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COMPETITION: Frenemies

I loved Megan Crane's Frenemies and - guess what? - we've got one to give away (but just one this week, sorry).

Usual rules apply. Email us with your name and address, with "Frenemies" in the subject line, and the answer to the question over the cut. 

Who is Megan Crane's favourite female heroine? (You'll find the answer somewhere on this site.) 

Closing date is next Tuesday, 4 September, at midnight GMT. In the meantime, you can read Megan's guest blog on "The Concept of the Frenemy" here.

TUESDAY THREE: Life's a beach

Yes, despite the weather, we're continuing with the Summer Special. This week I thought I'd look at beach reads since I've actually started compiling my own holiday reading list (about which more later).

First up is Chocolate Beach by Julie Carobini. Inspirational chick lit, it's the story of free-spirited Bri Stone who begins to worry that her hard-working lawyer husband Douglas may be bored with her. When friends and family urge her to change to hang on to her man things start to fall apart. With pressure from her mother-in-law to make her beach house more suited to a man of Douglas’s stature, bitchy comments from a former friend, and a new, erratic boss at the tour company, Bri doesn’t quite know what to do for the best.

Sexy Shorts for the Beach is a collection of short stories with a summery theme.
Featuring a brilliant mix of styles and feels to the stories - some are amusing, some are poignant and and some are downright romantic - we recommend it highly.

How could I write about beach reads without mentioning Belinda Jones? The Paradise Room takes us to Tahiti, and islands so beautiful they even melt the heart of Amber Pepper, a woman who's usually much happier with a brolly than a bikini. But in Tahiti she really begins to find herself, and that means a few very important decisions need to be made...

TUESDAY THREE: Messing about on the water

The summer theme continues with books about boats and boating (and apologies if I get any of the terminology wrong - I don't want emails telling me that "yachting" isn't "boating" or anything like that).

Sarah Mason's Sea Fever is the story of Erica Pencarrow, who longs to compete in sailing's toughest challenge, the America's Cup. When her dream finally comes true she must conquer not only the sea but also her team's prejudices - a fight she looks set to lose when she falls for a rival sailor. Review coming soon.

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.

Jacquelyn Mitchard's Still Summer is the story of four school friends, who get together for an idyllic sailing vacation – meant to comfort recently widowed Olivia – expecting two weeks of gossip, sunbathing and drinks with little umbrellas. Instead, two days into their crossing, a single small mistake turns paradise a sun-baked hell. Surrounded by water, but with almost none to drink, with refrigerators filled with gourmet food rotting before they can used it, and a deluxe communication system ruined in an instant, the women must hide from the punishing sun and use all their strength and intelligence to try to outwit nature, their own demons and human predators.

There's a review of this coming soon(ish) too, but you'll actually find a (glowing) Amazon review written by no less than Jodi Picoult!

If the above's whetted your appetite for the water, you can also read about Katie Fforde's Dutch barge, sailing the Med, and cruising with Monroe.

COMPETITION: All I Want Is You

Do you think one week the sun will actually be shining as I write about the latest Summer Special competition?

This week's book is Martina Reilly's All I Want Is You (which we really will be reviewing one day, honest - so many books to review!).

In the author's own words, it's the story of "Poppy Shannon - a woman who had it all to lose and did!" and you can win a copy.

All you need to do is email us your name and address, subject line "Reilly" and with the answer to the question you'll find over the cut.

Question: What did Martina Reilly tell us was her favourite chick lit book? (You'll find the answer somewhere on this site.)

Closing date is Tuesday 21st August at midnight GMT. Good luck!

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

Summer Special Tuesday 3 - Change your life on holiday

Another Summer Special Tuesday Three. This week, rather than picking one place, I've picked three books that will show you how a holiday can change your life.

When her horrendous divorce is followed by a devastating break-up, Elizabeth Gilbert decides to take a year out just for herself. She comes up with a plan to spend the year pursuing three very different things in three very different countries: pleasure in Italy, devotion in India and balance in Indonesia - Eat, Pray, Love. The fact that the countries all being with "I" is coincidental, but, Gilbert thinks, a good sign. Can she recover from her past and find herself and her future all in the space of a year?

