Dreamland Book Blog: Chick Lit

Wednesday, January 25, 2017 6 comments

Tuesday, September 06, 2016 No comments

Title: Textual Encounters

Author: Morgan Parker

Genre: Romance

Synopsis

Katie discovers an unlocked iPhone in the back seat of a taxi. But instead of turning it in to the driver as lost, she decides to keep it for herself. Outside of the usual clutter you would expect to find on a smartphone, what captures Katie's interest is the single conversation she finds on the phone's secure text messaging service, a three-month dialogue between a woman with an uncertain past named Christine and a single, eligible man named Jake. What starts out as a message intended for someone else ends up being the beginning of a relationship more powerful than anything Christine or Jake have ever experienced.

Author Bio:

Morgan Parker is the pen name of someone who thinks he is more important than he really is.

At 38 years old, Morgan has two young children and is married to a woman who puts up with his

self-diagnosed hypochondria and literary obsessions.

Excerpt

8:03pm:

Did Melissa tell you that Peter was abusive?

8:04pm:

Of course she didn’t, because she never knew that part of him.

8:05pm:

I bet she didn’t tell you that he doesn’t even know that I live in the same city as

he does. Of course she didn’t, because she never asked me about Peter when I

texted her two weeks ago.

11:38pm:

I’m curious, Jake. How did Peter come up in your conversation with Melissa?

Were you asking, or did she volunteer. Because if you were asking, then I have

to wonder why you never asked *me*.

11:40pm:

Because if you had asked me, this is what I would have told you:

11:43pm:

Peter and I met in high school. He was the greatest guy I’d ever met. Smart,

handsome, extremely charming. He was a year younger than me and all of the

girls in the school wanted to be with him. So to have him to myself, to have “won”

him, I felt pretty special.

11:45pm:

Anyway, Peter and I were together eight years. We tolerated each other through

my last year in high school and my four years of college. By the time I finished

my CPA, he hit me five times. He threatened to kill me six *thousand* times. I

guess it depends on who you ask, but that is either five times too many, or six

thousand times too many, but for me it was both.

11:48pm:

I moved to New York with him for two reasons. The first is that he proposed to

me once he was offered a job at Arthur Andersen and I was afraid to say no,

and the second is because I saw New York as my last and only opportunity for a

fresh start. In Chicago, I didn’t think I could break free the same way. He had so

many friends to keep an eye on me, he knew where to find me, etc.. So I tagged

along.

11:52pm:

Our first week in NYC, I had six interviews, three in one day, two the next and

the last one on Friday. I didn’t make the Friday interview because I was in the

hospital. When I showed up for the second round of interviews the following

week, I never heard back from two of them. I’m sure you can figure out why.

11:55pm:

When I met Melissa, I was still with Peter. It was optics by then, Jake. Of course

we were high school sweethearts. Of course I *loved* him more than anything.

Of course we were planning a huge wedding on Long Island, my dream wedding

that was *fit for a princess.* Of course we were trying to have children. And of

course Melissa saw two people madly in love with each other.

11:57pm:

That’s how these kinds of relationships work – all about what it *looked* like. I

didn’t want to make another trip to the hospital!

11:59pm:

When Andersen promoted Peter to Toronto, I promised him I would follow. Would

you have told him anything different?

12:01am:

I packed all of our stuff and shipped it out with him. Even my stuff because I was

allegedly on the verge of getting transferred myself. It was easier to have it there

waiting for me because then he knew I was serious about making the move,

right? And if he knew I was serious, he would give me the space I needed to find

my next job without telling him anything about it.

12:03am:

I had to take these kinds of steps because if Peter ever returned to NYC to hunt

me down, I couldn’t risk him walking down whatever street I decided to move to

and recognizing an old lampshade or anything else that I might put out for the

trash. Call me paranoid, but would you have taken that chance?

12:05am:

So to address your comment about following him to Toronto, are you smoking

fucking crack? Moving here is not *following him*, it’s either being dragged or

tiptoeing delicately around a sleeping bear.

12:06am:

I love you Jake, I really do, but next time it might make better sense to ask me

directly.

Links:

http://www.textualencounters.com

http://www.amazon.com/Textual-Encounters-Christine-Affair-ebook/dp/ B00AOVHK76/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Buy Link http://www.amazon.com/Textual-Encounters-Christine-Affair-ebook/dp/

B00AOVHK76/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Posted by,

Saturday, March 16, 2013 No comments

Lucy Valentine is as smart as can be, as single as you can get, and so not qualified to run a matchmaking service. But when her parents temporarily step down from the family business, Valentine, Inc., it’s Lucy’s turn to step up and help out—in the name of love.

