Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

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My First 5K: Week 11: Running Shoes
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My First 5K: Week 11: Running Shoes

With the Color Run getting closer, my attention has shifted to my running shoes. I am currently training in my Reebok Toning Shoes – and if you hadn’t read my post about them, I would suggest it. While I thought they were fine athletic shoes, I never noticed any toning about them, and I also updated my post with the lawsuit that came against Reebok for their false claims. About two weeks ago I received my refund check in the mail. Like I said in my post – comfortable shoes and all, but I bought them for the toning effect. I’ve had them for over a year, and there are now holes near where my toes are, and I’m getting ready to pitch them. Since during the Color Run we will be pelted with paint, I wanted to wear shoes that I wouldn’t mind throwing away – my Reebok toning shoes will be that pair. But I’m now looking for a new pair of running shoes to have once I throw those away. Any suggestions? I’m not a distance runner or marathon runner, but I will continue to run at least two days a week, along with my usual walks and elliptical workouts. I haven’t started the research yet on new shoes, but I will be grateful for any suggestions you might have! Below is my workout schedule for Week 11 of my 5K training. The bold is what I would normally complete, non-bold is my 5K schedule.

Monday: Run 9 minutes, walk 1 x2
Tuesday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 30 minute elliptical, 30 minute Yoga DVD
Wednesday: Run 9 minutes, walk 1 x 3
Thursday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 30 minute treadmill walk (incline – 12)
Friday: Day Off
Saturday: Run 30 minutes
Sunday: 30 minute treadmill walk on incline

August 26, 2012
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In My Mailbox: Week of August 26
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In My Mailbox: Week of August 26

In Samantha’s Mailbox:

Title: The Good Woman
Author: Jane Porter
Received: Erin @ Penguin Group
Synopsis: Is it possible to leave it all behind?

The firstborn of a large Irish-American family, Meg Brennan Roberts is a successful publicist, faithful wife, and doting mother who prides herself on always making the right decisions. But years of being “the good woman” have taken a toll and though her winery career thrives, Meg feels burned out and empty, and more disconnected than ever from her increasingly distant husband. Lonely and disheartened, she attends the London Wine Fair with her boss, ruggedly handsome vintner, Chad Hallahan. It’s here, alone together in an exotic city, far from “real” life, that Chad confesses his long-standing desire for Meg.

Overwhelmed, flattered, and desperately confused, Meg returns home, only to suddenly question every choice she’s ever made, especially that of her marriage. For Meg, something’s got to give, and for once in her life she flees her responsibilities—but with consequences as reckless and irreversible as they are liberating. Now she must decide whether being the person everyone needs is worth losing the woman she was meant to be.

Title: Mary Indiana
Author: Anneke Campbell
Received: via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: She’s eighteen and pregnant, but with a twist–the new kid in town’s barely been kissed! Could she really be a virgin? The town doc swears it’s true. There’s just GOTTA be an explanation.

But it’s not coming from Mary, as she’s quickly dubbed. She seems to have taken a vow of silence. So it’s up to the citizens of Bellingham to make their own miracles—or at least their own myths. The new celeb is instantly surrounded by hangers-on, miracle-seekers, paparazzi, preachers, and promoters—to hilarious effect.

But are they dealing with an angel here, or someone playing an angle? Con, in a word, or icon? And by the way, what’s up with that strange light in the sky? Could be she came off a spaceship.

Neither sacred nor profane, nor even paranormal, Campbell’s beautifully written book is at once funny and wise, a savvy story of how myths are made, how minds twist and turn around the extraordinary, how the human organism just can’t help grabbing for the supernatural, whether out of the spiritual need for a miracle or a mundane desire for cash.

Think Barbara Kingsolver, Margaret Atwood, Anne Tyler, only really really funny.

