Review: Miss You Love You Hate You Bye by Abby Sher

Title: Miss You Love You Hate You Bye
Author: Abby Sher
Format: Paperback ARC
Pub. Date: February 18th 2020
Source: The Windy Pages


Book Description:

Zoe and Hank (short for Hannah) have been inseparable since they met in elementary school. The leader of the pack, Zoe is effortlessly popular while Hank hides comfortably in her shadow. But when Zoe's parents unexpectedly divorce, Zoe's perfect facade starts cracking little by little. Sinking under the weight of her broken family, Zoe develops an eating disorder. Now she must rely on Hank for help.

Hank struggles to help Zoe; after all, she is used to agreeing, not leading. How can she help her best friend get better before it's too late?

Written partially in letters from Zoe and mostly in narrative from Hank's perspective, Miss You Love You Hate You Bye is a poignant and eye-opening novel about friendship, mental health, and learning to put yourself first.

Review:

★★

I wanted to like this book. I really did. I think books on young adult mental health are so, so important. But this one fell flat for me and I was left disappointed.

The book is written in almost duel perspective. It's 90% from the main character, Hannah's, point of view. Every so often there's a letter written by Zoe to break things up. While I understand why it's written from both sides, I didn't care for the letters aspect and would have just preferred duel POVs as things were actually happening. Because of the letters, we start right off the bat knowing what Zoe's fate is. We know she's in a hospital/treatment center. We know she's mad at Hannah, and we know that ultimately, she's okay. Because of this, it made me less interested in the story from the get-go, because I had the resolution before I even know the story.

I didn't care for either character. Zoe is manic and struggling and a hot mess. She's dealing with a lot- ADHD, learning problems, her parents' divorce, her eating disorder. But we never really get too much of her side of why she's acting this way. Then there's Hannah, who has a complete do nothing attitude about almost everything in her life. She does whatever Zoe tells her to, always. That's all of her personality, even according to her: she's Hannah's friend. She notices eating habits but doesn't say anything. She is unhappy but doesn't say anything. She is negative about everything. She's rude AF to her mom's boyfriend even though he's nice and kind and her mom is happy (which she resents, even though she admits he's nice) and it has been years. Even her mom eventually calls her on the fact that she's like this, which I appreciated.

Both of their inner voices felt like they were done in "adult" voices (Hannah uses words like "hirsute" in her head, for example) but their out-loud dialogue sounded like middle school- very "OMG like cringe". They're high schoolers. This back and forth of writing style/voice was a bit jarring in places.

I wish the book would have been more about Zoe. She's the one with the disorder and struggling and yet she's not really what the book is about. I appreciate that some aspects of eating disorders and mental health and self-harm were realistically portrayed in all their ugliness. It's not all therapy and sadness, it can be mania and spiraling out.

But I just found myself bored, uninterested, and wanting it to be over. There's so much happening but so little of it gets closure. It feels disconnected and almost random.

I really like that this book is about platonic friendship. There's no romance component (albeit a kiss that felt forced and unnecessary for the plot), it's just a story about friendship and I think there should be more of that.

I also think the cover is super cute, but, obviously that has nothing to do with the plot.

I think there is a need and a space for YA books about hard topics like this. But I also think that there a lot of books already out there that cover them better than this book does. If it relates to one person, or helps someone find courage to talk to someone, than this book will have been worth writing.

But I am not that person, and this book wasn't for me. Be warned, this book contains drug use, eating disorders, self-harm, and other topics that might be tough to read for some people.

Review: Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 5 Anthology edited by Rachel Kramer Bussel

Title: Best Women's Erotica of the Year, Volume 5
Editor: Rachel Kramer Bussel
Format: Paperback, 256 pages
Pub. Date: December 10th 2019
Source: Rachel Kramer Bussel


Book Description:

In Best Women’s Erotica of the Year, Volume 5, award-winning editor Rachel Kramer Bussel takes readers on an outrageous journey into the world of female fantasy and desire. These sexy stories offer up wild, hot, and steamy tales from today’s top authors. You’ll be swept away by the sexiest business deal ever, break the rules in a future world where skin-on-skin contact is forbidden, and discover the art of getting off by phone sex.

From threesomes to mermaid sex, fetishes, sex parties, and much more, these authors steam up the pages with tales of trysts, love, and lust where nothing is held back. If you’re looking to escape from the everyday and discover what happens when women are ready to get totally outrageous, this book is for you.

With new stories by beloved authors including Joanna Angel, Balli Kaur Jaswal, CD Reiss, Sierra Simone, and Sabrina Sol, along with newcomers to the genre, you’ll savor every sizzling page.

Review:

★★★★


The theme of this erotica anthology is "outrageous", and on this word alone, I'd say this collection delivers. There are 21 short stories in here, each of them drastically different but all linked by that one word. Each story is short enough to read in a quickie, but long enough that it satisfies. Because each story is unrelated to the others in the book, this is a good book to read in bursts. One story here, two stories there.

This collection does a really good job with inclusivity and diversity. There are people of color represented here, as well as people with disabilities, of a number of body types, and of multiple age groups. There's also LGBT and gender inclusivity here, including non-binary characters. Not only people, but kinks as well. There's all sorts of eroticism featured here, from hardcore BDSM to bondage to age play, to voyeurism, and a whole bunch in between.

Because there's such a wide variety of stories and authors here, if I were reviewing each story individually, the ratings would be everything from a 1/5 to a 5/5. I'm not partial to stories written in first person. Some were too rushed. Some didn't sell me on being sexy and came off forced. Some had kinks that I just don't want any part in, and some had vibes that I thought seemed creepy or coercive. On the other side of the same coin, some of the stories are beautifully weaved with sexy language. They have kinks that are right up my alley with words that I love and scenes that I'd love to be a part of. They have unique concepts and take their few pages of space in this book and create something fantastic.

My point mainly being, that there'll certainly be something in here for you, even if you don't enjoy each and every story. For me, the good outweighed the not so good, and just because I didn't like it, doesn't mean it won't be the thing that drives you crazy.

I won't be reviewing all 21 stories, nor will I be harping on which ones I didn't like. Instead, I'm going to touch on the three stories that I liked best. These are in no particular order.

The first story I feel is worth highlighting is "The Summer of 1669" by Jayne Renault. If the title wasn't a dead giveaway, it's a historic erotica. In a pleasant surprise to me, the couple featured in this story is two women. It largely takes place in a memory, of a time spent on a ship on its way over from Europe to the New Colonies of America. It's a bit taboo, a lot erotic, and being LGBT myself, the fact that it's F/F was lovely. It's sensually written in a romanticized way, while still being plenty dirty.

The next story that I liked is called "If the Ocean" by Loretta Black. It too features a couple that is two females. It also has historic imagery (I guess I'm pretty predictable, eh?). The story occurs when a woman happens across a mermaid. Yes, a mermaid. The book promises outrageousness, does it not? Loretta Black does a really good job here of balancing the sexy elements with pretty imagery and vocabulary that make it seem like it should be part of a larger work (which I'd read tf out of, if you're reading this!).

