Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

Latest Youtube Videos

Midnight Brunch by Marta Acosta
Chick Lit Review

Midnight Brunch by Marta Acosta

Marta Acosta follows up her enjoyable Casa Dracula debut with Midnight Brunch¸ still following the life of heroine Milagro de los Santos. Milagro is the only known human to survive a vampire infection, making her quite popular in the vampire world. But Milagro has eyes only for the dashing Oswald, and now lives with him in the family estate. Milargo is upset when she learns she isn’t allowed to attend the naming ceremony for the new baby in the family, simply because she is not family. Already feeling left out at times around Oswald and his clan, this only angers Milargo further. When Oswald departs on a humanitarian trip, Milagro decides to follow a few leads to understand more about the vampires and their culture. She doesn’t expect to find herself in a desert spa, playing assistant to a celebrity actor, and having her life threatened by quirky vampires who are determined to take over the world.
I know a lot of people say that sequels never stack up to the original, but I loved Midnight Brunch- even more than Happy Hour at Casa Dracula! I knew Milagro and Oswald and their story, and I was happy to see that the action picked up with barely a stitch in time going by. It was like welcoming old friends. Milagro is the same sexy heroine, living on the dangerous side by choice this time, and I liked watching her and Oswald’s relationship grow. I would definitely recommend readers to the Casa Dracula series, even if you aren’t vampire or paranormal fans. I wasn’t, and hadn’t read a paranormal book before Happy Hour, and I’m sure glad I did! Acosta’s writing and the world she created are too good to pass up.
Rating: 5/5

December 20, 2010
1 Comment
Blind Faith by CJ Lyons
Chick Lit Review

Blind Faith by CJ Lyons

Sarah Durandt is still living a nightmare. Two years ago, her husband and young son were murdered, but their bodies were never recovered. Now, as the man who confessed to killing her family awaits his execution, Sarah begs to know where the bodies were buried. She just wants her closure, but the killer won’t give that to her. She returns home with her lawyer and special friend, Alan, but the memories of Josh and Sam continue to haunt her. She is determined to find her husband and son, but never imagines what the search could lead her to. A tangle of deceit, multiple identities, and surprising foes await to be unearthed as Sarah begins the complicated unraveling of her families murders.
Oh boy. Blind Faith by CJ Lyons had five stars written all over it from the moment I started reading. Lyons has an obvious talent for creating her “thrillers of the heart” and wastes no times hooking the readers to Sarah, the main character. The complicated twists and turns in the story didn’t deter me or frustrate me at all, instead they pulled me in further, keeping up with the characters and action as it all unfolded. This is a fantastic mystery, and the writing flows along so smoothly that I often times felt I was the detective trying to piece all the clues together. There were even a few scenes where I felt my heart beating faster, as I was anxious to where the plot would take me. Not a lot of mysteries can cause that intense reaction from me! This is a great novel, and I would definitely recommend CJ Lyons and her thrillers to readers.
Rating: 5/5

December 10, 2010
1 Comment
Life After Yes by Aidan Donnelley Rowley
Chick Lit Review

Life After Yes by Aidan Donnelley Rowley

Rarely do I read a book that is so powerful, so moving, and so thought-provoking, that the characters and plot invade my thoughts for weeks after finishing. Debut author Aidan Donnelly Rowley does exactly that in the SheKnows Book Club final pick of the year, Life After Yes. The story follows Prudence Quinn O’Malley, a born and bred New Yorker, after she accepts a marriage proposal from her supportive and loving boyfriend, Sage. The proposal, which takes place in Paris, is beyond beautiful and romantic, and Quinn accepts without a second thought. But just a day later, Quinn’s thoughts and emotions begin to spin out of control. Is it because her father won’t be able to walk her down the aisle, as he perished on that fateful 9/11 day? Is it because she still thinks about her first love, and wonders if she is making the right choice in committing her life with Sage?
I think one reason I found a common ground with Quinn is because of the numerous mistakes she makes. Quinn is a highly successful young lawyer and is set to marry Sage, who is an equally successful investment banker. But even with her success and her supporting friends and family, Quinn still almost seems like a misfit, determined to be selfish and indulge in binge drinking, and upset those she’s loves the most. At first, I was angry with the book. I hated Quinn! The way she treated people, especially her fiancée, the way she seemed to care so little for anyone else but herself, made me disgusted with her character. But as the story moved along, I started to understand. I began to feel for Quinn. The more dilemmas’ she faced, the more the deeper meaning of the story became obvious to me. By the time I reached the last few chapters, I had started crying, thinking about my own life and the mistakes I made, the ones I haven’t owned up to and probably never will, and how I can strive to be the best I can with what I have. It was almost like therapy!
Life After Yes was one of my favorite reads of 2010. I commend Aidan Donnelly Rowley for writing such a truthful story, with real characters and real problems. I almost feel this novel should come with a warning label: Will you risk asking yourself the questions Quinn is asking of herself? Are you brave enough to face the answers? I recommend everyone to read this book, chick lit fan or not. I think we can all identify with a piece of Quinn, and take away a lesson on true happiness.
Rating: 5/5

