Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

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In My Mailbox: Week of December 2
Chick Lit Plus

In My Mailbox: Week of December 2

In Samantha’s Mailbox:

Title: Mad World: Sanctuary

Author: Samaire Provost

Received: Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: The year is 2017, and the Black Plague infection has swept across most of the United States, leaving death and chaos in its wake. Martial law is the rule rather than the exception, with outbreaks cropping up when they’re least expected. Alyssa and her friends must not only battle outbreaks of the disease, but also find themselves pursued by government agents – men and women determined to track them down at any cost. Fleeing north to the fabled Sanctuary, Alyssa, Jacob, DeAndre, Caitlyn, Risa and Luke face disturbing ordeals and terrible tragedy as they encounter unbelievable situations in their struggle to reach safety. Using their skills and wits in their fight to survive against ever worsening odds, they weather hardship, betrayal, and the ever-present specter of death as they flee north, all the while vowing to protect one another – and most of all their precious 5-year-old Luke, from a world gone mad. Sanctuary, the second installment in the Mad World series, is a heart-rending adventure of astonishing revelations, tragic discoveries, agonizing separations and devastating losses that test these friends to their limits. With heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat suspense at every turn, this is a story you will not be able to put down. Find out what happens next.

Title: In Search of a Love Story

Author: Rachel Schurig

Received: Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: Emily Donovan doesn’t have a romantic bone in her body.

At least, that’s what her friends Ryan and Ashley keep telling her. They’re convinced her bad luck with men is directly related to her life-long lack of interest in all things romantic. When Emily’s latest relationship crashes and burns, she decides to go along with her friends’ plans for a romance research project. Sure, the idea that she’ll have better luck if she learns about the great romances of literature and film seems a little silly, but Emily figures it can’t hurt.

In no time at all, Emily finds herself buried under a mountain of romance novels, chick flicks, and sappy love songs, hopeful that her hard work will pay off with true love. When she meets Greg, Ashley and Ryan are convinced she’s found prince charming—after all, he’s rich, handsome, and totally into Emily. What more could she want? And why does it seem that her friend Elliot isn’t exactly happy for her?

Faced with misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a seemingly endless string of missteps, she is nevertheless determined to give true love a try. In doing so, Emily will eventually find that true romance, the kind that lasts, has little to do with stereotypes or clichés, and everything to do with finding out what’s in her own heart.

This is book #1 of the Love Story series. Don’t miss the sequel, An Unexpected Love Story, out in December 2012!

Title: Totlandia, Book 1

Author: Josie Brown

Received: From Aimee @ Colioquy

Synopsis: The Pacific Heights Moms & Tots Club is the most exclusive children’s playgroup in all of San Francisco. For the city’s ultra-competitive elite, the club’s ten annual spots are the ultimate parenting prize.

But not everyone is PHM&TC material. The club’s founder, Bettina Connaught Cross, adheres to strict membership rules: Moms only. No single parents or working mothers allowed. Membership is an arduous commitment. And there’s no room in the club for scandal, bad behavior, or imperfection…from tots or their moms.

In a world of power and prestige, no one has more than Bettina. And as every mom in Pacific Heights knows, you simply cannot cross her. But this year’s admissions process is more rigorous than ever, pitting prospective members against each other to prove their mettle.

But four of the six candidates vying for the remaining four slots have a secret that would knock them out of the running. Jade is a former stripper and porn actress, who has been absent for most of her son’s life. Jillian’s husband cleaned out their joint accounts and left her for his pregnant assistant. Ally never even had a husband—just a sperm donor—and she’s hiding a high-ranking corporate job. And Lorna fears that her son may have special needs… just the excuse her sister-in-law, Bettina, needs to deny her entry to the club.

Can these hopeful moms keep up appearances long enough to outlast the competition? Or will their chances—and their private lives—go up in flames?

This is the first of four books that follow our heroines during “the Onesies,” their inaugural year in the club. Upcoming books—to be released in four episodes each year—will follow subsequent years: the Twosies, Threesies, Foursies, and Fivesies.

Friendship. Lies. Seduction. Betrayal. Welcome to Totlandia.

In Sara’s Mailbox:

Title: The Tragedy Paper

Author: Elizabeth Laban

Received: Emily @ Engel Man & Co

Synopsis: Perfect for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why and Looking for Alaska, The Tragedy Paper has been called “a beguiling and beautifully written tale of first love and heartbreak,” by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner.

It follows the story of Tim Macbeth, a seventeen-year-old albino and a recent transfer to the prestigious Irving School, where the motto is “Enter here to be and find a friend.” A friend is the last thing Tim expects or wants—he just hopes to get through his senior year unnoticed. Yet, despite his efforts to blend into the background, he finds himself falling for the quintessential “It” girl, Vanessa Sheller, girlfriend of Irving’s most popular boy. To Tim’s surprise, Vanessa is into him, too, but she can kiss her social status goodbye if anyone ever finds out. Tim and Vanessa begin a clandestine romance, but looming over them is the Tragedy Paper, Irving’s version of a senior year thesis, assigned by the school’s least forgiving teacher.