The last one, and possibly my favorite one, is the last story of the book, called "Spin" by Lauren Emily. It's an exception to my "I don't like the first person narrative" rule. It's also, I just now realize, yet another F/F erotica. This is surprising to me since I also like men, but, here we are. I'd like to just say that there are plenty of men in this book, despite my top picks! I digress. "Spin" involves a public spectacle of eroticism set while doing an aerialist routine. I have an affinity for all things that are carnival and circus, so this was a perfect way to end this collection of stories.

Over all, there's a lot of authors here with a lot of stories to tell. They each do so differently, and it goes to show how so many different people can take one theme and run wild with it in all different directions. There's a lot of different fantasies and kinks here, so there's sure to be something for everybody. If you've enjoyed any of the other volumes from this anthology line, it will find a nice place on your shelf among the others.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Series: Me Before You #1
Format: Paperback ARC
Pub. Date: July 30th 2013
Source: Half Price Books


Book Description:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Giver of Stars, discover the love story that captured over 20 million hearts in Me Before You, After You, and Still Me.

They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose . . .

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has barely been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A Love Story for this generation and perfect for fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

Review:

★★★★★

It's rare that I whole-heartedly and so positively adore a book. Me Before You was absolutely fantastic. It was beautifully written and raw and honest and optimistic and heartbreaking in the most perfect of ways. This was my first time reading anything by Jojo Moyes, but it certainly won't be my last.

The characters were wonderfully well written. Even if you didn't like a character (and believe me, there are a few), you still got a sense of who they were and the roots and complications of why you disliked them. Louisa is quirky, but never in the annoyingly common YA way of "omg I'm not like other girls". She's just unapologetically herself, and I admire that. I wish I had the confidence to wear, I dunno, pink zebra leggings with a festive hat and sparkly shoes and to say things without thinking too much about them. She's realistically awkward and charming, and I get what Will and her employers see in her.

And then there's Will. Poor, complicated, devastatingly handsome Will. Despite his demeanor and how he speaks to people, he's oddly endearing and you root for him to be better, to let down his walls. As he grows fond of Louisa, you can't help but to fall in love with him as she does. Even knowing damn well he's going to break all of our hearts.

The setting is also really well done. I feel like I could walk around their town with no map and feel at ease, and when they're traveling, I was swept away to be with them too.

Moyes does a brilliant job bringing up a topical and complicated topic and making it relatable, personable, and understandable. She gave me a lot to think about.

And I cried. Of course I did. I always do. I knew what was coming, and still, I cried. This is the most emotionally connected to a book and characters that I have felt in a long time. I know this book is a few years old, but this is the best book I have read this year. It was beautiful, touching, and haunting, and I absolutely recommend it. It's funny, charming, absolutely devastating, and strangely peaceful, and if you don't mind a little heartbreak and young love, this book is for you.

Review: The Espressologist by Kristina Springer

Title: The Espressologist
Author: Kristina Springer
Format: Paperback, 184 pages
Pub. Date: January 4th 2011
Source: Salvation Army


Book Description:

What's your drink of choice? Is it a small pumpkin spice latte? Then you're lots of fun and a bit sassy. Or a medium americano? You prefer simplicity in life. Or perhaps it's a small decaf soy sugar-free hazelnut caffe latte? Some might call you a yuppie. Seventeen-year-old barista Jane Turner has this theory that you can tell a lot about a person by their regular coffee drink. She scribbles it all down in a notebook and calls it Espressology. So it's not a totally crazy idea when Jane starts hooking up some of her friends based on their coffee orders. Like her best friend, Em, a medium hot chocolate, and Cam, a toffee nut latte. But when her boss, Derek, gets wind of Jane's Espressology, he makes it an in-store holiday promotion, promising customers their perfect matches for the price of their favorite coffee. Things are going better than Derek could ever have hoped, so why is Jane so freaked out? Does it have anything to do with Em dating Cam? She's the one who set them up! She should be happy for them, right?

Review:

★★

I knew what I was in for when I grabbed this book. Something light. Something fluffy. Something that wouldn't take too much time or focus. And I got what I expected. This book was okay, but not quite for me.

I love the idea of this book, conceptually. I think that the idea of matching people based on their drink orders is a really cute one. And overall, that part of the plot was okay.

Some parts of the book were just a little bit juvenile for me, even by YA standards. "Totally", "omg", and "hottie" are used so much that they don't even sound like real words anymore. Plus the chat speak of things like "c u 2".

Where it fell flat for me was the main character. To say I didn't like her would be wildly understated. She's wanted to be a fashion designer since... Before reality TV stars made it popular. ...Really? Tommy Hilfiger, Versace, and Ralph Lauren would beg to differ. Because of this love of fashion, she's judgy there too, judging her friend for having superstore shoes. Plus, she calls pretty much everyone at her college weirdos who didn't get into real college or are old people. Yikes. Oh, and her coworker as a floozy for flirting. Nice.

She also seems like a pretty terrible employee. She's writing constantly instead of doing work and gets mad when people are annoyed by it. She gets promoted and says "power is great" and uses this to shove around a coworker she doesn't like and doesn't ring up coffees. Forgets to do inventory and stock, she acts like the manager is being sooooo mean.I get that it's a fictional book but good lord.

The actual match making parts were cute, as was her building success. It was cute and fluffy and because of the cozy setting of a coffee shop, that plot works really well. I also appreciate that she stands up for herself against her bullies. As much as I may not like her, I appreciate that she's no doormat and that she can hold her own.

I also know this isn't how you're supposed to judge a book, but the cover is super cute. I'd be lying if I said it's not what drew me into the book in the first place. It sums up the book and the tone of the story really well.

Ultimately, I think this book is just too young for me, even if I am a fan of YA books. If you're looking for something short that's easy to get through, this is a good choice. I'm not mad that I read it, but I won't be reading it again

Early Review: Lola Carlyle's 12-Step Romance by Danielle Younge-Ullman!

Title: Lola Carlyle's 12-Step Romance
Author: Danielle Younge-Ullman
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: May 5, 2015
Source: Entangled Teen & Netgalley


Book Description via Goodreads:

Lola Carlyle is lonely, out of sorts, and in for a boring summer. So when her best friend, Sydney, calls to rave about her stay at a posh Malibu rehab and reveals that the love of Lola’s life, Wade Miller, is being admitted, she knows what she has to do.Never mind that her worst addiction is decaf cappuccino; Lola is going to rehab.

Lola arrives at Sunrise Rehab intent solely on finding Wade, saving him from himself, and—naturally—making him fall in love with her…only to discover she’s actually expected to be an addict. And get treatment. And talk about her issues with her parents, and with herself. Plus she has insane roommates, and an irritatingly attractive mentor, Adam, who’s determined to thwart her at every turn.

Oh, and Sydney? She’s gone.

Turns out, once her pride, her defenses, and her best friend are stripped away, Lola realizes she’s actually got a lot to overcome…if she can open her heart long enough to let it happen.

