CLP Blog Tours: When Girlfriends Step Up

Today is my stop on the When Girlfriends Step Up blog tour! I am so glad I signed up for the CLP Blog Tour for this title because I adored it. Author Savannah Page has created a great series!

Here's the synopsis:

A novel about love and support, and learning that with enduring friendships, no woman is ever alone.
Robin Sinclair is young, determined, and has a promising career at a small publishing house in Seattle. Even though she considers herself unlucky in love, Robin still dreams of eventually meeting Mr. Right and having a happily-ever-after kind of life. And at twenty-five, the world of opportunity is wide. But it’s been a difficult year filled with trials…and it’s only just begun.
While long-time friendships are finally on the mend, and things are starting to look up again, Robin is faced with her biggest challenge yet. She’s single and pregnant.
Uncertain now of her future and scared of being alone, Robin must re-examine her life and choices, and summon the courage to step up.
With the love and support of her best girlfriends from college, especially her best friend and roommate, Lara, Robin will learn that when the going gets tough, the best of friends become family. And, perhaps, with their encouragement, Robin can mature and gain the confidence needed to become a single mother. And, who knows about being unlucky in love. Things are suddenly getting interesting with Robin’s attractive co-worker, Bobby.
This is the endearing sequel to When Girlfriends Break Hearts about maturity and perseverance. It’s a story about friends coming together as family, about finding the strength within and around, and about writing your own happily-ever-after. About what happens when girlfriends step up.

My first thought about the book didn't have anything to do with the plot or the author or anything like that. No, my first thought was "How the heck did I miss that this was the second book in a series?" Followed by a bit of internal cursing. I hate reading books out of order and was annoyed at myself for not realizing sooner that I should have picked up book one before this one. Alas, I did not have enough time to read When Girlfriends Break Hearts before I needed to dive into book two for this tour. As it turns out, I was able to figure out what had happened in the previous book because Page did a great job of summarizing the action and letting me know where the girls stood at the start of book two. Since I was all caught up, the only annoyance that remained was due to the fact that I wanted to spend even more time with these girls and wished that I had started at the beginning with them.

I loved that the characters were all in their mid to late twenties, since that's the stage of life my friends and I are at now as well. It was so easy to relate to them and I could find qualities of myself and my friends in the six girls in the novel. I think the friendship between Robin, Sophie, Lara, Claire, Emily, and Jackie was my favourite part of the book. Their interactions were so realistic and it was so much fun to read about their escapades.

The actual plot was also realistic. I found myself completely immersed in the story and really felt like I was going through everything right alongside Robin. Though I must say that that was actually quite terrifying as I'm the same age as Robin and am scared to death of ending up in the same situation she found herself in. But other than that little detail, I really felt like I was part of Robin's inner circle.

I think the When Girlfriends... series by Savannah Page is a must read for all chick lit fans. I loved When Girlfriends Stepped Up because it shows the power of great girlfriends and was a really enjoyable read. I was definitely happy that I had the third book in the series, When Girlfriends Make Choices (review is up on the 4th), ready to read immediately after finishing this one. I couldn't wait to see what happened next!

Happy reading :)

Rereading Sarah Dessen: This Lullaby

I'm taking part in the I Eat Words Sarah Dessen Read/Reread Challenge this year and it's already month two! Check out this post that explains the details about the awesomeness that is this challenge. This month we read This Lullaby. This has long been my favourite Dessen novel and I must say that I was terrified that I wouldn't love it as much as I used to. Read on for the thoughts of myself and my best friend, Sandy.

Here's the synopsis:

When it comes to relationships, Remy doesn't mess around. After all, she's learned all there is to know from her mother, who's currently working on husband number five. But there's something about Dexter that seems to defy all of Remy's rules. He certainly doesn't seem like Mr. Right. For some reason, however, Remy just can't seem to shake him. Could it be that Remy's starting to understand what those love songs are all about?

