Chick Lit Goddess

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BOOK REVIEW: “In With the New”

“In With the New” by Tracy Krimmer

Blurb: Eli no longer believes in love, and Meg has no time for it. Can the spirit of Christmas and hope of a new year change their perspectives?

My Review: I’m a huge fan of Tracy Krimmer, so I was excited to read this novella. While I’m not really a dog person, I am an animal lover and found that I could relate to Meg in wanting to train her dog, along with trying to keep her busy job schedule. I liked Eli and how he didn’t promote his business, but rather try to help Meg. Right from the start, it was obvious that there was chemistry between them, and I liked that they took their time and didn’t rush things.

My only issue I had with this book were the ages of the characters, especially when it comes to the drama in Eli’s family–they seemed a little old to hang onto the past a bit too much, though that didn’t stop me from enjoying this read.

If you’re looking for a short, cute holiday read, I recommend this read, which would be great to cuddle up with on a chilly night.

I give “In With the New” 4.5 stars!

**Note: I received an ARC for review purposes.

**Click HERE to get your copy now of “In With the New”!

BOOK REVIEW: “The Marriage Bargain”

“The Marriage Bargain (Marriage to a Billionaire Book 1)” by Jennifer Probst

Blurb: The sizzling first book in the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling Marriage to a Billionaire trilogy by “one of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA TODAY) Jennifer Probst.

A marriage in name only…

To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner, Alexa Maria McKenzie, casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend’s older brother—the powerful man who once shattered her heart. Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his uncle’s corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister’s childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he offers Alexa a bold proposition.

A marriage in name only with certain rules: Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn’t be that hard to follow, right? Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans….

My Review: After reading “Write Naked” by Jennifer Probst, I knew I had to read “The Marriage Bargain.” From the beginning, I really enjoyed this book and it only got better chapter after chapter.

It was easy that throughout this read, there would be a great amount of sexual tension between Alexa and Nick, and I loved every minute of it. The arrangement they had was quite an interesting one, filled with certain terms in which I was curious to see if either one of them could follow through.

I don’t want to spoil the major deal breaker between them, if things were kept on friendly terms, or if they ended up together, but I would read this book again–something I don’t usually do.

As for Jennifer’s writing, as I mentioned, after reading “Writing Naked,” for an author, this book would make for a great guide for romance, a little erotica, laughs, and of course, a lot of love. Jennifer is one of my new favorite authors and I look forward to reading more by her.

If you’re looking for a love story with several twists and turns, a lot of laughs, along with a few tearful moments, then I definitely recommend this book.

I give “The Marriage Bargain” 5 stars, and have recently started reading “The Millionaire Trap,” which is the second in the Billionaire series).

**Click HERE to get your copy now!

BOOK REVIEW: “Write Naked: A Bestseller’s Secrets to Writing Romance & Navigating the Path to Success”

Write Naked: A Bestseller’s Secrets to Writing Romance & Navigating the Path to Success

Blurb: Learn how to transform your passion for writing into a career. New York Times best-selling author Jennifer Probst reveals her pathway to success, from struggling as a new writer to signing a seven-figure deal. Write Naked intermingles personal essays on craft with down-to-earth advice on writing romance in the digital age. Probst will teach you how to:

  • Commit to your current work-in-progress, get focused, and complete it on schedule
  • Reveal raw emotions and thoughts on the page to hook your readers
  • Assemble a street team to promote and celebrate your books
  • Overcome writer’s block with ease
  • Develop themes that tie together your books and series
  • Write the most difficult elements of romance–including sex scenes–with skill and style
Regardless of the genre, every novelist faces a difficult task. Creating authentic characters and an engaging plot are challenging enough. But attempting to break into the hotter-than-ever romance genre, which is constantly flooded with new titles and fresh faces? It can feel impossible. This is where Probst’s Write Naked comes in. To survive–and thrive–you need the help and wisdom of an expert.
Written in Probst’s unmistakable and honest voice, Write Naked is filled with the lessons and craft advice every writer needs in order to carve out a rewarding career.
My Review:  I cannot tell you how many self-help books I have on my bookshelf that are to help me with writing, though, when I try to start them, it’s hard to get through the first couple of pages. Everyone always says, “do it this way,” “this will work,” and so many more promises that will get you writing and on the bestseller list.
However, “Write Naked” is not a self-help, book, but rather a book of inspiration. Having decided to get back to my writing in July, the timing couldn’t have come better for me to read this book. I bought the paperback version, which means I have countless page turned down so I can go back and read them when I’m at a loss or am needing direction. I highly recommend this book for any romance writer, because I am guaranteed this it will inspire you. Not only does Jennifer share personal stories that you will be able to relate to but you will also finish this book feeling more ready to write, knowing that it’s normal to talk to your characters, have them tell you what they want, along with numerous other crazy to some, but normal for author thoughts. (I know I’m a crazy author person, and Jennifer made me feel okay with that!)
This is a book that I will never forget, and I know that it will be by my side for each book I write.
I give this book 5 stars!
**Reviewer note: If you have a paperback version, keep a highlighter next to you so you can highlight quotes and/or ideas that inspire you!
*****
**About the author: Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012, and spent 26 weeks on the New York Times. Her work has been translated in over a dozen countries, sold over a million copies, and was dubbed a “romance phenom” by Kirkus Reviews.

She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Sign up for her newsletter at www.jenniferprobst.com/newsletter for a chance to win a gift card each month and receive exclusive material and giveaways.

*****

**GIVEAWAY**: **Click HERE for a chance to win a Kindle version of “Write Naked”!