Review:

★★★★

If we're being completely honest, I didn't think that I was going to like this book. I have had friends go to rehab to deal with drug abuse, and I was really concerned about reading a book where the initial plot is a girl faking her way in to save a boy from himself. But no matter how much I concerned myself, I couldn't resist giving it a read. I'm so glad I did: there is way more to this book than meets the eye.

I would still categorize this novel as a young adult romance. Lola fakes her way into an amazing "spa like" rehab center to get the scoop on a boy she's had a crush on for forever. But she gets tangled up in a complicated string of emotions concerning him as well as the young man who is supposed to be in charge of her case. I loved watching their feelings get explored in their love/hate relationship.

I didn't initially care for Lola too much. She's shallow and moody and concerned with trivial things like designer sunglasses. But the more I got to learn about her, her experiences, and her bizarre family situations, the more I grew to like her and as cheesy as it sounds, the more she liked herself too. She ends up having a road to self-discovery even though she fights it every step of the way. Some things come into perspective for her and it shapes her in ways I didn't anticipate. She easily became my favorite character by the end of the book (though Adam is a very dreamy second place).

I also really enjoyed the unique cast of characters that to me each had a distinct function and personality. From Adam, the counselor of sorts who is driving Lola insane, to her possibly actually insane roommate who may want to injure Lola, to the little-too-charming owner of the facility, and even to Lola's paparazzi and image obsessed mother, there was never really a dull moment for me. Even though some of the side characters irritated me, I'm fairly certain they were written that way on purpose- and it worked.

There were also quite a few moments that made me snicker aloud, which I always appreciate in a book, especially in one that takes place in such a serious place.

This book is a good blend of young adult, contemporary, and romance. It touches on some tough stuff from the other clients (who are actually admitted for real addictions), such as sex, alcohol, and drugs, but the story never becomes graphic. All in all, I think that if you're a fan of all three of those genres that you should give this book a shot. Because of the romance and the warm California settings that are described in the book, I think this will make a great poolside or beachy read for the summer of 2015.

Thanks to Entangled Teen for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: Paper Or Plastic by Vivi Barnes!

Title: Paper or Plastic
Author: Vivi Barnes
Release date: 2015
Publisher: Entangled Teen

About the Book:

Welcome to SmartMart, where crime pays minimum wage...

Busted. Alexis Dubois just got caught shoplifting a cheap tube of lipstick at the local SmartMart. She doesn’t know what’s worse—disappointing her overbearing beauty-pageant-obsessed mother for the zillionth time…or her punishment. Because Lex is forced to spend her summer working at the store, where the only thing stranger than the staff is the customers.

Now Lex is stuck in the bizarro world of big-box retail. Coupon cutters, jerk customers, and learning exactly what a “Code B” really is (ew). And for added awkwardness, her new supervisor is the totally cute—and completely below her social sphere—Noah Grayson. Trying to balance her out-of-control mother, her starting spot on the school softball team, and her secret crush on the school geek makes for one crazy summer. But ultimately, could the worst store in the world be the best thing that ever happened to her?

Buy It:

Amazon | BN | Kobo

About the Author:

Vivi Barnes is the author of Olivia Twisted and the upcoming release, Paper or Plastic. She was raised on a farm in East Texas where her theater-loving mom and cowboy dad gave her a unique perspective on life. Now living in the magic and sunshine of Orlando, Florida, she divides her time writing, working, goofing off with her husband and three kids, and avoiding dirty dishes.

   

Review:

★★★★★

Paper or Plastic is an adorable, fast read that I ate up in one sitting.

I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book, as the lead character Lex annoyed me at the beginning. Maybe it's because I worked in high school, but her I'm-above-this attitude rubbed me wrong- but she changes so much throughout this book that soon I'd forgotten my annoyances with her. She's passionate about what she wants and I appreciated that there was no love triangle, just a relatable struggle between clashing friends/crushes that I think we've all felt at least once.

I thought the characters were all really well described. There's a lot of people in this cast, but I was never left confused. There were some characters I absolutely loved, like her grandmother and Noah. Yes, definitely a lot of Noah. He was kind and a little broody and outcast-y with a little rebellious side and it made a perfect combination for me. I liked seeing him and Lex develop individually as characters, but also how they changed towards one another.

And then there were characters I hated (that I was supposed to dislike so well played, Barnes). Her mother at the beginning is a nightmare, and some of her "friends" and co-workers... Don't get me started.

This book didn't take me more than a few hours to read because I was genuinely enjoying myself. It's well-paced with a fair amount of drama and a nice sense of humor that I wasn't expecting, but I did snicker out loud to myself a few times over the course of the book.

I also liked how real, in a sense, that this book was. This is going to sound weird, but I like that this book didn't shy away from the occasional swear. Teens swear. In contemporary YA it just seems weird when characters aren't allowed to swear in the book because at least in my high school, no one spoke that purely. I also like the way texts were presented- it was the older characters who used the "leet speak" as opposed to the younger ones. That made me happy, because literally the only people I know who text like that are my mother and grandmother.

Honestly, I was bummed when I was out of pages. I hadn't realized I'd read it so fast and I definitely wanted more of Lex and Noah. Nonetheless, this was a good, cute read. I'd recommend this to fans of YA romance or contemporaries and people who have had summer jobs at places like "SmartMart".

Thanks so much to YA Bound Book Tours for my copy in exchange for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Follow the rest of the tour here!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blog Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours

Blog Tour: Audiobook Review, Excerpt, & Giveaway- Crossing the Ice by Jennifer Comeaux!

Title: Crossing the Ice
Series: Ice #1
Author: Jennifer Comeaux
Narrated by: Emily Stokes
Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 08/03/14


Book Description via Goodreads:

Falling hard never felt so good.

Pair skaters Courtney and Mark have one shot left at their Olympic dream. They vow not to let anything get in their way, especially not Josh and Stephanie, the wealthy and talented brother and sister team.

The heart doesn’t always listen to reason, though...

The more time Courtney spends with sweet, shy Josh, the harder she falls for him. But they are on opposite sides of the competition, and their futures are headed in opposite directions. Will their friendship blossom into more or are their paths too different to cross?

Excerpt:

Buy it here: Amazon | Audible | BN | Kobo | iBooks

About the Author:

Jennifer Comeaux is a tax accountant by day, writer by night. There aren’t any ice rinks near her home in south Louisiana, but she’s a diehard figure skating fan and loves to write stories of romance set in the world of competitive skating. One of her favorite pastimes is travelling to competitions, where she can experience all the glitz and drama that inspire her writing. Jennifer loves to hear from readers! Visit jennifercomeaux.blogspot.com for contact information and to learn more about her books.
Facebook | Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Review:

★★★★

I should go on the record- I'm not a big user of audiobooks. That being said, I made an exception when I came across Crossing the Ice. I helped take part in a book blitz for the book awhile back, and was eagerly awaiting the chance to read (or listen to) it. For reason unbeknownst to me, I absolutely adore books with sports themes. Ice skating falls snugly right into that category. This is my first reading experience from Jennifer Comeaux, but I hope it won't be the last. This hit the spot.

