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In My Mailbox: Week of November 13
Chick Lit Plus

In My Mailbox: Week of November 13

In My Mailbox: Week of November 13

Title: Unscripted
Authors: Natalie Aaron & Marla Schwartz
Received: Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: As a producer on a reality dating show, Abby Edwards knows that true love is a myth. Her career and her friends are all she needs. Right?
When her screenwriter ex makes a hit movie based on their relationship, Abby’s faults are projected on screens across the country. Suddenly the fact that her job depends on orchestrating hot tub hook-ups doesn’t seem so impressive.
Her friends rally to help. Zoë thinks she needs to meet a guy. Stephanie suggests an attitude adjustment. Nancy wants her to get in touch with her inner Goddess. Abby knows they mean well, but she prefers to focus on her work. Unfortunately, she’s already embarrassed herself in front of her new boss, Will Harper, who she would find totally crush-worthy if he weren’t so irritating.
Abby’s about to be reminded that life doesn’t follow a script—and good things happen when you least expect it…

Title: Good-Bye to All That
Author: Margo Candela
Received: From Margo Candela
Synopsis: Raquel Azorian has worked her way from temp to executive assistant and is this close to a promotion to junior marketing exec at Belmore Corporation, the media behemoth she’s devoted herself to. She’s learned to play the Hollywood game—navigate office politics, schmooze the right people, avoid the wrong ones, and maintain a sense of decorum even in the craziest of times. All she needs is for her boss to sign her promotion memo. Instead of putting pen to paper, he suffers a very public meltdown that puts not only his professional future but also Raquel’s on the line.
Getting to the next rung on the Belmore ladder will require every ounce of focus, but that’s not going to be easy. Raquel’s mom has decided to leave her husband and move into Raquel’s apartment, and her older brother seems to be sinking deeper and deeper into depression. Raquel has to keep her job, stop her parents from divorcing, and save her brother. In the chaos of juggling so much, she finally reaches a breaking point: there’s just not enough time for everything or for everyone. She’s going to have to choose—success at work or happiness at home. But then a chance encounter at a bookstore café leads Raquel to start planning her own Hollywood ending . . . on her own terms.
Title: Mad About the Boy
Author: Suzan Battah
Received: From Suzan Battah/Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: Julia Mendoza is driven by the success of her business. Since her husband Carlos passed away at such a young age, her business By Design is her number one priority. In her late twenties she works too hard and doesn’t take time out for fun. Annoyance with a pesky ex-friend has her begging one of the local surfer’s with a cheeky smile in the grocery store to pretend he’s her boyfriend. Suddenly, life takes a sudden detour from her business plan; much to the delight of her boisterous Latin American family. Christophe Augustine is groomed to take over his father’s successful chain of luxurious hotels. With a wealthy French-American background, Chris has been given privileges that not many have. He works hard, plays harder but seeks approval and recognition above all else. Family is a top priority for him as he fights for custody of his young brother. His parent’s divorce has not diminished his faith in romance. When a gorgeous Latino woman changes one boring morning into an interesting game of role play, though reluctant to help at first, he soon realises she’s not like the string of other women he’s known. A romantic first date ending dramatically doesn’t stop Chris from wanting to know Julia more. And for Julia, she’s all for a bit of fun but when things get too serious she’s running the other way. Too alike, in some ways and complete opposites, in other ways, Julia and Chris fumble through fun moments, annoying confrontations, passionate times and heartbreaking revelations. Love has no boundaries when soul-mates meet but when one is ready to love and the other one isn’t….

Title: One Pink Line
Author: Dina Silver
Received: From Dina Silver/Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: Can the love of a lifetime be forever changed by one pink line? Dina Silver’s tender, absorbing novel, One Pink Line, is the warmhearted, wry story of love, loss and family, as seen through the prism of one singular, spirited young couple who find themselves in a predicament that changes the course of their lives, and those closest to them. With heart, humor and compassion, this debut work of women’s fiction is certain to stir anyone who relishes a good laugh, can stand a good cry, and, above all believes in the redemptive power of love. This unique, contemporary story gives readers a dual perspective. Sydney Shephard, a sweet-tempered, strong-natured college senior is young, in love with an exceptional man, and unexpectedly pregnant. Faced with a child she never planned for, she is forced to relay this news to her neurotic mother, relinquish her youth, and risk losing the love of her life. Then there’s Grace, a daughter, who believed she was a product of this great love, grows to realize her existence is not what she assumed, and is left with profound and puzzling questions about who she really is. Spanning generations and every imaginable emotion, One Pink Line reveals how two points of view can be dramatically at odds, and perhaps ultimately reconciled. Simultaneously deeply felt and lighthearted, One Pink Line deftly mines how the choices we make are able to alter so many lives, and how doing the right thing and living honestly can bring unexpected, hard-won happiness. It’s a must-read for anyone who craves a great love story, absorbing characters, and plenty of laughs along the way.

November 14, 2011
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On Tour: A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis by Irene Woodbury
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis by …

Irene will be on tour November 14-December 4 with her novel A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis This darkly funny novel describes Wendy Sinclair’s…

November 13, 2011
2 Comments
Happy 2nd Birthday Chick Lit Plus!
Chick Lit Plus

Happy 2nd Birthday Chick Lit Plus!

