Book Review: Conditional Love by Cathy Bramley

Available on: Amazon UK, Amazon.com

Blurb: All her life she has dreamed of a home of her own, so what’s holding her back?

Sophie Stone, thirty-something serial procrastinator, lover of Take That, Tesco knickers and tea with two sugars, rarely steps out of her comfort zone.

So when an unexpected inheritance from a great aunt she’s never met forces her to meet her father, it threatens the very foundations of Sophie’s world.

What did the old lady want her to discover? Was there more to her parents’ break up than she was lead to believe?

Sophie will have to face some startling home truths before she can finally build a future on her own terms.

Cathy Bramley brings to notice unambition, fucked-up gold digging boyfriends, crimes against fatherhood, crimes against motherhood, too much Abba, a few tears and more laughter on the way.

Sophie Stone is complacent where she is. Even though it's mostly in her loser SOB gold-digging boyfriend's arms (Note to readers: He can't afford a bed). Once a girl who loved to dream of achieving, now she's stopped dreaming and achieving. And getting her two roomies, Jess and Emma worried.

Now if you were given an inheritance, not broke but just stable, yet feeling this inheritance could make a big, big difference in your life. Obviously you will sing happily, do a victory waltz over to the solicitor's to claim your inheritance, wouldn't you? But there are slight complications, what if you have so much BMI waltzing with ease becomes difficult? Or what if you manage somehow to get to the solicitor's, you get distracted by his unusual nose, listen to the conditions to be handed your due, then you wonder which/who is more repulsive, the solicitor's nose or the dead aunt you never saw your entire life who wants you to see an alive dad with another family who you've never met your entire life.

What if you can't get over your ex? What if you shag him a bit? What if there's a romantic smooch here and there to keep him on his tippy toes wondering whether breaking up with you had been his wisest decision. What if, said SOB is only exhibiting boyfriend material tendencies (in actual fact the only material he's fit for is the dumpster) because he's heard of the inheritance and would stop at nothing for you to part him his due share for stomaching you, you who doesn't care about protein shakes as much as he does?

What if your mum keeps telling you with all seriousness she doesn't know whose kid you are? And the father you thought was dumpster material was better of having than SOB boyfriend? What if you begin to uncover secrets about your family that would change your perception of its membership forever, and make you discover you've been living a lie?

Your friends won't keep from butting their noses into your business, your boss is never in a good mood (because she's hitting fifty), you are being paid to go on Facebook and Twitter, your SOB boyfriend wouldn't stop bothering you (just because you sometimes stupidly call him over), for your mum it's all bull about loyalty and contemplating on performing Abba or Madonna, and one cute architect thinks he can walk into your life with his dog and inveigle you into liking him a teensy bit.

Sophie Stone's life summed up for your utmost delight.

The storyline is unique. Parts and pieces we've all experienced. Like an inattentive parent, a boyfriend who's just in it for the dough and a job we do not have the joie de vivre for anymore. So I think readers would nod at some points.

There humor in this book is just a tad bit above the chuckling level, at least for me. I'm sure I would have found this book incredibly funny if could get past THIS* situation.

The paramount features in this book I adored had to also be the lessons in it. From an outsider's view, we might read and judge Sophie for some of her actions, but let's face it, break ups are hard, and the fear of going single is daunting. So sometimes we get so vulnerable we take some of the worst decisions in relationships we would come to regret. Following your passion, ditching that boy who's in it for your newly acquired inheritance, loving the one you make a home with, forgiving the dad who abandoned you. These and more lessons you will learn from this title.

The characters in this book were also good. I loved Emma and Jess, but I loved Emma more for she represented the voice I would have used in admonishing Sophie. Sophie's boss also held my attention (I find horrible bosses fascinating), Sophie's mum almost made me gag for anyone who had a mother so aggravating.

Did I love this book? Almost. I wish I didn't spend most time seething over Sophie's actions. By the THIS* situation above, I just didn't love how Sophie could stomach all the people she had to be rid of like her (ex) boyfriend and her mum. I really wished it hadn't ticked me off that much, but I'm sure Cathy might have used that as a tool to allow us understand Sophie and not judge, love her for having too much of a kind soul and a Fix It spirit, for which made her a target for others to take advantage of.

But at the end of the day, if the truly the end justifies the means, Sophie's transformation turned out to be remarkable and would bring some level of fulfilment to all readers. In life, we lose our way, but the most important achievement is finding it.

My rating: Four stars.

Cathy Bramley's debut, Conditional Love is available on Amazon.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants a lead they can constantly sympathize and want to smack at the same time. Anyone who needs something with dense themes could also pick this.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Blast From The Past Book Review Plus Giveaway: The Dating Game by Susan Buchanan

Available on: Amazon, Amazon UK

Blurb: Workaholic recruitment consultant, Gill McFadden, is sick of her friends trying to match-make for her. Up until now her love life has been a disaster and she’s going through a drier spell than the Sahara desert.

She realises she has to act, as work keeps piling up and at this rate she will have retired before she has time for a relationship.

Seeing an ad on a bus one day, she decides to visit Happy Ever After dating agency. She quickly discovers men are like buses. They all come along at once. Unsure what her type is, Gill decides to keep her options open. Soon she has problems juggling her social life as well as her work diary. Will she ever strike the right balance?

Before long she is experiencing laughs, lust and… could it be love? But like everything in Gill’s life, nothing is straightforward and she ends up wondering exactly who she can trust.

Dating has never been this variegated and fun, thanks to Susan Buchanan. It's the one book that would get you back in the game!

For Gill it's all about work. More work. Much more work. Running her own recruitment agency, her only social life might just be meeting with the girls for drinks. No time in her schedule for herself. No time for her parents. No time for Dating.

Mundane. In one word that's how you would describe her life (unless, her life it's a carbon copy of yours then you'd get touchy). Sex-deprived. In one compound word (for fancy's sakes) that's how you would describe her girly bits. Think back when you too been out of the game (I don't mean dating) for long, and you have Gill: unnerved, less relaxed, frantic. Then one day, you are strutting down the street, feeling all Carrie Bradshaw after nailing some major paperwork, all of a sudden a bus hustles by, then you have that Sex and The City moment you've been longing for. Of course, what were you thinking! You don't see yourself on the bus (unless you own a sex column), you run a recruitment agency for fucks sake! What you see is a poster advertising a Dating Agency for professionals like you. You jump at it because it beats OKCupid (and even Facebook, you desperate ladies out there. I don't judge, the best lovers are first friends), say bye bye to all those weirdos that have come your way to try something with very refined people.

Until the profiles keep piling from the agency. Then you are going on dates that are interfering with your professional life. Karaoke, bowling, free dinners, free drinks, free lunch, art galleries, a Scottish wedding. For you it's all worth it because the hefty subscription fee could cater for a new wardrobe spilling with designer labels. For your friends it's all fun because you get to have more time discussing suitable profiles and not so suitable ones over drinks and dinner, noting down the red flags and the brownie points.

Then shit! You find out the world's biggest assholes hide in suits. By then you are in too deep, wondering why that guy isn't calling. Didn't he have as much fun as you did? When he doesn't call you hit rock bottom, struggle to pick yourself up. Finally you do. After all, these profiles don't date themselves!

That's just The Dating Game. You freshen up, strap on your Louboutins and move on.

This book was amazing! So true to life! It's one of those books both the storyline and the main character are relatable. I mean 9.5 out of ten women have dated. A lot of women past thirty are single (please, I do mean it in a good way. Cheers women! Who needs men anyway!). Anyway, we all know the Dating Game is hard. All the fretting over what outfit to wear, 'Oh, will this guy love it if I touch up with too much makeup?', the 'Is he enjoying this as much as I am?', "No, kissing on the first date", "Oh, why didn't he kiss me? Did I have something stuck between my teeth? Or do I have BMO?—" *smell check* "—No, I don't!". So fun how Susan Buchanan captures it all, not leaving a snippet.—★ Oh, and lest I forget, "Does my purchasing a new set of lingerie mean we might be getting it on tonight?"

Gill was just a plus character. You know, I just found out Susan names her chicklit, 'Chicklit without the fluff." . Yeah, the genre is prone to many airheads we chicklit lovers know, but Gill's got the brains, the looks, the boobs. She's about the only chicklit character who'd agree she's hotter than a close friend. And as if that isn't enough, she's independent! Just like you when you were thirty-seven!—★★

Don't you love just UK chicklit?—★★★ Anyway, that's not the point here.

