Book Review: The Christmas Party...plus a special giveaway

By Becky Gulc

**Giveaway is closed**

‘Louise Young is a devoted single mother whose only priority is providing for her daughter, Mia. Louise has a good job in a huge international corporation and she’s grateful for it. The only problem is her boss who can’t keep his hands to himself, but Louise thinks she can handle him. What she really hasn’t got time for is romance – until she meets the company’s rising star, Josh Wallace. Louise usually says no to evenings out, but she’s decided to let her hair down tonight. It’s the office Christmas party, she has a pretty dress to wear and she’s completely unaware that others around her are too busy playing dangerous games to enjoy the party – until she’s pulled into those games herself . . .

Romance is in the air and secrets are about to be uncovered. It’s going to be a night to remember at … The Christmas Party.’ (Courtesy of Carole Matthews' website.)

With a lovely festive cover I was drawn to this book and happily read it in October. Although it’s been a few years since I’ve been to an office Christmas party, I actually feel like I’ve been to one after reading this novel...and what a great action-packed party it is.

With a linear narrative, I wondered how a novel focused on one event would span a whole novel, but it soon became clear that there were several other characters other than Louise whose viewpoints we were given. In fact, Louise is the nice one out of a bunch of characters that all had their secrets which would unfold, to the reader, if not to everyone else, during the eventful night and the day after.

As well as Louise, her lecherous boss Tyler and wife feature, as well as Tyler’s boss Lance and his wife plus a few other interesting characters. The narrative switches a lot between these different characters (and also a couple of other characters), keeping the novel fresh throughout and maintaining a fast pace which allows the plot to thicken as there are various misunderstandings, awkward as well as dangerous moments throughout the novel which we get to see through different viewpoints. I know multiple narratives aren’t always everyone’s cup of tea but I would say the switches are easy to follow, there are subtle recaps for the reader of each narrator’s situation without it spoiling the enjoyment of the novel.

Whilst there are a couple of characters to like and laugh with, I have to say I really enjoyed the stories of Tyler and Lance and their respective wives. I felt sorry for both wives initially, with Tyler as a philander and Lance as an alcoholic neither wife had it easy, but as the novel develops my feelings changed, with secrets emerging. I felt a bit like they needed some girl power rather than just being passive about their situations, but I wasn’t disappointed with how things unfolded. This is a book which delivers well on comeuppance and karma to the point where I was a little surprised, but not disappointed by the ending. There is definitely room to bring some of these characters back in future novels and I’d love to see how they’re getting on, dare I say it, particularly Tyler!

I thought The Christmas Party was the perfect book to get anyone into the party spirit and this is definitely my favourite of Carole’s books I’ve read to date. Go and enjoy the party, without the hangover, and if your own office party is mundane, read this and be grateful!

Thanks to Sphere for the book in exchange for an honest review. And thanks to Trafalgar Square Publishing for sharing copies of Carole's previous Christmas books with THREE lucky US readers!

What you can win:

Calling Mrs. Christmas
With Love at Christmas (reviewed here)
Wrapped Up in You (reviewed here)

Each winner gets a set of all three books!


How to win:
Tell us what puts you in a holiday mood.

One entry per person.

Entries without contact information (e-mail address, Twitter account, Facebook page, etc.) will NOT be counted (and we do NOT count "Google +" as contact information).

US only. Giveaway ends December 14th at midnight EST.

Book Review: A Little Something Different

By Melissa Amster

When I was at BEA this past spring, I saw a sign advertising A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall. The publisher's booth had some information about it, as well. It sounded like a fun story, so I definitely made sure to get my hands on a copy. Between the covers was a delightfully fun and entertaining romantic story.

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together.

Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.

But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

Oh, to be back in college again. Reading A Little Something Different took me back to the good old days of wearing pajamas to my first class, snowball fights on the quad, hanging out with friends almost all the time, knowing what days the dining halls had the best food options, studying at The Coffeehouse, walking to a local diner in the middle of winter, etc. If you've ever gotten "I Wish I Could Go Back to College" from Avenue Q in your head, this book is definitely for you! (If you haven't heard this song, click the link, but be warned that it's rated R for language.) If you never went to college, this is a good way to live vicariously. Mostly though, this story reminded me of dating, back when I was young and naive about how it all worked.

