Review: Lying to Meet You by Anna Garner

Does being in a relationship make you a hot commodity in the eyes of would-be suitors?

Chloe Lane is about to find out. When her childhood pal, Ethan Webster, asks her to play the part of his girlfriend in order to test this theory, she reluctantly agrees. As a work-crazed fashion designer, boutique owner and soon-to-be reality show judge, Chloe has no time for a real boyfriend, but being part of a faux pair will do just fine. Not that she has any intention of trying to attract someone else.
However…

Opportunity unexpectedly knocks when Chloe meets fellow reality judge, William Shannon. Super successful and super sexy, this entrepreneur inspires Chloe to test Ethan’s theory herself. Now, on top of keeping her fashion business productive, carving out a new role as a television personality, maintaining a fake relationship and attempting to lay the groundwork for a future relationship, she’s lying to William, lying to her friends, lying to her family and quite possibly lying to herself. Will Chloe be able to keep it all together, or are things about to explode?


I fell in love with author Libby Mercer's work last year, finding her sweet romantic tales to be endearing and utterly charming.  Libby is the pen name for Anna Garner and she is releasing her first chick lit novel under her real name.  I'm very pleased that Anna continues on with the streak of "add to your list of books to read" as Lying to Meet You was fantastic. 

Our adorable heroine is Chloe Lane, her professional life too hectic to find time to fit in a love life and doing okay without one.  Enter lifelong friend, Ethan Webster, with a wacky idea - pretend to be in a relationship together to test the theory that being taken makes you more attractive to a third party.  Ethan is hoping to attract the eye of a co-worker and this the perfect plan.  Chloe gamely goes along, but finds herself having her own radar pinged by a fellow judge on a reality show, William Shannon. The hijinks that ensue are laugh out loud and exactly what you are hoping to read in a chick lit book.  Complete with charming suitors, mishaps, entertaining characters, and some hilarious moments during karaoke this is a solid novel from start to finish.  Whether she is writing as Libby Mercer or under her own name, Anna Garner does not disappoint with her zest for a fun book that will leave you smiling for hours after you read.



About the Author:

Born and raised in the Midwest, Anna Garner's adventurous spirit kicked in after graduating from high school, and she's since lived in Boston, NYC and London. For several years, Anna worked in fashion--first as a journalist and then as a shopkeeper, and for a while she dabbled in design. Although chick lit was her first love, Anna started writing quirky romances, and her first one, Fashioning a Romance, was published in May 2012 under the name of Libby Mercer. This was followed by two more quirky romances: Unmasking Maya and The Karmic Connection. Since Lying to Meet You is written in old school chick lit style and isn't a clear cut love story, Anna decided to publish it under her real name. She currently lives in San Francisco and spends most of her time cranking out more stories.

http://libby-mercer.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAnnaGarner

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18211375-lying-to-meet-you?ac=1

Review: Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr

What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. 

A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read Bridget Jones’s Diary, Kim, with her blog, "Pastel is the New Black," has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that "chick lit is dead" once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. 

While Kim's day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick-lit scene with a hot new book that's turning heads--and pages--across the land. It's also popped into Kim's inbox--for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim's coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.

 

Meredith Schorr is back with her third novel, "Blogger Girl", and I think it is my favorite to date. Book blogger Kimberly Long is an absolutely charming lead character that kept me invested in her story from page one. A little neurotic and a lot of fun, Kimberly navigates through her lackluster day job while maintaining a successful blog and carrying on a crush on her co-worker, Nicholas. The news that high school nemesis, Hannah, has a hot new chick lit book coming out is not exactly welcome news.  While trying to gracefully handle some serous bouts of insecurity, Kim has to figure out what it is she truly wants in life before she loses everything she has fought for.