Jumping between viewpoints of the love-struck Tim and Duncan, a current senior about to uncover the truth of Tim and Vanessa, The Tragedy Paper is a compelling tale of forbidden love and the lengths people will go to keep their secrets.

Title: Goodnight, Brian

Author: Steven Manchester

Received: Lou @ Story Plant

Synopsis: Fate was working against little Brian Mauretti. The food that was meant to nourish him was poisoning him instead, and the doctors said the damage was devastating and absolute. Fate had written off Brian. But fate didn’t count on a woman as determined as Brian’s grandmother, Angela DiMartino – who everyone knew as Mama. Loving her grandson with everything she had, Mama endeavored to battle fate. Fate had no idea what it was in for.

An emotional tale about the strength of family bonds, unconditional love, and the perseverance to do our best with the challenging gifts we receive, GOODNIGHT, BRIAN is an uplifting tribute to what happens when giving up is not an option.

December 2, 2012
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Breaking the Rules Swag Bag Giveaway!
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Breaking the Rules Swag Bag Giveaway!

Marching Ink is hosting the Breaking the Rules swag bag giveaway during the month of November! Below are the details, including all the ways you…

December 2, 2012
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Beauty Review: Bed Head Control Freak Serum
Chick Lit Plus

Beauty Review: Bed Head Control Freak Serum

Yes, yes, frizzy hair, blah, blah, blah. I feel like when I start each beauty review that has to do with hair I state that I am a frizz-ball. A new product I have tried recently is from the Bed Head line. A girlfriend uses many of these products and swears by them, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. I picked up the Control Freak serum. My first thought – this is a fairly inexpensive bottle when you realize how much product you are getting. I have been using this a few times a week for about two months now, and it looks like I’ve barely put a dent in it. My second thought – I really like this serum. It works best for me straight out of the shower and before I blow dry. The frizz is decreased and my hair is shiny, which is clearly fab. I’ve tried this before on dry hair (as instructions say can use on wet or dry hair) and the result is not as fab. It mostly just feels like glop in my hair and does not look good at all. This is one I would recommend for wet hair – and I like the smell too!
[Rating: 4]

December 1, 2012
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On Tour: The Seven Steps to Closure by Donna Joy Usher
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: The Seven Steps to Closure by Donna Joy …

Donna will be on tour December 3-24 with her novel The Seven Steps to Closure Tara Babcock awakes the morning after her 30th birthday with…

November 30, 2012
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Author Spotlight & Giveaway: The Rock Island Line by Michelle Dobbs
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Author Spotlight & Giveaway: The Rock Island Line by Michelle Dobbs

I am happy to welcome Michelle Dobbs, author of the historical fiction novel The Rock Island Line to CLP today! Check out a Q&A with…

November 30, 2012
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Book Excerpt: Tide’s Ebb by Alexandra Lambert-Brenton
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Book Excerpt: Tide’s Ebb by Alexandra Lambert-Brenton

To Marianna’s left, there were only blue skies, the same blue skies that broke with the dawn. But to her right, dark clouds whipped in, pushing forward a cresting sea. The water around her was already becoming choppy. Before the crowd was even aware of what was happening, a fifteen-foot wave slammed into the raft-up, shaking the boats and sending revelers to the deck.

Out of the corner of her eye, Marianna saw something moving. One of the boats on the far end of the raft had come loose and was now floating aimlessly in the heedless sea. There were still passengers on the boat, clearly visible in their bright Brooks Brothers plaids.

“Look out!” She tried to get the words out, but the wind swallowed her tiny voice. The passengers on the boat were staggering—perhaps the effect of too many gin and tonics or the rough sea. They behaved as if paralyzed and incapable of trying to steer the boat. Another wave rolled in. The rest of the boats in the raft held firm, but the next savage wave sent the wayward boat drifting swiftly back towards…

No! Not the Mayor’s boat!

Indeed, the lost boat was careening towards the Mayor’s boat—with only the Mayor’s child, Chas, on board. People on all of the other boats began to scream and gesture furiously, hoping to convince the Mayor’s sweet boy to put on a life vest.

But the boy thought the people were waving at him. At the time of impact, the boy was merely waving back, making perfect figure-eight motions with his tiny hand.

Marianna would remember the crunch of the boats for the rest of her life. She closed her eyes tight, but the sickening thud of boat-upon-boat could not be shut out.

When she looked again, she saw the passenger yacht with a massive hole in its stern—water was gushing into the hole and upending the boat. The boat stood like that for a second, but another wave hit and knocked it over, capsizing it. The passengers were now trapped underneath. The hull of the boat started to sway, before finally sinking, taking its well-dressed passengers into the deep.

The Mayor’s boat was listing, as well—a thin, but jagged stripe on its hull evidence that it too had been breached in the collision. It was only a matter of time. But somehow, the boy Chas still stood, still waving, but his other hand gripped the mast, comely white knuckles even whiter with tension.

