You Are Viewing 2012 releases

Upcoming debut author, Suzzy Roche is no stranger to the lime light and as such it should come as no surprise that her new fiction novel, Wayward Saints, has quite a bit to do with that. From her publisher, Hyperion/Avon:

Along with her sisters, Suzzy Roche is a founding member of the beloved singing group the Roches, whose debut recording was named Album of the Year by the New York Times in 1979. She has been touring and recording for over thirty years and has appeared on Saturday Night Live, the Late Show with David Letterman, and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.

Not only does Suzzy’s fascinating music career have me intrigued, but so does the premise for Wayward Saints. Based on the the synopsis alone I’d venture to guess this is going to be a fantastic journey filled with family, love and music. I simply cannot wait to read this one and I’d love to hear what you think! Take a look…

Mary Saint, the rule-breaking, troubled former lead singer of the almost-famous band Sliced Ham, has pretty much given up on music after the trauma of her band member and lover Garbagio’s death seven years earlier. Instead, with the help of her best friend, Thaddeus, she is trying to piece her life together while making mochaccinos in San Francisco. Meanwhile, back in her hometown of Swallow, New York, her mother, Jean Saint, struggles with her own ghosts.

When Mary is invited to give a concert at her old high school, Jean is thrilled, though she’s worried about what Father Benedict and her neighbors will think of songs such as “Sewer Flower” and “You’re a Pig.” But she soon realizes that there are going to be bigger problems when the whole town—including a discouraged teacher and a baker who’s anything but sweet—gets in on the act.

Filled with characters that are wild and original, yet still familiar and warm—plus plenty of great insider winks at the music industry—Wayward Saints is a touching and hilarious look at confronting your past and going home again.

You tell me, are you intrigued enough by the premise and cover for Wayward Saints by Suzzy Roche to pick it up? I’d love to know!

Wayward Saints by Suzzy Roche will be out in the US in January 2012.

For many of you Stacy London is a household name in the US. Not only has she had a long standing co-host position on the very popular “What Not to Wear”, but she’s also appeared on shows ranging from Oprah to The Today Show to Good Morning America. Stacy isn’t a one note kind of gal either. Having graduated from Vassar college with an independent degree in philosophy and literature, Stacy not only knows how to dress well but understands how to reach both viewers and readers. Her newest endeavor leads her into the realm of publishing and I for one am extremely excited about the topic! Take a look…

Official Publishers Marketplace announcement:
Style expert and co-host of TLC’s What Not to Wear, Stacy London’s STYLE BY FIRE, sharing her personal battles with self-esteem, and stories of real women made over to face down the beliefs that hold women back from dressing well and feeling good about themselves, tackling not just the “how” of style but the “why” it should matter, to Rick Kot at Viking, for publication in 2012, in a two-book deal, by CAA (world).

Strictly speaking this isn’t a “Chick Lit” novel, but I’m positive that many of our readers will appreciate what Stacy will be sharing through her upcoming books. So be on the lookout for Style by Fire due out in 2012 and congratulations Stacy!

You tell me…are you a fan of Stacy London and her many media appearances? Is this a book you’ll be looking forward to next year?

In 2010 Kate Rockland published her debut novel, Falling Is Like This, and now she’s back with a brand new book that looks to be truly fantastic, 150 Pounds. As I was searching through the upcoming releases I came across the brand new cover for 150 Pounds which will be released in January 2012 and I thought it was fabulous! The color scheme is beautiful and I absolutely adore the cupcakes! Then I took a look at the synopsis and instantly decided I’m dying to read this novel. Take a look…

A smartly-written novel of two women starting at opposite ends of the scale-and finding compromise and friendship in their journey towards 150 pounds In the fast paced life of blogging, two women stand out: Alexis Allbright, of Skinny Chick, and Shoshana Weiner, who writes Fat and Fabulous. Both have over five million loyal readers. Both are hungry for success. But the similarities stop there.

With over 100 pounds on the scale separating them, weight isn’t their only difference. Alexis is a loner who is so bitchy the only person who can stand her company is her gay best friend Billy. She gives neurotic New Yorkers a run for their money with her strict daily workout routine, and weighing of food. Shoshana is Alexis’s opposite. Living in Jersey with rowdy roommates, she is someone who “collects friends,” as her mother puts it; and treasures a life of expanding circles…and waistlines.

When both appear as panelists on a popular talk show, their lives intersect in ways neither could have imagined. In turns comedic, heartwarming-and familiar to any woman who’s ever stepped on a scale-Alexis and Shoshana realize they have far more in common than either could have possibly imagined, and more importantly, something to offer.

