Hats Off to TV's Groundbreaking Female Characters

I saw Marlo Thomas promoting her new book Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny on The Today Show recently. Thomas tells her own story of how comedy has played an important role in her life and the lives of other notable comedians. I love her 60s sitcom That Girl. It is one of my favorite TV shows. Her character, Ann Marie, was groundbreaking for women. Ann Marie was an aspiring actress who moved to New York City alone to pursue her career. Sounds like many of the protagonists in chick lit, doesn’t it? A single girl trying to make it on her own in the city and succeed in her career while dating. One of my favorite episodes is called "Anatomy of a Blunder." In this episode, Ann and her boyfriend, Donald, set out to visit her parents where Donald will meet them for the first time. One their way there, so many things go wrong for Donald. They have the audience wondering whether or not they will even make it to her parents’ house. This episode reminds me so much of the novels in this genre. Ann Marie is free-spirited and optimistic while Donald is more rational and practical. In this particular episode, the roles are reversed from what was usually seen on television at that time and it was Donald who needed Ann’s help. Ann had to come to his rescue. During the last season, Ann and Donald got engaged but the series did not end with their wedding. This was done on purpose to show girls that marriage might not be the goal for every woman, which is okay. Ann and Donald make a great duo, like many of the couples in chick lit. Usually, to form a great comedic couple on screen or in novels, there are distinct differences in personality that make both characters necessary to balance each other out and be the catalysts for humorous situations. Another single-in-the-city-working-woman was shown in the 70s sitcom The Mary Tyler Moore Show. It was also a groundbreaking show (and another one of my favorites) that followed the life of Mary Richards, an independent career woman in her thirties who had never been married. Mary dates during the series but remains single. Both of these sitcoms were and still are empowering for women. I think we should thank sitcoms like That Girl and The Mary Tyler Moore Show for paving the way and showing everyone that it is okay to be an independent woman. They broke the mold and portrayed a different kind of female character than what was traditional. These characters and the actresses who played them are inspiring to so many people. They didn't tell everyone what women should and shouldn't do but, instead, they showed us that women have options. 

What other classic TV shows showed women in non-traditional roles? What other shows, films, and/or books have been groundbreaking for women?

Nancy 

Book Review: The Divorce Party

Nancy’s Review of The Divorce Party by Laura Dave

How hard should you work to be with the person you love? Laura Dave’s The Divorce Party, published by Penguin Books, follows the stories of Gwyn Huntington and Maggie Mackenzie who ask themselves this question. Gwyn is throwing a party to celebrate her divorce and Maggie is planning to marry Gwyn’s son, Nate. The novel is written from both Gwyn’s and Maggie’s perspectives, alternating by chapter. Both perspectives give readers a clear picture of how the lives of these two women intersect, despite their differences.

Gwyn has been married to Thomas Huntington for nearly thirty-five years. They live wealthy lives in a Victorian home called Hunt Hall in Montauk, New York. Maggie has been dating Nate for eighteen months and they live in Brooklyn, New York in a modest apartment above the restaurant they plan to open together. Nate decides to bring Maggie home to meet his parents for the first time on the day of the divorce party. That same morning, Nate also decides to tell Maggie that his family is wealthy, a fact that he has kept from Maggie throughout their relationship. As a result, Maggie is confused by the news and does not understand why Nate kept his upbringing and his family’s wealth a secret from her. She begins to question their relationship and a chance encounter on the bus to Montauk with one of Nate’s ex-girlfriends leaves Maggie with even more questions. Meanwhile, Gwyn is struggling to let her marriage go. Despite her husband’s lies, which she tells him she believes, she actually knows his real reason for ending their marriage. She knows the secret that he has been hiding from her and their children. As she relives memories of happier times and acknowledges that she has devoted her life to their marriage and to Hunt Hall, she can’t help but wonder what happens next. What will happen after the divorce party?

The Divorce Party questions whether or not you can truly know someone. It is an insightful novel filled with honesty, humor, and charm. The relationships are believable, making it easy to jump into the lives of the characters and feel what they are feeling. This novel also has some unexpected twists that will keep readers absorbed in the story, eagerly wanting to see where each page will take them. The Divorce Party is highly recommended for anyone who has ever been in love.

