Book of the day: "Anybody Out There?"

In honor of International Chick Lit Month and our one year blogoversary, we're bringing you a book a day (and then some). If you've read the book and want to comment on this post with your thoughts, please do. If you haven't read it yet, we hope you'll take interest in it after hearing our thoughts. To make this fun, anyone who comments on any of these posts has a chance to be entered in a drawing for a special prize. The more posts you comment on, the more chances to win! (See here for contest details.)

"Anybody Out There?" by Marian Keyes:
Anna Walsh is officially a wreck. She’s covered in bandages and she’s lying in her parents’ Good Front Room dreaming of leaving Dublin and getting back to New York.

To her friends.

To The Most Fabulous Job in the World™.

And most of all, back to her husband, Aiden.

But her family have other ideas (not to mention the usual problems that beset the Walsh sisters). And Aiden, for some reason, seems unwilling to get in touch. What happened to Anna to send her so far from all that she loves? And what happened to her marriage that her husband won't talk to her? (Summary courtesy of PenguinBooks.)

Melissa P:
Like "P.S. I Love You," this book is about loss and heartbreak, although Marian Keyes has a completely different writing style and a more grown up point of view. I don’t think I have ever come across a Marian Keyes book that I didn’t absolutely love.

Melissa A:
Marian Keyes is the reason Melissa P. and I started talking about Chick Lit in the first place. She's an amazing author and this story definitely showcases her work. I wish she were able to get back to writing novels, as she is truly missed. (Also, Helen Walsh needs her own story already!)

More by Marian Keyes:

Book of the day: "Perfect Blend"

In honor of International Chick Lit Month and our one year blogoversary, we're bringing you a book a day (and then some). If you've read the book and want to comment on this post with your thoughts, please do. If you haven't read it yet, we hope you'll take interest in it after hearing our thoughts. To make this fun, anyone who comments on any of these posts has a chance to be entered in a drawing for a special prize. The more posts you comment on, the more chances to win! (See here for contest details.)

"Perfect Blend" by Sue Margolis:
After enduring her share of commitment-phobic boyfriends, Amy Brown trades in her high-powered PR job and designer shoes to embark on the journey of single motherhood. Now, with a rambunctious boy of six and chaotic shifts serving decadent muffins and high-octane brew at a local coffee bar, Amy could use a fix herself—preferably the sexy, smoky-eyed grande type.

No one is more shocked than Amy to discover that Sam Draper is made perfectly to order: hot, sweet, and delicious. There is just one teeny problem. He’s the architect for the neighborhood’s brand-new Bean Machine, her employer’s fiercest rival. Still, Sam is sexy, fun, and really likes Amy’s son, Charlie. Amy can’t resist the steamy passion—or the feeling that Sam is hiding a secret or two. Could there be something rotten in the beans that make up the Machine’s secret blend? Or is it something more personal? Harnessing her untapped yet formidable journalistic skills, Amy blows the lid off a story that will change her life, but will Sam stick around to share it? (Summary courtesy of Random House.)

Melissa A:
A touching and hilarious story from one of my favorite chick lit authors! See my tribute to Ms. Margolis, which features a review of this novel, as well.

Melissa P:
This was the first book of Sue’s that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed the story as well as her writing style. So many families these days are blended and I like that Sue wasn’t afraid to touch on a subject that is sometimes taboo. Instead of being from a second wife’s or a divorced woman’s point of view, it was from the viewpoint of a mother of a fatherless child.

More by Sue Margolis:

Book of the day: "Stay"

In honor of International Chick Lit Month and our one year blogoversary, we're bringing you a book a day (and then some). If you've read the book and want to comment on this post with your thoughts, please do. If you haven't read it yet, we hope you'll take interest in it after hearing our thoughts. To make this fun, anyone who comments on any of these posts has a chance to be entered in a drawing for a special prize. The more posts you comment on, the more chances to win! (See here for contest details.)

"Stay" by Allie Larkin:
"Something Borrowed" meets "Must Love Dogs" in this big- hearted debut about friendship, love, and a German Shepherd named Joe.

Savannah "Van" Leone has been in love with Peter Clarke ever since she literally fell head over heels in front of him on the first day of college. Now, six years later, instead of standing across from him at the altar, Van's standing behind her best friend Janie as maid of honor, trying to mask her heartache and guilt as Janie marries the only man Van's ever loved. Before, Van's mother died, she told Van never to let Peter go, but as the couple exchanges vows, Van wonders if her fairy tale ending will ever come true.

After the wedding, Van drowns her sorrows in Kool-Aid-vodka cocktails and reruns of Rin Tin Tin, and does what any heartbroken woman in her situation would do: She impulsively buys a German Shepherd over the Internet. The pocket-size puppy Van is expecting turns out to be a clumsy, hundred-pound beast who only responds to commands in Slovak, and Van is at the end of her rope... until she realizes that this quirky giant may be the only living being who will always be loyal to her, no matter what.