August 26, 2012
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Book Excerpt: This Tangled Thing Called Love by Marie Astor
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Book Excerpt: This Tangled Thing Called Love by Marie Astor

Marie Astor is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and This Tangled Thing Called Love. Please enjoy the excerpt below, check out my 4 star…

August 24, 2012
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Deciding to Get Lasik
Chick Lit Plus

Deciding to Get Lasik

Deciding to Get Lasik

I got my first pair of glasses in the fourth grade. Back then, I thought I was super cool with my spectacles. All my friends had glasses as well, and we loved getting bright colors and patterns – I remember my purple pair were my favorite glasses back then. I really didn’t even get the dreaded “four eyes” nickname, because so many people had glasses. I thought I just fit in.
But of course, the happiness wore off. I begged my mom for contacts for years, and I believe I was fifteen when I was finally granted my wish. It took me some time to get used to poking myself in the eye, but I eventually mastered the contacts. But then it was the annoying factor that cropped up – contacts being inside out when I tried putting them on, running out of contact solution, forgetting my case at sleepovers. As I got older, I grew tired of contacts, and was jealous when a handful of my family members got the Lasik surgery.
When I was twenty, I made some appointments around town to see if I would be a good fit for Lasik. In order to get the procedure, your prescription has to be the same for at least a year so they know your eyes are done changing and your eyes need to be considered healthy. At twenty, I passed the Lasik test –– then was told the price. At $2500 per eye, I knew it was just not in my cards to get the procedure at that time. I came up with a savings plan, and put that surgery on hold.
About four years later, I felt comfortable enough with my money situation to give Lasik another shot. In January 2012, I set up a consultation at my local LasikPlus, took my contacts out for two weeks straight per instructions, and went through test after test on my eyes. At the end – I was cleared for Lasik! The price was actually cheaper than it was years ago, and with a discount through my insurance provider, I was looking at $3500 for the whole thing. I scheduled my surgery appointment for two weeks after my testing, and was ecstatic to finally be getting Lasik.
Check out back next week for my post on prepping for Lasik!

August 23, 2012
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Author Profile: Erik Atwell
Chick Lit Authors

Author Profile: Erik Atwell

Author Name: Erik Atwell
Website: http://www.erikatwell.com/
Bio: Erik Atwell started his writing career in grammar school, when a one page history class assignment ballooned into a forty page fictional account of a politically controversial silversmith in Boston circa 1776. From there, he wrote short stories while living in New Hampshire, screenplays upon moving to Los Angeles, then finally novels when he ultimately landed in Seattle. He now lives in Seattle with his rock star wife and his six-month-old son, whose only musical claim to fame thus far is sleeping through an entire Go-Go’s concert. But in his defense, he was three weeks old, and the stage was a quarter-mile away. “Thank You For Flying Air Zoe” is his first novel, and he hopes to write a second novel before the little guy treks off to college.
Title: Thank You For Flying Air Zoe
See my 4 star review for Thank you For Flying Air Zoe!
Visit Erik’s tour page at CLP Blog Tours
Bio retrieved from Erik Atwell

August 21, 2012
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GIVEAWAY: Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel
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GIVEAWAY: Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel

LIVE FROM MIAMI! The sensationalism shown on television can only be topped by the drama that happens behind the camera! After being fired from her job in Los Angeles, Charlene “Charley” Thomas moves to sizzling Miami and begins working as news director at a local television station. While getting used to her new gig, Charley wakes up to the fact that her station manager, Jonathan Lefton, is the boss from hell who will do anything for a story no matter who gets hurt in the process. When nude pictures of noon anchor, Miranda Andrews, are discovered in the men’s room of a Key West bar, all hell breaks loose. They end up on Lefton’s desk and he promotes her over the main anchor, sparking off a firestorm. Miranda’s quickly thrown into the mix and assigned special reports. Charley finds herself overseeing an investigation that could shine light on the guilt of a dirty cop. Real life begins to mimic the drama of broadcast news when station personalities face life and death all for rating and Emmys! VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a modern day “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.”
I have one paperback copy of Viewer Discretion Advised up for grabs! To enter, please leave a comment below. The winner will be chosen Thursday, September 23. Please note this is open to US/Canada residents only. Thank you to Cindy Roesel for sponsoring this giveaway!

