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A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison
Chick Lit Review

A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison

Elizabeth Stevens is turning thirty-five alone and single. If that wasn’t bad enough, she also has to bake the wedding cake for her ex-husband and the woman he left her for. Her partner at their bakery A Taste of Magic booked the event without knowing, and the bakery is in serious need for cash and clients, so the Liz refused to turn them down. Then, her grandmother, kooky Grandma Verda, reveals to Liz that she has inherited magical powers on her birthday. Turns out, Liz is from a line of gypsies, and now the magic has been passed down to her. But she needs to find a way to control her gifts, because simple mistakes can lead to drastic changes for her family and friends. On top of that, Liz is trying to balance between the hunky cop neighbor and her perfect boyfriend material trainer, while juggling her overly nosy family and damn ex husband.
A Taste of Magic by Tracy Madison is cute and quite funny at times. Liz is very relatable, well, besides the whole gypsy magic part, but other than that, she is very down to earth and women would be able to connect with her. I liked the humor in some of the scenes, but the writing didn’t sit well with me. Madison tends to jump forward then back in the timeline of events, often confusing me. And there were a few plot points that I thought were simply unnecessary and could have been cut out. I thought Liz’s character was well built, but some of the supporting characters needed more development. Overall, it was a light read, not my favorite, and the writing needed to be sharper. I know A Taste of Magic is the first in this series, and I hope the others are more engaging.
[Rating: 3.5]

February 21, 2011
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My Water Woes
Chick Lit Plus

My Water Woes

I’m sure we’ve all heard that we need to drink eight glasses of water a day. Many celebrities boast that their camel like habits gives them great skin and trim waistlines. And doctors say that drinking water can reduce hunger, help us be more productive, and helps with digestion. All great reasons to drink eight glasses of water a day right?
So last week, I decided to keep count of how much water I consume each day. I usually only drink water at work, I rarely buy juice or soda, and have more water again in the evenings with my workouts. I was sure I drank at least eight glasses, if not more. I placed a check mark on my post-it each time another glass was consumed. On my first day of recording, I had only drunk three glasses! I had a glass in the morning with breakfast, another with lunch, and another during my afternoon break. I didn’t have any at home. So the next day, I tried to pay attention, and keep my water bottle filled at all times. I still only drank five glasses that day. I was shocked- I thought my water consumption was much higher. In order to start reaching eight glasses a day, I filled my water bottle right when I came to work, before I even started my computer. Each time my glass became empty, I would fill it again. I also started cutting back on my soda consumption, because I would substitute them with water. It became a game to me, making sure I could check off each glass each day. Now, I am much more aware of much water I drink. I challenge you to try to get to eight glasses a day as well. Start by seeing what you consume in an average day, and find ways to add in more. That may mean cutting back on your coffee drinks or sugary juices, but will only benefit you in other places. Good luck!

February 21, 2011
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Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Chick Lit Review

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I never got into the whole Twilight phenomenon, choosing whether to buy Team Jacob or Team Edward underwear. I didn’t read the books or watch the movies (though I could get never get away from talk of Robert Pattison’s hair). But when a friend offered to loan me the first three books, I decided to give them a try. Why not, right? Maybe then I could go buy Team Jacob underwear.
So I cracked open book Uno, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. I tried my best to put out all thoughts of the movie clips I had seen, and concentrate just on the writing and the characters in the book. Which didn’t really work out for me. I wasn’t all that impressed. Before you Twihards start boycotting my blog, let me explain why.
The writing really wasn’t as good as I thought it would be. The same words were used over and over again (Edward was perfect, Bella was clumsy, Edward was perfect…) and there was a lot of telling vs. showing going on. I never really connected with Bella, she seemed a little off, and not like the fierce female I think Meyer was trying to make her be. And the love connection between Bella and Edward? I’ve been seventeen, and I never fell head over heels, would turn myself into a vampire, for a guy that I met a handful of times. It just didn’t seem believable- then again, I’m reading a story about vampires, so hey. Also, I was really bored through the first ¾ of the book. Nothing was happening. I didn’t care about kids going to school. I wanted some action, or drama, or…anything.
I tried my best to like the book, but it wasn’t until the last chapters that I started to get invested in the characters. And with a book as thick as that, it was a challenge to keep reading. If it hadn’t been for me writing a review, I probably would have stopped before the half way mark. But the ending did help me like the book a bit, and convinced to the give the second novel a try. Let’s hope New Moon has a bit more action than Twilight.
[Rating: 2]

February 19, 2011
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New Chip Love: Pita
Chick Lit Plus

