Winner Announced - Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker

Thank you so very much to everyone who participated in my 100^th follower book giveaway. The winner was chosen from the entries on the original post’s comments via Random.org.

I’m so pleased to announce the winner:

Elsie from Elsie Loves Fiction

Congratulations, Elsie!!! She has won an e-book copy of Click: An Online Love Story by Lisa Becker. I can’t wait to find out how she likes it.

To view my interview with the author and for links on more info related to the book offered in this giveaway, please visit the original post:

http://lipglossandliterature.blogspot.com/2011/06/special-author-interview-contest-lisa.html

Be sure to be on the look out on Lip Gloss and Literature for my own review of Click: An Online Love Story this summer.

Thank you so so much to the author, Lisa Becker, for offering an e-book copy of her novel to giveaway on my blog. And, as always, a big thank you to my followers, readers and everyone who participated in the contest! thank you again to everyone who continues to follow my blog.

Stick around later this week when I review the June release of The Little Black Book of Big Red Flags of her debut. For more info, visit  http://www.BigRedFlags.com.

Special Guest Post: 10 Questions with Rose Pressey, Author of How to Date a Werewolf

I’m so excited to announce Lip Gloss and Literature’s Author Interview with Rose Pressey. She is the author of a new series of one of my favorite subtypes of books within the chick lit genre - paranormal romance. From Shanna Swendson’s Enchanted, Inc. series about modern day witches and warlocks in the Big Apple to a series about a woman, Lucy Valentine, who has the power to find lost objects by fellow Boston-native, Heather Webber, the creativity behind the stories by this genre’s authors is limitless. And now, the first book in a new series by Rose Pressey, has just been released. How to Date a Werewolf stars Rylie Cruz, owner of Got a Mate Dating Service who proves that match-making can get pretty “hairy”….

How to Date A Werewolf

Romance can be a hairy business-especially when you’re a werewolf.

As the owner of Got a Mate Dating Service, Rylie is more than happy to step in and lend a hand to lonely lycanthropic hearts all over town. No matter how hopeless Rylie might be in finding her own soul mate, she has a knack for helping others find theirs.

Convinced that she is stuck with a family curse, Rylie is positive she will never find her true love. But when drool-worthy Jack Chandler shows up at her door, Rylie wonders if maybe the curse is finally broken.

But Rylie’s life is about to become complicated courtesy of the after-dark crowd. When she begins receiving strange notes and harassment from a jilted client, events careen out of control.

Jack knows she’s more hassle than he can handle. What he doesn’t know is whether she’s seriously in trouble . . . or simply delusional.

Synopsis available at http://rosepressey.com/blog/books-2/

You can buy your own copy of How to Date a Werewolf on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Smashwords. If you buy it before May 5, 2011, you may be entered in a contest to win an iPad2 or a $50.00 Gift Card to Amazon! (Wow!) See her web site for more details. Rose Pressey lives in Kentucky, with her family and two Chihuahuas. And now, a little more information on Rose Pressey, author of How to Date a Werewolf, Me and My Ghoulfriends and My Haunted Family: Engrossing Tales of One Family’s Encounters With the Unknown.

Rose Pressey

By Cathy of Lip Gloss & Literature

Q. I read on your blog that “finding answers to the unexplained fascinates [you]”and is what attracted you to write about the paranormal. How did you come to combine these elements with romantic mystery as well?

RP: Combing the two seemed natural. Adding werewolves, vampires, ghosts, and every other supernatural creature cranks normal life up a notch. I think it adds excitement, and we get a glimpse of what life would be like with these creatures. It’s just plain fun.

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

RP: As long as I can remember, I’ve had stories pop up in my mind with characters interacting with each other. I never knew what it meant. Then one day it clicked: I should write! About four years ago, I became serious about learning the craft. I read books on writing, joined writing forums with other writers, and found critique partners. I work at improving every day. 

Q. What or who inspired you to create Rylie Cruz, from your latest How to Date A Werewolf paranormal romance mystery?

RP: I thought how fun it would be to have a heroine who had a hairy problem. Once I had that idea, and the name, she just started talking. She hasn’t stopped since.

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

RP: My favorite character from another author? That would have to be the Jane Jameson series by Molly Harper. I love her snarkiness.

As for one of my characters, I don’t think I can choose. I love Larue and Rylie. Larue Donavan is the main character in my other series.

