Trashionista

October 2, 2009 11:55 PM

FRIDAY FOUR: Paranormal chick-lit

October is here (jeez, where did the month go?) and it's already time for and wrapping up warm in the cold winter weather. As we all know, Halloween is on its way - who can resist curling up on a dark night for a fun, ghostly read?

 

There are so many paranormal titles to choose from, but here are four favourites. Don't forget to comment and tell us yours!

 

Heaven Can Wait by Cally Taylor

 

Cally's paranormal romance Heaven Can Wait has yet to hit the shelves (15^th October) but I can guarantee, it's a must-read! Lucy Brown is killed the day before she is due to marry Dan, the man of her dreams. Unable to accept being parted from the love of her life, Lucy chooses to remain as a ghost rather than go straight to Heaven. But it's not that straightforward...

 

Soon Lucy discovers that Limbo is a London house-share with train-spotter Brian and wild emo kid Claire. Lucy rushes straight out to see Dan, not realising that being a wannabe ghost has some rather upsetting conditions. What's worse, every wannabe ghost has to complete a task, within a set time, and Lucy's been issued with the seemingly impossible job of finding love for IT geek Archie.

The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes

Lucy Burns had a normal life - that is, until her sister suffered in a road accident. Eleven-year-old Lucy wrote a letter 'to whom it may concern', explaining she would do anything to get her sister back. The reply she received (not to mention the birthday gifts!) came with consequences - little did she know, young Lucy had signed up for a life of doing the Devil's dirty work. Not exactly the career path she set out to take. Being the one responsible for bringing the bad guys to Hell means Lucy can't see her family, or even have a real relationship. And in order to get out of the contract and become 'normal' again, Lucy has some tasks to undertake.

Blood is the New Black by Valerie Stivers

The debut from Valerie Stivers takes a vampish look at the fashion world. When her aunt gets Kate McAlliston's a job as an intern for fashion magazine Tasty, Kate has no idea what she's getting herself into. Entering a world where everyone seems cold and hostile (and not to mention nocturnal!) turns out to be the least of Kate's worries when young women are being found dead at fashion industry parties. Something's amiss at the Tasty headquarters. And you thought YOUR boss was bad...

What's a Ghoul to Do? by Victoria Laurie

MJ Holliday has the ability to converse with dead. Having had the power since she was a youngster, MJ works as a professional ghost-hunter along with her best friend Gilley. But there's one rule - the pair work alone only. Though that all changes when handsome (and rich) doctor Steven Stable turns up, adamant that the apparent suicide of his grandfather was out of character. Tracking down the ghost of his dead grandfather seems like the only option for Steven in order to get the truth, and when MJ and Gilley check out the family lodge, it seems like there's a lot more to the story than what Steven thinks.

Posted by Elle Symonds on October 2, 2009 in Books, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 27, 2009 6:43 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year 2009

The shortlist has been announced for the Romantic Novel of the Year by the Romantic Novelists' Association:

Thanks for the Memories - Cecelia Ahern
The Last Concubine - Lesley Downer
Star Gazing - Linda Gillard
East of the Sun - Julia Gregson
Sophia's Secret - Susanna Kearsley
Before the Storm - Judith Lennox

Anyone read any of the above? Do let us know what you thought of them if you have.

The winner will be announced in February.

Related posts: Ex-Girlfriends United | Romantic Novel of The Year 2008

Posted by Helen Redfern on January 27, 2009 in Book related, British Authors, Cecelia Ahern, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

November 18, 2008 11:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: It's A Kind Of Magic by Carole Matthews

What is it with Carole Matthews and her book titles recently? A few weeks ago I read All You Need Is Love (ta da da da daa) and now I have Freddie Mercury with his moustache and yellow jacket in my head. Not a bad image but quite distracting when you're trying to read and write.

As you may guess from the title, It's A Kind of Magic (gah! Every time I write this I'm doing the backing vocals) is a magical book. Chick lit with fairies. I am not averse to a bit of magical  fantasy in any of the books I read, as long as it is done well. I loved Garden Spells where the magic and fantasy was applied in such a subtle way, it was still believable. With It's A Kind Of Magic, the magic was applied with a sledgehammer. Nevertheless I still found it entertaining.

Emma and Leo have been on and off for around five years. Emma is a neat and control freak whereas Leo is untidy, unreliable and, if I'm honest, a right, royal pain. On Emma's thirtieth birthday he rolls up over two hours late, drunk and falls into her birthday cake. Emma breaks it off and this time she means it.

Or does she?

Walking home that night Leo meets a woman on Tower Bridge. She comes home with him and turns his life upside down. For she is not human. She is a fairy - with a wand and everything.

And I can accept that, for it isn't the magic I have a problem with. What didn't quite ring true for me were the characters of Emma and Leo. Emma whines a lot about Leo, saying she loves him, but most of the time she just hates being on her own. Leo was meant to be cute, in a childlike way, but I just found him irritating and certainly not likable enough to root for him.

Despite all this I still found the book entertaining enough to want to finish it which is great as I have plenty that I am struggling to start at the moment. Carole has that great ability to suck you in and, by keeping her chapters short, with a mini cliffhanger at the end of each of them, you just have to carry on. She also made me laugh out loud a few times. Not something I am prone to do.

I would, however, have liked a different ending. I love romance and the bit where you finally see which people get it together. But when I finally closed the book I felt like I had eaten too much toffee (and I hadn't even had my breakfast yet). The words that popped into my mind were "sickly" and "sweet".

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try I much preferred Carole's latest one (out in hardback) All You Need Is Love

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 18, 2008 in Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 5, 2008 11:38 AM

Romancing the Credit Crunch*

It may be that the country is sliding into negative equity and more and more of us are shopping at the cheaper supermarkets - but there is a company that is doing very well, thank you very much, during these dark and dismal times.

Mills & Boon. Yup, the publishers who are celebrating their centenary this year, could be having their best year yet. It appears that women are cheering themselves up and escaping the economic mess with titles such as The Italian's Captive Virgin and Mistress: Hired for the Billionaire's Pleasure (both by India Grey). [via Scotsman]

*Apologies for the use of this phrase, I know certain people hate it.

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 5, 2008 in Book News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 4, 2008 1:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Honey Trap by Julie Cohen

When Julie Cohen's latest book, Honey Trap, fell onto my doormat a short while ago, I actually let out a short squeal. I had thoroughly enjoyed her previous novel, One Night Stand, but then, as I looked at it, I became a little nervous in case this one didn't match up. Despite this, on holiday last week I picked it up, and the first few chapters had me so engrossed I didn't even notice my brother in law setting a drink down in front of me or four boys (not all mine) running about the place.

Sophie Tennant is a private investigator. She crops up briefly in One Night Stand, but was such a vivid character to Julie, that she now has a book all of her own. She specialises in honey traps, employed on behalf of a suspicious wife to see if her husband is playing away from home. The honey trap she has set when the book opens however, appears to be one trap too many and Sophie is in real danger. Deciding enough is enough she retrains as an aromatherapist and is employed by a reunited rock band to go on tour with them. Sounds good. But her previous career doesn't seem to want to go away - especially when she sets eyes on the new bassist in the band. Dominick Steele. He was her first ever honey trap.

And that is a much as I'm going to tell you, as that is as much as I knew when I began reading the book and I don't want to inadvertently give anything away. You see, this book is part romance, part sass, part funny and part mystery. It is also incredibly sharp with both a tight plot and dialogue.

I was gripped from the first sentence, Sophie Tennant had never seen her date in real life, but she knew he was brown-eyed, brown-haired, slightly built, and a scumbag. I then couldn't put it down until the end. In fact I even tried to go to sleep but ended up switching the light back on to read more.

The plot evolved naturally, it wasn't contrived, and when something in particular happened...well I didn't see it coming and I love it when that happens. Sophie was a great character, as were the men in the band and Dominick Steele, the bassist, well, he was a great hero.

There was so much detail packed into the 340 pages, no mean feat to do I'm sure. But if I had one complaint, is would be that the book was longer!

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Helen Redfern on November 4, 2008 in Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 31, 2008 8:27 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center

I mentioned the other day that I loved Katherine Center's The Bright Side of Disaster and I really did. It's been a couple of days since I finished reading it and I wish I hadn't. I miss it.

It's the story of Jenny who is engaged to be married and pregnant with her first child. Her fiance, Dean, doesn't seem entirely present, but Jenny thinks it's just cold feet about the wedding and the baby... until Dean takes off (leaving a note) and Jenny goes into labour.

Once her baby daugher, Maxie, arrives, Jenny decides that everything is going to be about the baby. Maxie may not have a dad, but Jenny vows to make up for it by being the best mother ever. And yet... motherhood is so much harder than she expected.

Her mother helps out when she can (despite being allergic to Jenny's cat), but her best friend has fallen in love and is MIA. Luckily there's a new neighbour who is not only kind, sympathetic and handy (and gorgeous), but is also great with the baby.

But then, inevitably, Dean comes back. And he wants to be a family again.

I know. When I read the blurb, I thought, I've read this before, but Katherine Center's writing, along with the wonderful characters, make this a memorable read. I LOVED the neighbour, Gardner and LOATHED the useless Dean. Plus Center writes about the early years of motherhood (not to mention the horror of labour) with insight and warmth. Highly recommended.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Feels Like Maybe by Claire Allan

Posted by Keris on October 31, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

October 21, 2008 10:24 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle

Yes, I know, it's not Christmas yet (not long now, though, you know!), but last week the weather was so miserable and drizzly, I just felt like I needed some Christmas cheer.

And who better to bring Christmas cheer than one of my favourite YA authors, Maureen Johnson, along with John Green and Lauren Myracle?

Let It Snow is three linked stories, all taking place in the same town during the same period - Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Maureen Johnson's The Jubilee Express is about Jubilee Dougal, a girl named after a house in her parents' miniature Christmas village. When her parents are arrested trying to buy the latest (limited edition, of course) Christmas building, she finds herself on a train headed to Florida to spend Christmas with her grandparents. And when that train hits an enormous snowdrift and can go no further, she finds herself in Gracetown, subject to the hospitality of a boy she meets in the Waffle House.

The characters in John Green's A Cheertastic Christmas Miracle are desperately trying to get to that same Waffle House to spend the evening with hot cheerleaders (who are also taking refuge from the stuck train). Well, two of them are interested in the cheerleaders (the boys, JP and Tobin), the girl - Angie, known as the Duke - is more interested in cheese-covered hash browns (as was I, the entire time I was reading this story). Due to the overwhelming snow, the trip to the Waffle House takes hours and is fraught with peril (not least from the other boys trying to get to the cheerleaders first), but then things take a romantic turn...

Finally, in Lauren Myracle's The Patron Saint of Pigs, we meet Addie (who we have heard of in both the previous stories). She's recently broken up with her boyfriend, Jeb, and is broken-hearted. And yet she still has a frightening early shift at Starbucks... and a teacup piglet to collect.

I really enjoyed this book. All three stories are wintery, Christmassy, funny, gripping and romantic. I enjoyed Maureen Johnson's the most, mainly because I love her humour, and Lauren Myracle's didn't quite hold my attention (there was an awful lot of chat with Starbucks customers when I just wanted to get to the romance!), but the ending more than made up for it.

I love it when characters cross over in stories and this was done in an incredibly entertaining way. One for curling up with the fairy lights on and a cup of hot chocolate to drink.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Suite Scarlett by Maureen Johnson, Looking for Alaska by John Green or How to be Bad by Lauren Myracle (and Sarah Mlynowski and E Lockhart)

Posted by Keris on October 21, 2008 in American Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

October 13, 2008 11:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Seduction by Gemma Holliday

You know me, the words "erotic fiction" made me a teensy bit afraid. I'm not a prude (okay, I'm a bit of a prude), but I'm always wary of reading anything described as "erotic" and I'm certainly wary of reading anything with people in their underpants on the cover.

But Geneva Holliday's latest book, Seduction, while it is indeed erotic, is also great fun. I think I read it in two sittings and I was pretty much smiling throughout.

Seduction features Mildred Johnson. She works for the managing director of an investment firm and is, by all accounts, deeply unattractive and insecure.

Tony Landry is a player. Despite still living with his mother, he sleeps with a different woman every night (and sometimes more than one at a time) and is basically a moral vacuum.

So when Tony gets a job at the company where Mildred works, the reader isn't unduly worried. I mean, Mildred's certainly not his type. But then Tony's friend tells him how he can use his new job to steal money from the company and, for that, he needs to convince Mildred that he's in love with her. And he does. And poor Mildred falls for him too. Hard. (Fnarr.)

Tony, the swine, jilts Mildred on their wedding day and nicks off to Barbados with his ill-gotten gains.

Mildred, devastated, goes to Barbados on holiday. Well, she thought it was a holiday, but it turns out her friend has sent her to a weightloss boot camp. Mildred loses weight and becomes stunningly gorgeous.

And then she bumps into Tony and sees the chance for revenge...

(I know it seems like I've given away pretty much the whole book - and I kind of have - but that's no more than it says on the back cover!)

Like I said, Seduction is great fun... as long as you don't take it too seriously. (And, to be honest, I'm not sure you could.) At the beginning, Mildred is such a dope and so insecure that I just wanted to shake her, but then she changes quite dramatically and I'm not entirely confident it's for the better (I can't say any more than that because I don't want to give the ENTIRE book away!).

But bits of it *were* pretty sexy, so it would make a rather fabulous beach read, I think. And I'll definitely be reading more Geneva Holliday books.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Amorous Woman by Donna George Storey

Posted by Keris on October 13, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 30, 2008 4:45 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Thirtynothing by Lisa Jewell

I read Lisa Jewell's second novel, Thirtynothing,when it was released in 2000. It's always stuck in my mind as one of the best chick lit books I've ever read and I've enjoyed all of her subsequent books. So when I found myself in a chick lit slump, I decided it was time to re-read it, to see if it was as good as I remembered...

It was. In fact, I could have written this review with just one word – perfect – but you might have felt a bit shortchanged, so I'll expand.

Dig (short for Digby) and Nadine have been best friends since primary school. They spend pretty much all their time together and do everything that couples do. Except, that is, have sex. For that, they each have had a succession of unsuitable partners. And this has never (or almost never) been a problem.

But when Dig wakes up on the morning of his 30th birthday in bed with a girl whose name he can't remember and who turns out to be just seventeen years old, he realises something's got to change. Nadine is having the same realisation. Because she's just finished with her latest boyfriend for making her a cup of tea in an ugly mug.

Discussing their relationship problems, Dig and Deen agree that it's about time they each find someone who is right for them and stop making such immature and inappropriate choices.

And then along comes Delilah Lillie, Dig's first love, who left him at 18 and broke his heart. Horrified that Delilah is back in Dig's life (when Dig was with Delilah, he didn't have time for his best friend), Nadine tracks down her own first love, Phil...

I don't want to give any more of the story away, so I'll just say that I love every single thing about this book. Every detail is perfect: from Nadine's covetable flat (which was one of the main things I remembered about this book) to Delilah's nervous wreck of a dog. I feel like I know Dig and Nadine and know enough about Phil to avoid him if I saw him in the street. (Even the tiniest detail - Phil's lemon underpants, Nadine's wallpaper - adds to the book.)

Jewell is also known for writing beautifully about London and she really does. She makes it sound like this magical, cool, inspiring, exciting place, full of possibility. Jewell's world isn't quite the real world - I lived in London for 8 years; it's really none of those things - but it's not too far-fetched either. It's the real world with a golden glow and it's a world I'd love to live in.

Even eight years after the first reading, Thirtynothing remains one of my favourite chick lit books of all time.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Vince & Joy by Lisa Jewell

Posted by Aigua Media on September 30, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (6)

September 16, 2008 11:45 AM

MOVIE NEWS: Dear John - UPDATED!

Male, romance author Nicholas Sparks is having another of his novels adapted for the big screen. Amanda Seyfried from Mamma Mia! The Movie is to star opposite Channing Tatum in the story about a soldier, re-enlisting after September 11th, who gets a Dear John letter from his girlfriend.

Nicholas's previous novels that were adapted into films include The Notebook, Message in a Bottle and A Walk to Remember.

Update: Rather spookily I've just seen that The Notebook (starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling) will be shown on Channel 4 on Sunday night at 10pm.

Related posts: Guest Blog: William Coles | Free Online Novel

Posted by Helen Redfern on September 16, 2008 in Movie News, Romance, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 12, 2008 10:08 AM

TV News: Men Are Wonderful

The Queen of romantic novels, Dame Barbara Cartland, is the subject of this BBC4 film, Men Are Wonderful. Played by the wonderful Anne Reid (pictured on the right believe it or not), the film is an affectionate and emotionally charged dramatisation of her life and loves. [BBC Press Office]

As with Consuming Passion, the drama celebrating 100 years of Mills & Boon, Men Are Wonderful is part of BBC4's autumn schedule. Incidentally, for all you budding romance writers, there will also be a documentary on How To Write a Mills & Boon with established novelist Stella Duffy's attempt to pen a Mills & Boon classic.

Related posts: Orange Prize 2008 Longlist | Mills & Boon Turns to Crime | Fancy Writing a Mills & Boon?

Posted by Helen Redfern on September 12, 2008 in Romance, Television | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 18, 2008 2:43 PM

TV NEWS: Consuming Passion

Did you know it's the centenary of Mills & Boon this year? Well, to celebrate, the BBC have commissioned a TV drama.

It's being written by Emma Frost - whose previous credits include Shameless - and is called Consuming Passion: 100 Years of Mills & Boon.

It will air this autumn on BBC4 and promises to be "very raunchy", according to the producers. Read more about it on our sister site, TV Scoop.

[via The Independent]

(And, yes, the title of that book *is* Bedded by the Greek Billionaire.)

Related posts: Mills & Boon on your mobile | Fancy writing a Mills & Boon? | Mills & Boon turns to crime

Posted by Keris on August 18, 2008 in Romance, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 18, 2008 10:06 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Daisy Dooley Does Divorce by Anna Pasternak

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Anna Pasternak has been writing a popular column in the Daily Mail for the last four years. She certainly has writing in her blood, as she’s the grandniece of the Russian novelist Boris Pasternak. Daisy Dooley Does Divorce is based on her newspaper column. I was looking forward to reading this, after all four years worth of ideas should equal a pretty good book in my opinion.

Considering the title - Daisy Dooley Does Divorce - describing the story almost seems pointless. As Ronseal would say ‘it does exactly what it says on the tin’. It’s no surprise that Daisy is newly divorced or that we are going to live through the trials and tribulations of a newly divorced woman. Her two best friends are the opposite ends of life’s stories. One is a confirmed single woman and workaholic doctor and the other Daisy sees as having the perfect married life with a successful husband, gorgeous house and lovely children. This book is a round up of Daisy’s dating disasters and quest for her and her friends to find happiness.

Even though this was a popular column I did wonder when I started reading this whether I was going to relate to it, as I’ve never been married (or divorced, but I suppose that goes without saying!). At the start I found the characters a bit clichéd and Daisy seemed to bring a lot of her misery on her own head. Daisy does not invite a lot of sympathy; even her friends think that she’s slightly barmy to say the least. She’s addicted to self-help books, but can be alarmingly self-centred and shallow at times and I was beginning to think that I was going to hate the book. However, Pasternak eventually won me over. I slowly warmed to the characters as their back-stories were revealed and even though Daisy had the odd relapse (judging a new boyfriend by how posh his bathroom was seemed to be an invitation for misery to me) she did become quite endearing and as frightening as it was I begun to understand where she was coming from.

I’m sure that anyone that has been through the process of divorce will find this book hilarious and heart warming. For the rest of the population it’s worth the effort as the characters develop into much more than you would expect at the beginning, and the journey is entertaining to say the least.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Second Wives Club by Jane Moore

Posted by Aigua Media on July 18, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 11, 2008 12:05 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Not-So-Perfect Man by Valerie Frankel

I've read a few Valerie Frankel books and found them to be, while always well-written, a bit hit and miss, so I wasn't sure what to expect from The Not-So-Perfect Man, but I really loved it.

Frieda Schast is a widow with a young son. Her older sister, Ilene, thinks it's about time Frieda started dating again. She also thinks it's about time her own husband, Peter, lost a bunch of weight and she doesn't hesitate to tell Peter so. Frieda's younger sister, Betty, could also do with losing some weight. And finding a man.

But when Frieda does start dating, Ilene doesn't approve. Because Frieda's dating Sam Hill, a sexy, young actor, who Ilene thinks is more fling material than second husband material. Ilene, though, should really be concentrating on her own marriage and the fact that her constant comments about her husband's eating habits just make him want to eat more. Until, that is, he goes on a diet and secretly recruits Betty as his dieting buddy. Because Betty has met a man. Earl was sent to the store where Betty works to implement a new system and make some overall changes, but it seems he wants to make a lot of changes to Betty too...

I loved this book. I loved the banter between the sisters. I loved that the women were all so strong, but also flawed and human. In fact, all the characters seemed real and even thought there are misunderstandings and secrets, they always seem realistic rather than contrived (apart from the ending, which is why I knocked off a point).

It's the kind of book I'll hold onto and read again and again.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Keris on July 11, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 8, 2008 10:56 AM

BOOK REVIEW: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

When I picked up 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover I expected a fun, humorous read. Then I saw that the author Linda Wisdom has written over 70 romance books. This suddenly conjured up an image of the Little Britain character of an old woman dressed in pink, stuffing chocolates while dictating to a long suffering secretary working on one of those electric typewriters, which seem to have a life all of their own. My hopes for this book suddenly plummeted at the thought of an old fashioned flowery romance with a storyline masquerading as paranormal. An idea which was backed up the retro ‘Bewitched’ style cover, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The characters in this story are quirky and upbeat. Jasmine is a witch that was banished from the Witches’ Academy hundreds of years ago and has had to make her way in the human world without help ever since. Her friends are made up of a human lodger that creates websites for vampires, a chain-smoking ghost that haunts her sports car and Fluff and Puff, a pair of bunny slippers that wouldn’t hesitate to bite your hand off. Between her two jobs of curse eliminator and chauffeur she’s been doing okay. However, when her ex-boyfriend, Nick turns up things start to get complicated. Nick is a vampire and his friends have gone missing. They suspect a past enemy has found a way to come back from the dead, but how on earth can they beat a power like that?

There was nothing really to dislike about this book. The characters were likeable with lots of humorous traits and the story was upbeat with a good plot. However, I felt as though there was something missing. Whenever I picked up the book I enjoyed it, but once I put it down I never had a burning desire to return to it and I don’t really know why. It may have been that the one thing the characters did lack was a believable chemistry. I never really cared whether the on off couple Nick and Jasmine were going to get back together or not. There wasn’t enough detail on the enemy for me to feel as though he was a real threat, which was a shame because the action towards the last third of the book showed that the story could have really shone. However, I don’t feel as though I can criticise this book as all it’s individual parts were so good, it’s just when you put them all together I didn’t think they quite meshed.

It was a good read that I would recommend if you are into these types of book, but if you are unsure about this genre it’s most definitely not one to start with.

Like this? Try Girls' Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

Rating: 4/5

Posted by Aigua Media on July 8, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 4, 2008 11:52 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Jumping to Confusions by Liz Rettig

To begin with, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy Jumping to Confusions - the main character, Cat, is "the fat, plain one in my family". Her sister, Tessa is blonde, gorgeous and popular, mostly with boys. Cat's mother favours Tessa and comments relentlessly on Cat's weight. I felt like I'd read it all before and couldn't be bothered to read it again, but Cat's voice convinced me to keep going and I'm glad I did.

Tessa fancies Josh, the son of Cat and Tessa's father's American boss, who has moved to Glasgow to restructure the company. But when Josh seems more interested in Cat than in Tessa, Tessa suggests it's because he's not interested in girls at all...

What follows is utterly unbelievable, but strangely compelling. On the assumption that Josh is gay, Cat makes him her new best friend and utilises him for everything from bra shopping to kissing practice. Much of the entertainment comes from the fact that the reader knows (or at least I imagine most readers would know) that Josh isn't gay at all, rather he's interested in Cat ... and Cat is making a holy show of herself.

Plus there's Cat's crush on her schoolteacher (although she doesn't think it's a crush, she believes that he's just waiting for her to finish school so they can be together) and her - mostly hopeless - attempts to matchmake her friends.

Even though Cat came across as pathologically oblivious to what was right in front of her face, I really liked her. She's such a funny, good-hearted and stubborn character. Josh is very cute and Cat's group of friends are highly entertaining too.

Not necessarily a realistic read, but a highly entertaining one.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pretty Face by Mary Hogan

Posted by Aigua Media on July 4, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 16, 2008 10:50 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins

Reviewed by Jill Hart

[Make sure you read to the end of the review, since we have five copies of The Pemberley Chronicles to give away! - Keris]

Have you been longing to know what happens to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy after the wedding? The answer has arrived. The The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins picks up where Jane Austen left off.

The book begins seven weeks after the wedding and finds Lizzie happily at Pemberley. She has endeared herself already as the new mistress of Pemberley and has acquainted herself with her duties and obligations as such. Life marches on and the author gives you glimpses, just as Austen did, into both the trivial as well as major events that take place in the lives of all the beloved Pride and Prejudice characters.

It's an enjoyable read and I was satisfied with most the events the author placed in the lives of Austen's characters. My one main complaint is the overwhelming praise of Mr. Darcy all through Part One. It got to the point that I literally skipped entire sections that rambled on and on about all of his wonderful qualities. It almost seemed that Collins was trying to make up for all of the insults Darcy receives in Pride and Prejudice. It was, however, very distracting and took away from the quality of the story.

That aside, I relished being back in Jane Austen's world. Collins' did a great job of staying true to the characters that we all fell in love with in Pride and Prejudice. It's definitely worth reading.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try A Walk With Jane Austen by Lori Smith

To be in with a chance of winning one of five copies, email editor@trashionista.com with your name and address and "Pemberley" in the subject line, before midnight GMT 30 June. This comp's only open to US entrants, I'm afraid.

Posted by Aigua Media on June 16, 2008 in American Authors, Classic Novels, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 22, 2008 8:56 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James

A reader recommended Eloisa James's books a while ago, but I didn't think they were quite my thing. Even when I was sent this book, I looked at the cover, laughed, and thought I don't think so... And then I started reading it and I absolutely adored it.

Set in 1783, Jemma, Duchess of Beaumont has returned to London (and her husband) from Paris (and her lover(s)), but she's not planning to settle down, that's for sure. She fully intends to be just as independent and shocking in London as she was in Paris. And then a distant cousin, Lady Roberta, comes to stay. Roberta has fallen for the dastardly Duke of Villiers at first sight and wants Jemma's help in seducing and marrying him.

After giving Roberta a foxy makeover, Jemma challenges Villiers to a chess match, hoping to humiliate him as revenge for his dishonouring of another friend's husband and also mindful of the fact that if he falls for and marries Roberta, that will be the ultimate humiliation (Jemma's not a fan of marriage).

By the way, in the late 18th Century, chess was considered dramatic and sexy and wildly exciting. How things change, eh?

There's also Jemma's brother Damon who, while not quite as shocking as his sister, does have an illegitimate child and a bit of a reputation. Although perhaps he's just been looking for the right woman. And he thinks he's found her in Roberta.

There's a quote from chick lit author Carole Matthews on the back of this book: "Sheer joy from beginning to end" and she's absolutely right. I read it avidly and often with a massive grin on my face. It's charming, cheeky, funny and sexy and I know I'll re-read it in the future. And of course I'll definitely be reading more of Eloisa James's books. Highly recommended (even if you don't think it looks like your kind of thing!).

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Crossed Bones by Jane Johnson ("Don’t worry; there’s not a ripped bodice or heaving bosom anywhere," said Sarah in her review. There's both in Desperate Duchesses.)

Posted by Aigua Media on May 22, 2008 in American Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (1)

May 1, 2008 12:51 PM

BOOK REVIEW: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

Like Amy I really enjoyed Stephenie Meyer's YA fantasy Twilight. New Moon is the follow up and it doesn't disappoint.

Bella Swan moved to rainy Forks to live with her dad. She fell in love with a vampire - Edward Cullens - who, luckily, is a 'good vampire' and has sworn off human blood. At the beginning of New Moon they are as in love as at the end of Twilight, but all that is about to change...

I really don't want to give any of the plot away - it's so brilliantly paced and inventive that I would hate to spoil it.

Still, I will say that New Moon is just as full of intrigue, adventure and heady, intense romance as Twilight. The wonderful character of Jacob Black is developed as he and Bella become best friends, and Meyer builds her world (a world in which mythical creatures live alongside us), layering it with more depth.

