Tag Archives: chick lit

The Runaway Year by Shani Struthers @shani_struthers @Tale_of_Reviews #review

Posted in Book Titles by

the runaway year

Book Review:

Dumped by her hotshot boyfriend and boss, Layla Lewis quits her job and heads to Trecastle to house-sit for a friend. The fact that she had a boyfriend who was a loser and messed around wasn’t bad enough but, he was her boss! Her BFF Hannah is a bartender and she takes up with her and helping at her bar/restaurant. From a totally classic chick-lit drama filled book emerges a femme hero in Layla and Hannah. These girls were the total package to me.

With the girls come Joe, Penny and Richard. Now for Penny and Richard, that part of the book was in my opinion the best. It has to be read and enjoyed the way I did.  I felt like Penny made a boo boo, a little slip up and Richard was over the top. I didn’t like how he treated her and how her own self punishment seemed to go on and on. Poor Penny. I think she should have lied, but that is just me.

I really enjoyed it and I loved the fact that there were usual and typical slang words. They were NOT over used and it will translate well here in the states as for any chick lit lover from the UK and London as well. That is important. I have seen too many reviews get a little off because of the punctuation and slang.

So add this one to the “beach reach” list for sure!

 

About the Author

One of those rare creatures—a true Brightonian—Shani was born and bred in the sunny seaside town of Brighton on the UK’s south-coast. One of the first literary conundrums she had to deal with was her own name: Shani can be pronounced in a variety of ways, but in this instance, it’s Shay-nee not Shar-ney or Shan-ni, although she does indeed know a Shanni—just to confuse matters further! Hobbies include reading, writing, eating, and drinking—all four of which keep her busy enough. After graduating from Sussex University with a degree in English and American Literature, Shani landed a job at a well-known holiday company. Although employed as a Brochure Production Executive, she promptly reinvented herself as a Copywriter, a new position they were happy (if a tad bewildered) to concede to. At twenty-four, Shani became a freelance copywriter and has been one ever since, in-between writing novels, that is. Contemporary romance The Runaway Year is her first book and set between Brighton and North Cornwall, the latter a home-from-home for Shani, her husband, and three lovely kids. She also has a penchant for Glastonbury, another magical place, and don’t even get her started on Scotland—we’d be here all day!

Author Social Media links:
https://twitter.com/shani_struthers
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shani-Struthers-Author
http://shanisite.wordpress.com/

Tour organized by: AToMR Tours 

Goodreads

GIVEAWAY

(10) eBook copies of The Runaway Year – international 

(1) Swag Bag includes
Postcards of places mentioned in TRY (can message and sign them?)
A coaster with Gull Rock on.
Brighton Rock (of course!!)
A beautiful polished shell from a Cornish gift shop (and hopefully from a Cornish beach too!!!)
Fairy dust (so you can make like the Smoke Fairies and sprinkle some magic into your life).

Love and the Punk Rock Grrl by K.H. Alynn


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Book Description
Publication Date: April 7, 2013
It’s 1982, and 17-year-old Rudi Weiss is a tough girl living in the tougher streets of Irvington, NJ–with her life centered around alienation, drugs, and punk rock.

Though this changes when she’s caught selling pot and given a choice: either spend the rest of her childhood in juvenile detention or move in with an ex-Marine and his family in the nearby affluent suburb of Maplewood.

There at the local high school, the wild and free-thinking Rudi disrupts the entire established order. And she especially disrupts Tommy Goodwin, a rich and popular preppy who’s seemingly her opposite.

But underneath their veneers, they are much the same–two lost souls desperately in search of something. And when they find it, it explodes everything around them.

Something that’s only exasperated when Rudi’s past catches up with them, in this magical and bittersweet tale of unexpected love.

Available exclusively at Amazon, Love and the Punk Rock Grrl is the first in a series of books about a larger-than-life woman with lots of attitude, and even more soul.

4 half star blog book

Review:

I am never critical to an extreme so I get a pass on this one I think anyways. The book surprised me and it was good. It was the cover. If I was back in the day at a book store and saw the cover I dont think I would even look at the cover to see what it was about. That makes me sad. This needs some marketing and it will be pretty popular.

