Review: The Bookshop by the Bay by Pamela Kelley

 

About the Book

Review: The Little Bookshop on the Seine by Rebecca Raisin (Blog Tour)

Review: Glass Slippers, Ever After and Me by Julie Wright

Blog Tour: 16 Millimeters: A Maizie Albright Humorous Mystery by Larissa Reinhart (Review/Tour-Wide Giveaway)

About the Book

16 Millimeters: A Maizie Albright Humorous Mystery
Cozy Mystery/Romance
2nd in Series
Past Perfect Press (October 17, 2017)
Print Length: 320 pages
Kindle ASIN: B074TW9MZ8

Review: Crazy Little Thing by Tracy Brogan

Genre:
Women’s Fiction, Chick Lit

Format:
Audio

Publisher:
Brilliance Audio

Release Date:
October 2012

Review: Plan Bea by Hilary Grossman

Genre:
Chick Lit, Women’s Fiction

Format:
E-ARC

Publisher:
Booktrope Editions

Release Date:
October 2015

Review/Giveaway: Clutch by Lisa Becker

About the Book

Genre:  Chick Lit
Publisher:  Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Release Date:  October 2015

Review: Mistletoe in Manhattan: A Christmas Story by Talli Roland

Genre:
Romance, Chick Lit

Format:
E-Book

Publisher:
Notting Hill Press

Release Date:
November 2012

Review/Giveaway: Save the Date by Mary Kay Andrews

Genre:
Chick Lit, Women’s Fiction, Romance

Format:
NetGalley

Publisher:
St. Martin’s Press

Release date:
June 2014

Review: The Star Attraction by Alison Sweeney

Genre:
Chick Lit, Romance

Publisher:
Hyperion

Format:
E-Book

Release Date:
May 2013







LA publicist, Sophie Atwater, is one very busy lady. She’s juggling a high-pressure career, a relationship and now her latest client, sexy superstar Billy Fox. Sophie loves everything about her life, especially her exciting career – escorting celebrities on the red carpet, going to interviews and fundraisers.

When Sophie is assigned a new client, the hot actor Billy Fox, things start to change. Suddenly she’s not happy with her banker boyfriend, Jacob, and is more than a little flattered when Billy flirts with her. Unfortunately, after one kiss, the news gets out that Sophie is having an affair with her client and that’s a big no-no at Sophie’s company. Of course Jacob isn’t too thrilled either.

This is a fun summer read. It’s filled with misunderstandings, romance, LOL antics and even a little drama tossed in. The Star Attraction is a fast-paced book that will keep you laughing and smiling, although I must admit that sometimes Sophie’s decisions made me shake my head in disbelief. That often happens to me in chick lit books, though. Of course if the main characters did the right things all the time, there would be no story :)

The author is one of the stars of the daytime drama “Days of Our Lives”. She’s a great actress and now it looks as if she will have a nice career in fictional writing. This is her fiction debut and it’s off to a great start.

FTC Disclosure: Ashley from Triple 7 Public Relations provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Blog Tour: Primetime Princess by Lindy DeKoven (Review)

About the Book

High heels, hijinks, and head honchos in Hollywood

Alexa Ross has risen to the top of the Hollywood boys’ club. As the vice president of comedy development at Hawkeye Broadcasting System, Alexa has put her early years working as an assistant to Jerry Kellner, her sex-crazed former boss, behind her.

However, nepotism lands Jerry a plum spot at HBS…reporting to Alexa! Soon Jerry’s malicious behavior is destroying everything good in Alexa’s life, from the young student she tutors to the romance she thought she’d never find. Can Alexa win the battle for ratings and break through the glass ceiling, even if it destroys her—and everything she loves?

Sharp, witty, and heartwarming, Primetime Princess is an unforgettable sneak peek into the exclusive behind-the-scenes drama that occurs over the course of one TV development season.

Buy LINK

Amazon

My Review

Alexa Ross is one tough cookie and she intends to make it to the top of the heap at the HBS TV Network.  She's on her way to a major promotion until her former boss is given a position working for her.  The guy is a real sleaze and takes every opportunity to undermine her success.  It just makes Alexa more determined than ever to succeed.

Along the way Alexa volunteers to tutor a student and falls in love with a teacher.  It's difficult to juggle a high pressure career with a romance with someone not in the business.  It's more than just a bumpy ride for Alexa and Gordon.