Meredith Schorr is such a witty author that brings heart and humor to every story she tells.  Her characters are always a delight to get to know and this book was no exception.  There are well developed supporting characters that don't overpower the main story of Kim and her journey.  I love the strong friendships that Meredith writes about in her novels and a love interest that will make you smile. I just flipped back through "Blogger Girl" again to see if there was anything that I would say I wish was different and absolutely nothing.  This was a solid book from start to finish, highly entertaining and difficult to put down.  Even the books that are reviewed within the book were compelling.  And you will never think about The Beatles "Penny Lane" the same again.

Cover Reveal: Blogger Girl by Meredith Schorr!!

I am so absolutely thrilled to get to share with you the cover for Meredith Schorr's upcoming novel, Blogger Girl!!  When I first started to do reviews, Meredith's debut novel, Just Friends With Benefits, was among the very first books that I reviewed and absolutely adored it.  Since then, Meredith has released A State of Jane, which continued the trend of fabulous reads out of Meredith.  Now her third novel is getting ready to come out and I think you are going to LOVE it! (I know that I loved it!)

Without further ado, get your ooh's and aah's ready....

What happens when your high school nemesis becomes the shining star in a universe you pretty much saved? Book blogger Kimberly Long is about to find out. 

A chick lit enthusiast since the first time she read Bridget Jones’s Diary, Kim, with her blog, "Pastel is the New Black," has worked tirelessly by night to keep the genre alive, and help squash the claim that "chick lit is dead" once and for all. Not bad for a woman who by day ekes out a meager living as a pretty, and pretty-much-nameless, legal secretary in a Manhattan law firm. 

While Kim's day job holds no passion for her, the handsome (and shaving challenged) associate down the hall is another story. Yet another story is that Hannah Marshak, one of her most hated high school classmates, has now popped onto the chick-lit scene with a hot new book that's turning heads--and pages--across the land. It's also popped into Kim's inbox--for review. With their ten-year high school reunion drawing near, Kim's coming close to combustion over the hype about Hannah’s book. And as everyone around her seems to be moving on and up, she begins to question whether being a “blogger girl” makes the grade in her off-line life.

A born and bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to, and was famous among her friends for writing witty birthday cards. After trying her hand writing children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing “real” chick lit for real women.  When Meredith is not hard at work on her current work in progress, she spends her days as a trademark paralegal.  Meredith is a loyal New York Yankees fan and an avid runner.  Blogger Girl is her third novel.

Cover Reveal: UNBREAKABLE BONDS by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

I'm pleased to share with you the cover for the upcoming release of UNBREAKABLE BONDS by a new author that I have found and adore, Carolyn Ridder Aspenson.  I loved the cover for the first book in the series, UNFINISHED BUSINESS, but LOVE the second cover even more!

Unbreakable Bonds

An Angela Panther Novel

By

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson

When Angela's best friend Mel thinks her husband is having an affair, she turns to Angela for help.   The two come up with the perfect plan to catch him in the act but to make it work, they'll need help from Angela's mother, Fran.

There's just one teeny, little problem.

Fran's dead.

And since Angela's psychic gift is currently out of service, connecting with Fran is a little complicated.

While Angela searches for a way to fix her psychic radar Fran and a multitude of other ghosts continue to try to make a connection. And it's driving Angela crazy.

But Fran won't let her daughter's problem stop her from helping someone she loves and she sets out to catch the cheater on her own, using a few tricks and tools from the afterlife to get it done.

Book two of the Angela Panther series will be available November, 2013 in e-book and paperback.

For more information

Visit

 www.facebook.com/unfinishedbusiness

www.carolynridderaspenson.com

Follow Carolyn on Twitter

@awritingwoman

Win a free e-copy of the first book in the Angela Panther Series,

Unfinished Business

An Angela Panther Novel

Share this blog post on twitter and be sure to "@" @writingwoman

or

Share it on Facebok and tag Carolyn RidderAspenson, Author in the post

Enter every day until August 15th!

One random reader who signs up for Carolyn's newsletter on her website will be drawn to win a copy as well. 

Blurb for first book, Unfinished Business An Angela Panther Novel (so people know what it's about for the give away!) 

Unfinished Business

An Angela Panther Novel

Angela Panther is an ordinary stay at home mom with a satisfying, albeit slightly mundane life.