The characters in this book are so, so, entertaining! You remember all the funny dating stories you relate to all your friends? Well, Gill has a lot of funny, weird, wolf in sheep's tailored suit to relate to you. There's Charlie, the nice-looking, buffed guy with a hidden agenda, Sean who gets plastered during a first date, Anton(!) the guy who'd ask whether he can kiss you, Gary who would take you from surprise to surprise yet you feel no spark, so much more! For if not Gill's friends, she would have ended up choosing the terrible profiles, so you would love Angela, Lisa (Raarr!), Debbie. All these with their discussions on who to date made this book a fun experience in the journey through dating!—★★★★

Gasp. You would, a lot! There are lots of Oh Moments of Gee, and you will be so shocked you are never going to see it coming. Frankly, you will feel sorry for Gill because sometimes you might have two choices. And all these two are incredible lovers. All these two give you the spark. So who would it be? It's a win-win with every choice. It's a lose-lose with every choice.

But I did love the ending, the whole book as a matter of fact! It was the kind that would make you sing Natasha Beddingfield's Pocket Full Of Sunshine all along.

My rating: 5/5 stars

Dating Game, your handbook through all the woes of Dating is available on Amazon and Amazon UK .

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I recommend this book to anyone who wants to get back into the Dating game or not! Anyone who wants something or someone they can sympathize and relate to. Anyone who wants something true to life. This book kinda reminded me of Zoe Strimpel's 'What The Hell Is He Thinking?', you know the Woman's guide to Dating/relationships/all the brouhaha. So if you've read that, Gill is simply acting out Zoe's dating horrors.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Blog Tour/ Book Review Plus Giveaway: Low Tide Bikini by Lyla Dune

Blurb: Reluctant housemates make fun bed fellows…

Sam Carlisle is the double bass player in the all girl jazz ensemble, Bikini Quartet. When her truck breaks down on the drawbridge, a panty-melting muscle man comes to her rescue in the rain. This isn’t the first time her life has resembled a bad country song. She later discovers he’s her new landlord, and she has six weeks to find a newplace to live. After a devastating breakup, she swore off men.

Will Brock convince her he’s better than the men from her troubled past?

Brock Knight is a retired rugby player from Wales. He's eager to get away from the paparazzi that hound him day and night. When he moves into his new beach house onPleasure Island, North Carolina before Sam has a chance to relocate, he learns the proper way to shag.

Will he convince her to stay, or will she convince him she’s gay?

Low Tide Bikini is a funny, sexy romance that will make you laugh and sigh. With naughty naked seniors and an ostrich farm, Pleasure Island has it all. It's a greatplace to visit, and for Sam and Brock, it just might be the perfect forever home.

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It's a debut worth screaming about. It's a debut fantastic to know about. It's a debut thrilling to read about.

Sam Carlisle has sworn off men, after her ex broke up with her through twitter. 140 characters has never seemed so aggravating. Just that inclusion made me wonder which words held the hash tags. Anyway, to Sam hot men aren't a topic for commitment, all her exes were gorgeous and the breakups were ever creative. She's single, an instrumentalist for a band on the Island called Bikini Quartet, where it's rumoured that when she's playing, male guests love it because she has her O-face on (she does it sub-consciously). Her life is normal until Brock Knight walks in.

He's hot, he's charming, he's British, he's sexy. As if that isn't enough he's retired from rugby and has the body to prove it. The kind of man you ladies would swoon to. Until you find out he's planning on throwing you out of his house which is—was your house in six weeks.

She's told him she's gay. His willy, Rebel (as he calls him), has shown his intent of being with her. After all, they are under the same roof (for six weeks) and might as well take advantage of it.

But, would something more than frenemyship develop?

It's the perfect book to anticipate your summer holidays this year. The beach, Pleasure Island, is your ultimate escape, think hot couples, sorry singles sun-bathing with Seniors baring it all. And to be honest, a part of me wanted to escape for Pleasure! So I couldn't, bummer! But Lyla's beautiful description made me feel I did.—★

With super-steamy scenes that made you squirm in your seat, suggestive yet obscure language used creatively (like who knew shag was a dance?), to be frank my forehead was piling with perspiration being engulfed in all that sexual tension. And my oh my, when that tension was released, let's just say I felt like a very cold shower. —★★

This book wasn't all scenes that made you squirm in your seat with excitement, but ones that made you feel an emotional connection with the characters. Like the fact that Sam is an orphan being why she'd always thought relationships were anything but permanent, or that Brock Knight wrote poetry which he was so protective about (Lol). I did love both our leads and thought they were perfect for each other, that is, when they weren't trying to make the other red like a tomato—★★★

Speaking of characters, this book had lots that were fun to read about. Myrtle and Louise, the oldies who'd waggle their eyebrows suggestively at Brock Knight and post pictures of the couple all over their website with polls on whether they'd be fuck buddies or fall in love. Mazy, from Sam's band also held my interest with her humor and tom-boyishness.—★★★★

This book made me laugh, laugh so hard, look away when things were getting emotional (I didn't want to wet the neckline of my v-neck t-shirt). But then I wished it was a bit unique, I felt it was your every contemporary everyday romance that still had all the elements for an entertaining read.

My rating: Four stars.

I recommend this title for anyone celebrating summer earlier this year. Anyone in the mood for something to keep their nights warm. Anyone who wants something with two fun leads.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Author Bio

Lyla Dune has taught music for eighteen years, played saxophone and clarinet in numerous orchestras and ensembles, taught piano, written songs, and repaired more musical instruments than shecan recall. Yes, in case you’re wondering, you can fix the rotary valve on a student’s french horn with a paper clip and a rubber bandthree minutes before the kid’s horn solo at Lincoln Center.

How did Lyla become a writer? A few years ago, she stumbled acrossa poetry forum online and dabbled in poetry for kicks. She became a word junkie. She’s published poetry,flash fiction, and short stories in many different genres.

She lives on the coast of North Carolina with her husband, Gary, and her cat, Miura. One day, she’d like to have a pet ostrich. She’d name it Robirrrda, of course.

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Rafflecopter Giveaway (Two Digital Copies of LOW TIDE BIKINI)

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Teaser

Sam led Brock past a small guest bath and to the stairwell. They climbed the stairs to the sleeping quarters.

Her wet cutoffs rode up her butt. She tilted her pelvis forward, hoping to keep her cheeks hidden. But she knew darn well, from Brock's angle, her efforts were pointless. He'd already gotten his eyes filled when she crawled acrossher truck bed earlier.Maybe he wouldn't give her rear a glance.

She peeked over her shoulder. His gaze was glued to her ass, and he licked his lips like a hungry wolf.

Damn. She felt a quiver in her belly.Her body was such a traitor.

Book Review: Desperately Seeking Heaven By Jill Steeples

Blurb: Love always comes when you least expect it, at least that’s what PA Alice Fletcher tells herself as she looks forward to another Friday night of trash telly and wine-for-one.

But what happens when the unexpected is daytime TV crush Jimmy Mack, and he’s sitting on your couch watching the news… of the accident that claimed his life?

Soon, Alice finds her ordered life turned upside down by helping Jimmy cross over to the ‘other side

But most unexpected of all is Alice’s growing realisation that her gorgeous ghost has taken up residence in her heart as well as in her home.

Jill Steeples takes us through the journey of one simple P.A and her celebrity ghost, bringing us tears, smiles and warmth on the way.

Desperately Seeking Heaven follows Alice, a twenty-something P.A highly efficient with her job, and equally redundant in her dating life (thanks to a shitty two-timing bastard of a boyfriend). Driving home from work, she encounters a fresh motor accident scene and leaps out of her car to check the extent of the damage. Her bravery rewards her with Jimmy, the celeb TV host of a Daytime show she's most of the time glued to. She's shocked at how a victim of such an accident could still look gorgeously unscathed, probably thinking he's a celeb with makeup artists at his beck and call even in the most unlikely situations, she takes him home with her. It's only then on the tube, she finds out he's a ghost. A ghost only she can touch, see and talk to.

Jimmy is one hell of a ghost. He cooks. He (shamefully) cleans (for Alice). He flirts (bet you thought you could only see such stuff in Ghost Whisperer)! If he wasn't hot he'd probably look like a perv but he is, and Alice is attracted to this ghostly figure who makes her heart skip beats as though she's about to die herself. Perhaps that's his plan.

Though Alice might be having the best times of her life after all those years in spinster jail, she can't let this not-so-troubled spirit stay. She has to let him go. And go he will, if he's even willing to. Alice has to help him crossover, a skill you wouldn't otherwise want to endorse on LinkedIn thanks to her chanting out in the open calling upon whatever spirits to come claim the wandering soul (which doesn't work). Soon she discovers the longer he stays the stronger her emotional attachment to him.

But who am I kidding? She's loved him since Day 1: his TV debut.

