Tan Lines by J.J. Salem

Liza Pike is a lipstick feminist with a bestselling novel, a weekly guest spot on a political newsmagazine, a ticking biological clock, and a gorgeous husband who never touches her. Billie Shelton is a one-hit-wonder trying to salvage her dying career by seducing her producer. Kellyanne Downey is an aspiring actress with a past she would like to forget, whose bills are currently being paid by a 60-year-old married man. These three college friends who normally get together for one weekend a year are about to spend an entire summer season living together in a rented house in the Hamptons. The community – and the men – will never be the same.

This novel is trashy beach fluff personified. It has a blurb by Jackie Collins, and a dedication to Jacqueline Susann, so that should be a warning to potential readers who are looking for style and substance. It is, however, a whole lot of fun. It’s a bit like reading a gossip magazine – you know you really shouldn’t be interested, but somehow you can’t stop. There is enough sex to make it a perfect read for lounging by the pool on vacation, and the plot moves quickly enough that it is impossible to get bored.

In novels like this, often the main characters are so one-dimensional that it is difficult to root for them. Liza and Kellyanne, however, are intriguing, with many facets to their personalities. The author gives them each struggles that are easy to identify with, so the reader is able to sympathize with them, even as we watch them make really stupid mistakes. Billie is harder to like – I found myself uncomfortable much of the time when reading the sections about her. Good characters always need some flaws, but she has so many that it almost makes her irredeemable. I actually felt relieved when she rather abruptly dropped out of the novel near the end.

If you are looking for a fun, fast read to take on vacation this year, I think this novel would certainly fit the bill. Don’t expect a literary masterpiece – just get hooked by the first line, and enjoy the ride.

Finished: 7/17/08
Source: review copy from St. Martin’s Press
Rating: 7/10

Here is a video shot by the publisher of some random, unsuspecting strangers reading the first line of the novel – definitely an attention grabber!

(Probably NSFW!!)

The Questory of Root Karbunkulus ~ Item I – Miist by Kamilla Reid

“Rest assured, this is no ordinary treasure hunt. Each and every one of you will face inevitable hardship and danger. Most of you, despite your magic, will fail. But among you, from the depths of despair, will rise heroes! Indeed, the victors of this, DréAmm’s greatest Quest, shall earn a seat in the throne room of Legend!” The final note of Lord Blick’s speech rang like a distant bell of old, conjuring images of majesty and greatness.

In it’s opening, this book takes us straight to the strange but wonderful world of DreAmm, where we meet Argo Bumplekins, and his Wisteria Vine, Betty, who has a personality all of her own! We soon discover that Argo has been the guardian of something extremely special.

The next chapter takes us to another world, where we meet Root Karbunkulus, a rather unhappy girl, living with her aunts.. two funny but disgusting characters, who could have been written by Roald Dahl! Before long, Root finds a way to escape from this world, into the world of DreAmm, where she originally came from.

Once there, she has to quickly learn about her new home, along with all it’s wonderful characters, whilst preparing for a Quest.. along with hundreds of other teens.

The world of DreAmm is charming, a world very much like ours, but with some wonderful additions.. I loved the way the phones worked, and you won’t look at a dog in the same way after reading about the hovermutts! Oh.. and they have a very different way of making bandages!

The characters are also colourfully and yet deeply written, and you can’t help but warm to Root and her team mates, Dwyn and Lian. They have to learn about each other, and how to work as a team, to suceed in their quest.

For teenagers, there are themes of friendship, finding your way in the world, and developing your self esteem. I’m sure many can see something of themselves in the charcters. However, this is definitely a book for adults to enjoy too.. I loved escaping into the world of DreAmm, and now consider myself a huge fan. This book is bound to have a big future ahead of it, and I am very impatient for Quest II!

Visit the official website, and watch the trailer.

An Interview with Kamilla Reid

UK Readers.. a chance to win a signed copy!

A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is famous for The Chronicles of Narnia, but what might not be so well known is he is the author of many Christian books. A Grief Observed was written a few weeks after the death of his wife. It is a collection of notes he has jotted down to help him through the mourning process. It is very short, only 60 pages, and I read it in a day. However, I did not find it an easy read. As it is just notes, it is a bit jumbled as we follow his train of thought. He talks about himself, his wife and God. We see his heart and attitude change as he heals and understands he will always miss his wife but it doesn’t have to be so painful. I felt I was intruding a bit in his mind and found the book hard to follow.

5/10