December 8, 2010
5 Comments
Well Read and Dead by Catherine O’Connell
Chick Lit Review

Well Read and Dead by Catherine O’Connell

One of my favorite heroines Pauline Cook is back and better than ever in Well Read and Dead, the second novel in the high society mysteries by Catherine O’Connell. This time, Pauline returns to America after an extended European vacation, only to come back after the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Her once exceptional stock portfolio has now crumbled, leaving her without much money to go of off- again. To make it worse, her beautiful Chicago penthouse that was highly damaged in a fire still isn’t in a livable condition yet, one of her closest friends Whitney has gone missing, and Whitney took Pauline’s precious cat, Fleur, with her! Pauline becomes determined to find Whitney, so she can get her cat back and score a cool multimillion dollar reward promised to her by Whitney’s husband if Pauline can find her. What Pauline doesn’t know is that Whitney has stumbled upon a very disturbing secret regarding her husband’s lingerie business, and Pauline finding Whitney and discovering the truth could cost the woman both their lives.
Again, I was highly entertained by the antics of Pauline. Losing 20 million dollars when her Enron stock collapsed? A missing best friend and no place to live? Pauline doesn’t let these obstacles bring her down, she continues her shopping, luncheons, and staying in the best room at one of Chicago’s finest hotels. There was something different about Pauline in this novel compared to the first, Well Bred and Dead, and those occurrences happen when two very devastating occurrences happen. I won’t say what they are because I don’t want to ruin it for anyone, but I was shocked more than once in this book. I thought O’Connell’s writing was once again exceptional for the character and her story, and I highly look forward to the third novel, Well Wed and Dead.
Rating: 5/5

December 1, 2010
4 Comments
Cold Dawn by Carla Neggers
Chick Lit Review

Cold Dawn by Carla Neggers

When Rose Cameron finds a body, burnt nearly beyond recognition, the small town of Black Falls, Vermont fears a killer could be a on the loose-again. Smoke jumper Nick Martini joins the community from California after an arson investigator is killed, a hunch that the death may be connected to the recent Black Falls murder. Now, Rose and Nick must deal with the one night of passion they shared months ago, to figure out if it could be anything more. But with Nick best friends and business partners with one of Rose’s highly over protective brothers, neither are sure the relationship could work- or if they really want it to. But both need to push aside their feelings of lust and romance and catch the killer lurking in Black Falls.
I knew Cold Dawn by Carla Neggers would be on my Favorites List after the first chapter. Even though this mystery novel is part of a series, readers will easily be able to pick up with the characters and the plot even if they have not read the previous books. The suspense was enough to keep me up at night, frantically flipping the pages to figure out who the murderer was and how all the subplots would tie together. The romance between the lead couple was very well written, full of drama and cliff hangers at the end of chapters, that kept me hooked on this story. My only issue was the amount of characters that contributed to the story, I began to feel overwhelmed after trying to keep track of all of them! But besides that little fact, this is a great story that gets a definite recommendation from me. After reading Cold Dawn, Carla Neggers has shot to the top of my favorite authors list!
Rating: 4.5/5

November 17, 2010
Leave a comment
Chronicles of a Midlife Crisis by Robyn Harding
Chick Lit Review

Chronicles of a Midlife Crisis by Robyn Harding

Lucy is shocked when her husband of 16 years, Trent, announces he is leaving her. She knows that their relationship hasn’t been the best for a few years, but with careers and their fifteen-year old daughter Sam entering the teenage angst years, she never thought she would actually be heading for a divorce. Trent is tired of his boring marriage and wants his freedom- and the ability to get one his co-workers into bed. Trent has been eyeing the voluptuous Annika while on the job, but she wouldn’t give him the time of day unless he was separated from his wife. Finally on his own, Trent gets his singledom and Annika- but suddenly wonders if that is the life he truly wants. Lucy tries to pick up the pieces of her broken marriage, but when her job throws her together with a teen heartthrob actor (also her daughter’s biggest crush) Lucy’s life begins to spiral downwards.
Chronicles of a Midlife Crisis by Robyn Harding is heartfelt novel that draws readers into the lives of the characters by giving both Lucy and Trent a voice. The chapters are written in alternating point of views from both husband and wife, giving us a chance to really understand both sides and why this marriage failed. Deep emotions are revealed, self-doubt and guilt among others, and be prepared for this story to really make you think and feel for all the characters, not just Lucy and Trent. I really appreciated the ending of the novel as well, which is a rarity for me. I am usually left feeling unsatisfied in these types of relationship conflict stories, or feeling that the ending is too cliché, but I thought Harding did a fantastic job at tying all the loose ends together and giving the characters the ending they deserved. A definite recommendation from me!
Rating: 4.5/5

