Cover Reveal + Giveaway: I Don't Know How She Will Do It by KobbyTetteh Gyampoh

Today, it's me on the spot. Revealing the new cover to the new edition of my debut, for a new year.

Book Blurb: Lily has had it with Aunt Lizzie. She wants her inheritance. She wants to be free. Aunt Lizzie wants Lily to find a husband, though she thinks it’s impossible. To her Lily could kiss freedom goodbye since it might be about the only person who’d allow that.

Aunt Lizzie’s thinking marriage; Lily’s thinking marriage-if-anyone-would-ever-want-me. Aunt Lizzie’s thinking cooking, cleaning and looking after a family; Lily wants a career that isn’t home-running. Aunt Lizzie’s not bent on making Lily have her way. So what would Lily do? She’d plot to gain her inheritance. She’d plot to gain her freedom. Her dad’s will says nothing about Mr. Right, neither does it mention an aspiring actress eager to break into Hollywood.

Join Lily in her quest for freedom as she poses as a couple with Clare behind a camouflage of flashy cars and cupcakes in order to get that inheritance. Follow this hilarious recipe of a low self-esteem girl, a sassy self-employed actress, an Aunt whose quotes would get you raising brows and two grannies who are willing to help low self-esteem girl. But watch out, one has a pistol which she stashes in her underwear.

Message From The Author: I’ve had lots of inspiration for writing. But the one that moved me into publishing my very first novel, I Don’t Know How She Will Do It has to go to Allison Pearson. Words can’t describe how much I loved I Don’t Know How She Does It─both the book and the movie. Something about Kate’s struggle and how lovable she was portrayed made me nuts to pen something down. Days and days the title I Don’t Know How She Does It resounded constantly in my sleep, in my wake, every moment in my life (mainly because it was one hell of a funky title). I was practically haunted to put down my baby I Don’t Know How She Will Do It. Though they are both different stories, they both portray that sense of feminism that makes women all around the world proud. And that’s why I penned I Don’t Know How She Will Do It, a short story that would make women rejoice for their womanhood and cheering them for giving men a run for their money. There are points I might make you reach for your Kleenex, but forgive me for you will laugh at so many moments they would make up for all my sins.
Best,
Kobby.

Win any one of the Three Digital Copies Kobby is giving out

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

First of all, KobbyTettehGyampoh, simply Kobby, hates referring to himself in third-person.

I just turned eighteen. I am Ghanaian and have always loved Chick-lit. My Chick-lit role models would be Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes, Janet Evanovich and Sarah Strohmeyer.

I was introduced to the genre when I was thirteen. Sarah Strohmeyer made the introduction with her Bubbles Series. Since I read Bubbles, I quit writing Harlequin-styled romances and have always considered myself-since then, a humor writer.

My biggest dream is to be an EIC to a lifestyle magazine someday like Kate White-for my obsession for Cosmo’s language since she was running as editor. But for now, I am good with studying English to break into Advertising someday.

I am currently working on my next title which is sort of a series like Cupcakes R US, but it’s based on the lives of editors, columnists and freelancers in a Cosmo-lookalike magazine. Which would be available in more formats than kindle. Epub, PDF, Docx, Doc, Mobi, PowerPoint. And oh, Paperback.

If I am not writing something funny, I spend most of my time reviewing something funny on my blog, ChickLit Pad (http://chicklitpad.blogspot.com).

RELEASE DATE IS 3^rd Febuary. Please be sure to check it out on Amazon

BIG thanks to all the blogs that participated in my tour. So grateful. I can’t thank all the authors that have supported me enough. Huge thanks also to Bia at MadameUB Designs for giving me this lovely cover. She’s launching her artwork on bags and laptop cases, IPad cases, you name them. Go get her work!

Twitter: @chicklitpad
Facebook page: ChickLit Pad
Author’s Blog website: http://chicklitpad.blogspot.com

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.

Book Review: Getting Rooted In New Zealand by Jamie Baywood.

Recounting experiences from a trip to New Zealand, Jamie Baywood pens a novel, brilliantly fast-paced, rich with humor and highly informative. The one book that would make you think again about planning an 'ultimate' escapade.

Blurb: Craving change and lacking logic, at 26, Jamie, a cute and quirky Californian, impulsively moves to New Zealand to avoid dating after reading that the country’s population has 100,000 fewer men. In her journal, she captures a hysterically honest look at herself, her past and her new wonderfully weird world filled with curious characters and slapstick situations in unbelievably bizarre jobs. It takes a zany jaunt to the end of the Earth and a serendipitous meeting with a fellow traveler before Jamie learns what it really means to get rooted.

—————————————

"Your family seems to have a lot of stomach problems.” I said to Gretchen.

“Yeah, my mum has a giant scar on her stomach from waking up during surgery from getting her appendix out, and my brother has been constipated for over eight years.”

“What? Your brother hasn’t pooed for eight years? How’s that possible? How old is he?”

