November 3, 2015

Book Review…A Total Waste of Makeup

Have you ever read a book and years later you still think about it and it makes you laugh and smile? That’s exactly what happened to me after I read A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder. It’s been four years since I downloaded it to my Kindle to read on the beach, but I’ve been thinking about it and laughing ever since!

Synopsis via Goodreads:

Charlize “Charlie” Edwards certainly knows, in theory, what it takes to lead a successful and happy life. She owns a nice house in Silverlake, LA’s trendiest neighborhood. She has glamorous and loyal friends who accompany her to the hottest clubs in town. And she works as the personal assistant to Drew Stanton, Hollywood’s sexiest movie star. But she’s also turning 30, chronically single, and faced with serving as maid of honor at her younger sister’s wedding. Charlie finds herself struggling to juggle the chaos of wedding planning (while wondering if she’ll ever wear the white dress herself), her all-consuming job for lunatic boss Stanton, and a serious crush on Jordan, a photographer on the set of Drew’s latest feature–a man who might actually return her feelings. A page-turner from start to finish, A Total Waste of Makeup puts a fresh face on women’s fiction.

My review:

Charlize “Charlie” Edwards lives the happy, single, carefree life in LA. She has famous friends, lives in one of the trendiest neighborhoods, and she works as the personal assistant to one of Hollywood’s sexiest stars. However, as she turns 30 and prepares to be the maid of honor for her younger sister’s wedding, she begins to wonder if she’ll ever be able to find Mr. Right.

Yes, the theme is predictable like most chick lit books, but Gruenenfelder is hilarious! As Charlie narrates her story, she’s also writing a book of advice for her great niece one day (because she’s convinced she’ll never have children or grandchildren of her own). At times the advice is very poignant, and at others, it is laugh out loud funny. In fact, they’re so funny that I have to share two of them…

“God has a sense of humor. Don’t believe me? Just look at a zebra, and tell me what was going on in his mind that day.”

and

“Never ask a single person if they’re ‘seeing anyone special,’ an unemployed person if they’ve found a job, or a married couple when they’re planning to have children. You’re not making conversation. You’re starting someone on the road to Prozac.”

Slightly cynical? Yes, but both made me laugh out loud and I think of both of those lines from time to time and I still laugh. In fact, the second one just gets funnier the older I get! Sometimes, the truth is just funny!

If you’re looking for a light book with some humor, I definitely recommend A Total Waste of Makeup.

October 31, 2015

Sneak Peek: Halloween in Sea Grass

Throughout middle school and high school, my friends and I would always gather at my best friend’s house after trick-or-treating to swap candy and watch the ridiculously cheesy Halloween specials on TV while our parents and neighbors would gather upstairs around the dining room table. While trick-or-treating was never my favorite thing to do (side note – other than plain chocolate, I’m not a big fan of candy…I know, I know, I’m weird), I always loved Halloween night. It was a tradition that lasted for years, and I always considered it the unofficial end of the early part of fall and the beginning of colder nights and cozier holiday gatherings. Like so many parts of The Other Side of Later, the scene from Halloween night is based, in part, on my own memories. I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of Halloween in Sea Grass!

“A few of the neighborhood kids were in the family room swapping candy and Carson was out like a light in my dad’s recliner… I took a sip of the warm apple cider my mom had made. Since Luke’s freshman year of high school, my parents started having a post trick-or-treating gathering on Halloween night. My parents’ house was decorated to the hilt, but not in the modern commercialized way. It was homey and welcoming for one of mid-fall’s traditions. Jack-o-lanterns glowed on the front porch steps, pumpkin flavored snacks from cheesecake to cookies lined the dining room table, and chocolate wrapped in orange foil filled candy dishes throughout the house, but my favorite was my mom’s homemade warm apple cider simmering in the kitchen.”

The Other Side of Later is available on Amazon for only 99¢!

