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Book Review: Prior Engagements by Sarah Goodwin
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Prior Engagements by Sarah Goodwin

I received a copy of PRIOR ENGAGEMENTS by Sarah Goodwin in exchange for an honest review.

Prior Engagements begins with Annie, who isn’t really enjoying her time in the twenties as much as she expected. She was left at the alter by Stephen and is currently in the process of paying down the gargantuan mountain of debt leftover from the wedding that never happened. Then one day, she meets a man who is in need of a favor – to accompany him to the wedding of his ex. She decides on a whim to accompany him and then next thing she knows, she is getting married in Vegas to Dorian. But, that makes things complicated as she returns home and realizes that her best friend, who also happens to be her boss, has been working up the courage to pop the question himself. Will is not happy at all about the new discovery and wants nothing more than to get Dorian out of the way. Like I said, things are complicated and it gets worse as we are introduced to Dorian’s sister, his ex-bride and Annie’s dear old mother. Fun times ensue as some Annie tries to figure out just how her life ended up so complicated.

I really enjoyed PRIOR ENGAGEMENTS and thought that it was a really good read. At first I wasn’t quite too sure what to think about Annie but after a little hesitation on my part, I soon fell in love with her character. Sarah does an amazing job at crafting flawed characters who are also very realistic. On numerous occasions I felt that Annie and I would make great friends. I knew instantly that Stephen was a douche bag and ironically, am glad that she got left at the alter because she was so much better off without him. I must also admit that I was quite surprised when she married Dorian in Vegas … I definitely didn’t see that one coming. Overall though, this book is a really great read from a debut author. I think that if you are looking for a hilarious book with a lot of wit and heart, then this book is for you.

Rating: 4/5 stars

March 20, 2013
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Book Review: Bad At Being Bad by Mark Barber
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Bad At Being Bad by Mark Barber

I received a copy of Bad At Being Bad by Mark Barber in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

Thirty-something and living with his parents – rent-free, jobless, and on the dole – life is stress-free and easy. However, watching the world go by has not made Steve any less opinionated, especially on important and pressing issues such as social networking sites and daytime TV.

But fate is about to deal another hand. Motivated by the fear of losing his benefits and precious beer money, and enticed by an exotic-sounding location, Steve takes a job that is not quite what it seems . . .

Thrust into a surreal world where international organised crime is regulated by red-tape bureaucracy and health and safety gone mad, Steve finds himself employed by a megalomaniac boss who is hell bent on that old cliché of world domination.

Can Steve find an inner emotional maturity and self identity? Does anyone who doesn’t read GQ magazine even know what that means?

Guns, girls (well, a girl!) and paperwork – Is it possible to be bad at being bad? Steve is about to find out.
Review:

It is authors like Mark that make me a fan of reading the “Lad Lit” genre. This book begins with Steve who really isn’t living and who spends most of his time sitting around on the couch and doing nothing. Then, out of nowhere, he ends up in unfamiliar territory and from there on, that is where the good times start. I found Steve to be odd yet very comical and I loved Mark’s witty writing and his fun play on words. I found the title to be very punny once I realized what the book was actually about. Overall though, this book is a good time and I really enjoyed it. If you are looking for a quick read with a male narrator, then this book is for you.
Rating: 4/5

March 15, 2013
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Book Review: The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti

I received a copy of The Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

When I was an eight year old boy I overheard adults in my South Philadelphia neighborhood discussing 17 disenchanted and unfaithful neighborhood wives who murdered their husbands for insurance money, love and lust. This was a fascinating topic for an eight year old boy eavesdropping on adult conversation. The adults were discussing the true story of Philadelphia’s infamous 1938 murder scandals. My fascination led to obsession. I knew that I had to write about these wicked wives someday.

After I became a trial lawyer in 1964, I researched the poison murder cases in the law library and obtained newspaper accounts of the scandals dating back to October, 1938. Thereafter I conducted interviews with judges, lawyers, police, witnesses, sheriff deputies and neighbors who knew the defendants.

One of the chief conspirators was a tailor who seduced, then persuaded at least twelve wives to poison their husbands for insurance. The setting for his seductions was the couch in the rear of his tailor shop, located two blocks from our family home.

A fascinating conspiracy unfolded in these murder cases. The poison gang’s colorful and hilarious characters helped to deep-six a minimum of 20 husbands. The supporting cast includes Giorgio, “The Don Juan of Passyunk Avenue. ” Aside from scheming Lillian, “the society wife”, the wives include Rose, the “Kiss of Death Widow, ” Eva “the nymphomaniac” and the “hopelessly in love, ” Joanna.

After many comical episodes, intriguing detective work and two suspense filled high profile trials, 12 wives plead or are found guilty of murdering their husbands. Two male conspirators were executed in the electric chair.

“The Wicked Wives” gleefully explores the sins of lust and greed, and the disappointments that love often brings. The characters, although they commit murder and adultery, are extremely likable, and often amusing. Writing “The Wicked Wives” was a true labor of love.
Review:

The one word that pops into my mind when describing this book is wicked. The Wicked Wives is an appropriate title for a riveting book that definitely keeps you on your toes. I had such a hard time putting this book down and I often times had the story lingering in my mind when I wasn’t reading. This book has everything: lies, deceit, sex, murder … and the list goes on. Gus does a fabulous job at crafting crazy circumstances and even crazier characters. Overall, this book is a really good read and is visually appealing too – I often times thought to myself, “this book would be great as a movie.” If you are looking for an all around great book full of thrills and chills, then this one is for you.
Rating: 4/5

March 14, 2013
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Book Review: Out of Sight Out of Mind by Evonne Wareham
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Out of Sight Out of Mind by Evonne …

out of sightI received a copy of OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND by Evonne Wareham in exchange for an honest review.

On the way home one night, Madison Albi stumbles upon a homeless man with whom she feels an instant connection. She tries hard but she can’t resist the impulse to help him, only she has a secret. Turns out that Madison can feel things with her mind and that makes things a little complicated when she gets to know J, a man who can’t even remember his own name. He has no future and literally no past, so can she help him restore hope and bring back his past? With a little hope, she agrees to help him recover his memory but as she digs a little deeper, she uncovers some dark secrets and she begins to wonder what she has gotten herself into – turns out somethings are better left in the dark.

I was taken aback by this book and could not get over the amount of secrets and suspense that are brought about in the novel. The book is fast paced and Evonne has such a wonderful skill at creating such amazing characters with special skills that it was very, very enjoyable. Like Madison, I too felt an instant connection to J and was glad when she decided to take him on, only I was quite surprised to find out some of his dark and dirty secrets. But, turns out that Madison has some as well. In an attempt to try to keep things hush hush, I am going to leave my review at that because I would hate to spoil the book for everyone else … but it is definitely a great read.
Rating: 4/5

March 13, 2013
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CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Love in Translation by Sara Palacios
Chick Lit Review

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Love in Translation by Sara …

Sara Palacios is on tour now with CLP Blog Tours and Love in Translation. I was excited to read this novel because Sara is someone…

March 12, 2013
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On Tour: Love In Translation by Sara Palacios
CLP Blog Tours

On Tour: Love In Translation by Sara Palacios

ra will be on tour March 11 – April 1 with her novel, Love In Translation.

Still reeling from an unexpected breakup, Emily nurses her broken heart by spending time with her best friends and taking one-too-many vodka shots. After one long night, she takes a hard look inside herself and doesn’t like what she sees. She realizes that she has sacrificed too much in her failed relationships from the past and vows to never settle for anything less than almost-perfect again. As she picks up the pieces and regains her confidence, a sexy Spanish chef moves in across the hall and knocks her off her feet. What ensues is an unexpected and tantalizing affair that opens her eyes – and her heart – to a whole new world and leaves her feeling sexier than she has ever felt. Emily finally sees how easy love is supposed to be. Is happily-ever-after actually possible? Just when she starts to think so, she realizes that sometimes life gets more complicated before it gets easier. And complicated is an understatement when Steven (her best and oldest friend in the world) confesses his love for her. Everything spirals out of control as Emily must make a choice between love and friendship, and in doing so, possibly risk it all.

LOVE IN TRANSLATION is a modern day love story about following your heart to unexpected places and taking chances in life … because sometimes you will find exactly what you are looking for.

Please visit CLP Blog Tours for all the tour stops!

IMG_0641 – Copy (2)Author Bio:

Bio: Sara Palacios is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a major in Advertising and a minor in English Literature. It was during her time in college that she really fell in love with the written word and ventured into writing her own stories. In addition to writing, Sara spends a majority of her time reading the works of other authors. She reads most genres – but thoroughly enjoys chick-lit, women’s and historical fiction.

When she isn’t busy reading or writing, Sara enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is happily married, the owner of two precious doggies and a new mom to a handsome baby boy. Sara is also an avid animal-lover, runner, yoga enthusiast, wannabe vegan, USA soccer fan, foodie and fashion blog-lover and Christian.

You can purchase LOVE IN TRANSLATION here:

Amazon: Print or eBook

Barnes and Noble: eBook

Kobo: eBook

March 9, 2013
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Book Review: The Ruth Valley Missing by Amber West
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: The Ruth Valley Missing by Amber West

I was provided with a copy of THE RUTH VALLEY MISSING by Amber West in exchange for an honest review.

