Sleeping Arrangements

Synopsis:   Chloe needs a holiday. She's sick of making wedding dresses, her partner Philip has troubles at work, and the whole family wants a break. Her wealthy friend Gerard has offered the loan of his luxury villa in Spain--perfect. 

     Hugh is not a happy man. His immaculate wife Amanda seems more interested in her new kitchen than in him, and he works so hard to pay for it, he barely has time for his children. Maybe he'll have a chance to bond with them on holiday. His old friend Gerard has lent them a luxury villa in Spain--perfect. 

     Both families arrive at the villa and realize the awful truth--Gerard has double-booked. What no one else realizes is that Chloe and Hugh have a history; and as tensions rise within the two families, old passions resurface. It seems that Gerard's 'accidental' double booking may not be an accident after all...

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  A vacation full of funny drama! Typical outrageously crazy, funny, Wickham/Kinsella style book. 

Would I Read Other Books by the Author:  I have a few books on my TBR shelf already!  Madeleine Wickham is really Sophia Kinsella.  

Sophie Kinsella is a writer and former financial journalist. She is the number one bestselling author of Can You Keep a Secret?, The Undomestic Goddess, Remember Me?, Twenties Girl, I’ve Got Your Number and Wedding Night, the hugely popular Shopaholic novels and the Young Adult novel Finding Audrey. She lives in London with her husband and family. She is also the author of several bestselling novels under the name of Madeleine Wickham. Visit her website at www.sophiekinsella.co.uk.

Amazon 

Milkrun

Synopsis (from Amazon): When Jackie's boyfriend announces, out of the blue, that he's outgrown coupledom and is off to Thailand 'to find himself' (and a leggy Claudia Schiffer look-alike), Jackie is struck by a bizarre irony - her (almost) glittering career is devoted to editing romance novels; yet here she is, single again, without even a hint of a meaningful relationship - other than with her TV remote and pizza delivery boy. Undaunted, Jackie does what any smart, self-respecting twentysomething would do - transforms herself into a sex kitten in knee-high black leather boots, and goes looking for Mr. Wrong! Astonishingly, Jackie finds she has a talent for being single in the city. Ditching inhibitions along with her sensible wardrobe, she braves Boston's hippest bars and discovers her true self - and a whole lot more...

One (or more) Sentence Summary: Another great book by Sarah Mlynowski.  Jackie is too funny and love the humor throughout the book. The best part is she finds out what she wants in life and goes for it.  You will laugh a lot while reading this book.  I listened to the book via Audible....the narrator was perfect for the story.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: I have read so many of Sarah Mlynowski's books.  I don't care if they are middle school, young adult or adult books.  I love them all.  Can't wait for the next one.

Sarah is the author of both the WHATEVER AFTER and MAGIC IN MANHATTAN series, as well as DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT (March 2014), MILKRUN, FISHBOWL, AS SEEN ON TV, MONKEY BUSINESS, GIMME A CALL, TEN THINGS WE DID (AND PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE) and HOW TO BE BAD (along with E.Lockhart and Lauren Myracle). Sarah's short stories and novellas include A LITTLE BIT BROKEN, A NICE FLING IS HARD TO FIND, KNOW IT ALL and CRUISIN'. Sarah also co-edited the bestselling chick-lit collections GIRLS' NIGHT IN and GIRLS' NIGHT OUT and co-wrote the first ever guide to writing chick lit, SEE JANE WRITE. 

Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-one languages and optioned to Hollywood. She was born in Montreal but now lives and writes in New York City.

Amazon | Audible 

My Pancakes Taste Different Today!

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon):  Could a Pancake have the power to shape a child's view of their world? It was a surprise to Ethan that his favorite breakfast, a stack of steaming hot pancakes, would reveal many ways that nature and people work together. He discovered that everyone has a hand in taking care of nature. Ethan would have never guessed that his simple, innocent act of tossing an oil can into the lake, just to make a big splash for fun, could change his whole wide world. The slippery journey of the oily OOZE leaking from the can, across the lake, down the river to the beaver ponds, and into the fields of grain brought all of Ethan's friends together. Everyone pitched in to clean up the OOZE from the lake, the fish, and the fields, to get rid of the mess around the lake they all loved. They celebrated with a party and plenty of pancakes.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  My Pancakes Test Different Today! would be a great book to read to children near earth day.  I would suggest reading the book schools, local libraries and community events.  It has a great message, which means so much when selecting a book for young children.

Here is a question and answer with Heather and Bruce Galpert authors of My Pancakes Taste Different Today!

What inspired the idea behind this book?

 As a young father with two sons, I read a lot to my kids...I also spent most Sundays cooking pancakes with and for them--I ate quite a few myself! Trying to teach my kids life lessons, recycling and protecting the environment were also concepts that were important, but difficult to teach to young kids. I always felt that it was hard for children to grasp how their actions could impact the environment positively or negatively. The idea of My Pancakes Taste Different Today! came out of that quest.