Laura Dave is also the author of London Is the Best City in America and the forthcoming The First Husband. Her writing has been featured in several publications including The New York Times, Redbook, and Glamour. The film rights for The Divorce Party have been picked up by Universal Studios and the film will be produced by Echo Films, Jennifer Aniston’s production company. For more information about Laura Dave and her novels, please visit her Web site and follow her updates on Twitter.
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What do you think of this review? Have you read/will you read The Divorce Party? Let us know!

Author Beeginnings: Cathy Yardley

Cathy Yardley is the author of seventeen books in chick lit, romance and non-fiction. Her books include Turning Japanese, Surf Girl School, Couch World, LA Woman, Enslave: The Taming of the Beast, Ravish: The Awakening of Sleeping Beauty, Crave: The Seduction of Snow White, Baby, It's Cold Outside, One Night Standards, Jack & Jilted, Working It, Guilty Pleasures, The Driven Snowe, Will Write For Shoes, The Cinderella Solution, Come September, and Playing With Matches.

Cathy was kind enough to help us kick off our newest feature, Author Beeginnings, where we will learn more about how authors dropped the "aspiring" and made their passion for writing their careers. She answered several questions for us about how she got started as an author. Check out her responses below and enjoy!

What was your favorite book(s) when you were a child?
I was a huge Frances Hodgson Burnett fan… A Little Princess, The Secret Garden, that sort of thing. But I moved up to fantasy/sci fi pretty early on.

When did you start writing?
I started writing when I was still in grade school, but I didn’t take it seriously until after college.

What kind of writing did you start with? (short stories, poems, articles, etc.)
Novels! Always novels.

When did you decide to become an author and how did you know it was the right career for you?
I actually thought I’d be a publicist for authors, because I didn’t think being an author was a "real" job… it might be something I’d do when I retired, LOL! I come from a family of accountants and engineers, so a creative career seemed impossible. But I joined the RWA, and they encouraged me to try. I sold my first novel in 1999, wrote my first seven or so with a day job. I know it’s the right career for me because I love it – even the business side, even the hard parts.  

What was the most challenging part of starting a writing career? What was the best part?
The most challenging part was figuring out the intersection between what I love, what I’m best at, and what the market wants. The best part is all the amazing people I’ve met – readers and writers.

Describe what it was like to see and hold the first published copy of your first novel. Were you relieved, excited, anxious? How did you celebrate the launch?
I was stunned, almost numb, honestly! But I had a book signing, and that was a blast.
 
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
The best novels will tell you about yourself, so even if one doesn’t get published, it’s worth it. But if you want to get published, the best thing to do is look at what you’re doing: know your process, see what’s working and what isn’t. And then get a support group that you meet with regularly, to keep you on track.

We would like to thank Cathy for taking the time to share more about her career with us. Thanks so much, Cathy!

Check out Cathy’s novels, her blog, and follow her on Twitter. Cathy is also starting a writing blog, which will have helpful writing and business tips. We’ll be sure to share the link with you when the site is launched next month.
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What do you think of Author Beeginnings? Can you relate to Cathy's responses? Have you read any of her novels? Let us know!

A Look at Arranged and Moonlight in Odessa

I came across two new books that caught my eye because they do not follow any of the typical marriage related formulas in this genre. Arranged comes out in January and Moonlight in Odessa is out now. They both take a different approach to finding love and have very different takes on marriage than what is considered the norm in American culture. Take a look at the synopses and let me know what you think. I would like to read both of these books since they seem unique, especially Moonlight in Odessa. Do you know of any other books that deal with arranged marriages and mail order brides? Are there any really unique books you have ready lately or want to read?

