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Meet Author Deborah Blumenthal

Deborah Blumenthal is a journalist and nutritionist, and writes books for adults, young adults, and children. She also routinely writes for The New York Times and has written columns on topics such as health, fitness, beauty, and travel. Other feature stories of Blumenthal’s have been printed in newspapers and magazines, including: New York’s Daily News, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Woman’s Day, Family Circle, Self, and Vogue.
Deborah Blumenthal has four published works for adults: The New York Book of Beauty, Beauty: The Little Black Book for New York Glamour Girls, Fat Chance, and What Men Want. Blumenthal currently lives in New York City.

Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks

Rich and Tash have the love that everyone craves. A completely honest relationship, these lovers have it all: trust, commitment, sensitivity, and passion in the bedroom. When Rich’s friends tag along for the private wedding at a French ski resort, one unwelcome guest tags along: one of Rich’s ex-lovers, Jane. While Tash is under the belief that Rich has been honest with her about anything and everything, including his past conquests, this is one old flame that Rich hasn’t told a soul about. Jane is the little sister of his pal Ted, and used to be a fat ugly mess during their college years. But now, Jane has transformed herself into a beauty, and has her sights set on Rich.
Still Thinking of You by Adele Parks is a luscious read filled with colorful characters, devious plot twists, and a tearful ending. I liked that each supporting character (Rich’s gang of friends) got to tell their own story from there inside point of views. Each friend is struggling with their own issues: bankruptcy, infidelity, trying to start a family, and that brings even more to the love story between Rich and Tash. The novel started off a little too slow, I think there was a lot of information that wasn’t necessarily needed, but if you keep pushing through, you will find an incredible story. Still Thinking of You gives readers romance, deception, and a bit of relationship advice as well. A fantastic read for chick lit fans.

In My Mailbox: Week of April 11

In My Mailbox: Week of April 11th

Title: Are You There Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea
Author: Chelsea Handler
Received: Public Library
Synopsis: When Chelsea Handler needs to get a few things off her chest, she appeals to a higher power — vodka. You would too if you found out that your boyfriend was having an affair with a Peekapoo or if you had to pretend to be honeymooning with your father in order to upgrade to first class. Welcome to Chelsea’s world — a place where absurdity reigns supreme and a quick wit is the best line of defense.

In this hilarious, deliciously skewed collection, Chelsea mines her past for stories about her family, relationships, and career that are at once singular and ridiculous. Whether she’s convincing her third-grade class that she has been tapped to play Goldie Hawn’s daughter in the sequel to Private Benjamin, deciding to be more egalitarian by dating a redhead, or looking out for a foulmouthed, rum-swilling little person who looks just like her…only smaller, Chelsea has a knack for getting herself into the most outrageous situations. Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me, Chelsea showcases the candor and irresistible turns of phrase that have made her one of the freshest voices in comedy today.

Title: Perfect on Paper
Author: Maria Murnane
Received: From Maria Murnane
Synopsis: Waverly Bryson is a late-20s successful businesswoman who almost has it all: dream job in Sports PR, two best friends, and a bar where everybody knows her name. What she doesn’t have is a ring on her finger, and after being left at the altar, she’s in no hurry. Besides, she has plenty of other issues to tackle, including her wayward father, a new rival at work, and an ever-shrinking amount of personal time. To keep sane, Waverly makes a habit of jotting down “Honey Notes,” her own brand of self-deprecating wisdom and pipe-dream for a line of greeting cards.
As Waverly stumbles back into the dating scene (no stalkers or jean shorts, please), her personal and professional lives threaten to collide. Perfect on Paper reminds readers that everyone has a bad date (or twelve), and that everyone needs a best friend to tell them, “Honey, you are not alone.”

Title: Enchanted Inc.
Author: Shanna Swendson
Received: Public Library
Synopsis: Katie Chandler had always heard that New York is a weird and wonderful place, but this small-town Texas gal had no idea how weird until she moved there. Everywhere she goes, she sees something worth gawking at and Katie is afraid she’s a little too normal to make a splash in the big city. Working for an ogre of a boss doesn’t help.
Then, seemingly out of the blue, Katie gets a job offer from Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., a company that tricks of the trade to the magic community. For MSI, Katie’s ordinariness is an asset. Lacking any bit of magic, she can easily spot a fake spell, catch hidden clauses in competitor’s contracts, and detect magically disguised intruders. Suddenly, average Katie is very special indeed.
She quickly learns that office politics are even more complicated when your new boss is a real ogre, and you have a crush on the sexy, shy, ultra powerful head of the R&D department, who is so busy fighting an evil competitor threatening to sell black magic on the street that he seems barely to notice Katie. Now it’s up to Katie to pull off the impossible: save the world and – hopefully – live happily ever after.

Title: Looks to Die For
Author: Janice Kaplan
Received: Public Library
Synopsis: A smart and sassy heroine makes her debut in a stylish new mystery series from the bestselling co-author of “The Botox Diaries” and “Mine Are Spectacular!”Lacy Fields is the wife of a prominent Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, a dedicated mother of three, and an absolutely fabulous decorator to the stars. But when her husband is accused of murdering a young wannabe actress, Lacy finds out she has a killer instinct for hunting down murderers as well as antique furniture. Cleverly marrying the day-to-day foibles of family life with delicious insider glamour, “Looks to Die For” takes readers behind the scenes of a fashionable world of gossip, name-dropping, and murder. The suspense-meets-shopping page turner signals the arrival of a savvy and stylish new voice.

Title: Forget Me Knot
Author: Sue Margolis
Received: Public Library
Synopsis: From the acclaimed author of Gucci Gucci Coo and Apocalipstick comes a funny, sexy novel about questionable engagements—and a love worthy perhaps of the big screen.

Florist Abby Crompton has a knack for arranging the most exquisite bouquets for the hippest clientele. If only her personal life could run as smoothly. Although her fiancé, Toby, proposed a month ago, Abby’s still waiting for the ring. An up-and-coming lawyer, Toby’s been far too busy to shop—let alone muster the energy for romance. If that wasn’t frustrating enough, the night she’s supposed to meet her future mother-in-law, Abby gets stuck in an elevator—with a sexy stranger bearing fine wine. Needless to say, a tipsy Abby arrives late for dinner and doesn’t make the best impression.

In the aftermath of the dinner disaster, Abby is thrilled to learn that a film studio wants to use her shop in an upcoming movie. But when she meets the director, Dan, she’s shocked to discover that he’s none other than the same man with whom she shared the elevator—and some highly personal information. Now, with Toby putting in more overtime, Abby’s feeling even more neglected. And her attraction to Dan is growing daily—as her own life begins to mirror the romantic comedy he’s shooting.

Featuring an irrepressible heroine, Forget Me Knot blooms with charm, wit, and fun.

Giveaway! Win 1 of 5 Copies of Giving You the Wow and …

Sharmen Lane was once a high school dropout working as a manicurist, and was able to transform her life. Now a successful college graduate and millionaire, Lane wrote Giving You the Wow and the How, giving readers 44 tips and strategies so you can also get the most out of life. This step by step inspirational book will help to empower you to give you the life you want.
I am doing a giveaway for this fabulous motivational book, giving away 5 copies! Just leave a comment under this post, comment on my Facebook page, or follow me on Twitter. Winners will be announced on April 25. Good luck!

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.

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!

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!”

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.

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.