Jill Steeples has a way of making you feel all romantic, for something you wouldn't otherwise feel if you are in the shoes of the main character. One, she crafts Alice with a pure heart of gold who'd weep when you kill a fly. Two, creating a Flirty, hot and quite the domestic ghost. Why would such a pairing not make you swoon? It's unlikely, the very reason you'd want to read the more—★

The storyline is perfect. I digged the blurb once I read it. Again, something very unlikely, something brilliant, something well plotted. I have read ghost titles before ranging from Mysteries of Scooby Doo to Carolyn Aspenson's Unfinished Business, but I haven't encountered a storyline crafted from the ordinary girl meets tall, dark, drop-dead-gorgeous ghost. Also, the fact that we'd all want the gift to take a glimpse into the world outside ours made this book hold the luster that appealed to me—★★

I love paranormal chicklit . Mainly because it puts lightly all the brouhaha these dark, paranormal writers have introduced the world to with lots of humor. And this book had humor. Not humor that would make you crack a rib, but one that would make you chuckle. Especially some of the quirky antics of our lead girl and her funny voice. It would be hard for you to fall off your chair, but it wouldn't be hard to fall for this one—★★★

This book ended on an amazing note. So beautiful. So soothing. Something that filled me with warmth for quite sometime after reading it. Amongst all other things Jill Steeples teaches readers to dream, believe, love and live life to the fullest. Lessons like second coming drums in the fact that life is short and you might not get another chance to live it.—★★★★

It was annoying for a while I thought it predictable till things happened that threw me of course—especially the events that led to a tragic incident in our lead girl's life.

I almost, almost 'loved, loved' this book. But a part of it was a bit slow-paced, and I really wanted the humor and suspense to have been tightened.

Anyway it was a good read that gave me the whole chest expansion feeling when I ended it. Like a great chick-lit.

My rating: Four stars.

Desperately Seeking Heaven by Jill Steeples is available on Amazon UK. Amazon.com and Kobo

I recommend this title to anyone up for something unique. Anyone who wants to go in for a lovable heroine. Anyone who wants chick-lit that would make you feel all tingly on the inside. And of course, anyone who loves their chick-lit out of the natural order.

My work not done here. Office to post my review on both Amazon and Goodreads.

Book Review: Just Freinds With Benefits by Meredith Schorr

Just Friends With Benefits is so true to life, you will be entertained, shocked and pinning Meredith Schorr on your Must-Read Author vision (Pinterest) board.

So Stephanie Cohen, single paralegal who has a firm hold on her job than her dating life has had her fair share of bad relationships. Including her longest with Paul, best friend now. There’s a good history to it.

Thing is, there was Hille. Back in college, Stephanie had a crush on Hille. Staring At His Back In Class and Watching Him With A Dreamy Gaze Flex His Muscles and all crush. Attending one of his frat house’s parties hoping to score him, she makes an encounter with Paul. The three engage in a conversation where Paul tries to make it all about him and his stupid rendition skills, but Stephanie’s bent on making Hille the centerpiece. Until Hille exits before she could tell him about her crush. So then, Stephanie sticks with Paul for the night. (You know, by ‘stick’, I mean hookup. Wild college days.)

Fast forward ten years, and Stephanie has broken up with Paul, he’s the best friend now. And along with a rowdy crowd of super-best friends which comprise, Hille (single), Jess and Eric (married), Hope and Paul (dating), who fly across the country to hang out, leaving behind their personal professional chaoses. At Hope’s anniversary, Stephanie, with nothing going on for her in the dating department, stares at Hille, the one single person among her friends who is busily typing into his blackberry (of course), wondering if he would have been THE ONE if he hadn’t left the party ten years ago.

To be frank with you all, I did it. The unthinkable. Not reading a blurb before jumping into a story. Such royal treatment is reserved for authors I take on a second time who I know can wow me. And wow did Meredith do.

Was Stephanie amazing, relatable, untwo-dimensional? Of course she was! One thing about Schorr’s books is when you pick them, you know you are reading about her. It’s not all dug up like most authors’. It’s real, it’s her. So saying Stephanie was well-crafted is inhuman. She’s human. You’d find yourself thinking, “What! Stephanie loves Gossip Girl? I love Gossip Girl too!” or “No way! Is Alanis Morissette’s Ironic blaring in the background? Oh, I love that song!” Or “Please tell me she’s not moping over When Harry Met Sally, because that’s my number one Moping Chick-flick (or was, when I was single).” not forgetting, “She loves, Shopaholic and The Devil Wears Prada too! I still have those books!” So relatable, someone you’d feel the strong reader-character attraction every time you pick this title. To be frank, that’s how all Schorr’s books are. Cheers to Kimberly Long from Blogger Girl! ──

The whole Just Friends With Benefits topic should be given a star. It’s the in-thing now and forever. We all have to have a fuck-buddy at some point, but the unique twist of this title gives it a leap over all other chick lit written in this light !

Meredith Schorr hit the jackpot, again. I don’t do this. Comment on one particular character but sometimes some of Meredith’s characters piss me off so much. Like Hannah Marshak from Blogger Girl. Now Craig from Just Friends With Benefits. There’s no one fond of stories with NSAs like I am. But this guy makes the whole thing… Shower After Sex disgusting? Yeah, Shower After Sex disgusting. It’s just so annoying someone can have an NSA and not feel any emotional attachment afterwards. Acting all normal like I Screwed You In The Bathroom Last Night, fair deal. Call me sentimental, or say a ‘duh’ given that’s the whole point of NSAs (on paper, you have to note. A whole different ball game when it’s in practice). But the guy just pisses me off. And I know he would you too. Anyway, such feeling, love or hate is what keeps you sticking to the book, after all it’s the impression the writer wants the character to make on you. But I am not joking, I really did hate Craig. UGH! ──


Speaking of characters, you would love the lot in this book. From Corky(!) and Paul(!) my favorites who delighted me with the humor they brought to this piece. Eric, the big-bro type friend to Stephanie and his wife, Jess. Suzanne, the best friend at Washington insisting on our lead girl’s subscription to Match.com who shed so much light on relationships you’d think you were in an interaction with a professional. Ryan, oh Ryan was the best thing that ever happened to this book. And Stephanie’s overbearing Jewish mum whose talk on Signs He’s The One might be what you need to shape your dating life.

This book wasn’t predictable. Maybe its because I didn’t read the blurb. But you think you have read enough OMGee moments in your lifetime that you might not drop your jaw to anything again, huh? Huh? Oh, you haven’t read Just Friends With Benefits! With one OMG moment that rivals all, you will close the book for hours, thinking “Oh, my God that explains everything!”
This book almost, almost, had a four star from me. Because it was a bit low in the humor department (we all know humor is a big thing for me), and one silly move our lead girl pulled towards the end I could never forgive, the OMG moment that rivals all OMG moments saved it for me.

My rating:

Four-point-five stars.

Just Friends With Benefits, Meredith Schorr’s thrilling debut is available on Amazon in both paperback and kindle.
I recommend this book to anyone who has ever had a fuck buddy or not. Anyone who wants something true to life. Anyone who hasn’t tried out Schorr’s fabulousness yet. And anyone who has friends they’d fly across states to meet (like I don’t). :)

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Festive Book Review: The Selfish Women's Club's Not Quite Legal Christmas by Nancy Hill

Another post inspired by the festive season.

Blurb: It all seems perfectly innocent when five women who have spent their lives putting others first, following rules, and doing what’s expected of them form the Selfish Women’s Club. Their mission is simple. They will support and encouraged each other to indulge guilt free in whatever their hearts desire. From maids and chauffeurs, health spas and beauty treatments, fine wine and five-star restaurants, they spoil themselves rotten.

But with Christmas less than two weeks away, Lou, one of the club's members, has an issue.

Her maid is in desperate need of help, and the twenty-dollar gift limit the Selfish Women’s Club has agreed on just won’t work. Lou points out that while everyone in the club has honed selfishness to an art, they still always follow rules. She proposes to steal her maid’s mail, a federal offense, to pay her maid’s debts. She points out that by committing a crime to take care of her maid’s bills she will be doing something other than what everyone expects her to do. This, she insists, furthers the club’s mission.

The other women are so taken with this idea that each one of them decides to break a law to give someone the perfect gift for Christmas. The crimes range from misdemeanors to felonies as each one of the Selfish Woman eagerly jump into the club’s new direction.

Mischief, high jinks, and adventure follow as they delight in their scofflaw undertakings.

The only question is...can they get away with it?

—————————————

"If we are going to study, we shouldn't skip the good parts," he'd said with a silly grin.