Plus, her rent is due.

Here’s the problem: Lucy doesn’t have the knack for matchmaking. According to family legend, every Valentine has been blessed by Cupid with the ability to read “auras” and pair up perfect couples. But not Lucy. Her skills were zapped away years ago in an electrical surge, and now all she can do is find lost objects. What good is that in the matchmaking world? You’d be surprised. In a city like Boston, everyone’s looking for something. So when Lucy locates a missing wedding ring—on a dead body—she asks the sexy private eye who lives upstairs to help her solve the perfect crime. And who knows? Maybe she’ll find the perfect love while she’s at it…

I am truly, madly in love with the series.

There is just something about the Valentines that you can't seem to shy away from, and a definite sexiness that Sean Donahue radiates that makes the book irresistible.

I thought this series was off from a great start, when I was first introduced to the sort-of-eccentric Valentines, I was immediately enthralled because they just crack me up so badly! There is nothing more I loved than characters with good family relations. Adding to that, I also very much appreciated that there is a sexy male protagonist with quite a history of his own.

To say Truly, Madly is a good read would be an understatement because I really had a blast reading it ( to prove my point, I immediately opened the second book right after I finished the first) The best part is, the author developed the characters perfectly! I couldn't pick my favorite because I loved every one of them, from the inseparable trio Lucy, Marisol and Emerson to Lucy's crazy grandmother, from the hot Donahue brothers to hot police Aiden Holiday, I'd say picking the enemy list would be far more easier.

I also loved that the author came up with just the right crime for the characters to solve, it was a thrilling addition and could easily be a standalone plot on itself.

Chick lit with a twist of mystery and wittiness, definitely Hallmark-Worthy.

Reviewed by,

Monday, November 05, 2012 No comments

Ten years ago, in a failed attempt to save his marriage, Jared Blake left his hometown. Now he’s widowed, back in town to raise his young daughter and return to his true calling – teaching. The last thing he needs or wants is his attraction to his student - high school senior, Maggie McCade.

Maggie McCade is in high school hell. To ferret out a computer hacker and further her dream of starting a security firm, 29-year-old Maggie goes undercover as a student. The last thing she needs or wants is to fall in love with her prime suspect – her teacher, Jared Blake.

4.5 stars

The cute cover attracted my interest.

The blurb further pulled me in.

The name Jared definitely sealed the deal.

I don't deny, I am that shallow when it comes to reading a chic lit novel and Counterfeit Love was one of my anticipated books-to-read this year, so that explained my overwhelming joy when I received the news that I had won an ebook copy from Ritesh's Valentine's Mega Giveaway. Thanks Ritesh! Seriously, you have to check out his blog, he is a great person and a great blogger!

I picked up this book hoping to get a clean, contemporary romance, however I couldn't explain why I was tearing up and wiping away tears throughout the book. As I was sucked into Maggie's facade as a high school student, I was also absorbed in her depressing childhood past. Maggie McCade was a character that I could easily respect, she was a strong protagonist who emerged from a horrific past with an admirable level of optimism and self-confidence. However, no matter how strong Maggie appeared to be, there was no hiding the vulnerability that comes along with Maggie from her childhood days. She was from a broken family with drunks as parents, she never knew of love.

I liked the way Elysa written the story, unlike most contemporary novels which was often overdone, it was not the case with Elysa. Although the book was just 83 pages long (seems like an awfully short novel), it was the total opposite. Adequately elaborated and written with such sophistication, I couldn't have imagined Counterfeit Love written any other way. I have to give extra credits to the plot because I never imagined I will read an undercover story as cute as this one.

It was such a relief to read that the story was not overly dramatic, once again affirming my admiration towards Maggie. Elysa created characters who were realistic and easy to relate to, not to mention she is good in making my heart race and pumped up with adrenaline. The author once told me that the book has no graphic sex, however she definitely did not warn me about all those 'almost' moments, which in my opinion makes me bite my lip harder than any love scenes. Those 'almost' moments between Jared and Maggie was certainly something beyond flirting, it felt so intimate that I felt like an unwanted invader.

Despite the unspoken attraction between Jared and Maggie (ROMANCE), I liked that the author incorporated moral values in the story. Jared Blake was the epitome of moralism. 10 years ago, Jared was accused of harassing his 14 year old student, but no one in his small town believed him of his allegations, yet broken by the accusation, Jared resigned and fled town, only to resume his post again as a teacher after his wife's death. Returning to the topic, one of the reason why I adore Jared is because he was so determined to not repeat history again. Although he was as innocent as his child Alexandra, he fought hard to not think Maggie as anything else besides a student.

