Chick Lit Central: The Blog!

Winners of "Oh, Baby!"

2012-01-30T13:00:00.001-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose five numbers.

Congrats to:
1-Marthalynn
7-meandmom
20-BRN2SHOP9
36-Margaret
45-kaewink

Here is a message from Claire Matthews:
I want to thank everyone for entering my give-away and/or taking time to read about my chick-lit short, "Oh, Baby." I had a lot of fun writing it, and hope readers are pleased with the result. A special thanks to both Melissas and Amy for their terrific site, Chick Lit Central--I've made so many friends and discovered tons of great new books since joining!

Cheers,
Claire

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Claire for a lovely interview and for sharing her e-book with our winners!

Check out our latest giveaways:

"Beautiful Disaster" by Laura Spinella
US/Canada only
Ends 2/5

"The Guys' Guy's Guide to Love" by Robert Manni
US/Canada only
Ends 2/1

"MWF Seeking BFF" by Rachel Bertsche
US only
Ends 1/31

"Fool's Mate" by Laura Pedersen
US/Canada only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Laura Spinella is anything but a disaster and she has a book to give away!

2012-01-30T08:30:00.001-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

Today, we welcome Laura Spinella and her debut novel "Beautiful Disaster." (It came out in January 2011, but is still at the forefront of the chick lit scene.) Laura grew up in Long Island in the 1970s with very traditional parents. Luckily, her older sisters were model children who followed the rules and actually listened to their parents' advice, leaving the door wide open for Laura to try bucking the system by deciding she wanted to be a singer. Sadly, that dream died when she discovered that she couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. She turned to writing, and actually wrote the outline for "Beautiful Disaster" during her college years. Fast-forward 20 years, zooming past her time living in the south, a freelance career writing for magazines and newspapers, and even writing a column at one point, and we'll meet the Laura that's here with us today: a wife, a mother to three (to seven if you count two dogs and two kittens), a house outside Boston, and a published novel.

Thanks to Penguin we have TWO copies of "Beautiful Disaster" to giveaway to some lucky readers anywhere in the US or Canada.

Visit Laura at her website, Facebook and Twitter pages.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’m still waiting for the certificate to come in the mail.

Actually, I first thought that validation would arrive with the sale of my novel. Honestly? It didn’t make a difference. Then I assumed I’d feel like writer when I saw BEAUTIFUL DISASTER in bookstores. It didn’t change anything. There was the hope it might sink in after the book, to my amazement, picked up an award or two. That didn’t make a conscious difference either as to how I felt about myself as a writer. So, I’ve kind of concluded that writer is just who I am, kind of like I have brown eyes and really wide feet. It’s just part of the Laura Spinella package. However, I will cop to this much: Occasionally, I’ll pass by the copy of BEAUTIFUL DISASTER I keep on my bookshelf and think, that’s pretty cool.

Any tips to share with aspiring writers?

Lots of people will be willing to critique your writing. This is a good thing. Always be grateful if someone is willing to take the time to read and offer thoughtful criticism. That said, be careful what criticism to you take to heart. If you are lucky enough to find one or two people whose advice you trust, whose thoughts prove worthy, hang onto them. In my experience, that’s a very rare thing.

If you were an animal, which animal would you be?

IDK, sloths have it pretty good. They move, like, two inches a year and eat a vegetarian diet. Moose are cool too. Nobody messes with a moose, and if one wanders into your backyard, chances are it makes the evening news. Ultimately, however, I have to go with the mythic unicorn. They spend most of their time in fairytales and have no natural predators. Also, when was the last time anybody said a bad word about a unicorn.

Tell us three authors have most influenced you the most.

Laura Ingalls Wilder. I read those books until I basically had them memorized. I was absolutely obsessed. Then last year I moved onto…. Just kidding. But those books were my absolute foundation as a writer. I don’t write children’s books, I base very little on personal experience, and I’ve never been to South Dakota. Clearly, however, the idea of putting a story on paper generated from her writing and those books.

As an adult, I’m a huge Jodi Picoult fan. All her books influence me, the style of the writing, the voice, the way she layers a plot, weaves a tale. But I think it was MERCY, one of her lesser known books, that really turned my head, gave me real incentive to become a published author—or at least try.

Always, Ann Lamott, she’s just so brilliant and funny and full of smart advice. I’ll tell you a little secret, I’m not good at retaining books, author, characters, words… they tend not to stick for very long in my head. I think everything she ever wrote was committed to my memory on the first pass. For me, that’s huge sign of influence.

Do you have a day job as well?

I do have a day job—two of them! I freelance for GateHouse Media; they own oodles of newspapers in the New England area. I’m also the Editorial Director for AuthorBytes. This is a new gig, and kind of a dream job. AuthorBytes is a web designer that specializes in author websites. They did my site for BEAUTIFUL DISASTER. The owner, Steve Bennett, thought it would be beneficial to have a published author “in house.” As to why he chose me… You’d have to ask him! In the past few months I’ve learned mucho computer geek stuff and had the opportunity to interface with lots of authors—some of them bestsellers. I write in the mornings and switch to my AuthorBytes hat in the afternoon. It’s a fascinating side of the publishing world, particularly with technology and social media changing on a daily basis.

If "Beautiful Disaster" were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?

Now we’re into book club questions! Usually, I answer at the end of the gathering, after everyone has had a couple glasses of wine. For some reason, casting BD seems to go hand-in-hand with reading the book. Interestingly, my answer hasn’t changed since that first book club meeting. I always see Mia as someone like a Jennifer Garner or Rachel McAdams—there has to be an inherent innocence about her. For Flynn, he’d have to be an unknown. I’ve never really come across an actor that captures him. On the other hand, lots of book club ladies have given the thumbs up to Gerard Butler. I didn’t know who he was, so I Googled him. I suppose if I was casting, he’d have a fair shot (-;

If you were shipwrecked on a desert island what 3 books would you want with you?

Mine, so I could edit it some more. It’s amazing what occurs to you after they’ve printed it! Has Jodi Picoult done an anthology yet? That way I could take more than one of her books me. I suppose I’d have to pick a classic, maybe "Wuthering Heights" or a more modern story, "To Kill a Mockingbird." Of course, if I’m on a desert island, "Lord of the Flies," "Robinson Crusoe" or "Unbroken" might offer some necessary survival skills.

Tell us a few movies that feel like chick lit to you.

Oh gosh, can I phone a friend? I don’t watch very many movies. And if I go back in time to when I did watch more movies I’d really be dating myself! Okay. "The Sure Thing," 1985 John Cusack, Chick Lit before its time! If you haven’t seen it, get it! "Fever Pitch." I know it’s a baseball movie, so how can it be Chick Lit? What can I say? It combines an adorable love story and the Red Sox. I’m in. Also, it has Drew Barrymore. Doesn’t that make it Chick Lit by default? Can I pick a TV series for the third one? "Gilmore Girls" was my television Chick Lit—sharp, sassy and an eye for fashion.

Salt or Sweets?

Oh, sure, why not ask the gluten-free girl which food group she misses more! Actually, I swing both ways. Thankfully, I can still do Lays potato chips and a Hershey bar. Raw almonds and M&M’s are the perfect combo any afternoon!

What are your current projects?

I am about two keystrokes away from finishing revisions for THE IT FACTOR—and, actually, I’m toying with a title change: AN INTIMATE FRIENDSHIP. Maybe this would be a great forum to gather some feedback. I’d love to know which one conjures up more intriguing imagery.

Aidan Royce, rock icon, has it all, money, fame, and an incredible life. The one thing he doesn’t have is Isabel Lang, the girl who left him on their wedding night in Las Vegas. Fate brought together a spitfire Jersey Girl and Catswallow, Alabama’s own Conrad Birdie. Circumstance drove them apart. Seven years later, Isabel works at 98.6—The Normal FM for Easy Listening. It’s a classic AM format with a touch of irony. It’s also a world away from Aidan’s rock-n-roll life. When the station is bought out, demanding a huge promotional event, the always independent Isabel has no choice but to contact Aidan. He’s the boy she loved, the one she left to secure his amazing future.

Special thanks to Laura for not only answering our questions, but really letting us into her head. Thanks also to Penguin for sharing "Beautiful Disaster" with our readers.

How to win "Beautiful Disaster":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Which title should Laura Spinella give her next novel? Help her with her decision! (See the last question from our interview.)
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends February 5th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Marriage And Other Games

2012-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

By Becky Gulc

"The Beach Hut" by Veronica Henry was one of my favourite reads of 2010 so I was very excited to be sent a copy of the paperback version of "Marriage And Other Games" from Orion books for review (the hardback was out in 2009).

Here is the synopsis:
Forgive and forget? Could you...? When girl-about-town Charlotte discovers her husband has been arrested for fraud, she flees to the wilds of Exmoor to nurse her broken heart. Yet despite the slower pace of life, she finds she's not the only person whose life is in turmoil. There's Sebastian, bad boy of the British art scene, determined to drink the local pub dry while his wife lives it up in London. Then Fitch, who married the high-spirited Hayley thinking he would find wedded bliss, but is struggling to keep up with her outrageous demands. And finally Penny, recently divorced and quietly determined to have more fun second time around - but who with? As Charlotte adapts to a life without LK Bennett and Starbucks on the doorstep, she turns to her newfound friends for advice. Can she find it in her heart to forgive her husband for what he did? And if she does, will it be too late? (Courtesy of Google Books)

This is a character-driven novel. There are narratives from four key characters throughout although Charlotte (an interior designer) is the main character and becomes a link between all these characters in the tight-knit community. To begin with, I found the number of characters a little too much (we also touch on some of the story through a fifth character’s perspective, Catkin, Sebastian’s wife). By the time Penny was introduced, I was beginning to forget about Charlotte and wondered if I’d be able to keep track. My worries were proved wrong though, it soon flowed well for me and although Penny’s story always felt a little marginalised compared to the others it was certainly interesting, and I would have liked to learn a bit more about her life, especially towards the end of the novel when this local GP is treading on dangerous ground.

All the characters are experiencing relationship issues and these are tackled sensitively and maturely throughout, it gets you thinking about the lengths people will go to to save a relationship and to try and make the other person happy, to forgive mistakes, but at what cost? Charlotte’s husband ends up in prison for fraud he carried out to get some money together for further IVF treatment; down-to-earth Fitch is taken for granted by Hayley and generally treated poorly, whilst they’re separated he always wonders if he can make it work, spurred on by memories of the woman he first fell in love with, the mother of his children; Sebastian, a successful but troubled and uninspired artist spends his weekdays all alone whilst his wife is working away, at what cost to their marriage?

All the storylines intertwine nicely, facilitated by the small community in Exmoor as the setting. I loved the setting and could see how Veronica has written for TV series such as Heartbeat before (Goathland is one of my favourite places!); the small community was captured perfectly. My only niggle was I wanted more! I wanted to know more about the local pub landlord, more about Sebastian’s cleaner and her daughter who were small but endearing characters. Charlotte and Fitch are both characters you warm to (especially Fitch), Sebastian and Penny not as much but we aren’t meant to like everyone, it makes it all the more interesting.

I think the pace of the novel works well and it flows beautifully once you get into it. It covers complex issues that tug at your heart strings whilst not being too heavy. The ending wasn’t what I expected, but it fitted more with what I hoped for by the time we got there so that was positive. I also enjoyed the fact that the novel didn’t conveniently tie up every single loose end, there is suggestion, and you may be left wondering "well what if so-and-so found out about so-and-so, how would that change things?" Well it’s a good question, but I enjoyed that it keeps you wondering rather than have a perfect ending for all the characters. I’d love to see some of these characters re-appear in Veronica’s future novels. A recommended cosy read for cold nights from me!

More by Veronica Henry:

What's in the mail today?

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-05:00

Melissa A:

From Dina Silver:

It's $2.99 for Kindle.

From the BookSparksPR Groupies program:

From Penguin Books:

e-books:

Free deals on Amazon:

Amy:

From Lisa Heidke:

Won from Grand Central Publishing through their Twitter holiday contest

Gail:

e-book:

Becky:

From Transworld Publishers:

A chocolate cell phone in honor of the upcoming release of "I've Got Your Number" by Sophie Kinsella

Book Review: The "What If" Guy

2012-01-27T07:45:00.000-05:00

By Cindy Roesel

Here’s an interesting scenario: What if you got a second chance at doing it all over again with the guy you know is THE guy for you, but unfortunately, he’s the guy who got away? That’s what Autumn Cole gets a shot at doing with the love of her life thirteen years after things go terribly wrong in THE "WHAT IF" GUY by Brooke Moss.

After a few weeks together with Henry Tobler, Autumn finds out she’s pregnant, but it’s with another guy’s baby. Even though she hasn’t slept with Henry, she knows he’s the one she truly loves, so what does she do? Well, not knowing what to do, she says bye-bye to Henry and leaves town pregnant.

Fast forward a dozen years, Autumn and her now twelve year-old son, Elliott are moving from Seattle to a home in the eastern sticks of Washington state where neither of them want to go. And guess who they run into the first day of school?

Henry stood frozen in place, staring at me as if I were a ghost.
I trembled, struggling to regain composure. “He’s an old friend.”
Elliott squinted at me for a few beats then turned to Henry. “I’m sorry. She’s… uh, wired this morning. Where do you want me to sit?”
I’d just seen my "what if" guy for the first time in thirteen years.
I wanted to die.

Everything is very complicated for the characters living in the small town of Fairfield, Washington. This is the town where Autumn grew up and she left on bad terms. The main reasons she’s back are because she’s lost her job and her father, the town alcoholic, is dying, so she needs to care for him. Some of the people she left behind feel she thinks she’s too good for them, but now she’s come down a few pegs and they plan on letting her know. Henry has his secrets, too and he’s moved to Fairfield to start all over. Obviously, neither Autumn or Henry expected to see the other, but now that they’re here, they’re going to have to make the best of it. Living in a small town is never easy, and you can expect lots of drama, as well as resolution, from THE WHAT IF GUY.

I think if asked, many people would say they would take a second chance in love. Why not? But since that’s not likely, why not enjoy it through Brooke Moss’ novel. You can find Brooke Moss on Facebook, Twitter and her website.

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Books of the Week-January 26th

2012-01-26T11:00:00.000-05:00

Thanks for checking out our newest feature...Books of the Week! There are six of us and we can't keep up with the many review requests we receive, even though we'd love to read everything sent our way. Therefore, we have decided to give some books their time in the spotlight and introduce you to them through this new blog feature. We will feature three books a week. We hope you will take the time to check these books out. (Click the titles to find them on Amazon.) If you read them and want to write a guest blogger review for us, please e-mail us and we'll be glad to work with you!

Authors: We will let you know whether or not we'll be able to review your book upon your request, and hope you'll be interested in this feature as an alternative.

"Blame it on the Fame"
By Tracie Banister

A power-trippin’ bitch, a has-been, a skanky ex-model, a press-shy indie queen, and a British stage actress no one knows – this is how the Best Actress hopefuls in this year’s too-close-to-call Oscar race describe each other. Which of them will win the much-coveted gold statue and what price will they be forced to pay as they travel the red carpeted-path to Hollywood glory?

Amidst all the press-schmoozing and angsting over which designer gown to wear, these Oscar contenders feud, commiserate, and face a succession of personal crises – scandalous secrets come to light, marriages implode, accidents land two nominees in the hospital while another receives unwelcome news that could derail her career, all culminating on Tinsel Town’s biggest night when anything can happen, and does.

BLAME IT ON THE FAME is the debut novel of author Tracie Banister whose writing is similar in tone to the works of Lauren Weisberger and Candace Bushnell.

Currently, it's only $1.99 for Kindle!

Check out Tracie Banister's blog and follow her on Twitter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Between Boyfriends"
By Sarka-Jonae Miller

Jan Weston is boy crazy, emphasis on crazy. But when "The One" breaks her heart, Jan vows to change. She quits dating, starts exercising and tries to be a better friend.

If only she weren't keeping secrets.

When the truth is revealed, Jan has a falling out with her mother and her best friend. Mrs. Weston is furious that Jan lied about dropping out of San Diego State University to attend massage therapy school and cuts her off. Now Jan is without a guy, her American Express card and a way to pay for school. She has to do something so despicable, so vile, so cruel, she almost cannot imagine it: Jan has to find a job.

But that's not the only secret that is going to get her in trouble. With her life turned upside down, Jan must learn to find help in all new places. She has the support of her real friends and the new boy in her life, but can she really change? Or is she just between boyfriends?

You can find Sarka-Jonae Miller on Facebook and Twitter at both @boyfriendsnovel and @sarkajonae.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"A Slot Machine Ate My Midlife Crisis"
By Irene Woodbury
This darkly funny novel describes Wendy Sinclair’s spin-crazy life in Las Vegas after she impulsively decides to not return to Houston following a bizarre girls’ weekend in 2005.

The confused, unhappy 45-year-old newlywed soon rents a ramshackle apartment in a building filled with misfits; wallows in a blur of spas, malls and buffets, and, ultimately, becomes a designer of cocktail waitress uniforms and an Ann-Margret impersonator in a casino show with Elvis.

She also hangs with some pretty colorful characters. Paula’s her bold, brassy glamazon BFF who’s looser than a Casino Royale slot. Maxine’s her saucy former-Tropicana-showgirl boss. Paige and Serena are two twenty-something blackjack dealers she shops, gambles, and clubs up a storm with. Major crushes on a hunky pilot and a sexy former rock star are also part of the mix.

And then there are the phone fights with Roger, Wendy’s workaholic husband waiting impatiently in Houston. Their clashes are louder and more raucous than a hot craps table at Caesar’s! Does she go back to him, or does her midlife crisis become a midlife makeover?

You can follow Irene Woodbury on Facebook and Twitter.