October 4, 2015

Let’s Get Real…

For the past several weeks, I’ve been wracking my brain trying to figure out new ways to promote my book, understand why I’m not getting many sales, and accept that the self-publishing venture is not for the faint of heart. While I still may not have all the answers or reasons why, it’s forced me to take a step back and take a look at not only how I’m presenting my work but also how I’m presenting myself. I’ve realized that I’ve only put out little blurbs about The Other Side of Later on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and here on my blog without really trying to open up and connect with my potential readers.

So let’s get real. I’m a very private person. While I’m very sociable among family and close friends, I’m also very reserved and probably perceived as slightly introverted to someone who doesn’t know me. Many times, I keep important things to myself. Day in and day out, I’m a logical and rational person. However, big changes – even good things – can throw me for a loop, and good reason can sometimes be thrown out the window until can wrap my head around it.

Why am I sharing all of this now? First and for most, the characteristics I described in the paragraph above are the reasons why I chose to publish under a pen name. Yes, there was a small part of me that chose to use a pen name because I’m an engineer by day, and the fields of engineering and romance/chick-lit writing are worlds apart, but at the end of the day, I was extremely nervous to put my name on my work. I poured months and months of my heart and soul into it. What if it was bad? What if I shocked everyone I knew? What if people thought of me differently? Those questions scared me. So I decided to publish under a pen name. I’ve never been sorry about my decision. The name has a special connection to my family and childhood, and I know it was the right choice.

It’s really not important whether or not my real name is attached to my work, but I’ve realized that it is important to be more open about myself in order to be successful as a writer. During a long run about 6 years ago, I passed by an old classmate on the bike path, and the premise of The Other Side of Later was born. Julia, the main character, is a lot like me – her childhood, her parents, her hometown. She’s independent, loyal, tenacious, but stubborn. So many of Julia’s reactions and decisions stemmed from answers to the question I kept asking myself “what would I do if I were Julia?” Was I ever in her position? No. But as I created and immersed myself in the fictional but familiar town of Sea Grass, NJ, I put myself in her shoes. The result is my debut novel. It’s truly a piece of me. Now, 6 plus months after I took the plunge and self-published on Amazon, I’m ready to admit it. Hopefully, this is the beginning of me sharing a bit more about myself and connecting with you. If you’re still reading, thanks and I hope to connect with you soon!

September 27, 2015

Chilly nights & good books…

Fall is one of my favorite times of year. The crisp air, leaves changing color, football, sweater weather, apple & pumpkin flavored treats, and of course my all time favorite, curling up with a good book on a chilly night! I love nothing more than cracking the windows, letting the cool breeze in the house, curling up under a blanket, and diving into a new book and meeting new characters.

So to celebrate the beginning of fall, the price of The Other Side of Later has dropped to 99¢. I hope you add it to your fall reading list and enjoy it at this special price!

The Other Side of Later is available on Amazon.

September 11, 2015

Where were you when the world stopped turning?

Four years ago on the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, I shared the following post on my personal blog. I thought it was fitting to share again today. May we always remember and never forget that fateful day. God Bless the USA.

“Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry..”

It was the Fall semester of my sophomore year of college. I was 19. Unlike most days, I was the only one of my roommates who did not have an early class that Tuesday. However, being the early riser I am, I was up, showered, and seated at my computer by 8:50 a.m. Within moments of sitting down, I received an IM from a classmate that said “Hey, a plane just crashed into one of the World Trade Center buildings.” I forget my exact response, but it was something to the effect of “What are you talking about?” In my head, I was thinking planes can’t get that close to those towers. Then the response came “Go to Yahoo’s homepage.” I did and saw the headline and picture.

I immediately left my computer and went out to the living area of our apartment and turned on the Today Show. Katie Couric and Matt Lauer were reporting the news live as it came in. I stood watching alone in the apartment for what had to be 7 or 8 minutes. Then it happened. The moment I knew the world would never be the same because this was no accident. The second plane hit the South Tower, and I saw it on TV.

