Star Book Review: The Last Page by Lacy Camey

The Last Page by Lacy Camey is a light hearted, quick and fun read in contemporary chick lit romance.  Norah Johnson, a would-be romance writer just can’t seem to catch a break. Devastated from a break up with a starting baseball player (a Yankee no less), Norah finds herself spiraling into a deep and dark depression. Just when no one can seem to get through to her, she finally gives in to her family’s requests and moves to their house on the beach for some serious R&R (rest and recuperation).

Alongside her sister and best friend and the beautiful, picturesque scenery, Norah hopes things will just get back to normal. She enlists the help of a professional therapist; and armed with her trusty pen, Norah attempts to write herself out of all the hurt and heartbreak she can’t seem to shake; but when a gorgeous local guy stumbles across of her writing, Norah gains a secret admirer determined to help mend her broken heart. Will Norah be ready for love when and if he finds her??

This book reminded me of Message in a Bottle by Nicholas Sparks (great movie btw!) but from the opposite sex’s perspective. At times predictable, but always enjoyable, Lacy Camey showcases her skills at creating characters and dissecting their relationships. I felt really close to Norah throughout the novel , identifying with her problems and relationship with her sister and was definitely rooting for her the whole way through.  An easy book to read in one sitting. You’ll be at the last page before you know it!

A great book for anyone in search of self, freedom or just looking for some good entertainment.  I can’t wait for more from this new author and with The Last Page being the first in a series of books, we’re sure to see more fashion forward and chick lit friendly books in the near future.

For more on Lacy Camey and all the latest on her writing, check out her web page! Also check out her previous stops on the Chick Lit Plus Tour and more to come.

**BIG THANKS to Lacy Camey for sending me a copy of her e-book, The Last Page and to Samantha at Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours for setting up the tour!!**

Special Guest Post and Book Review: Just Friends with Benefits by Meredith Schorr Blog Tour

      Just Friends with Benefits by Meredith Schorr is a fabulous chick lit novel that you won't want to miss this summer! The whole time I read this book, I kept visualizing it as a movie. I would be so excited if someone were to pick it up and it had a chance to become a blockbuster hit on the big screen! It's got all the right elements of fiction that keep me reading and turning each page faster and faster. In fact, one of the things I loved most about JFWB was Meredith Schorr's skill at taking a traditional theme of chick lit – finding love – and mixing in all kinds of alternative and sometimes, unusual experiences, characters and events to create a story of love, friendship, work and life.

In JFWB, readers are introduced to an easily likable main character, Stephanie Cohen, who is determined that this is the year she will find love. (This idea totally reminds me of an episode – or I guess season – of Sex and the City when Charlotte declares to all of New York City, in a somehat dreunken state, that this is the year she will be married.) Stephanie has tried all kinds of ways to meet men, from going out to bars, to dating on the internet and the more traditional “set-ups” between friends. When she decides to go a completely different route to get her man (by looking into her past), she feels that she is ready to move fast and forward. Of course, life is never that simple and the target of her dreams does not fall into place so easily. And so sets up a rollercoaster of love and emotions, friendship and the opposite sex and in the process, Stephanie learns a lot about herself, life and love.

Read the novel in its entirety to find out if Stephanie's blast from the past turns out to be the One for her. You won't be disapointed. I was really surprised that this was Meredith Schorr's first novel and can't wait to read more from this budding author. 4 Stars

***If you can't get enough of JFWB or Meredith Schorr, please read on to the Q&A I got to do with Meredith Schorr. I hope you'll find it just as fun as I did learning more about her and her novel. If you still can't get enough, please check out more of her blog tour stops across the Internet.***

Q&A: Catching Up with Chick Lit Writer of Just Friends with Benefits, Meredith Schorr

Q. I often hear “write what you know” and read that your novel, “Just Friends with Benefits”, was inspired by real life. How much “real life” is in it? Where do you draw the line between fiction and reality?

