Chick Lit Goddess

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Women's Fiction

BOOK BLITZ: Jessica Gordon

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JessicaGordon2About author, Jessica Gordon: Jessica Gordon is a Johns Hopkins University alumna for both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She received her bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the Writing Seminars program and her master’s degree in communications.

After working in the corporate world for several years, Jessica decided to return to her first love: creative writing. Jessica takes her readers to the prominent Washington, D.C. area where her characters navigate through the complex world of family, in-laws, and love.

INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five sentences: Characters that are relatable. Stories that move at a fast pace. Clear, concise writing to convey a story. Dialogue that is engaging. Intriguing plots with vivid scenes and characters.

How did you come up with the idea for writing “Becoming Mrs. Walsh”? At the heart of Becoming Mrs. Walsh is a tale about love, life, and family. I am fascinated by how these topics are related and I love looking at the dynamics within family and extended family. Seeing the story through Shoshana, a young, newly engaged girl, was intriguing to me. When you are engaged and enter into a new family you are introduced and exposed to a whole new world. This notion was in the back of my mind. My husband is the youngest of three boys so I have older brothers and sisters-in-law. When I first met them I was really taken with what it meant to join a family and have older siblings. To be introduced to so many people at once and to enter a family where they have already been together for many years is kind of like starting a movie halfway through. That learning curve combined with my love of exploring relationship dynamics led me to start thinking about a few things. Where do your loyalties lie when there is conflict: to your soon-to-be new family, or to your current family? I also think people have different takes on in-laws. I know some people that are closer with their in-laws than with their own family and I hear stories of extended family not getting along. You get to see all different dynamics play out in Becoming Mrs. Walsh. I wanted to take relatable, everyday feelings but put my characters in the most extraordinary of situations.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? Yes, definitely! I love to write, all of the time. Many scenes from Becoming Mrs. Walsh were originally written on napkins when I was sitting in a coffeeshop. It is cheesy but when you love something enough and are passionate about it, you never want to do anything else. I’ve gone back and reread very detailed diary entries from my past and they read like small stories. I went to school specifically for the writing program. I was very fortunate to graduate from the Writing Seminars at Johns Hopkins University. I will always be writing simply because I love it. 🙂

What is your writing/editing/publishing process like? My writing process can be unpredictable, but I generally know where I want to go with a story. From there I am constantly thinking of ideas and writing out scenes as soon as I can get my hands on a piece of paper or laptop. I take a general pass at editing and then I leave it in the hands of my trusted editor. The e-book publishing process is one that can be relatively easy once you’ve gone through it. Since I published Becoming Mrs. Walsh, I’ve enjoyed watching its growth and progression. Once your e-book is online and available for the world to see it is both a very exciting and overwhelming feeling. Overall, while my writing process is very creative and can take many twists and turns,  the publishing part is much more straight forward and process driven.

At what time of day do you find the most productive to write? This is a good question. It is hard to say. Sometimes I am most productive simply when inspiration strikes. There is a scene early in the book that takes place on the Metro (readers that have read the book, will know exactly which one I mean). The entire scene came to me in the middle of the night. I completely jumped out of bed at three in the morning grabbed the nearest pad and wrote out the entire scene. In general, I usually keep a small pad in my bag because you never know when you will be waiting in line and have a minute to write down a thought. I would say overall throughout the day I am generally jotting down ideas and thoughts, but most of the sitting and really working tends to be in the evenings.

How did you celebrate your first book being published? I was very happy to have it published, but I think the first official celebration was when I received my first fan letter. It was the most amazing feeling to know that I wrote something that really touched someone enough to compel them to reach out to me. I read the fan letter out loud to myself and then smiled really big, the smile pretty much continued hours after the fact. A simple celebration, but a very meaningful one. Of course, anyone who reads the book and reviews it or writes to me directly, I always celebrate. I also love the very intimate experience authors have with their readers. Even though there are many readers that I’ve never had contact with, we all know the story of Becoming Mrs. Walsh, and we are bonded through our enjoyment of the book. Knowing someone may have been up late reading my book somewhere in the world is an extraordinary feeling and one I am grateful for each day.

