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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

TELEVISION NEWS: Dollhouse

Okay, so this isn't chick lit, but it is Joss Whedon - one of our favourite screenwriters and creator of the kick ass heroine Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Whedon is currently shooting a new series titled Dollhouse. In it, 'dolls' are people who have had their personalities wiped clean so that they can be imprinted with new ones for special assigments. The dolls are hired out for jobs, crimes, fantasies and occasional good deeds. Creepy, no?

Creepier still,  in between tasks they are mind-wiped into a child-like state and kept in a hidden facility known as 'the dollhouse'. The story follows a young female doll called Echo who begins, in her mind-wiped state, to become self-aware.

Echo is played by Eliza Dushku - Faith from Buffy for those who aren't as Whedon-obsessed as I am - and Angel actress Amy Acker (Fred) will also feature.

Related posts: Reading Buffy | Chick lit authors' favourite TV shows | Reading Angel

BOOK REVIEW: Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson

I've wanted to read Shanna Swendson's Once Upon Stilettos for ages, but somehow hadn't got around to it. I finally managed to snuggle down with it over one of the recent rainy and miserable weekends and it brightened me up considerably!

The first book in the series, Enchanted Inc, sees innocent Texan, Katie, living in New York and learning that she is a magical immune - in other words she can see magical acts - but is unaffected by them, which sees her recruited by MSI, Magic, Spells and Illusions, Inc.

In Once Upon Stilettos, Katie's job (she's assistant to Merlin - yes, *that* Merlin) is going very well except it seems MSI may be harbouring a spy. She's got a crush on one of her colleagues, Owen, but she's actually dating another colleague, Ethan. She's put in charge of the Secret Santa as a team-building exercise. And then her parents decide to come to New York for a visit.

Katie's horrified when it seems her mother can see the magical happenings around them. Her mum can't also be an immune, can she? I say also, it seems that Katie's immunity might be on the wane, which couldn't happen at a worse time: how can Katie find the spy without revealing she's lost her immunity? And will she get it back? And, if not, will she be out of a job (and the chance to see Owen every day)?

I enjoyed this book every bit as much as the first in the series. They're so sweet-natured and such good fun. I certainly won't leave it so long before reading the next in the series, Damsel Under Stress.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Jinx by Meg Cabot

MORE ON MONDAY: The Night Walker by Patricia Elliott

Reviewed by Colin Mulhern

Daniel's mother walked out, leaving his father, leaving him. Two years later, living with his dad's new partner and her two daughters, Daniel still won't forgive his mother. And Daniel has other problems: at his new school he has no friends and is chased by Todd and his gang; at home his imaginary childhood friend is giving him more trouble than he's worth; in the dark, he is haunted by footsteps, following him home, and to top it all, his older step sister - the one he�s developing a crush on - has found herself a strange, scary boyfriend.

The Night Walker starts off slowly but soon becomes genuinely dark and spooky. And then, without warning, it turns into some strange fantasy tale with giant metallic worms, sleepy children, and across a foggy causeway, a distant battlefield.

At this point, the pace of the novel almost grinds to a halt, and the characters - Frank in particular - are tedious, flat and come across as mindless. For some reason Daniel is the only trying to find answers.

Things pick up when Daniel decides he has to cross the causeway and face the battle. The scenes here are very visual - to a point where you believe it would make a great Terry Gilliam movie. Unfortunately, the story from here on is peppered with so many clichés and cringingly symbolic scenes that it starts to feel cluttered, confused, and worst of all - predictable.

Saying that, clichés are only really noticeable if you are already familiar with them. For a young teenage audience, this may not be the case, and there is something enjoyably disturbing about the book as a whole, so I can't give it too low a rating.

All in all, a fairly enjoyable, yet predictable, horror fantasy. Perhaps a YA stepping stone to Clive Barker or Neil Gaiman.

Rating: 3/5

Like this? Try Uglies by Scott Westerfield

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Buffy v Wonder Woman

In the last grudge match, we had a battle of the side-kicks and Lula won out. Well, she's pretty handy with a Taser... This week, we turn to comic books for two female super-heroines; Buffy (the vampire slayer) and Wonder Woman.

Buffy

The comic books: Buffy (created by Joss Whedon) was originally a terrible film and then a wonderful, seminal TV series and, finally, a comic book. The books continue where season seven of the TV series finished, with young women around the world waking up to Slayer strength.

Likes: Shoes, shopping, her friends (the Scoobies) and pointy sticks.

Dislikes: Bumpy foreheads, The Master, math.

Loves: Angel (yum!), Spike (bad boy yum!) and Giles (in a totally platonic Watcher-Slayer kind of a way).

Preferred Method of Kicking-Ass: Kick-boxing, karate, slayer-strength, amazing jumps and, of course, the sharp pointy stick.

Wonder Woman

The Comic Books: Created by William Moulton Marston and first published in All Star Comics in 1941, Wonder Woman is looking pretty damn good for her age. In 1975, Wonder Woman got a TV series starring Lynda Carter and in 2006 the comic book incarnation got a relaunch with some of the stories written by Jodi Picoult.   

Likes: Animals, Greek mythology (Wonder Woman was often described as "beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, swifter than Hermes, and stronger than Hercules" and her friend Etta Candy.