Arranged by Catherine McKenzie
"Anne Blythe is lucky. She’s got a brand new book contract, a great newspaper job and a steadfast best friend, and she can land just about any man she sets her sights on -- and the ones that appeal are typically tall, dark and handsome. Problem is, the men she chooses never last. Shortly after yet another relationship goes down in flames, Anne comes across a card for what she believes is a dating service, and pockets it just in case. If she’s so unlucky in love, maybe she could use a little assistance. Then her best friend announces she’s engaged, and envy gets the better of Anne. Now’s the time, she decides, to give the service a try -- and she is shocked to discover that what the company specializes in are exclusive, and pricey, arranged marriages. After learning of the company’s success rate, however, she overcomes her reluctance and signs on. After all, arranged marriages are the norm for millions of women around the world, and she’s not done so well selecting a mate on her own. So why not use a professional service that claims it can produce the perfect match? Some time later, Anne is travelling to a Mexican resort, where in one short weekend she will meet and marry Jack, the man they have chosen for her. And against all odds, it seems to be working out, until Anne learns that Jack and the company who arranged their marriage are not what they seem at all."

Moonlight in Odessa by Janet Skeslien Charles
"Odessa, Ukraine, is the humor capital of the former Soviet Union, but in an upside-down world where waiters earn more than doctors and Odessans depend on the Mafia for basics like phone service and medical supplies, no one is laughing. After months of job hunting, Daria, a young engineer, finds a plum position at a foreign firm as a secretary. But every plum has a pit. In this case, it's Mr. Harmon, who makes it clear that sleeping with him is job one. Daria evades Harmon's advances by recruiting her neighbor, the slippery Olga, to be his mistress. But soon Olga sets her sights on Daria's job. Daria begins to moonlight as an interpreter at Soviet Unions(TM), a matchmaking agency that organizes ‘socials’ where lonely American men can meet desperate Odessan women. Her grandmother wants Daria to leave Ukraine for good and pushes her to marry one of the men she meets, but Daria already has feelings for a local. She must choose between her world and America, between Vlad, a sexy, irresponsible mobster, and Tristan, a teacher nearly twice her age. Daria chooses security and America. Only it's not exactly what she thought it would be… A wry, tender, and darkly funny look at marriage, the desires we don't acknowledge, and the aftermath of communism, Moonlight in Odessa is a novel about the choices and sacrifices that people make in the pursuit of love and stability."

Nancy 

Book Review: Italian for Beginners

Nancy’s Review of Italian for Beginners by Kristin Harmel

Italian for Beginners is a fun getaway from author Kristin Harmel, who has written six novels, four for adults and two for teens. Published by 5 Spot, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, Italian For Beginners takes readers on Cat Connelly’s journey as she goes outside of her comfort zone to visit her former lover, Francesco, in Italy. 

Prompted by an embarrassing incident at her sister’s wedding where she is painfully reminded just how single she is, Cat goes to Rome after exchanging emails with Francesco. However, reuniting with him is not what she thought it would be, leaving her stranded. Luckily, Cat meets Karina, a waitress who is willing to help her out and give her a place to stay. Karina and Cat become sources of support and encouragement for each other. Together they form an unlikely friendship and help each other realize what family really means.

The opening wedding scene is far-fetched, but it is worth reading to get to the Italian adventure. Rome is described in vivid detail and it will make readers wish they were on their own getaway in this beautiful city. The references to American popular culture, including nods to the Audrey Hepburn movie Roman Holiday, are clever and amusing. Harmel has the ability to write stories that are entertaining and funny but are also filled with emotion and self-discovery.

For another exciting European escape, be sure to also check out Harmel’s The Art of French Kissing. To learn more about Harmel, you can visit her Web site, become a fan on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter. You can also learn more about the books published by 5 Spot on their Web site.
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What do you think of this review? Do you want to read Italian for Beginners? Have you already read it or read any of Harmel's other novels? Let us know!

The New Triple Threat?