At the end of “Becoming Mrs. Walsh,” you left us with quite a bit of a cliffhanger, was that planned? I’ve been asked about the ending a lot. For me the ending organically made sense. I didn’t want anything to feel forced; it had to be something that felt authentic to each character. Often times when I write I basically know where I am going, but sometimes I take a different path than I had originally planned. I strived to make the characters in Becoming Mrs. Walsh well drawn because creating interesting characters is so important to me. I think an ending needs to feel right for the characters more than the story sequence if that makes sense. In Becoming Mrs. Walsh the actions each character takes feels like what the character would have done in that moment based on what you glean from them throughout the book. I love hearing from readers and I have received a lot of feedback about the end. If you are reading this now and want to talk more about it, please e-mail me. I’m happy to discuss more! Just don’t want to give anything away. 🙂

If “Becoming Mrs. Walsh” were turned into a movie, who would you like to play the leading roles? This is a great question and one I’ve gotten before. I generally don’t like to assign actors because I love when readers have their own vision of who each character is. I think certain actors and actresses evoke specific emotions and reactions from people. But, it is a good question and I love hearing readers’ thoughts on that. I’ve had lots of readers tell me who they saw in a movie version, and let’s just say there has not been one suggestion yet that I’ve disagreed with! People really seem to get exactly where I was going with these characters.

What is your favorite word? Belly because it conveys so many different emotions. It could mean a warm, full belly after a delicious meal. Laughing a real belly laugh, you are so hysterical and tickled with glee. Belly dancing is very sexy and interesting. A pregnant belly makes one thinks of life and the beauty of the belly.

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects? I am working on a sequel to Becoming Mrs.Walsh. 🙂 I haven’t officially announced a date yet or anything like that because I really want to make sure the sequel is the best course of action for the characters. Whenever people ask about the sequel I have been saying TBD, but I would like to publish one. And when I know more, my readers and favorite bloggers like yourself will certainly know!

GUEST POST

Five Tips on Writing Chick Lit

1) Chick lit by definition can be light, breezy, and fun. However, in order to be light, breezy, and fun you need to make sure you don’t bog readers down in overly ornate prose and uninteresting details. If you are going to write Chick Lit you must deliver on a premise that it will read quickly and entertain. You can not be boring when you write Chick Lit!

2) Tell a great story. At the heart of every good book is an even better story. Be an amazing story teller. Is this a tale you would want to chat about with friends over drinks or coffee? You want readers to fall in love with your story because it is captivating. It is the type of  story that is at the tip of your tongue. You want to tell anyone and everyone how juicy this plot is and what happens. You want readers to still be thinking about the characters long after they have put the book down. I had a reader tell me that it was almost painful to stop reading Becoming Mrs. Walsh. That meant so much to me because I knew the book meant as much to her as it did to me. Entertain readers and be passionate about your story, the point of chick lit is to entertain. So make sure you set out to entertain and deliver on it.

3) Create well drawn characters. While Chick Lit is breezy as I mentioned in point 1, do not fall into the trap of overly light and fluffy. You can have a “beach read” with great characters and engaging plots. The “beach read” part is that it is entertaining and satisfying like candy. You can devour it and love the sweetness of it, but it is not meant to be a heavy meal. You need to have a book that does not take itself too seriously, but just seriously enough.

4)  Love what you are writing about. If you, as the author, are not compelled to write or think about the story every single day, go back to the drawing board. Chick lit needs to draw you in and encompass you, you want to crave more of it and have characters that keep you turning pages. They are meant to be super engaging quick reads. If you want to write heavier prose or topics that deal with very serious situations that may not be a mood lifter or take a reader out of his/her world, you may want to re-consider genre. Even women’s fiction can have more of a serious tone. Chick lit can have topics beyond high heels and martinis but it is not meant to be depressing or dark, just interesting and entertaining.

5) Love what you do. If you love writing chick lit do it, but really love it. Love creating characters in interesting situations with vivid scenes, love letting your imagination run wild, and really allow yourself to create something different. If you truly love reading it and writing it then it is the right genre for you. If you feel mediocre about it, it is going to be hard to do. Don’t write a chick lit book because you are a good writer and you think it will be ‘easy,’ that type of forced writing will be apparent.

