Book Review: Bride Squad Runaway

By Sara Steven

Ava O'Hara seems to have it all . . . She has a great job, a long-term relationship and the promise of a wedding on the horizon. But her fiancé has other plans, and Ava's not part of them.

On the big day itself, she's forced to flee the ruins of her best life. Ava needs help, and fast. Who knew that a trio of old friends, two roguish strangers in an ice-cream van and one handsome French man would turn out to be the best emergency bride squad ever? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

Old friends and new friends and the jerks in between; a large factor to the premise surrounding Bride Squad Runaway!

As indicated in the synopsis, Ava has a life that most people would look at as a charmed existence. But as is usually the case, what something looks like on the surface almost always is not true to form. The great job hasn’t fulfilled her deep-rooted passions, her long-term relationship hasn’t, either- and while she’s continually trying to find her way, she’s often making compromises in order to appease everyone else. Ava finds herself in a gigantic colossal rut, figuring it’s easier to move with the tide than to fight against it.

When there is no change, a change is made for you. Suddenly, Ava is in a situation where she’s losing everything she worked so hard for, bringing her front and center to the one real question she’s had a hard time coming to grips with: Is it worth it? The job, the man, the steps she’s taking in her life… if she can’t do what she really wants to do, if she can’t entertain the thought of actually being with someone who brings sparks of joy to her life- what’s the point?

Cue the girlfriends! Two women who were once such an intricate part of her world, yet with time and distance, it feels like those relationships, much like the rest of her, are hanging on by a thin thread. We get to see the gradual slip and slide that can happen to even the best-of-intentioned friendships, but there is a chance for repair, and both women act like mirrors that replicate the varying sides to who Ava is. To add even more fun to this chaotic “coming home” experience, is the added bonus of the two strangers in an ice-cream van! I had a lot of fun getting to learn more about the roguish men who prove that you should never judge a book by its cover. While Ava deals with the jerk who becomes a stumbling road block to her happiness, watching this oddball group of people come together for her aid was a lot of fun to witness!

There were plenty of laughs and fun moments to Bride Squad, but there were plenty of serious ones, too. Changes that age us and stage us, life experiences that aren’t always pleasant, some that can feel downright damaging. I appreciated those particular moments, too, because it brought out an element of honesty to the level of fun. There has to be bad with the good, but it’s how you deal with it that makes all the difference. And of course, if we can’t have Paris, there’s always Ava’s French man that garners in at a close second!

Thanks to Black & White Publishing for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Caroline Grace-Cassidy:

Amy Hatvany has a lot to tell us...plus a book giveaway

We're thrilled to have Amy Hatvany back at CLC today! We love her novels and are excited to read her latest, which published this week. Tell Me Everything sounds fascinating and is sure to be a riveting read. Amy has one copy for a lucky reader!

Amy Hatvany graduated with a degree in Sociology only to discover most sociologists are unemployed. Soon followed a variety of jobs – some of which she loved, like decorating wedding cakes; others which she merely tolerated, like receptionist.

In 1998, Amy finally decided to sell her car, quit her job, and take a chance on her passion: writing books.

Her background in sociology inspires and informs much of her work as she tackles timely and controversial issues in her novels including mental illness, domestic abuse, and alcoholism. She is published by Washington Square Press/Atria Books, and has been both a Target Book Club and Costco Pennie's Pick.

Amy spends most of her time today with her kids and her second and final husband, Stephan. (Seriously, if this one doesn’t work out, she’s done, kaput, no more husbands!) When Amy’s not with friends or family, she is most likely reading, cooking, or zoning out on certain reality television shows. She eagerly awaits Bravo auditions for the cast of “Top Author.” (“Quick Edit” instead of “Quick Fire” Challenge? C’mon, producers! That’s gripping television!)  (Bio courtesy of Amy's website.)

Visit Amy online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
A happily married couple. A dance with a stranger at a bar.

One night—one seemingly insignificant choice—can change everything.

Jessica and Jake Snyder love each other, and their life together. Successful in their chosen careers, they reside in the picturesque, though at times stifling, Seattle suburb of Queens Ridge as they parent teenagers Ella and Tucker.

As so often happens in marriage, their romantic life falls casualty to busy schedules and repetitive routine, until one night, a stranger asks Jessica to dance. On a whim, Jake urges her to say yes, saying that he wants to watch this other man touch her, something that surprises Jessica by arousing her like never before. A door opens for them then, into a realm of exploration neither of them knew existed.

They create rules to protect their marriage, and are thrilled when their relationship is strengthened and enriched by deeper levels of communication and trust brought about by this exciting, but taboo behavior. That is, until Jessica keeps a secret from Jake and embarks on a tryst with an intriguing man from her past, who, when she tries to end things between them, decides to seek revenge.

