman, much less murder them. Until he abducts her right from the courthouse. Is Lacey in danger with Cole? Or is there a bigger ploy going on in the small town of Sagebrush?
This was such a fun story! I love a good mystery, and this book featured so many possible suspects. I loved the touch that Lacey was a reporter trying to track down a murderer, but could always be counted on for her fashion forward thinking as well. This was the definition of a chick lit murder mystery. If you haven’t yet picked up a Lacey Smithsonian novel, I suggest you do!
[Rating: 4]

March 21, 2012
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Your Eight O’Clock is Dead by Kat Jorgensen
Chick Lit Review

Your Eight O’Clock is Dead by Kat Jorgensen

Kat Jorgensen is on tour with Your Eight O’Clock is Dead at CLP Blog Tours. Becca Reynolds doesn’t have a good start to her morning when she is late for work, ruins patient files with the oil from biscuit breakfast, and oh yes – finds a dead client in the waiting room. Becca works as an office manager (not really, but she think it sounds better than “gopher” or “door mat,” at a struggling psychiatrists office, and the murder only makes things worse for business. Becca, in danger of losing her only income, decides to take on the murder case herself. While trying to figure out whodunit, Becca gets tied up with a sexy accountant (or is he?) and mixed up with the Russian mob. Can Becca crack the case before the killer sets their sights on her?
I thought Your Eight O’Clock is Dead was a super cute cozy mystery. Light-hearted, humorous, but still with action. Becca was a fun heroine, though sometimes a bit too ditzy – for example – how many times she corrected her inner thoughts and dialogue about calling patients “clients.” I loved the grandfather and his many list of rules, and even the tuxedo cat who seemed to steal the show for me. Overall, a cute mystery that I would recommend to chick lit fans!
[Rating: 4]

March 19, 2012
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I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella
Chick Lit Review

I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

I couldn’t wait to dive into Sophie Kinsella’s latest novel, I’ve Got Your Number. I’m not sure who sent it to me, but it showed up in my mailbox one day and I squealed in excitement when I opened the package. And can you believe it – I’m giving it a five star review! Shocking, right? I just love Kinsella and her stories, and this one was right up there. You know when you read a book and it just keeps making you laugh out loud? And then every once in a while you snort with laughter? That was me all the way.
The story follows Poppy Wyatt, whose world gets flipped upside down when she loses her engagement ring. Shortly after her ring goes missing, she loses her cell phone – her lifeline! She finds a cell phone in a trash can and decides to claim it as her own. It was in a trash can – clearly the owner had given it up. But she finds out the phone actually belonged to the assistant of Sam Roxton, a very busy and angry businessman, and he wants it back! Poppy eventually convinces Sam to let her keep the phone for a while longer, at least until she hears back about her lost engagement ring. Poppy finds herself a bit bored, and starts reading through some of the text and emails that she is forwarding to Sam. Before she knows it, she is practically playing assistant to Sam, and finds herself immersed in some of his personal business. Poppy thinks a spark might be happening between her and Sam – but how could that be? She is set to marry her ideal man. Sure, they don’t have much in common and his family seems less than impressed with her but still – she knows this marriage is the right thing to do. Right?
I whipped through this story, cracking up along the way. One scene I’ll point out – and you’ll only get if you read the story – was the gift Poppy tried on that was meant for her fiancé’s mother. I was red in the face from laughing so hard. Wait, one more I want to point out. When Poppy is buying a fake engagement ring to play off as the real one. That scene with the jewelry sales girl was AMAZING. All I can say – read this book! You won’t be disappointed.
[Rating: 5]

March 16, 2012
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The Girls’ Guide to Dating Zombies by Lynn Messina
Chick Lit Review

The Girls’ Guide to Dating Zombies by Lynn Messina

The Girls’ Guide to Dating Zombies by Lynn Messina was a really light and fun book to read. The book begins in a world much…

March 15, 2012
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The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak
Chick Lit Review

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak tells the epic story of Catherine the Great’s infamous rise to power as seen through the eyes of a…

March 14, 2012
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Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Chick Lit Review