Although the book started off a bit slow, it picked up right away and kept on going.  With the author's background in network TV, she is obviously writing with from her own personal knowledge and experience in the field.  She describes everything in a way that makes the reader feel as if they are right there on the studio floor.

She also points out how difficult it is for women to crack into the Hollywood "Boys Club", although I do believe it's that way in many other types of business too.

Readers will feel strongly for Alexa and cheer her on, but it's not an easy road.  I would love to read a sequel to this book.

FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Lindy DeKoven is a seasoned television executive, producer and author. As Executive Vice President of Movies and Miniseries for NBC Entertainment and NBC Productions, DeKoven oversaw projects such as the Emmy award-winning "Merlin," "Gulliver's Travels," "The Odyssey," "Serving In Silence," as well as "A Woman of Independent Means," "The 60's," "Noah's Ark," "The Temptations," and "Crime & Punishment," and many more.

DeKoven has served as a television executive at Disney and Warner Brothers and was Executive Producer of a CBS sitcom and numerous comedy and drama pilots under a deal at CBS/Paramount. She was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the California Commission on the Status of Women, which she chaired for several years, and to the California Film Commission, where she continues to serve.

DeKoven sat on the Board of the Governor and First Lady's Women's Conference of California, the Koreh LA Literacy Group, the Museum of Television Executive Roundtable, The AFI Second Decade Council, The AFI Women's Directing Workshop Advisory Committee, Hollywood Radio & Television Society, and the Women in Film Executive Committee. She is currently featured in the documentary film "Miss Representation" and recently released her debut fiction novel, PRIMETIME PRINCESS.

Blog Tour: Down and Out in Beverly Heels by Kathryn Leigh Scott (Review and Interview)

About the Book

Meg Barnes, a beloved actress for her role as TV detective Jinx Forgarty,  has it all but thanks to her newlywed con-man  husband,  loses everything and ends up living on the streets of Tinsel Town in her Ritz-Volvo. This fun, light-hearted romance takes us into the Hollywood social swirl, but also delves into the gritty truth of what it is to be “homeless and hiding it” in one of the most glittering, fashionable cities in the world. It’s also a story of redemption with a “Thelma and Louise” twist as Meg, incorporating skills she learned as a TV detective, tracks down her fugitive husband and struggles to regain her reputation, career and friendships.

My Review

I adored Meg and her interactions with the handsome FBI agent, Jack Mitchell, and her new found friend Donna.  There were so many well-crafted scenes that it actually made you feel as if you were standing right by Meg's side throughout her ordeal.  There is the perfect blend of mystery, romance and humor throughout the story.

The author is a former actress so all the entertainment references feel very realistic and she clearly knows her stuff.  This is a fun book that keeps you guessing and has you laughing at the same time.   It makes for great summer reading, but will lighten your mood at any time of the year.  I hear there's a sequel in the works and I'm ready to join Meg Barnes for another adventure.

Purchase your copy at AMAZON.

FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Book Excerpt

Excerpted from Down and Out in Beverly Heels by Kathryn Leigh Scott, © Montlake Romance 2013

Actress Meg Barnes, homeless and living in her car, hopes to spend the night in a safer place than parked at the curb of a local park for the night. She needs a good night’s sleep because she’s got a job guest-starring in a TV pilot.

I park up the street in a cul de sac off the main road. Then, my overnight bag slung on my shoulder, I slip through a break in a boxwood hedge. In the shadow of a sycamore tree, I pause, listening to the sounds of the night. The lights are off in Marjorie Singleton’s house, my benefactor tucked in for the night. I don’t know Marjorie well, though whenever I voted, it was in Marjorie’s clean, spacious garage, her Bentley parked on the street to make way for a bank of polling booths on election day. I’m sure Marjorie, if she knew, would be only too happy to extend a neighborly welcome to me.

It’s Wednesday: Marjorie’s son, who lives in Encino, is home with his family and won’t stop by again until Friday afternoon, when he’ll bring her Chinese takeaway. I know the rituals; I’ve watched Jake Singleton come and go. This is a safe night, and all is quiet.

I follow the flagstone walkway around the swimming pool, past the rose bed, and turn the knob on the side door to the garage. It’s unlocked, as usual. Inside, I slip quietly along the west wall to the workbench Marjorie’s long-dead husband built, and set down my carryall. I plug my laptop and cellphone into a wall outlet to top up, then move through the darkness to Marjorie’s Bentley. She rarely drives it anymore.