Fantastic, right?! This will be Kate’s sophomore novel and 150 Pounds will be published January 2012. So, you tell me…do you love the cover and will you be picking up a copy come the first of next year?

I do love an exclusive book extract, and I saw on Harriet Evans’ Facebook page that you can read the first chapter of her 2012 book Happily Ever After online! I’ve had a read myself and already I’m hooked, I can’t wait to read more! If you fancy having a read of the chapter, just click the link below to open the file!

http://www.harriet-evans.com/images/uploads/HappilyEverAfterHarrietEvanspart1a.pdf

2012 Looks to be a fantastic year in the world of Chick Lit and Women’s Fiction! As I was scanning the recently acquired book deals on Publishers Weekly I came across two new debut authors that sound like fantastic story tellers and I had to share them with you!

First up is Rosanna Chiofalo with her debut novel, Bella Fortuna, and an expected publication date of August 2012:

Set in New York and Venice, Bella Fortuna explores the dynamics of first love, friendship, betrayal, loss, forgiveness, and just how much control we really have over our own destiny.

My novel’s heroine thirty-year-old Valentina DeLuca always thought she was cursed when it came to love. To add insult to injury, Valentina designs and sews knockoff designer gowns in the bridal boutique she owns with her mother and two sisters. After making countless Bridezillas’ dreams come true, this year is Valentina’s year to finally tie the knot. Engaged to Michael Carello, Valentina has had a secret crush on Michael since she was a little girl. She can’t believe she’s really marrying Michael and in her favorite city in the world—Venice! But as Valentina is about to discover, the road to blissful matrimony will be paved with many bumps and having the perfect wedding is much harder than she ever dreamed.

Next up is Paula Bomer with her debut novel from Soho Press, Nine Months, and an expected publication date of the Fall of 2012:

A look at a unstable pregnant woman who flees her husband and children in Brooklyn and hits the road. via Publishers Weekly

Those are only a couple of the fantastic new releases from brand new authors in 2012! Would you love to hear more? I can definitely keep sharing more, so please let me know!

Colours & Fonts:
Graphics/Pictures used:
Overall design:
Why we like/dislike it: This was instantaneous love for me. When I discovered this gorgeous cover for Paola Calvetti’s novel P.O. Box Love there was no description and so I quite literally had only the cover to admire. If I were to change anything I’d maybe change the font for the author’s name and the title of the book, but even that I’m not sure I’d change. I’m certainly sold, are you?
Overall mark out of 10:
Would we buy this book based on its cover? Absolutely!

Do Judge A Book By Its Cover is a new feature on Chick Lit Reviews, where we take a look at some of the best (and worst) Chick Lit covers in existence. No synopsis, no hint of the story, just plain old book cover judging, with marks out of 10!

We’re still not posting about 2012 releases but I came across quite a brilliantly exciting bit of news and, well, you don’t want me to WAIT to share it do you? Marian Keyes will be back in 2012 with a brand-new novel called Mercy Close and (calm your hearts, folks) it’s a WALSH FAMILY NOVEL! As far as I know this is the final Walsh novel as we’ve already had novels from the other Walsh sisters. I can’t WAIT to read it. I love Marian and it’s so, so, so good to see her back to novel writing and with a new release! Here’s what it’s about:

At 34, Helen Walsh’s life has hit a speed bump. Her flat has been repossessed, her work as a private investigator has dried up and her lovely boyfriend is insisting on remaining friendly with his ex-wife. So when Helen’s dangerous-but-sexy ex Jay Parker calls with a case for her, she’s intrigued. When it turns out the case involves the disappearance of Wayne Diffney, one-fourth of Ireland’s biggest-ever boy band, she’s hooked. As the Laddz reunion tour looms, Helen is drawn into a world of big hair, big mansions and even bigger egos, where everyone has an ulterior motive. But there’s still no sign of Wayne, time is running out and clues are thin on the ground… Will she be able to crack the case and jumpstart her career? Will Jay manage to wheedle his way back into her life? And will the black dog of depression that’s been stalking her catch up with her once again?

Being that Stephanie Plum is one of Leah’s all time favorite characters I thought that this new trailer for the movie based on Janet Evanovich’s successful series would be fun to share. One for the Money is due in theaters here in the US in January of 2012 and it looks hilarious! It’s definitely going on my to-see list and I’m also making a note to pick up the book series ASAP!

Take a look and you tell me…will you be watching One for the Money?