BecomingMrsWalshCover**”Becoming Mrs. Walsh” by Jessica Gordon:

Shoshana Thompson is 26 years old, miles from home, and engaged to Andrew Walsh, the last single Walsh brother of one of Washington, D.C.’s wealthiest families. Throughout her engagement she becomes enamored with the Walsh lifestyle.

Life in the fast lane comes to a screeching halt when Shoshana develops feelings for another man. When she discovers the feelings may not be one-sided, things are about to get a lot more complicated. This man is not only part of her fancy new world, he is also completely off-limits.

**Contact Jessica: Website   Twitter

**Click HERE to buy “Becoming Mrs. Walsh” on Amazon!

**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter to win a $50.00 SpaFinder Gift Card!

The Adventures of Pebble Beach

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“The Adventures of Pebble Beach” by Barbara Berger

Blurb: Chick Lit meets Self Help in this high-spirited tale of a newly divorced, 40-something woman with two teenage sons who is trying to take control of her life, her sex-crazed body, and her new relationships with men – while struggling to build a career in advertising in the big city. When she realizes how disastrous her relationships with men are and an unsavoury business scandal threatens to ruin her burgeoning career, our brave heroine decides to go to therapy. And so begins one modern woman’s journey of self-discovery.

Excerpt of Chapter One

The Vice‑President of the Republic Group was grinding away, his red hot ramrod stuffed between Pebble Beach’s slim thighs. He was panting and puffing, and the sweat poured from his brow. He was an ugly, disgusting toad – the type of man Pebble would never have considered going to bed with. How she ended up here, with him deep inside her, was something she couldn’t quite figure out. She didn’t want to remember his face with the friendly eyes behind the toad-like grin or the idiotic sexist comments he was always making when he wasn’t pinching her ass or grabbing her tits.

How can I do it?

How can I sink so low?

What’s got into me anyway?

This isn’t like me at all.

Not at all.

Pebble Beach you see was a good, nice, honorable, hardworking woman.

This will surely screw up my career.

Nobody ever goes to bed with their boss and gets away with it, unless their brains are fluff and all they’ve got going for them is body. Of course this had to happen to Pebble just when everything was going great and she was finally making good money. Just like Pebble Beach.

No sense of proportion, my mother would say.

None whatsoever…

And a razzmatazz to you too!

If Pebble Beach could climax with the Vice‑President of the Republic Group, then she could climax with anybody, a dirty dog included. She thought he was making an awful lot of noise for a Vice‑President as he grabbed her tits.

Too hard!

Squeezing her nipples till they hurt. Of course that was when her cunt caught fire.

My nipples hurt!

Holy shit!

Suddenly she wanted it, too. Wanted it bad – and wanted him. Wanted him to come and wanted to come with him, no matter how toady-looking he was.

Who cares about his face anyway!

Or toads at this point in the game.

It’s his cock I want…

Cock, cock, cock….

Come on man, what d’ya waiting for kiddo!

She forgot the wart on his nose, too, and the fact that his name was Einar Bro. A name she considered quite idiotic, and especially considering the fact that she thought he was the most unattractive man she’d ever met in her life. Of course that was when one other minor detail popped up: Einar was her boss. She worked for the bloody toad. Or up until tonight, she did. You see, he’d invited her out for dinner, which had happened before, only before she’d been able to withstand his advances and talk about business, and stay cool. The Republic Group you understand was a booming Danish ad‑agency, skyrocketing right up to the clouds, and Pebble Beach was their star American copywriter. She knew the score and he knew the score and just about everybody else in the business knew it, too.

Einar needed her, he needed her smart, tight English copy to meet the growing demands of European companies scrambling to go international in the global marketplace of the 21st century. And Pebble, darling Pebble, was talented enough to deliver what Einar needed to keep those heavenly cash registers at Republic headquarters humming. And what’s more, Pebble mostly enjoyed knowing he knew.

Mostly, that is.

So even if he mostly really wanted to slip his hands under her sweater, he managed to control himself most of the time. She wasn’t that young either, but she was pretty. And most of the time, she did her level best to head him off.

At least until tonight.

Tonight, she failed miserably, and there he was grinding away while her cunt turned from lukewarm to red hot. She’d already forgotten the majestic room he took her to at the Hotel D’Angleterre.

How did I end up here?

