Chick Lit Goddess

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Favorable Conditions

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Book review for “Favorable Conditions”

“Favorable Conditions” by Kathleen Kole

She had plans, but things changed.  When divorcee Pat Keegan’s second child goes away to college, she didn’t intend on being alone.  In her perfect life, she’d be embarking on a new journey with her husband.  Instead forty-five year old Pat finds herself living alone in a quiet home all alone.  After a night of letting loose, the next day Pat starts her new journey as a bookstore owner.  She also begins to date Ian, a much younger man who she “runs” into while out for a run.  Many things happen in Pat’s new life – her daughter gets engaged, a younger woman intimidates her, and her relationship is interrupted when her ex-husband shows up, but through it all Pat manages to embrace it, and make the most of her new life.

From start to finish this book was delightfully charming and sweet.  Kathleen Kole has written a book that many can relate to – single mom, new career, and a younger hunk!  While I’m a married woman in my early thirties and have no children, I felt that I could relate to Pat on some levels.  This book was very enjoyable, even funny – especially when Pat dances alone in her home to a blaring Bob Seger.  I was cracking up as she tried to imitate Tom Cruise in Risky Business!

Kathleen has a knack for writing strong-willed characters, such as Pat Keegan.  I found refreshing that the female main character was confidant in herself, and didn’t harp on anything over too much time.  Pat’s love interest, Ian, seemed to be sweet and understanding man, especially when it came to Pat’s worries about their age differences and her children.  These two characters are a match made in heaven.  Some might even say that the conditions for these two are favorable…

After reading this book, I can’t wait to read it again…when I’m in my forties, fifties, and sixties!  Every woman who is in her mid-life should read this book.

I give this book 4 ½ out of 5 stars.

Buy “Favorable Conditions!”

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

**Read my Q & A with the author HERE

Grammar?

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Hey!  I’m sorry for not posting yesterday, but I was busy editing — a lot!  I feel good about the things I did — thanks to my wonderful editor — and am looking forward to today to do some rewrites.  I’ve never done rewrites before, but I am finally at that point where I see big changes are needed.

After working on the edits, I got out these three books and flipped through them.  I’m recommending them to you, so here they are:

Barron’s Painless Grammar

Self-Editing For Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How To Edit Yourself Into Print

See Jane Write: A Girls’ Guide To Writing Chick Lit

**GIVEAWAYS**

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When one sees the word giveaway and it’s in big and bold letters, this is an attention grabber!  Am I wrong?  I did’t think so!  Yesterday I hosted my first tour and (I think) it went pretty successful.  The author was kind enough to give away two copies of her book.  HERE is my post from yesterday.

This leads me to the point of this blog post.  When an author goes on tour to promote herself and/or her book, by having giveaways on blogs can be one of the biggest ways to help get the word out that there’s a new book that they might like, and maybe become a fan.  I’ve been lucky enough to win three books from authors and books that I didn’t know about — thanks to blog giveaways!  With already known authors (such as Emily Giffin) having them on the blog would be an honor, but they don’t need as much publicity as new and self-published authors.

If you’re an author, how do you promote yourself?  If you’re the blogger, how do you help promote the book or the author?

Binding Arbitration

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Book review for “Binding Arbitration”

“Binding Arbitration” by Elizabeth Marx

Libby Tucker’s son, Cass, is terminally sick.  As a single mother the only choice she might have to possibly save his life is to contact the boy’s father, baseball player – sexy, alluring, and passionate, “Band-Aid” Aidan Palowski.  (He even left me even swooning for him).  When she reaches out for his help, he does so willingly.  The instant connection between Cass and “Mr. Pole-ow-ski” is what begins to make these three the family that they should’ve been all along.

After reading the storyline, I knew that I would love this book.  When I finally did started it, I was instantly in love with “Binding Arbitration.”  From the beginning I was hooked, especially having Chapter 1 start in Aidan’s POV.  (I thought that was a really cleaver thing that the talented author, Elizabeth Marx, did).  In the first chapter, we see Aidan shooting a commercial with little girl fairies.  In a cute way, it was comical to see how Aidan behaves around them.  He’s not mean, just the typical baseball player who isn’t a fan of sparkles and screaming kids.

Chapter 2 was in Libby’s POV.  I liked her character because with all that she has going for her, she doesn’t back down and shows no sign of weakness whatsoever.  She’s a woman who gives 100% to her job as a highly acclaimed attorney, and as a mother who would do anything for her child.

After the Libby confronts Aidan and at the end of the 3rd chapter, it was obvious that there are still some very strong feelings between these two, no matter who or what stood in their way.  I was cheering for them the whole way through, especially at the end when a tragedy strikes, which turned out to be a heartwarming conclusion to this sweet book.

I read “Binding Arbitration” in about a week, and it was everything I thought and hoped it would be.  There weren’t any slow parts that left me feeling that I was being strung along.  I think that Ms. Marx did a phenomenal job of creating such wonderful book that deals with such a sad situation for such a sweet little boy like Cass.  I admired the way Cass’s character was written as a child – he didn’t seem to care much about what was happening to himself, but only wished the best for his parents.  That was just one more sign of what a great mother Libby was to her little man.

If you’re the mood for a quick read about love, forgiveness and family, I think you enjoy it as much as I did.

“Binding Arbitration” will definitely be on my list of my Top Reads of 2012.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

**GIVEAWAY**

Win “BINDING ARBITRATION” by leaving a comment telling me why you love reading Chick Lit books, along with your email address!  Two winners will be randomly selected.  This giveaway ends on April 2nd at midnight EST!  (I WILL ONLY INCLUDE YOU IN THE DRAWING IF YOU LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS)  Good luck!

