Star Book Review: Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson (2006)

     What would you do if you were on your way to work and all of a sudden you saw a Gargoyle changing posts with an Owl to watch out from atop a clock tower or building nearby? Then, you hopped on the bus to get away from the madness on your walking route and across the way from you sat two fairies and the ugliest ogre you’d ever seen? Did I mention that every woman in a five-mile radius was acting like they were so attracted to this ogre that none of them could help themselves but to fawn all over him, sit in his lap and otherwise make goo-goo eyes at him? I think at that point, the running thought in my head would be, “you’re not in Kansas anymore, Dorothy!” While this may not be the scenario of my daily travels to my 9 to 5, it is the reality of leading heroine and magical immune, Katie Chandler, who we meet once again in the magical/paranormal/witchcraft chick lit novel, Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson.

     Once again, Shanna Swendson hits a magical double play with her second book in the Enchanted Series. In Once Upon Stilettos, Katie Chandler, a Native Texan turned New Yorker, is called upon to use her "powers" of non-magic in a scandal of corporate espionage. Magic, Spells & Illusions (MSI) appears to have an insider causing all kinds of chaos and disturbances in office and amongst employees. By the time Katie is able to make any kind of deductions, the office is in disarray, no one seems to trust anyone and Katie, herself, appears to have lost her magical immunity! Without her “normal” vision and a spy on the loose, Katie’s not sure who to trust and it seems that a new pair of sparkling red stilettos are causing a whole new kind of havoc in her life. Find out if Katie can save MSI from evil once again with or without her magical immunity.






     This is another spell-binding chick lit novel from Shanna Swendson full of romance, fashion, corporate espionage, intellect and of course magic and it does not disappoint.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Star Book Review: Last Night At Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger (Audio); Narrated by Merritt Wever

     I know this is probably going to sound a little bit backwards to a lot of Lauren Weisberger fans out there but the very first book I read by LW was Everyone Worth Knowing. When I first picked it up, I wasn’t sure if I could get into it – it talked about nightclubs and the drug scene and I wasn’t sure this was going to be an author for me, but by the book’s end, something about the way Ms. Weisberger depicted her characters and scenes had me hooked. Later, I saw the Hollywood movie version of her first novel, The Devil Wears Prada. With a stunning A-List cast, the movie entertained and became a favorite of mine in the chick lit genre of movie pictures and films. Finally this past fall, I listened to the unabridged audio version of The Devil Wears Prada and I must say – I was blown away by its originality. From its fairy tale plot, to its invigorating writing and its articulate narration, I gave this production a 5 Star Review.

     Now, to no surprise of mine, I found Lauren Weisberger has done it again with her latest release, Last Night at Chateau Marmont. Her newest novel can be described as nothing less than “Fabulous!” Brooke and Julian Alter appear to be the perfect down-to-Earth couple that you’d love to go out to dinner with or live next door to. Young and in love, they were quickly swept away by each other in a fairy-tale type of romance and married shortly thereafter. Aside from each other, Brooke and Julian also share a love for their careers, both working extremely hard in their respective professions, Brooke as a nutritionist at a local hospital and young girls’ Private school and Julian as a musician. Barely a year into their marriage, it seems nothing can come between the two young lovers until one night, after an invitation to perform on The Tonight Show, everything that seems right and sane in their world is turned upside down. Julian’s status quickly changes from a struggling musician to a successful artist with a household name who’s known worldwide. Now Julian’s schedule demands his presence from coast to coast and the paparazzi are there for every beat. Brooke can’t escape the scrutiny; she’s either criticized for being there too much or too little for her husband. Torn between two worlds, Julian and Brooke’s marriage begins to look like anything but a perfect relationship. Has the instant celebrity and stardom brought their relationship to a point of no return? Will fame and money affect Julian’s faith and devotion to his wife? Has the constant traveling along with an otherwise MIA husband changed Brooke’s vision of their future? Listen to hear if Brooke and Julian survive the turbulent roller coaster ride that Julian’s sudden rise to stardom has taken them on.

