Passing through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby (Book Release Day Event / Book Review)

In association with Author Bette Lee Crosby, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book release day event for Passing through Perfect!

Book Review

Passing through Perfect by Bette Lee Crosby

Book 3: The Wyattsville Series

Publisher: Bent Pine Publishing

Publication Date: January 14, 2015

Format: Paperback - 256 pages

             Kindle - 1867 KB

             Nook - 2 MB

ISBN: 978-0996080347

ASIN: B00OPBFV68

BNID: 2940150236615

Genre: Historical Fiction / Southern Fiction / Women's Fiction

BUY THE BOOK: Passing through Perfect

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BUY THE SERIES: The Wyattville Series

Book 1: Spare Change

Book 2: Jubilee's Journey

Book 3: Passing through Perfect

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book release day event.

Book Description:

It's 1946. The war is over. Millions of American soldiers are coming home and Benjamin Church is one of them. After four years of being away he thought things in Alabama would have changed, but they haven't. Grinder's Corner is as it's always been--a hardscrabble burp in the road. It's not much, but it's home.

When Benjamin attends a harvest festival in Twin Pines, he catches sight of Delia. Before their first dance ends, he knows for certain she's the one. They fall madly in love: happily, impatiently, imprudently, in love. It doesn't matter that her daddy is staunchly opposed to the thought of his daughter marrying a cotton farmer, never mind a poor one.

It's true Benjamin has little to offer; he's a sharecropper who will spend his whole life sweating and slaving to do little more than put food on the table. But that's how things are in Alabama. Benjamin is better off than most; he has a wife, a boy he adores, and a house that doesn't leak rain. Yes, Benjamin considers himself a lucky man until the fateful night that changes everything.


My Book Review: 

Passing through Perfect is a wonderful Southern Historical Fiction novel that will stir your soul. Set in the small town of Grinder's Corner, Alabama, author Bette Lee Crosby draws the reader into the inspirational tale that follows Benjamin Church and his family as they struggle to live and work in the racially troubled South's time period of the 1940-1950s.

This is a heartwarming story that only Bette Lee could tell in a thoughtful style that transports the reader back to a time when Benjamin and his family endured horrible racial discrimination in the South, and how they survived with powerful faith and grace.

This is a beautifully written and seamless story that is part of a wonderful series, but can be a stand alone read. Bette weaves a tale that brings back beloved characters from the previous books in The Wyattsville Series, while introducing the reader to a cast of new characters who are just as memorable. With a rich description of the time period and setting, and a inspirational story that makes the reader ponder about one of the most difficult time periods in our nation, author Bette Lee Crosby weaves a compelling and emotional story with a thoughtful message that will resonate with the reader for quite some time.

Passing through Perfect is an amazing story of love, loss, family, faith, and trust.


RATING: 5 STARS 

                                  

About The Author

BETTE LEE CROSBY, USA BESTSELLING AUTHOR

Award-winning novelist Bette Lee Crosby brings the wit and wisdom of her Southern Mama to works of fiction—the result is a delightful blend of humor, mystery and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.

“Storytelling is in my blood,” Crosby laughingly admits, “My mom was not a writer, but she was a captivating storyteller, so I find myself using bits and pieces of her voice in most everything I write.”

Crosby’s work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. Since then, she has gone on to win another seventeen literary awards, including the Royal Palm Literary Award, The Reviewer’s Choice Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal and the Reader’s Favorite International Book Award Gold Medal.

Her published novels to date are: Cracks in the Sidewalk (2009), Spare Change (2011), The Twelfth Child (2012), Cupid’s Christmas (2012), What Matters Most (2013), Jubilee’s Journey (2013), Previously Loved Treasures (2014) and Blueberry Hill, A Sister’s Story (2014). She also authored Life in the Land of IS a memoir of Lani Deauville, a woman the Guinness Book of Records lists as the world’s longest living quadriplegic.

Passing through Perfect, The Wyattsville Series Book 3 is scheduled for release on January 14, 2015.


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Overkill by Amy Saunders (Book Release Day Blitz Event / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book release day blitz event for Overkill by Author Amy Saunders!

