GIVEAWAY: The Pollyanna Plan by Talli Roland
Thirty-something Emma Beckett has always looked down on ‘the glass is half full’ optimists, believing it’s better to be realistic than delusional. But when she…
Book Review: Mistletoe in Manhattan by Talli Roland
I received a copy of Mistletoe in Manhattan by Talli Roland in exchange for an honest review.
This was a super cute novella that put me right in the holiday mood. Holly West is the daughter of Christmas party-planners, but she doesn’t seem to bring the same cheer and festive spirit as her parents. In fact, quite the opposite. When Holly gets an offer to travel across the pond and throw a British-themed party for TV star Dean Layton in Manhattan, she thinks this could be the opportunity to open doors and get away from only planning Christmas parties. But with a snooty assistant and too many over-the-top requests from a B-list celebrity, Holly wonders if this is the life she truly wants. When a blooming romance finds bumpy ground, Holly also is forced to take a look at herself and what she really wants in life.
Sometimes I can struggle with novella’s, but I really enjoyed this one. It was a quick treat that I found sweet to read and left me wishing for more. I was surprised at how much I could connect with Holly in such a short time, and I recommend this cute novella for chick lit fans. There is also a sneak peak at Roland’s next full-length novel included – and The Pollyanna Plan is coming up on my to-read list!
[Rating: 4]
150 Pounds by Kate Rockland
I received a copy of 150 Pounds in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
In the fast paced life of blogging, two women stand out: Alexis Allbright, of Skinny Chick, and Shoshana Weiner, who writes Fat and Fabulous. Both have over five million loyal readers. Both are hungry for success. But the similarities stop there.
With over 100 pounds on the scale separating them, weight isn’t their only difference. Alexis is a loner who is so bitchy the only person who can stand her company is her gay best friend Billy. She gives neurotic New Yorkers a run for their money with her strict daily workout routine, and weighing of food. Shoshana is Alexis’s opposite. Living in Jersey with rowdy roommates, she is someone who “collects friends,” as her mother puts it; and treasures a life of expanding circles…and waistlines.
When both appear as panelists on a popular talk show, their lives intersect in ways neither could have imagined. In turns comedic, heartwarming–and familiar to any woman who’s ever stepped on a scale–Alexis and Shoshana realize they have far more in common than either could have possibly imagined, and more importantly, something to offer.
My Review:
What a fabulous read! On first glance I fell in love with the cover, and after reading the blurb, I knew this was a must-read for me. And now I am making it a must-read for you! I love the term smart chick lit, and I feel that 150 Pounds is definitely that. Kate Rockland has a terrific voice and writing style, and as a blogger myself, I could immediately identify with her characters. I thought it was fascinating to get inside both Alexis and Shoshana’s minds and see why they think the way they do and what is behind their actions. I thought this novel brought humor, a resounding message, and a way for women to have more confidence after reading. I loved it!
[Rating: 5]
Seasons Readings Promotion!
In the spirit of coming together for the holidays, eight popular Chick Lit authors are “partying it up” with a shared promotion for book lovers!…
Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose
I received a copy of Sad Desk Salad in exchange for an honest review. I thought I was going to love this novel from the description and the beyond-hilarious cover. I knew I was going to love this novel from the first page. But seriously – how was I not going to fall in love with a main character who blogs at a women’s lifestyle website called Chick Habit? I was immediately transplanted into the story and stayed in Alex’s world until the last page. Alex is starting to lose focus with herself as she continues blogging at Chick Habit, being encouraged to write more vindictive and scandalous articles to raise her traffic and avoid getting the sack. But when a salacious story gets put in Alex’s lap via an anonymous tipster, she struggles with morals versus traffic views and saving her job.
As someone who lives a lot of her time in the web world, I had no trouble connecting right off the bat with Alex. I loved the story Jessica Grose built and found her to be fresh, funny, and a modern new voice to fiction. Even though the book is light-hearted, there are a lot of deep issues to think about throughout. Who is granted privacy online? Why are we so obsessed with not only celebrities, but hearing about other people’s misfortunes and pitfalls? And of course, a big reason why I love this book so much is because it’s an enjoyable chick lit read that comes with a message. This is a definite favorite of mine, and one I recommend you to check out ASAP!