Dislikes: Bad guys. Wonder Woman has had a fair few enemies over the years, including Doctor Poison, Doctor Psycho, and the Duke of Deception.

Loves: Steve Trevor, her crime-fighting partner.

Preferred Method of Kicking-Ass: Well, she has super-human strength and throws some painful-looking 'kapow' punches and flying kicks, but Wonder Woman has another trick up her sleeve... The Lasso of Truth. Oh yes.

Conclusion: It's a very tough call. Both Buffy and Wonder Women are strong women with more ass-kicking power in their little pinkies than the rest of us put together.

Wonder Woman has been around a long time and been credited with too many powers and weapons to list. However, Buffy is a resourceful fighter and tough-as-nails; as well as saving the world several times, she has died twice. Will Wonder Woman's show-stopping costume tip the scales in her favour? You decide...

BOOK NEWS: Don't Hex with Texas

I loved Enchanted Inc, the first book in Shanna Swendson's Katie Chandler series, so why it's taken me two years (two years!) to read any more I don't know. But I have indeed ordered the second in the series, Once Upon Stilettos, and it will be with me in time to read over the Easter weekend (which I did plan to spend with family and friends, but will now be spending with my chicken pocked child - all the more reading time for me!)

Anyway, as I was ordering the second book, I noticed that a fourth will be out in April. It's called Don't Hex with Texas and features Katie returning to Texas for a family visit, but finding things have become a lot more magical there since she left.

Related posts: Shanna Swendson guest blog | Enchanted Inc movie news

FRIDAY FLICK: Stardust

I adored Neil Gaiman's book, Stardust, so was immoderately excited when I heard it was being filmed.

Better still was the news that it was being partially shot on the beautiful Isle of Skye, and that the talented Claire Danes, Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer were all on board. 'How can it fail?', I thought, with uncharacteristic optimism...

Joyously, it didn't.

With lots of british comedy actors - including Julian Rhind-Tutt, Mark Heap, David Walliams, Mark Williams, Ricky Gervais, and Sarah Alexander - playing 'spot the actor' was almost as much fun as the action.

Charlie Cox, a relative unknown, played Tristan Thorn. He has a softly handsome, 'everyman' kind of face, that is perfect for the boy-turns-to-man adventure story.

Robert De Niro does a fantastic comedic turn as a camp sky pirate and Michelle Pfeiffer is every bit as good as I expected as the witch intent on cutting out the heart of the fallen star (Claire Danes).

Jane Goldman's screenplay is good, but loving the book as much as I do, I was bound to find fault... It's a little more schmaltzy and 'Hollywood' than Gaiman's original work, but this is a minor criticism. It really is super fun and one I'd recommend even if you're not usually a fantasy fan.

Related posts: Friday Flick archives

Book News: Where Demons Dare

This news is especially for one of our regular reviewers, Angela Richardson: the sixth instalment in Kim Harrison's urban fantasy series about a bounty-hunting witch is due out in April.

Angela chose Rachel Morgan as her favourite heroine, and Where Demons Dare (published as The Outlaw Demon Wails in the US) certainly sounds like an exciting read. The bounty-hunter becomes the hunted, with no less than three hellions on her tail...

I must admit, I haven't read a great deal of supernatural chick lit, but considering how much I adore Buffy perhaps it's time I started...

However, the cover of Where Demons Dare isn't doing much for me. It looks a wee bit scary for my tastes. Stop shouting 'wimp' at the screen; I can't hear you.

Related posts: Supernatural archives

BOOK REVIEW: Vampires Are Forever by Lynsay Sands

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Vampires Are Forever is the sequel to The Accidental Vampire - one of the Argeneau vampire novels by Lynsay Sands. This book is the latest in her series and provides just as much entertainment as her last one.

Inez Urso has worked hard to get to the top of her profession, but her social life has suffered as a consequence. When she is called out to baby-sit Thomas Argeneau she begins to have doubts about her whole career. After all the whole Argeneau family that she is employed by seem to have an allergic reaction to the sun, excellent night vision, and not much appetite for food. Plus Thomas has just tried to bite her neck… but maybe that was just a sign of passion.

Thomas on the other hand, has been waiting forever for a woman like Inez… well, if not forever, at least two hundred years. She’s the most beautiful woman he’s seen in centuries. He couldn’t resist the temptation of just one little bite. Now Thomas will do anything to convince her that only an immortal like him can make her happy.

Yet again this is a great romantic comedy with a large dash of fantasy. The mystery of the missing grandmother that they have to solve adds a lot more depth and tension to this book than her previous novels and as a result this was very gripping. However, Sands never loses the humour in her stories, which makes this book an irresistible combination.

She has also ended this book on a bit of a cliffhanger that is apparently the main plot of the next in the series (although I’ve only read the sneak preview at the end of the book). I’m afraid if you start reading the Argeneau series you’ll be addicted, but it’ll pass many a rainy afternoon, as there are quite a few books for you to catch up on. Plus unlike many it doesn’t really matter what order you read them in.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands

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

BOOK REVIEW: The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

The Accidental Vampire is one of the Argeneau series of vampire books by Lynsay Sands. She is understandably a New York Times bestselling author as her books are always of the same high standard and are run away enjoyable reads.

