Book Review: The Lives We Touch

By Becky Gulc

‘In our lives we'll meet something like eighty thousand people. Most of them just in passing, sitting beside them on a bus, buying a latte from them, overtaking them too fast on the motorway. Others will become friends, lovers, family. Some will stay in our lives forever, and some will be swept away by the flow of life. But we touch all of these people in some way, tiny or huge, making more of a difference that any of us can imagine.

Rosie is in a coma, unable to reach out to the world or communicate. She only has one chance to make it back to consciousness - but she's slipping deeper and deeper into a maze of memories and it's going to be hard to find her way out.

Daisy, Rosie's sister, is devastated by the accident. She's always been the good, dependable girl to Rosie's free spirit - but some of Rosie's attitude seems to be creeping into Daisy's dull existence. Can Daisy find the courage to be herself?

It only takes one tiny step to change a life forever...’ (Synopsis courtesy of Little, Brown UK)

One of my favourite novels of last year was the memorable and uplifting How To Be Happy by Eva Woods so I was more than keen to read her latest novel, The Lives We Touch. (US title: The Inbetween Days.)

This novel is a story of two sisters, Rosie and Daisy. When Rosie is hit by a bus one day she is left in a coma, seemingly isolated from family and friends there are question marks over whether this was an accident, or a suicide-attempt. Despite a clear falling out Daisy is devastated by the accident and her life is turned upside down, she is determined to find out more about Rosie’s recent life and what may have driven her to think she had no way out. And with no one knowing who the mysterious Luke is that Rosie called out for just after the accident Daisy has her hands full.

Just like Eva’s previous novel I was immediately immersed in her writing. It begins with a captivating opening chapter on the lives touched by Rosie’s accident, not those who knew her but witnesses and those delayed in their everyday lives by what happened. The narrative then switches between Rosie and Daisy.

Rosie, in her coma, is experiencing locked-in syndrome –she wants to remember, she wants to wake up, make people know she can see them and hear them, she just can’t. Cue several people from Rosie’s past who help her to remember what she needs to through visiting her memories. Through these we learn more about Rosie’s past, her relationships, pivotal moments leading her to where she is now. She’s a complex character, not instantly likable, but I grew quite attached to her in the end. I admit the steps back in time took a bit of getting used to but they soon felt natural to the story.

Daisy’s story remains in the present; a kind caring individual that strives to please but has perhaps forgotten to think about what she wants from life along the way. I loved Daisy’s story!

This is another fabulous novel by Eva and yet again a novel I feel I will remember and recommend for a long time to come. It’s moving, thought-provoking, and had me gripped until the very end. If you haven’t tried Eva Woods yet please do!

Thanks to Sphere for the book in exchange for an honest review.

See what's cooking with Stephanie Evanovich...plus a book giveaway

We're so excited to have Stephanie Evanovich at CLC today to celebrate the publication of her latest novel, Under the Table. Her books are always a treat and we're excited to check this one out. Thanks to William Morrow, we have THREE copies to give away!

Stephanie Evanovich has been crafting stories since she could form sentences. Born and raised in New Jersey, the Garden State, her fertile imagination kept working overtime as she raised her family and rooted for their teams. Sons, sports and storytelling finally combined to create her New York Times bestselling debut novel, Big Girl Panties. Since then she's written two more books: The Sweet Spot and The Total Package. A firm believer in the power of high-octane coffee and happy endings, you'll find her at her desk working on the next story with her hyperactive pup, Griffin, doing her best to distract her. (Bio courtesy of Stephanie's website.)

Visit Stephanie online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Suffocating in a dead-end marriage, Midwesterner Zoey Sullivan fled to New York and moved in with her older sister Ruth, a carefree, vivacious beauty with a string of eligible bachelors at her beck and call. Giving herself three months in the city to clear her head and find a direction, Zoey dodges calls from her ex Derek, and distracts herself by cooking and catering a few private dinners and parties. Pursuing her passion for cooking was never an option when she was with Derek, and now Zoey relishes her independence.