What was the most rewarding moment you experienced while writing this book? 

Seeing the beautiful artwork that Barbara Cate did, and how it worked in harmony with the writing to really tell the story. Heather and I have had such a wonderful time working on this together –it’s our baby.

Where did your interest in writing children’s books begin?

I have always had my favorite books...The 4 Chinese Brothers, Ferdinand the Bull, A Fly Went By, A Fish out of Water, Go Dog Go...many of these were based on cause and effect...progressive events. I am also a cartoon addict, still to this day I spend more time watching cartoons than any other medium. My son Evan is a brilliant voice over artist and my dream is to see him as a character in an animated film.

What are some ways to get young people interested in the environment and what foods they eat?

Farmer’s Markets, natural groceries, growing seeds from a packet at home. I think getting kids to engage with nature is the best way...sadly this is so hard for many kids around the world. I had the fortune to live in both Japan and the Philippines as a child and young adult, and the differences in the way each of those cultures reveres and cares for their environment is vast. It really begins culturally at a very young age.

How should kids be taught about personal responsibility and their role in sustainability? By their parents, actions speak the loudest.

How would you describe the importance of investing in our children? 

They are all we have for the future, a dollar invested in them is worth many more dollars in return down the road. You are seeing this in action today with all of the technology innovations from well-educated Millennials

How do you like to eat your pancakes?

I like putting chopped apples in the batter, adding cinnamon, and then topping with a blend of butter, syrup, and raspberry jam! Don’t forget to sprinkle powdered sugar on at the last minute.

What do you hope readers take away from My Pancakes Taste Different Today!?

I hope that parents read the book to their kids and that the book is also used as an early reader. This will be the best way to teach children how their actions impact their world.

What future projects are you working on?

We have two books in the hopper that we are both very excited about. One thing at a time I am told by my wife, but creativity has no timeline!



Heather and Bruce Galpert authors of

My Pancakes Taste Different Toda

y!

1.

What inspired the idea behind this book?

BRUCE: As a young father with two sons, I read a lot t

o my kids

...

I also spent most

Sundays cooking pancakes with and for them

--

I ate quite a few myself! Trying to teach

my kids life lessons, recycling and protecting the environm

ent were also concepts that

were important, but difficult to teach to young kids.

I always felt that it was hard for

children to grasp how their actions could impact the en

vironment positively or negatively.

The idea of My Pancakes Taste Different Today! came out o

f that quest.

Bruce is 56 years old, lives with his wife Heather in Santa Fe, New Mexico where Bruce has lived for 27 years. Bruce attended the University of Dallas studying International Finance and Economics. Bruce has two adult sons, Matthew and Evan, and has two grandchildren, Ethan age 3 and Avery age 1. Growing up, Bruce lived in the Philippine Islands and Japan, and enjoys traveling, writing, skiing, chess, playing guitar, cooking and entertaining, playing tennis and golf. As a professional, Bruce has been an investment advisor for 32 years, and recommends that the best investment is an investment in our children. 

Heather is 44 years old, and lives with her husband Bruce in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Heather has worked most of her professional career in Special Events and Fund Raising for non profit organizations such as the Museum of New Mexico Foundation, The Santa Fe Community Foundation, The Santa Fe Botanical Garden. She is a graduate of Evergreen State College with a Liberal Arts Degree. Heather enjoys traveling, is a gourmet cook, and enjoys playing tennis and golf. Santa Fe artist Barbara Cate is an illustrator of books and has a card line which may be seen at mesamooncards.com and at GardenandSoul.com. My Pancakes Taste Different Today! is her latest book. Barbara has lived in Hawaii and enjoys teaching children.

Check out their website at http://www.thepancakesbook.com/

Buy links:

Amazon | B&N  |  BookMasters

Just Add Magic

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Take three friends. Add an old cookbook. Combine with cute boys and a pinch of magic…and see what kind of chaos ensues! When Kelly Quinn and her two BFFs discover a dusty old cookbook while cleaning out the attic, the girls decide to try a few of the mysterious and supposedly magical recipes that are inside. To their surprise, the Keep ’Em Quiet Cobbler actually silences Kelly’s pesky little brother and the Hexberry Tart puts a curse on mean girl Charlotte. Is it possible that the recipes really are magic? Who wrote them and where did they come from? And most importantly of all, when boys get involved, what kind of trouble are the girls stirring up for themselves?

One (or more) Sentence Summary: I read Just Add Magic because I loved Lucky Me (now called Lost in Ireland, click here for review) by the same author.  I really like to cook, especially with my Grandma Pat (my mom can't cooks and burns EVERYTHING).  I did like Just Add Magic, but I didn't think it was as funny as Lucky Me.  

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, I want to read Lost in Hollywood that came out in August. 

Cindy Callaghan is the author of the middle grade novels Just Add Magic, Lost in London, Lost in Paris, Lost in Rome, and Lost in Ireland (formerly titled Lucky Me) all with Aladdin M!X. She lives in Wilmington, Delaware.

