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Author Profile: Rebecca Coleman
Chick Lit Authors

Author Profile: Rebecca Coleman

Author Name: Rebecca Coleman
Website: http://www.rebeccacoleman.net/
Bio: A New Yorker by birth, Rebecca Coleman grew up in the close suburbs of Washington, D.C., in an academic family. A year spent in Germany, at the age of eight, would later provide the basis for the protagonist’s background in “The Kingdom of Childhood.” She first learned about the Waldorf School movement at age 14 and quickly developed a fascination with its culture and philosophies. After studying elementary education for several years at the University of Maryland, she graduated with a degree in English, awarded with honors. She lives in suburban Maryland with her husband and their four young children.
Title: The Kingdom of Childhood

See my review of The Kingdom of Childhood
Bio retrieved from rebeccacoleman.net

March 13, 2012
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Blog Tour Sign Up: In Leah’s Wake by Terri Giuliano Long
CLP Blog Tours

Blog Tour Sign Up: In Leah’s Wake by Terri …

A Story of Love, Loss, Connection, and Grace

The Tylers have a perfect life—beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine, more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years, just wants her sister’s approval. With Leah nearing graduation and Justine a seemingly together kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life…until Leah meets Todd, a high school dropout and former roadie for a rock band.

As Leah’s parents fight to save their daughter from a world of drugs, sex, wild parties, their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage. Meanwhile, 12-year-old Justine observes her sister’s rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family – leaving her to question whether anyone loves her and if God even knows she exists.

Can this family survive in Leah’s wake? What happens when love just isn’t enough?

Newly Edited Book Club Edition, 2012
Reviewer-nominated for 2012 Global eBook award
Book Bundlz 2011 Book Pick
Book Bundlz Book Club Favorite, 2012 – First Place

Praise for In Leah’s Wake

“In Leah’s Wake is an astounding story of a family in transition.”
–Tracy Riva, Midwest Reviews

“A very moving and, at times, heartbreaking story which will be loved by many, whether they are parents or not.”
–A. Rose, Amazon UK, TOP 100 REVIEWER

“Pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my own life.”
–Jennifer Donovan, 5 Minutes for Books, Top 50 Book Blog

“Easily the best read that I have enjoyed in 2011.”
–Bonnie Erina Wheeler, author of Fate Fixed: An Erris Coven Novel

“Multiple ripples of meaning contribute to the overall intensity of this deeply moving psychological drama.”
–Cynthia Harrison, author of Sister Issues

“Sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and always tender.”
— Susan Straight, National Book Award finalist, author of Take One Candle Light A Room
“In Leah’s Wake is a beautifully written and absorbing novel.”
— Margot Livesey, Award-winning author of Banishing Verona
“This is a story that will stay with you for days and weeks.”
–Radical Parenting, the award-winning parenting blog written by teens
“In Leah’s Wake is an irresistible read.”
— Holly Robinson, author of Sleeping Tigers

March 12, 2012
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Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Chick Lit Review

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love was a book I was interested in reading, mainly because I knew it had been made into a movie with Julia Roberts. I had not seen the movie before reading the book (actually, still have not seen the movie) so I started the book with no real expectations for the story. I thought it was interesting that author Elizabeth Gilbert is also the main character, so I quickly figured out this is a memoir of sorts of her life. Gilbert realizes that she is unhappy and unfilled in her life, so after a divorce she plans a year long trip of discovery to visit Rome, Mumbai, and Bali.
I’ll be honest in my review – I really didn’t enjoy the book. I realized from the first few chapters in that I couldn’t remember the pages I had already read. Nothing stuck with me. As I’m trying to write this review and give a synopsis of the story, I really can’t because I started speed-reading to get through it. I wish I knew what it was about the book that made me so uninterested. Maybe I’m just not into memoirs or self-discovery? I am surprised though because I’m a fanatic about traveling, so I really thought the scenes and descriptions of her travels would excite me, but I was wrong there. Overall, not something I would recommend unless you know you happen to love memoirs about self-discovery. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.
[Rating: 2]

March 12, 2012
3 Comments
In My Mailbox: Week of March 11
Chick Lit Plus

In My Mailbox: Week of March 11

In My Mailbox: Week of March 11

Title: Finding Felicity
Author: Monica Marlowe
Received: Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: When Madeline O’Connor learns that her estranged sister is gravely ill, she leaves behind her life in Manhattan to be at her sister’s side in Italy. There, she discovers an ancient Benedictine monastery that accommodates travelers, and she decides to stay there, among the monks. Everything in her life turns upside down when she falls for Brother Anthony Lamberti, a soft-spoken Italian completely different from the men she knows in New York. Together Madeline and Anthony find love for the first time, and learn that life and love always find a way. When her sister dies, a new life for Madeline begins. A new life that she would never have imagined and yet is perfect for her in every way.

