Do Me, Do My Roots - Eileen Rendahl Review

Title: Do Me Do my Roots

Author: Eileen Rendahl

Genre: Chick Lit

Book Synopsis:

After a couple of tough years, Emily is finally getting her life back together. She doesn't need to re-do everything at work 3 times, her 6-year-old daughter's soccer uniform is almost always clean the day of a game, and meals are pretty darn reliably on time, too. But hey, having your husband die of a brain tumor at 33 kind of knocks the starch out of you. But first her dad has an Event (only her mom would call a minor heart attack that, as if it's a Bar Mitzvah). Then her sister Caludia's ex-husband starts stealing their kids' Ritalin for the high (and wouldn't you replace that stash of pills with The Pill, to teach him a lesson? His -- ahem -- unexpected chest development was an unforeseen but howlingly funny bonus. Hey, they weren't even A-cups.) And her relentlessly upwardly mobile sister Leah has dropped her clone businessman boyfriend and has taken up with a rock musician. And now Jake, the best friend of Emily and her former husband, seems to be spending a lot of time at her house. Which she likes way too much. So much that it's kind of scary, not to mention confusing. So what's a girl to do, but get together with her sisters for the monthly color-the-roots and gossip-and-advice session, to make the world seem sane again? And if that's too much to expect, at least you know you have good buddies in life's asylum!

Book Review:

A hilarious story of family, friends, sickness, health, life and love Do Me Do My Roots had me from the beginning. Our main character and her sisters are a laugh riot, reminding me of best friends. Things spike up and down for them, even before the start of the book takes place brining heartbreak and hilarity before we realize the universe isn't up to us. The realness of the characters was what really caught me (along with other things), I loved that they had real problems and handled them the way that normal people would. Through everything falling apart, being duct taped together only to fall apart again family and love prevails giving a perfect ending. I kind of want a sequel though, just to see how things are going ;)

Favorite Quotes:

"Why do we have to talk about Thanksgiving? Did they move it? Have we decided not to celebrate it for religious or political reasons? Are we not feeling thankful this year?"

"Hannah Kauffman is older than my parents are. Her mother is older than Methuselah. In fact, Hannah Kauffman's mother might be older than Methuselah's mother."

"Let's just say that when I stood up next to her, she offered to perform certain, uh, services that she could perform in precisely that position, but would require her to remove her dentures."

"When you've been feeling a certain way for a long time - even if that way is sad - it's comforting because it's familiar. Learning to feel a new way - even if it's happy - is scary because it's new and unpredictable."

All in All:

A great story sure to warm the coldest of hearts with laughter and love, Do Me, Do My Roots is a laugh out loud and love read I would recommend to pretty much anyone! 

Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon

Book: Must Love Otters

Author: Eliza Gordon

Genre: Women's Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit

Book Synopsis:

Hollie Porter is the chairwoman of Generation Disillusioned: at twenty-five years old, she’s saddled with a job she hates, a boyfriend who’s all wrong for her, and a vexing inability to say no. She’s already near her breaking point, so when one caller too many kicks the bucket during Hollie’s 911 shift, she cashes in the Sweethearts’ Spa & Stay gift certificate from her dad and heads to Revelation Cove, British Columbia. One caveat: she’s going solo. Any sweethearts will have to be found on site.

Hollie hopes to find her beloved otters in the wilds of the Great White North, but instead she’s providing comic relief for staff and guests alike. Even Concierge Ryan, a former NHL star with bad knees and broken dreams, can’t stop her from stumbling from one (mis)adventure to another. Just when Hollie starts to think that a change of venue doesn’t mean a change in circumstances, the island works its charm and she starts to think she might have found the rejuvenation she so desperately desires. But then an uninvited guest crashes the party, forcing her to step out of the discomfort zone where she dwells and save the day … and maybe even herself in the process.

My Rating

5 - Tears in my eyes from laughing aloud- Stars!  

Favorite Quotes:

“Self-pity is a fickle cow.  She makes you feel worse about feeling worse.”

“Dinner on a date is about so much more than a satisfying meal.  One has to consider a number of factors: too much onion or garlic?  Bad for kissing.  Too much greenery or carbs?  Fodder for the fart factory.  Too spicy?  Could be looking at embarrassing bowel upset.  I also avoid green tea and anything caramel.  Both have resulted in disastrous ends to first dates when my stomach decided that such ingredients are offensive and should be expelled through the lower route immediately, without delay.  Nothing says romance like taking an explosive shit in some stranger’s bathroom.”

“I am glad to see him go, even though I notice - again - how nicely his slacks fit him.  But it doesn’t matter.  He’s an obnoxious mongrel who wouldn’t know how to treat a woman if she gave him an instruction manual with an audiobook and full-color illustrations.  He has to be a total lost cause if he’s still single - he’s gotta be pushing thirty - and living this far from civilization?  He’s probably doing womankind a favor keeping himself out of circulation.”

My Review:

This book is wicked funny!  By page 2 I knew I had found my new favorite author.  Actually, I had an inkling before I even started reading… with the bold heading for Chapter One “Batman Jerry,”… I was already had.  Starting a book with loving otters in the title that contained a first chapter about “Batman Jerry,” well, I could already sense I was going to enjoy the ride.  I must admit – I truly love and adore a clever and snarky heroine who is not afraid to call herself out for being an asshat …you see, I know the type… I personally should be looking for a 12 step program to join.