New Chip Love: Pita

I have an unhealthy obsession with Doritos. Or really, any kind of chip. But once I started buying two family size bags of Doritos a week, I knew I had a problem. I tried to cut out chips completely, but that wasn’t satisfying me. So instead, I decided to try a healthier chip. I found Stacy’s Naked Pita Chips in the healthy food aisle at my grocery store, and decided to give them a try. I bought them to go along with the spinach dip that I had also bought, but I found that I liked these bare chips by themselves as well. Stacy’s carries a line of pita and bagel chips, all that can be eaten plain or with dips and salsas. I went to Stacy’s website and found their philosophy, which boasts about their natural pita chips and offering a basic, uncluttered snack that still tastes delicious. The chips are thicker and crunchier than most chips, and I find myself not mindlessly munching on them like I would with Doritos. I eat a handful, and then I feel that my crunch and salt craving has passed. Since I started buying the pita chips, my Doritos consumption has plummeted. There are many different flavors offered by Stacy’s and I would recommend you to give them a try. The pita chips and spinach dip have become a big hit at my work potlucks!

February 19, 2011
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Snake Skin by CJ Lyons
Chick Lit Review

Snake Skin by CJ Lyons

Even though I love chick lit and all things girly, I am also a fan of mysteries and thrillers. When I reviewed my first book from CJ Lyons, Blind Faith, I was blown away by the creative story lines, the intense drama, and breathtaking speed at which I flew the story. When CJ approached me and offered to send me a copy of Snake Skin, of course I said yes!
Snake Skin follows Lucy Guardino, or Supervisory Special Agent Guardino when she is on the job. Lucy is an average mom, in love with her husband, and trying to find a common bond with her teenage daughter. But she also carries a forty-caliber Glock and goes undercover to find criminals for the FBI’s Sexual Assault Felony Enforcement squad. Lucy works to take down criminals who abduct and abuse children, and often puts her life on the line to save the innocent. But when her current case starts hitting too close to home and may be at the hands of an insider, Lucy must work quickly to save a young girl- and possibly her own daughter.
Lyons uses her own experiences from working as a pediatric ER doctor to help the scenarios and characters come to life. Again, I flew through this novel, trying to connect the dots and find the killer along with Lucy. Snake Skin isn’t just from Lucy’s point of view, readers will be able to get into the minds of other FBI workers, as well as the abducted girl and her abductor. This is another great read from CJ Lyons, and I think women will enjoy that kick ass hero portrayed by Lucy.
[Rating: 4.5]

February 18, 2011
2 Comments
My Thoughts on eReaders
Updates

My Thoughts on eReaders

I wasn’t sure how I felt about e-readers when they were first introduced and more and more books were being published for them. I have loved getting paperback and hardcovers, and being able to show off my fantastic titles on my bookshelf. But because of my blog and the high volume of books I review, not getting an e-reader didn’t seem to be an option. So for Christmas, my mom purchased me an Amazon Kindle (thanks Mom!) and I set out to see if I would like this new way of reading.
After messing around a bit at first, not being able to figure out how to turn the volume off or how to charge it and generally hating all things technological, I finally settled down and was able to begin downloading books onto it. And once I got past all the beginner stuff, like setting up my password and Wi-Fi connection and charging it overnight, I’m happy to say I love it! It’s so light and easy to carry in my purse. With the Kindle, I don’t have to worry about bending the cover of the book when I throw it in my bag. Reading on it is a breeze, and I enjoy that it tells me the percentage complete while reading. I was worried that I wouldn’t have a clue if I was getting towards the end of a book, so that percentage meter is a great tool. The battery doesn’t die down easily either. After I read three books back to back on my Kindle, I finally remembered that I would need to charge it as some point, and the battery wasn’t even halfway through yet! And eBooks are a lot cheaper, I have even been able to download some for free on Amazon! I haven’t run into troubles as of yet, and I would definitely recommend an e-reader to someone who does a lot of reading. It’s very simple to use and quite handy. Of course, I don’t think an e-reader will ever take place of a traditional paperback (at least, I hope not!) but I am thoroughly enjoying my new Kindle.