MS: JFWB is definitely fictional. Nothing in the story really happened, at least in the context in which I wrote it but many of the characters are based on people I know or have known. Stephanie's friends from college were loosely based on a group of people I met when I went on vacation with a guy I was dating one summer. And Stephanie is very much like me. My friends and family will not let me dispute that statement! I think the scenarios that played out in the book are true-to-life and that was because I drew from my own experiences when writing them - I know a lot about friendship (fortunately) and also about mistakes and misconceptions many women make in dating and relationships (unfortunately).

Q. You refer to your novel as “chick lit”. How would you define the genre? What does it mean to you?

MS: I define chick-lit as light reading, generally targeted to women who read for entertainment and escape. What separates it from "women's fiction", in my opinion, is that the tone and voice are more "easy-breezy" and the plot usually centers around a woman (or women) who is struggling to find her place in the world, whether it be relationships, career, friendship etc. She does not have to be in her 20s or even in her 30s in my opinion as long as she is learning something about herself and the tone is light. I do not limit the term "chick-lit" to novels about brand name shoes, fancy cocktails, cruel bosses and dating disasters. I like to refer to my novel as "realistic chick lit" in that even women who do not typically read what might have been defined as "chick lit" in the past will likely relate to and enjoy my book. And I have been told that is the case!

Q. Just Friends with Benefits doesn’t take on the stereotypical/traditional roles and scenarios of most chick lit novels. What made you decide to go this alternative and unique route?

MS: Thank you for noticing :) I actually never made a conscious decision to leave out stereotypical scenarios of many chick lit novels. I simply wanted to write a story that was not only humorous, but relatable and since, as mentioned above, Stephanie is much like me, I wrote the story with my own experiences and thought processes in mind. I'm a very down-to-Earth, albeit quirky at times, chick. And much like Stephanie, I was a late bloomer - I like to think I'm still blooming!   

Q. Can you explain a little about how you became a writer? Did you have any specific influences (people, events or other)?

MS: I honestly had no idea I wanted to write until I was a full-fledged grown-up. In fact, my sister used to write speeches for me in high school! It wasn't until writing became an integral part of my job as a Trademark Paralegal that I realized how much I enjoyed even writing emails to clients. I was told I was a good writer and ate it up and so I dabbled in fiction. I started with a children's story but it wasn't for me and then I began to blog and was hooked. People actually enjoyed my blogs and would comment on how well I expressed myself in writing and I think it was probably their encouragement that made me pursue it further. That and the fact that I loved doing it. 

Q. I read that one of the first things you did in your writing career was take a class at one of the Gotham Writer’s Workshops online. How was it? Would you recommend this or any other preparatory steps to aspiring writers out there?

MS: I actually took two courses with Gotham. Both classes were "live", not online. I took the first class just to try something different. When I started the second class, I had already started writing JFWB and I learned so much even from the first critique session. I have to give a lot of credit to the teacher and students in that class for everything they taught me about plot development, conflict, and pacing. Extremely helpful! I'm not sure a class is for everyone and I honestly do not think someone can really be taught to be a good writer - an author's voice should be natural and unique to them and I'm not sure it could be taught nor do I think it should be specifically modeled after someone else's voice. But I do think all writers can learn from constructive criticism and the opinions of others. I think it is important to have someone objective read and critique our writing.

Q. Do you have a specific routine or process to your writing and/or what does your writing space look like?

MS: My writing space can look like a table in Starbucks, the waiting room at a doctor's office, a seat on the train etc. - I tend to write in short increments of time, whenever I get the chance. But when it comes to editing, it's my two-person kitchen table, overlooking 2nd Avenue in NYC!

Q. Are you working on any other books at the moment or have plans for more in the future?

MS: I completed my second novel this summer and it's currently in final revisions. I hope to begin the submission process in September. I have a few ideas floating around in my head for a third but nothing has stuck yet.

Q. What are some of your other favorite books to read? Genres? Authors?

MS: I read a lot of chick lit and women's fiction - shocking! Some of my favorites include Something Borrowed, Love the One Your With, Jemima J, The Opposite of Love, 29, Save as Draft and Skipping a Beat. (I could go on...) I love Emily Giffin. LOVE. A new favorite is Adena Halpern. And Julie Buxbaum is brilliant.