About the Story

Main  Character: Remy Starr
Age: 18
School Year or Summer?: Summer
Boy: Dexter
First description of boy: Not a good first impression as Dexter falls into a chair and knocks Remy into a wall. She’s less than impressed and ends up calling him an asshole. “It was a guy with black curly hair, around my age, wearing a bright orange T-shirt. And for some reason he was smiling.”
Crushable?: Yes. He’s funny and sweet (without being annoying), and a musician to boot.
Big Secret?: No. Remy has enough drama without having to hide something. Though someone else is hiding something (part of a minor storyline).
Heavy Storyline?: Sort of. Remy doesn’t believe in love because she’s watched her mother remarry over and over again. This has messed her up more than she, or anyone else, realized.
Parents Together?: No.
Siblings: One brother, older.
Takes Place In: Lakeview

Cameos: Yes, a newly realized one for me. Scarlett from Someone Like You is the manager of the coffee place where one of Dexter’s band mate’s works.

About the Book
Released: May 2002
Epigraph?: Yes, two. "In the depth of winter, / I have finally learned that / within me there lay / an invincible summer." – Camus. “She’ll be back soon. / She’s just writing.” – Caroline
Format (of the copy I read): Paperback (which is starting to show its wear!)
Own?: Yes.
Signed?: Yes.
Read or Reread: Reread
Age when first read: Likely 15 but possibly 16

New cover vs older cover: I really love the new cover!

My Thoughts

Remy is a great character and I think she's the reason why this This Lullaby will stay near the top of my favourite books list. She had to take on some more responsibilities than she should have when she was younger. Nothing too drastic, but her mom always seemed to need an extra push or helping hand - like with planning yet another wedding. Remy is incredibly organized. In fact, calling her anal would not be out of line. She's an 18 year old girl who is desperate to move on to the next stage in her life - college - and trying her hardest to keep love out of her life. She's strong, smart, and terrified of love. Dexter (literally) crashes into her just when she needs it and he does his best to convince her that he (and love) is worth a shot.

This is one of Dessen's novels that has a lot to do with the romance but it's not really the love story that is the point. Remy needs to work on herself and her belief that love is a sham and anyone who falls for it gets their heart broken. What I like about her novels is that the romance is there and lovely but not in an "in your face" kind of way.
So, the big question is...is this still my favourite Dessen? Honestly, I'm not sure. I think it was my favourite because it was what I needed to read at the time. I was a little bit like Remy in high school and dated and had crushes on lots of boys (it was all quite innocent, I assure you) and didn't really know what a successful relationship looked like. I still love this one but I think I will reserve judgement on my "favourite" until the end of the year.

Sandy's Thoughts
This Lullaby is the basic tale of teenage love with a twist. The main character Remy Starr does not want to be in love, she doesn’t believe in it. That is until Dexter literally crashes into her life and forces her to break all of her rules and forego her checklists.

Remy is a strong female character, one of Dessen’s strongest. She is no nonsense, cynical and not afraid to speak her mind. But like all characters she is flawed. Her inability to believe that love lasts turns her into a control freak and a bitter bitch as she describes herself.

Dexter is her total opposite. He is impulsive, optimistic and a deep-seated romantic. Once she allows herself to give in to his persistence she opens her mind and her heart to the question of love. She wonders what it would be like to love so strongly that you can’t control yourself or your actions. (page 161) She reluctantly gives in and by doing so only half gives herself over to the idea that she could fall in love. She never truly understands how to do such a thing. To her love is chaotic, it means impatience, disorder and an inevitable ending with heartbreak for those caught unawares.

Dexter ultimately has to be the one to prove that love is worth it and in the end that will take nothing but time.

The theme behind this story is timing. Everything has its own time and place in love and in life. The story begins with the ending of one time and the beginning of another, it takes place in what Dessen calls the in between. Timing begins the story of Remy and Dexter. Timing is a factor in bringing them together and tearing them apart. Decisions or actions that may seem minor or insignificant shape life on a daily basis and play a big role in all types of relationships

Dessen shows us that at the right time, with the right person Remy is able to break down the wall that her parents helped to build and find the love that she deserves. Her father may have created the precedent of men leaving while her mother reinforced it with her revolving door of husbands but Dexter can see through it because his own mother has had six husbands. He breaks down her wall by breaking all her rules. He gets involved in her life in a way no other boy has by being a determined and stable presence with a little bit of quirk for good measure.