About the author:

Windy City writer Elizabeth Marx brings cosmopolitan flair to her fiction, which is a blend of romance and fast-paced Chicago living with a sprinkle of magical realism. In her past incarnation she was an interior designer–not a decorator–which basically means she has a piece of paper to prove that she knows how to match and measure things and can miraculously make mundane pieces of furniture appear to be masterpieces. Elizabeth says being an interior designer is one part shrink, one part marriage counselor and one part artist, skills eerily similar to those employed in writing.

Elizabeth grew up in Illinois and has also lived in Texas and Florida. If she’s not pounding her head against the wall trying to get the words just right, you can find her at a softball field out in the boonies or sitting in the bleachers by a basketball court. Elizabeth resides with her husband, girls, and two cats who’ve spelled everyone into believing they’re really dogs.

Elizabeth has traveled extensively, but still says there’s no town like Chi-Town.

Contact Elizabeth:

Blog

Facebook

Twitter

Website

Email: elizabethmarxbooks@gmail.com

Buy “Binding Arbitration!”

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Get the prequel!  “Cutters vs. Jocks” is still available — and FREE!

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

It’s Fun Friday

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Friday’s are the days where I try to write about something other than writing, editing, or publishing, but today I really wanted to share something very exciting with you:

Earlier this week I added the TOURS tab to my website.  This was the next step on my website, and I’m thrilled to be taking part of Samantha’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.  Having this opportunity has introduced me to some wonderful writers, along with their books filled with many memorable characters.

If you look at my new tab, you will see that on Monday will be my very first time for a tour!  I highly encourage you to come back on Monday to see what it’s all about.

**(There will be a giveaway of the book “Binding Arbitration” by Elizabeth Marx, and I know you won’t want to miss it!)

I hope y’all have a wonderful weekend — I know I will!

Sexy Thursday: Reading Erotica

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This blog post is a follow-up to one I wrote awhile back,

Adding A little “Hump” To Your Wednesday.

"Come, I'll show you the way..."

What turns you on?  Is it a love scene on you favorite soap opera or movie?  Is it the scent of your boyfriend or husband’s cologne?  Is it the kiss you got from your partner before they left for work – the one you can’t stop thinking about?  (Come on, I know  there’s some of you who are still hung up on that kiss).  Or are you a busy mom and/or career woman and it’s THIS that seems to be the only thing that can get you to take off those granny panties and spanx?

I recently came across THIS article.  It got me thinking how some women are ashamed to read these “trashy” novels, and need the “okay” to venture out of their June Cleaver minds.  Well, there’s nothing trashy about them.  For example, these novels by MEGAN HART aren’t only erotic, but the story-lines seem so real, that they seem more believable – the career mom, the desperate housewife…you name it, and you got it.  I think that’s the difference — “trashy equals fake” and “erotica equals real.”

Go ahead, go get yourself an erotica and enjoy it.  Your boyfriend/husband might even be surprised by your behavior when he enters the door after a hard day at work.  Go ahead, surprise him…you might even surprise yourself too!

Writers and Their Cats

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Almost every writer I know has a pet to keep them company as they go through the steps of the writing process, from start to finish.   Some days we will complain about the neediness of the pet and how they distract us from our work, but on those hard days where we stare at the computer and nothing comes to us, we’re glad they’re there.  I know I’m thankful for the way my little man (Thorndike) paws and meows (constantly) at me when I’m the one who needs the attention — and I believe he knows that.

On the days where I’m feeling very productive, my 12-year-old little man loves to be the center of attention.  He practically begs to be played with, cuddled (which most times during this process he falls asleep and begins to snore loudly), and of course, he loves to be pet – a lot, and doesn’t want me to stop.  Wait, let me rephrase that – he doesn’t want me to stop until his daddy gets home.

Then there are times when I’m reading for a book review or tour, and I get up to get more tea or take care of the buzzing washing machine, that he plops himself down on the book.  I can’t resist taking a picture of him because he’s just too cute!  (Notice how the book title “Good In Bed” goes as a perfect caption for him?)  Does your cat do this too?

The Writer’s Workspace cartoon is something that I think we as writers can relate to.  (However, if you’re on The Dream, then I envy you!  Can you share how you do it?)

Simon’s Cat is a little comic strip of what most of my writing and editing days are like with my little man!

Do you have any pets that keep you company?  How does he/she keep you motivated?  Do you have a funny or sweet story you’d like to share about you and your pet(s) during your writing process?

Dr. Seuss Quotes

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It’s Monday!  Why most people treat this day as the worst day of the week, I decided to make it a good one, and hopefully inspire you.

This past Friday, Dr. Seuss would have been 108.  When I was younger, I was never a huge fan of the beloved author (my preferred reads were Danielle Steel), but as I’ve aged, I’ve come to admire the Dr., who used the pseudonyms of Theo LeSieg, Rosetta Stone, and Theophrastus Seuss.  (Even Dr. Seuss was a pseudonym; His real name was Theodor Seuss Geisel).  For more information on Dr. Seuss, click HERE and HERE.

On Friday night, my husband and I went to dinner and were talking about my work and somehow we got on the topic of Dr. Seuss.  We both had a lot of books by Dr. S, and have kept them because they are classics.  My DH (dear husband) then pulled out his phone and sent me the picture on the left that he had seen earlier that day.

After reading the “30 Dr. Seuss Quotes that Can Change Your Life,” I was inspired not only to use these quotes of my way of life, but as a work motto too.  If I’m having a bad day and/or old Mr. Writer’s Block decides to come for a visit, or I get some bad news from publisher, maybe reading these quotes will inspire me to continue and not give up on anything I’m working on.

Of all of these quotes, what is/are your favorite/favorites?

Happy Monday, y’all!