Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

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In My Mailbox: Week of September 2
Chick Lit Plus

In My Mailbox: Week of September 2

In Samantha’s Mailbox:

Title: The Twelve Days to Christmas

Author: Michele Gorman

Received: From Michele Gorman

Synopsis: Hannah’s in a bit of a pickle. In twelve days she flies from Hong Kong to the US with Sam, where he’s finally going to meet her parents… and ask to marry her.

Since overcoming a rather rocky patch in their relationship (which was totally his fault), he really is a new man, and they’re completely in love. The problem is, she feels panicky every time she contemplates matrimony. Which is perfectly normal, isn’t it? Isn’t it?! She has no idea but she’s got to find out before he pops the question… because she’s not 100% sure she’s going to say yes. Which will make for a very uncomfortable family holiday. He’s got to ask her before they go. So Operation Proposal begins.

As time ticks down to their flight, Hannah realizes that her own secrets are threatening their future. Before she can be happy with Sam, she’s got a lot to learn about herself in the twelve days to Christmas.

In Sara’s Mailbox:

Title: The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns

Author: Margaret Dilloway

Received: unsolicited

Synopsis: Thirty-six-year-old Gal Garner lives a regimented life. Her job teaching biology and her struggle with kidney disease keep her toggling between the high school, the hospital, and her home on a strict schedule.

Only at home, in her garden, does Gal come alive. It’s here that she experiments with Hulthemia roses, painstakingly cross-pollinating various specimens in the hopes of creating a brand-new variation of spectacular beauty. But even her passion has a highly structured goal: Gal wants to win Queen of Show in a major competition and bring that rose to market.

Then one afternoon Gal’s teenaged niece Riley, the daughter of her estranged sister, arrives. Unannounced. Neither one of them will ever be the same.

Filled with gorgeous details of the art of rose breeding, The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns is a testament to the redemptive power of love.

September 2, 2012
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My First 5K: Week 12: Ouch, My Ears
Chick Lit Plus

My First 5K: Week 12: Ouch, My Ears

I completed my 30 minute run outside yesterday, and I ran into a big problem. I’ve run outside off and on throughout my training, and the weather has been warm, warm, warm. Now the days and especially the mornings/evenings are cooling off, I was reminded of an annoying issue that I have been plagued with since childhood – my ears. I suffered from multiple ear infections and horrible cases of swimmer’s ear. And these problems have stuck with me. Last year when I was visiting my family in North Carolina, we took a trip to Myrtle Beach. The weather was overcast and chilly, but we still braved it and took a dip in the ocean. Once I got water in my ears and then the wind started blowing, it was too painful for me to pretend I was having a good time. I had to get out of the water and out of the wind so I could think straight again.
I have noticed this problem with my ears even when I am running in the gym and the fans are turned on high. After a while, my ears start to hurt so bad that I either have to turn the fans off and tough it out, or give up. When my fiancé and I were running yesterday, there was a strong wind blowing the majority of the time, and when we were running into the wind, I felt like I might throw up because the pain was so bad. I’m worried now for the 5K, which is happening October 6. The weather will be much cooler, and if it’s a windy day, I’m worried I won’t be able to complete the run. I’m not sure if I should get ear plugs, wax, use cotton balls? Has anyone else run into this problem or know someone who has? I want to have a fun experience, but I’m worried that my inner ear problem will put a damper on the day. I’d be grateful for suggestions!
Below is my workout schedule for the week. Bold items are what I would normally complete, non- bold are the 5K training.
Monday: Run 10 minutes, walk 10 minutes
Tuesday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 60 minute elliptical, 20 minute treadmill incline walk
Wednesday: Run 15 minutes, walk 15 minutes, 10 minute cardio DVD
Thursday: Walk 15 minutes, 50 sit-ups, 60 minute treadmill incline walk, 10 minute Pilates DVD
Friday: 20 minute treadmill incline walk
Saturday: 30 minute run
Sunday: Day Off

September 2, 2012
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Novel Spotlight: Showbiz by Ruby Preston
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Novel Spotlight: Showbiz by Ruby Preston

After four years in Manhattan, slaving away as the under-appreciated apprentice to the brilliant but ruthless “King of Broadway,” Scarlett Savoy is finally on her…

September 2, 2012
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GIVEAWAY: Dewitched by EL Sarnoff
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GIVEAWAY: Dewitched by EL Sarnoff

After serving time for Snow White’s attempted murder, the Evil Queen is about to get a makeover. Just not the kind she expected. Thinking she’s…

September 1, 2012
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Prepping For Lasik
Chick Lit Plus

Prepping For Lasik

After getting tested and approved for Lasik, consulting my bank account, and deciding I was going to go for it, I happily scheduled my surgery date for January 25, 2012. I had one week to prep – which included heading to my nearest pharmacy to stock up on eye drops. Oh, the eye drops. More on that later. For that week before, I used two eye drops to help prevent dry eye, and also one to help fight off infection. Also, I want to point out that if you wear contacts, these will have to be taken out at least two weeks before you go for your initial testing to make sure you are a good candidate for Lasik. If you decide to go ahead with the surgery, you cannot wear your contacts again.
So the week before surgery I was wearing my glasses and using Restasis and preservative-free tears to help keep my eyes moist. Restasis is something you will need a prescription for, and can be costly if you don’t have insurance. There are several types of preservative-free tears that you can buy without a prescription, are not as costly, and my eye doctor actually gave me quite a few samples to use first. The drops I used to fight infection was called Pred Forte, and a prescription is required for that. Your doctor will let you know how many drops/how many times a day to use each one. I was given a list that broke down before surgery, day of surgery, day after surgery, week after surgery, and then a more general after surgery schedule. KEEP THIS! I consulted it many times.
So all these drops helped get my eyes ready for this major surgery. Also before surgery I scheduled that day and the day after off work, and my fiancé was tapped to take me to my surgery and back, as you absolutely will need a driver after surgery. Now, I was just waiting anxiously for the surgery, and getting more nervous as each day passed, wishing for success.
Check back next week for my day of surgery experience!

September 1, 2012
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Blog Tour Sign Up: Sparkle by Cara Alwill Leyba
CLP Blog Tours

Blog Tour Sign Up: Sparkle by Cara Alwill Leyba

Cara will be on tour in November/December with her self-help novelSparkle.Print copies will be available for US/Canada residents. Cara will also be open for a…

August 31, 2012
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Debut Author of the Month: Cat Lavoie
Chick Lit Authors

Debut Author of the Month: Cat Lavoie

Chick Lit Plus is pleased to announce the Debut Author of the Month for August is Cat Lavoie, author of Breaking the Rules! What was…

August 31, 2012
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Chick Lit Lovers’ Labor of Love!
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Chick Lit Lovers’ Labor of Love!

Chick Lit Lovers’ Labor of Love!  For four days over the US Labor Day weekend, 7 of your favorite chick lit writers are offering their…

August 31, 2012
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Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods
Chick Lit Review

Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods

Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods is the first in the Sweet Magnolia’s triology. This book follows Elliott Cruz, who first courted struggling single mom, Karen Amex, years ago. Now a few years into their marriage, their colliding dreams threaten to tear them apart. Elliott wants to pursue a business opportunity using their “baby money” and that causes issues with Karen due to her financial insecurities. Lack of communication, tension, personal issues, and secrets make things difficult, and unsure how to handle conflicting interests, things become tense quickly between the two … but it isn’t until they find out about an affair close to home that their issues are put into perspective and don’t seem so damning after all. Will they be able to work through their differences?

Sherryl beautiful conveys what life is like inside most marriages: life gets busy, spouses lose touch with one another, and things get in the way …. and I love how she handled their conflict and the resolution. I feel like most of the time in books, marriages are made out to be either completely disastrous or similar to a fairy tale, when for most people, they are right in between. I also really liked the secondary plot line (well, as much as one can when it deals with an extramarital affair) and how Elliott and Karen use her marriage crisis to really see what they have right in front of them. Midnight Promises is a wonderful read and Sherryl does a fantastic job at creating very in depth characters and a very believable story line. Overall, a really great read.

[Rating:4.5/5]

August 31, 2012
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