Terri Giuliano Long's ode to book bloggers...plus a special contest!

2012-01-26T08:30:00.001-05:00

Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the award-winning novel "In Leah’s Wake." Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and listening to music. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might be an international food writer. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. "In Leah’s Wake" is her debut novel.

This week, Terri and Inspired Quill Press (paperback edition), launch a newly edited edition of "In Leah’s Wake." The newly edited novel features a new chapter and several new scenes, adding new connections and insights, and tightens the book, cutting 60 pages – all while maintaining the integrity of the original edition.

Today, Terri is here to tell us why she loves book bloggers, which makes us so proud to be part of this special group! She's having a photo contest on her Facebook page that ends TOMORROW. If you're quick at taking pics, there's a $50 Amazon gift card up for grabs!

More good news: "In Leah's Wake" is currently available on Kindle and Nook for 99 cents! Get it at this great price while you still can! (And then take a picture with it showing on your device so you can enter the aforementioned photo contest while there's still time. (You could get $50 for spending 99 cents!)

Visit Terri at her blog, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

An Ode to Bloggers

Last May, a month or so after I began marketing my novel, In Leah’s Wake, a former agent told me that I would never sell 500 books. A rookie, I had no idea what to expect. When I published the novel, I’d dreamed of selling a 3,000 – 5,000 books, hoping healthy sales numbers would attract the attention of an agent or traditional publishing house for my next novel.

The agent had left New York, but she’d been in the business for a long time, and her words stung. I hung up the phone, heartbroken, depressed. Had I not been in the midst of my first blog tour, I might have pulled my novel off the market that day.

Determined to see the tour through, I soldiered on. On the tour, I met wonderful, caring people, book bloggers, whose kindness buoyed and sustained me.

Over the next few months, "In Leah’s Wake" appeared on hundreds of blogs. Bloggers opened their hearts and spread the word about this quiet literary novel. In August, "In Leah’s Wake" hit the Barnes & Noble and Amazon charts. Now, seven months after my talk with that agent, the book has been in the Amazon top 200 for over five months, and we’ve sold just shy of 80,000 copies.

Book bloggers rock! I don’t know how to say it any better. Book bloggers are the fairy godmothers and godfathers of the literary world. They invest their talent, their energy, and their time into reviewing and promoting books – and keeping dreams alive.

Even today, traditional media refuses to recognize or review indie books. In this very real sense, book bloggers are the heart and soul of the indie revolution. Their vision, their energy, and their determination have enabled this amazing populist movement to take hold.

Today, we have the great fortune of hearing the funny, poignant, intelligent voices of new authors from around the world - voices that, just a few years ago, might have been silenced by the gatekeepers of the old guard. These voices reach into hearts and minds, forging connections, uniting us in a community of readers and writers, searching for and finding, through words, the better part of ourselves. Because, truly, at heart, this is what reading and writing is all about.

Here’s to you, book bloggers! You are and always will be my heroes!

Special thanks to Terri for her lovely salute to book bloggers and to Novel Publicity LLC for including us on Terri's blog tour!

Book Review and Giveaway: The Guys' Guy's Guide to Love

2012-01-26T07:45:00.000-05:00

By Gail Allison

What do you get when you mix Mad Men with Sex and the City? The answer, of course, is Robert Manni’s "The Guys’ Guy’s Guide To Love." The book’s title is taken from the name of a column that one of the main character agrees to pen for a women’s magazine, with interesting results.

Max Hallyday is an ad man. A good one. And he feels like he’s wasting his talents working at a mom-and-pop ad agency. His girlfriend Veronica, an advertising executive who is incredibly self-motivated, pushes him to push himself more. When the opportunity arises for him to jump ship from the family-friendly outfit he’s become comfortable with into the shark-infested waters of a high-powered, cutthroat agency, Max takes the leap, hoping that Veronica will approve. Unfortunately for Max and Veronica’s relationship, having to make a name for himself at a new agency means more hours spent romancing clients than his girlfriend, and unfortunately someone as high-maintenance as Veronica does not stand for that kind of treatment.

Meanwhile, we meet Max’s friend Roger: another adman, and a classic womanizer. Roger has two online dating profiles: one is the classic bad boy, and the other is a sensitive, caring gentleman. He picks and chooses the women he’s most interested in and plays them for what they’re worth, discarding them after he’s finished. Max has always observed Roger’s behavior in a cool, detached way, but when his friend Cassidy asks him to pen a column for her women’s magazine that’s just launching, he starts looking at Roger with a more critical eye.

Roger becomes the center of Max’s column for My Radiance magazine: "The Guys’ Guy’s Guide to Love." As Max details Roger’s exploits (anonymously of course), he gains more and more popularity, and ultimately risks losing himself to the same game that Roger has become so practiced at.

"The Guys’ Guy’s Guide to Love" is an easy read. It gives us an insider’s view of the world of advertising in New York (the author Robert Manni is President of advertising agency Agent16 in midtown Manhattan) while exploring the different relationships that men and women can have. The only gripe I had about this book was realism: maybe in New York everyone looks like a supermodel, but that just didn’t strike me as something that would actually happen. About midway through the book I put it down and wondered why every woman that Max seemed to know was “willowy” and “gorgeous”.

Other than that, I enjoyed "The Guys’ Guy’s Guide to Love" quite a bit. I found the author’s use of putting Max’s actual columns into the book a nice touch, plus it was a nice break within the novel. It was like putting the book down and reading a magazine without having to put the book down! The storyline definitely drew me in and kept me wanting to read more, and I really found using the environment of advertising agencies to be a great backdrop for the unfolding storyline. I’d like to commend Mr. Manni on his ability to write what he knows…it really shone through in this book and made it come to life off the page quite nicely. The ending really took care of every loose end, and tied it all together nicely. If you have a spare weekend, pick this one up. It’s a lot of fun.

Thanks to Robert Manni, we have one copy of "The Guys' Guy's Guide to Love" to give to a lucky reader in the US or Canada.

How to win "The Guys' Guy's Guide to Love": Please tell us: If you were to write a column for a magazine of the opposite gender, what would you talk about? Please include an e-mail address or another way to contact you if you win. One entry per person.

US/Canada only. Ends February 1st at midnight EST.

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Blogs of the week

2012-01-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

Our recent feature is "Blogs of the Week." Each week, we feature a reader blog (which has to be sent to us) and an author blog (which can either be sent to us, or we'll pick one at random). Please check out the blogs we are sharing. We're sure the bloggers would love some friendly comments on their posts or a follow.

Important: We are no longer taking submissions for blogs, as we are trying to phase out this feature. Thank you for participating and sharing your blogs with us, as well as visiting the blogs that have been shown here.

Reader:

So many books, so little time

Lainy reviews books for authors, as well as any books she reads of her own choosing. She also does pre-loved giveaways. Reading is Lainy's number one thing to do! She also loves magnetic bookmarks and can't stop acquiring them. She will read pretty much anything, but she loves horror and crime. She is being introduced to new authors and genres all the time so the list is ever growing. Visit her at Facebook and Twitter.

Author:

Queenofparks

Nicola Doherty is an Irish girl living in London. She was a book editor and is now a writer. Her debut novel, THE OUT OF OFFICE GIRL, will be published in March 2012 by Headline in the UK and Ireland (as well as by Mondadori in Italy and Blanvalet in Germany!). It's a fun, romantic and demi-semi-autobiographical comedy about a downtrodden editor who loses the plot when she works on a film star's book. Nicola lives in her pajamas but will sometimes get dressed. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Rachel Bertsche can be our BFF and she has a book to give away!

2012-01-25T08:30:00.000-05:00

Introduction by Melissa Amster

I have a few things in common with Rachel Bertsche. She lives in Chicago and I grew up in the Chicago suburbs. She's interviewed many celebrities and I've interviewed many authors who are celebrities in the chick lit world. We're both pop culture fanatics. We're both Jewish. And we must not forget about the curly hair! Finally, she's moved around a couple of times and had to make new best friends wherever she went. I can completely relate to that, as I have moved from a place where all my closest friends, including my BFF, live and first moved to a town in NJ where I had a really hard time finding a new best friend. (If I had met Amy five years ago, this wouldn't have been such an issue.) Then I moved to the DC area. While it was easier to make friends here, most of them don't know who I was before I became who I am now. So I'm glad that Rachel wrote "MWF Seeking BFF," which speaks to the best friend seekers in us all.

Rachel's "resume" is very impressive! She has written for a lot of magazines, including O, The Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, Every Day with Rachael Ray, More, Huffington Post, Chicago Magazine and Field and Stream. (Don't ask!) She interviewed Katey Sagal, aka Peg Bundy (and Leela from "Futurama") and Vince Vaughn! Other interviews include Al Gore, Hilary Swank, Queen Latifah, James Cameron, Stephenie Meyer, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift. She graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where she was the student newspaper’s resident sex columnist. (Think Carrie Bradshaw...)

Overall, Rachel is an incredibly warm and friendly woman. Just ask one of our guest bloggers who met her last week at a book signing in the Chicago suburbs.

Rachel is here to talk to us about "MWF Seeking BFF" and thanks to Random House, we have TWO copies to share with lucky readers in the US.

If you're seeking a BFF or just want to find out more about this really cool chick, look for Rachel on Facebook and Twitter (@rberch and @MWFSeekingBFF) and check out her blog too. (There's so much to relate to in there!)

(Author photo credit: Jennifer Troyer Photography)

Before you read ahead, check out the trailer for "MWF Seeking BFF." It's cute and funny!

We'd love to hear about your unique experience and research behind "MWF Seeking BFF" Do you work with an outline, or just write?
When I first started out, with the outline and the first couple of chapters, I just wrote and kind of waited to see what came out. As the year progressed, and I had more and more adventures, I started leaving notes all over my desk. It looked like a chaotic mess of notes that said "Chapter 7 - IMPROV!" and "Chapter 13 -- Asking out waitress!" I'm not the most organized person in the world, so I guess that was the closest I came to writing with an outline. A couple of times I tried to outline, but as the words came out they often took me in a different direction than the outline detailed, so it never seemed to really make sense to keep doing that. I only ended up feeling bad when I didn't stick to the plan!

What did you do to celebrate when first published?
On the day that my book hit shelves, I was at the local bookstore at 9 am on the dot! I had to see it to believe it! My mother and brother and I took a family trip to see "MWF Seeking BFF" on the shelves. Then I got a manicure, and went to lunch--margaritas included!--with one of my new friends. That night was Hanukkah, so we had a joint holiday/book celebration. It was the best day ever!

What are some tips you can share with future writers?
Don't worry so much, yet, about the publishing process. I hear from so many aspiring writers who want to know everything about the book business before they ever put words on the page. Start by writing. Get your story, or at least the beginning of the story, on the page before you start to worry too much about agents and editors and how much you will sell it for.

If "MWF Seeking BFF" were made into a film, how would you go about casting? Who would you cast as yourself?
In the book, I say that I want Rachel Bilson to play me in the movie of my life. And that's still true! Lately, I've been hearing from everyone that Emma Stone reminds them of me. I think it must be the freckles, because otherwise we really don't look alike. But I take it as a compliment. I'd kill to look like her!

If you could live anywhere in the world, besides where you’re currently living, where would it be, and why?
Well, part of me wants to say New York City, since that's where so many of my lifelong BFFs live. Another part of me wants to say Hong Kong, or Paris... just because that sounds really fabulous.

What type of literature do you enjoy reading in your spare time?
I read a lot of fiction and a lot of memoir. I try to read a little of everything. My favorite thing about being in a book club is that I am forced to read all sorts of different stuff. The last bunch of books I read were "Girls in White Dresses" by Jennifer Close (Women's Fiction), "The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight" by Jennifer Smith (YA), "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? And Other Concerns" by Mindy Kaling (Essays), "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell (Non-fiction) and "The Glass Castle" (memoir). So I'm sort of all over the map.

Chocolate or vanilla?
Vanilla! Always vanilla!

What is the most spontaneous thing you have ever done?
Oh man. The difficulty I'm having answering this question is telling me I need to be more spontaneous. Ummm... Once I decided at the last minute to sneak away from a family Cape Cod vacation to go visit my boyfriend in Washington DC. I told my parents I had to go home to visit a friend and hopped on a bus. It was definitely the sneakiest thing I've ever done. Luckily, that boyfriend turned out to be my husband. My mom heard that story for the first time when my brother outed me at our wedding!

Any upcoming projects you are working on that you can share?
I'm pretty focused on "MWF Seeking BFF" right now, but I am thinking of my next project and hoping to send a proposal for book two to my agent very soon!

Special thanks to Rachel for chatting with us and making us want her for a BFF! Thanks to Random House for sharing "MWF Seeking BFF" with our readers.

How to win "MWF Seeking BFF":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note: Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is your favorite thing about your BFF?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US only. Giveaway ends January 31st at midnight EST.

Winners of "Unscripted"

2012-01-24T12:41:00.004-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose two numbers. It picked 10 and 46.

Congrats to Ananda and Erik!

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz for a fun interview and to Samantha from Chick Lit Plus for including us in the blog tour and sharing the e-books with our winners!

Don't miss out on our latest giveaways:

"Fool's Mate" by Laura Pedersen
US/Canada only
Ends 1/30 at midnight EST

"Oh, Baby!" by Claire Matthews
Worldwide-Kindle only
Ends 1/29 at midnight EST

"The Puppy That Came for Christmas" by Megan Rix
US/Canada only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Winners of "One Pink Line"

2012-01-24T12:33:00.004-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose two numbers. It picked 26 and 51.

Congrats to Lilian and Marthalynn!

Here's a message from Dina Silver:
I knew you were winners!

Thank you so much for your interest in "One Pink Line." I’m thrilled to send you a copy of my debut novel, and am grateful to have this opportunity to connect with someone who loves a great love story as much as I do. I hope you enjoy the book, and look for more from me in the near future. Enjoy!

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Dina for an entertaining interview and for sharing her book with our winners.

Here are our latest giveaways:

"Fool's Mate" by Laura Pedersen
US/Canada only
Ends 1/30 at midnight EST

"Oh, Baby!" by Claire Matthews
Worldwide-Kindle only
Ends 1/29 at midnight EST

"The Puppy That Came for Christmas" by Megan Rix
US/Canada only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

My New BFF--An evening with Rachel Bertsche

2012-01-24T12:00:00.001-05:00

Guest post by Tracey Meyers

It's not a coincidence that my BFF of almost 25 years told me about a local "Meet the Author" event featuring Rachel Bertsche. Even though she's been gone from the area for several years, my BFF still somehow knows about all kinds of events going on in the area and will frequently send me e-mails about ones she thinks I would enjoy.

This time, her e-mail came as no surprise to me as I had just told her about a blog that was giving away a copy of Rachel's book, "MWF Seeking BFF." She knew I was quite interested in reading the book because even I have struggled over the years when it came to making new friends.

When I walked in the small auditorium at the Highland Park, Illinois library, I noticed Rachel and her husband standing at the back of the room. I wanted to say hello and let her know how excited I was to read her book; instead my inner wallflower quickly passed by them, took a seat and immediately e-mailed my BFF. The subject line simply said, "I'm Here." The body of the message continued my thoughts with "And feeling shy already! I want to go up to the author and tell her how excited I am about her book. Dorky I know!!!" What I also really wanted to say was, "I wish you were here," but I choose not to include that thought. Moments later, my BFF replied back and shared with me that she gets "star-stuck" at book readings and I wasn't dorky at all.

The event started out with Rachel reading three excerpts from her book. One from the introduction, one from halfway through her year of "friend dates" and one from closer to the end of the project. Then she opened up the floor to questions. The excerpt reading was the shortest portion of the event. Most of the time was spent in a question and answer session.

Amongst the many things that I found interesting about the evening -- remember this is a topic I'm greatly interested in -- was the fact that the demographic of those in attendance was more around my mother's age group than mine. Up until this event, I've failed to see that making new friends is an issue that affects woman of all ages. As I tried to balance my iPhone so the video I was taking didn't come out too jumpy, I listened intently to these women ask questions. What I liked about the questions being asked was that they didn't solely focus on the book itself. Don't get me wrong, there were a lot of questions about the book and Rachel's journey which was interesting as well, however many focused on the ever changing dynamic of friendship itself and the different issues we as woman face when it comes to making friends overtime.

A woman sitting in front of me had a question that stood out to me. It focused on making friends later in life. I immediately thought of my mother and my observations of her friendships throughout my lifetime. Like me, my mother has many friends she's known a majority of her life, but she also has had to go out and make new friends as life ebbed and flowed. I will admit it wasn't until recently that I really understood where she was coming from and could truly appreciate her experiences in this area of life. This was one of many reasons I wanted to tap the shoulder of this woman sitting in front of me and let her know I had a great mom I could "set her up with," but opted not to do so as I wasn't sure if my mom was in the market for new friends.

After an hour had passed the floor was closed to questions. Rachel was going to now sign copies of her books. As I stood in line, a nice lady randomly asked me and the person standing behind me, "Can you tell how young people make friends in this area? My daughter just moved back to the area from college and she's having trouble meeting new friends." My ears perked up and I suddenly found myself engaged in a conversation about making friends as if I was an expert in doing so when the truth is I am nowhere close to being an expert in this area. The irony of this whole conversation is that I now have a "friend date" from that particular conversation. Or, if nothing else, at least a plan to meet someone to discuss how to make new friends. Funny how things work, isn't it?! I have to admit, I'll be interested to see if I myself make a new friend from this chance meeting.

When it was my turn to get my book signed by Rachel, I set down my copy expecting her to immediately open it up to sign. Instead, she warmly extended her right hand and said, "Hi, I'm Rachel." For a moment I was taken aback as this was the first book signing an author had ever done such a thing. It was a gesture that truly appreciated and made me feel as though I was actually talking with a friend.