Yes, this is officially classed as a YA book - and it's (obviously) supernatural, but please don't let either of those facts put you off. This series (New Moon is followed by Eclipse) is just a good story, well told. Full stop.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try: The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Posted by Sarah Painter on May 1, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance, Supernatural, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 28, 2008 3:37 PM

BOOK REVIEW: No Strings Attached by Clare Dowling

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Claire Dowling is a scriptwriter for Ireland’s top soap (I’ll have to take their word for that as I haven’t seen it). This is her fourth venture into the novel writing world, so she’s not exactly a novice in this area either. I was understandably expecting great things from her new book, a romantic comedy called No Strings Attached, after hearing Dowling’s impressive CV.

No Strings Attached is based around Judy who is getting married on Saturday and it’s a military operation: the dress, the three-tiered wedding cake, the uncle that nobody will sit beside at reception. She’s determined it’s going to be the happiest day of her life. That is until her fiancé, Barry, mysteriously disappears wearing nothing but his pyjamas. However, when his credit card shows up two days later in the south of France, Judy has to admit that he’s walked out on her.

Fanning Judy’s fury is Lenny, Barry’s best man, who believes that you shouldn’t let commitment ruin a perfectly good relationship. With the love of her life romping around France, Judy might just be in the mood for a little romance – with no strings attached, of course…

This book started out great. It was fast and funny and showed just how well Dowling can write. Unfortunately, I found the middle of the book just concentrated on everyone’s unhappiness. The plot seemed to falter and all the energy and humour of the book was leeched out to a parallel universe.

It did recover itself for the last quarter and regained its star quality, however, I’m not sure that this was enough to save the book. There were a few subplots, which compounded the gloom, having several couples struggling with their relationships and generally being miserable doesn’t really fall into the genre of romantic comedy for me.

No Strings Attached ended up being a very average book in a genre that is already oversubscribed. If only someone had been brave with the editing then this would have been a great read.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer

Posted by Keris on April 28, 2008 in Irish Authors, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 25, 2008 12:26 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Fifteen Minutes of Shame by Lisa Daily

Lisa Daily is a relationships expert and columnist and Fifteen Minutes of Shame is her first novel. I was strangely put off by her day job since I assumed - incorrectly as it turned out - that Daily would simply transmit her nonfiction knowledge to a novel. In fact, Fifteen Minutes of Shame is fun, funny, gripping and moving.

Darby Vaughn - "America's favourite TV dating expert" - is happily married to Will, the love of her life and father to the other loves of her life - his two children from a previous marriage, Lilly and Aidan. Of  course, when I say Darby is happily married, what I mean is that she thought she was happily married but, as the book begins, we learn that Will is not so happy. In fact, Darby suspects that he's cheating and learns that she was right ... on national TV.

Humiliated, heartbroken and at risk of losing everything - not just her husband, but her kids, her house and her career - Darby retreats to stay with a friend and employs a divorce lawyer. A gorgeous divorce lawyer named, Holt. Yes, Holt.

Glossing over the name (Holt?), I loved Fifteen Minutes of Shame. I felt for Darby every second - her shock at Will's betrayal, her attempts to rebuild her life and career, and the pain of being separated from the children she loved, was raising and had come to think of as her own.

(The book raised a serious, and heartbreaking, point I'd never even thought of before - that of step-parents' rights. They don't have any, so you could feasibly spend years raising and loving children, split from their "natural" parent and not even have any right of visitation, let alone hope of any kind of custody.)

Some bits of the book didn't ring entirely true - I could have done without Darby's foray into reality show dating - but that was more than made up for by the character of Darby, who I felt like I knew. And then there's Holt - name aside, the man's a fox.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Marshmallows for Breakfast by Dorothy Koomson

Posted by Aigua Media on April 25, 2008 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2008 5:16 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Susan Elizabeth Phillips has written historical romance, contemporary women's fiction and romantic comedy.

She received the Romance Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 and has won numerous other awards including Borders Best, the American Library Association Genre Fiction Award,and a clutch of RITAs.

However, according to Susan's blog, she started to write "completely by accident".

Susan left her high school teaching job when her first son was born to stay at home. Her best friend lived nearby and the two used to swap books and talk about what they liked and didn't like.

One day, for a laugh, they decided to write a book together. They submitted the first half to Dell and got an offer. Just like that! Susan says: "I never tell this story at writers' luncheons for  fear I'll have to duck flying french rolls."

The book was historical romance, titled The Copeland Bride and published under the pen name Justine Cole.

Afterwards, Claire decided to follow her own ambition of attending law school.  However, Susan had well and truly been bitten by the writing bug and she set about learning how to write a book on her own.

The result was published under her real name - Susan Elizabeth Phillips - and she hasn't looked back since.

Susan lives in Illinois with her husband Bill. She has two grown up sons and is a keen walker.

Bibliography:

Risen, Glory (1984)
Glitter Baby (1987)
Fancy Pants (1989)
Hot Shot (1991)
Honey Moon (1993)
It Had To Be You (1994)
Heaven, Texas (1995)
Kiss an Angel (1996)
Nobody's Baby But Mine (1997)
Dream a Little Dream (1998)
Lady Be Good (1999)
First Lady (2000)
Just Imagine (2001)
This Heart of Mine (2001)
Breathing Room (2002)
Ain't She Sweet? (2005)
Match Me if You Can (2005)
Natural Born Charmer (2007)

Related posts: Spotlight archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 24, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 21, 2008 5:54 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Strange Bedpersons by Jennifer Crusie

Strange Bedpersons is one of Jennifer Crusie's early books. It was published by the Harlequinn Temptation line back in 1994 and, as a category novel, it's shorter than her later stand-alone titles.

Nick Jamieson is the exact opposite of Tess Newhart. He's a straight-laced, conservative Republican lawyer and she's free-spirited, out-spoken and was brought up in a hippy commune.

After a short fling, the two are friends of a kind, and Tess agrees - as a favour and against her better instincts - to accompany Nick on a business trip.

It's a light romance, so you know exactly what you will be getting. Nick and Tess fall in love; getting to know each other properly and making compromises that let you know their happy ever after will last beyond the last page of the book.

It's funny and quick-witted with great characters. I loved Tess's best friend, Gina, and marvelled (once again) at how good Crusie is at creating charasmatic, memorable people.

Okay, so it's not got the depth of her later novels - and it's probably got the flimsiest plot that I've seen in a Crusie - but for a short, fun read, you'd be hard pushed to find better.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: The Fortune Quilt by Lani Diane Rich

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 21, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 18, 2008 11:17 AM

Freya North's top ten romps and romances

Freya North reveals an (unsurprising) love of romance novels and lists her top ten favourites for the Guardian.

I have to say I agree with her inclusion of Jane Eyre, Maggie O'Farrell's After You'd Gone (although I would be tempted to list The Distance Between Us instead) and Mary Wesley. I haven't read Moll Flanders or Tom Jones, though, have you?

Related posts: Jenny Colgan's life in books | Freya North wins Romantic Novel of the Year

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 18, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

April 10, 2008 1:19 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith

Reviewed by Jill Hart

Joan. Boring name for a boring life. Or so Joan believes until she meets her new next door neighbor. The handsome doctor her age make Joan realize that there may be more to life than settling for living at home, getting up every morning to go to an unfulfilling career and wishing she was living her one of her sisters' lives. But, Joan knows she can't make a change because no one would be there to care for her aging grandmother - a job that she has taken upon herself, but truly enjoys. Not to mention, the doctor may be adorable, but he's also a Christian. And Joan's not so sure that's what she needs right now. Her life is comfortable - why complicate it with thoughts of love and religion. Joan's not sure her life can handle either.

Stuck in the Middle is a picture of what life as like middle child. It seems most three daughter families have the smart, 'motherly' older sister; the sweet, carefree younger sister ... and the insecure, people-pleasing middle child. Joan is the epitome of a middle child and yet she's easy to love. I was rooting for her from the very beginning. The two other sisters frustrated me at first, but as the book progresses you learn how much they care about their sister and they endear themselves as well.

Stuck in the Middle is the first book in the Sister-to-Sister Series and Virginia Smith's sixth book. Smith's contemporary fiction is filled with humor as well as meaningful lessons for life. There is one specific section in the book that really made me pause and re-evaluate how I think about my life (I don't want to give it away, but look for the chocolate ice cream story). I love a book that sticks with me. Weeks after I put it down, it still comes to mind and continues to make me think.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Hanging Up by Delia Ephron (non-inspirational)

Posted by Keris on April 10, 2008 in American Authors, Inspirational, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 9, 2008 7:56 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Movie Girl

I enjoyed Kate Lace's The Chalet Girl, so I'm pleased to announce that she has a new Little Black Dress book coming out on 1 May.

Titled The Movie Girl (I sense a trend), it's about a wardrobe assistant called Gemma, who finds herself working on a big-time movie, complete with sexy A-list star, Jono. Life would be perfect if it wasn't  for Jono's terrifying wife...

Related post: Trashionista Recommends: Little Black Dress

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 9, 2008 in Book News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Kiss Chase by Fiona Walker

Reviewed by Kirsty Greenwood

Often referred to as the "Jilly Cooper of the Cosmo generation", Fiona Walker is renowned for writing novels full of eccentric English characters, twisty plot lines and overt sex scenes. Having previously devoured a couple of her more recent offerings (Lots of Love and Tongue in Cheek), I bought one of her earlier novels, Kiss Chase, to see if it lived up to the others.

Kiss Chase follows the journey of Phoebe "Freddy" Fredericks, an awkward but beautiful twenty-something who is begged by old acquaintance Saskia Seaton to help get revenge on the man who broke her heart - misogynistic womaniser Felix Sylvian.

The plan is for Phoebe to do to Felix what Felix has done to Saskia. Seduce him, get him to fall head over heels in love with her and then maliciously and publicly humiliate and dump him in order to give him a taste of his own medicine.

Initially, I found it difficult to conceive how such a far-fetched scheme could possibly work. Why would shallow model Felix fall for normal girl Phoebe? And why on earth would someone with her head supposedly screwed on get herself embroiled within such a mess? However, Walker does a fantastic job of putting the implausible plot into context by delving into the characters psyche and creating a glamorous, dramatic world in which these sort of schemes are not so bizarre.

In true Fiona Walker fashion, there are numerous intricate sub-plots running alongside the main story, including affairs, celebrity parties and lots of very posh people saying things like "golly" and "shan’t". Each sub-plot twists, turns and ties in so well, that you barely notice the fact that the book is a massive 790 pages long.

Kiss Chase has a real escapist factor about it. It draws you into the kind of glamorous, hedonistic world you sometimes wish you were part of, and whether you love or hate each of the characters, you certainly care about what happens to them.

If you’re after some saucy, amusing and acutely observed story telling, then this one is a real find.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Tongue in Cheek by Fiona Walker

Posted by Keris on April 9, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 7, 2008 7:19 PM

BOOK NEWS: Not Another Bad Date

Yes, I know we told you that Rachel Gibson's next book was called 100 Bad Dates, but it seems to have had a title change since then... Out in May (US) and June (UK), it has been stuck with an unimaginative cover; yet another bottom-half-only female. Yuk.

The premise reminds me (a little bit) of Daisy's Back In Town. Listen: If only Adele could find a guy that made her heart flutter like her first love, Zach, the college quarterback who swept her off her feet senior year... before dumping her to marry someone else.

Okay, so he wasn't perfect. But when Adele heads back to Cedar Creek, Texas, for a family emergency, she discovers that her hometown heartthrob is still as sexy as ever - and now he's single.
It could be the end of Adele's streak. After all, forgiving Zach for breaking her heart years ago and learning to trust him again will take everything she's got, but Adele can handle anything... anything but another bad date.

Related posts: More book cover snap | Are butterflies the new feet?

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 7, 2008 in American Authors, Book News, Book covers, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 4, 2008 10:57 AM

FRIDAY FLICK: Something's Gotta Give

Okay, this film isn't adapted from a book, but it is about writing... The main character (played by the tremendous Diane Keaton) is a successful playwright.

Written and directed by Nancy Meyers (Private Benjamin, The Holiday), this is a romantic comedy with a difference; it's about middle-aged people (gasp!)

Harry Sanborn (Jack Nicholson) is a perennial bachelor who only dates women under the age of 30. He meets Erica because he is dating her daughter and they take an instant dislike to one another - and not just because of that.

Over enforced companionship (Harry suffers chest pains and Erica relunctantly agrees to let him stay at her beach house while he recovers enough to travel), the two discover that there is a mutual attraction.

There are complications from Harry's handsome young doctor (Keanu Reeves) who pursues Erica romantically, and from Harry's own set of expectations and prejudices.

The on-screen chemistry between Nicholson and Keaton is brilliant, the script witty and the drama refreshing. Plus, there's a great supporting cast in Frances McDormand, Amanda Peet and Jon Favreau.

It made a change to be watching a mature love story (in all senses of the word); highly recommended. 

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 4, 2008 in American Authors, Friday Flick, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 2, 2008 9:53 AM

SPOTLIGHT: Christina Jones

Christina Jones was born in Oxford and grew up in Berkshire. According to her website, she lived in a very happy, tight-knit, working class community, and has drawn on the idea of close community for her writing.

Christina wrote short stories and articles while working in a series of random jobs - everything from factory worker to night-club dancer. Apparently, she was sacked from nineteen of her twenty-seven jobs for writing at work!

Luckily, it all paid off. Christina joined the Romantic Novelists' Association (RWA) in 1993 and was voted runner-up in the New Writers' Scheme in 1995 with Dancing in the Moonlight - a 40,000 word novella. At the RWA Awards Lunch, an agent suggested to Christina that she try full-length fiction. She wrote Going The Distance, which was sold straight away and chosen for the 1997 WH Smith Fresh Talent Promotion.

Things you may not have known about Christina Jones...
Her father was a circus clown.
Not only is she an avid fan of horse racing, but her grandfather was a jockey.
She has seventeen rescue cats. You can read all about them here.

Bibliography
Dancing In The Moonlight (novella - originally published by My Weekly Story Library)
Going The Distance
Running The Risk
Stealing The Show
Jumping To Conclusions
Walking On Air
Nothing To Lose
Tickled Pink
Hubble Bubble
Seeing Stars
Love Potions
Heaven Sent

Related posts: Spotlight archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on April 2, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 28, 2008 10:16 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Queen of Babble in the Big City by Meg Cabot

Queen of Babble is, I think, the only Meg Cabot book that actually disappointed me. Of course, it's Meg, so it was still funny and sweet, but it reminded me too much of Sophie Kinsella's Can You Keep A Secret (my favourite Kinsella book).

Queen of Babble in the Big City is the second book in the Lizzie Nicholls trilogy and I enjoyed it much more than the first.

Following their summer romance, Lizzie is staying with Luke in his mother's New York (Fifth Avenue, no less) apartment. She wants to find a job restoring wedding dresses, but, since the only job she can find is unpaid, she has to take a morning job as a receptionist in her friend Chaz's father's law firm.

Best friend Shari is staying with Chaz (her boyfriend) until she and Lizzie can get a place together, but it seems like things aren't going well in her relationship with Chaz. Her job, however, is fabulous. So fabulous, that she's spending all her time there (and with her new boss).

Can Lizzie find a job doing what she loves (and getting paid for it)? Can she get Luke to commit? Can she help Shari and Chaz sort out their problems? And can she cope when Luke's parents come to visit?

Queen of Babble in the Big City is charming, sweet and funny and Lizzie seemed much more mature than she did in the first book (although this time she reminded me of Becky Bloomwood!). She's still sweet and naive, but this time it was more endearing than irritating so I'll definitely be reading the final book (Queen of Babble Gets Hitched).

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try The Secret Dreamworld of a Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

Now can we talk covers? The UK cover above is offensively boring, in my opinion. It's almost as if they just couldn't be bothered and so copied the pattern from some leftover wrapping paper... And what's with the back-to-front "B"? Disappointing.

The US covers (hardback, left, and paperback, right) are much nicer.

Which is your favourite?

 

Posted by Keris on March 28, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 27, 2008 10:02 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Fast Women by Jennifer Crusie

Fast Women is the first Jennifer Crusie I ever read and as such it retains a very special place in my heart.

It's also a fantastic, fast-paced read with some of my Crusie favourite characters. In fact, I've read this book so many times, I have difficulty remembering that they're not real...

Recently divorced, Nell Dysart seeks work at a down-at-heel private investigation firm. Gabe McKenna, the owner, is in need of a secretary to organise his office and Nell is in need of a paycheck.

Nell is feeling decidedly grey after her divorce. She has been so focused on being controlled and grown-up about the break-down of her marriage, she has forgotten her own needs and desires.

Gabe works with his cousin, Riley, but is used to being the boss. He inherited the agency from his father and wants everything to stay exactly the same. Utterly in control, he also feels utterly miserable.

As Nell organises the hell out of the office sparks fly, and Nell, slowly, returns back to life.

Much as I love the romance between Nell and Gabe (and I do), I love the supporting cast and subplots in Fast Women even more. Nell's two best friends are also her ex-sisters-in-law. There's sweet Margie, who obsesses over her china collection, and Suze - a gorgeous blonde with an older-man husband who is continually searching for meaning in her life.

There is also a lovely subplot between Nell's son, Jase, and Gabe's daughter (from his previous marriage) Lu. They have fallen in love and the way they mirror and reinforce the mistakes their parents are making/have made in relationships is brilliantly poignant and funny.

It's a book full of spectacular arguments, dog-napping, mystery, Clarice Cliff pottery, astrology and strong, smart, funny women. What more do you need?

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 27, 2008 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (9)

March 19, 2008 2:32 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Jojo Moyes

I only heard about Jojo recently - her book Silver Bay was shortlisted for the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year Award (look out for the review coming tomorrow!) but when I did my research, I discovered she's been writing books since 2002 and Silver Bay is actually her fifth.

She won the RNA Novel of the Year Award in 2004 for Forbidden Fruit and was short-listed in 2006 for The Ship of Brides.

Jojo was born in 1969 in London. Prior to writing fiction, she worked at The Independent for ten years, including stints as Assistant News Editor and Arts and Media Correspondent.

Jojo now writes books full-time and lives on a farm in Essex with her journalist husband and three children, plus some "badly-behaved animals including an ex-racehorse and several rescued battery hens."

Jojo's third child, Lachlan, was born profoundly deaf. He had cochlear implant surgery and Jojo wrote about his (and her) experience of this for the Mail On Sunday.

Want more? Well, since it's you...Jojo has a blog and has just announced the title of her next book - Night Music. It's due out this summer and this is the blurb from Amazon:
The Spanish House has long been known as an architectural folly to locals, and is now nearly derelict to boot. When its reclusive owner dies intestate the Spanish House is left to his city-dwelling niece. For Isabel, recently widowed, the house is a potential lifeline -- the only hope she has of providing for her two children. But for neighbour Matt McCarthy, the house is revenge -- on the family who ruined his father. For his wife it's the key to the perfect family life, while a struggling property developer sees in it a whole new future. As desires clash and intertwine, lives and loves are demolished -- and the Spanish House becomes a true folly indeed...

Jojo's Bibliography:

Sheltering Rain
The Peacock Emporium
Foreign Fruit
The Ship of Brides
Silver Bay

Related posts: Spotlight archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 19, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 13, 2008 6:41 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Daisy's Back In Town

When Daisy Lee Monroe walked out of Lovett, Texas fifteen years ago, she was a frightened eighteen-year-old with a secret.

Now she's back in town, forcing herself to confront the bad boy she left behind - Jackson Parrish.

Unfortunately, her sister is  acting even crazier than usual, her mum can still talk the hind legs off a donkey and Jackson still makes her stomach flip with one glance.

Jackson is (understandably) very upset with Daisy and wants nothing to do with her. She was his friend and lover, and when she left Lovett it was with his best friend, Stephen.

What Jackson doesn't know is that Daisy's betrayal was even worse than that; she was also pregmant with his child  and has waited until now to tell him.

All credit to Rachel Gibson for managing to make me care for a protagonist who has acted so badly. Although I couldn't help but like Daisy Lee, I did feel it was very out-of-character that she had waited fifteen years to tell Jack about his son.

Daisy has to chase Jackson all over town to try and deliver her news. To complicate things further, the lusty attraction that Jack and Daisy felt as teenagers is still alive and kicking.

The Texan setting is lots of fun - a real escapist treat for a Brit like me - and Jack is a very sexy, very alpha hero. Daisy's Back In Town is a raunchy romance from an accomplished writer. 

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom by Jo Barrett

Posted by Sarah Painter on March 13, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 26, 2008 12:36 PM

Lani Diane Rich reads to you

You know I told you about Lani Diane Rich's new book, A Little Ray Of Sunshine, and how fabulous it sounded?

Well, the book is out now, but there's more... Lani has made a recording of herself reading the first chapter and it's available for download on her website. Thanks Lani!

Related posts: Lani Diane Rich interview | Jennifer Crusie, Lani Diane Rich and Anne Stewart podcast

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 26, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 19, 2008 8:10 PM

Classic romance comic-book-covers

Yes, again this would've been better posted on Valentine's Day, but what can you do? Entertainment Weekly has a selection of 25 classic comic-book romance covers for your delight and delectation.

Chosen from the golden age of pulp romance, this retro treat harks back to a simpler time; when the only lipstick was red and lines like 'my scandal-smeared love' were just the beginning...

Related posts: Women in comics | Avril Lavigne Manga

Posted by Sarah Painter on February 19, 2008 in Book covers, Book related, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 12, 2008 12:04 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Midori By Moonlight by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga

I know I'm shallow, but I was mainly attracted to Midori By Moonlight because of the cover: moonlight, cupcakes and a cute outfit on the illustration! Also I love the title and the book is set in San Francisco, one of my favourite cities.

Fortunately, the book is just as cute as its cover. Midori moves from Japan to marry Kevin, an American she met out there. Unfortunately, Kevin reignites an old flame at his and Midori's engagement party, leaving Midori both heart-broken and stuck in San Francisco without a visa.

Desperate not to return to Japan - obsessed with US culture, Midori had planned to stay in San Francisco forever - Midori calls a Japanese friend of Kevin's, Shinji/Sean, who, as luck would have it, needs a room-mate.

Midori still has the problem of finding a job without a visa. She wants to be a pastry chef, but soon resorts to working in a "hostess bar". And of course she can't tell her parents - not about the lack of a wedding, the living with a strange man, and certainly not her job - they never wanted her to go to the US in the first place (although they did want her to get married and had been in the process of arranging a marriage for her when she met Kevin).

I loved this book. More like a fairy story than a realistic portrayal of the illegal immigrant experience (I doubt many illegal immigrants have it as easy as Midori), it's charming, sweet, funny and gripping and Midori is lovely and I was rooting for her from page one. Plus there's San Francisco, cupcakes and moonlight. I can't wait to read Wendy Nelson Tokunaga's next book.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Perfectly True Tales of a Perfect Size 12 by Robin Gold

Posted by Keris on February 12, 2008 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 6, 2008 12:19 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Earthly Pleasures by Karen Neches

Karen Neches' Earthly Pleasures begins in Heaven, where Skye Sebring is a hospitality greeter. She meets Ryan Blaine, who has a brush with death following a motorbike accident. Unbeknownst to him, Ryan is one of the stars of Heaven's soap opera, Earthly Pleasures, and, after meeting him, Skye is more than intrigued.

Is that not a completely brilliant idea? I love everything about it ... but there's more. When Skye starts training to return to earth, all of life's lessons are contained in the lyrics of Beatles songs. Fabulous, no? Oh yes, there's more...

Down on earth, Ryan is struggling with  his marriage. Following a near-fatal accident of her own, his wife Susan has changed almost beyond all recognition. He's not in love with her anymore, but how can he tell her?

Also on earth, care home resident Caroline gets a new roommate: Emily is in a coma she's never expected to recover from, but from which Caroline is determined to retrieve her.

I don't want to say much more because I'm scared of giving anything away. Not only is this book full of surprises (and some shocks), it's funny, moving, sad, thrilling and inspiring.

It would have been 5/5 but I was very slightly disappointed with the ending. If I could have given it 4.5/5 I would. I really, really loved it.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try If Only It Were True by Marc Levy, filmed as Just Like Heaven

Posted by Keris on February 6, 2008 in American Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 3, 2008 10:34 AM

Harlequin's Valentine Sony Reader

Harlequin have come up with a cunning plan for Valentine's Day - a Sony Reader, with a pink skin, loaded with 14 romances only available in e-book format.

Call me shallow, but now that I've seen the Sony Reader in pink, I really want one.

[via Galleycat]

Related posts: Kindle e-book reader | Ebooks: the future of reading? | Harlequin go e-book crazy

Posted by Keris on February 3, 2008 in Romance, Technology | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 24, 2008 9:17 PM

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Lula v Charity

In the last stand-off, Cranky Agnes (and her frying pan) beat Heartburn's Rachel Samstat.

I thought I'd mix it up a little for this week's match. It's true that the heroine's best mate/partner in crime/sister is often as kick-ass as the heroine herself, so I thought I'd put a couple in the ring.

Please put your hands together for Lula (Stephanie Plum's side kick) and Charity (the wise-cracking best friend in Anyone But You).

Lula

The books: The wildly successful Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich

The woman: Ex-ho, 'traditionally-built' woman with a penchant for lime-green spandex and tasers.

Loves: Tank. Works at RangerMan services and is built like one.

Kick ass?: In fairness, Lula does a great deal more falling on her ass than kicking some, but she gets a lot of the best lines. She could probably incapacitate her opponent by making them weak with laughter...

Charity

The book: Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

The woman: Leather-mini-skirt wearing, boutique-owning, dating book-writing, best friend of the heroine, Nina.

Loves: Amaretto milk shakes, high heels, Nina, and getting revenge on rat-fink men.

Kick ass?: I love Charity. She has great lines, great clothes and great attitude. She doesn't do anything action-hero-like in the book (it's a romance) but I get the distinct impression that she would do anything to protect or avenge Nina.

Conclusion: Although Lula is pretty handy with the wrestling moves (in other words, she sits on people), Charity is smart and feisty. What do you think?

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 24, 2008 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

BOOK REVIEW: The Chalet Girl by Kate Lace

We meet Millie at the end of the ski season. She is a chalet girl and damn good at her job. Plus, she's never been tempted to break the rules and fraternise with the tourist clients who come to stay. Until now.

Luke is enjoying a snowboarding break with his best mate (and fellow reporter) Archie, and he is equally drawn to Millie. She is so natural and sweet and pretty. Plus, she seems tinged with sadness which increases Luke's interest and attraction.

Of course, the path of true love cannot run  smooth (it would make for a very short book), so a  misunderstanding leads to Millie heading back to England without saying goodbye to Luke.

Gradually, Millie's past is revealed and we get to know the source of her unhappiness. We are also treated to more misunderstandings and slip-ups as Luke searches for Millie and Millie's life unfolds.

Although some of these were a wee bit contrived and Lace's style leans on a great deal of 'telling' rather than 'showing', I enjoyed The Chalet Girl. It's a good-natured read with warm characters, and a rags-to-riches plot complete with a ball at the end.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try: Decent Exposure by Phillipa Ashley

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 24, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 17, 2008 4:16 PM

THURSDAY TRAILBLAZER: Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie (1890-1976) is known as the Queen of Crime. She was an extremely prolific writer with an impressive publishing record (although Meg Cabot is catching her up!)

Christie wrote 80 detective novels, six romance novels (under the name Mary Westmacott), successful stage plays, and an autobiography.

She has been called best-selling writer of all time with sales into the billions and her play, The Mouse Trap, holds the record for the longest inital run in the world.

Christie  created two of the most enduringly popular detectives ever - Miss Marple and Poirot - and many of her books have been adapted for film and television.

Her popularity continues unabated in the twenty-first century, with many new interpretations of her work. There are even comic book versions of some of her classics like Murder on the Orient Express.

Agatha didn't go to school. Her mother taught her at home until she was 16. Then she studied music in Paris.

Aged 24, Agatha married Archie Christie, a World War 1 fighter pilot. They had one daughter - Rosalind.

During the war, Agatha worked as a nurse and in a pharmacy. Her training in poisons came in very handy later for her books.

Archie asked for a divorce (because he had fallen in love with another woman), but Agatha found happiness in her second marriage. She met and fell in love with Max Mallowan, a young archaeologist she met during her many travels. They married in 1930.

Want to know more? Try her (rather swish) official website or autobiography.