The premise that starts with Rudi and drugs is pretty good too. Rudi, a female punk rock chick gets arrested for selling drugs to an undercover cop. Growing up in this era it was a draw for me. I won’t go and give you a mini book here. I will say that the arrest is a change in Rudi’s path. The consequences and punishment cause a chain reaction of gossip, ridicule, and her own self doubt. Of course when you read it you will understand the choice she makes cause way too much doubt and constantly thinking “what if”.

The interest in Tommy is cool too. He is different and persistent to say the least. I guess it is sort of the bad girl appeal at first. I wonder if that was a draw for me too.

I am thrilled I read it and hope to see more from this author!

The Author links:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00C93QMJ4
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=2940016547138
http://facebook.com/ThePunkRockGrrl

Without permission I am linking to an interview I found. 

Here 

The Underground Book Reviews has a few really good ? for the author 

They are on FB

Twitter @BookUnderground

Hope Breaks by Alice Bello @AliceBello72 #debut #spotlight

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Hope Breaks
by Alice Bello
Hope Jones has two problems: one is new, the other is depressingly old.

The new problem: the bestselling author the publisher she shoots romance novel covers for hates her newest batch of covers. She has until the end of the week to come up with a breathtaking shot or she’ll be replaced. And there’s a sudden model shortage; they’re out of season.

The old, depressing problem: she hasn’t had a date, sex or a relationship in over two years.

She also has one hell of a headache.

Hope finds the cures for her two problems during a search through Wal-Mart for a painkiller to kill her headache.

Turns out the aisles of the retail giant are rampant with hot young model worthy specimens. And when her trusty Ford Taurus breaks down in the parking lot, a hunky mechanic in the Tire and Lube Express department fixes more than just her car.

Seemingly her troubles are good as gone…but then her new, fabulous cover is rejected, and in a desperate moment she has to choose between keeping her job and keeping the man she’s just starting to fall in love with.

 

About the Author: 
 
Alice Bello
 
“Let me introduce myself. I’m forty–which isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I live to read and love to write. I love romance, comedy, brooding and sparkly vampires, and I love pizza. I have a dog named Jack, and I work somewhere I have to wear a blue top and brown pants (you can probably guess).
I’ve just written my first romance. Erotic, funny, about 35,000 words, so it’s a novella, and hopefully a good one. I’m working to get it reviewed while I write the second part. I’m planning on having three 30,000 words novellas in the series.
Hope Breaks
Hope Entangles
Hope Rises
Contact:
 
 
 
 
 

March by Sunni Overend @SunniOverend #debut #review

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March official book trailer

What is in a title? Apple March, hence the title March. I loved the cover. I really enjoy seeing something so professionally done that it looks very visually appealing. Sometimes you can judge the book by the cover. In this case it was true. The book was a great debut. This book is written by an Aussie. So for us American people, the grammar and the punctuation are not the same. I hate when I read a review and people turn into the grammar police without knowing that they don’t “quote” the way we do. So for the narratives, get that rule before you jump in.

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Apple went to the country’s most prestigious fashion school. It is like saying I am working for Anna Wintour, or I am pulling for Harper’s Bazaar. That is the primo kind of school Apple went to. For now she is behind the register at a retail store. At 29 that is nothing to be happy about, but she is content. Why? OMG you know I want to squeal. Now there is a reveal that gets the spark back in Apple. Something happens to make her realize her dream,s. Her best friend Jackson has some of the BEST one liners and I must create another post for her. There is a secret, that has been holding her back and so is the threat of her past.

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Take a journey from Melbourne to New York and Paris with Apple. If you are a fashion lover and have ever read Vogue, this is your cup of tea. When you are at a style house the creative flow is really minimal, it is about the line and the designers view. Apple wants her own vision and of course what else, but the one man to share it with.

anna wintour
A really great example of the fashion world from a design standpoint. I think the author wrote a genre appealing book. It is a pleasure to read such a fine example with such a fine future ahead of her. I can not wait to see what she will write next. A debut like this, you don’t want to miss.