"He’s ten. No, he has pooed. It’s just after he was potty trained when he was two, he only poos in his pants now.”

“That’s not constipation, that’s something else. You should take him to the doctor.”

“We have. He has ADHD. He’s so hyper when he comes over to my house; I just lock him in the bathroom."

"I guess that’s a good place to keep him with his condition."

—————————————

This book was fantastic. Nothing short of it. It's fun to know all the penned down had happened. Nothing but the truth. Wriiten in a form of a journal entry, it's so hilarious when you figure this time you've hit rock bottom, sitting on your butt and wondering how you can move on, then all of a sudden jetting away to a place where no one knows you so you could start afresh seems superb, but your destination wasn't as you thought it was and you wound up in a shitty country with a shitty economy with not much to brag about in the 'American Junk Food' department and you are stuck with eating what isn't close to healthy either. You want to move back into your country but you think you can make it all work, "It's cake." you keep telling yourself. The thought of failure drives you on and on even though you share cubicle walls with co-workers who send pics of their dicks taken from various ranges (nothing bothers much when that weiner in concern is ugly and teeny and weenie), and a workplace where no one gets your jokes, a boss whose mouth reeks of the habitat of a dead mouse yet won't stop to consider mouth-spray when they think it's OK yelling at you for something which they are clearly responsible for. Then when you ever think of really leaving, you can't, not because the US universal tax law for work-abroad citizens is the best idea govt over the years implemented, but you have made some very good friends, had the most hilarious experiences, found yourself and most importantly found the most charming man with a thong-dropping Scottish accent. Worse of all, you are not sure what labels to put on this relationship, but you are sure when you stick around, and chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, answers might come soon.

It's Eat. Pray. Love gone Cheat. Pay. Sort of Love. But you would love it for all the laughter it will bring you, the truth that's been lurking on the surface untold (like why everyone hates America when she's in charge of bailing them out of financial woes), and why you should be thankful you are not living another country's dream.

With a heroine you can relate to, (I mean, who hasn't hit rock bottom and felt like escaping? Who hasn't fallen in love in another country/state and fought hard to be with the person? Who hasn't craved Ben and Jerry's being in another country? Who hasn't struggled with confusing foreign accents? And most importantly, who hasn't dealt with words that have totally different/embarrassing meanings elsewhere?) it's fascinating we make such a connection with our lead that whatever emotion she's going through we feel for her. I don't know if it's because it's non-fiction or it's because she was well-written, but even if she's sex-deprived we all relate to her and kinda feel horny too (if my dad appears around the block, I DO NOT OWN THIS BLOG!).

The characters in this book are just so hilarious. From Jamie herself, the heroine who tells jokes you'd want to laugh at and hit your head against something in the process but wouldn't because everyone else in the room is glaring at her. To the paralympics sports promoter who could have been a prospective date except with one teeny problem about Jamie's roommates coming in to carry him onto her bed and allow her have her way with him. Barry, the dickhead who distributes professionally taken pictures of his dick around the office and tries convincing Jamie into escorting him buy a (crotchless) pantyhose. Gretchen the co-worker whose rough childhood (accidents) would get you guffawing. There was Grant, the sweet, sensitive, Scottish boyfriend who you would all envy about Jamie's life (I didn't despite my colorful description). All these characters and so much more I couldn't catch up with made this book one blast of entertaining.

Together we roll with Jamie till she makes that fulfilling decision that would change her life forever. Including her single status.

But while I would give it a five star elsewhere, I have to be honest about its shaky start. Struggled at the opening chapter to get to love, love it. But I did eventually.

So, my rating stands at a 4.5 star.

Jamie Baywood's hilarious travel memoir is available on Amazon in both kindle and Paperback.

I recommend this book to anyone whose ever thought of jetting away at the slightest problem. Anyone who loves crossing borders to find out how people are living (or is coping a more appropriate term?). Anyone overseas who has the feeling other internationals don't like them and judge based on a nationality label. You looking for sweet ooey-gooey love? This is your kinda kindle/paperback. More importantly, anyone who wants to have a fantastic time laughing so hard they beg for a refund when they can't take it anymore.

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

Book Review: My Big Greek Family By Maria Constantine

Blurb: Georgina Andreou is at a crossroad in her life; professionally she’s successful, but her personal life is unfulfilled and lacking. As her huge Greek family descend upon the house to celebrate her thirtieth birthday, Georgina resigns herself to the fact that she is alive, but not living. Still at home with her parents and siblings, she’s torn between the traditional Greek values with which she has been raised and a more liberated,adventurous future. The time has finally come for Georgina to make some serious changes in her life in order to find happiness. And she isn’t the only sibling in the Andreou household who’s facing a culture clash; Katherina falls for an unlikely suitor at work, despite her family’s relentless mission to get a ring on her finger, and she is forced to face a secret she has kept buried for many years in order to take a risk on love again. Meanwhile Sophia, the youngest of the Andreou sisters, and the most rebellious, discovers a new spiritual direction in her life. The sisters’ bond is strengthened when the three of them decide to go on holiday together; secrets unravel and hidden emotions finally surface.