Did I drink too much?

She couldn’t remember how she got from the bar to the room.

My mind’s a blank.

Look at that pretty ceiling, will ya?

What am I, some kind of bimbo?

I mean I’m supposed to be a woman with brains!

Brains, ya understand!

Not just some dumb cunt…

Her breathing quickened…

Oh God, dear God, if only his prick was a little longer and a little thicker, you know… wider…. more filling that is… a little more like Albert’s… just a little more… oh God, you understand what I mean, I mean… if only he wasn’t so short and fat… and had a little more muscle on his body… just a little more, it would make all this a lot more, well you know… fun, you know, and less embarrassing when I wake up later, oh God, can’t you move me a little closer, you know to the less cash/more dash department and pronto…

The trouble was, Pebble wanted his sweaty little piece of meat and wanted it bad. So bad that suddenly it didn’t matter anymore that he didn’t have broad shoulders like Albert and firm muscles and all that stuff that usually got her off… old Einar was grinding away… grinding and grinding and grinding. And no matter his title, face or stature, the old boy had finally reached Pebble’s sweet spot…

“Please,” Pebble was moaning, “please hurry up…” She almost forgot his name, her love juices gushing now, the tension building, the heat of her body booming.

Suddenly Pebble loved life, liked who she was, and thought Einar Bro, in spite of his face, his millions and his turdy title, had what it takes. He had that mysterious piece of meat she loved and dreamed of and, “Oh God Einar, now,” but Einar had broken his rhythm, which was the rhythm of life itself, the rhythm she loved so much, to put his ravenous mouth to one of her taunt nipples…

Which was when or why Pebble Beach woke up, all alone in her bed, bathed in sweat – a dream of an orgasm only an inch away.

God, the sweetness of sex!

And not wasting time to analyze the bed-partner of her dream, Pebble finished off the job herself, groaning loudly in her empty bed.

Hope to God Adam and Jon are sleeping soundly tonight… Adam and Jon were her kids, you see. Pebble being a single parent.

When it was over, she just lay there, stoned on comfort.

Am I ever going to grow up?

You see, Pebble Beach was not newly-wed, but newly-divorced and not as gorgeous as she used to be. She was also more than a bit over 40, and all alone in her bed in Copenhagen, Denmark, of all places.

Pebble Beach, or Pebble, as they sometimes call her, was, or is, as you may have guessed, the name of your average insecure woman in her 40s. You’ll find her living in most big cities around the world today, and since she was born during the 60s, she’s probably something like 43 today, or God forbid, 45. She wasn’t a knock-out either, not in any language. But somehow, with a little help from Lancôme, a decent haircut, and some color out of a tube, she occasionally got away with being sensational.

Especially if the lighting’s right kiddo – or the party’s getting on… either age-wise or booze-wise!

Well at least I’m being honest with myself.

Pebble was sitting up in her empty bed now, holding her head, looking around her dark, empty bedroom; still hoping that maybe she’d find a man tucked away somewhere.

It sure is awful being lonely.

Why did I have to fall in love with a man who lives so far away? I could’ve just as well picked the accountant down the street for all the fun I’m having…

But she laughed anyway, having just divorced her husband, and pushed her newly-highlighted hair back from her forehead. And being almost brave, she didn’t cry. After all, what would have been the point? She’d just given herself one damned good orgasm, considering she was all alone, and she figured, all things being equal, good orgasms never hurt.

BarbaraBergerPic**About Barbara Berger:

Barbara Berger is the author of 15 self-help books including the international bestseller “The Road to Power – Fast Food for the Soul” (published in 30 languages) and “The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind”. Her highly acclaimed book “Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life” (already published in 18 languages) was recently released in the US and UK. Barbara’s books can be ordered on Amazon.com. For more about Barbara Berger see www.beamteam.com. For more about Pebble Beach see: http://adventuresofpebblebeach.com

**Click HERE to get the printed book now!

**Contact Barbara: Email   Website   Website   Blog   Facebook – Follow Page   Facebook – Like Page   Twitter

BOOK PROMO: Blame It on the Fame

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“Blame It on the Fame” by Tracie Banister

Blurb: A power-trippin’ bitch, a has-been, a skanky ex-model, a press-shy indie queen, and a British stage actress no one knows – that’s how the Best Actress hopefuls in this year’s too-close-to-call Oscar race cattily describe each other. Which of them will win the much-coveted gold statue and what price will they be forced to pay as they travel the red carpeted-path to Hollywood glory?

