Book Review: Love Struck

Nancy's Review of Love Struck by Chantel Simmons

*This review is part of Chantel Simmons' blog tour hosted by CLP Blog Tours.

 

Poppy Ross is an image consultant living in Toronto who thinks that she has the perfect life, including the perfect marriage. It is no wonder that she is shocked when she overhears that her husband, Parker, is having an affair. Her whole world begins to crumble as she struggles with this surprising and devastating revelation. When Poppy receives a call that Parker was struck by lightning, she rushes to the hospital only to find out that Parker was with the other woman, Sienna, and they were both affected by the bolt of lightning. Poppy approaches Sienna at the hospital and pretends to be a sociologist, so that she can gather information. After seeing how different she is from Sienna, Poppy decides that she needs to transform herself to look like Sienna so that Parker, who lost his short term memory of the affair, won't ever remember Sienna or go back to her. Poppy's plan is flawed in many ways, leading her down a difficult yet eye-opening path to the real truth.

Love Struck is full of laugh-out-loud moments as Poppy tries to look like Sienna. She changes her hair and her nails in addition to getting a tan, getting her teeth whitened, and wearing padded cycling shorts. She tries to change her physical appearance in every way possible without undergoing actual surgery, but that doesn't mean the process isn't painful. Despite the heartbreak that is the catalyst for all of these changes, readers will be able to see the humor in Poppy's pursuits. This book is a fun read with some unexpected twists that will definitely keep readers engaged in the story and invested in the characters. There are also some good lessons about the trouble that can come with trying to be perfect, because, after all, no one is perfect.

Chantel Simmons is also the author of the bestseller Stuck in Downward Dog. She has worked at ELLE Canada, Sweetspot.ca, TV Guide, Elevate and The Toronto Sun. She is currently the Hair Editor of The Kit, Canada’s first digital beauty magazine. Chantel also teaches magazine and online writing and editing in the book & magazine publishing program at Centennial College. She lives in Toronto with her husband and their cat. For more information, visit http://www.chantelsimmons.com and follow Chantel on Twitter @ChantelSimmons.

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What do you think of this review? Have you read Chantel's books? Leave a comment to let us know. We love your feedback!

20 Questions with Author Jane Lovering

We're so excited to have author Jane Lovering joining us today for 20 Questions! Her latest novel is Please Don't Stop the Music. Hope you enjoy our Q&A with Jane!
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Kindle or Nook? Kindle

iPhone or BlackBerry? What? These are real things?

Coke or Pepsi? Coke

Coffee or tea? Coke

Ice cream or frozen yogurt? Neither. Cold, urgh.

Flats or heels? With my legs? Waders.

Facebook or Twitter? Both

Call or text message? Do I owe them money? If not, call.

Favorite song right now? Stuck singing All Time Low's Weightless. Sorry, everyone.

Celebrity crush? Well, I think David Tennant fancies me. Oh, other way round. Err...

Last movie you saw? Paul.

Favorite television show right now? Being Human

Favorite snack food? Pringles

Your most overused word or phrase? Ow!

Your hidden talent? Look, I've barely got any obvious ones, let alone hidden.

Your biggest pet peeve? Fur. Everywhere. Do they think I'm MADE of Dyson?

Favorite activity when you’re not writing? Riding fed-up looking horses.

Favorite authors? Terry Pratchett, Marian Keyes, Jenny Colgan, Richard Wiseman

Favorite books? Paranormality, Northanger Abbey, Rachel's Holiday, Talking to Addison.

Comment heard most often from your readers? "It's quite dark, isn't it?" And they aren't even in the cellar!
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About Jane Lovering

Jane lives in North Yorkshire with her five children, four cats and two dogs, and her husband. Her likes include marshmallows, the smell of cucumbers, words beginning with B, the smell of the understairs cupboard, and Doctor Who. In addition to Please Don't Stop the Music, Jane is also the author of Reversing Over Liberace, Slightly Foxed, and the upcoming Star Struck. She teaches creative writing. You can find out more about Jane from her website at www.janelovering.co.uk and by following her on Twitter @janelovering and 'liking' her author page on Facebook.