About The Book

Overkill by Amy Saunders

Book 4: The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries Series

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing

Publication Date: January 13, 2015

Format: eBook - 186 pages

              Kindle - 2606 KB

              Nook - 276 KB

ASIN: B00OWGJ32O

BNID: 2940046370973

Genre: Cozy Mystery

BUY THE BOOK: Overkill

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BUY THE SERIES: The Belinda & Bennett Mysteries

Book 1: Cliffhanger

Book 2: Auf'd

Book 3: Drive-Bye

Book 4: Overkill

Short Story: Unexpected

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Book Description:

Summer in Portside: The beach! The gelato! The murder...

Belinda's peace from scandal and her grandmother is short-lived when a painting - and then a body - wash up on her favorite beach. As she and Bennett team with Det. Jonas Parker to figure out how the two connect, a possible art forgery comes to light - and another victim.

Belinda continues to grow into her new role as a part-time amateur detective, swimming through suspects and broken connections, while Bennett starts to rebuild his life, and Jonas breaks free from work to pursue a potential new romance.

With the heat of summer upon them, the future is more unpredictable than ever.

About The Author

Amy Saunders is a mystery lover with a soft spot for humor and romance–and the ocean. She lives in Massachusetts, and loves to bake and watch movies. She’s the author of one mystery series and three standalone mysteries. Learn more about Amy and her books at her website.


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 Overkill by Amy Saunders ~ Book Release Day Blitz Event Page

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Polished and Bubbly 

Jersey Girl Book Reviews 

Corazones Literarios 

Ski-Wee’s Book Corner 

The Curious Ginger Cat 

Authors and Readers Book Corner 

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Chick Lit Plus

New York Dolls by Catherine L. Hensley (Book Review)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for New York Dolls by Author Catherine L. Hensley!

Book Review

New York Dolls by Catherine L. Hensley

Publisher: 48fourteen Publishing

Publication Date: November 14, 2014

Format: Paperback - 278 pages

             Kindle - 4736 KB

             Nook - 10 MB

ISBN: 978-1937546397

ASIN: B00PGJ1S9M

BNID: 2940150532779

Genre: Chick Lit

BUY THE BOOK: New York Dolls

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

Book Description:

It’s Fashion Week in New York, and Denton Hodges just got her first big assignment for Glitter magazine.

Denton’s assignment: Get in the show at the posh Regency Viscount Hotel, and find a story. But a chance encounter with hard-partying starlet Amber Donovan forever changes the course of the night—and Denton’s life. After a night of being chased by the paparazzi, swimming in swag bags, and falling heart over heels for Hollywood hunk Chris West, Denton’s not just on the story. She is the story.

Suddenly, Denton’s no longer merely a low-level assistant. Amber’s latching on like a BFF from hell, Chris is flirting and cooking her dinner, and as Denton falls for the real people behind the tabloid screen, neither knows about her ties to Glitter. Only Denton holds the secret—or so she thinks. Is Anna Creel, Glitter’s icy beauty editor, on to her? Will Denton be able to write a story exposing her new friends? And is Chris more than just a friend, or did Glitter get the headline right—“Chris and Amber: Hot Nights!”?

Step into the spotlight, and peek beyond the red carpet in New York Dolls.


Book Excerpt:

I took Josie’s hand so as not to lose her to another bouncer this time. We made it onto the dance floor, weaving through the bumpers and grinders getting low, low, low. I spotted the doorway opening to the patio, finally, up ahead past the edge of the dance floor and to the side of the roped-off VIP area. Josie and I joined the line for the patio. Almost done, I kept thinking, like passing through this one final portal would be my rite of passage out of the tornado I’d gotten myself twisted up in. I wouldn’t have to lie that I’d been to the after-party. I could describe the scene, maybe see someone I recognized from the RV and get a quote. Or maybe Liz would buy an investigative journalism angle on this whole thing—“A Glitter World Exclusive: Reporter Denton Hodges Reveals Amber Donovan’s Hair Secret.” Play it like I was onto it all along.

And think of the material I could use—a puking Amber Donovan, needy, desperate, confused, not sure where she is or where she’s going, and Prince Charming Chris West, concerned, involved, pissed about having to make an appearance somewhere but willing to stay with you and make sure you’re all right, even giving you the shirt off his back. Who cares about what happened in between? I could take what I needed. This could be my exit—the patio outside and then a few slights of the pen. Waiting in that line, plotting so many ways to cover my ass and make it all neat and tidy, I felt dirty, and something more...something like...devious. For the first time since Liz had given me this assignment, I really felt like Anna Creel. Like I got the story, I did what I had to, and that’s all that matters, so go have a freaking fashionable night, because I’m...