What happens after that will threaten to destroy their world—and them.

A juicy and insightful look into the shifting definition of modern marriage and the limits placed upon female sexuality, TELL ME EVERYTHING will make you question everything you thought you knew about what constitutes marital bliss, and keep you turning pages into the night. (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing? 
I think the one that I've heard many times - that reading one of my books is like sitting down for a talk with a best friend who understands them!

What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Tell Me Everything? 
The biggest reward was getting to write about something that has been on my mind for a long time, since my educational background is actually in the sociology of human sexuality. I tend to be curious in general when it comes to how our society treats what goes on behind closed doors, especially how women's sexuality is not only judged harshly, it's treated like a commodity. This book gave me the opportunity to explore how women are shamed about how we indulge our sexual desires, despite that as a culture, sex is used to sell everything from breakfast cereals to cars. I found it liberating to write about it.

The biggest challenge I faced was making Jessica and Jake relatable, fully-rounded characters, knowing full-well that many readers will have preconceived notions about what a "nice" girl would do in a situation like this. I want my readers to feel empathy and understanding of the choices they make.

If Tell Me Everything were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles? 
Oh, this is the fun part! I think for Jessica, I would choose a brunette Kate Winslet, and for Jake, her husband, maybe Timothy Olyphant. For Andrew - Justin Theroux!

What TV series are you currently binge watching? 
I'm working my way through all 15 seasons of ER on Hulu! It's such an amazing show, and so many successful actors today got their start in bit parts on it! It's fun to see them at their beginning.

Tell us about your most memorable Thanksgiving. 
Honestly, I got sober 14 years ago on Thanksgiving weekend, so that will always be the hardest, and best memory I have of that weekend.

What is the strangest thing currently residing in your purse/handbag? 
A green apple Blow-Pop that I bought on a whim about six months ago at the drugstore check out. Those were my favorite in high school, so I grabbed it and keep forgetting it's in there!

Thanks to Amy for visiting 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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Giveaway ends November 12th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Squared Away

By Sara Steven

Almost two years after she left the army, and her best friend Concepcion Chapa, Joelle McCoy receives a cryptic voicemail from an Iraqi contact looking for Concepcion. When Joelle can’t reach her “battle buddy,” she’s told Concepcion died in a car accident, while working for the FBI

But Joelle has questions and those questions launch her into the arms of an FBI agent—one of Concepcion’s former colleagues—and a search for her friend that will bring her from small-town Missouri, to Miami, and then on to Kosovo.

Over the course of a year, Joelle will search for her friend, with the help of Concepcion’s former FBI colleagues, and try to come to terms with what their battle-tested friendship really means in her life. And why Concepcion would disappear without so much as a goodbye. (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I appreciated the air of mystery that surrounds Squared Away. From the beginning, we’re informed that one of Joelle’s closest friends has died, but Joelle doesn’t believe it. Many things don’t sit right or add up, cleverly showcased within the pages. But just when I thought that Joelle was onto something, other characters would provide additional information that had me guessing for most of the book. Was Concepcion still alive?

This felt like a military Nancy Drew read, particularly when Joelle goes on her quest for the truth. Even through the fear and immense pressures from others who are in the military or FBI, she continues to propel herself forward, and we get to see just how tough Joelle is. The memories she shares about her friend shows us an even tougher woman in Concepcion, one who does what she wants and does not feel the need to apologize for it. There was also a lot of great background information that lends into the friendship the women have, why it’s so important, and the potential cracks and crevices that makes finding the truth the number one priority.

While there is a paralleling story of romance for Joelle and the FBI agent- I felt the real relationship here had been the one she had with Concepcion all along. The strong bonds of friendship that can never be broken, even potentially through death. There was an honest desperation in her search for her friend, taking her clear across the world, even- all in the name of love. Those types of sisterly friendships are hard to come by, which made it all the more interesting.

My only complaint would be the ending. It felt a little rushed, at times buttoned up, and finished a bit abruptly. I would have liked to see the ending expanded on a bit more, so we could feel some real closure for Joelle. But aside from that, I enjoyed Joelle’s story, and wanted to discover for myself what had happened to someone who had meant so much to so many. A great mystery!

Thanks to Mindbuck Media for the book in exchange for an honest review.

Nothing puzzling about Leah Mercer...plus a book giveaway

We are so excited to have Leah Mercer at CLC today. The last time we had her here for a visit was as Talli Roland. While Talli's novels are more lighthearted and humorous, Leah's novels deal with heavier subject matter. Melissa A has enjoyed her previous novels (see reviews posted further down) and is going to be reading Leah's latest, The Puzzle of You, in the near future. Leah has TWO copies to share with some lucky readers!

