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Pillow Stalk by Diane Vallere
Chick Lit Review

Pillow Stalk by Diane Vallere

Interior Decorator Madison Night has lived for years as the iconic Doris Day has her inspiration. From her looks, style, and even now career, Madison loves to pay homage to Doris. She especially has affection for the film Pillow Talk – but that very film may be the reason for recent murders in her town. When two women that resemble the blonde actress are found dead, Madison is shaken – especially because she believes at least one was meant to be her.
I am a big fan of mystery novels, and I really enjoyed Pillow Stalk by Diane Vallere. It was fast and furious, had a lot of info, characters, suspects, and even a few tangled romances. I love mysteries where I can’t figure out who the real killer is until the end, and this was one of those. The novel was well written, moved at a smooth pace, and Madison’s character was a riot. I especially loved her dog, Rock. The ending threw me just a bit, and I mean literally the last page. I believe I am correct when I say this is part of a series, and 99% positive after that cliffhanger ending. It just seemed to come a bit out of nowhere and then end abruptly, but it certainly makes me look forward to the next book!
[Rating: 4]

August 1, 2012
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On Tour: Fatty Patty by Kathleen Irene Paterka
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Fatty Patty by Kathleen Irene Paterka

Kathleen will be on tour August 6-27 with her novel Fatty Patty Small towns, long memories. Everyone in the exclusive summer resort of James Bay,…

July 31, 2012
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Happily Ever After by Maggie Greene
For Writers

Happily Ever After by Maggie Greene

Happily Ever After

Thanks so much for having me here today!

I hear from a lot of people that they don’t like reading romances because the ending is implied. I’m sure you won’t be surprised to learn that these books end with a happily-ever-after. That’s actually what I love about it. When I pick up a romance, I know that no matter what the characters go through, they are going to wind up together in the end.

To be fair, romance isn’t the only genre this happens in. When you read a mystery, you expect the detective to solve the crime, right? Otherwise it wouldn’t make it a very good story. We like to see good win out over evil.

We also like to see love conquer the world. I strongly believe in the power of love to heal wounds created by the rest of the world. Of course, I also believe that it is important to make the characters work to get there. So you know what you’re getting with my book. Two characters who each have a host of personal problems, who want to be together but are pulled apart by circumstances, but who find a way to overcome those issues and end up together in the end.

Alright, time for the fun part. I’m having a large giveaway as part of my blog tour. Comments on each of the stops will count as an entry in the contest. Winners will be drawn on August 1st andwill receive a gift basket from me complete with some book swag, bath products,and honey. For more details (and chances to enter), you can visit my blog (http://www.authormaggiegreene.com).Please make sure you leave an email address.

July 31, 2012
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This Tangled Thing Called Love by Marie Astor
Chick Lit Review

This Tangled Thing Called Love by Marie Astor

I received a copy of This Tangled Thing Called Love in exchange for an honest review. Claire Chatfield has the best life. She is successful, has great girlfriends, and has just received a massive rock from her now fiancé, David Lawson. David is one of the most sought-after bachelors in New York City thanks to his elite status and sizeable bank account. But Claire’s world is rocked when photos appear in a tabloid magazine of David locking lips with an aging Hollywood actress. Claire calls off the engagement, and is forced to face her true feelings – she didn’t have the overwhelming in love feeling with David. He was reliable, solid, and safe….but Claire knows she wants more. When she starts spending more time with her sex on a stick neighbor, Alec, Claire thinks she has the found the man she could spend forever with. A tango dance instructor, Alec sweeps Claire off her feet and also makes a startling connection with her career. Will Claire finally have the courage to go after what she really wants in life?
I thought This Tangled Thing Called Love was a cute and sweet romance novel. Claire is a great heroine, someone who was duped by the one she loved, but it turned out to be for the best. Claire had been ignoring her feelings about her relationship with David for too long. The POV gives readers insight on a slew of characters – Claire being the lead, but also Alec, David and even David’s fling – Claudia. I liked that we got just enough of glimpse into their thoughts – nothing too overwhelming where it was confusing. One flaw I thought was that I didn’t think there was enough on Claire and Alec’s relationship. It really didn’t come into play until the second half of the book, and I thought that was too long. The majority of the book focused on Claire and David’s relationship, but I would have liked to see more Alec in there. There were some enjoyable subplots as well, including Claire’s work and friendships, and overall I thought this was a very quick and pleasant read that I would recommend.
[Rating: 4]

July 31, 2012
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Great-Aunt Sophia’s Lessons for Bombshells by Lisa Cach
Chick Lit Review

Great-Aunt Sophia’s Lessons for Bombshells by Lisa Cach

Great Aunt Sophia’s Lessons for Bombshells by Lisa Cach follows Grace Cavanaugh, who is bound and determined to prove that beauty only leads to misery through research for her thesis. She is knee deep in research when she receives a call that her great aunt Sophia is havnig surgery, and that she would love it if Grace could accompany her during her recovery. Despite her misgivings, Grace caves once she realizes that this would be a perfect opportunity to do some much needed research. She arrives in Pebble Beach completely expecting to find a old, lonely and ragged old woman … but instead finds a well aged diva, still ozzing of va-va-voom. Grace realizes that she is the perfect specimen for her thesis but soon may change her train of thought once her great aunt takes her under her wing and completely transforms her into a bombshell, delivering her to test her new skills on two men who are only inches away from becoming her prey. Newly unleashed power threatens everything that Grace has ever stood for and leaves her wondering if she should trust her heart and look for beauty in unexpected places, instead of what is obvious.