Q. I love your blog and how you “put yourself out there” for others to read and share in your experiences. Do you have any suggestions to other bloggers?

MS: In full disclosure, now that I'm trying to build my name as a writer, I find blogging to be tricky since I don't want to be anonymous anymore and yet am not comfortable letting it all hang out. At first I thought I had to blog about writing and publishing and not only did I struggle coming up with topics, but I did not enjoy the process very much. I decided recently to stop putting so much pressure on myself and simply write what was on my mind regardless of whether it was centered around writing.

My target audience is readers not writers and I have a feeling my personal blogs are more interesting to them anyway. I still have to reign myself in from putting anything in my blog that I wouldn't want read by total strangers, friends and family, an ex boyfriend or a current crush, but at least I enjoy the process once again. My advice to other bloggers is to blog about something that is interesting to you so that your passion shines through in your writing. It also makes sense to know your target audience and what topics would draw them in. Finally, I would advise bloggers to be comfortable about the material they are putting out there on display. Oh, and I am glad you love my blog - thank you!

Q. What are your interests/hobbies outside of writing?

MS: I love to exercise, particularly running. I'm running my first half marathon in September. I'm a baseball fan - New York Yankees all the way! And I cannot live without music or television, or my friends and family. I am endlessly interested in my friends and family.

Q. What is something that most people wouldn't necessarily know about you (that you would be willing to share here, of course!)?

MS: I am incredibly hard on myself. Even in my proudest moments, I often have doubts and questions. I drive my closest friends crazy, but I have gotten much better at enjoying the moment, accepting credit and kudos and talking myself off of the self-doubt ledge! Late bloomer - I told you!

A big thanks to Meredith for participating in the Q&A and a big thanks to Samantha at Chick Lit Plus and Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours for setting up the interview and book review with Meredith Schorr.

Special Author Interview & Book Review with Marika Christian, Author of Phone Kitten

Thank you very much to Marika Christian for taking the time to answer a few of my burning questions about her and her newest release. Marika Christian is the author of the debut novel, Phone Kitten. Visit her blog, Miss Quoted, at http://marikachristian.blogspot.com/ to learn more about the author and where to buy her book. Please continue reading after the interview for my review of Phone Kitten!

Q. I often hear “write what you know”. Does “Phone Kitten” have any personal background to it? 

MC: Phone Kitten is nothing but personal experience, except for the murder part. I’ve never solved a crime, but I did take jobs at two different phone sex services, both successful, both still in business. Every call that is featured in the book, is a call I actually took. 

Q. Phone Kitten is about a female phone sex operator who also becomes a sleuth. What inspired you to combine contemporary women’s fiction with a little mystery? 

MC: Mysteries have always been big with me. Growing up, I read a lot of Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.  When my family would vacation in Germany, my aunt, who worked at the military base, would bring me boxes of novels by Victoria Holt. They always had a bit of mystery as well. And never doubt the influence of Scooby Doo. You can never go wrong with a mystery-solving dog.  

Q. Can you explain a little about how you became a writer? Did you have any specific influences (people, events or other)? 

MC: When I was a little girl, I got a typewriter for my birthday and I would write about my dog, Trixie, having tons of adventures. I think I always dreamed about being a writer, but dreaming it is different from doing it.  It wasn’t till I moved to New Orleans that I really started working at it. New Orleans is such a creative city. There are days when I look around and I think “This is where I live!” It’s still exciting and new. When I arrived in New Orleans, I was lucky enough to meet up with a mentor who guided me along the way. It was a combination of the right people, meeting at the right time, and being in the right city. New Orleans is magic that way. 

Q. Who is your all-time favorite character and why?

MC: Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody. She’s very stubborn, she’s believes she’s always right, yet she’s deeply sentimental, and addicted to romance. She uses her parasol as a weapon. She is wonderfully flawed, and still tendered-hearted and funny.  I love her. Her relationship with Emerson, her husband, is wildly passionate. I’ll confess to having Crocodile on the Sandbank as an audio book. I listen to it often, and when it gets to the part about their first kiss, I always catch my breath, stop what I’m doing, and listen. Best Kiss Ever. You can’t go wrong with Amelia.  Elizabeth Peters is the best.