“Denny!” MD was coming down the stairs from a VIP booth. “Oh my G!”

“Dee-Dee!” Amber pushed past the rope from the patio, tripping on her way toward me. Her purple wig had been replaced with a cherry-colored red one. “Oh my God, Dee-Dee! Where have you been? I neeeeeed you!”

“Anna?” That voice. I hope I’ll see you around.

I remembered his voice. He came up behind me and put his hand on my lower back. “Do you want to get out of here?” Why yes, Chris West, yes, actually I do. I don’t think I have the scoop on the story anymore. I am the story.

My Book Review:

As a Chick Lit fan, I am always looking to read a story that will let me escape into a world that has a good mixture of humor, romance, and drama, and New York Dolls is that book!

Author Catherine L. Hensley weaves an entertaining tale that follows the journey of Denton Hodges, an intern at Glitter magazine, who gets a chance to go behind the scenes of the Big Apple's fashion industry's famous annual Fashion Week in search of a story ... and boy does she get one ... staring herself! Sampling the glitz, glamour, and excitement of the annual week long event and rubbing elbows with stars is some heady stuff for Denton, and it kicks up into high gear when she finds herself in the center of a paparazzi frenzy when she befriends starlet Amber Donovan and falls head of heels for Hollywood hunk Chris West! But there is just one tiny problem ... her assignment to get gossip for Glitter ... so what's a girl to do when she has a secret that could expose her new found friends and cost her a chance at romance too?

New York Dolls was everything that I hoped it would be: a fun, sassy, romantic, humorous, and dramatic Chick Lit tale that easily drew me into Denton's story. The author provides the reader with quirky characters, a thoroughly entertaining storyline, and richly vivid descriptions of New York, and a behind the scenes look at the fashion industry and it's famous annual Fashion Week. This story reminded me a lot of The Devil Wears Prada, a movie/book that is one of my favorites, so I easily found myself hooked, amused, smiling, and laughing as Denton's story unfolded with a lot crazy drama, chaos, romance, and turmoil.

New York Dolls is a well written, lighthearted, and fun read, it has everything that Chick Lit fans could hope for and then some.


RATING: 4 STARS 

                                        

About The Author

Catherine L. Hensley is a professional freelance editor and writer. From fiction and nonfiction manuscripts to academic pieces, she provides an extensive range of copyediting, proofreading, content editing, and writing services to a wide variety of clients located around the United States and abroad.

A native of south Louisiana, Catherine received her master of arts degree in creative writing and media studies from New York University and her bachelor of arts degree in English from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, with minors in history and mass communication. Her writing has appeared in The Advocate (Louisiana’s largest newspaper), OT Practice magazine, Quiet Mountain: New Feminist Essays, and Mused, the BellaOnline Literary Review.


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Virtual Book Tour

 New York Dolls by Catherine L. Hensley ~ Virtual Book Tour Page

Tour Schedule:

January 5 - ChickLit Goddess – Excerpt
January 6 - Polishedand Bubbly- Review & Excerpt
January 7 - Mrs.Mommy Booknerd’s Book Reviews – Excerpt 
January 8 - Chick LitPlus – Review
January 9 - Reecas Pieces – Review 
January 12 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt
January 13 - The Phantom Paragrapher – Review
January 14 - Bookish - Review 
January 14 - Two Children and a Migraine – Review & excerpt 
January 15 - Book Suburbia- Excerpt 
January 16 - Ski-Wee’s Book Corner – Review & Excerpt
January 16 - Authors and Readers Book Corner – Excerpt

Moonlight and Oranges by Elise Stephens (Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Moonlight and Oranges by Author Elise Stephens!

Book Review

Moonlight and Oranges by Elise Stephens

Publisher: Booktrope Editions

Publication Date: November 1, 2011

Format: Paperback - 220 pages

              Kindle - 433 KB

ISBN: 978-1935961352

ASIN: B0065U78MC

Genre: Contemporary Romance

BUY THE BOOK: Moonlight and Oranges

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

Book Description:

A timeless tale of young romance.

