CLP blog tours

EXCERPT: “Leaving Eva”

June 16, 2015 1 Comment

“Leaving Eva” by Jennifer Sivec

Blurb:

There is a secret pain lurking within all of us, waiting to consume us if we allow it.

On the outside, Brynn Michael seems to be living the perfect life. She’s a successful businesswoman married to a handsome and devoted husband. But nobody, not even her husband and childhood sweetheart, Adam, knows the true depth of Brynn’s horror. Abandoned on the side of the road by her young drug addicted mother, then abused by her adoptive father, teenage Brynn turns to the only solace she can find in the sharp end of a razor. She spends her lifetime hiding the scars, both physical and emotional, until she has no choice but to face what she has been running from her entire life.

Brynn must figure out a way to confront her past or risk losing Adam, the only true love she’s ever known, forever. But in spite of it all, Brynn may not have the ultimate choice, as the past eventually seeks her out.

Leaving Eva is the heartrending story of one woman’s battle to overcome her tragic childhood and the abandonment and abuse that haunt her. Caution: Eva’s story is contains graphic violence, strong language, drug abuse, domestic abuse, and child abuse.

In this dramatically dark novel, Jennifer Sivec, author of women’s fiction, delves into the selfishness and depravity of human nature, and begs you to question whether happiness can ever truly be attained once you have been deeply scarred.

EXCERPT

Happy Anniversary

Adam just knew that he needed to make her happy. He surprised even himself at times, with what he was capable of doing just for that smile. It was as though he could reach into himself and pull out something completely unexpected, just to make her laugh.

Adam was as inventive and creative as he needed to be, and his reward was when she smiled at him, her big brown eyes sparkling, her beautiful white teeth shining. He swore at one point that was all he needed in life. He could never explain why, he just knew that’s how it was for him.

But making her smile and laugh became increasing more difficult, and she stopped appreciating his efforts. So he stopped trying. She was still so beautiful to him, but he was angry with her.

“Where have you been?” he said stiffly when she got to the table.

“I’m sorry. I had a problem to deal with.” She was afraid to meet his glance so she looked down as she always did. I should have texted him or called.

There is always a problem! He thought bitterly. “Let’s just order. I’m starving.”

She eyed his scotch in disapproval, but he didn’t care. He knew how much she hated alcohol, but he needed it. He took a big swig of it, making his enjoyment obvious as he did so.

After they ordered, they sat in an uncomfortable silence, neither of them willing or able to break the ice.

This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. He thought angrily. It’s supposed to be easier than this. Better than this. She doesn’t even care about me. Happy Fucking Anniversary.

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**About author, Jennifer Sivec:

Women’s fiction writer, Jennifer Sivec, has always found an escape in books and beautiful stories. In writing, she has discovered refuge and sanctity her entire life, which quiets the chaos while giving her perspective and peace of mind. She finds inspiration in the balance of beauty and tragedy, which is something she has experienced personally.

Jennifer was born in Seoul, Korea and then abandoned at a very young age. At the age of three, she was adopted and has lived in Ohio for most of her life. She is married to her best friend, Jeff, and together they share two incredible, funny boys.

Jennifer is the author of The Eva Series and the standalone novel, I Run to You. Leaving Eva is her first complete work and was originally released in April of 2013. Losing Eva is the sequel and continuation of Eva’s heartbreakingly beautiful story. The Eva series is an intense journey into abandonment, abuse, alcoholism, and cutting, with numerous twists and turns that will keep the reader holding their breath until the very end.

You can stay up to date with Jennifer by visiting and signing into her website, http://www.jennifersivec.com/apps/guestbook/.

**Contact Jennifer: Website Blog Facebook Author Page Facebook Profile Street team group Twitter Instagram Amazon Author Page Goodreads Linkedin Google TSU Pinterest Spotify

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**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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**Click HERE to see all of Jennifer’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours stops!

BOOK FEATURE: “The Opposite of Love”

June 9, 2015 1 Comment

“The Opposite of Love” by Dahlia Salvatore

Blurb:

What do you do when fate doesn’t offer you a happily ever after?

Everyone must choose his or her own path.

I chose to play pretend.

I lived every day with guilt, frustration, and dissatisfaction. Despite the fact that we loved each other, my husband didn’t want me. Counselors and doctors had no answers for us. For a long time, I longed for something I couldn’t have. For love, I sacrificed pleasure. I struggled against desires … until I got stuck in a cabin during a raging blizzard with Luc Partridge.

And I simply couldn’t ignore the truth anymore…

EXCERPT

CHAPTER FOUR

If you’ve made it this far without scoffing, putting down the book, and browser window to write an ugly review of my memoir, I applaud you. Like I said, I’m not perfect. I made a choice, to play pretend, to allow Luc Partridge to soil my chastity. But damn was it good. I wish you could know how good it was. Luckily for you readers, you probably don’t know the pain of a sexless marriage. Or maybe you do, but your morality is stored in some proverbial, unscalable, tungsten-carbide fortress.

I’m happy there are women out there who have the ability to resist the urge. I am. Honestly. I know it’s hard to tell by reading the words on the page, but I’m not being facetious.