Q. Do you have a specific routine or process to your writing and/or what does your writing space look like?

MC: I’ve always been a night owl, so I don’t start till late in the evening. I make a pitcher of iced tea, I read the last thing I wrote, I probably make a few changes, then I dive in.  I have a play list made up of songs that remind me of my characters that I listen to while I write. Once I’m in the story I just let it take over.  My work space is small and a little cluttered, but I like it that way. 

Q. Are you working on any other books at the moment or have plans for more in the future?

MC: I’m currently working on a sequel to Phone Kitten. Emily has a new job, some new friends, neighbors, and a new mystery to solve. She’s got a few more stories in her. Luckily, I like spending time with Emily.

Q. How do you balance writing with your job in telecommunications?

MC: I’m lucky enough to work from home, and my schedule is pretty much mine to make. While I do have to manage my time and make sure I get my hours in, it also gives me the ability to write more then a 9-5 job would. If I could stop myself from playing on the Internet, things would be perfect.    

 

Q. What are your interests/hobbies outside of writing?

MC: I love taking my dog, Dash, for walks in the French Quarter. He’s very friendly and he likes to visit a few of our friends.  I always take my camera. I’m not a great photographer, but it’s hard to take a bad picture when you live in such a beautiful city.  I also do a lot of cross stitch. This year I’m making all my Christmas gifts. I just finished a zombie pillow. 

Q. What advice do you have for wannabe writers out there?

MC: I would pass on the advice I got from an award-winning mystery writer. She told me at one point something in the story you are working on should make you cry. I’ve never forgotten that.  Also invest in a really good chair. Your butt’s going to be sitting in it for awhile. 

Q. What is something that most people wouldn't necessarily know about you (that you would be willing to share here, of course!)?

 

MC: I liked pomegranates before they were “cool”, I hate the thought of running out of ice, I got my first cell phone last year, I’m left-handed, and I carry two gris-gris in my pocket at all times because I’ll take all the luck I can get.

Cover found on Goodreads

Phone Kitten by Marika Christian

In the debut chick lit comedic mystery and thriller, Marika Christian has created an intriguing world in which a young woman takes on two new roles in her life. First, Emily Summers loses her job at a local newspaper after her competitive and underhanded boss steals her writing. Jobless and nearly penniless, Emily capitalizes on another talent – her sexy phone voice – and becomes a phone actress, answering the calls of lonely, desperate and horny men. When one of her regular callers shows up in the paper – murdered – Emily takes on yet another role as a murder detective, using her old editorial skills and calling on her memories of girl sleuths from her youth, a la Nancy Drew. Emily puts herself in harm’s way again and again, meeting with a lot of dark people in shady places. As if Emily doesn’t have enough on her plate, she meets a new guy at school who she’s crushing on hard but she doesn’t want him to find out anything about her new double life; and soon she finds out he's got a secret of his own. Will Emily be able to juggle all the people and craziness in her life and solve the murder?? Find out in this hilarious new mystery thriller from Marika Christian. This was a really good story and I am even more impressed since it was a first novel. The main character was I am eagerly anticipating a sequel to this creative story.                                        3 Stars

A big thanks to Marika Christian and her publisher for sending me a copy of her novel to read and review; and another big thanks to Samantha of Chick Lit Plus for her coordination of the Blog Tour for Phone Kitten. For more stops on the tour, please visit the site at http://chicklitplusblogtours.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/phone-kitten-by-marika-christian/.






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And if you still haven’t gotten your fill of Marika Christian and Phone Kitten, please log on to Twitter on July 14^th at 8pm CST for a TwitParty hosted in conjunction with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours. Use #CLPMarika to get involved!!



