Stockings, Cellulite, and Everything In Between

Stockings and Cellulite, Debbie Viggiano

As the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve, Cassandra Cherry's life takes a turn for the worse when she stumbles upon husband Stevie lying naked, except for his socks, on a coat-strewn bed with a 45-year-old divorcee called Cynthia. Suddenly single, Cass throws herself into the business of getting over Stevie with gusto. Her main problems now are making her nine-year-old twins happy, juggling a new social life with a return to work and avoiding being arrested by an infuriating policeman who always seems to turn up at the most inopportune moments. Then, just when Cass is least prepared, and much to Stevie's chagrin, she crashes head over heels in love with the last person she'd ever expected. 

 Cover: A The cover is perfect. The color scheme is eye catching without being overwhelming. The white lettering of the title juxtapose to the black stocking/heeled foot is a nice touch. The eye is automatically drawn to the title...which begs you to read the book (if you are at all inclined to pick up lighter women's lit). I wouldn't change a thing.
Story: A+++ The dialogue in this book is some of the most witty material I've crossed since my deceased favorite author, Erma Bombeck. Debbie Viggiano spins a tale of hilarity and hi-jinx that will have you laughing out loud. Believe me, I'm not one to blow smoke, so when I tell you that I laughed out loud--I mean it. There are no boring bits in this book. Page one, when Cassandra walks in on her hubby bouncing a  middle aged, floppy chested, big bottomed neighbor around on his pelvis, is just the tip of the phallic iceberg. 
Overall: A+ I found this book so thoroughly enjoyable that I felt compelled to send Ms. Viggiano an email expressing how absolutely brilliant I found her story. That is a first for me. I have no idea why this book isn't a best seller, because it damn well should be. This book should be up there with every Jennifer Weiner and Emily Griffin listing. It is the bomb-diggety. For a good laugh,  stop by Amazon.com today and order your copy. It is available in both paperback ($13.95) and Kindle ($5.99) formats. Be warned: if you are sipping Chablis, you just might find it coming out your nose!


Newsie Tidbits:
My short story, Looking Glass Lilly, should be out soon! I don't have a date--but I will, I promise. In the meantime, while you're buying your copy of Stockings and Cellulite, search Istoria Books LUNCH READS and see what all the buzz is about. There are three volumes available for download. At a mere $0.99-- you can't go wrong. They are genius. I hope mine is as well recieved as the authors before me...
Lastly but not leastly:
I have a rather large order of CONFESSIONS OF A PTA MAFIA MOM scheduled to arrive at my doorstep August 1st. If you would like to be the proud owner of your own autographed copy, let me know. I'm offering them at a special discounted rate of $12.00 (plus shipping if applicable). It makes a great gift for the lady in your life (and though he'd never admit it, my hubby is enjoying it just as much).
That's all for now folks. Enjoy your weekend.
Cheers!

Click: Because Love is Where You Least Expect it

"Click: An Online Love Story" by Lisa Becker


I tried like hell to get  the cover of this book to post. Unfortunately, Blogger was being a booger. I gave up. I'm posting my review without the cover photo. But remember, I always link...so if it's the cover you want to see--CLICK!

Fast approaching her 30th birthday and finding herself not married, not dating, and without even a prospect or a house full of cats, Renee Greene, the heroine of Click: An Online Love Story, reluctantly joins her best guy pal on a journey to find love online in Los Angeles. The story unfolds through a series of emails between Renee and her best friends (anal-compulsive Mark, the overly-judgmental Ashley and the over-sexed Shelley) as well as the gentlemen suitors she meets online. From the guy who starts every story with "My buddies and I were out drinking one night," to the egotistical "B" celebrity looking for someone to stroke his ego, Renee endures her share of hilarious and heinous cyber dates. Fraught with BCC's, FWD's and inadvertent Reply to All's, readers will root for Renee to "click" with the right man. 
Cover: B+
The cover is nice. Clean (you know how I hate fussy covers). The minimalist approach works wonders. It lets you know exactly what the book is about--it even mimics the writing style.More on that later.

Story B
The entire novel is a series of emails between friends (and eventually lovers). When I began reading, I wasn't sure if it was going to sit well with me. Fast forward a few hours to 'The End' and I'd say we have ourselves a winner!
Humor is rampant throughout (the dating website Renee works with is 'Choose Jews'? Totally inappropriate and TOTALLY hilarious. Probably exists...)
Why not an A? Renee is only thirty. Hardly a life crisis....I know more unmarried women over thirty than housefrau's. I know some women feel that clock ticking, but not all. Or maybe, at 40, I look at thirty with envy? 
The real reason I dropped it from an A to a B was *SPOILER ALERT* the big A-HA!moment. I felt that Shelley was much too smart not to connect the name dots or, at the very least, cross-check Ethan's....just to be sure. And Renee feeling more terrible about teasing 'The Cuddler' than knowing he played musical beds with her bestie? Hmmmm, I only hope I could be that selfless (Already knowing there's no way I'd pull that off).

Overall:
This is a really fun book. So good that once I dove in, I had to finish.The kind of story you can pick up and devour in one sitting (poolside at the Hilton optional).The characters are very well developed, the plot is unique & the writing will give you a good old fashioned chuckle. 
Right now, you can grab your copy of Click, on Amazon.com.
Under $4.00 for Kindle & $11.99 for paper (get an e-reader people!).
Snatch it up & have some voyeuristic fun--no hacking required.
That is my last surprise review until after I interview Ms. Laurel Osterkamp. This time, I swear I'm telling the truth.
Cheers!