About Please Don't Stop the Music

Jemima Hutton is determined to build a successful new life and keep her past a dark secret. The trouble is that her jewelry business looks like it will fail until enigmatic Ben Davies offers to stock her handmade belt buckles in his guitar shop. Then, things start looking up on all fronts, but Ben has secrets too. When Jemima finds out that he used to be the front man of hugely successful indie rock band Willow Down, she wants to know more. Why did he desert the band on their US tour? Why is he now a semi-recluse? And the curiosity is mutual, which means that her own secret is no longer safe.

  

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What do you think of our interview with Jane? Have you read any of her books? We love your feedback, so be sure to leave a comment. Thanks!   

Present vs. Past

Present tense or past tense in chick lit? by Megan Just

When you read chick lit, do you prefer present tense or past tense?

PRESENT

“It’s the crack of dawn, and for some god-awful reason someone is giving us a wake-up call…I croak out something that’s a cross between ‘Hello’ and ‘I hate your guts, whoever you are’ only to be greeted with ‘Good morning Mrs. Johnson!  Stand by for Mrs. Lovejoy, please!”  --The Baby Planner by Josie Brown, 2011

PAST

“The next day I awoke with a dry tequila mouth and a searing headache.  I checked my watch; it was nearly noon.  The night before seemed like a dream.  A blurry, good dream.  I couldn’t wait to see Marcus again.”  --Something Blue by Emily Giffin, 2005

To me, it seems that books written in present tense occur more often in chick lit than in any other genres I read.  Personally, though, I prefer the chick lit books that stick to good, old-fashioned past tense.  

Don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying I don’t like books written in present tense (Sophie Kinsella’s Confessions of a Shopaholic comes most immediately to mind as one I adored).  It’s just that when starting a book written in present tense, my brain, which longs to be on auto-pilot, always rebels against me.

ME READING: “Do you have salt for the margaritas?” he asks when I pick up the phone. 

BRAIN: You mean, “He asked.”

ME: No, it says, “He asks.”

A few pages in, the pages read as smooth as past tense, but if I put the book down for a day, I still sense small glitches as I read the first verbs when I pick it back up. 

The main reason I prefer past tense, though, is that it adds a level of complexity to the narration of the book.  How long after the events of the book is the narrator speaking from?  Why has the narrator chosen to tell us this story?

Now, it’s not like I plop down on the beach with a book that’s meant to be a light read and speculate about the main character’s motivation for sharing her story.  This is something the author handles behind-the-scenes, but it does make the book more enjoyable to read.

In a present tense book, the story is unfolding as we read it and my suspicious mind wonders, “How does our heroine know she’s going to have a story to tell if the story hasn’t happened yet?”

Now, to be fair, present tense does have some advantages over past tense.  One advantage is the line between things that happened in the past and things that are happening in the present of the story is always clear.  Another advantage is in action scenes and moments of high tension between characters where the present tense can really help a reader be right there in the moment.

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We’d love to hear what you think.  Which do you prefer in chick lit?  Present or past tense?  What are some of your favorite books written in present or past tense?

Book & Movie Review: Something Borrowed

Nancy's Review of Something Borrowed (Book & Movie)

Something Borrowed is about Rachel White, an attorney in Manhattan, and her childhood best friend, Darcy Rhone. Told from Rachel's point of view, the story begins when Darcy throws Rachel a 30th birthday party.

Rachel always plays by the rules. She always comes in second to Darcy and is quite accustomed to it, rarely speaking up for herself. She gives in to Darcy's demands, regardless of her true feelings. Darcy is engaged to Rachel's friend from law school, Dex. Rachel has been harboring a secret crush on Dex for years. When Darcy leaves Rachel's 30th birthday party early because she has had too much to drink, Dex takes her home. However, it isn't long before he is back at the party looking for Darcy's lost purse. He asks Rachel to go with him to another bar for one more drink. One thing leads to another and Rachel winds up in bed withe her best friend's fiance. Rachel's 30th birthday party is where her affair with Dex begins. They see each other secretly, making desperate attempts to keep their relationship hidden. Eventually, Rachel's co-worker and friend, Hillary, figures it out. Rachel then confides in her close friend, Ethan, who has been friends with Rachel and Darcy since they were kids, but likes Rachel much more than he likes Darcy. Hillary and Ethan are both rooting for Rachel's relationship with Dex because they don't want her to always be in Darcy's shadow. The whole situation becomes increasingly complicated as Rachel is forced to choose: friendship or true love?