Leah Mercer can't remember a time when she didn't love writing. From creating fake newspapers to writing letters to the editor, scribbling something was always on the agenda. Even the rejections she received after completing her first novel at age 13 didn't dent her enthusiasm.

So it makes sense, then, that she pursued a career in anything but writing. Public relations, teaching, recruitment, editing medical journals -- even a stint painting houses -- until she finally succumbed once more to the lure of the blank page.

When she's not being jumped on by her young son or burning supper while thinking of plot lines, Leah can be found furiously tapping away on her laptop, trying not to check Twitter or Facebook.

Leah also writes romantic comedies under the name Talli Roland. (Courtesy of Leah's website.)

Visit Leah online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Melissa's reviews of Leah's other books:
Who We Were Before
The Man I Thought You Were

Synopsis:
She’s woken up in a life she doesn’t recognize – with a daughter she doesn’t remember.

When Charlotte McKay wakes up in a hospital bed with no memory of how she got there, all she wants is to go back to the perfect London flat she shares with her husband, and the impressive career she’s worked so hard to build. But something’s not right. Her husband David is at her bedside – but so is a three-year-old girl, and she’s calling Charlotte ‘Mummy’…

Charlotte’s first instinct is panic. When – why – did she have a child? What about her promotion, her independence, her romantic weekends with David? She loved being that woman: how can she have turned into the stay-at-home mother she swore she’d never be?

Back at home, she dives into her unfamiliar world, hoping to piece together the mystery of her transformation. But faced with so much that feels foreign and unnatural, will she ever be happy in a life she can’t remember having – or wanting to have? (Courtesy of Amazon.)

What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
I love it when people say my books ring true to them – that my readers can see their actions and emotions reflected in my characters and plots. That’s a huge compliment, because it means I got it right. Of course, not all people react the same as my characters, but it’s wonderful if a reader recognizes even a glimmer of themselves.

What was the inspiration behind The Puzzle of You?
Before I became a mother, I remember thinking: ‘I’ll never be the kind of parent who (insert random judgment here!). But the thing is, before you have a child yourself, you have no idea the kind of parent you’ll be – never mind your child’s personality or any other challenges you may face along the way. And being a mother does change you, even if you’re determined it won’t. I wanted to explore this change and how it can sometimes be a struggle to piece yourself back together in a way that makes sense . . . in a way that balances your needs and desires with those of your child, especially if your child hasn’t had an easy start in life. Setting up a clash between the past and the present – with a main character who loses any memory of even wanting to have a baby, then discovers she’s a stay-at-home mum – seemed the perfect way to do this.

Motherhood is a very personal thing and I don’t expect everyone to agree with my central character’s thoughts and emotions, but I wanted to write a journey that I could relate to. I hope others will, too.

If The Puzzle of You were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
That’s such a great question! For the role of Charlotte, I’d choose Scarlett Johansson, because she can play very strong female characters with a touch of vulnerability. For David, I’d choose Andrew Lincoln as he has such an open, friendly, earnest face that I think represents David’s character well.

What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I don’t watch many movies as I fall asleep! I do watch a lot of on-demand TV, though, and I recently finished Unbelievable on Netflix. It’s difficult watching, for sure, and it made me very angry. But I love that the cast is mostly female, with the two leads played by very strong women.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
This is more strange than comical. We live in a very old building in central London, and recently, our flat buzzer has been ringing for no reason. We’ll pick up the intercom and look through the door camera only to see . . . nothing. A little creepy, never mind annoying. Earlier this week I was coming back from the park with my son. We approached the door and just as I was getting out my keys, I heard my husband’s voice through the intercom, asking why I’d rung the buzzer. I hadn’t! The ghost strikes again.

What was your last dream that you can still remember vividly?
Every time I release a new novel, I’m sure to have bad dreams. I recently dreamed that my editor emailed to say my book isn’t as good as they’d originally thought and that it needs a ton more work – in a few short hours. Yikes! I woke up with my heart pounding.

Thanks to Leah 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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Giveaway ends November 10th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Room Service and Murder

By Sara Steven

There's never a dull day working in the hotel industry. Drug busts, arrests, plenty of clandestine escapades, and parties so wild they'd put fraternities to shame. The last thing Casey Cooper expected was to walk into a guest room and discover the lifeless body of her friend.

Though all signs point to a self-inflicted death, Casey doesn't believe it. On a truth-seeking journey to find justice for her friend, suddenly everyone looks like a suspect. Could it be the former child actress, the over-worked assistant, a long-lost relative, or even the delicious new manager who always seems to be distracting Casey from her mission to find her friend's killer?