Do you know in most romance novels when the guy character says he will fight hard against his attraction towards the girl character? They normally succumbed to their attraction literally after that? Jared was different, he really did fought hard to not notice Maggie, but he still couldn't help the way how she stirred his heart and awaken the primitive, possessive instinct he buried inside. Jared really showed maturity as a teacher and a father, and that was what attracted him to me.

One word. Alexandra. Elysa captured the mind of a little girl perfectly! Alex, Jared's daughter was a great addition to the story, she made the novel more vibrant and carefree. Her innocent inquiry often left Jared and Maggie in a tangle of words, and her demands was what made Jared and Maggie happened. Without her, there would be no story. And I also really liked the big Blaze's clan! Jared's mother reflected open mindedness and that is what I liked in a character.

To summarize my lengthy review, Counterfeit Love is a quick and great read for all of you romance lovers. Thinking of spending the night curling up with a teacher/student romance? Counterfeit Love has that + undercover investigating + family & moral values + heartbreaking story all in one Mega just-enough-dramas package!

Reviewed by,

Saturday, March 03, 2012 7 comments

Nikki Hunt thought her night couldn't get worse when her no-good, cheating ex ditched her at dinner, sticking her with the bill. Then she found his body stuffed in the trunk of her car and lost her two-hundred-dollar meal all over his three-thousand-dollar suit. Now not only is Nikki nearly broke, she's a murder suspect.

Former cop turned PI, Dallas O'Connor knows what it's like to be unjustly accused. But one look at the sexy-though skittish-suspect tells him she couldn't hurt anyone. The lead detective, Dallas's own brother, has the wrong woman and Dallas hopes a little late-night "undercover" work will help him prove it . .

With the exception of Cecelia Ahern and Jodi Picoult, I rarely read adult chick-lits, that is why this story plot came across as something witty, carefree and interesting. However, as much as I enjoyed the story plot, there were several things lacking.

Debatable plot:

1. The story was more focused on the budding romance between Nikki and Dallas than on the case itself. Yes I adore romance, however I do also enjoy a good thriller. In my opinion, the homicide case was not intriguing enough for me to find out who the real murderer was.

2. This was the first time I came across a book where I was more interested in the secondary love story. To me, the history between Tony, Dallas' brother and LeAnn held a much more significant meaning than Dallas and Nikki themselves. It was one of the reason that kept me going. Yet, I was slightly disappointed by how it played out, I was build with so much anticipation and I was unsatisfied by the ending. I do wish LeAnn and Tony will have their own story.

3. There were too many sub-stories that made the story seemed 'crammed'.

But I still enjoyed the book:

1. Nevertheless, I think this book deserved 4 stars because I like the characters. I like when Tony and Dallas are together, they make awesome brothers, eventhough they have diverse personalities. I also like LeAnn who buried so much hurt and Nikki who is strong and independent.

2. I give the romance an A-.

3. Dallas' history with his family was heartbreaking and that's what I value in a story.

4. I like the idea of ex-framed-convicts setting up a PI agency with such an awesome name -Don't Mess With Texas. It made me think of hunky cowboys with a bad boy image.

Despite the fact that the book could've been improved in so many ways, it was still a recommended read. Looking forward to the next one!

Reviewed by,

Sunday, February 05, 2012 1 comments

Their friendship doesn't stand a chance. Their love will never die. Kavita Davidson and Lily McCourtney test the limits of society's tolerance with a forbidden romance shunned by the mainstream while breaking all the rules. With his career on the rise, Kavita risks everything to be with her. With a bleak future before her, Lily seeks desperately for someone to believe in. Together, they dare to try and defy the odds - leaving the rest of us to ask, is Kavita the monster the world tells him he is? Or is he the hero Lily has been praying for? And when it all comes crashing down, can either of them survive the aftermath? True love does exist!

Kavita and Lily was in love, but their love was not approved by the society, call it forbidden, call it pedophilic, to me age is just a number, and love certainly knows no boundaries.

Why is it that the society is in acceptance of a relationship between 16 year old teenage girls and centenarian vampires? Wherelse a relationship between a teacher and a student is strictly forbidden, and once again, quote: pedophilic? How much different could a 16 year old think compare to an 18 year old? They still tend to make the same mistakes, make the same judgments. Thus rounding up to my previous statement, AGE is just a NUMBER, and LOVE has no RULES.

Kavita Davidson was Lily's art teacher. Him being 28 and she just a minor, they knew the consequences of their actions, while denial was a bliss, it eventually wore them out. Kavita was still haunted by his past, and Lily was living in hell, as fate brought them together, they saved each other. Kavita found happiness in Lily's innocence, Lily found solace in Kavita's protective arms.