The trip acts as a catalyst for change in the girls’ lives and provides them with the courage they need in order to move forward. For Georgina, it helps her to find the strength to be the woman she wants to be and not the woman she is expected to be. But back in London, the sisters will have to steel themselves against opposition from their parents who find it hard to understand the cultural challenges their children face. Will their responsibility to the family prove impossible to resist?

———————————————

It was a lovely evening and not a single leaf swayed on the branches. Glancing out of the kitchen window, Georgina noticed Mr Macaroni hanging over the fence with a shoot in his hand. Georgina smiled as her mother bounced up from her seat, having seen him too.

‘Ah, must be the marrow he wanna give me to plant,’ she said with enthusiasm as she escaped to the garden to meet him.

‘Better keep an eye on him, Dad. First he wants to give her marrows – and before you know it, he’ll want to show her his cucumbers.’

Their father snorted dismissively, while Georgina and Katherina chuckled as they peered into the garden from their seats. They watched their mother return with a satisfied smile on her face.

‘Just don’t go showing him your melons, Mum."

———————————————

One huge lively Greek family. Three charming sisters. A journey to self-discovery. A journey of pure bliss.

Three sisters, Katharina, Georgina and Sophia love the time spent with each other. Spinters past thirty, thirty and close, but who says all you need is male company for some excitement. As sisters the three have an unbreakable bond, and together they would leave all family expectations to embark on the road to finding themselves.

Katharina is past thirty. Her parents have been scheming since on giving her over to "rich, Greek man". A career woman who cares less about towing the family traditions. If it was up to her, she'd elope with her job and remain spinster forever. Until Markus, the new employee makes an appearance so easy-going, good-looking and funny. Katharina can handle men... at arms-length. So if Markus ever thinks something might happen between them, he's certainly wrong. Or even if she wanted to, she's Greek and he isn't. Worse, she's been scarred for life by an incident that leaves her at war with the male generation.

Georgina turns thirty with family expectations weighing down on her neck. Her life is mundane as a school teacher who has to deal with students who give teachers very descriptive nicknames and fart with damage that can rival a hurricane's. It's clear she's not happy with all family expectations pushing her against the wall on how to live her life. In her parent's house. She's been warned by her dad to stay clear of men with 'evil', intentions. No one goes behind the family in search of a husband. But when Jake enters with blue eyes that promise more than friendship, would she be able to let go and take this one chance? Or thanks to her meddling cousin, Mario, who always has news on Jakes exploits, would she be able to trust him?

Sophia below thirty, wild child who gave up the education to train in hairdressing. Amongst all her sisters it's she who's looked down upon. Or at least that's what she thinks. Then when she begins sneaking out at late hours and coming back at early hours—a highly disapproving trait for an unmarried Greek woman, everybody begins to worry for what secrets she's keeping. And to make things worse, she's making a transformation from Bad Girl Gone Good sending everyone into confusion.

Follow these sisters journey of love, friendship, secrets, fucked-up family arranged dates and self-discovery. At the end of the day, family matters, and sisterhood flourishes.

This book is fantastic. I got reeled in by the blurb because the sound of Greek just transported my mind to My Big Fat Greek Wedding (isn't it surprising the guy who played Toula's dad, has the same last name as Maria?), a movie I devoured, huddled on the couch with the remote pressed to my chest. It was such a shame I jumped into conclusions because this book was nothing like that John Corbett and Nia Vardalos movie. But I took on the same posture, huddled on the couch with my e-reader falling onto my chest every time whatever emotions I was going through peaked. —★

I loved the storyline. Amazing. The plot is unique, the pace was breath-takingly slow but engaging. You know those kind of movies with no soundtrack, air blowing in the background dominated by chirping birds or bustling vehicles, simple sounds of day-to-day activities magnified (like the banging of a door or just footsteps and breathing patterns), that have irregular transitions between scenes yet you'd want to stick with because you have fallen for the heroine's plight? This book was one of such movies, the ones that end on such simple note of fulfilment which makes your eyes go misty. —★★

Was there anything I didn't love about this book? No. The characters were not exactly fun to read about but were amazing. From Christina, mum of three sisters who's moment of actualization would stem from her daughters being married off and constantly chasing away a neighbour's irritating cat from her garden. To Joseph, the quiet dad whose decisions were met with finality. To Dimitri the brother whose laid-back actions would piss any reader off, even more so when he's treated as a king like every other Greek boy. Markus, Jake, Harry, totally adorable men who contributed to the romance in this book. Lara, Celia, the raunchy karaoke friends. To all the members of the huge Greek extended family who were sometimes aggravating and lovely at the same time. All these characters sure put a blast in the title and made it, as I said earlier, unique—★★★

If you'd want a guide to going on a fun-packed, soul-searching vacation to Greece, this is it. The move from all the chaos of London to less plied roads and enchanting scenery thanks to Maria's description was a plus for this book. I was only on my couch, reading in the dark, but why did I feel like I was touring the majestical charm of ancient Greece, eating Mediterranean delicacies and sun-bathing with other tourists along the shores of beaches? All because of Maria, I might take six jobs this year (if I ever get the chance with school work) saving for a vacation to a Greece that would never happen for me. —★★★★

A star also to the precious moments in this book. The ones that made me wonder, the ones that made me smile, the ones that made me chuckle and the ones that made me feel so happy for any reader who might make the choice to grab this book.