Things get a little crazy for Angela when her mother dies and comes back as a ghost.

 It seems Fran's got some unfinished business on earth and she's determined to get it done, no matter what.

 But Fran's not the only ghost with unfinished business and her return opens a portal between Angela and the afterlife. Now every Tom, Dick and Harry ghost around comes knockin' on Angela's psychic door, looking for help.

 And it's a pain in the butt.

 Having her mother around is a double-edged sword for Angela. On the one hand, she's glad to still have the connection but on the other, death has given Fran some annoying abilities and she's seriously trying Angela's patience.

 When Fran tells Angela her teenage daughter Emily is in trouble, Angela decides to let her mother use her ghostly skills to keep tabs on the girl. 

 Well, not all of her ghostly skills.

 But that doesn't stop Fran from causing a little trouble - just to protect her granddaughter, of course.

 Now Angela has to find a way to keep her old life in tact and help the dead with their unfinished business, all while trying to keep her mother out of trouble.

 And it's a lot for one woman to handle. 

IF by any chance, you still aren't sold on UNBREAKABLE BONDS, then check out the snazzy book trailer!  It is fabulous!

 

Cover Reveal for Sulekiha Snyder's BOLLYWOOD AND THE BEAST

One of my dearest friends, Suleikha Snyder, has just revealed the cover for her new novel coming out in February 2014, BOLLYWOOD AND THE BEAST.

It is all sorts of gorgeous and I cannot wait to read this book!

Bollywood and the Beast is the story of American-born ingenue Rakhee "Rocky" Varma, who just wants to make a name for herself in Bollywood films, and former action star Aslam Khan, whose name is only whispered in passing — as if he's as dead as his career.

When Aslam's troubled brother, Ashraf (last glimpsed in Spice and Secrets) brings costar Rocky home during a location shoot, it's far from a fairy-tale beginning. Aslam is emotionally and physically scarred, Rocky doesn't put up with jerks, and Ashraf...he has his own problems that worry, and bond, the people he cares for.


Please swing by her blog and share all the squee in the world over how gorgeous this cover is!!

http://www.suleikhasnyder.com/2013/08/cover-reveal-bollywood-and-beast.html

I did a guest post!!

My fabulous friend and author, Meredith Schorr, in anticipation of her upcoming release of BLOGGER GIRL hosted a Celebration of Bloggers Tour.  I'm so honored that she asked me to participate and that I was included amongst some of the best bloggers out there today!

Come check out my confession!


Thank you for having me participate, Meredith!! And I am looking forward to not only sharing your cover reveal, but my review of this entertaining book as well!!

Happy First Book Anniversary to BREAKING THE RULES!

One of my favorite reads from last year, BREAKING THE RULES, is turning the big ONE! And the lovely author, Cat Lavoie, is hosting a giveaway that could win you a $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Go enter here: Giveaway: Breaking The Rules Birthday Bash and if you want a seriously fun read, definitely check out this fabulous book!

Amazon Link

BREAKING THE RULES 

When Roxy Rule’s best friend accepts a glamorous new job overseas, she expects their relationship to continue as it’s always been—carefree and easy—until they share a heart-stopping kiss.

While Ollie flees to jolly ole England to live out his dream, Roxy is stuck in New York City working for a boss who makes her want to stab herself with a letter opener. But Roxy’s sure that nothing can come between two lifelong best friends—not even mild jealousy over Ollie’s thriving career or a silly little kiss that meant nothing.

Roxy is faced with an unexpected family reunion when her younger sister Steffi arrives on her doorstep, six months into a pregnancy she refuses to discuss. When older sister Izzie joins them, she’s determined to crack the case of Steffi’s impending motherhood. With the Rule sisters living under the same roof again, Roxy’s quiet little apartment in the city is about to be anything but peaceful.

When she discovers that her seemingly idyllic relationship with Ollie started getting complicated way before he left for London, Roxy must come to terms with her feelings for him, learn to stand up for herself and go after what she really wants.