THE BOOK by Emily Giffin

• The friendship between Rachel and Darcy is definitely believable. The depiction of childhood best friends who have stuck together into adulthood, despite their differences, is beautifully depicted.  
• The flashbacks to different times in the Rachel and Darcy friendship are very important to understanding how they have gotten to where they are now.
• Even though Darcy is a difficult friend to have around, most people have or have had a friend like her. Her actions will make readers cringe while relating to them. Readers will either be more like Rachel, more like Darcy, or a mixture of both. Bottom line: everyone can relate to these characters.
• The relationship between Rachel and Dex is understandable. The details of their past make it easy to believe why they are risking everything for each other in the present. The intensity of their affair adds to the conflict and adds to the emotional impact of the overall story.
• The ending is very realistic, including the character transformation that Rachel makes. 

THE MOVIE

• There are a couple of great scenes between Rachel and Darcy, showing the depth of their friendship.
• Kate Hudson is fantastic as Darcy.
• Hillary is not in the movie. Ethan is the only best friend to Rachel, besides Darcy.
• John Krasinski, who plays Ethan, really steals the film. He gives a great performance that is a departure from his character on the popular NBC show The Office. It is great to see him step into other roles that broaden his career and show more of his acting skills.
• The flashbacks are just as important in the movie. The black and white freeze on Rachel's face is a great way to transition to a flashback.
• The on-screen chemistry between Ginnifer Goodwin (Rachel) and Colin Egglesfield (Dex) is lacking a bit. The Rachel and Dex relationship is much more compelling in the book. Ginnifer Goodwin has better on-screen chemistry with John Krasinski.
• The way the movie ends is slightly different from how the book ends. The movie's ending is less satisfying and less realistic than the book's ending. 

Overall, the book is better than the movie. However, the movie is well done. It is great to see the book's characters come to life on the big screen. Looking forward to reading the book's sequel, Something Blue. Hopefully, we'll get to see a film sequel as well.

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Have you read Something Borrowed and/or seen the movie? What do you think?

Book Review: Milkrun

Keturah's Review of Milkrun by Sarah Mlynowski

Meet Fern Jacquelyn Norris, a young twenty-something copy editor working on romance novels and living in Boston. At the start of the story, Jackie--as she prefers being called--has just been dumped by her boyfriend, Jeremy, of three years. Jeremy has met someone in Thailand, which sends Jackie off in pursuit of thigh-high boots and a series of disastrous dates in an effort to move on. Along the way, readers are introduced to a cast of characters right out of dating nightmares 101. Also, the cast includes Jackie's friends who are willing to watch Law & Order reruns and eat chocolate chip cookie-dough with her while keeping her just a little grounded.

Sarah Mlynowski presents Jackie as a very likable heroine, someone readers can easily relate to, even if they are in a different age group. The writing is fast-paced and believable. However, there are parts that come across as awkward, most noticeably several references to “the Net.” It causes this 2001 debut to feel a bit forced and outdated, especially in today’s gadget saturated environment. Due to the abrupt ending, everything is not wrapped up in a neat package as Jackie embarks on a path to self-discovery. Milkrun is an often funny, sometimes insightful, girl meets boy(s) story told in the vein of Bridget Jones’s Diary.

Sarah Mlynowski is also the author of Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, Me vs. Me, See Jane Write: A Girl's Guide to Writing Chick Lit, and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, Parties & Potions and Gimme a Call. She also co-wrote How to Be Bad with teen authors E.Lockhart and Lauren Myracle. Her latest YA novel, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn’t Have), will be out next month. Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-one languages and optioned for film. She was born in Montreal, but now lives in New York City. To learn more about Sarah, visit her Web site and connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace.
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What do you think of this review? Have you read Milkrun or any of Sarah's other books? Leave a comment to let us know. Thanks!

Emily Giffin Book Giveaway

To celebrate the movie release of Something Borrowed, based on the book of the same name by Emily Giffin, we are giving away one copy of each of her most recent novels Love the One You're With and Heart of the Matter.