Special Author Interview & Book Review with Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar, Author of Little Miss Teacher

Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar is the debut author of Little Miss Teacher, a novel about a young woman growing up and learning her way through her first year of teaching. The author gave me the time to answer a few questions I had for her and I hope you enjoy the interview; and after reading the interview, please check out my review of her first novel.

Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar is currently on a blog tour, hosted by Chick Lit Plus (CLP) Blog Tours. Than you so much to both Ms. Sachar and CLP for offering me the opportunity to read, review and interview Ms. Sachar and Little Miss Teacher. For previous blogs and her next stop, please visit her page at Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

           

Q. As a high school English teacher, yourself, how autobiographical is Little Miss Teacher?

COS: I believe that all writers provide insight into their lives and personalities through their writing.  From my title and content, it's pretty obvious that I looked to my career and experiences for some of my inspiration.  I'm well acquainted with life inside a high school, and that's part of the reason I gave Candace the job of a teacher; I knew I could make it realistic, and I've read several chick lit books about young women starting out in various careers.  We've read about fashionistas and nannies, so why not write about a young teacher?  Everyone has some idea of teachers, since we've all had them, but Candace's story isn't just for teachers; in some ways she's an Everywoman, struggling to find herself as she begins her "adult" life.  I definitely based a few of Candace's classroom adventures upon some of my own as a new teacher (including that first memorable scene... THAT was awkward!).  Still, though, Candace is not Cassandra, and I haven't modeled any single character on a real person. This is something I had to tell some of my students who read the book:  It's a work of fiction!            

Q. Who (or what) have been some of your influences on your path to becoming a teacher? A writer? Do you prefer one craft over the other or do you think you will always do both?

COS: Even before I learned to write, I was a writer.  My mother and I created these fabulous little books; I would draw the pictures and tell her how the story went, and she would scribe my words.  I have her to thank for helping me develop my talent and passion in both reading and writing.  I have folders full of early writing attempts: poems, short stories, a few ill-fated one-act plays, and several beginnings of novels.  I knew I would write a book someday, and I have always thought of myself as a writer, even when life is busy and I don't take the time to write.  When I'm not writing, I mull over ideas for my next project.  As for teaching, I never really expected it.  During my senior year of college I finally realized that I had no real plan for a career after graduation.  Many other English majors have been drawn to teaching for the same reason as I was:  love of the subject.  My friend Joe, who was an English education major, suggested that I turn to teaching.  I graduated with my degree in English and spent the next year gaining teacher certification.  For someone who never saw herself as a teacher, my profession has fit me beautifully, and I have thrived working with teenagers.  I'm currently pursuing my doctorate in education, so I see myself teaching for a long time.  I use my summers off to focus on my writing.  I can't say that I prefer one over the other:  I am both a writer and a teacher.   

Q.  I read that you also published a mystery book for middle school readers called The Hidden Diary. What made you take the leap to women’s fiction or chick lit? Do you have a preference for one genre or another?

 COS: I love mysteries and young adult literature, but I love my chick lit as well.  I actually haven't published The Hidden Diary yet, but it's ready for publication.  Since it's only available as an eBook, I've held back on releasing it, as I'm not sure that the age group does much reading at way (I've been meaning to research this as soon as I have time!).  I feel comfortable in both genres; I like reading and writing both.  Although many authors stick with one age group, sometimes I'm in the mood for one kind of writing over the other.  If there's an interest from the public, I'd love to spend another year in the classroom with Candace as a more experienced teacher, but my current project is a collection of scary short stories for middle grade readers.     

Q. As a teacher, you play an instrumental role in the lives of adolescents who are transitioning into the next stage of development. Little Miss Teacher plays on this theme of struggle and growth as well as its main character, Candace, who is also going through a transitional time in her life. What type of advice do you have for students and/or readers? Would you want your students read your book?