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

RP: When I’m doing the first draft, I write in sprints. I like to get the story out as fast as possible. I time myself, usually writing 500 words in 15 minutes. I can finish the first draft in about a month, then spend a couple months editing.

I have an office now, but we’re moving in a few weeks. I hope my new space is nice. Sometimes I write in bed so I can relax. Sitting for long periods hurts my legs.

Q.  I saw that there are two more books being written in the How To Date A…series. How did the other two come about? Did you always plan for them to be a series?

RP: After finishing How to Date a Werewolf, I knew Rylie’s story wasn’t finished. I had so much fun with her that I knew I had to write a series.  Since she works with all supernatural creatures, it was easy to continue with vampires, and demons.

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

RP: I love light paranormal romance. Anything with humor. I’m also a cozy mystery fan. Mary Kay Andrews inspired me to start writing, too. I love her books.

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

RP: Of course, I love reading. I like spending time with family, playing with my Chihuahua, and ghost hunting.

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

RP: Just write. It doesn’t matter what you write, just write. I’m a big believer in reading all the books you can on the craft. It helped me. Oh, and don’t be afraid to show your work to other writers. They really can help.

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

RP: Well, on a serious note, I have artificial joints in both knees, and I’m having my hips replaced this year. I’m only thirty-eight, but I have psoriatic arthritis. The disease has taken a toll on my joints, but I don’t let that stop me. It may slow me down, but not much.

Thanks for having me on your blog, Cathy! I had a ton of fun answering your questions.

Aw, thank YOU, Rose!! For more details on Rose Pressey or any of her books, please visit her web site at www.rosepressey.com. Check back on Lip Gloss and Literature in June when I review the e-book, How to Date a Werewolf.

Star e-Book Review: The Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio

The Scent of Jade  by Dee DeTarsio

           

            The Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio introduces readers to a new heroine, Julie Fraser, who finds herself in for quite the adventure when she decides to follow her husband on his business trip to the rainforest of Costa Rica. Thinking she has made the ultimate romantic gesture, the surprise is on Julie when she catches her husband, Colin, in a compromising and arabesque position with a voluptuous vixen. Not only does this appear to be a shocking display of animal lust, but it also seems to be ritualistic in some way as they are doing the deed in front of some type of jade artifact. Without a second thought, Julie grabs the green object and starts running….and running…and running, further and deeper into the wild of the rainforest.

            Julie doesn’t even consider looking back as she runs, determined to get the picture of her husband and that….hussy…out of her mind, but soon Julie begins to regret her hasty decision, realizing as she looks around that she’s lost and suddenly, she wishes she'd stopped running a while ago. Praying that her husband has sent out a search party for her – even though she hasn’t forgiven him for being a total bastard – Julie makes the best of her current surroundings. Along the way she meets a colorful cast of characters, including a meddlesome monkey, a blonde Juan, his scintillating sister, magic-making mama and many more. But despite who she meets, the only person Julie really wants to connect with is Colin.

            The longer Julie is out in the rainforest, the more she realizes the danger she’s in. Apparently, the jade artifact she “stole” is the long-lost object of Costa Rica’s heritage and there are a lot of people who are very upset that Colin had it in his possession, even more angered to learn that it’s, once again, gone missing!

            What is so important about this little green rock that has everybody in Costa Rica up in arms? Will Julie ever find out? Will she ever be reconnected with her husband, Colin? What will she say to him if they get the chance to reunite? Could this be Julie’s last vacation ever?

            Dee DeTarsio is a former tv news writer who has a talent for reeling readers into her books with her quick wit, a keen and insightful leading heroine, action-packed scenes and much hilarity. If you’re looking for an adventurous romantic-comedy, The Scent of Jade won’t let you down. A fast-paced, quick read, you’ll be racing through the pages. This was the first book I read by Dee DeTarsio and I will definitely be checking out her other releases.

   4 Stars

   

            Out in ebook, you can find The Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio or any of her other novels at Diesel e-books, the Amazon Kindle Store or Smashwords:

For more information on The Scent of Jade, Dee DeTarsio or any of her other releases, visit her website via:

http://deedetarsio.com/

or

http://thescentofjade.com/

Or follow Dee’s hilarious posts on her blog at:

http://ogblayotspay.blogspot.com/

Look for a Special Author Guest Post by Dee DeTarsio Coming Soon to Lip GLoss and Literature!!