When Zoey’s meets reclusive millionaire Tristan Malloy, she’s blown away by his kitchen—a marble and stainless steel temple worthy of the culinary gods—and charmed by his impeccable gentlemanly manners. But despite his firm body, handsome looks, and piles of cash, Tristan—a computer programmer—is shy and more than a little socially awkward. Zoey is sure that Tristan has all the right raw ingredients—and she’s the right person to spice them up turn him into a delectable dish.

But Zoey’s unprepared for just how well her makeover works. Tristan turns out to be even sexier once he’s gained a little confidence and the right wardrobe. Beneath the gorgeous package, Tristan is a great guy who deserves a woman who really appreciates him. Slowly but surely, Zoey realizes she may have found her perfect match—but does Tristan even know how her feelings have changed? Is that warm look in his eyes gratitude for the new and exciting world she’s ushered him into, or something more? And what will happen when Zoey’s ex comes to town, looking to win her back? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What did you learn from writing your previous novels that you applied to Under the Table?
That when it comes to writing, there's always room for improvement. It's a craft you never stop learning about. That's probably true about most creative art endeavors - acting, music, painting. Oh, and that you can't be afraid to try new stuff. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. And that's okay. It's all part of the process.

What is a favorite compliment you've received on your writing?
Whenever somebody takes the time out of their day to reach out with kindness is instantly a favorite. I recently had a bookkeeper write and tell me that she listens to my audio books at work and it makes her feel like she's living a more interesting life than just crunching numbers. As a former number cruncher, I was deeply touched, because I could relate to it. But it's no less profound than the person who wrote to tell me that one of my books brought them a little joy while they were going through a particularly challenging time in their life. Everything's relative.

If you could cast Under the Table as a movie, who would star in the lead roles?
Zoey: Kirsten Storms
Tristan: Josh Swickard
Ruth: Chloe Lanier
Derek: Chad Duell
Blake: Bradford Anderson

And yes, if you watch General Hospital, you'll sense a theme.

What is your favorite thing to cook for dinner?
I'm going to go with meatloaf, if for no other reason than my family goes bonkers when I make it. Nobody talks when we have it, it's just a bunch of "mmmmm's" while eating. They're so easy to please.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
The Sisters Hemingway by Annie England Noblin. I love Annie's books. She's such a good writer. Sisters has it all, family drama, secrets and beautifully developed, interesting characters.

Which game show would you totally win if you got to be a contestant?
I love this question! I am a game show freak. We always have them on. I know I would win at Supermarket Sweep (It's all about getting the shopping list and a bonus). But since you can only see that one in re-runs, I'd have to go with The Price is Right.

Thanks so much for letting me stop by Chick Lit Central to spend some time with you and your readers!

Thanks to Stephanie for spending time with us and to William Morrow 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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Giveaway ends April 22nd at midnight EST.

Spotlight: Tiny Hot Dogs

Today we're featuring Tiny Hot Dogs by Mary Giuliani. Check out an excerpt and recipe from this enticing new memoir.

From awkward schoolgirl to Caterer to the Stars, Mary Giuliani weaves together a collection of hilarious memories, from professional growing pains to her long journey to motherhood, never losing her sense of humor and her love for everyone’s favorite party food, pigs in a blanket.

Mary’s utterly unremarkable childhood was everything she didn't want: hailing from a deeply loving yet overprotective Italian family in an all-Jewish enclave on Long Island. All she wanted was to fit in (be Jewish) and become famous (specifically a cast member on Saturday Night Live). With an easy, natural storytelling sensibility, Mary shares her journey from a cosseted childhood home to the stage and finally to the party, accidentally landing what she now refers to as “the breakthrough role of a lifetime,” catering to a glittery list of stars she once hoped to be part of herself.

Fresh, personal, and full of Mary's humorous, self-deprecating, and can-do attitude against all odds, you’ll want to see where each shiny silver tray of hors d’oeuvres takes her next. You never know when the humble hot dog will be a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success, in building a business or simply making life more delicious.