My rating: Five stars.

My Big Greek Family, Maria Constantine's refreshing debut is available on Amazon.

I recommend this book to anyone who'd want to cross cultures and experience what it feels like to be Greek and single. You might be thankful for your situation. Anyone who wants something that would make them gain lessons on life and living it, love and feeling it, independence and gaining it,happiness and finding it. Simply put, anyone in search of anything heartwarming.

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

Don't also fail to read Maria's Guest Post: My Chicklit Timeline.

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.

Chick-Lol Awards: Funniest Books Of 2013

It's amazing how you grab a book expecting to enjoy the storyline, but you end up snapping your jaw, breaking a(/some) rib(s) and muttering lots of obscenities you wouldn't even hear in hardcore stuff.

This year began my blogging journey. Having read the Kinsellas, the Keyes', the Strohmeyers and Evanovichs, I stated grimly—influenced by lots of laughs, of course and almost peeing my pants with one incident—"This pink stuff is the best genre in the world!"

I still hold that "assumption" (as my mystery-loving friend, Nana Ama puts it) today.

Humor is a big thing for me! I'd give Five stars to anything that would get me laughing at the opening stages. And this year, I discovered these must-read indie authors who would end you up (with several broken parts) at the hospital with bills your insurance can't cover (if you don't trust your insurance company, I mean it, 3.99 wouldn't be worth all the dilemma you'd bring upon yourself).

Funniest Book Number #K Just Add Spice by Carol E. Wyer.

Quote my review: ...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...(more)

Funniest Line: "...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.

Buy links: Amazon

Funniest Book Number #c It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy by Quanie Miller.

Quote review: With such a memorable and hilarious debut, Quanie Miller has established herself as Queen of HoodChick-lit... (more)

Funniest line: Miserably forgot to include that in the review.

Buy links: Amazon

Funniest Book Number #i Facebook Jeanie by Addison Westlake.

Quote review: Addison Westlake has delivered once more. Here's to humor, fantasy and beautiful chick-lit.... (more)

Funniest Line: Together they squealed.

“This is just like Bella and Edward!” Jeanie declared.

“Only Brad’s not a vampire, so it’s even better!” Clara squealed some more.

Buy Links: Amazon

Funniest Book Number #h Lying To Meet You By Anna Garner.

Quote review: This book is so(oo) New York, so(oo) Sex And The City. Only it's far more than thirty minutes. Well, unless you are a fast reader.... (more)

Funniest Line: “What are you doing with that Ethan, anyway?” William asks to my surprise, “I don’t mean to be offensive,” he says. “And he certainly seemed like a good guy, but he’s very Boy Next Door, isn’t he?”

Despite myself, I chuckle. “Three doors down, to be precise.”......

Buy Links: Amazon

Funniest Book Number #c How Hard Can It Be? By Robyn Peterman

Quote Review: OMG. With such an amazingly crazily, hilarious debut. How hard it would be for Robyn Peterman to fall off our Must-Read lists.... (more)

Funniest Line: Herbie run to my table on his tiny little dentist legs. "He's gay." Herbie informed me triumphantly.

"Really?"

"Yep"—he sucked in his gut and stood up taller—"but I am not." He waggled his eyebrows and grabbed his package.

It was all I could do not to gag-laugh. I closed my eyes and sucked in an enormous breath "That's wonderful... that you're not gay. I'm sure you will make an unsuspecting girl very unsettled someday, but here's the thing... I'm a lesbian. So while I'm fluttered by your outstanding posture, your acrobatic eyebrows, and your crotch handling, I prefer vaginas."

"Really?" Herbie asked dejectedly.

"Really," I assured him.

Buy Links: Amazon

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There you have it, books to put kickstart your new year with laughoutloudiness.

So Happy New Year's Eve Folks! Have the best of New Years.

Big Thanks to all the authors that have made this blog as big as it now, especially Tracie Banister! Love you to broken pieces! Thanks so much for all the recommendation behind my back. Same to Anna Garner, Samantha Stroh Bailey and Meredith Schorr. And each and every author that respected my views.

Also, so sorry for all those authors I couldn't review this year. Stupid college came up. But hopefully next year, it will all be good.

Till Next year, see you soon.

Signing off,

Kobby.

Festive Book Review: Divine Moves By Ellyn Oaksmith

Another post inspired by the festive season.

Blurb: A colorful grandma, a daughter in denial, an angry granddaughter. Welcome to the family.