But, as you can plainly see, I couldn’t resist. I was weak. It wasn’t that I didn’t love my husband. It was that I hadn’t been able to find a suitable replacement for sex. To this day, I still believe there isn’t one. You can drink all the wine and eat all the chocolate and pasta in the world, but nothing beats being physically loved by another person. And that’s part of my personal truth.

That’s what this book is about, my personal truth, my life, and my mistakes.

You have yours and I have mine. There’s not a single one of you who hasn’t made mistakes. Even if they taste different in your mouth when you chew them, or present themselves in a different shade of wrong than mine do… they are still mistakes.

I love people for their errors and imperfections, and even if you don’t love me for mine, you certainly shouldn’t hate me for them.

You see, taking a lover for myself was the first real selfish thing I’d ever done. I’d always been self-sacrificing, had always taken the burden of the work for every problem on myself. I had given Dan every day of my life since our relationship began, and hadn’t received what I thought was my equal due: to be loved as a woman should, as a soul inside a body that needed passion.

Luc was all passion, which is something I will elaborate on as my story continues.

Where was I before? Ah, yes, the owner’s cabin.

If we fast-forward to the end of the trip, we find ourselves looking down on a diminished blizzard. The snow had cleared and the sky had turned a pale shade of blue. I was sore, but that renewal I’d expected had definitely come. I hoped it was there to stay.

**Find “The Opposite of Love”: Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads

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**About author Dahlia Salvatore: Dahlia is a thirty-two-year-old female author living in Seattle, Washington with her husband. She comes from Coos Bay, Oregon and moved to Seattle six years ago. She loves the west coast and doesn’t see herself anywhere else.

Her influences include contemporary writers J.K. Rowling, Mary Balogh, Christina Dodd, Stephanie Laurens, Laurell K. Hamilton, Anne Rice, Stephen King, and many many others.

**Contact Dahlia: Website Facebook Twitter

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**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway!

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Dahlia’s Chick Lit Plus Blog tour!

BOOK REVIEW: “Dear Internet: It’s Me, Avery”

May 28, 2015 3 Comments

“Dear Internet: It’s Me, Avery”

Description:

Oh, don’t judge me, people. We all do it.

Don’t try to tell me that you’ve never checked that weird mole on your thigh on WebMD. Or how to fold meringue on Epicurious. And, there’s no way that I’m the only one who clears her search history after looking up how to give a great bl— (Um, that last one’s not important.)

When newspaper reporter Avery Fowler discovers her husband is having an affair, the online help site HowTo.com is where she turns to navigate this challenging stage of her life.

If the Internet is Avery’s information god, then HowTo.com is her Holy Grail. Its live chat option is like having a virtual life coach for the low, low price of $14.95 a month:

When I joined HowTo.com, it assigned me “Clementine” as my advisor, based on my choice of “British female” in the Preferences panel. That way, I can pretend that a Maggie Smith or Judi Dench type supplies the wisdom, tinged with a sassy touch of malt vinegar. (In reality, it’s most likely a bored, seventeen-year-old boy labouring in a New Delhi call centre.)

Add into the mix a new boss whose managerial style calls to mind the Wicked Bitch Witch of the West—or the Anti-Christ—and the poor girl needs all the help she can get! The stakes rise and hilarity ensues as our heroine struggles to take control of her personal life and topple her boss after she learns Victoria’s guilty secret.

With Clementine (virtually) in tow, our heroine tackles such tricky situations as dating after divorce, sex once nothing points north anymore, and how to cover attempted murder scenes (despite a paralyzing fear of blood) as the new and improved Avery Fowler 2.0.

My Review:

Since I started following Jennifer’s blog a long time ago, I’ve been a huge fan, but since having read her debut novel, I’m more in love with her writing style than ever. “Dear Internet: It’s Me, Avery” was hilarious right from the start. It jumpped right into the action (saving me no time to jump in, wanting to protect Avery from her cheating hubby), but she handled it…well, like any woman would in her situation, (oh, that poor carpet). Eventually, Avery sees that it’s just not dating after marriage can be a challenge, and that alive can, too, along with learning that having a little “Avery time” can ruin a relationship, (seriously, Raj?).

Overall, I cannot say how much I loved this book, and am eagerly awaiting for another quick, fun, smart, and hilarious read from a very talented author!

I give “Dear Internet: It’s Me, Avery” 5 stars!

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**About author, Jennifer Ammoscato:

Author Jennifer Ammoscato – solving the world’s problems one cosmo at a time.

Jennifer Ammoscato is a paid, productive member of society. Frankly, it’s not enough.

Therefore, May 2015 will see the launch of her debut novel, “Dear Internet: It’s Me, Avery” (The “Avery Fowler 2.0” series, Book I).

During the day, she is an intrepid writer/editor for the public relations department of a Canadian university. By night, she fights crime and the urge to organize closets and stuff herself with salted chocolate caramels.

Jennifer began writing as a child, producing such classics as “The Occurrence” (she understood the appeal of werewolves long before Stephenie Meyer). She had to search for the courage to write a novel, though. “That’s so F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. I didn’t know if I had the alcohol capacity for it.” However, after being goaded (sorry, encouraged) by a friend, she took the leap.

