5 Stages of Grief

I may be a little late submitting this review due to an unfortunate personal situation, but I had already read this book ages ago as I couldn't put it down. I was pleasantly surprised to learn early on that the main character Danielle Starkey was someone who I could relate to, despite never having experienced what she had. (And hoping I never have to.)

Every little plan that Danielle put into action, and her every little disagreement with anyone, especially her best friend, April, I could totally see myself doing. But especially feeling the need to "investigate" and make sense of the terrible discovery that rocked her confidence and threw everything into question.

I really can't say more because I feel that it could ruin the thrill of this book. I absolutely loved it and even stayed up late to finish it. I suggest that anyone who in interested in the chick lit genre should definitely read this book as it won't disappoint.

The author

Bethany Ramos is a chick lit author that is passionate about the fun, witty, and clever dynamic that can be found in a good chick lit novel. Her chick lit novel 5 Stages of Grief was published by Black Opal Books in 2011. She has also written a children’s book called Lions Can’t Eat Spaghetti that is under contract to be published through 4RV Publishing in 2015.


Bethany works full time as a freelance ghostwriter through Elance.com, specializing in Internet marketing, social media marketing, and SEO. She also co-owns her own website with her husband at The Coffee Bump. Bethany can be reached for further information about her writing services at bethany_ramos83[at]yahoo[dot]com or follow her on Twitter.

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Favorite Poem of ALL Time

I carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart)
I am never without it (anywhere i go you go,
my dear; and whatever is done by only me
is your doing, my darling).

I fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet)
I want no world (for beautiful you are my world,
my true) and it's you are whatever a moon
has always meant and whatever a sun
will always sing, is you.

Here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the
bud of the bud and the sky of the sky
of a tree called life; which grows higher
than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder
that's keeping the stars apart

I carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

EE Cummings

Scotland by Starlight Book Review

A tale set in Scotland, this book sort of lost me at points but ultimately confirmed how I feel about love: you need to sometimes take chances and just go for it.

Main character Cassie has left the US and everything she knows to move to Scotland to be with Ralph who is the unexpected love of her life as she met him while being heartbroken over someone else.

The book lost me at times because some things just didn't make sense, like Cassie talking in a Scottish brogue yet being American, and the fact that despite giving up everything to move to Scotland how she seemed to feel the need to battle Ralph's every desire.

That being said, I think that perhaps I could have appreciated this book more if I had read the first one. Which I plan on doing, if only to properly understand the context of some of this book's events.


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Blank Slate Kate

I have to say, I really enjoyed this book despite some inconsistencies. Although, the perceived inconsistencies aren't something that I'm positive on, so it piqued my curiosity and will definitely get me doing some serious research.

I also enjoyed this book because of it's references to my home country, Canada. There aren't a ton of chick lit type books set here so every time I randomly stumble upon one, I am quite pleased. There weren't a ton of descriptions of Ottawa or Toronto; just enough to keep the reader well situated.

The story focuses on Kate and the terrifying thought of waking up with amnesia. She wakes up, having lost 15 years and also having forgotten her true name (Donna) and the fact that she is (happily) married. Having run from her home and to an entirely different city, Kate is trying desparately to piece things together and figure out if she was happy or if she should make changes in her life.

I think the story wrapped up a little too conveniently and some of the main character's emotions seemed to just randomly change though she seemed so convinced of them just previously. But because I don't know a lot about amnesia and what it might be like, I just went with the flow.

I did like this novel a lot, though I can't say I loved it, but I'd definitely say it's worth checking out!

About the author, Heather Wardell, in her own words

Growing up, I was an avid (rabid?) reader. I am a natural speed reader, regularly clocked at about 1200 wpm (I read Harry Potter 5 in just under three hours).

After careers as a software developer and elementary school computer science teacher, in 2005 I took up the National Novel Writing Month challenge and attempted to write a novel in a month. I succeeded, and the first draft of my first novel "Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo" was the result. I realized I love writing. I left teaching, and I haven't looked back since!



Connect with Heather:

http://www.heatherwardell.com/contact.shtml
http://www.twitter.com/heatherwardell
http://www.facebook.com/heather.wardell.author
http://www.goodreads.com/heatherwardell




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Year of The Chick

This book had me from the first page, possibly because I am somewhat obsessed with Indo-Canadian culture but also because Romi Moondi is a master story teller.

I've often wondered what it would be like to live in a family that comes from a society very different from ours originally but then moves away for a better life. Culture shock for sure, a mix of ideals perhaps but definitely a steep learning curve to be involved considering the extreme differences in the mix of east and west.

We meet Romi Narindra who is struggling against wanting to just fit in and also want to make her parents happy. An arranged marriage is on the way but luckily her need to lose weight buys her some time. This is the only time that Romi has been happy about those few extra pounds but she decides to start making things work out in her way by searching for love as any modern girl would do: the internet.

Actually that part happens by accident but soon a love affair blossoms and Romi cannot get her mind off of James. But will they ever meet or will her parents succeed in finding her a nice Indian boy?

This book made me laugh, groan, cry and smile and sometimes a couple of them at once. I'm very excited that this book is to be part of a triology as I can't wait to see what Romi gets up to next and what happens with James.



Romi Moondi is Canadian author who has this to say about herself on her Facebook page:

1. I've been pooped on by a pigeon twice
2. A homeless lady in New York once told me "You're just a bitch on vacation with no money!"
3. I wrote a column in my high school newspaper called "Dr. Teen Angst." It was kinda mean.

And she also won musical bingo in sixth grade. I received a row of stickers as my reward.

Connect with Romi!

Facebook author page: http://www.facebook.com/RomiMoondi
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/romimoondi

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New Ventures

In the upcoming year, I'll be reading A LOT. I have almost 1800 books on my Kindle but am hopefully getting the new Kobo Vox for Christmas... There is a good chance I am as well.

But also, I am now an associate reviewer for Novel Escapes! Between that, my blog tour posts for Chick Lit Plus and also my two new book clubs, I'm going to be reading a lot.

But I am so happy about it. Lots of great stuff out there and I prefer reading to any other activity. Was time for a change in my life anyway... But maybe I will also get some inspiration for my own writing as well. Here's hoping.

Ka-Boom!

So last Friday night, I was sitting on the couch watching a movie at about 4 am (with the boyfriend). All of a sudden, there was a terrible BOOM and suddenly huge chunks of burning things were showering our way. Then again BOOM and another BOOM!

Three huge explosions in a row. I grabbed shoes and ran out as I could see flames very high in the sky... A place about a half a block away had flames shooting about 40 feet above the roof. I knew the place was in construction but WOW... I've never seen or felt anything like it.

Even emergency personnel arriving would get out and swear... Quite intense.

The sad fact though is that three more apartment blocks were badly damaged, so many people seem to now be homeless.

The place where the fire originated had burnt originally in August 2010 - quite curious.