Chick Lit Goddess

...because every author wants to feel like a goddess!

Archives for April 2012

This Week at Chick Lit Goddess

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I thought this would be a good quote to help you with your goals that you’ve set to accomplish this upcoming week!  Not only do I love it because it’s by one of my favorite female country singers, Reba McEntire, but because I find it very inspiring!  What goals do you plan on accomplishing this upcoming week?

I’ve had a wonderful weekend with my amazing husband and our cat, am sad it’s coming to a close, but I’m excited about what’s coming up this week on Chick Lit Goddess!

Monday: Blog post: “How Important Is the Writing?”

Tuesday: Read my review of “Love By Design,” and a Q & A with the author, Liz Matis

Wednesday: Blog post: It’s Hump Day (50 Shades of Grey) Wednesday

Thursday: Blog post: “Why I Love Helping New Authors!”

Friday: “A Fun Friday” post will be up about my favorite Chick Lit blogs and websites! (If you’d like me to share yours, leave a comment with a link to it and I just might add it to my list on Friday!)

How Important Is the Writing?

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You’ve been recommended a “great,” “sexy,” “fun,” “alluring” book! Awesome, you think!  You buy the book, you find a comfy place in your home, and then open the book.

Well, when you’re not even 50 pages into it and you’re enjoying the story, but you’ve noticed or even questioned a few things — this means that it’s not written correctly, not did they have a good editor!

I started the book “Fifty Shades of Grey,” (don’t forget about its trilogy: HERE), a few days ago on my iPad, and then I bought a copy for my hubby, (which I’ll be writing about his outlook on it once he’s finished with it).  Before he stated I saw a few mistakes, and while I’m not an expert, but I think that a lot of people who are reading the book and giving great reviews don’t care about the writing.  One my husband read the first chapter, he said that he wanted to “take a red pen to it!”  I don’t blame him.  This leads me to today’s blog post!

HOW IMPORTANT TO YOU IS GOOD WRITING VS. A GOOD BOOK WITHOUT GOOD WRITING?

Since I’m now working with editors, I’ve started to think like them — Why think this, Why say this, and Does this make sense?  When I was younger, I didn’t pay much attention to grammar or thoughts, but since I’ve grown, it’s all that I pay attention to when I read!  For fun, I’m reading “Fifty Shades of Grey,” the book that everyone is talking about (yes, I might be wanting a thrill).  I’m sixty-five pages into it, and I’ve been wanting to take a red pen to it myself, like my hubby!  Oh, my gosh!  If I didn’t have to have read six (yes, 6) chapters before anything happens, then I wouldn’t care so much, because action would be happening.  I’ve even considered not finishing this book!  With exceptional reviews, is it just about the book?  Probably so!  If the writing was graded, I bet it’d get a 1 out of 5 stars, (read my review for “Fifty Shades of Grey” that will be coming soon)!

My question to you is do you prefer books written with bad writing and the story is good, or do you get through it and read a book because of its storyline?

Chick Lit: U.S.A. and the U.K.

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It’s stories like THIS (where London captures hearts, and new writers are born).  I hear the most about Chick Lit authors – even Emily Giffin did it!

Top 10 British Chick Lit Writers

As for US Chick Lit, I couldn’t really find a good list to share.  (If you have a good list, please add it below in the comments section.  I would love to look it over, and I might even add it to this post).

Now it’s time to talk about book covers?  I came across THIS post about book covers.  Interesting, huh?  What are you thoughts about covers in America and the United States?

What is it about U.K. that inspires Chick Lit writers to come out of the woods?  It’s for this reason that I would move to London (where I would have tea and crumpets with Will and Kate, and maybe even the Queen!), and I’d become famous after writing the next bestseller!  I know, I know, it’s a dream…It’s always just a dream!  If I didn’t love being a Texas girl so much, I would move (bringing my husband and our twelve-year-old cat with me).  “While Chick Lit has (a) massive competitive market in the U.K.,” there is no real evidence if  it’s more popular than in the U.S., says Chick Lit author, Nicola May.

In closing, I know THIS is an old article, but it means a lot to me.  So, my dreams of one day making a life in England can still be a reality? Yes, just maybe!

It’s Fun Friday

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I love necklaces. Simple, signature necklaces. Nothing too fancy, nor too plain. When I saw “Up All Night” and saw Christian Applegate‘s character wear the necklace that read her daughter’s name, Amy, I knew it was perfect for me! There was only episode where I caught her without it. It made me want one!