Lorona Connelly is ready for a change from her carefully planned, bookish life. When sparks fly at a costume party, she embraces a chance for romance with the handsome Kestrin Feather. However, she quickly realizes that even love and destiny may not be enough to overcome the reality of an overprotective mother-in-law and Kestrin's long, tarnished history of relationships.

When Lorona's curiosity leads her to Kestrin's journal, doubt plagues them both with insecurities and threatens the relationship. Can true love overcome the odds, or was their whirlwind romance just a frivolous crush? Author Elise Stephens shares a journey of young love, fate, and wounded trust in the story of Lorona and Kestrin, a couple who must learn to overcome their fears to share a life together.


Book Excerpt:

Lorona rolled her eyes and surveyed the long line of girls fidgeting outside the tent. In a gust of alien tractor-beam light, the entrance flap jerked open and a huge woman in a swath of blood-red velvet swept majestically into view.

Behind her, a skull-sized crystal ball glowed on a pedestal. A slender girl with almost-white hair stood just inside the tent, clutching her purse. She smiled timidly at the imposing bulk of Madame Ovary’s enormous shadow before scuttling like a mouse freed from a trap and collapsed into the arms of her waiting boyfriend. She was whispering something into his ear energetically and Lorona looked away, groaning in disgust.

“Please tell me you know I don’t believe in any of this stuff.”

“Yeah? Well, neither do I.” Yuki shrugged with exaggerated carelessness.

“What about the horoscopes you read in the newspaper?”

“I just think they’re quaint.” Yuki tried to laugh lightly, then said, “This will be a good distraction for you.” She grabbed Lorona’s elbow. “I’m taking you in whether you like it or not, babe.”

“She’ll just put bogus stuff in my head and then I’m supposed to believe that it’ll come true.”

Yuki took a clipboard from an attendant who wore smoky eyeliner. “Then why do the police hire psychics? Explain that.”

“I don’t know, but—”

“Do you want to know why I think you should see this psychic?” Yuki brandished a pen at Lorona like a wand. “Because I’m afraid you’ll get stuck in the past. I could see it in your eyes. If what she says is junk, it will at least make you think of the future.”

“Isn’t this a little premature? It’s not like I’ve been locking myself in my room and not eating.”

“Oh, but you were going to. I could see the ‘I’ll just have tea diet’ all over your face. I don’t need to be worrying about your health while I’m at work.”

Lorona felt her nostrils flaring.

“I know you.” Yuki thrust out her chin. “I might have psychic blood, too.”

Lorona looked at the clipboard and her subconscious thrust a new agitation to the surface. She knew why she didn’t want to see the fortune-teller. It made her think of Kestrin’s dream. Real or not, he was definitely submitting to its voice, and this made Lorona angry. An amorphous force was fencing her out and probably looking down at Kestrin right now and laughing.

Bizarre survey questions covered the clipboard, asking for her name, which she said was Martha Washington, and birth date, which she wrote truthfully but changed the year to make herself four-years-old, and then the questions turned to things like,

Have you seen any of the following animals cross your path with a high level of frequency (cat, dog, raven, owl)? and Have you ever woken with a sensation that you were not in control of your body?

Lorona drew a line down the “no” boxes.

Yuki snorted as she peeked over Lorona’s shoulder. “You’re impossible.”

Lorona handed the sheet to the attendant, who glanced at the answers before giving her a withering look.

“If that woman is a real psychic, she’ll know I’m lying,” Lorona muttered.

“If she’s a real psychic, she’ll give you what you deserve and scare your panties off,” Yuki whispered back.

“I went commando today. Too bad for her.”

They were both snickering when the tent opened and Madame Ovary practically threw her client out. The girl never stopped running. She skirted the crowd and vanished, her face round and white as a full moon.

“Next,” Madame Ovary boomed, her eyes roaming the line. She raised a finger and pointed, not to the first in line, but farther down, near where Yuki and Lorona stood at the end.

“What did she just say?” Lorona whispered.

The assistant examined the list on her clipboard quizzically as Madame Ovary stared right at Lorona. Lorona’s Adam’s apple froze into a lump of ice. Yuki turned to a pillar of stone beside her, pinned under the same burning glower.

“You’re here for your fortune, yes?” the psychic said, clearly addressing her.

“Uh, yes,” Lorona managed in a voice that was not nearly as skeptical as she’d planned.