I had only one question for Rachel which I had decided to save for when I met her face-to-face. Like Rachel, I met my BFF when I was young child. It wasn't until sometime in the past few years that I really recognized how rare it was to have a lifelong best friend as I did and I wanted to know what effect her year long search for a new BFF had on her existing BFF relationship. Did she come to appreciate it more as I have come to appreciate mine? Does she just assume after a short period of time her new friends will know her just as well as her lifelong friends do? After she answered my question we chatted for a bit further on this topic, she signed my book and graciously agreed to take a picture with me. By the end of the exchange I felt as though I had a new BFF ... or at least a new friend.

As I was getting ready to head home, I touched base with my BFF once again. I wanted to tell her all about the evening and how wonderful Rachel is. However, this time I didn't e-mail her -- I called. I wanted to tell her all this instead of writing about it. I also wanted to tell her thank you for all our years of friendship and for all the years of friendship to come. Unfortunately I got her voice mail. Since I'm not the best at leaving messages on voice mail I made things as short and sweet as I could. Something to the effect of "I had such a good time; I can't wait to tell you about it!" I didn't, however, tell her thank you which is why I am dedicating this post to her. She is my sister, a confidante and my rock. I couldn't imagine life without her.

Tracey Meyers lives in the Chicago suburbs and enjoys photography, running, roller derby, knitting and, of course, blogging. She is currently helping us with social media and blog stuff, so you may be seeing her around more often.You can find her at her personal blog. She apologizes for the absence of pictures, but the few that she took did not turn out well due to bad lighting.

Rachel Bertsche will be at Chick Lit Central tomorrow and some lucky readers in the US will have a chance to win "MWF Seeking BFF!"

We don't know how Laura Pedersen does it...plus a book giveaway

2012-01-24T08:30:00.002-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

She's no stranger to success...Laura Pedersen was once the youngest columnist for the New York Times, and was also once the youngest person to have a seat on the floor of the American Stock Exchange. Now, she's a best-selling author of twelve (that's right...twelve) books, and has appeared on David Letterman, Oprah, and the Today Show, to name a few. Also, in 1994, President Clinton honored Laura as one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans. You'd think all that would wear a girl out, but Laura just keeps on carrying on! She still writes, and also teaches at the Booker T. Washington Learning Center in East Harlem. Her novel "Fool's Mate" (reviewed here) is actually titled after a chess strategy.

Visit her at her website.

Thanks to AuthorsOnTheWeb, we're giving away TWO copies of "Fool's Mate" to some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

(Author photo credit: Denise Winters)

What kind of research did you do for "Fool's Mate?"
I’ve been on news channels such as CNN, MSNBC and FOX, and even had a TV show of my own for several years that ran out of a busy studio. With regard to the news biz itself, I wrote for The New York Times for twelve years and come from a newspaper family. I even reworked a couple of practical jokes that had been played by or on my grandfather, who wrote for a number of Buffalo papers and also The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Do you have a favorite character or one you most identify with? How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
I think my heart lies with Josie, who is struggling to get her life together. Although Fool’s Mate is intended to be a funny romantic comedy, alcoholism is a serious problem, and Josie is indeed an alcoholic at the start. Even though my grandfather was a wonderful writer, the joke in our family was that the best stories weren’t by him but about him. He was often over-served at local taverns, got into mischief, and had to switch jobs with a certain amount of regularity.
I think a good story results from a strong plot and that’s something you need to plan ahead of time. Not necessarily every detail, but you need to know where your characters have to end up for the story to work.

What did you do to celebrate when first published?
When my first book, "Play Money," came out I enjoyed going to bookstores and gazing at it with disbelief. Fortunately, you don’t need an excuse to stand in the aisle and do that for long periods of time, or else I would’ve been arrested for vagrancy. I don’t celebrate by having a drink since obviously that can lead to problems in my family.

What is one piece of advice you'd like to share with future writers?
It’s for the most part a solitary profession unless you work in a newsroom, and even those are disappearing fast. I suppose if one is a reviewer then you can go out and socialize before spending time alone in a room trying to put some thoughts on paper. [For folks interested in writing, I answer the most often asked questions about that here.]

What do you do when you get writer’s block?
Having a newspaper column with a strict deadline forces you to manage your time, not procrastinate, and blow through writer’s block as well as inconveniences such as food poisoning. So usually if I don’t want to work on an essay or a book chapter it means there is a big problem with the plot or a character’s arc, in which case I need to find the trouble and create a fix or abandon the project altogether since it’s not going to work even by inserting zombies.

If "Fool's Mate" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I’m sure there are a lot of great young actresses who could play Josie as being smart, intrepid, slightly rogue, and largely self-destructive. Calvin needs to be more solid, earnest, and preppy. Josie’s boss should be an experienced loud-mouth who is dedicated to the news business and has an eye for real talent when he finds it.
Actually, I don’t see enough of the current pool of performers to decide. My six stepsisters can argue for days over imaginary casts for my novels so I’ll ask them to work on it. However, they usually reserve a few minor parts for themselves.

If you could live anywhere in the world, besides where you’re currently living, where would it be, and why?
I’ve always been attracted to the vibrancy of New Orleans. It’s unlike any other place I know and has been a magnet for many of the writers I admire such as Tennessee Williams, Kate Chopin, Michael Lewis, Lillian Hellman, John Kennedy Toole, Renee Peck, and Truman Capote.

Who is your current celebrity crush?
There will always and only ever be Bill Moyers for me. He reads essays on PBS that he writes himself and they are in and of themselves a Master Class in the art of writing when it comes to clean, concise and powerful prose. Otherwise, I always have a soft spot for female comedians, like the sassy waitress played by Kat Dennings on Two Broke Girls and the mother on Two and a Half Men, played by Holland Taylor.

What is your theme song?
Chumbawamba -- “Tubthumping (I get knocked down).”

Which TV show, book, or movie reminds you most of your own life?
Early Roseanne did a good job of representing life in the 1980s for the working class in the American Midwest, right down to the afghan over the back of the couch, Dads who hang out in garages, sending the check to the electric company without a signature in order to buy more time, and stretching the meatloaf with filler such as Quaker Oats. I recognized all of that.

Special thanks to Laura for answering our questions so eloquently and to AuthorsOnTheWeb for sharing "Fool's Mate" with our readers.

How to win "Fool's Mate":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Which TV show, book or movie reminds you most of your own life?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends January 30th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Home Front

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

By Melissa Amster

I used to not think much about the effects of war on the people who have fought at the front lines or been involved in any other way. However, Kristin Hannah has given me a whole new perspective on what it’s really like for veterans thanks to her latest novel, "Home Front."

Jolene and Michael Zarkades have been through a lot in their marriage, which is quickly going downhill. Jolene is a soldier who has been trained to fly planes in the military. Michael is a workaholic defense lawyer who has never approved of the war. Then Jolene gets the call she’s been dreading. She is being deployed to Iraq, leaving Michael to care for their kids. Deployment isn’t easy for anyone; her younger daughter is scared all the time, her older daughter is teased at school about having a soldier mom and Michael is unable to replicate all she does around the house on a daily basis. While on the front lines, she tries to sugarcoat her life as to not worry her family, until the day something tragic happens to shake their dynamic to its core. Will her family be able to salvage what they once had, now that so much has changed for them all?

I love Kristin Hannah’s novels and "Home Front" was no exception. It was extremely poignant and eye-opening. Ms. Hannah’s research for this novel shows in her writing, but she gives it a realistic feel instead of just laying down facts. Jolene could be any of us, trying to protect our families and worried about leaving our loved ones behind. She’s so honest and compelling that it was heartbreaking to read her innermost thoughts. I also liked reading Michael’s side of the story, as we don’t usually get a glimpse into what a man is thinking. However, his thoughts were so realistic that I thought Ms. Hannah knew something I didn’t about the way men think. The story had a Jodi Picoult feel to it, without losing Ms. Hannah’s emotional touches. There was a nice blend of dramatic intensity and heartfelt love.

I would have liked to read the older daughter, Betsy’s side of the story though. I felt like I could only really experience her second-hand. Ms. Hannah has a flair for writing in the pre-teen or teen mindset and would have done a good job with this. I was interested in what she was really thinking since her emotions were all over the place and she was having such a tough time with her mom going off to war and her dad not being around when he should. However, Ms. Hannah got her point across and still allowed glimpses into Betsy’s life, showing how truly significant she was to the story.

Ms. Hannah never ceases to amaze me with her writing and “Home Front” really got to me more than I ever expected it to. Anytime I see something about war veterans, I think of Jolene and all she went through during the war. There was also another character in the book who was a war veteran and reading about what he went through was also very jarring. As a result of reading this novel, I’d like to share a few related links with our readers.

*The first is a video of Kristin talking about "Home Front."
*Here's an article about a crisis hotline for war veterans, as this issue was addressed in the novel.
*Here's a blog written by a mom who has been deployed and her feelings on the experience.
*Send a thank you note to a veteran or active duty soldier and Heinz will donate 57 cents per card to the Wounded Warriors project.
*Finally, you can wear a Band for Freedom and show your support for our troops. A portion of your purchase will go directly to help our troops through the Bands for Freedom Veterans Wellness Program (VWP), which is designed to provide the means for qualified Veterans who suffer from the unseen wounds of war, such as insomnia, anxiety, and Depression.

Special thanks to Wunderkind PR for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Kristin Hannah will be at Chick Lit Central in February and you'll have a chance to win this novel then.

More by Kristin Hannah:

Winners of "Unraveling Isobel"

2012-01-23T16:04:00.001-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose two numbers. It picked 21 and 30.

Congrats to Jeryl and Carl!

Here's a message from Eileen Cook:
Congrats to the winners! There is no better compliment for a writer than someone wanting to read our books. I know there are tons of great books out there to read (Trust me, I have a stack next to my bed, desk, sofa....) With so many good books to choose from, I appreciate you taking the time to read mine. I hope the book makes you laugh out loud at least once. See you on the shelves.

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Eileen for a fun and interesting interview and for sharing her book with our winners.

Check out our latest giveaways:

"Oh, Baby!" by Claire Matthews
Worldwide-Kindle only
Ends 1/29 at midnight EST

"The Puppy That Came for Christmas" by Megan Rix
US/Canada only
Ends 1/24 at midnight EST

"Unscripted" by Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz (e-book)
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"One Pink Line" by Dina Silver
US only
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

Book Review: The Last Blind Date

2012-01-23T12:00:00.000-05:00

By Becky Gulc

"The Last Blind Date" is an upbeat, witty memoir about falling in love later on in life and uprooting your whole life for that love. It’s a book about taking risks, trusting someone with your heart enough to truly start over again.

Linda had married her first husband at a fairly early age and despite going on to divorce, the couple reconnected when he became seriously ill. Sadly, he passed away. Years later Linda is settled living in Chicago, working in advertising and ready to date again, but after a series of disastrous dates she’s not that hopeful of finding anyone of substance. Throw some good friends into the mix and suddenly Linda is fixed up with Randy, a New Yorker. They're not fixed up as in a dinner date, but nevertheless they call each other, they exchange photos, they eventually meet, they click!

The memoir details Linda and Randy’s relationship with one another. Linda has the patience of a saint; she waits over two years to meet Randy’s children despite flying back and forth to New York all the time. I guess she was really in love to put up with that! Linda tells us of her frustrations, her angst, her concerns and yet her trust in the relationship is always at the forefront. Eventually the pair marries, Linda moves to New York and the memoir then focuses much more on the trials and tribulations of moving between states and adapting to life in New York, as well as becoming a step-mother, being the second wife (‘the older, been-around the block, no false-illusions wife’), finding a new job and the search for new friends. She didn’t have it easy!

I’ll be honest, on paper I didn’t think I’d find this book particularly interesting. However, I’m pleased to say I really enjoyed it. The pace is fast and maintains your interest, Linda is spot on with the observations she makes about people and situations and the best thing was just how funny this book was all the way through. Being in the UK, I may not have grasped every cultural reference that was made but I always got the gist of it! I never felt like the book was building to a climax or any concrete outcome that you’d find with fiction but again that didn’t bother me, I was just happy to enjoy having a peek into someone else’s life and the smiles it brought me along the way.

At the end of the book I was interested to know what happened next in terms of how Linda’s relationship with her step-children has developed over recent years and whether Randy’s first wife went on to meet someone new. I guess that’s a good sign as I wanted more! I’d recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a light-hearted well-observed take on life.

You might also like:

Claire Matthews keeps it short and sweet and has a novella to give away!

2012-01-23T08:30:00.000-05:00

**Giveaway is now closed**

Claire Matthews caught the writing bug soon after her youngest daughter started school. She had all the time in the world to either write or seduce the FedEx guy. Since the FedEx guy was a woman, she decided to go the author route. After her first five stories were accepted for publication, Claire began to realize that this was more than just a hobby, and put together a writing studio in the attic using an old TV table, an ancient laptop and a well-worn thesaurus. Focusing on short contemporary romance, Claire balances her writing time with teaching political science at a nearby community college and taking care of her two demanding daughters, her slightly neglected husband and her antisocial dog.

She's here today to talk about her latest novella, "Oh, Baby," and has FIVE copies to give away to lucky readers worldwide (Kindle format only). If you can't wait till next week to get your hands on it, you can purchase it for 99 cents on Amazon.

You can find Claire at her blog and on Facebook.

What was most challenging about writing "Oh, Baby?"
Well, it’s always a challenge to write a novella, because you have to get all the information about the characters across to the reader in very few words. "Oh, Baby" is about 20k words, but there’s a lot going on, so brevity is essential.

In one sentence, what was road to publishing like?
Easier than I ever thought, actually. I subbed a few stories to on-line publishers, got them out in circulation, then decided to try my hand at self-publishing with "Oh, Baby." Oh wait—you said one sentence, didn’t you? What was I just saying about brevity?

What do you do when you’re not writing?
I read. I teach political science at a local community college. I nag my kids. I drink copious amounts of Diet Dr. Pepper. I would say that I volunteer my spare time at a homeless shelter, but I gave up lying as a New Year’s resolution.

What are your biggest motivations to write? What keeps you going?
It’s hard to say. I read a lot, and I think that’s my biggest motivation. I’ll finish a great book, and think to myself, “I want to write something that makes people feel like this.” My goal is for people to read my books and get that same happy feeling of discovery.

Characters really make the story for us. What 3 words would best describe your heroine & what about her called out to you to write her story?
I’d say Lainey is determined, conflicted, and a little clueless. Isn’t that the best part of any chick-lit book, though? The reader realizes early on what the heroine needs to learn, and then follows her journey towards self-awareness (aka, getting a clue).

If "Oh, Baby" were made into a movie, who would star in the leading roles?
Hmm. For Lainey, I’d probably go with Emma Stone—I love her, and I think she’s a great actress. For Beck, I choose Matthew Morrison from Glee, because I have a highly inappropriate crush on him.

What do you think the key is to a successful chicklit novel? Lots of sexiness? A studly hero? Plenty of angst? (Something else?)
I think humor is key. If it makes me laugh, then it’s well on its way to being a success in my mind. And I’m a big fan of a beta hero—I’m way too old to find a dominant man attractive. Oh, and angst. Lots of lovely, lovely angst.

What is the best gift you ever gave or received?
We bought my seven year-old a new bike for Christmas, after warning her that Santa probably couldn’t swing a bike this year. The look on her face was priceless.

What TV series feels most like chick lit to you?
Cougar Town. Love that show. I like watching a group of friends with in-jokes and funny rapport.

What is the strangest or craziest date you have ever been on?
I guess that would be a blind date I went on in college. This guy took me to the river for a romantic stroll after dinner, and I fell off a stone landing and broke my ankle. Good times, good times.

Special thanks to Claire for sharing her sense of humor with us through her answers to our questions and for sharing her novella with our readers.

How to win "Oh, Baby":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is the cutest or funniest thing you've seen a baby (doesn't have to be your own) do recently?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends January 29th at midnight EST.
**This is only for Kindle. If you are interested in entering, but don't have one, you can download Kindle for free to your PC.**

Book Review: The Other Life

2012-01-22T08:15:00.000-05:00

By Melissa Amster

Imagine being able to choose between two different lifestyles, based on one decision. However, if you were forced to choose between one life or the other, which would you pick? Quinn has this special power, but also has to make a huge decision about it in "The Other Life" by Ellen Meister.

Quinn Braverman discovers a portal between the life she chose and the road not taken. She's a suburban housewife and mother with another baby on the way. In her other life, she's living with her previous boyfriend and hoping he won't pop the question. And then there's the matter of her mother still existing in that other life, as she killed herself in Quinn's reality. When Quinn is faced with devastating news, she starts to explore her options between her two lives until the portal starts to shrink, forcing her to choose one or the other. Will she make the right decision?

I had heard many good things about "The Other Life" and the concept reminded me of a cross between "Sliding Doors" and an Allison Winn Scotch novel. I just knew I had to read it and bought myself a copy. I am pleased with my choice to purchase it, as I was grabbed from the first page and still haven't been let go! It is such a compelling story, impossible to put down. It does have a feel similar to the movie and books mentioned above. It also reminds me of "The Time Traveler's Wife," another favorite of mine. I love books that explore surreal situations while also discussing real situations and emotions throughout. "The Other Life" definitely fits into that category. The characters felt so real and accessible, all of them being extremely interesting in their own ways. I especially loved her gay brother, Hayden and her sex-crazed neighbor, Georgette. I also liked the way she explored Quinn's relationship with her mother. The story was beautifully written, heartbreaking and suspenseful. I knew by the time I was halfway through that I would have to recommend it to anyone who wants a really good, thought-provoking story.