Dreams do not inspire Jennifer’s books. In fact, they tend to terrify her. In particular, the ever popular naked-at-school or I-have-a-final-exam-and-didn’t-study dreams. She usually just makes stuff up.

She is married to her husband, Ezio. As opposed to someone else’s husband (insert name here).

She is the proud mom of two very tall sons, Dante and Christian.

**Contact Jennifer: Blog Facebook Goodreads Pinterest Twitter

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**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to be entered to win a $35.00 Amazon Gift Card!

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Jennifer’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

Rock Star’s Girl

May 14, 2015 1 Comment

“Rock Star’s Girl” by Jennifer Farwell

Blurb: Emily Watts just wants a weekend break from the workaholic hours she’s taken on to keep her business—a popular fashion-snark website—up and running. What she gets is overnight celebrity and a career-killing media scandal.

While taking time out to attend a concert in support of friend Jesse Cinder, a struggling musician, Emily meets Cory Sampson, the lead singer of a chart-topping rock band. When she agrees to a date with Cory, making entertainment headlines is the last thing she expects. Even so, it’s a minor surprise by comparison to her discovery that in the music world, media notoriety trumps all. Tabloid allegations erupt when Cory and fame-hungry Jesse use Emily for personal gain, and her tarnished image spells disaster—personally and professionally. To save the website and writing career she’s made her life and dream, Emily must go from being a pawn in the Hollywood headline game to becoming the media mastermind.

EXCERPT

“I wouldn’t want to be that guy,” Cory commented, sitting down.

“That was fast,” she said, trying not to look startled. “What guy?”

“The guy who invited us here. You were just giving him the death stare.”

“Did it look like a death stare?” She fought to keep her tone light. “My mind must have just drifted off.”

“Whatever you were thinking about, it couldn’t have been good.”

“It was about the piles of work waiting for me to tackle at home,” she said, offering him the first explanation she could think of.

“On a Friday?” he asked. She nodded, scrunching her face into what she hoped passed for an exasperated look. “What do you do?”

“I’m a writer, and I run my own website.” She tried to guess what his reaction would be before he spoke. Most of the people she met in L.A. first assumed she was an actress or a singer. She was never quite sure if her lack of being part of the entertainment world worked for her or against her in a city where make-believe was the main industry.

“A writer and a website,” he repeated. “Anything I know?”

“Maybe,” she answered. “I run Zeeked. It’s a fashion website. I do a regular column for Sweltry, too.”

“Oh, nice. That’s definitely different for this town.” To his credit, he looked impressed. “Sweltry does music reviews, right?”

She nodded again, wondering if he was genuinely interested in what she did or if he was simply being polite. “Among other things. I don’t write the reviews, but I know the guy who does.”

“Next time you talk to him, please thank him for me. Sweltry gave my band’s last album a great review.”

Great. He was a musician. If Wednesday night had taught her anything, the last thing she needed was to get involved with another boy in a band.

“So, you’re a musician, then?” She struggled to keep the disappointment from flooding her voice.

“I’m a singer.” She may have imagined it, but the look on his face seemed expectant of something.

“Huh,” she mused, trying hard to sound indifferent.

“What?” he asked. She could tell that wasn’t the reaction he’d been hoping for.

“What, ‘what?’” she answered, feigning ignorance.

“Is there something wrong with me being a singer?” he asked.

“Not if it makes you happy,” she said. “Just so you know, though, I’m not.”

“Not what? Happy?” He looked slightly confused, and, she had to admit, absolutely adorable.

“A singer.”

He gave her a curious look. “I know that. You just said you were a writer.”

“Yeah, I know. It’s just that if you’re a musician, and especially if you’re a singer, you should probably be flirting with another singer right now, or an actress. Maybe a model.” She paused when their margarita and chips appeared in front of them, and leaned in to sip from one of the two straws that peeked out of the giant glass.

“What makes you say that?” he asked, not making a move for the food or their drink.

“Experience.” She took another sip and looked him squarely in the eyes, silently daring him to tell her she was wrong.

He leaned back in his chair, laughing. “You’re probably right, but I’m not flirting with a singer, actress, or model right now, or sharing a drink with one. Does that count for anything?” He held her eyes with his, taking a drink from the other straw.

“Not really.” She watched him try to contain another laugh while swallowing.

“You have something against singers, I take it?” he asked, once he’d recovered.

“Well, singers, guitarists, bass players, drummers, keyboardists, and possibly cellists, so I wouldn’t take it personally.”

“Drummers, huh?” He raised an eyebrow. “Even bongo players?”

“Especially bongo players.” She picked up a chip from the platter in front of her and dipped it in the small bowl of guacamole.

“Well, while you’re at it, don’t forget about anyone who plays an accordion.”

She swallowed the chip she was chewing. “Why’s that?”

“Equal opportunity. If you’re going to slam us, don’t limit yourself to alt, rock, and country. Polka’s pretty badass too.” He took another sip from their glass.