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love was a book I was interested in reading, mainly because I knew it had been made into a movie with Julia Roberts. I had not seen the movie before reading the book (actually, still have not seen the movie) so I started the book with no real expectations for the story. I thought it was interesting that author Elizabeth Gilbert is also the main character, so I quickly figured out this is a memoir of sorts of her life. Gilbert realizes that she is unhappy and unfilled in her life, so after a divorce she plans a year long trip of discovery to visit Rome, Mumbai, and Bali.
I’ll be honest in my review – I really didn’t enjoy the book. I realized from the first few chapters in that I couldn’t remember the pages I had already read. Nothing stuck with me. As I’m trying to write this review and give a synopsis of the story, I really can’t because I started speed-reading to get through it. I wish I knew what it was about the book that made me so uninterested. Maybe I’m just not into memoirs or self-discovery? I am surprised though because I’m a fanatic about traveling, so I really thought the scenes and descriptions of her travels would excite me, but I was wrong there. Overall, not something I would recommend unless you know you happen to love memoirs about self-discovery. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
[Rating: 2]

March 12, 2012
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Home Front by Kristin Hannah
Chick Lit Review

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Oh boy. I knew I was going to be in for a ride with Home Front, the latest from Kristin Hannah, because well – it was Kristin Hannah. And that was exactly what happened. While I couldn’t stop reading the book, I made myself put it down because I wanted to stop crying! The emotions that swirled through me while reading left me a bit exhausted when I finally finished the story. But what a book. A five star review all the way. Shall I finally get to the review?
Michael and Jolene Zarkades are a married couple whose happiness is slowly disappearing. After twelve years of marriage, two children and hectic work schedules, there is a clear gap between husband and wife. But they are about to face the biggest challenge yet when Jolene gets deployed to the war. As a Blackhawk pilot with the National Guard, it is her duty to go, and Jolene and best friend Tami – also a Blackhawk pilot – head to Iraq together. Michael now faces being Mr. Mom at home, a job he isn’t happy about. Never one to support his wife being a soldier, Michael is furious Jolene abandons him – and tells her he doesn’t love her just before she leaves. While Jolene and Tami fight for their lives on a daily basis in Iraq, Michael tries to hold his family together back home. A horrific accident will change all the characters involved, and push them to the brink as they valiantly try to find their way home.
Hannah clearly put an insane amount of research into writing this book. From describing Iraq and what the soldiers go through to the families that are without a parent to what happens when the heroes come home is so eye opening. I have family in the military – my brother-in-law actually deploys this month to Afghanistan – so this book really hit me hard. I will say if you have a loved one deployed or soon to be deployed, I suggest you wait on reading this. Parts were hard for me to get through. But the story is so beautiful written, so masterful when it comes to creating characters, that this book has to be on your to-read list. Another 5 star review for Kristin Hannah from me!
[Rating: 5]

March 9, 2012
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Miracle’s Pain – Secrets Of My Soul Part II by JT Keitt
Chick Lit Review

Miracle’s Pain – Secrets Of My Soul Part II by …

Miracles Pain by JT Keitt opens with Patricia Ann Hall … and she has a secret. We watch as she journeys deep into her past…

March 8, 2012
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Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan
Chick Lit Review

Forged in Fire by Trish McCallan

Trish McCallan is on tour with CLP Blog Tours. Forged in Fire starts with Beth Brown having a premonition. She dreams of a plane hijacking and many brutal murders. Unsure if she is losing her mind or if her dream means something, she heads to the airport – and finds the sexy stranger from her dream that she saw get killed. Lieutenant Commander Zane Winters is a man with true psychic abilities. Zane sees the dead bodies of his two friends and platoon buddies while they are waiting for their flight, and knows something is about to go horribly wrong on the plane. Beth and Zane soon team up to get the flight grounded, and that sets off a series of breath-taking events to try to find out who is involved in the elaborate plan.
I flew through Forged in Fire like it was nobody’s business. It’s a good mystery, good love story, and a fun twist with the psychic abilities thrown in there. Beth and Zane’s romance is insanely hot and I really enjoyed McCallan’s writing style. The only real downfall I found was that there were still so many questions after I closed the book. This is the first in a series so I know those questions will eventually be answered, but I still felt like I needed a little bit more before I read the final page. Other than that, I definitely recommend this book, and will be looking forward to the next book, Forged in Ice.
[Rating: 4]

March 5, 2012
6 Comments