While I don't really have any criticisms, I will say that I wish it didn't end before letting us know where one of the situations was going. It made me want a sequel. However, I do want to warn pregnant women not to read this book until after they've given birth and gotten through the first few emotional months. If I had read it at this time last year (in my eighth month of pregnancy at the time), there's no way I would have been able to continue after the first few chapters. There are some sensitive subjects surrounding Quinn's pregnancy and they might scare a mom-to-be.

Overall, I think "The Other Life" really does a great job of exploring "what-if's" and would make a great discussion topic for book clubs. It's definitely a story that will stick with me for a long time. I also think it would make an amazing movie and that a lot could be done with it in order to bring the story to life on the big screen.

You might also like:

Book Review: On Any Given Sundae

2012-01-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

By Melissa Amster

There’s nothing better in the winter than being swept away into the summer and enjoying ice cream every day without the possibility of becoming even colder. And better yet, when the delicious treat is combined with a sweet love story, you wind up with "On Any Given Sundae" by Marilyn Brant.

Elizabeth Daniels was always the shy girl in school with her eyes on the popular jock, Rob Gabinarri. As an adult, she's still shy and hides behind her computer and her close group of friends. Then Elizabeth's and Rob's uncles make a trip out of town and leave their ice cream shop in Elizabeth and Rob's capable hands. Rob, anxious about the dating pressures from his mother makes Elizabeth a deal that will benefit them both in different ways. However, neither of them are prepared for what comes out of the deal.

I thought "On Any Given Sundae" was a fun story with a cute concept. It was light and entertaining, full of food and a side dish of steaminess that would make Sue Margolis blush! I enjoyed reading about all the characters and what they brought to the story. I thought switching between Elizabeth's and Rob's perspectives added to the entertainment value, especially when they had misunderstandings. The descriptions made everything easy to visualize and the conversations were natural and flowed nicely throughout the story. The whole time, I just wanted to go to Kilwin's for a double scoop waffle cone. Really, it just brought back some happy summer memories of getting delicious ice cream from Kilwin's with my husband.

What didn't work so well for me was Elizabeth's stuttering. I understand that it can be a real issue for some people. However, in the way the story was written, it sounded forced and inconsistent. For example, she'd say a whole coherent sentence and somehow stutter in the middle of it, just one time. I wish there had been another way to convey Elizabeth's shyness. The other thing was the name of the ice cream parlor...Tutti Frutti. It makes me think of fruit instead of ice cream. I also think the name was ruined for me a long time ago, when I heard that one song by Little Richard, which I find incredibly annoying. I guess this ice cream parlor was asking for a more dignified name. (If you put it side by side with Kilwin's and they had the same flavors and design, I'd still go for Kilwin's for the name alone.) However, neither factor took away from the enjoyment of the story, which kept me guessing until the very end!

Overall, "On Any Given Sundae" is a delectable treat any time of the year. If you're in the mood for something light and happy, definitely check it out! It's currently available for $2.99 on Kindle.

More by Marilyn Brant:

What's in the mail today?

2012-01-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

Melissa A:

From the BookSparksPR Groupies program:

e-books:

Free deals on Amazon:

Amy:

From Simon and Schuster:

Melissa A. got this book, as well.

From Random House:

Becky:

Won these from Claudia Carroll:

"Rivals in the Tudor Court" by Darcey Bonnette

From Choc Lit Publishing:

From Hodder and Stoughton:

"The Stag and Hen Weekend" by Mike Gayle

From Transworld Publishers:

Winners of "The Storm Within" and "The Baby Trap"

2012-01-19T11:30:00.001-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry (one entry per person) and had random.org choose four numbers.

For "The Baby Trap," it chose 5, 9 and 12

Congrats to Lilian, Kim W. and StereoQueenBee!

For "The Storm Within," it chose 6.

Congrats to Courtney!

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Sibel Hodge and Jessica Degarmo for sharing their books with our winners.

Enter our latest giveaways:

"The Puppy That Came for Christmas" by Megan Rix
US/Canada only
Ends 1/24 at midnight EST

"Unscripted" by Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz (e-book)
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"One Pink Line" by Dina Silver
US only
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"Unraveling Isobel" by Eileen Cook
US/Canada only
Ends 1/22 at midnight EST

Books of the Week-January 19th

2012-01-19T11:00:00.000-05:00

We're starting off 2012 with a new feature...Books of the Week! There are six of us and we can't keep up with the many review requests we receive, even though we'd love to read everything sent our way. Therefore, we have decided to give some books their time in the spotlight and introduce you to them through this new blog feature. We will feature three books a week. We hope you will take the time to check these books out. (Click the titles to find them on Amazon.) If you read them and want to write a guest blogger review for us, please e-mail us and we'll be glad to work with you!

Authors: We will let you know whether or not we'll be able to review your book upon your request, and hope you'll be interested in this feature as an alternative.

"Sex, Life, & Hannah::Volume 1, WINTER SEASON"
By Dorota Skrzypek

When Hannah’s boyfriend of five-and-a-half years breaks up with her on New Year’s Eve, Hannah is shocked, and stunned…before picking up a glass and throwing it at him. Forced to search for love in the battlegrounds of L.A. she finds herself agonizing over The Ex, trying to comfort herself in the neighbor’s bed, and falling in love...again? Surrounded by a colorful cast of characters, Hannah treads the infamous waters of heartbreak and heartache.
The inaugural volume of the Sex, Life, and Hannah book series is a colorful palette of stories about the aftermath of a major break-up. Everything from the pros and cons of rebound sex, to navigating manic mood swings over The Ex, and whether a leather harness and latex can help distract you enough to finally move on. A fun and fictional expose about a pivotal moment in life.

Like "Sex, Life and Hannah" on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Disengaged"
By Beth Orsoff

When L.A. accountant Allie Zenet’s fiancé proposes she’s thrilled, both with her fiancé and her brand-new sparkly diamond ring. As wedding plans progress, Allie still adores her ring, her fiancé less so. Is it just the stress of trying to plan a wedding with the mother-in-law-to-be from hell? Or is Allie about to make the biggest mistake of her life?

Like Beth Orsoff on Facebook.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Busted in Bollywood"
By Nicola Marsh

Shari Jones needs to get a life. Preferably someone else’s.

Single, homeless and jobless, Indo-American Shari agrees to her best friend’s whacky scheme: travel to Mumbai, pose as Amrita, and ditch the fiancé her traditional Indian parents have chosen. Simple. Until she’s mistaken for a famous Bollywood actress, stalked by a Lone Ranger wannabe, courted by an English lord, and busted by the blackmailing fiancé.Life is less complicated in New York.Or so she thinks, until the entourage of crazies follows her to the Big Apple and that’s when the fun really begins. Shari deals with a blossoming romance, an addiction to Indian food and her first movie role, while secretly craving another trip to the mystical land responsible for sparking her new lease on life. Returning to her Indian birthplace, she has an epiphany. Maybe the happily-ever-after of her dreams isn’t so far away?

Like Nicola Marsh on Facebook and follow her on Twitter.

Megan Rix teaches dogs new tricks and has a book to give away

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

Megan Rix was born in London, England, but has lived all over the globe, from Singapore to New Zealand to the USA. She eventually married and settled into the East of England with her husband and two dogs: Traffy and Bella. When Megan sat down to write her memoir, "The Puppy That Came for Christmas" (reviewed here), it was such a personal story, that she chose to publish it under a pseudonym. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, I guess...) she was so excited when the book came out that she went and told everyone that it was hers. Megan also writes children’s books as Ruth Symes. And she doesn’t keep her talent to herself: she can be found running workshops at children’s literature festivals and teaching courses in Writing Children’s Fiction at assorted universities and summer schools.

Thanks to Penguin Books, we have TEN copies of "The Puppy That Came for Christmas" for some lucky readers in the US and Canada.

Megan can be found at her website, as well as Facebook and Twitter.

What did you do to celebrate when your book was published?
When Jamie and my friends at Helper Dogs heard ‘The Puppy that Came for Christmas’ was about to be published they organized a launch party for it. I imagine book launch parties are usually quite formal and wouldn’t allow dogs to attend – and that wouldn’t do at all for me! The publishers donated £100 and we had the party at the Helper Dogs training centre. It was very informal with lots of dogs and dog treats, as well as people and people treats. Rusty, the dog who trained me, even did a performance and everyone got to meet Traffy.

What do you do when you get writer's block?
I don’t get writer’s block – I think it’s because I usually have a few different projects on the go (I also write children’s fiction and scripts as Ruth Symes.) When I’m not working on a book or a script I’ll blog, along with some other UK children’s writers at An Awfully Big Blog Adventure, or enter a writing competition, or write free hand in my journal.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone wanting to write a memoir?
Keep a diary or a journal – it’s invaluable. I didn’t always keep a diary and I didn’t have one to help write "The Puppy that Came for Christmas," but what I did have was the journal I wrote in when I was upset or concerned about something, just for myself. Fortunately, I was also writing a newspaper column about Emma and blogging about the dogs, which helped a lot – it’s so easy to forget the small details that bring vibrancy and life to a book. Now I regularly write in a diary/journal and I expect I always will.

What essentials do you need for writing (snacks, music, etc.)?
Gallons of coffee and an incense stick burning. Plus I like to put my timer on for an hour at a time – it helps stop me getting distracted.

If "The Puppy That Came for Christmas" was made into a movie, who would you want to star as yourself?
I asked Ian who he’d like to play him in the movie of the book and after some umming and aahing he said George Clooney and I said in that case I think I’d like to play myself!

What was your first experience like training a service dog?
Fun, hardwork and heartbreaking – but I’m so glad I did it. I’ve just had a photo of Emma from her disabled partner Mike – he says the school now has her photo up on the members of staff board.

Which of the dogs was your favorite to work with?
This one’s so hard to answer as all the dogs I’ve worked with have been so different with varied personalities and needs and I loved them all so much. From the perspective of who was the fastest learner it would have to be Emma. From the perspective of who made me laugh the most, Freddy and from the perspective of who melts my heart with a look, Traffy.

What are three things readers may not know about you?
I’ve been an extra in lots of movies (including Harry Potter’s and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). And I’ve acted in a Chinese soap opera shown on Singapore TV.
As well as "The Puppy that Came for Christmas," I also write children’s books and scripts.
I fell off a steep cliff while I was travelling in Australia and came away basically unhurt (but shaking like a leaf) when by some lucky fluke I landed headfirst in a deep rock pool.

What was the last movie you saw and what were your thoughts on it?
"Planet of the Apes" – I had a cushion over my head whenever I thought someone was going to be cruel to one of the apes and loved the use of sign language in it. A friend of mine has a deaf boxer dog who she uses signs with – only of course the dog can’t sign back like the apes could.

Any current or future projects you can share with us?
My first children’s novel as Megan Rix is coming out in the early summer. It’s called "The Great Escape" and set in wartime Britain and has three animal stars. The first draft of my second memoir, "Traffy at Two" is almost finished and when I’m not writing that I’m working on "Cat Magic," the fourth in my Bella Donna series written under the name of Ruth Symes. In between writing I can usually be found by the river walking Traffy (who is often in the river).

Special thanks to Megan for a lovely interview and to Penguin books for so generously sharing Megan's book with our winners!

How to win "The Puppy That Came for Christmas":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What do you find most fascinating about any kind of animal?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends January 24th at midnight EST.

Winners of "The Last Page"

2012-01-18T16:03:00.002-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose three numbers. It picked 9, 19 and 23.

Congrats to Stephanie (Skk25), Jeryl and Allie Gator!

UPDATE (1/20/12): One of our winners told us that she got the book a different way and is withdrawing her entry. Therefore, we had random.org pick a new number and it chose 13. Congrats to Cindy R! (Note: Although she's an associate reviewer, there's a 25:16 ratio leaning towards CLC associates being able to enter and win giveaways. If you'd like to share your input on this, along with other thoughts on giveaways, please take this survey if you haven't already done so.)

Here's a message from Lacy Camey:
I'm so happy to have had the chance to visit ChickLit Central for an interview and a giveaway. What wonderful ladies!

I sincerely hope you enjoy my debut short novel, "The Last Page." It's light, fun, and hopefully you'll find funny :). It's the first in its series and it is followed by two more books, each book featuring another character. Each can be read as a stand alone, although the books do follow a chronological order.

With Norah's story in "The Last Page", I wanted readers to feel hopeful and inspired in their own life. Whether you find yourself going though a breakup, or a new stage in life, the only way to move forward is "to get moving!" Sometimes we need that extra support from our family and friends, or the warm kiss from our pet, and sometimes other's love inspires us to simply love again.

I live in Houston, Texas but my always "go to" place is the beach. Norah is lucky enough to spend the summer healing and dreaming again in an ideal setting! Wherever you live, it's my hope "The Last Page" will take you on a momentary vacation and you will feel rested and rejuvenated in your own life's journey.

I'd love to stay in contact with you! Come visit me sometime at my blog and my new website should be up and running any day now. Have a wonderful day and thanks again for signing up for the give away! Cheers to Chick Lit! :)

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Lacy for an entertaining interview and for sharing her book with our winners.

Enter our latest giveaways:

"Unscripted" by Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz (e-book)
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"One Pink Line" by Dina Silver
US only
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"Unraveling Isobel" by Eileen Cook
US/Canada only
Ends 1/22 at midnight EST

"The Baby Trap" by Sibelle Hodge and "The Storm Within" by Jessica Degarmo
"The Baby Trap": Worldwide (e-book)
"The Storm Within": US only (paperback)
Ends 1/18 at midnight EST

Winners of "Stay Tuned"

2012-01-18T13:31:00.002-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose four numbers.

For the e-book, it chose 37 and 54.
Congrats to Linda Kish and Kristen (kly.327)!

For the paperback, it chose 22 and 59.
Congrats to BRN2SHOP9 and Nancye!

Here's a message from Lauren Clark:
Big Hugs and a huge thank you to all who took part in the "Stay Tuned" giveaway. I am so grateful to Chick Lit Central for sharing my first novel with their wonderful group of avid readers. If you've won a copy of "Stay Tuned" ~ Congratulations ~ and if you decide to pick up a copy for your Kindle, please feel free to drop me a line and let me know what you thought about the story and cast of characters! I hope you enjoy "Stay Tuned" as much as I loved writing it. It's been a fantastic journey so far, and I can't wait to release "Dancing Naked in Dixie" later this year. (So, it's back to my laptop for now!) xx, Lauren

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Lauren for a fun interview, for naming her main character Melissa and for sharing her book with our winners. If you didn't win, you can still get a good deal on Kindle at 99 cents!

Don't forget about our latest giveaways:

"Unscripted" by Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz (e-book)
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"One Pink Line" by Dina Silver
US only
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"Unraveling Isobel" by Eileen Cook
US/Canada only
Ends 1/22 at midnight EST

"The Baby Trap" by Sibelle Hodge and "The Storm Within" by Jessica Degarmo
"The Baby Trap": Worldwide (e-book)
"The Storm Within": US only (paperback)
Ends 1/18 at midnight EST

Blogs of the week

2012-01-18T11:00:00.003-05:00

Our recent feature is "Blogs of the Week." Each week, we feature a reader blog (which has to be sent to us) and an author blog (which can either be sent to us, or we'll pick one at random). Please check out the blogs we are sharing. We're sure the bloggers would love some friendly comments on their posts or a follow.

Important: We are no longer taking submissions for blogs, as we are trying to phase out this feature. Thank you for participating and sharing your blogs with us, as well as visiting the blogs that have been shown here.

Reader:

O.C.D. About Books

Karen is an avid reader and LOVES books!! She has been reading for as long as she can remember. When she didn't have a book or a magazine nearby, she would read the back of the cereal box or something of that nature. She recently discovered book vlogs on YouTube as well as book blogs, so she's now here to join the ranks of book bloggers and profess her love for books! Her main focus is on YA with other genres thrown in for good measure. She has book reviews, hauls and upcoming book news, along with other book related stuff.

Author:

Michelle Betham-Romance Author

Michelle is an independent author of romance novels, as well as the occasional chick lit book. Her roots stem from the North East of England, with a two year jaunt on the Spanish Canarian island of Tenerife! She's very interested in the world of darts - especially Paul Nicholson. ("Google him, you'll find him under sexy darts players. It's a very short list.") Other vices include Take That (I've tried therapy, it doesn't work), Keanu Reeves (I've watched "Point Break" more times than I care to mention!), and wine. She's also addicted to reality TV, novels ranging from horror to high drama, Bradley Cooper and "Grease." She hopes one day to write a sitcom...about darts! Until then, she writes books for the beach, pure escapism, total fantasy; glamorous, sexy - and sometimes humorous - contemporary romance with an edge. Her e-book, "See You at the Show" is currently 99 cents for Kindle. Her other novels, "No Matter What" and "Too Much Trouble in Paradise" are $1.99 each for Kindle.

You can find Michelle on Facebook and Twitter.

Double your fun with Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz, plus a book giveaway

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we welcome both Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz, co-authors of "Unscripted."

NATALIE AARON was born in Kansas, moved to L.A. and was hired as a PA on commercials and music videos. Natalie went on to such critically acclaimed shows as Taxicab Confessions, Behind the Music and Movies That Shook the World, where she learned how to coax interviews from reluctant celebrities. Her recent producing credits include The Judds, Ruby, Sweet Home Alabama and Little People, Big World. Natalie lives in L.A. and hardly ever wonders how she wound up doing this for a living.

MARLA SCHWARTZ was born in L.A. but moved to England to pursue a graduate degree in Medieval Studies. After working as Head Researcher for both Dreamworks Animation and writer/director Andrew Niccol, she began working as a television producer. Marla’s producing credits include Blind Date, Starting Over, Making the Band, Bad Girls Club, Dane Cook’s Tourgasm, and Wanted: Ted or Alive, an assignment that required her to screen footage of a deer being shot, gutted, and cooked. Marla lives in Los Angeles with her husband and daughter and hardly ever wonders how she wound up doing this for a living.