Madame Ovary crooked her finger.

Dragging their feet, Lorona and Yuki filed past the column of eight girls, ignoring the glares for line-cutting. Yuki squeezed Lorona’s hand tighter and tighter with each step.

“Just you,” Madame Ovary ordered Lorona. “Your friend can wait outside.”

Yuki throttled her hand and all five of Lorona’s knuckles popped. She slipped gratefully away as the tent flaps fell and whispered to Lorona, “I’ll be right outside.”

Madame Ovary turned to face Lorona, her giant shoulders silhouetted by the glow of her crystal orb. She didn’t smile or say a word. She just stared at her.

My Book Review:

Moonlight and Oranges is a delightful modern day adaptation of the classical Greek mythology romance tale of Cupid and Psyche.

Author Elise Stephens weaves an enjoyable romantic story that seamlessly blends the timeless Greek classic with a modern twist. Set in Seattle, the reader follows the development of the romantic relationship of Lorona and Kestrin. Their relationship starts off with a whirlwind romance that quickly develops into passion, love, and a hasty elopement. But their marriage isn't perfect or strong enough to withstand a variety of trials and tribulations that stand in the way of true love. With a mixture of fear, doubt, secrets, lack of trust, betrayal, obstacles, intriguing twists and turns, and tough decisions, Lorona and Kestrin's love will be put to the test. Is Lorona and Kestrin's love and marriage strong enough to overcome the obstacles in their way, or will it tear them apart?

Moonlight and Oranges is an intriguing and complicated story full of emotion, passion, drama, and angst. It takes you on a roller coaster ride as Lorona and Kestrin's whirlwind relationship is put to the test time and time again. You can't help but get drawn into their story: opposites attract and fall in love, yet forces are trying to pull them apart. This story engages the reader in wondering if fate and destiny really had a hand in their relationship, and what's not to love about a great romance story intertwined with a timeless and classic Greek mythical tale that will capture the reader's attention from the beginning until the climatic ending? This is a well written and enjoyable story that will leave a smile on your face.


RATING: 4 STARS 

                                     

About The Author

Elise Stephens received the Eugene Van Buren Prize for Fiction from the University of Washington in 2007. Forecast is her second novel. Her first novel Moonlight and Oranges was a quarter-finalist for the 2011 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Her short fiction has appeared in the Unusual Stories anthology, as well as in multiple journals.

She lives in Seattle with her husband where they both enjoy swing dancing, eating tiramisu, and taking in local live theater.


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Win 1 of 2 eBook Copies of Forecast

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 Moonlight and Oranges by Elise Stephens ~ Virtual Book Tour Page

Tour Schedule:

January 5 - Polished and Bubbly – Review
January 5 - Reecas Pieces – Review
January 6 - Authorsand Readers Book Corner – Excerpt
January 7 - Chick LitPlus – Review
January 9 - Ski-Wee’sBook Corner – Excerpt
January 9 - Christy’s Written WordLove – Excerpt
January 12 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Me Tarzan You Jane by Camelia Miron Skiba (Book Review)

In association with AToMR PRomotions, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Me Tarzan You Jane by Author Camelia Miron Skiba!

Book Review

Me Tarzan You Jane by Camelia Miron Skiba

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing

Publication Date: December 6, 2014

Format: eBook - 270 pages

             Kindle - 3074 KB

ASIN: B00OPFMTDW

Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction

BUY THE BOOK: Me Tarzan You Jane

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by AToMR PRomotions.

Book Description:

Moving on doesn’t always have to mean goodbye.

Widowed makeup artist Jane Sullivan is more comfortable keeping her husband’s memory alive than dating a pool full of sharks. Ella, her 4 year-old daughter, is her whole world.

When Jane meets Lucas Oliver, famous cover model, it’s hate at first sight. His playboy persona rubs her the wrong way.

Accustomed to every woman fawning over him, Lucas is drawn to the shy, uncompromising single mom and completely melts at the sight of Ella. He is determined to convince Jane that sometimes a second chance can mend a broken heart.


Book Excerpt:

There’s a discomforting long moment of silence. Lucas searches my face with visible interest, lingering on my eyes and lips. I’m tempted to lick them but there isn’t an ounce of saliva left in my mouth. Then I panic, thinking maybe there’s chocolate in the corner of my mouth from the M&Ms I crunched on minutes ago—or worse, some between my teeth.