I am a bad, bad girl. I forgot a very special birthday- the 2nd birthday of Chick Lit Plus! Man, I felt like such a…

November 13, 2011
35 Comments
Future Tour: Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers
CLP Blog Tours

Future Tour: Scotland by Starlight by Nancy Volkers

Nancy will be on tour January 16-February 6 with her novel Scotland by Starlight Cassie Wrentham is on her way to Scotland again… but this…

November 12, 2011
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Interview with Amanda Strong
Chick Lit Authors

Interview with Amanda Strong

What inspired you to write With Just One Click? The inspiration behind the novel was friends and friends of friends who have lived through similar situations.

There are three female leads in the story. Was it difficult writing from three different perspectives? I never felt writing from three different perspectives was difficult. The stories set them apart from one another and that helped me focus on each individual character without any confusion.

How did you write the different POV’s? Did you work on one woman at a time, or tackle them all together? This might some strange, but I wrote the book exactly how it’s published. I wrote the three different women, one after the other, and followed that routine for each chapter. As a writer, I wanted to see the progress of each character step by step. I wanted to be like the reader, following their development at the same time throughout the book, almost parallel stories synchronized on three tracks set to the same pace. I also didn’t want to leave a character for too long, because I believed it was very important to give each equal time and attention.

Out of the whole writing and publishing process, what did you find most difficult? When you’re independently publishing a novel, everything falls solely on your shoulders. Each decision has to be weighed carefully, because one mistake could derail your whole project. The attention to detail, and the specific choices you make as the one person who is responsible for this novel is time consuming, stressful, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. These reasons alone make the final preparations before officially publishing a book a difficult one.

Are you working on any other writing projects? I’ve written a few articles that have been published recently all revolving around social networking. I also have started an outline for the next novel, and hope to have that finished sometime next year.

Will you ever follow-up from the characters in With Just One Click? Many readers have asked me if I would be willing to write a sequel or follow-up to the book. I would never rule anything out, because I do feel these characters have many more things left in their stories to explore.

What do you think are some of the biggest benefits of having Facebook? First, I think the ability to reconnect with old friends is the number one benefit of Facebook. I also see Facebook as an amazing tool for businesses and even authors like myself. The ability to connect with an extraordinary amount of people at a time is an unbelievable advantage.

And what are some of the biggest downfalls or Facebook? Well, I think the biggest benefits of Facebook unfortunately cause the biggest downfalls. The ability to reach out to virtually anyone and check-in on what they are doing with their lives is sometimes too tempting to pass up. This curiosity can lead to infidelity and people spying on exes, just to name a few. Facebook doesn’t have many rules to live by so that point alone makes this type of communication dangerous and one where people need to be cautious.

Where would be your dream vacation? Turks-Caicos

What is your advice to aspiring writers? This is the best time to be a writer, because of the rise of self-publishing and the ability to connect with people you wouldn’t otherwise have known through social networking(ironic, I know). Take every opportunity, always believe in yourself, and accept criticism. As with everything, I believe you can never stop learning and trying to become better. Writing is like being an artist, it’s subjective and open to judgement, but with hard work and dedication the opportunities are endless.

November 11, 2011
1 Comment
Blog Tour Sign Up: One Pink Line by Dina Silver
CLP Blog Tours

Blog Tour Sign Up: One Pink Line by Dina Silver

Can the love of a lifetime be forever changed by one pink line? Dina Silver’s tender, absorbing novel, One Pink Line, is the warmhearted, wry story of love, loss and family, as seen through the prism of one singular, spirited young couple who find themselves in a predicament that changes the course of their lives, and those closest to them. With heart, humor and compassion, this debut work of women’s fiction is certain to stir anyone who relishes a good laugh, can stand a good cry, and, above all believes in the redemptive power of love.

This unique, contemporary story gives readers a dual perspective. Sydney Shephard, a sweet-tempered, strong-natured college senior is young, in love with an exceptional man, and unexpectedly pregnant. Faced with a child she never planned for, she is forced to relay this news to her neurotic mother, relinquish her youth, and risk losing the love of her life. Then there’s Grace, a daughter, who believed she was a product of this great love, grows to realize her existence is not what she assumed, and is left with profound and puzzling questions about who she really is.

Spanning generations and every imaginable emotion, One Pink Line reveals how two points of view can be dramatically at odds, and perhaps ultimately reconciled. Simultaneously deeply felt and lighthearted, One Pink Line deftly mines how the choices we make are able to alter so many lives, and how doing the right thing and living honestly can bring unexpected, hard-won happiness. It’s a must-read for anyone who craves a great love story, absorbing characters, and plenty of laughs along the way.