Amazon 
Thanks for reading my review

On the Rocks

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Ever since she was a little girl, Abby Wilkes has dreamed of her wedding, the day when she'd wear a pretty white dress and look like a princess. . . .

That was before her life fell apart in front of the whole world. Her longtime boyfriend-turned-fiancé, Ben, unceremoniously dumped her—by changing his status to single on Facebook—while she was trying on the most gorgeous Vera Wang dress for the big day.

Worried, her best friend, Grace, devises the perfect plan to get Abby back on her game. The two of them are going to escape sweltering Boston and its constant reminders of Ben and head to Newport for the summer. In a quaint rented cottage by the sea, Grace is confident the girls will enjoy cool breezes, cocktails, and crowds of gorgeous men.

But Abby and Grace discover that in this era of social media there is no real escape. Dating has never been easy. But now that the rules have changed and the boundaries are blurred beyond recognition, will they ever find true love? And if they do, how can romance stand a chance when a girl's every word and move can go viral with a single click?

As the summer winds down to Labor Day, Abby will make some surprising discoveries—about love, men, friendship . . . and, most important, herself.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: While I thought On the Rocks was a good, what I liked bested about it was the transformation Abby made.  I liked the person she became over the summer after her finance called off the wedding via Facebook. I listened to On the Rocks and it kept me entertained during my commute.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, l LOVED Bond Girl (click here for review).  I would like to read Lost Along the Way.  

Erin Duffy graduated from Georgetown University in 2000 with a B.A. in English and went on to spend more than a decade working in fixed income sales on Wall Street. Bond Girl is her first novel.

Amazon |  Audible

On the Rocks

~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): Ever since she was a little girl, Abby Wilkes has dreamed of her wedding, the day when she'd wear a pretty white dress and look like a princess. . . .

That was before her life fell apart in front of the whole world. Her longtime boyfriend-turned-fiancé, Ben, unceremoniously dumped her—by changing his status to single on Facebook—while she was trying on the most gorgeous Vera Wang dress for the big day.

Worried, her best friend, Grace, devises the perfect plan to get Abby back on her game. The two of them are going to escape sweltering Boston and its constant reminders of Ben and head to Newport for the summer. In a quaint rented cottage by the sea, Grace is confident the girls will enjoy cool breezes, cocktails, and crowds of gorgeous men.

But Abby and Grace discover that in this era of social media there is no real escape. Dating has never been easy. But now that the rules have changed and the boundaries are blurred beyond recognition, will they ever find true love? And if they do, how can romance stand a chance when a girl's every word and move can go viral with a single click?

As the summer winds down to Labor Day, Abby will make some surprising discoveries—about love, men, friendship . . . and, most important, herself.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: While I thought On the Rocks was a good, what I liked bested about it was the transformation Abby made.  I liked the person she became over the summer after her finance called off the wedding via Facebook. I listened to On the Rocks and it kept me entertained during my commute.

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, l LOVED Bond Girl (click here for review).  I would like to read Lost Along the Way.  

Erin Duffy graduated from Georgetown University in 2000 with a B.A. in English and went on to spend more than a decade working in fixed income sales on Wall Street. Bond Girl is her first novel.

Amazon |  Audible

The Candidate

 I received a copy of this book from the publisher or author to facilitate this review.  I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon): How far will a candidate go to become president? Erica Sparks—America’s top-rated cable-news host—is about to find out.

Mike Ortiz is a dynamic war hero favored to win the White House. Standing by his side is his glamorous and adoring wife, Celeste. But something about this seemingly perfect couple troubles Erica. Is Celeste really who she seems? And most importantly, what really happened in that squalid Al-Qaeda prison where Mike Ortiz spent nine months?

But more than the nation’s future is at stake. Erica’s relentless search for the truth puts the life of her preteen daughter Jenny in danger, even as Erica’s own dark past threatens to overtake her.

In her latest Newsmakers thriller, NewYork Times bestselling author and Fox News legal analyst Lis Wiehl weaves a taut and chilling story. The Candidate is packed with political intrigue and media manipulation as the lust for power turns deadly indeed.

One (or more) Sentence Summary: What a perfect book to read right now!  Tired of watching campaign ads on tv? Do not even want to consider watching the next debate? Would rather spend your time reading a great book?  Look no further.....The Candidate is a must read book.  The Candidate is a book full of crazy, crazy, crazy stuff people are willing to do become one of the most powerful person.  One hundred percent enjoyed The Candidate!!

Would I Read Other Books by the Author: Yes, I would read another book by Lis Wiehl.  I am interested in reading The Newsmakers.

Lis Wiehl is the New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels. She is a Harvard Law School graduate and has served as a federal prosecutor in the state of Washington and as a tenured faculty member at The University Washington School of Law. She is currently a popular legal analyst and commentator for the Fox News Channel.

For more information visit her Website, and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Amazon