To be entered to win, please comment on Shannon Hart's newest short story BFF. If you comment on Part 1, you'll be entered to win Love the One You're With and if you comment on Part 2, you'll be entered to win Heart of the Matter. If you comment on both parts of the story, you'll be entered to win both books. Please comment under each individual post (links below). The winners will be randomly chosen by midnight PST on Friday, May 6th. Please note that this contest is for US/Canada residents only.

Shannon Hart's BFF, Part 1
Shannon Hart's BFF, Part 2

Tell us what you like about this story or what you think could be improved. Do you like Shannon's writing style? Is the story believable? Can you relate to it? Have you read Shannon's other short stories on this blog or her novel Until the End of Forever? How do you feel about the story being split into parts? Thanks in advance for your feedback and good luck!
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About Love the One You're With
Ellen and Andy’s first year of marriage doesn’t just seem perfect, it is perfect. There is no question how deep their devotion is, and how naturally they bring out the best in each other. But one fateful afternoon, Ellen runs into Leo for the first time in eight years. Leo, the one who brought out the worst in her. Leo, the one who left her heartbroken with no explanation. Leo, the one she could never quite forget. When his reappearance ignites long-dormant emotions, Ellen begins to question whether the life she’s living is the one she’s meant to live. Love the One You’re With is a powerful story about one woman at the crossroads of true love and real life.

About Heart of the Matter
Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her mother’s warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life. Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie---a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance---and even, to some degree, friendships---believing that it is always safer not to expect too much. Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined. In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.

20 Questions with Author Megan McCafferty

We're so excited to have New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty joining us today for 20 Questions! Her latest novel, Bumped, was recently published by Balzer & Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins.
 

Kindle or Nook? Kindle.

iPhone or BlackBerry? Neither. I have a crappy flip phone that I only use in emergencies.

Coke or Pepsi? Neither. I gave up Diet Coke for good almost 3 years ago.

Coffee or tea? Green tea. I gave up coffee at the same time as Diet Coke. The withdrawal was naaaaasty.

Ice cream or frozen yogurt? Ice cream.

Flats or heels? Flats.

Facebook or Twitter? Twitter because it posts to Facebook. I'm a multi-tasker.

Call or text message? Neither. I prefer face-to-face or email.

Favorite song right now? "No One's Gonna Love You," Cee Lo's cover of Band of Horses.

Celebrity crush? I was in love with River Phoenix when I was 16.

Last movie you saw? Scott Pilgrim Versus the World. I liked the comic book effects but the opening credits almost gave me a seizure.

Favorite television show right now? I never miss Teen Mom 2...but I can't say I *enjoy* it per se. Modern Family always makes me laugh at least once per episode.

Favorite snack food? Dark chocolate in pretty much any form.

Your most overused word or phrase? "You know," both as a question and a pointless sentence-filler.

Your hidden talent? Karaoke, with a special emphasis on 80s power ballads.

Your biggest pet peeve? Drivers on cell phones.

Favorite activity when you’re not writing? Working out.

Favorite authors? Gabrielle Zevin, Carolyn Mackler and Rachel Cohn. I'm honored that they all blurbed BUMPED. It was not a given that they would.

Favorite book(s)? Feed by M.T. Anderson.

Comment heard most often from your readers? "Is Marcus Flutie real?"

About Megan McCafferty
Megan McCafferty is the New York Times bestselling author of the hit novels in the Jessica Darlingseries, including Sloppy Firsts, Second Helpings, Charmed Thirds, Fourth Comings, and Perfect Fifths. Her newest novel, Bumped, is her first departure from the Jessica Darling series. Megan's work has been translated into eleven languages, including German, Japanese, Chinese, Turkish and Hungarian. She has also contributed to several fiction and nonfiction anthologies. For more about Megan, visit her Web site, follow her on Twitter, or friend and/or like her on Facebook.

About Bumped

When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents must pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society. Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they search for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend, Zen, who is way too short for the job. Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to convince Melody that pregging for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from. When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common. From New York Times bestselling author Megan McCafferty comes a strikingly original look at friendship, love, and sisterhood in a future that is eerily believable.

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What do you think of our interview with Megan? Have you read any of her books? We love your feedback, so be sure to leave a comment. Thanks!  

Stories from the Hart: BFF, Part 2

BFF by Shannon Hart
Part 2 (To read Part 1, please click here.)
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I groaned. Oh God, did I have feelings for him. I loved him to bits, but I just felt so stupid for even feeling that way. I drove him away and accused him of so many stupid things he didn’t even do and when he tried to tell me he didn’t, I refused to believe him. How was I even entitled to still love him?