With her marriage on the rocks, Meryl thinks life can't get any worse -- until her mother shows up. Faye, a former stripper and born again Christian, plans on opening an exotic dance and fitness studio in Meryl's exclusive lakeside community. If mother and daughter don't kill each other first.

While her kids stage their own rebellion and her husband fights to win her back, Meryl finds comfort in the arms of a handsome sheriff recovering from his own loss.

After her mother ropes Meryl's book club into performing at a charity tea to promote the new studio, Meryl finds she must face her past. But first she has to get through Christmas.

Funny and smart, Divine Moves reveals the forces that derail our lives and the sometimes divine intervention that keeps us on track.

"There are hundreds of people out there. Women in suits and dresses. I can't do this. I cannot get up on stage and dance in front of them, let alone take off my clothes. "

"She's freaking out, what do we do?" Diane asked as Lorraine started breathing in rapid, throaty gasp.

"Slap her!" Sandy said, looking both domineering and adorable in her tuxedo with tails and fishnet stockings.

Carol rushed up, intercepting Sandy by grabbing her wrist before she could administer a blow.

Sandy jerked her hand away, annoyed. "What? It works in the movies."

Oh my, oh my, oh my. My new year might be looking up to better days thanks to Ellyn Oaksmith. And of course, Divine Moves.

Meryl Howe hits rock bottom when she catches her husband cheating with a sleazy neighbour who borrows Meryl's coat as she's being thrown out. Luckily, though it was a hard impact, she still has her legs. So she's seeking to move on. Though it wouldn't be easy with Christmas around the corner. When she's been cut emotionally deep, how can she just hang in there in a season that's all about love? Especially when she has no love, how can she get through Christmas this year? Besides, the stress of always being a good wife is weighing down on her when the bills come and her children home from school with their own dilemma to add to hers?

Fortunately, Faye, mother of Meryl comes into the picture, as the super-heroine. As if she's got the solutions to solve all the problems. How can one hopeless alcoholic (whose been sober for four years) handle her grandchildren when she screwed up the whole shebang as a mother?

The questions are: Will Meryl get through Christmas with her mother in the picture claiming she has the business idea that would save her, Meryl's butt? Will both her children keep out of trouble now that she has less time to supervise thanks to a shitty job at Macy's perfume section selling La Vie Est Belle (love the irony)? Will her husband ever stop pestering her about forgiveness even though he's sharing a house next door with the other trashy woman? Is she safe leaving her children in the care of her mother who's busy filling out loan forms for her "business" idea? And most importantly, will Meryl find love this Christmas and be able to patch up her broken heart?

There are two TV shows I'd stone anyone if they ever disrupt my watching them. One, Grey's Anatomy. Two, Desperate Housewives. This book is so Desperate Housewives with a unique storyline. So it means I got anyone who interrupted my reading stoned. (But, hey, my mum was an exception and Ellyn would have to forgive me since this book is all about mothers)

My Desperate Housewives sweeties, let me take you back down Wisteria Lane. When Lynette had cancer and her mum, Polly Bergen walked in to help. I have pictures:

But take out Lynette of the picture and put in Bree.

I loved Bree! Forget Purple is the New Black, Meryl is the new Bree. I digged how Meryl was emotionally detached always striving to be the good wife. Her perfectionism was insane. I couldn't relate to her more than I'm sure you women would. The silly thing about a gender barrier. But I loved her nonetheless like I loved Bree. Her struggle, her complexity, everything about her was so three-dimensional. And holy cow, it was the first time I didn't need 3D goggles to reach out and feel a character —★

I loved that this was a multiple character read. It was a nice change from most of the first-person narrative you see in women's fiction genre. And besides our lead girl, the characters were amazing. From Jackie the sister whose relationships don't get past moving-in stage because she'd be honest she hasn't gotten into terms with allowing a pet in despite her being singe. Sam, the cop who kept more of his eyes on Meryl and less of on the bad guys—loved the romance this character contributed to the story. Faye, the mother who can work a pole probably less than she can a sandwich—like any true mother. The Women at the book club whose personalities made me crack up, my personal fav. Sandy Chen, who would never ever get any chance to slap someone in life after she let her one chance pass.—★★ Ooh, almost forgot Nathalie, the wild child with a sharp tongue glued with loads of funny, snippy, snide remarks.

You would fall hopelessly for this book because of the humor in it. Unless you are wearing a jaw strap (if such a thing exists), prepare to poop in your pants. —★★★ I am not supposed to reveal to the world I am contemplating on going au naturel, you know what I mean. I could be a chick-lit character and though you might all be judging me now, would feel sympathy for me to know that I got no pants left.

I might be trying to hide it all with a funny review. But I wouldn't do justice to this book if I don't tell you I did shed a few tears. The book came at a moment whern I was battling my own addiction for sometime. It's only yesterday that my cousin, Anita was arguing with me about a thing as a perfect marriage. Thanks to Ellyn Oaksmith, I took the right stance. The perfect marriage, with all the happily- ever-laters all happen because of one secret. The secret of reconciliation. —★★★★ This book teaches so many issues that we all people as men and women going through marriage, addiction, a shitty present resulting from a shitty past can learn.