 COS: My advice for students and readers is to allow yourself to be vulnerable and ask for help when you need it.  Too many of us walk around wearing masks, hiding our feelings and pretending that everything is fine when it's not.  It's okay to cry, it's okay to mess up, and it's okay to get help.  Look at Megan (in Little Miss Teacher):  by not dealing with her problem, it got totally out of hand.  As for students reading my novel... it feels a little funny, like they're seeing me in my swimming suit or something!  I didn't tell my students about publishing Little Miss Teacher, but they found out anyway, of course!  Due to the adult nature of parts of the novel, I would feel a little awkward about recommending that students read it, but I am proud of the book as a realistic depiction of a young woman's life. 

Q. I read on Smashwords that you enjoy many extracurriculars – in addition to your family, pets and two careers. How do you find time for it all?

COS: I am really good at time management!  I try to multi-task; I make to-do lists and grade papers while I'm waiting at the doctor's office or during my daughter's soccer practice.  When I'm on the elliptical machine or exercise bike, I do my school reading.  Still, though, I allow myself time to just relax.

Q. What do you love most about being a teacher? Least?

COS: I love seeing students blossom as writers.  So many students hate writing and/or think they're bad at it; I try to change their perceptions.  There's nothing like seeing students discover that they have the ability to write.  Teachers love their jobs because it's an amazing feeling to impact students and help them find the potential within themselves to succeed.  I'm not so crazy about grading papers... the stacks are endless! 

Q. What do you love most about being a novelist? Least?

COS: I love the creative process.  I start with a kernel of an idea and watch it grow into something so much bigger.  I really started caring about Candace as I wrote about her, even though (obviously) I knew she wasn't real.  She became real to me, and I hurt with her when she was rejected; I felt proud of her when she succeeded.  My least favorite part about writing is the publishing process.  All those rejection letters start to sting after a while, which is why I finally decided to publish Little Miss Teacher as an eBook.  I was sick of having a finished manuscript, a book I was proud of and wanted to share, simply on my hard drive with no one to read it.   

Q: Do you have a certain routine to your writing? A daily schedule? A favorite room, laptop, table, writing tool or anything else?

COS: When I'm focusing on a project, I force myself to write five pages at least every other day.  The pages might be great, or they might be terrible, but they'll get done, and that's the method that helped me finish my two novels.  I believe heavily in the revision process; the book you read is vastly different (and much better) than the one I completed almost four summers ago.  I can write anywhere- in fact, Little Miss Teacher traveled to New Orleans and Tucson with me, since I didn't want a vacation from it when I took my vacations.  I wrote part of the book in my grandmother's living room while she watched TV.  I always write on a laptop; when inspiration strikes me, I'll jot down ideas on little scraps of paper, but I always type my "real" writing.

Q. If you could “teach” wannabe writers out there one thing, what would it be?

COS: Just do it- just write.  It doesn't matter if it's terrible; you can always revise it later.  I've heard so many people say, "I should write a book," but they never do it.  Whether or not you get published, I think that the creation itself is worth it.  If you never even try, how will you know what you can accomplish?   

Q. What is something that most people wouldn't necessarily know about you (that you would be willing to share here, of course!)?

COS:  I was published for the first time when I was in high school.  My 12th grade English teacher recommended that I submit an essay I wrote for his class to a literary magazine called Merlyn's Pen.

Thank you so much to Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar for taking the time to stop by Lip Gloss and Literature, answer my questions and allow me to review her fantastic debut. If you would like to learn more about the author, her book or anything else, please visit her on Facebook page.

And now, for my review of her debut novel, Little Miss Teacher.

Little Miss Teacher by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar

Little Miss Teacher was a really enjoyable debut that gave readers an inside glimpse into the first year of teaching through the eyes of Candace Turner. What I loved most about this story was the change over time and growth. In the first chapter a student proclaims to Miss Turner, "I can see through your blouse", horrifying Candace; and by the story's end Candace is able to stand her ground when, in the library, a young African American student, boldly accuses her of being a racist for asking her to adhere to the rules of the library. The transformation of character and the growth Candace shows is quite admirable to watch and look back on.

