Aloha to Chick Flicks and Friend Recommendations

 I spent last week moving oldest back into his dorm room at college. I also had the opportunity to catch up with a college friend. Since her husband does not care for "chick flicks", we enjoyed two movies together.

From 2007, THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB,

Six Californians start a club to discuss the works of Jane Austen, only to find their relationships -- both old and new -- begin to resemble 21st century versions of her novels.

The movie featured an ensemble cast of Hollywood's favorite - Emily Blunt, Kathy Baker, Amy Brenneman, Jimmy Smits, and Hugh Dancy. We spent just as much time naming the actors' previous works as watching the plot line. Perhaps my favorite scene is Grigg (Hugh Dancy) attending the first meeting with a large black compilation of Jane Austen's six novels (listed down the side of the spine) which he thought were sequels.  

Although the movie was predictable, it was still entertaining, especially as we joined the book club in discussing what we loved - and loathed - about each classic novel.

We then opted for another romance that my friend adored ... CUTTING EDGE from 1992:

A temperamental figure skater and a former hockey player try to win Olympic gold as a figure skating pairs team.
CUTTING EDGE throws numerous tropes into the pot - rich girl meets poor boy, enemies to lovers, underdogs overcome adversity - to jump on the figure skating bandwagon.  It was a fun movie to watch despite the "retro" cinematography (technology has improved in 25 years) and the "retro" music blaring to add drama to the skating competition.  

We chatted about other "chick flicks" we love - MISS CONGENIALITY with Sandra Bullock, BRIDGET JONES DIARY with Renee Zellweger, and LEGALLY BLONDE with Reese Witherspoon.

I am giving away a swag pack from RWA17 - approved by Elle Woods from LEGALLY BLONDE - to four randomly selected commenters from my posts published in the month of August. To enter the giveaway,

1. Can you recommend a "chick flick" that, no matter its flaws, still makes you smile?

I adore Drew Barrymore in THE WEDDING SINGER (a loving tribute to the 80s), EVER AFTER (a feminist remake of Cinderella) and NEVER BEEN KISSED (undercover reporter returns to high school).

2. Comments are open through Thursday, August 31, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Friday, September 1.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Aloha to Molly O'Keefe and NEVER BEEN KISSED - Cover Reveal

I received a request from Random House for a cover reveal of Molly O'Keefe's NEVER BEEN KISSED.  That is the same title of Drew Barrymore's movie, NEVER BEEN KISSED (link) - an ode to high school.  I also enjoyed Drew in THE WEDDING SINGER (link) - an ode to the 80s.   Drew also starred in FIFTY FIRST DATES (aka Fifty First Kisses, link) - an ode to Hawaii.

Sigh. Hawaii.   Its legacy is preserved by the Bishop Museum.

Bishop is the fictional town with hunky heroes in Molly O'Keefe's sexy new series, Boys of Bishop.

NEVER BEEN KISSED is Book 2 in the series .... 

As the daughter of a wealthy politician, Ashley Montgomery has had enough of her parents’ expectations for her future and is going her own way, volunteering to work at a refugee camp in Africa. But her act of charity turns dangerous when she takes a boat trip and is abducted by Somali pirates. Enter Brody Baxter, who was a bodyguard for the Montgomery family ten years ago and doesn’t think twice about coming to Ashley’s rescue. Handsome and tough, Brody has always done what needed to be done. So he swoops in, saves Ashley, and brings her to a place where she can rest and recuperate without the glare of the press and her demanding family: Brody’s small hometown of Bishop, Arkansas. But Ashley soon realizes that she’s not the only one in need of healing.

Holed up with Ashley in a tiny apartment over his brother’s bar in Bishop, Brody is tempted and torn in ways he never anticipated. Beautiful Ashley, vibrant despite her ordeal, fearless enough to love him beyond his wall of self-punishment, is now determined to save him. But with a little faith and a lot of love, they just may find happiness in each others’ arms.

Preorder link.

Author Praise:

“Molly O’Keefe is a unique, not-to-be-missed voice in romantic fiction.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Andersen

“Irresistible and satisfying . . . addictive and sexy romance at its best.”—New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery

To learn more about Molly and her books, check out her website at molly-okeefe.com.