I feel like this book is really well informed. I have not ever been involved with ice skating more than a just-for-fun skate at a rink set up here in Chicago for the Christmas season. That said, I'm relatively unversed in the topic, save for what I have picked up from watching the Olympics over the years. But I was never confused throughout this story set in the competitive skating world, and honestly I probably walked away learning a thing or two about it. It's clear to me that the author knows way more about it than I do, and did her research, which makes for a better setting and deeper story.

I also really liked the characters. You feel for them, whether you love or hate them (and you will hate some). I liked that Courtney stood her ground and went after what she wanted, both on and off the ice. I also loved Josh. He's so sweet and coy and I would like to just carry him around in my pocket with me. ....And then there's Stephanie. -glare- That's all I'll say about that for fear of giving away spoilers.

As for the audiobook itself, it had its ups and downs. I think the narrator's voice was pleasant enough, and it held my attention throughout most of the story. However, there were a few times where it was awkwardly paused or stumbled over, I felt. Over all it was easy to listen to, but it wasn't anything to necessarily write home about either.

I'd recommend this to anyone in the mood for a new adult romantic comedy or anyone who has an interest or affinity for ice skating or competition. Thanks so much to YA Bound Book Tours and Jennifer Comeaux who provided me with an audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Follow the rest of the tour here!

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blog Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours

Interview and Review: Styling Wellywood by Kate O'Keeffe!

Title: Styling Wellywood
Author: Kate O'Keeffe
Format: Kindle Edition, 261 pages
Pub. Date: May 8th 2014
Source: Kate O'Keeffe


About the Book:
Jessica Banks is dragged kicking and screaming from her fabulous and carefree London life back to her hometown of Wellington, New Zealand and into the arms of her uptight mother.

She struggles to settle back in until she finds a way to bring her own version of London glamour to her new home. Things begin to look up when she meets Scott Wright, tennis coach, and possibly the hottest man on the planet - but is it a love match? Or is someone else the right man for Jessica? Someone she thought was out of her reach?

When both her best friend suddenly disappears and her high school arch nemesis rears her perfectly coifed head, Jessica‘s new life begins to unravel. Even her dearest friend, Ben, can’t protect her from her demons. She eventually realizes she needs to face her deepest, darkest fear - the fear she’s managed to successfully drown in cocktails for the last four years.

Can Jessica overcome her past and find love and happiness in unexpected places?

With Wellington - the world’s coolest little capital city and New Zealand’s answer to Hollywood - as the backdrop, Styling Wellywood: A fashionable romantic comedy is a laugh out loud, heartwarming, entertaining romp in the world of contemporary women’s chick lit romance.

If you like Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes or Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary, you'll love this new romcom!

Buy it here- Available in Print and Ebook:
Amazon & more retailers soon!

Interview:

Thanks so much for talking with me today, Kate! Shall we begin?. In Styling Wellywood, Jessica has quite a few romantic encounters. Were any of these romantic interests inspired by someone from your own life?

Hmmm, that's a tricky one. I guess we've all known a guy like Scott - handsome, self-assured, a little too full of himself - and I'd be lying to say I hadn't dated one or two guys like that in my time, but neither Ben nor Scott are based on any one person. Kind of an amalgamation of guys my friends and I have dated in the past, I guess.

That's true enough, I definitely have met guys like Scott. Now, Jessica dreams of being a posh stylist to the stars. Are you as into fashion as she is?

I've always loved fashion and try to support local designers. There's so much talent out there and buying their clothes means you don't end up looking like everyone else! But Jessica's pretty obsessed with the whole fashion thing and looking glamorous, and as a busy mother and writer I just don't have the time!

What's your favorite piece of jewelry?

It's a vintage tear drop aquamarine ring set with a few small diamonds. My mother gave it to me, her mother gave it to her… you get the picture. So it has serious sentimental value and always gets compliments from random strangers and friends alike as it's quite striking.

That sounds so pretty, I love aquamarine. If you could have one dream fashion item in your wardrobe, what would it be?

One of those incredible Vera Wang gowns you see Hollywood A-listers wearing. So so fabulous. Of course I'd have nowhere to wear it… and you don't really need a floor-length dress to walk your dogs around the 'burbs, do you? But a girl can dream...

Jessica is returning to Wellington, New Zealand after time away in London. Are you from New Zealand? Are any of the stores or places that she mentioned standing in real life?

Now this is where Jess and I are very similar! I'm from New Zealand and moved to London when I graduated at 21. I loved loved loved living there and really did find it hard to move back home after all the excitement of a large, world-class city on Europe's door step. Wellington is a beautiful city, but it's pretty small in comparison with cities like London or New York, so it took some adjusting to being back. Of course now I'm totally settled and love it here.

As for the stores, yes they all exist! I had thought about whether to make up fictitious designers but there are so many amazing Wellington and New Zealand designers out there I decided to just go with what there was to offer.

That is absolutely fantastic. I love that you chose to go with real stores. It's a cold, rainy day and you decide to stay in with a book- what are you reading?

Oh that's a hard one! So many choices... I'd probably have to go with one of my favorite classics - E M Forster's "A Room With A View." If you haven't read it and you enjoy humorous women's fiction, give it a try. It's just fabulous!

Did you always want to be a writer? If not, what were you doing before you became an author?

I have always wanted to be a writer and started so many novels, but then that pesky thing called 'life' would always get in the way and I would end up shelving it. With Styling Wellywood I was a stay at home mother and so had a little bit if time when my son was either asleep or at preschool. I wanted to do something with my brain - playgrounds, baby bottles and laundry can only excite a girl so much - and had so many characters and scenarios buzzing around my head, so decided to just sit down and write.

Some authors only use a specific pen or drink coffee from a certain mug. Do you have any quirks when you write?

Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. Oh and I often have one of my dogs sitting next to me snorting away. Seems to help, but who knows why!

Chocolate helps make everything better. Can you describe Styling Wellywood in five words?

Chick lit with humor, friendship, romance, and heart. Was that five?

Since Styling Wellywood is about romance, what is one fictional book character that makes you swoon?

Oh, it HAS to be Mr Darcy. Yum yum yum. So manly, noble and gentlemanly. And it helps he richer than God too, if I'm entirely honest.

Great answer. He's definitely swoon worthy. Jessica has a few misadventures in the romance department. Can you tell us a bit about what your first date was like?

My first date… hmm, that's a walk down memory lane I'd prefer not to take. But since you've asked... I was a teenager and really liked a slightly older boy from afar - to this day I don't think he had any idea how I felt about him, because it wasn't him I went on a date with but with his friend. Who knows why I said yes, but I did and felt like I suffered through the whole thing. We went to a movie and he was very sweet, but he just wasn't the guy of my dreams. Things improved significantly for me soon afterwards, but sadly that will always be my first official date - with my dream guy's friend.

I appreciate you sharing that story with us. Isn't weird thinking back on choices we made? Kate, do you have any other books or projects in the works that you can tell us about?