A few weeks ago on the Today Show, I saw a segment called “Jill’s Steels and Deals.” That’s where I saw that Baublebar.com being advertised! So, I decided to make a necklace in honor of me on Twitter, ILA121209!

While (for some) it not easy to see, it looks better in person. The letters are all caps, so it makes sense, especially between the “L” and “A!’ Yes, it’s not what I expected, but it’s not that bad! I’m proud of this necklace and I am proud to wear it! I love it! I’m proud to wear a necklace that symbolizes me!Well, last week I finally got it, so I thought I’d share it with you!

From here on out I will wear this necklace frequently, and I know people will ask. In fact, I want them to!

Happy Friday, y’all!

I’ve Missed Y’all!

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Hey!  It’s been a week since I’ve written anything, but last week was insane — in a very good way!

Here’s just a small part of what I’ve been working on, and what’s coming up this week on Chick Lit Goddess!

Monday: Guest Post by Nancy Scrofano

Tuesday: Read my book review of Nancy’s book ,”True Love Way”

Wednesday: Read my book review of Gillian Duffy’s book, “The L.A. Commandments” (A guest interview will be coming soon on a TBD date).

Thursday: A blog post will be up about why I think Chick Lit is more popular in the U.K.

Friday: A “Fun Friday” post will be up about a new necklace I just bought!  (It’s so pretty!)

The L.A. Commandments

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Book review of “The L.A. Commandments”

“The L.A. Commandments,” by Gillian Duffy

Desperate to get away from recession in Dublin and their complex families, Joanne and Suzie head to Los Angles, California to start a new life.  They plan on spending days shopping, soaking up the sun on the beach, enjoying the nightlife, and meeting new people.  They set rules for themselves, the most important being “thou shall not fall in love,” but not everything goes according to plan.

Joanne “Jo” and Marc = Not complicated!  There’s little drama (except for at the end), and they seem to be in sync with one another.  At first there isn’t attraction on Jo’s part, but it’s because Marc (who’s part of a band) is shy, doesn’t talk much, and is a fool.  They get over this hump and realize they have more in common than they thought.  They spend countless days and evenings together, sometimes not even leaving the bedroom.  When Marc goes back home to take care of his mom, they stay together through texts, phone calls, and emails, patiently waiting for the day he returns back to L.A.  When he does, it’s like he never left.  Soon after, Marc tells Jo that he has to leave again to go on tour, and asks her to come with him.  Jo is beyond excited to be traveling around with her man.  While at the beginning of the tour, something happens so tragically that Jo goes back home to Dublin.  While Jo’s in Dublin, everything changes.  When she sees a picture of Marc and another woman together, she is shocked, and demands answers!  Who’s to blame for this, and will these two stay together?  I think I’m spoiling it, so you’ll have to read the book!

Suzie and Chris = Complicated! When Suzie meets Chris for the first time, it’s love at first sight – but only on her end.  She often sits at the bar watching (starting at) him while he works.  Most of the time, she’s unable to say a word to him, because she gets tongue-tied.  While Chris notices her, he’s definitely not a one-woman man!  Most everyone tells Suzie he’s not good for her, but she doesn’t listen.  Jo warns her to be careful, but there’s only so much she can do.  On the other hand, there’s Paul, sweet Paul.  He worships the ground Suzie walks on and would like to be with her, but he knows that she only has eyes for Chris.  When Suzie finds something out about Chris, she then sees the light.  But when Suzie realizes she still has some ties to him, she’s devastated and scared, (I wish I could say what happens, but that would spoil it).  After time has passed, Suzie is back in the swing of things and acting like her old self, but could it be to all the time she’s been spending with her “friend” Paul?  Do these two ever become more than friends?

I loved this book!  I loved the characters, and thought they were really well written.  When each chapter ended, I wanted to keep reading because of twists and turns!  And what’s not to love about hot men who speak with accents!  The friendship between Jo and Suzie is so close, that it seems that they could be sisters.  While I don’t have a sister, I have someone like a sister, so I definitely related to this book.  During happy, sad, and devastating times, these girls are there for one another, and that means something to me – it’s one of my favorite parts of why Chick Lit is what it is!

Gillian Duffy has written a very memorable book, one that I loved from start to finish, (I even cried at the end)!