Thanks to Samantha Robey of Chick Lit Plus, who is running their blog tour, we have TWO e-books of "Unscripted" to share with some lucky readers anywhere!

Visit Natalie and Marla at their website, Twitter and Facebook pages.

What was the idea behind writing “Unscripted?”
We’re both reality TV producers and over the years, we’ve spent many hours laughing at the shenanigans we’d witnessed, heard about from friends or um, actually participated in. We would often say how fun it would be to read a book set in the world of reality TV until one day we realized that we actually wanted to write it.

How did you transition into the writing world?
This answer is two-fold. First off, both of us loved writing as children. After we befriended one another, we quickly learned that as kids we both indulged in writing morose poems about death and heartbreak. We also shared with each other of our later works, which we found equally amusing. Marla had attempted to write several unfinished novels about blood-thirsty ghosts, while Natalie’s endeavors included spec scripts for shows such as “The Simpsons” and “My So Called Life.” We knew that our passion for writing was the same, but neither of us had much drive to get the job done without the help of one another.

Secondly, the transition to actually writing a book was made easier when both of us ended up working in story departments for different reality television shows. You can learn a lot about crafting a story when your job is to turn hours and hours of footage of hedonistic reality stars into something that has an arc with a beginning, middle and end.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?
Marla – This is such a tough question for me to answer. So instead, I’ll give you a list of current authors whose works I’ve recently read (or re-read) and absolutely loved! Helen Fielding, Risa Green, Sara Gruen, Kathryn Stockett, Augusten Burroughs, Stieg Larsson and Philippa Gregory to name just a few.

Natalie - It’s always hard to make a list like this but here goes: Jonathan Franzen, Suzanne Collins, George R.R. Martin, Emily Giffin, Dave Eggers, Susanna Clarke, David Sedaris, J.K. Rowling, Jane Austen and Michael Chabon to name a few.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Marla – that’s easy, but also pretty tame. Chocolate. All forms. You could pump the stuff into my veins and it still wouldn’t be enough.

Natalie - Watching terrible movies just to mock them. You would completely judge me if you got a look at my Netflix instant queue. Oh and I’ll take chocolate, too!

If “Unscripted” was optioned for film, who would play the lead roles?
For Abby, right now we’d go with Kat Dennings - she’s so down to earth and has great comic timing. And for Will – we’re thinking Ryan Gosling...we’d get to meet him, right?

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?
Marla – “Harry Potter” of course! Who wouldn’t want to go to Hogwarts to learn spells all day and hang out with the Scooby gang! Thankfully, J.K. Rowling created such a realistic and fantastically detailed world that I already felt as though I was living inside each and every book.

Natalie – Hey, that was my answer, too! Looks like we’re going to be bunking together because I want to cast spells, make potions and drink Butterbeer! But I’ll skip the quidditch, thanks.

What are some of your hobbies?
Marla – Is it terrible to say none? Does that make me boring? I guess besides working, spending time with my family, friends and writing, it doesn’t leave much time in the day for anything else. I would love to be able to paint, or sculpt or take up some life-altering workout or yoga regime, but I’m neither artistic or, um, active.

Natalie – Let’s see - I taught myself guitar and wrote some really lame, folky songs…luckily I snapped out of that business. I also tried my hand at painting but that was a short-lived, expensive disappointment. (If anyone wants a top of the line oil painting set circa 2002 let me know!) Currently some of my hobbies include reading, random cooking attempts, beefing up my iTunes collection and of course, writing.

Did you make any new year’s resolutions?
Marla – Ha! Yes! My New Year’s resolution is to become more active (see above). I really want to lose weight this year and get back in shape. I know it’s probably the #1 answer if I was playing “Family Feud” and not a very original one, but it’s about time I jump on this healthy bandwagon.

Natalie – I made quite a few! Lose weight, create and execute some kind of exercise plan, read more, save more (or, errr some), write more and at the very least start thinking about retirement. Sigh.

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
We’ve definitely discussed writing a follow-up to "Unscripted" – we’re still figuring it all out!

What is your favorite way to escape?
Marla – In my younger days, living, studying or back-packing around Europe was an amazing escape for me, which is why I kept doing it time and time again. But these days, a good book or movie will suffice.

Natalie – I love getting lost in a good book - I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stayed up way past my bedtime to make it to the end. And of course, movies, music and TV shows are fine alternatives, too. If my escape is situation specific then dinner with friends is mandatory.

Special thanks to Natalie and Marla for chatting with us and to Samantha for including us on the tour and sharing the e-books for the giveaway.

How to win "Unscripted":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is your favorite reality TV series?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends January 23rd at midnight EST.

Book Review: Favorable Conditions

2012-01-18T07:45:00.000-05:00

By Cindy Roesel

I bet the irony of the title of Kathleen Kole’s new novel, FAVORABLE CONDITIONS isn’t lost on her main character. Pat Keegan’s husband, Stephen has left her to go find himself, her kids have grown up and gone off to college and she’s found herself stuck in a big empty house at forty-five with no career of which to speak. But Pat isn’t one to sit back and wallow! She spends one night at home drinking too much and then heads out the next day and buys a business. She purchases Main Street Used Books and renames it Possibilities! We love her already!

Another day Pat goes jogging and literally runs into tall, dark and handsome, Ian. After making sure she’s okay he continues on with his jog with Pat securely in his thoughts. Not soon after, Ian shows up in her bookstore and one thing leads to another including the revelation that Ian is nine years younger than Pat. They are immediately smitten with one another, but the age difference is a huge problem for Pat and a couple of the other characters in the novel. At first, I found the issue kind of unrealistic, but after thinking about it a bit more, I've realized that Kathleen may have brought up something really important. Us women are getting better as we get older and we can date who we want. In many cases, the younger, the better! However, there’s still a stigma attached.

I’d like to think as a society, and as modern women, we’ve pretty much moved past the whole age thing, but maybe we haven’t. I think it’s getting better, but is there still ageism out there, which Kathleen highlights in her new novel, FAVORABLE CONDITIONS? I found this an interesting topic for Kathleen Kole to tackle in the context of a novel. She doesn’t make any judgments. She puts the subject out there so the reader can experience the conflict that Pat goes through. You’ll have to read the novel to find out what happens. It’s actually a great subject for book club. FYI: Women at any age, especially over forty, belong in nightclubs!

Back to the book, Kathleen creates a nice group of characters and I especially appreciated how her BFF, Melanie is always able to be there for her without being a doormat. Pat is going through some tough times, and keeping that relationship balanced isn’t always easy. There are several times when Pat should just put a sign up on the front door saying “Closed for Good.”

This looks to be a big year for Kathleen Kole. She has a novel coming out in the spring and another one later this fall. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.

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Winners of "A Summer in Europe"

2012-01-17T22:15:00.000-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose two numbers. It picked 12 and 71.

Congrats to Marthalynn and rubynreba!

Here's a message from Marilyn Brant:
Thanks so much to the fabulous ladies at Chick Lit Central for inviting me back for a visit and to all of the commenters on my guest post last week. Your responses were so delightful to read!! It made me wish I could visit all of the wonderful places you mentioned... (Although, considering how hard it's snowing outside right now, I'll be lucky if I travel any further than my mailbox today!) Congrats to the two winners of my new novel, "A Summer in Europe," and many thanks to Kensington Books for sending them out to you both. I truly hope that everyone who picks up this novel will enjoy going on the journey with Gwen, Aunt Bea and the Sudoku & Mah-jong Club. I love hearing from readers, so if you ever have thoughts to share on one of my stories, please don't hesitate to send me a message on Facebook, Twitter or via email. Best wishes for a very Happy 2012, and here's wishing that there will be exciting travel adventures for all of us in the near future!
~Marilyn Brant

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Marilyn for the armchair adventure and to Kensington for sharing the books with our winners.

Don't miss our latest giveaways:

"One Pink Line" by Dina Silver
US only
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"Unraveling Isobel" by Eileen Cook
US/Canada only
Ends 1/22 at midnight EST

"The Baby Trap" by Sibelle Hodge and "The Storm Within" by Jessica Degarmo
"The Baby Trap": Worldwide (e-book)
"The Storm Within": US only (paperback)
Ends 1/18 at midnight EST

"The Last Page" by Lacy Camey
Worldwide-Kindle only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

"Stay Tuned" by Lauren Clark
E-book-worldwide
Paperback-US only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Winner of "Downward Dog, Upward Fog"

2012-01-17T22:04:00.003-05:00

To find our winner, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose one number. It picked 6.

Congrats to Erica!

Here's a message from Meryl Davids Landau:
Thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway for "Downward Dog, Upward Fog." I appreciate the wonderful review my novel previously received on the fabulous Chick Lit Central, and I am thrilled in having this second opportunity to connect with—and, hopefully, via my post, inspire—you all. My intention in writing my spiritual-but-non-religious novel was both to entertain and uplift, so nothing makes me happier than to hear that something I've written causes women to feel a new opening in their own lives. Congratulations to the winner of the book! I hope you'll drop me a line on Facebook after you've had a chance to read.
Meryl

Regards,
Meryl

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating and to Meryl for inspiring us and sharing her book with our winner!

Check out our latest giveaways:

"One Pink Line" by Dina Silver
US only
Ends 1/23 at midnight EST

"Unraveling Isobel" by Eileen Cook
US/Canada only
Ends 1/22 at midnight EST

"The Baby Trap" by Sibelle Hodge and "The Storm Within" by Jessica Degarmo
"The Baby Trap": Worldwide (e-book)
"The Storm Within": US only (paperback)
Ends 1/18 at midnight EST

"The Last Page" by Lacy Camey
Worldwide-Kindle only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

"Stay Tuned" by Lauren Clark
E-book-worldwide
Paperback-US only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Dina Silver is the "Hallmark" of chick lit quality and has a debut novel to give away!

2012-01-17T08:30:00.002-05:00

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today, we welcome Dina Silver and her debut novel, "One Pink Line" (reviewed here). A graduate of Purdue University, Dina has spent the past fifteen years feeding her red wine habit by working as a copywriter in the advertising industry. In addition to writing ad copy, she formed Dina's Ideas, a greeting card company, in 2003. Dina serves as the sole writer and designer for the business and has penned over 300 greeting cards since its inception.

She currently divides her time between writing, caring for her nine-year old son, and ordering lots of takeout.After seeing the bulk of her professional prose on brochures and direct mail pieces, she is delighted to have made the transition to novelist this year.

Thanks to Dina we have TWO copies of "One Pink Line" to give to some lucky readers anywhere in the US.

You can visit Dina at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

How do you approach your writing? Do you plot or go with the flow?
I definitely go with the flow. I never start with any sort of plotline, timeline or character study. I’ve had the most luck with just sitting down in from of the computer, writing what’s on my mind, and then piecing everything together once I’m through.

What are your biggest motivations to write? What keeps you going?
Really just the stories. I’ve written two novels (the second, "Kat Fight," will be released this spring), and both of the stories were in my head, dying to be told. That sounds cheesy, right? But I swear! They both come from a different place, and I was so eager to get each story down on paper. Once I began, the motivation was simply to get them done.
That, and the fact that my husband periodically pops his head in while I’m writing and asks if he can quit his job yet.

What kind of research did you do for “One Pink Line?”
I didn’t need to do a ton of research for "One Pink Line" because a girlfriend of mine and her life experiences were the inspiration for the book. She opened up to me about herself one day, and what she told me turned out to be one of my favorite things: a great love story! After hearing details about her youth, I took her to lunch one afternoon(equipped with a pad of paper and a bowl of French onion soup), and picked her brain. I specifically asked her not to give too many details, just the chain of events that lead her to where she is now. It was important for me to be true to her story, but to make the book my own, and make certain that is was pure fiction.

How did you decide to write chick lit?
Simply…I love a good love story. I’m a huge fan of groundbreaking chick-lit-ers like Helen Fielding, Melissa Banks, and dare I say Jane Austen. Being able to fuse a poignant romance with wit and a great ending is something I strive to do with each book.

What do you do when you’re not writing?
Unload the dishwasher, watch inappropriate television with my nine-year old son, clean the litter box, do laundry, vacuum cat hair, snack, run to Target, shower (only when absolutely necessary), chat on the phone, and my absolute least favorite thing in the entire world…go to the grocery.

If “One Pink Line” were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I love and hate that question because of course I’ve thought about this a thousand times, but I haven’t come up with the perfect cast yet! Obviously, Ethan is the most important role to fill, so here are a few hunky men I’ve imagined could play him:
Chris Pine
Chris Evans
Jim Parrack (Google him)
And I think Armie Hammer would make an awesome Kevin.

Funniest thing that happened to you recently?
Everything is funny to me, but funny things really don’t happen to me.

What is your favorite birthday memory?
Well, let me start by saying that I LOVE my birthday. A little less each year, but whatev. On my fortieth birthday my husband planned a surprise party for me with some of my favorite peeps. And I was honestly really, really surprised! So it was awesome.

What is one item you can't live without?
Wine. (Sounds pathetic, but you said item…not person or pet.) Okay, and maybe my computer.

If you could live anywhere in the world, besides where you’re currently living, where would it be, and why?
I think I’d have to say Santa Barbara, California. First of all, I love California. Second, I love the combination of casual-glamour in that city. The people are laid back and friendly, and the scenery is to die for.

Special thanks to Dina for chatting with us and sharing her book with our readers!

How to win "One Pink Line":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is one item you can't live without?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US only. Giveaway ends January 23rd at midnight EST.

Book Review: Finding Mr. Flood

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

By Gail Allison

Dara Flood finds more than comfort in routine and responsibility. She craves it. She lives a safe, uncomplicated life with her mother and her sister Angel. She has pizza with friends on Wednesdays, salsa class on Fridays, and when he’s available, she sees her boyfriend on Saturdays. She works a job that everyone says is beneath her at the dog shelter, but she knows that she’s making a difference in these animals’ lived. Despite all this, she’s always felt that the most interesting thing happened to her 13 days before she was born: her father went up the road for cigarettes and just kept on going. No one in her family has seen him since.

In "Finding Mr. Flood," Ciara Geraghty’s (first name pronounced Keira, like Keira Knightley) third novel, we’re invited into the Flood household. We soon learn that Dara’s older sister Angel is shining with life and vitality despite severe renal failure, and although she’s on the list for a kidney transplant, blood type matches are few and far between. After a potential donor ends up not being a match, Angel loses hope at an alarming rate, and Dara decides to take things into her own hands. She contacts a private investigator named Stanley to help her locate the elusive Mr. Flood in the hope that he’ll not only be a match, but will agree to donate a kidney. A long shot, but she has nothing left to lose at this point.

Throughout the novel, Dara learns more about herself than she ever thought possible. She learns that there’s nothing wrong with routine, but there’s nothing wrong with veering away from it as well. She also discovers that although she feels like she has to be serious and responsible all the time, there’s nothing wrong with letting go every once in awhile. And she’s not the only one evolving throughout the book. We meet a delightful cast of characters, all of whom are completely believable and incredibly engaging. The story definitely touches on some harder-hitting issues than you’d generally see in standard chick lit, but it doesn’t take away from the story at all. In fact, it provides a nice foil to the sweet and fluffy bits.

This book moves along at a nice pace. It wastes no time drawing you in, and you just want to keep reading once you’ve started. The way the blossoming romance between Dara and Stanley progressed was a refreshing change as well. There was no "they fell in love at first sight and were never apart again" stuff. It followed the natural, slightly choppy, rather awkward development of a budding romance. I really liked learning more about Stanley as well. So often authors only choose to concentrate character development on one or two main characters, but halfway through this novel, I realized that I felt like I actually knew all the characters that kept reappearing. I knew their flaws and foibles, and I could empathize with them through a number of different situations because of it.

I really enjoyed "Finding Mr Flood." It wasn’t clichéd, it wasn’t tedious, and it never lagged. I’m absolutely going to look for more of Ms Geraghty’s books ("Saving Grace" and "Becoming Scarlett") as soon as I can see over my to-be-read pile again. I just can’t get over how charming this book was. It was a delight to read, and although I was sad to put it down once it was over, it came to a very satisfying conclusion. If you’re a fan of Marian Keyes' style, you’ll definitely be drawn to this one!

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Eileen Cook is a modern day superwoman and she has a book to give away

2012-01-16T08:30:00.000-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

When the phrase “an amazing multi-tasker” is used, I tend to think of a modern-day superwoman. You know who I mean. That amazing woman who always manages to not only land the big accounts at work, but also have a nutritious, delicious, home-cooked dinner on the table every night, plus organize her family into picture-perfect snapshots for each and every holiday. To be honest, I was never a fan of that woman. However, Eileen Cook brings it all into focus and is actually a real-life multi-tasker that I can appreciate and look up to. With eight books under her belt (one of which has been optioned by a producer to become a movie), she just doesn’t quit! Her novels appear in six different languages, they cross genres (she’s written kids book, YA, and chick lit), and she has another job in addition to writing!!! Her latest novel, "Unraveling Isobel," was published earlier this month. She lives in Vancouver, Canada with her husband and two dogs.

Eileen is giving away TWO copies of "Unraveling Isobel" to some lucky readers anywhere in the US or Canada.

You can find out more about Eileen by visiting her website, as well as her Facebook and Twitter pages.

What do you do when you're not writing?
I am a huge reader. I always have stacks of books around the house. I also have a yarn addiction. I learned to knit a few years ago and I enjoy playing with the different colors and texture. After spending a day making things up, it's nice to do something with my hands. Some days you can spend hours writing and not have much to show for it, when I knit at least I end up with a sweater or a sock. (sometimes a misshapen sock, but it is a sock).

