Aloha to Michele Gorman and MATCH ME IF YOU CAN

Aloha!  I am away from home this week with limited internet access. I hope you enjoy the book spotlights in my absence ...

Michele Gorman is celebrating the release of MATCH ME IF YOU CAN, a romantic comedy from Avon Books:

Ever thought about recycling your ex?

Best friends Catherine, Rachel & Sarah are fun, smart, successful and single – just like millions of women with a low tolerance for idiocy in their dates.

Mr. Right hasn't turned up yet, and Mr Right-Now isn't worth booking a wax appointment for. So when Catherine, London’s finest matchmaker, gets Rachel and Sarah to join her dating site where they can recycle their ex-boyfriends in exchange for an upgrade, they soon realise that anything could happen . . .

Three best friends, proving that sometimes it really isn't you… it's him. 

Check out my review at this link .... and the book trailer at this link. I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash, including other Avon titles, to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about London, where MATCH ME IF YOU CAN takes place.  What do you know about England's capital city?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 23, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 24.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Michele and her books at michelegorman.co.uk.

Aloha to Michele Gorman and MATCH ME IF YOU CAN - Book Review

Three friends upcycle their exes through London’s most popular boyfriend recycling website, but haven’t bargained on the consequences of the exchanges they make.

Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk.

Meet best friends Catherine, Rachel and Sarah. Yet to find Mr Right, they’ve been settling for Mr Right Now. But when Catherine, London’s finest matchmaker, gets the girls to join her dating site where they can recycle their ex-boyfriends, they soon realise that anything could happen.

Rachel's office romance James was a big fat mistake and she's more than happy to upcycle him… Or is she? Homebody Sarah hasn't had a date in years but when her transformation finds men falling at her newly-pedicured feet, will her popularity be worth the sacrifices she’s making? And Catherine falls asleep more often on her desk than on a man, so when she builds the perfect partner who ticks all her boxes, surely it's a recipe for love . . . not disaster?

There’s someone for everyone, right? These best friends are about to find out for themselves ...

Matchmaker, Matchmaker,
Make me a match,
Find me a find,
catch me a catch
Matchmaker, Matchmaker
Look through your book,
And make me a perfect match

- Fiddler on The Roof

Catherine may be a divorcee, but she is a successful matchmaker.   Her silent business partner is her ex husband - he considers Catherine his best (platonic) friend.  She shares a ramshackle house with Rachel, a competitive architect, and Sarah, a wedding card artist.  Catherine convinces them to join her new venture, recycleexes.com, where former execs provide feedback to each other to join the dating website.  While Rachel and Sarah throw themselves in the challenges of online dating, Catherine walks a fine line with her ex husband who sells his shares in the business to his fiance.  

Gorman gives us a glimpse of the modern woman navigating London living in MATCH ME IF YOU CAN.  Each housemate has fallen into a funk where their careers have overtaken their love lives. Can recycelexes.com bring passion back to their lives?  I enjoyed each housemate's individual journey of finding the right balance between work, family, friends, and dating. Gorman delivers an easy to read Brit Chick Lit which focuses on personal growth rather than romantic relationship.  I could not put this book down and I did not want it to end.  It reminded me of my first assignment in the Air Force where I shared a Victorian home in Boston's suburb with two other single lieutenants.  We had different personalities, yet we came together at the end of the day to share a glass of wine.  

I have read 7 books from Gorman - I believe each book includes something from Gorman's personal life.  In MATCH ME IF YOU CAN, Catherine follows her then husband to the US for an extended stay in Washington, DC.  Gorman herself grew up in the US, but now lives in London.  I appreciated that she included Catherine's perspective of living aboard as a British ex pat in the US.  

Gorman weaves pop culture into the plot, including cell phones, new age, and reality TV, reflecting upon how social mores shape our lives.   Gorman adds humor with the ongoing renovations to the ramshackle house (again, something from her personal life.  She has shared her own "flat" renovations on her author Facebook page).  The unreliable builders destroy just as much as they repair during the daily battle to modernize their home.  Think Eldin the painter from the CBS sitcom Murphy Brown.  Murphy Brown, a single woman herself, would find MATCH ME IF YOU CAN an entertaining read. 

