4000 Likes Giveaway

So now it's time for a giveaway and this time we're including a set of
e-books that various authors are contributing.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the books and swag giveaway here and the e-book giveaway here.

Three (3) boxes of assorted books and swag (US/Canada)

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Some of the books you could win!

Two (2) sets of E-books from a bunch of chick lit authors (Worldwide)
A sneak peek of the books you could win.

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Both giveaways end November 30th at midnight EST.

Guest Book Review: Speak Now (or Forever Hold Your Peace)

By Connie Fischer

Bridgette works as a server for Edelweiss Catering along with her friend, Ashley and Justin.

Bridgette has been dating Adam Dubois for two years and is certain he will be popping the question soon. So when they meet up for dinner, she is devastated when he breaks up with her and she finds he is going to marry someone else. Heartbroken, she can’t seem to get over it. Since she is still good friends with Adam’s mother, they meet often for lunch and she insists that Bridgette remain part of the family and even wants her to attend Adam’s wedding. Awkward? Oh yeah!

Bridgette's old college friend comes to town. Ian Davies is an old flame who moved to London after college graduation. Best friends through school, they had a fling but broke up after graduation. Getting together brings back fun memories for both of them and we see their relationship grow through flashbacks.

Bridgette is not sure where her heart truly lies. Is she still in love with Adam or has her heart always belonged to Ian? With the help of her friends and her savvy grandmother with whom she lives, we watch her as she sorts through her feelings trying to decide which man to pursue.

There are a lot of humorous moments and true-to-life events that make the reader nod their head knowing we have all been there at some point. I really enjoyed the way the author introduced the flashbacks in the book. Most of the time I don’t like flashbacks because I find that they can be confusing. But not in this book. Well done, Becky Monson.

I have now read all three of Becky Monson’s novels and was so excited when I saw Speak Now (or Forever Hold Your Peace) come out. This is one very talented author and chick lit is definitely her forte. I look forward to reading more from her and hope everyone will grab a copy of this book, sit back and enjoy one of the best reads you have had in a long time.

Thanks to Becky Monson for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Connie Fischer is a retired office manager from NASA. Loved books from the time she could read. Spent childhood summers in her front yard tree reading Nancy Drew books and biographies. Loves historical and contemporary romance novels, chick lit and anything British. Her goal for 2015 on Goodreads is to read and review 100 books and she's way ahead of schedule. Lived in Paris, France for a number of years. Living now in southwest Florida. Ahhh...life is good!

More by Becky Monson:

Sara Benincasa's sugar high...plus a book giveaway

The first time I went to Washington D.C., I was the "chaperone" of a four year-old and an infant. We had such a great time there (or at least I know I did) that my family and I moved out to the area less than a year later. Having said that, I really enjoy when books take place in The District. :) Today's guest, Sara Benincasa, has delivered up what sounds like a fun and hilarious visit to the Capitol in her latest novel, D.C. Trip. Also, she's really friendly based on our e-mail banter over the past few weeks. She has a lot to say about dessert and candy, so prepare for a sugar rush!

Sara Benincasa is an award-winning comedian and author of Great and Agorafabulous!: Dispatches From My Bedroom (William Morrow/HarperCollins), a book based on her critically acclaimed solo show about panic attacks and agoraphobia. Visit Sara at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Thanks to Adaptive Studios, we have THREE copies of D.C. Trip to send anywhere in the world!

Synopsis of D.C. Trip:
An honest and irreverent journey of sexual confusion, bar shots, drag queens, and pot cookies in the Rose Garden. Alicia Deats is a new teacher chaperoning her very first high school trip to Washington DC, and nothing could be more terrifying than a class full of horny, backstabbing, boundary-pushing teenagers under her watch. Alicia believes in positive reinforcement and trust to keep her students out of trouble, but best friend high school sophomores Gertie, Sivan, and Rachel have a different idea: they plan to take full advantage of the un-parented freedom that a trip to DC offers.