Special Guest: Author Interview & Book Review with Beth Orsoff - How I Learned to Love the Walrus

Q. After you finished the Bar exam, you mentioned you went out and purchased a book on how to write a novel; what (or who) influenced you to change careers altogether from being an entertainment lawyer to a writer? Do you ever miss being an entertainment lawyer?

Beth Orsoff: I don’t miss being an entertainment lawyer because I still am one!  Although now I only work part-time.  I think I wanted to be a writer long before I purchased that first “How to” book.  I just didn’t have the courage to try.  For me, that’s been one of the most valuable parts of becoming a lawyer.  My legal career has allowed me to earn a living while learning my craft as a writer, and it’s what gave me the confidence to try my hand at writing.  Maybe it’s because after you’ve survived the California Bar Exam, you feel like you can do anything! 

Q. Where do you draw inspiration from for your novels?

Beth Orsoff: It’s different for each book.  For the first book, “Romantically Challenged,” it was the experience I and many of my friends were having in the dating world.  Dating in your thirties is much different than dating in your twenties.  There’s much more of an element of “I’m looking for Mr. Right,” as opposed to “I’m looking for Mr. Right Now.”

For the second book, “Honeymoon for One,” it came from a dream I had about a woman whose fiancé dumps her the night before their wedding and she decides to go on the honeymoon alone. 

For the third book, “How I Learned to Love the Walrus,” it came from a newspaper article I’d read about a scientific vessel that discovered three abandoned walrus pups in the Arctic Ocean.  That story became a fictionalized scene in the book, and is the reason I wrote the book.  

Q. Who is your favorite character and why? From one of your own novels? What about in one of someone else’s novels?

Beth Orsoff: From my own novels, it’s “Ethan” from “How I Learned to Love the Walrus” because he says exactly what he thinks, is not at all political, and truly doesn’t care about other people’s judgments of him.

I think my all-time favorite fictional character has to be “Scarlett” from “Gone with the Wind.”  I admit I watched the movie before I read the book, which is rare for me.  I almost always read the book first.  And what’s even stranger is the first time I watched the movie (as a freshman in college) I absolutely hated it.  I thought the film was melodramatic, that “Scarlett” was a spoiled brat, and for the life of me I couldn’t understand why millions of people loved this story.  Then I watched the movie again five years later and adored it.  I’m not exactly sure what caused my change in attitude (although I suspect having to fend for myself in the working world was part of it), but from that point forward I viewed “Scarlett” as a heroine for the ages.  Was she the nicest person in the world?  No.  Was she conniving at times?  Yes.  But she took care of her friends and family, even her arch rival Melanie, and she always found a way not only to survive, but to prosper.  Back then women didn’t have a lot of options.  “Scarlett” was ahead of her time.  

Q. Chick lit is still considered, by many, to be a controversial term. Do you mind being called a chick lit author? What made you decide to write books in the contemporary women’s fiction/chick lit genre?

Beth Orsoff: I don’t mind being called a chick lit author because I don’t view the term as derogatory (even though others sometimes use it for that purpose).  Chick lit is merely a sub-genre of commercial fiction; and the purpose of commercial fiction is to entertain. 

These days most people have hectic lives—jobs, families, and a lot of stress and responsibilities.  I’m one of those people.  When I sit down with a book at the end of a long day I don’t want to be challenged, I want to be entertained.  I want to forget about my own life and get wrapped up in someone else’s.  And I want to know that no matter what obstacles the protagonist faces, she will triumph in the end.  I hope that’s the sort of experience I provide for my own readers.  If so, then I’ve done my job.  I find no shame in that.

It wasn’t a conscious decision to write women’s fiction/chick lit, it’s just where my voice and my stories naturally fit.  

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

Beth Orsoff: About half of the books I read are women’s fiction/chick lit, and the other half are a smattering of all other genres including mysteries, thrillers, humor, and the occasional literary novel.  In my own genre, I’m a big fan of Jennifer Weiner and Emily Giffin.  Outside of women’s fiction, I love David Sedaris and Nicky Hornby.  

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

Beth Orsoff: I’m a huge movie fan and a TV-aholic.  But I don’t watch reality television.  There’s too much really good scripted television (e.g., “30 Rock,” “House,” and “Breaking Bad” just to name a few) and too few hours in the day. 

