Book Review: Jay Walking

By Sara Steven

Years ago, I was a single mom. Granted, my son’s father was involved in his life, yet I went from having a marriage to not having a marriage at all. I had to rely solely on myself. While reading Jay Walking, I couldn’t help but be reminded of how much hard work goes into raising a family when you’re doing it mostly on your own. Chelsea Wyatt never intended to be a single parent. She had fallen in love with Daniel, and after discovering she was pregnant, he checked out. She lives in her parent’s rental apartment located in the basement level of their home, and they help out when they can, allowing Chelsea to work full-time and provide for her son. This wasn’t the plan she had for her life, but it’s her reality.

With all the upheaval and not feeling as though she has enough time for herself, Chelsea’s health has taken a hard hit. She decides to eat healthier, and takes that first step towards living an active lifestyle by venturing out for a walk. Along the way, she falls literally into Jay’s arms, a man who is toned up in all the right places and incredibly good-looking. A little too good-looking for Chelsea, in her humble opinion, but that doesn’t stop her from having thoughts of dating him. She hasn’t let anyone else get close to her, not after the Daniel debacle.

And speaking of Daniel, he shows up again at the most inopportune time, throwing a wrench into all the hard plans Chelsea has put into motion. It’s what she’s always wanted, to have him back in her life, in whatever capacity that might be. Her son needs a father, and who better than the actual biological dad? Only, is it really what she wants? Time can heal a lot of things, yet there are certain hurts better left buried.

I really enjoyed Jay Walking. So much so, I plan on reading it's prequel, Caching In. Chelsea's journey was like a walk through my own rough patch in life, and I was given another perspective into how someone else might deal with feelings of loss and inadequacies. For all the struggle, there is a lot of love there, too. In the end, Chelsea has to choose between doing what she thinks would be best for her little family, or doing what would be best for her heart.

Thanks to Tracy Krimmer for the book in exchange for an honest review. Her first novel in the "Pastime Pursuits" series, Caching In, is FREE for Kindle through 8/15. You can also enter to win a signed copy of Caching In (along with a Wilson headband) on Tracy's blog tour.



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How Andee Reilly "rolls"....plus a book giveaway

I'm no stranger to being obsessed with a band. Like most other girls my age, when I was a teenager I was HUGE New Kids on the Block fan. Unlike today's featured author, even though I still listen to their music every once and awhile, my obsession with NKOTB has faded over time.

Andee Riley, on the other hand, is so obsessed with the Rolling Stones that she used them as her inspiration for her debut novel, Satisfaction. Andee was born and raised in Los Angeles. She attended the University of California where she earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and teaches literature at California State University, Channel Islands. Surfing is among the activities she enjoys to do on her spare time. Visit Andee at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

Without further ado, let's give Andee a warm and sunny Chick Lit Central welcome!

Thanks to BookSparks, we have one copy of Satisfaction for a lucky US reader.  It is part of their 2015 Summer Reading Challenge.

Synopsis:
When 22-year-old Ginny Martin discovers her husband has been cheating on her, she strikes back with the couple’s credit card. Purchasing tickets to every concert on the Rolling Stones North American tour, this devastated suburban housewife packs up the car and takes to the road. Following the Rolling Stones from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City, Ginny experiences freedom for the first time, while coping with the insecurities and limiting beliefs that had kept this small town girl’s life far too small. (Courtesy of BookSparks.)


As a first time published author, what lessons did you learn while writing your manuscript?
I learned not to expect my work-in-progress to be perfect right away and not to be afraid of revision. When I read early drafts of my novel, it looks completely different than the finished product. At one point, I removed an entire subplot, deleting at least 50-75 pages. I was terrified at first, but the change allowed me room to delve deeper into my main characters and their stories. I also became more comfortable with my writing style. I like to outline, but I need to remain flexible enough so that I can be spontaneous and let the story grow naturally.

