Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Guest Book Review & Giveaway: A Total Waste of Makeup

***Giveaway is now closed***

By Marlene Engel

Charlize Edwards, or Charlie as her friends and family like to call her, appears to have it all. She lives in a hip L.A neighborhood and is the personal assistant to one of Hollywood’s hottest movie stars, Drew Stanton. Sounds like the perfect life, right? Not for Charlie who’s closing in on thirty years old, is still single and having to deal with her quirky family and their ever demanding needs. Convinced that she will never find Mr. Right, get married or have kids, Charlie decides to write a self-help book for her fictitious great grand-niece. She figures her younger sister, who is engaged and planning her wedding, is more likely to have a child than she is. Why not write a book about what she’s learned about dating over the years and pass it down to her? Ironically, she doesn’t follow the very advice that she’s putting in the book. Charlie is struggling with having to deal with her own relationship issues while having to put up with her parents’ unique arrangement (divorced, yet living together while dating other people). Throw in her younger sister’s wedding planning demands and having to be the maid of honor and poor Charlie is about to lose it. Thankfully she has the support of her closest friends to help her through it all. But still, some days are just A Total Waste of Makeup!

This novel was a laugh out loud, fun read from beginning to end. I found that I could relate to many things that Charlie was going through and feeling. The comedic spin that the author put on the issues that Charlie was facing was brilliant. Charlie’s advice that she wrote in the book for her great grand-niece was so fun and witty. It made me wish that there really was a book published. I also really enjoyed the different personalities of her family, friends and boss. They were all so unique and fun loving. Her family was a bit “off”, but that’s what made them so entertaining. Her girlfriends reminded me of my friends. They were fun and always there when you need them. The bond that the three friends had is the glue that keeps Charlie’s sanity together. And good ole Drew Stanton was such a character. The things that would come out of his mouth and his spontaneous actions made him so lovable. You just never knew what to expect next from him.

I really enjoyed this book. If you are looking for a light hearted, laugh-out-loud read then this is the book for you. I found the book to be very well written and extremely hard to put down. I couldn’t believe that this was the authors debut novel. I highly recommend this book and ensure that you won’t be disappointed!

Marlene Engel is a stay at home mom who runs a home daycare. She lives in Clifton Park, New York with her husband and (almost) three year old daughter. She also has three older boys who live away from home while attending college. She is an adoptive/foster parent and an advocate for the special needs population. In her spare time she enjoys reading and getting together with her book club.

Thanks to Kim Gruenenfelder, Marlene has signed copies of A Total Waste of Makeup for THREE lucky readers located in the US.

How to win A Total Waste of Makeup:
Since this is food month and the focus of this book is dating, please tell us: What is your favorite eating establishment to go to on a date?

One entry per person.

Please include your e-mail address or another way to reach you if you win. Entries without contact information will not be counted.

US only. Giveaway ends March 11th at midnight EST

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27 comments:

TinaB said...

The Melting Pot
Brannanflooring@aol.com

Anonymous said...

My favorite place is Giulliana's (a small Italian restaurant by my house).

Janine
kinini01@hotmail.com

Nova said...

My favorite restaurant is a local one named STONE HEARTH RESTAURANT. It is beautiful inside, the food is delicious, and the "staff" is the best! It has been here for 30 years.

sparkle40175(at)hotmail(dot)com

Avid Reader said...

My absolute favorite was destroyed - The Hilltop House - I do like to cook, give a homey feel and relaxed atmosphere, I do enjoy jazz night at a local microbrewery/restaurant and anything Italian

Mrs Mommy Booknerd said...

Ginger Rootz! It is an amazing Chinese restaurant in the town I live in!

mrsmommybooknerdsbookreviews@gmail.com

DD said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
DD said...

There's a local brewery here in Topeka called The Blind Tiger. Delicious food, good brews and it's where I met my husband on a blind date. Yep. That's right. A blind date at The Blind Tiger. No joke. Didn't even realize the irony until well after the fact!

dawndennis66611 at yahoo dot com

Sue G. said...

Any type of Italian. You can never go wrong with Italian.

suegaluska (at) yahoo (dot) com

Lisamarie said...

Our favorite restaurant for a date would be Arnies ... its on the water in the good ole PNW.

tropicalsunlover05(at)yahoo(dot)com

susieqlaw said...

I love the Olive Garden.

sendsusanmail at gmail.com

karenk said...

i like to go to the local establishments...

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Cher B said...

I am flexible on the cuisine, but key for me is that the environment and service are warm and welcoming so you can talk and enjoy each other and not feel rushed.
I am looking forward to reading "A Total Waste of Makeup"; thanks for the chance to win!

cherbasonATgmailDOTcom

bn100 said...

any local restaurants

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Melinda G

I would like to go to a fun and energetic place to eat for a first date!

melinda.garza15@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I like any restaurant inside a 5-star hotel.

Unknown said...

I like any restaurant inside a 5-star hotel. :D

anne.j2(at)gmail.com

Anita Yancey said...

Well I am married so I don't date, but we are fond of seafood so we go to Captain D's a lot.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Unknown said...

My husband and I love to go to hibachi restaurants, which my daughter also enjoys when we want a date, but can't find a babysitter :)

Bjoneill@hotmail.com

L. Kerr (Admin) said...

Outback Steakhouse! Thank you!!
@Lisak0368
lisa118@live.com

Linda Kish said...

Claim Jumper

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

A Soccer Mom's Book Blog said...

My hubby and I like to go to small locally owned restaurants. Instead of big chain restaurants.

asoccermomsreview1@gmail.com

Jeryl M. said...

I like to go to Fridays.

jeryl.marcus@gmail.com

Michelle said...

We don't go on dates much, but one place our whole family loves is The Morelia Grill. It's a local Mexican food place with decent prices & great food. michelle(at)momscholar(dot)net

Maureen said...

My favorite is an Italian restaurant near our house.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Hailey said...

My favorite restaurant is Margaritas and the food there is divine. It's a great place to go with your girlfriends, have delicious food and just act crazy.

fishiegirl22@yahoo.com

Lauren McCormick said...

Love going to Edohana. It's fun to eat with other people and helps if there's an awkward silence because you're busy watching the chef do tricks. A movie after dinner too!

I'm a member of CLC. Follow on FB and Pinterest.

itzhunic at hotmail dot com

Just a Girl In the World said...

Congratulations to the winners of "A Total Waste of Makeup"!

13- Anita Yancey
19- Michelle
17- Charlotte Lynn