Honestly, I was completely absorbed by the story, from the first time I heard of Kavita's name (which was unique and uncommon) I knew that I was hooked. I really loved the way the story was narrated, from the 'awkward first meeting' between Mary Stewart and Kavita (I have to admit, they were so awkward I laughed at their flirtations) to the intense moment both Kavita and Lily shared, it couldn't have been told more perfectly, although, I was unsatisfied with some parts and thought it could be elaborated. But all is good! And it was narrated through 'the eyes of arts', which I have to say, is something I've been wanting to read about for a long time.

Nevertheless, it was a quick and emotional read. I enjoyed the carefree chapters and felt tears brimming as I uncovered the climax. I could not get over the fact how noble Kavita was! He took the Last Flight Out in order to save Lily from having to suffer, knowing that she had suffer enough from her experience in her hell-like household. (Don't you just want to get a Kavita for yourself??) Though I did not want it to end like this, that would sort of be conflicting to the title now won't it? :P

Also, I love reading about the bonding between Nick and Kavita, it was very well narrated. I for one am glad for that, because to me, a good book will not be complete without the 'essence' of friendship. To prove my point, they did not need to verbalize their points, they finish each other's thoughts!

I definitely enjoyed this book (and still thinking about it as I lay in bed), it brought up a lot of questions in my mind and made me reflect on today's society. I had quotes from the book flashing in my brain and wonders how Carroll could come up with such philosophies. One thing for sure, I felt very much enlightened. (I love it when books make me feel that way!)

This is the perfect romance/coming of age story and I would recommend this to anyone!

Random coincidence: Famous Last Words happens to be one of my favourite songs!

Reviewed by,

Thursday, November 03, 2011 No comments

The Year of Secret Assignments - Jaclyn Moriarty

Agent in-charged : Natasha Anne

A.K.A : Natshane

Special Covert Operation Assignment: Review

Operation Description: Write a review for this book that made you laughed like crazy in the middle of the night.

Warning: May contain inappropriate words for young children.

Synopsis: Three Girls, Three Boys, Two Rival schools. This could get Messy.

The Ashbury-Brookfield pen pal program is desinged to bring together two rival schools in a spirit of harmony and the 'Joy of envelope'. But when Cassie, Lydia and Emiy send their first letters to Matthew, Charlie an Sebastian, things don't go quite as planned. What starts out as a simple letter exchange soon leads to secret missions, false alarms, lock picking, mistaken identities, and an all-out war between the schools -- not to mention some really excellent kissing.

Field Notes: Funny, humorous, comical, amusing, facetious, ORIGINAL. This book had me choking on my barf because I was laughing too hard. (kidding!) Cassie, Lydia and Emily are kick ass funny characters, I never cried so much from laughing because of what they said, and they had Charlie, Sebastian and Matthew under their hook.

Quote: Favourite Quote: Boy's quote:

Eat shit and die, you private school slag.

Yours faithfully,

Matthew Dunlop

Quote: Favourite quote: Girl's Quote:

You talk a pile of crap X 28

Yours Faitfully,

Emily Thompson

Field Notes #2: Try this, go 'awwwwwwwwwwwwwww' for the romance and 'you go girl!' for their friendship and 'Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!' in a heartbreaking scene. This is 1960s all over again! Girl and boys who fall in love being pen pals! And I am so touched by the way Cassie, Emily and Lydia looked out for each other. Including coming up with the whole idea of : The Secret Assignment (which is so fifth grade but still.....)

Field Notes #3: I'm a shark, I don't swim in shallow waters. DEEP. DEEP. DEEP. Got it?

*sigh* Translation : This book is not a shallow, bratty, cliche story. it's sad, it's touching, it's REAL.

Field Notes #4 : I'm starting to get a hang of this, stop me before I write something more! Okay okay, last one. HUGE PRAISES FOR JACYLN MORIARTY FOR HER FUNNY/ENTERTAININ/WITTY SENSE OF HUMOUR AND WRITING THAT REMINDED ME OF THE JOY OF WRITING LETTERS. (just had to get put that in capitals)

P.S: Do not read it when everyone is asleep because your laughter might freak your little brother sleeping next door.

P.P.S : Do not read it when your stomach feels WEIRD. Personal experience.

P.P.P.S : Make notes. For pranking reasons.

P.P.P.P.S : This review is of my personal opinion, so if you hate the book, don't mind my rambling. P.S I rated it 5 stars.

Reviewed by,