November 11, 2011
1 Comment
With Just One Click by Amanda Strong
Chick Lit Review

With Just One Click by Amanda Strong

Amanda Strong is on tour with CLP Blog Tours and her novel With Just One Click. This book is an attention grabber from the beginning, and will keep you hooked along the way. The story follows three women: Chloe, a successful movie reviewer still looking for love; Morgan, a stay at home wife who is happily married; and Brynn; a not so happily married wife, who has become bored with her workaholic husband. All three women have something in common: Facebook. The social media craze that swept us all is the main focus of the book, and will surely you get thinking- and talking- about your opinions of the media giant.
Each woman has a different journey with Facebook. Chloe friends the man that broke her heart many years ago, breaking up with her in a note because of his overprotective parents. Now, the spark is still there between them, but can they make a relationship work while leaving on different sides of the country? Morgan discovers her jealous side when she sees her husband is friends with a high school girlfriend, the class flirt who constantly writes on his wall. Her once happy marriage turns into one of paranoia and Facebook-wall stalking, until her husband eventually defriends Morgan. And Brynn also finds an old boyfriend through Facebook, but teeters dangerously close to an affair. Her stale marriage and unhappy home aren’t giving her a reason to stay faithful and keep her family together, and with the lines of communication so open and easily available now…..
I was searching my word banks to come up with a one word description of With Just One Click, and I think I got it: riveting. This was a riveting novel. I loved how each character showed a different side to what can happen when you join social media: the good, the bad and the ugly. Trust me when I say this book will get you talking. I’ve talked to my boyfriend, my mom, co-workers, and brought up the story in random conversations with friends, simply because I was so intrigued. I thought Strong’s writing and ability to master three characters was exceptional, and the ending provided a nice twist that I didn’t see coming. This is a must read, and a definite for my Favorites List!
[Rating: 5]

November 11, 2011
4 Comments
Guest Post by Michele Gorman
For Writers

Guest Post by Michele Gorman

Chick Lit Plus

Why self-publishing in the US

I thought long and hard before deciding to self-publish Single in the City in the US as an eBook. After all, the book was published by Penguin in the UK and many other countries in 2010. Penguin’s team helped make it a best-seller. Surely it’s better to go with a big publisher than to go it alone? If I’m not doing so, does it mean that I’m rejecting the big publishers, as many writers have recently done?

Not really. At least, not all of them. I loved working with Penguin UK. My editor Lydia Newhouse quickly became a friend (still is), listening to my suggestions and making sure the publication went smoothly. The sales team got the book into the major retailers and my PR Helen was superb, getting us widespread publicity.

I’m self-publishing because sometimes publishers have less faith in the books, and the readers, than we, the writers, do.

You see, when Caroline and I sold book rights to Penguin (UK), we held back the US rights. We did this because I wanted a US-based publisher for Single in the City’s American launch. After all the main character, Hannah, is American. There’s a strong theme about seeing London through rather baffled American eyes. Caroline and I thought that surely it was a great fit for the US market.

The US publishers we approached had a different point of view. They were all very nice about it but said that the book isn’t right for the American chick lit market. It’s set in London. Readers won’t identify with it, they concluded.

I disagree. Isn’t it a bit dismissive, and wrong, to suggest that American women can only be interested in books that literally reflect their own lives? If that were true then only mothers of homicidal children would buy We Need To Talk About Kevin, and nobody living outside the 19th Century would bother with Jane Eyre. These books gain wide readership because they deal with universal themes (nature versus nurture, the effects of parenting, family, belonging, love). Single in the City is about taking a chance and establishing a new life. More than 5 million young American women do that every year when they move cities. It’s a fish-out-of-water story. And it’s about finding your feet in life and love. These, too, are universal themes. Those US publishers sold chick lit fans short.

And that’s why I’m self-publishing. I believe it’s the right decision for this book in this market. Like Hannah, I’m taking a leap of faith.

November 10, 2011
1 Comment
Single in the City by Michele Gorman
Chick Lit Review

Single in the City by Michele Gorman

I was really looking forward to reading Single in the City by Michele Gorman, but actually found myself a bit disappointed. The main character is Hannah Cumming, a 26 year old American who decides she needs an adventure, to really live life, and one drunken night buys a plane ticket to London. Heading across the Pond without a job lined up or a place to live, Hannah experiences multiple difficulties while trying to adjust. Along the way, she sleeps with her married boss, finds a roommate solution with some half-naked Aussies, almost destroys her up and coming career as a party planner, and finally falls in love. The situations Hannah finds herself in are quite funny, and the one liners did make me smile throughout. Sounds like a fun and engaging chick lit novel.
So why was I disappointed? For starters, I like fast-paced books. I like the plot moving along and characters going from point A to point L in just a few pages. But with Single in the City, I think the plot was just a tad too fast. Multiple times I had to flip back pages to understand why the characters were doing and saying what they were doing and saying. The skipping around gave me a headache. Another aspect I didn’t like was when Hannah finally finds love, she almost seems to lose her own identity, and is willing to drop her new life she has created for this guy. The sense of individuality and confidence that I saw the heroine creating throughout the story suddenly vanishes. I did appreciate the humor and the descriptions of seeing London through an American’s eyes, but this is definitely not a favorite of mine. I would still recommend Single in the City for the humor and hopefully some can take an independent can-do attitude away from the Hannah’s story.
Rating: 3.5

November 10, 2011
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