The only people who aren't narrating this story are Lea and Gabe, even though they're the center focus. The story is told through the perspectives of others around them. You only know what they're thinking based on dialogue. This was a unique approach, seeing the relationship of one potential couple through the eyes of both people they're close with and people who are on the periphery (i.e. the bus driver, the barista, the rude guy in their writing class).

I would have liked some more insight into the lives of everyone narrating the story to see what motivated them to meddle so much in Gabe and Lea's lives. Sometimes you got to see characters away from the main two. Still, their focus was solely on Gabe and Lea instead of on themselves. And since there was so much jumping around between narrators, it became confusing as to who was talking at times. There were two narrators who didn't really make as much sense to the story overall. The squirrel was cute enough, but I felt like Sandy was stretching the story a bit with this character. However, the bench was just silly and more time could have been focused on human interactions instead of such a perspective. I also felt like character descriptions came later on in the story, after I formed a certain image in my head already.

Overall, A Little Something Different was a cute story that made me laugh out loud often. There was an element of mystery in terms of Gabe's whole situation. If Nora Ephron had written a book about college students falling in love, this would be it.

Thanks to Swoon Reads for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Go-to-Gay: Glass Half Full of Lemonade

Introduction by Tracey Meyers

This year for my birthday, I went to see the play Annie with a friend of mine.  As we approached the usher he asked us how we were on that particular day.  After replying "Great!" I asked him how he was doing.  His reply, "I'm above ground so I'm doing great!" 

This isn't the first time I've heard someone reply that way when asked how they were doing, but I always find it to be an interesting response.  I think most of the time the go to answer when a stranger asks you that question is to simply say, "Fine."  However, to give such an answer like the one I got from the usher gives you a whole new perspective on life.

Someone else who has always given me a new perspective on life is one of CLC's Go-to-Gays, and my friend, Gary Edwards.

Glass Half Full of Lemonade

Being positive is something that comes a bit more naturally to some of us. I have always been a glass is half full person. I choose to see the best in people, things, and situations. I hate conflict and don’t like to sit and wallow in sorrow or negative thinking. Most of my life I have chosen to find joy, humor, happiness and always try to take a bite out of life.

I have had dark times; many were self inflicted, some were due to sorrow and loss of loved ones, and others due to outside sources beyond my control. I think that is where it all stems, control. What do we need to control, anything? Life is going to happen, the good, the bad and the ugly. Which do we gravitate toward when it happens? When life deals you a slice of pie which would you rather have? A slice of mud pie or a nice hot slice of apple pie?

For a long period of my life I tried to control what people thought of me. Partially, because I was having a hard time liking and understanding myself and who I was. I felt different for being gay and therefore was not being true to myself. I have learned it didn’t matter if I were gay or what I was. We all feel different from others at some point in our lives. What we choose to do about that is what makes the difference. For many years I drank and escaped my life and my own self loathing. Everyone, every situation was wrong in my eyes. I didn’t really like myself so how could I like anyone? It was not until I stopped drinking and learned to look life right in the eye. Learned to let go of control and stop trying to fix and judge everything in the world. I learned to be me again, the person who thinks that the glass is half full!

When I stopped drinking and realized I needed to grow, change and also not be responsible for controlling the world, my life got better, way better. I enjoyed life again to the fullest. I received so many gifts of wonderful people that came into my life. Connected deeper with family and old friends. Finished school, met Wade and started a wonderful life. Sure, life gets crazy, and I can rear my head on occasion and try to control a situation where the outcome doesn’t even matter. But most of the time I practice acceptance and continue to grow.

Whatever it is in your life that is hard, reach out to a friend, take time for you and start a new habit. The new habit of surrounding your life with positive things, people and situations. Being positive is contagious. So, get out of your head, help a friend and stop thinking so much. In yoga they say, “You are not your thoughts but you will become them.” In AA they say, “Stinking thinking leads to drinking.” By no means will any of us be perfect in this journey and on the bad days that is what unconditional love from a family member or friend is all about.

On Jan 01, 2015, I will hit my 20th year of sobriety. It is I think the only New Year’s Resolution I have ever stuck with. I am a proud recovering alcoholic and am so grateful my glass is now half full with just lemonade! So no matter your struggle please take care of yourself and practice acceptance, patience and random acts of kindness. Free your negative thoughts and get away from negative surroundings and start viewing the beauty in the world. Set some goals in 2015 and don’t let anything keep you down!

Hope you have a very bright and joyous holiday & New Year!

Gary Edwards is the marketing and events manager for bestselling author Wade Rouse. Edwards arranges Rouse’s tour schedule, speaking engagements as well as coordinates and facilitates his writing workshops and retreats.  Additionally, Edwards has helped market and promote all five of Rouse’s books. Edwards also has a background in hospitality, and sales as well as design.   With his vast professional background and a love to listen and help friends he is a perfect storm of love and nurture. Edwards is Martha Stewart meets Dear Abby with a dash of Mrs. Doubtfire.  For more, please friend him on Facebook and Twitter.

S.J. Stava gives us a "bedtime" story and has copies to give away!

We're pleased to introduce you to S.J. Stava. Melissa A. connected with her recently through Facebook and found out that they loved the same books when they were kids. Definitely a good start to a chick-lit-loving friendship.

S.J. Stava has loved to read for as long as she can remember. Most childhood summers were spent schlepping to and from the local library with shopping bags full of books. Her passion for books led her to study literature at UCSB, where she graduated with her B.A. in English. After working in a plethora of different careers - from wedding planning to market research to fundraising - she's never stopped reading...or writing.

Having spent time dallying in ghostwriting, she got bit by the bug and decided to publish her very own book, Charlotte's Bed, under her very own name. She is here today to talk about it, as well as share THREE e-books with readers anywhere in the world! (Bio adapted from Amazon.)

Visit S.J. Stava on Facebook.

Synopsis of Charlotte's Bed:
At thirty, Charlotte is sick of the single life. Sick of online matchmaking, sick of bad first (AND second) dates, and sick of the dreaded "I can't believe you're not married yet!" pitying stares. So when her boyfriend proposes – who just happens to be a Dean at the university where she works – she's thrilled to bid her singledom adieu. At the start of the new semester, she seems to have it all: a great job, great friends, and now. . . a great fiancé.

So what’s the catch? An annoyingly handsome new teaching assistant and the opportunity to direct the school’s fall production. Still can’t see the downside? Neither can Charlotte until suddenly, what she thought she wanted, might not be enough anymore.

Charlotte's Bed asks the hard question: how do you choose between the life you've always imagined and the love you've suddenly discovered? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

How did you decide to write chick lit?
I have been an avid reader since as long as I can remember. As soon as I learned to read, I devoured anything I could get my hands on. When I was younger, I loved writing stories about my favorite characters, from The Babysitters Club to Sweet Valley High (I was an addict). In college, I studied English - the only degree that allowed me to read and write on a full-time basis!

After working in the corporate world after college, and not doing nearly as much reading or writing as I wanted to, I took a ghostwriting job on the side. I wrote two erotica novels and I fell head over heels in love with writing again. It was so fun and exciting that when my contract ended, I thought, I should write my OWN book! So I did!

What have you learned from writing Charlotte's Bed?
I think the most important thing I've learned is that the only way to write is to WRITE. A book will never come to fruition unless you sit down and put your fingers to the keyboard. Often, if I'm feeling stuck or unsure of where the story line is going, if I make myself sit down and start typing - and it doesn't matter what I'm typing - ideas will come. Some of my favorite scenes haven't been planned out, but were a result of letting myself go where the writing wanted to take me.

It was also so interesting to see how different the final, published version of Charlotte's Bed is from my initial draft. My characters developed so much during the re-writing and editing process. I've learned that you cannot underestimate the need for re-writing; it's amazing how much better your writing can become if you're willing to be objective and re-work your drafts.

Which authors have inspired you?
My favorite authors are the ones who breathe life into characters and create reality through fiction. I'm obsessed with Stephen King, not only because he does this so well, but because his stories are fascinating. They're dark and twisted and he's not afraid to go where most authors won't. I think it takes a lot of courage to write flawed, disturbing characters, and I love everything he's written (with my all-time favorite being 11/22/63). I also love Gillian Flynn, who does an amazing job of pulling you into the story from the second you start reading. Her characters are also screwed up and damaged, but are so fun to read and get to know. In her books, dark doesn't necessarily mean depressing - it's engaging and thrilling.

Within the chick lit genre, I'm inspired by Emily Giffin, who I think does an incredible job of writing books that are fun and have a great energy, but that also showcase smart women. When I was first introduced to her writing, I was so impressed that chick lit didn't have to mean ditzy or superficial, but could depict real, true-to-life characters with relatable problems.

What is the best gift you ever gave or received?
For my twenty-ninth birthday, my last year in my twenties, my husband threw me a 1920's themed murder mystery party, something I'd been dying to do for ages. He transformed our house into a speakeasy and had everyone dress in flapper and gangster gear. It was by far one of the best presents I've ever gotten!

What is your favorite thing to eat and/or drink during the winter?
I love anything warm and spiced - wait, I mean spiked! I'm a sucker for apple cider with rum, hot chocolate and baileys, anything with kahlua. . . There's nothing better than curling up under a cozy blanket, in front of a fire, sipping on some deliciousness (and reading of course)!

What TV show were you too young to appreciate in the past but would totally watch if it were around now?
This is embarrassing, but Seinfeld. Even though I feel like no age should be 'too young' for Seinfeld, it was definitely on way past my bed time when it originally aired. I remember hearing my parents laughing hysterically when it was on while I tried to sleep, so I dismissed it as 'for old people,' until I final saw an episode. Larry David is a comical genius!


Thanks to S.J. Stava for chatting with us and 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 December 9th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Just Destiny

By Jami Deise

Not so long ago, there was only one way to make babies, and since we’re all adults here, I don’t have to describe it. But that all changed in 1978 with Louise Brown, the first test tube baby. Since then, millions of lives have been created in ways slightly more complicated than boy meets girl, etc. And these new technologies have opened the door to controversies that would have been unimaginable a few decades ago: What to do with frozen embryos whose parents do not want more children? Should doctors continue to implant numerous embryos in the hopes that one or two will grow, knowing that if more are successful it could harm all the fetuses? Should children conceived from donated sperm be told who their donors are?

Jenny Harrison, heroine of Theresa Rizzo’s Just Destiny, is concerned with a more basic pregnancy-related issue: the accidental one. She and her husband, Gabe, hadn’t planned on having children. Gabe’s older than Jenny, with an ex-wife and two teenaged children. He’s done. So when the line turns pink, she doesn’t know how to tell him. During a bike ride, she pressures him to change his mind about parenting. He doesn’t. The discussion turns into an argument, and Jenny is so rattled she almost rides into the path of an SUV. Gabe pushes her out of the way just in time … and the SUV hits him instead. At the hospital, he’s declared brain dead … and the stress is so overwhelming, Jenny miscarries. When she’s approached about donating Gabe’s organs, Jenny asks the harvester to obtain Gabe’s sperm as well. She wants another chance to have her husband’s baby.

Although Gabe’s ex-wife Judith is surprisingly supportive of Jenny’s decision, Gabe’s Uncle George – who raised Gabe after his parents died when he was 12 – is horrified. When he can’t change Jenny’s mind, he goes to court to try to stop her. Jenny needs a lawyer, but her first choice – her and Gabe’s best friend and next-door neighbor Steve -- refuses to take the case. Although Steve is engaged to Annie, he’s been in love with Jenny for years, and can’t support her decision.

Just Destiny brings up several legal and moral issues in ways that evolve naturally from the characters. George is convinced that Gabe never would have wanted a child of his to be raised by a single mother. Steve is torn between his feelings for Jenny and his desire to help her win her case. Jenny is forced to lie about her and Gabe’s relationship in order to present the best case in court. And the writer does not shy away when it comes to describing the procedure for obtaining sperm from a brain-dead patient, which brings up the question of consent. As the case develops, additional ethical questioned are raised as more of George’s actions come to light.

I was engaged with the book from the very beginning, but I did find problems with structure. It begins with a prologue from Steve and Annie’s points of view, giving the impression that the story was about them. There are problems with points of view, characters who simply disappear, and a major back story plot point that is casually revealed halfway through the book – something that goes a long way to explaining character motivation, and should have been revealed much earlier. Furthermore, I had questions about the court case that were never answered – why did Uncle George have legal standing to bring the case to begin with?
Still, Rizzo is a talented writer and Jenny is a heroine that readers will root for – although some may not want her to have a relationship with Steve, who comes across as incredibly self-centered as the story plays out. I personally found the “will they or won’t they” aspect of the book to detract from the main plot rather than enhance it.

Just Destiny should be an appealing read for fans of Jodi Picoult, who often crafts engaging stories featuring characters grappling with modern ethical dilemmas. Priscille Sibley’s The Promise of Stardust, which is also about pregnancy after brain death and a resulting court case, is also recommended for readers intrigued by this premise.

Thanks to Theresa Rizzo for the book in exchange for an honest review. The prequel, Just Beginning, was released this past month in paperback.

