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In My Mailbox: Week of May 27
Chick Lit Plus

In My Mailbox: Week of May 27

Title: Sea Change

Author: Karen White

Received: From Jessica @ Penguin Group

Synopsis: For as long as she can remember, Ava Whalen has struggled with a sense of not belonging, and now, at thirty-five, she still feels stymied by her family. Then she meets child psychologist Matthew Frazier and thinks her days of loneliness are behind her. After a whirlwind romance, they impulsively elope, and Ava moves to Matthew’s ancestral home on St. Simons Island, off the coast of Georgia.

But after the initial excitement, Ava is surprised to discover that true happiness continues to elude her. There is much she doesn’t know about Matthew, including the mysterious circumstances surrounding his first wife’s death. And her new home seems to hold as many mysteries and secrets as her new husband. Feeling adrift, Ava throws herself into uncovering Matthew’s family history and that of the island, not realizing that she has a connection of her own to this place–or that her obsession with the past could very well destroy her future.

Title: Finding Lucas

Author: Samantha Stroh Bailey

Received: From Samantha Stroh Bailey

Synopsis: Can you ever really go back to the past?

On her fifth anniversary with boyfriend Derek, Jamie Ross finds herself in a Montreal hotel room wondering how the carefree guy she met in a Chicago bar has turned into “the quintessential metrosexual.” Weighed down by Derek’s disdain for her second hand wardrobe, her unusual family and her low-paying job as an associate producer of a daytime talk show, Jamie reaches a breaking point. And when her new boss plans to reunite lost loves on the show, she remembers Lucas— the boy she’d loved and lost ten years earlier. What follows is a quest that is at times hilarious and at others disastrous as Jamie’s life transforms from run of the mill to absolutely crazy. But will finding Lucas give Jamie everything she’s looking for?:

Title: Showbiz

Author: Ruby Preston

Received: Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: “Set amid the twinkling marquees of modern day Times Square, Showbiz, is a juicy behind the scenes glimpse into the delicious and malicious world of Broadway.”

After four years in Manhattan, slaving away as the under-appreciated apprentice to the brilliant but ruthless “King of Broadway,” Scarlett Savoy is finally on her way to becoming a Broadway producer in her own right. But then, a shocking suicide turns Broadway on its head. Scarlett finds herself at the center of the storm as everything she thought she knew about the business of Broadway begins to unravel. A chance meeting with an influential gossip columnist sparks romance – but can he be trusted? Scarlett is forced to decide to what lengths she’ll go, who she’s willing to become, and what she’ll sacrifice, to achieve her Broadway dreams.

[happy place] Title: Finding My Happy Place

Author: Heather Wardell

Received: From Heather Wardell

Synopsis: If thirty-year-old Megan were any more of a doormat, she’d have footprints on her back. She takes up running to strengthen her body, but marathon training with cute but heartbroken coach Andrew strengthens her assertiveness too. When her best friend’s demands threaten her race Megan must decide: cave in as she always has before or stick to her new-found ‘happy pace’ in running and life.

In Sara’s Mailbox:

Title: The Silent Touch of Shadows

Author: Christina Courtenay

Received: Jane @choc lit team

Synopsis: What will it take to put the past to rest? Professional genealogist Melissa Grantham receives an invitation to visit her family’s ancestral home, Ashleigh Manor. From the moment she arrives, life-like dreams and visions haunt her. The spiritual connection to a medieval young woman and her forbidden lover have her questioning her sanity, but Melissa is determined to solve the mystery. Jake Precy, owner of a nearby cottage, has disturbing dreams too, but it’s not until he meets Melissa that they begin to make sense. He hires her to research his family’s history, unaware their lives are already entwined. Is the mutual attraction real or the result of ghostly interference? A haunting love story set partly in the present and partly in fifteenth century Kent. Christina Courtenay won the 2012 Best Historical Romantic novel of the year award (RoNA) for her novel Highland Storms.