I absolutely loved this book! Great- Aunt Sophia’s Lessons for Bombshells is a fabulous and hilarious read filled with lots of wonderful tips and insight on how to keep (or get back) what you’ve been missing in your life. Full of surprises and laughs, I was highly entertained throughout, and especially loved it when naive Grace is pitted against sexy Declan and the always handsome Dr. Andrew. I had a really hard time putting this one down and it was perfect for lounging by the pool. Overall, a really fun read and definitely something different. Loved every second of it.

[Rating: 5/5]

July 31, 2012
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Future Tour: Sex, Lies & Hot Tubs by Elissa Ambrose
CLP Blog Tours

Future Tour: Sex, Lies & Hot Tubs by Elissa Ambrose

Elissa will be on tour October 15-22 with her women’s fiction novel Sex, Lies & Hot Tubs If a woman tries to preserve a marriage…

July 30, 2012
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Where We Belong by Emily Giffin
Chick Lit Review

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Ah, the latest Emily Giffin novel. Who hasn’t been waiting anxiously for Where We Belong to land in our hands? Fans of the much-loved author will not be disappointed with her latest offering – a tale of family, loyalty, and love and must-read for the summer season.
Marian Caldwell is living her dream life in New York City. As thirty-six she is a successful TV producer, dating an even more successful man, and has everything that she has worked so hard for. Her life is fairy tale – to outsiders. Marian has been keeping a secret from everyone for half of her life – and that secret is about to catch up with her. Kirby Rose, an eighteen year old girl searching for her birth mother, brings that secret to light when she knocks on Marian’s door. Marian’s past is now coming back to her – the lies, the shame, the guilt of giving up her daughter for adoption and then never trying to find her or contact her throughout the years. Kirby is just trying to find a way to fit in. She doesn’t connect with her mom and dad the way her sister does – their biological daughter. She hopes finding Marian and her birth father will help that unsettling feeling. But now another secret is about to be spilled – regarding Kirby’s birth father and Marian’s ex-boyfriend from high school. Can Marian and Kirby both find the answers and closure they so desperately seek?
Where We Belong is a page –turner. The novel goes back and forth from Marian to Kirby’s POV, and Giffin does so with ease, letting readers side with both leads. I thought this was interesting, because honestly – Marian doesn’t seem to be that great of a person. She has told a lot of lies, and seemingly done so to not upset her master plan of being successful. It actually wasn’t until the end of the book where I thought to myself: huh. She can be kinda unlikeable. This book hit home in a few places to me – dealing with adoptions and not knowing birth parents, trying to find where you really do belong. I got emotional in a few spots, and I will say that I really enjoyed the ending. I thought it was going to be the opposite (no spoilers here!) but was very pleased with the way Marian’s romantic future outcome was ended on. Another must-read from Emily Giffin.
[Rating: 5]

July 30, 2012
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Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel
Chick Lit Review

Viewer Discretion Advised by Cindy Roesel

Cindy Roesel is currently on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Viewer Discretion Advised. This might be a strange reading taste – but I absolutely love books that talk about TV shows, journalism, broadcasting, etc. Just an odd little niche, but I cannot pass up books with those topics being mentioned in the plot. This novel didn’t disappoint on that end – a lot of juicy stories being covered, a behind the scenes peek at the hustle and bustle of a newsroom – and of course – gossip, romance and plenty of cocktails!
Charley Thomas doesn’t mind being fired from her job in LA – that just means she is officially in the biz now. Quickly seizing a Miami opportunity, Charley soon finds herself in the Sunshine State, finally in the same city as her bff, and working for one of the toughest men in the industry – Jonathan Lefton. Between catty news anchors, firing staff left and right, an alcoholic best friend and a stalker cop after her, Charley has enough going on in her life – but she has ratings and possible Emmys to think about!
This book was fast-paced and very interesting. Roesel is an Emmy Award-Winning anchor, reporter and producer, so you know what she is dishing out is based on the real thing. I find these types of books fascinating. I liked Charley’s character a lot, how she really wanted to stay true to herself and not buy into all the ratings hype – even though she did slip now and again! There were a few editing errors that kept popping up, and I’m not sure I quite understood Charley’s relationship with Oz – they are super casual yet he visits her in Miami from LA? Those were two things that stuck out to me, but overall I thought this was a fun chick lit read!
[Rating: 4]

July 30, 2012
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Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell
Chick Lit Review

Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell

Enchanting and mysterious, Before I Met You by Lisa Jewell, follows young Betty, freshly out of university as she embarks on following her dreams and landing a great job, meeting new friends …. and possibly falling in love. Calm, cool, and collected, young Betty is ready for anything that life throws her direction, well that is until she stumbles upon a mysterious love letter after her grandmother’s death from a man that she has never heard of. Although she tries to move past the contents of the letter, it becomes difficult for her because she is completely captivated by the letter and wonders if it will help her find her own happiness.

This is only the second book that I have read from Lisa Jewell but she has quickly emerged as one of my favorite authors. Featuring a historical perspective, I loved this novel because of the strong, believable characters and their relationships, as well as the prose and intrigue that the novel presented. I loved the dynamic between Arlette and Betty and the dual writing that Jewell did fabulously well. I also thought Jewell created a very beautiful world for the reader … starting first in the 20’s with the stereotypical flapper dresses, transporting the reader through the early 90’s with all of it’s pop references as well. Overall, a truly heartwarming read and a great new addition to my book shelf. I think this book is for any reader who loves a little bit of mystery and intrigue in a read.

[Rating: 4.5/5]

July 30, 2012
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