Novel Spotlight: A Kind of Mad Courage
A KIND OF MAD COURAGE Nineteen authors from around the world were given six weeks or less to produce “a story involving a mother somehow.”…
A Proper Charlie by Louise Wise
Charlie Wallis is hoping to luck out and finally land her dream job as a journalist, and lucky for her, best friend Melvin secured her a position at the London Core- a British tabloid newspaper. But not as a journalist, oh no, Charlie is simply the “clerk,” running mundane tasks for others in the office. But when the Core is bought out by Donald Middleton, things around the office begin to change. For starters, Donald’s son is brought in as the corporate manager, and Charlie is immediately gob smacked by him. Handsome, charismatic, rich, but Ben is dealing with some very personal issues. He has just lost his mother, his father is ill, and his sister cannot be found after a very hard family discovery. Charlie and Ben are brought together in the oddest way- both trying to track down the “Gentleman Abductor,” a kidnapper that is targeting prostitutes. But while they don’t realize they are both on the case-Ben searching for his sister and Charlie in hopes of being able to write an article on the kidnappings- their wires get crossed. Soon, Ben thinks Charlie is a prostitute, and Charlie thinks Ben is the Gentleman Abductor! While their budding romance has taken enough hits- Ben being from a well to do family, Charlie being an orphan from the opposite end of the totem pole is the biggest issue- now this latest development causes even more strife. Can Charlie and Ben find love together?
I had a lot of fun reading A Proper Charlie by Louise Wise. It almost reminds me of Prince William/Kate Middleton, with the backgrounds being so different yet they are obviously in love. Charlie is so likeable, sometimes a little dense, especially when it comes to her boyfriend/ex-boyfriend, Andy. There is one hilarious sex scene in the book with Charlie and Andy that absolutely had me cracking up! I like that the book focused so much on Ben and his family issues- and there are a lot of them! I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the book, trying to hunt down the Gentleman Abductor and also Ben trying to locate his sister. There were times where I really didn’t like Melvin’s character, who was Charlie’s best friend and foster home comrade. He seemed really down on Charlie all the time, about her dreams of being a journalist and about falling in love with Ben. And when it came to Andy and his disgusting self-absorbed attitude, I really didn’t understand how Charlie could be so naïve to look past it all. Luckily, she gets to redeem herself in the end with that situation. Overall, I really liked this book and thought it was super funny- chick lit fans are sure to love!
[Rating: 4]
In My Mailbox: Week of May 8
In My Mailbox: Week of May 8, 2011
Title: With Just One Click
Author: Amanda Strong
Received: From Amanda Strong/Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours
Synopsis: “Reluctance is matched with a pit in my stomach; once I joined, anyone could randomly find me … did I really want to be found?” Chloe, a successful movie reviewer and serial dater, is added as a friend by her first love … the one who left her standing at seventeen with a note in her hand as he simply walked away. Faced with a decision to confirm or ignore a person she once hated, resented … and cared for, will she risk opening old wounds and allow him back into her life? Morgan, a loyal stay-at-home mother and wife, is blindsided one day with a discovery … one of her husband’s friends is his single and very flirtatious ex-girlfriend. Overcome with jealousy and obsession, a once confident wife turns into a paranoid woman on a mission. Will she hunt for the truth at any cost and risk her once solid marriage?
Brynn, a lonely mom to two distant teenagers and workaholic husband, becomes immersed in Facebook … the one place she finds solace, hope, and herself again. When she revisits the past with one of her friends, her world is turned upside down with regret and indecision. Will her deception ultimately destroy her family?
Three lives changed forever with just one click. Confirming a friend isn’t as easy as it seems … but do these women have more in common than just Facebook?
Title: Riversong
Author: Tess Hardwick
Received: From Katherine @ BookTrope
Synopsis: When Lee Tucker’s husband commits suicide, he leaves her pregnant and one million dollars in debt to a loan shark. Out of options, she escapes to her deceased mother’s dilapidated house located in a small Oregon town that, like her, is financially ruined, heartbroken and in desperate need of a fresh start. Lee’s resilience leads to a plan for a destination restaurant named Riversong, to new chances for passion and love, and to danger from her dead husband’s debt as her business blooms.
Author Tess Hardwick assembles a colorful cast of endearing small-town characters and takes you on a journey that will make you believe in the possibilities of life – even in the face of overwhelming adversity and unimaginable grief. Lee Tucker is the kind of woman you find yourself rooting for long after the last page is read.
A surprising mix of romance, humor, friendship, intrigue and gourmet food – Riversong entertains while reminding you of life’s greatest gifts.
Title: A Proper Charlie
Author: Louise Wise
Received: From Louise Wise
Synopsis: Charlie Wallis has everything a girl could wish for. A loving boyfriend, a nice flat and a fantastic job as a journalist for London Core. Trouble is, Charlie’s boyfriend’s a waster, her job title really reads ‘clerk’ and her flat, at the top of a high-rise, isn’t that nice after all. Her new boss, Ben, is a huge bear of a man. A gentle giant, with chocolate brown eyes that hold a secret.While London Core investigates the murders of local prostitutes, Charlie wants in on the action, deciding that dressing as a hooker and walking the streets is good research.Bumping into Ben was the last thing she expected.A story of opposites not only attract, but ignite!