I toss my sleeping bag into the back seat. Tonight I can pack in a good six hours and be gone before the gardeners arrive. On those nights when I’ve had to spend the night in my own car, I remain fully clothed, doors locked, windows open no more than a finger-tip wide.

Usually I find a spot on the street around Holmby Park, the gates to Aaron Spelling’s mansion within spitting distance. Should his ghostly presence be hovering above his former abode, I can imagine his bemusement seeing me camping out a stone’s throw from his old bedroom window. I still get residuals from his shows, blessed checks from repeats of mindless fluff that pay my car insurance and buy me another month at the health club. But those nights parked on the street, hiding under spread newspapers, even with the tinted windows, are the tough ones, the only time it really hits me that I’m homeless.

More accurately, I am without a home. I am not actually a Homeless Person. I always manage to have a roof over my head, even if it comes with four wheels and a dashboard. I’m not a bag lady, a bum. I’m not a thief, though I suppose I’ve stolen a few pennies’ worth of kilowatt juice from Marjorie. But the back seat of an old lady’s car is only temporary accommodation, not Home, Sweet Home. I awaken too often in the night, dozing more often than sleeping.

I slide my legs deeper into my sleeping bag and hug my arms for warmth, trying to stop the rat-wheel of worry spinning in my head. I am far from complacent about the fix I’m in, yet I manage to drift off in welcome sleep.

Moments later—or is it hours?—I’m fully awake and alert, every fiber of my being a listening device. What is it? What did I hear? My heart bangs in my ears as I strain to sort out the sounds. The irrigation system kicking in? A squirrel on the roof?

Hearing footsteps falling softly on the flagstone walk, I slide free of my sleeping bag. Who’s coming for me? Who in hell knows I’m here? My fingers close around a small can of pepper spray. I don’t even know that the aerosol works. The container is old and I’ve never had occasion to test it.

The garage door scrapes open. A beam of light arcs across the windshield. A male voice booms. “C’mon out. Now!”

… It’s my Margot Kidder nightmare, a “caught-in-the-headlights” shot of myself disheveled, my arms clutching a sleeping bag, splashed on the cover of a supermarket tabloid: “Former ‘Holiday’ Star Down and Out in Beverly Hills!”

Tears sting my cheeks. Wouldn’t the paparazzi love this shot? Jinx, face puffy, mascara smudged, lurking in someone’s garage. I press my forehead into my sleeping bag, recalling poor Margot, missing her front teeth and in need of meds, cowering in someone’s backyard. What’s my excuse? If I’m busted now, it’s the end of my job next week, the end of pulling myself out of this confounding mess I’m in.

About the Author

Kathryn Leigh Scott is an actress, probably best known for creating the roles of Josette DuPres and Maggie Evans, the love interests of vampire Barnabas Collins in the cult classic TV show “Dark Shadows.” Down and Out in Beverly Heels is her second work of fiction. Scott wrote Dark Passages, a paranormal romance, with more than a passing nod to the ‘60s soap and she appeared in the Johnny Depp/Tim Burton film Dark Shadows last year.

Scott is currently at work on a sequel to Down and Out in Beverly Heels.

To learn more about Kathyrn, please visit www.kathrynleighscott.com .

Author Interview

Please join me in welcoming author and actress Kathryn Leigh Scott to Socrates’ Book Review Blog. Kathryn is the author of a new book, “Down and Out in Beverly Heels” and she starred in the 1960’s gothic drama “Dark Shadows”. It’s a pleasure to have you join us today.

1. I was a huge Dark Shadows’ fan back in the day, can you tell us a little bit about the book you wrote based on the show, “Return to Collinwood” ?

Return to Collinwood is only of several nonfiction books (Dark Shadows Memories, Dark Shadows Companion, Dark Shadows Almanac, Dark Shadows Movie Book, etc.) that I have written about the show "kids ran home from school to watch" from 1966-1970. I appeared in the very first episode in June 1966 and stayed with the series for almost its entire run, playing four different character, including Josette DuPres, the fiance of the vampire. I felt that I had probably said all I had to say about the show until Tim Burton invited four of the actors from the original series to join Johnny Depp in the Warner Bros. film, Dark Shadows. I decided to do a book that would encompass five decades of the show, including the NBC and WB reboots of the series, the CD audio dramas, the two original MGM features and the new film. I was so fortunate that Jonathan Frid (Barnabas Collins) was agreeable to writing a foreword for the book, his final piece of writing before his death in May 2012. I also prevailed upon my colleagues, Lara Parker (Angelique) and David Selby (Quentin Collins) to contribute pieces for the book. I am so pleased with the book and its huge success. I'm also grateful to Johnny, Tim and Warner Bros. for allowing us to use the photographs from the film.