Marianna found herself paralyzed with fear. Fear—for the fates of those poor souls, and for the fate of the Mayor’s good-looking little boy. If the boy had been ugly, perhaps it wouldn’t have felt so painful. But as it was, the child was cute enough to appear in commercials, and the loss was unimaginable.

Most of the crowd seemed similarly rooted to the decks of their boats. But a lone voice rose over the howls of wind, and the peals of thunder, robust and driven by determination. It was Marianna’s courageous captain. “Men, lower the sails and make for the Mayor’s boat”

Captain Larry’s men responded to the urgency of his voice, each taking his station and working furiously, some positioning the vessel’s archboard, others angling the bilge and binnacle. Larry’s boat, unanchored, quickly approached the Mayor’s ailing yacht. Marianna sensed the danger here. The yacht was unstable and even the slightest of bumps might flip it over. The sea rocked all of the boats viciously, the maneuver ever more precarious. Larry piloted his boat so that it was at a ninety degree angle to the yacht and then moved forward at high speed.

Without a doubt, Larry’s boat would crash into the Mayor’s yacht!

Miraculously, Larry’s boat turned at exactly the right moment, so that the vessels were now parallel—and Larry’s boat did not so much as graze the Mayor’s yacht. Larry stood at the edge of the boat and called to the Mayor’s winsome young child, even as waves pummeled both vessels.

“Boy! You must jump! We haven’t much time!”

The Mayor’s boy still clasped tightly to the troubled craft’s mast, frozen with fear. “I’m scared!”

“Boy! These seas will smash us both to pieces! You must jump!”

But the boy would not move.

Larry surveyed the scene frantically.

“Men! Get me some line!”

Larry’s men rushed over with some rope, which Larry looped over his shoulder. Larry stepped to the edge of his boat and looked over the edge—now there was at least six feet between the two boats. But Larry leapt like a cat with a beer belly and landed ungracefully on the Mayor’s yacht, each jiggle as rhythmic as the ocean itself.

The yacht was now listing dangerously to port. The tip of its mast tilted down at a twenty-degree angle to a hungry sea that had already swallowed its share of seamen that fateful day.

Larry hung onto the railing of the Mayor’s boat and scooped up the boy, but as Larry tried to pull away, he felt a tug. The boy’s foot was wrapped tightly in part of the jib. Larry’s hands worked furiously trying to free the boy. But the precious child was truly trapped.

Larry’s blue eyes squinted. “It’s no use!” he shouted to himself and to the uncaring sea.

Both Larry and the child were in danger. Would both be lost?

November 30, 2012
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Book Review: 77 Ways to Find New Readers for Your Self-Published Book! by Laura Pepper Wu
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: 77 Ways to Find New Readers for Your Self-Published …

Laura Pepper Wu is someone I feel lucky to have made an acquaintance with. She runs a great service for writers, Ladies Who Critique, and also 30 Day Books – both I highly recommend checking out! When she came to me with her book 77 Ways to Find New Readers for Your Self-Published Book! I jumped at the chance. An indie author and publisher myself, how could I say no to that title? And I thought this book was fab! Filled with tips and tricks for writers looking to gain more exposure and new readers, I found this to be a very handy tool. I recommend having some paper handy while reading, as I was jotting down notes to myself while going through it, and I’m happy to say I’ve already implemented three ideas from the book, and I just finished it a day ago! I’m very happy I got the book, and for self-published authors, I would give this a read!

Another quick tip– if you are looking for professional looking and easy to use author website, check out the Authorlicious WordPress theme that is now available through 30 Day Books!
[Rating: 5]

November 30, 2012
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Future Tour: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica Gordon
CLP Blog Tours

Future Tour: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica Gordon

Jessica will be on tour January 21- February 11 with her chick lit novel Becoming Mrs. Walsh Shoshana Thompson is 26 years old, miles from…

November 29, 2012
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On Tour: Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Pass the Hot Stuff by Dana Page

The safe guy or the sexy guy? The answer is always…Pass the Hot Stuff Blythe Townsend is a belle who is in desperate need of having her chimes rung. But the man she is dating would have to get his head out of his briefs – his legal briefs – long enough to notice. She is a frustrated romantic obsessed with Turner Classic Movies. She lives in the French Quarter with her dog, Lady Marmalade, and is determined not to go sour on love even though she has dated every nutcase along the Mississippi Delta. Now, she is trying her best to make it work with her deadly dull boyfriend. Blythe accepts him – boring business dinners and all. There’s always steak, but never any sizzle. There’s only so much a libido can take; and when she repeatedly spots a man around town she christens Tall, Dark and Eye Candy, she starts to feel what she’s been missing. So, what’s stopping her from tasting something a little… sweeter? She refuses to be hurt again, and this sexy New Orleans guy has all of the trappings to do just that. Blythe will have to find her inner big-shouldered broad to deal with the craziness in her life; and she has a group of hilarious, mouthy women helping her sort through the crazy. Their story is a sultry dance to Delta blues and soulful jazz that drifts the reader into the romance of New Orleans. So, sit down at the kitchen table and pour yourself a drink – we’re gonna pass the hot st

November 29, 2012
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