     Newcomer, Merritt Wever, narrated in a believable, expressive fashion that sounded consistent and appropriate with what I imagined the characters might sound like. The varied emotions emanating from her tone and speech in various characters and scenes, made for the perfect dramatic effect. She really made me feel a part of every scene. I found myself imagining what my life would be like if it were suddenly taken over by the paparazzi and had taken my husband (or boyfriend) with them. Would I leave my life behind to attend every show, every performance and every media taping to be at his side? Would are love life slip further and further away as our lives made different turns and angles with each passing day? Would I be set up and decimated by the media as they so easily seem to do to people once they are surrounded by all the money and flashing lights? I’d like to think that I could balance our life out but I think Lauren Weisberger and Merit Wever captured the impossibility of it all in this audio edition of Last Night at Chateau Marmont. I look forward to hearing more from the talented duo of voice and writer.

     Based on its plot, narration and writing style, I would definitely recommend this audio book to music lovers, celebrity aficionados, chick lit fans and audio listeners alike.

STAR RATING: 4 STARS

Star Book Review: The One That I Want by Allison Winn Scotch (Audio); Narrated by Allyson Ryan

     Allison Winn Scotch had a contest when her 2010 novel, The One That I Want, came out earlier this year. Readers who purchased a copy of her latest book would receive a bookplate with her signature. Not one to miss out on anything from a prominent chick lit author – especially a “personalized” gift – I jumped at the opportunity to buy my first novel by Allison Winn Scotch. Of course, as I so often do, I ended up listening to the audio version instead of reading the hardcover copy sent to me through Amazon. The way I look at is, however, is that I now have the satisfaction of having completed my first story by AWS and I still have a brand new hardcover copy intact as well as a beautiful, personalized bookplate on the inside cover.

     I was really attracted to The One That I Want’s enigmatic and poignant story line. There was an aura of mystery, fantasy and spirituality that carried through from beginning to end (without seeming fake or contrived in any way). I was also impressed with Allison Winn Scotch’s well-defined characters, which were only made better by narrator, Allyson Ryan’s vocal effects.

     At age 32, Tilly Farmer has her whole life exactly as she wants it. She knows where it’s going, including the when and how of it all. In a succinct word, her life is “perfect”. She and high school sweetheart, Tyler, have been married and living in their hometown, where Tilly is now a guidance counselor at the local school. When the book begins, we find Tilly reminiscing about days of Proms past while making plans for the upcoming school year. From directing the school’s annual play – this year’s production of Grease - to starting a family with Tyler, it seems that nothing can bring Tilly down this year. Little does she know, however, all of her perfectly laid plans are about to be shaken up. One sweltering summer night, just before the new school year is set to begin, Tilly goes to the Town Fair. Just for fun, she decides to visit the fortune teller’s tent, only to find a long-lost best friend of hers from elementary school predicting the destiny of interested fair-attendees. It is on this night that Tilly gets more than just a surprise visit from her old bff as she’s given a gift that opens her eyes to more than she ever wanted to see – more than she ever could have even imagined. All of a sudden, Tilly finds herself unsure if the reality she had planned for herself is the one that she really wants anymore.

     Listen in to find out what the future has in store for Tilly and how she copes when her best laid plans are turned upside down. Does she have any control over her new destiny? Did she ever have control over her life – or was it all a façade? Listen to the full, unabridged audio to find out if “The One That I Want” is the one that Tilly had planned all along. You won’t be disappointed.

     Not only was this my first AWS book but it was also the first audio book I’d heard read by Allyson Ryan. I credit her with a fabulous interpretation of Allison Winn Scotch’s novel. She brought each character to life and left me wanting to turn it on every chance I could get. I know the Allison Winn Scotch and Allyson Ryan team is “one” of the chick lit pairs “that I want” to read and listen to again.

Star Rating 4 Stars

Star Book Review: Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell

My first impression upon reading the short summary on the back of Lori Culwell’s Hollywood Car Wash was that it was going to be one of your typical chick lit, formulaic reads about a Midwestern woman who moves from the University of Michigan to Hollywood to follow her dreams of pursuing a career as an actress. However, Amy Spencer’s ideas about how she’s going to “get there” vary differently from those of the plans that the people of Tinsel Town have in store for her once she arrives on set. Before she even gets her chance to “make it” on the small screen of independent movies, Amy/Star must learn to circumvent her way around a hit-tv-drama studio and deal with all the drama that comes with it. In Hollywood Car Wash, Amy "Star" Spencer auditions for an upcoming teen TV series; think: Beverly Hills 90210 back in its glory days. Throughout her catapulting rise to fame, readers get an inside peek at the cutthroat business behind a hit Hollywood drama. Criticized for everything from her weight to her clothes, her food and exercise regime (or lack thereof), this book revealed how one girl-next-door type character survives in a world full of airbrushed photos, designer clothing (only worn once, of course!) and diet pills. This is a coming-of-age tale in Hollywood that satisfyingly proved my assumptions wrong about the world of Top Ten TV shows and the actors, actresses, producers and everyone else who makes them (and keeps them) so successful.