Related posts: Thursday Trailblazer archives

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 17, 2008 in Book related, British Authors, Crime / Mystery, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 14, 2008 3:17 PM

BOOK NEWS: Alibi in High Heels

Alibi in High Heels is the fourth book in Gemma Halliday's 'high heels' series of romantic mysteries and it's out in March.

I have to admit I hadn't heard of the books (or of Halliday). Just in case you're in the same boat, here are the first three titles: Spying in High Heels, Killer in High Heels and Undercover in High Heels.

The series stars Maddie Springer: shoe designer, fashionista, and occasional sleuth. The mad-cap characters and plots remind me of Janet Evanovich, but we'll have to do a review to find out if they live up to that comparison.

My eagle-eyes have also noted that on the cover of Alibi, it says 'soon to be a TV series'. Interesting, no?

Related posts: Book news archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 14, 2008 in American Authors, Book News, Crime / Mystery, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 11, 2008 11:20 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Sea Fever by Sarah Mason

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

Sea Fever is a stonking great read of a novel showing the glamour, drama and sheer hard work of sailing and the renowned race the America’s Cup.

At this point I should stress I know nothing at all about sailing. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. But that doesn’t matter as you don’t have to in order to read this book.

We are introduced to the characters of Erica ‘Inky’ Pencarrow, Fabian Beaufort, John ‘Mack’ MacGregor and Rafe Louvel. With great supporting characters from Custard, Hattie, Milly, Bee, Saffron…infact the list is (almost) endless. There are also a few ‘baddies’ notably the ruthless billionaire Henry Luter and the callous Jason Bryant. It all makes for a superb cast list (which handily is included at the front of the book just in case you get a little confused!).

As with many sports, sailing is dominated by men. Inky is determined to become a world class sailor and pull herself out of the shadow of her older brothers and gain her father’s approval. Her ultimate dream is to represent Britain in the America’s Cup. Fabian is disgraced from the sport and has found his sailing friends have all disappeared. His sailing career looks decidedly bleak. Rafe, used to sailing around the world with his father, is spotted by Mack (a fantastic sailor who many believe has now ‘lost it’) and persuaded to come and work for him.

In a twist of fate an opportunity presents itself to Mack. He starts to put together a British crew. A woman, a former druggie and someone who has never raced before. Confirmation, if any more were needed, that he had finally lost the plot.

This was a thrilling, engaging read. It isn’t just about the romance. Yes there is plenty of that. But it is the heartache and the drama, the funny bits and the sheer emotion that jumps off every page.

I am racking my brains to find something I didn’t like about this book. But I can’t. At no point whilst reading did I feel anything was wrong. I was just swept away. Even the racing terminology didn’t put me off. I read through her descriptions of tacking and spinnakers as though I had been reading about them all my life.  My heart was in my mouth as I willed the crew on just as if I were a spectator watching the race on the shore.

I cared about each person on board the boat as their lives changed. Yes some of the plot was a little predictable. But other bits weren’t and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing.

One of my favourite bits was what becomes of Inky in the epilogue. A strong inspirational woman if I ever saw one.

Fabulous.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Still Summer by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Posted by Keris on January 11, 2008 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

January 8, 2008 12:02 PM

Buy book cover art

Look at that hunk of manhood! He could be yours. Yes, yours!

Artist Max Ginsburg has illustrated countless romance covers and he's set up a website selling limited edition prints of the cover art. [via Romantic Times]

The painting on the left graced the cover of Emma Merritt's Lady of Winter and can be yours for $300 (print on canvas - you can also get an oil painting, but the price for that is "on request", i.e. it's a lot).

Honestly, I could look at those moobs all day...

Related posts: Romance novel cover comedy | Romance archives

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2008 in Book covers, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

January 2, 2008 5:05 PM

Mills & Boon's centenary

Mills & Boon, one of the most successful book publishers ever, is celebrating its centenary this year. Yep, 100 years of bodice-ripping, dashing doctors, rich sheiks, and smart modern romances.

Visit the website for special offers and competitions throughout 2008.

Related posts: Mills & Boon on your mobile | Harlequin/NASCAR romances

Posted by Sarah Painter on January 2, 2008 in Book Websites, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 4, 2007 3:16 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Forever Summer by Suzanne Macpherson

I know it seems weird me reviewing a book called The Forever Summer in the depths of winter (well, I'm trying to pretend this is the depths and it's not going to get much worse...), but this book isn't really "summery". In fact, it's rather cosy.

When beautiful but bitchy Emily Ruth Griffin drops dead in the produce aisle of the supermarket where Lila works, Lila's immediate worry is that she's poisoned her with the Cheese Whiz and crackers Emily had just sampled.

But when Emily Ruth starts haunting both the produce aisle and Lila herself, Lila's got more to worry about. Like the kid in the Sixth Sense, Lila sees dead people. But not All The Time, just when they've got a beef. But what's Emily Ruth's beef? Lila doesn't know. It's got something to do with lemons and babies, but she's not making herself clear.

Could it be that Lila has started dating Emily Ruth's sexy ex-husband, Lucas? Probably not since Emily Ruth cheated on him with his own brother... And what about the man Emily Ruth was preparing to have dinner with on the day he died? And what's with all the dead wives in this town, anyway?

So many questions... And, actually, not so many answers. I really enjoyed this book, but that's mainly because the characters are so good rather than the plot. I didn't guess what Emily Ruth was after, but I worked out whodunnit very early on. It didn't matter though, because Lila and Lucas (along with the minor characters) are very entertaining and I was happy to join them for the ride.

The other thing I loved about this book was the setting. It's a small town in either Ontario or Washington State (apologies if this is clear in the book; if so, I missed it) and it reminded me a bit of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls and you know how much I love Gilmore Girls.

This is the first of Suzanne Macpherson's books I've read, but I'll definitely look out for more.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try The Fortune Quilt by Lani Diane Rich

Posted by Keris on December 4, 2007 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 3/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 30, 2007 11:12 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Agnes & The Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer

A new Jennifer Crusie novel is always a treat, but lately, you don't just get Jennifer Crusie - her last three novels have been collaborations. First Don't Look Down, the first "romantic adventure" written with Bob Mayer, then The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes, written with Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart and now another Bob Mayer partnership: Agnes & The Hitman. I've read so much about Agnes & The Hitman on Crusie's blog that I've been desperate to read it almost from the time they started writing it ... I finally got the chance and I wasn't disappointed.

"Cranky" Agnes Crandall is a food writer, who has just had moderate success with a book called Mob Food. She's also recently bought her dream house, in partnership with her fiance, Taylor, but part of the property agreement was that she host a wedding for the previous owner's granddaughter. Unfortunately, Brenda (the previous owner), will get the house back if the wedding doesn't happen and, since that's what she wants, she's going all out to sabotage the wedding.

When a man with a gun turns up in Agnes's kitchen (ostensibly to kidnap her dog), her friend Joey calls a hitman named Shane to come and protect Agnes. But Shane's got problem's of his own. His boss is retiring and wants Shane to take over ... and it appears before long that someone's trying to kill him too.

My head hurts from trying to explain any aspect of this story without giving something away, but it's not so complicated when you read it, honest (okay, it's a little bit complicated, but, like Janet Evanovich's books, if you don't struggle to place everyone and just let it all wash over you instead, it all becomes clear in the end). Plus - and you'll know this if you read Crusie's blog - there are flamingoes.

I liked Agnes & the Hitman even better than Don't Look Down (and I liked Don't Look Down a lot). Agnes now joins the (long) list of my favourite Crusie characters and Shane is sex on legs. The minor characters are charming, hilarious and completely barmy and it's so skillfully done that you can't see the join between Crusie and Mayer's writing (even though you know that if there's any "YEC - Yucky Emotional Crap", it's unlikely to be Bob). Still, the YEC (which is neither yucky nor crap), the guns, bombs, boats, dogs and flamingoes all come together perfectly to create a gripping, romantic and fun read.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer or any of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books, starting with One for the Money

Posted by Keris on November 30, 2007 in American Authors, Crime / Mystery, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 29, 2007 11:07 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (Insight Edition)

Reviewed by Jill Hart

I must admit, though somewhat shyly, that though I am a huge fan of Jane Austen I had never read Pride and Prejudice. I attempted to read it once during my high school years, but the language seemed confusing and I gave up. So, when Bethany House announced their new “Insight Edition” of Pride and Prejudice I jumped at the chance to read it.

This new printing of Austen’s beloved classic includes the original text, but also adds side notes giving the reader a brief definition of certain terms, customs and history behind Austen’s words. The book also includes movie facts and other entertaining tidbits that highlight that many works of art that Pride and Prejudice has inspired such as the 2005 movie starring Kiera Knightley.

The editors at Bethany house did a fantastic job at selecting passages to expound on. For example, Austen speaks of Mrs. Bennet saying, “The business of her life was to get her daughters married; its solace was visiting and news.” In today’s culture this seems a bit, well, shallow, and yet the editors include a note that explains why this would have been so important a job for Mrs Bennet.

I can freely say that I loved the book even more than the movie and I felt the Insight Edition added a whole new dimension to Austen’s work. Jane Austen’s speaks for itself and yet the editors did a wonderful job of adding information that enriched the book and made it even more appealing.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding (ha ha!)

Posted by Keris on November 29, 2007 in British Authors, Classic Novels, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK NEWS: What Looks Like Crazy by Charlotte Hughes

I know Charlotte Hughes as Janet Evanovich's friend and co-author on the Full series, but apparently she's written over 30 romance books, too.

She's got a shiny new website (Charlotte's Web) and a new book coming out in February 2008. What Looks Like Crazy is the first of a series featuring psychologist Kate Holly.

Kate is divorcing Jay, her firefighter husband, who is perfect except for his tendency to put his life on the line. She is trying to deal with her mother, eccentric secretary and psychiatrist ex-boyfriend. The latter refers clients to her in return for news on the colour of her underwear.

As if things aren't nuts enough, Kate starts getting mysterious threats that could be from just about any lunatic in Atlanta. She's treated them all...

Related posts: Book News archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 27, 2007 11:36 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Kiss My Book by Jamie Michaels

I was so excited when I read the premise for young adult novel, Kiss My Book. It's the story of Ruby Crane, who sold her first book and got a movie deal at the age of 15, but is then accused of plagiarism.

The clear parallels with the Kaavya Viswanathan scandal appealed to me - in case you missed it, Viswanathan was 19 when her debut novel, How Opal Mehta Got Kissed, Got Wild, and Got a Life was published and was subsequently found to contain sections bearing startling similarities to various other books - and to begin with I thought Kiss My Book was going to be great, but it then went off at a tangent and, I felt, lost the plot.

After the plagiarism accusation, Ruby runs away to her aunt's house in a small town in Upstate New York. She calls herself Georgie and decides she's never going to have anything to do with books again. She immediately makes friends with a girl named Rabbit and falls for Rabbit's cousin, Jacob, who is not only a hottie, but a big reader.

After a while, Ruby realises that she misses books and can't live without them after all, and so starts a book club in her aunt's shop. The book then becomes a sort of parable (or maybe a parody of a parable) and I found it both unrealistic and patronising. Despite the fact that the teens are all fully conversant with a range of poetry, the rest of the dimwit residents of this small town appear to have never even heard of books before and get completely overexcited. Rabbit's mother is reading romance novels and so she and Rabbit's dad start having sex again. The Single Moms Club becomes the Reading Moms Club. When Ruby's aunt's store is threatened with closure the town's residents take to the streets in protest.

Yes, Ruby has to admit that she plagiarised, but it's okay because at least, through her time in Whispering Oaks, she's learned to be honest with herself, and brought literature to the unwashed masses. I think you can tell, it irritated me no end.

There's also a subplot about what may be behind the whispering of Whispering Oaks, but this felt like it had been slotted in from an entirely different book. All in all - and despite the fact that Ruby is, most of the time, an entertaining and intelligent heroine and Jacob is a hot hero - Kiss My Book didn't live up to my expectations. A shame.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on November 27, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 2/5, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

November 13, 2007 4:36 PM

Book News: Sorcery and the Single Girl by Mindy Klasky

Paranormal chick lit is still going from strength to strength - in the US, at any rate - and here's the proof; another witchy-heroine from Red Dress Ink.

Newly-fledged witch, Jane Madison, is struggling to find her feet. She feels like a magical misfit, and her powers aren't much help with her everyday-problems, either.

Then the exclusive Washington Coven invites her to join up. It could be a whole new start for Jane - or the most humiliating experience of her life.

We loved Mindy Klasky's debut, Girl's Guide to Witchcraft, which introduced Jane Madison, so I have high hopes for this one.

Related posts: Book News archive

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 8, 2007 5:30 PM

Book Review: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Gentle reader, I have a spot of advice...

The next time you have one of those days. When you feel uncomfortable so you reach for your 'fat' jeans only to discover you're already wearing them, when you forget bin day for the third week running,  when you have a dentist's appointment and you collect a parking ticket while you're there, when, in short, fate spits in your eye and doesn't offer you a hanky, may I make a suggestion?

Read this book. Bet Me is pure escapist loveliness with typically-wonderful Crusie characters and a hero yummier than ten bars of Galaxy.

Minnerva Dobbs is a no-nonsense woman who believes in risk management over fairy-tale happy-endings. Calvin Morrisey is a gorgeous businessman who never makes a bet he won't win. But Min and Cal are meant for each other and Fate will go to any lengths to make them see it.

Bet Me is an unapologetic traditional romance, but it's also a Crusie. Hence the Krispy Kremes, chaos theory, intelligent cat, off-balance psychologist, snarky-best-friend, and outrageous shoes.

This book is balm for the soul and I love it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've had a rough day...

Like this? Try: Faking It by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Sarah Painter on November 8, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

October 5, 2007 11:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

I was so in love with the cover of Harriet Evans's second novel, A Hopeless Romantic, that I was almost afraid to read it in case the book itself was disappointing.

It's the story of Laura Foster - a hopeless romantic, obviously - she loves chick flicks, romance novels, and is continually falling head over heels for inappropriate men.

But after her heart is broken by the gorgeous, but duplicitous Dan, she decides to give up on romance once and for all. Her videos and paperbacks all go in the bin and she is determined to be pragmatic. Until, on a visit to a stately home with her parents, she meets Nick and finds herself falling again. But the newly down to earth Laura decides it can't possibly work, vows to forget all about Nick and returns to her life in London.

Of course it's not that easy...

With a charming casts of supporting characters, A Hopeless Romantic is, thankfully, incredibly romantic. I really loved it. I warmed to Laura immediately, despite her being the "other woman" at the beginning of the book. I loved her flatmate, her friends, her family and, of course, Nick, who was completely gorgeous. (Plus it made me nostalgic for London, which is quite a feat since, after leaving there 10 years ago, I really can't abide the place.)

I now can't wait to read Evans's debut, Going Home. Luckily I bought it ages ago so I won't have to wait too long.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Little Lady Agency by Hester Brown

Posted by Keris on October 5, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

September 6, 2007 5:06 PM

GIVEAWAY: I Married A Pirate

A few weeks ago we featured an interview with journalist and debut novelist Samantha David, as part of our Summer Special.

Today: the chance to win not just a copy of her book, I Married a Pirate, but a signed copy! (UK only I'm afraid)

Carry on over the cut to find out how to be in with a chance to win...

Entries should be sent to our usual address - subject line: PIRATE - and please include your name and address (so we can send you the book if you're picked at random). Closing date is midnight GMT next Friday, 14 September. Good luck!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on September 6, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Competition, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 30, 2007 3:54 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Pillow Talk by Freya North

Reviewed by Helen Redfern

I should start this review by admitting I’m a big fan of Freya North. Her books have seen me through my years as a career girl, helping me to rediscover the art of reading for pleasure after three dry years at university. They were also there for me when I met my lovely boyfriend whom, as the years passed, became my husband. I could therefore completely identify with the boy meets girl formula of a Freya North novel.

At some point during the last ten years, like me, Freya’s books have grown up.

That’s not to say they are no longer a fun, sexy and quirky read. They haven’t become staid or boring (as, one hopes, I haven’t either!). But it is no longer just about the sexiness of boy meeting girl. She also explores some deeper issues, and nowhere is this more apparent than with her latest novel ‘Pillow Talk’.

Pillow Talk is about a boy and a girl, childhood (almost) sweethearts, who lose touch, then one day find themselves standing next to each other in an ice-cream shop. The girl, Petra Flint, is a jeweller who also happens to sleepwalk. The boy, Arlo Savidge, is a music teacher at a private school, who has insomnia. We follow them on their inevitable journey towards being together.

Yes the classic Freya North formula is there. Unfortunately this means there are parts where I could guess the plot and I got slightly frustrated with Freya for being so predictable.

North, however, hasn’t finished yet. Just as her readers have matured, so has her writing. As the story reveals our hero and heroine’s secrets she gives us more than the usual ‘girl meets boy, have misunderstanding, get back together and live happily ever after’ scenario. Once they are together we uncover a past that neither of them can forget, and which is the real reason behind their sleep problems.

We are also invited into the fascinating world of jewellery design, discovering, with vivid and enthusiastic descriptions, tanzanite (which Freya describes with the same relish she used about sculpture in her earlier novels) and also into the life of a music teacher who has an eclectic taste in music and whom I would have liked to have teaching me at school.

In terms of ranking this novel I am torn. I feel I should mark Pillow Talk down for being the tiniest bit predictable but at the same time this is part of Freya’s charm – the formula I have enjoyed reading again and again over the years. Pillow Talk is a fabulously sassy, grown up, chick lit read, but my exasperation over the slight predictability is only allowing me a high 4 out of 5.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Vince & Joy by Lisa Jewell

Posted by Keris on August 30, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

August 29, 2007 12:31 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Forget About It by Caprice Crane

Caprice Crane's debut novel, Stupid & Contagious was one of our favourite books of last year so Diane and I have both been desperate to get our hands on her new novel, Forget About It and I was first. (Ha! In your face, Diane!) (Sorry about that.)

Forget About It is the story of Jordan Landau whose life sucks. Her boyfriend Dirk is a cheating scumbag who treats Jordan like dirt; her family - mum, younger sister and stepfather - are disappointed, disinterested or downright hostile and her boss has been blatantly stealing her creative ideas. The only good things in Jordan's life are her best friends Todd and Cat.

When riding her bike one day Jordan has an accident and hits her head. Waking up in hospital, she decides it offers her the perfect opportunity - fake amnesia and get a do-over. Stop being a doormat and start her life - relationships, work and family - from scratch. So she does it. The only person in on it is Todd and it goes surprisingly well - Jordan gets to see just how awful people are, to recognise just how badly they've been treating her and to teach them all a lesson without actually having to take any responsibility for it. And, as the icing on the cake, she finds herself falling for the lovely Travis, the man who actually caused her accident.

And then things go horribly wrong and Jordan realises that to avoid losing everything, she's got to get her memory back. And then there's another accident...

Girlier than Stupid & Contagious, Forget About It is fun, inspiring, hilarious and audacious (I found myself doing that "Oh, no she didn't!" thing). Jordan's family, boss and boyfriend are so awful I couldn't wait for them to get their comeuppance. Her friends Todd and Cat are lovely and Travis now makes it onto my list of favourite chick lit heroes of all time.

Forget Me Not* Forget About It has cemented Caprice Crane as one of my favourite authors. I can't wait to see what she does next.

(Look out for our interview with Caprice later today.)

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Me Vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski

*Doh! Forget Me Not is *my* book... LOL (Good catch, Luisa!)

The picture above is the US version, which I love. Forget About It is out in the UK (4 October) with Little Black Dress and this cover:

I prefer the US version, how about you?

Posted by Keris on August 29, 2007 in American Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 24, 2007 12:07 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Behind Every Great Woman There's a Fabulous Gay Man by Dave Singleton

Is it just me? Does everyone in the world have a fabulous GBF (Gay Best Friend) except me... And if so, where can I get one?

Dave Singleton argues that every woman needs a GBF - that's why his book is called Behind Every Great Woman There's a Fabulous Gay Man. But luckily for those of us who don't have our very own Stanford Blatch, Dave is happy to advise us on how to "avoid the pitfalls of the dating game, live stylishly and be even more fabulous than you already are." Which is nice.

The book is essentially a love and style guide for women from a gay man's perspective, divided into two parts: Dating, Men and Relationships and Style, Straight Talk and Self-Esteem.

Dave begins by talking about the importance of a male gay best friend for every straight woman, and about how wonderful his female friends are. Which is lovely for them, but doesn't help those of us without a GBF, now does it?!

There are some really interesting ideas in the first part of the book, such as looking at the part you play in your unsuccessful relationships - finding out where your love insecurities come from, and breaking self-destructive patterns. There are also useful and more light-hearted tips on checking if a man 'plays for your team' or not... The second part of the book is about appearance, plastic surgery and the like and is more superficial - although Singleton advises thinking about whether you're having a procedure done for your looks or your self-esteem, which is certainly good advice.

But a lot of the advice in the book seemed to be stretched a bit thin - I felt it was a bit repetitive and could probably have been squashed into a long feature article as I'm not sure there was enough here to build a book on. Some of the chapters in the second half of the book in particular just seemed there to make up the numbers, and didn't provide much useful insight - why it's okay to wear a short skirt to work, for instance. (Do we need to be told? And I'm still not gonna...) Plus, I couldn't help feeling that perhaps the idea for the book was a bit outdated - I mean, SATC is over and GBFs aren't exactly news. This book was only published in the UK this year, but in the US in 2005, which explains a lot.

It's witty, if not particularly original, and does contain some useful ideas, but may be one to skim rather than use as your style and dating 'bible'.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Jane Austen's Guide to Dating by Lauren Henderson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (3)

August 23, 2007 11:31 AM

(Quite a lot of) Caprice Crane news

Caprice Crane has been a big fave of ours since her fabulous debut Stupid and Contagious (it wasn't the former, but definitely was the latter!)

Next Wednesday, in honour of the release of her new book Forget About It (which Keris is reading at the moment - jealous!) Caprice will be the star of our author interview. (Buy the book from 27th August in the US/on Amazon or from 4th October in the UK).

In the meantime, you can watch a short film, Passing the Time, created as a sort-of trailer for the book (which will be turned into a feature film by Disney, starring Scarlett Johansson - and which meant Crane couldn't make an actual trailer proper for copyright reasons. Or something.)

Finally, if you're quick and in the Santa Monica area, you might be able to catch Miss Crane at a Barnes and Noble signing today. [Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 23, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 22, 2007 11:41 AM

Romance authors, Mills and Boon... and more unoriginal chick lit insults

Australia's Sydney Morning Herald recently featured this interesting article on romance novels, the popularity of Mills and Boon and why romance authors just can't get no... respect.

I learned about the article from a begrdging Bookninja - I love that site, but *wow* they don't love us...

"Romance as the cougar to chick lit’s fox? I think of it more like the laundry lady to chick lit’s halfwit yuppy."

Oooh - zing!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 17, 2007 6:58 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman

Have I mentioned I'm a big Elinor Lipman fan (just three hundred times or so)?

The Pursuit of Alice Thrift was released before My Latest Grievance, Lipman's most recent novel, and I must admit, I liked it a touch more. The main character, Alice Thrift, is fairly unsympathetic: as a surgeon, she's used to science and cold hard facts, and finds interacting with people when they're not under anesthetic to be quite a challenge. But when Ray Russo waltzes into her consulting room looking for a nose job (and maybe more...) Alice and he fall in love. Or Alice thinks they do...

A reviewer on Amazon described this book as being about the poor decisions people sometimes make to alleviate loneliness, and that's true to some extent: we learn early on in the book that Ray turns out not to be the man of Alice's dreams - if she'd ever do anything so romantic as indulge in daydreams about love, that is. Alice's formerly very boring, flat lifestyle becomes a lot more interesting - but not always in the ways she would have wanted. She does, however, begin to loosen up a little and make some friends.

At first, I wasn't sure I could read a whole book about a lonely, socially inept middle-aged woman. (Doesn't exactly scream 'fun!' does it?) But I loved this book. Where Elinor Lipman is so talented is that she can turn Alice into a sympathetic character that we care about by the end of the book - without actually changing Alice's personality too much! I found this a page-turner of a read, and only wish the author could churn her books out a little bit faster...

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 17, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 15, 2007 9:09 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Wish You Were Here by Phillipa Ashley

I had to review a book called Wish You Were Here as part of our Summer Special celebrations, didn't I?

Phillipa Ashley's second novel features Beth, who fell in love with Jack on holiday in Corsica eight years ago. It had certainly been a whirlwind romance, but Beth was devastated when, after proposing, Jack walked out on her with no explanation. When Beth gets a fabulous job in a travel company, she's horrified to find that Jack's just been made CEO.

Beth needs the job to help support her family back in the Lake District - her father had an accident and can't work and her sister needs money to go to drama school - so she accepts it on the condition that she and Jack never speak of the past and keep their relationship strictly professional. But, of course, it's not as easy as they imagine.

The longer they work together the more they're reminded of their previous relationship and the more the old feelings reoccur. And then Beth arranges a research trip to Corsica and Jack decides to go with her ... and not strictly for professional reasons.

I enjoyed Wish You Were Here, but I'm annoyed at another misleading blurb. The back cover says, "As Beth and Jack are forced to spend time together, Beth begins to unravel the mystery of Jack's disappearance." No, she doesn't. She absolutely doesn't. She starts to fall for him again, but there's no unravelling involved. And, in fact, the mystery of Jack's disappearance was the most disappointing thing in the book. Obviously, I can't say what it is, but I didn't buy it at all. I did, however, love Jack (why are all the sexiest heroes named Jack?).

I really liked Beth and her family and the descriptions of Corsica are lovely too, but the ending of the book made me like the rest of it less.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

Posted by Keris on August 15, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 14, 2007 5:10 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Men! by Isabel Losada

Isabel Losada has written non-fiction books on the inner lives of nuns, finding enlightenment and saving the world. (As well as Reasons to be Glad). Her latest release is a little more down-to-earth: ‘Men!’ she exclaims. ‘Where the **** are they?’

She believes there is a national shortage of interesting, available men over the age of 35. For the purposes of the book, her definition of an interesting man is: ‘One who when you meet them you’d like to have dinner with them and, having had dinner with them you are glad that you had dinner with them and would like to see them again.’ Available means emotionally available as well as single (and married men who tell women they’re separated don’t count!) The interesting, available man should also have travelled, be independent and free from addictions and other emotional problems. Is such a man so elusive? The evidence of her own love life and those of her friends suggests he is, so Losada embarks on a nine-month quest to find out where all the interesting and available men are, and to net one for herself in the process, if she can...

To find out where the eligible men are hiding, Losada visits some all-male environments on our behalf. She attends a Harley Davidson ‘ride out’ and a weekend plumbing course before spending two weeks working as the only woman on a building site. Dispiritingly, she finds that men are often quite literally hiding from women as they prefer to spend leisure time in the company of other men. The motorbike club is mostly a chance for men to drink copiously and tell sexist and homophobic jokes. The plumbing course is not set up for women although Losada copes admirably well and the building site workers treat her as one of them (after some initiation rituals) but their views on life and love are enlightening in all the wrong ways.

So Losada vows to try more new things. She attends lectures all over London, learns to drive a motorbike and goes on a diving holiday in Egypt. She also falls for two men, neither of whom is technically ‘available’…  She’s endearingly open and frank about her romantic missteps, admitting that getting over one of these men is so hard that she wouldn’t be interested in a new relationship anyway – so her experiment is flawed on a personal level. At the end of the quest, Losada confirms her hypothesis: as she suspected, there is a lack of interesting, available men for independent, intelligent women over 35. Our author claims she was hoping to be proved wrong but the words ‘self-fulfilling prophecy’ don’t seem out of place here - throughout the book it’s more apparent that she wants to prove herself right.

However she does have suggestions for changing the situation she says she has uncovered. First, women seeking men should take a new approach: ‘Doing radical and exciting things with our lives is one solution’, and something that is never a bad idea! Losada also encourages us to look at the bigger picture, postulating that the reason so many marriages are unhappy is that people lack the courage to be honest with each other and to leave without fear of recrimination when a relationship is no longer working. If more people were honest when a relationship stops working, this would mean more available men let loose.

The author claims she’s not scared to be a single woman forever if she can’t find Mr Right. But her vision of ageing single women, though (I hope) tongue in cheek, is offensive and lazy: ‘I have so many wonderful female friends… we could all move into a house together that would become a glorious celebration of being old batty females. We’d all have to wear purple. And have lots of cats… pretend to be witches and have big bonfires and make strange sounds to frighten the local schoolchildren.’ If that’s what happens to single women of a certain age it’s no wonder Losada wants a man!