Each year, I remember September 11, 2001 like it was yesterday. I remember the maroon American Eagle tank top and dark wash Express jeans I was wearing; I remember one of my roommates crying on the phone as she tried to track down family who worked in Lower Manhattan (yes, thankfully, they were all okay.); I remember my AOL Instant Messenger away message that evening was “It’s incomprehensible!” typed in red and blue text. In some ways, I think it still is. The shock of the events from 10 years ago has worn off, but at times, it still is hard to grasp.

“Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don’t know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters”

My heart still aches for the victims, and I pray for them and their families. I’m still in awe of the bravery and heroism of the thousands of first responders, who worked night and day to help their fellow citizens – neighbors and strangers alike. My heart swells with pride when I think and remember the sense of community and patriotism that rippled through the country. We wore red, white, and blue, we waved American flags, we prayed together, and we helped each other heal.

At 19, I saw the world change right before my eyes. Each year, I make it a point to remember that fateful day. I remember the ones lost; I remember the heroes; I remember how this great country rallied at one of its darkest moments.

“Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day…”

Lyrics to “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” by Alan Jackson

September 4, 2015

Labor Day at the Jersey Shore

I know. I know. Another post or tweet about the beach or Jersey Shore? I promise there’s more to me and The Other Side of Later than the little southeastern corner of the Garden State that I love so much. But it’s Labor Day weekend so you’ll have to let me indulge just one last time for the summer.

Labor Day has always marked the unofficial end of summer at the Jersey Shore. As a kid, my grandfather would always tell me we were “locking up the beach” for the year when we left on Labor Day. You’ll find that phrase in The Other Side of Later as well as a scene of Julia and her family and friends celebrating the unofficial end of the summer season on the beach. It’s very much like the one my family, friends, and I create each and every Labor Day.

I’ve included a little sneak peek of Julia’s Labor Day. I hope you enjoy it, and more importantly, I hope you enjoy your Labor Day weekend with family and friends as well!

Labor Day on the beach at the Jersey Shore was a little bit of a production. It was the unofficial last day of summer. For years, the regular beach crew would have a little party. Over time, the little party grew into a bit of an extravaganza with close to 25 people. There were plenty of snacks, a cooler of soda, and we ordered subs. When the weather cooperated, it was the perfect time to be on the beach. Early September when all of the shoebies had departed for the summer; only the locals were left to enjoy it.

The Other Side of Later is available on Amazon.

August 29, 2015

Book Review – Go Set a Watchman

This past winter, when I heard Harper Lee’s long lost first novel, Go Set a Watchman, which happens to be the sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird, was going to be released this summer, I was so excited. But then once the negative reviews started coming in from respected sources, not only was I hesitant to read it, I was saddened by what I read in the reviews. Could Atticus Finch really be a bigot? Surely the man the world grew to love, respect, and perhaps idolize to an extent couldn’t be a prejudice hypocrite. But that’s what the reviews said. The New York Times even had a quote. So, somewhat disheartened, I put the book I preordered back in March on my bookshelf with no intention of picking it up to read. Luckily, my mom did read the book and told me how great it was and that it was worth the read. So I read it, and I’m so glad I did.

Go Set a Watchman finds Scout as adult in her mid-20s in Maycomb during a visit from New York. Now, in the mid-1950s, Maycomb has changed since we, as readers, first visited the small southern town, but so had the country and the world for that matter. The story follows Scout as she reminisces about her childhood and grapples with the changes to the people and places she called home.

I understand the sentiments of this book’s critics. Is it quite as polished as To Kill a Mockingbird? Probably not. Does that take away from the story? Definitely not. And yes, what stunned and disheartened many when they read Go Set a Watchman is true. Atticus Finch is not painted as the same even-minded man we met in To Kill a Mockingbird. But to the critics and the disheartened fans, I say this. The world was introduced to Atticus Finch through the eyes of a young girl, who idolized her father like many young children do. We saw that man. The man Gregory Peck so eloquently gave a face and a voice that many will always have ingrained in their memory. However, people are rarely the idols we imagine in our minds as children, nor are they the devil we paint them to be after witnessing their actions as adults. For over 60 years, we’ve known Atticus Finch through the eyes of a child, and as we read Go Set a Watchman, we have to understand that we are meeting him 20 years later through the eyes of an independent, young adult.