Check out the book trailer. And speaking of trailers, D.C. Trip is being adapted as a movie!




Go-to candy:
Kit-Kat. In any mood. Often in the bath. Frozen is the best.

Favorite holiday for dessert/candy and favorite dessert/candy from that holiday:
I'd say Christmas is a really solid holiday for variety of desserts AND candies. My favorite dessert is my friend G.'s Christmas cookies. She makes at least three hundred each year to give to friends. She is also a hairdresser at Bang'z in Somerville, NJ and she is great and she has been doing my hair for thirty years.

Favorite movie involving dessert/candy?
At a certain point in Amelie, she talks about how delightful she finds it to crack the surface of a creme brûlée. I love that so very much.

Favorite dessert to bake:
Give me some Pillsbury crescent -- you know, the ones with the dough that is pre-cut and you roll it up? Okay, so gimmee that. I'm gonna put some cinnamon on the dough and some sugar and then roll it up and brush the surface with a tiny bit of olive oil and throw on some more cinnamon and sugar. BOOM! Cinnamon rolls. That's as fancy as I get.

Favorite cheesecake flavor:
I'm obsessed with Cheesecake Factory and I tweet at them so much. They're very patient with me. They finally sent me a selfie stick to be like, "If you love us so much, TAKE A PHOTO OF IT SARA." So I took a bunch. I tend to go with their S'mores flavor but I'm open to anything they do.

Favorite pairing of salty and sweet:
Salted crack caramel ice cream from Ample Hills Creamery in Brooklyn, NY. It is awesome. Runner-up: salted caramel ice cream from Fort Grace in Fort Greene, Brooklyn.

Thanks to Sara for chatting with us and Adaptive Studios for sharing her book with our readers.

~Introduction by Melissa Amster

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

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Open worldwide. Giveaway ends November 16th at midnight EST.

Book Review and Giveaway: Put a Ring on It

By Melissa Amster

I have been enjoying Beth Kendrick's "Black Dog Bay" novels. They are romantic, sexy, and indulgent. The female friendships are fun to read about as well. So I was thrilled that her latest novel, Put a Ring on It, is also part of this series.

Brighton Smith doesn’t do outrageous. As an insurance actuary, it’s her job to assess risk and avoid bad investments. But when her fiancé calls to confess he’s married someone else on a whim (“I looked at her and I just knew!”), she snaps…

That night, at a local bar, Jake Sorensen—hot, rich, and way out of her league—buys Brighton a cocktail. At midnight, she kisses him. And by dawn, they’re exchanging vows at a drive-through chapel.

Brighton knows Jake is a bad bet, but she doesn’t care. After a lifetime of playing it safe, she’s finally having fun. Until the whirlwind romance gives way to painful reality...and Brighton finds out the truth about why a guy like Jake married a girl like her. With her heart on the line and the odds stacked against them, Brighton must decide whether to cut her losses or take a leap of faith that this love affair is one in a million. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

This story had a fun premise and went in directions I wasn't even expecting. I really liked the chemistry between Jake and Brighton. They played off each other well. And, of course, it was nice to take a trip back to Black Dog Bay and reunite with some old "friends," such as Lila and Summer. There are some spoilers for New Uses for Old Boyfriends (reviewed here), but this book could also be read as a stand-alone, even though you should read all the books in the series because they're THAT much fun! (Start with Cure for the Common Breakup, but first meet Summer in The Week Before the Wedding, which is separate from this series.) I'm hoping there will be even more "Black Dog Bay" novels in the future, so we can learn more about Kira, Jenna, Clea, and possibly some new characters.

I don't really have anything to complain about. The book moved at an easygoing pace and the romantic scenes were HOT. Brighton was an interesting character with many layers to her personality. I would have been okay without some conversations being rehashed a few times, but it wasn't a huge issue in the grand scheme of things. So join me at the Whinery for some chocolate and Cosmopolitans and then kick back with this delicious read!