What item must you have with you when you are writing?
First of all, I need music. I decide what type my characters listen to and create a playlist. I also like to have my character’s favorite scent in the room. I'm in love with Lush Massage Bars. They smell delicious and make my skin soft at the same time! If I have these things, I can get into the character right away, and hopefully, the words start to flow.

What is the best tip you could give someone aspiring to write a novel?
Be patient. I was told that publishing is an incredibly slow business, but I didn’t know how much patience I really needed until I was actively engaged in writing, revising, finding an agent, and finally landing a publisher. But if you do it right, it's so worth the wait.

You make no secret that you’re a huge Rolling Stones fan. Who is your favorite member of the group?
I could go on and on about why each member of the band is so important:
Keith Richards is one of the best guitar players of all time.
Charlie Watts is an accomplished jazz musician.
In addition to being one of rock’s greatest guitarists, Ronnie Wood is a successful painter.
But in the end, I’m a Mick Jagger girl through and through. He’s a great front man and still sexy!

My favorite summer activity is: surfing. I'm interpreting the question loosely because I live on Maui, home of the endless summer where I surf all of the time!

My greatest guilty pleasure is: Red Vines Licorice.

Thanks to Andee for chatting with us and BookSparks for sharing Satisfaction 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 only. Giveaway ends August 18th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Maybe in Another Life

By Amy Bromberg

A little ways through Maybe in Another Life I tweeted “I have to say that @tjenkinsreid hasn’t disappointed me yet. Just loving Maybe In Another Life #amreading.” Now that I'm finished reading it, I can officially say that this book is a winner from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed how Hannah’s character is basically a mess. You think she’s about to take a step forward, but then it turns out she actually takes a step back. How many times have we all had this happen? We think things are starting to move in a good direction, and then, BAM, we get slammed in the face with something else that is quite disappointing! I also really liked Gabby. She’s more of the sensible one who tries (yet isn’t always successful) to give some reality pointers to Hannah. It’s interesting that she kept putting aside a big one in her life. Many times it’s hard to practice what we preach.

As many of you know I love stories that have two different time periods with two different plots. This is actually a little different, and in my opinion, much more exciting. It’s actually two parallel storylines. Have you ever seen Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow? I didn’t see the whole thing, but it’s basically the same premise. Instead of getting on a train and two scenarios can happen, Hannah can either leave a party with her best friend, or stay and hang out with her ex-boyfriend. As I’m writing here I’m thinking where would I be right now if I said no to my husband’s proposal? Where would I be now if I didn’t take a semester off from Ithaca College in my junior year, and then decided to change schools? I rarely think of these kinds of things, but I have been ever since I finished the book. I like it when books really make you think.

Maybe in Another Life is a majorly addictive and emotional read. I just couldn’t put it down. It’s definitely worthy of five stars!

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

More by Taylor Jenkins Reid:

Seeing through Shari Shattuck's eyes...plus a book giveaway

You may all remember last year how much I raved about Invisible Ellen (reviewed here) by today's lovely guest, Shari Shattuck. It was one of my 2014 favorites and I still think about it often. So I was thrilled to find out that a SEQUEL was in the works. Well, now Becoming Ellen is here and Shari is celebrating her pub day with us! Thanks to Penguin Random House, we have THREE copies for some lucky readers in the US and/or Canada!

Aside from being an author, Shari Shattuck is also an actress, mom and everyday philosopher, (meaning that she says, "Oh well" quite a bit.) She lives in the forests above Los Angeles with her film director husband, Joseph P. Stachura, and their two magnificent daughters. Shari has published seven novels prior to Becoming Ellen. She has appeared in over 200 stage, film and TV productions. Her favorite roles include Sally Bowles in Cabaret, Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing and Lyles in On Deadly Ground. You can see photos and even clips from some of her work at her website. Visit Shari on Facebook and Twitter, as well. 