At times I couldn’t help having the un-sisterly thought that perhaps her standards are too high. If a man has different views to her, she’s not interested. If he enjoys spectator sports, she’s not interested. And yet she falls for two unavailable men in the space of nine months. Wouldn’t a football fan have been better?

Also, although she talks repeatedly about not needing a man she frequently presents being alone as the third-rate option. During her research mission, Losada goes on her first dive and absolutely loves it. She comments that it’s a shame she’s on her own as it would be ideal to share the experience with a partner or friend. Is an experience only worth having if you’re with someone else?

Although intelligently-written and well-considered with a spiritual angle not often found in books about love, ‘Men!’ isn’t as new and subversive as it wants to be. It is after all another book about how women can find men (isn’t it time they found us for a change?!) While part of me found it sad that a vibrant, intelligent and (not that it should matter, but it probably does) attractive woman like Isabel Losada finds it so hard to find a lasting relationship, a larger part of me thought, ‘So?’

Still, I found the author charming and frank and her look at love has more depth than other books of its ilk.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dating Amy by Amy DeZellar.

Read this review in full at The F Word.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 14, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (4)

August 13, 2007 6:52 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Dear Holly

A couple of months ago, Keris told us about Holly Shumas's new book debut, Five Things I Can't Live Without. She'll be reviewing it soon, but in the meantime you might like to take a look at the author's excellent web site, which includes an interactive advice section, Dear Holly. Follow that link for questions from readers and answers from Holly herself on all manner of dating dilemmas.

Why don't more authors do this? I'd love Marian Keyes's advice on skincare and Sophie Kinsella's tips on shoe shopping...

Which author would you most like a Q & A with, and on what topic?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 10, 2007 11:38 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Summer Psychic by Jessica Adams

Keris talking about Australian authors the other day has inspired me to dig out Jessica Adams's The Summer Psychic for a review - she's Australian, you see. And this book also ties nicely into our summer special (ongoing 'til the end of this month, peeps).

The Summer Psychic is Jim Gabriel, an Aussie resident of Brighton who gets visions when he looks into any expanse of water (although his favourite method of fortune-telling is peering into water in the bucket from a child's bucket-and-spade set - well, why not?)

When local reporter Katie Pickard is sent to interview him about what will happen in the following year, she's skeptical to the point of being uninterested. Until Jim makes a surprising prediction: next summer, he and Katie will get married.

But Katie promptly falls in love with Pete, local musical hero (with more than a touch of the Pete Dohertys about him) and they embark on a whirlwind, if not always that romantic, relationship. Meanwhile,  Jim's predictions start to come true, and the paper Katie works for stitches him up with an untrue and unkind exposé. And Jim's colleague Courtney, a witch, seduces Katie's boss and causes all kinds of unpleasant things to start happening.

The book is full of quirky, strange characters, most of who (except Courtney) have an odd kind of charm, but I didn't really believe in any of them. When Katie falls in love with Pete, we're told about it rather than shown her love develop (or given any reason for her falling or such a waster - she's may be on the rebound from a tragic relationship, but still...) Things seem to happen in rather jumpy scenes rather than there being any kind of sophisticated progression.

One thing I was hoping for was some kind of explanation of Jim's powers, but it was all a bit wishy-washy, 'we can't possibly know how it works'-type stuff, which frustrated me. I couldn't really buy into it and I found the book's conclusion a bit sudden and the storyline rambling. Unimportant dialogue was extended and important stuff rushed over.

It's not all bad, though - Katie is an endearing narrator and Adams can write, I'm just not sure about her ability to hold a story together over the length of a novel. I'd like to see her have a go at a story with a far less complex conceit, 'cos for me, this one fell flat.

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try An English Psychic in Hollywood by Lucinda Clare.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 10, 2007 in Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 2/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 8, 2007 11:20 AM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

It's a while since we've polled your opinions on a particular book rather than a hot topic in publishing, so today it's time to redress the balance.

Today I'm asking what you thought of Sophie Kinsella's latest, Shopaholic and Baby. Did you enjoy it, or have you had enough Becky spin-offs?

And if you haven't read it (yet) - do you want to? Why/why not? Tell us:

Is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[Don't forget it's Yay or Nay day at Hippyshopper, Bridalwave, Dollymix, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny, too!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 8, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Sophie Kinsella | Permalink | Comments (11)

August 2, 2007 11:52 AM

Sage advice on collaborating from Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer

Despite the popularity of co-authored novels (especially as some of the collaborations do so brilliantly *coughNannyDiariescough*) and despite being a frequent collaborator herself (see here, here and here...) Jenny Crusie contends that it's not the easy, fun option it may sound.

Something I guess Janet Evanovich has already discovered...

Read Jenny and one of her many collaborators Bob Mayer on the subject at their excellent joint blog/teaching project, He Wrote, She Wrote.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

August 1, 2007 5:12 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Samantha David

Samantha David is a journalist who has written what could be the perfect summer read: I Married A Pirate is her debut novel and she'll tell you about it below, along with talking about what she's reading now, and women who prefer dogs to men (really)... And yes, we will be reviewing her book at some point, of course!

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

An original, intelligent, irreverant, quirky, laugh-aloud romantic comedy about Bohemia, personal freedom and love. [Ooh, good one! - Diane]

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

At my desk, in front of my computer, preferrably after midnight when I won't be disturbed. (I spend my days at my desk, in front of my computer, being a journalist.)

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos.

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

Flora Poste (from Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons) because she makes me laugh. Tessa Sanger (The Constant Nymph by Margaret Kennedy) because she makes me cry.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?

JDI - Just Do It.

What are you reading at the moment?

The Lady of Shalott (Tennyson), Northanger Abbey (Austen) and Scotland Street (Mccall Smith).

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

A romantic comedy about the most charming, intelligent, handsome, sexy man in the world and Rosie - who is stunningly beautiful but prefers dogs to men...

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

Where shall we send the cheque?

Hee... sorry, we're not asking that either, but thanks, Samantha!

Author Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on August 1, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Summer Special | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 31, 2007 4:27 PM

EXCLUSIVE 'Be Mine' giveaway!

Be Mine by Laura Kasischke might be a good option for your summer hols if you like a touch of mystery and don't mind being a bit scared on your sun-lounger.

Keris called it "thrilling, thought-provoking, exciting and erotic" (oo-er!) and we have 2 copies to give away to 2 lucky Trashionista readers.

Carry on over the cut to find out how to be in with a chance of winning...

Simply email us your name and address (so we can send you the book if you win), putting "Laura" in the title. We'll pick 2 names at random after the giveaway closes on August 1st.

Posted by Aigua Media on July 31, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Competition, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 26, 2007 12:53 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Scot on the Rocks by Brenda Janowitz

Brenda Janowitz's debut novel, Scot on the Rocks, is subtitled "How I survived my ex-boyfriend's wedding with my dignity ever-so-slightly intact" and is the tale of lawyer Brooke Miller, whose boyfriend dumps her just before her ex-boyfriend's wedding, which they were supposed to attend together.

Too embarrassed to tell her ex, Trip, that she's now single (he's marrying a Hollywood superstar, after all) she convinces her friend and colleague, Jack, to accompany her and pretend to be her fiance, Douglas. Her Scottish fiance, Douglas. I feel I want to say "with hilarious consequences" here, probably because I bet you can imagine exactly what happens.

Despite its predictability, I really enjoyed Scot on the Rocks, though I did have a few problems with it. Douglas is so, so awful that I couldn't imagine what Brooke ever saw in him, plus her attentions switch to Jack a bit too quickly to be convincing. I would have liked to have got to know both Jack and Brooke's best friend Vanessa a bit better (although I can see Vanessa having her own book in the future).

Despite the above, I enjoyed Scot on the Rocks predominantly because of Brooke's voice. She's sweet and very funny and I really enjoyed her asides to the reader. As a character, she'll stick in my mind, but I'm not sure if the book will. I'll certainly be keen to read Brenda Janowitz's next book though.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Talk Gertie to Me by Lois Winston

Look out for a big Scot on the Rocks giveaway next week

Posted by Keris on July 26, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Queen of Broken Hearts by Cassandra King

Reviewed by Diane Johnston of Corrieblog...

Dr. Clare Ballenger is a divorce coach, helping women cope with the loss of a crumbled marraige, guiding them to start afresh and let go of the past. The only problem is, she's still recovering from a more tragic loss herself.

And she has a second chance at love with not just one man but two - but will she be able to let go of the past and move on? Can the doctor heal herself?

I've never read any of Cassandra King's work before so I opened Queen of Broken Hearts without any preconceptions. I was pleased to discover that the main character, Dr. Clare Ballenger, her best friend Dory Rogers, and both of Clare's potential lovers are my age (late 40s) or older. It's nice when you can identify with the people you meet in books. I, too, have been divorced so I can relate to that aspect of the story as well.

The book takes place in Alabama and is filled with colourful peripheral characters. The narrative is in the first person present most of the time, except when Clare takes the reader back to fill in some of the blanks that she constantly opens up. Some she fills in straight away and some take a while but be patient, they will get filled in eventually. I did find that a bit disconcerting, being left hanging at times wondering what she meant when she hinted at something that happened the previous summer or even years before.

There is a romance threading its bumpy way through the book, with all the ups and downs you might expect. The ups and downs do not include juicy sex scenes, so if you're looking for that, look the other way. In this case, the story doesn't really need it because it's not about that. It's about women rediscovering themselves as they approach middle age after their lives change completely and often traumatically. It's about women supporting each other and it's about friendship and love in all the best ways. I'm rating it a little less than perfect, though, because I did find the author's style of leaving you wondering about those blanks a bit annoying at times even though all the loose ends were tied up at the end.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try How Will I Know? By Sheila O’Flanagan.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 26, 2007 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 20, 2007 10:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Anatomy of a Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

We've talked about Anatomy of a Boyfriend before, when the cover was causing a stir in America. I love the design and was very interested to read the book, which wasn't really anything like I expected: I thought it would be Louise Rennison-esque, instead it's more like Judy Blume...

Daria Snadowsky's debut novel is the story of the relationship between 17-year old Dominique and her new boyfriend Wes. Wes is a shy but sweet athletic/writerly type, while Dominique wants to be a doctor - hence the title of the book, she's obsessed with medical textbooks!

We follow the couple from their first meeting, through to their first semester at university, and all the ups and downs and those major 'firsts' that come with a first love...

This very much reminded me of a modern-day Forever (although with a little less um, description). It's certainly not for younger teenagers but the sexual stuff is realistic and appropriate in the context of the story. Easy to read and with some great emotional depth, I just wondered if the teenager's voices were entirely lifelike: Dom is a little immature at times where her best friend Amy sometimes sounds like SATC's Samantha. Also the relationship between Dom and Wes takes a while to get going, and I was a bit frustrated by that!

I did love the two girls' friendship and found the story very moving and well-crafted. It's quite an easy read, but definitely not a facile one. I was sad when I'd finished it and got quite emotionally involved with the characters so I'm definitely looking forward to more books by this new author. (In other words, thank you Luisa for the loan!)

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Good Girls by Laura Ruby.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 20, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 11, 2007 4:20 PM

BOOK REVIEW: A Dangerous Dress by Julia Holden

First of all, can I just say how much I love the cover of Julia Holden's debut novel, A Dangerous Dress? It perfectly captures the mood of the book (and of the dress that's the star of the show). We often compare the US and UK covers, and this is one time when (I think) the UK version is definitely superior. (Here's the original US version - what do you think?)

But what is the book like, you're wanting to know! Well, it's about a dress. Yes, really. Jane is a bored bank worker in the town of Bum****, Indiana (not its real name, but that's what everyone calls it 'cos its so boring). One day, she's contacted out of the blue by a film company who read an essay she wrote in university about the glamorous Parisian gown she found among her late grandmother's belongings. In the essay, she speculated about who might have designed it and where her grandma may have worn it, and talked about its wonderful design.

The film's production crew read her passionate essay and think she's just the person to track down a similar dress for their movie, so Jane packs her bags, hurriedly arranges a passport and catches a plane to Paris to work on a film and follow in her grandmother's footsteps... Love, excitement and glamour await her - or do they?

Well, she certainly has an interesting and exciting time, but it's a bit of a bumpy ride and things don't turn out as Jane expects ( wouldn't make a good book if they did!)

When I think about the plot of this book in retrospect, it seems a little silly but it has a fairytale-like quality that means you have to suspend disbelief as it's fairly unlikely the events of the book would take place in real life and a lot of the plot is based on coincidences and chance. But it's all so charming that I was completely absorbed in the story and couldn't wait to find out what would happen next. I absolutely raced through it and found Jane a charming, if naive, narrator. (A bit YA-ish if I'm honest). I was a little bit disappointed that the end didn't quite tie up all the loose ends, but a sequel would be great and I'll definitely read more by this talented new author.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on July 11, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Fashion-Lit, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

July 5, 2007 3:47 PM

BOOK NEWS: Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books

I've just read that Sarah Wendell and Lay-Ping “Candy” Tan of the very funny and very popular Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books blog, have signed a deal to write a book based on the blog. In other words "a funny, somewhat bitchy and adoring look at the world of romance novels." [via Dear Author.Com]

Sounds great. Diane and I will be cutting and pasting printouts to make our own Trashionista annual. Probably.

Book news archives

Posted by Keris on July 5, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 3, 2007 12:43 PM

TUESDAY THREE: Overboard!

When Diane mentioned the other day that we’d recently featured a couple of books with the word “Overboard” in the title, my Tuesday 3 radar went ping! (Tuesday 3 radar, £2.99, Argos. Probably.) So grab your life jacket as I splash out on three very different overboard books!

Love Overboard,  the second of the Janet Evanovich romance novel re-releases, features Ivan who is the proud owner of a two-masted schooner, and a descendant of pirates. During the holiday season he takes a charter of passengers out every week, the success of which relies on his trusted crew. Imagine his horror when, as he's preparing to take his final trip of the season, he's greeted by Stephanie - the woman he sold his beloved family home to only a matter of weeks ago.

The story chronicles the week aboard the 'Josiah T Savage' and then the aftermath, as the season draws to a close and everyone moves back onto dry land. Ivan struggles to regain his landlegs, and has to restrain himself as Stephanie refuses to return any of the approaches he makes. And then supernatural things begin to happen... what's haunting the house?

Sarah Smiley’s Going Overboard is subtitled "The misadventures of a military wife." It's a memoir of a year in the life of Sarah, whose husband Dustin is in the navy and, in this perilous political climate, often abroad in rather dangerous situations. Which means that Sarah is home alone with their two young boys, alternately worrying herself sick and cursing her husband for having joined up in the first place.

Aimee Ferris’s debut YA novel Girl Overboard focusses on the aptly-named Marina, whose ambition is to be a Marine Biologist. Leaving her ski-loving boyfriend behind in Vermont, Marina sets out on a six-week study tour of the Caribbean, where she'll be given the opportunity to swim with and learn about sharks, turtles and dolphins. Along with the inevitable teen angst and snogging, there's a message about ecology and endangered species making Girl Overboard as educational as it is entertaining.

Posted by Keris on July 3, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Non Fiction, Romance, Tuesday Three, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 29, 2007 5:34 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes

Who doesn't love a bit of Marilyn Monroe on a Friday afternoon? (Or anytime, in fact!?) I know our ed-in-chief Gemma is a big fan (if you ask nicely she might show you the pics of her dressed as Lorelei, Marilyn's character in this film... or she might not! Sorry, Gemma...)

Anyway! In Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Marilyn and Jane Russell (Dorothy, the sensible brunette - of course) go on a cruise to have fun and meet men, and succeed in doing both, though not without the odd scrape along the way, and of course, they have to sing as they go...

It's not the best movie starring either of these iconic actresses, but it is a bit of fun, and based on Anita Loos's cult classic novel. It also features "Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend", a number that's dazzling in more ways than one... (and was the inspiration for Madonna's Material Girl video, of course).

Carry on over the cut for a clip!

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Cult classic week, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Fabulous Little Black Dress competition!

Not only is it cult classic week, not only is it a year since Keris and I started at Trashionista, it's a year since the fabulous chick lit publishing imprint Little Black Dress came into existence! Such perfect synchronicity warrants a giveaway don't you think?

We do, too! That's why the lovely kind people at Little Black Dress are offering four Trashionista readers a wonderful prize: four readers will win a selection of five LBD titles.

It's a mystery (ooh!) what you'll receive, but LBD books that we've loved include The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes, Singletini , Pick Me Up and The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom, so we're sure there'll be something you'll enjoy.

To enter, simply email us the answer to this question: name one of the Little Black Dress books that we've loved. Put LBD in the subject line, and your name and address in the body of the email. Again, I'm afraid this is UK only. Good luck!

And don't forget our Bridget Jones's Diary giveaway too - she's been around a while, but she's still VERY worth (re)reading!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 29, 2007 in American Authors, British Authors, Competition, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 27, 2007 5:50 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

You may have heard of this one... can anyone reading Trashionista not have read this book (if so, why?)

Although Marian Keyes's Watermelon was technically the first chick-lit book, Bridget Jones's Diary (BJD) started as a column in the Independent a year before Watermelon was published. Helen Fielding's modern (cult) classic captured the zeitgeist of a generation, introducing us to Mark Darcy, Daniel Cleaver, Una Alconbury, the concept of f***wittage and the importance of Chardonnay.

Plus it introduced us to one of the literary heroine of the nineties: Miss Bridget Jones...

In case you don't know the storyline, a quick reminder: Bridget Jones keeps a diary of her year, which starts with her being introduced to a snobbish man she instantly hates, Mark Darcy, progresses via disastrous dinner dates, job humiliations and bad boyfriends like Daniel Cleaver until she ends up with the man who was right for her all along...

I re-read the book for this review, so I could give it a fair rating and check that nostalgia hadn't made me remember it as better than it was. Not only was it at least as good as I'd remembered, it's actually got better with time: the cultural references may not be as relevant, but Bridget's insecurities and observations may be even truer now than back when this was published. (Women seem to go to even greater lengths to try to please men, for a start...) None of us know what classic s will still be in print (if we still have print books) in a hundred years time. But BJD definitely deserves to be one of them. It's a cult and a classic.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 27, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Cult classic week, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

June 26, 2007 5:17 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Heading South by Luke Bitmead and Catherine Richards

I love the idea of books written by a man and woman together - Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees, Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer - you generally get both perspectives (male and female, that is) convincingly. Heading South is different. While it's written by a man and woman, Luke Bitmead and Catherine Richards conceived the idea to see if they could write convincingly as the opposite sex, i.e. Luke wrote as Cassie and Catherine as Nick. Luke and Catherine met via an online writing forum, but had never met in person when Luke tragically died last October, aged just 34.

Heading South doesn't have an enormous amount of plot. Basically Cassie is an artist, living in the Gloucestershire countryside with a menagerie of animals. She loves her life and her friends, but she hasn't yet found the right man. Nick lives in Sheffield and is nursing a broken heart. He's been unceremoniously dumped by his fiance and he's lost his job. But when a friend looks him up and invites himself to visit his family and new business in Gloucestershire, Nick finds himself heading south...

To begin with I didn't think I was going to be able to keep reading this book. Cassie is the most incredibly twee character I've read for a long time. I did like her, but she's so desperately, painfully sweet that I really struggled to identify with her (her pets are named after the AA Milne stories: a dog called Pooh, pheasant named Eeyore, even a horse called Christopher Robin). I found Nick more convincing than Cassie, but not particularly special. I liked him, but I didn't fall in love with him.

I never would have guessed that each character had been written by the author of the opposite sex, though, so Richards and Bitmead were certainly successful in their endeavour. 

Heading South is nothing new, but it was a bit like an old-fashioned respite from the real world. During the day, I found myself looking forward to getting back to it and losing myself in a world where women say "Crumbs!"

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Come Together by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees

Posted by Keris on June 26, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 22, 2007 9:53 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Girl Overboard by Aimee Ferris

Before reviewing YA novel Girl Overboard, I'd better admit to an interest - Aimee Ferris used to be a member of the online chick lit writing group I host. Reading a book by someone you know (albeit not in person) is always a bit of a worry - reviewing it is even scarier - but luckily Girl Overboard was just as good as I expected it to be.

Part of Penguin's Students Across the Seven Seas (SASS) series, Girl Overboard focusses on the aptly-named Marina, whose ambition is to be a Marine Biologist. Leaving her ski-loving boyfriend behind in Vermont, Marina sets out on a six-week study tour of the Caribbean, where she'll be given the opportunity to swim with and learn about sharks, turtles and dolphins.

Also on the boat are (inevitably) a new best friend (Jeannette), a mean girl (Rhee) and a hot boy (Link). While the characters may be predictable, the situations and settings aren't. Aimee worked with marine life in the Caribbean herself and her knowledge and passion for the subject shines through.

The thing I loved about this book was that while there was teen angst and (yes) snogging, there's also a message about ecology and endangered species that's even more convincing for being woven into the story. It's never heavy-handed or preachy.

Plus it's nice to read about a teen who is honest and acts with maturity and integrity, while still being cool and cute.

Girl Overboard is as educational as it is entertaining and that's a rare blend.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dramarama by E Lockhart

Posted by Keris on June 22, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

June 20, 2007 10:56 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Late Night Talking by Leslie Schnur

Lesley Schnur's debut novel, The Dog Walker, is one of my favourite chick lit books of all time, so I couldn't wait to read her second book, Late Night Talking. Also because its heroine, Jeannie Sterling, is obsessed with people's rude behaviour. Having ranted about littering and bad drivers many times myself, I knew it would be right up my street.

Jeannie presents a late night radio talk show, Sterling Behaviour, about all those thoughtless little things people do that drive other people mad: from leaving wet towels on the benches at the gym, to adults riding bikes on the pavement. With her producer and best friend, Luce, Jeannie takes calls from people reporting rudeness and discusses what should be done.

Meanwhile Jeannie's friend Thomas comes back from his journalist adventures in dangerous destinations. Jeannie's long harboured a fantasy that they might get together and when it turns out that Thomas has had the same idea, it finally seems like Jeannie's personal life might be as successful as her professional life.

When one night she calls a man she sees talking on his cellphone while also driving a Hummer of all things, she yells at him and he gets out of the car, resulting in a discussion that's as much flirtation as it is confrontation. The man turns out to be multi-millionaire businessman Nicholas Moss who, hearing Jeannie criticising him on the radio decides to get his revenge by buying the radio station...

Add a visit from Jeannie's unreliable father - along with his untrainable dog - and things might not be quite as ordered as they originally seemed.

Late Night Talking is an extremely entertaining and thought-provoking book. Jeannie is wonderful and her spats with Moss made me think of old Cary Grant movies (okay, they weren't quite that good - how about George Clooney and Catherine Zeta Jones in Intolerable Cruelty?). In fact, the entire book has a very filmic quality. I found myself obsessing over who I would cast in the movie (Gilmore Girls' Lauren Graham as Jeannie, George Clooney as Moss (natch), Matthew McConaughey for Thomas, Kristin Davies as Luce...).

The book has genuinely interesting things to say about personal and moral responsibility without being preachy or po-faced. Also, Lesley Schnur writes about New York beautifully (but I said that last time).

I didn't enjoy it quite as much as The Dog Walker, but it's still a wonderful book.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos

Incidentally, the cover above is the US cover and it reminds me a lot of the covers of Karen Quinn's first two books, particularly The Ivy Chronicles, see:

The UK cover of Late Night Talking is completely different. Which do you prefer?

Posted by Keris on June 20, 2007 in American Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 13, 2007 11:28 AM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

We've had a mother-son interview before, but this is the first mother-daughter writing combo to talk exclusively to us at Trashionista! And I'm excited they did, as I loved their books - Steamed and Simmer Down - and can't wait for the next in the series (Turn up the Heat, out March '08). In the meantime, we have this great interview...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

Jessica: Humorous and romantic culinary chick lit mystery set in the Boston restaurant scene. Recipes included!

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

Jessica: I write in my office surrounded sticky notes with book ideas scrawled across the yellows squares. I have visions of becoming totally organized and working in a neurotically neat space, but I suspect that will never happen. For reasons I don’t understand, there is no overhead light in my office, but I do have a grow light for my plants which casts a bizarre pink glow throughout the room, so that makes for an interesting atmosphere. (The neighbors must wonder if aliens have landed their ship in our house.)

Susan:  Outdoors, often on the back steps.

Your favourite chick-lit book?

J:  simply adore The Hazards of Sleeping Alone by Elise Juska. (By the way, this is one of those books where the cover doesn’t match the story.)

S:  Pride and Prejudice. Or maybe Emma. Yes, is Jane Austen the true mother of chick-lit?

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

J: Charlotte from Elise’s book is such an interesting and endearing character and her faults make her progress all the more meaningful. I love flawed characters; I mean, who wants to read about somebody completely perfect?

S: Elizabeth Bennet, who married the eternally irresistible Mr. Darcy.

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?

J: Start writing! It sounds obvious enough, but I know many “writers” who have yet to put anything down on paper. Don’t hem and haw over everything you write because you can always go back later and edit, delete, or expand on whatever you’ve written. I hate writing the first few paragraphs of a book so I often just skip ahead and write the opening lines later, otherwise I might sit poised over the keyboard for days waiting for some brilliant line to come to me... Do not try to copy another author’s style or your writing will be disastrous. I love Elinor Lipman’s books [me too! - Diane], but never in a million years could I write the way she does - I can only imagine how hideous my attempts would be. Show your work to someone. Anyone. As terrifying as this is to new writers, you must have someone else read what you’ve written. Be open to feedback and constructive criticism because that is how you improve!

S: If writing does not come naturally to you, quit trying. Read instead!

What are you reading at the moment?

J: Pick Your Poison by Leann Sweeney.

S: Anne Tyler’s Digging to America.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

J: I’ve been busy gathering materials for our website and am itching to get writing again. My mother and I are getting ready to sign a contract for two more books in the Gourmet Girl series so we will start plotting the fourth mystery very soon.

S: I was outlining my second cat lover’s mystery, but Holly Winter’s malamutes leapt in and shoved the cats aside, so I am writing my nineteenth dog lover’s mystery.

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

Jessica: Your husband is a chef so you must eat like a queen all the time, right? A: Yes, it’s foie gras and fancy chocolate cakes for dinner every night. Okay, not exactly, be we do eat well. My husband, Bill, works most nights so I’m often left to fend for myself. When he is home and cooking, his food is always spectacular.

Susan: What is a Harvard-Radicliffe summa doing writing dog mysteries, cat mysteries, and chick-lit? Answer: Having fun.

Thanks so much, Jessica and Susan!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 13, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 8, 2007 1:58 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Art of Undressing by Stephanie Lehmann

After really enjoying You Could Do Better, I was looking forward to Stephanie Lehmann's new book, The Art of Undressing. Except it's not a new book at all! First released in the UK in March this year, The Art... was actually written in 2005. (Those sneaky publishers!) Anyway, the fact that this is a slightly older book might be why I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I hoped I would.

It's about Ginger, a 25-year-old trainee chef who has always felt overshadowed by her mum Coco, a former stripper who now teaches the art of seduction... with Ginger as her mortified assistant. Ginger has a lot on her plate (ha! no pun intended): her sulky teenage stepsister and cold father are still reeling from the death of Ginger's stepmother, who was more of a maternal figure to Ginger than Coco has ever been. Plus Ginger's boyfriend Ian treats her badly, but when she dumps him and tries to seduce Tom, the hottest man at chef school, she doesn't have much luck there either. Does she need to cast off her sneakers and chef's whites and learn to be sexy just like mommy?

That's what the novel can't seem to decide: whether Ginger should conform more to society's expectations of sexually available young women, or whether she should stay true to herself. Whether she's repressed and uptight, or just her own person, with different morals to her mother. At the end of the book, we're left with the tentative feeling that Ginger is starting to relax and be more true to herself without being all uptight about it, but I think the novel tries to please both those people who think stripping is just a bit of fun, and those who find it exploitative. In the end, it doesn't quite please either. And although Tom had his moments of charm, I didn't think he was good enough for Ginger!

I do like Stephanie Lehman's style of writing, she combines real emotion with a fast-paced story, and had clearly done her research on the stripping 'industry' and the food one. The most realistic moments of the book were those which focused on Ginger's complicated family dynamic. Having a "blended family" myself, I thought she portrayed that particularly well.

