Interview with Jennifer Brown Thomas
When did you know writing was for you? I’ve been writing seriously since the fifth grade. I love it. The first piece I ever wrote…
Future Tour: Baby! Baby? Baby?! by Holly Kerr
Holly will be on tour January 14- February 4 with her chick lit novel Baby! Baby? Baby?! Thirty-five-year old kindergarten teacher Casey Samms has always…
Diners, Dives & Dead Ends by Terri L. Austin
I am very excited to be kicking off Terri’s tour for CLP Blog Tours with the first mystery novel in the Rose Strickland series, Diners, Dives & Dead Ends. I love mystery, and adding mystery to a fun chick lit novel makes me one happy reader. The MC is Rose Strickland, a struggling waitress and part-time college student, who gets tangled up in a mystery when her best friend Axton goes missing. Rose puts herself on the case, and the next thing she knows she is being watched by one sexy bad guy and finding out a lot of secrets on her once boring town.
I loved this book! I was having a great time with Rose and her friends (loved Roxy’s outfits!) but the ending really put it over the top for me. I was wide-eyed while reading a plot twist that really through me (in a good way) and I was frantically flipping the pages. What an ending – seriously! Now I’m just going to have to be anxious while awaiting the next book! Rose was a fabulous heroine – independent and a bit quirky, but full of love for those who were close to her. I was very intrigued by the obvious attraction between her and the bad guy, and I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes in the sequel. If you enjoy a bit of mystery in your reading, I highly recommend Diners, Dives & Dead Ends!
[Rating: 5]
Thirty Day Shred Challenge: Level Two
I am typing this on Sunday, so I am on Day 11 of the 30 Day Shred Challenge. How am I doing so far? I would say not too bad! I actually have not completed today’s workout ( I just got home from traveling out of town) but I plan on doing that once the Eagles/Cowboys game is over. I will moving up to Level 2 starting today, as I did 10 days at Level 1 and I feel okay to move on. I’m nervous; I won’t lie. A few of the moves were difficult for me in level 1 – I hate pushups, and the side lunge with a shoulder raise really did me in. So I’m curious what will be in store for me next! I will be taking my measurements again tomorrow, but in the first five days I had lost a half inch on my waist and an inch on my hips, so I think that is pretty good! It hasn’t been too hard for me yet to complete the workout every day, I think it goes by really fast with the 3-2-1 system…and I work from home Monday-Thursday 😉 Today is the first day where I feel it is a bit difficult to get it done, simply because we got home late and I’m exhausted from all that driving (in rain and sleet!) the past two days. But maybe it’s a good thing I’m starting Level 2, because I am actually excited to see what the moves are and that is helping motivate me – much needed today!
In My Mailbox: Week of November 11
In Samantha’s Mailbox:
Title: Love At 11
Author: Mari Mancusi
Received: Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: When Maddy graduated from Columbia University, she was ready to change the world. She’d get a job at Newsline, meet a nice guy, and live happily ever after with a real designer handbag on her arm. Five years later, she’s stuck producing puff pieces for the local News 9 San Diego–where “if it bleeds, it leads.” She’s still single, her family’s falling apart, and so is her knock-off Kate Spade.
Even a promotion–complete with hot camera guy–can’t seem to turn her luck around. After all, the promotion means working with the most narcissistic anchor on the planet and hot camera guy Jamie? Well, he’d be perfect…except for that pesky model/actress fiancee of his.
But just as Maddy’s ready to give up on her dreams, a secret scoop from her favorite knock-off purse guy has her suddenly chasing a huge lead. And Jamie is right by her side–in all the right ways. Can she bag the bad guy in an exclusive expose, put her family back together again, and win Jamie’s heart? Stay tuned…it’s the story of a lifetime.
Title: A Good Kind of Knowing
Author: Kathy Lynn Harris
Received: From Kathy Lynn Harris
Synopsis: Imagine if Maeve Binchy grew up in Texas and wrote an old-school Larry McMurtry novel. Think Hope Floats meets High Fidelity.
That’s how critics are describing A Good Kind of Knowing—from the author of the highly acclaimed and number-one Amazon bestseller, Blue Straggler.
