Guest Post from Samantha March: Obessed With Books
Around Christmas time, I traveled back to my hometown to visit family. My cousin Leah, who is three years younger than me, started talking about…
Blog Tour Sign Up: Blue Straggler by Kathy Lynn Harris
A blue straggler is a star that has an anomalous blue color and appears to be disconnected from those stars that surround it.
But this is not a story about astronomy.
Bailey Miller is “disconnected” from the cluster of her rural south Texas family. She has never quite fit in and now in her early 30s, she finds herself struggling with inner turmoil and a series of bad choices in her life.
“… The characters made me laugh, cry, and wish that the story went on forever.”
Bailey’s drinking too much (even for a member of her family), has a penchant to eat spoonfuls of Cool Whip, works in a job that bores her beyond description and can’t keep a relationship longer than it takes for milk to expire in her fridge.
Even with the help of her two outspoken friends, Texas lass Idamarie and her quirky college pal Rudy, she’s having a hard time.
“… every single Texas reference Kathy Lynn Harris made was so descriptive that I knew exactly what she was talking about. I felt as if I was living the story.”
So she packs up her Honda and heads out of Texas in search of herself and answers to secrets from her great-grandmother’s past. The novel takes readers on a journey from San Antonio, Texas, to a small mountain town in Colorado and back again, as Bailey uncovers not only the secrets of her great-grandmother’s life, but also some painful secrets of her own. All while finding love along the way.
“… both thoughtful and laugh-out-loud funny! I also hope that the author is working on a sequel.”
“… I laughed till I cried, then cried till I laughed. This is one I will read over and over again.”
If you have ever wondered why you got stuck with the family you did, what you are doing with your job and your life, or had a sudden desire to run off to the mountains, sit back and join Bailey for this laugh-out-loud, yet poignant ride.
On Tour: Waitlisted by Laurel Gans
Laurel will be on tour January 30-February 20 with her novel Waitlisted Kacey Barlow had no idea it would be this hard to get into…
Blank Slate Kate by Heather Wardell
I have been a fan of Heather Wardell’s since her first book, and have happily read and reviewed each and every one on Chick Lit Plus. When she contacted me about doing a tour for Blank Slate Kate, I was thrilled. Mainly because I got to read another book. I was super curious about this one, where the main character wakes up in her thirties – but her last memories are from when she is seventeen. Kate – or is her real name Kate? – has lost all her memories from the past fifteen years. She has to try to figure out who she really is, and things really get complicated when her husband appears. Kate doesn’t have any recollection of this man, her wedding, her corporate life. How can she piece the puzzle together?
Again, another five star review for a Wardell book. Once I started this book, I just could not put it down. I loved figuring out Kate’s life with the little clues that would come to us throughout the chapters. It was such a mystery, and a very well thought-out and written one at that. Twists and turns surfaced at so many points, but instead of being overwhelming, it just kept making the book better and better. The aspect I think I loved the most was the ending. Wardell gives her books the best endings – they never end the way you think they will or is the “norm.” (Check out Planning to Live and you’ll see what I mean). I really enjoyed the ending to this book as well, and again – if you haven’t checked out Heather Wardell yet – do it! You’ll thank me!
[Rating: 5]
On Tour: Thank You For Flying Air Zoe by Erik …
Erik will be on tour January 30- February 20 with his novel Thank You For Flying Air Zoe Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fasten Seat Belt…
Hair Care Products from Victoria Secret
While shopping at Victoria Secret one day, I noticed a new section in the store that featured hair care products. I wandered over and saw VS was having an incredible special on the products, so naturally, I bought three. My argument was that I needed hairspray anyway, I’d been wanting to try out a dry shampoo, and my hair stylist told me a detangler might help my hair from falling out so rapidly. Thus, my three products.
So Sexy – Style Tame and Smooth Instant Detangler – $14
I use this almost every time I get out of the shower. I think it works really well, and just a few sprays helps me manage my long hair. The information says this product helps prevent breakage, and helps nourish strands by using shea butter, oat extract and provitamin B5. I would recommend!
So Sexy- Style Hold and Finish Hairspray – $14
I didn’t mind this hairspray, but the smell is pretty overwhelming. The information says it had a “light, fresh fragrance” but I completely disagree. After I finish spraying this through my hair, I have to literally step out of my bathroom for a few minutes or else I feel like I am choking. The actual hairspray itself holds up pretty well, but I probably won’t buy this again based on the smell alone.
So Sexy- Style Clean and Go Dry Shampoo- $14
I really wasn’t a fan of this product. I love the idea behind dry shampoo, but instead of making my hair look better, it just made it look and feel really gross. I tried on a couple different occasions to alter the amount I was using, thinking maybe I was using too much and that was my problem, but even using smaller amounts didn’t seem to help. I couldn’t get over the way my hair felt with this product – dirty and sticky are two descriptive words that come to mind – and I eventually just stopped using it.
So, my hair care experience with Victoria Secret wasn’t the best on Round 1. I would really only suggest their detangler, though the hairspray really wasn’t that terrible. Has anyone else tried out hair care products from VS? I would love to hear your experiences!
Future Tour: Amber Eyes by Jolyn Palliata
Jolyn will be on tour March 12- April 2 with her YA paranormal romance novel Amber Eyes ~ Eyes are the window to the soul,…
Empire of Light by Gregory Earls
Review written by Sara Palacios Empire of Light by Gregory Earls is an endearing tale of a young, black cinematography student. The story begins with…
5 Stages of Grief by Bethany Ramos
Bethany Ramos is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and 5 Stages of Grief. This book really intrigued me. I thought it was different from a lot of books I have read lately, and I thought the timing in the main character’s life was really interesting. Danielle Starkey gets a disturbing phone call regarding a vacation that her husband booked – with his mistress. Danielle is furious that her husband was cheating on her – past tense because her husband died in a tragic car accident. Danielle doesn’t know what to think about Cherry James (such a mistress name) and why her husband was cheating. How do you get resolution when the cheating party is six feet under? Danielle comes up with a scheme to confront Cherry James about the affair, but in the process, manages to almost lose her cushy job as a magazine beauty editor. Will Danielle be able to keep it all together, or will this latest twist be too much to handle?
I thought Ramos gave readers a whole new angle to work with during Danielle’s journey. Her husband is already deceased, she’s already allowed herself to break down about it, and now we watch as this new piece of information gets brought to life. While the story is sad, it’s also humorous, charming and realistic. Danielle relies on her best friend to help get through, and she also gives her shot at online dating. The beginning went kind of fast for me, I was trying to figure out what the heck was all going on, but once I was a few pages in I started to get a handle on Danielle and her friends and what she was going through. I also loved that Danielle was a beauty editor, and watching her on the job was a lot of fun – something I think chick lit fans will enjoy. Overall, I’m really impressed at the story and characters Ramos created and think this is a book to get on your to-read lists!
[Rating: 4]