I am a long time fan of Gorman's books and jumped at the chance to review MATCH ME IF YOU CAN.  Avon Romance provided a print copy for my honest review.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Do you have a favorite "single woman" character from books, TV, or film?   My roommates from Boston watched Murphy Brown with me!  Candice Bergen as Murphy Brown delivered humor while still touching upon sensitive subjects, such as recovering alcoholic, glass ceiling, and single motherhood.  

2.  Comments are open through Saturday

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday,

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Michele and her books at michelegorman.co.uk.

More books from Michele ...

Aloha to Michele Gorman and MATCH ME IF YOU CAN - Cover Wars

I am a fan of Michele Gorman's Brit Chick Lit book!  I jumped at the chance to review her upcoming release, MATCH ME IF YOU CAN:

Three friends upcycle their exes through London’s most popular boyfriend recycling website, but haven’t bargained on the consequences of the exchanges they make.

Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Lindsey Kelk.

Meet best friends Catherine, Rachel and Sarah. Yet to find Mr Right, they’ve been settling for Mr Right Now. But when Catherine, London’s finest matchmaker, gets the girls to join her dating site where they can recycle their ex-boyfriends, they soon realise that anything could happen.

Rachel's office romance James was a big fat mistake and she's more than happy to upcycle him… Or is she? Homebody Sarah hasn't had a date in years but when her transformation finds men falling at her newly-pedicured feet, will her popularity be worth the sacrifices she’s making? And Catherine falls asleep more often on her desk than on a man, so when she builds the perfect partner who ticks all her boxes, surely it's a recipe for love . . . not disaster?

There’s someone for everyone, right? These best friends are about to find out for themselves ...

Michele Gorman is the USA TODAY bestselling author of eight romantic comedies. Born and raised in the US, Michele has lived in London for 16 years. She is very fond of naps, ice cream and Richard Curtis films but objects to spiders and the word "portion".

You can find out more about Michele by following her on twitter or Facebook and by reading her blog or website. Do chat with her online - she's always looking for an excuse to procrastinate!

Twitter:@MicheleGormanUK
Facebook: facebook.com/MicheleGormanBooks
Blog: michelegormanwriter.blogspot.com
Website: michelegorman.co.uk

I received a copy MATCH ME IF YOU CAN with the British cover (left) ... which I like ... but I also like the US cover (right).

What do you prefer British Aquamarine or American Pink? One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, December 19, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, December 20.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

PS I cracked open MATCH ME IF YOU CAN ... oh, it's going to be a fun read!

Aloha to Michele Gorman and THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB - UK Release

UK Digital Cover

Michele Gorman is the USA TODAY bestselling author of eight romantic comedies. Born and raised in the US, Michele has lived in London for 16 years. She is very fond of naps, ice cream and Richard Curtis films but objects to spiders and the word "portion".

You can find out more about Michele by following her on twitter, Facebook and by reading her blog or website. Do chat with her online - she's always looking for an excuse to procrastinate!

Twitter:@MicheleGormanUK
Facebook: facebook.com/MicheleGormanBooks
Blog: michelegormanwriter.blogspot.com
Website: michelegorman.co.uk

UK Paperback Cover

Last year, I reviewed the US release of THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB:

A hilarious, heart-warming read about normal women who decide to ditch the weighing scales and love themselves just the way they are.  Perfect for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Bridesmaids.

Can the curvy girls have their cake and eat it?

Meet best friends Pixie, Ellie, Katie and Jane. Fed up with always struggling to lose weight, they start a social club where size doesn’t matter. Soon it’s the most popular place to be – having fun instead of counting carbs. And the girls suddenly find their lives changing in ways they never imagined.

But outside the club, things aren’t as rosy, as they struggle with the ups and downs of everyday life.

In this funny, heart-warming read about normal women learning to love themselves, the curvy girls soon realise that no matter what life throws at them, together, anything is possible . . .

Liked The Curvy Girls Club? Try Perfect Girl – Cinderella meets Falling Down in a wickedly funny tale about having it all.

Here's a link to my review. 

New US cover

Avon is publishing THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB in the UK this week.   Here are the links for both countries across the pond:

UK: link
US: link

Which cover do you like best?  One randomly selected commenter win a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, January 17, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 18.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Original US cover

Aloha to Michele Gorman and THE RELUCTANT ELF - Novella Review

My final holiday review ... meet Britain's Worst Innkeeper:

Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?