Elvi Black has been sleeping in a coffin, staying out of the sun and has given up garlic and food, ever since an accident turned her into a vampire. She’s had to rely on watching Dracula for her tips on how to survive; after all, her mortal friends aren’t going to be read up on proper biting etiquette. But her neighbours are worried about her getting lonely and so place a personal ad for her in the local paper. She never imagined that she’d meet Victor Argeneau, a vampire that could have his pick of any women – dead or alive.

Rich and powerful, Victor’s the perfect man for a novice vampire like Elvi. He’s willing to teach her everything he knows, but he’ll have to do it fast. Someone’s out to put a stake through her new vamp life and only Victor can keep her safe for all eternity.

Lynsay Sands never disappoints, her books always stand out on their own so you don’t have to read her series in order. Don’t be put off by the mention of vampires; underneath it all is an old fashioned romantic comedy that you can’t fail to enjoy. Even though the plot is sometimes a bit thin, this book isn’t really about the plot. The characters and how they relate to each other are what really makes this book work. This was a really fast paced read and is pure escapism that’s guaranteed to make your lazy Sunday speed by… or perhaps that’s just me being really indulgent!

Wherever you read this you’re in for a great ride.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

MORE ON MONDAY: The Psychology of Joss Whedon: An Unauthorized Exploration of "Buffy', "Angel" and "Firefly"

Joss Whedon is the creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it's spin-off series Angel, Firefly (another series, which sadly only ran for one season) and Serenity (a film inspired by Firefly).

There has been lots of study - both light-hearted and academic - of Whedon's worlds and the amazing characters that inhabit them.

This latest collection of critical essays delves into the psychology of Joss himself, as well taking an analytical look at his creations.

Written by a variety of authors - all of whom have strings of letters after their names -  and with frequent reference to psychological theories and methods, this book had the potential to be very hard-going indeed.

Luckily, it's very readable, and the essays are well-researched and cogent. They cover topics such as neuroscience in Firefly and Angel's relationship with his mother. My personal favourites are the essays that refer to feminism in both Buffy and Whedon's own personality (Joss often refers to himself as a 'radical feminist', just another reason he is one of my personal heroes).

A couple of words of warning, however; this book is definitely not at the 'light' end of the fan-essay-market. Although by no means impenetrable, you really do need to have an interest in psychology as well as in Whedon and his works.

Also, the essays refer widely to the episodes of Buffy, Angel and Firefly, so there are plenty of spoilers.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try: Serenity Found

BOOK NEWS: Swimming Without A Net by MaryJanice Davidson

We liked Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson lots, and Sleeping With The Fishes (Mermaid Lit!) not quite so much, but one thing is for certain; no one can accuse MaryJanice of dragging her heels.

The undead series - which many credit with launching vampire chick lit - now runs to six books, she has written a couple of YA books, two cyborg books (yes, really) and contributed to various anthologies. Plus, the second mermaid book - Swimming Without A Net - is out in the UK next month. Phew!

Related post:  Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

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

Movie News: I am legend

Holy Smoke! I just watched the preview for I am legend (courtesy of Meg Cabot's blog) and my heart is racing.

Based on Richard Matheson's 1954 novel of the same name, I am legend depicts New York City after a virus has wiped out every human bar one. Will Smith plays Robert Neville, the last man alive, but he is Not Alone.

It's out later this month and I want to see it. I may have to watch it from between my fingers, but I want to see it...

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Suze v Isabel

It seems that last week you were ambivalent about the fate of Maggie Walsh (Angels) and Sadie Nelson (The Sweetest Taboo).

Let's see if two YA chick lit heroines can spark a discussion... May I present two seriously cool sixteen year olds; Susannah Simon(Suze) and Isabel (Belle).

Susannah Simon

The books: The Mediator series by Meg Cabot: Love You to Death, High Stakes, Mean Spirits, Young Blood, Grave Doubts  and Heaven Sent.

Loves: Her ancient leather jacket, her friends.

Men: Jesse. Very hot and unfortunately dead. Haunts her bedroom.

hoe Isabel ('Belle')

The book: Let's Get Lost by Sarra Manning.

Loves: Not much. Isabel rules school with an iron fist; even her friends are scared of her.

Men: Atticus Smith. Isabel meets Smith at a party. He is lovely and seems to like her, but he's also older, and she lies to him. Lots.

Conclusion: If this was a contest based on covers, Isabel would win hands down, even though Suze has got more of them... Isabel is quite a hard character - she is not particularly likeable for the first part of the book; personally, I wouldn't like to fight her. However, Suze has lots of practice fighting ghosts (they can touch - and therefore hurt - her).

Or do you all think I should grow up and stop reading so much teenage fiction? (Don't answer that).

MORE ON MONDAY: Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Before it was a film with Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro, Stardust was a slim volume by Neil Gaimain.

Gaiman's Stardust is a fairy tale in the grand tradition of fairy tales. In other words, it is full of darkness and danger and love, and is suitable for adults and teenagers, not tots.

Beyond the village of Wall lies Faerie. Every nine years there is a fair, where Faerie sells its wares to the ordinary folk.

Tristin Thorne, the son of a farmer and a witch's servant, is in love with the haughty Victoria Forester. He promises to go into Faerie and bring back a fallen star, in return for her hand.

When Tristin finds the star, she is a beautiful daughter of the moon called Yvaine. The dying Lord of Stormheld threw a gem and accidentally knocked her from the sky, and Yvaine is not too thrilled about it.