But I never felt Ginger really learned to feel good about herself, as her own person, and that was disappointing.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Marsha Mellow and Me by Maria Beaumont.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 8, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

Phillipa Ashley's Decent Exposure wins the Joan Hessayon New Writers' Scheme Award

Phillipa Ashley has won the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon New Writers' Scheme Award for her debut novel Decent Exposure.

The award is presented to the best debut novel each year to have come through the RNA's New Writers' Scheme and been accepted for publication.

We'll be reviewing Decent Exposure soon.

Related posts: Little Black Dress | Rosie Thomas wins Romantic Novel of the Year 2007

Posted by Keris on June 8, 2007 in Book News, British Authors, Debut Novels, Prize Winners, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 6, 2007 10:49 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes by Jennifer Crusie, Eileen Dreyer & Anne Stuart

You all know how much we love Jennifer Crusie here at Trashionista, so a collaborative novel (Crusie is joined by Eileen Dreyer and Anne Stuart) was bound to be a treat. Plus, it's about three magical sisters. I was almost afraid to read it in case I was disappointed (I'm pessimistic like that). Was I?

Of course not. The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes is the story of Dee, Lizzie and Mare: three sisters who have been on the run from their Aunt Xan since their parents' death. Living in the small town of Salem's Fork, they're happy, but unfulfilled. Dee works in a bank and is desperate for Mare to go to college. Mare works at Value Video!! and Lizzie is obsessed with trying to turn straw into gold, believing that if their money problems were solved, all their problems would be solved.

But then three - no, four - gorgeous men arrive. Danny is researching the Fortune family for a book and wants Dee's help. Elric (a wizard) has come to help Lizzie control her powers. Mare's former boyfriend, Crash, has come back to win Mare back, but he's got competition in Jude, Value Video!! head honcho, who wants Mare for himself.

Odd that all the men have turned up at the same time? Not really. Turns out it's Xan's doing - she's arranged for the girls' true loves to come to town, but why?

Well, I'm not going to say, obviously. What I will say is that The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes is enormous fun. I was expecting three novellas, but it's not - it's a novel written by three women and it's impossible to see the joins (if I hadn't known Mare was Crusie's character, I wouldn't have been able to pick even that out). The women are strong and entertaining. The men are (almost) all gorgeous. It's (of course) very funny. And there's loads of sex. I hesitate to say that there might be too much (I thought they were never going to stop!) but that might just be me.

A book to snuggle up with and lose yourself in.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Enchanted Inc by Shanna Swendson

Posted by Keris on June 6, 2007 in American Authors, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 5, 2007 3:59 PM

GUEST BLOG and GIVEAWAY!: Katie Fforde

Katie Fforde, veteran chick lit writer, writes exclusively for  us about her new book, Going Dutch (find out how to bag a copy over the cut!) and...

Why sailing floats my boat by Katie Fforde

Ideas for books sometimes take you by surprise.  Going Dutch is a combination of two ideas, neither of which I'd really considered before.

The first idea came when I was chatting with some other writers about older heroines.  Although I didn't say so at the time I thought the last thing I wanted to do was to write about a women who was fifty.  Wondering why, I felt it was because I am quite settled in my life at that age and therefore wasn't interesting material.  Then I thought about the many women whose lives change drastically at that age and suddenly I did want to write about one.

We've had Accacia, our Dutch barge about five years now and I knew one day I'd have to write about her, but for me settings like that have to 'cook ' a bit in my mind before they're ready to be put into books.  When I'd had the idea about the older women, which I was worried could be a bit too similar to many other books if I wasn't careful, I thought, 'put the poor woman on a barge to make things a bit different!' 

There's a lot of Jo in me, or should that be the other way round? I love our barge, love all boats really, but only when they're safely tied up and I'm drinking a gin and tonic or something. The last thing I would ever want to do is go for a sea voyage in one. Going down the Thames and up the Medway was quite exciting enough for me. (It really was exciting coming home when there was a very thick early morning mist and we couldn't see a thing.)

It was after we'd got to Chatham that I endured the boat inspection bit which I put in the book. I was frantically editing at the time, perched on a high stool in my little cabin. Every time I heard anyone approach I leaped off my stool, closed the lid of my laptop and emerged with a smile on my face, wondering what had happened to the saloon since I’d last tidied it. I’d rather foolishly bulk bought Roses’s chocolates at an outlet store and had them sitting round in bowls for people to eat. No one was allowed off the boat without a handful, but we still didn’t win the Best Barge competition. It was a bit like comparing your very ancient, ill kempt old mongrel to a thoroughly groomed Afghan hound at a dog show.

If that's whetted (or wetted - ha ha) your appetite, email your name and address to editor@trashionista.com (with 'Katie' in the title) and three lucky readers will be chosen to win a copy of Katie Fforde's latest, Going Dutch! SORRY - UK only this time.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 5, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Guest blogs, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 1, 2007 6:10 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Monkey Love by Brenda Scott Royce

Brenda Scott Royce has got an intriguing job: she's Director of Publications for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association and editor of the Zoo's magazine, Zoo View, so she was surely the perfect person to write a book the star of which is a ... helper monkey.

Yes, stand-up comedienne and odd-job woman Holly is the heroine of Monkey Love, but Tallulah the capuchin monkey (like Ross's monkey, Marcel, on Friends) is the star. Holly's got a great New York life, free Starbucks from her best friend and barista Carter, a stand up double act with her other best friend (and Carter's other half, Danny) and an apartment featuring a cat named Grouch and a snake called Rocky (Rocky the Boa, get it?).

The snake belongs to Holly's cousin Gerry's girlfriend who won't take it back. After stealing a pair of Robert de Niro's socks, Gerry himself is more interested in his burgeoning celebrity sock empire than intervening between his girlfriend and his cousin, until he needs Holly's help that is.

The rest of Holly's family is equally eccentric, from her Aunty Betty who shows affection by biting, to her Aunt Kuki who raised Holly after her mother's death and father's desertion and isn't impressed with the life she's chosen. There's more - including a cute man and his daughter, a mysterious writer, a soap star upstairs neighbour, frozen rats and a rabbit, but I'm running out of space!

What I will say is that I really enjoyed Monkey Love - it packs an awful lot into 300 pages. It's charming, funny, original and there's a twist that actually made me gasp (I thought I had it all figured out, you see). It's not quite as funny as it thinks it is (during Holly's stand-up routine, the audience was howling/bent double with laughter while I didn't even smile) but it's a really fun book and well worth a read.

The sequel, Monkey Star, is out in August.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Comeback Kiss by Lani Diane Rich

Posted by Keris on June 1, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (3)

FRIDAY FLICK: Romeo + Juliet

Before Baz Luhrmann decided to make Moulin Rouge (not to mention one of the worst ads of all time), he burst into movie-making with this colourful adaptation which brought Shakespeare bang up-to-date whilst keeping the original language.

To say that it's dazzling would be an understatement: a modern soundtrack, technicolour sets, NYPD Blue-style camera work and the chemistry between a pre-Titanic Leo Dicaprio and a post-My So-Called Life Claire Danes made this a modern classic (based on a classic classic...)

It's fun, fabulous, and educational - what more could you want?!

Like this (but not even an eighth as good): Marie Antoinette.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on June 1, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 31, 2007 2:03 PM

PREVIEW REVIEW: The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer

Out on 21 June, The Sleeping Beauty Proposal is Sarah Strohmeyer's second fairytale-themed fiction, following The Cinderella Pact.

Despite its name, The Sleeping Beauty Proposal is a modern-day story about Genie Michaels, who has been dating university professor and newly successful author Hugh for four years. So when he proposes to her live on TV during a talk show interview, she's amazed but gratified, and can't wait to start planning her wedding. Until... she rings Hugh and he says he's sorry, he was proposing to the love of his life: but not to Genie.

So Genie's best friend  Patty comes up with a plan: as Hugh goes back to his native England to promote his book (with his new fiancee in tow), Genie will just pretend that he did propose to her after all. It's full steam ahead to a wedding that may or may not have a groom...

I love the concept of this novel: although it may sound a bit silly, Strohmeyer pulls it off. She also has lots of interesting points to make about the inferior way single women are treated in modern society and the way an engagement ring can open doors - even if its a cubic zirconia one you bought for yourself! (But then again, her characters seem to still want to get married rather than buck the system and be unconventional).

It was a little obvious how the book would end, but there were enough surprises along the way to keep it interesting. It made me a bit anxious to think what would happen when everyone found out the engagement was fake so I'm not sure how realistic it was that Genie would have been able to keep up the charade, but I guess truth is stranger than fiction and this is a fairytale, albeit a modern one... But why does the villain always have to be an Englishman?!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try London is the Best City in America by Laura Dave.

More wedding related gossip and news over at our sister site Bridalwave.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 31, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 30, 2007 3:30 PM

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Joanna Barrett

Joanna Barrett's The Men's Guide To The Women's Bathroom is a great read, out now in the US and in the UK with Little Black Dress. A witty romp through ladies' bathroom secrets, it has generated a huge amount of buzz, and will be made into a movie by Hugh Jackman's production team. So without further ado, here's what Joanna had to say when we grabbed her for a chat...

Please describe your latest book in 15 words or fewer:

The Men’s Guide to the Women’s Bathroom reveals the secrets behind the door marked “Women.”    

Where do you like to write your books (in bed, a coffee shop, an office)?

I write everywhere!  In fact, I’m answering these questions right now in the waiting room of my dentist’s office!  (Hey, if he’s going to make me wait, I may as well get some work done!) I think Tolstoy wrote War and Peace while waiting for the dentist. 

While in the midst of a novel, I sit in front of my computer in a bathrobe.  I often do not shower nor wash my hair.  I eat takeout and stare into the refrigerator abyss for something sweet.  I tend to ignore the phone and any semblance of a social life.  It’s a lonely time.  When I finish, I like to hear the hum of the printer as it prints out all those pages.  Such a comforting feeling, indeed.  P.S.  Is this too much information? [Not at all! I know the feeling... - Diane] 

Your favourite chick-lit book?

Pride and Prejudice, of course! 

Your favourite female heroine (if different from above!), and why?

I like writing about women with moxie. I loved former Texas Governor Ann Richards. She was a larger than life character. She’s probably the only person in the world who could get away with telling George W. Bush that he was “Born with a silver foot in his mouth.”

What tips would you give to any of our readers who want to become writers?

It helps to heed the old adage “Write what you know.” Why waste time inventing a story when your story is right in front of you? Of course, the most important part of writing is to put it down on paper. It’s only an idea until it becomes words on a page! I think the best book on the subject is On Writing, by Stephen King. [I do too - Diane]

What are you reading at the moment?

I try to read a book per week. This keeps words flowing through my head in order to make my own writing better. One of my favorite books is A Widow for One Year, by John Irving.

What are you working on now? (If you can give us a hint!)

My second novel [Killing Carlton] is due out on Valentines Day, 2008. Its heroine, Madeline Piatro, is in a relationship with a beautiful and yet very bad man. When this man breaks her heart and steals her business idea, she hires a loveable mob hit man to get revenge. And what woman doesn’t secretly yearn to do this!

What question have you never been asked in an interview, but think you should have been? (Tell us the question and answer it too, if you like!)

(I’ve never been asked this question!) That is…I’ve never been asked the question of what I’ve never been asked. Ha! Get it!

Actually, I wish someone would ask me whether I collect real-life stories to use in my novels. I have a good answer for this: yes! While writing The Men’s Guide to the Women’s Bathroom, I used some phenomenal quotes I overheard in women’s bathrooms. Please email me at jobarrett@jobarrettbooks.com if you have a fantastic bathroom story of your own!

And check out Joanna's website at jobarrettbooks.com. Thanks Joanna!

Interview archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Girly Stuff, Interviews, Modern Fiction, Movie News, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 25, 2007 1:25 PM

BOOK NEWS: Lost for Words by Lorelei Mathias

Lorelei Mathias, author of Step On It, Cupid (the book with the best trailer we've seen!) has a new book out now in hardcover and out in July in paperback. Called Lost for Words, it's the story of Daisy, who knows she's in love - she just doesn't know who with! Sounds like fun...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 25, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 22, 2007 1:15 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Frenemies by Megan Crane

I didn't like Megan Crane's first book as much as I'd hoped to (because she's friend of Trashionista, you see), but I absolutely loved her second, so I approached Frenemies with trepidation - which would it be, yay or nay? Well...

Augusta "Gus" Curtis is actually looking forward to the big 3-0. She's on track to having everything she wants: a great job, a gorgeous boyfriend, wonderful friends. That is, until, she walks in on her boyfriend, Nate, kissing her friend, Helen. Gus can't believe Nate would do that to her, but she's actually more upset about Helen's betrayal, especially since Helen won't leave her alone and seems to be doing everything in her power to drive Gus round the twist.

Realising that she's not quite as grown up as she would like to think, Gus decides to take action and drag herself into adulthood.

I loved Frenemies. Lots of the cover reviews (including a fabulous one from Marian Keyes) claimed it was unputdownable and, while no book is literally unputdownable (sorry, but it's one of my bugbears) I really didn't want to leave Frenemies until I got to the end.

Gus is great: the perfect combination of clueless and clued-in. Her friends Georgia and Amy Lee are fabulous too (particularly Georgia). Helen is just so painfully infuriating I wanted to leap into the book and slap her smug face. Even minor characters like Gus's boss and her next-door neighbour are brilliantly realised and entertaining. And I haven't even mentioned the gorgeous Henry (swoon).

I also loved the fact that the book was arranged almost entirely around parties. It reminded me a bit of St Elmo's Fire, which is one of my favourite films, so that's no bad thing at all.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

 

Posted by Keris on May 22, 2007 in American Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

May 18, 2007 11:01 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom by Jo Barrett

In Jo Barrett's debut novel, former lawyer Claire St John has left New York after divorcing her cheating husband Charles. She's now back home in Austin, Texas to write her bestselling book. About what, she's not quite sure... Then she hits on a brilliant idea: she'll demystify women for men. She'll call her book The Men's Guide to the Women's Bathroom. After all, the bathroom (by which she means public toilets - thank goodness for American euphemisms as that wouldn't make a snappy title!) is where Claire has received all the best (sometimes drunken) advice and where women mull over some of their biggest decisions, from 'shall I keep this baby?' to 'do I want to sleep with him tonight?' (Yes I know, those should be the other way around...)

As well as re-adjusting to life in Austin, ignoring her mother's dietary advice and running up and down the road in a bikini (don't ask), Claire is also falling for Jake Armstrong, a sexy food entrepreneur. But should she? A few discussions in front of the mirrors under harsh florescent bathroom lighting should help her decide...

In a similar way to A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, there's a book within a book here as we read both the novel and the book our heroine is creating. I enjoyed this book-within-book much more than the tractors one, though! Not only is Jo Barrett a smart, witty and talented author, but her heroine is too. The novel is full of great banter and memorable characters, and I'm sure it will translate brilliantly to the big screen.

Click here to read a sample chapter.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Time Off for Good Behavior by Lani Diane Rich.

PS: Do you prefer the American cover? I think it suits the book better.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 18, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK REVIEW: Lady Luck's Map of Vegas by Barbara Samuel

A good friend of mine has been telling me to read Barbara Samuel for ages. She insisted I’d love her books and, if Lady Luck’s Map of Vegas is anything to go by, she was right.

India is 40 with a well-established career, a boyfriend she sees only once a month, a bombshell of a mother and a schizophrenic twin sister who went off her meds and on the run when their father died a few months earlier. When her mother, Eldora, suggests a road trip both to try and find India’s sister, Gypsy, and because she’d like to return to Las Vegas where she lived for a time in the ‘60s, India flat out refuses. Her mother annoys the hell out of her and she can’t bear to spend that much time cooped up with her. Plus, she’s just discovered thiat she’s pregnant and she needs to work out how she fees and what she wants to do about that situation.

But eventually her mother wears her down and they set off together. India finds herself both enjoying the trip more than she expected and missing her boyfriend Jack more than she imagined. But he didn’t seem interested when she told him about the baby and she hasn’t managed to get hold of him since she’s been on the road. Plus her mother seems to be using the trip as a chance to tell India all sorts of secrets that India would really rather not know.

Lady Luck’s Map of Las Vegas is a book to wallow in. The women are gorgeous, sexy, confident and the men are (generally) gorgeous, sexy and powerful, but it’s no Jackie Collins-style bonkbuster. Samuel beautifully captures the emotions and conflict inherent in mother-daughter-sister relationships, along with writing evocatively about both New Mexico and Las Vegas. I never questioned a single moment of the book. It’s entirely believable and emotionally satisfying. Plus Jack is really hot.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Why Moms Are Weird by Pamela Ribon

Posted by Keris on May 18, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 14, 2007 11:00 AM

Nora Roberts one of Time's 100 most influential people

Nora Roberts, the prolific American romance and suspense author, was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2007. The author of more than 175 novels, she was one of only two writers on the list (the other was David Mitchell). [via Meg Cabot]

(I was surprised to see that Time's profile of Roberts was written by Andrea Sachs, since I thought she was fictional, but it turns out she's real.)

Related post: Nora Roberts' Lifetime movies

Posted by Keris on May 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 10, 2007 12:41 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Hex and the Single Girl by Valerie Frankel

Valerie Frankel is a well-known name on the US chick lit scene, but isn't quite so well known over here. Her two latest books (Hex and the City and I Take This Man) coming out on the Little Black Dress label should change all that (plus this book was recommended to us by no less than Meg Cabot, so who are we to argue?).

Hex and the Single Girl's Emma Hutch is a good witch. Her skill is telegraphopathy - transporting a picture from her head into someone else's. She uses her powers for good (cos she's a Good Witch), being hired by women to put pictures of them into the minds of the men they're after. Sort of magic matchmaking. Things haven't been going incredibly well, though, and she's in danger of losing the West Village apartment she loves, so when Daphne Wittfield offers her a giant cheque to snare eligible bachelor and computer-whizz William Dearborn, Emma can't resist. Even though she suspects Daphne's interests aren't exactly pure...

But then Emma meets William and, inevitably, falls for him herself. Not only is it an ethical nightmare, it also helps Emma realise it's about time she started dealing with her own romantic life instead of everyone else's. When a friend and former client comes to Emma and asks her to help get her obnoxious boyfriend, Jeff, back, Emma finds that Jeff is mixed up with an embezzlement scandal and will do anything to get Emma off his back.

This is really a quite peculiar book, but I enjoyed it. It's so tongue-in-cheek that's it's almost a parody of a chick lit book, but it's genuinely funny and quite gripping. It's very well-written - as you'd expect from a veteran like Frankel - and the characters are great. Emma's wonderful - funny, sexy and charming - and her best friend Victor's lovely too. Sometimes the humour was a bit broad for me and it was also a bit too farcical in places, but if you don't take your chick lit too seriously, you'll love Hex and the Single Girl.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try My Lucky Star by Joe Keenan

Posted by Keris on May 10, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (4)

May 9, 2007 5:11 PM

BOOK REVIEW: A Taste of Italy by Lucie Simone

I wasn’t sure what to expect from Lucie Simone’s short story A Taste of Italy. I knew it would be raunchy* since it was published by erotica publisher Freya’s Bower, but Carly, the heroine, seemed so sweet and charming that I just couldn’t see it getting too saucy ... boy, was I wrong.

Carly’s in Italy on holiday, but she’d also like to find a man. She’s not looking for anything permanent, but it’s a long time since she’s been with anyone and Italy certainly has a reputation for romance. But Florence is disappointing Carly at every turn, crummy hotel rooms, disappointing breakfasts, dodgy men and bad weather has Carly at the end of her tether, but then she meets fellow American, David and things quickly look up.

A Taste of Italy is a quick and entertaining read. There’s not much of a plot, but it reads as a sort of extended sexual fantasy, so it doesn’t really need one. There were a few cliches that made me wince, one line that made me laugh out loud (it was intended to, I hope) and the sex was actually sexy (if a little full-on). I was hoping for a little more Italian atmosphere, but that might just be me.

I definitely look forward to reading more from Lucie Simone (I was disappointed to learn that’s a pseudonym - it’s such a gorgeous name).

* Freya's Bower rates it as "tangy" -  how fabulous is that?!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley-Burke

Posted by Keris on May 9, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (7)

BOOK REVIEW: Accidental It Girl by Libby Street

I read the beginning of Libby Street's Accidental It Girl, and was hooked:

People hate me.

Some of them openly despise me.

I'd bet a couple dozen would cheer if I were maimed.

People. Hate. Me.

And why do people disapprove of our narrator/heroine Sadie Price so much?

Because she's a member of the paparazzi, of course.

When she's involved in a chase in which she totals her car and gets on the wrong side of Hollywood bad boy Ethan Wyatt, she thinks the damage is only physical. Wyatt decides to try to turn the tables on Sadie, and give her a taste of her own medicine...

I loved the theme of this book - it was interesting to read about a woman paparrazo for a start, and even more interesting to imagine what it would be like to be followed by the paps, and to learn about the tactics they use. I certainly think I'll be more sympathetic when I see grumpy-looking celeb shots in future (the photographer's probably just called them a bitch and insulted their loved ones, not to mention followed them for miles).

The outcome of the story was easy to predict, but I still enjoyed it a lot. (My one small complaint about the book is Sadie kept saying she was 'a paparazzi, when the word for one person is 'paparazzo'... but I'm a bit anal like that so don't let me put you off!)

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Fashion Babylon by Imogen Edwards-Jones and Anonymous.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 9, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 8, 2007 11:48 AM

BOOK REVIEW: More Than Love Letters by Rosy Thornton

As the title of Rosy Thornton’s debut would suggest, More Than Love Letters consists of letters, emails, newspaper articles, minutes of meetings, and more. I love Meg Cabot’s epistolary novels - including Boy Meets Girl - but could More Than Love Letters match up?

In a word, yes. Margaret Hayton is a primary school teacher saddled with what she thinks is an old person’s name. Her name helps her local MP, Richard Slater, assume she’s an interfering old biddy who feels compelled to write to him about everything from dog muck in the local park to VAT on sanitary protection to the EU Emissions Trading Directive. Once Richard realises that Margaret’s actually young - and gorgeous - he becomes more interested in both her and her causes.

Interspersed with the story of Margaret and Richard's burgeoning relationship is that of the girls living in the women’s refuge Margaret volunteers at (called, fantastically, Women of Ipswich Together Combating Homelessness or "WITCH"). Domestic violence, bereavement, immigration and asylum seeking all are touched upon in a genuinely thought-provoking way.

Like A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian, More Than Love Letters manages to balance serious issues with being the funniest book I’ve read for a while (since this one, in fact). I don’t quite know why it hasn’t been given the same attention as Marina Lewycka’s novel (actually, the chick lit cover - featuring, yes, butterflies - probably has something to do with it), but I highly recommend it!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian (non chick lit) or Rachel’s Holiday (chick lit)

Posted by Keris on May 8, 2007 in British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 7, 2007 7:57 PM

Romantic Times furore

Yesterday I was reading Teach Me Tonight and something in this post intrigued me:

The background is that on Friday the 27th of April Karen Scott posted a rather critical review of an ebook. There were a number of comments made, including one allegedly posted by Kathryn Falk, CEO of Romantic Times. Karen then responded to this comment, quoting it in full and confirmation that it was indeed written by Falk was posted here, except that when the Smart Bitches talked to Falk, she said, 'Someone took my words but that isn’t me'.

Um. Pardon? Now I generally don't read much erotic fiction, I'm not familiar with Kathryn Falk or, for that matter, Karen Scott, but who could read the above and not want to read on?

So I clicked over and read the original review, which I thought was absolutely hilarious (but, I have to warn you, very adult). I then read everything else linked to above and was left ... utterly confused, but even more intrigued.

Ron Hogan at Galleycat is of course looking into it too, but he hasn't got very far either.

Call me pathologically nosey, but I'm really looking forward to seeing how it plays out...

Posted by Keris on May 7, 2007 in Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

May 4, 2007 11:24 AM

BOOK REVIEW: A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton

I promised you I'd be reviewing this week's guest blogger's book, and now: I am! (Stay tuned on Monday for a chance to win a copy).

A Piece of Normal by Sandi Kahn Shelton is the story of Lily Brown, who's happy with her life. (She thinks). She works as an advice columnist for the local paper, lives alone with her four year old son Simon and is still on great terms with her eccentric ex-husband Teddy.

Then her sister Dana, who's been missing for the last ten years, turns up out of the blue, and her sudden appearance shakes up Lily's cosy existence more than either of them could have imagined...

I really enjoyed this book. It's well-written, the characters felt real to me, and I found it very witty (especially at the start of the book, before the emotional trauma begins!) I also found myself really identifying with Lily and getting incredibly angry with Dana, which has to be the sign of a good story. I couldn't believe some of the things Dana did! I wasn't sure how Shelton could make her even half-way sympathetic by the end of the book, but somehow she managed it.

I still cried at the end, though. 

Rating: 4 out of 5 (although it's a 4.5 in my heart)

Like this? Try In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 4, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 2, 2007 11:03 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Simmer Down by Jessica Conant-Park and Susan Conant

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, never having read a culinary-themed mystery before. Would it be a delicious blend of genres, or a recipe for disaster? And would I stop thinking in culinary metaphors? Time would tell...

Simmer Down is the story of social work grad student Chloe Carter, who's happily loved up with chef boyfriend Josh and looking forward to the opening night of Simmer, the new restaurant where Josh is about to start work.

But on New Year's Eve, at a local gallery's benefit to support the anti-harassment group Chloe works for, at which Josh is cooking, things spiral out of control. Not only does Chloe's ex, Sean turn up out of the blue, but so does Josh's less than pleasant previous girlfriend Hannah, who'd working for a rival restaurant chain. And when Oliver, one of the bosses of that rival group is later found murdered (bludgeoned to death by Josh's supersized food processor), the suspects start piling up...

Could it be the bitchy Hannah? Oliver's wife Dora? Or even his business partner Barry? Or maybe even an unknown business rival? No-one knows, but Chloe thinks that for the sake of Josh's future career, she should be the one to find out...

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I'm not generally a fan of genre fiction, and worried that this book's kitschy cover (like a modern-day Nancy Drew) could be an attempt to hide less-than-quality writing. But I read the first page, and loved it, and then the second... and before I knew it I'd devoured the whole book. This would be the perfect summer read, and was interesting, witty and unpredictable (with mouthwatering descriptions of food and even recipes for said food at the back of the book). I'll definitely look out for the next delicious novel by this mother-daughter writing team.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this?  Try Faking It by Jennifer Crusie.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 2, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 1, 2007 8:14 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The First Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare

I loved The Second Assistant, so when I heard that the authors of that book had written a sequel, catching us up with Lizzie Miller one year on from the end of that book... well, I snapped up a copy quicker than a very snappy thing indeed.

So how is Lizzie's life looking twelve months later? Well, she's been dating producer Luke Lloyd for most of that year, has been promoted to first assistant and is great friends with her predecessor Lara, who also happens to be her boss's wife. Heck, she's even made up with Jason Blum, the screenwriter friend who screwed her over.

But there are a few things stopping Lizzie from being truly happy...

First, there's evil Amber, the new second assistant, who's snotty, underhanded and - of course - British. Is she out to sabotage Lizzie, and if so, how? Then there's a new client at the agency, LiLo-esque actress Emerald, who Lizzie's being sent to Thailand to babysit. AND on top of all that, Lizzie isn't sure if she's ready to settle down with Luke without establishing a career and cash flow of her own first. It's going to be an interesting few months...

I don't know if it's ever possible to enjoy the sequel to a successful first novel as much as the original, and I didn't like this book quite as much as The Second Assistant. But the authors haven't had a sophomore slump, either - this is a perfectly entertaining book, and definitely kept my interest. I was pleased that it ended in a more Hollywood fairy-tale way, which was lacking from the previous novel. That makes the ending a bit unrealistic, but in a novel about Hollywood, who wants gritty realism?

It seems like the last we've seen of Lizzie - I hope we've left her to enjoy her happy ending - so I am interested to see where Naylor and Hare turn their attentions next.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Second Assistant by Clare Naylor and Mimi Hare.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 1, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

More on PS I Love You - the film

We've reported on filming of Cecilia Ahern's smash-hit novel PS: I Love You before: remember when Hilary Swank was injured?

But did you know Friends star Lisa Kudrow is in it? - I didn't! James Marsters from Buffy is also co-starring. And so is Kathy Bates, and Harry Connick Jr (last seen as the totally obnoxious Leo in Will and Grace).

News on a release date as soon as we get it!