The most common triple threat among celebrities is acting, singing, and dancing. So many celebrities can do it all (JLo, Britney, Justin Timberlake, just to name a few). But there is a slightly different triple threat that seems to be emerging among celebrities and it includes being a chick lit author. Here are some examples of the new trend:

Lauren Conrad - best known for her role on the reality show The Hills on MTV. She is a reality star, a fashion designer, and an author. She writes the L.A. Candy series about friends who move to L.A. and join the cast of a reality show. So original, right?
Nicole Richie - best known as Paris Hilton's former best friend and as daughter of Lionel Richie. She is a reality star, a fashion designer, and an author. Seeing a pattern? She wrote The Truth About Diamonds a few years ago and her new novel Priceless comes out next week. The Truth About Diamonds is about a girl who has a life very similar to Richie's. No surprise there.
Sharon Osbourne - best known as Ozzy's wife and for being on the reality show The Osbournes. She is a reality star, a television personality, and an author. She wrote Revenge, a book about two sisters who are both vying for fame.
Lo Bosworth - another person to come from The Hills. She is a reality star, a blogger, and an author. She wrote The Lo Down, which will be published in January. It is a book of dating advice. Technically, it probably isn't chick lit but it's close. She manages a blog of the same name.
Hilary Duff - best known as Disney's Lizzie McGuire, for various movie roles, and for singing. Hilary Duff is the exception to the new triple threat theory. She is an actress, singer, producer, fashion designer, and author. Oh, and she has perfumes too. Her first book, Elixir, comes out next month. It is about the daughter of a politician who is a photojournalist and has lived her whole life in the spotlight. Similarly, Duff has been in the spotlight since she was a child.

Aside from Bosworth's dating book, the pattern among these novels is that they are all about fame. Write what you know, right? I wonder if these novels really add anything to the genre. Would these celebrities ever have written novels if they weren't famous? Do they write only because they know they can get their books published? Are books just more things for them to sell under their already popular names? I question the intentions of celebrity authors. For them, books seem to be just another product. I think they release books because they can and not because they have always dreamed of being writers. I could be wrong but I'm skeptical of their intentions. What do you think?

Nancy

Reel Influences

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a great weekend. :)

I was organizing my growing movie collection over the weekend and I came across some old favorites that could be the inspiration for today's chick lit. A lot of films are based on books but can books be based on films? I think films, particularly romantic comedies, have definitely inspired the chick lit genre. Some of my favorite movies from the late 80s and 90s are When Harry Met Sally, Now and Then, While You Were Sleeping, It Could Happen to You, Sleepless in Seattle, Never Been Kissed, and My Best Friend's Wedding. The general plots of these films continue to pop up in today's books and films. There's the woman who is trying to get an ex-boyfriend back before he marries someone else, the male/female friendship that never stays just a friendship, the four best friends who grew up together and still need each other years later, the ordinary woman who is down on her luck but meets a man who helps her turn her life around, the woman who must face her past to move forward and find love, the ever popular case of amnesia, and the two characters who are separated by distance but destined to be together somehow. These plots are seen again and again but I think it is really exciting to see a familiar plot done in a unique way with extraordinary dialogue and plenty of twists and turns. Sometimes it feels like these plots are tired and have been done too much. However, I think that is what is so exciting about this genre. There are new authors emerging all the time, updating familiar stories, which ultimately become new stories. It's kind of like the old game Telephone. If you tell someone a story, when they tell it again to someone else, it is always different.

Nancy

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What are your favorite romantic comedies from the 80s and 90s? Which traditional plots have you seen that were given modern makeovers? What do you think about films influencing books? Let us know!

Book Review: The Finishing Touches

Nancy's Review of The Finishing Touches by Hester Browne

Hester Browne has done it again with her fourth novel. The Finishing Touches is another expertly crafted story to come from the New York Times bestselling author of The Little Lady Agency trilogy. Published by Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, The Finishing Touches is a story about finding yourself amidst uncertainties in various aspects of your life. It is a story anyone can relate to.

Betsy Phillimore is the adopted daughter of Lord and Lady Phillimore who operate a finishing school in London. At twenty seven years old, Betsy comes back to the school after the loss of her mother. She finds the school in danger of closing and in desperate need of attention. She sets out to update the curriculum and bring the school back to life because she knows it is what her mother would have wanted. Betsy has always been curious about her birth parents and also decides to look for her birth mother. She feels lost and uncertain of who she truly is because she does not know the background of her biological parents or why they gave her up. Like many chick lit protagonists, Betsy has a lackluster love life that needs as much attention as the finishing school. She secretly desires her best friend Liv’s brother, Jamie, and has had a crush on him since they were kids. She struggles with his playboy lifestyle and the fact that the fantasy of being with him might be better than actually being with him. The students at the finishing school add a lot of fun to this novel. These girls are spoiled but they are trying to find their way in the world just as much as Betsy is, despite coming from wealthy backgrounds. Everyone is trying to figure out where they fit in.