The rose colored glasses and blinders come off. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing; it’s just a fact of life.

August 22, 2015

Beach Reads

Did you ever wake up, realize the date, and wonder how the past several weeks just flew by? That’s how I felt this morning. I can’t believe it’s already the end of August. I feel like it was just the 4^th of July, but it’s been a busy summer and the days and weeks just seemed to disappear! I had been hoping to write this post before the end of summer, but I figure it’s better late than never.

One of my favorite things to do (if I can find the time) in the summer is sit on the beach and relax with a book. Each year, I always add a few to my list of favorites and this year was no exception. I thought I’d share my three favorites I read this summer and the review I posted for each of them on Goodreads. Some of my reviews are a little shorter than other, but that’s only because I felt a few words said all that needed to be said. I truly loved all three!

The books are listed in no particular order (just alphabetical by the author’s last name).

Twenty-Five by Rachel L. Hamm

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Abigail Bronsen is sure her life is going nowhere when she turns twenty-five and realizes she hasn’t done anything on a list of goals she made for herself as a teenager. Ben Harris is looking to find “the one” after his last girlfriend cheated on him. When they crash into each other, it appears they’ve both found exactly what they wanted. A year of firsts follows: first date, first kiss, first “I love you’s.” The first fight is inevitable, but neither of them saw a breakup coming. When Abigail is offered a job overseas, they’ll discover that no relationship is perfect and even true love sometimes finds itself separated by time and distance.

My review:

5 stars!

Twenty-Five is such a beautiful story about finding yourself and love at the same time! I couldn’t put the book down until I was finished.

Just the Way You Are by Lynsey James

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Dear Ava,
How do you start writing a letter to someone, six years after breaking their heart?

Ava is unlucky in love as well as in life. The new office bitch has landed the dating column Ava wanted, and she can’t remember the last time she had a second date. It’s a good thing she has best friends Max and Gwen to pick up the pieces.

Deep down, Ava knows the reason why one date never turns into two – she’s in love with someone else. Someone she’s never even met.

It all started six years ago, with a letter from a secret admirer, Mr Writer…but then they suddenly stopped and Ava was heartbroken.

Now the letters have started again and Ava knows it could mean winning back the dating column at work. This time she’s determined to unmask Mr Writer…and find out once and for all if he’s Mr Right or Mr Very Definitely Wrong!

My review:

5 stars!

Just the Way You Are is chick lit at its finest! I loved following Ava on her journey of finding Mr. Writer! The entire story was great and the ending was perfect! This is a must read for all chick lit lovers!

The Best Thing I Never Had by Erin Lawless

Synopsis from Goodreads:

If you’re a fan of Mhairi McFarlane’s You Had Me at Hello or David Nicholls’ One Day, then you will love our new acquisition from contemporary romance author Erin Lawless!

Miles and Nicky are getting married. Unfortunately, their wedding party is a tangle of ex-housemates, ex-friends and ex-lovers. So this wedding isn’t just a wedding, it’s a reunion. Can anything be salvaged from the past? And what really happened between them all, back at university?

Find out in this wonderful contemporary romance.

My review:

5 stars!

There were so many things I loved about The Best Thing I Never Had. But I think most importantly, I loved how real it felt. The story follows seven friends – their friendships, their love lives; the bonds that held them together, the circumstances that tore them apart.

Sometimes, I think it’s easy to overlook how vulnerable we are in our early to mid-20s. Friends become family; boundaries are sometimes non-existent; relationships are delicate. Erin Lawless characterizes this flawlessly!

From the moment I started, I couldn’t put the book down. Chick Lit lovers, The Best Thing I Never Had is one you will want to make sure you have on your to-read list!

So whether you’re heading to the beach, the lake, the pool, or just looking for a great book to read while you relax in air conditioning, I’d recommend these books to load on your e-reader and take with you!

What are some of your favorite books you’ve read this summer? I’d love to add them to my list!

