Saturday, October 23, 2010

Chic-Lit and Child-Lit

Today I’m sharing a couple of books that have a British flare. One is considered chic-lit, while the other is a children’s book. Hope you enjoy.

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME by Jill Mansell

British author Jill Mansell has another delightful chic lit book out this month, TAKE A CHANCE ON ME.

As with her other books, author Mansell takes everyday activities, problems we all face, charming characters, and weaves it all together into a humorous and touching story.

Cleo Quinn has lived in the town of Channings Hill all of her life. She has some self-confidence issues that date back to school where she was teased and humiliated. She has finally found a guy who could be ‘the one.’ Then her world begins to spin out of control.

Johnny LaVenture, Cleo’s childhood nemesis, returns home for his father’s funeral. Now a famous sculptor, Johnny picks up his teasing as soon as he sees Cleo. When he remains in town, Cleo is constantly running into him.

Cleo’s anger flares when she see Johnny. It is anger that makes her heart race and her skin feel on fire, isn’t it?

While Cleo is trying to sort out her feelings, readers are introduced to a number of eclectic secondary characters who are intriguing in their own right. Among those characters are Cleo’s older sister, Abbie, and her husband, Tom.

Abbie and Tom appear to be a very loving couple. But when an incident from their past is revealed, their world is shattered. Can their feelings for one another be enough to hold them together or will that be what pushes them apart?

Cleo is a lovable and witty character you are drawn to from the first page. Her ups and downs will have you laughing one minute, crying the next, and feeling her mixed emotions all at the same time.

Once you start reading TAKE A CHANCE ON ME, you won’t be able to put it down until you know who Cleo is taking chance on and who is taking a chance on her.

For more information on author Jill Mansell, check out her website at www.jillmansell.co.uk

Take A Chance On Me by Jill Mansell, Sourcebooks Landmark, @2010, ISBN: 978-1-4022-3751-5, Paperback, 432 pages


FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book and it was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

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MRS. PINKELMEYER AND MOOPUS MCGLINDEN BURN THE RRRRUMP RRRROAST by Jennifer Kelman

This delightful book is designed to help youngsters whose parents are away for a few hours or a few days.

The story features Mrs. Pinkelmeyer, a silly English lady, and her funny dog, Moopus McGlinden. As she’s preparing a rrrrump rrrroast for supper, Mrs. Pinkelmeyer gets a phone call.

The call is from a mysterious stranger in New York. Mrs. Pinkelmeyer doesn’t get upset with the wrong number. Instead she hears an upset child in the background and agrees to talk with him. It seems the youngster, Henry, is missing his parents.

Mrs. Pinkelmeyer begins to tell Henry about hilarious adventures her dog, Moopus McGlinden, has been on. Soon Henry is laughing. After hearing about a bath Moopus had to take, Henry is ready to take his own bath and says good-night to Mrs. Pinkelmeyer.

It’s then that Mrs. Pinkelmeyer smells the rrrroast and finds that she’s burnt her supper. She just sits down and smiles while Moopus McGlinden licks her ankle.

The beautiful illustrations by Michael Swaim brings the jolly Mrs. Pinkelmeyer and funny furry Moopus to life.

This is the first in a series of Pinkelmeyer enjoyable tales.

Author Jennifer Kelman’s website is www.MrsPinkelmeyerBooks.com

Mrs. Pinkelmeyer and Moopus McGlinden Burn the Rrrrump Rrrroast by Jennifer Kelman, Illustrated by Michael Swaim, Dog Ear Publishing, @2010, ISBN: 978-160844-612-4, Paperback,  38 pages


FTC Full Disclosure - I requested this book and it was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review.

17 comments:

  1. Mason - Thanks for sharing these books. Take a Chance on Me sounds like it's got some interesting depths to it, and that is always appealing to me. And of course, what's not to like about some interesting, even quirky, secondary characters :-). And anyone who writes good children's literature deserves commendation. The more young people read, the more likely they are to be readers for life.

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  2. He he .... that book with Mrs. Pinkelmeyer and her doggy Moopus McGlinden sounds super charming for kids :)

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  3. The first one looks like a nice light read for a fall weekend. Love the snowy cover. And the second one, well that title! Love it ... I'm hooked with only that :)

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  4. I want to read them both. I WANT TO READ THEM BOTH, Mason. If only I had more time to read my TBR pile. I will get them and add them to my pile. :)

    Have I told you lately that you are a fantastic book reviewer?

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  5. I love Mansell's work - her characters are delightful!

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  6. Mason, Thank you so much for that wonderful review and I would also like to thank those of you who have posted comments in response to Mason's review. It has been such a joy creating all of Mrs. Pinkelmeyer and writing this first book in the series. I am humbled and proud. Thank you.
    Jen Kelman

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  7. Can't wait to read Take A Chance on Me, it looks splendid.

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  8. Thanks for the reviews, I have some younger relatives that I have in mind would love these. Hey really looking forward to next Tuesday when you host a stop on the Hugs Therapy Virtual Tour 2010 - see you soon!

    Marvin D Wilson

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  9. The children's book sounds delightful!

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  10. Love reading Jill Mansell's books. A light read and entertaining.

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  11. Hi everyone, thanks so much for stopping in today. These are two delightful books that would make a great addition to anyone's library.

    Jen, thanks for dropping by. Wishing you much success with your new book and series.

    Marvin, looking forward to your post next week. Your post are always interesting.

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  12. I love Jill's cover! So wintery and whimsical. I want to read it.

    CD

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  13. My kids like Brit Lit (did I just coin something new?). Charlie and Lola were one of their favorites not too long ago.

    Stephen Tremp

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  14. Have to admit Brit humor is pretty darn funny. Monty Python, Bennie Hill, etc. Good stuff all around.

    Stephen Tremp

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  15. Hey Mason! There is something on my blog for you! :)

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  16. Hi Mason .. yup .. Mrs Pinkelmeyer and her dog Moopus sound rather fun .. while the first one I might pick up and do a dash through if I was staying over somewhere .. light fun read ..

    Thanks - interesting to read about British writers .. thanks!

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  17. Hi Mason, and thanks a million for the brilliant review - I'm so thrilled you enjoyed Take a Chance on Me and described it so well. I do particularly love the cover of this one. Also, having written the book I was compelled to buy myself a wire sculpture...!
    Thank you again. You have a great blog and I'm really enjoying reading your reviews.
    Best
    Jill xx

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I'd love to hear your thoughts on today's post. Thanks for dropping by.