Christmas without elves isn't a Christmas at all. - Anonymous

Lottie is reluctant to step outside of her orderly life where she programs video games by day and cares for Mabel at night. Her predictable routine comes to a screeching halt when her only relative, Aunt Kate, lands in the intestive care after a car accident.   Lottie and Mabel rush to her bedside in remote Wales, only to learn that a hotel reviewer descending upon Aunt Kate's B&B - a reviewer who can make or break the business so precious to Kate.  Lottie breaks out of her shell and takes on the role of the B&B's proprietor, no realizing she would also have to perform last minute restoration. Along the way, she hires an budding artist-turned-taxi driver who is willing to shop, renovate, and cook, too. The end result is a comedy of errors ala I Love Lucy in this holiday novella.   

Recommended read for fans of humor laced women's fiction. 

I purchased THE RELUCTANT ELF as I am a fan of Michele Gorman.

I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about B&Bs versus hotels - do you perfer cozy quaintness or gorgeous luxary?

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Michele and her books at michelegormanwriter.blogspot.com.

Best of 2014 - Contemporary Romance

Here are my favorite contemporary romances from 2014 ...

Jenny Colgan and THE LOVELIEST CHOCOLATE SHOP IN PARIS (link)

Diane Kelly's PAW ENFORCEMENT (link)

Patience Griffin's TO SCOTLAND WITH LOVE (link)

Leslie Wells' COME DANCING (link) 

Tracy Solheim's RISKY GAME (link)

Tracy Brogan's HOLD ON MY HEART (link) and THE BEST MEDICINE (link) 

Michele Gorman's THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB (link) and PERFECT GIRL (link)

And one novella, Ophelia London's MAKING WAVES (link).

Can you recommend a favorite contemporary romance from 2014? One randomly selected commenter wins a book choice from my convention stash.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 3, 10 pm in Baltimore.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 4.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Michele Gorman and THE RELUCTANT ELF

Meet Britain's Worst Innkeeper

Single mother and extremely undomestic goddess, Lottie, has five days to become the ultimate B&B hostess to save her beloved Aunt Kate’s livelihood.

When Aunt Kate ends up in the hospital, Lottie and her seven-year-old daughter are called to rural Wales to stand in at the B&B. Without the faintest idea how to run a hotel (she can barely run her own life), Lottie must impress the picky hotel reviewer and his dysfunctional family who are coming to stay over Christmas. Without the rating only he can bestow, Aunt Kate will lose her livelihood.

But will Danny, the local taxi driver who she hires to help her, really be Santa’s little helper, or the Grinch who stole Christmas?

THE RELUCTANT ELF is available now  on Amazon.

Amazon US: link
Amazon UK: link

Check out the video trailer at this link.

Michele Gorman is the USA TODAY bestselling author of several romantic comedies including the Single in the City series and The Curvy Girls Club. Born and raised in the US, Michele has lived in London for 16 years. She is very fond of naps, ice cream and Richard Curtis films but objects to spiders and the word “portion”.

Michele is represented by the Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency (hardmanswainson.com) and published by Penguin and Avon/HarperCollins.

@MicheleGormanUK
facebook.com/MicheleGormanBooks
michelegormanwriter.blogspot.com
michelegorman.co.uk

I am giving away holiday swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about your favorite place to visit during the holiday season.  Mine is a bakery to enjoy the holiday aromas!

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, November 15, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, November 16.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Check out Michele's holiday romance, CHRISTMAS CAROL, including my review at this link.

Aloha to Michele Gorman and PERFECT GIRL - Book Review and Giveaway

Cinderella meets Falling Down in this wickedly funny tale about having it all.

Carol is perfect… at least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality she’s sinking fast – her family treats her like their personal assistant and her boyfriend is so busy with work that he’s got her single-handedly running their relationship. Not that her job is any easier. As the only woman on the bank’s trading floor she spends twelve-hour days trying not to get sworn at or felt up by colleagues who put the "W" in banker.

How long can she go on pleasing everyone else before she snaps and loses it all?

With humor and empathy, Perfect Girl lays bare the balancing act that working women face in a man's world.