2. Will there be more Dark Shadows’ based books?

In fact, I am writing a sequel to the novel, Dark Passages, which was published last year and is based on my experiences on the show. I joked that all the behind-the-scenes stories I couldn't relate in my nonfiction books, I poured into Dark Passages! The paranormal romance is truly written with a wink and a nod to "Dark Shadows." It's the story of a young ingenue who arrives in New York in the early '60s and is cast in a Gothic television soap that introduces a vampire... except she's a real vampire trying to pass for mortal and she falls in love with the British actor cast in the role of the vampire. Of course it's a humorous book, but also a coming-of-age story in which this young woman has to cope with being a vampire living in a world of mortals. After writing the sequel to Dark Passages, I may do another nonfiction "Dark Shadows" book to celebrate the 50th anniversary (!) of "Dark Shadows."

3. What made you go from actress to author?

Since I was a young girl, my twin career goals have always been acting and writing. I have been so lucky to work successfully at both. I won scholarships twice to study acting and I gained success in that career early on, so acting took precedence. Over the years I've written screenplays, magazine articles, short stores... if blogs had been around at the beginning of my career, I imagine I would have started out doing that! The turning point for me, when writing became a full fledged occupation, happened in 1985, coinciding with the deaths of Joel Crothers and Grayson Hall. I was asked to write a magazine article about these two beloved Dark Shadows actors and, once I turned in the piece, I just kept writing. It became my first book, My Scrapbook Memories of Dark Shadows. I've now completed two screenplays and have two other books in the pipeline... while also continuing my acting career.

4. Your latest book is quite a bit different than the gothic of Dark Shadows. “Down and Out in Beverly Heels” is a romantic mystery. How difficult is it to switch genres? Do you have a preference?

I'd been aching to write fiction, but did not find the transition from nonfiction easy. I abandoned several false attempts before finding my voice with Dark Passages. I tend to write in a humorous vein and once I tapped into it I had a great time. Down and Out in Beverly Heels is a funny book, although I deal with a serious topic: homelessness. I think the new term for homeless is "unhoused" and that accurately describes Meg's situation. She's lost her home, along with everything else, and is forced to live on the streets of Beverly Hills in what she calls her "Ritz-Volvo." The mystery involves tracking down her fugitive husband, who is the cause of her predicament. I have almost completed the sequel. I love the character and find her very challenging to write! However, I will continue to write nonfiction, as well.

5. Will there be more romance and mystery books in the near future? What can we look forward to in the future? Any sneak peeks?

Sequels to both Dark Passages and Down and Out in Beverly Heels are forthcoming. The two characters are so different and they live in two different time periods, so distinguishing between them is easy for me. Also, one is paranormal romance, the other mystery romance. It's also possible I'll write a stand-alone novel as I have a story in mind that takes place at the turn of the last century.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us.

Review: Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews

Genre:
Chick Lit, Women’s Fiction

Publisher:
Macmillan Audio

Release Date:
June 2012



Annajane Hudgens returns to Pascoe, North Carolina for the wedding of her ex-husband, Mason Bayless, to the beautiful Celia. She has no problems attending the wedding since they were divorced several years ago and she is now engaged to a wonderful man. She is planning to leave town with her fiancé in the very near future, with a new job and a new life. She’s very much over Mason…or so she thinks.

When Mason’s five year old daughter is stricken with appendicitis before the wedding vows can be exchanged, Annajane realizes that maybe her feelings for Mason aren’t a thing of the past. Perhaps this could be a second chance for them.

For years Annajane worked for the Bayless family-owned company, Quixie, and she loved every minute of it. It wasn’t easy for her to decide to leave town and her job, but she thought she needed some space between her and Mason. Now, with Mason’s daughter so ill, Annajane is drawn right back into the family fold. Half the Bayless family is thrilled while the other half – including Mason’s fiancé – want her gone… like yesterday.

However, Mason and Annajane’s feelings are rekindled and despite some outside interference, they intend to give themselves a second chance at happiness.