[Via Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on May 1, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Irish Authors, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 30, 2007 11:11 AM

MOVIE NEWS: The Jane Austen Book Club

I seem to be the only Trashionista writer who loved The Jane Austen Book Club , but obviously people somewhere agree with me, as Hollywood quickly snapped up the rights for a big screen version of the novel.

Emily Blunt, who played the English first assistant (based on Plum Sykes?) in The Devil Wears Prada, stars, along with Amy Brenneman from (one of my faves) Judging Amy. Hugh Dancy, who will also star in Bronte (it's in 'pre-production' now) is in it too - but there's no news on a release date yet.

We'll keep you posted.

[Via Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Recent Release, Richard and Judy, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 24, 2007 1:18 PM

BOOK REVIEW: How To Sleep With a Movie Star by Kristin Harmel

I’ve had a bit of a bad run of books lately: boring characters, lifeless plots, unsatisfying endings, so I picked up How to Sleep With a Movie Star hoping it would be a nice chunk of escapism that would leave me with a smile on my face. I wasn't disappointed.

Claire Reilly, celebrity editor at Mod magazine (which is pretty similar to Ugly Betty’s Mode magazine), can’t understand why her layabout boyfriend Tom has lost interest in her. And writing an article singing the praises of one night stands doesn’t help her work it out. Sent to interview Hollywood megastar, Cole Brannon, Claire expects him to be a typical egomaniac, but he's not - he's down to earth, sweet and even more gorgeous in real life. And he seems interested in her, but he couldn’t be, could he?

When a backstabbing colleague finds out about Claire’s friendship with Cole, Claire's worried her boss will question her professionalism, despite the fact that she hasn’t actually done anything wrong. That doesn’t matter, of course, if someone’s got it in for you and soon - thanks to the evil colleague and not helped by Claire's own low self-esteem - Claire’s life is falling apart.

How to Sleep With a Movie is great fun. Cole Brannon is gorgeous (if a little too good to be true, but this is fantasy, so that’s okay). Claire is sweet (if a little wet, but that just makes the story even more Cinderella-ish) and the baddies are really, really bad (in a good way). I really enjoyed it - it would be perfect for the beach - and I’m looking forward to Kristin Harmel’s next book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Living Famously by Laura Caldwell

Posted by Keris on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

BOOK NEWS: 21 Proms

With the popularity of anthologies like This Is Chick Lit (and er, that other one), a teen short story anthology was obviously well overdue. 21 Proms is a collection of stories about... prom nights. (Who'd have thought?!) It features  YA authors like John Green and E Lockhart, as well as chick lit crossovers like Sarah Mlynowski.

Being an anthology, of course it has to have several feet on the cover - but it sounds like a great read!

[Via Galleycat]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 24, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance, Short Story Collections, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 18, 2007 6:35 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Last week, we talked about the huge advances given to celebrity authors - and had a pretty lively debate (-- click that link to check it out!)

This week: some more Austen, in Yay or Nay form this time! Please tell me I'm not the only one old enough to remember Emma Thompson's excellent, Oscar-winning film adaptation of Sense and Sensibility? (Okay, it's not that old, just eleven years... same as Emma, clearly Austen has a revival every decade or so.)

I do love that big-screen version, though. So I have mixed feelings about the fact that Andrew Davies, the man who thought to put Colin Firth in a wet shirt, is making a new version for the small screen. Will it be as good as the film? Better? Or have we had Austen adaptation overload?

Tell us what you think: The new S & S: is it a Yay, or a Nay - and why?

Yay or Nay archives.

[Don't forget it's Yay or Nay day at Hippyshopper, Bridalwave, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny, too!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 18, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Romance, Television, Yay or Nay? | Permalink | Comments (4)

April 17, 2007 10:57 AM

Jane Austen and Stephanie Laurens

The next essay in our special Austen Week series comes courtesy of Stephanie Laurens: why does she think so highly of Jane?

The potent magic of Regency-era romances transcends time. To this day there is no more compelling hero than a Regency gentleman, no feistier heroine than a Regency miss - the continuing popularity of Regency romances testifies to this. (There are few women in the world who would turn down a waltz with Mr. Darcy, regardless of whether they can waltz or not. )

Austen invented the subgenre, and countless storytellers, myself included, have followed in her wake. Jane created the stage on which I, a modern-day storyteller, walk – and If Jane Austen hadn't written her books, I can't imagine I would have written mine.

Stephanie Laurens's new novel 'The Truth About Love' is out now.

Jane Austen and Julia Quinn

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in American Authors, Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: Emma by Jane Austen

I wanted to read this ever since I saw (and loved) the 1996 film version starring Gwyneth Paltrow. A couple of years ago, I finally got around to it!

Although not as hyped as Pride and Prejudice, I think Emma is just as good. It's the story of (and this will surprise you) a young woman called Emma - Emma Woodhouse, who lives with her elderly father, who is ill, yet also a terrible hypocondriac (a great combination!) He and Emma love each other very much though, and after Emma's friend and former governess Mrs Weston marries and moves away, they're almost each other's only companion. Except for Emma's sister's brother-in-law (keep up!) that is - the slightly older but very charming Mr Knightley... Then Harriet Smith comes to town, and suddenly Emma has a friend her own age for the first time. She can't resist trying to use her self-proclaimed talent for match-making to try to set Harriet up with one of the eligible men around Highbury... Perhaps Mr Elton? Or even Mr Knightley?...

Emma meanwhile has her interest aroused by charismatic newcomer Frank Churchill - but could he just be playing with her emotions? And is Mr Knightley's constant teasing his way of covering his love for her? (Oh it's Austen, what do you think? Er, I mean, read it and find out!)

Emma's a wonderfully entertaining, intelligent but flawed character (with a lot more guts than Lizzie Bennett). Perhaps most controversially, I think Mr Knightley is a MUCH more interesting and sexy character than old repressed Darcy. Yes, he patronises Emma a little, but she needs someone to bring her down to earth -  and he needs someone to stop him being too serious, which Emma is great at. (Plus, and purists will hate me for saying so, he's pretty darn foxy in the film...)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Persuasion.

*DID YOU KNOW?* Nora Ephron once wrote an essay saying she'd love to be Lizzie Bennett, but she's much more like Emma Woodhouse - flawed, gossipy - but fun.

PS: Check out the new pretty cover - even Austen's been given the butterfly treatment!

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 17, 2007 in Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 16, 2007 5:20 PM

Jane Austen and Julia Quinn

All week, we'll be asking chick lit writers to talk about their own Austen obsessions, and how Jane has influenced them…

Julia Quinn got started as a romance author by asking herself: What Would Jane Do?

I was holding a scalpel, dissecting the unfriendly end of a human cadaver, when it occurred to me: I don't want to be Madame Curie.  I want to be Lizzie Bennet.  I want to be Elinor Dashwood.  I want to be Jane Austen.

So I did it.  I ditched medical school.  I threw out my science textbooks.

I glued myself to my computer.  (Surely Jane - practical Jane - would choose a computer.)  And I wrote...

Eleven years later, I'm still writing. I still want to be Lizzie Bennet (I blame Matthew MacFadyen for that), and yes, I still want to be Jane.

But when I sit down at my keyboard and plunk my characters down in a regency ballroom, I get to be a little bit Janeish, and that's good enough for me....

Julia Quinn is the author of the New York Times bestseller ‘On The Way To The Wedding’, and has been compared to Helen Fielding by Time magazine.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on April 16, 2007 in American Authors, Austen Week, Book related, Classic Novels, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

April 12, 2007 6:16 PM

BOOK REVIEW: 31 Dream Street by Lisa Jewell

Like Marian Keyes' books, I look forward to Lisa Jewell’s books desperately, with only her occasional newsletters, full of travel, glamorous dinner and photos of her gorgeous daughter to keep me going in the meantime. 31 Dream Street is Jewell’s sixth book and, like her others, it’s completely wonderful.

Leah has lived opposite the huge “Peacock House” for years. She’s watched the residents come and go, dying to know their stories, but has never spoken to a single one. But when she finds “Old Skinny Guy” face down on the pavement in front of the house, she finds herself being introduced to - and learning the stories of - all the residents. And so, of course, does the reader.

We meet “Girl with the Guitar” - Ruby, a wild and promiscuous singer who’s been living in the Peacock House since she was 16; “Young Skinny Guy” - Toby, a shy, stuck, failed poet whose father gifted him the house and then disappeared from his life, as did his wife after just three weeks of marriage; “the Teenager” - Con, a post boy at Conde Nast, brought up by his grandmother after being abandoned by his mother; “the Air Hostess” - Con’s mother, desperate to make it up to him; and “Sybil” (so-called because she changes her image so often) - an actress researching a role ... or is she?

Through a series of letters we learn that Toby advertised for creative types who needed a place to live with rent on an ad-hoc basis and ended up with the above motley bunch. But when Toby learns that a) the house is now probably worth close to £1million and b) his father’s coming back to see what he’s done with his life, he realises that it’s about time he ... er ... did something with his life. And that Leah’s just the person to help him. So the two of them come up with a plan to learn about the residents, find out what will make them happy, help them achieve it and get them out of the house!

Written down like this, 31 Dream Street actually seems much more far-fetched than it actually is. As always, Lisa Jewell makes you believe these people actually exist and by the end of the book you feel as if you’re reading about friends. Leah is wonderful, Toby is gorgeous and there are no caricatures here (with the possible exception of Ruby).

Although the book is tied up neatly and conveniently, none of it is unbelievable or unconvincing. Jewell’s been called the most “emotionally intelligent” of the chick lit authors and I agree. Despite the fact that it’s almost 500 pages long, I read it in a day with no effort at all. (Plus Jewell always writes evocatively about London and, since 31 Dream Street is set in East Finchley, where I used to live, it was a lovely nostalgic read too!)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try Vince & Joy by Lisa Jewell

Posted by Keris on April 12, 2007 in British Authors, New Releases, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 11, 2007 10:30 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Let's Get Lost by Sarra Manning

Taking a break from the usual chick-lit titles, I thought I'd review something different. Okay, so it is chick-lit I suppose, only for youngsters. And before you roll your eyes at me and say, 'Hey - aren't you, like, twenty?!' then let me tell you that basically, we're all young at heart. And I'm twenty-two. So there.

And let's face it, it's hard to resist a beautifully-written crossover, which can only briefly describe Sarra Manning's Let's Get Lost. Author of other teen tales such as Guitar Girl and Pretty Things, Manning has a wonderful ability to portray teenage issues in a way that's compelling for teens and adults alike.

High-school bad girl Isabella is best known around school for her bad attitude and personal army of tag-along friends. With a father she finds relatively easy to control and a life of doing practically everything she wishes, Isabel is the girl that everyone else wants to be. However, haunting her daily is the death of her mother: something she feels responsible for and something which will, it seems, never leave her.

When she meets the seemingly wonderful - and not to mention older - Atticus Smith at a party, Isabel is immediately mesmerised. A university student, his freedom and contentment reaches out to Isabel the sad rebel who cannot get away from the fact that everyone knows about her mother's death.

Throughout the book, Isabel and Smith become closer, and sometimes not so close again, as Smith struggles to uncover just what makes Isabel who she is. With trouble brewing in school, and friends gradually beginning to grow apart, Smith is the only thing Isabel has to hold onto. But will everything stay the same?

Despite being aimed at teenagers, Let's Get Lost is a fabulous read for absolutely anyone, touching on the subject of bereavement and how it can affect everyone someone so young. A tale of young romance and a secretive girl almost lost in her many layers that will either make you yell out 'I told you so' or... well... cry.

Admittedly it's not the funniest book out there, but frankly? It doesn't need to be. Sharp writing and a moving tale is what makes this book unique. So I'd recommend it to anyone who is in need of something cute yet serious. Manning certainly has a gift for compelling writing and she demonstrates it beautifully throughout this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Boy Book by E Lockhart.

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on April 11, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (5)

Mills & Boon on your mobile

From next month Mills & Boon will be making eight titles in their Modern Romance line and 20 MIRA titles available for download to read on your mobile phone.

Further titles will become available each month thereafter and, if the venture proves successful, the back catalogue could be added. They'll be priced at £1.99 for Mills & Boon and £4.99 for MIRA.

Alison Byrne, the UK publishing director for Harlequin Mills & Boon, said, "For many people there's still that embarrassment factor of carrying your Mills & Boon around. When you are using your mobile phone nobody knows what you are doing, whether you are texting a friend or playing a game."

Publishers Penguin, Random House and HarperCollins have also signed up with ICUE, a British company offering the capability to transfer books into mobile phone-friendly content. [via Galleycat and Times Online]

So what do you think? Would you be happy to read a book on your phone, or do you prefer them in, well, paper form?

Related posts: Ebooks - the future of reading? | Harlequin/NASCAR romances

Posted by Keris on April 11, 2007 in Book related, Romance, Technology | Permalink | Comments (0)

April 10, 2007 12:32 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Fortune Quilt by Lani Diane Rich

I’ve loved every one of Lani Diane Rich’s books and her latest, The Fortune Quilt, is no exception.

When TV producer Carly McKay goes to interview a psychic quiltmaker, Brandywine Seaver, she has no idea that her life is about to change completely ... until, that is, Brandy gives her a reading on a quilt she's made for Carly.

Carly doesn’t believe in psychics, but when her TV show closes down, her runaway mother returns after 17 years and her best (male) friend tells her he’s been in love with her for years, she returns to the arty town of Bilby to ask Brandy what the hell’s going on.

Partly due to the town's charms (not least sexy neighbour, Will) and partly because she's afraid to go home, Carly finds herself making a life in Bilby, but when the quilt inspires her to make things right and get back what she’s lost, Carly's forced to risk everything she’s found.

This is the type of book I would have bunked off work to read (when reading books wasn’t my job). Carly’s a lovely, funny, charming and flawed character and Will is incredibly sweet and sexy. I love the town of Bilby with its cast of eccentrics (I really hope Rich will return there in future books) and Carly’s family - father, sisters, repentant mother - are perfect too.

A lovely, sweet, funny book that I read with a great dopey smile on my face. Oh and if you’re a fan of Lani Diane Rich’s books, you might find a clue as to what one of her previous characters is up to. Brilliant.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Like this? Try A Boy of Good Breeding by Miriam Toews

Posted by Keris on April 10, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 5/5, Recent Release, Romance | Permalink | Comments (7)

April 9, 2007 1:57 PM

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Teach Me Tonight

Following Diane's Guardian book blog in defence of chick lit, it was suggested (by a commenter) that there is no academic writing about Mills & Boon. Like many of the points made in the comments (read them at your peril), this is incorrect. Not only does academic writing on Mills & Boon and romance exist, there is also academic study of chick lit.

You could take a course at Harvard or Indiana University South Bend, or you could read Teach Me Tonight, an accessible and entertaining group blog focussing on romance fiction from an academic perspective.

The latest post mentions the following paper given by Lesa Smith, Wilfrid Laurier University: "Emailing Romance: Epistolary Form in the Modern Romance Novel" - Smith examined the conventions used in Meg Cabot's The Boy Next Door, a novel told entirely in emails and attachments, against the epistolary conventions used in Fanny Burney's Evelina.

Which I think you'll find was a link made by me (well, not quite, but close enough that I'm claiming it) in our Top  10 chick lit precursors list last year. See, I knew my English Lit degree hadn't been wasted!

Trashionista recommends archives

Posted by Keris on April 9, 2007 in Book related, Romance, Trashionista Recommends | Permalink | Comments (4)

March 30, 2007 3:29 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Taking The Plunge by Stacie Lewis

Taking The Plunge is an antidote to those happy, fluffy, "isn't planning a wedding a wonderful dream" type books that so often grace chick lit shelves. Not that there's anything wrong with those books per se, but they are escapism, aren't they? As anyone planning a wedding (and about five people I know currently are) will tell you, it's a stressful experience at the best of times.

And Stacie Lewis's debut novel certainly does not describe the best of times...

A touching and jaw-dropping account of one woman's pre-wedding calamities (that makes a great case for elopement!) this is the story of Bernie, an American in London who gets engaged to her British boyfriend and is deliriously happy about it - until she tells all four (yes) of her parents, and they start to make her life a misery...

And I really mean a misery: because both her parents are divorced and re-married, arguments and power struggles ensue about everything from who pays for what to the wording of the invitations. And because Bernie is in London, she doesn't have as much control over her big day as she'd like - is the venue really okay? Surely she doesn't have to have the cheapest dress available? And she can choose her own rabbi to perform the service, right? Everything becomes a struggle, and more than once Bernie and Sam think about eloping.

At times, all this tension is funny but as it becomes more dramatic it's just horribly sad that something supposed to be a happy event is hijacked by the selfish attitudes of the bride's parents, who are old enough to know better. What's really sad is that this is based heavily on Stacie Lewis's own experience (how she managed to forgive her mother for something that happens later on in the book, I don't know, although I do admire her for it).

The structure of the book is a little odd, as "Wedding Truths" are included at the beginning of each chapter. These good, although very cynical observations are made by the author (and this is where it's made clear that the events of the book really happened). I think I'd have preferred the whole book to have kept one narrative voice - or it would also have worked brilliantly (better?) as a memoir.

Saying that, I found this a compulsive and enjoyable read - a fast, easy read made even more intriguing by the fact that a lot of it is based on the author's real experiences, although if I wanted to get married, I'd think two or three (hundred) times about having a big wedding after reading Taking the Plunge. And I won't be passing it on to my stepsister or my engaged friends until after they've tied the knot!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Wedding Belles by Zoe Barnes. [-- That comp, though, is now closed - sorry!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 28, 2007 1:11 PM

BOOK REVIEW: The Year of Living Famously by Laura Caldwell

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Laura Caldwell so I was really excited to read this … but I was slightly disappointed. I really enjoyed it, don’t get me wrong, but it was missing a spark.

It’s the story of unsuccessful fashion designer Kyra who falls in love with and marries a relatively unknown Irish actor who then becomes incredibly famous. The celebrity lifestyle - stalkers, paparazzi, staff - completely freaks her out and I think that was partly my problem. Kyra complains about everything. When they move to a big house she complains that it’s too big. When she starts selling her designs she whinges that she’s only successful because of who her husband is. I kept wanting to tell her to get over herself.

All that aside, it’s very well-written with some lovely characters (although Declan, the husband, wasn’t sexy enough for my liking) and towards the end it was gripping enough that I actually missed a train while reading it! I’ll definitely be reading more of Laura Caldwell’s books.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Good In Bed by Jennifer Weiner

Posted by Keris on March 28, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 27, 2007 4:18 PM

Love in the book signing queue

Maybe it's just the crowd I run with, but whenever I've been to book signings or author readings, it's usually been women of all ages and the odd (sometimes very odd) older man - not exactly the ideal breeding ground for romance. The lucky couple in this picture met in the queue at a signing of bestselling American crime author Lisa Scottoline's book Dirty Blonde, and by the time they'd reached the signing table, had arranged to meet for coffee. A year later, they're still together!

So next time you're at a book event, you might want to take a good look around for any viable prospects, ladies...

[Via Galleycat].

Related posts: Posh is a signing sensation | In defence of romantic novels

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 27, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

In defence of romantic novels

At the risk of incurring the wrath of literary snobs (as I did a couple of weeks ago when I blogged that chick lit... could be good), Guardian books blog writer Henrietta Clancy is today standing up for that frequently maligned genre, the romance novel. In particular, Mills and Boon.

Do we have any big romantic fiction fans out there? I'd always prefer chick lit and, to be honest, romance doesn't appeal to me (maybe I'm just not very romantic) but, of course, I won't sneer at anybody who enjoys it! Unlike some people.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 27, 2007 in Book Websites, Book related, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: White Tigress by Jade Lee

I have to admit, I opened Jade Lee’s White Tigress - the first book in Lee’s Tigress series - with a fair amount of trepidation. Set in 1897, an English woman is kidnapped and subsquently purchased by a Chinese man who wants to use her yin to help him achieve immortality? Well, it’s just not the kind of thing I read. But I kept an open mind and I’m so glad I did.

Lydia Smith arrives early in Shangai with the intention of surprising her fiance Maxwell. Instead she is kidnapped and drugged and wakes up shackled to the bed in a brothel. Purchased by Ru Shan, she has no idea what he wants with her, but he promises it’s not her virginity. Instead he needs her yin - and in case you don’t know what that is (I didn’t) it’s her, um, feminine essence. He needs it because he has too much yang (I bet you can guess what that is) and he needs to be balanced in order to reach immortality. Yes, I know.

White Tigress is an entertaining, exciting and erotic book. I was worried it was going to be about a white woman being corrupted by a foreign “other”, but it’s much more interesting than that. Yes, you do need to suspend disbelief, but Lee writes so compellingly that it’s not as difficult as you might think. Even when faced with lines like, “Let the yin come, Li Dee. Open your plum flower!” “But the river flows through your cinnabar cave. I must have access to that.” And that’s without even mentioning his “jade dragon”. But the world Lee has created is so convincing that I didn’t laugh (much).

Having said that, the ending was a little far-fetched even for me, but it was also the only way it really could have ended. White Tigress reminded me of a lot of other books (Mills & Boon, Shogun, Danielle Steel, The Celestine Prophesy) while, at the same time, being like nothing I’ve ever read before. Recommended.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Taming the Beast by Emily Maguire

Posted by Keris on March 27, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Series | Permalink | Comments (2)

March 16, 2007 2:44 PM

BOOK NEWS: Forget Me Not

Okay, this will be my last maternally-themed post of the week, I promise!

Forget Me Not is the new book by Isabel Wolff (her seventh!) and was released on 5th March. It's the story of Anna Temple, a 36 year old City Analyst who, after the sudden and unexpected death of her mother, is forced to re-evaluate her life. Anna decides to get a new job as a garden designer (the title's a pun, geddit?) and embrace some life-changing new developments that happen as a result of an uncharacteristic one night stand... (can you guess what?!)

PS: Is it me or is this another case of a book cover 'snap'? Carry on over the cut to see what I mean...

Isabel Wolff's pretty new covers look a little bit like Jill Mansell's pretty new covers, no?

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 16, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

March 14, 2007 5:12 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Hot and Bothered by Annie Downey

Annie Downey is an intelligent, funny writer with a healthy dose of quirk. She regularly contributes to alternative parenting magazine Hip Mama and Hot and Bothered is her first novel.

Her heroine is a single mother of a young girl and teenage boy and she's dealing with looking after them plus the fallout of a messy divorce and her own lack of motivation and enthusiasm for life. She's cynical, funny, rather ditsy and somewhat lacking in self-belief...

and very charming.

The book has a chronological narrative but is divided into chapters with different themes, all of which begin "A week..." ("...from hell" and "...of merriment" are two headers). Each chapter is then divided into short (ranging from one sentence to a page and a half) paragraphs, making this a snappy, focused read with very little waffle. It's also an often unpredictable read, and I found many moments in the book hilarious - such as when the main character goes for a walk, meets a woman outside her house, invents that she's a professional dog walker and lands herself a new job walking the woman's dog and cleaning her house...! It's such a funny scene, and by no means the only thing I laughed out loud at - but the book is very warm and contains real emotion, too.

It was also just a tad odd - the main character (whose name we don't learn 'til the end of the book, so I'm afraid it hasn't stuck in my brain! I know, I'm getting old) is obsessed with pink clogs, but aren't clogs the least comfortable footwear ever? And she makes frequent references to being small and midget-like, but it turns out she's the same height as the lovely Keris... who as we know is in perfect proportion - ish. Maybe the author feels a little height disadvantaged, I don't know... Also, the main character's best friend Kip is more than a bit mean, but I came to like her by the end of the book!

Definitely not your usual mummy/mommy lit - this story's a good bit more complicated, and a little bit more quirky but it's a very fun read I found hard to put down.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Only Boy for Me by Gil McNeil.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 14, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 13, 2007 4:29 PM

BOOK NEWS: Crystal by Katie Price

Yep, Jordan's at it again - or rather Katie Price is (doesn't she get confused?!)

Described as "a glittering and sexy story of passion and betrayal and one woman’s search for true love" Crystal is the dual-named glamour model's second attempt at fiction after the success of Angel last year. (Which we quite liked, by the way). Clearly designed to be another beach read, Crystal will be released on 7th June.

[Via randomhouse.co.uk ]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on March 13, 2007 in Bonkbusters, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 9, 2007 10:32 AM

BOOK REVIEW: The History of Lucy's Love Life in 10.5 Chapters by Deborah Wright

Lucy is dissatisfied with her life. She works in a job that's more about paying the bills than satisfaction and self-worth, she's in a relationship with a lovely bloke but can't tell if he's The One or if she'd be better off playing the field, and she's lonely. Nights are spent awake, fantasising about Lord Byron, and the days encompass endless lectures from her boss, a successful scientist.

One day Lucy arrives at work to find a mysterious parcel sent to her boss by a former suitor. The letter reveals that the suitor has been working on a time machine - included in the package - which he hopes will win the scientist's heart. Out of curiosity they build the time machine, and it does nothing.

But then Lucy loses her job, and is given the time machine as a parting gift. Determined to give it one more try, she assembles it in her flat. As is the way with technology, a swift kick is all it takes to make the time machine operational. All of a sudden, whole new worlds are open to Lucy, and she attacks them with aplomb, making friends with Byron, Ovid, and Casanova, to name but a few.

Through her travels, Lucy learns about poetry and art, and has the opportunity to reassess herself, her life, and her relationship.

While this may sound unbelievable and twee, it's not. There is some suspension of disbelief to deal with, but no more than can be found in other books, where we are told that women working as editorial assistants can afford flats with views of Hyde Park, and every girl has a best friend with a wardrobe of designer gear to be loaned at the drop of a hat.

What the book is, instead, is  a fresh take on the personal inventories we all do, and a lesson to appreciate what we have when we have it - the plot offers much more than adventures in the past. In fact, the plot offers so much more that the book could really be reviewed as two separate novels. For a bit of escapist fun with extra culture and more excitement than is found in most Boys' Own Adventure books, you couldn't do better than this. [Kate Walker]

Rating: 5 out of 5
Liked this? Try: Under My Spell, by Deborah Wright

Posted by Aigua Media on March 9, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (1)

March 6, 2007 12:20 PM

BOOK REVIEW: I Love Capri by Belinda Jones

Trashionista makes no secret of our love affair with Belinda Jones. She's a master of writing fluffy escapist fiction set in glamorous locations, and I Love Capri is no exception.

Kim is down on love and down on life. Having had her heart badly broken a few years before the book begins, she healed herself by retreating from the world - lots of nights in and dodgy telly in place of a jet-set lifestyle and exciting trips abroad as a professional translator. Making matters worse is her mother, who is never happy with Kim's appearance, and who has a worrying tendency to meddle in her daughter's love life.

Following the death of a grandfather she's never met Kim inherits £5,000, which she plans to spend on liposuction for her and her long-suffering flatmate. Before she can book an appointment, however, her mother whisks her off to Capri, home of the deceased grandfather, to do the translating as her mother prepares to take over her grandfather's boutique.

Initially terrified of leaving her comfort zone, Kim finds that life in Capri is better than she could have imagined. Despite being surrounded by high-end designer goods and miles of bling too ostentatious for J.Lo, Kim feels energised, not intimidated. Add to the extra energy a gradually improving relationship with her mother, more male attention than she knows what to do with, and a growing affection for the island and its inhabitants, and Kim finds herself to be a whole new woman.

But self-discovery isn't all that Capri has in store for Kim. Oh no. After all, it wouldn't be chick lit without a love affair, and spokes in wheels, and heartache, and more love, and extra suitors - inappropriate, natch - hiding in the wings. The difference between this novel and standard chick lit, though, is all in the quality of Jones' writing. The plot hinges on a fresh spin on an age-old question, one that will leave you reassessing your moral compass. Making it even more unique, I Love Capri doesn't end predictably, although the ending is entirely in keeping with the characters you've grown to love. [Kate Walker]

Rating: 5 out of 5
Liked this? Try: Divas Las Vegas, by Belinda Jones

Posted by Aigua Media on March 6, 2007 in British Authors, Modern Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

February 26, 2007 10:25 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Cooking Up a Storm by Jenna Bayley-Burke

I enjoyed Jenna Bayley-Burke’s debut Just One Spark and I enjoyed her second book, Cooking Up a Storm, even more. Another Mills & Boon Modern Romance Extra, it’s not quite as graphic as Just One Spark - at least, I don’t think so, I might just have recovered from the surprise of sex in a M&B book.