Balancing act ...

To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often. 

- Winston Churchill

I have been a fan of Michele Gorman after reading THE EXPAT DIARIES: MISFORTUNE COOKIE.  Michele's books delve into the heroine's personal development with a side of romance. She excels in PERFECT GIRL.  Carol worked hard to become the "perfect" girl as an business analyst.   Her efforts pay off with Green T, her program to spotlight emerging green energies seeking capital.  Carol's newly engaged sister asks her to find the perfect wedding venue; her mother asks Carol to find the perfect weekend getaway; Carol's friend ask her to screen internet dates.   Ultimately, Carol falls apart she learns things are not so rosy for her - no spoilers here!  I appreciated how Gorman revealed what motivated Carol's environmental activism ... and why she became so dependable.

Gorman delivers a humorous but heartfelt ride through the chaos that follows as Carol puts her life back together.   The writing is crisp; the story is engaging; and the heroine is noble. It is also fun to follow the characters through London.   PERFECT GIRL is a perfect escape into Brit Chick Lit.  

Recommended read for fans of lighthearted women's fiction.  

I received an ARC from the author for an honest review.

Historic Home in Kona, Hawaii

In PERFECT GIRL, Carol visits a historic home as a possible venue for her sister's wedding.   My mother recently returned from England with souvenirs from her visit to historic homes.   I am giving away "historic home" swag to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  Leave a comment about something that you have perfected ... or come close to perfecting.  I'm very good at speaking loud at spouses' functions when needed.   

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, October 11, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, October 12.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Michele and her books at michelegorman.co.uk.

Check out my reviews of Michele's other books:

EXPAT DIARIES:  MISFORTUNE COOKIE - link

CHRISMAS CAROL - link

WEIGHTLESS - link

THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB - link

Aloha to Michele Gorman and THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB - Book Review

I am a fan of Michele Gorman ... and jumped at the chance to review THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB:

When the pounds start falling off Katie, founder and president of London’s most popular social club for the calorie-challenged, it seems like a dream come true. But as the overweight stigma recedes and her life starts to change, she faces losing more than the inches around her waist. Everything that’s important to her – her closest friends, boyfriend, and acceptance into the club itself – are at stake in a world where thin is the new fat. 

A funny, heart-warming story about overcoming the prejudices we hold, no matter where we tip the scales.

THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB is now available in print and digital.

Amazon US: link 

Amazon CA: link

Barnes and Noble: link

Kobo US: link

Indigo Bookstore Canada: link

The Curvy Girls of Hawaii

You know, I'm a curvy woman and I just want to be comfortable with that. - Fergie

Readers met Katie Winterbottom in Michele Gorman's novella, WEIGHTLESS (link).  Katie was an overweight teenager, forced by her parents to seek counseling from the novella's heroine.   Katie is now grown up, working for a nutritional supplement supplier, but still struggling with her body image, or what society thinks she should weigh.   She created a circle of friends from other women attended the slimming classes - Ellie, Jane, and Pixie.  Pixie declares "enough" and the friends decide to enjoy life rather count calories.  In the course of their revolution, Katie suggests a social club for curvy girls ... and open to others fed up with body images.   Just as their club grows into a thriving business, Katie begins to loose weight.  As all four friends face crossroads in their lives, they question if the Curvy Girls Club can continue with, or without, the founding members.

Gorman delivers a heartfelt novel of that addresses female friendship, body image, and a hint of romance.   Gorman employs humor to spotlight how modern women define themselves by a scale's numbers, a lover's attention, and society expectation.   I laughed, cheered, and even cried as Katie and the Curvy Girls Club find value in their friendship ... and themselves.  I did not want this book to end!

THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB will make my top 14 books of 2014.

Recommended read for fans of chit lit, British culture, and female bonding.   I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest review.

In Hawaii, all bodies are celebrated!
Above are volunteers at Turtle Beach (link)

I am giving away a digital copy of THE CURVY GIRLS CLUB to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1.  What lurks in your refrigerator that challenges you?

My family loves True Moo chocolate milk.  But I would drink the entire gallon.  So we don't keep it in the house.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, June 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.  

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, June 22.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Learn more about Michele and her books at michelegorman.co.uk.