What is your usual writing routine?
I do my best creative writing in the afternoon. I use the mornings for edits, research, answering emails, and the occasional random internet surfing. (Hey, I have to keep up my celebrity gossip somehow) Although I love the idea of having a set schedule, my life sometimes gets in the way. I set a weekly word count goal. Some weeks I get most of that done in a couple days, sometimes it is just a little bit each day.

Do you base your characters on yourself or people you know?
I don't base my characters on any particular person, but I do steal bits and pieces. I'm always listening and watching other people, looking for what makes them stand out or be interesting. (Plus you can overhear some really interesting conversations!)

Without giving anything away, what is your favorite part of "Unraveling Isobel" and why?
My favorite part of the book is watching Isobel trying to determine if she is seeing ghosts, or if her sanity is slipping. I wanted her to be unsure what is happening, but also leave the reader feeling uncertain and second guessing themselves.

In one sentence, what was your journey to publishing like?
Frustrating, exciting, and scary. This isn't an easy business, you have to be determined and it doesn't hurt to have a great group of friends to support you along the way.

If "Unraveling Isobel" were made into a movie, who would play the lead characters?
I am terrible at casting because I want to put Colin Firth in the movie, not because there is a part for him, but because I want to meet him. I'd also give Johnny Depp an audition so he didn't feel left out. I would consider casting all new actors because it is always nice when you watch a movie and aren't automatically thinking of what other movies they have been in.

What two books have you read recently that have made you laugh?
I read "I Think I Love You" by Allison Pearson and "The Name of The Star" by Maureen Johnson.

What is your longest friendship?
I met my best friend Laura in seventh grade. She was the exotic new kid from the "big city." Anything compared to the town we lived in was the big city. We're still very close friends and talk on a regular basis.

Who was your childhood celebrity crush?
My earliest childhood crush was Scott Baio. This is sort of a shame because he's sort of a slimy character now. In high school I had a crush on John Taylor from the band Duran Duran. I think it is safe to say my taste in men evolved as I went along.

What month are you looking forward to the most this year, and why?
I always love March because my birthday is that month and this year I'm hoping to get out to New York City for a visit. Anytime I can go to NY it is a good thing!

Special thanks to Eileen for answering our questions and sharing her book with our readers.

How to win "Unraveling Isobel":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Eileen shared a picture of her high school self with us. Please tell us: What did you do in high school that made you think you were really cool?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends January 22nd at midnight EST.

Book Review: Fool's Mate

2012-01-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

By Cindy Roesel

I remember Laura Pedersen’s award-winning Hallie Palmer young adult novels in the early 2000’s. They made me realize I wasn’t the only person to somehow make it through those awkward teen years from hell by the seat of my pants. In 1994, President Bill Clinton named Laura one of Ten Outstanding Young Americans. She then went on every talk show, and soon started teaching in NYC. She’s been writing comedy, and this is her first novel in some time.

In FOOL’S MATE, like anyone of the characters in her previous YA novels, Josie Kincaid is playing cards and seeing the world though cynical eyes. She’s a journalist in her late 20’s who drinks too much, doesn’t eat right and sleeps with the wrong kind of men. Dad has passed away, Mom is living across the ocean in England and Josie she can barely keep the one thing that means anything to her – her career, which is basically her job as an investigative reporter 24/7. She’s constantly getting fired and rehired from the same job. But she’s good, she has that thing real journalists have that can’t be taught.

She finds herself teamed up with Mr. Yale trained preppy who has decided to dabble in news rather than follow his famous father’s footsteps into politics. He basically represents everything she detests. But when a huge assignment of a lifetime brings them together … well, you know where this is going!

Laura Pedersen has a real talent with dialogue. It’s crisp and clear and never gets in the way of the action. That’s a sizeable job with all the characters she has coming and going throughout the fast moving scenes. I really liked the pacing of FOOL’S MATE. The constant drama makes you want to keep reading.

In the future though, I’d reconsider the publishing format. You used a large type, so FOOL’S MATE came in at 450-pages and weighed over a 1 ½ pounds. That’s a lot for a novel, even an enjoyable one. However, you can get it for 99 cents on Kindle.

You can find Laura on Facebook and at her website.

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What's in the mail today? Plus some giveaways!

2012-01-13T08:30:00.000-05:00

**Giveaway is now closed**

Melissa A:

Won this from Erik Atwell's blog during his 80's music themed giveaway:

From Penguin Books:

e-books:

Free deals on Amazon:

This one is now $2.99.

Won from Girlfriends Book Club:

This is also $2.99.

From Safkhet Publishing:

"Recipes for Disaster" by Sheryl Browne

Amy:

e-book:

From Erik Atwell:

This is $2.99, as well.

Becky:

From Transworld Publishers:

"The Soldier's Wife" by Joanna Trollope

e-book:

From Susan McKinney De Ortega:

Now that you've seen what we are reading, here's your chance to pick up a new book!

Sibelle Hodge giving away THREE e-books of "The Baby Trap" in the format of the winners choice. (Worldwide.)

How to win: Please tell us what is next in your reading queue and include an e-mail address or another way to reach you.

Jessica DeGarmo is giving away ONE paperback of "The Storm Within" to a lucky reader in the US.

How to win: Please vote for Jessica's essay (so she can win a college scholarship) and then comment that you did this. Please include an e-mail address or another way to reach you.

When you comment, please let us know which book you want to win. It's okay to enter for both if you qualify by location (just let us know if you're in the US for "Storm Within.")

Both giveaways end January 18th at midnight EST.

Book Review: One Pink Line

2012-01-13T07:45:00.000-05:00

By Amy Bromberg

Everything seems to be going smoothly for Sydney. College graduation is around the corner, she has a job lined up, and her long-term boyfriend is ready to start a life together with her. But when those two pink lines show up, everything changes.

"One Pink Line" is told by from two points of view, from both Sydney and her daughter, Grace. I love how Dina Silver acquaints the readers with the past and the present, and how we get to watch the two characters grow and cope with what life has given them. Depending on which part I was reading, I felt as if I was either back in high school or in college. I can’t tell you how many times I wish I could go back to those carefree days.

Dina paints her characters remarkably well and you get a strong sense of who they are. I enjoyed the relationship between Sydney and her mother. In the beginning her mother appears cold and only interested in the superficial. But in the end she’s 150 percent there and ends up being a wonderful grandmother. We see Sydney go through some troubling emotions from the minute she finds herself pregnant, to experiencing the woes of labor, and ultimately learning how to balance her life with a baby who is 100% dependent on her. Even though Sydney is a strong individual, she gives off a tough exterior, as if she can handle things on her own. But deep down inside she’s scared and vulnerable and wants love and support.

This debut novel is a heartwarming story that touches upon love, family relationships and life’s touch decisions. It made me remember that with love and family on your side, all is good in the world. I can’t wait to find out what Dina has in store for her readers next.

Dina Silver will be at Chick Lit Central next week and some lucky readers in the US will have a chance to win this novel!

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Living, Loving and Laughing with Lacy Camey, plus a book giveaway

2012-01-12T07:45:00.000-05:00

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we welcome Lacy Camey and her debut novel, "The Last Page." Lacy lives in Houston, Texas with her husband Joel and their cat. Some of her hobbies include being in the outdoors, reading, cooking. She also loves movies and reality TV shows. A portion of the sales of "The Last Page" goes to supporting an orphanage in Southern America. Lacy is planning to open an orphanage very soon with proceeds from her books.

We're thrilled to have Lacy here today and pleased to announce that she is giving away THREE e-books of "The Last Page!" (Kindle only.)

You can visit Lacy at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

What inspired you to write “The Last Page?"

I had to write a full act for a screenplay writing class I took in undergrad as my final. The story always stayed with me. I worked on it over the years and it evolved as I evolved as a person. I couldn’t leave it alone!

What has been the most challenging aspect in your writing career?

As of right now, I would say the rewriting and finalizing stage.

Who are your favorite authors of all time?

Nicholas Sparks, Sophie Kinsella, Emily Giffin

Skittles or M&Ms?
Totally M&M's!

If "The Last Page” were optioned for film, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Nina Dobrev for Norah

Isla Fisher for Chloe

Maggie Grace for Maycee
Taylor Lautner for Orien

If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

I really enjoyed Sophie Kinsella’s book, “The Undomestic Goddess.” I’d have to say that one because Samantha gets to leave the world of paperwork, and live in the fresh air of the countryside in London. It’s one of my dreams to settle down with a bunch of land, a garden, something like that. So I always enjoy stories that involve the countryside, gardening and a simple, cute life!

Did you make any new year’s resolutions?

Yes. To read more!

Are you excited for the movie The Hobbit to come out? Are you a Lord of the Rings fan?
Sadly no. I am extremely excited, however, about The Dark Night Rises release this summer!

What is one piece of advice you have for future writers?

Let unfavorable reviews and criticism roll off your back. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and it’s important to learn early on, not everyone will like what you write. So, just realize, right away, you can’t please everyone and make peace with that. That’s why it’s important to write for yourself. Even when it’s tempting to get stressed through the difficult parts of writing, always remember to have fun. We are meant to enjoy life. And never give up! Stories don’t write themselves, people do. So stay at it!

Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

Yes. My husband and I are releasing a co-authored classic love story this summer and I’m releasing a thriller around October of this year.

Of course I need to tell Maycee’s story which will wrap up the third book in the Living, Loving, Laughing Again trilogy.

I also am planning on branching out and write girly YA under a penname with releases around Christmas 2012.

Thanks so much for having me!

Special thanks to Lacy for visiting with us and sharing her book with our readers!

How to win "The Last Page":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. "The Last Page" is about a girl who escapes to a home at the beach after a break-up. Please tell us: What is/was your go-to comfort item/activity after a break-up?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends January 17th at midnight EST.
**This is only for Kindle. If you are interested in entering, but don't have one, you can download Kindle for free to your PC.**

Winners of "High-Heels and Slippers!"

2012-01-11T16:51:00.002-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose five numbers.

Congrats to:
12-Kristen (kly.327)
30-Lilian
36-Karen A.
54-Jencey
66-Susan @ The Book Bag

Here's a message from Ella Slayne:
Huge thanks everyone who took part in the "High-Heels And Slippers!" giveaway. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a FAB chick lit resources as Chick Lit Central. Congratulations to the winners! I really hope you enjoy the book and that you find a new friend in Josie just as I have
found new friends in all of you!

Ella :-)

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating and to Ella for visiting with us and sharing her book with our winners!

Don't miss out on our current giveaways:

"Stay Tuned" by Lauren Clark
E-book-worldwide
Paperback-US only
Ends 1/17 at midnight EST

"A Summer in Europe" by Marilyn Brant
US/Canada only
Ends 1/16 at midnight EST

"Downward Dog, Upward Fog" by Meryl Davids Landau
US only
Ends 1/16 at midnight EST

Blogs of the week

2012-01-11T11:00:00.001-05:00

Our recent feature is "Blogs of the Week." Each week, we feature a reader blog (which has to be sent to us) and an author blog (which can either be sent to us, or we'll pick one at random). Please check out the blogs we are sharing. We're sure the bloggers would love some friendly comments on their posts or a follow.

Important: We are no longer taking submissions for blogs, as we are trying to phase out this feature. Thank you for participating and sharing your blogs with us, as well as visiting the blogs that have been shown here.

Reader:

....Kodjo Deynoo Poetry (K.D)

"Social commentary, poetry and words, rants, chit chat, blah blah blah and typos/finding the connection between the dots.- ._.-._.-._.------- Sometimes I make sense /those are bad days/sometimes I am funny/ those are good days/ sometimes it's dots and lines/ find the silver lining, your own meaning."

Author:

The Writer's Cocoon

A formal floral designer, Stephanie Haefner tossed her floral knife and stem wrap to follow her dream of becoming a published author. Before she embarked on her career in the floral industry, she was at a crossroads deciding between Floriculture Merchandising and Journalism as a college major. The floral detour lasted only so long (10 years, to be exact) and she once again found desire in creating written word, no longer feeling a connection with the flowers she had come to know so well. She started a true love affair with fiction and can easily lose herself in the worlds she creates.

Always the lover of romantic comedies, love and laughter seem to be ever present in her stories. Stephanie pulls her characters through a range of emotions, the reader hitching along for the roller coaster ride! If she can make someone laugh on one page and cry on another, her story is complete!

Stephanie is married and has a daughter and son. She enjoys dance class, scrapbooking and golf and when her life allows, date night with the hubby for dinner and a romantic comedy movie!

Her latest novel is "Karma Kameleon." You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Why we want to hug Lauren Clark, plus a book giveaway!

2012-01-11T08:30:00.000-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

Lauren Clark is no stranger to the English language. She has a BA in English Literature and a MA in journalism, and has won a number of awards as a news anchor for CBS in upstate New York. Lauren has been an insatiable reader since she was young, but "Stay Tuned" is her first voyage into the world of writing. Both Melissas here will want to hug her, as her main character's name is...wait for it...Melissa! She’s currently (when not busy with her husband, two sons, or any number of hobbies including cooking and yoga) working on a follow-up novel to "Stay Tuned," entitled "Dancing Naked in Dixie." You can follow Lauren at her blog, Facebook or Twitter.

Stay tuned for a chance to win her novel, as she has TWO paperbacks (US only) and TWO e-books (worldwide) to share with some lucky readers! (If you just can't wait to get your hands on it, it's only 99 cents for Kindle!)

Check out the trailer for "Stay Tuned":

Which authors have inspired you?
Sophie Kinsella is hands-down my favorite Chick Lit author. She is brilliant and laugh-out-loud funny! I’ve really liked most of Emily Giffin’s novels, though her first two were the best. Jennifer Weiner is also great—her stories are fresh and honest.

In one sentence, what was road to publishing like?
More difficult than I ever dreamed.

What essentials do you need for writing? (snacks, music, etc.)
I write best in the morning and need absolute quiet. I often go to the library at the local university near our house – if I stay home, the doorbell rings, the phone rings, and the Internet is too much of a distraction! The other essentials are lots of flavored coffee (yes, I am on a first-name basis with everyone at two coffee shops in town) and I have to have my MacBook!

What did you learn from writing "Stay Tuned?"
A freelance editor friend of mine gave me some great advice—to have fun with the novel! I also learned that revising and cutting entire scenes and characters is not the end of the world. It’s difficult, but eventually, the novel is better for it!

If "Stay Tuned" were made into a movie, whom would you cast in the lead roles?
Melissa – Amy Adams
Candace – Michelle Monaghan
Chris – Chris Pine
Alyssa – AnnaLynne McCord
Sharice – Jennifer Hudson

If you were deserted on an island, who are three famous people you would want with you?
John Besh –My husband and I love going to his restaurants in New Orleans. (Hey, a girl’s gotta eat on a desert island!)
Oprah – We’d never run out of things to talk about. (Plus, she got her start in TV news.)
Superman – So he could fly us all off the island

If you could name your next book character after a city/state/province/country, what would you choose?
I love the name Virginia. Also, Siena is lovely and exotic—after the city in Italy.

Favorite room in your residence?
My little office—it’s bright and airy with lots of photos of family and friends above a bookcase packed with my favorite novels.

In your opinion, what movie should never be remade for the 21st century?
Gone with the Wind

What is your favorite winter themed food?
Since I moved to the South, I’ve become a little bit addicted to Red Beans and Rice. Delicious and easy!

Special thanks to Lauren for visiting with us today and for sharing "Stay Tuned" with our readers!

How to win "Stay Tuned":

Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)
Please also say where you are located (US/Canada/Overseas).
Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What movie should never be remade for the 21st century?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Paperback is US only.
E-book is worldwide.
Giveaway ends January 17th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Blow Me

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

By Gail Allison

If you’re a fan of "Sex and the City," you won’t want to miss “Blow Me” by Lennie Ross. This fluffy, fun novel bounces through the lives of three single forty-somethings in L.A. as a nice, easy read. Don’t look to it for deep philosophical meaning though. If you take this one at face value, you’ll have an entertaining read that keeps you engaged pretty much throughout.

Skylar is an executive assistant who is lazy with a capital L. Unfortunately, her boss realizes this too, and keeps her around only long enough to train her replacements, and then she is cut loose. Dawn is a matchmaker at a dating agency who is starting to panic about her own biological clock. She’s trying to stop the clock by freezing her eggs, but at the same time she’s busy looking for a man. Chloe is struggling to make it as an actress, and paying the bills as a realtor. Her biggest dream in life is to marry rich.

After a wild night out, Skylar ends up burning down her apartment (her landlord is Dawn), and instead of being an adult about it and ‘fessing up, she skulks around, choosing to live out of her car (because she’ll NEVER give up her Mercedes), shower at the gym, and nosh on freebies from cafes around the neighborhood. She’s trying every tactic she knows to be noticed by the men around her because…hey! Free dinner! And maybe a relationship on the side?

All Dawn wants is a baby. But when a new relationship starts blossoming, she has no idea if she’s ready to jeopardize it by sharing just a little too much and telling him that she’s in the middle of having her eggs frozen just to delay the inevitable by a few years. Her “should I/shouldn’t I” waffling is a dominant argument in the book.

Chloe is a mess. She makes it painfully obvious that all she wants is to marry rich, but she’s so incredibly indelicate about trying to find someone that I honestly just wanted to flip past those pages. She certainly provides some comic relief, but she’s also quite a grating character.

The theme of female friendship and learning to lean on people is prevalent in this book, and I certainly enjoyed that aspect of it. It was well-written, and the storylines (there were three: one for each girl, and they all intertwined) drew you in and left you wondering what was going to happen next. However, these women are supposed to be in their mid-forties, but they were all acting like spoiled twenty-somethings.