Like Browne’s other novels, the relationships in The Finishing Touches are written incredibly well with believable, fresh dialogue. Browne really knows her characters, conveying them as endearing and witty. Betsy is a lovable protagonist who narrates the novel but it is Jamie who is the bright spot in this story. Browne truly has a knack for developing male characters, as also seen in her other novels. The Finishing Touches is a charming and unique story that is sure to touch readers. The Little Lady Agency trilogy is preferable but The Finishing Touches is a solid effort from Browne as her first departure from the Little Lady stories. The Finishing Touches is another winner among British chick lit.

For more information about The Finishing Touches, check out Simon & Schuster’s Web page for the novel where you can read about how Browne came up with the idea for it. You can also follow updates from Browne on Twitter. Her next novel, Swept Off Her Feet, is set for release in March of next year.
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What do you think of this review? Have you read/will you read The Finishing Touches or any of Browne's other novels? Let us know!

Book Review: Feng Shui Love

Elise’s Review of Feng Shui Love by Joni Davis and Lisa Hyatt

Joni Davis and Lisa Hyatt make a fresh contribution to the Chick Lit genre with their first novel Feng Shui Love. Published in November 2009 by Palari Publishing, the book follows Lily Chamberlayne as she attempts to pick up the pieces of her life after she discovers (on her second honeymoon) that her seemingly “perfect” husband is having an affair with his assistant. Luckily, for Lily, her eccentric mother Lauraine introduces her to the principles of Feng Shui and helps on the road to recovery of her love life.

After Lily discovers her husband’s affair, she relocates from Washington, D.C. to New York City to reconnect with her best friend, Brooke Bellevue. Together Lily and Brooke attempt to navigate the New York “single’s scene,” with limited success. Lily also meets up with an old high school friend, Will, who has always had a little crush on her. When Lauraine comes to visit the girls in New York City she realizes why they aren’t having any success in the dating world, and gets to work (with the help of Justin, a Feng Shui expert) ridding Brooke’s apartment of negative love energy from failed relationships. With their house in order, love and prosperity begin to find both Brooke and Lily…with a few snags along the way.

Davis and Hyatt create a fast-paced story with non-stop twists and turns. You are definitely in for several surprises as you make your way through this novel! And, as with many chick lit stories, this novel is written from the perspective of the protagonist so we are surprised right along with her as the story unfolds.

If you don’t believe in Feng Shui love, you might just change your mind after reading this book. Davis and Hyatt definitely will have you believing that you need a love rock and your own Feng Shui expert before you finish the last page. Feng Shui Love Child, a sequel to Feng Shui Love, is already in development by the authors.    

For more information about Feng Shui Love and its authors you can visit the book’s website at http://www.fengshuilove.com/. You can also follow the book on Twitter and Facebook and check out the book’s blog. Feng Shui Love can be purchased at all major bookstores or online by visiting What We're Reading. To learn more about other books published by Palari Publishing you can visit http://www.palaribooks.com/.
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What do you think of this review? Do you want to read Feng Shui Love? Have you read it and do you want to read the sequel? Let us know!

Introducing Bee Themed Minis

We would like to introduce a new feature to The Chick Lit Bee. Bee Themed Minis are small parts of a fictional short story. We’ll add to the story weekly and we are also asking that you comment on each part and let us know how you think the story should continue. Your idea could make it into our story. How fun is that?! It’s sort of like a chick lit version of Mad Libs. Hopefully, we can all collaborate on a story and the end result will be a cohesive story that has involved our contributors and readers. Without further ado, here’s our first installment.

Bee Cool
Part 1 of A Gussie Willows Story
Written by Nancy

"Just iced tea for now, please. Thanks so much," I told the waitress. "I’m waiting for someone."
"Aren’t we all," she replied, frowning.