My movie cast for this novel:
Brighton: Cristin Milioti
Kira: Melissa Rauch
Jake: Chris Hemsworth (I believe Beth was just hinting at this anyway...)

Thanks to Penguin for the book in exchange for an honest review. And thanks to BookSparks for sharing a copy with one lucky US reader!  This is part of their "Girl's Best Friend" blog tour and will be appearing in their 2015 Fall Reading Challenge soon, as well.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

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US only. Giveaway ends November 15th at midnight EST.

What's in the mail...plus a giveaway

Melissa A:

Hard Hats and Doormats by/from
Laura Chapman (e-book)

You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day, won from Shelf Awareness

House Trained by Jackie Bouchard, won from Goodreads

Novelista Girl by/from Meredith Schorr
(e-book)

No Ordinary Life by Suzanne Redfearn from Grand Central Publishing

Nookietown by V.C. Chickering from
St. Martin's Press

Melissa A and Amy:

The Dinner Party by Brenda Janowitz from Goldberg McDuffie

The Word Game by Steena Holmes from
Lake Union

Amy:

My Father's Wives by Mike Greenberg from HarperCollins

Look who Melissa P met!

Melissa P:

Winter Stroll by
Elin Hilderbrand from
Little, Brown

Sara:
The Beasts of Belmont Park by/from Hud Saunders
(e-book)

Becky:

Meet Me in Manhattan by Claudia Carroll from HarperCollins

Dashing Through the Snow by
Debbie Macomber from Arrow

Picnics in Hyde Park by Nikki Moore from Harper Impulse

While I Was Waiting by Georgia Hill from Harper Impulse

What could be in YOUR mail:

Life and Other Near-Death Experiences by Camille Pagán

BookSparks has a copy for a lucky US reader!

Visit Camille at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Libby Miller has always been an unwavering optimist—but when her husband drops a bomb on their marriage the same day a doctor delivers devastating news, she realizes her rose-colored glasses have actually been blinding her.

With nothing left to lose, she abandons her life in Chicago for the clear waters and bright beaches of the Caribbean for what might be her last hurrah. Despite her new sunny locale, her plans go awry when she finds that she can’t quite outrun the past or bring herself to face an unknowable future. Every day of tropical bliss may be an invitation to disaster, but with her twin brother on her trail and a new relationship on the horizon, Libby is determined to forget about fate. Will she risk it all to live—and love—a little longer?

From critically acclaimed author Camille Pagán comes a hilarious and hopeful story about a woman choosing between a “perfect” life and actually living. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

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US only. Giveaway ends November 11th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Dandelions on the Road

By Sara Steven

Twelve men…one woman…plenty of dandelions. Eva Merida has her life in order. She loves her job at the Furry Friends Rescue League and has a loving, supportive family. But she’s still missing that one special person to stand by her side. When she comes in third place on the local TV version of “The Bachelor,” entitled Accept this Dandelion, she nearly loses all hope for romance. Fortunately, the TV station decides to do a second season of the dating show…and they name Eva as the Bachelorette! With a plethora of dating mishaps recorded for TV, Eva finds herself falling for several men at once…including the show’s host. Will she find love at last or simply embarrass herself in front of the entire city? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Brooke Williams has done it again!

As I’d mentioned in my review of Accept this Dandelion, the first book in the "Dandelion" series, I’m a closeted Bachelor and Bachelorette fan. I thrive on the drama and chaos that often happens on the show, which should come as no surprise. Finding love can often be a roller coaster. I could feel the emotional ride that Eva has found herself on, as the new Bachelorette in Dandelions on the Road. There are so many men to choose from!

While Eva searches for her one true love, the contestants and crew from the show travel the midwest, through Nebraska and into Iowa. I recently moved from Nebraska after living there for fourteen years, so reading about their adventures at Mahoney State Park, or spending the day at Adventureland was like journeying back home in a sense. Even if you’ve never been to the midwest, "Dandelions" is so well-written and descriptive, you feel as though you’re right there with Eva and with the various men who are vying for her attention and affection.

