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Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz
Chick Lit Review

Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz

Brooke Miller is in a pickle. A successful Manhattan attorney, Brooke is so sure her dashing Scottish boyfriend is about to propose any minute to her. To Brooke’s complete shock, he doesn’t propose, he dumps her, admits he’s been cheating, and kicks her out of their shared apartment! She is devastated, but sure she can win him back. It can’t really be over right?
When Brooke’s ex-boyfriend, Trip, calls to tell her he is getting married to a Hollywood movie star, she tells a teeny tiny lie. She tells him that she too is engaged- to her dashing Scottish, well, now ex-boyfriend. But she is sure they will get back together before Trip’s wedding, so it won’t be a lie for long. Except for when the wedding roles around and Douglas still hasn’t asked her back, Brooke has no choice but to come up with an outrageous plan to deceive Trip and the other wedding guests.
Scot on the Rocks, the debut novel from Brenda Janowitz is fast-paced and funny, with the heroine landing herself in more than one silly situation. Sometimes though, I did feel frustrated with the main character trying so hard to get this loser back when a real man was right in front of her. But the supporting characters really helped the scenes along, from a best friend struggling with her own marriage, a co-worker trying to win the girl, and of course the luscious Hollywood wedding. A fast and funny read that chick lit fans will enjoy.

April 9, 2010
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Workout While Working: The TrekDesk
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Workout While Working: The TrekDesk

The April edition of Fitness Magazine featured the TrekDesk. If you have never heard of this, the TrekDesk is a tall table that will fit treadmills, allowing you to make a desk out of your workout machine. You can put your phone, laptop, notebooks, pens, books, etc. on the TrekDesk and be able to walk while working! I wish I could have something like this; I hate sitting at my desk all day, munching on snacks and not getting any exercise. An editor for Fitness Magazine tried out the TrekDesk in her office, and said it took some time getting used to walking while typing, but at the end of the day she was burning up to 160 calories an hour. I know I couldn’t walk on a treadmill during my regular day job (administrative assistant at a hospital) but I also work from home on this website so I could really utilize something like this while working there or reading. It’s a little on the pricey side, about $480, but if you think about all the health benefits you receive, it just may be worth it!

April 7, 2010
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Jim Carrey & Jenny McCarthy Split After 5 Years
Chick Lit Plus

Jim Carrey & Jenny McCarthy Split After 5 Years

The couple news that is breaking my heart today: Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy have split. Carrey’s rep confirmed the breakup to People.com. McCarthy, 37, released this statement, “I’m so grateful for the years Jim and I shared together. I will continue to be in his daughter’s life and will always keep Jim as a leading man in my heart.” Comedian Carrey, 48, twittered this early in the afternoon, “I’m grateful 4 the many blessings we’ve shared and I wish her the very best! S’okay!”

April 7, 2010
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Michael Lohan Engaged to Kate Majors
Chick Lit Plus

Michael Lohan Engaged to Kate Majors

I couldn’t more grossed out: Lindsay Lohan’s father, Michael Lohan is engaged to Kate Majors. Yes, the same Kate Majors that was once linked to father of eight, Jon Gosselin. The couple, who have been dating for a few solid months, plan to possibly walk down the aisle at the end of the year. People.com, who announced the engagement, reports that Majors, who is 23 years younger than Lohan, had her fiancée meet her father over the Easter weekend. Ew.

April 7, 2010
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Chick Lit Author Sarah Pekkanen
Chick Lit Authors

Chick Lit Author Sarah Pekkanen

Sarah Pekkanen was born in New York City, and moved to Bethesda, Maryland as a young girl. From the start, Pekkanen wanted to write, often writing her own stories and poems, and after college she began work as a journalist for Capitol Hill coverage. Before the birth of her children, Pekkanen married and took on jobs as at Gannett New Service/USAToday, covering Capitol Hill, and writing features for the Baltimore Sun. Sarah Pekkanen now stays home full-time with her three sons, Jackson, Will, and Dylan, and her debut novel, The Opposite of Me, was published in 2010.