I really enjoyed this book and funny because I almost didn't buy it (even though it was on sale at a local discount store in town for $1.99!). I know they say don't judge a book by its cover, but I did - I was less then enthralled by its cover photos and title but when I read some of the rave reviews here on Goodreads, I raced back to the store and purchased it. As Chick Lit so often does, author Lori Culwell surprised me with her skillful writing and entertaining storyline with every page I turned. I am so glad I did because it turned out to be such a fabulous chick lit read. I would definitely recommend this book to all chick lit fans or anyone just looking for a good book to read this summer (or any time of year for that matter). Rating: 4 Stars

Star Book Review: My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict’s Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black; Or, A Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaster, Narrated by Jaime Heinlein

The fifth installment of a set of memoirs written by and about Jen Lancaster does not disappoint! In fact, partners, Jen Lancaster and narrator Jaime Heinlen hit a proverbial home run in the publishing department for audio listeners of Penguin Audio. I only found out about the works of Jen Lancaster earlier this very same year when I got back into reading Chick Lit and joined several online book groups to discuss similar fictional and non-fictional novels. Since January, I have sped-read through all of Jen Lancaster's novels in anticipation of her latest release, My Fair Lazy (featured here). Between her first book, Bitter is the New Black and My Fair Lazy, there is a tight race vying for my favorite. I know one thing's for sure though, I already CAN'T WAIT for my next fix of comedienne, Jen Lancaster. Luckily enough for me, I recently found out (through her hilarious blog, http://www.jennsylvania.com/) that she is part of a weekly column feature, the Humor Hotel, which features her and three other funny authors writing about what she writes about best: making notable observations on pop-culture (Read: Making fun of the latest and greatest); talking about the roller coaster ride that is every relationship; gossip at the water cooler (or what happens at work), her unique, oh so very personal, take on life and finally, any other random nuance that enters her mind and lands on the published page. Basically, in a nutshell, her column, is a mini-version of one of her full-length books and something I plan to read up on as soon as I go into Jen-Lancaster-humor-withdrawal.

So, back to My Fair Lazy (notice how I'm trying hard to hang on to the very last shred of whatever I can get of her latest book to tide me over until the next release - there will be another release, right?!?!? Right???!) Okay, anyways, if you haven't guessed already, I LOVED My Fair Lazy. Once again, Jen Lancaster takes  a creative spin on a satirical memoir, this time pondering the modern quest of whether or not there Reality TV has taken the place of America's "cultural" warfare? Jen Lancaster determines that, surely, there must be life out there beyond that offered by the programming of Bunim and Murray, but what? And, so she sets off on her "cultural manifesto".

In classic Jennsylvania style, Jen Lancaster begins to include adding all sorts of "cultural" activities to her daily routine - from getting her nails done at a Vietnamese nail salon, to visiting museums in various cities, eating every kind of ethnic cuisine possible, going to the opera, listening to jazz and learning poetry for the first time and anything else that might provide a more enlightening cultural experience than Season 15 of MTV’s The Real World. With hilarious vignette after hilarious vignette, readers get to indulge further into the uniquely, insightful mind and outrageous events that make up Jen Lancaster's life. I love how she manages to take so many excerpts from her life and turn it into an entire collection of related moments, by integrating her latest book tour, visits with old friends, taking care of her (multiplying) pets (and Fletch) and of course, in this novel the purpose of it all: "culturing up". I always love listening to these books so much more than reading them myself because Jaime Heinlein does the BEST job of narrating how I imagine each story to be told - she maintains all the sarcasm, humor, slight arrogance and naiveté (if you can have both at once) throughout every word. This may just be the pair's best release yet!! I can't wait to find out what the next saga will bring. To be read anytime you need a laugh or a smile, or just a break from reality.   

Four Stars: