Future Tour: Bouquet Toss by Melissa Brown
Melissa will be on tour January 14-21 with her novel Bouquet Toss Ever since Daphne Harper graduated from college, all of her friends have fallen…
Mary Indiana by Anneke Campbell
I am happy to be kicking of Anneke Campbell’s CLP Blog Tour for Mary Indiana! I found a lot of humor in this book, and kept thinking what a genius Campbell was for this plot concept. I wondered if it would be kind of a cheesy read, trying to teach the story of Mary and the virgin birth of Jesus, but it wasn’t that way at all. It was a very modern tale of young girl who gets pregnant somehow even though she is a virgin, and the people who decide to help her. Some wonder if this is the new Mary, if the second coming is truly on the brink of happening. Others wonder if it’s a sign that 2012 will bring the end of the world as we know it. Others simply call it a miracle. But what is the true story behind the girl dubbed Mary and her stunning situation – a true miracle – or something else?
Again, I found this book to be very funny, nothing real religious or cheesy that I thought it could be, and a very interesting plot that had me thinking (and laughing) after I closed the book. I compared it to how the media seems to run our world – how they can take a story and just run with it (cough, A-Rod not playing in the playoffs, this Honey Boo Boo phenom, cough). News of Mary spread fast and everyone had their own take on it. Parents came forward trying to claim Mary as their child, the possibility of aliens in the midst was there, and the use of blogs and social media heightened this “miracle.” I think this is a book to check out so you can form your own opinion on Mary’s story, and hopefully get a few chuckles!
[Rating: 4]
Sex, Lies & Hot Tubs by Elissa Ambrose
Elissa Ambrose is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Sex, Lies & Hot Tubs. What a book! You know you are engrossed in a story when you have your Kindle balanced on your laptop so you can sneak in sentences while working! I think that is the definition of “not being able to put a book down.” I had a great time with this book and the characters that filled the pages. Ellen Dunwell is our MC, a mother, a wife, a friend, and a high school teacher. She stumbled upon her husband’s – a dermatology doctor- affair in the past with his receptionist, and now she has a suspicion that he is back to his usual ways. When he goes missing, the mystery is amped. Did her really take off with a new girlfriend? What about his shady new side business Ellen thinks he got involved in – could something have taken a wrong turn in that aspect? Ellen is also dealing with a hormone-charged, angst-ridden teenage daughter calling for attention, as well as her students, her friends, and a Peeping Tom neighbor.
There is a lot going on in this book, but I never felt confused or unable to get into a sub-plot. Ambrose gives readers mystery, humor, suspense, sex, and a quick-pace that made me finish this within two days. I really don’t want to give anything away because there is plenty of shock-able moments, but I can’t recommend this book more. A big 5 star review for me, and another to add to my Favorites List!
[Rating: 5]
Blog Tour Sign Up: SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes
Teresa will be on tour withSkinnyTinis,a book filled with skinny/cocktail recipes in January. I am looking for bloggers to review the book, or share a…
On Tour: November Surprise by Laurel Osterkamp
Laurel will be on tour October 22- November 12 with her novel November Surprise Twenty years Six presidential elections Two brothers One consuming love affair…
In My Mailbox: Week of October 21
In Samantha’s Mailbox:
Title: Whispers in Autumn
Author: Trisha Leigh
Received: Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: In 2015, a race of alien Others conquered Earth. They enslaved humanity not by force, but through an aggressive mind control that turned people into contented, unquestioning robots.
Except sixteen-year-old Althea isn’t content at all, and she doesn’t need the mysterious note inside her locket to tell her she’s Something Else. It also warns her to trust no one, so she hides the pieces that make her different, even though it means being alone.
The autumn she meets Lucas, everything changes.
Althea and Lucas are immune to the alien mind control, and together they search for the reason why. What they uncover is a stunning truth the Others never anticipated, one with the potential to free the brainwashed human race.
It’s not who they are that makes them special, but what.
And what they are is a threat. One the Others are determined to eliminate for good.
Title: Happily Ever Madder
Author: Stephanie McAfee
Received: From Penguin Group
Synopsis: Diary of a Mad Fat Girl’s plus-sized spitfire Graciela “Ace” Jones returns in a hilarious new adventure from New York Times bestselling author Stephanie McAfee.
Ace has left the tiny Mississippi town of Bugtussle for the palm fronds and mojitos of Pelican Cove, Florida. She’s finally opening her long-dreamed-of art gallery, is kick-starting a life with her fiancé, Mason, and has vowed to leave her straight-talking, sassy ways behind her. From now on, she’s going to be as sweet as sugar. Unfortunately, something comes along to sour her plans.