May 27, 2012
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Beauty Review: Too Faced Natural Eye Collection
Chick Lit Plus

Beauty Review: Too Faced Natural Eye Collection

I started using Too Faced products a couple years back, and they quickly became a staple in my makeup bag. I have their face primer, mascara, eye primer, multiple eye shadow collections, lip plumping gloss and bronzer. One of my favorite eye shadow collections is the Natual Eye. I am a big fan of natural looking makeup, and this collection of shadows really does the trick. There are three instructional cards that come with it as well, and the tips for achieving the look you want are great to have. My favorite mixture is Silk Teddy all over my eyelids, Pushup on the crease, and Honeypot towards the end of my lids. When I got out, I like to sweep Nude Beach over the eyelids as well for the extra sparkle, and often use Sexpresso as a liner. If you like a natural look, I recommend this. I think my next collection will be the Naked Eye or the Matte Eye collection.
[Rating: 4.5]

May 26, 2012
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Debut Author of the Month
Chick Lit Authors

Debut Author of the Month

Chick Lit Plus is pleased to announce that our Debut Author of the Month for May is Nancy Scrofano, author of True Love Way.

True Love Way tells the story of Marlo Spencer, who relishes all things retro. Old TV shows, classic movies, and even the collectible lunch boxes to go with them. In fact, she’s quite cozy in her Malibu apartment, surrounded by her treasured knick-knacks and vintage memorabilia. It’s her best friend, Nik, who doesn’t get her fascination with all that “old junk,” as he calls it. He especially doesn’t understand why she’s so keen to get back to their hometown of Napa when her high school sweetheart, Josh, suddenly returns after twelve years in Paris and nary a single phone call, eager to reunite with her. So, when Marlo heads up north to wine country to rekindle her relationship with Josh, Nik tags along, claiming he was already planning to visit his sister, Savannah, Marlo’s gal pal. Once they reach Napa, however, dreams of a blissful reunion are shattered as old secrets and past betrayals are revealed, leaving an unsuspecting Marlo to pick up the pieces. Can she forgive and forget, or will true love find a different path to her heart?

In celebration of being our Debut Author of the Month, we have asked Nancy a few questions about receiving the coveted spot on Chick Lit Plus. Please read her answers below:

What was your reaction when you learned that you had been selected as the Debut Author of the Month for Chick Lit Plus?

When I was notified that I am the Debut Author of the Month for Chick Lit Plus, I was really excited, and I still am! Thank you so much, Samantha and Sara, for choosing me! I love Chick Lit Plus, so it is a huge honor to be featured in this way. I’m very flattered and grateful for such a wonderful accolade.

How does it feel to have your book so well-received by the public?

I’m so happy that I have received positive feedback from readers. It is great to know that my novel resonates with people and they enjoy the characters that I created. I’m really glad readers are entertained by my novel, and I hope that anyone who hasn’t read it yet will give it a chance.

Please be sure to get your hands on True Love Way – a definite must read on Chick Lit Plus. We will be giving away one copy of True Love Way to one of our readers, so please leave a comment below and a winner will be selected at random.

May 24, 2012
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Guest Post by Deborah Michel
For Writers

Guest Post by Deborah Michel

BUT DID IT REALLY HAPPEN?   People often assume that what happens in a novel—especially a first novel—happened to the author in real life. My…

May 24, 2012
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Guest Post by Jamie Brazil
Chick Lit Authors

Guest Post by Jamie Brazil

What’s the Price of Friendship?

Friending outside my household income level isn’t new to me. I’m a writer and most years I make less than 25K. I used to make more in my emergency dispatch days, but then again, except for the freedom to travel to foreign countries, I was rarely happy. These days, just about everyone I know earns more than I do. So what does this have to do with anything?

Recently, I was asked to be a fourth on a girls’ beach weekend. Two of the other three land solidly in a six-figure income bracket. I’ve never met the third gal, so I don’t know about her. Yet suddenly I’m feeling like Columbus scanning an Alexander-Wang-handbag-carrying horizon of friendship.

Sure, I can pack my Anya Hindmarch mirror bag (bought at a garage sale last summer). And I can leave my credit card at home. But I’m human and girlfriend weekends, with the required shopping binge, can be fatal to budgets — not to mention diets and a resolve to curb alcohol consumption. Should I accept the invitation?

All this puzzling gave me pause when I realized this situation felt familiar. In fact, I’d written about it. In a novel. Mine.