Probably the most unfortunate part of this novel was the naked desperation that these women demonstrated. They all had talent: that much was obvious. But why did they all need to wait for a man to come along and show them the way? It was really frustrating to me to read the whiny diatribes of the characters about how sad it was that they were single and how they’d do anything to get a man, especially when there was so much to be appreciated in each of them. I wish these women were able to get it together without some dude waiting in the wings.

All in all, “Blow Me” was a fun read, and I certainly commend Lennie Ross for taking on the subject of women depending on each other in the big city, especially since Sex and the City set the bar so high. I’d certainly recommend it to anyone who enjoys Candace Bushnell’s writing style, or is just looking for a nice light read. Do take this one with a grain of salt, though, and remember to look yourself in the mirror afterward reading it and repeat, “I don’t need a man to be my best self”.

You might also like:

Winners of "Stella Makes Good"

2012-01-10T21:19:00.003-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose three numbers. It picked 21, 25 and 60.

Congrats to Linda Kish, Peace, Love & Scrapbooking and StereoQueenBee!

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Update (1/13): One of our winners didn't claim her prize in time, and we have chosen a new winner through random.org. They picked 23.

Congrats to Rachael Johns!

Thanks to everyone for participating.
Thanks to Lisa for a lovely interview and for sharing her book with our winners!

Don't forget to enter our current giveaways:

"A Summer in Europe" by Marilyn Brant
US/Canada only
Ends 1/16 at midnight EST

"Downward Dog, Upward Fog" by Meryl Davids Landau
US only
Ends 1/16 at midnight EST

"High Heels and Slippers!" by Ella Slayne (e-book)
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Winners of "Whispers from the Heart"/Amazon Gift Card

2012-01-10T14:40:00.000-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose two numbers. It picked 5 and 10.

Congrats to Stephanie (Skk25) and Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields!

Here's a message from Heather Hummel:
WHISPERS FROM THE HEART is the first in the Journals from the Heart series, and much like a first love, my first novel is one that will always have a special place in my heart. As Madison’s journey finds its way into the hands of many through venues such as Chick Lit Central, I am encouraged by the impact this book is having on readers. When I wrote it, I set out to find balance of life’s natural ups and downs that lead us to believing in fate and destiny. It is with my gratitude that Chick Lit Central embraced WHISPERS FROM THE HEART and shared it with all of you.

The answers to the Giveaway question were fabulous, and I was so happy to see how many of you contributed. Cheers to you! And a hearty Congratulations, if you’ve won the autographed paperback copy or the $10 Amazon Gift Card. It’s wonderful theme-based blogs like Chick Lit Central that connect authors to their readers. Thank you!

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating.
Thanks to Heather for answering our questions and sharing her book (and gift card) with our winners.

Don't forget to enter our current giveaways:

"A Summer in Europe" by Marilyn Brant
US/Canada only
Ends 1/16 at midnight EST

"Downward Dog, Upward Fog" by Meryl Davids Landau
US only
Ends 1/16 at midnight EST

"High Heels and Slippers!" by Ella Slayne (e-book)
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Marilyn Brant's European tour stops here and we're giving away her latest novel!

2012-01-10T07:50:00.001-05:00

**Giveaway is now closed**

We are thrilled to have Marilyn Brant back at Chick Lit Central. She was first here in the fall of 2010 to talk about "Friday Mornings at Nine." She's now sharing her latest novel, "A Summer in Europe" with us in a very cool way. Over the past month or so, she has gone on a blog tour by sharing a different European highlight at each stop. We are honored that she saved Paris for us, as Melissa P. is a huge fan of the city. We've also been featuring a lot of Paris themed novels lately, so it's a perfect fit!

Thanks to Kensington Books, we have TWO copies of "A Summer in Europe" for some lucky readers in the US or Canada.

You can visit Marilyn at her website and blog, as well as Facebook and Twitter. You can also read an excerpt from "A Summer in Europe."

Should you wish to travel the full book/trip itinerary with Marilyn, the stops include:

Friday 11/25: Rome at Magical Musings
Monday 11/28: Pompeii at SOS Aloha
Tuesday 11/29: Isle of Capri at The Stiletto Gang
Wednesday 11/30: Venice at Girlfriends Book Club
Thursday 12/1: Budapest at Women's Fiction Writers
Friday 12/2: Florence at Writer Unboxed
Monday 12/5: London at Austen Authors
Tuesday 12/6: Salzburg at Robin Bielman's Blog
Wednesday 12/7: Lake Como at Brant Flakes
Monday 12/12: French Riviera at Get Lost in a Story
Thursday 12/15: Pisa at Fly High
Wednesday 12/21: Vienna at What Women Write
Friday 12/30: Verona at Brant Flakes
Monday 1/9: Brussels at Uni-Verse-City

‘A Summer in Europe’ Adventure: Visiting Paris

First of all, many thanks to Melissa A and P, Amy and everyone at Chick Lit Central for inviting me to visit today. It’s wonderful to be here!

For the past month and a half, I’ve been celebrating the release of my third women's fiction book, "A Summer in Europe," by taking a journey around the web and talking about some of my favorite European sites, specifically the ones that appear in the new novel. The story is about a teacher named Gwendolyn Reese, who gets a month-long tour through Europe as a 30th birthday gift from her eccentric Aunt Bea and her aunt's Sudoku-and-Mahjongg Club. Gwen takes a chance and goes on the trip, and she soon finds herself zipping through famous capital cities, tasting wondrous regional dishes and meeting unusual people as she explores Italy, France, Switzerland, Hungary, Germany, Austria, Belgium and England.

One of the major cities Gwen visits late in the novel, and the place I’ve selected as my final stop for my blog/travel tour, is one of my European favorites: Paris. I usually hate to see a long trip come to an end but, if there must be a finale to the journey, the “City of Light” makes a lovely choice! I’ve been fortunate to visit Paris twice; both occasions were with my husband early in our marriage. Once upon a time, it had been the last city on our own grand European tour, back in the mid-1990s. My husband and I backpacked that summer from Munich to Vienna, all the way around Italy and up through the Swiss Alps to northern France. We then spent our last three uninterrupted days in Europe crisscrossing through Paris in every possible direction.

I still remember our hotel—a tiny inn near the Gare du Nord train station (really inexpensive!)—which had creaky wooden floors, a shared bathroom down the hall and a charming view of a neighborhood Parisian street. After picking up a tart or quiche from a shop nearby for breakfast, we’d trek into the center of town for the day…sometimes strolling, sometimes racing through the famous sites. I got to spend a little more time in the Louvre than my heroine does (she’s only given an hour to view the artistic masterpieces, while I had about five hours) but it still wasn’t long enough. That trip inspired me to learn to paint, so I wanted to see as much art as I could in the city, especially the Impressionists at the Orsay Museum, the Mona Lisa at the Louvre and the famous Rodin sculptures—all amazing.

My husband, who loves and teaches world history, insisted we visit Napoleon’s Tomb/Les Invalides, the site of the Bastille and the Place de la Concorde, but he also appreciated other major landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral, Sacré-Coeur Basilica and the Luxembourg Palace and Gardens (the photo of me alone by the flowers was taken there). We saw as much as we could in between what I felt was our REAL Parisian task: to taste-test all of those great pastries!!

Special thanks to Marilyn for the armchair adventure and to Kensington for sharing "A Summer in Europe" with our readers.

How to win "A Summer in Europe":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Do you have a favorite city anywhere in the world that sparks your imagination? One that calls to you and has you daydreaming of taking a trip there?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US/Canada only. Giveaway ends January 16th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Dogs Have Angels Too

2012-01-10T07:45:00.000-05:00

By Cindy Roesel

It’s always exciting to start reading a new novel, but I must say I was extra excited to begin DOGS HAVE ANGELS TOO. There were several reasons. Hello, everyone knows I’m a dog fanatic and there’s a cute little bulldog on the pink cover. And best of all, the cover is a laminated film, so I just couldn’t stop rubbing the book. I have a thing for paper stock! I either really LOVE it or freak out and itch! I wish EVERY novel was published on this “10-point coated-one-side with film lamination.” What’s even better is the novel is REALLY good, too!

“I don’t know how you do it, Miss Pinky, living like you do day in and day out.”
“I’m better off today than I was last week,” I say.
“How do you justify your life?”
“Find something to do that makes you feel worthwhile.”

Sarah Cavallaro’s, DOGS HAVE ANGELS TOO is a modern day allegory that helps us take a look at our lives and at what matters most. It uses dogs because we all love dogs and they’re not threatening. In this novel, our four-legged friends really need our help.

In DOGS HAVE ANGELS TOO, Miss Pink leads a bunch of down-on-their-luck Manhattan women, who ultimately find hope in the most unlikely of places: an over-crowded animal shelter, where unwanted pets are routinely abandoned to their last days. Miss Pink, a victim of the economic downturn and divorcee finds herself regularly living in the park, and makes it her job to find homes for a many of the pooches at the Animal Care Center.

Her “adoption walks” bring her to meet a series of fellow New Yorkers, all of whom are struggling with their own personal and financial crises. In other words, they are all uniquely ready for recruitment in Miss Pink’s master plan - which she’s devising by the seat of her favorite pink pants!

It would be easy to write off Miss Pink as an eccentric. I mean there are times she has to eat from the trash, but those who come in contact with her can’t help but be attracted to her energy and main goal to help the animals. Just when you think Miss Pink isn’t going to come through, she does. She creates a positive force that somehow permeates her travels throughout the city and makes you keep on reading to see what fix she gets out of next. And remember, everything is to help the animals!

I liked the fact that Sarah wrote a novel with the main character over fifty and interacting with younger characters at the Animal Center and throughout the city. It would be too simple to judge Miss Pink in an unfair light. I’d say you’re not getting it. Maybe you just want to rub the cover. You can find Sarah Cavallaro and "Dogs Have Angels Too" on Facebook.

You might also like:

Winners of "150 Pounds"

2012-01-09T12:10:00.003-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose three numbers. It picked 24, 52 and 74.

Congrats to karenk, Lilya Davidovna and Ananda!

Here's a message from Kate Rockland:
I'd just like to reach out and give you a big hug over Chick Lit Central's waves of cyperspace! Thank you so much for your interest in "150 Pounds." Being a writer can mean spending a lot of time in one's own head, so it's great to be a part of this Chick Lit community. I'd love to stay in touch with you, dear readers and winners. Please sign up for my emails at www.katerockland.com, and don't hesitate to contact me on Facebook or Twitter! I'd like to develop long, lasting relationships with all of you.

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. If you ever start those blogs you shared in your comments, please let us know!
Thanks to Kate for visiting with us and sharing her exciting news!
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sharing "150 Pounds" with our winners.

There's still time to enter our current giveaways:

"Downward Dog, Upward Fog" by Meryl Davids Landau
US only
Ends 1/16 at midnight EST

"High Heels and Slippers!" by Ella Slayne (e-book)
Ends 1/10 at midnight EST

"Stella Makes Good" by Lisa Heidke
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

"Whispers from the Heart" by Heather Hummel or $10 Amazon gift card
US/Canada only
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Meryl Davids Landau shares her inspiration and her debut novel

2012-01-09T08:30:00.000-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

One day, when Meryl Davids Landau was in her 20's and sweating it out on a bike at a New York City gym, she admired an ethereal woman gliding by. “That’s the yoga teacher,” someone said, and that was all it took. In less than the hour it took to complete her first class, Meryl was smitten. She eventually took up the study of yoga, meditation, and Hindu philosophy at the Integral Yoga Institute in New York and Buckingham, Virginia. She is now certified to teach yoga, and has published a number of articles on chakras, energy healing, and other alternative themes in addition to general women's health and lifestyle topics. "Downward Dog, Upward Fog" (reviewed here) is her first novel, about a woman struggling to live the spiritual teachings she learns in her everyday life. One of the characters, Consuela, is based on that very yoga teacher who inspired the whole journey for Meryl.

Thanks to Meryl we have one copy of "Downward Dog, Upward Fog" to give to a lucky reader anywhere in the US.

You can visit Meryl at her website, Facebook and Twitter.

The Fun of Writing Fiction

I've considered myself a writer ever since an assigned essay was read aloud by my teacher in the fourth grade. I always knew that writing would play a major role in my career, and a few years after college I settled into freelancing for magazines. Over the years, my nonfiction articles—profiles, how-tos, Q&As, narratives—have appeared in national magazines like O: The Oprah Magazine, Reader's Digest, Glamour, Self, Redbook, More, Good Housekeeping, and Whole Living. I don't say this to boast: I want to convey how comfortable I felt writing nonfiction for so long—and, therefore, how scary it was to open a blank page on my laptop and begin my novel.

All of us know that wrapped-in-a-blanket sensation of doing what we've always done, and how easy it is to stay in that cozy space when it comes to a career. (Or, for that matter, to a relationship, a friendship, a house….) After all, I knew how to write magazine articles, but hadn't yet deconstructed what goes into a good novel. (I had heard, and felt somewhat unnerved, that Somerset Maugham once quipped that there are three rules for writing a novel, but "no one knows what they are.") I'd always loved reading women's fiction, but I was pretty sure that reading something wasn't quite the same as writing it.

Then one morning as I was scrambling some eggs, I half-heard an author on a TV show (I wasn't paying close enough attention to know who) say that she started writing the kinds of novels she did because she'd asked herself, "Where are the novels for women like me?" I'd long been interested in yoga, meditation and other non-religious spiritual pursuits, and had lamented that all the books about these things were serious and dry nonfiction. I hadn't thought about the possibility of writing a playful women's novel that wove in these deeper themes until I heard that author. The hair on my arms stood up at attention; she was talking to me!

I went right to my computer to see where this idea would take me, equal parts thrilled and terrified. Right away I realized the difference between a magazine article and a novel—a novel is long! It was hard to remember what I wrote in prior chapters, yet consistency, of characters, places and plot, is key. Plus, it takes so much longer to complete. I did work on Downward Dog, Upward Fog only part time, between my paying magazine articles, but, still, it took several years to write and rewrite (and rewrite and rewrite). Even though early on I knew this was going to be the story of a woman struggling to live her yoga and spiritual teachings in her everyday life—in the face of backstabbing coworkers, a workaholic boyfriend, a highly critical mother and all the other challenges all of us know well—I had to learn character development, dialogue, pacing and flow. Then there was the extra challenge that I was aiming to stretch the genre of women's fiction into a spiritual realm, where it hasn't much gone before. I was intent that readers would feel inspired in their own spiritual journey by reading my novel, but I was eager to avoid sounding preachy or dogmatic. Although the topic was deep, the story had to be lighthearted and fun.

Fortunately, I quickly realized something that made fiction so enjoyable: I got to make stuff up. I mean, think about how powerful that is, how someone like J.K. Rowling could conjure up a boy named Harry, and ultimately make him so real there are games, toys, even theme parks in his honor. I don't profess to be Rowling, but it was exhilarating for me to create something from nothing, having my main character Lorna go from a wisp of an idea to someone I consider a close girlfriend. It's what kept me at the computer day after day.

Of course, now that my novel is published and selling well, and I regularly hear from women who are both loving it and feeling uplifted, the way I'd always hoped, I'm delighted that I took the risk. I want to share this story in the hopes that it helps other women go out of their comfort zone and stretch themselves, too. Is there something new you're wanting to try? If not writing a novel, perhaps starting or expanding a blog, beginning an entrepreneurial venture, making waves in a nonprofit endeavor?

The start of a new year is a perfect time to commit yourself to that project that's been bubbling under the surface in your life, even if it's kind of scary to let it out.

Special thanks to Meryl for inspiring us to write or other projects that have been on our mind and for sharing her book with our readers.

"How to win "Downward Dog, Upward Fog":

Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):

1. Please tell us: What topic would inspire you to write a fictional novel?

2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).

3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.

4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)

5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

US only. Giveaway ends January 16th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Seeing Julia

2012-01-09T07:45:00.000-05:00

By Becky Gulc

"Seeing Julia," by Katherine Clare Owen, is a story about one woman’s journey through grief. Julia Hamilton has experienced the loss of loved ones too many times in her life. When we first meet Julia, as readers we don’t know whether she can take anymore, she doesn’t know herself. Julia’s parents died in a helicopter accident when she was 16, only a few years later her beloved fiancé, Bobby, is killed in Afghanistan. Fast-forward a few years and we join Julia as she is 27 old and now burying her husband, Evan, the father of her baby, Reid.

The story ultimately centres on how Julia copes with this grief, the "after," and we are told this through a first person perspective. Evan’s best friend Jake is thrown into the mix which adds a whole load of complications for Julia. Jake and Julia clearly have a connection, which is immediately apparent following events after the funeral; he even ends up saving her life. But who is he? And can Julia even contemplate loving again?

Whatever the connection Julia soon leaves New York with her two best friends Kimberley and Stephanie for Paris, to try and escape the memories and come to terms with yet another loss. With Evan’s business hanging over her however, and the involvement of her friends in sustaining this business, sooner or later Julia is going to have to face reality and go home. Jake is driving the business too, so she can’t escape him either!

I found this book to be immediately captivating. Yes it’s a dark sad subject but I was gripped. I was instantly impressed by Katherine’s writing, she conveyed the initial grief and despair at yet another loss so well, I felt this loss with her. The initial chapters reminded me of Maggie O’Farrell’s "After You’d Gone," that’s how impressed I was.

I enjoy a good emotional read and this fits the bill. The book avoids being too overly depressing thanks to the support networks Julia has in place, she has the best friends seeing her through it and they would drop anything for her. So unlucky in some respects, so lucky in others. Although Julia feels very alone in her grief, as a reader you know just how much she is enveloped in love and you hope that love will be enough to see her come through it.

I didn’t quite comprehend Julia’s immediate "connection" with Jake considering she was at her husband’s funeral when they meet, but that all becomes clearer and conceivable as the novel develops. Jake’s fiancé also throws a few interesting spanners into the works, adding intriguing plot lines within the story.