[Rating: 5]
GIVEAWAY: Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose
As a writer for Chick Habit, an increasingly popular women’s website, Alex Lyons gets paid to be a bitch. She’s churning out several posts a…
Future Tour: I Kill Me: Tales of A Jilted Hypochondriac …
Tracy will be on tour January 14- February 4 with her novel I Kill Me: Tales of A Jilted Hypochondriac.
Christine Bacon has a fatal attraction. To all things fatal. A veteran hypochondriac, her near-death experiences are exacerbated when her husband proposes they have a menage a trois with Eleanor, his busty British massage therapist, to “shake things up.” Christine reluctantly agrees (although she is more wholesome than threesome), never expecting just how much she’d be rattled. As her marriage to Richard, a/k/a “Dick,” falls apart, so, too, does Christine, whose fear of her own demise causes her to research every freckle, blemish, cough, bump, lump, tingle and hiccup. She isn’t a doctor, but she plays one on the internet.
There is solace for Christine: in raising daughters Lily and Carli, leaning on her friends, and wearing out the shower massager. In order to heal, she struggles to become her own person and to view her symptoms (and ex-husband) as less malignant, while searching for that special someone who will love her–despite her grave condition.
Please visit CLP Blog Tours for the full tour schedule!
The Green Ticket – Now On Sale!
I am very excited that it is release day for my second novel THE GREEN TICKET! It took me just under one year to plan, write and edit the book, and I am so happy that it is released to the world today. I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement I receive through this website, and I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to do what I love. Below is some information on myself, THE GREEN TICKET, and how to support me and grab your copy. Thank you so much – I’m off to celebrate some more!
Blurb:
College junior Alex Abrams scores her dream job at the ripe age of twenty – manager to a successful salon and spa. Thrilled to finally have a real adult job, Alex enthusiastically jumps into the world of schedules, conference calls, and getting a massage when interviewing prospective employees. What she doesn’t expect are the very grown-up issues that comes with a demanding boss. Kevin Dohlman quickly becomes Alex’s worse nightmare – covering up his affairs, dealing with his enormous ego, and trying to protect her female staff from him becomes a full-time job in its own right. Alex has also befriended Kevin’s wife and co-owner, Dani, and is trying to keep Kevin’s secrets hidden from her. The situation only worsens when Kevin starts paying Alex off to make sure she keeps her insider knowledge to herself.
While struggling to keep her wits and stay happy with her new grown-up job, Alex is juggling college courses, a new love interest, and keeping up with her close group of girlfriends. When her roommate and best friend Lila gets offered an opportunity to move to Los Angeles and sign with an agent, Alex realizes her life truly is changing, and everyone around her – including herself – is is growing up. Knowing she is faced with some hard decisions ahead, Alex struggles with keeping her job at Blissful. But does she really want to throw away what she dreamed of as a career – or will the secret-keeping for Kevin become too much to handle? The Green Ticket is a story about morals versus money, and how one young woman navigates the shaky line between the two.
Samantha March Bio:
Samantha March is an author, editor, publisher, blogger, and all around book lover. She runs the popular book/women’s lifestyle blog ChickLitPlus, which keeps her bookshelf stocked with the latest reads and up to date on all things health, fitness, fashion, and celebrity related. In 2011 she launched her independent publishing company Marching Ink and her debut novel Destined to Fail. When she isn’t reading, writing, or blogging, you can find her cheering for the Green Bay Packers.
Connect with Samantha!
http://www.samanthamarch.com/
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Buy the Book!
Amazon: Print or eBook
Barnes and Noble: eBook
Kobo: eBook
Marching Ink: Print
Breaking the Rules Swag Bag Giveaway!
Marching Ink is hosting the Breaking the Rules swag bag giveaway during the month of November! Below are the details, including all the ways you…