"Focus on the play else we will never get through this." She protested softly, hoping he could not hear the thumping of her heart.

"Would that be so horrible?" he teased, leaning in for another kiss, this one much longer than the first.

She pulled away after a full minute of the best kiss she'd ever experienced. "Really, we need to focus. Besides, I have a boyfriend."

"So?"

"It's an exclusive relationship."

—————-—————————

It's naughty christmas for all naughty women. Different, great storyline and a fulfilling ending.

So the Selfish Women are tired of having to bend to rules. Breaking rules has never seemed so fun—frankly it hasn't, since these women have never done one bad their entire life.

Lou, Evelyn, Sarah, Irene and Francine have always dedicated their lives to making people happy but themselves. So they form a Selfish Women's club to live for themselves, not please anyone but themselves. Health clubs, pricy restaurants, a little treat here and there to satisfy their self-centered hunger. Christmas is approaching, and however tough they've become on their rules since its formation, they succumb to twenty-dollar gift limits knowing its hard to be tight-fisted during the holidays.

When Lou, profounder of the group has her maid facing problems with credit card companies, she wants to chip in in paying her debts but she knows that's going against rules. So Lou hatches a plan in order to bend the rules: Committing a little crime in order to help others. Lou's reasons, committing a crime wouldn't make them any less selfish, they've obeyed rules all their lives, breaking a little laws would make a whole lot of a difference to the group's purpose.

So each and every Selfish Woman gets to break the law in order to help someone. They don't realize they might get addicted to getting in a run with the cops and hence putting their lives in danger and their flat backsides in jail.

First of all, the storyline sold this book to me. The fact that's very different from most holiday reads is super! Five bored women looking for a little entertainment and losing a few good citizen points in order to help.—★

I am also nuts about this idea of Selfish Women. Amongst all other seasonal lessons this book teaches (like giving), I love that it talks about the good in being just a little selfish. Women all over the world would relate to these women—especially those who have committed their lives to putting other people in first place. Hey, it's good to indulge in a little selfish treat here and there, and you should keep women-alike who'd make you feel you are not doing anything wrong at all. But its the holidays, c'mon you can't be selfish all through the year and expect to continue being selfish during these festive seasons—as the selfish women learnt. —★★

The back story of these women are both shocking yet fun to read. Reasons throughout their lives which have made them lonely, "selfish" and some bitter, made all their acts somewhat sensible. Whether it was being ditched by a husband they put all effort into till he became a pop-star, to investing all time into a job only to end up jobless. These women's back stories are the highlights of this book.—★★★

I loved the ending of this book. It made the novel. It fulfilled all these festive themes about being selfless! Truly, a lesson most women who place tight budgets on gifts would love to learn—ha! —★★★*

As much as this book was good. It was just an OK read. These women didn't do stuff that were chilling enough, in fact, they were not scary enough to be "not so legal". I would have loved a little more Jackie Collinish flair to this novel: more luxury, very classy, more raunchiness in between sheets (considering they were very lonely) and more humor. What kept me edging on were the back stories, I didn't like that suspense was available so nearly towards the end.

If all the above were locked (emphasis on humor), I already love reading about older women, this book would have been a five-star holiday read. Now it sits at:

3.5/5 stars.

The Selfish Woman's Club's Not So Legal Christmas is available on Amazon.

I recommend this to anyone who wants something a little different on their holidays. Anyone sucker for festive themes and anyone who wants to be taught its okay to be selfish—but not so OK to have a run with the cops.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Amazon and goodreads.

Another post inspired by the festive season.

#Blastfromthepast Book Review: Blue Straggler By Kathy Lynn Harris

Blurb: A blue straggler is a star that has an anomalous blue color and appears to be disconnected from those stars that surround it. But this is not a story about astronomy.

Bailey Miller is "disconnected" from the cluster of her rural south Texas family. She has never quite fit in and now in her early 30s, she finds herself struggling with inner turmoil and a series of bad choices in her life.

Bailey's drinking too much (even for a member of her family), has a penchant to eat spoonfuls of Cool Whip, works in a job that bores her beyond description and can't keep a relationship longer than it takes for milk to expire in her fridge.

Even with the help of her two outspoken friends, Texas lass Idamarie and her quirky college pal Rudy, she's having a hard time.

So she packs up her Honda and heads out of Texas in search of herself and answers to secrets from her great- grandmother's past. The novel takes readers on a journey from San Antonio, Texas, to a small mountain town in Colorado and back again, as Bailey uncovers not only the secrets of her great-grandmother's life, but also some painful secrets of her own. All while finding love along the way.

If you have ever wondered why you got stuck with the family you did, what you are doing with your job and your life, or had a sudden desire to run off to the mountains, sit back and join Bailey for this laugh-out-loud, yet poignant ride.

—————————————

"A party. Bailey, you are supposed to be researching your family, then heading back here."

"I never said exactly what I was supposed to be doing." Or did I?

"Where's all this money coming from that you are spending on tow trucks and barns? You been running drugs from Mexico when I wasn't looking?"

"It's called saving. You ought to try it."

"I'm afraid drug-running would be easier."

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Much like listening to blues during lazy afternoons: Cool, soothing, so much warmth, and you never get enough!

Blue Straggler by Kathy Lynn Harris follows Bailey, distraught, trying to quit smoking, worried of herself going bonkers anytime soon and working as a "computer writer"—which doesn't give her the joie de vivre, but who needs that when there are bills to pay? Anyway, with a mum who places so much emphasis on looking drop-dead-gorgeous at every point in time (in Texas!), a dad who hardly cares what happens with her and a brother who drives her nuts without seeking a little parking space, how can she not be worried about her sanity? Worst of all, there's evidence her family would raise glasses and shout a "Touché" whenever an issue about her sanity is brought up.

But with sixty-something Idamarie and geeky Rudolph as best pals, Bailey's life seems to be looking more on the brighter side. The three make a dynafantastic trio sipping coffee and dropping the world's funniest lines before Bailey rushes to work every morning.

It doesn't take long for Bailey to make a discovery of her great grandmother, Annie. A woman who like her, wasn't perfect as all the other women in her family. Asking her mum leads to a dead end since to her Annie was good as dead, really.

When Bailey is let off her position in the company for something that has less to do with writing, she quits, contemplates for awhile then decides to follow Annie's tail all the way to Gold Creek to discover all the locked up secrets, discover herself and love in the process.

First of all, I don't know if it's my own mid-life crisis, but I've made this surprising discovery: I love books about mid-life crisis! I thought for a while to get to the bottom of this, then I realized there's something perfect about imperfect women afraid they might be losing it. Take The Strange Year Of Vanessa M, Just Add Spice, all books I reviewed this year, I stamped them five stars even before five-percent completion. Like I did Blue Straggler :)

OK. Now my review. I loved, loved, loved this novel! The story-line was amazing, it was beautifully-written, what more could you ask for?

I enjoyed reading about Bailey, or Bay Leaf, as Rudy calls her. I really couldn't get enough of her witty, cynical voice. Or maybe I just like older women. She seemed real, hell not two-dimensional and so relatable. I can't think of anyone who would put her down and scrunch their brows shaking their head left-right muttering, "This book is not for me." She's the kind of character who you'd read about no matter what mood you are in—★

The setting of this novel was a major help! All the scenery and the beauty of Gold Creek was captured so well, I felt I was right in this painting. Perhaps this is one of the reasons I fall for books about mid-life crisis. The setting gives the book this slow-paced plot that isn't jarring at all. I can't think of any character flying to a bustling city, let's say, New York to find themselves. The pace, plot was soothing all because of the quiet mountains, the vast lands of forests, the chatty locals and the serene atmosphere—★★

Oh, I laughed the humor in this book, it was terrific. And humor is a very big thing for me! I easily don't laugh-out-loud, so when I do it's simply because something struck me as so funny—★★★. Plus I don't review books that aren't hilarious!

Each and every character, besides our lead girl delivered! From the ostentatious Idamarie who wouldn't step out without here scarlet lipstick and all seven fake rings on seven of her fingers to Rudolph who kept dropping funny lines after funny lines (a character I could relate to) to one cousin who wouldn't quit bringing funny cosmetics for Bailey to try on, Pokey—the adoggable canine, Weasel—the uncaring feline, Stella—whiplash sheriff with a prosthetic ear, Tuck—the truck salesman. I could go on and on!—★★★★

One thing you would want to note down when picking this book is to keep a heart monitor around you—for those of us who can't stand OMG moments because there are lots in this book. I cursed so much I'd be a nightmare to Texan manners—★★★★★

I am a sucker for perfect endings. Nothing can break a book like its ending. Kathy Lynn Harris knows that—★★★★★★

Five stars, people!