Eva finds herself in a conundrum, as so many of us do when we’re seeking love. While she feels herself falling head over heels for a few of the contestants, the show’s host has also found his way into her heart. Only, he hasn’t proven to her that he feels the same, or that he’s even interested. He’s all work, very professional, not someone she can see herself involved with, yet there’s something about him… she can’t get him out of her head! But, she can’t get the other men out of her head, either.

I loved Dandelions on the Road from start to finish, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and charming escape. While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out Accept this Dandelion, as well. In the meantime, I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book in this series, After the Final Dandelion. I can't wait to see what Brooke has in store for us!

Thanks to Brooke Williams for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Hilary Grossman has something to devour...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to introduce Hilary Grossman. Melissa A has gotten to know her through ChickLitChat HQ on Facebook and is excited to feature her at CLC. Her debut novel, Dangled Carat, came out in 2014 and is still bringing in five-star ratings on Amazon. It's a true story about her journey to marriage. Hilary recently published her sophomore novel, Plan Bea, about a woman who has to help plan her mom's wedding, which turns her world around and makes her question everything she believed about her life. Aside from being an author, Hilary is the Chief Financial Officer of an alcoholic beverage company. 

Visit Hilary at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Today, Hilary is here to talk about her favorite sweet treats and share some fun facts along with her answers. She has TWO e-books of Dangled Carat for some lucky readers anywhere in the world! She also has TWO copies of Plan Bea to give away over at Goodreads (worldwide, ends 11/16).

Favorite ice cream flavor:
Tough question! I have so many favorites. If I had to pick one, I’d have to go for cookie dough. But I also love java chip, mint chocolate chip and Heath Bar crunch too (pretty much anything that has chocolate or candy mixed in).

Fun fact – I waitressed at Friendly’s for about eight years. On a daily basis, I made so many ice cream sundaes and cones that ice cream started to repulse me. However after a month after leaving the restaurant, I happily devoured ice cream again.

Go-to candy:
M&M’s - preferably the peanut butter ones! M&M’s bring me back to my childhood. Growing up, I have such fond memories of hanging out in my den, sitting next to my mom on the couch, watching TV and sharing a bag of M&M’s.

Fun fact – I always eat the shells of the M&M’s first – it took many years of practice to master




Favorite book involving dessert/candy?
Thirty-Three Going on Girlfriend by Becky Monson - I especially loved the part where Julia goes on the cake baking show…

Fun Fact – My first answer was Hershey’s Chocolate Lovers Cookbook.

Favorite dessert to bake:
Macadamia nut chocolate chip cookies – I pretty much make a batch ever week in the winter.

Fun Fact – I have been playing around with my recipe to reduce the amount of sugar and carbs in my cookies so I don’t feel so guilty eating so many. I now use two-thirds almond flour one-third regular flour and half the sugar the recipe calls for and the cookies are still sweet and delicious!

Favorite kind of pie:
Truth be told, I’m not a huge pie lover. I don’t like consistency of the fruit nor to I like the syrup. But I do love key lime pie and lemon meringue pies.

Fun Fact – When I was in college I was determined to make a lemon meringue pie. I found a “simple” recipe. And after twenty-five attempts I gave up. Yeah, I am stubborn.

Favorite pairing of salty and sweet:
I LOVE chocolate covered pretzels, especially the pretzel rods that also have candy pieces, like mini M&M’s dipped into the chocolate.

Fun Fact - I had dinner at a friend’s house a couple of weeks ago and she served the most amazing dish that pairs sweet and salty. She made a sweet potato dish topped with crushed pretzel rods and chopped pecans. I struggled not to eat the entire dish – AMAZING!

Thanks to Hilary for chatting with us and for sharing her book with our readers.

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.

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Worldwide. Giveaway ends November 10th at midnight EST.