Van affectionately names her dog Joe, and together, they work to mend the pieces of Van's shattered heart. And it certainly doesn't hurt that Joe's vet is a rugged sweetheart with floppy blond hair and a winning smile. But when the newlyweds return from their honeymoon, Van is forced to decide just how much she's willing to sacrifice in order to have everything she ever wanted, proving that sometimes life needs to get more complicated before it can get better. (Summary courtesy of Penguin.com.)

Melissa A:

I loved this book and am so glad I had the opportunity to read it. The narrator is believable and easy to relate to and the story is easy to follow, with lots of emotion and humor throughout. See my review for more details.

More with a similar theme/plot:

Book of the day: "Bergdorf Blondes"

In honor of International Chick Lit Month and our one year blogoversary, we're bringing you a book a day (and then some). If you've read the book and want to comment on this post with your thoughts, please do. If you haven't read it yet, we hope you'll take interest in it after hearing our thoughts. To make this fun, anyone who comments on any of these posts has a chance to be entered in a drawing for a special prize. The more posts you comment on, the more chances to win! (See here for contest details.)

"Bergdorf Blondes" by Plum Sykes:
Plum Sykes beguiling debut welcomes readers to the glamorous world of Park Avenue Princesses, the girls who careen through Manhattan in search of the perfect Fake Bake (tan acquired from Portofino Tanning Salon), a ride on a PJ (private jet) with the ATM (rich boyfriend), and the ever-elusive fiance.

With invitations to high-profile baby showers and benefits, more Marc Jacobs clothes than is decent, and a department store heiress for a best friend, our heroine known only as Moi is living at the peak of New York society. But what is Moi to do when her engagement falls apart? Can she ever find happiness in a city filled with the distractions of Front Row Girls, dermatologists, premieres, and eyebrow waxes? Is it possible to find love in a town where her friends think that the secret to happiness is getting invited to the Van Cleef and Arpels private sample sale? And how is she going to deal with the endless phone calls from her mother in England demanding that she get married to the Earl next door?

With enormous wit and an insider's eye, Sykes captures the nuances of the rich and spoiled in a heartwarming social satire, featuring a loveable "champagne bubble of a girl" who's just looking for love (and maybe the perfect pair of Chloe jeans). (Summary courtesy of Goodreads.)

Melissa P:
I liked this book because it was a fun read about the socialites of NYC. It was the original Gossip Girl.

More by Plum Sykes:

Winners of "Working it Out"

To find our winners, we assigned a number to each entry and asked Nicola May to pick three at random. Here is what she had to say:

"I want to thank Chick Lit Central and all the readers who took the time to read my article and leave comments. I hope you all enjoy my books and I look forward to your reader feedback. You can find me on Facebook - Nicola May and Twitter @nicolamay1

Now for the winners:

I pick 1 as this is my debut novel

12 obviously as that's how many jobs Ruby takes on

and 32 as that is Gorgeous George's house number.'

Congrats to Msuck27, PoCoKat and SpadesHigh!

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 who participated!

Thanks also to Nicola May for her lovely blog post and for contributing to the giveaway. She's amazing to work with (hint to all our fellow book bloggers...)

Don't forget to enter our current giveaways:

Blogoversary special prize giveaway

Ends May 31st at midnight EST

"Life from Scratch" by Melissa Ford

US/Canada only

Ends May 22nd at midnight EST

"The Violets of March" by Sarah Jio

US/Canada only

Ends May 24th at midnight EST

Winning Wednesday--May 18th

We will only be posting giveaways on this blog from now on. If you have a giveaway that ends before Wednesday of a given week, please feel free to post it at Chick Lit Central on Facebook. You're also welcome to contact us about any giveaways you would like to have listed. (Chick Lit only, please, unless it is for a gift card or book related device.)
Finally, we are no longer going to seek out contests to post. If they happen to show up in our Facebook or Twitter news feed or on our blog readers, we'll be sure to post them. If you think we won't see your contest, please send it to us so we can include it in this blog.
For another place to share your giveaway, contact West of Mars. They will list giveaways for books of any genre.
Thank you!

New:

"Life From Scratch" by Melissa Ford

Chick Lit Central

US/Canada only

Ends May 22nd at midnight EST

"The Violets of March" by Sarah Jio

*Chick Lit Central

US/Canada only

Ends May 24th

*Chick Lit is Not Dead

US/Canada only

Ends tonight at 6 pm EST

Win Cannie's Hollywood Getaway!