Title: Designer Dirty Laundry
Author: Diane Vallere
Received: From Diane Vallere
Synopsis: Samantha Kidd, ex-buyer turned Trend Specialist, designed her future with couture precision, but finding the Fashion Director’s corpse on day one leaves her hanging by a thread. When the killer fabricates evidence that puts the cops on her hemline, she trades high fashion for dirty laundry and reveals a cast of characters out for blood. Now this flatfoot in heels must keep pace with a diabolical designer before she gets marked down for murder.

Title: The Wedding Beat
Author: Devan Sipher
Received: From Erin @ The Penguin Group
Synopsis: Sometimes the best man isn’t even in the wedding party…

Gavin Greene is a hopeless romantic. He’s also a professional one: He writes the wedding column for a Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper, covering spectacular parties from coast to coast. But there’s a thin line between being a hotshot reporter on assignment…and being a single guy alone on a Saturday night at someone else’s wedding.

Everything changes on New Year’s when Gavin meets Melinda, a travel writer with an adventurous spirit. A moonlit stroll across a Manhattan rooftop seems to seal the deal. But then she slips away.

Gavin crisscrosses New York City to find her again, navigating stressed-out brides, gossip blogs, a budget-cutting boss and his daft but well-meaning parents. Along the way, he learns that there’s something worse than losing the woman of his dreams — having to write an article about her wedding.

March 11, 2012
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Author Profile: Nicolle Wallace
Chick Lit Authors

Author Profile: Nicolle Wallace

Author Name: Nicolle Wallace Website: http://www.nicollewallace.com/ Bio: Nicolle Wallace is a bestselling author and political commentator who appears regularly on news programs such as ABC’s…

March 10, 2012
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On Tour: Death on Heels by Ellen Byerrum
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Death on Heels by Ellen Byerrum

Ellen will be on tour March 12-April 2 with her novel Death on Heels When fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian moved to Washington, D.C., from rugged,…

March 9, 2012
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Home Front by Kristin Hannah
Chick Lit Review

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Oh boy. I knew I was going to be in for a ride with Home Front, the latest from Kristin Hannah, because well – it was Kristin Hannah. And that was exactly what happened. While I couldn’t stop reading the book, I made myself put it down because I wanted to stop crying! The emotions that swirled through me while reading left me a bit exhausted when I finally finished the story. But what a book. A five star review all the way. Shall I finally get to the review?
Michael and Jolene Zarkades are a married couple whose happiness is slowly disappearing. After twelve years of marriage, two children and hectic work schedules, there is a clear gap between husband and wife. But they are about to face the biggest challenge yet when Jolene gets deployed to the war. As a Blackhawk pilot with the National Guard, it is her duty to go, and Jolene and best friend Tami – also a Blackhawk pilot – head to Iraq together. Michael now faces being Mr. Mom at home, a job he isn’t happy about. Never one to support his wife being a soldier, Michael is furious Jolene abandons him – and tells her he doesn’t love her just before she leaves. While Jolene and Tami fight for their lives on a daily basis in Iraq, Michael tries to hold his family together back home. A horrific accident will change all the characters involved, and push them to the brink as they valiantly try to find their way home.
Hannah clearly put an insane amount of research into writing this book. From describing Iraq and what the soldiers go through to the families that are without a parent to what happens when the heroes come home is so eye opening. I have family in the military – my brother-in-law actually deploys this month to Afghanistan – so this book really hit me hard. I will say if you have a loved one deployed or soon to be deployed, I suggest you wait on reading this. Parts were hard for me to get through. But the story is so beautiful written, so masterful when it comes to creating characters, that this book has to be on your to-read list. Another 5 star review for Kristin Hannah from me!
[Rating: 5]

March 9, 2012
4 Comments
On Tour: Amber Eyes by Jolyn Palliata
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Amber Eyes by Jolyn Palliata

Jolyn will be on tour March 12-April 2 with her novel Amber Eyes After an accident, one she shouldn’t have walked away from, Lexi’s life…

March 9, 2012
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On Tour: Binding Arbitration by Elizabeth Marx
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Binding Arbitration by Elizabeth Marx

Elizabeth will be on tour March 12-April 2 with her novel Binding Arbitration Through the corridors of the Windy City’s criminal courts, single mother, Libby…

March 8, 2012
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