February 18, 2011
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The Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio
Chick Lit Review

The Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio

Julie Fraser is unadventurous, happy and content in her mundane day to day activities in San Diego. But when all signs point to surprising her husband on his business trip in Costa Rica, Julie decides she must follow them. The trip turns out disastrous, leaving Julie fighting to stay alive Survivor-style in the Costa Rican jungle after accidently stealing an ancient artifact. Julie must figure out if she is leaving her husband, how to get rescued and return to the stone, and if she’s losing her mind because her only friend in the jungle is a monkey. But once a handsome blonde Juan comes to rescue, Julie’s outlook is suddenly looking brighter- until she finds out Juan has been using her to get to the stone. Alone again and in desperate need for help, Julie sets out a path that will lead her to many truths about her husband, her marriage, and herself.
The Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio is a unique story about one woman trying to find her way in the world. The story was very creative and quite clever, and I found myself laughing many times. But it wasn’t all humorous, there was a underlying of serious notes also throughout the story, and danger lurking for many of the characters. I thought DeTarsio put together an excellent blend of romance, international mystery, and loveable quirky characters that chick lit fans will love. All that being said, I truly did like this book, but when I finished the last chapter and gathered my thoughts on it, I wasn’t really moved. It was a good story, relatable characters, and an exotic location, but there were times when I failed to see the point, the message the story was bringing to me. But I did enjoy reading it and I think DeTarsio has a fresh take on writing for women, and I will definitely read more of her novels.
[Rating: 4]

February 17, 2011
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Jessica Alba Pregnant
Chick Lit Plus

Jessica Alba Pregnant

Jessica Alba is gearing up for baby number 2! The actress, 29, announced via Facebook today that she and husband Cash Warren are expecting. Her post read: “I thought I’d drop by to let you all in on some exciting news – Honor is going to be a Big Sister! Cash and I are thrilled and wanted to share the news directly with you so you didn’t hear about it somewhere else. I appreciated all of the love and support you all gave me during my first pregnancy and will definitely appreciate it again this time around. Have a great day!” Jessica and Cash married in 2008 and had daughter Honor Marie a month later, in June.

February 16, 2011
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In My Mailbox: February 16
Updates

In My Mailbox: February 16

In My Mailbox: February 15th

Title: Family Pieces
Author: Misa Rush
Received: From Misa Rush
Synopsis: What do you do when your once charmed life falls to pieces? Karsen Woods’ life seems charmed from her hunkalicious boyfriend to her picture-perfect midwestern roots. Away at college, even the necklace she wears serves as a constant connection home – a family tradition created when her grandfather handmade each immediate relative an interlinking charm. Each piece crafted in the shape of a puzzle piece, each one interlinking perfectly together. But when the unexpected death of her mother turns her world upside down, she discovers there is a missing piece of her treasured family tradition and her life as she once knew it may never be the same. Addison Reynolds resides in her posh Manhattan condominium and wraps her personal identity around running Urbane, the magazine empire built by her father. In a moment of haste, Addison divulges her deepest secret to her closest friend Emily – a secret she never intended to disclose. Could one choice, one secret, bond two unlikely women forever?

Title: The Atlas of Love
Author: Laurie Frankel
Received: For SheKnows Book Club
Synopsis: When Jill Mattison abruptly becomes both pregnant and single at the end of one spring semester, she and her two closest friends plunge headlong into an experiment in tri-parenting, tri-schooling, and tri-habitating as graduate students in Seattle. In a possibly crazy leap of faith, they acquire a big house, a new dog, and lots of tightly scheduled literature courses in fervent hope it will be enough to make a family.
Janey Duncan narrates The Atlas of Love with heartbreaking, heartwarming hilarity and shows how all their lives are forever changed by adventures in non-traditional parenting. Soon, these friends find their lives start to mirror their books, their books start to mirror their lives, and their alternative family becomes just as complicated as the traditional kind. And one tiny baby named Atlas upends and uplifts their entire world.
Like any good family drama, this one involves love affairs, Jewish grandmothers, Mormons, illness, betrayal, tests of the spirit (religious, emotional, and oral before a four-person examining committee), birth, death, and marriage, plus baseball, a gender-misidentified dog, and several dinner table smack downs. The Atlas of Love explores love and loss, friends and family and the fuzzy lines between the two, literature and pedagogy, and timeless mysteries such as who would you forgive for having you arrested and why must the Yankees always make the post-season.

Title: Spinning
Author: Michael Baron
Received: From Lou Aronica @ The Story Plant
Synopsis: Dylan Hunter has it made. At 29, he has great friends, a huge job, all the women he can handle, and no commitments. A public relations executive, Dylan has dashed up the ladder of success by mastering the art of the spin- bending the truth to his and his clients’ needs. But when a former lover steps back into his life with a three-year-old girl by her side (no, she’s not his), Dylan suddenly finds himself in a place he can’t spin himself out of. And when Dylan unexpectedly becomes the child’s sole guardian, he starts to feel like a circus performer trying to keep all his spinning plates from crashing to the ground. In what seems like a blink of the eye, Dylan Hunter’s life has changed completely…whether he’s ready for it or not.

February 16, 2011
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