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In My Mailbox: Week of November 18

In Samantha’s Mailbox:

Title: Mad World: Epidemic

Author: Samaire Provost

Received: Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: The Black Plague is ancient history. It killed 100 million people nearly seven centuries ago, halfway around the world from the technologically advanced research center at Stanford University. Scientists there have recently begun examining samples of bone marrow from plague-infected corpses unearthed in Europe. All the necessary safeguards are in place. What could go wrong? Alyssa and Jake are away with their class on a highly anticipated year-end trip to Broadway with their senior acting class when all hell breaks loose at home. Traveling back, and trying to find their families, they encounter deadly results. Riots are breaking out. People are being evacuated. And they have no idea what’s happening to their families. Horrific ordeals, heart-pounding tragedy, and chance encounters harden them for what lies ahead. Faced with tormenting decisions, they’re forced to follow their instinct for survival at any cost – even when the cost is a heart-wrenching decision of life or death. A harrowing adventure of frightening discoveries, horrifying confrontations and narrow escapes in Epidemic, the first installment of the Mad World series. Find out what’s got everyone so terrified.

Title: Holding On

Author: Karen Stivali

Received: Via CLP Blog Tours

Synopsis: When you have everything you’ve ever dreamed of, the hard part is Holding On.

British NYU professor Daniel Gardner thinks life can’t get better than the day his three-year-old stepdaughter, Ella, calls him Daddy for the first time. Then his wife Marienne tells him she’s pregnant. Daniel is thrilled, but worried about Marienne’s health. Not wanting to cause her stress he turns to writing to calm his nerves. He pens a screenplay, thinking it’s nothing more than a mental health exercise, but when a colleague reads it and hands it to a producer, it turns into a production contract. Daniel accepts the offer and transfers to a teaching position at Dartmouth, hoping that small town living and a shorter commute will simplify his life.

As he attempts to juggle his new responsibilities he gets an unexpected letter from Roger, the father he never knew. For the first time since they met, Daniel and Marienne are at odds; she wants him to give Roger a chance but Daniel wants nothing to do with the man he thinks abandoned his mother. As Daniel and Marienne struggle they must contend with interference from Daniel’s sexy ex-wife, who appears to want him back, and a handsome, all-too-helpful single dad who desires Marienne as more than a play-date pal. They must both confront deep-seated issues with trust and acceptance if they’re going to find a way to make their marriage work and hold on to the love they share.

Title: Mistletoe in Manhattan

Author: Talli Roland

Received: Via Talli Roland

Synopsis: As Little Missington’s first Christmas baby in fifty years and the daughter of ‘Christmas When You Like It’ party-planners, Holly West has been surrounded by the holiday spirit since birth. Trouble is, she’s not exactly filled with festive cheer. In fact, Holly can’t wait to ditch the tinsel and Santa suits for champagne and celebs, and become a party-planner to the stars.

When British film star Dean Layton hires her parents’ company to throw his holiday bash in Manhattan, Holly jumps at the chance to help, confident she can handle a little Christmas in exchange for access to Dean’s exclusive world.

But New York and Dean’s over-the-top demands are more than Holly bargained for. Can Holly deck the halls and make it a party to be proud of, or will this Christmas be one she’ll never forget . . . even if she wants to?

Note: Mistletoe in Manhattan is a novella.

Title: The Art Forger

Author: B.A. Shapiro

Received: Via SheReads

Synopsis: On March 18, 1990, thirteen works of art worth today over $500 million were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. It remains the largest unsolved art heist in history, and Claire Roth, a struggling young artist, is about to discover that there’s more to this crime than meets the eye.

Claire makes her living reproducing famous works of art for a popular online retailer. Desperate to improve her situation, she lets herself be lured into a Faustian bargain with Aiden Markel, a powerful gallery owner. She agrees to forge a painting—one of the Degas masterpieces stolen from the Gardner Museum—in exchange for a one-woman show in his renowned gallery. But when the long-missing Degas painting—the one that had been hanging for one hundred years at the Gardner—is delivered to Claire’s studio, she begins to suspect that it may itself be a forgery.

Claire’s search for the truth about the painting’s origins leads her into a labyrinth of deceit where secrets hidden since the late nineteenth century may be the only evidence that can now save her life. B. A. Shapiro’s razor-sharp writing and rich plot twists make The Art Forger an absorbing literary thriller that treats us to three centuries of forgers, art thieves, and obsessive collectors. it’s a dazzling novel about seeing—and not seeing—the secrets that lie beneath the canvas.

