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Author Profile: Tenaya Jayne
Chick Lit Authors

Author Profile: Tenaya Jayne

Author Name: Tenaya Jayne
Website: http://tenayajayne.com/
Bio: Hello. My name’s Tenaya and I’m an addict. I mean author. When I was growing up, writing was just something I played at from time to time. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was one of those people who could never finish anything. When my eldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I began to write seriously. Writing became a necessity for me in the midst of my heartbreak. It was either that or take up drinking. I ‘m thankful I chose writing as my escape because I discovered it truly is my thing. I want to be swept away when I read. That’s what I want my books to do for you. The main goal of my writing is to entertain you. I want to help you escape everyday life for a little while. I hope you enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy sharing them with you!

I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I’m an advocate for Autism awareness, and women trapped in abusive relationships. I try to always look on the bright side and help others do so too. I’ve lived many places but I currently reside in Missouri. I love reading, indie and foreign films, gardening, and moody music.
Visit Tenaya’s tour page!

January 31, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes

I received a copy of SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes from CLP Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.

SkinnyTinis is a cocktail recipe book with more than 70 recipes. For people watching their weight, this book is perfect because Teresa has gone through drink favorites and thinified them … and now they rake in around 142 calories each. The recipes still offer the same great taste as the traditional (and full calorie) alternatives, yet you won’t have the guilt that goes along with them.

Oh boy, I was so excited when I received my SkinnyTinis in the mail. Ironically, my mother-in-law was in town and I had just purchased a few bottles of alcohol, so I had some assistance in taste testing. By far my favorite was the Skinny Cosmopolitan (which is one of my go-to-drinks when out on the town) and I absolutely loved how quick and easy all of the recipes were. Now, I am not that big of a drinker so I have only tried a few, but so far, the ones that I have tried have been delicious and light. I also really enjoyed the great photographs that accompanied each recipe and I really loved that the book was so colorful. I have already recommended this book to a few gal pals and I will continue to do so. Thank you so much Teresa for doing the research and creating skinny solutions for my favorite mixed drinks. I love this book! A new bar staple!

Rating: 5 stars

January 31, 2013
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On Tour: Love at 11 by Mari Mancusi
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Love at 11 by Mari Mancusi

Mari will be on tour February 4-25 with her novel Love at 11 When Maddy graduated from Columbia University, she was ready to change the…

January 30, 2013
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Blog Tour Sign Up: Appetites by Karen Frankola
CLP Blog Tours

Blog Tour Sign Up: Appetites by Karen Frankola

Sarah hates her life. Even though she’s got a great job in Manhattan, she’s on the wrong side of forty, chubby, and can barely remember the last time she had sex. It doesn’t help that her younger sister Max has the world’s best butt, despite a diet of burgers and beer.
Out of the blue, Sarah hears from Harry, the Brit she almost married twenty years ago. He’s visiting New York in four months. Sarah refuses to see him unless she can lose a lot of weight—fast! Her solution? Asking Max to lock her up in her basement and feed her nothing but healthy meals. Max, a struggling waitress, agrees begrudgingly. She has her own set of appetites—for drink, drugs, and great-looking losers.
Sarah thinks a summer in Max’s basement will give her a new body, a fresh start with Harry, and the friendship she’s long craved from her sister. But things quickly go wrong. A drunken Max neglects her, while Sarah develops an unhealthy obsession with Max’s boyfriend. Can Sarah turn back time with Harry or will she and Max kill each other first? Can either sister ever learn to say no?
This is a story for anyone who’s ever been desperate to change her life.
Due to the sexual content, this book is recommended for mature audiences.

January 30, 2013
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Book Review: The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee

I received a copy of THE TYPEWRITER GIRL by Alison Atlee in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

When Betsey disembarks from the London train in the seaside resort of Idensea, all she owns is a small valise and a canary in a cage. After attempting to forge a letter of reference she knew would be denied her, Betsey has been fired from the typing pool of her previous employer. Her vigorous protest left one man wounded, another jilted, and her character permanently besmirched. Now, without money or a reference for her promised job, the future looks even bleaker than the debacle behind her. But her life is about to change . . . because a young Welshman on the railroad quay, waiting for another woman, is the one man willing to believe in her.