Amidst all the press-schmoozing and angsting over which designer gown to wear, these Oscar contenders feud, commiserate, and face a succession of personal crises – scandalous secrets come to light, marriages implode, accidents land two nominees in the hospital while another receives news that could derail her career, all culminating on Tinsel Town’s biggest night when anything can happen, and does.

BLAME IT ON THE FAME is the debut novel of author Tracie Banister whose writing is similar in tone (sexy, humorous) to the works of Lauren Weisberger and Candace Bushnell. This is a full-length novel that runs approximately 136,000 words.

***AUTHOR’S NOTE*** The characters in BLAME IT ON THE FAME are a naughty bunch who live and work in the notoriously debaucherous film world, so you will find some colorful language and a few spicy love scenes in this book.

***FINALIST in the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Chick Lit category)***

*****

“Blame It on the Fame” is one sale today through Sunday, March 2nd (Oscar Day), for only $0.99!

**Buy the book now: Amazon   Barnes & Noble

There’s Cake in My Future

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Book review of “There’s Cake in My Future”

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“There’s Cake in My Future” by Kim Gruenenfelder

Book Description:

After listening to her closest friends’ latest travails in love, parenting, and careers, superstitious bride-to-be Nicole (Nic) believes she has the perfect recipe for everyone’s happiness: a bridal shower “cake pull” in which each ribboned silver charm planted in her cake will bring its recipient the magical assistance she needs to change her destiny.  Melissa (Mel), still ringless after dating the same man for six years, deserves the engagement ring charm.  The red hot chili pepper would be perfect for Seema, who is in love with her best male friend Scott, but can’t seem to make their relationship more than platonic.  And recently laid off journalist Nic wants the shovel, which symbolizes hard work, to help her get her career back on track.  Nic does everything she can to control who gets which silver keepsake – as well as the future it represents.  But when the charmed cake is mysteriously shifted from the place settings Nic arranged around it, no one gets the charm she chose for them. And when the other party guests’ fortunes begin coming true, Mel, Seema, and Nic can’t help but wonder…. Is the cake trying to tell them something?

My Review:

I received Kim Gruenenfelder’s book, “Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink,” for Christmas. Since it’s part of a series, like always, I wanted to start with the first book that revolves around the lives of Nicole, Melissa, Seema, and Scott. It turned out that I already had the first one, “There’s Cake in My Future,” so I immediately began reading.

Nicole (Nic): At first I wasn’t too sure about Nic’s character, but I loved her at the end. As an engaged woman, she seemed like a stuck-up bridezilla. But after she marries the man of her dreams and is now the step-mother of his children, something about her character changed. While she complained to her friends about her honeymoon, which wasn’t what she thought it would be, the early mornings with her step-daughters, there was a part of me that thought she really wanted to embrace it more than she wanted to let on to others (including herself), which she did! Without any spoilers, at the end it seemed that marriage and motherhood suited her just fine.

Melissa (Mel): From the beginning to the end, I felt sorry for Mel. From dating a man who she loves, to desperately (and humorously) trying out new dating adventures, Mel just wanted what any other woman wants, and that’s to be loved. There were times I found her to be too needy, but other times I’d find her to be strong and courageous. She redeemed herself to me at the end when she finally gained confidence in herself.

Seema and Scott: To this day the question is wondered about by many…can men and women just be friends? I loved the friendship between Seema and Scott. From the beginning, they seemed like a couple, always calling each other nicknames and taking care of each other. One of my favorite parts about this friendly couple was when they watched When Harry Met Sally, (what girl doesn’t love that movie?). After they have a similar WHMS moment, I was curious as to how they would be with one another, especially Seema. I won’t give any spoilers, but I’m happy to say that things worked out just fine for both of them…including the woman who Scott was seeing.

Having a “cake pull” as the center of a chick lit book was a great idea, which was one of the things that drew me in to begin with. For the characters, there was definite distinction between them, and they weren’t predictable either. “There’s Cake in My Future” had me laughing from the first page to the last. I often stayed up late reading because I wanted to know what was next for each character.