In Sara’s Mailbox:

Title: The Bracelet

Author: Roberta Gately

Received: Roberta Gately

Synopsis: Newly heartbroken and searching for purpose in her life, Abby Monroe is determined to make her mark as a UN worker in one of the world’s most unstable cities: Peshawar, Pakistan. But after witnessing the brutal murder of a woman thrown from a building, she is haunted by the memory of an intricate and sparkling bracelet that adorned the victim’s wrist.

At a local women’s shelter, Abby meets former sex slaves who have miraculously escaped their captors. As she gains the girls’ trust and documents their horrifying accounts of unspeakable pain and betrayal, she joins forces with a dashing New York Times reporter who believes he can incriminate the shadowy leader of the vicious human trafficking ring. Inspired by the women’s remarkable bravery—and the mysterious reappearance of the bracelet— the duo traces evidence that spreads from remote villages of South Asia to the most powerful corners of the West, risking their lives to offer a voice to the countless innocents in bondage.

Title: Up Close

Author: Henriette Gyland

Received: Jane @ Choc Lit

Synopsis: When Dr. Lia Thompson’s grandmother dies unexpectedly, Lia is horrified to have to leave her life in America and return to a cold and creaky house in Norfolk. But as events unfold, she can’t help feeling that there is more to her grandmother’s death than meets the eye.

Too close for comfort…

Aidan Morrell is surprised to see Lia, his teenage crush, back in town. But Aidan’s accident when serving in the navy has scarred him in more ways than one, and he has other secrets which must stay hidden at all costs, even from Lia.

As Lia comes closer to uncovering the truth, she is forced to question everything she thought she knew. In a world of increasing danger, is Aidan someone she can trust?

Drink Healthy: Dole Smoothie Shaker Review

I am a big fan of smoothies, but sometimes I am not a fan of how long it takes (or how loud the blender is in the morning!) to make them. I decided to try Dole Smoothie Shakers, as it is basically a ready-set-drink smoothie. I did double check to make sure I wasn’t going backwards in the health department, as can be the case with some pre-made items. Dole’s website said “each 11 oz serving (prepared with 7oz of Juice) is under 200 calories, low in fat and trans fat-free.” Sounded good to me! I tried the Strawberry Banana first and mixed it with orange juice. I did like the smoothie, except the only thing I found was it was hard to get everything mixed properly. There were still some frozen fruit parts at the bottom that didn’t get mixed in when I was shaking it up. The smoothie was a bit chunky for me, but again I think that comes from the mixing part. I also wished I had a straw handy with me when I drank mine, but that might just be a personal preference. Overall I do like these smoothies and I know that it does save me time and hassle (washing blenders – ugh) but I haven’t seemed to master yet how to mix everything up, so sometimes I feel wasteful when I get to the end.
[Rating: 3.5]

Blog Tour Sign Up: Finding Out by Sheryn MacMunn

Getting dumped on the sidewalk by her live-in boyfriend of seven years and realizing that he nearly emptied their savings account is the first of Sheila Davenport’s problems. At thirty-six, Sheila had thought her life was on track.

But life no longer makes sense. Now she’s saddled with a mortgage that’s about to skyrocket, a psychotic boss, and a new employee who is unqualified and hell-bent on messing with the company’s rules.
Her friends advise her to date immediately, preferably someone rich and successful, or risk being old and alone. But Sheila needs to figure out what went wrong and how she got to this place. Since Prince Charming has ruined Sheila’s life, who can save her now?

Help comes unexpectedly from her elderly neighbor, Ruth Grey, who has had her own share of ups and downs. As their friendship grows, Ruth reveals her deeply moving story of survival in WWII Germany. Ruth’s mesmerizing past is a powerful tale of love and revenge that provides the perspective Sheila desperately needs to put the pieces of her own life back together.
Will Sheila succeed at work or walk away? Can she save her home? And why do her friends think they have it any better?
A story of love found and lost, true friendship, and how the human spirit endures.

The Look of Love by Judy Astley

I received a copy of The Look of Love in exchange for an honest review. Summary: Bella has given up on men. Happily divorced, her…

The Bloody Mary Club by Debbie Dyke

Debbie Dyke is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and her financial thriller The Bloody Mary Club. I was looking forward to reading this book because I love smart, crafty writing, and that is just what I got! The setting is Historic Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The time is during the stock market meltdown. Our MC is Gina Van Story, a smart and ambitious investment advisor. She is on the prowl for the last big score before she retires, but she doesn’t expect to run into corruption – and death – while searching. Along with her crew of friends – deemed The Bloody Mary Club – Gina tries to broaden their stock portfolio while dodging threats and still come out on top.
I had a really fun time reading this novel. I loved Gina and her friends – all hilarious in their own ways. They were jut a blast to get to know. I actually even took a few notes while I read the book, because if it is one thing I wish I was more educated in, it’s the stock market! I really enjoyed the dynamic of the friendship between those in The Bloody Mary Club. They had a lot of challenges thrown their way – and money is obviously a huge factor – but they were able to stand united through it all, which I found very satisfying. I loved the mystery aspect – and Gina’s belly-dancing! (Minor plot point, but I thought it was great!) A well-written novel from Debbie Dyke that I would recommend!
[Rating: 4]

