December 2013 New Releases

December New Releases
Yes, holiday season is upon us once again. Books are the gift that keeps on giving, and there are plenty of good ones to pick from this month. So make your list (and check it twice), before heading out to your local bookseller this December.
Morning Glory by Sarah Jio – November 26th. Ada leaves New York City after a tragedy, moving to a house boat on Seattle’s Lake Union. It’s there that Ada discovers the trunk of a former resident, Penny Wentworth. Penny was a young newlywed in 1959 and Ada is determined to learn her fate. The mysteries of the past get tangled in Ada’s questions about her future. I love the way Sarah Jio writes because she’s great at weaving together story lines of the present with those of the past, seamlessly transporting the readers to different times and places. I can’t wait to escape into this story.
Out to Lunch by Stacey Ballis – December 3, 2013. Jenna and Aimee were best friends and business partners in an events and catering company until Aimee’s untimely death at the young age of forty-one. Jenna is grief stricken and lost without her friend. She also has to deal with Wayne, Aimee’s Star Wars-obsessed widower. Complicating matters is the fact that Aimee left Jenna in charge of all her finances, which means Jenna gets to referee Wayne’s get-rich-quick schemes. What was her friend thinking? I haven’t read the book, but I think I might know the answer to that question. This book sounds charming and early reviews suggest that the food descriptions are Pinterest worthy, so you may want to read on a full stomach.
Undressing Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos – December 3, 2013. This book is another modern day twist on Jane Austen and it sounds like a hoot. Vanessa is a public relations executive who’s a master at social media. Julian is an Englishman who has written a book, My Year as Mr. Darcy, as a means to save his faltering estate. Along with the book, Julian hosts a Darcy themed talk show that features him, well, undressing. Did I mention that “Mr. Darcy” is hot? Throw in Austen fan festivals, a pirate encounter and a trip to merry ole England and I think we have ourselves a fun ride!
Hard Hats and Doormats by Laura Chapman – December 11, 2013. What a cute title. Lexi is a girl who likes to follow the rules, which is probably a good thing, since she’s the HR manager at a chemical company! After she gets passed over on a big promotion, Lexi begins to wonder if maybe rules are meant to be broken, especially the rules on interoffice dating. I enjoy stories based in the work place, because office politics and romance can be so complicated. I also love a story in which nice girls don’t finish last.
The Redhead Plays Her Hand by Alice Clayton – December 17, 2013. Actress Grace Sheridan has it all, a gorgeous British movie star boyfriend, Jack, and the lead role on a hit television show. When her curvaceous figure ignites an industry debate over thinness, producers order Grace to drop 15 pounds. While Grace is eating rabbit food and suffering through boot camp, Jack is hitting the Hollywood party scene. Jack’s fans don’t want him in a relationship, so when he shows up at her events late and drunk, Grace wonders if he loves his fans more than her. Forget playing her hand, I’m thinking she needs to re-deal the cards. I love Hollywood insider stories and this one sounds juicy.