This was my first book by Kim Gruenenfelder, and it won’t be my last, (I’m currently reading “Keep Calm and Carry a Big Drink”). She is an amazing author who has written a comical, witty, and memorable book, which has reminded me why I love the chick lit genre. Kim Gruenenfelder is my new favorite author, and I can’t wait to see what she’s coming up with next.

“There’s Cake in My Future” is a story about love and friendship, along with being a wonderful example of demonstrating that the things you think can be controlled, simply can’t. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves chick lit and wants to read a page-turner that could easily be read during a lazy weekend.

I give this book 5 stars!

Tara Ellison

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TaraEllison

About author, Tara Ellison: I had a very fragmented childhood and lived all over the place. I was born in London but raised in Sydney and Hong Kong. My youth was spent immersed in American culture and eventually I realized my dream of moving to the US to pursue an acting career. Show business turned out not to be a good fit (on reflection I guess I didn’t want it badly enough), and I spent many years trying to figure out what I wanted to do next. I took writing classes and discovered that the act of creating something out of thin air was a lot of fun. After a difficult divorce, I returned to that love of writing and Synchronized Breathing was born.

INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five words: Make it fun, hilarious & sexy!

Coffee for tea? Traditionally I’ve always been a tea person but I have now discovered a true appreciation for coffee. Must I choose only one?

What is the writing/editing/publishing process like for you? The business of book writing is new to me but the writing part has been a constant in my life – something I’ve always done to amuse myself or to help process situations or dilemmas. I worked on Synchronized Breathing for almost 7 years before finding a publisher and editing and publishing for another year – so all in all it took 8 years to give birth to this book. I better learn to crank them out a bit faster!

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? It’s always a physical book. There’s nothing like it for me, I’m afraid.

Why do you love writing? It certainly helps me to make sense of things – or if I can’t make sense of them, at least I can make them funny! There’s nothing on the page until I put it there. I love that feeling. It’s not dependent on anyone else; it’s something I do for myself and it’s a tremendous (added) benefit if other people enjoy it.

How do you come up with the title of your book “Synchronized Breathing”? I knew the book was going to be called Synchronized Breathing from very early on and I can’t explain exactly why. The title just came to me like a bolt of lightening and it stuck. Even when people tried to steer me in other directions, I was never swayed. I find something magical about that title. Coincidently, many years ago I had a line in a TV show that went something like ‘The synchronized breathing class is in the room down the hall…’ or something to that effect, so it has probably been buried in my brain for twenty years!

I love the idea of being in sync with a lover – with their rhythms and their breathing – but also the awareness that no matter how heady that feeling is, you must be able to stand on your own. That pretty much sums up the message of the book.

Who is your favorite author? Right now I’d have to say Donna Tartt. I’m reading The Goldfinch and her writing is wildly beautiful and haunting. When I find a book that I really love, it consumes me. Last year I was obsessed with Karen Russell and the year before, Gillian Flynn.

I do love Edna O’ Brien, Erica Jong and our classic Chick Lit staples – Helen Fielding, Sue Limb, Melissa Bank, Plum Sykes et al. My reading tastes can be all over the board, although I will often read a few similar books in a row and then switch gears.

How did you celebrate when your first book was published? On publication day, I bought myself a rather expensive bottle of perfume and then I rushed home and drank champagne with my husband and friends. It was a bit indulgent but it had been a bloody long labor and I felt justified in savoring the moment. (And at that point I think my (new) husband was really tired of hearing about it!)

What is your favorite thing about being an author? I don’t know yet. I haven’t let it sink in. Right now I’m a writer with a debut novel. Perhaps I could revisit this question in a year?

What is something about you that people would be surprised to know? Public speaking terrifies me (odd for someone who thought she wanted to be an actress, right?).

What’s the best advice you’ve been given? You cannot doubt yourself. You have to know who you are and what you stand for.

Can you tell us about any of your upcoming projects? I have a few new projects in the works and I’m currently deciding if I want to do another book with the characters from Synchronized Breathing.