Lauren Brody runs her own catering business and doesn’t have time for a relationship. Plus she’s been badly hurt in the past. Having moved from New York to Seattle following a promotion, Cameron Price isn’t in a relationship place either. Plus he can’t get past his finding his former fiance in bed with his best friend. When Lauren is hired to cater Cameron’s launch party and Cameron’s boss assumes they’re in a relationship, they soon realise a fake relationship could be a real business boost for both of them. But of course, they’re incredibly attracted to each other so the relationship doesn’t stay fake for long.

Yes, it’s a well-worn plot, but what lifts this book is the characterisation. Like Jennifer Crusie’s Anyone But You, you know what’s going to happen (and very little does) but you’re happy to go along with it.

Lauren’s a great character - strong, independent, intelligent and sexy, while still remaining human and funny, and Cameron’s a lovely hero too. There weren’t any forced/contrived plot points and for the most part everyone behaved just as I would like them to.

An undemanding, but a rewarding (and, yes ... stimulating) read.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Keris on February 26, 2007 in American Authors, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

February 23, 2007 1:52 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Lucy Blue, Where Are You? by Louise Harwood

Lucy Blue, the heroine of Louise Harwood's third novel, is in the process of extricating herself from an unsuitable relationship with an overbearing, controlling man. In an act of liberation that is totally out of character, she accepts a New Year’s Eve party invitation from an old friend in Scotland, imagining this to be the start of her exciting new life of freedom.

The party itself is a disappointing flop, but the situation worsens when Lucy finds she can’t return to London, where she’s due back in work the next day, because the airport is snowbound. A plot is hatched amongst the stranded souls in the car hire office to share cars in order to reach their respective destinations, and Lucy finds herself reluctantly “lumbered” with giving a lift to a devastatingly attractive stranger, Jude.

Having spent the best part of a day cooped up in a small hire car together, passion suddenly strikes and Jude and Lucy make an unscheduled detour to a roadside motel and succumb to their animal passions. Job done, they agree that this should remain one magical, mystical memory, set against the perfect, snowy backdrop, never to be repeated. Both agree that to meet again would be to shatter the perfection of the day and so, upon reaching London, they happily go their separate ways.

All is fine until a poster in a tube station declaring “Where are you, Lucy Blue?” throws them back together again, bringing to the surface buried emotions, family issues and consequences they couldn’t possibly have foreseen.

I found this a light, easy book that would make an enjoyable beach read (yes, I know it’s the depths of winter, but you get my drift).

On the downside, the characters didn’t quite feel substantial or developed enough to really care about. My acid test of a good chick-lit book is that it makes me laugh and cry and really root for the heroine. This did none of those things (and I’m easy, believe me).

The plotline showed early potential, and contained some very romantic ideas, but I felt it soon descended  into predictability. It was interesting enough to keep me reading until the end, but when the denouement arrived, visible from halfway through the book, like an artic. on the horizon, I can’t say I really cared that much that everyone had resolved their issues, found (relative) happiness and that those who needed to had seen the error of their ways.

The dialogue felt slightly plodding and unnatural at points too - for example, the passion that erupted between Jude and Lucy appeared to suddenly spring out of leaden conversation and slight awkwardness (but maybe I’ve just never been fortunate to experience the kind of passion that requires no words to ignite!).

All that said, the book grew on me. It wasn’t a demanding read (which I mean in a good way, honestly), just lighthearted, romantic, fun entertainment. [Louise Luck]

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Next Big Thing by Sara Caspian

Posted by Keris on February 23, 2007 in British Authors, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 22, 2007 12:11 PM

Harlequin/NASCAR romances

Fans of Janet Evanovich's Metro Girl series may be interested in Harlequin's partnership with NASCAR, the stock-car racing association.

Three titles have been published so far (Thunderstruck, Speed Dating and Danger Zone) and the company is now embarking on a 16-book series of NASCAR-set romances. [via Galleycat]

I don't really "get" NASCAR, but I know it's huge in the US, so no doubt this series will be another speedy success. Ha. I make myself laugh.

Related post: Manga romance

Posted by Keris on February 22, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

February 14, 2007 3:51 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year Award shortlist announced

The Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year shortlist has been announced:

A Step in the Dark by Judith Lennox
Beyond the Blue Hills by Katie Flynn
Iris & Ruby by Rosie Thomas
Learning by Heart by Elizabeth McGregor
The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook by Matt Dunn
Welcome to the Real World by Carole Matthews

No, you didn't read that wrong, there is a man on the list. Matt Dunn is only the sixth man to make the shortlist in the prize's history. The winner will be announced on 27th April.

If you've read any of the above, don't be afraid to let us know what you thought.

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: One Hundred Ways to Say I Love You by Celia Haddon

Since it's Valentine's Day (What? You didn't know?), I thought I'd review a romantic book. Celia Haddon's One Hundred Ways to Say I Love You is one of those books that men pick up at the last minute, thinking "That'll do," before buying a bunch of carnations from the garage, but don't let that put you off, it's actually a very sweet book.

A selection of (mostly) romantic quotes, separated by themes like "Reasons for love" and "Let's get physical," One Hundred Ways to Say I Love You opens with every chick lit fan's favourite (I imagine):

In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

Mr Darcy to Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, 1813

I never read that without getting a little skip in my stomach (although that may be because it makes me think of Colin Firth).

I also loved this, in an 1872 note from Benjamin Disraeli to his wife:

I have nothing to tell you, except that I love you, which, I fear, you will think rather dull.

This is a slight book, but a sweet book. I read bits of it out loud to my husband - he found it funny rather than romantic, but that might have been because I was reading it - but if you're looking for a little romantic inspiration you could do a lot worse. But do not accept those garage flowers!

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Did I Wake You? by Beth Lapides

Posted by Keris on February 14, 2007 in British Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (2)

February 13, 2007 8:37 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Talk Gertie to Me by Lois Winston

I love the premise of Lois Winston’s Talk Gertie to Me. When, in just one day, Nori loses her boyfriend, best friend and her job and gets home to find that her mother has turned up unnanouced for an indefinite stay, her childhood imaginary friend Gertie emerges to dispense straight talking advice.

It turns out that Nori’s mother, Connie, has come to New York as part of an elaborate plan (cooked up with her best friend) to get her overworked husband to take more notice of her and to hook Nori up with Eugene from back home (said best friend’s son).

But, of course, things don’t quite go according to plan. Both Nori and her mother find their lives speeding off in unexpected and exciting directions and, when Nori’s father turns up to talk sense into his errant wife (bringing Eugene along for the ride) things get even more out of hand.

Talk Gertie to Me is great fun. I was hoping Gertie would be a physical presence (like my own imaginary friend, Mr Corbett - what?) but she was just a voice in Nori’s head. Also, the book is written in the first person, with some chapters given over to Nori’s mother, Connie. I wasn’t sure about them at first, but I ended up enjoying Connie’s journey just as much as Nori’s, even if there wasn’t any, um, hooking up in her side of the story. Nori’s love interest, Mac, is sweet and sexy, if a little over-keen and under-developed (as a character, I mean, not physically), but the book has a satisfying ending, even including a sort of ‘where are they now’ update, which I guess rules out a sequel. Shame.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden

Posted by Keris on February 13, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

February 6, 2007 1:30 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Step On It, Cupid! by Lorelei Mathias

After seeing the vid-lit for Lorelei Mathias' Step On It, Cupid! I just had to give it a read. Granted, I'm not usually one for tales of dating (I'm a meanie who'd much love to see our heroines end up alone with twenty cats. Okay, joke!), but this one just seemed cute. Not only that, but the Little Black Dress series is wonderful (Spirit Willing, Flesh Weak is another great read, but we'll save that for another time.) Anyway, on with the review.

Sassy twenty-something Amelie (yep, just like the film) has a fabulous job in advertising, and after vowing to make her work the centre of her life for the coming year, she's determined to succeed when she and best friend Duncan are handed one heck of a task - an ad campaign for Fast Love, Britain's upcoming and already widely popular speed-dating company. The task at hand is to come up with a brand new strategy - but SPEED-DATING? Of all things!

Passing off speed-dating as a tool for the utmost in desperate, Amelie is stumped when she finds herself dragged along to speed-dating nights as research for the Fast Love project. And after being introduced to countless impossible suitors, maybe it's time to give up on the whole romance thing? Speed-dating couldn't possibly work...or could it?

Step On It, Cupid! is cute, romantic and definitely a joy to read if cutesy, romantic books are for you. However, despite the lovable Amelie and plenty of humour in places, I did think the whole concept (overworked ad girl with demanding boss finds love) is starting to become a bit overused. It may be dotted with cliches, but the speed-dating theme does bring a whole new, original twist to it. Needless to say, I enjoyed it, and as previously mentioned, I usually give the overtly lovey-dovey ones a miss.

In all, it's a fun, light read, that'll keep you guessing. And for once, the ending isn't TOTALLY obvious, either.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try The Bachelorette Party by Karen McCullah Lutz

Posted by Danielle Symonds-Yemm on February 6, 2007 in Modern Fiction, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 30, 2007 4:48 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Just One Spark by Jenna Bayley-Burke

We featured Jenna Bayley-Burke’s Just One Spark as part of our NaNovember Extravaganza, as Jenna wrote it for National Novel Writing Month. It sounded great, so I was thrilled to finally get to read it - particularly as it’s a Mills & Boon book. It’s a long time since I’ve read a Mills & Boon. I used to sneakily read my grandma’s medical romances and we studied two as part of a Popular Fiction module during my English degree (and they were great), but it turns out they’ve changed. Just One Spark is a “Modern Romance Extra” book and ... well, let me just say this, it’s not like your grandma’s Mills & Boon.

Hannah has been burned by men one time too many, so when firefighter Mason approaches her and she spots his wedding ring, she wastes no time in telling him where to go. But she can’t get him out of her mind. Mason, who isn’t actually married, can’t stop thinking about Hannah either, and when they finally meet up again and Mason convinces Hannah that the wedding ring was part of an experiment his psychologist brother was conducting, things hot up between them. And then they really hot up. Made-me-blush kind of hot.

Let’s make no mistake, the plot of Just One Spark is secondary to the, ahem, action.  And despite the fact that I really liked Hannah and Mason, particularly Mason, as characters, I wasn’t entirely convinced by the plot. Hannah’s family believe on very flimsy evidence that Mason is stalking Hannah; Hannah herself believes - in spite of compelling evidence to the contrary - that Mason is only seeing her for sex. There actually is a stalking sub-plot which I didn’t think was satisfactorily resolved. That's not to say it's not an enjoyable story, because it is, but I did feel that some of the plot was there because the book needed more plot and less sex, rather than the way the characters would really act.

But the action ... well, that was convincing. This book must have been great fun to write. The sex scenes are genuinely erotic and entertaining, yet they never seemed gratuitous, which is some feat.

My grandma, though, would be turning in her grave.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Adored by Tilly Bagshawe

Related posts: Jenna Bayley-Burke guest blog / Mills & Boon on Oneword radio

Posted by Keris on January 30, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, Rating: 3/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Nora Roberts' Lifetime movies

American romance author Nora Roberts is nowhere near as popular here as she is in the US (though her inclusion in the RNA Romantic Novel of the Year longlist shows she's gaining strides). Assisting Roberts' domination in the States is the women's television network Lifetime, which has turned four of her novels - Angels Fall, Blue Smoke, Montana Sky and Carolina Moon - into Lifetime Original Movies.

You can find tons of information on the movies, the books, the cast and Nora Roberts herself (along with a 'spot Nora' competition and blog) on the Lifetime website. [via Publishers Weekly]

Posted by Aigua Media on January 30, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Movie News, Romance, Television | Permalink | Comments (0)

SPOTLIGHT: Fiona Walker

Born in 1969 in West Berkshire, Fiona Walker read Theatre Studies at university before going on to work in advertising.

During six weeks off work to recuperate from a kidney infection, Fiona started writing because she couldn't find anything she wanted to read. She gave up her job to finish writing the book which became French Relations and was published in 1993 - thus predating an awful lot of the books credited with being the first chick lit book.

Fiona has now written nine novels and lives in the Cotswolds.

Carry on over the cut for Fiona's bibliography.

French Relations
Kiss Chase
Well Groomed
Snap Happy
Between Males
Lucy Talk
Lots of Love
Tongue in Cheek
Four Play

Check out Fiona's lovely website.

Posted by Keris on January 30, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 29, 2007 2:04 PM

Romantic Novel of the Year Award longlist announced

The longlist has been announced for the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award for 2007. The only Trashionista fave to make it is Katie Fforde's Practically Perfect and the list seems focussed more towards women's fiction than chick lit. You can see the full list here.

The shortlist will be announced on 13th February, and the winner (who receives £5,000) on 27th April.

Posted by Keris on January 29, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, British Authors, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 24, 2007 6:01 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Cooking for Mr Latte by Amanda Hesser

Amanda Hesser is a trained chef and food writer for the New York Times. For her, food - preparation, appreciation, contemplation, and consumption - is more than a passion, more than a way of life, it is who she is and what she does. So when she meets a man who is happy eating in restaurants that have more in common with frat houses than haut cuisine, and who unashamedly orders lattes after dinner (the Italian rule is no milky drinks after 11am), she's not convinced they're well suited.

Fortunately for her, and us, time and Mr Latte prove her wrong. Cooking for Mr Latte is the history of their courtship as told through food. Food eaten in restaurants, glamourous and neighbourhood stalwart; food cooked for each other, and each others' parents; food cooked with friends, for parties, for solitude, comfort, or nostalgia.

While the book is technically a memoir, that makes it sound drier than it is. Latte is rather a touching tribute to a developing relationship, and an imaginative take on the traditional love story. Although not fiction, it bears many of the hallmarks of successful chick-lit - there are celebrity encounters, New York apartments, glamourous cast members who are the cream of the Manhattan media elite, cocktails, and chance encounters in the places to be seen. The fact that all these things happen to a real person would be enough to have me screaming with jealousy were Hesser not so obviously likeable.

Like all good chick lit heroines she is flawed, and admits her mistakes. She obsesses, and nitpicks, and starts fights over nothing. She has kitchen disasters, gets food poisoning in front of gods of the food world, and is in hiding from one half of the Merchant Ivory film-making duo. Best of all, however, she cooks.

Hesser ends each chapter with a selection of recipes based on meals described on the preceding pages. Although she's been trained to professional standards, each recipe is accessible, and I've cooked four in the two weeks since finishing the book. None have gone wrong.

While this is a book tailored to foodies, anyone with a sense of romance will enjoy watching their relationship develop. It may be as predictable as many works in the chick-lit oeuvre, but I defy anyone to put it down without a renewed enthusiasm for food, for cooking, and for eating, and to read the recipes without doing a mental kitchen inventory. Fabulous as she is, how often can you say that about Marian Keyes?

Rating: 5 out of 5

Liked this? Try Heartburn, by Nora Ephron

Posted by Aigua Media on January 24, 2007 in American Authors, Non Fiction, Rating: 5/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 23, 2007 4:22 PM

SPOTLIGHT: Elizabeth Noble

This week's spotlight shines on one of the most popular new chick lit authors, Elizabeth Noble.

Born in 1968, in Buckinghamshire, Elizabeth spent part of her childhood in Toronto, Canada. After returning to the UK, she attended Oxford, graduating in 1990 with a BA (Honors) in English language and literature.

Over the next six years she worked in the editorial, marketing, publicity, and sales departments of several big publishing houses.

After her marriage in 1996, she took a career break to have her two daughters. When her youngest was ready to go to nursery school - and under the threat of having to go back to work - Elizabeth wrote a hundred pages of The Reading Group, which subsequently sold at the first attempt on the basis of 100 pages and a synopsis.

Published in January 2004, The Reading Group went straight to the number one in The Sunday Times’s bestseller list and has since sold almost a quarter of a million copies in the UK.

Elizabeth has followed her debut with The Tenko Club (which was nominated for the RNA Romantic Novelist of the Year Award 2005) and Alphabet Weekends. She lives with her husband and children in Surrey.

Carry on over the cut for Elizabeth’s bibliography and the chance to win a holiday in Vegas!

The Reading Group
The Tenko Club (called The Friendship Test in the US)
Alphabet Weekends

US readers can have a go at winning a weekend for two in Las Vegas on Elizabeth’s American website.

Did you know? Elizabeth’s favourite modern author is Armistead Maupin. "I read the entire Tales of the City series in about a week fifteen years ago, and I re-read them every few years. I love them more every time." [via HarperCollins]

Find out about more of Elizabeth’s favourite books here.

Posted by Keris on January 23, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 19, 2007 5:34 PM

Judging Danielle Steel books by their covers

Coo, posts about Danielle Steel on Trashionista are like buses ... none forever and then two come along at once (I know it’s meant to be three, but one was cancelled due to bad weather. Sorry, it’s been a long day).

On her Southern Comfort blog, author Karin Gillespie pointed out that Ms Steel’s latest book, Sisters, has been given a chick lit-style cover. Well, you know how much I love debating book covers so I had to check it out. I would say it was more women's fiction than chick lit (and if you want to know the difference, don't ask me), and it reminded me of Jojo Moyes's covers.

 

It did make me wonder when Steel's covers were last redesigned - she seems to have had the same style for ages - so I did some investigating ... Carry on over the cut for more covers, plus Danielle gets raunchy!

This is what the covers looked like when I started reading Danielle Steel:

Then they got a bit simpler:

And then a bit generic:

And they pretty much stayed that way until her 2006 book, HRH, with which her publisher seemed to be trying to attract Penny Vincenzi fans.

 

But then I spotted her other new book, Bungalow 2, the cover for which is even more of a departure and reminds me a little bit of another, much saucier, author. What do you think?

 

Posted by Keris on January 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (5)

FRIDAY FLICK: Heartburn

Anyone who's so much as blinked at Trashionista over the last few months should have picked up on the fact that Keris and I love Nora Ephron. A lot. So it was only a matter of time before her 1986 adaptation of her classic novel Heartburn became a Friday Flick.

As in the book, it's the story of Rachel Samstat, a Washington, DC-based cookery writer and stay-at-home-mum who discovers her husband is cheating on her whilst she's heavily pregnant with their second child. Key Lime Pie-throwing ensues...

I think there's a real advantage in authors adapting their own work, as this film shows: some material is cut and situations changed a little, but it's very faithful to the book and doesn't lose much in translation. Jack Nicholson isn't quite the traitorous Mark I imagined, looks-wise, but he pulls off the role well, and Meryl Streep is pretty much perfect as the naive Rachel. Plus Stockard Channing's in it, which is never a bad thing!

Heartburn the film is not quite as fast-paced and funny as the book, but it certainly holds its own, and is a good, slightly quirky choice of chick-flick for a cosy Friday night in.

Friday Flick archives.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK NEWS: Isabel Losada's 'Men!'

Non-fiction author Isabel Losada, who normally concerns herself with global issues, self improvement and reasons to be glad has a new, more romantically-themed book due for release here at the end of April.

Called 'Men!' her working subtitle was 'Where the **** are they?!' but she's now settled on 'Forget the fiction! Where are the interesting and available men?' (Answers on a postcard, please...)

On her blog she discusses the vexed issue of covers, and why she picked red rather than white (less self help-looking, apparently).

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 19, 2007 in Book News, Book Websites, Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Romance, Self development | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 18, 2007 11:30 AM

BOOK REVIEW: Cause Celeb by Helen Fielding

Helen Fielding put her pre-novelist experience working for Comic Relief to good use by writing a book about aid work in Africa (don't worry, it's not as worthy as it sounds!) Cause Celeb was her debut novel, and never captured the public imagination in the same way Bridget did, but it still boasts the same humour and charm as her Miss Jones novels...

Rosie Richardson is tired of her Daniel Cleaver-ish TV presenter boyfriend and so makes the dramatic decision to chuck it all and head off to work in Africa. But after four years helping to keep a refugee camp going, disaster strikes when drought and famine hit the region. She has no choice but to return to London, and try to use her former 'connections' in television to put together a star-studded celebrity charity appeal...

Although perhaps a little far-fetched at times, this storyline certianly works better than Olivia Joules, where I didn't feel a chick-lit girly girl and a terorist plot blended at all well...

Here, Fielding's knowledge of the subject shines through, and she has some serious points to make, which she does in a very non-zealous way, meaning the reader really learns something. This is a book with much more to say than Bridget Jones's Diary, which is perhaps why it didn't do as well! But I think all Fielding fans will enjoy it as it's witty and very well-written, and has a touch of romance too - something of a hidden gem, in fact.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Sundowners by Lesley Lokko

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 18, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 16, 2007 1:23 PM

MOVIE NEWS: The Time Traveler's Wife

What have directors Steven Spielberg, David Fincher and Gus Van Sant got in common? They’ve all considered - and rejected - the film version of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel The Time Traveler’s Wife. German director Robert Schwentke (who directed Jodie Foster’s Flightplan) is now apparently on board. [via Reuters]

Mean Girls’ Rachel McAdams is in negotiation to star as Clare. Still no sign of a male lead. Any ideas?

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (4)

SPOTLIGHT: Morag Prunty

I've chosen Morag Prunty for this week's spotlight because I've just discovered something that made me go, 'Whaa?' More about that later ...

Morag was born in Scotland in 1964 to Irish parents. At the age of 21 she became the youngest ever editor of a national UK magazine when she took over at Looks magazine (remember that?). She then edited More! and Just Seventeen before moving to Ireland to re-launch Irish Tatler.

Her first book (a non-fiction handbook for teenage girls, called Boys) was published in 1993. Her first novel, Dancing with Mules, was published in 2001 and she has since published five more.

She now lives in the historic village of Killala in County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland with her husband and son and writes full time.

So why the ‘Whaa?’ you ask. Carry on over the cut and find out (along with Morag's bibliography).

Because Morag's most recent novel is Recipes for a Perfect Marriage. By Kate Kerrigan. Yes, Kate Kerrigan is Morag Prunty. I had no idea until I saw this (spot the difference):

Left: UK cover; Right: US cover

(If you all knew about this already, please don't mock me.)

Dancing with Mules
Wild Cats And Colleens
Disco Daddy
Poison Arrows
Superstar Lovers
Recipes for a Perfect Marriage

Posted by Keris on January 16, 2007 in British Authors, Romance, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 15, 2007 5:07 PM

Danielle Steel's perfume

I was excited to see, in an old(ish) issue of O Magazine, an advert for a new fragrance: Danielle by Danielle Steel. Yes, the one woman romance library has released a perfume! The "theme" of the fragrance is "Believe in Happy Endings" and the scent itself apparently reflects optimism, romance and intrigue.

It got me thinking: could any other authors have fragrances in the pipeline. How about Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (who wouldn't buy that?)? Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie? Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella? Under the Duvet by Marian Keyes? Well, okay, maybe not.

Posted by Keris on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

Lovely Bones and Jane Austen on publishing insider's list of books NOT to read

Okay, I can understand that some people didn't love The Lovely Bones, it certainly has its flaws... But topping a list of Books you shouldn't bother to read? No. No no noooooooo. And Austen too?!

Although I do agree about Brick Lane, as I got bored half-way through and took it back to the library - life's too short.

What's on your "don't bother" list?

[Via Galleycat].

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 15, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Modern Fiction, Recent Release, Romance, Rubbish Books, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (10)

January 12, 2007 3:34 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Meri Sugarman, Psycho Queen by M. Apostilina

M. Apostilina's Meri Sugarman, Psycho Queen is another book that changed its name as it flew over the Atlantic: in America, it was called Hazing Meri Sugarman. But the story is the same: when Cindy Bixby moves away to university, she thinks that joining her mum's old sorority will be the perfect way for her to make new friends and to bond with her mother.

But although she knows getting into the sorority will be tough, she has no idea HOW tough, as the clearly psychotic sorority president Meri puts the wannabe sisters through their paces in a series of humiliating, outrageous and at times illegal dares, challenges and stunts. Cindy's torn between wanting to impress Meri, and wanting to challenge her supremacy, until Meri takes her humiliation a step too far, and Cindy vows to bring her down...

This is a really fun and very fast, well-written, snappily-paced novel which even manages to fit in a nice romantic sub-plot but it's only fair to warn you that the storyline is pretty farcical. Although the heroine is a university student, it reads much more like YA than grown-up chick lit. Which isn't to say it's not enjoyable all the same...

I wasn't that keen on the way Cindy kept putting herself down, but she grew in confidence by the end of the novel. What I did really like was the way everything was pretty nicely tied up in the last chapters - and yet there are sequels already on release in the US. I hate it when authors wimp out on a proper ending to make for the  sequel (Louise Rennison!) so I'm glad this is a good read in its own right.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 12, 2007 in American Authors, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (4)

FRIDAY FLICK: Clueless

A 1995 rom-com (very) loosely based on Jane Austen's Emma, Clueless is still Alicia Silverstone's best film to date, and even twelve years later makes a great chick flick. (Not that I'm biased or anything - I saw it twice at the cinema and several times on video. And I think maybe once on TV...)

Lead character Cher's mother died in a tragic liposuction accident when Cher was just a little girl, and so she's grown up with just her workaholic dad (he married again, briefly, but things didn't work out - they did however leave her with an ex-stepbrother, Paul Rudd, later Mike in Friends, who she loves to wind up). To fill the void in her life, Cher along with her best friend Dionne, like to 'help' other people - doing makeovers, match-making etc.

But when Cher meddles in the love-life of new friend Tai (Brittany Murphy, again) and gets it drastically wrong, she vows to become a better person - and give herself an inner makeover instead...

Sharp-witted, sweet, funny and only occasionally incomprehensible (the film has its own snappy teen-speak which Silverstone says brilliantly) this film ticks all the chick-lit boxes: fun, romantic, entertaining and it credits the audience with a brain. And if none of that appeals, then you'll still be amazed by Cher's computerised, revolving wardrobe!

The ending is more unexpected however, if you haven't yet read Emma... (The one time you'll hear me advocate not reading Austen!)

*DID YOU KNOW?* Dionne's boyfriend Murray is played by Donald Faison, who now stars in Scrubs.

*DID YOU KNOW?* There was a TV series of the film, which ran for three years from 1996 and featured all of the original cast except Alicia Silverstone (although Rachel Blanchard did a pretty canny impression of her!)

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 12, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

January 11, 2007 6:40 PM

BOOK REVIEW: Dating Amy by Amy DeZellar

Amy DeZellar's Dating Amy is a memoir of, as the subtitle says, "50 True Confessions of a serial dater".

Amy went on fifty dates (although not with fifty men!) and chronicled her adventures on her website, datingamy.com. Her goal was to get some paid writing work, maybe publish a book... and perhaps even find love, too.

And we know it worked at least partly, as here's the book of the experience, which she adapted from her dating blog...

Amy goes out with men she meets via internet dating sites, meets at parties or bars, and men her friends set her up with. Sometimes I wasn't clear why she was going on a second date with some of these men, as the first one had gone so horribly! It all makes for interesting reading though. (Could that be why...?)

The book looks at some perennial dating questions: is it nicer for a man to say he doesn't want to date you again after just one date - or better to ignore you forever more? Why are some men so great on paper and a let-down in real life? And are men really all about sex and women all about commitment?

There's nothing hugely original about the concept, we've had a raft of similar books, both fiction and non-fiction, about serial daters. But this book is an enjoyable addition to the genre, and although I sometimes felt frustrated with Amy's choice of man (!) and the fact that she often said she couldn't get any paid writing work (had she sent out freelance ideas? Anything? We never find out) I'm still glad she wrote this book, and even more glad Amy dated all those men... so no-one else has to!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try The Year of Yes by Maria Headley.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 11, 2007 in American Authors, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, New Releases, Non Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (1)

THURSDAY THREE: Desperate measures

As I mentioned last week, critics of chick lit think it’s all about finding a man and that’s just not true. Except that sometimes it is. Earlier this week we showed you the trailer for Lorelei Mathias’s Step On It, Cupid, in which the main character, Amelie, decides to try out speed-dating. It made me wonder what other lengths characters had gone to to find that elusive perfect man.

In Chris Manby’s Getting Personal single friends Ruby, Lou and Martin are fed up of failed relationships and decide to place personal ads for each other with mixed results.

The Last Available Man by Cindy Blake features follows step-sisters Georgina and Jessica, who, sick of ending up on dates with no future, decide to put their skills as head hunters - along with their lengthy client list - into action to find themselves some real romantic prospects.

Carry on over the cut for the final - and most impressive - book of the three.

It's a non-fiction book - Maria Headley’s The Year of Yes. In the bravest (or maddest) idea of the three, Maria decided to say yay to everyone who asked her for a date: the homeless, the chronically weird and - despite being straight - women, too. Now that’s dedication.