Worse still, the Lord's sons are searching for the gem, and an ancient witch is searching for Yvaine; she wants to cut out her heart so that she and her sisters can be young again.

So, you have an everyman hero, a quest, a wicked witch, and a land of magic. Nothing unusual there, you may think, but Gaiman is a master story-teller and his characters are funny and true.

Stardust is a delightful book and one I urge you to seek out and devour; everybody needs magic of this kind in their lives.

Rating: 4/5

Like this only chick lit? Try: Under My Spell by Deborah Wright

BOOK REVIEW: Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

I used to read Marie Phillips' blog, Struggling Author (now invitation only), and so I was familiar with Gods Behaving Badly before it even had a publisher. I always thought it sounded great (and I'd read the enthusiastic comments of industry bigwigs) so I was keen to read it.

As an idea, it's what Hollywood calls "high concept" - the gods behaving badly are Greek Gods, living in modern-day London. So we meet Apollo who is using his psychic ability to front a TV show, Aphrodite is working in phone sex, Dionysus runs a nightclub between Euston and Kings Cross and Eros has become a Christian. They all live together in a run-down house with a secret on the top floor.

Into this dysfunctional family comes Alice, an intelligent but timid cleaner who is in love with her best friend, Neil. Neil's in love with Alice too, but can't bring himself to tell her. When they go together to see Apollo's TV show, an unfortunate series of events finds their fate inextricably linked with that of not only the gods, but the entire world...

I enjoyed this book just as much as I thought I would. It's great fun. The Gods are hilariously narcissistic and Phillips fits them into the 21st century seamlessly. It's exciting, funny and features imaginative leaps that made me think of the Harry Potter series (I loved Angel tube station being the portal to the underworld).

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Venus Envy by Shannon McKelden

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

BOOK REVIEW: Happy Hour at Casa Dracula by Marta Acosta

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is Marta Acosta’s first published novel about a young woman who finds her heart’s desire in the least likely of places – with a family of vampires.

Latina Ivy League grad Milagro de Los Santos is the star of Happy Hour at Casa Dracula. She can’t find her place in the world or a man to go with it. Her life changes when one night at a book party for her pretentious ex-boyfriend she meets an oddly attractive man. After she is bitten while kissing him, she falls ill and is whisked away to his family’s estate to recover. She discovers the family’s secret; they say that they are carriers of a hereditary disease, but others claim they are vampires. As Milagro falls for a fabulously inappropriate man, she finds herself caught between a family that has accepted her as one of its own and a powerful, clandestine organisation that refuses to let the undead live and love in peace.

What raises this book head and shoulders above the rest of its genre are the strong characters. Milagro is so endearingly lacking in self-confidence, yet she still fights her corner with the most hilarious acerbic put-downs. She is just so likeable that I found myself rushing through the book rooting for her to get her heart’s desire. More importantly her ex-boyfriend’s personality is so hideous that I loved hating him and enjoying any of the plot that made his life a misery. The combination of the humour and fast pace made Acosta’s book one of the best that I’ve read in a long time.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson

BOOK REVIEW: Blood is the New Black by Valerie Stivers

I was very excited when I reported the forthcoming debut novel from Valerie Stivers in book news back in September – vampires and fashion are just my thing – so imagine how excited I was when Blood is the New Black plopped through my letterbox weeks before publication.

The story revolves around Kate McGraw and her internship at Tasty magazine. Kate’s a medical student with an eye for fashion – she can diagnose a man and tell you where his suit was tailored at 50 paces. Her mother, who seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth, was a fashion designer, and although Kate has tried to break free of the fashion world her aunt introduces her to Tasty editor, Lillian Hall, who offers her a job at Tasty.

Kate soon faces the wrath of her fellow interns when she becomes Lillian’s favourite, but that doesn’t worry her as much as the murders that are going on around her. And why are some of her Tasty colleagues so odd? What’s the strange red drink they all have and why do they sleep in their offices? And why do they all start work so late – surely they can’t all be up all night?

I love the new trend of supernatural chick lit and this one really hits the mark – this was a read in one sitting book. It turns the world of fashion on hits head, but is still believable. If you’ve ever wondered how people in fashion manage to stay so thin maybe this is the real reason.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Chick Lit Heroine Grudge Match: Sookie Stackhouse v Paige Winterbourne

Last week’s winner was Tilda Goodnight – she was everyone’s favourite Jenny Crusie heroine.

This week we’ve got two supernatural chick lit heroines, both from America, both with a series of books. Give a warm round of applause to Sookie Stackhouse and Paige Winterbourne.

Sookie Stackhouse

The Books: Dead Until Dark, Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, Dead to the World, Dead as a Doornail, Definitely Dead & All Together Dead. Wow. Charlaine Harris has certainly been busy.

Supernatural Ability: She can read minds

Men: Bill, a recently turned vampire (within the past 200 years), Eric, a powerful ancient vampire, Sam, her boss and a shapeshifter and Quinn, a Were-Tiger. For a woman who started the series as a virgin that’s not bad!

Who’s Out To Get Her?: Half the supernatural world, while the other half are try to protect her. Sadly it’s often her own lovers trying finish her off, but if you sleep with vampires and they get hungry what should you expect?

Paige Winterbourne

The Books: Dime Store Magic & Industrial Magic by Kelley Armstrong

Supernatural Ability: She’s a witch

Men: Lucas Cortez, heir to the Cortez Cabal, the supernatural Mafia. Sadly the Cabal and Paige really don’t like each other.

Who’s Out To Get Her?: The Cabals, other witches who don’t like her ways, demons and half-demons… shall I go on?

Conclusion: Witchcraft is a better supernatural ability than mind reading but Sookie’s got the tastiest men - I never thought I’d fancy a vampire until I read about Eric!

Over to you - who wins the battle of the supernatural chick lit heroines?

BOOK REVIEW: Accidentally Engaged by Mary Carter

Accidentally Engaged is Mary Carter’s second novel, and it stars Clair Ivars, a psychic and talented tarot card reader. Unfortunately her talents don’t go as far as being able to read her own future so it comes as a complete surprise when she finds herself engaged to wealthy vodka manufacturer Jack Heron, especially as she’s attracted to his business partner, Mike.

But who is Mike? And is Jack’s house really haunted? And is the family matriarch really as loopy as she seems?

I’m a big fan of supernatural chick lit and this one rang all the right bells for me. There’s a dreamlike quality to the whole story (which is neatly explained at the end) and all the characters are believable and likeable.

There are secrets galore in the Heron household and Mary Carter handles it all very nicely. This is another winner from Little Black Dress.

Rating: 4/5

Like This? Try Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie

BOOK REVIEW: Golden by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes was 19 when she wrote Golden. 19! Do you know what I was doing when I was 19? Following Matt Goss around London. Shut up. Anyway, Barnes' time was much better spent (obviously) since Golden is a treat.

Like the other women in her family, Felicity "Lissy" James has "the Sight" - she can see people's auras. Her mother, Katie, can find lost children. Or at least she usually can. When she is unable to find 4-year-old Cory Park until after his murder, the James family are hounded out of town and return to Katie's Oklahoma home town.

Lissy is greeted by three bitchy girls who tell her that her new school is split into "Goldens" and "Nons". They make it quite clear that Lissy is likely to be a Non and when, on Lissy's first day, she both throws up and passes out, her position is assured.

But the vomiting and fainting was a reaction to Lissy's first glimpse of her new Maths teacher, Mr Kissler. As a child, Lissy gave the name "Garn" to a really bad aura, an aura that signifies a person has done, or is doing, something really really bad. She's never before seen an entirely Garn aura until Mr Kissler's so, with the help of her younger sister, Lexie and Audra and Dylan (two friendly fellow Nons), Lissy has to work out just what Mr Kissler has done and what she can do about it.

The first three quarters of Golden are entertaining, but not earth-shattering - I wasn't excited to get back to it, but I enjoyed it as I read - but then the last quarter is absolutely fantastic. I thought I knew what was going to happen, but I was so wrong. If Barnes can come up with something as inventive and thrilling as the end of this book aged 19, Lord only knows what she'll do next.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

BOOK NEWS: Blood is the New Black by Valerie Stivers

Billed as Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets The Devil Wears Prada, I can’t wait to get my hands on ‘Blood is the New Black’ by Valerie Stivers.

Kate is spending the summer working for ‘Tasty’ and her colleagues are all condescending, black clad and emaciated. Normal for a fashion magazine? Not when those colleagues are vampires. I love supernatural chick lit and hope this one, out on 18th October, won’t disappoint.

Related Posts: Lover Revealed by JR Ward  |  Jinx by Meg Cabot |  Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie

TV NEWS: Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series

Alan Ball, creator of Six Feet Under, will produce the vampire series True Blood, based on Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire novel series.

The pilot was shot earlier this summer with Anna Paquin as Sookie Stackhouse, along with Ryan Kwanten, Sam Trammell, Stephen Moyer and Brook Kerr (whoever they are).

"Charlaine has created such a rich environment that's very funny and at the same time very scary," Ball told Daily Variety after first selling the project in 2005. "I bought the book on impulse, and I just couldn't put it down." [via Romantic Times and Variety]

Related posts: Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris | Television archives

BOOK REVIEW: Lover Revealed by JR Ward

Reviewed by Angela Richardson

This book is the forth in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, where JR Ward has created a world where a war is raging between vampires and their slayers. However, a secret band of brothers exists as defenders of their race.

Lover Revealed concentrates on Butch O’Neal – a hard-living ex-homicide cop, who is the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. But he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world and take part in the turf wars with the lessers. He’s got nothing to lose. He’s in love with a beautiful aristocratic vampire who’s way out of his league. If he can’t have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers. When fate curses him with everything he wants he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love may not be enough to save him…

Starting this series on the fourth book was not the greatest way to enter into Ward’s writing. I spent most of the first half confused and trying to make sense of all the different storylines. The glossary at the beginning for all the words Ward has invented filled me with dread that I would never understand this book. However, once I ignored the glossary and managed to get a handle on all the characters, this book came to life.

The on/off love story between Butch and Marissa is intelligently written and leaves you guessing until the end. It has a high action plot that is intense and immerses you in Ward’s world. My only criticism is the writer’s love of mentioning any up to date gadget/designer that she can think of. It sometimes made this book sound more like an advertisement distracting from the great writing.