Candace’s first year in teaching is nothing short of a nine-month long roller coaster ride in education. Candace meets and goes on a date with a seemingly suave male teacher, who turns out to be a little too smooth for her liking. Luckily nothing too serious happens and it just becomes one of her lessons learned. She’s given the opportunity (and responsibility) of going on a business trip to New Orleans to learn about a new teaching program being implemented at other schools, where she must attend conferences and speeches, take notes and then present the material back to her own school administrators upon her return. Her teacher friend and confidant convinces Candace to chaperone her first prom, where she is the only adult there who gets all dressed up in a shiny new dress, circa Prom 2010. After prom, and to Candace’s embarrassment, she learns just how quickly social networking and photography can damage your self-image when a student posts their picture from the dance on Facebook. Candace deals with many self-image issues, naturally, being the teacher of so many teenagers, but one particular issue comes as a shock when best friend and roommate confesses to a serious eating disorder. Later, Candace must also deal with the heartache and pain of losing her dream crush, Charlie.  It’s definitely a school year to remember.

Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar provided a very detailed description of every character and each scene. As a reader, I felt like I was right alongside Candace, starting out as a teacher at a high school and just beginning to enter the real world of work, love and friendship. I thought it was really smart, fitting and cute how the author set up each chapter as a “Lesson” learned and then proceeded to detail one event or situation after another. The story, overall, read very true to life. It makes one wonder about the divide between fact and fiction. I would love to read another book by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar. She definitely did her homework in writing this book!

3 STARS

Special Guest Post & Book Review with Chantel Simmons, Author of Love Struck

10 Rules for Being an Author By Chantel Simmons, author of Love Struck

 

Have you always wanted to write a novel, but don’t know where to start? Having published two novels so far, I often get asked this question. Although I’m not the world’s leading expert on how to get the book in your head onto your computer screen, I have a few rules that I try to follow. One of them includes chocolate, so if that’s not a hook, I don’t know what is.

1.      Love your heroine – and others will love her too. Hate her? So will your readers. Who wants to read 300 pages about someone they hate? No one. So make sure your heroine is lovable…even if she’s full of flaws.

2.      Believe in your book. There’s always going to be someone – an agent, an editor, a reviewer or a reader – who doesn’t like your book. You can’t please everyone, (even Pulitzer Prize winners have haters), but you have to believe it’s the best book you can write. If it’s not the absolute best you can do, rewrite it until it is.

3.      Don’t give up. (Yes, it’s a cliché, but it’s true!) If you really want to be a writer, you have to write. More importantly, you have to keep writing. Revise, or start on a new book if the one you’ve written isn’t working. It takes 10,000 hours to become really good at anything., so even if your first book doesn’t sell, don’t get discouraged – writing it got you that much closer to your 10,000 hour goal.

4.      Be excited about what you’re writing. You should want to sit down and write the book in your head. If you find yourself wanting to mow the lawn instead, there’s a problem. Either scrap the idea and start fresh on something else, or figure out what isn’t keeping you engaged and rewrite so you’re enjoying it (what’s the point of writing something that bores you? Imagine how your readers will feel…).

5.      Treat writing like a job, not a hobby. Would you leave work to go home to do laundry or vacuum? Didn’t think so. (Although, if you said yes, there’s probably a good story right there!) If you said no, then don’t let chores get in the way of your writing time.

6.      Set a schedule for writing. It can be the same time every day (get up a half hour earlier so you can fit it in before the alarm goes off, the kids wake up, the dog needs walking…) or at different times – whenever you can fit it in. Put it in your calendar and when it’s time to write, treat it like an appointment and drop everything to get to it! (This helps keeping it separate from that looming load of laundry).

7.      Need inspiration? Pretend to be your character. Spend an afternoon doing what he or she would do. If you’re trying to write a scene but aren’t sure how it would play out – go do it. (For Love Struck, I spent a day with a personal shopper to see what it’s like to be one. I did a spinning class and got my teeth whitened. Aside from having fun, realizing I hate spinning, and get a gorgeous smile (until I had a glass of red wine), I gathered a ton of inspiration and concrete details that went into the book.)