I've been working on a series about three sisters, each book devoted to one of them, but the others make appearances across the series too. They'll be a bit like Styling Wellywood in their tone and style, but with a heavier does of romance. There's a brother too, but I'm not sure he has a book yet… we'll have to see how he behaves in the first three to see if he gets one.

I'll definitely keep my eyes open for those. Out of all of the characters in Styling Wellywood, who do you think you are the most like? Who are you the least like? Why?

I'd say I'm most like a mixture of Jessica, Stephanie and Laura. Jess because she's such an optimist, Stephanie because she's slightly mad, and Laura because she's sensible and logical and I'm a pretty A-Type kind of gal.

The least? Jess's mother, Scott, and Morgan - or at least I hope!

Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there that you can share with us?

To steal a phrase, I'd have to say 'just do it'! Writing is fun, incredible, wonderfully creative, frustrating, but, ultimately, if you don't pick up that metaphorical pen, it's just a hole bunch of vaguely formed ideas running around in your head. If you think you have a good idea for a story, start by writing up your key concepts - characters, plots, themes - then you'll see that it'll start to take shape. I plotted Styling Wellywood out, did character analyses, and knew what themes I wanted to explore before I even started Chapter 1. I'm certainly not a 'pantser'! It helped me so much to have a structure. I know not everyone works this way, but it was great for me. Of course enjoying it and feeling passionate about what you do goes without saying.

Thank you so much, Kate, for taking the time out of the busy holiday rush to answer a few of my questions and for letting me read Styling Wellywood!!

Review:

★★★★ ★

Plain and simple, this book is a great example of women's fiction. The comparisons say that this book is in the same vein as Sophie Kinsella. I love her, so I read this, but with caution since I love Kinsella's books and I've been burned by the "if you like ____, you'll love ____" comparisons before. I'm happy to say that that comparison is totally accurate.

A large part of what made this book so lovely to enjoy was the setting. I don't often read books set in New Zealand, but I admit it's one of my top dream vacation spots. After reading this book, I only want to visit there more. It's clear the love for the country that the author has (even if lead character Jessica doesn't always see it). I liked the slang used, the sights described, and the shops that Jessica frequents. (I just found out that they're real shops. How cool is that, using real places and fashion designers!?)

I also loved Jessica. She's a complicated character that I think all women can relate to. She has big dreams of high fashion, of leading a life of London luxury. She has some facepalm worthy dating moments and is humbled a bit when she moves back in with her mother. Styling Wellywood is a roller coaster of Jess finding herself and rediscovering who she was in Wellington, getting back in the familiar groove of the city that she used to call home.

The rest of the characters were all unique and interesting too. Jess has a core group of friends that sometimes you love and sometimes you're annoyed with, much like any group of friends. Their choices (especially those of her best friend) will make you wonder what the hell is going on in their head, and you'll eagerly turn pages to find out answers. Her parents are likable and quirky. One of her love interests, an American tennis instructor named Scott, is definitely hot. And then there's her "friend" Ben. Totally just friends. Yup. She doesn't think about their drunken kiss not one bit. He's sweet and is the kind of man we all want to know.

Jess is the kind of character you can't help but to cheer for. She may not always go exactly where she wants in life, but she takes life as it comes. She grows into herself and her choices, becoming in charge of her life and what she wants out of it. I think we all want to have a bit of that mentality.

Styling Wellywood is a funny, well-written work of romantic women's fiction set in New Zealand. This is a great read to have nearby in the summer when you're lounging by the pool. I recommend it to fans of romance, chick lit, humor, and fashion. Thanks so much to author Kate O'Keeffe who gave me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

About the Author:

Deciding long ago that feel good stories and happy endings shouldn't be limited to just children's books and fairy tales, I decided to create such worlds through my writing. Because life can just sometimes suck, can't it?

I've loved chick lit and romantic comedies since I first encountered Bridget Jones as a young, impressionable writer. It really was a match made in chick lit heaven for me! I like to take on serious subject matter and wrap it up in warmth, wit, and humour.

I've been a teacher and a sales executive, but am now content as a mother, madly writing all the ideas I've accumulated during my time on this planet we call home.

I live and love in New Zealand, with my wonderful family and my two very scruffy, naughty dogs.
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Blog Tour Review & Giveaway: The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp

Welcome to my tour stop for The Next Breath by Laurel Osterkamp. This is an adult contemporary and the tour runs November 17-28th with reviews, interviews & guest posts. Check out the tour schedule for all the posts.

About the Book:

The Next Breath, 313 pages



I kiss him, choosing love over honesty, which is a choice nobody should ever have to make…"



Robin loves sweet, responsible Nick, with his penchant for Beethoven and Ben Folds Five. But she also still loves her college boyfriend Jed, an irreverent playwright plagued with cystic fibrosis. Now Robin is struggling to reveal her secrets and confront her past, as she finally performs in the play that Jed wrote for her, eleven years ago. Will Robin have the strength to keep her promise and stay true to her heart?



Alternating between present-day scenes, college flashbacks, and segments from Jed’s play, this tear-jerking yet uplifting tale illustrates how life is finite but love is infinite, and the road to recovery begins with the next breath.

Goodreads | Amazon

Review:

★★★★

I was really excited when I got invited to read The Next Breath. This book is technically a sequel to another book by Laurel Osterkamp that I really enjoyed, The Holdout, but it can be read as a standalone. It provides enough refreshers of what happened for readers to get the gist. (That being said, you should still totally read it. You can check out my review here but I digress). I'm happy to say that makes this book the third by this author that I've thoroughly enjoyed.

Osterkamp has a great way of writing her novels so that you're emotionally connected to them, even if you share little in common with the characters (like me). You learn to care about them and get emotionally entangled in their life choices. You cheer on some and you wince at others, but regardless, the connection is genuinely there. I really wanted Robin to sort herself out and feel better about her struggles throughout the story, and I was frequently cheering her on.

The Next Breath also weaves together moments that are cleverly funny and make you snicker aloud and moments that make you really sad and mopey. I think that's a great thing in a book, and it's not something I personally often find done well. I think this is part of what makes this work of fiction so realistic. Like life, it's not all depressing or all slapstick. It's a blend of emotions that you feel even though you're not exactly sure why you're feeling that way at that particular moment in time.

This book is comprised of scenes that are set in the present voice, flashbacks to when the main character, Robin, was in college, and scenes/snippets taken from her old (or is it?) flame Jed's play that she is presently starring in at her best friend's theater company. Because Osterkamp's writing moves so smoothly, and the segments are labelled with dates, it is easy to differentiate what time span you're reading from.

This is a work of contemporary realistic fiction that anyone can appreciate, especially if you love romantic elements in your stories. It's a pretty fast read because you'll be hooked once you feel yourself attach to the characters involved.

I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions by CBB Book Promotions. Thanks!

 About the Author:

Laurel Osterkamp becomes very attached to her characters, and it’s hard for her to stop writing about them.  The Holdout, November Surprise, Blue State, Campaign Promises, American Angst and The Next Breath all feature the Bricker family, as their stories continue. (But you can read any of these books in any order.)