Overall this was an excellent read, but I would think that starting at the beginning of the series would increase the enjoyment and lessen any confusion.

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Bitten by Kelley Armstrong

PREVIEW REVIEW: Jinx by Meg Cabot

You know how much I love Meg Cabot. She's one of my guaranteed authors (authors whose books I buy without thinking, considering, reading reviews, etc.). Her latest book (well, I say latest - she's so prolific, she might well have written another since I started writing this review) is Jinx, a stand-alone paranormal (ish) YA and it's not out (in the UK) until 7 September.

Jean Honeychurch has been nicknamed Jinx since lightning struck the hospital on the night she was born. Bad luck doesn't just follow her, it seeks her out and throws up on her shoes. The beginning of the book sees Jean arriving in Manhattan, where her parents have dispatched her to live with her aunt, uncle and cousins for a few months. Something's happened back in Iowa and Jean's family decided it was best to get her out of the way until things have calmed down. 

What neither they nor Jean anticipated was that her formerly sweet cousin Tory is now a witch in both senses of the word. She's appalling to Jean, has two almost-as-awful sidekicks in Lindsey and Gretchen and is dating (well, they're "friends with benefits") the school drug dealer, Shawn. Luckily her circle also includes suprisingly sweet Chanelle and surprisingly hot neighbour, Zack.

When, on her very first day in town, Jean saves Zack's life, Tory cottons on to Jean's secret. Only she's far from sympathetic. Not only does she think that she, and not Jean, is the latest in a line of family witches, she's in love with Zack and is willing to do anything to get Jean out of her way. But Jinx will learn that ignoring her apparent gift will only make things worse and in order to deal with her wayward cousin she needs to accept herself as she is.

I had thought that Jinx was going to be a bit edgier than Meg Cabot's previous books, but apart from occasional references to sex and drugs, it was a typical Cabot book. By which I mean it was fun, funny, charming and totally involving. I loved Jean, I really loved Zack and I really, really hated Tory. I'm so impressed at Meg Cabot's seemingly inexhaustible supply of ideas and Jinx is another great one. The only disappointment is that I've now got to wait ... ooh, weeks* ... for her next book.

Rating: 5/5

Like this? Try Marked by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

* The third Heather Wells mystery, Size Doesn't Matter, is out in December. And actually I haven't read Size 14 Is Not Fat Either yet.

TRASHIONISTA RECOMMENDS: Magical Musings

At Trashionista, we love us a good group blog. So I was delighted to stumble across (seriously - who knows what I clicked to get there, I'm just glad I did) another one: Magical Musings.

Bearing the tagline "Five writers who believe no story is complete without a little magic", the bloggers write novels ranging from historicals to fantasy to romantic fiction, and you can find out more about them all here.

They have some really interesting book-related blog posts on the main page, such as what happens when one of your must-read authors falls off your must-buy list (Adriana Trigiani, I'm looking at you!) and how much sex is OK in YA? (Read it and see!)

Great. Just what I needed: another must-read bookish blog... pretty soon I'll have no time to write anything myself!

BOOK REVIEW: Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye by Victoria Laurie

Reviewed by Bag Lady extraordinaire Nicola Pedley...

Victoria Laurie is a professional psychic who uses her gift to help police investigations. Her character, Abby Cooper, is a professional psychic who finds herself using her gift to help police investigations. Victoria Laurie lives in Massachusetts with her dachshunds, Lilly and Toby. Abby Cooper lives in Detroit with her dachshund, Eggy… Frustrated by clichéd representations of psychics as kooks and crooks, Ms. Laurie has (clearly!) drawn on her own experiences to create the character of Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye.

Abby Cooper is looking for some excitement because she feels so vanilla – she needs a bit of hot fudge topping. Most people would think that being a P.I., Psychic Intuitive, would be exciting enough but it’s not until a client winds up dead that Abby realises that hot fudge isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Despite helping solve white collar crimes Abby has never offered information to the police, and with good reason. When she inadvertently relates her visions of her clients murder to Detective Dutch Rivers she soon becomes the prime suspect. After all, there are no such things as psychics so how else could she possibly know all the details of the crime???

In most cosy mysteries the heroine solves the crime because she has an amazing run of luck and is privy to all the local gossip and by putting the two together she solves the mystery and saves the day.

Ms Laurie’s neat little twist – giving Abby visions – is, in my opinion, a nicer solution. Of course, her ability isn’t infallible and Abby often ignores her intuitions - she’d go crazy if she listened to them all the time, and the mystery would be solved about half way through the book. But with a nice supporting cast: the potential cop boyfriend, rich businesswoman older sister, and Dave the handyman, not to mention Eggy the dachshund, this is a really enjoyable read and Ms Laurie gives us an insight into being a professional psychic.

And if you really enjoy the book you can contact Ms Laurie via her website to book a reading of your own!

Rating: 4/5

Like this? Try Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris or One For the Money by Janet Evanovich.

YAY OR NAY WEDNESDAY

I found this piece on the Guardian books blog interesting, as it reflects some of my own uncertainty about books like The Lovely Bones. Although I enjoyed that book (or found it a very good read; 'enjoyed' is probably not the right word for a novel about a murdered teenager...) the parts of the novel set in 'heaven' didn't ring true to me - how could they? No-one knows for sure what heaven is like, or if it even exists. Chris Power, who wrote the Guardian article agrees, saying that Lovely Bones is a very readable book but "Susie's narration softens the facts of her horrific death and throws open the door to mawkishness."