Another blast from the past! Blue Straggler is available on Amazon.

I recommend it to anyone ready for a fantastic read. Anyone who's nuts about self-discovery themes. Anyone who loves the Lone Star state. Anyone who loves Colorado. Anyone who's been through or is going through MLC (or Early-life Crisis like I am).

My work not done. Can't wait to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Book Review:Pot Love By Sylvia Ashby

Blurb: Ashley Burkе, a twenty-six years old International News presenter at an obscure regional channel, is your average next-door girl. She lives with her boyfriend, loves her work and secretly fancies her boss.

When Ashley loses it all through no fault of her own, well, apart from snogging her boss in the loo and getting caught by his fiancée, she needs to act fast to find a new job before rumours spread that she’s been fired. A lucrative vacancy comes her way–hosting a small spot in a popular day-time TV programme – but there is a catch. The job is a cookery spot and Ashley can’t cook to save her life.

Her winding roads take her from Chichester, to London and all the way to Sardinia, to find her way back to what she has lost. But not without breaking a few eggs along the way and taking а few falls.

Can learning to cook burn your heart? Is change inherently bad or can it bring happiness too? And can you befriend people and things you have a grudge with, in order to carry on?

——————————————

'Corinn, is the camera the only thing that’s been stolen?’

‘Yes.’

‘They haven’t taken your wallet, ID, phone?’

‘No. Why would they?’

‘Because they have a lot more value than an ancient camera.’ I hear how my words sound and back track. ‘No offence, I’m sure the camera must have been very special but…’

‘They’ve taken only the camera, because the pictures were in it.’

‘What pictures?’

‘The one I took of Jennifer Lopez snogging Kate Moss in a café'

—————————————

A fine debut. Sylvia Ashby wows readers with an excellent story line and fantastic doses of romance.

Ashley's on the brink of professional success being an International Newscaster, having the perfect boyfriend (who pays no heed to her work-related rants) except she's not secured about her job having only twenty seconds of airtime and dealing with her nemesis, Amanda, who's lead of Local news and has more than enough time on air. But more than enough isn't enough for Amanda as she wants Ashley's...('time' is an understatement) seconds.

Amanda is out to get Ashley's seconds, but is oblivious Ashley's secretly snogging her fiancé. And Ashley hates being the other woman, but it isn't long (a week or so) before Amanda finds out. Then it takes less than twenty-four hours for Ashley to be without a job...

After lots of weeks of moping, losing her boyfriend and her usual joie de vivre, she lands an interview to be the host of a cooking show. But she's terrible and highly clumsy at it-cooking, not presenting-after one incident of closely setting her kitchen on fire in an attempt to crack an egg for an omelet. Luckily she's called in for test-shooting in the new year, and with only twenty-two days to gain some culinary skills Ashley has to act fast before she faces the new year unemployed without a boyfriend, a mother who's known for I-Told-You-Sos and her local audiences finding out she's lost her job.

You should follow Ashley's journey as she tours the finest Italian restaurants in London and Italy with the help of sexy chef, Giacomo, sharpening her culinary skills.

Add burns, scalds, cuts and sultry kisses, then you have a recipe for pasta

I liked the story-line of this book. It's unique. I got reeled in right when I read the blurb. A newscaster loses her job, terribly clumsy, hasn't made a perfect omelet all her life without putting herself in danger, gains a job on one of the popular cooking shows and has to learn to cook in a fortnight plus a few days. A star to the story-line.

Such a relatable heroine. Day in and day out, the chick-lit genre is plagued with chickroineswho do not posses any culinary prowess or don't know the basics to make a meal. I am guessing what's being portrayed a lot is what happens in reality the most, so I am sure you women out there who can't fix something for yourselves and fail terribly to every time you make an attempt would sympathize with Ashley and even love her in the process.

I was nuts for the other characters in this book. From Vedhika the stylist (who I secretly adored than the main character), to her mum, to Francesca and even the characters I detested so much (Amanda and James). I loved reading about each and everyone of them (and that's a shocker since this book was written in first person).-A star to the characters.

Although I liked this book and would totally recommend it to anyone who's a clumsy cook, I really would have loved it if it was light and fluffy. With such a story-line, I wanted the humor to be raised above lip-twitching levels and more to laughing-out-loud heights. A few plot complications could have also made this book a five star read. I am honestly not against books with a smooth rhythmic plot complications but I would have loved it if there were so many twists and turns.

Overall, it's not bad for a debut, the romance/chemistry between our leads was fantastic and the vivid description of destinations throughout the journey from Finchley to London to Cagilari, Italy. Though it lacked consistent humor, that didn't prevent me from reading till the end-and what a fulfilling end it was. It had a great story line and was penned beautifully, all I wanted was a lot more to laugh at since most books over here that get five stars were because they were hundred percent laugh-out-loud reads.

My rating: Four stars.

Sylvia Ashby's zingy and deliciously entertaining debut is available on...(click image to purchase)

I recommend Pot Love for anyone in the mood for chick-lit with mild humor and lots of romance. If you also adore a great story-line which's unique you could also pick this up. Or perhaps you are fascinated by the world of TV, Pot Love gives in depth knowledge of the not—necessarily glitz, but—glam life of TV. This title is for you if you've been thinking recently of taking a little (—or however you decide to define it—)food trip touring the finest cuisines from London, Italy or maybe all Europe.

My work not done here. Off to post my reviews on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Book Review: It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy By Quanie Miller

Blurb: Jazzy secretly wants to get back together with her ex boyfriend, Curtis, so when he calls and reveals that he’s got something important to tell her, she’s got no idea that he’s about to propose—to her first cousin and bitter rival, Mercedes.

The annual family dinner is coming up, and fearing that she will spend the evening seething while Mercedes flaunts her four carat engagement ring in her face, Jazzy asks Reggie, an Adonis she met at the mall, to accompany her. As fate would have it, not only did Reggie and Mercedes used to date; that backstabbing,leopard print wearing cow is still carrying a torch for him! Revenge. It’s never been so sweet.

But falling for Reggie? Holy crap! That wasn’t part of the plan! She’s got enough on her plate as it is with a mother who spies on the neighbors and a sister and best friend with man problems that could land them on Jerry Springer. So when Curtis comes sniffing around again—this time, with an accusation that sends her blood pressure shooting through the roof— the one good nerve that Jazzy’s got left has just about run its course.

With such a memorable and hilarious debut, Quanie Miller has established herself as Queen of HoodChick-lit.

Jasmine T. Peacock a.k.a YouTube Woman (famously known in San Jose for Dutty Wining in public) might not have the perfect life given that she's recently been dumped onto the dating market, but with family and friends/frenemies/neighbors of unforgettable (euphemism for wacko) characters her life is always a fun rollercoaster ride bordering on more highs than lows. Until her ex makes an unexpected proposal to her rival-since-birth cousin,Mercedes. She's coerced by her Grandma Dottie to play safe and be bridesmaid if she doesn't want to be written out of her will. But she meets Reggie, ex of Mercedes, and her plan to show Curtis she's moved on and no longer the girl who refused to consign for him on a car is spearheaded right into Mercedes' non-graces.

In her professional life, she's got her boss Lynette to deal with and her incessantly, annoying demands. Being just a common secretary, she's kept out of important company decisions and even the company's main agenda. She's not worth telling than the yellow notepads all the executives carry around, jotting down important stuff from their "conferences". Highly curious, Jasmine is determined to find out what might be the end of IBG Solutions.

Meanwhile, her personal life is tearing apart with her mother deciding on going into P.I offering services for free, her sister, Annie, facing the wrath of her boyfriend's mentally sick baby-mama, her friend, Serai, being auctioned out for suitors by her family, and worse, she's falling for Reggie, when she's sure she's done with men.

Will Jasmine be able to keep her wacky friends, family and professional life all under control, or would she cave under and end up a hood rat?

This book cracked me up, like really, really cracked me up. College is growing ever-hectic but every time I picked Quanie Miller I laughed and laughed and laughed. I love comedy-forward authors;authors who would go lengths to make their readers laugh even if it means putting their characters into incredulously humorous situations.

My second star would go to the characters in this book. There's none that falls short of being humorous. Each and everyone of them made me crack up. From our lead's mother indulging in more than a little sex with handymen and spending too much time with foreplay (sending the house into a blackout and lighting candles for dates) for a woman her age, to Aunt Cleotha, Serai's aunt who has the tendency of clutching her pearls and logging into her online dating profile just to see a smiley face, to J.Nubbs the psycho baby-mama on Annie's petite tail. And so much more. Every character delivered. And I just had too much of a blast.