“Does it hurt?”

I scrunch my brows. “Excuse me?”

“Your head. Does it hurt from the eye-rolling you’ve practiced all evening?”

“Excuse me?” Why can’t I say something else? I mean, I consider myself a sharp girl, able to carry on a conversation without feeling like I’ve entered London’s fog, which is exactly how Lucas makes me feel. Besides, how in the world does he know I rolled my eyes when he was busy charming an entire room full of needy women? And how does he know I rolled my eyes at him?

“I saw you.” Lucas plants both feet apart, hands on his waist. “Not once have I looked your way without seeing those pretty eyes flip-flopping to the back of your head. Is this how you get your exercise?” His kiwi green eyes roam over me, stopping a moment longer on the line between my breasts, then come back to my face, one corner of his perky mouth slightly up. “You’re in great shape, I must say. Care to share how you do it? Your exercise, I mean. Maybe I won’t have to spend so much time in the gym to build these muscles.” As to emphasize his words Lucas flexes his chest.

Let’s get one thing straight: my instinct tells me Lucas Oliver is trouble. From the moment I first heard his name until he made an appearance, he was a pretty face everyone drooled over. Seeing him among women, rubbing against them, sharing kisses as if they were the Sunday morning’s newspapers, and throwing his arms around anyone willing to share more than bodily odors confirm my first impression that the guy is nothing but a pretty face.

“You know what?” I place my left palm over my chest, “I’ve no idea what you’re talking about. In fact, I don’t even know who you are and so, if you’ll excuse me, I must go.”

Lucas’ grin widens. “You don’t know who I am or you pretend not to know?”

My Book Review:

Me Tarzan You Jane is a delightful story of love lost, found, and second chances. Author Camelia Miron Skiba weaves a sweet tale of an unlikely romance between a widowed single mother and a cocky and conceited cover model.

Widow Jane Sullivan is a make up artist, aspiring writer, and single mother to adorable four year old Ella. Jane lost her husband who was her soul mate four years ago, and since then her world has revolved around taking care of her daughter. She believes that a person only gets one true love in their life, and she doesn't believe in second chances.

Lucas Oliver is a cocky, smug, flirtatious, and famous playboy cover model who is used to women falling all over themselves for his attention.

Jane meets Lucas when she attends a writers convention, and for Jane it is dislike at first sight. But Lucas is drawn to Jane because she doesn't swoon all over him like the other women. A friendship slowly develops between Jane and Lucas when fate keeps bringing them together. Jane begins to see Lucas in a different light when she sees how he interacts with her daughter Ella. As feelings develop between Jane and Lucas, can their blossoming romance lead to a second chance at love?

Me Tarzan You Jane is an wonderful romantic story that easily draws the reader into Jane and Lucas' story. You can't help but get caught up in their story as it slowly unfolds from an uneasy start and develops into a friendship and slow budding romance with the help of an adorable little four year old girl who helps break down the walls around her mother's heart. I loved the sassy interactions and obvious chemistry between Jane and Lucas, and who wouldn't fall in love with an adorable little girl who simply melts everyone's heart? I loved that the author portrays Jane as a strong woman who is still vulnerable, and how Lucas' cocky personality changed as he worked so hard to make Jane open up her heart to him, and show her that she can have a second chance at love.

Through the trials and tribulations that Jane and Lucas endure on their journey, the reader will thoroughly enjoy following the development of their romantic relationship. With a fun cast of characters; witty dialogue and dramatic interactions; passionate romance; richly descriptive settings; and a light-hearted romantic storyline; Me Tarzan You Jane is a feel-good second chance romance story that will melt your heart and leave a smile on your face.


RATING: 4 STARS 

                                   

About The Author

I WRITE. I LIVE. I LOVE. I DREAM. I WRITE.

I’m a dreamer

I’m a sinner

I love my books

I conjure hooks And heroes with good looks

Romance is my guilty pleasure

Taking me to places with new decor

Come join me if you dare

I promise not to bore

If you like to read my stories

Pray my husband continues snorin’

For he’s the one who keeps me up at night

When I give my heroes wings and flight.