I listened to this one on audio and I absolutely loved it. What a fun book! The narrator, Kathleen McInerney, is wonderful. She drew me right in and I was never distracted. Sometimes listening to audios in the car can be distracting but not in this case. I grew to love some of the characters and hate others, but that’s how the reader is supposed to react to them.

I’ve listened to other books by this author before and her books are such a joy to listen to. It makes for a very relaxing drive.

I don’t usually rate audios with 5 kitties, but I’m going to do it with this one. I loved it too much not to give it 5 kitties!

FTC Disclosure: I took this audio out from the library for my own enjoyment. All opinions expressed are my own.

For reading challenges:
2013 Library Reading Challenge

A Life that Fits by Heather Wardell

Genre:
Romance, Chick Lit

Format:
EBook

Publisher:
Smashwords

Release Date:
May 2011

When twenty-eight year old Andrea returns from a business trip, she’s stunned when her boyfriend of fourteen years promptly dumps her for another woman. Her entire world is turned upside down. She can’t even go to work.

Finally, she pulls herself out of her depression with a life plan. She’s going to change her life totally around and be the exact opposite of what she is now. In the back of her mind, Andrea is convinced this will win Alex back. She changes her wardrobe to include more colorful clothes, she adds a few hobbies to her life including knitting and belly dancing and even adopts a cat. Andrea finds herself surrounded with new friends and she’s actually enjoying herself until she loses her job, but she somehow manages to get past that and get her career back on track.

At first I was a bit bothered that Andrea was so willing to be Alex’s doormat, but I kept reading and realized what a great story that shows a character growing from a weak, dependent girl to a strong, independent woman. There were many LOL moments as well as a few tears in Andrea’s journey of discovering her true inner self. This is a fast-paced read that will have readers cheering for Andrea to get the life she wants and deserves.

I’ve read a few books by Heather Wardell and she never disappoints. I still have a couple on my Nook that I intend to read. Her stories are light, cheery books that will make readers smile after the last page is finished.






FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Foxy’s Tale by Karen Cantwell and L.B. Gschwandtner

Genre:
Chick Lit, Young Adult, Romance, Paranormal

Format:
EBook

Publisher:
Novelette Books

Release Date:
March 2011

Single mom and former beauty queen, Foxy Anders, hasn’t had an easy life but she’s doing the best she can to make ends meet. After a messy divorce, she opens an antique shop in Washington D.C.’s fancy DuPont Circle. She hopes to sell her merchandise to the wealthy people living in the area.

Foxy’s teenaged daughter, Amanda, is sick and tired of her mother’s antics. Her mom does nothing that Amanda expects a mom to do like cook and take care of their house. To make matters even worse, Foxy goes on shopping sprees and spends money they don’t have. Amanda takes her frustrations out in her blog, where she lets her feelings be known to all…that is, if anyone is really reading it.

Things get really crazy when Foxy rents out two apartments in their building. One goes to Knot (pronounced Kuh-not) who becomes Foxy’s best salesman. Of course Knot has a few quirks of his own – he has a shoe fettish and has a thing for a wealthy political figure. The other apartment goes to Myron Standlish, an older Yiddish-speaking gentleman with a refrigerator full of bottles of blood.

When Amanda becomes involved with Nick, a fellow high school student, she’s shocked to see him being stalked by an older woman and Nick is doing nothing about it. She has to wonder if perhaps he’s interested in the older woman, but she’s stunned when she learns exactly how old this person is. She confides in Knot and Myron, since she’s convinced her mother’s failed love life wouldn’t be of any help.

Meanwhile, Foxy is going through her own romantic issues when she meets a guy she’s convinced is the man of her dreams. But, when she meets his fiancé, she knows she has once again made a bad choice in choosing men.

This is a cute book which has a little bit of everything – romance for adults as well as young adults, comedy, and a touch of paranormal. The book has characters you will really come to care about. I know I did. An old Yiddish vampire? Too funny. You might not want to read this one in public or people will wonder why you are laughing out loud. This is the first book of a series “The Reluctant Vampire” and I’m already looking forward to the next one.





FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Sunday Salon - Review: Hope in A Jar by Beth Harbison

Genre: Chick Lit

Allie Denty is shocked and hurt to discover her boyfriend sleeping with another woman. She wastes no time on kicking him out the door. She receives an invitation to her 20th high school reunion, which brings back all the memories of the mean girls at high school as well as the painful break up with her best friend, Olivia. The girls had a falling out and haven’t seen each other since. Today, Allie is a bit heavier and not feeling all that good about herself, but she attends the reunion anyway.