Mr. Jones is inept in matters of love, but a genius at things mechanical. In Idensea, he has constructed a glittering pier that astounds the wealthy tourists. And in Betsey, he recognizes the ideal tour manager for the Idensea Pier & Pleasure Building Company. After a lifetime of guarding her secrets and breaking the rules, Betsey becomes a force to be reckoned with. Now she faces a challenge of another sort: not only to outrun her sins, but also to surrender to the reckless tides of love. . . .
My Review:

I thought this book was a lot of fun and felt instantly taken back into the past. I loved Betsey from the get go and was so excited to finally get to read such a strong and forceful female literary character (it has been a while) and I love that she truly fights for what she wants. The chemistry between Betsey and Mr. Jones definitely took hold of me during my reading and I was so eager to get to the end, only to be disappointed that the book was over and I wouldn’t be able to read anymore. Overall, this book is really well written and very well researched. A true gem and quite historical. I would definitely recommend it.
Rating: 4 stars

January 30, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica Gordon
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica …

Jessica Gordon is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Becoming Mrs. Walsh. Ooh, this novel. I am getting married myself this September, so I could instantly relate with Shoshana Thompson. We are brides-to-be, we are close in age – but she is a tad different from me in that she is marrying into one of Washington D.C.’s wealthiest families. There is a lot of pressure on her in becoming a Walsh – the clothes, the makeup, the events, not to mention her grand wedding. While Shoshana believes she loves Andrew and he is the perfect man for her, she starts to get feelings for someone else…someone she definitely cannot have romantic feelings toward.
This book was so juicy, and the ending had me practically salivating. I loved the Walsh family, from the brothers to the sisters-in-law to the mom. Shoshana is relatable but also likeable – she’s someone about to take a big step and gets scared when her feelings about her impending marriage and husband seem off. If you’re a chick lit fan, you will be green with envy reading about some of the designer clothes and shoes the Walsh’s have and the trips they gallivant off to at a moment’s notice. And I found it fun that Shoshana is from Iowa and there are scenes with her family back in that state – I live in Iowa myself. Seriously, this book was right up my alley! But let’s get back to the ending – I was happily reading along, wondering what would happen and being on my toes, then coming to terms with Sho’s final decision and being happy for her when wham – there is definitely a sequel coming out and I can’t wait to read it! You must pick this one up!
5 stars

January 30, 2013
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On Tour: Next Year I’ll Be Perfect by Laura Kilmartin
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Next Year I’ll Be Perfect by Laura …

Laura will be on tour February 4-18 with her novel Next Year I’ll Be Perfect Sarah always thought her life was on track, that is…

January 29, 2013
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Q&A (and giveaway) with Polly Williams – Author of Afterwife
Chick Lit Authors

Q&A (and giveaway) with Polly Williams – Author of Afterwife

Chick Lit Plus is so excited to feature a Q&A with author, Polly Williams. She wrote AFTERWIFE, which got a 5 star review last week. Leave a comment below to be entered to win a copy of AFTERWIFE. One winner will be chosen at random on Friday, Feb 1st at 7AM.

When did you know writing was for you?

As far back as I can remember. I wrote stories and poetry from an early age – I still have the books now – which seems very industrious. But I grew up with three noisy brothers and I think writing and reading were what I did to escape into my own quieter girlie world. I studied English literature at university and went on to work as a journalist before writing my first novel. Writing has always been a major part of my life.
How would you describe your book?

I think Afterwife is a love story about a love that just won’t die.
What was the hardest part of the writing process for you?

I always get about a third of the way into a book and have a crisis. It’s rubbish! The characters don’t work! I have no idea what’s going to happen next! But I make myself work through it. So far, all my books have come together in the end. But often it’s not until the very end, so I have to keep the faith.
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you as an author?

That I make a very good apple pie. I love to cook. I love to eat. I feel like cooking is the opposite of writing, it uses a different part of the brain. That’s why it’s relaxing to me.
What does your daily schedule look like?

Kids jump on head in morning. (I have three, aged four, five and nine.) Mad breakfast rush. Dash to school. Strong coffee. Pootle through the papers online. Write until three. Pick up kids. Put Mom hat on again.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?


Write.
What is your favorite book?

It changes all the time. My recent favourite book is Jeanette Winterson’s brilliant memoir, Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal?

Favorite movie?



A Room With a View starring Helena Bonham Carter.
Who is your favorite literary character?



Elizabeth Bennett from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
Who is your writing inspiration?



Anne Frank.
What is your must have beauty product?

Sleep.
What advice would you give yourself ten years ago?

Stop doubting yourself, get on with it.

Any words of wisdom?

You can’t write a book when you’re dead!

January 29, 2013
6 Comments
Future Tour: Fashion Victim by GT Herren
CLP Blog Tours

Future Tour: Fashion Victim by GT Herren

GT Herren will be on tour March 4-11 with Fashion Victim, a chick lit mystery novel To hear her buddy Chanse McLeod tell it, Paige…

January 29, 2013
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