She knew he was teasing her and could tell that her wariness amused him. Finally, she could only shrug. “No offense,” she said, looking down at their margarita and stirring its melting ice cubes with her straw. “I’m not a big fan of musicians.”

“I’m getting that,” he replied. “Why is that, anyway?”

She kept her eyes down. “I know too many of them,” she offered.

“Me too. Funny.”

Emily could feel the corners of her lips move while she fought a smile. She knew Cory had seen the change in her expression when, appearing encouraged, he stretched out one of his arms and laid it to rest on her shoulder. She didn’t move away.

“I thought maybe I’d switch it up a bit and hang out with a stunning writer,” he said. “Is that okay by you?”

She smiled in spite of herself. “I guess mass amounts of tequila must work in your favor. So what’s your band’s name?”

“Blistering Twilight.” He watched her while he answered.

She nodded and took a sip of their drink, aware that he was waiting for her reaction. From what she knew of Blistering Twilight, they had at least one album that had made it to the number one spot on Billboard and a few singles that had hit the top of the American Top 40 charts. She wondered if he expected those two words to be the magical key to getting her to retract everything she’d just said about musicians.

A long silence followed while she pretended to be incredibly thirsty. Finally, he spoke. “You don’t look impressed.”

She released the straw from her lips. “Are you used to girls looking impressed when you tell them what band you’re in?” she asked.

“I’m actually used to girls knowing what band I’m in before they meet me.” For a split second, he looked the slightest bit sheepish.

“I guess I’m not your typical girl.”

“I’ll drink to that.” He took a sip from their glass, moving the hand that was on her shoulder to play with a strand of her hair. “So now that my occupation is out of the way, can I go back to hitting on you?”

“Is that what you were doing?” she asked, unwinding her hair from his finger.

He put his hand back on her shoulder. “Before I realized telling you what I do for a living would be a turn-off, that’s absolutely what I was going for.”

“Hmm. What other lines have you got?”

“I’m afraid to try, given how badly that one bombed. It’s usually foolproof.”

**Find “Rock Star’s Gir”: Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads

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**About author, Jennifer Farwell:

Jennifer Farwell has been writing since the day she picked up a navy blue Crayola as a toddler and began scribbling on her parents’ freshly painted white walls. She’s the author of SEVEN WEEKS TO FOREVER and ROCK STAR’S GIRL. When not writing novels, she can often be found at a Kundalini yoga class, cheering on the L.A. Kings during hockey season, or curled up with a good book. Her love of storytelling led to completing a Bachelor of Journalism degree and a Master of Arts degree in English, both from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. She grew up in Thunder Bay, Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Pico.

**Find Jennifer: Website Facebook Twitter Snapchat: jennfarwell Pinterest Instagram Tsu Tumblr Goodreads

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**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to be entered the in Rafflecopter giveaway!

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Jennifer’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

Kathleen Irene Paterka

April 22, 2015 2 Comments

About the author: Kathleen Irene Paterka is an Amazon Bestselling Author of smart women’s fiction. Her newest novel, The Other Wife, was published in February to critical acclaim. Kathleen’s popular James Bay series, set in Northern Michigan, includes: Fatty Patty, Home Fires, Lotto Lucy, and For I Have Sinned. Love weddings? Pick up a copy of her novel Royal Secrets for a fascinating glimpse into the world of royalty, romance and brides. Kathleen is the resident staff writer for a world renowned castle listed on the National Historic Register, and co-author of the non-fiction book For the Love of a Castle. Kathleen and her husband live in the beautiful north country of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, where she is busy working on her next James Bay novel.

**Contact Kathleen: Email Website Facebook Goodreads Pinterest Twiter

**Click HERE to sign up for Kathleen’s newsletter!

INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five words: Smart, emotional, witty, intense, and personal.

Which do you prefer, hard/paperbacks or eBooks? Both! I’m a big fan of our town’s public library, which has plenty of hard cover books to enjoy, but eBooks are great too. I especially love using my Kindle when I’m reading in bed. The backlit screen, plus one flick of a finger, and I’m on the next page. But hard/paperback or eBook, the most important factor will always be a great story that keeps my interest.

Tell us about your writing/editing/publishing process: Though ideas and conversations constantly bounce through my brain, I’m very linear when it comes to writing. I start with Chapter One and write my way to The End. I’m slow and methodical when it comes to writing; I count it a good day if I manage to produce 500-750 words. By the time I’m finished, my rough draft usually only requires one or two edits. I then turn it over to a few trusted beta readers for their input. An indie author, I signed with Booktrope Publishing in February. I’m excited about the opportunity to promote my works to an expanded audience.

In what location do you think you write better, (ex: office, kitchen, etc.)? I’m a very structured writer, and tend to work best in my home office. Unlike other authors who can write anywhere (J.K. Rowling wrote reams of Harry Potter materials while riding on the train and sitting in coffee shops), I need the peace and quiet that surrounds me when I’m at my computer.