Olivia, who used to be a mousy girl but is now a successful beauty magazine editor, did not plan to attend the reunion. However, when she hears her mother is divorcing her fifth husband, Olivia decides to go anyway. Things are a bit awkward when she sees Allie.

Olivia and Allie put their differences aside when they learn a mutual high school friend is planning to marry one of the nasty girls from high school. This is one marriage they plan to stop.

I listened to the audio version of this one. It was a nice book to listen to in the car. The plot moved along well and I’m going to read more by this author. I have another book in my TBR and will eventually get to it. I enjoyed this.

Swapping Lives by Jane Green

Genre: Chick Lit

Victoria Townsley is the features director of one of England’s top magazines “Poise”. Her deepest desire is to marry and raise a family, but none of her relationships are cooperating in attaining her dreams.

Amber Winslow, a married woman with two children living in the United States, is bored. She wants more out of life besides being a wife and mother, especially when she has a nanny to care for her children. She spends most of her time hobnobbing with her wealthy friends.

Vicki comes up with a great idea, to swap lives with a married woman and get a taste of the life she so craves. After reading the entries of many married women, Vicki comes across Amber’s entry. She’d not only be living Amber’s life, but she’d have to go to the United States to do it. Both women are sure this is one adventure they can’t turn down.

Amber’s husband and children aren’t quite on board with the idea, but realize they don’t have much choice. The swap is made and each woman gets a taste of the life they want so much. However, is the grass really greener on the other side? The women are about to find out.

I listed to the audio version of this one. It’s another fun read. I enjoy listening to the audio versions of chick lit. It makes a great diversion on my way to work and helps me to unwind at the end of the day, too. I just have to remember to concentrate on the road. LOL

I’ve never read anything by Jane Green, but I’ve heard a lot about her and she’s definitely an author I’ll be watching in the future.

Rude Awakenings of A Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Genre: Time Travel, Chick Lit

Jane Mansfield wakes up in a strange new world. She sees a small screen featuring characters from what appears to be her favorite Jane Austen novel, “Pride and Prejudice”. She tries to get the characters’ attention, but they ignore her. Jane finds nothing familiar about her current circumstances. When strange people show up calling her “Courtney”, she really is confused.

Jane is thrown into Courtney’s life which consists of an ex-fiance who cheated on her, a couple of girlfriends desperately trying to protect her and a good male friend who deceived her. She doesn’t seem to have much trouble fitting in Courtney’s life, as she realizes Courtney must be living Jane’s life in the 19th century.

This is a fun sequel to Rigler’s Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict. It’s humorous as readers follow Jane around present day Los Angeles as she learns to drive a car and use a cell phone. She even manages to get a job. She quickly learns that the 21st century is much different than her own 19th century London. For one thing, the women wear scandalous clothes on the beach. Jane’s mother would be shocked if she could see her daughter now. I LOL when Jane loses electricity and becomes very stressed out about it. For someone who didn’t even know what electricity was just a few days prior, she sure got used to having it.

I listened to the audio version and I may want to read the print version someday. I liked how this book flowed and I enjoyed the storyline. It was a nice escape.

For reading challenge: Chick Lit Reading Challenge

The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow

Genre: Paranormal, Chick Lit

Molly Marx watches as her family and friends gather for a funeral. The big problem is that the funeral is hers and she’s stuck in someplace called Duration. She’s only 35 years old with a beautiful 4 year old daughter, Annabel and a plastic surgeon husband, Barry. This can’t be happening. How could she be dead?

That is the question Molly needs answered before she can truly rest in peace. The last thing she remembers is riding her bike and crashing. The police are considering suicide as a possibility, but Molly knows better. Someone killed her and she wants to know who.

Molly watches over her family and remembers some of the things that led her to this point. She knew her husband cheated, but she wasn’t the perfect wife either. She learns quite a bit from her new ghostly position and realizes she made her own share of mistakes. Her one true regret is leaving her daughter without a mother.

This is both a poignant and humorous read. There’s a nice blend of both aspects in this book. The characters are all well-developed and the story moves along smoothly. My only complaint, as an avid mystery lover, is that there wasn’t more mystery involved with who killed Molly. It almost became a footnote to the book instead of the main plot. However, it did work and it was an enjoyable read.

For reading challenges: Chick Lit