“Zoe, if you still love him, you should say it. It’s not going to kill you.”

“Yes, it is. It is going to kill me because I’ll have to hear my own words and face the fact that it’s all my fault.”

Carrie sighed what sounded like a sigh of relief. “So it’s true then, you’re still in love with him?”

I nodded. I couldn’t say the words. Just listening to her say them already made my chest hurt and my head spin.

“If you had another chance with Jesse would you take it?” she suddenly asked.

“Are you kidding? In a heartbeat!” I exclaimed, a bit too excitedly.

“What would you say to him if he were standing next to you right now?”

I thought about that question a million times in my head before. What would I actually say to him? “I’d say that I was an idiotic, jealous bitch and that I didn’t deserve his forgiveness but that I hoped he would give it to me anyway,” I answered, with a lump in my throat. “I’d say that I love him more than anything and that I’ve been so freaking out without him, but it’s too late because he’s moved on.” By the end of my sentence I had tears streaming down my cheek. For a brief moment I wondered, how did we get to this? This was supposed to be our weekly girl’s night out, not a cry-fest.

“He didn’t move on, Zoe.”

I thought to myself, how selfish was I to be sitting here crying when… Wait, what? “What did you just say?” My eyes squinted, afraid to believe what I just thought I heard.

“He didn’t move on. We didn’t go on a date. He wanted some advice about you, so we met up and talked about how stupid both of you were that you couldn’t just come right out and admit that you still had feelings for each other. God, did you really think I’d go out with him?” Carrie suddenly had this smug, victorious look on her face that I didn’t even know she was capable of.

“But why couldn’t he just tell me?”

“That’s exactly the same question he had for you. He was waiting for you all this time to say what you just said to me, that you were an idiot for ever doubting him, but you never did and it hurt his ego.”

Carrie’s words felt like a slap in my face. It was the revelation I never knew I needed to hear.

“So, what are you saying? He still loves me? He wants to get back together?”

“I do… Still love you, I mean. But the getting back together thing is up to you, not me.”

I never realized how much I longed to hear Jesse’s familiar voice until I heard it. I turned around and my jaw dropped when I saw Jesse standing there, looking every bit as handsome as I remembered. If it were humanly possible, I’d say he looked even better.

“Jesse…” was all I managed to say, barely louder than a whisper. With literally no hesitation, I leaped off of the stool and buried myself in his arms. When I felt him lock his hands around me, I closed my eyes and sighed in relief. Being in his arms just felt so right.

Carrie cleared her throat, prompting us to realize that we were still in public.

Blushing, I turned to my best friend. “You knew all along how I really felt,” I said.

She nodded. “I knew it better than you did.”

I walked over to her and hugged her, thanking my lucky stars that she moved in next door all those years ago. I couldn’t imagine how my life would be without her.

Carrie hugged me back and smiled, then hopped off of her stool. “I’ll just leave you two love birds alone… Besides, that guy at the end of the bar looks pretty cute,” she winked at me and headed over to off-duty cop guy.

“Thanks, Carrie,” Jesse said courteously, as we both watched Carrie toss her hair back and straighten her skirt. I laughed, remembering how stupid I was to think that she’d actually go out with my ex-soon-to-be-current-again boyfriend.

“What’s so funny?” Jesse asked, pulling me in closer to him. Our faces were just a few odd inches away from each other and I was completely high on the scent of his aftershave.

“Nothing…”

“Zoe, if we’ve learned anything the past year, it’s that we need to be honest with each other. We could have been back together months ago if we had the guts to actually say what was on our minds,” he said, brushing a few strands of hair from my face. God, I loved it when he did that.

“What’s on my mind right now is that I can’t believe you’re here. I can’t believe I’m in your arms. Now, what’s on yours?”

Jesse smiled devilishly. “Me? I’m thinking, why the hell aren’t we kissing?” He tilted his head and stared into my eyes.

With a smile, I said, “Then kiss me already.” Just before I closed my eyes and met his lips, I saw Carrie do a little victory dance.
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What do you think of this story? Leave a comment to let us know. Thanks! We love hearing from you and Shannon really appreciates your feedback!