I just love this book because it just wasn't your typical Santa holiday read. It actually brings in the thought that while you might have your Christmas revolving all around Santa, some just got home from Charity Galas to find their husbands caught in the act and going through one hell of a Christmas, so just be thankful! —★★★★★

I loved, loved Divine Moves and it's available on Amazon.

Trust me I laughed myself to a headache when I caught the only reference to the title. It's all a Divine Intervention, as Carol one of the book club members puts it. Lol.

Hope you love this one. Totally recommending it to anyone who has tried thinking of learning exotic dancing without the greasy fingers shoving down dollar bills in your panties. Anyone who just wants the best imagery of their lives seeing the most unusual characters doing the most unusually interesting things. Anyone who just wants a blast these last few days of 2013.

To be very honest with you, I'm wondering how I can get this review intact on Amazon. It's actually the first time, I'm thinking of bargaining with the morons to copy-paste this review on their fabulous site with the shitty review system. And I am glad my blogging life this year ended on a good note.

My rating might just be a five/five star

Happy Holidays! Till 2014 , Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

I am grateful for all the amazing books of you all fabulous indie authors I took on! Love you all to pieces!

Another post inspired by the festive season.

Festive Book Review: Merry Chicklit-Six Sassy Shorts (an anthology): Santa's Gift by Carolyn Aspenson

Another post inspired by the festive season.

Blurb: In the spirit of giving, six chick-lit authors "present" a charming collection of seasonal shorts sure to inspire holiday cheer-plus love and hope throughout the year, with all proceeds donated to Rocking the Road for a Cure! Featured authors & stories include:

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson In "Santa's Gift," journalist Jessica thinks Santa's just a silly myth for children, so when he asks what she most wants for Christmas she tells him the one thing she knows he can't deliver--true love. Or can he...?

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"I love Cinco."

"Their salsa is my secret weapon."

My smile flopped. "You take a lot of women to Cinco or something?"

He blushed and it was adorable. "Oh no. I didn't mean it that way. You just seem like a woman who likes good food."

Did he just call me fat?

"Uh..."

He ran his fingers through his hair. It was captivating.

"That didn't come out right."

"Not so much, no."

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Great short something to read during these Holidays and get on with your shopping—but not without receiving any festive lessons.

So Jess, twenty-nine year old reporter has nothing to look up to this Christmas. She doesn't believe in all the hocus-pocus about Santa and would rather avoid everything about Christmas this year—including the shopping (considering there's going to be a sale!). Recently broken up with "Ass Monkey" of fourteen months, really what does she have to be thankful for?

But with her happily married friend Ashley who wouldn't take No for an answer, Jess's dragged for some Christmas shopping and finds herself in Santa's lap—talk of butt-planting yourself right into an enemy's lap and listening to them talk all about their magical gift to make everyone's wish come to past! Next thing she knows, she's challenging Santa to give her her heart's desire: true love.

Santa promises her that. And with her response as good as a snort and showing him her middle finger, would she believe him? And even if she does, would she return showing Santa her middle finger—this time, with a ring on it?

An amazing short story from Carolyn Aspenson. This woman sure has a way of making everything supernatural sound hip. I like that it wasn't the kind you'd roll your eyes to and check for other reads on your shelf thinking "How cheesy." —★

All the holiday lessons are things to note down from this book. Like finding true love, like believing in Santa, like investing in a tree and not kicking your kids in the butt for mentioning Santa (trust me, this is not about me. I am just doing a little venting of unwanted emotion). Maybe we are too old to believe in all these Father Christmas blah, but look at those kids, the smile that spreads the sunlight throughout their faces whenever Santa's mentioned, wouldn't our lives be that magical when we go back to those days when we had something to hold onto? Trust Carolyn to allow you make such deductions—★★

The romance in this book earns a star from me. Kind of Harlequinish during those old times when they'd actually make you believe in true-true love and swoon. (Until you realize life isn't Harlequin.) Thumbs up to all those moments, there are lots I could employ in wooing a woman, like who knew foreheads were so sensitive?—★★★

The humor is available for those of us who'd want a good laugh whilst learning some major festive lessons—★★★★

You know what they say about short stories having that one OMG moment that actually leaves it fulfilling despite the fact that it's actually short? Yeah, this book had it for the mystery on who Santa was—★★★★★

My rating: five stars.

Merry Chicklit-an anthology is available on Amazon.

I recommend this book to anyone who wants something short for the holidays—especially when the duties suddenly become humongous. Anyone looking for a book so rich in festive lessons. Anyone who thinks true love as... "true love". Anyone who actually mentions santa, because it would actually be like "Santa" in written form. Lol. Just get this book.

And its for a good cause... breast cancer. Let's save the boobs! They've got gravity to look up to! Just kidding, but help the cancer cause—I purchased (kind of) this book to do so, so you should too.