While working on a WIP, do you have any rituals? I write every day. I’m up early, at 5 am. Normally, by 6:30 am, I’m at my computer. I have a little timer which I set for two hours. Then I open up my WIP, and I’m quickly lost in a beautiful daydream that unfolds before me on the computer screen. Thank God for that little timer. If I didn’t have it, I’d probably be late for work every day, and have been fired from my day job long ago.

If you had to meet any author who would it be? Stephen King. I am a huge fan of his work (11/22/63 and The Shining are classics). His book On Writing is the one craft book about writing that I keep close at hand.

You mention that your husband was an inspiration for this story. What were your emotions when you were writing “The Other Wife”? Grief is not an easy issue to tackle, and The Other Wife proved the most difficult story I’ve written to date. First, I was dealing with two separate characters: Eleanor and Claire—two wives, each with their own perspective and storyline. Eleanor (wife #1) and Richard (her husband of 38+ years) were already living semi-separate lives when he died on page 1. Eleanor’s method of coping with Richard’s death also proved semi-detached; her scenes were easy to write. Claire (wife #2), however, was a different story. She and Richard had been married only a few years, and she was left feeling betrayed and bewildered at the situation in which she suddenly found herself. With two young children to raise, Claire’s grief threatened to overwhelm her… and me, as the author. Eventually, about ½ way through the book, I switched from writing in 1st person to 3rd in order to distance myself from Claire’s emotions. Her grief was so intense, I found myself not wanting to write. If I hadn’t switched POV, I doubt the book would have been finished.

What is your favorite word? Perseverance.

What is the best advice you’ve been given? A dear friend of mine (who is a NYT bestselling author) gave me the following advice years ago: “Don’t give up. Don’t give up. Don’t give up. Work hard, work smart, work tirelessly. Be tough, be brave, and be persistent. All clichés, yes. But when they apply to you and how much you want to realize your dream, they are very apt.” Her words came to me in an email, which I have framed and hanging right above my computer. I’ve often looked at it throughout the years, and her words have served me well.

Where do you see your writing career in five years? I would like to have written and published another three novels. I’m an idealist at heart, but I’m also realistic. I’m a slow writer, and that’s okay. It’s part of my process. Normally it takes a good 12-15 months for me to complete a work to my satisfaction… and that’s before my editor sees it. I am not going to kill myself trying to impose strict deadlines upon myself that will only stress me out. My latest work, The Other Wife, took 18 months to write. While I was in the editing process, my 92 yr. old mother was diagnosed with cancer. I slowed down and allowed myself time to focus on her. Thank God I did. The book was published on Feb. 18th (my mother’s birthday), and she passed away on March 13th. I’m slowly beginning to pick up the pieces and begin the process of writing again.

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“The Other Wife” by Kathleen Irene Paterka

Till death do us part…

Eleanor Anderson has a beautiful home, a loving husband, a tranquil life. After thirty-eight years of marriage and her children now grown, she finally has time for herself. She’s not expecting any surprises; certainly not to wake up one morning and find her husband dead in bed beside her from a massive heart attack. It’s a devastating discovery… but not as much as the shock awaiting Eleanor when she learns the truth about her husband’s secret life. And then there’s the damaging document he signed before his death, which threatens to destroy her life.

Claire Anderson isn’t your average thirtysomething. A professor of psychology at a prestigious university, Claire has a successful career, a handsome husband, and two young children at home. But nothing in her background, including her academic accomplishments, prepares Claire for the horrendous reality of discovering that the life she’d led was all a lie… fostered by a husband who’d promised to love and cherish her forever.

Two women from two generations, bound together by denial, anger, and grief. How far will their misery and fear push them? Does compassion rule the day, or will a husband’s betrayal lead to a woman’s revenge?

What happens when each of these women comes face-to-face with the other wife?

**Buy “The Other Wife”: Amazon Barnes & Noble iTunes

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GIVEAWAY

**Click HERE to enter to win an eBook of “Lotto Lucy” by Kathleen!

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Kathleen’s Chick Lit Plus Blog tour!

Give Your Heart a Break

February 2, 2015 2 Comments

“Give Your Heart a Break” by Helen Peterson

Blurb:

Gorgeous? Check.

Wealthy? Check.

Sweet? Double check.

When Rachel Thomas meets Mason Conner, it seems she has found a man who is everything she’s ever wanted. After years of the single girl life in New York City, she’s due for some luck in the romance department. But with her less than stellar track record, Rachel can’t seem to let go of her past failures to fall too hard.

That is until Mason’s ex-fiancé reappears, determined to steal him back. With more than winning Mr. Perfect’s heart on the line, is Rachel finally ready to give her heart a break?

Excerpt:

I was opening up portfolios when Sydney appeared by my side. “There you are! Where have you been hiding all morning?” Her sugary sweet voice made my skin crawl. Why today?

“I’ve been here all day, Sydney. At my desk. You saw me this morning.” And gave a weirdly enthusiastic wave at me, which freaked me out. I was just waiting for this moment all day. She probably wanted to brag about her new boyfriend or some other mundane thing that I didn’t give a hoot about.

“Right, right. Anywho, I wanted to ask you something.”

She paused, just smiling and blinking at me. “Okay. What?” Was I walking into a trap? Should I run away?

“How is your relationship with Mason going?”

I forced a smile on my face, surely fake, and said, “None of your business. Do you have something important to talk to me about?” My patience was waning.

“Oh, I do,” she said, looking down at her fresh manicure, then back at me. “But it’s none of my business, right?”

“If you have something to tell me, please just spit out. I’m busy and tired and need to get this done before—”

“You’ll want to make time for this,” she said, cutting me off. I noticed then the devilish spark in her eyes. Oh, fuck. I started to get concerned at that moment.

“Fine. Tell me.”

“So, I was at Kittachai in Soho last night. Do you know where that is?” she asked.

I was familiar with the restaurant but had never eaten there. “I’ve heard of it.”

“Well, it’s a super fancy restaurant in the Thompson Hotel. Quite expensive. Anyway, I went with some guy who wanted to take me out. I didn’t really care for him much and I wasn’t going to go, but I am so glad I did.”

“Okay, and?”

“I saw your little hot stud dining with some supermodel hot blonde,” she said smugly. “And to tell you the truth, he seemed smitten with her.”

Before I panicked at what Sydney was telling me, I remembered Mason did a lot of dinners with clients. And since Bradley had called him on our drive back to the city, I assumed he was working through dinner when he didn’t respond to my dinner invite text last night.

“Yeah, so Mason has lots of dinners with his clients. So nice of you to drop by and . . .”

She cut me off again. “I thought that may be the case as well. But you might want to stick around and here this.”

Goosebumps rose on my arms. Where the hell was she going with this? My fingers itched to check my cell phone to see if Mason had sent me a text yet.

“I just happened to run into the girl in the bathroom. Crazy, huh?” So she ran into Mason in the huge city of New York and managed to be in the bathroom with this chick at the same time? A paranoid part of my brain was sending out warning signals. Was Sydney a stalker? What was going on here? “I started making light chit-chat, talking about my boring date, and yadda, yadda. I asked if she was out on a date and guess what she said?”

“What?” I dreaded her answer.

“She said she was!” Sydney practically crowed, her eyes sparkling with happiness. “What’s even crazier—she said her date was actually her ex-fiancé. Wow. Crazy, huh?”

I didn’t say anything, just sat there and felt sick as she continued on. “It was great talking to her. Her name is Emily and she just moved back from Washington, where she moved for a work thing, and now work has moved her back. So, she’s back and here and her and her ex—Mason—are giving it another shot. Isn’t that a special story? She’s beautiful, too. And funny and smart and really personable.”

My heart was breaking listening to Sydney talk. What the hell? His ex-fiancée was back in New York and he hadn’t told me? He was—seeing her again? Was the wedding back on? Why would he take me and my friends to his house in the Hamptons if he was dating Emily? And why was Sydney talking this girl up like she was the next Miss America? My head throbbed, but I forced the tears to stay in my eyes. I couldn’t show weakness in front of Sydney.

“Sorry, Sydney,” I said. “Mason’s told me all about his ex.” I stressed the word, trying to keep my voice calm. “So, you can move along now.”

“So you know all about her, huh?” Sydney was challenging me. “You know that they are getting back together then? Emily told me about how Mason is the love of her life and they’re working on their relationship. Funny, she didn’t mention anything about him having a girlfriend that was in her way.”

With that, she turned on her heel and flounced away. My fears were full blown. Mason having dinner with his ex. Her being back in town, period. Him seemingly not mentioning the fact he was seeing someone. Her wanting him back. A tear slipped down my cheek then, and I was grateful Sydney was long gone at that point. Off to torture another co-worker no doubt.

**Find “Give Your Heart a Break”: Amazon Barnes & Noble GoodReads Kobo

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**Helen Peterson:

Helen is a native of Toronto Canada who went to college to pursue Marketing . She currently works at a bank as an administrative assistant but her love of writing and telling stories that others can relate to has helped her complete her first manuscript Give Your Heart a Break. Helen has always loved telling a story especially through song, Staring in all her high school musical theatre productions Like Oliver! And Anything Goes. Helen currently resides in Markham Ontario.

**Contact Helen: Facebook Twitter

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Helen’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours and to enter to win a $30.00 Amazon Gift Card!

New York Dolls

January 5, 2015 3 Comments

“New York Dolls” by Catherine L. Hensley

Blurb:

It’s Fashion Week in New York, and Denton Hodges just got her first big assignment for Glitter magazine.

Denton’s assignment: Get in the show at the posh Regency Viscount Hotel, and find a story. But a chance encounter with hard-partying starlet Amber Donovan forever changes the course of the night—and Denton’s life. After a night of being chased by the paparazzi, swimming in swag bags, and falling heart over heels for Hollywood hunk Chris West, Denton’s not just on the story. She is the story.

Suddenly, Denton’s no longer merely a low-level assistant. Amber’s latching on like a BFF from hell, Chris is flirting and cooking her dinner, and as Denton falls for the real people behind the tabloid screen, neither knows about her ties to Glitter. Only Denton holds the secret—or so she thinks. Is Anna Creel, Glitter’s icy beauty editor, on to her? Will Denton be able to write a story exposing her new friends? And is Chris more than just a friend, or did Glitter get the headline right—“Chris and Amber: Hot Nights!”

Step into the spotlight, and peek beyond the red carpet in New York Dolls.

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EXCERPT

Chapter 1

2008

“THE SHOW’S AT FIFTY-SEVENTH AND Seventh. Here’s your press badge and mini mic. If you see anyone, just be casual, make chit-chat, see what they think of the show. We’ve heard Amber Donovan may be there, but nothing’s confirmed. Just try to blend in, have some drinks. It starts at five thirty. Oh, and remember…you’re Anna Creel.”

Right. My first assignment! I never thought it would involve false aliases and conversational spying for Glitter magazine, but…my first assignment! At New York City’s Fashion Week nonetheless. Something I had absolutely no experience or serious interest in, but I wouldn’t have to worry about that tonight. I’d be Anna Creel. She knows all about the fashion in-crowd. Right?

“Isn’t Anna…?” I started to ask my boss, Liz. “She’s our fashion and beauty editor,” Liz replied. Right. Then why isn’t she…

“We have too many shows booked this week. She already has Malandrino and Posen tonight. She doesn’t have time for Isla Dominici. Just smile and keep your eyes and ears open when you get there. Be yourself!”

“As Anna Creel,” I muttered.

“Right!”

Liz was friendly. Maybe not one hundred percent genuine, but this was Glitter after all. You don’t get to be chief editorial assistant of the country’s biggest and most popular celebrity magazine by being your real self. I’d heard she was a Manhattan import, just like myself, but from some little town in Michigan. She hid it relatively well. No accent, three-inch stilettos, a skin-tight suit dress, and a conspicuously obvious D&G belt can make anyone look like a tried and true New York power woman. But Liz was plumper and didn’t look quite as polished as some of the other reporters, and she spoke with a monotone, to-the-point voice, all of which kept her from entirely fitting the Glitter mold. If I ever needed someone in the office to watch my back, I knew Liz, with our shared outsider origins, could do the job.

Watch my back? At Glitter? I couldn’t believe I was thinking so ruthlessly. But this place was cutthroat. I could tell after only a few days. (I bet the editorial assistant underlings at Martha Stewart Living weren’t so fearful. On second thought…maybe they were.) You didn’t advance at Glitter through sheer hard work and determination, and it certainly didn’t involve climbing the traditional corporate ladder. Getting the scoop—or the source—was your most important job function. Even if it meant seducing the married hunk who’s on the number-two-ranked drama on television.

“If something like that were to happen…and of course it does not… We obviously don’t condone that kind of behavior here,” Liz had told the other two EAs and myself after the office gossip broke on my second day. “But that wasn’t me.”

To get to the top of the hottest weekly celeb rag, apparently the rules of deception were the rules of the game. Anna Creel I would be then, for tonight at least.

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**Buy “New York Dolls”: Amazon (paperback & Kindle) Barnes & Noble (paperback & Kindle) Books-A-Million (paperback) 48fourteen (paperback & eBook)

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**About Catherine Hensley:

Catherine L. Hensley is a professional freelance editor and writer. From fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to academic pieces, she provides an extensive range of copyediting, proofreading, content editing, and writing services to a wide variety of clients located around the United States and abroad.

A native of south Louisiana, Catherine received her master of arts degree in creative writing and media studies from New York University and her bachelor of arts degree in English from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, with minors in history and mass communication. Her writing has appeared in The Advocate (Louisiana’s largest newspaper), OT Practice magazine, Quiet Mountain: New Feminist Essays, and Mused, the BellaOnline Literary Review. For more, visit http://www.catherinehensley.com.

**Contact Catherine: Website Facebook GoodReads Twitter

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Catherine’s CLP Blog Tours!

Give Your Heart a Break

December 23, 2014 1 Comment

HAPPY RELEASE DAY, HELEN PETERSON!

“Give Your Heart a Break” by Helen Peterson

Blurb:

Gorgeous? Check.

Wealthy? Check.

Sweet? Double check.

That is until Mason’s ex-fiancé reappears, determined to steal him back. With more than winning Mr. Perfect’s heart on the line, is Rachel finally ready to give her heart a break?

**Buy “Give Your Heart a Break”: Amazon Barnes & Noble Goodreads Kobo

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**About Helen Peterson:

**Contact Helen: Facebook Twitter

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**Check out other stops on Helen’s Release Day Tour:

Chick Lit Goddess
Jersey Girl Book Reviews
Polished and Bubbly
Samantha March
The Little Reading Cabin
Grace Snoke
Chick Lit Plus

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**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter to win a 3-month subscription to Birchbox!

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**Side note: As a beta reader for this book, I have to say that it was so good, so be sure to pick up your copy now!

Tripping Through

November 10, 2014 1 Comment

TrippingThroughCover

“Tripping Through” by Michelle Morgan

Blurb:

How can one person attract so much disaster?

Quirky, clumsy, and eager-to-please Karly has more than her fair share of bad luck.

Waaaay more.