You can find Laurel on Twitter but she needs to work on sending clever Tweets. A better idea is to follow her blog at www.laurelosterkamp.blogspot.com.

Laurel teaches in Minneapolis, MN, where she tries to stay warm, spend time with her two nearly perfect children and husband, and find the time to write.  Her other novels are Following My Toes and Starring in the Movie of My Life. Visit her at www.laurelosterkamp.com.

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Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

Ends December 3rd, 2014

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Release Day Review, Interview, & Giveaways: Slow Hand by Victoria Vane!

Good morning, y'all. I'm happy to be taking part in the release day fun for Victoria Vane's new romance book, Slow Hand. She was sweet enough to answer a few of my questions today. This post will also have my review, and a giveaway too!

Title: Slow Hand
Series: Hot Cowboy Nights #1
Author: Victoria Vane
Format: egalley
Release date: November 3rd 2014
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Book Description:

In rural Montana…
Wade Knowlton is a hardworking lawyer who’s torn between his small-town Montana law practice and a struggling family ranch. He’s on the brink of exhaustion from trying to save everybody and everything, when gorgeous Nicole Powell walks into his office. She’s a damsel in distress and the breath of fresh air he needs.

Even the lawyers wear boots…
Nicole Powell is a sassy Southern girl who has officially sworn off cowboys after a spate of bad seeds—until her father’s death sends her to Montana and into the arms of a man who seems too good to be true. Her instincts tell her to high tail it out of Montana, but she can't resist a cowboy with a slow hand…



Advanced Praise:

"Historical romance author Vane takes a detour into contemporary settings with this red-hot cowboy tale… Well-paced, scorching scenes and witty banter…" - Publishers Weekly

"SLOW HAND by Victoria Vane is delightful, funny, page turning steamy sexy, and the romance between Wade and Nikki make you wish you could pull Victoria's characters straight off the page and into real life…" - Unwrapping Romance

“For erotic passion and one-liners, the first book in Vane’s new series will satisfy... Vane’s latest gets a big yee-haw.” - RT Book Reviews

"With flirty dialogue, humorous moments, vivid imagery and sexy scenes, SLOW HAND goes into my favorites folder." - Guilty Indulgence


Buy it here:

Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | BAM | Apple | !ndigo

Interview:

What inspired you to write Slow Hand?

I really had never imagined myself ever writing a contemporary story as I didn’t think I had the right writing voice for it, but after two years of prodding by a good friend and beta reader, I decided to give it a try. She and I then spent several weeks brainstorming different ideas but one of these ever went anywhere. I was looking to the most popular contemporary romances for inspiration but the billionaire playboy heroes just didn’t do it for me. I then asked myself what kind of contemporary hero I related best to, and the answer was easy—cowboys. I’ve always loved them ever since I was a little girl.

I’d grown up on Westerns - The Lone Ranger, Bonanza, Gun Smoke, The Big Valley, Lonesome Dove and many others. I even read my grandfather’s Zane Grey and Louis L’Amour novels. They say to write what you know. I also know horses. Putting these two elements together was no great difficulty for me. I then took the same approach to my contemporary story as I had taken with all of my historicals—I researched. My research and the real people I met and talked to allowed me to bring my characters to real life. From that point, I just gave their “voices” free rein. And then magic happened… My story suddenly took off.

Was the romantic interest inspired by someone in your own life?

Yes! My very first girlhood crush was a cowboy. I even named my hero in SLOW HAND after him.

Can you please describe Slow Hand in five words for us?

Sexy, flirty, smokin’ hot fun!

What was your favorite scene to write?

I loved all the dialogue between Nikki and Wade. It was laced with innuendo from the start and progresses with their relationship from a slow burn to a smoking hot inferno!

Did you have to do any research for this novel? If so, what's something fun or interesting that you learned?

Yes. I’m a total research geek. Although I have owned horses most of my life, I knew nothing about cattle so I tried to educate myself on everything related to this series – from cattle ranching to rodeo. The most fun was hanging out with the real thing. I got to be good friends with a 4th generation cowboy, rancher and former rodeo bronc rider as well as some people who raise bucking bulls (which plays directly into my second book in this series, ROUGH RIDER).

That is so cool. I'm jealous! Now... Not counting characters from your own books, who's one fictional character that makes you swoon?

Jamie Faser from Outlander is my all time favorite romance hero. He has it all in spades!

That cover is absolutely gorgeous,and not to mention sexy. Can readers expect this book to be full of heat?

Yes M’am! It’s HOT! HOT! HOT! Although this is absolutely a romance first, the bedroom door is blown wide open (and the shower too!)

Can you tell us about any other books or products that you have in the works?

I have totally taken the plunge into contemporary romance with seven hot contemporary romances I have 4 novels coming from Sourcebooks (Slow Hand, Rough Rider, Straight Shooter and Silver Tongue) and 3 novellas from Kensington in a hot Las Vegas set series called Hotel Rodeo. Both publishers have left the option open to add more to these series if they do well. ☺

That's so exciting. I know I'll definitely be reading more of this series! Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what songs made up the soundtrack to Slow Hand?

Yes! I can’t write without music and always create a Pandora station for each of my books!

My play list for Slow Hand was almost all country music (some George Strait, Big and Rich, a smattering of Carrie Underwood and lots of Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton.) Here are some of the songs:

Give it All We Got Tonight – George Strait
Rollin’ – Big and Rich
Wild West Show – Big and Rich
Got a Little Country – Blake Shelton
Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood
In Love with The Girl – Luke Bryan
I Don’t Want this Night to End – Luke Bryan
Mine Would be You – Blake Shelton
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye – Luke Bryan

This playlist is fabulous. I love country music. One last question for you- what's your favorite thing about being a writer?

The freedom and independence. I have never played well with others. LOL!

Thank you so much for stopping by to talk with me today!

About the Author:

Victoria Vane is an award-winning author of smart and sexy romance. Her works range from historical to contemporary settings and include everything from wild comedic romps to emotionally compelling erotic romance. Her books have received more than twenty reviewer awards and nominations to include the 2014 RONE Award for Treacherous Temptations and Library Journal Best E-Book romance of 2012 for The Devil DeVere series.Look for her hot new contemporary cowboy series coming from Sourcebooks in Fall of 2014.
Website | Email | Facebook | Pinterest | Twitter | Youtube

ACCOLADES FOR VICTORIA VANE’S HISTORICAL ROMANCES::

2014 RONE Award Best historical post Medieval (Treacherous Temptations)
2014 RONE Finalist Best Historical post Medieval (The Sheik Retold)
2013 IRC Best Book Nomination (A Wild Night's Bride)
2013 LASR Best Book Nomination (The Sheik Retold)
2012 TRS Cupid and Psyche nomination (A Breach of Promise)
2012 TBR Pile Book of The Month (A Breach of Promise)
2012 LASR Book of the month (The Devil You Know)
2012 Library Journal Best E-book Romance (The Devil DeVere Series)
2012 TRR Best Book Nomination (The Devil You Know)
2012 Love Romance Café Best Book Nomination (The Devil You Know)
2012 RONE nominations (A Wild Night's Bride, The Virgin Huntress, The Devil You Know, The Devil's Match)

Review:

★★★★ ★

Four and a half stars.