Life Without Dina Silver is "Unimaginable"...plus a book giveaway

If anything is possible, then why is it hard to imagine the unimaginable could happen?  I ask myself this all the time.  Even after having a year of unimaginable things taking place, I still have a hard time believing that some of my wildest dreams could ever have come true!

Well, today we're happy to know that we don't have to imagine a literary world without Dina Silver in it.  Before Dina was writing novels, she worked 15 years as a copywriter for an advertising agency.  Thankfully, she eventually made the transition into writing novels with her first novel, One Pink Line (reviewed here), self-published in October 2011 and then published by Lake Union in May 2013.  This month her fourth novel, The Unimaginable (reviewed by Book Mama Blog), is available.  And thanks to BookSparks, we have TWO copies for readers in the US and/or Canada to win!

Dina is a graduate of Purdue University and currently resides in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and son. You can find her at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Please give a warm CLC welcome to Dina Silver!

What do you feel sets your writing apart from other authors?
That’s a tough question. I really don’t compare myself to other writers, so I guess I can only comment on what my particular writing voice sounds like. I tend to inject wit and humor where I can. I also write a ton of dialogue, and think my books are heavy in that area because I prefer writing conversations over long, descriptive narratives.

What part of the writing process was the easiest and/or most difficult for you to master?
The editing process was probably the easiest for me. I know some writers struggle with that, but I love getting edits back and track changes from my editor. It’s a gift to have someone else's insight. The most difficult part of writing is simply disciplining myself to sit down and make time to write. I’m horrible at that.

Where do you get the inspiration for your characters?
Always from people I know. Friends and family mostly, but all four of my books are based in truth, and stem from someone’s life.

Just like you, I’m a Candy Crush junkie. What do you love most about the game? What level are you on?
Ha! I love this question. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’m on level 604. It’s hardly a badge of honor, right? I’m not a huge gamer, but I highly appreciate a mindless escape!

My three favorite things about Chicago are:
The food, the months that it’s warm, and the people.

Which Downton Abbey character do you relate to the most?
Lady Mary for sure. I’ve always been a bit guarded with my emotions like she is, and I’d like to think I’m cool under pressure like her as well.

Synopsis of The Unimaginable:
After twenty-eight years of playing by the rules, Jessica Gregory moves from her small Indiana town to Phuket, Thailand. But her newfound routine is upended with the arrival of Grant Flynn, a captivating, elusive man who is sailing around the world while trying to move on from a past tragedy. Jessica volunteers to help crew Grant’s boat, Imagine, on a passage across the Indian Ocean and finds herself falling in love with him as the voyage gets underway. But when disaster strikes, Jessica must summon her courage as the crew is confronted by unspeakable terrors—and, aboard a boat named for such promise, comes the unimaginable. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

Thanks to Dina for visiting with us and to BookSparks for sharing The Unimaginable with our readers.

~Introduction and interview by Tracey Meyers

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/Canada only. Giveaway ends December 7th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Waking Up Joy

By Sara Steven

When Spavinaw County’s beloved town spinster, Joy Talley, finds herself in a coma after falling from her roof, the whole town is put into a tizzy. Was it an accident? It’s no secret that Joy has been hopelessly in love with Jimmy, the town mayor, for close to two decades. High school sweethearts, Joy and Jimmy were meant to be together- that is, until Jimmy found love in the arms of another. Joy has been pining for Jimmy ever since. Is it any wonder she may have catapulted herself off that roof?

When Joy wakes up, she finds she’s waking up from a lot more than just the coma. A lot of buried secrets lie within the past, weaving an intricate tale around her heart, and Jimmy’s. When Kyle, the hunky young doctor who has saved Joy’s life takes a personal interest in her welfare beyond the doctor/patient relationship, Joy doesn’t know if she should let the past go and move on, or if it’s time to dig up what has been hidden in order to set herself free. Can the past be forgiven?

Not to sound silly, but Waking Up Joy is truly a joy of a book. I had a hard time putting it down, mostly because of the love triangle that Joy finds herself in. At times I was rooting for Kyle, still others I was hoping she would find her way back to Jimmy. I love how the characters are engaging and down to earth, and it’s obvious why everyone loves Joy. Secondary to the love triangle are the secrets buried within the Talley family. There is a definite twist towards the end of the book, and you’ll have a better understanding as to why Jimmy chose the path he did so many years ago, and why Joy has to choose hers. I highly recommend giving Joy a read!

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