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

Beth Orsoff: Take the time to learn your craft.  Just because with current technology you can publish your first draft, doesn’t mean you should publish your first draft. 

Q. What is something that most people wouldn't necessarily know about you?

Beth Orsoff: I love Elmo.  (Yeah, the red guy from Sesame Street.)

And now my review of…

How I Learned to Love the Walrus (An Arctic Romantic Comedy) by Beth Orsoff

Meet Sydney Green, whose days as a publicist to the stars in LA may be numbered if she can’t turn things around for at least one of her clients.  Never one to give in to the pressure, Sydney makes an elaborate proposal to save both her dying career and a dying population of walruses all in one feel swoop – that is so long as her boss and hunky movie star (and secret boyfriend), Blake McKinley, all cooperate. As the saying goes, Sydney learns the saying “nothing worth having comes easy” all too well as she is met with much resistance on her month long trip to Alaska. Never mind the cold, wet weather or the midnight sun, but no one told her that she’d be sleeping in a tent, taking sea showers, sharing in the cooking and cleaning and sacrificing all access to electricity – in other words, no blow drying her hair, no charging her satellite cell phone or laptop, and no laundry! If that wasn’t bad enough, her writer for the “Save the Walrus” film’s script has just quit, the expedition’s leader, Jill, expects her to volunteer during her “free time”, Jill’s six year-old son keeps bugging Sydney to role-play the Star Wars battle between Luke and Darth Vader with him and the group’s lead scientist keeps arguing with Sydney at every chance; but it will all be worth it when Blake finally shows up, right?

A fun story with vivacious characters, engaging plot lines and unique settings, Beth Orsoff’s How I Learned to Love the Walrus tackles themes of self-exploration, honesty, preservation and humanity. That may seem like a serious laundry list of topics but Beth Orsoff’s talented writing enables readers to think about the reality of life and our environment while filling page after page with much romantic humor. In such a way, readers are both entertained and enlightened and extremely satisfied. I mean, who ever thought that reading about a dying breed of mammals in the Arctic would be an exciting topic of interest for a chick lit novel? Clearly, Beth Orsoff is ahead of the rest of us as she successfully created a story about a twenty-something woman who finds true meaning in her life while counting walruses on an expedition at sea. How I Learned to Love the Walrus is the third book written by entertainment lawyer, Beth Orsoff.

4 STARS  

Star Book Review: My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

My One and Only by Kristan Higgins

Despite being a tad predictable at times, Kristan Higgans’ seventh novel, My One and Only does not disappoint. Very funny, romantic and energetic, this was one book I did not want to put down. I adored the story's characters, the fast paced and cohesive story structure and the adventure of all its emotional ups and downs. In the opening chapter we meet Harper James, successful divorce attorney and she’s about to propose to her boyfriend of the past few years, Dennis, who is another native Islander. A firefighter and a guy’s guy, there are a few little things Harper is hoping that Dennis will be willing to change once he agrees to marry her – including but not limited to, cutting off his rattail – but before a shell-shocked Dennis can even say “yes” or “no”, Harper gets an unexpected surprise of her own. Harper’s younger, half-sister, Willa, calls to announce she is getting married…for a third time. If that’s not shocking enough, she’s only known Christopher, the groom-to-be for a few weeks. However, it would seem Harper has known him for a lot longer – well, she might have, had she not divorced his brother, Nick, almost ten years ago! Harper immediately tables her own proposal to Dennis as it becomes clear that there are more pressing issues surrounding holy matrimony now and they set off for rural Montana for the impromptu nuptials of Willa and Christopher.

Harper hopes to talk some sense into her kid sister, but when she finds herself face to face with ex-husband, Nick Lowery, all kinds of doubts resurface and Harper no longer knows what to think about the whole prospect of love and marriage. Just as she thinks she’s come to terms with Willa’s third marriage and the idea of having to interact with Nick on many family occasions to come, a power outage stalls Harper from being able to put this whole vacation behind her and lands her right back into the arms (and car) of her ex-husband for a cross-country trip back home. Read the entire story to find out what happens when Harper James is forced to confront the man, and her life, that she has spent so many years running away from. What results is an entertaining, romantic and often comedic tale of love, marriage, divorce and forgiveness.