So what do you think: does a narration from beyond the grave give a book an added mystique? Or perhaps make the death in the book less harrowing? Or can it ruin things for the reader?

Is it a Yay or a Nay, and why?

Yay or Nay archives. - A more cheery topic next week, I promise!

[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!]

BOOK REVIEW: Marked by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

Reviewed by Trashionista reader Angela Richardson...

This book is the first in the House of Night series, where P.C & Kristin Cast have created a world where vampires have always existed. For all Buffy addicts like me who have been suffering from the void of losing their favourite series… we may have been sent a form of methadone from our American friends.

Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has been Marked, to the disgust of her friends, who watch her become sicker and sicker in daylight hours. She is rushed to the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is if she survives the Change. Not all of those chosen do. It’s tough being away from all that she knows and on top of that Zoey finds that she’s no average fledging. The vampire goddess Nyx has marked her as special. When she discovers the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school’s most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must find the courage within herself to set things back to the way they should be.

Okay this is probably teen lit but I tell all you parents now, keep it for yourself and only when you finish it wrap it up as the present you intended. Parents will also be pleasantly surprised at Zoey’s moralistic side to her character that, to cut a long story short, tells teens it’s not cool to be a slut or a drunk.

The only annoying thing about this book is the similarities to Harry Potter. Zoey hates her family and gets whisked away from her horrible life to a magical school, okay it’s for vampires and not witches and wizards, but you get the point. Plus she is separated out from the other pupils as special by a different mark on her forehead… now we’re getting a bit too close to Harry’s scar. This is a shame because the plot is much better than Rowling’s over hyped books. [Ooh! - Diane]

Of course this was always going to be compared to Buffy as it is a teen novel that contains vampires, but I see this as a good thing as there are no other similarities in the plot. It’s like Buffy’s arch-enemy vampire has written a book to show the world that they aren’t all nasty blood sucking fiends, but have a gentler side too: awww!

Overall this was fast paced, funny and exciting. It held my attention all the way through and Zoey grows into a feisty heroine who’d I’d definitely want on my side. (That is if I ever got into a fight between vampires… yes I know I’ve been watching way too much sci-fi.)

Go give your self a well-needed mental holiday from all the everyday stresses and strains and read this book. I guarantee you’ll come away refreshed and ready to fight another day.

Rating: 5/5.

Like this? Try Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner.

Guardian disses JK Rowling; her publisher disses Asda

(Now is not the time to point out that 'diss' isn't the hippest of vernacular - and no, nor is 'hip'; I'm a writer not a rapper).

Nicholas Lezard is pulling Potter to pieces in his latest piece on the Guardian books blog. As someone who got bored 50 pages into Order of the Phoenix, I'm not the hugest JK fan (although I think she seems lovely and is very very clever). But saying her prose is "toxic" seems a bit much, no?

If you're of the opposite opinion to Lezard, make sure you don't head to Asda for your copy when it's released worldwide on 21 July - i.e. this Saturday! Potter Publishers Bloomsbury claim the supermarket chain has unpaid bills dating back 3 years and so it will not be supplying the shop with precious copies of the latest installment.

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

TUESDAY THREE: Imaginary friends

I had one named Mr Corbett. Once, I left my grandparents house and, on the way home, said I’d left him behind. My dad said, “That’s okay, he’s running behind the car.” What on earth am I blethering on about? Imaginary friends! This week we look at three books featuring characters that may not exactly be, you know, real.

Lois Winston’s Talk Gertie to Me features Nori, who, in just one day, loses her boyfriend, best friend and her job and gets home to find that her mother has turned up unannounced for an indefinite stay. Before too long her childhood imaginary friend Gertie emerges to dispense straight talking advice. Gertie isn’t a physical presence, but a voice in Nori’s head, and the whole book is great fun.

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? Ha.

We haven’t actually reviewed Cecelia Ahern’s If You Could See Me Now, but it’s the story of Elizabeth Egan who has everything under control apart from her irresponsible sister Saoirse. Elizabeth has to take care of Saoirse’s six-year-old son Luke. One day, a stranger unexpectedly comes into their lives. Ivan is carefree, spontaneous and always looking for adventure - everything that Elizabeth is not. In no time at all, he has crept under her skin and started to change her life in ways she could never have . She knows barely anything about Ivan - who he is and whether he is everything he seems. But it turns out he might just be a little bit magical...

And don't forget that the movie (a musical!) is currently in “active production” with Hugh Jackman as the star.

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

BOOK REVIEW: A Nameless Witch by A Lee Martinez

A Nameless Witch isn't the kind of book I'd usually read. It's compared on the back cover to Terry Pratchett and (although Jenny Crusie raves about him) I've never read any of his books (I started one, but couldn't finish it). But something about A Nameless Witch appealed to me...

Cursed at birth, a girl is bought by a witch and raised as a witch herself. When her mentor is murdered she undertakes a quest to avenge her death. Assisted (mostly) by her familiar - a duck called Newt - a troll, a broom and, eventually, a fox and Wyst of the West, a White Night, she travels across lands to her destiny. (Part of the curse means she is ageless and also carnivorous. When she meets Wyst she doesn’t know whether she wants to sleep with him, eat him, or both. I hate it when that happens.)