April 6, 2010
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Healthy Recipe: Chelsea Handler’s Favorite Turkey Meat Loaf
Chick Lit Plus

Healthy Recipe: Chelsea Handler’s Favorite Turkey Meat Loaf

Chelsea Handler is one of my favorite late night comedians, and the way she talks about her food and drinks would make one think she doesn’t care how many calories she consumes in a day. But actually, Chelsea is very conscious of her diet, thanks in large part to her nutritionist and her brother, Roy, who is a professional chef. The comedienne shared one of her favorite recipes with Shape magazine, turkey meat loaf. Keep reading for the full recipe:

Serves: 16
Prep Time: 30
Cook Time: 1 hour, 40 minutes
Ingredients:
• Cooking spray
• 1 7″ loaf (about 4 1/2 ounces) stale crusty bread
• 2 cups lowfat milk
• 5 pounds ground turkey breast
• 3 cloves sliced garlic
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup plus 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard, divided
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and preheat oven to 400° F. Tear bread into small chunks and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the milk and make sure bread is immersed. Let sit 30 minutes, mixing the bread and milk every 10 minutes, until the bread is thoroughly moistened. Add all of the ingredients except 1/4 cup mustard and 1/2 cup ketchup. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
Form into 2 equal size cylindrical loaves and put on a prepared baking sheet. Mix the remaining mustard and ketchup and spread evenly over the loaves. Bake for an hour or until juices run clear. (The loaves should be firm to the touch.) Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

April 6, 2010
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Beauty Review: Biore Steam Activated Cleanser
Chick Lit Plus

Beauty Review: Biore Steam Activated Cleanser

As promised, I bought the new cleanser from Biore- the Steam Activated Cleanser. This minty smelling cleanser has steam activated beads that works with the steam from the shower to wash away makeup, oil, and dirt that is in your pores. I waited until after I had shampooed my hair and my shower was nice and steamy before I lathered it up and let it settle on my face for a few minutes. After washing it off, my face felt refreshed and cool, but I didn’t want to get too excited right away. I kept using it daily in the shower, and I can say after 1 week, my skin feels a lot better and is improving in appearance. I am glad to report this isn’t a skin care product that makes your face a lot worse before it gets any better! (I just hate that.) I would definitely recommend this cleanser, and the price is reasonable as well, right around $8 at local drugstores.

April 6, 2010
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Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick
Chick Lit Review

Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick

Ten years after graduating from Leighton College in New York, five friends hold a reunion, where they reminisce on old times. All former English majors, the women wonder what would have become of their lives if they had chosen a different major and profession. A professor, a bartender, a copyright, and an administrative assistant all get that second chance when the fifth member of the group passes away, leaving her four friends $1,000,000 to reinvent themselves.
Now, a novelist, an event planner, a pastry chef, and a bed and breakfast owner are finding the answers to their “what if” questions. They are finally following their dreams and desires, and are doing it together back in the town of their college. Finding their true callings amidst career struggles and love battles, the four friends grow closer to one another while honoring their friend’s spirit and life along the way.
Second Time Around by Beth Kendrick is a heart-felt story on the value of friendship and finding a way to follow your heart. Each woman’s story was interesting and colorful, and the way each character could tie in with one another was excellent. A unique subplot involving the deceased friend kept the mystery up throughout the novel, and the ending will make all readers satisfied.

April 3, 2010
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The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen
Chick Lit Review

The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen

Lindsey Rose is a true workaholic. With virtually no friends besides a co-worker, she spends the nights sleeping in her office and is constantly trying to get further in her promising career as a top New York advertising executive. When she is passed over for a promotion and then fired after getting caught in a compromising position with another employee, Lindsey has no choice but to pack up her belongings and head back home to Maryland to live with her parents.
Lindsey is the complete opposite from her twin sister, Alex. While Lindsey is the smart one with mediocre looks, Alex is gorgeous, flirty, and completely selfish. With her upcoming nuptials to a wildly rich and successful man, Alex’s life dominates in greatness over Lindsey’s. Lindsey clutches furiously to hold on to her friendship with Bradley, who crushed on her all throughout high school, but she finds out Bradley has moved on- to the complete unexpected. Lindsey throws herself into a new friendship and a new job- as a matchmaker for singles. When a devastating medical diagnosis hit the family, Lindsey is forced to take a closer look at her and her twin’s lives and the stereotypes they have been leading- and finds an unexpected twist that makes her re-evaluate the way she has been living her life.
The Opposite of Me, the debut novel from Sarah Pekkanen is a heartwarming tale that brought me to tears at the end. It did seem slightly slow-paced at times, but I thought each plot twist was unpredictable. When I was positive I knew what was coming next, the opposite happened, making me enjoy this book even more. I will definitely look forward to Pekkanen’s next novel, and I am hoping maybe there will be a spin-off that follows Alex’s journey.

April 2, 2010
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