8.      Ask your friends to read your work – others can see the problems with plot, characterization and dialogue that you may not be able to see yourself. Listen to their feedback, but don’t feel obligated to use it if you don’t feel the same way. It’s about getting a fresh perspective.

9.      Chocolate solves everything. Plot problem? Stuck in a scene? Eat chocolate. Then get back to writing. (Popcorn and jujubes work equally effectively.)

10.  Remember that writing a book is a process. Even though it may be your dream, it’s not always going to be easy. Just try to keep the end goal in sight (finish writing your book), and if you’re having a particularly bad day, refer to rules #1-9. (Though I recommend starting with #9).

And now, my review for Love Struck….

Love Struck took a classic chick lit story and twisted it into its own unpredictable saga of love, betrayal, forgiveness, self-discovery, respect and growth. It was my first endeavor into the writing of Canadian chick lit author, Chantel Simmons and I was very impressed, hooked by page one.

Poppy Ross seems to have it all; the perfect marriage, the perfect job; the perfect life. She has a successful business as an image consultant, which basically means she gets to shop and play dress up with friends, family and a laundry list of a-list clientele for a living. She is married to Parker, a good-looking and successful businessman. They share a fabulous home and lifestyle without being weighed down by any kids or pets. In love and free to do what they want, when they want, Poppy couldn’t be happier…until one day at the nail salon, she overhears the women next to her gossiping about their friend Sienna who’s been having an affair with a married man named Parker Ross!

          Poppy is sure her life is over. She doesn’t know what to do. She doesn’t know what to say to Parker. Should she confront him? Should she look for more clues and try to catch him in the act? And then, just when she thinks she’s heard it all, her cell phone rings and she’s told Parker and another woman have been struck by lightning and are in the hospital.

          Upon waking up, Parker is elated to see his wife and just to be alive. He has no recollection of the past few weeks, including the affair with Sienna and now Poppy is in even more of a bind about what to do. How can she tell Parker about the affair now? She doesn’t want to draw anymore attention to his drifting love for her or worse, risk pushing him back to Sienna. Poppy comes up with a plan for how to keep her man interested and keep him from straying. Using her prowess as an image consultant, Poppy decides to give herself the ultimate makeover – into the “other” woman – hoping to give Parker everything he went looking for elsewhere but so that he can find it right at home, with Poppy. Will Poppy’s transformation be able to keep Parker from straying back to Sienna? What if his memory comes back? What if Sienna looks for Parker? Poppy thinks she’s come up with the perfect plan to save her marriage but what if there’s more to Parker’s affair than just outward appearance? Poppy eventually discovers she will need to look deep within herself to figure out why Parker strayed in the first place? Maybe their marriage hasn’t been so perfect after all…then again, what is perfect?

I definitely recommend this novel as one of the summer’s top carry-alls. Bring it with you to the beach as you soak up the sun or take it indoors on one of those rainy, humid afternoons. Love Struck has a little something for everyone, taking readers on a roller coaster of emotions right up until the end. For all that was funny and light about this book, it also had a more serious, thought-provoking level to it, broaching on the topics of intimate relationships and how we project ourselves to others. Poppy endured one self-mutilating procedure after another to project what she thought Parker wanted in a wife, and I cringed, and cried, and laughed right along with her with each one; but eventually, this book showed how marriage, love, life – and self- is all about what’s on the inside. All in al, this book makes one think about just how much can change in a flash – quite literally, in Poppy’s case with that bolt of lightning. I will definitely be seeking out Chantel Simmons first novel, Stuck in Downward Dog and I hope there will be many more novels from her to come.

4/5 Stars

Thank you so much to Samantha at Chick Lit Plus for setting up today's blog tour with Chantel Simmons, and another big thank you to Chantel for stopping by my blog today and taking the time to share a guest post with us all. I know I’m sure going to be stocking up on chocolate now for those long days of writing! She is the author of Stuck in Downward Dog and Love Struck. Be sure to check out her web site for more information, http://www.chantelsimmons.com/.

Also, please check out all of Chantel's previous blog tours stops or find out where she's going next, visit her page at Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.