A Good Kind of Knowing is a novel about the power of music and friendship, the relationship two-steps that go on in old Texas dancehalls, and the secret to finding just a little bit of common ground in a world full of distrust.
Title: The Best of Us
Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Received: From Atria Books
Synopsis: Paradise isn’t quite what it seems as four college friends meet for an island vacation in this captivating new novel from the acclaimed author of These Girls. Following a once-in-a-lifetime invitation, a group of old college friends leap at the chance to bring their husbands for a week’s vacation at a private villa in Jamaica to celebrate a former classmates’ thirty-fifth birthday. All four women are desperate for a break and this seems like a perfect opportunity. Tina is drowning under the demands of mothering four young children. Allie needs to escape from the shattering news about an illness that runs in her family. Savannah is carrying the secret of her husband’s infidelity. And, finally, there’s Pauline, who spares no expense to throw her husband an unforgettable birthday celebration, hoping it will gloss over the cracks that have already formed in their new marriage. The week begins idyllically, filled with languorous days and late nights of drinking and laughter. But as a hurricane approaches the island, turmoil builds, forcing each woman to re-evaluate everything she’s known about the others—and herself.
Title: 77 Ways to Find New Readers for Your Self-Published Book!
Author: Laura Pepper Wu
Received: From Laura Pepper Wu
Synopsis: The biggest challenge for any writer is to let people know their book exists. In this concise guide co-founder of the 30 Day Books studio Laura Pepper Wu shares actionable tips and secrets that you can use to skyrocket the sales of your book and find new readers in places far outside of your current network.
This short but sweet eBook was inspired by an author desperate for help.
Author Laura Pepper Wu poured onto paper the strategies and ideas she uses to coach self-published authors for over three years, along with actionable tips on how to use them. 77 Ways is designed to inform, inspire and entertain.
Try one new idea each day for 2-3 months, and you have a creative marketing plan that is both manageable and effective. You’ll break beyond your current network and find ways of connecting with new readers that feels comfortable and enjoyable.
Written by Laura Pepper Wu of the award-winning 30 Day Books book studio, self-published author and head of promotions for several Amazon best-sellers. Get your hands on a copy and discover a NEW approach – and several new ways – to promoting your book now!
In Sara’s Mailbox:
Title: Finding Rachel Davenport
Author: Michael Harling
Received By: Michael Harling
Synopsis: Rachel Davenport—former child prodigy, world-class gymnast and Miss Teen England—has retired from public life and lives anonymously in a small town, working as a clerk for a travel agency.
By night, however, Rachel is a self-styled crime-fighter, seeking to right the wrongs inflicted on people who cannot help themselves.
But when her first mission goes horribly awry she finds herself pursued, not merely by the media, but by the police and an assortment of criminals who want her silenced. To preserve her anonymity, as well as her life,
Rachel must prove to the police that she is one of the good guys and keep one step ahead of the bad guys, all while avoiding nosey neighbours, holding onto her job and juggling two would-be suitors.
Finding Rachel Davenport is a fun read, with a quirky plot and an explosive ending.
Workout Review: Jillian Michael’s Yoga Meltdown
I started practicing Yoga a few years ago, and I have slowly been progressing. It was not easy at first to catch on to the moves, but I kept at it and really felt and saw the benefits from practicing regularly. I had a handful of DVD’s, as I really enjoy working out in the comfort of my own home, and I’ve upgraded them often. I had one Yoga DVD that I had gotten so used to and the moves were all fairly beginner that I found myself nearly falling asleep while working out. I knew it was time for an upgrade, and I wanted to find something that gave me a challenge. Who better than Jillian Michael’s to look for? I grabbed her Yoga Meltdown DVD and got to it.