4 stars

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/sunnioverend
website http://www.sunnioverend.com
twitter @sunnioverend

About this author 

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Sunni Overend grew up in Victorian wine country, studied design at RMIT University and opened her own designer clothing store. While running her store, Sunni gave in to her love for stories and her first novel, March, came to life.
She currently lives in Melbourne with her architect husband, where she writes, grows flowers on her balcony and pretends she’s too busy and important to browse recipes, dog breeds, cashmere and country houses online.

The Bow Wow Club by Nicola May @NicolaMay1 #review

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As per my usual starting sentence, I love me some chick lit. Yes I love the style in which Nicola May writes. Mostly I enjoy the “real” aspect. Because it is sad, humerus and sexy, but not over the top. The people in her books are not wealthy, millionaires who flaunt or voluptuous woman. They are very relate-able to me. The main character is Ruby and she is at a turning point in her life. Tragedy strikes and it is a great exploration of loss. I feel so bad for her losing her husband! He was the love of her life in such a way that it hurts to read that part. smiles angel

The sub characters like Fiona (Fi) are just the remedy for what ales poor Ruby. It is a VERY touching story. After Ruby is at her lowest who comes charging in? Fiona, strong, loving,  and demanding. She surely gets Ruby out of the slump and back into the game. Ruby goes to a group Bow Wow Club (Boyfriends of Widows, Wives of Widowers). Therapy and a HUGE reveal change Ruby’s future forever. When Ruby meets Michael I was hopeful. I thought maybe it was too soon but he was good medicine. (gushing here at the racy scenes) It goes up and down and then you gasp out loud at the reveal.happy jumping smiley5

Overall I think this has been her best book so far. I see the difference in emotions and character development. She keeps you guessing about a few things and that is the build up I like in a book. I enjoyed this book more than The School Gates and Better Together. I did not think that was possible. Better Together was equally as sexy as this one.

811e1-5stars

Meet the author Nicola May
Nicola May

Buy it on Amazon

website twitter nicolamay1

My new novel The Bow Wow Club is OUT NOW!

My fourth novel The School Gates won an award for best author read at Festival of Romance.

My other bestselling novels are Working it Out, Star Fish & Better Together. Details can be found at http://www.nicolamay.com

I look forward to sharing my heartfelt and fun books with you.

Better Together by Nicola May @nicolamay1 #review

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Better Together

Jess is nearly 40 when she meets Dan Harris at a party. She is single, sorted, happy – with a great job and a buzzy social and sex-life. All of this is threatened when she falls deeply in love with Dan, who is only 23. 

Jess, being older, recognises this as the real, precious thing – but in his immaturity, Dan does not. Unable to cope with the stigma of being with an older woman, he eventually leaves her. 

Ten years pass…

Jess, who is still gorgeous at 50, is married now, with a child of her own.They meet again. The years fall away.
This time, Dan understands – but is it too late?

My review: 

Well I really enjoyed this one. There were parts that made me so sad and parts that I yelled at the book. sometimes walking away from someone is the hardest thing to do and Jess killed me when she did that. I think the love of her life was there, and so what he was younger! I was filled with angst!

I was being a little selfish thinking that I wanted more. I think the book could have been longer. One of my favorite quotes was “Being honest with you, Jess, I actually arranged to see Dave later as I knew that we’d be at it like rabbits if not. And as I am officially on the rebound, that wouldn’t be acceptable, now would it?

I think I hit a little jackpot meeting this author. Now I set out to read the rest of the books and plan a bundle giveaway! She needs to get some press from the states ladies read on!!

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My Quotes and Notes 

‘Being honest with you, Jess, I actually arranged to see Dave later as I knew that we’d be at it like rabbits if not. And as I am officially on the rebound, that wouldn’t be acceptable, now would it?’

She wanted to taunt this man, who had so readily dismissed her, the minute she had told him she was pregnant with his child. She was so lucky to have met Dan when she did, and was so easily able to pass Evie off as his. ‘Of course I haven’t told him. I’m not that stupid.

‘I don’t care.’ Jess said her voice beginning to crack. ‘I love being with you. It’s the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. You make me…’ She was lost for words. ‘We’re better together that’s all.’ She couldn’t contain her tears any longer.