Third star would go to the uniqueness of Quanie's writing. Quanie is true to her voice and identity and language. By her third book, I see Quanie establishing herself as the queen of HoodChick-lit in this market vacant with literature of chicks of color and attitude.

Fourth star should be awarded to the plot of this novel. So many twists and turns that you can hardly keep in touch with your pillow. I had to force myself to bed in order to wake up for lectures scheduled for early hours.

I love, loved this book. But... judging on the whole package, I find its blurb very light. The story portrays more than given out in the blurb, especially Jazzy's little espionage in her professional life which held majority of my interest.

So overall, I give this book 4.5 stars.

It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy is available on Amazon on the fifteenth of October.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants something or a lead that goes against normal chick-lit etiquette.Anyone looking for a lead with attitude, born and raised from the Hood who isn't afraid to 'open up a can of whup ass' (but can't because her fat behind is worse than her bite). If you just looking for a humorous read, pick this up too.

All hail Queen of HoodChick-lit, Quanie Miller. Fantastic debut, expecting more from you soon.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Book Review: Breaking The Rules By Cat Lavoie

Blurb: When twenty-seven year old Roxy Rule’s best friend and roommate accepts a glamorous new job overseas, she expects their relationship to continue as it’s always been—carefree and easy—until they share a heart-stopping kiss moments before his departure. Overcome with mixed emotions, she fights the urge to over analyze the situation and resumes back to her normal life in New York City, working for an intolerable boss at a dead end job, creeping further and further away from her own dreams of becoming a professional chef.

While things become more complicated between her and Ollie, Roxy is sure that nothing can come between two lifelong best friends—not even mild jealousy over a thriving career or a silly little kiss that meant nothing. In fact, it was such a meaningless and forgettable kiss that she convinces herself that it’s not even worth mentioning to her fiancé, although it is all she can think about.

Roxy’s already topsy-turvy life only gets more complicated when her sisters Steffi and Izzie suddenly become her roommates. Steffi is six months into a pregnancy she refuses to discuss and Izzie is in the throes of a premature midlife crisis. Roxy tries to take control of her career, her love life and her sisters – but can she really handle it all? And can the Rule family keep it together – or break under the pressure?

“Wait, one of our buddies is in town and he’s staying at this wicked fancy hotel. We’re all going there to get wasted and trash his room and shit. Wanna tag along?” He stares at Steffi. “One of the guys in the band is really into pregnant chicks.” He looks at me. “And I’m sure one of them is into chicks that are just big."

Fine debut. Cat Lavoie gives us a perspective of New York from the eyes of a heroine who's quite the art of cook book collector.

So Roxy Rules loves using the f-word, eating it and making it. Added to her resume is, family with sisters who have their fair share of slamming rock bottom, friend of a kooky crowd, assistant to a wacko boss, best friend and roommate of Oliver Frost and fiancée of a banker concerned about talking budget-cuts and tacky wedding ceremonies.

One kiss with Oliver at the point of his departure shatters her world and leaves her with the 'why did Ollie (my best friend) kiss me?' and the 'Why did I kiss him back?" and not forgetting, the "Wait, did I enjoy it?-Why did I enjoy it?" questions.

Time passes and the kiss issue is settled with the two undertaking a long-distance friendship. There are much too many problems Roxy has to deal with than a "platonic" kiss. Her sisters have moved in with her (think the ANTM house) and not a day passes without smackdown action. With the older meddling lawyer sister, Izzie, who's been let off from work till she sees a counselor-a case about crushing on a client, and younger sister, Steffi who shows up with a baby bump and chooses to leave it at that ("Woke up with it. Moving in with it."). And as if staying with the two isn't cause to fake a nervous breakdown to avoid work, she has her bugging boss, Greta the Nutter, to deal with. And did I forget the fiancé who's always lecturing her about over-spending and his mother who's pissed at her over-gaining weight.

Soon, constant conflict threatens to dissolve all her relationships (except with her fabulous understanding and supportive cast of friends) and after one more unfaithful act to her fiancé and a shocking paternal discovery, Roxy's world threatens to cave in.

So LOL–can she really handle it all? And can the Rule family keep it together –or break under the pressure?

A tale about finding happiness, a bestfriend, and putting on a little weight to piss your mother-in-law so you don't fit into her wedding dress.

This book would be so relatable to you if you've kissed your best friend (Err, I tried to). Though let's face it, this story-line of breaking then ruining the friendzone is a constant done-before in the chick-lit genre (Lying To Meet You by Anna Garner to name a [memorable] few), Cat Lavoie makes hers unique with well-developed characters and a suspenseful plot.

I don't think there's been a chickroine that is more relatable. She loves food like most women, loves bingeing like most women do, isn't exactly thin like most chick-lit characters are, isn't afraid of putting on pounds, insecure (but not portrayed to irritating proportions). Just about every woman could confess they'd go to a party just because refreshments were on the program list or doesn't mind spending hours in the kitchen if it is slaving for others.-second star.

I liked the supporting cast who were her friends. Adam, the gay who owns a bar doomed for failure since it's establishment, and Tali, the hilarious workplace receptionist whose appearance always put a smile on my face.-third star.

You should love the ending of this book. Especially towards it. The suspense is at its peak when all water breaks loose and it kept me awake through the afternoon (I take naps). It was brilliantly ended with revelation of secrets upon secrets and when you think there's no hope for the chick and her-the rooster, one command to the cabbie changes it all.-fourth star

Now, I liked this book. But did I love, love it? Almost. I really wished the humor could go a notch higher-there were smiling moments and one or two laugh-out-loud ones (I am that shallow, make me laugh so hard and I wouldn't hesitate giving you a five star).

My rating would be 4/5 stars.

Breaking The Rules, Cat Lavoie's fine debut can be found at

in both paperback and kindle.Or you don't want the two (for whatever reason, I don't judge) you should get the audio format also available on Amazon

I recommend this title for anyone who needs a novel with a chick who is more closer to human than a book character. Anyone who values family or anyone who doesn't. And anyone who loves conflict between fiancés, bride-to-bes and mother-in-laws.

Anticipating Cat Lavoie's second novel which I expect to be a laugh-out-loud, beach-y book. See cover here.

Always open to emails from anyone who'd like to gush about Breaking The Rules.

My work here not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Book Review: Love On The Back Burner By Barbara Oliverio

Blurb:Youngest in an Italian-American family that includes one brother who is a rock singer-turned-priest and another who successfully manages the family business, Alexandria D’Agostino wanted to stand out, so she moved from her small hometown and is enjoying a successful marketing career in Denver.

On the advice of her best friend Keira, as well as office pals Natalie and Elliott, she uses the cooking skills learned from her immigrant grandmother and studies the cuisine of each prospective boyfriend’s background to improve her chances at love.

Alexandria encounters comical mishaps along the way including one unexpected dinner for three and a meat-focused dinner for a vegetarian. After a corporate restructure somehow driven by new office heartthrob Cameron Grayson, she flies back home for counsel.

Will she come back to Denver? Or should she re-evaluate the boy next door from high school? Should she finally admit that being a chef is her true dream? And how does Cameron fit on the menu? BONUS: INCLUDES RECIPES FEATURED IN THE BOOK!

"Alexandria!"

"Oh, no, let me go on. I must state unequivocally that Cam Grayson is the perfect male specimen."

I wheeled my desk chair back and spun directly into the object of my flattery.

"Oh, I wouldn't say 'perfect' necessarily," said Cam, attempting to hide a grin. "But on a scale of one to ten-"

"You are a negative twelve!"

Great debut. Barbara Oliverio thrills readers with a recipe of humor and a crisp storyline.

So Alexandria D'Agostino is having a bad streak of luck with men. In her thirties, a marketing manager, a born and bred Italian with the zeal to cook.

After one date gone horrible with a guy who she'd thought to be 'good on paper' hence her Mr. Right, her best friend, Keira, advices her against her tactic to get men using Italian food. Alex is bent on making the best of every potential suitor that walks into her life so she gives heed to Keira's advice.

Now she's taking cooking trips to the South, India, Middle-east all to perfect one dinner for guys who turn out to be so horrible (-one showing up with his fiancée to enjoy a good meal). As though a dark cloud was right above her, ensuring all these potential Mr. Rights turn out to be frogs, she meets very bizarre dates who either have a problem with her food choices or enjoy her meal with the wrong question choices. Just how many frogs does she have to cook for to gain Mr. Right?