In Prince Charming, Inc. my heroine, Elyse, is a matchmaker. Her best friends and clients are the upper crust of San Francisco society. Elyse barely fits in through designer thrift store finds and sturdy no-brand business-wear… and always feels a little inferior for it. Of course her friends are true, and in the end fashion has little to do with friendship.

Funny how our own characters have something to teach us! Of course I should go to the beach. So I can’t indulge in an outlet mall buying frenzy. Big deal. I can still be part of the group simply by blowing my diet and guzzling margaritas! There’s always a price to friendship.

May 23, 2012
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Charming Tuesday: A Beauty Favorite
Chick Lit Plus

Charming Tuesday: A Beauty Favorite

Charming Tuesday Product of the Week: Nail Polish

Samantha’s Must-Have:

I’ll admit – I’m a bit of a spa junkie. For the past few months I have been obsessed with the Shellac manicure, and go about once a month to the salon to get it done. It’s so nice not to have my nails chip for two weeks! Everyone once in a while I get pedicure too, but not nearly as often as a mani. I don’t mind giving myself a pedi at home, and I have a bunch of supplies I bust out – buffers and foot lotions, the foot bath, etc. My favorite nail polish as of late has come to me through a Birchbox – Color Club Neon Nail Polish. Neon is so in right now, everything from clothing to shoes to polish. I received the green, and got so many compliments on the color. I recently purchased a set so I have all the colors, and this will definitely help save some money at the spa!

Sara’s Must-Have:

I am the absolute worst about removing nail polish, so, whenever I do my nail, I want to be sure that whatever I use is going to last a while. I’ve been hearing about Sally Hansen nail polish strips for quite sometime, and up until a few months ago, I had never tried them. I was hesitant because of many reasons: the price, the level of difficulty, not knowing whether or not they would work….but I finally bought a box and haven’t looked back. They are so easy to apply and most of the time, the strips last two weeks on my fingers tips. They strips are also very shiny and always make me feel like I had a professional manicure, even though I only applied them myself. My favorites are “Kitty, Kitty” which are a leopard print, as well as the bright greens and yellows that they have for summer time. I highly recommend that you swing by and some up- they’re always a lot of fun!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NAIL POLISH? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND LET US KNOW.

May 22, 2012
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Author of the Month
Chick Lit Authors

Author of the Month

Chick Lit Plus is so pleased to announce that our Author of the Month for May is Jennifer Gilbert, author of I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag.

I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag is a warm, wise, alternately painful and funny inspiring memoir of survival, renewal, and transformation. It’s a tale about learning to let go and be happy after years of faking it, proving that while we can’t always control what happens to us, we can control who we become. And instead of anticipating our present in a goodie bag at the end of an event, we realize our presence at every event is the real gift.

In celebration of being our Author of the Month for May, we have asked Jennifer a few questions about receiving the coveted spot on Chick Lit Plus. Please read her answers below:

What was your reaction when you learned that you had been selected as the Author of the Month for Chick Lit Plus?

Totally and completely honored. As May is International Chick Lit month and I am the first author to be selected as the Author of the Month, this is an incredible compliment to me as well as the ‘trailblazing’ route I like to take in life. It’s incredible to me…I’m so awed by this honor and so incredibly appreciative that my book has been chosen and it is a vote of confidence that this book has resonated with you and hopefully many others.

How does it feel to have your book so well-received by the public?

I am overwhelmed by gratitude. I have bared my soul in this book and am so nervous about how it will be received, so when I read the positive feedback it literally brings me to tears, I’m so overwhelmed. It reassures me that I NEVER PROMISED YOU A GOODIE BAG is relatable to everyone who has their own story. We ALL have something in our life that has held us back, or propelled us forward. If my story helps people to realize that we have the choice to be better, to change and let go, then I have accomplished so much more than writing a memoir.

Thank you so much Jennifer for allowing us to review your book!

Please be sure to get your hands on I Never Promised You A Goodie Bag – a definite 5 star on Chick Lit Plus.