Praise for Tiny Hot Dogs:
“Mary Giuliani is not a name: it is a promise. Like a guarantee on the box, her name attached to an event, a book, a menu, a meal, is a golden ticket to good times. Mary makes me smile, laugh, cry happy tears, and she always leaves me hungry for more of her wisdom, her humor, and her stories. I raise my glass in a toast to the hostess with the mostest to celebrate this, her most personal, touching, and delicious work yet!”
—Rachael Ray

“No one tells a story like Mary Giuliani and she does it with great recipes, too! To read her deeply personal memoir is to feel that you’ve connected with a dear friend who’s thoughtful, funny, and truly unique. I love this book!”
—Ina Garten

“Giuliani’s entertaining memoir is packed with satisfying stories and recipes that readers will guiltily enjoy.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Giuliani has chutzpah to spare in these life-filled, rib-sticking (and-tickling) stories.”
—Booklist

Mary Giuliani is an author, party and lifestyle expert, and founder and CEO of Mary Giuliani Catering and Events. Mary has appeared on The Barefoot Contessa, The Chew, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Moltissimo with Jimmy Fallon, and is a regularly featured guest on The Rachael Ray Show. Mary's first book, The Cocktail Party (Eat, Drink, Play, Recover) came out in 2015.

Connect with Mary:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

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

Melissa A:
The Winemaker's Wife by Kristin Harmel from Gallery
Golden Child by Claire Adam, won from Cindy Reads and Writes
Love at First Like by Hannah Orenstein from Atria (e-book via NetGalley)
Dear Lily by Drew Davies from Bookouture  (e-book via NetGalley)
Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes from St. Martin's Press
Our Stop by Laura Jane Williams from Avon UK (e-book via NetGalley)

Amy:
The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters by Balli Kaur Jaswal from HarperCollins

Jami: 
One More Lie by Amy Lloyd from HarperCollins  (e-book via NetGalley)

Sara:
The Last Dance by/from Aimee Brown (e-book)
Banished from Memory by Mary Sheeran from JKS Communications (e-book)
Relatively Sane by/from Whitney Dineen (e-book)
The Ice Cream Parlour by Isabella May from Rachel's Random Resources (e-book)



What could be in YOUR mail:

Manhattan Cinderella by Kate O'Keeffe

Kate has one print copy to give away!

A lost shoe. An heir to a music kingdom. A chance for a fairy tale ending.

22-year-old New Yorker Gabriella Davis aspires to be pop music's next big thing. Desperate to protect her kid sister, she's got to succeed. But first, she needs to get away from her narcissistic stepmother who has her working her butt off as assistant to her band.

Super-hot singer Cole Grant is a country boy at heart, so when he leaves his native Tennessee for New York, he's about as comfortable as a deer on ice. He's determined to make the most of this chance of a lifetime, but with the explosive family secret Cole needs to keep, this is one opportunity that might just blow up in his face.

A taxi, a lost shoe, and a chance meeting bring Gabby and Cole together. Their attraction is instant. But with so much at stake, neither one is in the market for love.

When City meets Country and fame and fortune beckon, can they open their hearts to one another? Or will the secrets they hold keep them from finding their happily ever after?

Manhattan Cinderella is a sweet and sexy contemporary romance retelling of the Cinderella story for fans of Lauren Layne. (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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Giveaway ends April 17th at midnight EST. (Enter to win before you turn into a pumpkin!)

Getting to know Susannah Marren...plus a book giveaway

We're excited to have Susannah Marren at CLC today to celebrate the recent publication of her latest novel, A Palm Beach Wife. Thanks to St. Martin's Press, we have FIVE copies to give away! (And isn't the cover gorgeous?!?)

Susannah Marren is the author of Between the Tides and A Palm Beach Wife and a pseudonym for Susan Shapiro Barash, who has written thirteen nonfiction books including Tripping the Prom Queen and Toxic Friends. She lives in New York City and teaches gender studies in the Writing Department at Marymount Manhattan College.

Visit Susannah online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Amid the glamour and galas and parties of Palm Beach, Faith knows that image often counts as much if not more than reality. She glides effortlessly among the highest of the high society so perfectly that you would never suspect she wasn’t born to this. But it wasn’t always so; though she hides it well, Faith has fought hard for the wonderful life she has, for her loving, successful husband, for her daughter’s future.

In this town of secrets and gossip and rumors, Faith has kept a desperate grip on everything she holds so dear, built from so little. And yet even she—the only one who knows just how far she has to fall—never suspects from which direction, or how many directions all at once, betrayal will come. (Courtesy of Amazon.)


What did you learn from writing Between the Tides that you applied to A Palm Beach Wife?
When I wrote Between the Tides, I knew it would be a female driven story, one where I understood the protagonists so well that I could almost conjure them up. I was keenly aware of their hopes and desires from the start. I also knew the ending of Between the Tides when I had only written a few pages. This was applicable to A Palm Beach Wife too – I knew from the start how it would end and I was involved with the characters from the very beginning. And because I have published nonfiction books (under my real name), these topics fueled both Between the Tides and A Palm Beach Wife. The themes include how women truly feel as mothers, wives, daughters, friends, mothers in law and daughters in law, colleagues. What is the price of these roles and what is loyalty to oneself? In both novels, the place becomes almost a character in the story. Palm Beach plays a big part in how this novel unfolds.

I am intrigued with how a woman who is put to the test and faced with great changes in her life will react—a woman in survival mode. This applies to both Between the Tides and A Palm Beach Wife.

What is one piece of advice you'd like to share with aspiring authors?
I would advise aspiring authors to never give up and to write as much as possible. Also as a writer it is important to constantly read a variety of writers and styles. If one is able to find a writing workshop or form a writing group, it is useful and makes one feel less isolated. Any community of writers helps and provides a method of support and encouragement.

If A Palm Beach Wife were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
What an interesting question because the characters are so vivid to me. I would cast Amy Adams as Faith and Zoey Deutch as Katherine. I would cast Lily James as Diana and Susan Sarandon as Mrs. A.

Where did you go for your last vacation and what was the most memorable part of it?
My last vacation was in Los Angeles this past Christmas. I was there with family and it was memorable for that alone. The weather was cooler and windier than I had expected, a trip to the Getty Museum was quite extraordinary and since we were by the beach, we walked along the water every day.

What is your go-to breakfast item?
I would always opt for cold cereal with organic whole milk, blueberries and cashew nuts. And a tall glass of ice water. I once read that it is very important to drink a big glass of water as soon as one gets up in the morning. If I had more time, I’d opt for whole wheat pancakes with pecans and rasberries, and at a restaurant I always look for this sort of dish on the breakfast menu.

If you could have lunch with any three celebrities (living or dead), who would you choose?
I would love to be at lunch with Kate Chopin who wrote The Awakening. I would ask her all about Edna Pontellier, her main character, and how she imagined her. I’d ask Daphne Du Maurier to join us to discuss her novels Rebecca and Don’t Look Now and what influenced these gothic works. The third guest would be Louisa May Alcott, to talk about how Little Women, an American classic, has a heroine who resists traditional roles and behaviors of the time.

Thanks to Susannah for visiting with us and St. Martin's Press 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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Giveaway ends April 16th at midnight EST.

Connecting with Diane Wald...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to welcome Diane Wald to CLC today. Her novel, Gillyflower, publishes next week and thanks to SparkPoint Studio, we have one copy to give away!

Diane Wald was born in Paterson, NJ, and has lived in Massachusetts since 1972. She holds an MFA from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has published more than 250 poems in literary magazines since 1966. She spent two years on a fellowship at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown and has been awarded the Grolier Poetry Prize, The Denny Award, The Open Voice Award, and the Anne Halley Award. She also received a state grant from the Massachusetts Council on the Arts. She has published five chapbooks and won the Green Lake Chapbook Award from Owl Creek Press. Her book Lucid Suitcase was published by Red Hen Press in 1999 and her second book, The Yellow Hotel, was published by Verse Press in the fall of 2002. WONDERBENDER, her third collection, was published by 1913 Press. She lives outside of Boston with her husband, Carey Reid, and their charismatic cats.Visit Diane on Twitter. (Bio courtesy of She Writes Press.)