My name is Augustine Willows. My friends and family call me Gussie. Not only did I really dislike my name, I disliked it even more when people called me Gus. I tried convincing people who insisted upon using a nickname to call me August or Tina, but those never seemed to stick. Imagine always feeling like the butt of a joke when people said your name. It definitely didn’t do wonders for self-esteem.

I was sitting on the patio of a small café near Market Street in San Francisco waiting for my friend Kayla Darren. She texted me while I was at work and told me to meet her for lunch because she desperately needed to talk. I couldn’t imagine what could be so urgent but it did make me a bit nervous. Kayla and I had been friends since she walked into our 7^th grade math class. One of the "popular" kids thought it would be funny to trip her. What a little brat! While everyone pointed and laughed, I walked over and picked up the notebook that had flown from her hands. I noticed that it was covered with pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio. We became friends instantly, of course. After college, I got a job as an assistant for the event planning group at a large hotel downtown and Kayla got her first teaching job. While I put up with filing, answering phones, and running errands, Kayla babysat educated 5^th grade kids.

I tried to remain calm, cool, and collected while I people watched and admired the neighborhood’s historic charm. I was drinking the tea that I received from Debbie Downer The Waitress and soaking up the sun that had just peeked through the clouds when I finally saw Kayla walking toward my table. I immediately noticed the black mascara tears streaking her usually flawless complexion. Uh-oh.

In Defense of Chick Lit

What Chick Lit Is and What It Is Not

Recently, when I mentioned to someone that I am writing a chick lit novel, this person responded with, "Is chick lit even literature?" Instead of taking offense to that, I chose to point out that chick lit should be taken seriously, despite what critics say or how it is perceived in the media. However, I quickly realized that a lot of questions and misconceptions were coming my way about chick lit and what it actually is. "Aren’t those just books about shoes?" "All they talk about are breakups and fashion." "Chick lit, chick flicks, it’s all the same…boring and mindless." In doing research for this blog, I came across several articles that denounce chick lit, saying that it has no merit and that some authors are mistakenly labeled as being part of a non-existent genre that is passe and all fluff, at best. Like anyone who strongly believes in chick lit and greatly admires the work that has been done in this genre (yes, it’s a genre or rather a sub-genre of women’s fiction) so far, I got annoyed. It is one thing to like different types of books. That is completely understandable. We are not all the same and we like to read different kinds of stories. However, it is another thing, a totally inappropriate thing, to belittle and mock novels that have been labeled as chick lit. I wonder if people who criticize chick lit have even read enough of it to form such negative opinions. Perhaps all they see are some of the bright, colorful covers and immediately assume that it is nothing more than books filled with shopping tips and advice on how to get over a breakup. Admittedly, some books may have those elements but they also have so much more. These stories provide humor, support, hot topics, romance, and entertainment to readers. Authors have the ability to connect with readers through these stories and show readers, with the words on each page, that they are not alone. These stories are mainly for women by women. I do not see the harm in putting these books into one genre where readers can find stories that they can relate to. Issues that women face are depicted with humor, humility, joy, sadness, and triumph through chick lit.

Chick is slang for woman. Are critics really that offended by slang? Slang is all around us in our vocabulary everyday. Chick lit is basically the same as saying woman lit. Literature is the production of book-related work and the body of work on a particular subject. Chick lit is literature for, about, and by women. The point here is that people should not get hung up on labels. So what if a book is considered chick lit? Why is that negative? It isn’t. Does a label alter the actual work in any way? No. The writing speaks for itself. People and things are labeled and categorized constantly but labels and categorizations do not change their existence. What do authors really have to lose by being in a category of chick lit authors? Nothing. They are part of a group of intelligent, thoughtful, creative writers. They are part of a group that understands love for dialogue and developing characters. They are part of a group that understands the issues women face. They are part of a group of those who have been given the gift of being able to write about these issues in a way that speaks to readers. The novels in the chick lit genre should represent a united front of strength and courage among women. They should not be torn apart or dismissed by critics who are too focused on the name of the genre.

I also want to address what chick lit is not. Chick lit is not the mindless ramblings of scorned women. It is not stupid, dumb, idiotic, or boring. It is not meant to change the world but it is meant to change people, affect attitudes and moods through entertainment. It is not only about fashion. It is not about superficial, unrealistic characters but rather characters who remind us of our close friends and family.