August 20, 2012
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Author Profile: Bethany Ramos
Chick Lit Authors

Author Profile: Bethany Ramos

Author Name: Bethany Ramos
Website: http://chicklit-books.com/
Bio: Bethany Ramos is a chick lit author that is passionate about the fun, witty, and clever dynamic that can be found in a good chick lit novel. Her chick lit novel 5 Stages of Grief was published by Black Opal Books in 2011. She has also written a children’s book called Lions Can’t Eat Spaghetti that is under contract to be published through 4RV Publishing in 2015.

Bethany works full time as a freelance ghostwriter through Elance.com, specializing in Internet marketing, social media marketing, and SEO. She also co-owns her own website with her husband at The Coffee Bump. Bethany can be reached for further information about her writing services at bethany_ramos83[at]yahoo[dot]com or follow her on Twitter.

Visit Bethany’s tour page at CLP Blog Tours!
See my 4 star review for 5 Stages of Grief
Bio retrieved from Bethany Ramos

August 20, 2012
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My First 5K: Week 10
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My First 5K: Week 10

Week 10 of my 5K training is in the books. I’m getting pretty anxious to run this race, but I still have 7 weeks to go! I can notice that my body has become used to running, which is obviously great. When I first started training, I could barely make it 5 minutes running without wanting to quit. This week, I ran close to 40 minutes without needing a break, which is a big accomplishment for me. I’m very curious to see how I’ll fare come race time, but I’m not worried now about being able to keep up or worse – not finish! Below is my workout schedule for the week – non-bold is my 5K training schedule, bold is my regular workout schedule.
Monday: Run 8 minutes walk 1 x 2
Tuesday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 30 minute treadmill run – intervals
Wednesday: Run 8 minutes walk 1 x 3, 15 minute Pilates DVD with resistance band
Thursday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 60 minute treadmill walk – incline
Friday: 30 minute treadmill run – intervals
Saturday: Run 8 minutes walk 1 x 5
Sunday: Day Off

August 19, 2012
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In My Mailbox: Week of August 19
Chick Lit Plus

In My Mailbox: Week of August 19

In Samantha’s Mailbox:

Title: Arcadia’s Gift

Author: Jesi Lea Ryan

Received: From Jesi Lea Ryan

Synopsis: Most people who experience death don’t live to tell about it.

When sixteen year old Arcadia “Cady” Day wakes in a hospital after experiencing what can only be called a psychic episode, she finds her family in tatters. With her twin sister gone, her dad moved out, her mom’s spiraling depression and her sister’s boyfriend, Cane, barely able to look at her, the only bright spot in her life is Bryan Sullivan, the new guy in school. When Bryan’s around, Cady can almost pretend she’s a regular girl, living a regular life; when he’s not, she’s wracked with wild, inexplicable mood swings. As her home life crumbles and her emotional control slips away, Cady begins to suspect that her first psychic episode was just the beginning…

Title: To Catch a Bad Guy

Author: Marie Astor

Received: From Marie Astor

Synopsis: Janet Maple is convinced that her life could not get any worse: her stellar career at the DA’s office ended with a lay off and her boyfriend of five years told her that he wants to be just friends. When she lands a job at one of New York’s premier boutique investment firms, Janet begins to hope that her luck is finally turning for the better. Not only is she happy with her new paycheck, but things also seem to be looking up on the personal front, as the company’s handsome attorney expresses keen interest in Janet. However, her euphoria is short-lived, as Janet soon discovers alarming facts about her new employer’s business tactics. When her boss dismisses her suspicions as groundless, Janet finds herself confiding to a cute IT engineer, Dean Snider. The closer she gets to Dean, the more Janet is tempted to break her rule of not dating co-workers, but what she doesn’t realize is that everything she knows about Dean, including his occupation and even his name, is a lie.

August 19, 2012
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