Synopsis:
Boston, 1984. Even in a world without cell phones, messages come through loud and clear if one is listening. When thirty-something Nora Forrest travels to Manhattan to see a Broadway play starring her idol, an aging Irish actor named Hugh Sheenan, she doesn't know whether what happens in the theater that night should be credited to witchcraft, extrasensory perception, synchronicity, or simple accident--and she knows that many people would tell her nothing had happened at all. Told through the voices of four people, Gillyflower is a story about intersections and connections--real, imaginary, seized, and eluded. It's a book about everyday magic, crystalline memory, and the details that flow through time and space like an electrified mist. It's a detective story, a love story, and a coming-of-age story--for the never really young and for the almost old. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What was your inspiration for writing Gillyflower?
I wanted to explore and communicate my lifelong belief that there’s a lot more going on in life than the things that are easy for us to observe on the surface – and that you need to be tuned in to all that in order to m make your life richer. I like to say that the book is based on experience and not experiences, if that makes any sense. In other words, it’s not autobiographical, but the situation that the protagonist finds herself in is one that reflects something that happened to me a long time ago. I also wanted to celebrate the choices that women are free to make.

In one sentence, what was the road to publication like for you?
Because I’d only published books of poetry before, following this road to fiction was like taking an illegal U-turn! I had to shore up my nerve and put myself out there – and I think because of that, I ended up in a great place.

If Gillyflower were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
I’ve thought about this a lot because I think it would make a terrific movie. Nora would be played by Sally Hawkins (with an American accent) or maybe Emma Stone. Hugh would be played by Bill Nighy or Jeremy Irons or Hugh Grant. Leon is definitely a role for Eddie Izzard.

What do you like most about the spring?
I love the things that happen in my yard: the sturdy shoots of giant allium rising out of the dark earth, the surge in morning birdsong, the delicious glass of wine with my husband on our patio on the first warm evening, the way the air smells drifting off the brook at the edge of our woods….

What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I would have to say Patti Smith: Dream of Life, which is a documentary by Steven Sebring. It’s not a new movie, but I only discovered it recently.

What is the strangest thing currently residing in your purse or handbag?
Today that would probably be a tube of enzymatic toothpaste for cats.

Thanks to Diane for chatting with us and SparkPoint Studio 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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Giveaway ends April 15th at midnight EST.

Spotlight and Giveaway: The Peacock Emporium

Today we are celebrating the US publication of The Peacock Emporium by Jojo Moyes. Viking has one copy for a lucky reader!

Jojo Moyes became a household name with her #1 New York Times bestselling Me Before You series, especially for her trademark memorable characters and complex, true-to-life relationships. Moyes brings all of that to THE PEACOCK EMPORIUM, now available in the US for the first time. It’s a rich story of a young woman with a complicated past who finds both satisfaction and salvation in a quirky shop she opens in her small town.


Athene Forster was untouchable. Dubbed the “Last Deb,” she was gorgeous, rich, and could have anything—or anyone—she wanted, including young heir Douglas Fairley-Hulme. Two years into their marriage, however, scandal engulfs the couple after a young salesman catches Athene’s eye, ultimately causing her fall from grace.

Thirty-five years later, Suzanna Peacock is drowning in the shadow of her late mother, Athene. Unhappy in her marriage and desperate for a fresh start, Suzanna opens The Peacock Emporium, an eclectic shop that attracts an eccentric cast of characters. In her new role, Suzanna begins opening up, and even finds a true friend in Alejandro, a male midwife. But despite her efforts, Suzanna is unable to escape the specter of her mother. Through heartbreak and laughter, Suzanna learns that only by confronting the ghosts of her past can she finally begin to live in the present, and discover that the key to her history, and her happiness, may have been in front of her all along.

Photo by Stine Heilmann

Jojo Moyes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Still Me, After You, Me Before You, Paris for One and Other Stories, The Peacock Emporium, The Horse Dancer, One Plus One, The Girl You Left Behind, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Silver Bay, and The Ship of Brides. She lives with her husband and three children in Essex, England. For more information, visit Jojo at her website and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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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Giveaway ends April 14th at midnight EST.