Bottom line: chick lit is a collection of novels that deal with topics women are interested in by showing character transformations through uplifting stories. That’s my definition and I’m sticking to it. If people do not want to read these books, then that is their choice. My only request is that critics base their opinions on knowledge of the genre and on the author’s ability to tell a story. They should forget about those two little words and evaluate the writing for what it is and how it makes them feel. The genre is constantly changing and evolving as new authors are welcomed into it. Chick lit is a genuine form of entertainment and should be treated as such, just like other forms of media. For a few hundred pages, let it take you on an adventure and try to enjoy the ride.

Nancy 

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How do you feel about chick lit and the way it is perceived? What do you think of Nancy's thoughts on this topic? Let us know!

Book Review: Family Affair

Kelly’s Review of Family Affair: A Novel by Caprice Crane

Family Affair: A Novel is author and Los Angeles native Caprice Crane’s third novel. Published in September 2009 by Bantam Dell, an imprint of Random House, the book follows a couple navigating a divorce and the ensuing custody battle over the husband’s immediate family.

When Layla and Brett began dating in high school, Layla found the family she’d always wanted in The Fosters. Now, after six years of marriage, college football coach Brett is feeling as though the spark is gone and is resentful of the close relationship Layla has with his family. Layla, a pet photographer who is blissfully unaware of her husband’s unhappiness, mistakenly thinks Brett wants to take their marriage to the next level and suggests having a baby. She learns Brett actually wants to take things in a different direction – he wants a divorce. Layla is devastated but refuses to lose The Fosters and the years of memories she has made with them. She and Brett begin vying for The Fosters' allegiance by showering them with expensive gifts, planning family outings and other desperate acts of bribery. Layla eventually decides to make it a legal matter and files for joint custody of her in-laws.

Colorful characters decorate the pages of this novel. Brett’s brother Scott is a socially awkward aspiring comic book author harboring a clandestine love for Layla. Brett’s sister and Layla’s business partner, Trish, is a lesbian who speaks her mind and attempts to knock some sense into her immature brothers. Each chapter is written in the first person from the perspective of a different family member. This style allows the reader to jump into the family feud and get wrapped up in their dysfunction.

Crane has a knack for realistic dialogue that can likely be credited to her experience writing for television and the big screen. Her ability to paint such an accurate picture of modern family dynamics is what makes this book so easy to relate to and entertaining.

For more information about Crane visit her website at http://www.capricecrane.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @capricecrane. Family Affair: A Novel can be purchased at all major bookstores or online by visiting What We're Reading. To learn more about other books published by Bantam Dell you can visit http://bantam-dell.atrandom.com. 
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What do you think of this review? Do you want to read Family Affair: A Novel? Have you read it or read Crane's other books? Let us know!

Author Fun

Hi readers!

We are going to start posting author spotlights soon. These will be posts about chick lit authors so we can all learn more about their backgrounds and their books. We are also hoping to interview authors and share those interviews with you. If you are interested in learning more about a specific author, please let us know and we'll do our best to feature your favorite author here. Let us know if you have questions or topics relating to authors and their careers that you would like us to focus on. If you are an author and want to participate in this, please contact us.

Email us, send us a tweet, write to us on Facebook, or post a comment here and help us make this new addition to our blog something fun and interesting for everyone. Thanks!

The Chick Lit Bee Team

"You look beautiful, by the way."

Hi everyone!