SynchronisedBreathingCoverPic**Contact Tara:

Website   Facebook   Twitter

Chocolate for Breakfast

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Book review of “Chocolate For Breakfast”

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“Chocolate for Breakfast” by Martha Reynolds

Book Description:

Young Bernie (Bernadette) Maguire is in for the journey of a lifetime when her junior year abroad takes her to Fribourg, Switzerland. Ripe for love and adventure, she is seduced by a handsome Swiss banker, but is horrified when she discovers she’s pregnant. Protected and befriended by those who help to keep her secret for as long as possible, this moving rite-of-passage tale will warm the heart as a young woman struggles with an all-too-familiar dilemma. Yet after an unexpected death and the discovery of her pregnancy by a classmate, Bernie’s life takes some unexpected turns that will take decades to resolve.

My Review:

“Chocolate for Breakfast” has been on my TBR list for a long time, so I was very eager to start this book.

I planned to only read the first chapter of this book since I was on the treadmill, but I ended up reading more than that because the book captured my attention with Bernie taking off for Switzerland.

All the characters had their own personalities, but Bernie was my favorite. As a young woman who was eagerly wanting to be a grown up, not only did she seem mature, she appeared to know what she wanted. During her adventures in Switzerland, Bernie had several life changing events. From thinking she’s in love with a banker and losing her virginity to him, becoming pregnant, and losing a family member that she’s close to, Bernie had quite a lot on her plate. With the help of her friends (old and new), she survived it all.

There were a lot of twists and turns, some that I didn’t expect, which made it a quick read. One thing that I liked about the end was that I got to see where Bernie was years later in her life, which was interesting to me because she was very different. Though it was sensed, the only thing that I wish there could’ve been more of was seeing more tension between Bernie and her mother.

Martha Reynolds is a very talented author who has written an unforgettable book about a young woman’s journey during her time away from home. I cried, laughed, and cried more. This was the first book I read by Martha Reynolds, and it’s not my last. Right now I’m reading the next book in Martha’s Chocolate Series, “Chocolate Fondue”. If you’re looking for a wonderful, quick read, with a lot of heart, I recommend “Chocolate for Breakfast”.

I give this book 5 stars!

Chick Lit Goddess Changes

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Changes for Chick Lit Goddess has come once again, but this is a good thing, folks!

If you’re a follower of mine on Twitter, the feed from WordPress will no longer be coming from @ILA121209, but rather now from @ChickLitGoddess. Also, they will no longer be fed from my personal “friend” Facebook page, but rather from my Isabella Louise Anderson – Author “LIKE” page. If you subscribe to CLG by email, then you’re in the clear, but for those of you who aren’t, be sure to make the changes in order to keep up with Chick Lit Goddess!

Want to know what else is new?

Something else that’s new is Chick Lit Goddess now has its own like page, (YAY!). Why?, you ask. Since I’m now an author I’m trying to keep my CLG promotional work separate from my own WIP. These changes allow the authors, books, and reviews that I feature greater chance to be seen to more people. 🙂

Have a great rest of your night, family, friends, and followers!

Bangkok Transit

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BangkockTransistCoverPic“Bangkok Transit” by Eva Fejos

Blurb: Bangkok: a sizzling, all-embracing, exotic city where the past and the present intertwine. It’s a place where anything can happen… and anything really does happen. The paths of seven people cross in this metropolis. Seven seekers, for whom this city might be a final destination. Or perhaps it is only the start of a new journey? A successful businessman; a celebrated supermodel; a man who is forever the outsider; a young mother who suddenly loses everything; a talented surgeon, who could not give the woman he loved all that she desired; a brothel’s madam; and a charming young woman adopted at birth. Why these seven? Why did they come to Bangkok now, at the same time? Do chance encounters truly exist?

EvaFejos**About author, Eva Fejos:

Eva Fejos is a Hungarian women’s fiction author of thirteen bestselling novels, including her debut Bangkok Transit, which reached the top of the bestseller list within one month of its publication in 2008. Eva was a journalist for one of the largest Hungarian women’s magazines, Nok Lapja (Women’s Journal), from 2001 until 2012. She is the recipient of both the Award for Quality Journalism and the Award for Excellence. In 2013, Eva created her own publishing house in Hungary, Erawan Publishing. In addition to publishing Bangkok Transit in English translation and two new novels of her own, she launched some of her favorite authors’ books to her readers in Hungarian translation. Eva is very fond of traveling, and her many experiences give a personal touch to her exciting, exotic novels. She lives in Budapest where she is working on her next novel. For more information, please visit fejoseva.com.