May 22, 2012
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Chick Lit Author Blog Hop 2012
Updates

Chick Lit Author Blog Hop 2012

I’ve been wanting to write an article recently reminiscing about Chick Lit Plus. I always tell people starting CLP was the best decision I’ve made (besides recently undergoing Lasik surgery), and it is the truth. The friendships I’ve made, the professional connections, and the knowledge and opportunities that have come my way make me think of how lucky I am. I wear many hats – book reviewer, editor, blog tour coordinator, publisher, author – but I love my busy life and working hard at something I truly enjoy and can say with all my heart I have a passion for.
I fell in love with books at a young age, thanks to the influence of my mother and grandmother. I knew I wanted to be a writer myself, and after graduating college with my BS in business, I decided to put some sort of plan into action. I bought my first laptop (even though I was online student the last two years of college – figure that out) and started researching. I kept coming across book blogs, since I didn’t even really know what the word “blog” meant, I had to do some research on that. After I had a better grasp on blogging and what book bloggers were doing, I searched for a web designer and Chick Lit Plus was put into motion.
So, I had my blog. Then I froze. I remember thinking – how do I get followers? What books do I review? What did I get myself into? I started making trips to the library once a week, checking out anything that looked interesting (mostly those with pink covers) and spilling my thoughts on the book, posting them for everyone to see. I joined Twitter and made a Facebook page for Chick Lit Plus, starting accumulating fans, and within three months had authors and publishers sending me books to review.
Before I started CLP, I had already joined the chick lit fan club. Most books I was checking out could fall in the category, and I was absolutely adoring them. I dove deeper into the genre, looking for some fabulous books to be my first reviews. Which made the top five cut?
1. The Agency by Ally O’Brien
2. The First Assistant by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare
3. Bliss by Danyel Smith
4. Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
5. The Truth About Diamonds by Nicole Richie
It’s fun to look back at those first few books that caught my attention purely based on covers alone (besides Nicole Richie – I’ve always just been a fan). I actually didn’t even know Emily Giffin as EMILY GIFFIN when I read Something Borrowed. I checked out the book with a pink cover. Anything with pink, drinks, lollipops, or shopping bags made it in my pile. Now, I’m super lucky to be sent amazing books each week for my reviewing pleasure. I love being a part of the chick lit community, I am so thankful to all the wonderful people I have met along the way, and I’m thrilled to be taking part in the Chick Lit International Month for the second year in a row. Cheers to chick lit – now go read a book!

Contest Info:

I am giving away an eBook copy of my debut novel, Destined to Fail to one lucky winner! To enter, please leave a comment below, and be sure to include the words “chick lit” in your comment in order to be entered!

Grand Prize:
For a chance to win the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop Grand Prize of a $150 Sephora gift card, simply do the following:

• Collect all 34 of the secret words (you will find a secret word in each of the blog posts on the hop.) The word will be italicized, so it will be easy to locate. ***HINT***The secret word in my blog hop post is in the last paragraph.
• Submit your list of 34 secret words to CLABlogHop@aol.com before midnight on Sunday, May 20th and you will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing!
• The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Monday, May 21st, and the $150 Sephora gift card can be redeemed online, or at any Sephora store in the US.
• Chick Lit Author Blog Hop contests are open to residents of the United States only.
Please see the post below for a Linky list with all 34 participating authors/blogs. You will have an opportunity to win a different e-book at each blog hop stop. Good luck!

May 21, 2012
27 Comments
Author Profile: Kimberly S. Lin
Chick Lit Authors

Author Profile: Kimberly S. Lin

Author Name: Kimberly Lin

Bio: Kimberly Lin is a Southern California native, graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Economics. After college, she moved to Los Angeles and worked as a financial writer and hedge fund analyst but always dreamed of becoming a women’s fiction author.

Utilizing her experiences, she writes stories that are witty, heartwarming and relatable to the modern woman.

She now resides in Orange County, CA. Recession Proof is her debut novel, and she is now working on her second novel and is the Publisher of Minted Magazine.

Title: Recession Proof
See my 4 star review for Recession Proof!

Connect with Kimberly!

FACEBOOK
GOODREADS
BLOG: THE CHEAP
MINTED MAGAZINE

VIDEO: RECESSION PROOF

GET THE BOOK!

BARNES & NOBLE
SMASHWORDS

May 20, 2012
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