Jennifer Weiner

Ends May 31st

"The First Husband" by Laura Dave

Manic Mommy

Deadline unknown

"Sweet Valley Confidential" by Francine Pascal (or a shirt)

Chick Lit Club

Ends May 22nd

"Jack with a Twist" by Brenda Janowitz

Girlfriends Book Club

Ends June 1st

"Beautiful People" by Wendy Holden

Chick Lit is Not Dead

US/Canada only

Ends Saturday

Blogoversary giveaway with Joshilyn Jackson and Billie Letts

Socrates' Book Review Blog

US only

Ends May 29th at midnight EST

"Foxy's Tale" by L B Gschwandtner & Karen Cantwell

Chick Lit is Not Dead

Ends tomorrow at 6 pm EST

"The Kitchen Shrink" by Dee DeTarsio and Kitchen Swag

Dee DeTarsio

Ends May 23rd

"Overexposed" by Susan Shapiro

Free Book Friday

Ends tomorrow at midnight

"666 Park Avenue" by Gabriella Pierce

Chick Lit Club

US only

Ends tomorrow

"The First Husband" by Laura Dave

Chick Lit is Not Dead

Ends tonight at 6 pm EST

"Crush: 26 Real-life Tales of First Love" by Andrea Richesin

Luxury Reading

Ends May 27th at midnight

"Wickedly Charming" by Kristine Grayson

Luxury Reading

US/Canada only

Ends May 27th at midnight

Still available:

"The Baby Planner" by Josie Brown

Manic Mommy

Deadline unknown

"The Midwife's Confession" by Diane Chamberlain

*Booking Mama

US/Canada only, no PO Boxes

Ends tonight at 11:59 pm EST

*Colloquium

US/Canada only, no PO Boxes

Ends tonight at 11:59 pm PST

* Simply Stacie

US/Canada only

Ends May 23rd at 11:59 pm EST

"Here, Home, Hope" by Kaira Rouda

Booking with Bingo

US only, no PO Boxes

Ends May 23rd at 6 pm EST

"The Diva Doctrine" by Patricia V. Davis

I am a Reader, Not a Writer

US only

Ends May 31st

Blogoversary special prize giveaway

Chick Lit Central

Ends May 31st at midnight EST

Chick Lit Month e-book giveaway

Sibel Hodge

Ends May 31st

"Ten Beach Road" and "Magnolia Wednesdays" by Wendy Wax

Romance Author Buzz

US only

Deadline unknown

Kindle, Nook or beach bag of books

Claire Cook

Ends June 7th

"Thin Rich Pretty" by Beth Harbison

St. Martin's Press

US only

Ends June 1st

"Gone with a Handsomer Man" by Michael Lee West

Fresh Fiction

Ends May 31st

$100 Gift Card to your favorite bookstore
Josie Brown
Ends June 19th at midnight PST

"Skip a Beat with Sarah" Sweepstakes
Sarah Pekkanen's Facebook page
US only
Ends July 31st at 12:59 am EST
New winner announced bi-weekly on Mondays.

Book of the day: "The Love Goddess' Cooking School"

In honor of International Chick Lit Month and our one year blogoversary, we're bringing you a book a day (and then some). If you've read the book and want to comment on this post with your thoughts, please do. If you haven't read it yet, we hope you'll take interest in it after hearing our thoughts. To make this fun, anyone who comments on any of these posts has a chance to be entered in a drawing for a special prize. The more posts you comment on, the more chances to win! (See here for contest details.)

"The Love Goddess' Cooking School" by Melissa Senate:
Holly Maguire's grandmother was the Love Goddess of Blue Crab Island, Maine–a Milanese fortune teller who could predict the right man for you, and whose Italian cooking was rumored to save marriages. Holly has been waiting years for her unlikely fortune: her true love will like sa cordula, an unappetizing old-world delicacy. But Holly can't make a decent marinara sauce, let alone sa cordula. Maybe that's why the man she hopes to marry breaks her heart. So when Holly inherits Camilla's Cucinotta, she's determined to forget about fortunes and love and become an Italian cooking teacher worthy of her grandmother's legacy.

But Holly's four students are seeking much more than how to make Camilla's chicken alla Milanese. Simon, a single father, hopes to cook his way back into his daughter's heart. Juliet, Holly's childhood friend, hides a painful secret. Tamara, a serial dater, can't find the love she longs for. And twelve-year-old Mia thinks learning to cook will stop her dad from marrying his phony lasagna-queen girlfriend.

As the class gathers each week, adding Camilla's essential ingredients of wishes and memories into every pot and pan, unexpected friendships and romances are formed–and tested. Especially when Holly falls hard for Liam...and learns a thing or two about finding her own recipe for happiness. (Summary courtesy of Melissa Senate's website.)

Melissa A:
One of the few books that was able to make me cry. I have nothing but praise for this beautiful story! See my review for more details.

Melissa P:
What a great marriage of writing fiction and recipes. I loved how Melissa described the little cottage in Maine so that it felt like I was there with Holly in her grandmother’s kitchen.

More by Melissa Senate: