Latest Youtube Videos

All the Lonely People by Jess Riley

I was provided a copy of ALL THE LONELY PEOPLE by Jess Riley in exchange for an honest review.

I was immediately hooked when I read this: “WANTED: a whole new family to share holidays with. Please have a good heart and be a thoughtful, polite person. No sociopaths, no pedophiles, no fans of the Kardashians. We’re not weirdos, I promise. I love old Steve Martin movies, new Steve Martin banjo tunes, Indian food, and reruns of Bob Ross painting happy little trees. So if you’re looking for something other than the typical family dysfunction this Christmas, drop us a line.” After losing her dear mom to cancer, Jaime realizes that her death has not brought her and her siblings any closer, it only makes her realize that they don’t actually like each other. So, in lieu of being able to spend time with her family for Christmas, she decides to post an ad on CraigsList asking for a new family. But, will Jaime actually get what she is looking for?

I found this novel surprisingly funny. I mean, what does Jaime expect to happen when she solicits a new family for the holidays?!? I definitely had fun reading this novel and it definitely made me appreciate my crazy family more during the holiday season. In addition to a good laugh here and there, this book is also heartwarming and I definitely found Jaime’s journey to forgiveness sweet and charming. Overall, this book is a great read, especially for those people who have a hard time with their own family during the holiday season.

[Rating: 4/5]

Blog Tour Sign Up: Schoolgirl Cinderella by Priya Narendran

Priya will be on tour in March/April with her YA/fairy tale romance novel Schoolgirl Cinderella. I am looking for book bloggers to post reviews, guest…

Future Tour: Torn Together by Emlyn Chand

Emlyn will be on tour February 25- March 15 with her literary women’s fiction novel Torn Together From her cheating boyfriend to her dead father…

Future Tour: When I See You by Katherine Owen

Katherine will be on tour February 18- March 11 with her contemporary women’s fiction novel When I See You She believes that love can never…

Foodie Review: The Skinny Cow

As someone who freely admits I have an addiction to ice cream, I understand eating it 3+ times a week does not bode well for fitting into my wedding dress. I have tried to quit cold turkey…and that was a terrible idea. So instead of trying to ban myself from my favorite treat, I decided to try to give “healthy” ice cream a try. I’m not a huge fan of frozen yogurt, but one company was catching my eye – Skinny Cow. First – hilarious name, fabulous packaging. Best part – the yum factor! I picked up a box of Cookies N Cream truffle bars, and I find these delicious. Sometimes with healthy foods I feel like I am being cheated in quantity, but I was satisfied after I ate these. It wasn’t short on taste either – I loved the chocolate ribbons especially. I plan on buying the chocolate ice cream sandwiches next, and definitely recommend Skinny Cow for a “healthier choice” option!

Back To You by Priscilla Glenn

I received a copy of Back To You by Priscilla Glenn in exchange for an honest review.

Back To You by Priscilla Glenn follows Lauren Monroe. When she first laid eyes on Michael Delaney back in high school, she instantly knew that he was trouble. But, she challenged herself and saw something in him that made her really question whether or not he was truly a bad boy. Against her better judgement, she took a chance and they formed an unlikely friendship. And although she should have known better, it still ended badly. Eight years later, Lauren encounters Michael once again as she embarks on a new career. She refuses to rehash her devastation from the past but that seems more difficult than she thought it would be. Will she be able to forgive and forget? Or will he end up hurting her again just like he did in the beginning?

Back To You is a poignant and charming look at the idea of second chances. I absolutely fell in love with Lauren and Michael from the get go and found myself rooting for a chance encounter after the first ended so badly. Like me, Priscilla is a big believer in second chances and I absolutely loved the way that she handled this one. Poetic yet intense, this relationship definitely has its ups and downs, but who hasn’t believed in someone even though they knew they shouldn’t? I’ve had many girlfriends who have had instances like this one, and some work out, some don’t. But, none have been as heartwarming or heart wrenching as this one. I loved every second. Who can deny what the heart really wants?

Book Review: The Baby Planner by Josie Brown

I received a copy of The Baby Planner by Josie Brown in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
The Nanny Diaries “meets “The Wedding Planner “in this smart, dishy novel from the author of “Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives”–featuring a woman who runs San Francisco’s premier baby planning company and the mommies-to-be who seek out her services. Katie Johnson may make her living consulting with new moms on the latest greatest baby gadgets no parent should be without, or which mommy meet-ups are the most socially desirable, or whether melon truly is the new black, but the success of her marriage to her husband, Alex, depends on controlling her own urges toward motherhood.

He’s adamant that they stay childless. Sure, Katie understands that he’s upset over the fact that his out-of-town ex-wife rarely lets him see their ten-year-old son, Peter. But living vicariously through her anxious clients and her twin sisters’ precocious children only makes Katie resent his stance more deeply.

While helping a new client–Seth Harris, a high tech entrepreneur who must raise Sadie, his newborn daughter, as a single parent after the tragic death of his wife in childbirth–maneuver the bittersweet journey from mourning husband and reticent father to loving dad, Katie’s own ideals about love, marriage, and motherhood are put to the test as she learns ones very important lesson about family: “How we nurture is the true nature of love.”
Review:
Josie Brown is a hands-down a favorite author of mine. The first two books in the Totlandia series had me stitches, and I absolutely adored The Baby Planner as well. Whenever I read mom-lit I always point out in my reviews that I am not yet a mother myself, as sometimes that can cause a disconnect with the characters. Not in Brown’s books. Katie was my new BFF, and I loved reading her story. She was savvy, smart and my kind of heroine, and I devoured this book in a couple of quick days. Another 5 star review for a marvelous Josie Brown book!
[Rating: 5]

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Sparkle by Cara Alwill Leyba

Cara Alwill Leyba is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Sparkle: The Girl’s Guide to Living a Deliciously Dazzling, Wildly Effervescent, Kick-Ass Life. The cover attracted me at first glance, a cute pink planner/diary that I knew would be filled with great tips and tricks on improving myself and having more confidence. After I finished, I felt that Cara and I were best friends. I have been lucky to get to know her better through her blog tour, and after reading the book she is someone I definitely look up to. Women spend so much time not only down on themselves for one thing or another – but they are often quick to look down on other women. I can’t even tell you how many girls can still make me feel inadequate, so reading something that is all about female empowerment was just wonderful. I love the stories that are shared, the chapter break-downs, and the feel-good feeling I was left with after I finished. As we head into 2013, I think this is a book every women should give a chance. When a new year comes resolutions are made and goals are thought of, and I think this book really gave me a lot of new ideas to incorporate into my life. I definitely thought of Cara and Sparkle on New Years Eve as I did a champagne toast with my girlfriends!
[Rating: 4]

Future Tour: Bring Me Back by Karen Booth

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