If you've ever wanted to take a year off, if you've ever wondered if there's more to life than this, if you've ever had to recover from a bad break-up - surely that covers everyone? - you'll enjoy this book.

We haven't actually reviewed the book of Under the Tuscan Sun, but we've reviewed the film and that's good enough for me. It stars Diane Lane as Frances, who, following a bitter divorce, heads to Italy to try and learn how to be happy again. Frances is only supposed to be there on holiday, but she falls for a run-down house and buys it on the spot. As you do. And you know the rest. She charms the locals, makes friends, walls fall down, things/hearts break, etc. We've seen it many times. But I never stopped wanting it to work out and I never doubted for a moment that it would.

When Felix Huber is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, he and his wife Rina decide to retire and spend however many years they have left sailing around the Mediterranean. Starting in France, they spend the next Nine Summers sailing their yacht Galatea from Italy to Greece to Turkey, even Israel.

On the way, they have numerous, significant problems - Felix suffers a stroke practically before they've set off, Rina contracts breast cancer and also has to have a potentially paralysing back operation, and then Felix has a heart attack - but their positive attitude, lovely natures and deep love for each other carry them through everything. It's a charming and inspiring book.

Has a book ever inspired you to change your life? Let us know.

BOOK REVIEW: Around the World in 80 Dates by Jennifer Cox

When Jennifer Cox's workaholism - she's a travel writer and broadcaster - meant that she never had time to meet men, she decided to travel around the world dating. Entrusting her friends to fix her up with their friends, she set up 80 dates from Sweden to New Zealand to LA.

I thought this book would be the perfect summer book - I could do some vicarious travelling *and* some vicarious dating (I've been married for 11 years...), but it didn't quite work out that way...

Considering she's a travel writer I didn't find the descriptions of the places Jennifer visited particularly engaging. The men weren't great shakes either and I found myself scanning quite a lot. Until, that is, she arrived at the Burning Man Festival and met Garry.

Now usually our rule here at Trashionista is not to mention anything that happens after the first hundred pages so as not to risk spoilerage, but I'm going to make an exception with this book. But the thing is, the spoilers are built right in! The back cover features a picture of the author looking very loved up with Garry. The book's dedication reads 'To my parents ... with love and thanks for putting up with years of my nonsense. And to G. who has all that to come'. Why, how will I ever crack that code?!

Garry is date number 55 and once Jennifer meets him, her writing (and the story) really start to sparkle. She makes the Burning Man Festival sound fascinating and wonderful (albeit a little bit scary) and Garry sounds utterly gorgeous. They fall in love. And then Jennifer has to go off and do another 25 dates. Which Garry is cool with. Really. Jennifer isn't though and, since I've spoilered* once, I may as well spoiler again - Around the World in 80 Dates is mistitled. Yes, she gives up before the end.

There are some entertaining aspects to this book, but all in all I found it disappointing. Although I am very glad Jennifer and Garry are so happy.

*it's a word!

Rating: 2/5

Like this? Try Dating Amy by Amy DeZellar

COMPETITION: The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes

Is this our fourth Summer Special competition already? Where's the summer going? (Now that it finally seems to have arrived!)

This week's is a doozy - the latest collaborative novel from Jennifer Crusie, this time with Anne Stuart and Eileen Dreyer. I absolutely loved it and it would make a fabulous plane (or airport delay) book.

Usual rules apply. Closing date is midnight GMT next Tuesday (14th). Entries to be sent to the usual address with "Miss Fortunes" as the subject line and the answer (along with your name and address) in the body of the email.

Hop over the cut for the question.

Jennifer Crusie wrote Don't Look Down (and the forthcoming Agnes & the Hitman) with another (male) author. Name that (male) author!

Authors' summer reading recommendations

It's not just us thinking about summer reading, some of our favourite authors are doing it too (although likely in more glamorous locations).

Jennifer Weiner found Cammie McGovern's Eye Contact, a thriller about a mother and her autistic son "caught at the center of a murder that rocks an entire community" "poignant and gripping". She describes The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty as "a weeper in the manner of The Deep End of the Ocean". Plus she's looking forward to reading Karen Abbott’s Sin in the Second City (check out the fab website).