Can Casey find the truth before the body count rises and she becomes the next victim? (Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads)

I’m no stranger to Melissa Baldwin’s books, but this was my first in her Cozy Mystery series, and I have to say, it was a lot of fun! With chaos and intrigue at every turn, I never knew for sure what Casey would find in her quest to clear her friend’s reputation. In one breath, I thought for sure I knew who the culprit was, yet something else would happen that would throw me off the trail.

There was real emotion and truth behind Casey’s reaction, in finding someone she loves, dead. While it might have been too easy to portray Casey as an overly emotional wreck, that didn't happen here. Given the person she is and the responsibilities she has in running a hotel, the shock and want and need to return to work and carry on with what’s normal for her made Casey appear to be an even more realistic character, during a time in her life where nothing is normal. It lends into the depths she chooses to go to, even putting her own life at risk, to find out what really happened.

I also felt that vein of honesty in the budding relationship between Casey and her new boss. There were clear limits set by both characters, and in the moments where I felt there would be no possibility for the two of them to connect, there were hints towards a potential relationship. And yet, just when I thought they would take the plunge, nothing would happen. It really kept me on my toes, where the romantic angles in Room Service are concerned.

Given the mystery, the unknowns that lurk within the hotel shadows, strong, well written, well developed characters and the splashes of romance thrown in for good measure, Room Service and Murder is a well deserving, five star read!

Thanks to Melissa Baldwin for the book in exchange for an honest review.

More by Melissa Baldwin:

What's in the mail

Melissa A:
Mistletoe Mishap by/from Tracy Krimmer (e-book)
A Good Neighborhood by Therese Anne Fowler from St. Martin's Press (won in a giveaway)
Willa's Grove by Laura Munson from Blackstone (e-book via NetGalley)
Pretty Things by Janelle Brown from Random House (e-book via NetGalley)
Tell Me Everything by/from Amy Hatvany (e-book)
Follow Me by Kathleen Barber from Gallery (e-book via NetGalley)
Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra from Berkley  (e-book via NetGalley)
Vacation by Jane Green from Kensington  (e-book via NetGalley)

Amy:
The Secrets of Love Story Bridge by Phaedra Patrick from HarperCollins

Becky:
A Perfect Cornish Christmas by Phillipa Ashley from Avon

Sara:
Roping Your Heart by Fabiola Francisco from Bare Naked Words (e-book)
Perfect Match by Zoe May from Rachel's Random Resources (e-book via NetGalley)
Full Circle by Andrea Barber from Kensington (e-book via NetGalley)
Been There, Married That by Gigi Levangie from St. Martin's Press (e-book via NetGalley)
Beaus and Arrows by Rashida T. Williams from Red Adept Publishing (e-book)
The Event by/from Whitney Dineen (e-book)
Love and Ohana Drama by/from Melissa Baldwin (e-book)

Double Feature Book Review

By Jami Deise

Like a Hallmark or Lifetime movie, novels that fall under the “women’s fiction” category promise a specific type of experience for the reader. For women and by women, familial relationships are at the heart of these stories, and secrets threaten to tear them apart. Often set in sensual locales, with generous description and plenty of angst, they feature poetic titles, sympathetic heroines, and bittersweet but satisfying endings.

Voice – the tone in which the writer tells the story – is also an important factor, one that creates empathy in the reader. Two recent women’s fiction releases by William Morrow/Avon illustrate how tone can be used to differentiate novels with similar structures.

Invisible as Air by Zoe Fishman is the story of a family with secrets. Three years after her daughter was stillborn, Sylvie Snow becomes addicted to Oxycontin. Told from the third-person points-of-view of Sylvie, her husband Paul, and her almost-13-year-old son Teddy, Fishman’s somewhat snarky, sarcastic tone takes a light approach to some very heavy topics. With Paul hiding his own emotional affair and shopaholic tendencies, Teddy and his 12-year-old girlfriend are the only adults in the book. Rather than drawing readers in, these choices in tone and characterization make it difficult to empathize with Sylvie.

Hannah Beckerman’s If Only I Could Tell You unspools in the more traditional warm, emotional voice that readers expect in women’s fiction. Another book about a family secret told from three points of view, it revolves around Audrey, who is dying of cancer and only wants her adult daughters to reconcile after a lifetime of not speaking. Those daughters, Jess and Lily, are as different as two women can be; Beckerman camouflages the women’s secrets with subplots about relationships and their own daughters. While the book moved me to tears in the end, it also violates one of the basic tenants of storytelling structure: If the conflict can be resolved in a conversation, it’s not strong enough for a novel. Still, it was a heck of a conversation.

With domestic thrillers nearly taking over publishers’ offerings the past several years, these women’s fiction releases are a good reminder that everyday human drama still has an important place on our bookshelves.

Thanks to William Morrow and Avon for the books in exchange for an honest review.

More by Zoe Fishman and Hannah Beckerman: