Chick Lit Goddess

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

Book Reviews

Tales From The Crib

Book Review for “Tales From The Crib”

“Tales From The Crib,” by Jennifer Coburn

What would you do if your husband blurts out that he wants a divorce, right before you’re about to tell him that you’re pregnant?  When Lucy tells her husband she’s expecting, Jack reconsider his offer – and wants to stay married, but only as friends, so that they can raise their child together.  While Lucy isn’t in favor of this arrangement, she still loves her husband, so she decides to take him up on his offer for one year.  A lot can happen in a year, especially while still living together.  Will they both find someone else to be with, or will they bond over the pregnancy and baby, and come back to one another, and have the family they always wanted to?

When Jennifer Coburn emailed me a couple of days after Christmas asking me to review her book, “Tales From The Crib,” I was so excited because I had heard very good things about it, and I liked the storyline.

Right from the start, I was hooked on this hilarious and heartwarming book.  I loved that Jennifer’s book begins right in the middle of the action, and not once did I get bored with it along the way.  I think this is why it was such a page-turner.  After Lucy agrees to his insane idea, I was surprised at how well they got along, (even with Jack’s new woman in tow).  One thing I liked a lot was that while Lucy could have pushed Jack away, not giving her “marriage” one last chance, I thought it was really sweet how it showed that these two really loved one another.  In the mix of wonderful characters, Lucy’s vivacious mother and spunky aunts were so funny, that they all had me laughing out loud, (so much that my husband even commented on how much I was laughing).

One might think that from the title and cover, this book is all about the baby, but it’s not.  While I am a wife and not yet a mother (but hope to be someday), I was surprised about how much I loved and could relate to Lucy.  “Tales From The Crib” is a beautifully written book about family and relationships.  Through the ups and downs, each relationship seemed to grow stronger, which I found very refreshing.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who would love to read a fast-paced, fun-loving, delightful Chick Lit!  I promise, you will not be disappointed when you read “Tales From The Crib!”

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my Guest Interview with Jennifer!

Chick Lit Central

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Amy Bromberg
Melissa Amster

If you’re a Chick Lit lover like I am, it would be hard to believe if you haven’t heard of the awesome and delightful website, Chick Lit Central!  My favorite thing about these ladies is that they are true to their beloved genre, Chick Lit!  For this reason, I am happy to announce that they are the first guests on Chick Lit Goddess to write their own post!

Let’s read what they have to say, shall we?:

Melissa Patafio and I knew each other when we were growing up. We lived two doors down from each other and hung out all the time. Then we both moved away from the neighborhood sometime after I graduated high school. We found each other on Facebook in 2008 and reconnected. Soon, we realized that we had a love for chick lit in common, starting with Marian Keyes. I started including her in some group e-mails to discuss chick lit with some other friends of mine. Then I realized that I wanted a broader audience with whom to discuss chick lit. I started Chick Lit Central on Facebook in 2009, as a result. However, I didn’t do much with it at the time. In the spring of 2010, I decided to revisit that Facebook group and also start a blog to go along with it. The first author to support this group was Sarah Pekkanen. I got an advanced copy of her amazing first novel, “The Opposite of Me.” In the meantime, I had won books from other blogs and reviewed those, as well. I also decided to start doing interviews. Allie Larkin was my first interview to promote “Stay” (another amazing novel). When Jane Green said she’d do an interview with us, I just HAD to ask Melissa Patafio to participate. After that point, she became a natural partner for the blog. While things were slow at first, they started taking off by the end of 2010. In the spring of 2011, I met Amy Bromberg and we automatically bonded over chick lit and other common interests. She had “auditioned” to be an associate reviewer, but unfortunately wasn’t chosen by the judges at the time. (We did get three wonderful reviewers though!) I decided to have Amy come on as a promotional associate, as she was doing so much to promote our group and blog without even being asked! She knows the chick lit world better than I do sometimes!

 We definitely see the Chick lit genre remaining strong within the next five years.  There are more and more authors, both overseas and in North America, writing Chiclkit themed novels.   Many of these authors are signed on with some of the big publishing houses.   And the well known chick lit authors keep coming out with new books (ex. Jennifer Weiner and Jane Green).  The fact that this keeps happening is an excellent good sign!  Long live CHICKLIT!

The ladies at Chick Lit Central would love to hear from you!

Email: chicklitcentral@gmail.com

Chick Lit Central on Twitter

Chick Lit Central on Facebook

**You can also contact Amy, who is also a publicist, at the following:

Email: amy@kmspr.com

Amy on Twitter

KMSPR, LLC

KMSPR on Facebook

KMSPR on Twitter

Why Sharing What You Read Is A Good Thing

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Books are meant to be read, right?

Well, a few months ago I joined a website called Goodreads.com, but I never realized how cool it was, until now that I’m a reviewer.  (Shelfari is also a similar website.)  I use Goodreads which is a great way to share the books you’re reading with friends, make new friends, introduce yourself to new books.  It’s also keeps track with what you’ve read, want to read, and are currently reading.  I’ve also had a friend who started a group on Facebook for readers.  We share what books we’ve read.  Through this outlet, I’ve also found several books that I want to read.

So for your readers, I have some questions:

  • How do you keep track of your books you have read, want to read, and are reading?
  • Do you share these books with others, and if so, how?
  • Have you started a group of your own, or even a book club?
  • Do you have your own idea(s) about sharing books with your friends or family members?
  • Are you on Goodreads or Shelfari?  If so, find me on Goodreads at MrsAnderson1212!

Nobody Knows Who We Are…

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I have to admit that at first, I wasn’t really into this reviewing part of the author title, but without it I wouldn’t have had the great pleasure of reading some amazing, funny, thrilling, and charming Chick Lit books!

Tonight I was sitting at home thinking how cool it is to do what I do — I’m an author and most recently, a reviewer!  As a reviewer, isn’t it cool how we can be, in a bookstore for example, and feel right at home?  In some ways, isn’t it like we’re like a PI?  We reviewers (and authors) read and review books that are sold on eBooks and in bookstores.  Well, on quite a few novels, there are most often quotes about the book which can help promote the book.  Well, how cool would it be if while I’m not yet an author, the quote came from the Chick Lit Goddess?  Since I started this blog, I’ve grown not only to focus on writing and getting my books published, but to help support my fellow authors!

Sleeping With Paris

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Book Review for “Sleeping With Paris”

“Sleeping With Paris,” by Juliette Sobanet

All is right in Charlotte Summers’ life.  She’s quit her job to move with her fiancé, Jeff, to Paris so that she can study French at a highly acclaimed university.  When she goes to Jeff’s office to surprise him (an expensive bottle of champagne in hand to celebrate) he’s not there, so she sits down at his desk and signs into her email to look at pictures of their apartment in Paris as she daydreams about their upcoming adventure.  Suddenly a message from another woman pops up, and soon she learns the truth, that her beloved Jeff has signed himself up on a dating website and has been cheating on her.

Leaving Jeff behind she decides to still to Paris to achieve her goals.  At first she’s devastated at her broken engagement and longs for Jeff to call her and say he’s made a horrible mistake and that he’s coming to Paris to be with her.  After a few days of sulking she get up out of bed and begins a blog based on how women should learn to date more like a man.  Along the way Charlotte makes new friends, and without giving too much away, one of her French suitors brings a whole new way of thinking about chocolate and sex.

At the end, Charlotte has an opportunity to be with Jeff when they are both in a wedding.  Does she take him up on his offer, or does she kick him to the curb for good, and start over with the suitor I mentioned before, the “Half-Naked French Hottie?” 

“Sleeping With Paris” by Juliette Sobanet was one of the best books I read in 2011!  It’s a true Chick Lit, and one I will never forget.

From the beginning I liked Charlotte.  She was a no-nonsense kind of woman and I find that very refreshing.  Just because her fiancé cheated on her, that didn’t stop her from doing what she wanted to do, which I thought was very brave.  I think Juliette wrote a very real character in Charlotte, and I felt that I could relate to in many ways.

All of Charlotte’s suitors were very interesting men.  I loved how they all weren’t so much alike.  At times I couldn’t decide who I wanted her with, but in the end I loved who the choice was.  (I’m not going to spoil it for you.  You have to read the book).

Not only is this book an exciting read, it’s also gives you a few French lessons through dialogue.  If you can’t understand French, don’t worry; you’ll still understand every word.  I found myself swiping the pages on my iPad quicker and quicker as the story continued on, even when it was four in the morning and I was halfway asleep.

I recommend “Sleeping With Paris” to anyone who enjoys Chick Lit, wants a light-hearted sweet love story, and to anyone who loves Paris!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

**Click HERE to read my Guest Interview with Juliette

I’ll Admit It, I Love My Kindle, But…

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

For my first blog in 2012 (wow, that felt weird to type), I’d like to bring up a topic which most are black or white, with only a few in the grey area.  I’m talking about the love for the way you read whether it’s from an e-book or a hardback/paperback.  When I began this blog I was new to the e-book way of life, and I didn’t appreciate it as much as I do now.  I even wrote a BLOG about it.

This was before I found myself reading books to be reviewed, and not just for pleasure.  Now that I have established myself enough to be honored to be called a reviewer, it is easy for me to see now how much and e-book is such a necessity!  I can read pretty much anywhere – in the grocery line, in the car while the hubby’s driving, a doctor’s office, just to name a few examples of why it’s nice to have an e-book!  Having both, an iPhone and an iPad, are the two things I said that I would never have — I was strictly a Blackberry girl, but since changing over, it’s made my reading and reviewing life easier!  Can we say yee-haw?!  Oh, and to show you just how non-technical I am, just this week learned that I could sync where I was reading to another device!  I’m all for ebooks now, except that…

They’re not the “real” thing!  Has any ever thought about how there might now be anymore book signings?  (I’ve always wanted to go to one).  Just today I was watching TV the show I was watching was talking about how much books are worth.  Would this be the case in the e-book world?  I love to be able to see books on their shelves, but as a book collector I’m running out of space (This doesn’t make the hubby happy – ha, ha, ha!).

Where do you stand on this topic?

What Am I?

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When I began this blog, it was merely to connect with other bloggers and authors, and to meet some friends.  I never in a million years thought that Chick Lit Goddess would be where it is today!

The more I blogged and read other people’s websites, the more I noticed a trend.  People were reviewing books!  When I received my first “Will you review this book?” question, my heart melted!  I was overjoyed that someone had taken the time to ask me, a non-professional, to read their book.  After I read, wrote and posted my review, I’ve had quite a few people wonder if I would read their book and write a review too, especially within the past few weeks.  This leads me to wonder…

Who am I?  Am I a blogger?  Am I a writer?  Am I a reviewer?  Another question I have is, how do I manage it all?  When do I read?  How do I edit my first book?  When I do I have time to work on self-publishing my second book?  As a New Year’s resolution, I’d like to take this all into consideration, and even make a somewhat of a calendar.

I’d love to hear your comments/questions/ideas, so let me know!

 

It’s Fun Friday

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You’ve written a book!  Congratulations!  “Now what?” You might ask.  Why not try self-publishing?

Since having finished NaNoWriMo ten days ago I’ve done a lot of thinking about this book and am on the verge of beginning the process of self-publishing it.  Isn’t that what everyone is doing these days?  There are several book that I’ve read that have been self-published, Lisa Becker’s Click: An Online Love Story, for example.  (I will even be reading and reviewing some within the next couple of weeks).

I have done some research about where to start, but the internet was way too overwhelming with websites coming at me like there was tomorrow.  I had enough, so I went to B&N and bought THIS book.  It seems to have the basics, what to do and how to start, through making a profit.  If I do end up deciding to do this (maybe as a Christmas present to myself), I will share my experiences.  Wish me luck!

Have any of you thought about self-publishing?  Why, and/or why not?

Happy Friday y’all!

I’m Thankful For NaNoWriMo!

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I’M BAAACK!!!

Before I start blogging about why I’m thankful for NaNoWriMo, I’d like to take a minute to thank my faithful readers, friends, and family for being patient with me for not posting a blog the entire month of November.  Without your support, I don’t think that I would have made it as sane as I did (well, maybe).  I will be continuing to blog throughout the rest of the year.  As for next year, I will be reviewing more books, and interviewing more writers, (YAY)!

When one thinks of November, most will think of Thanksgiving, and about how soon it will be until Christmas is coming.  Well, when I decided to participate in National Novel Writing Month, I knew it would be something that would be difficult, but I thought why not add one more thing to my plate (two Gotham Writers’ Workshop classes, a girl’s only weekend with my sister, and working on edits for my first book, and Thanksgiving with seventeen of members of my family), but I was ready to take the challenge.  (I will explain my whole experience in Monday’s blog, but I wanted to first explain why I’m thankful for NaNoWriMo being in November).

Here is why I’m thankful for NaNoWriMo:

  • Day after day I learned what it would be like to be a “real” writer.
  • NaNo taught me to focus on what’s important in the story, and to pay attention to the plot
  • I think that NaNo cured me of wanting to continually correct my grammar and punctuation, but since I had a thirty-day deadline I couldn’t which was so hard to not do
  • Most of all I’m thankful for the lesson of “just write,” which will teach me to be a better writer

Anyway, I survived National Novel Writing Month – and I won!  Writing my second book consumed me.  It was all I knew, and all that I thought about.

Love y’all!