Sam waved his beautiful wife and daughter off of the drive. Tears stung his eyes at the nature of his betrayal. What on earth was he thinking? How could he possibly even think of leaving this wonderful woman, adorable child and settled life behind for what?

It was incomprehensible; Sam was the father of Dan’s child! How could that be?

At least now, with him gone from their lives, she and Freya could move on, with no deceit hanging over them. Just pure honesty, trust and love.

The author:

Website

Goodreads

Twitter 

Amazon Author page 

Other titles:

Working It Out
Star Fish
The School Gates

Nicola May

About this author

Hello, I’m Nicola May, author of romantic comedy.

STOP PRESS: The School Gates has just WON Best Author Published Read at Festival of Romance!!

My fourth novel The School Gates is out now on both Kindle and in paperback. It follows the lives of 4 very different mums and one gay dad and how their lives intertwine at the school gates. Chick Lit with a kick I call it as deals with some pretty tough issues. It has just been shortlisted for best self published novel. Winners to be announced at Festival of Romance on November 16th.

My other bestselling novels are Working it Out, Star Fish & Better Together. Deatils can be found at www.nicolamay.com

I look forward to sharing my heartfelt and fun books with you.

Waiting on the Sidelines by Ginger Scott @TheGingerScott **review** and Giveaway

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Ginger ScottMy review:

Well of course I loved this book. Nothing makes me happier than meeting a wonderful author and reading such a fantastic debut. I don’t know how she did it but she DID! Nolan Lennox was like my little hero! The name, come on so cute, after a baseball legend.

Reason for the love #1 is that Nolan was bullied! So for fans of The Real Housewives of Orange County TAKE notice Alexis, Nolan was bullied. Maybe reading the book will bring some awareness to the fact that girls are bitches. Me, well yeah I have been known to be a bitch too. Although I never bullied anyone. She took so much and even when she was down she was able to come back. Girls are evil and when the football star is studying with the unknown, well that makes drama.

Reason for love #2 is her resilient attitude.  I don’t know how many times I was yelling Nolan you rock! Her family was the glue that held her together. Her Mom and Dad were hard workers and they instilled values. I am sure my kids could take this as a lesson learned. Nolan starts to questions her upbringing and that shows me what a great story it was! If and when an author makes you yell at the book or character, it means it was GREAT!

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Reason #3 Buck! I loved this man! I think him being Reed’s Dad was the best character placement. What is not to love about him? He treated Nolan so good and was the parent that serves as a great example. The way that Buck was with Nolan and her parents proves he is awesome! I have spoilers and I wont ruin anything, but believe me Buck is primo!

Reason #4 Reed. OK So we get a great author and makes you yell at the book. Reed has good and bad. Without Reed and his upbringing, Nolan would not have come across as good. So for the swoon and the devil I loved Reed too.

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Reason #5 Learning and discovery! Nolan learns that her track skills are awesome and even when she feels betrayed and cheated on she still runs for the team. She works so hard to get the little things she has and I adored that part too.

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Reed Johnson is good and bad. When Nolan made him think about how “real” she was, you could tell he had a change of heart. I know he cared so much about her and that made him stick up for her, love her and accept her. Being a football star was all the Johnson family knows. Reed’s Dad was the first, then his brother, now him. He loved the game and put pressure on himself to achieve greatness.

Waiting on the Sidelines was so good. Seriously a bright spot with so much real life lessons I want everyone to read it. I can’t say spoilers but look out for Nolan and Sean. I felt like I needed both of them to be together even though I know she didn’t care. There is passion for learning, getting good grades, sports and the occasional bad rebellious teen drama.  

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Goodreads

Book on Goodreads

Website

Facebook

Buy on Amazon

Meet Ginger Scott

Image of Ginger Scott

Ginger Scott is a writer and journalist from Peoria, Arizona. Her book, “Waiting on the Sidelines,” is a coming-of-age love story that explores the real heartbreak we all feel as we become adults throughout our high school years. The story follows two characters, Nolan (a Tomboy with a baseball player’s name) and Reed (the quarterback she wishes would notice her) as they struggle with peer-pressure, underage drinking, bullying and finding a balance between what your heart wants and what society says you should want — even if you aren’t ready. You can read her book now in Amazon’s kindle store.