This book started well, but then became so slow and saggy in the middle that I found myself scanning page after page (I think that's perhaps what happened with Pratchett too, but because I wasn't reviewing it I could just stop reading). Having said that the ending was completely brilliant - exciting and moving - and almost made up for the middle.

Plus the witch is certainly an interesting and original character and there are some fun touches and imaginative set pieces, but I found that the jokes just weren’t good enough and more suited to a children's book.

A Nameless Witch is, in parts, entertaining, original, interesting and amusing, but unfortunately it's too patchy to be really great.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Like this? Try Coven of One by Kate Bousfield

BOOK REVIEW: Carpe Demon by Julie Kenner

Have you ever wondered what Buffy will be doing in twenty or so years? Married, with kids? A soccer mom perhaps? Well, that’s the basic premise of Julie Kenner's Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom.

Kate Connor thought she’d put all things supernatural behind her when she retired from her position as a Hunter, but when a demon crashes a dinner party Kate’s throwing, she realises her demon-hunting days aren’t over. Despite having to take care of her two kids, run her household and help further her husband’s political career aspirations, Kate has to find whatever it is that’s attracted the demonic hordes to San Diablo.

With the assistance of her “alimentatore” (like a watcher) sent by the Vatican, Kate learns that there is some sort of relic held at the town’s cathedral and she has to reorganise her already-stuffed schedule to allow for relic research.

I’ve wanted to read this book for ages and it didn’t disappoint. Who wouldn't love a book with lines like:

The appetizers were in the oven, the table was set, the wine was breathing, and I was dragging a demon carcass across the kitchen floor...

Although I'm a Buffy fan and it’s entertaining to imagine this could be how the Buffster will end up, Kate’s a convincing character in her own right. Yes, I guessed the twist, but there were also a few entertaining red herrings. It’s exciting, funny, and well-written. I loved it.

You can read Kate's continuing adventures in California Demon and Demons are Forever.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Like this? Try Confessions of Supermom by Melanie Lynn Hauser

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: sneak peek of the cover

So apparently, there's this famous series of books about a wizard - you may have heard of them?

Those desperate for some, any, news about JK Rowling's new and final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, might be sated for a little while by a look at the brand new UK cover.

Hop over the cut to see it:

[Via Galleycat]

Now Lionel Shriver's writing chick lit

We Need to Talk About Kevin author Lionel Shriver's new novel, The Post-Birthday World, has apparently been described as "the next step after chick lit." Funny that, because it sounds to me very much like a chick lit book that came out last year. See what you think.

The Post-Birthday World is about children's book illustrator Irina McGovern, who enjoys a quiet and settled life in London with her partner Lawrence. To their small circle of friends, their relationship is rock solid. Until the night Irina unaccountably finds herself dying to kiss another man: their old friend from South London, the stylish, extravagant, passionate top-ranking snooker player Ramsey Acton. With which true love is Irina better off? Should she stay or should she go? In two alternating, parallel stories, The Post-Birthday World follows Irina's life as it unfolds under the influence of these two drastically different yet equally honorable men.

Carry on over the cut for the chick lit version (can you guess what it is?).

Sarah Mlynowski's latest novel Me vs Me is a clever look at what happens to one woman when her wish comes true and she's able to choose both paths that open in front of her. Gabby Wolf isn't sure what she wants most: to marry her devoted boyfriend, Cam, and stay in Arizona or move to New York for her dream job, producing a popular news show. She wishes she could have it both ways and the next thing she knows, she's living two lives, going back and forth between planning her wedding to Cam in Arizona and working at the fast-paced, exciting job in New York. Neither life is perfect.

Aside from the fact that I don't think the words "stylish, extravagant and passionate" have ever before been followed by "snooker player", the similarities are startling, don't you think? And it's interesting that in the apparently "literary" novel, the heroine is choosing between two men, whereas in the chick lit novel she's choosing between a man and her dream job.

[Blurbs via Amazon.com]

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

BOOK REVIEW: Growing Up Again by Catriona McCloud

One night Janie Lawson decides to leave her husband, Ludo. The next morning she wakes up back in 1981 aged 15. So far, so Jenny Colgan’s Do You Remember the First Time, but Catriona McCloud’s Growing Up Again is a very different, and much better, book.

Janie can’t work out why she’s gone back in time, but she thinks it might be to avert some future disasters, so she sets about trying to make some changes, starting with stopping Lady Diana Spencer from marrying Prince Charles. But Janie doesn’t limit herself to national and international events, she wants to change things for her parents too, to give them a better future.

Where the Jenny Colgan book was more about Flora adjusting to life as a teenager again and trying to work out whether to accept a proposal (back in the real world), Growing Up Again has a much bigger theme. Family, responsibility, addiction, even mental health. But that doesn’t mean it’s a serious book. I found it almost unputdownable and it made me laugh and cry.

Janie isn’t, on the surface, a sympathetic character. She can’t truly explain why she wants to leave her apparently sweet husband and she’s bossy and dogmatic, but I loved her and was rooting for her throughout. Her parents are lovely characters, her friend Danny is hilarious and charming (while not being a traditional hero) and McCloud writes beautifully. This sentence, simple as it is, made me gasp in rec