Jameson Quinn is sick of trying to find herself in the big city. After a gallery opening ends in a trip to the ER and an argument with her self-involved boyfriend, she decides to take off for the peace and quiet of a small town — Ruth Valley. The small town has everything Brooklyn lacked: simple people, peaceful surroundings, and a feeling of safety. Jameson even finds the perfect house to rent from the town’s most eligible bachelor, Sheriff Jack. Life is finally headed in a promising direction. But something isn’t right. A young man is mysteriously injured, then disappears — and Jameson finds he isn’t the only person to suddenly vanish. The suspicious behavior of an abrasive nun and a creepy priest set her off on an investigation of what’s really happening. Will she figure out the secrets of Ruth Valley before she’s the next to go missing?

I had so much fun reading THE RUTH VALLEY MISSING and I thought that Amber did such an amazing job at crafting real characters and settings. I loved the tale of Jameson adjusting to life back in the small town after being in the big city for a while. But, it seems to be exactly what she needs … until it isn’t. The pace was quick in this book and I am thankful because I was eager to find out what the heck was actually going on. The creepy priest had me on the edge and I couldn’t handle it. Just another example of great writing by Amber. Overall, this book is very entertaining and definitely not like something I would normally read, but I am so glad that I gave it a chance. I think you will be glad too.

Rating: 4/5 stars

March 8, 2013
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Book Review: Grace Unexpected by Gale Martin
Chick Lit Review

Book Review: Grace Unexpected by Gale Martin

I received a copy of GRACE UNEXPECTED by Gale Martin in exchange for an honest review.

In a cleverly plotted romantic comedy, GRACE UNEXPECTED features thirty-something Grace Savage, who has made her way through terrible job after terrible job and gone through a muddy puddle of bad men who had commitment phobia. In an effort to shake things up, she visits her mother, who conveniently lives in Shaker Village in New Hampshire, and there she finds something completely unexpected. In Shaker Village, she learns that men and women live side by side and work together in complete celibacy. She is intrigued to say the least, but when her boyfriend dumps her instead of proposing, Grace adopts the Shaker way of life. She vows to stick it out with her new lifestyle, but when she returns to her old life, she struggles when begins juggling two bachelors. They test her will but she stays strong. Will Grace finally find the man of her dreams? Or will she crack before then?

I had so much fun reading GRACE UNEXPECTED and was completely surprised by the ending of the book (no spoilers here please). Gale does such an amazing job at crafting realistic characters but adding a fun little flair to each of them. I loved the time that Grace spent in the Shaker village and I found the idea quite interesting and unique – definitely something I’ve never read in a book before. Overall, this book is really fun and quite funny and heartwarming. I think that if you are looking for a contemporary romantic comedy, then this book is for you.
Rating: 4.5/5

February 28, 2013
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Baby Talk: 9 Months Old
Chick Lit Plus

Baby Talk: 9 Months Old

Ethan will officially be 9 months old this upcoming Tuesday (the 26th) and it hit me a few days ago that I need to start planning his first birthday party. Holy cow, right? When did this little guy become almost a whole year old?

Ethan 8.5 months 2Let’s see, so what has Ethan been up to? Absolutely everything! It is crazy to think about all of the things that he can do now vs. what he could do a month ago. Ethan is VERY mobile these days. He is standing and shuffling along items and I know that it is only a few weeks until he will be full on walking. Crazy, right? Another key milestone, the little guy has been sleeping really, really well. In the past two weeks I’ve actually had to wake him up a few times for school, which I’ve never had to do his whole life. I sure have been enjoying it though!

Here are a few updates about life at 9 months:

Food: My boy is an still quite an EATER! There really isn’t anything new with this one, but we are about to start introducing a few new foods and I will probably have a big update next month about how he does with it all.

Favorite Toys: Ethan has been really big into playing with empty bottles, empty containers and pretty much anything that isn’t actually a toy. He also has quite the fondness for books. Maybe he is used to always seeing mommy with a book in hand that he now favors them as well. I’m definitely not complaining.

Things we’ve left behind: Pretty much any and all props, we haven’t used his swing in weeks.

Teeth: Still none. But, he’s had a fluctuating fever all week and tons of drool, so we might have one on the horizon.

Ethan V-DayFavorite activities: Standing, Letting go of things to work on his balance, Crawling, playing, eating, story time, walks, going to the playground and ANYTHING outdoors.

Daycare: Still loves it. One of his teachers has quite the soft spot for him.

Height/Weight: Oh goodness. Not entirely sure but he is big!

February 26, 2013
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