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Tour Schedule

 Me Tarzan You Jane by Camelia Miron Skiba ~ Virtual Book Tour Page

Milked by Lisa Doyle (Book Review)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Milked by Author Lisa Doyle!

Book Review

Milked by Lisa Doyle

Publisher: Simon & Fig

Publication Date: November 21, 2014

Format: Paperback - 308 pages

             Kindle - 994 KB

             Nook - 357 KB

ISBN: 978-0985352080

ASIN: B00OGNOWY2

BNID: 2940150533639

Genre: Chick Lit / Women's Fiction

BUY THE BOOK: Milked

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

Book Description:

By and large, Amanda Keane makes pretty good decisions. Okay, she might not have the best taste in men, but she’s got great friends, a good job, and an independent spirit. That is, until her 30th birthday ushers in a whirlwind romance with a sexy Irish musician who leaves her, not at the altar as she imagined, but accidentally pregnant. And when he disappears, she’s downsized out of a job, her apartment is robbed, and lapsed health insurance coverage leaves her with a C-section to pay for, Amanda is launched headfirst into the life of a broke single mom. But her friend and uber successful ob-gyn, Joy, clues her in to an unlikely temp position with one of Chicago’s celebrity elite that just may be the answer to all her woes. Or could it be just the beginning?

It’s with serious trepidation that Amanda embarks on her surprisingly lucrative new career: underground wet nurse to the offspring of Chi-town’s rich and famous. Amanda must quickly understand how to live at the whims and mercy of the one percent as she deals with the irony of nursing – and loving – someone else’s child, while still making ends meet for her own daughter. And then there’s Cute Daycare Dad (aka Dan), who’s obviously interested in her. But can she afford to tell him what she really does for a living? Is her new job (something she thought went out with the 19th century) a shameful thing? Just another way of selling her body? Or does it have something to teach her after all?

A novel of motherhood, its many demands, and all the little triumphs along the way, Milked is a warm and witty debut about making tough choices and traveling the roundabout road to happiness.


My Book Review:

Milked is an entertaining story that follows thirty year old Amanda Keane as she embarks on a new journey when her life takes an unexpected turn.

Author Lisa Doyle weaves a humorous debut tale set in Chicago that follows Amanda Keane as her life unexpectedly changes after a whirlwind and short lived romance with a sexy Irishman, who leaves her alone and pregnant. Faced with the reality of motherhood and other trials and tribulations that befall her, Amanda embarks on a life-changing journey filled with choices, decisions, and stability, along the road to happiness.

Milked was such a fun book to read, it had a little bit of everything: steamy romance, friendships, and the realistic daily trials and tribulations in life and parenthood, that easily kept me engaged and following Amanda's journey. I loved the author's easy style of wit and humor that she used to weave a realistic tale of motherhood and living one's life as best as you can (even with Amanda's new career as a Chicago society wet nurse) that readers could easily relate to. The author does a wonderful job of touching upon the variety of issues that arise with motherhood and how to overcome them, finding romance, and learning from life's experiences and lessons with humor and thoughtfulness.

With a delightful cast of characters; witty dialogue and humorous interactions; a nice mixture of drama and romance; a rich description of the setting that transports the reader to the heart of Chicago; and an entertaining storyline filled with intriguing twists and turns; Milked is a delightful story that will leave a smile on your face!


RATING; 4 STARS 
                                     

About The Author

Lisa Doyle is a communications manager and freelance writer based in the Chicago area. A native of Hinsdale, Illinois and a graduate of Miami University, she spent several years editing business-to-business publications for the personal care industry before moving to the nonprofit sector, and currently works in advocacy for homeless families at Bridge Communities in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She has written for major beauty trade publications (Global Cosmetic Industry, Skin Inc, Salon Today, Modern Salon, Renew, Suburban Life) and is a contributor to WOMEN REINVENTED: TRUE STORIES OF EMPOWERMENT AND CHANGE (LaChance Publishing, 2010). Doyle is represented by Claire Anderson-Wheeler of Regal Literary, Inc., a full-service agency based in New York.


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Virtual Book Tour

 Milked by Lisa Doyle ~ Virtual Book Tour Page

Tour Schedule:

January 5 - Lost in Literature
January 6 - TheEast Village
January 7 – Chick LitPlus
January 9 - Jersey Girl Book Reviews
January 12 - The World As I See It
January 12 - The Book Chic