What is something you learned from writing Invisible Ellen that you applied to Becoming Ellen?
Each book I write teaches me to see through the eyes of others as well as so much about myself! I think Invisible Ellen was special because the characters are people I relate to in a way that few people who know me would understand. Sometimes we all want to hide from the world or eat our problems away, and others related to that. Overall, what helped me to continue into Becoming Ellen, was the strength that Ellen found in herself, the power that we all have to make the choice to help or to look away. Even someone as damaged as Ellen or as blind as Temerity can make a huge difference with something as simple and easy to give as a smile or a word of encouragement.

Did anyone you personally know inspire the characters of Ellen and/or Temerity?
Absolutely! I am one of the founding directors of The Desi Geestman Foundation. We work with children with cancer and their families to help them with anything that ‘falls through the cracks’ during such a debilitating and intrusive illness. I have known children with no arms, tumors all over their bald heads, faces covered with the light black hair from hormones, and what I’ve learned from that is that they are the same, charming, sometimes mischievous kids that they always were. There is so much beauty in them, even more so for their trials. As for Temerity, I have a good friend who was the musical director of Cabaret when I played the lead. Now, I’m not a singer, per se, but I figured if a blind musician-director could approve me in auditions, then I could handle it. She is an amazing woman, from whom I learned much about how she ‘knows’ people, recognizes the world around her, and turns her talent to good use. I adore this woman, and admire her so much!

What was the easiest part of writing both novels? Most challenging?
Mmmmm. The hardest part is keeping the plot flowing with interest and meaning, after coming up with the initial idea, which is always daunting. The easiest thing for me is character work. I’ve worked so much on creating whole characters as an actress for so many years that I have a slew of techniques that just flow through me now. Dialogue is a blast for me to write, after having written for stage, it’s very easy for me to ‘see’ the scene. I hate trying to describe physical places, such as building etc. That’s tough to do clearly without being boring.

Since Invisible Ellen takes place in a Costco (for the most part), what is your favorite product to buy at Costco?
I don’t really shop at Costco, though I do have several cashmere sweaters that were a terrific buy several years ago. Therein lies the problem—“Cashmere for fifty bucks? I’ll take one in every color!” So, I would go to ‘save money’ and leave several hundred dollars in debt. Plus, now that I have a smaller family with one off at college, and my husband doesn’t run the theatre any more, we don’t have as much need for five gallon jars of mayonnaise. I always wonder where people keep all those huge portions, which I suppose explains why they sell storage sheds.

What are you looking forward to most this coming autumn?
Cool weather!! Autumn is my favorite season, by far, and I miss that we don’t have much of a fall here in Southern California. Joseph and I always take a short trip to see some fall color. And Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as well. A day for family and gratitude! What a relief from all the shopping and meaningless material things generated by other holidays. Yes, gratitude is my favorite.

Who is your current celebrity girl crush?
Wow, I’m not a big celebrity follower or fan type mentality. I suppose it would be a writer. J.K. Rowling is right up there, her book A Casual Vacancy is one of the best written drama/social testaments I’ve ever read. She is amazing. I also love Diane Keaton and Meryl Streep. Obvious, I know. If I was to pick a young actress, it would be Zooey Deschanel. She’s wonderfully funny and I’d love to work with her. My hero right now is a young lady named Danielle who spent two years at City of Hope fighting cancer and is now ‘cured’ and was crowned “Little Miss Lancaster” She’s eight years old and so excited to go back to school in second grade! I have to include her mother in my admiration, because at the same time as Danielle being diagnosed, she took on her sister’s three children when her sister grew ill. So she powered through all that with six kids and a fantastic attitude! I’m so grateful that our foundation was there to help them through this difficult journey.

Thanks to Shari for a wonderful interview and to Penguin Random House for sharing her book with our readers.

~Introduction and interview by Melissa Amster

For another chance to win this book, visit Confessions of a Bookaholic (@jenny_oregan)! (Worldwide. Ends 8/17.)


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 August 17th at midnight EST.

Book Review and Giveaway: Who Do You Love

By Melissa Amster

Jennifer Weiner's latest novel, Who Do You Love, is not like her others. For one thing, the cover picture is simply a paperclip shaped like a heart (which is significant to the story). The other is that half of the story is told from a male perspective, which hasn't happened in a Jennifer Weiner novel as far as I can remember (aside from the free e-short story Good Men, which was also featured in The Guy Not Taken).


Rachel Blum and Andy Landis are just eight years old when they meet late one night in an ER waiting room. Born with a congenital heart defect, Rachel is a veteran of hospitals, and she's intrigued by the boy who shows up alone with a broken arm. He tells her his name. She tells him a story. After Andy’s taken back to a doctor and Rachel’s sent back to her bed, they think they’ll never see each other again.

Rachel grows up in an affluent Florida suburb, the popular and protected daughter of two doting parents. Andy grows up poor in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia with a single mom and a rare talent for running. Over the decades, their paths cross in magical and ordinary ways, as they grow together and apart. But Rachel and Andy never forget that night in the hospital waiting room all those years before, a chance encounter that changed the course of both of their lives. (Synopsis courtesy of Atria.)

I really liked the pace of this story, as well as seeing how Andy and Rachel's lives were so different and how they balanced each other out so well. Both their perspectives were interesting and emotionally strong throughout. I could definitely relate well to Rachel, as we had similar upbringings, aside from her being popular while I wasn't. (And curly hair, as well.) However, I enjoyed Andy's side of the story because it took me into a lifestyle of which I wasn't so familiar. I especially liked Andy's relationship with Mr. Sills, who became a father figure to him. Aside from that, there were some really good "romantic" scenes. Jennifer didn't disappoint when it came to that part of the story. The dialogue flowed nicely and there were a lot of things I didn't expect, so this novel never became predictable.

The only thing I would have liked to see is an epilogue that takes us out to the following year or so, where we can see what has happened in Rachel and Andy's lives since the ending. Perhaps Jennifer will write a follow-up short story someday?

Overall, I enjoyed Who Do You Love and recommend it to anyone who wants a sweet story told with Jennifer Weiner's natural flair.

Thanks to Engleman and Co for the book in exchange for an honest review. They even have one copy for a lucky US 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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US only. Giveaway ends August 16th at midnight EST.

More by Jennifer Weiner:

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

Melissa A:

Becoming Ellen by Shari Shattuck from Putnam

My Very Best Friend by Cathy Lamb from Kensington

Fishbowl by Bradley Somer from
St. Martin's Press

Recipes for Melissa by Teresa Driscoll from Bookouture

Fishing with Rayanne by Ava Finch from BookSparks

The Middle of Somewhere by Sonja Yoerg from Penguin (won from Goodreads)

Amy:

Rainy Day Sisters by Kate Hewitt from Penguin

Bounce by Noelle August from HarperCollins

Sara:

Broken Homes and Gardens by
Rebecca Kelley from TLC Book Tours (e-book)

Jami:

House Trained by/from Jackie Bouchard
(e-book)



The Secrets We Left Behind by Susan Elliot Wright from David Ratner Publicity & Consulting (e-book)

Becky:

My Everything by Katie Marsh from
Hodder & Stoughton

All That Glitters by Vicky Pattison from
Little, Brown

My Sister's Secret by Tracy Buchanan from Avon

What could be in YOUR mail?

Rome in Love by Anita Hughes

St. Martin's Press has one copy for a lucky US reader!

When Amelia Tate is cast to play the Audrey Hepburn role in a remake of Roman Holiday, she feels as if all her dreams have come true. She has a handsome boyfriend, is portraying her idol in a major motion picture, and gets to live in beautiful, Italian city of Rome for the next two months.


Once there, she befriends a young woman named Sophie with whom she begins to explore the city. Together, they discover all the amazing riches that Rome has to offer. But when Amelia's boyfriend breaks up with her over her acting career, her perfect world begins to crumble.

While moping in her hotel suite, Amelia discovers a stack of letters written by Audrey Hepburn that start to put her own life into perspective. Then, she meets Philip, a handsome journalist who is under the impression that she is a hotel maid, and it appears as if things are finally looking up. The problem is she can never find the right time to tell Philip her true identity. Not to mention that Philip has a few secrets of his own. Can Amelia finally have both the career and love that she's always wanted, or will she be forced to choose again?

With her sensory descriptions of the beautiful sites, decadent food, and high fashion of Rome, Hughes draws readers into this fast-paced and superbly written novel. Rome in Love will capture the hearts of readers everywhere. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

For another chance to win, visit Book Mama Blog. (US only. Ends 8/9.)

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

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US only. Giveaway ends August 12th at midnight EST.

Book Review: Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery

UK cover

By Becky Gulc

I’ve been a fan of Jenny Colgan’s writing for years now. She seems to know just what I want to read about at a given time, cupcakes, sweets, chocolate...Andrew McCarthy, yes please to all of the above! I’ve loved each of Jenny’s books I’ve read including Little Beach Street Bakery which I reviewed last year. I felt truly transported to the tidal island of Mount Polbearne and felt myself become a part of this tight-knit community through our main character of Polly, who decided to escape the mainland, putting some distance between her and her business and relationship (which both fell apart) and renting a derelict flat above an abandoned bakery. I made my first loaf of bread after reading this novel, that’s how much it makes you want to bake!

I was delighted to return to the beautiful and atmospheric setting and find out how life is treating Polly, and her pet puffin Neil in Jenny's follow-up novel, Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery. My only concern was that I was on a diet whilst reading it!

‘Summer has arrived in the Cornish town of Mount Polbearne and Polly Waterford couldn't be happier. Because Polly is in love: she's in love with the beautiful seaside town she calls home, she's in love with running the bakery on Beach Street, and she's in love with her boyfriend, Huckle.

And yet there's something unsettling about the gentle summer breeze that's floating through town. Selina, recently widowed, hopes that moving to Mount Polbearne will ease her grief, but Polly has a secret that could destroy her friend's fragile recovery. Responsibilities that Huckle thought he'd left behind are back and Polly finds it hard to cope with his increasingly long periods of absence.
Polly sifts flour, kneads dough and bakes bread, but nothing can calm the storm she knows is coming: is Polly about to lose everything she loves?’ (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon UK.)

I think I loved this book even more than the first, if that’s possible. Once again the book delivers on the sense of setting with this charming place. I felt there was more to explore this time, as Polly and Huckle (and Neil!) are now living in the lighthouse (I have been googling holidays in lighthouses since...) and Polly’s work takes her to different settings, as well. Some of the characters we grew to love in the first novel are still there, but there are additional ones to love and hate, including her boss’s nephew Malcolm. I very much enjoyed the introduction of Selina into the story and the lovely friendship that develops between her and Polly but it wouldn’t be much of a novel if this was all smooth sailing, would it?

US cover

Polly’s livelihood is threatened in this novel when the owner of the bakery (Mrs. Manse) passes away and her dastardly nephew takes charge, who has very little regard for the quality of ingredients or products. I enjoyed this story line very much, along with Polly’s new venture on Nan the Van. I also liked how even though Polly is loved up, the relationship between herself and Huckle is just one aspect of the novel. Fans of the first novel won’t be disappointed with Neil’s appearances either, I did wonder whether I was going to be crying about this puffin at one point, but his story is the way it should be really, as well as moving.

There are some great twists and turns with scenes that just had me gripped towards the end of the novel. For me this is a book that delivers on all counts, warmth, humour, friendship, love, intrigue; the perfect book to curl up with. I was also sent a copy of the children’s book Polly and the Puffin, and this is an adorable book that I’m sure children will love. I loved it and I’m not the target audience!

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

More by Jenny Colgan: