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Anything by Michael Baron
Chick Lit Review

Anything by Michael Baron

I have read The Journey Home from Michael Baron and enjoyed it, so when I was offered a chance to review his latest novel, Anything I decided to give him another go. And I am so happy I did! This book had me hooked from the very beginning, and was one that I would constantly talk about to friends –asking the question: what would you do?
Ken and Melissa, the focal point of the novel, are about to get married. Ken never knew he could love someone as much as he loves Melissa, and he is ready to start a new life together with her as his wife. While searching for just the right wedding present for Melissa, Ken stumbles upon a unique and mysterious shop. When the owner offers him a chance to look in on Melissa’s life when she was a girl, Ken decides to seize the opportunity. But when the look back offers a glimpse at a horrific incident from her childhood, Ken is enraged. But now Ken has a second chance – he can go back in time and prevent the incident from happening. Ken would do anything for Melissa, and to take away that memory would bring Ken such joy and he feels that Melissa’s life would only better from that. But when Ken returns to present time, Melissa is no longer in his life. She doesn’t even know who he is. By changing that one piece of the past, Ken has now altered both his and Melissa’s life – forever.
I enjoyed getting to know a male protagonist, which isn’t something I get often with mainly reading chick lit and romance. Ken was such a lovely character, a man that I think everyone woman wishes she would meet and fall in love with. He had a great dynamic with Melissa, but the depth of these characters goes even farther. Ken says he will do anything for Melissa – even at the expense of them possibly never meeting. This was a terrific book, and like I said earlier, had me talking to people about what they would do given the opportunity. Check out this book – you won’t be disappointed!
[Rating: 5]

August 3, 2012
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In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister
Chick Lit Review

In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister

I received a copy of In Need of Therapy by Tracie Banister in exchange for an honest review. I adored her first novel Blame It on the Fame, and thought this was a fab sequel! The story follows psychologist Pilar Alvarez, an independent woman who loves her career. She isn’t worried about finding a husband – she’s more worried about booting her free-loading younger sister out of her house, and keeping her mama at bay when it comes to her love life. She has a slew of clients at her just-opened practice to keep her mind occupied, but the psychiatrist next door to her office is now catching her eye as well. He seems interested in her too…but the wedding ring on his finger tells a different story. She also is dealing with a stalker-ish ex who won’t take no for an answer, and a client that has taken to overstepping his boundaries. With men issues, family woes, and a financial crisis that could make her lose her practice, Pilar must make some fast decisions about life and love, and somehow come out on top in the end.
I loved Pilar, she made an excellent female lead. Smart, independent, caring – even though as times she was too flax on a few issues – such as getting her ex to back off once and for all. But that didn’t make me think less of her – we all have our flaws, and that Victor sure was persistent! Her family was loud, fun and tad loco, but super hilarious to read about! And who doesn’t love a complicated love story? Banister is a fantastic chick lit reader, and I look forward to more from her!
[Rating: 4]

August 3, 2012
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Future Tour: Memories by Deanna Lynn Sletten
CLP Blog Tours

Future Tour: Memories by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Deanna will be on tour September 24- October 8 with romance/women’s fiction novel Memories Michael DeCara came home from the Vietnam War a wounded man,…

August 2, 2012
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Challenge 2012:Post Reviews:August
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Challenge 2012:Post Reviews:August

August Reviews

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Prize for August: Two (2) winners will receive a print copy of Breaking the Rules by Cat Lavoie, and two (2) will receive a Kindle or ePub version. This will be open to US/Canada residents only. In order to qualify, you must post the link to your review in the Mister Linky below. This can be to your blog, GoodReads page, or other sources such as Amazon.

August 2, 2012
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Author Profile: Dee Ernst
Chick Lit Authors

Author Profile: Dee Ernst

Author Name: Dee Ernst
Website: http://dernst2010.wordpress.com/
Bio: Dee Ernst was born Elizabeth Diane Ascoli in Newark, NJ. Her family moved to Morristown, NJ when she was still a toddler. She started writing stories on a battered Royal typewriter when she was about ten or twelve, and she graduated Morristown High School determined to pursue a career as a writer in some form or another (she considered advertising, but luckily came to her senses). Creative writing majors were hard to find in 1974, so she attended Marshall University as a journalism major. That wasn’t working, so she tried Education, but that didn’t quite work either. Several jobs and years later, staying home with a three-year-old and trying to figure out what to do when she grew up, Joan Hamburg on WOR radio in New York was interviewing someone who said if you wanted to know what to with your life, remember what you were playing when you were ten, and try to turn that into a career. Since Dee was writing stories at ten, she sat down and wrote her first novel. It went nowhere. Her second novel got her a terrific agent and upwards of fifteen rejection letters (She reread them all in preparation of this biography). Her third novel, Better Off Without Him, garnered even more rejection letters from a much higher caliber of editor. Undaunted, she self-published Better Off Without Him in October 2010. She is now waiting patiently for fame and fortune.
Titles: Better Off Without Him
See my review for Better Off Without Him!
Bio retrieved from dernst.com

August 2, 2012
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Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh by Timothe Davis
Chick Lit Review

Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh by Timothe Davis

Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh by Timothe Davis follows thirty six year old Jordan Spencer who hasn’t had a relationship that has lasted for longer than six months. And, that suits him just fine until his two go-to people stop having time for him. Gabby is falling for a guy that Jordan isn’t very fond of, and Chris … is well, having issues of his own. With the two of them slowly drifting further away from Jordan, he has to come up with an alternative plan and decide what to do about the loneliness that he faces without his pals. Should he fight for their friendships? Or should he let them drift further and further to the side. Only time will tell …

Sometimes Ya Gotta Laugh is a dose of chick-lit about friendship, but told through a male perspective. Being a female, I found this take fascinating and really enjoyed reading about the value that certain men place on their friendships. Timothe Davis does a wonderful job at creating very real and believable friendships, and very vivid characters. I actually enjoyed this book much more than I expected. Overall, a great read from an emerging author. Can’t wait to see what Davis comes out with next.

August 2, 2012
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On Tour: The Way by Kristen Wolf
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: The Way by Kristen Wolf

Kristen will be on tour August 6-20 with her novel The Way Anna is a fiery tomboy living in ancient Palestine whose androgynous appearance provokes…

August 1, 2012
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Blog Tour Sign Up: Falling For You by Heather Thurmeier
CLP Blog Tours

Blog Tour Sign Up: Falling For You by Heather Thurmeier

Heather will be on tour in November with her contemporary romance novel Falling For You. ARC PDF files can be supplied if you would like…

August 1, 2012
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The Darker Side of Mummy Misfit by Amanda Egan
Chick Lit Review

The Darker Side of Mummy Misfit by Amanda Egan

The Mummy Misfit is back! Amanda Egan follows up from Diary of a Mummy Misfit and brings us the continuing tale of Libby, Ned, Fenella and some very wacky yummy mummies. I really enjoyed the first book, and was looking forward to the sequel. In the first book, Libby and Ned were always scourging around for money, and they were ecstatic when they were able to get their son Max into a private school, thanks to the sponsored funding. The story ended with Libby inheriting a huge sum of money from a deceased relative, and also finding out she is pregnant.
The Darker Side of Mummy Misfit starts back up with Libby and Ned in a happy marriage, pregnant with second child and Libby being happy she is with child the same time as her bff Fenella. They now have money and can afford to put Max through private school without receiving donations, and actually donate themselves now to another family in need. All is well – until Libby miscarries the baby. The miscarriage devastates Libby, throws her friendship with Fenella through a loop, and causes strain on her once blissfully happy marriage. Libby starts testing dangerous waters with another man, pulling away from Ned without even knowing why she is so unhappy. She journals her way throughout, trying to make sense of where her life is going, and wondering if she will ever be as happy as she once was.
Again, I happily read about Libby’s journey, laughing at times when the crazy mom’s at the school went a bit berserk with all their Botox, and feeling sad about Libby’s miscarriage. This book got a lot deeper than the first, definitely showing a “darker side” to Libby, one that was full of pain, neglect, guilt and remorse. I liked that the book wasn’t a downer though, there was always enough going on that would perk me back up and keep me focused on the positives. I thought this was a very worthy sequel, and both books should be checked out!
[Rating: 4]

August 1, 2012
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