Slow Hand is one of those books that draws you in from the first few pages and keeps a hold on you until you reach the end. Well, I suppose that's only part true. Technically speaking, this book first drew me in even before I cracked it open. Just look at that cover model. Absolutely gorgeous.

I really liked both main characters, which I think definitely helped fuel my connection with this book. Nicole may be a bit scattered sometimes, but I like how argumentative and stubborn she is, especially when she's paired with the (arguably) even more stubborn Wade. Oh, Wade. I thought he was excellently written. He had a nice mix of protectiveness, seduction, sweetness, and intelligence that I personally found addictive. I liked that he was kind of a blend of new and old cowboys- he is a lawyer, but he still helps out on the family ranch, even if he doesn't necessarily want to. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow. Their dialogue together was sassy, funny, and flirtatious, and their physical chemistry was out of this world. I appreciated that the sex scenes- and yes, there are quite a few steamy scenes- were dirty without being too crass or vulgar. It's a fine line and I think Vane toed it well.

I will say one thing about that though. I know that this book is a romance first and foremost. But these steamy scenes actually distracted me a bit from the nonromantic plot of it. It'd be a while of them together and then Nicole would say "but I need to prepare the funeral for my father" and I'd be like "OH YEAH, that is why she's in Montana! While this wasn't a huge deal for me (I'd rather have the steam to be honest), it did jerk me a bit while reading.

Another reason why I liked this book is because it's well described. Without sounding too much like a history lesson, there's quite a bit of knowledge about the "old west" and the gold rush sprinkled into this book. It's true that I've never worked on a ranch or owned a farm or even ridden a horse for more than a bit once at a Girl Scout camp, so take this with a grain of salt, but I felt like the ranching and rodeo aspects of this book felt true to life. (And if they aren't, I think there's props for Vane's writing skills, because I totally bought it.)

If you love contemporary romances starring smart and stubborn cowboys, than Slow Hand is a book that you shouldn't miss. If you're not a fan of insta-lust, then be warned that this book has some. I will definitely be continuing on with the next book in the series, Rough Rider that tells the story of Wade's veteran brother, Dirk. This is a book I'll need to buy a paperback of for my book boyfriend shelf, for sure.

Thank you to Victoria Vane & Sourcebooks Casablanca for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaways:

Giveaway #1: Two copies of Slow Hand (two winners, ends 11/7)
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Giveaway 2 – Victoria Vane’s Cowboy Seduction Kit

Giveaway #3: HISTORICAL ROMANCE Ebook of Choice from Victoria's Back List!
A list of her books can be found here.

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Review: People I Want to Punch in the Throat by Jen Mann

Title: People I Want to Punch in the Throat: True(ish) Tales of an Overachieving Underachiever
Author: Jen Mann
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: September 9th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Ballantine Books


★★★★

Four stars.

---

People I Want to Punch in the Throat is a collection of essays by the author of the blog by the same name, Jen Mann. These essays are written with an edgy, clever sense of humor and they cover topics that we can all relate to, such as meeting a spouse or dealing with the crazy army of room moms at an elementary school.

I admit, I wasn't too sure how I'd like this book. It's true that the title is hilarious, and honestly who doesn't love a book with a cupcake on the cover? I was nervous about how I would "get" the humor of things I haven't necessarily experienced, like raising children. I am happy to say that I had nothing to worry about. Jen and I have the same snarky, often overlooked type of sense of humor that made me want to buy her a drink so I can hear more of these stories first hand.

Each "chapter" is an essay, so it tells another separate story. Plus, the headings/titles are also hilarious in and of themselves. Mann writes about things that are true to life, and yet somehow seem ridiculous. I think we all have that one friend where we think "wow, that would only happen to you." Mann is that friend, and the results are hilarious. I believe that's part of why this book is so humorous- because it's nonfiction. All of these shenanigans and conversations really happened, and that makes it just so much better. I definitely laughed out loud more than once, and I would have to pause my reading to share a quote with my girlfriend. I was drawn in by the tale of her meeting her husband in an AOL chat room in the good ole dial up days, and I was hooked for the rest of the ride.

A lot of these quotes came from her daughter, who sounds like the cutest little bundle of diva-sass. Jen, in addition to her own personal stories, shares stories involving her daughter, son, and husband. They're each funny in their own little ways. The daughter is a fireball of pink and attitude, the boy is a "big fat liar" (her words, not mine!), and her husband is uptight with finances. They're each quirky and funny, but despite all that you can tell from her writing that this big ole pile of personality is her family, and that she cares for them a lot.

This read is a quick one, and because it's chunked into different essays, it's easy to pause or stop for awhile and come back to reading. If you follow her blog, love a good story about a co-worker's "swingers" Fourth of July party, or have your own stories of your kids that you can relate to, this is a book for you. It's written bluntly and with heavy doses of sarcasm and jokes, so pour yourself a glass of wine and prepare to be amused.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Interview, Giveaway, & Review: The Truth About Emily by Madi Brown

Good morning my lovely readers. Today I'm happy to announce that Madi Brown, author of the novel The Truth About Emily stopped by Bitches n Prose to answer some of my questions. After our chat about love, shoes, and books, scroll on down to read my review of her book as well as enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card from the lovely Madi herself. Welcome, Madi!

Interview:

What inspired you to write The Truth About Emily?
I was inspired by my grandmother Emily, who is now unfortunately deceased. My mom told me that as she was growing up, her mother’s nose was always stuck in a book. As a writer, this tugged at my heart strings, but the fun part is wondering what it was that she read---It could have been have been S & M tales.

Emily writes about fashion in this novel, namely jewelry. What's your favorite piece of jewelry that you own?
It's actually a gold monogram necklace. I love the simplicity of it, but at the same time I know that it was especially crafted for me.

She also has a Louboutin shoe fund (as do I!) If money was no object, what's the one dream fashion piece that you'd buy for your wardrobe?
A Loubie girl after my own heart. Oh, I definitely need to have an embellished Balmain dress in my life. When the occasion presents itself, I need to be a fashion killer.

Of course! I actually told my girlfriend it was perfectly acceptable to propose to me with Louboutins instead of a ring, haha. Now, I'm sure all of us can relate to looking for love in all the wrong places. Can you tell us about your best date? Your worst?
date involved me cooking dinner for the first time for one of my exes. I attempted to make him baked barbeque chicken, corn and basmati rice. Somehow, things weren't coming together for me in the kitchen. It was my nervous energy. I just wanted to show him that I could cook. He wound up coming to the rescue. He added a random can of cling peaches that I had sitting in the cupboard onto the chicken. It was utterly amazing. That’s when he knew he was special.