Meanwhile, matters in her professional life are also taking a downward turn. The huge workloads suggest the company might be undergoing a buyout-which means less security for jobs, and there's no telling what marketing direction plan the company is taking because every day comes another marketing plan. To make matters worse, one IT heartthrob is going around adjusting the office chairs of everyone and Alex is always seething to put him in place and out of her space. But Cam Grayson never seems to disappear as he joins Alex's food crowd, workplace best friends Elliott and Natalie, going to lunch with them and coming over for a grub at Alex's place.

When one occupational crisis threatens to dissolve her friendships, ties with her family, romantic involvements and most importantly all she's worked for, Alex must decide whether marketing is really what gives her the joie de beef.

If you want a book rich in humor and sarcasm, you'd love this book. With its there's-more-to-humor-than-meets-the-eye approach, you'd have to reason a little to laugh so hard at some stuff in this book. And who doesn't love a little reasoning. With heavy sarcasm, Barbara Oliverio writes Chick-lit that should get you thinking on your feet in order to laugh. This book supports the adage, "She who laughs last, thinks slowest."

Marvellous story line. The whole cooking thing is a not-done-before, all the reference to cooking to create puns and laugh lines, the inevitable invites of Alex's food crowd to enjoy leftover meals from a disaster date. I loved, loved it. Much like Keri Russell's Waitress, but without the abusive husband.

You should love the stock characters in this book. Well-developed, very active despite the book was written in first person. From the American Idol shunned contestant brother turned priest, to the ever-persistent best friend Keira, Natalie and Elliott-the food crowd, Nonna the granny always concerned about Alex growing so 'thin'. I love the whole cast representing Alex's family, their vibrancy, their frequent involvement in the eating and dating affairs of Alex. You would love this title if you love that constant (as well as bugging yet adorable) interruption of family in a lead's life.

Though this book made me laugh out loud at most moments, I'd have to point out the ending was rather abrupt. From the blurb I would have loved a little more extension from when our lead hit rock bottom.

After the epilogue, Barbara Oliverio dishes out all the recipes of meals featured in this book-recipes passed on by her mother. If you love Italian, a kindle of this book is a good bargain.

So all in all, reading Love On The Back Burner is like dining in a star Italian restaurant.

Love on The Back Burner is available on... (click image to purchase)

In both kindle and paperback.

I recommend this title for just about anyone who loves a tasty Italian meal. Or for whatever reason you hate Italian, there's Southern, Indian and Middle-east dishes to choose from. You should also pick up this title if you enjoy a highly humorous and witty lead with an attitude.

I am always open to emails by readers who'd love to gush about Love On The Back Burner.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads as well as Amazon.

Book Review: One Pink Line By Dina Silver

Blurb: Can the love of a lifetime be forever changed by one pink line? Dina Silver's tender, absorbing novel, One Pink Line, is a warmhearted, wry story of love, loss and family, as seen through the prism of one singular, spirited young couple who find themselves in a predicament that changes the course of their lives, and those closest to them. With heart, humor and compassion, this debut work of women's fiction is certain to stir anyone who relishes a good laugh, can stand a good cry, and, above all believes in the redemptive power of love.

This unique, contemporary story gives readers a dual perspective. Sydney Shephard, a sweet-tempered, strong-natured college senior is young, in love with an exceptional man, and unexpectedly pregnant. Faced with a child she never planned for, she is forced to relay this news to her neurotic mother, relinquish her youth, and risk losing the love of her life. Then there's Grace, a daughter, who believed she was a product of this great love, grows to realize her existence is not what she assumed, and is left with profound and puzzling questions about who she really is.

Spanning generations and every imaginable emotion, One Pink Line reveals how two points of view can be dramatically at odds, and perhaps ultimately reconciled. Simultaneously deeply felt and lighthearted, One Pink Line deftly mines how the choices we make are able to alter so many lives, and how doing the right thing and living honestly can bring unexpected, hard-won happiness. It's a must-read for anyone who craves a great love story, absorbing characters, and plenty of laughs along the way.

I had my first real boyfriend in high-school when I was almost seventeen. His name was Nick, and his family was Italian. My dad always said that Italian boys are only after one thing.

"What's that, Dad?" I'd inquire.

"The same thing every other boy is after," he'd say.

An ecstatic debut by Dina Silver narrating a story of life altering mistakes, childhood sweethearts coupled with wild and fun teen years.

Though this book was published way back in 2011, there's nothing ageing about it. The themes are still fresh and current, applicable in the lives of so many women today and forever.

One Pink Line follows the stories of two young women, Sydney and Grace whose lives are drastically altered as a result of mistakes committed in the past.

This story kick-starts when Ethan and Sydney meet at her best Friend, Taylor's birthday party. The two instantly take a liking to each other after one steamy spin the bottle game. Now the two are going fast in a newly-formed relationship consisting of more making out at wherever than necessary. They are the perfect epitome of lovesick teenagers. Until Ethan returns to College and Sydney begins college in a different city far from the boy she'd grown to adore. With pain and lots of tears and more making out, the two finally part after one last encounter.

College comes with sororities and fraternities, new people, new friends, parties, booze and dances. Summer vacations arrive with Ethan and more making out at public and secluded spots.Sydney manages to stay faithful to Ethan, until her senior year, after one drunken night finds herself out of bed one morning with one of her closest friends, Kevin.

Her final exams are looming and she's pulling all-nighters to pass her Spanish exam, with a dreaded thought she realizes her period is weeks behind. And soon confirms her fears after seeing pink lines on a home pregnancy test kit.

Grace, being awkwardly tall and the odd one in her family, realizes at eleven after one lesson in sexual education at school, that she's not the child of the man she's known all her life as father. This revelation shocks her world, and leaves her in utmost confusion questioning if she's with her biological family.

Sydney faces the most difficult decision that would alter her life no matter her choice.

Will she do what's right and keep the baby? Or, would she do what's right and get rid of it?

I adored this title, an emotional journey of a new adult portrayed with a tint of humor and so much heart that gives the story depth making you reach for your Kleenex at some moments and laugh your heart out at others.

I am a bit skeptical about an (indie) author's debut , only a few very gifted ones manage to pull it off excellently. Dina Silver is one of those gifted ones teaming this dense chick-lit with subtle humor and a constant suspense keeping you flipping and flipping to the fulfilling end.

My first star of the book would go to Dina's constant fast feature which she makes no formal announcements of but marks the beginning of a chapter with the words 'Sydney' or 'Grace' so you know who's now narrating in first person. To me all writers are sneaky originators, always plotting to keep you dumbfounded, you never know if they are going to go with the obvious or turn things around before you know it. So as much as possible I kept reading these two stories of these two women with a huge gap in age difference differently, never did I try to make a connection. I wanted to view it as a writer portraying the same theme of illegitimacy using different characters. When I found out there was a connection after convincing myself to believe my assertion above, I was gobsmacked.

I loved how relatable this theme of unwanted pregnancy was. Many at times, women all over the world after getting themselves into these situations are plagued with the toughest question: To abort, or not to abort. I love chick-lit that preaches on these life-altering moments when all of a sudden you think you have it all in (birth) control then the next minute, you don't. Every, every woman can relate to this theme whether you've experienced bringing forth a child out of wedlock or not-second star.

My third star would be awarded to the cast of this title. You'd love Sydney's mother who keeps books on parenting as her bible, her father who's always on Sydney's side when her mom gets annoying, Kendra the always supportive sister. Oh speaking of support, you'd love the support in this book from characters who surprise you by being least supportive, to characters who surprise you by being very supportive. Characters who keep coming back despite our lead girl's mistake, to characters who don't bother returning calls. With a cast of funny and very well-constructed characters, I had a blast reading this title.

Oh, you'd love the structure of this story thanks to the fast-forwarding feature. Everything flows harmoniously to the very perfect end. After you make the connection between the different leads, reading this book is like a breeze and you are saved from the constant brow-furrowing (this book might go against your anti-ageing procedure) and the puzzlement. Very well-written and a quick read.

My final star would go to the surprise elements in this book-the Oh moments of Gees. It's terrific how the story would be going smoothly and to your expectations then one character's appearance in the form of a lawsuit shatters everything. Besides the above, Sydney's decision to abort or not to abort, the Ethan drama, the connection and so much more leaves you shocked at most moments. And what's a perfect Chick-lit without the surprises.

Overall, it's obvious my rating is a five out of five stars.

Dina Silver's surprisingly perfect debut can be found on

I recommend this book for anyone who's experienced the to abort or not to abort situation personally or from a friend, or anyone who hasn't at all. Anyone who wants to go down memory lane to their high-school spin the bottle years and their vibrant or not so vibrant college life. If you want something that's soulful and dense and humorous so you don't empty your Kleenex cabinet, pick this title. I had a blast, and I trust you would too.

Praise to a perfect debut by Dina Silver.

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads.