That something is Mrs. Lenore Kennashaw and her coterie of crones. They’re a bunch of snippy, snarky, and just plain mean ’ol ladies who aren’t quite as smart or rich as they’d like to think they are. But that doesn’t stop them from treating everyone else like second-class citizens. And when Ace inadvertently takes some of the steam from Mrs. Kennashaw’s stride, she becomes their #1 enemy. But with the support of a new group of fabulous friends, as well as her friends from Bugtussle—and her always-faithful chiweenie Buster Loo—Ace will find a way to make it, even if she has to throw some weight around…
Title: Dating Da Vinci
Author: Malena Lott
Received: Unsolicited
Synopsis: A gorgeous young Italian, with nowhere to go . . .
His name just happens to be Leonardo da Vinci. When he walks into Ramona Elise’s English class, he’s a twenty-five-year-old immigrant, struggling to forge a new life in America – but he’s lonely, has nowhere to live, and barely speaks English . . .
She knows she shouldn’t take him home . . .
Picking up the pieces of her life after the death of her beloved husband, linguist and teacher Ramona Elise can’t help but be charmed by her gorgeous new student. And when he calls her “Mona Lisa” she just about loses her heart . . .
In Sara’s Mailbox:
Title: Pursuing the Times
Author: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Received: Lauren Baratz-Logsted
Synopsis: All that popular Chick-Lit author Mercury Lauren wants is to have one of her books reviewed by the New York Times Book Review – just one – and she’ll do almost anything to get it. In this contemporary romantic comedy, with a nod toward Pride and Prejudice she crosses swords and hearts with the Editor-in-Chief of the NYTBR in a madcap adventure that takes her from her home in Westport to a yoga retreat to a golf course in Florida. Will she get what she wants and will she finally be happy if she does? Only one thing’s for certain: nothing will stop her from Pursuing the Times.
Title: Kismetology
Author: Jaimie Admans
Received: Jaimie Admans
Synopsis: Finding the perfect man isn’t easy. Especially when it’s for your mother…
Mothers. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them, can’t live three doors down the road without them interfering in every aspect of your life.
Mackenzie Atkinson’s mother has meddled in her love life once too often and something has to be done. Mackenzie decides to turn the tables and find love for her lonely mother.
Her lonely and very fussy mother.
Surely finding an older gentleman looking for love won’t be that hard, right?
Wrong.
If you’ve ever thought that boys grow up, here’s the problem: They don’t. Ever.
And Mackenzie is about to learn that the hard way.
Faced with a useless boyfriend, dressed up dogs, men who wear welly boots on dates, men who shouldn’t be seen outside in daylight, and men who make reptiles seem like attractive company – will she ever find the perfect man for her neurotic mother?
Guest Post and Excerpt: Sex, Lies & Hot Tubs by Elissa …
Elissa Ambrose is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Sex, Lies & Hot Tubs. Please enjoy a guest post from Elissa and an…
Someone Else’s Fairytale by E.M. Tippetts
I received Someone Else’s Fairytale in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Jason Vanderholt, Hollywood’s hottest actor, falls head over heels for everygirl, Chloe Winters, who hasn’t gotten around to watching most of his movies. She becomes the woman every other woman in America is dying to be, but it just isn’t her fairytale.
My Review:
I’ve always been a bit fascinated by celebrity couples where one is a celeb and one is not – Matt Damon always pop into my mind, or more recently – Kevin Jonas. What does that other person feel like when so many women would do anything to switch places with them? And can the celebrity ever feel like their partner truly loves them for them? Someone Else’s Fairytale was a really interesting read because of Jason and Chloe’s relationship. Chloe isn’t someone who buys into the whole celebrity world, which Jason is firmly rooted in. There are a lot of well-placed twists along the way that kept this already interesting story even more intriguing, and I thought all the characters¬¬–– even in the supporting cast––were well-developed and contributed nicely to the plot. I think chick lit fans would really enjoy this book!
[Rating: 4]
That Time of the Month by Emily Shaffer
That Time of the Month by Emily Shaffer follows the financially unstable and unemployed Ellie. She wants to change her life for the best and decides to give herself thirty days to turn things around and pursue her dreams or end up on the floor in her niece’s toy room. At first, things seem simple but then things slowly become more and more complicated once she introduces a crazy cast of characters. As she makes her way through the thirty days, she withdraws herself from everyone and realizes that she has become a not so nice person. But, is it worth it? Will she allow everything to get in the way of what she really wants? Only time will tell.
That Time of the Month is an absolute hoot. I can’t recall a book dealing with the pursuit of one’s dreams that casts such a hilarious group of characters. Ellie is fabulous as she pursues her dreams and I loved watching her interactions with her best friend and her love interest. I feel like she and I could definitely be friends in real life and I really liked that. Another thing that made me love the book were the endless lists. I am such a die-hard list girl and I found this aspect of the story to be completely relateable. This book is an absolute must read for anyone who has ever fought to pursue their own dreams. But, be ready to smile because this book will definitely make you want to. Overall, a fantastic and fun read!