“This Lullaby”, the song her father left her is another constant, one she has lived with all her life. When Dexter plays it that first time it freaks her out enough to end their relationship before it gets too serious. It scares her into hiding once again. “This Lullaby” becomes the soundtrack of her life, especially when she deals with men who barely know her and relationships that can never last. By the end of the book she has made peace with the song and with its meaning. Dexter has become her constant and “This Lullaby” itself has taken on a new meaning, that of hope for the unknown future.

Next month...Dreamland. I'm looking forward to this one because I don't really remember much of it, other than it's one of Dessen's heavier novels.

CLP Blog Tour: Elly in Bloom

Welcome to my stop on the Elly In Bloom tour hosted by CLP Blog Tours. This novel by Colleen Oakes was sweet and sassy and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Here’s the synopsis:

Surrounded by lush flowers and neurotic brides, chubby 32-year old Elly Jordan has carved out a sweet little life for herself as the owner of Posies, a boutique wedding florist in St. Louis. It’s not bad for a woman who drove away from her entire life just two years ago when she found her husband entwined with a red-headed artist.
Sure, Elly has an embarrassingly beautiful best friend, a terribly behaved sheepdog and a sarcastic assistant who she simply calls “Snarky Teenager”, but overall her days are pleasantly uneventful. As a bonus, her new next door neighbor just happens to be an unnervingly handsome musician who has an eye for curvy Elly.
Just when she feels that she is finally moving on from her past, she discovers that an extravagant wedding contract, one that could change her financial future, is more than she bargained for.
With the help of her friends, staff and the occasional well-made sandwich, Elly bravely agrees to take on the event that threatens to merge her painful history with her bright new life, and finds herself blooming in a direction she never imagined.
Elly’s voice, both charming and hilarious, will appeal to those readers who have been looking for a new voice in chick-lit, and will give women of all sizes the realistic heroine they’ve been waiting for.

As much as I enjoyed this novel, it did take me a little while to really get into it...and I’m not entirely sure why. It could possibly have been the fact that I was, well, perhaps embarrassed on behalf of Elly for all the things she was going through. She seemed to have a knack for getting into uncomfortable situations and I wished I could help her out of them. Eventually, though, I was hooked on Elly and her story. I think I started to like her a little bit more once she gained some self esteem and started becoming the strong woman I knew she could be.

There’s a wacky set of supporting characters in this story and they provided for some really entertaining scenes. I think my favourites were the ones with Snarky Teenager (also, I love that that was how she was referred to) because we got to see a real range with her – her typical snarky self as well as a softer, more protective side. The scenes where she’s interviewing for floral designers are hilarious as well.

Elly in Bloom by Colleen Oakes is a must read for chick lit fans, especially those who enjoy Jennifer Weiner’s novels. Make sure you check back on April 1 for a fabulous guest post from Colleen. Seriously, I love it!

Happy reading :)

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

Just Finished: Sand Castle Bay

If you’re looking for a sweet and easy to read romance, Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods is a great pick. This book is the first in the Ocean Breeze trilogy, a series that follows three sisters as they try to find love.

Here’s the synopsis:

In a trade-off she's lived to regret, Emily Castle left home years ago to become an interior designer. The youngest of three sisters, Emily desperately wanted to prove herself. Success, though, came at the cost of leaving behind the man she loved. For Boone Dorsett, losing Emily left his heart shattered, but another woman was waiting in the wings. Now a widower with a young son, Boone has a second chance with Emily when a storm brings her home. But with his former in-laws threatening a custody suit, the stakes of loving her are higher than ever.
Will fate once again separate them—or is the time finally right for these two star-crossed lovers?

