Chick Lit Goddess

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

Guest Author

Why I Love Helping New Authors!

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Hey, y’all!  The week is almost over — yay!

Part of what I do is promote new authors, (come see my GUESTS and BOOK REVIEWS).  I love doing this, especially for new authors who have written a Chick Lit!  It’s a growing genre so by promoting new authors, it can only increase its growth!  With each guest and book review, I find new appreciation for these books.  Not only does the published author inspire me, their book gives me confidence to keep on going with my own journey!

I’d love your thoughts on this topic.  If you promote new authors, why do you do it?  What do you enjoy most?

Love By Design

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Book review of “Love By Design”

“Love By Design,” by Liz Matis

WATCH a clip HERE!!

When Victoria’s regular co-host, Neil, has to a leave of absence, Russ Rowland, steps in to take his place on Design Intervention.  Victoria isn’t too pleased with this new arrangement, but reluctantly goes along with it.  Bickering over colors and layout designs, sparks are flying all over the set!  Everyone can feel the heat these two have for one another.  Will these two be able to learn to work together, even when the past haunts their future?

When I saw the cover for “Love By Design,” I signed up immediately – without reading the synopsis!  (Admit it, you like the cover too, right?)  After I finally read what the book was about, I even more intrigued – hot Aussie comes to U.S. and falls for his co-host – what’s not to like?

From the moment I started this book, I was truly engaged with the characters and the story.  At first, I found Victoria’s character to be a little too arrogant, but once they start shooting the show their bantering quickly turns into flirting – and was done quite nicely I might add!  Russ seems to have the ability to tame her in a way that nobody can!  From beginning to end, there were twists and turns (one in particular had me on the edge of my seat), but at the sweet end, these clear to see that two created a love by design.

If you’re looking for a laugh out loud, sweet, and spicy read this is the book for you.  This book was one that I would definitely read again!  Liz Matis’ Love By Design will make you want to hop on a plane to go find your own Aussie – that’s at least what I wanted to do!

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!

Buy “Love By Design!”

Amazon

**Read my Q & A with the author HERE

Liz Matis

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Author Bio:
Liz Matis is a mild manner accountant by day and by night a writer of fun, flirty, and fiery romps! She is a Kindle Best Seller and winner of the NECRWA First Kiss Contest. Married 26 years and counting she believes in happy ever afters.

Tell us about yourself:  First, let me say a big thank you for having me here!  I’m 48 and have been married for 26 years with one handsome son. I’m a mild manner accountant by day and romance writer by night. I live in the mountains of New York close to the original Woodstock site.

What are your days like, and when do you find time to write?  I work at my day job from 8-4. I try to write between 7-8 every night.

Your books are known to be steamy!  Where does that imagination come from?  I had to think about this for a while, but I’ve come to the conclusion that these scenes come from my characters. Sex is important in a relationship and I think showing the progression of when it’s at first ‘just sex’ for the characters to when it becomes so much more is important to the story.  Or maybe my characters are just really horny. LOL.

What is the writing process like for you?  I’m a slow writer. I write bare bones then I go back over and over again adding details, emotions, etc.

What is your favorite drink and/or snack when you’re writing?  Ice coffee.

Print or eBooks?  Both.

What would people be surprised to know about you?  That I know how to say, “Where’s the chocolate?” in Klingon. (Star Trek)

What is the best book you’ve ever read?  Why?  Oh boy – just one? Impossible. But if I had to choose it would be The Princess Bride by William Golden. A perfect blend of romance and adventure.

If you’re not writing, what are you doing?  Reading. Watching HGTV. Hanging with my husband. And I love to go to Zumba class!

Who would you prefer to go on a date with, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or someone else?  Hands down, no competition – Keanu Reeves. You might be surprised to know that he loves to read. I picture us meeting in the poetry aisle at a Barnes and Noble, he buys me a hot chocolate and we talk about books.

Do you have any advice for writers?  When I get stuck I have a conversation with my main characters. I ask them what they want to happen next or what’s wrong. I’ve posted a conversation between Victoria, Russ, and I (from Love By Design) on my blog and more recently when I spoke with Hannah (from Going For It and Playing For Keeps) and I posted it on Twitter and Facebook.

What are you upcoming projects?  Going For It, the sequel to Playing For Keeps will be out soon. Then I’m part of a Martini Madness anthology coming out at the end 2012. My title is Real Men Don’t Drink Appletinis – it should be great fun!

**Visit Liz at the below link:

Tao of Liz

**Click HERE to read my review of Love By Design!

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!)

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!

Cancelled

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Book Review for “Cancelled”“Cancelled,” by Elizabeth Ann West

**Watch the trailer for Cancelled HERE!**

Meet robotics engineer, Johnathan Michaels.  For three years, Alexis Rodriguez, a coworker and friend have worked side-by-side.  Over time, their friendship has grown, so much that she spends the night on New Year’s Eve with him-leaving him weak in the knees.  It’s clear to the naked eye that Johnathan’s taken a linking to Alexis.  He then begins to try to convince her that they would be good together, as they grow closer and closer each day.  Back at work while they are preoccupied trying to save a very important contract, a woman who identifies herself as Kellie-the woman he had a one-night stand with only weeks before-comes to return his shirt from that night, and then she drops a bomb on him.  She’s pregnant, and he’s the father!  Johnathan decides against telling anything of the sorts to Alexis, who becomes his fiancée soon after he learns of his impending fatherhood.

It’s clear that he’s now in a pickle, so what’s this man to do?

(CUT!)

While I would usually continue telling you more about the book, since it’s the first book in a series, I don’t want to spoil anything for you, (though it’s killing me to not know what happens next).  However, I will tell you that the ending wasn’t what I expected!

Sounds like a good read, huh?  I think so too!  I’ll be honest, when I heard that “Cancelled” was written from a male’s POV, I was very curious!  The next thing that had me intrigued was the title.  The word “cancelled” can only mean one thing, right?  (Come on and admit it.  You immediately think of weddings too, right?)  It’s easy to say that this book lived it to its expectations!

As for Johnathan, I liked him quite a bit in the beginning, but at times, he either seemed too nice or too wishy-washy, but in the end, I understood why he acted how he did.  I wish he could’ve been more of a man to tell Alexis the truth from the beginning, especially since they were such good friends, but as the book progressed, Alexis had her own faults.  I admired Johnathan’s character for picking up the slack where his immediate family left off (excluding his step-mother…I loved Anna!), which said a lot for the kind of man he was.  I found it to be a refreshing side in a man!  (Readers, I advise you on not giving up on this Hero).

I liked Alexis, as she seemed poised, sophisticated, and direct, I couldn’t really relate to her, then I remind myself that it’s not about the female’s POV, and continued on – but that didn’t stop me from wanting more dialogue, just so that I could understand her a little better.  I felt sorry for Alexis when Johnathan chose to keep the secret about Kellie’s pregnancy.

While the book focused a lot on their relationship, I never felt any real chemistry between Johnathan and Alexis-not even as friends-but since this is the first book, maybe it’s supposed to be that way.

There is quite a bit of technical word usage when it comes to Johnathan’s at work, and most I didn’t understand, but considering what he does, it made sense.  I just wish there hadn’t been so much, because I thought I took away from the main point of this book.  As for writing in a male POV, I think that Elizabeth Ann West wrote as accurate as we ladies think that a man would think!  It was an interesting read, with twists that kept me hooked, and left me with questions, so I’ll definitely be picking up the next read about Johnathan!

I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars!

**Click HERE to read my interview with Elizabeth!