This was my first venture into the writing of Kristan Higgins and it most definitely will not be the last. To anyone who believes in love, fairy tales or just wants to read a book with a good happy ending, give this one a try. Even though I had a bit of a personal tie to this book, being that I live on Cape Cod and work for the ferry company that transports people and goods to and from the island of Martha’s Vineyard – the very island where main character, Harper James grew up and continues to live - but even so; even if I did not stare into the same backyard as the characters in My One and Only, I would still recommend this book and all its emotion and hilarity to other fans of romance and contemporary women’s fiction.   

4/5 Stars

**I was lucky enough to receive a sneak peek at My One and Only by Kristan Higgins, out for release March 29, 2011 via NetGalley e-books and Harlequin publishers. Thank you!**

In My Mailbox – Weekend Edition #2 March 6, 2011

In My Mailbox (IMM) is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. It originated in November 2008 as a way to share with other readers and bloggers what books were received, bought, won, etc each week and has evolved ever since. It still informs readers each Sunday of the books Kristi obtained over the course of the week only now the books are creatively shared via her web vlog.

To learn more details about IMM, its history and how to participate, please visit Kristi at The Story Siren:

http://www.thestorysiren.com/p/in-my-mailbox.html

For my weekly version of In My Mailbox, I’ve decided to do a recap of all the books that have come into my home and my hands – some via snail Mail, the Internet, Book Store, Library, Raffles, Giveaways, Authors and Publishing Houses. I read paperback books; borrow hardcover novels; scroll through e-books with my ereader, The Novel, and I listen to audio books. As you can imagine, I might not get to all the books that come into my possession each week, so be on the lookout for their reviews on my blog and if there is one (or two) in particular that you want to learn more about, read a review or find where you can obtain your own copy, please contact me at cgraceh at gmail dot com and I will do my best to respond to your request in a timely fashion.

This was another big week book-wise (I guess this meme is opening my eyes to how many nooks I actually buy or maybe I’m buying more books so that I will have some great reads to feature…yeah that’s it…wink wink!) I had to go to Borders again after Friday’s announcement that their bankruptcy book blowout increased from 20 to 25% of all books in the store; I went to a library sale close to my work; I received a book in the mail from Paper Back Swap; I received a book in the mail from Canada that I won from chick lit blog, Novel Escapes; I used one of my free credits on Amazon’s audio book web site, Audible to download a paranormal chick lit debut and last but certainly NOT least, I was approached by a fabulous chick lit author to read her latest release and received it as an e-book.

Lip Gloss and Literature presents….the books in my mailbox this week:

Two Borders Bargains...I almost bought this hardcover novel last time I visited Borders’ closeout sale. Eyeing the last copy on the shelf, I couldn’t resist adding it to my basket…

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.  As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

For more on Stephanie Perkins and her high-rated 2011 chick lit teen debut visit:

http://www.stephanieperkins.com

And because I can never leave a bookstore without looking at the writing reference section…

The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists by Andrew McAleer

This title focuses on the behaviors necessary to succeed in the dog-eat-dog world of fiction writing by asking successful authors how they practice their craft. Readers will learn how to adopt those habits on their quest to become novelists. The book will inspire, nourish, and provide the needed kick in the pants to turn the wannabes into doers! The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Novelists is full of "aha" experiences as the reader uncovers the collected wisdom from the cream of today's fiction writers.

What better way to pass a half hour’s time than to head to the local library and check out what new books they’ve added to their basement sale? For a whopping $3.00 I brought home…

Fourplay by Jane Moore

Jo Miles has a nice London home, a lawyer husband, two lovely children, and a thriving part-time career as an interior decorator. In the world of contemporary women's fiction, she's clearly due for some kind of disaster. In Fourplay, disaster comes as divorce. Jo's husband leaves her for a creature Jo comes to refer to as "the Cliché," a 23-year-old blond secretary. After hubby's departure, Fourplay becomes an extended bout of frog-kissing as Jo, clearly much too saucy and adorable for a lifetime of singleness, entertains four different suitors. Sean is an irresistible cameraman, about whose sexual proclivities we hear far too much; Martin is a millionaire record exec; Conor is a steadfast old friend; and Jeff, her ex, of course comes crawling back. Throughout, Jo is supported and nurtured by her chubby, hilarious, less adorable best friend Rosie. On the whole, the book is ridden with clichés, but here's the funny thing: those very stereotypes make Fourplay a pleasant--even a compulsive--read. We know all will be right for Jo; we know Rosie will never let her down, yet never be prettier than her, either; we know true love will descend on all like a wet, inevitable London fog.