I don’t typically read true romance novels (ie the ones you’d find in the romance section of your local bookstore) but every once and awhile a romance series will interest me. What caught my eye with this series was that it features a different sister in each book. I find that it’s more entertaining when all the males or females are related (as you’ll see in an upcoming review, I love the Inn Boonsboro series by Nora Roberts that features three brothers). There’s just an added tension and possibility for deeper conversations and connections when they’re siblings. Maybe that’s all in my head but I enjoy it so that’s all that matters, right?

The other thing about a series like this is that you can see the beginnings of the romances that will be featured in the following books. I have a feeling I know which guy each of the other sister's will end up with and I’m looking forward to seeing how that comes about. There are some obvious obstacles between the possible couples and it should make for some entertaining and emotional reading.

I have to say that I was expecting this series to be a little…well, spicier. I’m not sure why, exactly. The romance between Emily and Boone was sweet but there was a sexual tension that I expected to be described a little bit more. Instead, there wasn’t a single actual sex scene put into writing. Normally this kind of thing wouldn't bother me. I think because there were references to when they were younger and couldn’t keep their hands off each other that I was expecting a little bit...more. Not a deal breaker for me, just an observation. You could see this as a bonus if you’re not into reading sex scenes! 

Sand Castle Bay by Sherryl Woods was an easy and enjoyable read. If you’re a romance reader looking for something to pick up, I’d recommend this one. I can’t wait to dive into book two, Wind Chime Point, which features another sister, Gabi (my review will be up May 2).  

*A copy of this book was provided by the publisher, Harlequin, in exchange for an honest review*

Guest Post: Sara Palacios

Last week I had the pleasure of reviewing Love In Translation, the debut novel from Sara Palacios. (Read my review here if you missed it). Today Sara has a guest post for you all that talks about her road to publication. I'm always interested to see what it was like for an author to go from idea to actual book and I would like to thank Sara for this lovely post. I hope you all enjoy it!

I’ve dabbled in writing for a few years now. I finished my first book, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER, shortly after I graduated from college but didn’t really think that it was good enough. I think I saw it merely as practice and appreciated it for what it was. But then, I decided to really give it a go and write another book and see how it turned out. If I felt like it was good enough, then I would pursue publishing which was obviously the ultimate goal. So, I gave it another go and spent many months working on what would become LOVE IN TRANSLATION. Actually, back then it was titled A SUMMER TO REMEMBER, but I like the new title so much more. Anywho, I finished the book and thought it was decent, so I decided to give it to an editor. I began working with Erica McCormick who is a friend of one of my best friends and she was amazing. She really helped tighten the writing and reel me in during scenes where my writing was all over the place. After she went through it very thoroughly, I went through it again myself at least a dozen more times and really tried to make it shine. Then I presented the book to a really great gal pal of mine, Cristina Reyna. She read the book in its entirety and really helped help bring the story to life. After that, I sent my MS out to a handful of publishing agents and had a few bites, but nothing really solid so I decided to pursue self-publishing. By that time, I had been working with Samantha Robey over at Chick Lit Plus for roughly a year and saw firsthand how successful an author could be when self-published, so I went for it. I think deep down I was always intended to self-publish because I had so much fun with it all.  Luckily I had my husband to help me out with everything, and together we converted my book into ebook formats and designed the book cover (which was by far one of my favorite aspects of publishing). Then, I set a date and went from there.

Overall, it was a lot of work but it has been so worth it. I think ultimately the deciding factor was giving birth to my son. For so long I’ve dreamed of being a writer and had always been so scared to pursue my dream fully. Sure, I’d written things here and there but had never been published. After Ethan was born, I needed to prove to myself that I could do it and I needed to show him that he could do anything … be anything he wanted to be. How was I supposed to convey those messages when I was scared to do it myself? So, I dove in head first and went for it and I haven’t looked back since. Now I am on tour, with lovely bloggers (like you, Kaley) and I am having such an amazing time. I am so lucky that I have been able to do this and I am so grateful that I’ve been able to experience all of this. 

