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Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell
Chick Lit Review

Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell

Four Blondes by Candace Bushnell follows the stories of four women: a beautiful B-list model who uses men to summer in the Hamptons, a columnist who struggles with her husbands less-than-ideal career, a wannabe Cinderella who discovers that she would be happier living anybody else’s life except her own, and an artist and former “it-girl” who struggles to come to terms with aging and feels like she is losing time to find her soul mate. Through the four creatively titled tales, the reader will witness the success and failures of love and their many adventures in the bedroom.
Usually known for her brashness of sexual exploits and adventures, Bushnell fell flat in this one. The writing is witty but the characters and their particular stories feel old and tired- not entertaining and mischievous like those found in Sex and The City. I found myself dragging in the first few pages reading about a former model, who is essentially a prostitute with no self worth, and knew that the rest of the book wasn’t looking so hot- and I was right. I guess maybe I went into the book with high expectations because I have always been such a big fan of Bushnell, but this book was missing everything that makes her the phenomenal writer that she is.

June 8, 2012
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On Tour: Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Dancing Naked in Dixie by Lauren Clark

Lauren will be on tour June 11-July 2 with her novel Dancing Naked in Dixie Travel writer Julia Sullivan lives life in fast-forward. She jet…

June 7, 2012
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Come Fly With Me by Sandi Perry
Chick Lit Review

Come Fly With Me by Sandi Perry

I received a copy of Come Fly With Me from Sandi Perry in exchange for an honest review. The main character is Allison Ross, a twenty nine year old gallery owner in Chelsea. Everything in her life is planned and detailed, until a curveball is thrown – her Dad’s premature death that could possibly be a murder. Her father owned and operated RossAir, a luxury jet company, and Allison finds herself suddenly the interim CEO in the wake of his death. Trying to juggle too many things at once while also trying to grieve her loss of a parent, Allison finds herself at the end of her rope. When the handsome Alex Coventry enters her life, Allison is wary at first, but the attraction is too hard to ignore.
I really struggled with Come Fly With Me out of the gate. I think it was the dialogue that was too hard for me to get past. I found it too stiff and too explanatory. The romance between Allison and Alex didn’t do much for me, I was often confused on if they liked each other at all and wondered how the attraction was there. I did enjoy the mystery aspect surrounding the death of Allison’s father. That kept my interest for a while, but I eventually I started to skim pages, and by the time the culprit was figured out, I actually didn’t know who it was. Not a book for me, but I’ve seen a few other great reviews for it so I would still check it out if it sounds like something you might enjoy. I was pretty surprised I didn’t connect with the book honestly, I really thought it would be right up my alley.
[Rating: 2.5]

June 7, 2012
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On Tour: Unlocked by Rachael O’Bryan
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Unlocked by Rachael O’Bryan

Rachael will be on tour June 11-18 with her novel Unlocked This is a novel in stories about the impact people can have on a…

June 6, 2012
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BaSatai: Outside In by Suzan Battah
Chick Lit Review

BaSatai: Outside In by Suzan Battah

I was looking forward to hosting Suzan Battah again through CLP Blog Tours. I was really interested in this second novel as it is a complete 180 from the romance novel Mad About the Boy. BaSatai: Outside In is a YA/paranormal/sci-fi book, the first in a series. The story follows seventeen year old Armani Radnelaq, a BaSatai that does not want to accept the fact that her blood is cursed. Armani hides on Earth with her adopted father Elijah, and continues to ignore the fact that she is different. But when her Guardian Karhl and an elite BasSatai Warrior Rafael arrive to help protect her and train her with her BaSatai powers, Armani must realize that a different fate has been set for her.
I have been reading a lot of these paranormal books lately, and even more YA/paranormal on top of that. I find it fascinating what an author’s mind can create with these mystical worlds and powers and rules, and BaSatai was no exception. The details and execution of H-Trae and the BaSatai were fabulous. I enjoyed the love story as well between Armani and Rafael, and never quite knew what was going to happen next. I will say that I made it through half of the book very quickly, and then everything seemed to slow down. I thought that was a bit backwards, since the beginning is filling in readers on this land and the second half was the action and fighting, but that’s the way it read for me. I would be curious to see where the second novel goes. If you have a fan of sci-fi, I would recommend this for you.
[Rating: 3.5]

June 6, 2012
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The Devil Has Dimples by Pepper Phillips
Chick Lit Review

