Archive for October, 2010

Earlier this year, in May in fact, I got the chance to read Clodagh Murphy’s hugely enjoyable debut novel and after that, I got to ask Clodagh some questions! It’s taken me a while to get this up (I was aiming for the paperback release of her new book Girl In A Spin but it’s been delayed) so here it is, and we’ll hopefully be reviewing her new book soon!

1. Tell us about your debut novel The Disengagement Ring.

The Disengagement Ring is about a girl whose family decide to interfere when she gets engaged. Kate O’Neill’s family can’t stand her boyfriend, Brian, so when she decides to marry him, they think she’s making a big mistake. Rather than accepting it and hoping for the best, they decide to take action and try to get her to call it off. They throw in Will Sargent, the unrequited love of Kate’s life, as a diversion, and Will takes Kate to Tuscany for the summer to cook for Walking Wounded, the band he manages. There are high-maintenance celebs and sexy rock stars, and the book unashamedly celebrates the good things in life – family, friendship, romance, beautiful food and lots of sunshine, even in Ireland (well, it is fiction).

2. What can you tell us about your second book Girl In A Spin?

Girl in a Spin is a romantic comedy set in London about a party girl, a Conservative Party leader, and a spin doctor. Jenny Hannigan is a rootless party girl, who craves a life of domestic bliss. She thinks she’s found her perfect match in Richard Allam, the Leader of the Conservative Party. But Jenny isn’t exactly perfect PM’s wife material, and Richard’s spin doctor, Dev Tennant, has his work cut out trying to keep the door closed on all the skeletons in Jenny’s closet in the run-up to the election. There’s also Richard’s ex-wife Julia, who may or may not want him back. But essentially it’s Jenny’s story and it’s about a girl who hasn’t had a very happy beginning in life, but is determined to find her happy ending.

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Chick Flick Tuesday highlights the best chick flicks in the movie world as well as bringing you news on upcoming chick flick releases as well as letting you all know about which chick lit books are being made into chick flick movies!

This week I have picked a 2004 release for Chick Flick, and it stars the lovely Drew Barrymore and the very funny Adam Sandler… it can only be 50 First Dates! I actually didn’t see this movie until last year when it was on TV but I loved it straight away and have now added it to my DVD collection. As well as being very funny, it’s sweet, touching and downright brilliant by the end. The comedy of Drew’s character losing her memory every day and the sweetness of Adam’s falling in love with her despite the problems makes this movie a must-see, and is perfect for rom-com fans!

“In the unforgettable romantic comedy 50 First Dates, love means never having to say, “Who the hell are you?” Marine biologist Henry Roth (Adam Sandler) finds the perfect woman, Lucy Whitmore (Drew Barrymore) and falls head over heels for her. But when he sees her the following day, she hasn’t a clue as to who he is. Lucy suffers from a rare brain disorder that wipes her memory clean every night. Now, with the help of his friend Ula (Rob Schneider), he has to concoct new and increasingly clever ways to meet her and get her to fall for him every single day.”

Thanks to the wonderful Emma at Ed PR, we have 5 sets of both of Immodesty Blaize’s novels to giveaway, Tease and Ambition! All you have to do to enter is to tell us what Immodesty Blaize is famous for (and it is NOT for being an author and any entries to say so will be deleted immediately). Put your answer into the Google form, along with your name, email address and postal address and you’ll be entered into the draw to win!

The competition is open to UK residents only, and closes on Sunday 31st October 2010 at midnight. One entry per household. Please read our Terms and Conditions for the rest of the rules. Winners will be chosen using random.org out of all the correct answers that were submitted, and will be contacted by email. Good luck!

Cat O’Connor didn’t quite expect her life to go the way it has. She works for an advertising agency, but is having an affair with one of her married bosses, and no one else knows about it. However, when things become public at work, Cat ends up with the rough end of the stick and finds herself with a loose end. When Cat’s friend Germaine decides she is going to open a women only commune, Cat is originally horrified but soon comes around to the idea. The women move out to a dilapidated old house, and start to get to know each other day by day. How are the women going to find it without men around for 6 whole months? Not only that, but Cat has to contend with a big family drama in the middle of it all. Is a house full of women just a problem waiting to happen, or will it be a better time that they all expected?!

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Thanks to publishers Little, Brown, we have 5 copies of Bernadette Strachan’s new book Why Do We Have to Live With Men? to give away to our readers! All you have to do is fill in the Google form below, and we’ll pick the winners using random.org.

The competition closes on Sunday 31st October 2010 at midnight, and is open to UK residents only. Only one entry per household is permitted. Please read the rest of our Terms and Conditions before you enter. Good luck!

In Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker, Marla takes her readers for a hilarious romp through her days in an exclusive L.A. matchmaking agency and her daily struggles to keep her self-esteem from imploding in a town where looks are everything and money talks. From juggling the demands her out-of-touch clients and trying her best to meet the capricious demands of an insensitive boss to the ups and downs of her own marriage with a Latin husband who doesn’t think that she is “domestic” enough, Marla writes with charm and self-effacement about the universal struggles that all women face in their lives.

Readers will laugh, cringe, and cry as they journey with her through outrageous stories about the indignities of dating in Los Angeles, dealing with overblown egos, vicariously hobnobbing with celebrities, and navigating the wannabe-land of Beverly Hills. In a land where perfection is almost a prerequisite, even Marla can’t help but run for the Botox every once in a while.

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I absolutely adore Sarah Addison Allen, as you all know! And though she’s not strictly “Chick Lit” I’ll still mention her here because I know many of you can appreciate her writing. A few weeks ago I found out from a “friend” that she was wrapping up the writing of her newest novel and then today I discovered the new cover on Amazon! Currently titled The Peach Keeper it’s due out in March 2011 and if the cover is any indication of how delicious the story may be I for one can’t wait! How about you?

As Danielle said last week, this week is YOUR chance to win a copy of Hook, Link and Sink Him by Jackie Pilossoph. Danielle loved the book and all you have to do to enter is to fill in the Google form below. I’m afraid the competition is open to US/Canada residents only and will end next Saturday at 12pm (mid-day) GMT.

Anna’s a girl who’s desperate to be a bride. Jeff and Dave are two guys who sprint from long-term commitment. Put them together and the three of them are wildly successful! They’re raking in the cash while helping women HOOK, LINE AND SINK their long time boyfriends into finally taking a walk down the aisle.

Step into the offices of HOOK, LINE AND SINK HIM, where Jeff, Dave and Anna are fantastic at turning bitter, unhappy girlfriends into bridal gown beauties. When it comes to their own love lives, though, it’s an entirely different story. All three are fishing for answers. Anna’s not sure if she’s settling, Dave’s questioning whether his current girlfriend’s right for him, and as for Jeff, he never counted on falling for Anna.