December Reader Spotlight: Susieqlaw

We're doing a new series at the blog for readers to do either guest posts or interviews. One reader will be featured each month, and if it's a theme month, that will be the focus. 

Our guest today is one we know pretty well. She's a regular at CLC, but also a bit of a mystery. Since we respect her privacy, we have no idea what she looks like. She also doesn't wish to share her real name or location with anyone, but you can only be so safe online these days, so her privacy wishes are respected once again! Anyway, Susieqlaw is really sweet and we enjoy checking out her blog to see her latest book recommendations. Visit Susieqlaw at Twitter and Instagram.

Susieqlaw is an avid reader and writer. She learned to read at an early age and spent serious time at the library...eventually organizing all the books in the house with library cards guided by the Dewey Decimal system. Next, in elementary school, she started a family newsletter.

Susieqlaw went on to contribute to poetry publications, to contribute to life writing pieces. and to contribute to non fiction publications mainly concerning US relations in the Middle East.

Susieqlaw's favorite book so far this year is The Passenger by Lisa Lutz. Susieqlaw's favorite show this year (no spoilers) has been the return of The Gilmore Girls. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, writing, exercising, playing the piano, singing, drawing, and painting.

Susieqlaw just received the best compliment from her piano professor yesterday who called her "a positive light in a crazy world."

What book were you hesitant to pick up but then loved once you read it? 
Goodnight June by Sarah Jio.

What does the term "chick lit" mean to you?
Chick lit means fiction reading materials that are lighter than a suspense or thriller. Chick lit contains at least one main character but more often more than one character. Humor and relationships are included. Chick lit is one of my favorite genres.

What are the next three books in your TBR pile? 
Always by Sarah Jio, Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult, and Falling by Jane Green. I am currently reading Hungry Heart by JenniferWeiner and love it so far.

What is your favorite song to listen to during the winter holidays? 
"The Peace Carol" by John Denver and performed with The Muppets. Also, I love "All is Well" and "Joy to the World."

What is the best holiday gift you have ever received?
My uncle gave me this huge teddy bear when I was eight. Best gift ever!

What is your favorite treat that only comes out during the winter holidays? 
Diet Sierra Mist CRANBERRY, Joy tea by Tazo, so many!

Book Review and Giveaway: All the Breaking Waves

By Melissa Amster

After a harrowing accident tore her family apart, Molly Brennan fled from the man she loved and the tragic mistake she made.

Twelve years later, Molly has created a new life for herself and her eight-year-old daughter, Cassie. The art history professor crafts jewelry as unique and weathered as the surf-tumbled sea glass she collects, while raising her daughter in a safe and loving environment—something Molly never had. But when Cassie is plagued by horrific visions and debilitating nightmares, Molly is forced to return to the one place she swore she’d never move back to—home to Pacific Grove.

A riveting exploration of love, secrets, and motherhood, All the Breaking Waves is the poignant story of a woman who discovers she must confront her past, let go of her guilt, and summon everything in her power to save her daughter. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)


I fell in love with Kerry Lonsdale's debut, Everything We Keep, this past summer, so I knew I had to read All the Breaking Waves as soon as possible. Kerry has once again proven her strong and captivating storytelling prowess.

This time around, Kerry has written a powerful story about mother and daughter relationships. The power in this case is psychic, more often than not. The story begins with Cassie's night terror involving her best friend and then escalates from that point onward, prompting Molly to re-visit her childhood home, as well as the horrible memories it evokes. She has to find a way to make things from her past right again, even with some other complications arising.

Everything was easy to visualize and I could practically smell the rain in the air or taste Nana Mary's cooking. Molly's flashbacks built up the story a lot and it was interesting to piece everything together from her past. The dialogue and interactions between characters felt genuine and honest.

After Everything We Keep, I was hoping for more of a shocking twist from this novel. However, there were some surprises in store that kept me on my toes. And maybe you will be shocked by some of them.

Overall, this was a very impressive novel that was hard to put down, and I look forward to reading more by Kerry in 2017!

My dream movie cast:
Molly: Emily Van Camp
Cassie: Bella Lotz
Nana: Tyne Daly
Owen: Jay Hernandez
Phoebe: Alexandra Daddario

Thanks to Kerry Lonsdale for the book in exchange for an honest review. She has one copy for a lucky reader!

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 December 12th at midnight EST.

Renee Conoulty swings onto the chick lit scene...plus a book giveaway

We're pleased to have Renee Conoulty at CLC today to feature her debut novel, Don't Mean a Thing, which is now available through Kindred Ink Press. Melissa A knows her from some chick lit groups on Facebook and she's a real sweetheart!

Renee Conoulty is an Australian Air Force wife and mother of two. When she’s not devouring books, reviewing and blogging on HeySaidRenee, or writing her own stories, Renee can be found swing dancing. Or possibly napping. She tweets about reading and reviewing at @HeySaidRenee and about writing, military life and dancing @ReneeConoulty, but hasn’t created a handle for nap talk yet. You can also find her at Facebook.

Sign up for Renee’s monthly newsletter for her highlights on blogging, reading, writing and life.

Synopsis of Don't Mean a Thing:

What if you finally took the lead, but life refused to follow?

Thirty-year-old introvert, Macie Harman, has finally found a career she is passionate about, and after months of training, she’s begun her new job in the Royal Australian Air Force. Leaving behind her family, friends, and the life she knew, Macie has travelled to the other side of the country where the only person she knows is Rachael, the extroverted girl she went through basic training with. Everywhere Macie goes, Rachael is there too.

While looking for a way to widen her circle of friends in her new town, Macie discovers a local swing dancing class. The jazz music captures her heart, and Matt, the sexy swing dancer, sweeps her off her feet. Matt has claimed the tropical Northern Territory as home and has no plans to leave. He loves his teaching career with its predictable routine and has a great bunch of friends. All he wants now is the right girl to make his house a home.

Military life is tougher than Macie expected, and not everyone can deal with the inevitable separations and last minute changes. Is this exciting but unpredictable life something Macie wants to fight for, or could she give it up and put down roots with Matt?

What was most challenging thing about writing Don't Mean a Thing?
The most challenging thing for me was finding the time to write. I couldn’t concentrate with the kids running around and I worked during the day. I’m not a morning person, so I opted to stay up a bit later each night, after everyone went to bed, so I could write in a quiet house.

How did you decide to write chick lit?
I decided to write the book I wanted to read and I’d been reading lots of chick lit. My natural writing voice fits well with chick lit too.

In one sentence, share a piece of advice to future writers.
Finish the first draft before you start to edit and if you find you need to make a major change (like deciding to switch the whole book from 3rd person to 1st person halfway through the first draft like I did) make a few notes to yourself then keep writing as if you’ve already made the changes.

If you could cast Don't Mean a Thing as a movie, who would you choose for the lead characters?
While I was writing, I used pictures of Alana de la Garza and Theo James for inspiration for Macie and Matt but if it was turned into a movie, they would have to be Aussie actors. I think Phoebe Tonkin would be great for Macie and Liam Hemsworth for Matt.

What is your favorite winter holiday movie?
I adore Love Actually. One of my friends gave me the DVD for Christmas one year when she found out I hadn’t seen it and now I watch it every year.

Since you live in Australia, what is it like to have the winter holidays during summer months?
It’s always seemed a bit strange to sing about sleigh bells and snow while sweat is trickling down your back so here’s an Aussie carol to give you a giggle – Six White Boomers. (Boomers is a nickname for kangaroos – we have nicknames for everything)

Thanks to Renee for visiting with us and to KEPR Tours for coordinating the interview and hosting some special giveaways as part of Renee's tour. Check out the schedule here and visit the other stops!

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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Book Review: The Christmas Cake Cafe

By Sara Steven

As the Prosecco chills and Bing Crosby croons, Jen Barker just knows that her long-term boyfriend is about to propose. But instead of a diamond ring nestled in her champagne flute, Jen finds cold flat rejection. Her once perfect life and dreams of a husband and family seem even further from reach.

A working holiday to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister Jody might not be the Christmas Jen had it mind, but it offers her the chance to recharge her batteries and recover from heartbreak.

When Jen meets handsome ski instructor Jon Zutter her hopes for a happy-ever-after seem within her grasp again. Jon is kind and gorgeous and as they bond over Sachetorte at the picturesque Cake Café, Jen thinks he might just be her perfect man. But a relationship with him comes with a catch – and there are some things even cake can’t fix.

As the snow falls and Christmas approaches, could this be the place that restores Jen Barker’s faith in love? (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I always feel as though I can relate with the characters Sue creates. In The Christmas Cake Café, Jen Barker is yet another character I identify with. Having been in a position where I’ve had my own heart broken, the rug pulled out from under me without any sort of head’s up beforehand, I felt like I was sitting right there at the table in the restaurant, with Jen and her boyfriend. The man she’s been involved with for several years, hoping he’ll want to take their relationship to the next level. Crushed when he decides that spending a life with Jen isn’t at all what he has in mind. How can someone recover from that sort of rejection?

When she’s offered the opportunity to travel to the Swiss Alps with her younger sister, at first she’s totally against it. For so long, Jen has had her entire life mapped out for her. There’s security in that. Taking a leave of absence and traveling to a place she’s never been to before sounds ludicrous! Yet, deep down, there’s an adventurous spirit lurking inside her. One she hasn’t confronted for several years.

Which brings her to her temporary job in the Swiss Alps, at a sweet little cafe near the slopes. It’s almost too easy to run into Jon, who often stops in to see her. And when she’s not attempting to spend every spare moment with him, she’s forming a new bond with her sister, and new friendships with her sister’s friends, something Jen hasn’t been part of in a very long time. It’s not like her to hang out with girlfriends.

The closer she gets to Jon, the better she feels, yet she can sense there’s something lurking beneath the surface. He’s trying very hard to keep a secret from her. Having been in a relationship before with hidden secrets, this is the last thing Jen wants, and when she is finally privy to Jon’s secret, she’s not sure their newfound relationship can survive.

This was such a beautiful story about coming to terms with the things you hope for that never come to fruition, and accepting the things that don’t come wrapped in perfect little Christmas packages. Jen has to find herself again, trusting that there is real love out there. She has to open herself up to the possibility of it. I also appreciated the strong currents of sisterhood and friendship, a wonderful theme that I’ve witnessed often while reading a Sue Watson novel. She has a wonderful way of reminding you of your own hopes and dreams, appreciating the love and faith we all draw closer to this time of year.

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

More by Sue Watson:

Birthdays in December

Instead of posting on our Facebook page, we're going to honor all author and CLC team birthdays each month here!

(If we are missing a birthday, please let us know and we'll be glad to add it.)

12/1 - Alisa Kwitney

12/1 - Tish Cohen
12/2 - Christa Allan

12/2 - Lisa Dale

12/3 - Holly Robinson

12/3 - Jess Riley
12/4 - Michelle Cox

12/4 - Amy Ferris
12/4 - Hollye Dexter
12/5 - Karen McCullah
12/9 - Laura Kenyon
12/13 - Kathleen Irene Paterka
12/14 - Nancy Thayer
12/17 - Gina Calanni
12/18 - Kathryn R. Biel
12/18 - Nicky Wells
12/19 - Sara Palacios
12/20 - Belinda Jones
12/20 - Phoebe Fox
12/20 - Jenny Gardiner
12/22 - Robert Manni
12/23 - Suzanne Palmieri
12/23 - Meredith Schorr*
12/24 - Jennifer Gilbert
12/27 - Sarah Girrell
12/28 - Kate O'Keeffe
12/29 - Jenny Lawson
12/30 - Sonja Yoerg
12/31 - Renee Rosen

*Melissa A met in person

See birthdays from:

January * February * March

April * May * June
July * August * September
October * November

Book Review: Close Encounters of the Furred Kind

By Sara Steven

The adventures of The Bear, Ralph, Shipley and Roscoe continue in this heart-felt novel about the close bond a man has with his cats. So much so, the cats have taken on very human-like characteristics, particularly The Bear, who has a habit of gazing into your soul, making you feel stripped bare of everything you hold dear. It sounds unnerving, but totally relatable. Any cat owner can tell you, felines have a way of looking into the very core of who you are and what you represent.

Tom Cox shares with us the journey he’s on with his pets, whether it’s relocating six hours away, or fending off the notable strays that cross his path, to falling in love with one of those strays, attempting to bring him into the fold. In telling his story, we’re reminded of the importance of having a pet in our lives. Combined with that, is the relationship Tom has with his parents, particularly his father, who is represented as a larger-than-life character, speaking primarily in ALL CAPS in nearly every sentence.

I appreciate the honesty behind the realism of life with four cats, plus or minus one or two, if you count the strays. I also appreciate Tom’s self-deprecating humor. While he knows owning four cats isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, you end up yearning for the four he has. I loved reading about the way his cats live, the freedom they have to explore the great outdoors around them, the life I’d imagine most felines were meant to live. He wants the very best for his pets, because to him, they are family.

I’d have to say, what I appreciated most this go around, having read The Good, The Bad, and the Furry (also a great read, reviewed here), is the emotion and sweetness we witness within and for each cat. They're not getting any younger, and that’s very much reflected in Close Encounters of the Furred Kind. There’s a big push to appreciate what you have even more, to cherish every moment you have, not only with your pets, but with your humans, too. Living life to the fullest every day, because none of us know what tomorrow will bring.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the book in exchange for an honest review.

How Julie Archer was inspired to be a rock star writer

Today, Julie Archer is here to talk about her road to publishing her debut novel, Cocktails, Rock Tales, & Betrayals.

Julie Archer grew up in Hampshire and lived in Reading before moving to the beautiful riverside town of Dartmouth in Devon. She still feels like she’s on holiday.