But I don’t want to give you the impression that this story is all sniggers and giggles.  The whole range of emotions is tapped here.  Many tears. Humiliations.  Betrayals.  Accidents.  And really bad news for Batman Jerry.  Our intrepid heroine, who proves to be more than a bit of a Calamity Jane, has hit a rough patch in her life.  She has finally reached the tipping point of having enough misfortune hit the fan at once, to rouse her from her complacency and bring her to the realization that she is unhappy with her awful job, jackass boyfriend, meager lifestyle, horrid co-workers, distant best-friend, yada yada… and that she deserves more than what she has settled for.  She also knows that she is a large part of the problem and feels… empty and incomplete. Most of us have been there to some extent.  And like most of us when reaching these life-changing epiphanies, she is at a total loss as to what to do about it.  

I instantly liked the title upon first glance as - who doesn’t love otters? They are cute, frisky, and full of funny antics.  It was finding out late in the book why she is so drawn to the otters that squeezed my heart.  As humorous, well written, wily, and brilliantly clever as this story is, there are several points in the book that brought me to a full stop with a, “Wow!  That just got real!” It turns on a dime and runs a crocked obstacle course.  I loved it!  I am still raving about it nearly a week later.  I find I am unwilling to start another book just yet as I am wanting to savor it just a little longer.  Actually, since learning some juicy stuff near the end, I am having a hard time resisting the urge to have the full-on otter experience all over again.  I have a really good feeling that I will enjoy Hollie Porter’s story even more the second time around.  

Empress DJ

Review - Letting Go by JM Witt (Empress DJ)

 
Title: Letting Go (Anchored Hearts #1)

Author: JM WittGenre: Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Chick-Lit

Synposis: Volume 1 in the Anchored Hearts collection. 

***Adult content, language, strong sexual content. 18+ please*** 

"I think what shocked me the most was how incredibly steamy the book was. Scene after scorching scene, the bar gets raised." ~ Lisa at A Risque Affair Book Blog 

When your past threatens to destroy your future; how long will you hang on before Letting Go? 

Cassidy Charles is picking up the pieces of her life after another terrible tragedy. The last thing she's looking for is love. James bursting back into her life is the last thing she expected, but possibly everything she needs. She can’t deny the attraction, but can she get past the fact that he may be the reason she’s lost so much? He opens up a whole new world to her that she’s only dreamed about that she easily falls into. The result of her relationship with him reveals secrets from her past she thought were long forgotten. 

James Benedict III, local playboy and successful real estate investor hasn’t stopped thinking about her since that fateful night all those months ago. He has her back in his life, but for how long? As more and more secrets from her past are revealed his own demons and tragedies loom overhead threatening to destroy everything he's built and done for her. He wants her in his life, but because of him her world comes tumbling down, again. 

Will they discover that the love they have is strong enough to survive everything and everyone trying to tear them apart before it’s too late?

My Review:

4 ½ Sizzling Stars

Sizzling yet sweet. Wear oven mitts while reading this one ladies - it brings the heat, as well as the spice. I would give it 4 1/2 stars if possible. I reserve 5 stars for stories that make me cry and/or laugh aloud. While this one did neither, it did give me a huge case of 2 deadly sins - envy and lust. Oh my! Christian Grey is a hack compared to my new BBF (Book Boy Friend)! JB3 is a much better boyfriend, and I just love his moniker. In addition to the steamy, spicy, juicy, sizzling sex scenes, (hmm) there is also a tender love story - which is ultimately what we all want… once we have caught our breath, cleaned ourselves up, and changed our clothes after getting through the steamy, spicy, and juicy stuff. Ms. Witt has done a fabulous job as I cared about and for all the characters, even the ancillary ones. I still feel invested in them, wish them well, and want to know what happens to them - all signs of a good tale. Obviously, given that the title states Vol. 1, it is meant to be a series, which I typically don't care for... but this book actually had an ending and can stand on it's own. No irritating cliffhanger - which I personally despise as much as flying cockroaches and biting ants. Ms. Witt calls herself a stay-at-home mom. I call her an insightful and talented author. I hope to be reading more of her breath-stealing work for years to come. Make me cry next time Ms. Witt and I'll give you 5 stars.

Empress DJ

Review: Your Exception - Bria Starr

Title: Your Exception

Author: Bria Starr

Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Chick-Lit

Synopsis:

All I’d ever wanted was to fall in love and be loved in return.
Logan stole my heart when I least expected it. He was sexy, adventurous, and the way he played guitar left me weak in the knees. He made me happy. He made me think I’d found the one.
And he made me believe in happy endings.
I knew he was my forever. I thought he knew it too.
I was wrong.
He destroyed everything I thought we had and shattered my dreams of us. He left me heartbroken. He made me doubt myself.
And he didn’t even seem to care…
Now I must let go. But how can I when he still consumes me?
How do you walk away from what you know was real?

My Review:

4 musical stars

A very good start for a first time author. The anguish and confusion seem very real. Ms. Starr puts her heroine out there while recounting her heartbreak, disappointments, and generally less than satisfying relationships with 3 different men. Glad I am not a young adult anymore, this story captured and brought back those exciting, excruciating, emotional roller coaster, teeth grinding, stomach fluttering, angsty feelings of that age. A little somethin somethin many of us frequently miss... but just as many have gladly forgotten, and/or hope we have left far behind us. I sincerly hope Ms Starr continues to hone her craft, I want to see more from her in the future.

Empress DJ