Beauty Review: Suave Keratin Infusion Smoothing Conditoner

Yes, yes, I have frizzy hair. You guys hear me moan and complain and buy products for it all the time. Well, I have a new product to review today, and it’s from Suave! I thought since my man Clay Matthews uses it, I might as well give it a whirl. (Well, just the regular Suave – and the For Men stuff, but you get my drift.) So I purchased a bottle of their Keratin Infusion Smoothing Conditioner. I have heard a lot of about Keratin treatments at salons, but they are pricey and the bottle of this conditioner was only $5, so I decided to start small. My results? I do enjoy this product. When I first used it, I got out of the shower, sprayed detangler through my hair, then a daily treatment I add after showers, then a straightening agent. My hair felt incredibly weighted down and just gross. The second time I used it I put on only the detangler after getting out of the shower. Much better! My hair felt light, and after I blow-dried and straightened, my hair was almost totally frizz-free and looked shiny and healthy. I was very impressed! I will say that the conditioner doesn’t smell the best, definitely more chemical-y than yummy, but I think it works! I usually only use it once a week (towards the weekends) because I also noticed when I use it multiple times in a row my hair can get that limp, weighted down feeling.
[Rating: 4]

Under Her Spell by Eliza Daly

Under Her Spell by Eliza Daly begins with Monica Jackson questioning her self worth after a series of failed romantic relationships and business ventures. When everything she touches goes sour, she begins to question her energy and wonders if it’s her fault that things are the way that they are. She turns to spell casting and hopes that things will change. But when her new event planning company welcomes a new neighbor, things begin to get interesting. Will her spells work? Or will she find that she has had what she’s needed inside of her all along?

I had so much fun reading Under Her Spell by Eliza Daly. Monica is such a hoot and I love the steamy interactions between her and sexy divorce attorney Reed! Such a fun read and it is full of laughs. This book is definitely light and I actually enjoyed that for a change. I also really loved the magic twist. I feel like there have been quite a few books in the past attempt to dabble in magic but fail. This book succeeds in my opinion. I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see what would happen between Monica and Reed and whether or not they would be able to see what had been right in front of them. Overall, a great read.

[Rating: 4/5]

On Tour: Down at the Golden Coin by Kim Strickland

Kim will be on tour November 19 – December 3 with her novel Down at the Golden Coin.

How would your life change if you met your Messiah at the laundromat?

During the horrible recession, DOWN AT THE GOLDEN COIN’s main character, former airline pilot Annie Mullard, feels she has sunk to new low when she is forced to go to a run-down laundromat, The Golden Coin, after her washing machine breaks, but it’s here she meets a messiah named Violet. Even though she can read minds, send Annie into past lives and levitate Tide with Bleach Alternative, Violet isn’t anyone’s idea of a messiah. But Violet is equipped with the wisdom, love and humor to help Annie find a way to a more authentic life, one in which Annie’s free to create her own reality and where money is not the key to happiness.
**Everyone who leaves a comment below will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of Down at the Golden Coin before December 3 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries.**

Author Bio:

Kim Strickland lives in Chicago with her husband, three children, two cats and one dog. She also blogs as A City Mom at ChicagoNow. Down at the Golden Coin is her second novel. When she’s not being a mom or a writer, she flies jets for a major airline, which means, every once in a while, she gets to eat an entire meal sitting down.

Connect with Kim!

My blog: http://www.ChicagoNow.com/acitymom
My website:http://www.kimstrickland.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DownAtTheGoldenCoin
Buy the Book!
http://www.amazon.com/Down-at-Golden-Coin-ebook/dp/B009YJKNWI/ref=la_B001ITYMH4_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351781218&sr=1-2

http://www.eckhartzpress.com/Down-at-the-Golden-Coin.html

Blog Tour Sign Up: Next Year I’ll Be Perfect …

Sarah always thought her life was on track, that is until her 29th birthday party. The discovery of a list her younger self put together outlining what she wanted to achieve by the age of 30 turns Sarah’s world upside down. Suddenly, her seemingly happy life and career look lackluster and Sarah sets off on a journey to transform her life. On her quest to achieve perfection one month at a time – a happy marriage, partnership in a law firm and being able to fit in a size six purple suede miniskirt – Sarah learns to challenge society’s ideals of achievement.
Filled with harsh reality, humor, and romance, Next Year I’ll Be Perfect explores what true happiness and success is all about.