Scott has been writing and editing for newspapers, magazines and blogs for more than 15 years. She has told the stories of Olympians, politicians, actors, scientists, cowboys, criminals and towns. For more on her and her work, visit her website at http://www.littlemisswrite.com.

After Math by Denise Grover Swank @DeniseMSwank @tale_of_reviews

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After Math (Off the Subject, #1)

The title of the book is GREAT! Why? It is a play on words After Math like after math class or aftermath like after the big reveal! WOW I loved it and I cried, then loved it more! Scarlett Goodwin’s world is divided into Before and After. This was one of the MOST accurate portrayals of anxiety and panic disorders I have read. This girl had her entire life turned upside down. The only thing that ruled her world was fear and panic. She wanted the math center to get a special grant, so she agrees to tutor Tucker price, also known as man whore.

Scarlett is a loner, and has a close friend Caroline who is her room mate. Caroline understands Scarlett and is the only one who she can turn to. The triggers are not clear but one thing that she uses to sooth her is math. She thinks in absolute equations, any problem has an answer and it has a calming effect.

Scarlett Goodwin, junior at Southern University, math major, coerced into tutoring Tucker

What happens when she agrees to tutor Tucker? She knows the lab needs the grant and being asked by the head of the math department makes the situation unavoidable. Can Scarlett find happiness with anyone? Will Tucker’s life and reputation turn her into a panic stricken shut in? Will she be caught in Tucker’s aftermath? 

Fashion Shot of a Young Man 

Tucker a soccer star? Maybe He might be better as a gym teacher or coach? What his dreams and life goals are will shock Scarlett. 

It is a very emotional and powerful book. I enjoyed it from beginning to end.


PLAYLIST

Coldplay, X&Y, Low (book’s theme song)
Matchbox Twenty, North (Deluxe Version), How Long?
Matchbox Twenty, North (Deluxe Version), Like Sugar
Coldplay, A Rush of Blood to the Head, Warning Sign
Ingrid Michaelson, Be OK, Keep Breathing
Ingrid Michaelson, Be OK, The Chain
Missy Higgins, On a Clear Night, Where I Stood

Denise Grover Swank

 Twitter @DeniseMSwank

http://www.denisegroverswank.com

http://denisegroverswank.com/books/

http://denisegroverswank.com/blog/blog/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4921525.Denise_Grover_Swank

http://www.amazon.com/Denise-Grover-Swank/e/B005ANAB6K

Denise Grover Swank is a New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author. She writes urban fantasies without vampires and werewolves, romantic comedy mysteries set in the south, and sexy new adult contemporary romances. Denise has six children, three dogs, and an overactive imagination. She can be found dancing in her kitchen with her children, reading or writing her next book. You will rarely find her cleaning.

You can find out more about Denise at http://www.denisegroverswank.com or email her at DeniseGroverSwank@gmail.com

Just One Cup by Cassandra Giovanni ***Cover Reveal*** @GHBTours @2grlsheartbooks

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Just One Cup Cover

Blurb-

Emma Walker was a writer who’d lost herself to someone else’s anger–who had given up on ever feeling like herself again.

Evan Levesque was a rock-god–the one all the woman wanted, but he’d never gotten used to the loneliness between the stage and real life.

With just one cup of coffee they’ll begin a journey of self-discovery at each others sides, but can Emma handle Evan’s fame while dealing with her own demons? Emma’s checkered personal past, a bad relationship that haunts the edges of her memories, threatens to make everything implode on them when Evan takes matters into his own hands.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words…they’ll destroy my soul–Can Emma handle being put back together and facing who she’s become because of it?

Link to Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17457178-just-one-cup

About the Author-

View Cassandra.JPG in slide show

Cassandra doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since than Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character’s stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children’s novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra will also release her first New Adult novel, Just One Cup, in the Spring of 2013.

 Cassandra is a freelance professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of Gio Design Studios, a photography and publication marketing company that designs covers and marketing materials for authors utilizing the company’s photography. She is currently studying to receive her associates degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.

  Links-

Goodreads-

Website-

Blog- 

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