Carry on over the cut to find out what Meg Cabot and Marian Keyes are reading in the pool and in bed (respectively!).

Along with Harry Potter, Meg Cabot's just read Megan McCafferty’s next Jessica Darling book, Fourth Comings, which she found "riveting" and Phyllis Reynolds Naylor’s Dangerously Alice which "is good, too, though in a completely different way."

Lovely Marian found Anna Quindlen's Rise and Shine "very entertaining and witty and wry and funny and now I want to read everything else she’s written." Also Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert was "such an interesting, comforting book. It was exactly what I needed."

So what are you reading this summer?

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.

COMPETITION: Second Summer Special competition

Yes, the winner of last week's competition has been picked and the book will be on the way tomorrow. (No, really, it will.)

This week's comp is for Gwen Cooper's Diary of a South Beach Party Girl (and a review will be coming soon too).

So let's see... a question. South Beach is in Miami. Miami Sound Machine were from Miami. Name the singer of Miami Sound Machine. (My husband told me last week's question was too easy, so I've made this week's a little bit harder.)

Email us the answer, (subject line: Party Girl) along with your name and address, before midnight (GMT) next Tuesday (the 31st) and the books (we've got two this week) will be in the post on Thursday (no, really, they will).

Whatever would I do without brackets?

Summer Special Tuesday 3 - Paris

I thought I'd do something a bit different with the Summer Special Tuesday 3s. Each week I'm going to pick a place and feature three books set there, which we may or may not have reviewed. (And there may be more than 3...) Ooh. Controversial!

So first up is Paris, mainly because I'm going there at the end of this week. Yes, I know I said I wasn't going on holiday until September, this isn't a holiday, it's a Bridget Jones style romantic mini-break ... with cycling (we're going to see the end of the Tour de France). But back to the books...

First up is Weekend in Paris by Robyn Sisman. Weekend in Paris is not my favourite of Sisman's books (that would be Perfect Strangers), but it's definitely escapist. Molly is given the opportunity to accompany her boss to Paris, but then learns he plans to seduce her and so runs away to Paris on her own. She then meets a bunch of people and has a life-changingly exciting weekend. In Paris.

Diane has loaned me Kate Muir 's Left Bank to take with me this weekend, so it had better be good. It's the story of a glamorous French philosopher and a gorgeous American actress. In Paris. And it looks gorgeous.

Paris Hangover by Kirsten Lobe features Klein, a New Yorker trying to find the right man. In Paris.

Paulina Porizkova's debut novel, A Model Summer is also set in Paris  as is Julia Holden's new book, One Dance in Paris and Sabine Durrant's YA novel Ooh La La, Connie Pickles (which I loved).

If you've read any of the above, let us know what you think. And feel free to tell us about your favourite Paris novel.

Plus if you've got a pash for Paris, you should check out writer Gabrielle Luthy's site - more Paris links than you could possibly ever need!

What's your favourite beach read?

Well, the weather's gone bad again here in the UK, but I haven't forgotten our Summer Special. Last week I asked about your holiday reading style and this week I'd like recommendations for your favourite beach read.

Which book is most likely to make your flight, well, fly by? Which paperback should we all be sure to pack?

And don't forget you've still got one day to enter our first Summer Special competition. Good luck.

What's your holiday reading style?

I have been known to spend months honing my holiday reading list. I don't want to risk taking anything I'm not going to enjoy so I have to read at least the first chapter of every possibility. Then I need to make sure there's a balance between fiction, non-fiction, popular and "literary" fiction. I usually like to include a book that I've wanted to read for a long time, but haven't got around to.

I'm perfectly willing to accept that I may be barking mad and that you're all backing away from your computers right now, but what about you? Do you save books to take on holiday? Do you have any fail-safe holiday authors? Or do you just pick up your books at the airport and hope for the best? Or (gasp!) maybe you don't take any books on holiday at all! As part of our so far loosely defined but still fabulous Summer Special, we'd love to know.