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Permanently Temping by Lauren Milner-Howells
Chick Lit Review

Permanently Temping by Lauren Milner-Howells

Permanently Temping by Lauren Milner-Howells follows Hollie Cooper, a fresh and squeaky clean college graduate. When she walks into her first job after graduation, she realizes that the working world is going to take some getting used to, and she is going to need to make some adjustments. Not only does poor Hollie struggle in the career department, but she also struggles in matters of the heart. She searches high and low for a spark with her artsy new boyfriend while trying to stay away from her cheating ex (which she fails at … miserably). Things start to look up as she has a chance meeting with a friend of her ex, but, will he be the answer to her prayers? Who will she end up with? And will her love life and career ever become more stable?

When I was first contacted about reviewing Permanently Temping, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve read a few novels that deal with career woes, and to be honest, they never intrigue me very much. But, this was so much more than that. Yes, as the title suggests, Hollie does take on her fair share of odd jobs here and there, but her experiences with each are often humorous and witty and I found myself laughing out loud a few times right along with Hollie. I thought Lauren did a terrific job at crafting a character who is naive, yet hopeful … just like I was upon college graduation. I also kind of fell for Gavin and I found myself keeping my fingers crossed for them! Overall, a really light and fun read with an interesting plot twist.

[Rating: 4/5]

August 9, 2012
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On Tour: Ripple the Twine by Jenn Flynn-Shon
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Ripple the Twine by Jenn Flynn-Shon

Jenn will be on tour August 13-27 with her novel Ripple the Twine A Tomboy-meets-Townie love story and tale about how friendship can save your…

August 8, 2012
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The Dinner Party by Jenny Ladner Brenner
Chick Lit Review

The Dinner Party by Jenny Ladner Brenner

I received a copy of The Dinner Party by Jenny Ladner Brenner in exchange for an honest review. Lainie Silver has an all right life. Her parents are sometimes a bit too overbearing, she hasn’t found the love of her life quite yet at the age of twenty-eight, but she has a steady job, a nice apartment in New York City, and a best friend in Miya – her BFF since the seventh grade. But after hosting a tumultuous dinner party, Lainie throws her good judgment to the wind – and sleeps with Miya’s husband, Jake. Lainie knows she can’t confess her wrong doing to Miya, and Jake swears he won’t tell her either about their one-night stand – or the countless others he has had during their marriage. Lainie is forced to take a good, hard look at her life and her friendships. Why would she sleep with her best friend’s husband? Does she secretly harbor ill feelings to the woman who has been by her side for so many years? Through the guilt, Lainie tries to find some normalcy in her life – which includes falling in love, getting engaged, and moving on from her lapse in judgment. But will her secret come back to haunt her…or can Lainie really get away with duping her best friend?
I found The Dinner Party to be a very fascinating read. It explores self-discovery, the true meaning of friendships, and of course, love, throughout the way. While it could have been easy to write Lainie off as a horrible person after sleeping with Jake, I never really felt that way. Sure I wasn’t happy with her decision, but I was right there with her trying to figure out why she did it, how she let it happen. And I of course was dying to see how their friendship would turn out if the big event was ever revealed. I also really enjoyed reading about Lainie and her eventual fiancé Noah, who is a big part of this book even if he is only around for a short amount of time. I think this is a great read for the 20-30 age group, and I highly recommend!
[Rating: 4.5]

August 8, 2012
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Cat Lavoie on Breaking the Rules Release
Updates

Cat Lavoie on Breaking the Rules Release

Well, the day is finally here! BREAKING THE RULES is being released by Marching Ink and the pile of marked-up papers on my desk has become an actual book. The last few months have been a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation and I’m so happy that I finally get to share Roxy and Ollie’s story with all of you. They feel like old friends now—I’ve been living with both of them for so long—and I’m very proud of how far they’ve come. Yes, I know they’re not real people… but sometimes I kind of wish they were.
I hope you enjoy BREAKING THE RULES and thank you so much for reading!

August 8, 2012
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Letter From the Publisher: Breaking the Rules
Updates

Letter From the Publisher: Breaking the Rules

I got an email one day many months ago from Cat Lavoie, inquiring about my editing services. We did the usual back and forth banter: services provided, turn around time, queries about the MS, etc, and then I asked her to send me the first few pages, so I could get a feel for her writing and offer her a price quote. Those first five pages drew me into her story like no other, and I practically begged for her to choose me as her editor. Mainly – I just wanted to keep reading! After getting through the story (and groaning when I had to take breaks) I realized I had a big decision in front of me. When I published my debut in October 2011 (Destined to Fail) I bought the rights to my own publishing company, Marching Ink LLC. The goal was to eventually publish other author’s work besides my own, but that goal had a date of 2013. But Breaking the Rules was staring me face, and I knew deep in my bones that I loved this book. I love the book the way I’ve heard publishers are supposed to love the novels they select to put out to the public. So I took a chance and made an offer to Cat, asking her if she would be interested in having Marching Ink release her debut.
After a lot of hard work, long hours, a bazzilion tax questions to my accountant, and more re-reads than I can count, Breaking the Rules is now for sale. As Cat’s editor-turned-publisher, I say with all my heart that I hope you love this book as much I do. Cat’s writing lured me in, and Roxy Rule’s story about love, friendship, and self-discovery was simply one that needed to be shared. I want to thank Cat for taking on a small publisher and believing in me that I would put everything I could into making her book a success. I want to thank my assistant, Sara, for all the hours you put in as well and your enthusiasm for working for a possibly insane woman that will never stop using smiley faces in emails. And I want to thank the countless bloggers that have and will be hosting Cat along the next couple of months. Thank you everyone, thank you readers, and please enjoy Breaking the Rules.

August 8, 2012
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Blog Tour Sign Up: The Bloody Mary Club by Debbie Dyke
CLP Blog Tours

Blog Tour Sign Up: The Bloody Mary Club by Debbie …

Stock market meltdown. United States housing bubble. Global financial crisis. Chief executives cooking the books. Who can you trust for financial advice? Gina Van Story, a savvy 40ish investment advisor to the rescue. She can spot a trend on the market and jump on it like a cat. She dreams of grabbing the bull by the horns and is on the hunt for one final big score. Gina and her three best friends form the Bloody Mary Investment Club and come face-to-face with corruption in a David and Goliath struggle when their stock portfolio turns deadly…literally.

Over made-to-order Bloody Mary cocktails at historic Gadsby’s Tavern, Gina takes her friends under her wing and teaches them the ins and outs of the stock market. Trouble begins when, following Gina’s bullish advice, they become majority owners in the local bank and then stubbornly turn down a lucrative buyout offer. Not only will money and greed challenge their friendship, they will have to get smart fast and figure out how to turn the tables on the charmingly seductive, yet evil, banker who wants control of their stock by any means necessary – including murder!

Debbie Dyke is a writer, former stockbroker and business woman. A proud Army brat, she’s lived in Turkey, France, Germany, Italy, Holland and Albania. She settled down in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband and two children. Visit her website at www.DebbieDyke.com

August 7, 2012
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The Silent Touch of Shadows by Christina Courtenay
Chick Lit Review

The Silent Touch of Shadows by Christina Courtenay

The Silent Touch of Shadows by Christina Courtenay is two stories in one. We meet Melissa Grantham first, a professional genealogist who is a single mother trying to get by. She is a history lover and once she receives an invitation to visit her family’s ancestral home, she can’t refuse. But, she starts having visions and vivid dreams upon her arrival about a medieval young woman and a forbidden love, and she is determined to solve the mystery. Jake Precy, owner of a nearby cottage, has always had similar dreams, and upon meeting Melissa, there is an instant connection and he begins to wonder why. We soon learn the real truth and that these two are already entwined … and maybe have been for the past few hundred years.

I was pleasantly surprised as I flipped through pages of The Silent Touch of Shadows. Upon reading the synopsis, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and even more so curious upon learning that there is a ghostly presence in the story … but it isn’t at all what you think once you dive in. This book is a love story unlike any that I’ve read before and I found it fantastically written. I loved the historical pieces the most and thought they added a very authentic feel to the story. I also loved the mysterious presence that was always present around the story. Overall, a really unique read.

[Rating: 4/4]

August 7, 2012
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Novel Spotlight: The Way by Kristen Wolf
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Novel Spotlight: The Way by Kristen Wolf

Anna is a fiery tomboy living in ancient Palestine whose androgynous appearance provokes ridicule from the people around her and doubt within her own heart. When tragedy strikes her family, and Anna’s father—disguising her as a boy—sells her to a band of shepherds, she is captured by a mystical and secret society of women hiding in the desert. At first Anna is tempted to escape, but she soon finds that the sisterhood’s teachings and healing abilities, wrapped in an ancient philosophy they call “The Way,” have unleashed an unexpected power within her.

When danger befalls the caves in which the sisters have made their home, Anna embarks on a hazardous mission to preserve the wisdom of her mentors by proclaiming it among ordinary people. Her daring quest and newfound destiny reveal, at last, the full truth of her identity—a shocking revelation that will spark as much controversy as it does celebration.

Anna’s story is one of transformation, betrayal, love, loss, deception, and above all, redemption. Readers will cheer for this unforgettable protagonist—and for debut novelist Kristen Wolf, whose beautifully written book both provokes and inspires. A compelling mix of history, myth, and fantasy, The Way is a fascinating exploration of the foundations and possibilities of human spirituality.

August 6, 2012
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