The story has scenes in New York, Paris and L.A. I developed a real sense of each of these settings through Katherine’s rich description, especially of the homes by the sea.

My criticisms would be that I found the constant references to the "inner circle," rather than "friends," a bit tiresome, as well as the references to "seeing" people, e.g. "you don’t see me." These would be fine in moderation, but I felt they were a little over-played. There were also a few words missing from the text here and there, but not a significant issue. I also always felt like the character was older than the 27 years she was meant to be, maybe in her early to mid-thirties, but that’s just how it felt to me. I also found the cover a little old-fashioned; I didn’t feel this about the story itself and I wonder if this cover would appeal to a broad-spectrum of readers.

Overall, I would recommend this to people who enjoy a good emotional story which is character-driven. There is enough substance in the surrounding story to make you wonder and not guess what is coming. The secrets are unveiled at the right moments and stop the novel being too consumed with Julia’s internal-dialogue over her grief, which is naturally important to the story, but could have become a little tiresome if it wasn’t for the intriguing sub-plot. I think Julia will be one of those characters that stays in my mind for a while.

You might also like:

What's in the mail today?

2012-01-06T08:30:00.000-05:00

Melissa A:

From Transworld UK:

I'm reading this now and it's cute so far. I've already laughed out loud and it's just the beginning!

e-books:

Available for free on Smashwords until January 8th (Sunday):

It's also 99 cents for Kindle and Nook!

From Josie Brown:

It's $2.99 for Kindle.

From Juliette Sobanet:

It's $3.99 for Kindle.

From Elizabeth Ann West:

Amy got this too! It's $3.99 for Kindle.

Becky:

From Avon Romance:

"Pear Shaped" by Stella Newman

Amy:

From Laura Spinella:

e-book:

Won this from Elle Lit:

It's $2.99 for Kindle.

Winners of "Point, Click, Love"

2012-01-05T16:20:00.000-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose five numbers.

Congrats to:
5-Stephanie (Skk25)
10-Alexa
40-cat123hen
62-kaewink
71-Heather (Ra6352)

Here's a message from Molly Shapiro:
Thanks so much to Chick Lit Central for highlighting my debut novel, "Point, Click, Love," and to all of you who participated in this giveaway! It’s been such a treat for me to get to know the people who create this excellent blog and the many people who read it. I do hope that my novel is a welcome addition to the Chick Lit Central family. To the winners, I hope you enjoy the book and will look forward to hearing your responses. I think the best part of this whole experience has been getting feedback from readers. (Mostly positive so far!) All the best and a very, very Happy New Year to you all!

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Hope you all had a good time ringing in the new year! Thanks to Molly for sharing her yummy cookie recipe and her book!

Check out our current giveaways:

"High Heels and Slippers!" by Ella Slayne (e-book)
Ends 1/10 at midnight EST

"Stella Makes Good" by Lisa Heidke
Ends 1/9 at midnight EST

"Whispers from the Heart" by Heather Hummel or $10 Amazon gift card
US/Canada only
Ends 1/9 at midnight EST

"150 Pounds" by Kate Rockland
Ends 1/8 at midnight EST

What's in store for 2012

2012-01-05T12:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a small selection of the books we're looking forward to in 2012. (If we didn't limit our list to three a person, we'd be writing non-stop!)

Are these on your list too?

Melissa A:
"Another Piece of My Heart" by Jane Green
"Where We Belong" by Emily Giffin
"The Next Best Thing" by Jennifer Weiner

Amy:
"These Girls" by Sarah Pekkanen
"Blackberry Winter" by Sarah Jio
"Jeneration X" by Jen Lancaster

Becky:
"One Perfect Summer" by Paige Toon
"I've Got Your Number" by Sophie Kinsella
"Heaven Can Wait" by Cally Taylor (Not a new book but because I loved "Home for Christmas," as some say this book is even better!)

Cindy:
"Outside The Lines" by Amy Hatvany
"The Lucky Dog Matchmaking Service" by Beth Kendrick
"When In Doubt, Add Butter" by Beth Harbison

Gail:
"Let's Pretend This Never Happened (a memoir)" by Jenny Lawson
"I've Got Your Number" by Sophie Kinsella
"Jeneration X" by Jen Lancaster

We are also eagerly awaiting the release of "Viewer Discretion Advised" by our very own Cindy Roesel!

Here's a synopsis:
Charlene “CHARLEY” Thomas is a sassy, smart, Miami Television News Executive with a closet full of Via Spiga pumps, designer suits, maxed out credit cards and a well-stocked fridge of Ketel One Vodka. Charley is addicted to M&M’s (plain, not peanut) and her six-foot-four, blue-eyed surfer hunk boyfriend, Oz. When it comes to work, she is determined to do anything to get a story.
When she stumbles across an unsolved murder, she sees investigating and even possibly solving it as her ticket to the Networks. But in the process she risks losing her own life.

VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED is a spicy mix of “Sex and the City” meets “Broadcast News.”

*Melissa P. is still focusing on her husband's recovery and was not available to share her list. We have a feeling she will agree with all of our choices and we know she's always excited to read the latest and greatest in chick lit!

There are many more exciting novels to look forward to in 2012 and we hope to feature as many of them as we can. Happy reading!

Ella Slayne has some questions for you and a fun novel to share!

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

Ella Slayne is originally from the UK and now lives in the US with her family, which is comprised of one husband, three children, three guinea pigs, and a number of fish. She has a drama degree from Manchester University, as well as an acting diploma from the Webber Douglas Academy in London. Her first novel, "High-Heels And Slippers!," is available as an e-book at Smashwords and Barnes and Noble and in paperback (as well as e-book) at Amazon. She’s currently in the middle of revisions to her second novel, "Holding Me Up."

You can find her at both her website, and at her blog. You can follow her on Twitter or check out her Facebook page. Stop by and say hi, she would love to hear from you!

Ella is giving away FIVE e-copies of "High Heels & Slippers" to some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

First off, tell us about your awesome book, "High Heels & Slippers," and what inspired you to write it…

The inspiration for Josie's story came from the fact that four years ago my Uncle Alan passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. It was a clear reminder that life can be short and is precious and that we have the make of the most it of while we can. At the beginning of High-Heels, Josie is self-centered and preoccupied with the small stuff and the book is about her emotional growth as she realizes that she needs to look at the bigger picture. I knew wanted to create a Chick Lit book with a poignant twist and a heroine who was lovable, even though she can be a bit frustrating at times. The setting and plot sort of unraveled as I wrote.

Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

Ooh yes so many things... do you ever watch those book trailers that keep popping up everywhere? Where's your favourite place to read, in the bath, by the fire, on the bus? Do you buy ebooks or paperbacks? Does anyone still buy hardbacks? The publishers say Chick Lit is dead - do you agree? If you could take one book to keep you company on a desert island, what would it be? I feel we could chat for ages...

Which authors have inspired you?

I am in awe of writers who can create a completely different world, like Suzanne Collins with the Hungers Games but then I also love writers who take normal, slice of life-type setting and turn it into a compelling character study, like Roddy Doyle or Anita Shreve. I also love comedy with a poignant edge and growing up I was hugely influence by playwright Alan Bennett, comedy writer Victoria Wood and screenplay writer Mike Leigh. Actually movies are a bit of an influence for me; I love indie films, which are slow paced and let the plot unravel slowly.

Did you base your main character on yourself?

Not intentionally! There are some similarities though, for example, I did work in a shirt company for a time but it was nothing like Harpers & Green! And I do also share Josie's fear of over-sized toilet cubicles!

If "High Heels & Slippers" were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
This is a FAB question because this is what I think about when I daydream! I'm having trouble finding Josie because they're all too thin. Gemma Aterton or Emily Blunt would be great ...maybe they'd plump up a bit for the role? I think Mila Kunis would be perfect for Becky. The first time I saw Matthew Goode in the film Leap Year, I thought he'd be a wonderful Callum (if he can pull off an American accent). James Marsden is also a Callum-candidate and I can't help thinking James MacAvoy in a sharp suit would work too! Bradley Cooper for Bob - or is that too predictable? Tatum Channing insead? And as for Tom...what about Christian Bale? It would be interesting to see him play a vulnerable character like that! Or Jude Law perhaps?

What is your most unique trait?
Oh crikey that's a tough one to answer. I dunno... I'm left-handed? Or maybe the fact that I can raise one eyebrow? Not that unique right?

What is one item you can't live without?

Tweezers and a good pair of woolly socks.

Now that it's a new year, what month are you looking forward to most?

I love the Autumn so I'm looking forward to September (it's also my birthday month) but I'll enjoy the months in between as well!

Which singer or music group gives off the most chick lit feel to you?

Taylor Swift, Snow Patrol, James Morrison, Owl City, Matt Nathanson, Cold Play, Kate Bush...I could go on and on; it depends on my mood at the time.

Funniest thing that happened to you recently?

You mean aside from being given some paper panties to wear at a spa recently and realizing, after my Invigorating Seaweed Body Mask, that I'd been wearing them back to front? Erm...nothing much really!

Thanks to Ella for chatting with us and for sharing her e-book with our readers!

How to win "High-Heels & Slippers!":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: Now that it's a new year, which month are you looking forward to most?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends January 10th at midnight EST.

Winners of "Destined to Fail"

2012-01-04T15:30:00.002-05:00

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and had random.org choose two numbers. It picked 26 and 39.

Congrats to Amber @ A Little Pink in the Cornfields and Jencey!

Here's a message from Samantha March:
Thank you to everyone who signed up to win this giveaway! It was so inspiring to read what struggles some of you have overcome and some that you still plan on doing. Never give up, and never doubt yourself! A big thank you to Chick Lit Central for hosting me and letting me reach out to more of you. As a book reviewer myself, I know how busy (and sometimes unappreciated) book blogs are, so thank you again for letting me be here. To the winners – I hope you enjoy Jasmine’s story and take something away from "Destined to Fail." For those who didn’t win – I hope you still get to read my book and know that whatever obstacles get in your way, you’re stronger than them. Happy New Year everyone! Cheers to happy, healthy, and successful 2012!

Reminder: If you have won a book, you have about 48 hours to claim it by sending your contact information. (You will be e-mailed if you have won, as well.) After that time, a new winner will be picked.

Thanks to everyone for participating. Thanks to Samantha for sharing her tasty sounding recipe and her book!

Stop by and enter our current giveaways:

"Stella Makes Good" by Lisa Heidke
Ends 1/9 at midnight EST

"Whispers from the Heart" by Heather Hummel or $10 Amazon gift card
US/Canada only
Ends 1/9 at midnight EST

"150 Pounds" by Kate Rockland
Ends 1/8 at midnight EST

"Point, Click, Love" by Molly Shapiro (e-book)
Ends TONIGHT at midnight EST

Blogs of the week

2012-01-04T11:00:00.001-05:00

Lisa Heidke makes good with us by sharing her latest novel!

2012-01-04T08:30:00.000-05:00

Introduction by Gail Allison

**Giveaway is now closed**

Lisa Heidke grew up in Brisbane, Australia, and has worked in book and magazine publishing in London and Sydney. She currently lives on the north shore with her husband and three children. One New Year’s Eve at an alcohol-fuelled party, she found herself exclaiming to anyone who would listen, “I could have written that!” about a newly published novel. The next morning, her husband reminded her about her bluster and bravado the night before, and pointed her in the direction of the computer. Lisa was completely confident that by the next New Year’s Eve party she attended, she’d have a novel written and well on its way to publication. That was ten years ago. She certainly has something to show for it, however. Her fourth novel, "Stella Makes Good," was published yesterday, which is nothing short of impressive!

Lisa is giving away THREE copies of "Stella Makes Good" to some lucky readers anywhere in the world!

You can visit Lisa at her website, Twitter and Facebook.

Check out the trailer for "Stella Makes Good":

Who are two authors who have inspired you and why?

Marian Keyes: I love her sense of humour, her take on modern life and her first person confessional tone of writing. I think she is a very funny and clever writer. I have read all of Keye’s books and admire her down to earth nature and generosity in talking about her setbacks and personal demons she’s had to conquer during her life. I also admire her ability not to take herself too seriously. She’s fabulous.

Stephen King: I haven’t read much of his fiction, when I read On Writing which is part memoir, part tutorial, on the craft of writing, it all clicked for me. I’ve always loved story writing but King’s book really opened my eyes to the craft. His anecdotes and personal struggles as well as his practical advice on writing have been invaluable to me. At least once a year, I’ll go back and reread On Writing and I always learn something new. He’s an inspiration.

What is your usual writing routine?

In a perfect world, after I have cleared away the detritus from the previous night’s toga party, tortured the children, loaded them in a cannon and shot them to school, I write for four hours every week day during the school term. I try not to write on weekends or during school holidays. Of course that’s not always possible. Reality has a way of interfering with my perfect world.

Those days when I do write? If the writing is going well four or five hours can zoom by and at the end I might have 2500 words that I’m relatively happy with. If the writing’s not flowing, say I’m stuck on a scene and can’t move forward, I can easily fritter hours away on FB, twitter, celebrity gossip sites and staring out the window. Not productive! Then I’ll panic because I’m thousands of words behind.

What is one piece of advice you have for future writers?

Write what you know (but don’t take that to mean from my current book that I’m a raging swinger). Keep writing. Completing a manuscript takes time, persistence and dedication. Trust yourself...okay so that’s more than one.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

The feedback from readers when they tell me reading my book brightened their weekend. I remember one particular woman contacting me after reading Lucy Springer Gets Even saying that the book helped keep her sane while she was going through a bitter break up.

If "Stella Makes Good” were optioned for film, who would play Stella, Jesse, Louisa and Carly?

Good question:

American Australian

Stella Reese Witherspoon* Rachel Griffiths
Jesse Drew Barrymore Isla Fisher

Louisa Eva Mendez Toni Collette

Carly Kristen Wiig Naomi Watts

*She’ll need to dye her hair darker

What is the strangest, craziest or most "out there" New Year’s resolution you have ever made?

The one where at a party I told everyone I could write a book. ‘Piece of cake!’ Yeah, right! And then there was the time I promised myself I would never again apply make-up whilst drinking tequila shots. You end up looking like a freakish clown.

Chocolate or vanilla?

Hands down, chocolate!

If you could take us on a tour of the town you live in, where would we go first?

I live in Sydney, Australia and visitors are always telling me they’re dying for great views, so I’d take them to Waverley Cemetery, which for the living, has spectacular cliff views of the harbour and surrounds.

Then I’d take you on the harbour bridge climb where we’d get a brilliant overview of Sydney, followed by drinks at the Opera Bar, next to the Sydney Opera House!

What empowers you the most?

The ability to use my imagination for good!! Actually, it’s probably knowing that despite the whinging I do when I am starting a new novel, I have done it before so deep down, I know I can do it again. Often it’s a leap of faith, but generally, I believe in my ability to write an entertaining story.

Special thanks to Lisa for answering our questions and sharing her book with our readers!

How to win "Stella Makes Good":
Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):
1. Please tell us: What is the strangest, craziest or most "out there" New Year’s resolution you have ever made?
2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).
3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.
4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)
5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Giveaway ends January 9th at midnight EST.

Chick Lit Central: The Blog!

Winners of "Oh, Baby!"

Laura Spinella is anything *but* a disaster and she has a book to give away!

Book Review: Marriage And Other Games

What's in the mail today?

Book Review: The "What If" Guy

Books of the Week-January 26th

Terri Giuliano Long's ode to book bloggers...plus a special contest!

Book Review and Giveaway: The Guys' Guy's Guide to Love

Blogs of the week

Rachel Bertsche can be *our* BFF and she has a book to give away!

Winners of "Unscripted"

Winners of "One Pink Line"

My New BFF--An evening with Rachel Bertsche

We don't know how Laura Pedersen does it...plus a book giveaway

Book Review: Home Front

Winners of "Unraveling Isobel"

Book Review: The Last Blind Date

Claire Matthews keeps it short and sweet and has a novella to give away!

Book Review: The Other Life

Book Review: On Any Given Sundae

What's in the mail today?

Winners of "The Storm Within" and "The Baby Trap"

Books of the Week-January 19th

Megan Rix teaches dogs new tricks and has a book to give away

Winners of "The Last Page"

Winners of "Stay Tuned"

Blogs of the week

Double your fun with Natalie Aaron and Marla Schwartz, plus a book giveaway

Book Review: Favorable Conditions

Winners of "A Summer in Europe"

Winner of "Downward Dog, Upward Fog"

Dina Silver is the "Hallmark" of chick lit quality and has a debut novel to give away!

Book Review: Finding Mr. Flood

Eileen Cook is a modern day superwoman and she has a book to give away

Book Review: Fool's Mate

What's in the mail today? Plus some giveaways!

Book Review: One Pink Line

Living, Loving and Laughing with Lacy Camey, plus a book giveaway

Winners of "High-Heels and Slippers!"

Blogs of the week

Why we want to hug Lauren Clark, plus a book giveaway!

Book Review: Blow Me

Winners of "Stella Makes Good"

Winners of "Whispers from the Heart"/Amazon Gift Card

Marilyn Brant's European tour stops here and we're giving away her latest novel!

Book Review: Dogs Have Angels Too

Winners of "150 Pounds"

Meryl Davids Landau shares her inspiration and her debut novel

Book Review: Seeing Julia

What's in the mail today?

Winners of "Point, Click, Love"

What's in store for 2012

Ella Slayne has some questions for *you* and a fun novel to share!

Winners of "Destined to Fail"

Blogs of the week

Lisa Heidke makes good with us by sharing her latest novel!

Laura Spinella is anything but a disaster and she has a book to give away!

Rachel Bertsche can be our BFF and she has a book to give away!

Ella Slayne has some questions for you and a fun novel to share!