We first meet our 29-year-old accountant in her loud (the fire alarm is going off) and smoky (she’s trying to bake) kitchen. During the chaos, Karly is dumped because of misunderstandings over a divorce lawyer she didn’t hire and an affair she didn’t have. This comes just weeks after performing a very efficient audit on a company…that wasn’t actually a client.

Oops.

Single and unemployed, Karly continues tripping through life, both metaphorically and physically. She thinks her luck may be turning when she meets the perfect man but in true-to-Karly form, manages to scare him off. And he isn’t just “not returning her phone calls” scared but more “sprinting away across the parking lot screaming like a banshee” scared.

Crap.

Just as she thinks it can’t get any worse, it inevitably does. Is Karly destined to lead a life of loneliness and poverty or does fate have something else in mind?

Excerpt:

A tall man walked in and was standing there, watching me talk to the receptionist. He wasn’t model, chiselled face, fantasy cabana boy gorgeous, but the quiet kind of attractive you’d notice if you took the time to look past the somewhat old fashioned blue sweater and grandfather type reading glasses on a mid thirties face. The fact that I could make out at least three pens stuck in his chest pocket underneath his sweater made him more endearing. It sounds corny but I honestly thought we had one of those movie of the week, boy sees girl for the first time and birds chirp in the background moments. I got the most incredible feeling from him, like he was totally mesmerized and wanted to know all about me. It took my breath away. Until I noticed the receptionist staring down at my messenger bag. I looked down at it. No, there wasn’t anything unusual about my satchel. Oh. Well, except for the fact that the left side of my skirt had ridden up in between it and my hip and half my underwear was on display. Oh God. I quickly rearranged my clothing back to where it was supposed to be.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Weiss,” the man said once I’d sorted myself out.

I felt like such an idiot as he led me to a small office while making small talk. Sure I’d gotten the feeling that he was looking at me. Half my skirt had been hiked up the side of my body. And of course I’d gotten the feeling he was interested in me. He was, but just as a subject for his klutziness study.

“So, Karly, I’m doing a study on how certain people attract particular situations with the overall goal being to determine any common denominators. It’s my theory that certain people have a higher statistical average of physical disaster.”

“Well, I’m definitely your girl. I mean, I’m not your girl. Not that I wouldn’t want to be. I’m sure you’d be an amazing boyfriend. Not that I really know you. Yet. I mean, not that I’m looking. But if I was, I’m sure you’d be-” God, what was wrong with me? I remembered Nik’s advice when I started to babble: take a deep breath and get to the point. “I fall down a lot.”

“Uh, okay. Well, that’s great. I mean, that’s not great for you, but for me. I mean, it’s not great for me because I want you to fall down, but if you have to anyway, I’m glad that you’re here. I mean-”

He stopped talking, looking confused at what was coming out of his own mouth, as I had been earlier. We looked at each other, shocked, for a second. And then cracked up.

“Why don’t we rewind that bit,” he said with a smile on his face. Oh my God. He did the rewind thing. Just like I did.

“So,” he continued, “as part of the study I’d ask you to keep a journal and submit it for my review. I have a sample that you can pick up from the receptionist on the way out, if you’re still interested.” He smiled his dazzling smile that would have had me donating my organs if he’d asked, even the ones I was still using.

“We’ll also meet every two weeks as a group,” he went on. “I’m hoping to provide some insight on why these things happen more frequently to certain people and maybe even discover how to minimize accidents.”

He continued and I nodded my understanding while subtly checking out his athletic build underneath his loose fitting sweater and well-ironed khakis. He had long legs. They looked strong. I wondered if they were hairy. Gosh, what was wrong with me? I wasn’t normally like this. Less than a month of single-dom and here I was practically undressing this stranger with my eyes. Or at least picturing him in shorts. In his cramped office, our chairs were only two feet away from each other. We were so close. I could reach right out and touch his thigh if I wanted to. Hold on, was that a stain on the knee of his pants? And in his, uh, winkle zone? Could he also be a Strangeness Attracter? He stopped mid sentence and gave me an alarmed look when he caught me staring at his crotch.

“Oh. Um. Your knee?” I stuttered. “I was looking at your knee. I mean, not your actual knee because it’s hidden under your pants. Not hidden. I just mean your pants are there. As they should be. I mean…there’s a stain. That I was looking at. On er…your knee and maybe other places?”

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MichelleMorganPic **About author, Michelle Morgan:

Michelle Morgan was born in Vancouver, Canada. She has years of experience falling down for no reason and may have left a wrap-around skirt or two caught in a date’s car door. She currently lives in the Caribbean with her husband, Peter, and their three children, Kiara, Leilani and Kai. Oh – and a three year old goldfish named Angel, who her kids haven’t noticed looks different every time they come back from visiting Nana and Grandpa in the summer.

Michelle is passionate about theatre – watching, writing for, and acting in. Although she enjoys it all, she favours comedy. She is a black belt in karate, a classical pianist, and is addicted to pilates and pad thai.

**Contact Michelle: Website Facebook Twitter

**Find the book: Amazon Goodreads

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**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter to win a $60 Victoria’s Secret Gift Card!

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**Click HERE to see other stops on Michelle’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!

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