Archive for November, 2008

a girlfriends’ cyber circuit recommendation….

Posted in Info on 11/28/2008 01:59 pm by Melissa Senate

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. If you're out there braving the crowds and happen upon a bookstore, I have a fun recommendation for you: DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD by Saralee Rosenberg.   

  A “For Sale” sign on your lawn is fine, unless you’re not the one who put it there. In DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD, Saralee Rosenberg’s fourth hit-home novel on Long Island, Mindy Sherman and Beth Diamond are warring next door neighbors who have zero in common, but no place to hide. Housewives have never been this desperate, or this funny.
 
The story begins on move-in day when Mindy notices that her new neighbor’s shed is bigger than her mother’s condo, and the vanity plate on Beth’s Lexus reads FSHNCRZY. It hardly bodes well for meaningful friendship as the Shermans are broke and Mindy’s favorite designer makes Mets t-shirts. Still, her husband, Artie, predicts that Mindy and Beth will become the next Lucy and Ethel. “In real life they hated each other,” Mindy cried. “In real life they laughed all the way to the bank,” he pointed out. “Which bank?” she asks.
 
Now, eight miserable years later, Mindy is still trying to compete, squeezing into jaws-of-life jeans, for in her neighborhood, thirty is the new wife. Even Artie isn’t immune. “Someone called us Shrek and Fiona!”
 
That someone is Beth, the ivy-league blonde next door who as resident sancti-mommy, makes Ann Coulter seem civil. It’s another day, another dilemma until Beth’s marriage becomes fodder on Facebook. Suddenly she needs to be “friended” and Mindy is the last mom standing.
 
For two women who have never shared a meal, it’s a hilarious balancing act as they join forces in order to keep their messy plates spinning thanks to overbearing in-laws, errant husbands, a troubled step-son, a failing business, an unplanned pregnancy and a possible relocation that would leave one of them very far from Bloomingdales.
 
Then, Mindy and Beth’s reality check nearly bounces on a harrowing flight when they discover a startling secret that they pray they are not too late to share.
 
DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD is a highly emotional, spot-on romp through bedrooms, boardrooms and backyards, making unlikely heroines out of two moms who never imagined themselves as survivors, let alone as best friends.
 
Publisher’s Weekly says, “Rosenberg’s novel is full of edgy wit and chicken-soup-for the soul warmth. If you enjoy giddy diversions, this bumpy suburban ride is well worth the trip.” 
 
DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD was published on August 1, 2008 by Avon A+, an imprint of HarperCollins publishers.  Ms. Rosenberg is the author of  other Avon novels, A LITTLE HELP FROM ABOVE, CLAIRE VOYANT and FATE AND MS. FORTUNE. She lives on Long Island with her husband. They have three children and a big mortgage.
 
Enjoy!

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted in Info on 11/27/2008 07:52 am by Melissa Senate

These adorable dog are not mine (but I wish they were—one day I will have a dog!). I was looking online for a cute picture to accompany my Thanksgiving greetings, and this pic was my favorite. 

I'll be back tomorrow with more book recommendations (Dear Neighbor, Drop Dead by Saralee Rosenberg will amuse you through your holiday travel, but more on that to come.)

This afternoon, as I gobble up turkey with all the delicious trimmings, Max will eat a grilled cheese sandwich and some grapes. He will shake his head at turkey, mashed potatos, stuffing, or any kind of vegetable. He has promised to try everything, though. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 

the girlfriends cyber circuit presents!

Posted in Info on 11/18/2008 09:41 pm by Melissa Senate

I am a huge fan of YA (that's Young Adult) novels and can often be found browsing the shelves of my local library and favorite bookstores for new releases by favorite authors such as Sarah Dessen and Carolyn Mackler and new authors such as the very talented Kelly Parra, whose debut, Graffiti Girl I loved (as did critics). Kelly Parra's new novel, Invisible Touch (for ages 13 and up), is now on my bedside table. I've been drawn to this book from the moment the very talented Kelly posted the cover. Isn't it gorgeous? 

INVISIBLE TOUCH by Kelly Parra

Kara Martinez has been trying to be "normal" ever since the accident that took her father's life when she was eleven years old. She's buried the caliente side of her Mexican heritage with her father and tried to be the girl her rigid mother wants her to be — compliant and dressed in pink, and certainly not acting out like her older brother Jason. Not even Danielle, her best friend at Valdez High, has seen the real Kara; only those who read her anonymous blog know the deepest secrets of the Sign Seer.Because Kara has a gift — one that often feels like a curse. She sees signs, visions that are clues to a person's fate, if she can put together the pieces of the puzzle in time. So far, she's been able to solve the clues and avert disaster for those she's been warned about — until she sees the flash of a gun on a fellow classmate, and the stakes are raised higher than ever before. Kara does her best to follow the signs, but it's her heart that wanders into new territory when she falls for a mysterious guy from the wrong side of town, taking her closer to answers she may not be able to handle. Will her forbidden romance help her solve the deadly puzzle before it's too late…or lead her even further into danger?

Praise for Invisible Touch

"A magical blending of mystery, romance, and deep and dangerous secrets. Kelly Parra’s Invisible Touch is an action-packed coming-of-age novel, sure to keep readers turning pages and begging for a sequel." _– Laurie Faria Stolarz, Bestselling author of Blue is for Nightmares and Deadly Little Secret

"Readers are going to delight in this fast-paced, gripping story, and be kept spellbound until its surprising finish." _  — Tina Ferraro, author of How To Hook A Hottie

"The Gold Award of Excellence! An amazing, touching novel that deals with big issues in an original context."  — TeensReadToo

"Five out of five gold pens for Invisible Touch."—The Salinas Californian

About the Author

Kelly Parra is the author of Graffiti Girl, a double RITA nominee and a Latinidad Top Pick, and the contemporary paranormal, Invisible Touch. When not pulling her hair while writing her current novel, she likes to play with her abundance of websites and feed a serious television addiction. For excerpts visit, www.kellyparra.com or follow the Secret Fates blog at secretfates.blogspot.com. 

Enjoy! More recommendations to come this week. 

 

election day!

Posted in Info on 11/03/2008 09:54 pm by Melissa Senate

I have been waiting for this day a long, long time and cannot wait to cast my vote. I'm taking my 6 year old son to the polls with me at 7am (I knew his early-bird ways would be of great use some day!). When I think of my Max growing up during the next four years (and hopefully eight) with Barack Obama as President of our country, I feel such a sense of hope! My fingers are crossed.