**Click HERE to add “Bangkok Transit” to your Goodreads shelf!

**Click HERE to contact Eva!

**Click HERE to see more stops on Eva’s Fictionella Blog Tours!

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Glenice Raj

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About author, Glenice Raj: Work in the Fashion Industry in NYC and attend Fordham University, getting my Bachelors degree in Computer Science. One day, hope to get a dog if I stop killing plants. My caretaker skills are a work in progress.

INTERVIEW

Describe your writing style in five sentences: I would love to think my style is similar to Jane Austen and Helen Fielding, but I am told that is not the case! If you ask me, I am Fielding’s twin. That’s my story and I am sticking with it!

Tell us about your book, “The Absolute Being of Nothingness”: It is a story of a single, dizzy yet lovable woman Gwendolyn, who tries so hard to make a success of her professional and love life, yet her penchant for getting into trouble leads her into a merry dance. From being dateless suddenly she finds herself caught between two men, the delicious Dr. Mark Beasley for whom she risks life and limb ( yes! she goes hiking!) to impress him and Daniel, who drives her insane and they can’t spend two minutes in each other’s company without trading insults.

Coffee or tea?: May I have door # 3 please? Starbucks Cappuccino please!

What was the writing/editing/publishing process like for you?: Painful! Went through the whole process in a state of panic, devouring chocolates and wine.

Describe your typical day: Have a fight with my alarm clock till I finally cave in, get up and stumble into things until I have my first cup of java. Then it is a mad dash of getting ready and trying to sneak into my office in the Fashion Industry without alerting my boss on my tardiness. After a long day of saving the world from wearing an outfit with the wrong button (Heaven forbid!), I go to Fordham University in the evenings to learn all about computers in the process driving my professors to drink. At night time, I crawl all the way home and work on either projects from school or my latest addiction: my book.

How did you celebrate your first book being published?: slept. Hey don’t knock it! Sleeping is good for the soul.

When writing, noise or silence?: Definitely music playing in the background

What inspired you to write “The Absolute Being of Nothingness”?: I finished Bridget Jones Diary one week-end and I craved for more, so had no choice but to write my own chick lit.

Have you always wanted to be a writer?: Good Heavens no! I went through the usual routine of wanting to be an aeronautical engineer, marine biologist, work for NASA, a nun (yeah, let’s not go there! It’s a story for another day) find the cure for AIDS, you know the usual ambitions. Never thought I had a story to tell until I sat in front of my laptop and stared at the pristine white page of word document mocking me and I thought “You are on! It’s between you and me now Word!”

Every writer must have a…: sister! Or a friend who acts like a sibling! To critique your work until you are driven to do better or go absolutely mental

What’s the best advice you’ve been given?: Never cry uncle

What are you working on at the moment?: Sequel to The Absolute Being of Nothingness… any suggestions on the title?

TheAbsoluteBeingOfNothingness

“The Absolute Being of Nothingness” by Glenice Raj

Blurb: This is the story of Gwendolyn David who is the most awesome dating divalicious, sexy goddess, Pulitzer Prize winning career driven woman extraordinaire! Well to be quite honest, future Pulitzer Prize winner and yet to have a boyfriend!!!… These are just minor hiccups if you ask her!

In reality, this is a story of Gwendolyn David a self absorbed, totally lovable, slightly dizzy single woman in NYC with secret superhero fantasies. Her penchant for getting into trouble throws her into the path of a modern day Mr. Darcy, a sardonic and mysterious stranger.

From the moment they set eyes on each other, they draw swords. Will they trade their swords for ploughshares?

Amidst the fireworks, enter the delicious Dr. Mark Beasley. The golden boy, the man you take home to meet your parents.

Where will her heart lead her? To Mark for whom she risks life and limb to impress him or Daniel who she would love to exile to Antarctica?

**Contact Raj: Email: gleniceraj@gmail.com   Website   Facebook   Twitter

**Note: “The Absolute Being of Nothingness” comes out on February 25th, but you can buy the book from the publisher, Tate Publishing!