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Tag Archives: Chick Lit
The Yearning
The Yearning by Kate Belle Post by Brenda. Romance, chick lit, erotic fiction, sexy seem to be the latest trend for many readers. “The yearning”, a first novel by Kate Belle, has just been released and fits well within this genre. Not … Continue reading
Choose a book by its cover? Absolutely!
Three authors I’ve never heard of. Three books I wasn’t particularly looking for. But … three covers that grabbed my attention and three titles promising pure escapism? Yes please! The Perfect Location by Kate Forster This Australian author loves all … Continue reading
The Boy Who Fell to Earth – Kathy Lette
Funny! Poignant! Insightful! Australian author Kathy Lette has tackled a heart rendering subject from a delightful perspective in The boy who fell to earth.
The story is written in the first person by a mother Lucy Beaufort. The language is descriptive and the dialogue is sharp and witty or bantering. The book is divided into prologue, parts and chapters; titled and subtitled. The story flows beautifully and the format makes for very easy reading.
The characters are brilliantly crafted; Merlin is the 16 year old autistic boy who has been misdiagnosed with a multitude of various medical labels over the years. Lucy Beaufort is Merlin’s weary, frustrated mother left alone to bring up her son and fighting bureaucratic red tape to get the best from social services for him. Jeremy Beaufort is the husband who does not want society to know he is the father of an intellectually challenged child and walks away from his wife and son for a blonde voluptuous TV hostess who is a “rising star” in the industry. There are a periphery of characters around Merlin and his mother who will keep the reader entertained with their lack of tact, rudeness or tenderness.
It is a great read and was included as one of the books to read in the 2012, 50 Books You Can’t Put Down, Get Reading All Australian Guide.
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Oh Dear Silvia
Dawn French’s Oh dear Silvia takes place in a hospital room where Silvia (of the title) lays in a comma & visited by a number of family members, friends & hospital staff. The memories of each visitor helps set the story and as you read you will find out who Silvia really is. The first chapter is told by Ed, the ex-husband, with following chapters jumping from Ed to Winnie, the hospital nurse, to Tia, the housekeeper, to Cat, Silvia’s current partner, to Jo, the sister & to Cassandra, the daughter. Each character spills out their hearts to Silvia while she lays their unresponsive. The character development is spot on & the plot is well constructed to expose pieces of information at critical times to create good flow.
French’s irreverent style of humour is apparent as she takes a serious situation and adds comedic value. It’s a talent of hers that shines through in her writing! Her characters are all unique and their individual relationships with Silvia will help to keep you interested in the overall story. I did feel slightly disappointed with the ending as I was hoping for a clearer explanation of why Silvia was in the comma and also some resolution for the characters would have been nice. However, a great read which will stir up your emotions.
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Strictly Confidential by Roxy Jacenko
This fun and flirtatious first novel by the founder and director of Sydney PR agency ‘Sweaty Betty’ Roxy Jacenko, is a deliciously revealing romp into the scintillating world of public relations. The story follows Jasmine Lewis (Jazzy Lou) as she … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews, Distractions
Tagged Australian author, Chick Lit, Roxy Jacenko, Strictly Confidential
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The next Hollywood Chic-Flick hit?
Between Friends by Kristy Kiernan smells exactly like a Hollywood hit to me. Definitely chick-lit that could easily transform into a box-office Chic-Flick! It is in the same realm as fiction works by Nicholas Sparks. It is a bit of a tear-jerker…make sure … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews
Tagged American author, between friends, Chick Lit, female friendships, fiction, kristy kiernan, motherhood
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English Rose meets Maasai Warrior …
Wrapped Up in You by Carole Matthews. Janie Johnson is a single, thirty-something hairdresser who, after one too many blind dates, nights in with her cat and news that her ex is getting married and expecting a child, hastily books … Continue reading
Posted in Book reviews
Tagged African Fiction, Carole Matthews, Chick Lit, Wrapped Up in You
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The Spider Goddess
Tara Moss continues her paranormal book series with a second book, The Spider Goddess. In this story the reader is taken further into the life of Pandora English as she has some fun with knitwear, designers & supermodels while battling it out with the supernatural weirdness that has plagued her life since moving in with her great aunt Celia. With the help of her great aunt and a good looking ghost named Lieutenant Luke, Pandora starts to understand that she is the heir to a great gift & posses the ability to submerge into the other world.
This second novel is even better than the first as it hints at more to be revealed about the supernatural, its every bit as fun as the first only creepier! There are scenes that made my skin crawl & if you have a particular phobia of spiders you should be prepared that there are some spine tingling moments.
While Tara Moss gives her central character, Pandora, the main focus the supporting characters are also developing nicely. The reader will learn more about Lieutenant Luke’s visits, great aunt Celia’s strange relationship with the undead & exploration and reference to ancient legends and mythology.
It’s an amazing reinterpretation of the classic horror characters & the names like Pandora, Morticia & Deus provide an additional spooky element . This series can be read by all ages & dabbles in various genres – supernatural, chick lit, historical fiction, fantasy and thriller so it can be enjoyed by many. I think if you liked the first one, you will love this second installment. I can’t wait for the third book 
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Posted in Book reviews
Tagged Australian author, Australian books, Chick Lit, fantasy, tara moss, The Blood Countess, The Spider Goddess, vampires
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Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe is a delicious read!
A friend put this book on my desk at work as she thought it would catch my eye. I admit I was instantly attracted to the very pink and girly book jacket and the title suggested it would be right up my alley. I do like chick lit reads
The story is all about Issy who is made redundant out of the blue by her boss (who is also her boyfriend) and therefore decides to use her passion for baking to start a new career. While she initially retreats into her flat it’s not long before she realises this could be the perfect opportunity she needs to go about following her dream. Buoyed on by her loveable flat mate, Helena, Issy opens up her very own cupcake store. Using all of the recipes she and her grandfather used when they baked together she creates these delicious sounding cupcakes and sweet treats to stock The Cupcake Cafe.
My favourite characters aside from Issy are the larger than life flat mate Helena, the yummy mummy friend Caroline and the sweet and innocent young Pearl. Each character is well-developed and together they add depth to the story. I like Helena who tells it like it is and has a no-nonsense approach to life. She is quite delightful! There is also Caroline who is really opinionated and is struggling to accept she now has to work because her husband has asked for a divorce. She has some very sarcastic one lines which are hilarious 
Then there is Pearl who met Issy at a redundancy information session. The two quickly bond and Pearl comes to work at Issy’s cupcake store.
This certainly is a feel good read that will cheer you up over the cool winter months. There is always something going on to keep you entertained. Beyond the uplifting and inspirational storyline the book also deals with single parenthood, chronic illness, career/life balance and class division.
A little bonus for those of you who have a passion for baking there are recipes at the start of some chapters for you to try.
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Posted in Book reviews, Distractions
Tagged baking, Chick Lit, cupcakes, Jenny Colgan
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