I Don’t Know How She Does It by Allison Pearson

Delightfully smart and heartbreakingly poignant, Allison Pearson’s smash debut novel has exploded onto bestseller lists as “The national anthem for working mothers.” Hedge-fund manager, wife, and mother of two, Kate Reddy manages to juggle nine currencies in five time zones and keep in step with the Teletubbies. But when she finds herself awake at 1:37 a.m. in a panic over the need to produce a homemade pie for her daughter’s school, she has to admit her life has become unrecognizable. With panache, wisdom, and uproarious wit, I Don’t Know How She Does It brilliantly dramatizes the dilemma of every working mom.

I can’t tell you my excitement when I opened an email to receive the message “Your wish has been granted” from Paperbackswap, indicating that a debut release from one Disney-fame teen celeb, was being sent to me and it arrived this week!

Elixir by Hilary Duff

Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before.
When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.

Another great surprise and 2010 debut – a recent win from fellow chick lit aficionados’ blog, Novel Escapes arrived in the “post”…

Single in the City by Michele Gorman

What happens when you take one 26 year old American, add to one 2,000 year old city, add a big dose of culture clash and stir?
Hannah Cumming and the population of London are about to find out.
How is Hannah to know that there's a special technique to crossing the street or riding a bus, or that words like tomato will elicit snide elocution lessons from the locals? Hannah lands alone in London only to find that she is totally ill-equipped to live there. Not that a complete lack of forethought has ever stopped her before. She charges headlong into London life, perplexing its residents with continual faux pas and cultural misunderstandings in her pursuit of a new life, new love and sense of herself.

For my listening pleasure and maybe a good scare (if I’m lucky), I downloaded another debut I’ve been eagerly anticipating after seeing ad upon ad all in various hot spots…

First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1) by Darynda Jones

A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper Charley sees dead people. That's right, she sees dead people. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. This is a thrilling debut novel from an exciting newcomer to the world of paranormal romantic suspense.

Finally, one of the highlights of my weekend came, again, in the form of a surprise email Friday night (what would I do without modern technology? Really??) requesting my review of an author’s latest novel in the chick lit genre from the author herself!...

How I Learned to Love the Walrus by Beth Orsoff

In an age of cynicism, is it possible to become an idealist?
When Los Angeles publicist Sydney Green convinces her boss to let her produce a documentary for the Save the Walrus Foundation, the only one Sydney Green is interested in saving is herself. The walruses are merely a means to improving her career and her love life, and not necessarily in that order. Sydney would’ve killed the project the second she learned she’d be the one having to spend a month in rural Alaska if it had been for any other client. But for rising star and sometimes boyfriend Blake McKinley, no sacrifice is ever too great.
But a funny thing happens on the way to the Arctic. A gregarious walrus pup, a cantankerous scientist, an Australian sex goddess, a Star Wars obsessed six-year-old, and friends and nemeses both past and present rock Sydney Green’s well-ordered world. Soon Sydney is forced to choose between doing what’s easy and doing what’s right.

And that wraps up all the shopping, winning, receiving, and mailing book extravaganza for the week at Lip Gloss and Literature…what’s in your mailbox???

Fairytale of New York: Download Your Happily Ever After

     If you follow my blog, you might know that I’m a sucker for a good happy ending. And for me, what comes to mind first when I think of those happily ever after moments? Fairy tales. What a wonderful surprise I came across today, then, when I opened up my Twitter page to find that Miranda Dickinson’s debut novel, Fairytale of New York is now available for FREE (no catch!) on select e-book websites.

     My personal favorite ebook site where I’ve found it and it's easy to read the books on my desktop or upload to my iPod Touch is Kobo Books.

     Read more about Miranda Dickinson on her web page at www.miranda-dickinson.com, follow her on her blog at http://www.coffeeandroses.blogspot.com/. Finally,catch the reviews on this and Miranda Dickinson's other novels a two more of my personal favorite web sites:

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6649757-fairytale-of-new-york

The Chick Lit Club:

http://chicklitclub.com/authorsd.html#mirandadickinson