My worst date was when I began dating a new guy, and my ex popped up. We hadn't been broken up for very long, and I actually apologetically asked the new guy to leave. Ladies, make sure that it’s over with the old boyfriend before you decide to put yourselves out there.

Hollywood executives bang on your door screaming, "Madi! We need to make this into a movie NOW!"- Who do you pick as your dream cast?
I’m going to go with Blake Lively as the lead female (Gossip Girl). She’s a true fashionista,but she still has this down to earth quality that I think an audience would find to be endearing. Male lead---Adam Sandler. You don’t think total babe when you see him, but he’s hella funny and charismatic. The supporting cast includes Katie Holmes and Richard Gere.

Do you listen to music when you write? If you, what songs make up the soundtrack to The Truth About Emily?
Only for a bit, and only when I’m writing love scenes. It would be a mix of Beyonce’s Flawless, Pink’s Just Like a Pill, and Jhene Aiko’s The Worst. It’s a woman’s movement for sure.

In what ways are you like Emily? In what ways are you different? Are any characters based off of people you know?
Emily and I are both go-getters, and we both love love, but it’s got to be the right kind of love because we want to get what we give out. We differ personality-wise in that Emily is a people pleaser. I’m more comfortable in my own skin. Emily’s bestie is loosely based on a relative of mine. Her children call the shots, and she shall remain nameless.

What do you want readers to take away from The Truth About Emily?
I’d like for people to take away that the quest to find love is important, but learning to keep that sh*t is even more important.

It's a girls' night in. What ice cream is being scooped, what movie's on the TV, and what drinks are being poured?
I am a Haagen Dazs girl forever. So, vanilla swiss almond, we’re watching Sex In the City, and we’re sipping on lemon drops and pomegranate martinis.

Oh we would be fast friends. Haagen Dazs & pomegranate is the way to my heart. So Madi, what's next for you? Can you tell us about any upcoming projects?
Well, The Truth About Emily is the first book in a series. Emily’s still complex. She’s got a lot of life to live.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Make sure that your writing isn't a hobby, because there’s lots of hard work involved in becoming a published writer.

What are three beauty tools/fashion pieces that you cannot live without?
My flat iron, my curling iron, and my skinny jeans. Nothing else matters.

Flat iron is number one on my list too. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me!

About the Author

Madi Brown is an ambitious relationship blogger (Madibrown.com) by night, and a pencil-skirted, poplin-shirted, admin assistant by day. And though this author finds her main character to be quite relatable, she knows that having it all is a stretch. Duh. Success is self-defined. This is her debut work of contemporary women's fiction.

About the Book:

29-year-old Emily Greene looks the part, but she’s still working on becoming a modern-day woman. Not that she’s one to back down from a challenge, but living as an eternal work-in-progress wasn’t exactly the goal that she had in mind. It’s a harsh but true realization---the idea that that time isn't on her side, and the notion that wanting to have it all, doesn't mean getting it. The verdict is in; with zero prospects for a relationship and a stalled blogging career, Emily has every reason to believe that she’s been living a life too humdrum for her own good.

Making the change won’t be easy. She’ll have to do whatever it takes; start dating like a man, become more selective about which RSVP's she accepts, and work even harder at getting her dream job.The payoff’s huge;a modern twist on a storybook ending, but gains don’t often come without risks. In the here and now Emily just may be forced to choose….It’s got to be one or the other----the profession that she’s always wanted, or the love that she’s never had.

Get The Truth About Emily now from Amazon


Title: The Truth About Emily
Author: Madi Brown
Format: ebook
Pub. Date: August 15th 2014
Source: Madi Brown


★★★★

Four stars.

---

The Truth About Emily is one of those books that just puts a smile on your face. The main character, Emily, is realistic and funny, and just the right amount of quirky. She wants to make more out of her life and find love and success in her career. And as time passes, she needs to learn what she'll sacrifice to have it all, and find out if she can balance the two to make herself happy. As a twenty-something year old girl, I can definitely relate to her. I'm so young and there's so much to do and I want to do ALL of the things but also that's really expensive and exhausting and who am I even? I saw the method to Emily's madness and I liked it- it gave a humorous slant to real life issues and experiences that I'm currently living.

This book will also definitely appeal to those who enjoy fashion and trends. Emily works in the industry writing and blogging about fashion and jewelry. This means you get a nice insight into her world of beauty products, and there's a lot of name dropping when it comes to designers. I liked this aspect for a few reasons. The first is that I blog, and follow beauty blogs, so again it felt relatable. Also, it meant that it was easy to picture the characters and their "looks", because they're all detailed in their descriptions.

I know it's already almost Fall, but this is a great, quick read that I can definitely picture in beach tote bags. If you're a fan of works by Sophie Kinsella or Meg Cabot, then I'd recommend checking this one out. I'd also recommend it to young women, though of course a good book can be appreciated by anyone. Thanks to the author, Madi, who provided me with a copy of her book in exchange for my honest review.

Giveaway:

-This giveaway will run from August 22nd to August 29, 2014
-This giveaway is open to those 13 & older (with permission of course!)
-It is open to anyone over that age who can legally enter, receive, and use their prize.
-One (1) winner will win a $25 (USD) Amazon Gift Card
-This giveaway is sponsored wholly by the author. I am not responsible.
-This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity.
-Winner will have 48 hours to reply, or a new winner will be chosen. Winner will be chosen using random.org.
-Invalid entries will be removed, so please don't cheat.
-Void where prohibited. Odds will vary. No purchase necessary.
-My opinions are my own. Information will not be stored or sold, and will be used only to contact the winners.

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Review: American Angst by Laurel Osterkamp

Title: American Angst
Author: Laurel Osterkamp
Format: ebook
Pub. Date: May 12th 2014
Source: Laurel Osterkamp


★★★★★

Four and a half stars.

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When author Laurel Osterkamp contacted me to read her latest book, I accepted immediately. I have previously read another one of her books, The Holdout, and I loved it. And, I can honestly say, I loved American Angst too.

American Angst tells interwoven tales from two different points of view, those of Robin and Lucy. If you're familiar with Osterkamp's previous novels, than these characters aren't new to you. Normally, I don't care too much for dual POV books, because so often the voices aren't different enough and they merge together. This is pleasantly not the case for American Angst. Lucy and Robin, though of course sharing some similarities, are extremely different characters that have different lives, thoughts, beliefs, and opinions.

This book is written in a tone that is a perfect balance of wit, humor, and emotion. There are parts of their stories that include some pretty major obstacles, and you can't help but to ache for them and cheer them on. That being said, there are definitely times where it was lighter, and I snickered aloud more than once at the girls' clever inner dialog or a sharp remark they make. From family to married life, to starting a family and bettering a career or even getting a better love life, Lucy and Robin absolutely have their fair share of experiences, and I enjoyed reading about them all.

All in all, this read is a pleasant one that I'd recommend for adult women, though it can definitely be appreciated by anyone. The light tone, girl power feeling, and the way the pages don't stop turning while you're reading it, this is a great beach read for this summer. Thanks so much to the author, who provided me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.