The Devil Has Dimples by Pepper Phillips

Pepper Phillips is currently on tour with CLP Blog Tours and The Devil Has Dimples. This was such a cute, romantic read. And did I mention funny? Oh – and a bit mysterious? There were many fabulous elements wrapped up in this book, and it made for a great journey with the MC Sara McLaughlin. When Sara finds out she is adopted and her mother is Maudie Cooper, the town gossip, Sara is determined to find some answers. Why did Maudie give her up? And who is her dad? As Sara sets about her business, a romance is trying to blossom between her and Grant St. Romaine, Maudie’s attorney who made the initial contact with Sara. When the two become roommates, things get even more heated between them. Will Sara be able to find all her answers surrounding her past – and will she get the guy?
Overall, I had a really fun time reading this novel. I loved the mystery and intrigue surrounding Sara’s past, and had a blast trying to piece all the elements together. Sometimes the romance between her and Grant got a little awkward and I didn’t quite get the connection, but in the end, I was happy with how they ended up. The ending through quite the curveball, and I’m actually still not sure how I felt about it. Surprised of course, but also for happy for Sara’s ending. I thought she deserved it. I would recommend this book!
[Rating: 4]

June 6, 2012
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Book Excerpt: The Devil Has Dimples by Pepper Phillips
Updates

Book Excerpt: The Devil Has Dimples by Pepper Phillips

Thanks to Pepper for sharing this excerpt from The Devil Has Dimples as part of her tour with CLP Blog Tours! Check back tomorrow for…

June 5, 2012
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Charming Tuesday: A Beauty Favorite & A Giveaway
Chick Lit Plus

Charming Tuesday: A Beauty Favorite & A Giveaway

Charming Tuesday Product of the Week: Eyeliner

Samantha’s Must-Have:

I have been using Maybelline for my eyeliner since I was in college, and I love it. It seems every time I try a new one, I find it to be amazing. I have tried and would recommend the Unstoppable, Define-A-Line, Line Stylist, and Studio Master, and I think you could be happy with any of them! Maybelline is the only eyeliner I currently wear, and I love trying their new products!

Sara’s Must-Have:

On most days, I typically don’t wear eyeliner. For some reason, eyeliner to me is more of a “going out” product and I simply save it for nights out with the husband or a girls night. So, my eyeliner tends to be a little more dramatic than most. For years, I stole my mom’s black Estee Lauder eye pencil, but once I moved away from home, I needed to find something else instead of always relying on my mom’s favorite products. So, for quite some time, I experimented with different eyeliners and found that they never went on quite like the one I was used to wearing. Then one day, I stumbled upon the Bobbi Brown makeup counter and tried out their Long Wear Gel Eyeliner and was hooked instantly. The color goes on fluidly, lasts ALL day, offers a dramatic punch of color, and really just works. My favorite by far is the Violet Ink since it really makes my green eyes pop.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EYELINER? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND LET US KNOW.

June 5, 2012
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Interview With a Jewish Vampire by Erica Manfred
Chick Lit Review

Interview With a Jewish Vampire by Erica Manfred

Erica Manfred is currently on tour with Interview With a Jewish Vampire and CLP Blog Tours. When Erica approached me about running her tour, I did have some worries. Would I be able to find a good market for her with such a specific niche and – do I even like vampires? I was never one that got into the Twilight or other vampires books/TV shows, but I really wanted to give this one a chance. And I’m glad I did! The reviews that have been coming in for the book are terrific, and I’m happy to say I think it was a fun read as well.
The main character is Rhoda Ginsburg, a middle-aged journalist who signs up on JDate after her divorce and goes on a date with a vampire. It takes a bit for Rhoda to become convinced that Sheldon is indeed a vampire, but when he holds up the mirror and has no reflection, she starts to become intrigued. The two form a relationship and try to be as normal as they can – considering Sheldon sleeps in a coffin during the day, drinks blood (mainly animals, not humans) and will never age. When Rhoda learns that her mother has become terminally ill she gets the idea for Sheldon to turn her into a vampire, so then she will never die. But then Rhoda faces the question – with her boyfriend and mother both vampires, should she turn as well?
There was so much humor in this book, along with a great love story and a fab cast of supporting characters. Manfred really did a terrific job at throwing all the typical stereotypes about vampires out the window and making her own unique story, which I think is pretty impressive. Even if you have decided that the vampire craze is not your thing, I would still recommend you read this story. I hope there is more to come!
[Rating: 4]

June 4, 2012
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