Reviewing all six sassy shorts of Merry Chicklit.

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.

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"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.

Mangadays: Skip Beat Volume 1 Review

Summary: Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he's casting her out now that he's famous! Kyoko won't suffer in silence--she's going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!

Aww. Never, ever have I read anything with illustrations conveying emotions so deep... Skip Beat could be described as absolutely entertaining to anyone in need of a manga chicklit (or wants to try).

Kyoko feeling odd upon arriving at the talent auditions seeing tons of girls who wear makeup

Skip Beat follows the story of Kyoko, a girl in her early twenties larger than life (despite illustrations were made in monochrome black-white colours), who leaves small town with her childhood sweetheart, Sho (—or at least she thought they were ooey-gooey since childhood) to take the BIG CITY (Tokyo) by storm in order to make him famous. Years have passed and Kyoko lavishes being the shadow of Sho, cooking for him, cleaning for him and working jobs(!) in order to pay their rent while he lazies around working himself to stardom (—the scumbag!).

Finally Sho has made it to Japan's ranking of top-six celeb pop-stars and shows less respect to Kyoko despite she tries all attempts to make him happy including stroking his ego (—as though cooking and cleaning wasn't enough!).

It doesn't take long for Shotaro to kick her out of his life! But Kyoko wouldn't go down without a fight! One tough bitch, she is. She vows to get into pop-stardom to show Shotaro a thing or two about the consequences of underestimating a woman scorned.

The first volume of this manga rocks! I don't do manga. My roommate who you would describe as a manchild introduced me to Skip Beat (though he's more into the Naruto-Bleach kind). And I loved, loved it! So terrific!

The illustrations are detailed and humorous. Kyoko is humorous! I love her personality and her chutzpah! She's the character you'd expect to replace the ones in those chicklits you found dull. The character that gets you thinking: Can't someone write her! What I really love about Kyoko is that she's plain and loves to keep her looks au-naturel. See, when was the last time one of those were seen in a good chicklit?

Kyoko telling the famous, sexy annoying Ren Tsuraga where to stick it

Though she's two-dimensional—on paper, Kyoko bears emotions a three-dimensional psychopath would possess! Like her coldness, and why she thinks love is, by her words, "The prelude to disaster and despair!!!" Her transformation is very significant to the development of the plot of the story.

I can't wait to pick up volume two of this manga, which would focus on life after dealing with all those emotional demons—and trust me to report my new manga adventures.

Totally recommend this for anyone who is willing to explore but not far out of their comfort zone. Anyone who wants to really laugh out loud and would shout to curious passersby they are reading and enjoying (manga) chicklit!

You can read the first volume and the continuation of Skip Beat here.

So happy I wouldn't be able to post my review on Amazon 'cos I can't afford them chopping off a chunk of it.

What Are You Reading This Christmas?

It all started with a post on our exciting Facebook group, ChickLit Pad... and Thanks to Tracie Banister...

The holidays don't only come with sales at Bloomigndales and all the other high-end stores. Want to stock up your closet? Add a new pair of Louboutins to your fetish collection? Or you'd want to buy that special someone (—it doesn't have to be a boyfriend—) a gift?

Well, you can go all the above ways. It's your Christmas and no one can tell you how to celebrate it. Not even me in a considerably hot region who doesn't know how much an investment those boots from Jigsaw are. But investing in your book shelf would do you good too.

So want something warm to wrap yourselves up with this Christmas? (I'd personally advice the authors to do blanket-giveaways) Here are a ton! (Click image to purchase)

The Selfish Woman's Club's Not Quite Legal Christmas by Nancy Hill.

All Is Bright by Sarah Pekkanen

Wrapped Up In Christmas by Ali Stetson

Divine Moves by Ellyn Oaksmith

Coming Home For Christmas by Jenny Hale.

Christmas Spirit By Sarah Buchanan

Doubting Abbey By Samantha Tonge.

Merry & Bright-an anthology

Merry Chicklit-an Anthology

The Parisian Christmas Bakeoff by Jenny Oliver

The Christmas Contract By Jan Romes

Christmas At The Gingerbread Cafe By Rebecca Raisin.

Night Before Christmas By Scarlett Bailey.

Married By Christmas By Scarlett Bailey

Twelve Days To Christmas by Michelle Gorman

So whenever you stop by a store contemplating on buying something that is "so this season", these are!

Signing Off,

Kobby.

And Oh, Very Merry Christmas!

My Chick-lit Timeline: Maria Constantine (Author of My Big Greek Family)

Maria Constantine debut author of My Big Greek Family stopped by on our blog to discuss her chick-lit timeline. Check out all the books that sizzled her pre-teen/adulthood years...

My Chick Lit Time Line

There are so many books within the genre that I have enjoyed over the years, but in writing this timeline I cast my mind back and selected a few to share. 