About Sara:

Sara Palacios is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a major in Advertising and a minor in English Literature. It was during her time in college that she really fell in love with the written word and ventured into writing her own stories. In addition to writing, Sara spends a majority of her time reading the works of other authors.  She reads most genres  – but thoroughly enjoys chick-lit, women’s and historical fiction. When she isn’t busy reading or writing, Sara enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is happily married, the owner of two precious doggies and a new mom to a handsome baby boy. Sara is also an avid animal-lover, runner, yoga enthusiast and wannabe vegan.

Connect with Sara:

Twitter: Sara Palacios

Facebook: Sara Palacios

Email: sararpalacios@gmail.com

Mini Review: Rosy George's Convention Conundrum

Time for another quickie review! I read Rosy George's Convention Conundrum by P.J. Young just over a month ago and am *finally* getting to my review. This British chick lit novel was entertaining but I felt like there was just a little something missing.

Here's the synopsis:

Twenty nine-year old Londoner Rosy dreams of writing like Pinter, marrying before thirty and NEVER leaving London.
But although Shrek lookalike fiancé David’s MBA means just that, her parents’ village of Lytton holds surprising attractions.
Such as theatre and sexy schoolteacher Angus.
And when David’s infidelity sparks a blissful affair with Angus, with a brand new ‘happy ever after’ a bouquet toss away, Angus is exiled.
David returns ... but his ‘deal-breaker’ means Rosy must discover her REAL dreams …

I liked Rosy but I didn't love her. It could be because I thought she needed to smarten up a bit and leave David. She obviously wasn't happy with him. She also resisted the feelings she had for Angus for awhile and then didn't seem to want to give him a chance to explain things. She was a little quick to judge, I think, but I suppose I can understand that to a point as she hadn't been in ideal relationships. It was still fun to see how she reacted to all the changes in her life and watch as she navigated a new world.

This is a kind of odd thing to mention, but the title of this novel kind of confused me. I don't know if "convention" is used in this sense (start your career, get married, have babies) more in Britain, but in my event planning mind, convention means a conference of sorts. I had read the synopsis so long ago that I had forgotten what the book was about and was honestly waiting for a literal convention. Duh.

Overall, I enjoyed Rosy George's Convention Conundrum by P.J. Young. It was nice but it did lack a little bit of oomph and, unfortunately, was not too memorable for me. I think this can be one of those books that you enjoy reading at the time but it won't necessarily stick with you (yikes, I hope that doesn't sound too harsh). If you're looking for a fun read, check it out because you also get a lovely happily ever after with this one, and who doesn't love that?

*A copy of this novel was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Cover Reveal: The Karmic Connection

I first met Libby Mercer when she reached out to me to review her novel Unmasking Maya last year (I loved the book, by the way). Since then we’ve emailed back and forth and since I like to think we’ve struck up a bit of an online friendship, I was more than happy to do a cover reveal for Libby’s upcoming novel.

Drumroll please…

Isn’t it a fun cover? I think it perfectly captures the fun and slightly quirky nature of Libby’s novels. I also enjoy that the main character, Lorraine, appears to have the same crazy hair I do! :)

Here’s what The Karmic Connection is all about: 

What is the universe up to? 

Guilty of nothing more than working too much - or so they say - Adam Stowe is dumped at a "wellness center" in the middle of nowhere by a couple of concerned colleagues. When he meets Lorraine, the beautiful and bewitching yoga instructor, his spirits start to lift, but once he discovers what a flighty fruitcake she is, they drop back down to subterranean levels. 

For Lorraine Jameson, Luna Wellness Center was a beacon of solace when her life was falling apart, and she can't stand the way Adam's toxic energy is poisoning the peace. He embodies everything negative about the life she discarded eighteen months ago. Despite being fiercely attracted to the arrogant man, she's determined not to let Adam Stowe anywhere near her heart. 

Adam and Lorraine couldn't be more unsuitable as a potential couple... so why is the universe so dead set on uniting these two?

  

The Karmic Connection is a different kind of love story with a cast of quirky characters and a mystical, magical New Age-y flavor.

The Karmic Connection will be released on April 25^th so keep your eyes open for it and my review!

Happy Friday and happy reading!