Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

Latest Youtube Videos

Book Review: Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester

I received a copy of Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester in exchange for an honest review.

Goodnight, Brian is all about family and the deep love that lies inside. Little Brian Mauretti was born with a special condition called Metabolic Alkalosis. The food that was meant to nourish him was poisoning him instead, and the doctors said things didn’t look good. But, that is when his grandmother, Angela DiMartino steps in and cares for him. She gives him everything that she has and tries her best to fight against fate. Mama and Brian are very courageous in their efforts and between the two of them, fate has no idea what it is in for.

I was first introduced to Steven Manchester when he contacted me a few months ago to review his first novel, and I fell in love with Twelve Months. So naturally, I was overly excited to read his latest, and Goodnight, Brian doesn’t disappoint. Sure, the subject matter is different but the emotional writing and the raw feelings are still there. I loved that Steven touched on the strength and perseverance of love and family and I thought the did such a wonderful job at crafting such an unbreakable bond between Brian and his grandmother. Overall, this story is really good and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a touching read.

Rating: 4.5 stars

February 7, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Wedlocked by Bonnie Trachtenberg
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Wedlocked by Bonnie Trachtenberg

I received a copy of Wedlocked by Bonnie Trachtenberg in exchange for an honest review.

Summary:
On what should be the happiest day of her life, Rebecca Ross is panic stricken. Rebecca has just wed Craig Jacobs, but she realizes she put more thought into choosing her florist than she did in choosing the man she’s just pledged to love for the rest of her life.

Before Craig, Rebecca, a talented Long Island girl, dreamed of following in her grandmother’s footsteps with an acting career. Unfortunately, she was cut down to size by years of disappointment, and by her first love—a Hollywood director. She returned to Long Island a lost and broken woman, and ended up in the last place she ever wanted: her old bedroom at her parents’ house.

But Rebecca’s mother, an overzealous convert to Judaism, has a long held dream too: marry off her three daughters to Jewish men. So no one is more thrilled than her when Rebecca meets and marries bon vivant Craig Jacobs, the man who has won over the whole family. Too bad they’re all about to discover that underneath his charismatic shell, this Prince Charming is anything but!

My Review:
Wedlocked is broken down into two parts – Rebecca’s time living in LA where she strived to become an actress, fell in love with a director, and got her heart broken. The second part is her marriage to Craig, and the disaster that turns out to be. I thought the first part moved too slow, and it was hard to keep my interest. The second section was much more fast-paced and I enjoyed reading about her terrible honeymoon and how she gets saved from the awful Craig. Sometimes I wondered if all the back story about LA and her ex was really needed for the overall plot, but I still found this book enjoyable.
3.5 stars

February 7, 2013
Leave a comment
On Tour: Bring Me Back by Karen Booth
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Bring Me Back by Karen Booth

Karen will be on tour February 11-18 with her novel Bring Me Back Music critic Claire Abby is a single mom dreading her daughter’s departure…

February 6, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum

I received a copy of Where the Light Falls by Katherine Keenum in exchange for an honest review.

Where the Light Falls is set as the Belle Epoque dawns, and artists find their way heading to Paris in search of inspiration. Jeanette Palmer is no different. Growing up the daughter of a prominent family in Ohio, Jeanette leaves Vassar College after a scandal breaks loose. She finds herself in Paris, amid the city’s great bohemian neighborhoods and studios, Jeanette slowly makes friends as she finds her way. One man in particular, Edward Murer, becomes a quick friend and eventually he becomes her lover. But, things become complicated as she learns that Edward is addicted to laudanum and as she attempts to help him fight his demons, she also begins to achieve a new level of artistic success. Will Jeanette be able to make a decision between success and love? Or will she lose both trying?

I absolutely loved the historical aspect of this novel and found the details and the settings quite charming. Katherine does a wonderful job at weaving the story throughout time and creating darling characters with real thoughts and ambitions. I loved Jeanette from the get go and was rooting for her as she pursued her dreams to become an artist. Then, Katherine presents us with Edward, and although older, I can definitely tell where the attraction came from. Overall, this plot is rich with love, guts, history, conflict (both inner and outer) and most of all, creative inspiration. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I think you will too.
Rating: 4/5

February 6, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Caramel and Magnolias by Tess Thompson
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Caramel and Magnolias by Tess Thompson

I received a copy of Caramel and Magnolias by Tess Thompson in exchange for an honest review. What a thrilling, keep you on the edge of your seat book! I thought the prologue really opened the story, and I enjoyed that it wasn’t until a few chapters in that I made the connection between the beginning and the rest of the content. Cleo Tanner is the main character, a woman suffering a broken heart for the past ten years, who gave up her acting dreams and now is a teacher in Seattle. Her best friend, Sylvia, is having troubles in her marriage that seem to stem from the fact that she cannot get pregnant. When Cleo is approached by an adoption agency owner, she thinks she might have figured out a way to help her friend. But when a detective starts questioning the adoption agency, Cleo wonders if she didn’t make a huge mistake. She jumps into the investigation to try to get some answers and protect Sylvia – and also help herself get over her past and be able to move on.
This is such an amazing read. There is heartbreak, romance, deception, murder, mystery – all entwined around an engaging cast of characters. I really enjoyed the friendship between Cleo and Sylvia, as it reminded me of some of my friendships, and how a friend’s happiness can be worth taking a risk. I didn’t want to put this book down, but I found myself dragging out the ending because I didn’t want the story to stop! I have also read Riversong from Thompson and highly recommend you check out both of her titles!
5 stars

February 6, 2013
Leave a comment
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes

Teresa Marie Howes is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Skinnytinis. Yes, I enjoy myself a cocktail every now and again. This tour came at a great time for me, as I am getting married in September and stepping up my workout game and trying to watch my diet carefully. I am attempting to cut waaay back on soda, and one area that I was a bit concerned was what to drink at the bar. I typically drink soda with my liquor, so I eagerly dove into this book for some more ideas. And I needn’t be worried – this is full of great drink ideas, tips, and insight. While there are over 70 recipe ideas for drinks, this is more than just a recipe book. Teresa includes insight on what liquors are higher in calories and even which garnishes can be high in calories! She includes workout tips as well, and this is really an all-around go-to book that I think you need to have. I printed off several recipes and have them sitting in my alcohol cabinet for when I need an idea or want to check a calorie intake. I loved it!
5 stars

February 6, 2013
Leave a comment
Book Review: Deceptions of the Heart by Denise Moncrief
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Deceptions of the Heart by Denise Moncrief

I received a copy of Deceptions of the Heart by Denise Moncrief in exchange for an honest review.
Summary

What would you do if one morning you awoke in someone else’s body? Surviving as Jennifer Cristobal isn’t easy for Rhonda Prentiss. Three years ago, a sudden, fatal trauma stripped Rhonda of her middle-class, stay-at-home mom existence. A brand new shock prompts Rhonda’s essence to invade Jennifer’s soul, suppressing the other woman’s memories and replacing them with her own. When Jennifer’s heart transplant surgeon, Dr. Crane, can’t—or won’t—help her understand her unusual body-swapping dilemma, she turns to the only man she can trust. But can she fully trust Jennifer’s husband, Anson? Multiple threats from her past shake her fragile hold on mental stability. If one of her enemies succeeds, he will kill Rhonda’s soul… or Jennifer’s body… or both.
My Review:

This book was a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed the twist that Denise presents on a story that is often retold. I think Denise does a wonderful job at creating very real characters with a lot of heart and I definitely felt every emotion that was the main character feels. I finished the book in a few days and I was completely enthralled in the story and couldn’t read the book fast enough. I was wrapped up in all the twists and turns and definitely surprised by the ending. Overall, this book is a quick, entertaining and very suspenseful read. It will definitely leave you rethinking things once you finish. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a suspenseful read.

February 5, 2013
2 Comments
CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Next Year I’ll be Perfect by Laura Kilmartin
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Next Year I’ll be …

Laura Kilmartin is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Next Year I’ll be Perfect. This novel is a breath of fresh, realistic, and sometimes harsh air. Sarah is feeling good about her life – until her 29th birthday and the discovery of the list. The list is something Sarah wrote at 25, outlining all the goals and expectations she expected herself to achieve by thirty. Now that the deadline is 365 days away and counting, Sarah is feeling the pressure to check things off her list – including buying a home and becoming partner at a firm. But will Sarah realize that goals can shift over the years, or will trying to check off items be Sarah’s only key to happiness?
I had such a fabulous time reading Next Year I’ll be Perfect. As a list-maker myself, I understood Sarah’s drive to be able to cross those items off her list. And she really wanted to be happier, and she thought by completing the list she would be. Her journey throughout the year was at times hilarious, at times sad, but always very realistic. There are stop-and-go romances, a best friend that will always dish it to her straight, and the story flowed with ease. This was also quite the page-turner, as I was curious up until to the end to see how Sarah’s journey would come to a close. One for your to-read list!
5 stars

February 5, 2013
4 Comments
Blog Tour Sign Up: Breathe by Kate Bishop
CLP Blog Tours

Blog Tour Sign Up: Breathe by Kate Bishop

Alex thought she had married the man of her dreams: successful, gorgeous, and delighted by her small-town charm. When he walks out six months later, proclaiming to have ‘found himself’ (with the help of a stunning yoga teacher), she ‘finds herself’ alone in an unfamiliar city, vengefully drinking through his prized wine collection, living on takeout, and refusing to answer the door. When this fails to cure her broken heart and bruised ego, she reluctantly allows her new friends to intervene. Slowly, Alex learns to define success on her own terms; she discovers the secret to love in all its forms, and the perfect flying crow pose, one breath at a time.

February 4, 2013
Leave a comment