A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford

This was the first women’s fiction novel that I picked up and couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end. Emma Harte is a servant girl who overcomes adversities and goes on to build a business empire. Her courage, resilience, integrity and determination captured my heart and imagination. Barbara Taylor Bradford created a character in Emma Harte that has stood the test of time. It is a rags to riches story in a class of its own.

The Adams Family Saga by Mary Jane Staples

My sister introduced me to Mary Jane Staples’ family saga by lending me Down Lambeth Way and after that I had to carry on reading the next one in the series. The books are based on the Adams family – a poor family living in Walworth, London in 1914. Mrs Adams (also called the Chinese Lady by her children) made me smile with her enormous emphasis on respectability whilst her children; Boots, Tommy, Sammy and Lizzy were such a lively bunch, drawing me into the heart of their family life. The characters came out with memorable cockney phrases that have stayed with me years on.

Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married by Marian Keyes.

I had read Watermelon and loved it, and Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married was just as entertaining. Marian Keyes is one of my favourite authors within the genre; her writing is full of wit and humour and you cannot help rooting for the protagonist who is flawed and very likeable. Lucy Sullivan had me laughing and gasping as she untangled the strands of her life and tried to figure out whom she would be marrying within a year.

Eat Drink and Be Married by Eve Makis

Eve Makis’ novel was not only heart-warming and funny, but like Anna, the protagonist, I am also of Greek-Cypriot origin and so the story resonated with me on a deeper level. I found it inspiring to read a novel within women’s fiction where the protagonist was of second-generation origin. Anna had to reconcile two cultures and faced a different set of challenges as she sought direction in her life.  Eat Drink and Be Married reminded me of My Big Fat Greek Wedding and together they encouraged me to write the story I wanted to write irrespective of whether it was typical for the genre.  

Behaving Badly by Isabel Wolff

Isabel Wolff is a master in the chick lit genre and I particularly enjoyed the animal behavioural thread in Behaving Badly.  Miranda Sweet, the protagonist, is an animal behaviourist and she sets up her own clinic, helping owners deal with problems they are having with their pets. So there is Trigger, the domineering Weimaraner who needs to be taught his place in the household and Jennifer the Shihtzu who has to be treated for separation anxiety. But as Miranda sets about helping her clients she is confronted with a secret she has kept buried in the past and must resolve it if she is to find love. I was wrapped up in the story and intrigued to know what terrible secret Miranda was hiding. Highlights in the story were the pets and their behaviour; the scenes were interesting, insightful and often amusing. 

Jamaican Me Crazy by Debbie DiGiovanni

Debbie DiGiovanni’s novel is fun and different. The story is based on the conservative women of the Lakeside Baptist Christmas Club deciding to do the unexpected – buying five tickets to Jamaica and spending Christmas away from their family. They get more than they bargained for on holiday and what I particularly liked about this book is the friendship between the women – and their very different personalities.

Love Letters by Katie Fforde

I have recently read Love Letters. The story line appealed to me from the blurb; Laura Horsley works in a bookshop that is about to close and she finds herself roped in to help organise a book festival. The problem is that Laura is someone who prefers to stay in the background and often lets life pass her by as she has her nose stuck in a book. But the story sees Laura coming out of her shell, taking chances and experiencing life as opposed to standing on the sideline. I found Laura refreshingly different and the book a pleasure to read.   

 

There you have it, Maria’s Chick-lit Timeline.

Maria’s debut, My Big Greek Family, is out for grabs on Amazon and Barnes And Nobles

                                                                    

    

                                                          

Synopsis: Georgina Andreou is at a crossroad in her life; professionally she’s successful, but her personal life is unfulfilled and lacking. As her huge Greek family descend upon the house to celebrate her thirtieth birthday, Georgina resigns herself to the fact that she is alive, but not living. Still at home with her parents and siblings, she’s torn between the traditional Greek values with which she has been raised and a more liberated, adventurous future. The time has finally come for Georgina to make some serious changes in her life in order to find happiness. And she isn’t the only sibling in the Andreou household who’s facing a culture clash; Katherina falls for an unlikely suitor at work, despite her family’s relentless mission to get a ring on her finger, and she is forced to face a secret she has kept buried for many years in order to take a risk on love again. Meanwhile Sophia, the youngest of the Andreou sisters, and the most rebellious, discovers a new spiritual direction in her life. The sisters’ bond is strengthened when the three of them decide to go on holiday together; secrets unravel and hidden emotions finally surface.

The trip acts as a catalyst for change in the girls’ lives and provides them with the courage they need in order to move forward. For Georgina, it helps her to find the strength to be the woman she wants to be and not the woman she is expected to be. But back in London, the sisters will have to steel themselves against opposition from their parents who find it hard to understand the cultural challenges their children face. Will their responsibility to the family prove impossible to resist?

Rumor has it Maria loves it when readers get social. Share her interests in book choices? Love the sound of her book (like I did)? Drop by to leave a comment on...

Her Fab Site

Don’t also forget to check out my review of My Big Greek Family coming up on a later date. Till another post...

Signing off,

Kobby.