Posted by Keris on January 11, 2007 in British Authors, Girly Stuff, Memoirs, Non Fiction, Romance, Tuesday Three | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 10, 2007 7:40 PM

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

Take a wander over to brilliant books site bookburger to have a look at this book cover, for YA novel Anatomy of a Boyfriend.

Does it denigrate males? Is it offensive?

Or... do you like it?

Tell us: is it a Yay or Nay - and why!

Related: Judging books by their covers / Musical book covers / Colour in your own covers! / Yay or Nay archives.

[Don't forget it's Yay or Nay day at Hippyshopper, Bridalwave, Corrie Blog, Catwalk Queen, Kiss and Makeup, The Bag Lady, Shoewawa and Shiny Shiny, too!]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 10, 2007 in American Authors, Book News, Book Websites, Book related, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (7)

January 9, 2007 4:22 PM

BOOK NEWS: The Adultery Club

The Adultery Club is a new novel by Tess Stimson about... well, I guess adultery might feature! You can get a free preview of the book in this month's Red (the one with Teri Hatcher on the cover).

I haven't read mine yet, but I will as it's perfectly handbag-sized and I love cute little freebies  (more authors, take note!)

Oh, and it sounds interesting too, of course...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

SPOTLIGHT: Chris Manby

I can't believe we haven't had a look at popular and prolific British author, Chris Manby.

Chris Manby grew up in Gloucester and published her first short story in Just Seventeen magazine at the age of fourteen. After studying psychology at Oxford, Chris met a New York psychic who told her she would write seven novels. Her first, Flatmates, was published two years later. Her eleventh, Marrying for Money, was published at the end of last year. (At least the psychic was part right!)

Chris now lives between London and Los Angeles and writes full-time.

Did you know? That as well as the novels under her own name, Chris has had several erotic novels published under the pseudonym Stephanie Ash.

Carry on over the cut for Chris's bibliography.

Flatmates
Second Prize
Deep Heat
Lizzie Jordan's Secret Life
Running Away from Richard
Getting Personal
Seven Sunny Days
Girl Meets Ape
Ready or Not
The Matchbreaker
Marrying for Money

See Chris talking about Girl Meets Ape at Meet the Author.

Posted by Keris on January 9, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Recent Release, Romance, Series, Spotlight | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 8, 2007 1:15 PM

MOVIE NEWS: Becoming Jane

A new film, Becoming Jane is about a twenty-year old Jane Austen and her romance with a young Irishman, and how he influenced her in the creation of the male characters in Pride and Prejudice. It stars James McAvoy, Dame Maggie Smith, Julie Walters and - gasp! - an American as Jane: Princess Diaries and The Devil Wears Prada star Anne Hathaway.

It should hit British screens on March 9th and I can. not. wait. to see it!

[Via The Sunday Times and Imdb.com]

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 8, 2007 in Book related, Classic Novels, Devil Wears Prada, Girly Stuff, Movie News, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

"Step On It, Cupid" trailer

Remember we told you about VidLits, film-style trailers for books? Well there’s a new one on YouTube for Lorelei Mathias’s Step On It, Cupid. It stars Sarah Smart of At Home with the Braithwaites and Jane Hall and it’s funny, so I thought I’d share it with you all!

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2007 in Book related, Debut Novels, Romance, Technology | Permalink | Comments (3)

BOOK REVIEW: Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden

Shannon McKelden's witty debut, Venus Envy, finds Venus/Aphrodite/goddess of love in the Seattle area, having to matchmake mortals to appease her father (that'd be Zeus). She's horrified to find her latest challenge is Rachel, who is so damaged by previous disastrous relationships that she's sworn off men for life and fills her time with good works instead. Luckily for Rachel, Luke - a hunky local firefighter - has taken a shine to her and isn't willing to take no for an answer. With Luke already interested and Venus there to help, what could possibly go wrong?

Well, plenty, actually. Venus is entirely self-absorbed and her only interest is getting back to Mount Olympus (where, apparently, the shopping's better). At least, that is, to begin with. When Venus finds herself becoming both lonely and emotionally involved with Rachel's life, things start to go pear-shaped for both of them.

I really enjoyed Venus Envy. Venus is a great character - I imagined her as a younger Samantha Jones from Sex and the City - and Luke is a very sexy hero, if a little too good to be true. I loved Venus's suggestion that Rachel learn about Luke's potential failings by interviewing his exes and the interviews themselves were entertaining and very funny.

The story is quirky and a bit of a fairytale without being too far-fetched (considering the subject matter). I could have done with both Rachel and her best friend Hannah's character being fleshed out a little more. I felt for Rachel, but I didn't feeeeel for her, if you know what I mean, but all in all and impressive and amusing first novel. I look forward to reading more by Shannon McKelden.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

Posted by Keris on January 8, 2007 in American Authors, Debut Novels, New Releases, Rating: 4/5, Romance, Supernatural | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 4, 2007 5:23 PM

Love is... by Mike Gayle and Emlyn Rees

Joining two of Company magazine's regular male writers in the latest issue are lad-lit authors Mike Gayle and Emlyn Rees, getting all soppy as they talk about "Love is..." (their definitions of love, that is, not the kitschy/sickly cartoons of the same name). Mike Gayle apparently learned a lot about love from Oprah. Bless 'im.

Emlyn Rees and his wife and writing partner Josie Lloyd's newest book, The Seven Year Itch, will be released in hardback on 18 January.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 4, 2007 in Book related, British Authors, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 3, 2007 10:18 AM

India Knight's diet book and dirty bits!

And if that title doesn't get your attention, nothing will... First, the diet book: Sunday Times journalist and chick-lit author (of My Life on a Plate, which I loved, and How do you Want Me? which I didn't) India Knight has teamed up with her friend and fellow slimmer Neris Thomas for a new book, designed to be a straightforward guide to weight loss - as reflected in the title: Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet Book. The Guardian does another fabulous Digested Read of the book (in the style of the original) here.

Secondly, The Dirty Bits for Girls is India's second new release, designed to raise your temperature! It's a compilation of all the memorable mucky bits from literature, for, well - girls. With a bit of commentary too, I think - if you're interested in that...

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on January 3, 2007 in Book News, Book related, British Authors, Classic Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Non Fiction, Romance | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 27, 2006 4:07 PM

Top 10 young adult books

Since we’ve only fairly recently started to include young adult books in our reviews, this, the penultimate Top 10 of our Top 100 Extravaganza, consists of five books we’ve reviewed and five we haven’t ... yet. (Recommendations for numbers 10 to 6 from Luisa Plaja of teen review site, Chicklish of which I’m also a co-editor).

10 The Goddess Society by Kelly McKain

The Goddess Society is about the club that three friends form to lose their virginity 'in a non-tacky way'.

A funny, wonderfully observed account of teen life and love.

9 Let’s Get Lost by Sarra Manning

Isabel's a Queen Bee, tough and mean. She's also recently bereaved, but refuses to show any emotion about this to anyone. No one gets through to her, until she meets Smith and gets 'lost' in him, and then in herself.

I can't recommend this book enough. I found it breathtaking. It swept me away, made me laugh and cry.

8 Becoming Bindy Mackenzie by Jaclyn Moriarty

Bindy Mackenzie is a unique teenager, and you get instantly drawn into her life by Jaclyn Moriarty's unusual and gently amusing storytelling techniques and her use of pages from Bindy's special stationery collection.

An unusual, fun, heart-warming and intriguing book.

7 Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

This unusual novel starts with the death of the main character, fifteen-year-old Liz, and follows her into the afterlife.

Gently funny, occasionally sad, and profoundly moving.

6 A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl by Tanya Lee Stone

Written in verse and paying homage to Judy Blume’s classic, Forever, A Bad Boy Can Be Good for a Girl is high quality, thoughtful and easy to read.

Carry on over the cut for the top 5.

5 The Principles of Love by Emily Franklin

The story of Love Bukowski’s attempts to create a life for herself when her father becomes the Principal of Hadley Hall prep school and she finds herself having to start over and make new friends.

“Beautifully written and Love has an interesting and original voice.”

4 I Was a Teenage Popsicle by Bev Katz Rosenbaum

Floe Ryan died in 2006 but was cyrogenically frozen until a cure for her illness could be found. Now it has, and she's been brought back to life ... but it's 2016 and things are very different ...

“This book is fun and imaginative - a great idea, executed well, even if this future isn't quite as I'd imagine it!”

3 Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty

The first in a trilogy, Sloppy Firsts is about Jessica Darling, whose world falls apart when her best friend moves away.

“Sloppy Firsts is a great example of YA chick lit, but is actually shelved in the adult section too - like it says on the back cover “a good read for anyone between the ages of 15 and 99.” Recommended.”

2 The Princess Diaries Seventh Heaven by Meg Cabot

The Princess Diaries series, featuring reluctant princess Mia Thermopolis, is chock-full of Meg Cabot's trademark humour and charm and should be read by young and, um, not-so-young alike.

“For days after I finished reading this book (and I read it in a day) I found myself looking forward to getting back to it and then being disappointed to remember I'd finished it.”

1 The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

The story of Ruby Oliver, a fifteen year-old girl who's been referred to a psychiatrist after suffering a series of panic attacks, it's a funny, moving and realistic portrayal of teenage life.

“Ruby Oliver is a believable and endearing character and The Boyfriend List is compelling, fun, and captures the spirit of teenagerdom brilliantly.”

We really loved the sequel, The Boy Book, too.

We’d love to hear your YA recommendations!

Young Adult archives

Posted by Keris on December 27, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Romance, Series, Top 100 Extravaganza!, Young Adult | Permalink | Comments (9)

December 26, 2006 3:00 PM

Top 10 Lad Lit

Our Top 100 Extravaganza continues with a look at the boys' version of chick lit: lad lit.

10 Dead Famous by Ben Elton

Ben Elton’s books are hugely successful and Dead Famous, with its Big Brother show style setting, was bound to be a hit. The back cover reads "One house, ten contestants, thirty cameras, forty microphones, one murder... and no evidence." Who wouldn’t want to read that?!

"The idea is brilliant, but unfortunately the book itself just doesn't live up to expectations. It is not Ben Elton's finest effort, but for those who can persevere with it the ending is pretty good."

9 Just Like Heaven by Marc Levy

Released originally in 2000 as If Only It Were True, Marc Levy’s debut was reissued under the name Just Like Heaven to coincide with the film adaptation. It’s the story of Lauren, a resident in a busy ER department and what happens when she ends up in a coma following a car crash. Arthur moves into her former apartment and finds ... Lauren.

"I would definitely recommend this book to anyone as a quick and enjoyable read."

8 A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Nick Hornby is arguably the father of lad lit. It all began with Fever Pitch (which is ironic, since it’s non-fiction). Anyway, it’s New Years Eve and four people have gathered on the roof of Topper's House with the intention of ending it all. Instead, they end up talking about their lives and getting to know each other.

"I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I don't think its quite up there with some of his previous efforts, but it is still definitely worth a read."

7 The Three Day Rule by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees.

Yes, I know Josie Lloyd isn’t a lad, but Emlyn surely is and it didn’t seem fair to leave him out. The book follows the Thorne family, unhappily spending Christmas at their father's house on a remote Cornish Island.

"I truly wasn't expecting anything amazing when I opened this book, but a couple of pages in and I was already hooked. I'd go as far as to say that this is one of the best books I've read this year. It doesn't try too hard, it touches on a lot of issues without ramming them down your throat, it’s equal parts funny and tragic, and it all ties up nicely at the end in perfect 'happily ever after(ish)' Christmas style. Definitely recommended for escaping your family this Christmas!"

6 Mr Nice Guy by Thomas Dowler

Fed up of getting rejections on his manuscript, Thomas took things into his own hands self-published, giving away his debut novel as a free e-book and audio book, via his website.

"It's written in a very pacey, snappy style ... and there were some unexpected twists and turns ... it wasn't predictable but it did deliver the happy ending I hoped for."

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5. Any guesses on who might be at number one? (Here's a clue: it's not Marian Keyes.)

5 Mr Commitment by Mike Gayle

Mike Gayle is another lad lit success story and Mr Commitment tells the tale of Duffy, whose life is not going to plan. So he decides to marry his girlfriend. As you do.

"I am really pleased I perservered with reading this book. I found myself desperate to get back to reading it whenever I was supposed to be doing something else. Definitely one to read!"

4 Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About by Mil Millington

I know we only reviewed it earlier today, but it’s so great we couldn’t leave it out.

"Yes, it is sarcastic and facetious, but it somehow manages to be charming and sweet at the same time. Most of all though, it’s just really, really funny. Read it. You won’t be sorry."

3 The Food of Love by Anthony Capella

Anthony Capella’s debut is a modern-day re-telling of the classic story, Cyrano de Bergerac, set to a backdrop of gorgeous Italian cuisine.

"This book is a great read but beware, it's written with such passion that it makes you want to eat, so make you have stocked up on all the ingredients for a good Italian meal prior to reading because you will suddenly become convinced that you can cook."

2 How I Paid for College by Marc Acito

Edward, a high-school senior in 1980s New Jersey, is desperate to study acting at the prestigious Julliard in New York City but his overbearing father has refused to pay and his flaky mother is incommunicado. And so Edward hatches a number of outrageous schemes to fund his college education.

"A fabulous, over-the-top, brilliantly written, laugh-a-minute American lad lit (is that enough adjectives yet?!) novel that I can’t recommend enough to anyone with a sense of humour and a pulse."

1 The Family Way by Tony Parsons

Tony Parsons is probably the most high-profile lad lit writer after Nick Hornby. The Family Way focuses on three sisters, all reaching the time of their lives when children are on the agenda. The book follows the trials and tribulations of all three sisters as they follow the path their hearts have set them.

"This is a book that will take you through a complete rollercoaster of emotions. I laughed, I cried, I even shouted out loud at a couple of points - would have been great if the characters could have heard me! I would definitely recommend this book very strongly to anyone. It has something for everyone, irrespective of age or gender."

So what do you think? Have we included your favourite lad lit tales or is there a book you think we've missed?

Posted by Keris on December 26, 2006 in Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Josie Lloyd & Emlyn Rees, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (3)

December 19, 2006 4:15 PM

Keris's "Top 10 books I reviewed this year"

Our Top 100 Extravaganza continues with my favourite books of the year (read Diane’s list here). Like Diane, I limited myself to books I read for the first time this year and, because I’m doing a Top 10 Young Adult list, I didn’t include any young adult books here.

Don’t forget to tell us about your favourite books of the year.

10 Little Lady, Big Apple by Hester Browne

The sequel to The Little Lady Agency, Little Lady, Big Apple follows Melissa’s adventures with her etiquette and grooming agency. As you can guess from the title, she’s off to New York.

"It's a testament to the strength and charm of the characters that when I sat down to read I felt I was catching up with old friends (even though I only read the first book last week). It's fun, funny and sweet."

9 Pick Me Up by Zoe Rice

Pick Me Up is the story of Izzy who works in an art gallery and loves Robbie Williams. Clearly, I was destined to love her. And I did.

"I really enjoyed this book. Izzy's a charming, down-to-earth character and the supporting cast is great fun too. There are laugh-out-loud moments and an enormously romantic ending."

8 Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston

The follow up to the enormously successful Sophie’s Bakery for the Broken-hearted brilliantly chronicles the breakdown of a marriage.

"I've never read a book where wanting more than one person at the same time is portrayed so convincingly. I had no idea who to root for. I wanted everyone to be happy. Winston writes about the minutiae of life beautifully."

7 Ex and the Single Girl by Lani Diane Rich

I hate to compare Lani Diane Rich to Jennifer Crusie - because everyone does - but I have the same confidence in Lani’s books as I do in Jennifer Crusie’s. I just know I’m going to get an entertaining and involving story and Ex and the Single Girl didn’t let me down.

"Portia is funny and real and Ian is sexy. Ex and the Single Girl is a fun and fast read about following your heart and finding your place in the world."

6 Me vs Me by Sarah Mlynowski

Sarah Mlynowski is an author at the top of her game and Me vs Me is her first foray into chick lit paranormal. Unable to decide whether to stay in Arizona and marry her boyfriend or move to New York for a great job opportunity, Gabby wishes (on a star) that she could do both. And she does.

"I really loved this book. It’s an original and interesting idea, entertainingly executed."

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5.

5 Anyone But You by Jennifer Crusie

Jennifer Crusie is one of our Top 10 chick lit authors and her books are always a cause for celebration. Anyone But You is one of her simpler stories, but it’s full of her usual humour, romance and great sex.

"A lovely, charming, sweet and romantic book. I loved it."

4 Cancer Vixen by Marisa Acocello Marchetto

A bit of a departure, Cancer Vixen is a graphic novel and non-fiction so it really shouldn’t be in this list at all, but it’s amazing and inspiring and I couldn’t leave it out.

"The word 'unputdownable' is overused in book reviews. I mean, it's not true, is it? There's no book that you literally can't put down, but there are some books that once you start reading you don't want to stop and, for me, Cancer Vixen was one of those books."

3 Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos

Marisa De Los Santos’s debut novel tells, in alternating chapters, the stories of 30-year-old Cornelia and 11-year-old Clare and what happens when their lives intertwine.

"Love Walked In is a beautiful, magical book. It's old-fashioned, cleverly crafted and constantly surprising. The characters all seem utterly real - they are flawed, intelligent and interesting."

2 Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane

I heard a lot about Stupid and Contagious before reading it - it was probably the most-recommended book of the year. I was worried I’d be disappointed. Far from it.

"Stupid and Contagious is extremely funny, it made me cry and when I finished it I could happily have turned back to the first page and started it again. One of the best chick lit books I've ever read."

1 Anybody Out There? by Marian Keyes

Marian is a chick lit goddess and number one in our Top 10 chick lit authors list. Her latest book, Anybody Out There?, is also, in my opinion, her best.

"Anybody Out There? made me laugh out loud. It also often gave me that trying-not-to-cry pain in the throat. And once I gave up and sobbed. It made me think. It made me want to move to New York. It's a wonderful story with brilliant, believable characters and a truly satisfying ending."

Top 100 Extravaganza archives

Posted by Keris on December 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Debut Novels, Irish Authors, Marian Keyes, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance, Top 100 Extravaganza! | Permalink | Comments (7)

BOOK REVIEW: Santa, Baby by Jennifer Crusie, Lori Foster and Carly Phillips

Sometimes there's a book I just can't wait to read, and I never learn not to over-hype it to myself, in case I get disappointed... this was the case with Santa, Baby. It's Jennifer Crusie! It's Christmas themed! I'll love it, right?!

Well... maybe. Despite the cover, which gives huge prominence to the big draw that is Jennifer Crusie, this book is actually three novellas with a Christmas theme in one handy holiday volume.

And as I was reading, I couldn't help wishing that the book was another great Crusie novel, instead...

The collection opens with Hot Toy, Crusie's novella, which is light but very entertaining, well-written with an unpredictable storyline. As always, she has great ideas and tight plotting and it's very definitely Christmas-themed. It's not as good as her novels, but as a light seasonal treat, very enjoyable. Then we have Christmas Bonus by Lori Foster and Naughty Under the Mistletoe by Carly Philips and... meh. Firstly, they could have been set at any time of the year with just a few Christmas details thrown in later, unlike Crusie's story which is seeped in a seasonal theme (with a sexy spy thrown in for good measure).

I found the two non-Crusie stories (sorry, novellas- and that's part of the problem- they were more like stories streeeetched out to become mini-novels, without the plot to back it up) very cliched and hard to believe or relate to: this is a world where you know someone intimately and make plans to be with them forever after just one night, and where a man repeatedly calling you "sweetheart" is endearing rather than deeply patronising. Of the two, I slightly preferred Naughty Under the Mistletoe, partly because it didn't have  fifty pages of sex (I'm not exaggerating- call me Prudey McPruderson but I like something left to the imagination, especially as this occasionally missed the mark- "donned a rubber"? Sounds safe, but not sexy... and flickering tongues just remind me of lizards I'm afraid!) but didn't think either of these stories were anything special or managed to capture any real emotion. And there was too much telling and not enough showing ("how could any man get inside her when she'd feared emotional closeness would result in unhealthy dependence?"- who thinks like that?!)

If you like a predictable romance story that you don't need to think about, you might enjoy them, but they weren't my cup of tea, and I'd recommend just reading Hot Toy to get you in the holiday mood- then, as with a box of champagne truffles on Christmas morning (she hinted), exercising some restraint and leaving the rest- for your own good.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Don't look Down by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Meyer.

Posted by DIANE SHIPLEY on December 19, 2006 in American Authors, Book News, Book related, Crime / Mystery, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, New Releases, Rating: 3/5, Romance, Short Story Collections | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 15, 2006 3:32 PM

FRIDAY FLICK: About Last Night

About Last Night is an eighties film based on a David Mamet play called Sexual Perversity in Chicago. It stars a very young (and quite disturbingly pretty) Rob Lowe along with Demi Moore, Jim Belushi and Elizabeth Perkins. It was my absolute favourite film when I was about 14 and I can still recite chunks of it now, even though - until yesterday - I hadn’t seen it for years.

It’s the story of Debbie (Moore) and Danny (Lowe) who meet, sleep together, fall in love and move in together. And then things start going wrong. It’s funny, sexy and cheesy in the way only an 80s movie can be (there are three of those so-bad-they’re-good musical montages beloved of the films of that decade), but it does actually have some interesting things to say about relationships.

Plus Rob Lowe takes his clothes off rather a lot (there’s a shower scene I can remember wearing out the video’s pause button on) and there's even a very early appearance by an almost-unrecognisable Megan Mullally!

If you didn’t see it at the time (and if not, why not?), watch it now. You won’t be sorry.

Friday Flick archives

Posted by Keris on December 15, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, Friday Flick, Girly Stuff, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

BOOK REVIEW: In Between Men by Mary Castillo

Remember when we told you about Latina Lit (way back in August)? Well, Mary Castillo is the Latina Lit queen. Her second novel, In Between Men, is about Isa who has just been unlucky enough to be voted the un-sexiest woman alive by the students at the high school where she teaches. At first she’s not concerned - she’s got more important things to worry about than her appearance, like her job and her son - but when she meets Alex and starts receiving advice from a hallucination of Joan Collins, she realises it may well be time for a makeover.

Alex isn’t interested in Isa. He’s not interested in a relationship at all, and particularly not with the mother of one of the kids he coaches in soccer, but when Isa gets knocked out by the ball at a game, Alex feels responsible enough to take her out to dinner. And when he sees the post-makeover Isa, he starts to change his mind.

With its reluctant-to-love main characters and far-fetched and hilarious supporting characters, In Between Men reminded me a lot of Jennifer Crusie. There’s a subplot with Isa’s ex-husband which I didn’t entirely enjoy, perhaps because knowing she used to be married to such an unbelievable loser made me lose a little bit of regard for Isa (but I should give her a break because she was only 18) and I occasionally found it a little confusing and had to go back and reread certain scenes, but I think that was because there’s just so much going on.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. Isa is wonderful, Alex is gorgeous and I can’t wait to read more from Mary Castillo.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie

Posted by Keris on December 15, 2006 in American Authors, Girly Stuff, Modern Fiction, Rating: 4/5, Romance | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 14, 2006 5:03 PM

Top 10 chick lit precursors

Can you remember a time before chick lit?

We’ve sort of established that chick lit began in 1995 (with Marian Keyes's Watermelon), but there have always been books about strong women trying to come to terms with their place in the world, haven’t there? They just weren’t called chick lit before. We’re calling them chick lit precursors and here’s our Top 10 (along with a recommendation of their more recent chick lit "cousins").

(The following list is, of course, entirely subjective; my only rule was that the books had to have been originally published before 1995.)

10 Postcards From the Edge by Carrie Fisher (1987)

Suzanne Vale is an actress trying to recover from drug addiction, resume her career and get on with her life, while dealing with her difficult relationship with her mother. Like a lot of good chick lit, Postcards From the Edge is written in the first person, it’s also stuffed with Carrie Fisher’s trademark humour.

Chick lit cousin: Why Moms Are Weird by Pamela Ribon

9 Heartburn by Nora Ephron (1983)

The story of Rachel Samstat, a food writer whose husband has an affair with the wife of a prominent politician ... during month seven of Rachel's second pregnancy, it’s as hilarious and insightful as you’d expect from the writer of When Harry Met Sally.

Chick lit cousin: Watermelon by Marian Keyes

8 Sheila Levine is dead and living in New York by Gail Parent (1975)

As Diane reported, Jennifer Weiner reckons this was the first chick lit book, so who am I to argue? Sadly out of print, it’s the story of Sheila Levine, a Jewish girl living in Manhattan, her search for Mr. Right, and her struggles with her weight. Certainly sounds like chick lit!

Chick lit cousin: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

7 Jilly Cooper

Yes, an author rather than a book, but I’m specifically thinking of her "girls' name" books: Emily (1975), Bella (1976), Harriet (1976), Octavia (1977), Imogen (1978), Prudence (1978), Lisa and Co. (1981). More romances than the bonkbusters Cooper has become known for, these books are funny and romantic and have been reissued more than once with more chick lit style covers (most recently last year).

Chick lit cousin: Jill Mansell or Katie Fforde

6 Fear of Flying by Erica Jong (1973)

Fear of Flying created a sensation in the seventies with is frank descriptions of women's sexual appetites. The author Henry Miller said of it, "This book will make literary history ... because of it women are going to find their own voice and give us great sagas of sex, life, joy, and adventure." [via Erica Jong’s website]

Yep, that’s a chick lit precursor alright!

Chick lit cousin: Freya North (for the sex)

Carry on over the cut for the Top 5 (once again, number one might not be what you think!)

5 Forever by Judy Blume (1970)

The author Sarah Mlynowski says, “People always call Helen Fielding the mother of chick lit, but I think it’s Judy Blume. She’s who we all (chick lit writers) grew up reading, and she’s the one who helped shaped our consciousness.” [via Deanna Carlyle]

As if to prove Sarah's point, next June sees the publication of Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume , a collection of essays from authors including Trashionista faves Meg Cabot, Megan Crane, Diana Peterfreund and Alison Pace and Sarah herself.

I’ve picked Forever because it’s the Judy Blume book that had the most impact on me (stop sniggering) and it’s still causing a stir today, being one of the most challenged books in schools and libraries (it wasn’t shelved in my library growing up; you had to ask for it “under the counter”).

Chick lit cousin: The Boyfriend List by E Lockhart

4 Nancy Drew (from 1930)

We’ve mentioned the influence of the Nancy Drew books a few times, and the “girl detective” remains as popular today as ever. Nancy has gone through a few incarnations over the years, but has always been intelligent, brave, talented and independent. An excellent chick lit heroine!

Chick lit cousin: Stephanie Plum

3 Dorothy Parker (from 1926)

A commonly quoted important chick lit characteristic is “snark” and they don’t come much snarkier than Dorothy Parker.

In her review of the Parker biography What Fresh Hell is This, Diane wrote, “One of the founder members of the Algonquin round table - an influential group of writers in 1920s and 30s New York - Dorothy Parker was a gossipy journalist, well-known short story writer, clinical depressive with a tendency to suicide attempts - and a famous wit.”

Chick lit cousin: Wendy Holden

2 Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

Ha! Bet you thought this would be number 1, didn’t you? As I'm sure you know, Pride and Prejudice is the story of the Bennet family, particularly Lizzie - who would make a perfect chick lit heroine even today - and Mr Darcy (on whom the best chick lit heroes are inevitably based).

In my review of Flirting with Pride and Prejudice, I wrote, "It is a truth universally acknowledged that if Jane Austen were writing today, she would be considered a chick lit author" and Austen’s influence on chick lit (not least Bridget Jones’s Diary) is well-known. She wasn’t first though. Oh no.

Chick lit cousin: Bridget Jones’s Diary, of course!

1 Evelina by Frances Burney (1778)

Beating Pride and Prejudice by 35 years is Frances Burney’s Evelina.

Written as a series of letters, this is the story of innocent Evelina's entrance into London society. “Evelina, comic and shrewd, is at once a guide to fashionable London, a satirical attack on the new consumerism, an investigation of women's position in the late eighteenth century, and a love story.” [via Amazon]

That’ll be the earliest chick lit book then!

Chick lit cousin: Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot

So what do you think? Do you agree? Have I missed any? We’d love to hear from you.

Top 100 Extravaganza archives

Posted by Keris on December 14, 2006 in American Authors, Book related, British Authors, Celebrity Authors, Classic Novels, Crime / Mystery, Debut Novels, Modern Fiction, Opinion, Romance, Series, Top 100 Extravaganza!,