When people talk about chick lit and read it, they often focus on the leading lady, the female main character that keeps the story moving. She is usually easy to relate to and has a lot of fun quirks. She goes through several changes throughout the novel and readers either like or dislike who she becomes at the end. Most of the time, other characters get overlooked. What about the leading man? Since this is chick lit, the "chick" is emphasized the most. However, not today. Today I am dedicating this post to the men in chick lit. This is for the male characters that we love or love to hate. The leading man of the day is Wyatt Hayes IV from Bridie Clark's The Overnight Socialite. This particular story is a modern retelling of Pygmalion. Wyatt believes that he can transform any woman into a socialite and sets out to prove this by convincing Lucy, an ordinary girl who is down on her luck, to be part of his project. Wyatt is an interesting character because he is not an ordinary leading man with a typical career that has been written about in many novels. Instead, Wyatt is an anthropologist and he is secretly writing a book about Lucy as he observes her during her social transformation. He is completely oblivious to his own personal transformation that is occurring as he develops a relationship with Lucy. He is an endearing character who unknowingly becomes the subject of his own experiment. Wyatt has some of the best lines in the book, which is somewhat common for male main characters and secondary characters. Readers do not necessarily want other characters to steal the show from the female main character but they do want them to have active, meaningful roles. The Overnight Socialite is as much Lucy's story as it is Wyatt's story. I'll wrap this up with an instruction from Wyatt to Lucy. "You're not Britney Spears. You need to learn how to get out of a car without flashing an entire city block. Try it again." 

Who are your favorite male characters in chick lit? Let us know!

xo, Nancy

Book Review: The Icing on the Cupcake

Nancy’s Review of The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross

Ballantine Books, an imprint of The Random House Publishing Group, published The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross in April of this year. This is the third novel from Ross, who wrote her previous novels under the pen name JC Conklin. The Icing on the Cupcake tells the story of Ansley Waller, a young Texan woman who is dumped by her fiancé. Ansley must reevaluate her life and decides to leave Dallas for New York to live with her estranged grandmother, Vivian. While Ansley works toward opening her own cupcake shop in an unfamiliar city, Vivian must deal with unfinished financial business left behind by her late husband. These women rely on baking to help them overcome life’s obstacles.

Ansley is introduced as a snobby girl who is disliked by most of her sorority sisters at Baylor University. When her fiancé dumps her because she is horribly mean to others, she realizes that she must change her attitude if she wants to succeed in anything. Ansley gets some initial tough love from Vivian when she arrives in New York, which sets her on the path to discovering who she is and the right way to interact with others. Vivian is a strong willed woman who harbors secrets and regrets that have consumed her for many years. As she gets to know Ansley, she increasingly hopes she will get a chance to reunite with her own daughter, Hattie. Vivian and Ansley form a believable bond but lack communication with each other despite living in the same house. The Dallas lifestyle is described in significant detail. It is important to know what kind of background Ansley comes from to understand the magnitude of her decisions in New York. Other notable characters are Ansley’s ex-fiancé Parish, Ansley’s sorority sister Patty, Ansley’s new friend Dot, Vivian’s daughter Hattie, and Vivian’s financial advisor Thad.

The Icing on the Cupcake is an enjoyable, quick read. The cupcake recipes at the end of each chapter are great additions to the book. They allow readers to see exactly what Ansley and Vivian are up to. Cupcake lovers and foodies alike will find these recipes useful and will take an interest in reading about the ups and downs of opening a cupcake shop.

For more information about Ross and to read her blog you can visit http://www.theicingonthecupcake.net. You can also follow her on Twitter @cupcakeauthor. The Icing on the Cupcake can be purchased at all major bookstores or online by visiting What We're Reading. To learn more about other books published by Ballantine Books you can visit http://www.ballantinebooks.com.
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What do you think of this review? Do you want to read The Icing on the Cupcake? Have you read it or read Ross's other books? Let us know!

Beeloved Book of the Year

Hello all!

Since it is the first day of September, I started thinking about how fast this year is going by and about all of the chick lit I have read so far. I want to share with you a little bit about an absolutely fantastic book that I highly recommend. Kelly, Elise, and I read Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella a couple of months ago and we all loved it. It is one of the best books of the year and really captures what is so special about chick lit. In Twenties Girl, Lara Lington is visited by the spirit of her great aunt Sadie and her life is turned upside down in the best way possible. Even though Lara and Sadie don't agree on everything, they encourage each other and form such a strong friendship through a series of wild adventures. Lara learns a lot from Sadie and readers will too. This book is British chick lit at its finest. It will definitely make you laugh and cry. We all thoroughly enjoyed it and it is our pick for Beeloved Book of the Year. If you have read it or decide to read it, let us know your thoughts.

xo, Nancy