Book News: Lying To Meet You By Anna Garner

Anna Garner, popularly known by pseudonym, Libby Mercer, has her finest, Lying To Meet You currently available on Amazon in both kindle and Paperback.

Since the publication of my pre-release review, I had been anticipating for this book to be out so you all can be thrilled as much as I was when reading it.

Blurb: Does being in a relationship make you a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?

Chloe Lane is about to find out. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. As a work-crazed fashion designer, boutique owner and soon-to-be reality show judge, Chloe has no time for a real boyfriend, but being part of a faux pair will do just fine. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else.

However…

Opportunity unexpectedly knocks when Chloe meets fellow reality judge, William Shannon. Super successful and super sexy, this high-powered entrepreneur inspires Chloe to test Ethan’s theory herself. Now, on top of keeping her fashion business productive, carving out a new role as a television personality, maintaining a fake relationship and attempting to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, she’s lying to William, lying to her friends, lying to her family and quite possibly lying to herself. Will Chloe be able to keep it all together, or are things about to explode?

Five reasons you would want to pick up Lying To Meet You:

#1 It's Chicklit (By that I mean, it's hilarious).

#2 You would love it if you were a fan of Sex And The City and Lipstick Jungle for it's vibrant New York nightlife and girlfriend brunches.

#3 If you have a passion for fashion, you will need the inside scoop of the life of a struggling designer or just pick it up if you fancy chick-lit portrayed in the brutal world of fashion.

#4 Or you want to snug a guy using very ingenious means just for bragging rights or experimentation.

#5 Or Maybe you are looking for some torrid romance with a billionaire (E. L James style), but you'd rather do without the BDSM, pick up Lying To Meet You.

Follow Chloe Lane's story set in the heart of New York amidst Kate Spade, Anna Sui and all the other high-end stores, and browse through her more-than fair share maze of professional and personal dilemma. The most fun part of reading this book is taking the time to count all the lies Chloe told (Trust me, they more than the Nine LIES of Chloe King).

Rush for your paperback now if you don't want to get the dreaded old and used copies (shivers). Or get a kindle if you are the book-on-the-go kind (like I am).

Always open to emails from readers who'd love to gush about this title.

Click here to see my review of Lying To Meet You.

Signing Off,

Kobby.

Book Review: Just Add Spice By Carol E. Wyer

Blurb: Escape from reality comes in patent-leather Prada kneeboots

Dawn Ellis needs to escape from her painfully dull existence. Her unemployed husband spends all day complaining about life, moping around, or fixing lawnmowers on her kitchen table. The local writing class proves to be an adequate distraction with its eccentric collection of wannabe authors and, of course, the enigmatic Jason, who soon shows a romantic interest in her.

Dawn pours her inner frustrations into her first novel about the extraordinary exploits of Cinnamon Knight, an avenging angel -- a woman who doesn't believe in following the rules. Cinnamon is ruthless and wanton, inflicting suffering on any man who warrants it. Little does Dawn realise that soon the line between reality and fiction will blur. Her own life will be transformed, and those close to her will pay the price. Find out what happens in Just Add Spice by best-selling author Carol E Wyer.

"...No one has managed to track her down or interview her just yet. Mystery sells as much as sex it seems." commented Blake as he stacked up a pile of papers he had marked for the group.

"I bet she's over eighty years old and has a face like a slapped ass." said Craig.

...A fantastic combination of torture and pleasure. Carol E. Wyer dazzles readers with Cinnamon's insatiable appetite to inflict pain on cheats whilst arousing readers' interest (and more) all the same.

People who know me as a reviewer (a terrible, mean one), know that by reading thirty percent of their book, if I am not gripped, I send back an email stating why I can't write a review. This book already had me before two percent. I have read a lot of chick-lit, but none commencing with the lead learning to hotwire a car (thrilling!)

So Dawn is a middle-aged woman-no job, an unemployed husband who doesn't know of her existence, a son who's passed the moving out stage of his life and much too many sagging flesh. (You should see how Carol was vivid about all the sagging buttocks-sweet imagery).

Growing up, it hadn't been easy for Dawn. Pretty rough childhood with one parent dying and the other pushing all his woes into the bottle to have little time to cater for her.

Bored day in day out with her life by a husband who won't last more than twenty seconds in bed (see the saying about 'the older the merrier' is all a lie), she decides to take a writing class suggested by her son, Dan, to pen a novel and achieve something this once in her entire life.

Undergoing a series of writing classes with very hilarious characters-ones that put all their goods on display and ones that don't (so high-school), she takes in the lessons of instructor and best-selling author, Blake Ryder, who's advised them strongly to breathe, live their character to make them believable, Dawn is faced with the challenge of embodying her main, Cinnamon.

Apparently, Cinnamon isn't as sweet as her name suggests. Living the adage, Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned, Cinnamon is out to make all the dirty men in the world pay, including their 'other woman'. Before Dawn knows it (in patent-leather Prada kneeboots, of course) she is taking a kick-boxing class, exercising for a firmer ass and buying Viagra online to prevent her from making Cinnamon get an orgasm in twenty seconds (like she doesn't).

But there's a thin line between reality and imagination, and (even in patent-leather Prada kneeboots, of course) Dawn knows she's stepping over, but would she be able to pull herself out before it's too late (I mean,hotwiring first, daylight burglary next?).

This book is so worth gushing about. I adored it right from the onset

I adored Dawn right from the onset.

Beginning this blog, I have read so many funny books. And this is one of them. I am sure this book has added more years to my life because I really laughed a lot (at least that's what my GRUMPY says about laughter). From a funny lead, to the incredibly hilarious cast, Carol Wyer sure knows how to make people laugh. That gives her my first star.

I loved this title for some of the lessons it brought up. Lessons on infidelity, ageing, middle-age fitness, loss, love and... kick-boxing. This book touches on themes that struck a nerve, but portrayed so humorously there are very few crying moments. Don't get me wrong, the depth is there but what's a book that's going to keep you and your box of Kleenex wasted. Certainly not an economical one.

Just like one hunk Jason in this book, I am a sucker for older women, so I like how this book is aligned more to the lives of women who are 'supposed to be keeping it together' rather than women 'single and earnestly on the hunt'-second star.

Also, I wouldn't do justice to this review if I don't mention that it's brilliantly well-written. This story is incredibly light. There are more instances for this novel to be have been titled Just Add Spice and Other Stories, but though there are many stories running alongside the lead's (Cinnamon's and short stories from the members of the writing class), this novel was a really quick-read (just 184 pages). This fascinating feature earned it a star.

I loved, loved Cinnamon's story. It was fun to know you could fuse chick-lit with a psychological thriller. Though she's a bit rougher than her creator, Carol (or rather, Dawn) revealed an emotional side to her that got me both sympathizing and falling hard. But that's no surprise since I love women who come off hard (Hello, Angelina Jolie). This imaginary character's story had a fulfilling end that filled me with warmth (and this isn't because she ended up in Jo'burg)-third star.

And ooh, I have got to buy all the other characters their own novels. From the writing instructor Blake who would stare at the boobs of one student for half an hour and give out really informative tips about writing. To Craig the salesman who got me wondering 'what the hell is a car salesman doing in a writing class?'. To Geraldine who wouldn't do every assignment given because she's been suffering from Writer's Block for over a year (Credible tale). To Viv, the post woman who gets high on almost always catching Dawn in hilarious situations. To Jason, the HUNK, who loves animated movies. I could go on and on... I loved each and everyone of them to pieces-another star.

You would like this book for the numerous surprises in the form of Aahs, Oohs And OhsMG. It's breath-taking (literally). And Carol doesn't make you recover after throwing a punch. She keeps them coming like you can handle them, leaving you thinking "Oh, I never thought... ", "Ah, how come I never saw that coming." and "Ooh, that's some nice..."-final star.

There's just nothing wrong with this work. From start to finish is perfect. Trust me because I sighed contentedly. The resolution, is just so(ooo).... hey do some of you have to get to work? 'Cause I can go on and on.

This title oozes... 5/5 stars.

Just Add Spice is available on Amazon in both kindle format and paperback. Rush for your copies.

I recommend this title for anyone who's looking for something more mature. Anyone who believes fifty is the new thirty. Anyone who's a sucker for themes that struck raw nerves portrayed in a less tearful way. And just anybody, anybody, anybody this book is worth grabbing. I'd appreciate anyone who comes around to gush about Carol Wyer, a little Tea time with Just Add Spice.

If Carol's kick-boxing is as good as her writing ('live, breathe your character'), I wouldn't want to mess with her-even if she's in patent-leather Prada kneeboots

My work not done here. Off to post my review on Goodreads.