Julie trained as a journalist, then went into teaching (kept meeting the sixth form students in the pub, awkward!). After that she ‘fell’ into recruitment, spending more years there than she cares to mention, where the most creative thing she did was to create a sexy top line for job adverts! Since moving to Devon, she set up her own business offering virtual administration and recruitment services, worked for an accommodation company and is currently moonlighting in the local bookshop…

Also, COYS, Cats, Metal. Underneath this preppy exterior beats the heart of a rock chick. Visit Julie at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Synopsis:

A bar, a band and a Thorne between two roses…

Caro and Nate are perfect for each other. Trouble is, Nate is really Alik Thorne lead singer of the Next Big Thing in rock music and his girlfriend, Edie, isn’t really prepared to share him…

Caro Flynn leaves behind the sultry nights of Mallorca to open her own bar back home. Romance wasn’t high on her list of priorities, but a last minute fling makes her think again…

Edie Spencer-Newman always gets what she wants. But when she sets her sights on something a little too close to home, she’s about to stir up a whole heap of trouble…

When the consequences of a tragic accident cause relationships to crumble, will anyone find a happy ending?


My Writing Journey

It was just over two years ago (ironically on the day I published the eBook of Cocktails, Rock Tales & Betrayals) that I received an email from Urban Writers’ Retreat to say that I had been accepted on the Six Month Novel Programme. I remember doing a happy dance around my kitchen as I realised that someone thought I had a good story to tell.

The Six Month Novel Programme is something to help writers get to the end of that first draft, with the support of fellow writers. There is structure, accountability and cheerleading. And a place for you to vent about how things are going – good and bad. The Writer’s Playground was a massively important part of my writing journey and without it, I don’t think I would ever have finished Cocktails, Rock Tales & Betrayals. I have made some fantastic virtual and real friends here, all of whom have helped me along the way.

I wrote “The End” on the first draft in early March 2015. Then life got in the way. And I half-heartedly edited the manuscript a few times, shoved it in a cupboard, forgot about it, dusted it off, got a few people to beta read it, sent off a few agent submissions and generally didn’t love it.
Then I went to a World Book Night Event in Stoke Fleming, near Dartmouth where I live, in April this year.

The guest speaker was Lesley Pearce, who regaled us with tales of her writing journey – and penchant for Sean Bean. Other speakers included Jenny Kane, Tony Porter, Jane Gill, Mel Menzies and Steve Stevenson-Olds.

Hearing these authors talk about how they had got their works published, either traditionally or through the self-publishing route, really made me think. And it made me want to be standing up on that side of the table at World Book Night 2017 telling my own story!

Having already submitted to a few agents and received stock replies of ‘thanks, but no thanks’ and ‘keep writing’, I considered the self-publishing route. Not knowing what this might entail, I explored the possibilities out there and looked at “assisted self-publishing” versus “pure self-publishing”.

I went to Tiverton Literary Festival in June and attended a self-publishing workshop by Marissa Farrar. Although I hadn’t come across her work before, she has self-published a huge number of novels in different genres. And made the process work!

I also met Carrie Elks at a Stickwick retreat. As another self-published author she was also able to give me more invaluable advice on how to do things properly, what to focus on and where to start with things like a marketing plan and social media.

After listening to both of these inspiring ladies (and taking copious notes!), I was more determined than ever to get the book out there myself. I was in a fortunate position of being able to have the time and funds available to dedicate to the editing, cover design and marketing processes.

So I did it! I wrestled with Createspace, Kindle Direct Publishing and Draft2Digital and won!

What’s next? Book 2 of course! And along with my fellow chums in the Writer’s Playground, we are publishing an anthology of stories called ‘Off Track’. It will be available in mid-November in both eBook and print formats. All proceeds are going to charity, so it would be great if you could pick up a copy.

Thanks to Julie for this lovely guest post and to HCL Author Services for coordinating Julie's visit. Visit all the stops on Julie's blog tour:

November 27th
Blog on the Run - Promo Post
My Comfy Reading Corner - Book Review
He Said Books or Me - Author Guest Post

November 28th

Steamy Book Momma - Book Excerpt
Judging More Than Just The Cover - Author Q&A

November 29th

Rachel Brimble Romance - Author Q&A
Living Life With Joy - Author Guest Post

November 30th

Book Lover in Florida - Book Excerpt 

December 2nd

Authors & Readers Book Corner - Book Excerpt 

December 3rd

Hello...Chick Lit - Book Excerpt 

December 4th

Novel Gossip - Book Promo/Excerpt 

December 5th

Rae Reads - Book Excerpt 

December 6th

Grass Monster - Amazon Book Review