And then I cried. Well, not really, but I came pretty close. This was one hard workout. There are two levels to choose from, and I have not yet advanced to the second. This is coming from someone who works out regularly and has been practicing Yoga for many years. In the beginning I was a bit frustrated, confused as to why I was struggling so. Then a girlfriend of mine told me she wasn’t past level one either, and she is a workout guru and Yoga lover as well. If you are looking for a challenging Yoga DVD, pick this one up! I am currently taking Jillian’s 30 Day Shred Challenge, and that is a breeze compared to this workout. I did see in the reviews some people use the 30 Day Shred DVD as a warm-up, then complete this Yoga workout. That sounds pretty challenging, and I might tackle that someday in the future! I really like this DVD though, it’s hard, it’s tough, it makes me sweat, and I really feel like I give it my all when I complete it. Jillian Michael’s has quickly become my new favorite trainer!
[Rating: 5]
On Tour: Diners, Dives & Dead Ends by Terri L. Austin
Terri will be on tour November 12- December 3 with her novel Diners, Dives & Dead Ends As a struggling waitress and part-time college student,…
The Christmas Creche
The Christmas Creche
As I’m sure you’ve all heard, some of your favourite writers including Scarlett Bailey, Abby Clements, Victoria Connelly, Miranda Dickinson, Michele Gorman, Belinda Jones, Carole Matthews, Talli Roland and Julia Williams have all given birth to festive little bundles of joy. It’s wonderful when so many friends have book babies around the same time, because that means they can grow up together and be best friends too.
To help the tots cement their friendships (and to get a bit of peace and quiet – those deadlines aren’t getting any easier!), the authors have enrolled them in the Christmas Creche*, where the ultra-capable Miss Dewey will look after them for a few hours a day until the Christmas holidays. And to keep the mothers from pestering her, she has kindly agreed to document what her charges get up to.
Poor Miss Dewey! She doesn’t know what she’s in for – these little ones already know their minds, that’s for sure.
Readers can follow the Christmas Creche short stories over the next six weeks by popping over to the creche now, where Miss Dewey has posted the first story, or by following any of the writers on twitter or Facebook.
Follow the writers to keep up with all the fun…
Scarlett Bailey Twitter: @ScarlettBailey / Facebook: ScarlettBailey
Abby Clements Twitter: @AbbyCBooks / Facebook: Abby ClementsBooks
Victoria Connelly Twitter: @VictoriaDarcy / Facebook: VictoriaConnelly
Miranda Dickinson Twitter: @wurdsmyth / Facebook: Miranda Dickinson Author
Michele Gorman Twitter: @expatdiaries / Michele Gorman Books
Belinda Jones Twitter: @vidabelinda / Facebook: BelindaJones Travel Club
Carole Matthews Twitter: @carolematthews / Facebook: CaroleMatthews
Talli Roland Twitter: @TalliRoland / Facebook: Author TalliRoland
Julia Williams Twitter: @JCCWilliams / Facebook: JuliaWilliams
*That’s nursery in North American!
Sophie’s Turn by Nicky Wells
Sophie Penhalligan isn’t a slapper. Or at least she wasn’t before. Before Dan came back in her life. Dan, the hunky rock star of the band Tusk, the man that made her teenage self go weak in the knees. Who knew he would still have the same power over her as a grown adult? A woman engaged to be married to another man? Sophie can’t believe she lets herself carry on an affair with Dan. But maybe if she were happier with Tim. If Tim wasn’t always so uptight. If Tim let Sophie have her wild side back. But can Sophie really blame everything on Tim? Is she a slapper, an adulteress- or just a woman confused and looking for love?
I adored Sophie’s Turn by Nicky Wells. While Sophie could have came off a lot worse- an uncaring bitch that cheats on her fiancée- she didn’t. Wells spins her story with a delicate hand that will have readers cheering Sophie on throughout the entire book. I felt Sophie’s confusion, her hesitance to spark up anything with Dan, her dismay at her betrayal to Tim. This was such a real book, with a real woman in a very confusing situation. On one hand, she has a rock star willing to sweep her off her feet, make all her dreams come true. On the other hand, she has Tim- the stable guy who will make her happy enough throughout life. How can she choose? I was pleasantly surprised when she did make her decision at the end- but no spoilers here! I will say that I thought it suited Sophie perfectly, and made for a great –and again, real- story. Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. A definite must read for chick lit fans!
[Rating: 4.5]