October 28, 2010
2 Comments
She’s Gone Country by Jane Porter
Chick Lit Review

She’s Gone Country by Jane Porter

Shey Darcy is having a hard time adjusting being back home in Texas. After living in New York City, working as a supermodel with her photographer husband and three sons, Shey is shocked to learn that her husband is leaving her- for another man. Unsure of where else to recover from her heartache, Shey flees to Texas, back to her country roots. Life doesn’t get easier for Shey after the move though. Her teenage sons have trouble adjusting to their new lives as well, Shey’s Southern Baptist mom won’t stop hounding her about her broken life, and Shey’s love from her teenage years enters back into her life- and Shey realizes she may not have stopped loving him.
When I read that She’s Gone Country by Jane Porter focused on a mother struggling with issues within her family, I worried I wouldn’t be able to relate well to the main character- as I am without a husband or children. But Shey’s story wrapped me in and commanded my attention throughout. The love story may have been a bit too overpowering between Shey and her ex-crush, Dane, but I really enjoyed the ending for these characters. As for the motherhood aspect, even though I am not a mom, it was so easy for me to understand the struggles Shey was feeling and coping with. Porter’s writing feels straight from the heart, like Shey opened up her diary for all to read. It is because that emotion, that vulnerability from the main characters, that makes this story so fantastic. A definite recommendation from me for She’s Gone Country!
Rating: 4.5/5

October 15, 2010
Leave a comment
Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson
Chick Lit Review

Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson

Georgia Gray is set- employed as head chef at one of Manhattan’s best restaurants, fabulous rock on her left finger from Glenn, and the best friends a girl could hope for. But when a less than stellar review is published about her restaurant, Georgia’s outlook is suddenly looks bleak. Jobless with a black mark next to her name in the food industry, though the review came from the extracurricular activities between her boss and the reviewer’s young daughter, Georgia thinks she can at least rely on Glenn, her entertainment lawyer fiancée, to turn to. But when she finds out Glenn has been dabbling in with cocaine while out with “clients” the engagement is broken off. Not knowing where else to turn, Georgia calls up an old friend in Italy and begs for a chef job.
Claudia comes through for Georgia, and soon enough Georgia is happily settling into her Italian countryside trattoria. But when she learns she is not the head chef of the new kitchen, along with feelings of jealousy for Claudia for having the life she so badly covets, Georgia begins to doubt her spontaneous move to Italy. But when she meets Gianni- the perfect Italian man who is ready to sweep her off her feet and offers her a career too delectable Georgia couldn’t possibly pass it up- she just can’t say yes. But can she find the courage to follow her own dreams back in New York?
Georgia’s Kitchen, the debut novel from Jenny Nelson, is five stars! One page was all it took me to be completely hooked on Georgia and her story. One page. I may not know my way around the kitchen, but reading about Georgia and her career as a chef made me feel I was right beside her chopping and dicing and mincing. Then the travel aspect comes in. I love traveling and learning about different countries and cultures, so once Georgia is in Italy, I couldn’t put this book down. I loved that the ending was a bit different than what I expected. There is a happy ending, don’t get me wrong, but I enjoy that Nelson gives Georgia the power to control her life, and not have her crying and pining over her failed relationship at all times. What an exceptional debut from Jenny Nelson, and I look forward to many more from her.
Rating: 5/5

October 9, 2010
Leave a comment
Go Small or Go Home by Heather Wardell
Chick Lit Review

Go Small or Go Home by Heather Wardell

Tess is a struggling artist, working as a therapeutic massage therapist to keep the bills paid. When the massage clinic she works at suddenly closes and she is nowhere near getting paid for her art pieces, Tess goes on an interview for the Toronto Hogs- the professional hockey team. She didn’t know that she would only be working for one of the players instead of the entire team, and quickly runs into a mess of problems with Forrest. Forrest, once a star hockey player who has a multi-million dollar contract with the Hogs after being traded, suffered through a devastating car accident earlier and a groin injury on top of that, and his hockey game isn’t up to par. Tess didn’t realize when she signed on that she would not only being massaging Forrest, but also helping him overcome his inner demons that keep him distracted from hockey. Or that she would fall in love with him. But can Forrest move on from his past so he and Tess can attempt a future together?
Go Small or Go Home by Heather Wardell kept me tearing through the pages, marveling at the love story being played out. There are some deep circumstances surrounding Forrest and Tess, and the emotions are quite intense and heavy throughout. Both characters are highly damaged, but instead of that quality dragging them down, it made it that much better reading about how they could make each other better. Not only is Go Small or Go Home a fantastic love story, but there is another layer about self-discovery. When Tess finally gets her dream career of being an artist to come true, she realizes that maybe working for a gallery owner isn’t all she thought it would be. She is forced to examine her career and future goals to figure out what path she really needs to take to be satisfied in both her personal and professional life. Another gem from Heather Wardell!
Rating: 4.5/5

October 5, 2010
Leave a comment