August 17, 2015

The Meet Cute of Julia & Drew

It’s that time of year when I inevitably don’t want to wish the summer away but the heat and humidity have me dreaming about cooler fall temperatures. It’s also the time of year that birthed the idea for The Other Side of Later. I guess it’s not too hard to fathom considering this is my favorite time of year – late summer beach days and the anticipation of fall and all it has to bring – cooler mornings, crisp air, and colorful leaves.

If I rewind 6 years, there was a hot and humid, August evening when I decided to squeeze in a quick run before thunderstorms swept through. I knew I’d be cutting it close with the dark storm clouds off to the West, but I was certain I had at least 25 minutes for a quick run. Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on my side that day. I was about a mile away from my house when the sky opened up and I had to make a very quick dash to find cover.

I’ll be honest. That night I didn’t think too fondly of the run. My sneakers were completely water logged, and I had had to peel off my soaking wet clothes as soon as I came in the front door as my husband tossed me a towel from upstairs. However, the next day, as I thought about how convenient it would have been to have a structure of any kind along the bike path, the premise of Julia and Drew’s meet cute came to me. What if two runners – more specifically, two former classmates – found the same place to take cover during a storm?

From there, the idea for The Other Side of Later took off in my head. I felt like I caught lightning in a bottle. My mind was in overdrive. I couldn’t type fast enough. Idea after idea flowed onto the screen. That being said, there were rewrites on top of rewrites. Some ideas from the early drafts never panned out. But the timing of the book’s opening setting? That never changed. I knew mid-August at the Jersey Shore when heat and humidity is at its worst was the perfect time of year to start the story of Julia and Drew.

So if you’re like me and like to read books that are season appropriate, I think you’ll enjoy The Other Side of Later right now! But don’t worry. It’s not entirely a summer book. There is plenty of fall and holiday fun in the later chapters!

Check out The Other Side of Later on Amazon!

July 27, 2015

Motivation Monday – A Dream and a Mouse

About a month ago, my family and close friends took a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. We’re all frequent Disney goers, but each trip, leaves me in a little bit of awe. No, I’m not a disillusioned adult that believes all troubles go away with a little pixie dust and a walk down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. But I am a fascinated observer of how one man’s dream transformed into everything that is synonymous with his last name today.

At Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, the Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream attraction tells his story. Mr. Disney was truly an innovator with a vision far ahead of his time. He saw Disneyland, which opened in Anaheim, CA in 1955 as a clean, family oriented amusement park, as his prototype. He envisioned something better and bigger so he bought a tract of land in Central Florida. What is now known as Walt Disney World was originally labeled as the Florida Project. He imagined a more efficient city through better planning so he developed the concept of EPCOT – Environmental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. EPCOT was Mr. Disney’s focus of the Florida Project.

Sadly, Mr. Disney passed away before the Florida Project was created, and the EPCOT he envisioned was never developed. However, Walt Disney World was built with the philosophies of Walt always in mind. From its opening day in 1971 through today, visitors from around the world are welcomed into a world with clean streets and walkways, transportation with efficiency second to none, and innovations on the cutting edge of today’s technological advances.

So what am I getting at? Is this just a post about my fascination with Walt Disney? No, I have a point. There have been so many highs and lows on this writing and self-publishing adventure. Days when I have a few hours I can dedicate to writing and the words just flow onto paper, I get such a rush! I feel I’m doing what I’m meant to do. Or times when I read a positive review about The Other Side of Later, I beam from ear to ear for hours. But not all days can be that great. Like all things in life, I have to take the good with the bad. The rejections from review sites and the slow and somewhat frustrating self-publishing marketing process have been grueling some days.

It’s those days – the really frustrating ones – that I think about Mr. Disney.

“If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.” – Walt Disney

So as walked down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom and had pixie dust in my hair, I looked straight ahead at Cinderella’s Castle and the statue of Walt Disney holding Mickey Mouse’s hand. I thought about a man from the Midwest, who had a sketch of a mouse and a dream. And then I looked at my surroundings and I realized I was standing in the middle of that man’s dream.