If you’re looking for a book to give to your sister or a girlfriend who is like one, this is the book for you!  It would also make a perfect summer read!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with the author, Gillian Duffy!

Nancy Scrofano

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Author Bio: Nancy Scrofano is the author of True Love Way and writes book reviews for a prestigious book review magazine. Additionally, she is the founder and managing editor of The Chick Lit Bee, a book blog that promotes and celebrates women’s fiction. Nancy is at work on her next novel.

Guest Post: Chick lit is my favorite genre by far. These stories provide comedy, support, hot topics, romance, and fun to readers. Authors have the ability to connect with readers and show them, with the words on each page, that their feelings are shared with others. The novels in the chick lit genre represent a united front of strength and courage among women. I love the fact that these stories are mainly for women, by women. Issues that women face are depicted with humor, humility, joy, sadness, and triumph. Since I love reading these books so much, I know it is the right genre for me as a writer, too.

Many people criticize chick lit as being predictable, but for chick lit fans, that is the very reason we love it. It provides comfort to us, like listening to an old friend tell us a story. We know there will be a happy ending, and that’s exactly what we want. The stories probably won’t change the world but they can change people and affect attitudes and moods through entertainment. The characters remind us of ourselves, our close friends, our families, and our colleagues. It is satisfying to be able to relate to characters so well.

Chick lit is a collection of novels that deals with topics women are interested in by showing character growth through uplifting stories. The genre is constantly changing and evolving as new authors join it. I’m incredibly proud and honored to be a chick lit author. I have received wonderful support from other authors in the genre who have welcomed me with generosity and encouragement. I love being part of a group of intelligent, thoughtful, creative writers who understand the issues women face and who have been given the gift of being able to write about these subjects in ways that truly speak to readers. Simply put: I write chick lit because I love chick lit.

**Visit Nancy at any of the below links:

Nancy Scrofano

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

**Click HERE to read my review of True Love Way!

True Love Way

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Book review of “True Love Way”

“True Love Way,” by Nancy Scrofano

**Watch the trailer of True Love Way HERE!**

Marlo Spencer loves to live in past!  She loves old TV shows – The Brady Bunch, I Love Lucy, and Dick Van Dike, just to name a few.  She is known to collect old things, and is proud of having her Brady Bunch lunchbox.  Her Malibu is cluttered with everything vintage and she doesn’t care.  Nik, her best male friend, doesn’t understand what the fascination is, and even complains about it, but he accepts her as she is.  I loved these two together, and I could relate to their close friendship.  Their dialogue reminded of how an old married couple would sound.

When Marlo receives an email from Josh, Nik doesn’t like it at all!  It’s a little bit obvious that Nik might have feelings for her, but it’s not until the end do we find out what else he could be hiding.

Nik decides to follow Marlo to Napa so she can hopefully rekindle their romance and go through with the “pact” with Josh, the man who left her twelve years ago without saying goodbye, he decides it’s time to spend time with his sister, Savannah, and her daughter.  After they get to Napa, it’s a whirlwind of emotions for everyone involved – Marlo, Nik, Josh, and Savannah, Marlo’s best friend and Nik’s sister.  While Marlo wants things with Josh to be in sync, they’re not.  Things with Savannah don’t seem right either – it’s not until towards the end is everything revealed.  What’s found out could harm relationships – even friendships!  I think it came full circle and turned out how it was supposed to.  I was very pleased with the ending!  (Great way to end it, Nancy Scrofano!)  If I said anymore, I’d spoil it – so read the book!  You won’t want to miss it!

After reading the plot of True Love Way, it sounded like a cute book, so I decided to review it!  The title and cover also swayed me.  Like I do with most book, I dove right into this one late at night and I didn’t want to stop.  The only thing I would change is Savannah’s character.  I wish she felt a little more emotion for…(if i told you, then I’d spoil it).  True Love way was a quick and fun read.  All the characters are believable, and the storyline is filled with twists and turns.  At the end of each chapter, you’ll want to begin the next!  I couldn’t put it down!  I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun and quick beach read!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read the author’s guest post!

Confident Monday

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It seems that every Monday people say they will start or stop doing something, (start a diet, start writing a book, stop overindulging in sweets, and start your writing journey).  It’s Monday once again, so to begin the week I want to start y’all off with a positive quote.  Whatever you do (or don’t do), I know you can do it!

Have  a great week!