Chick Lit Plus by Samantha March

Latest Youtube Videos

The Silent Treatment by Melanie Surani
Chick Lit Review

The Silent Treatment by Melanie Surani

I received a copy of The Silent Treatment by Melanie Surani in exchange for an honest review. Kat Shergill is trying to rebuild her life. Escaping from an abusive boyfriend, she ends up back at home thanks to her friend Bridget convincing her she needed to get away, and quickly finds herself knee deep in a mystery – from the past. While at an estate sale, Kat finds an old movie reel inside the item she purchased – showing the murder of a famous 1920’s actor by another high-profile actor. Before Kat can figure out what to do with her discovery, the word is leaked out. While trying to make the right decisions along the way, Kat still finds herself fearful of her ex, and also has trouble fitting in with her family once again. Kat learns along her journey how to find her backbone that she thought had disappeared, and when it’s time to simply leave the past alone.
I was really intrigued by the mystery of this book, especially that the core was from the past. It was super interesting piecing the puzzle together, and more than a few times I caught myself gasping from revelations. My big complaint is that I thought the book was too short. It took me just a few hours to read, and I think more depth could have really helped it. I never quite understood Kat’s past relationship or even her family dynamic. So while I think it could have benefited from more plot, I still thought the overall story was very good. It kept my attention throughout, and I think this is one to read if you like a good mystery.
[Rating: 4]

August 10, 2012
1 Comment
Bond Girl by Erin Duffy
Chick Lit Review

Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

I received a copy of Bond Girl in exchange for an honest review. First off let’s talk the cover. Loved it! Are all girls wired to just adore pictures of shoes or what? Second – loved the plot. It’s not often we get a female perspective of a “Street” worker – and by that I mean Wall Street. Alex Garrett knew from quite the young age that she wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and conquer the illustrious Wall Street. She lands a job at Cromwell Pierce, of the best brokerage firms on the Street. Alex thinks she knows what she is in for – but quickly realizes it is much, much worse than anticipated. First off – no desk. She sits in a folding chair and peeks over the shoulders of her co-workers. She also is working in a for real boys club, answering to the name Girlie, and being the all-around slave around the place. But slowly but surely Alex starts to prove her worth – upgrading to a real desk, real responsibilities, and even people calling her given name instead of Girlie. Just when she thinks she might be catching her breath and getting used to the Street, the economy tanks and all of America is looking at the corporates on Wall Street as the cause.
Bond Girl is a real page turner. I just loved how unique the story was – not to mention a true behind the scenes look at Wall Street. I was fascinated, intrigued, and I also learned a lot throughout the book. Alex is a feisty individual, and nailed it as the MC. Smart, hard-working, but just when I thought she was wired like a dude, some emotions would break through. I didn’t want to put this book down once I started reading. It was a longer book too, but took me barely two days to get it read. I highly recommend Bond Girl, and this is one of my favorites of the year!
[Rating: 5]

August 10, 2012
1 Comment
Future Tour: Picture Perfect by Lucie Simone
CLP Blog Tours

Future Tour: Picture Perfect by Lucie Simone

Lucie will be on tour September 17-October 15 with her chick lit novel Picture Perfect For Lauren Tate, a high-powered TV producer, sex, lies, and…

August 9, 2012
Leave a comment
Secrets and Seductions by Francine Pascal
Chick Lit Review

Secrets and Seductions by Francine Pascal

I just finished the fourth installment in The Sweet Life eSeries from Francine Pascal, Secrets and Seductions. A new development is happening with Bruce’s accuser, and Elizabeth is starting to doubt her creditability. She feels terrible that she was so quick to write Bruce off, and now she can’t even talk to him because he has fled from the States. Jessica is crushed when she finds out from TV that Todd has filed for a divorce. She had high hopes they would somehow reconcile, but she is forced to see that just won’t be happening. And Lila, who had been faking a pregnancy for the TV cameras and her Real Housewives show loses it all when someone goes to the press with her secret. But irony is about to get the best of her…
This installment was pretty short, and I liked that it just focused more on the major characters and what they were dealing with. I’m very curious to see how Bruce’s situation ends up. I can tell something is not right with the accuser, but I just can’t quite piece it all together yet. And Lila’s story! Oh boy, that is intriguing to read about. Will love to find out how it ends and if she is able to come out on top. Two more to go!
[Rating: 4]

August 9, 2012
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
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
Leave a comment
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
13 Comments