Review: Neurotica

Neurotica

Author: Eliza Gordon
Series: Standalone
Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
Publisher: West 26th Street Press
Publication Date: August 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 318
Source: CBB Promotions
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★

If you find yourself talking to Jayne Dandy, keep the conversation on Star Wars and rubber ducks—best not to mention men, dating, or S-E-X. Because Jayne is fine with the way things are: writer of obituaries and garage sale ads by day, secret scribe of adventures in distant galaxies by night. But her crippling fear of intimacy has made her the butt of jokes since forever, and hiding behind her laptop isn’t going to get her lightsaber lit.

After her therapist recommends that she write erotica as a form of exposure therapy, Jayne joins forces with pen and paper to combat the demons that won’t let her kiss and tell. Unexpectedly downsized at work, she adopts a pseudonym and secretly self-publishes one of her naughty books to make ends meet. When her adorable, long-time friend Luke, co-owner of the popular Portland food truck Luke Piewalker’s, hears she’s been demoted, he insists on hiring her to sling éclairs and turnovers at his side. Her secret must be kept, but sparks ignite between them, sending Jayne and her X-Wing into a tailspin that will either make her face down her neuroses or trigger a meltdown of Death Star proportions. (Goodreads)

Opening Lines

“Sex smells funny.”
Dr. McCoy chokes on her coffee. “I’d say ‘come again,’ but I’m afraid to.” She dabs at sputtered drops before they soak into her blouse. “How would you know, Jayne?”
“I’m not a complete newb. And my roommate—I know when she’s had a carnal sleepover. She lights scented candles. To mask the smell.”

Excerpt From: Eliza Gordon. “Neurotica.” iBooks.

I first heard of Eliza Gordon when I came across Must Love Otters on Goodreads. I badly wanted to read the book but it's not available in paperback at my local bookstore. I've read nothing but great reviews and mentions on how it's a fun read, so when I came across Neurotica I knew I was in for a treat! 

Neurotica opens up with a hilarious scene that I just wasn't expecting! I knew at the moment that this would be getting a high rating as long as the story kept up from beginning to end and it did! This was a great read from start to finish and I can't really think of nothing that I hated.

I will admit the I was very hesitant about Jayne's character at first. There was just something about her that didn't make me instantly love her but I did start too when I was just shy of being half way through the book. Now Gretchen, well she drove me up the wall at first but I realized she was a true friend who was just trying to push Jaybe out of her comfort zone. What I loved the most was that this story wasn't ruined by a lot of sex, it kept true to provided readers a well layouted plot with a certain character that you can't help but swoon over! 

Overall, Neurotica was an amazing read and one I can see myself re-reading sometime soon! I highly recommend picking this up :)

Schedule and Tour Page

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

A purveyor of fictions, Eliza Gordon has excellent taste in books, shoes, movies, and friends, and questionable sanity in the realm of love. Best leave that one alone. www.elizagordon.com

Links:
Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: The Right Design

The Right Design

Author: Isabella Louise Anderson, Scarlett Rugers (Illustrator)
Series: Standalone
Genre: Chick-Lit, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Chick Lit Goddess
Publication Date: March 8th, 2014
Format: ebook
Pages: 340
Source: IndieSage PR
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Rating: ★★★★.5

Interior designer Carrie Newman could not have envisioned a more perfect life for herself. She had a great job doing what she loved, wonderful friends, and a close relationship with her sister and brother-in-law. Add in an amazing man who she’d hoped would soon become her husband, and her life was perfect. Until one devastating decision ruins her relationship and changes the course of her life.

Determined to make a new start, Carrie leaves Texas and heads to Palm Beach to pick up the pieces of her shattered and broken life. The last thing she expects is to find herself attracted to her first client at her new job—Brad Larson, who has proven himself time and time again to be cad.

But there’s something beneath the surface of Brad’s arrogant exterior that keeps her craving more of him—something almost sweet that Carrie can’t seem to resist.

Is Carrie ready to take another chance on romance? And will this new design of her life prove to be the right one…?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Impression

Confession: I saw the cover for this book and instantly wanted to know what it was all about! Once I read the synopsis I was so curious to know what the decision was that Carrie made that caused her life to change.

Opening Lines

"Carrie Newman's day started out like any other, only there were presents involved."

The Good

This book. This is a book that I will probably re-read again soon. It was just so good! The Right Design has everything you would expect, this is the perfect definition of a Chick-lit read. I instantly felt a connection to Carrie, which is something that does not happen often. I felt like I could really relate to her throughout different moments in this book.

One of my favourite things about The Right Design was the amount of description/detailing that Isabella put in, it wasn't overkill but it was the perfect amount to really fill the readers imagination of how things were playing out. While this was chick-lit, The Right Design was also realistic in the sense of the real-life situations that were taking place.

Enter Brad. When we first met Brad I was actually a little hesitant of if he was a great match for Carrie, I also couldn't decide if I actually liked him. As the story progresses he ends up proving to be a character a became quite fond of. While I think the romance started a little fast between Carrie and Brad, they encounter a little set back that really puts their relationship to the test.

I felt so many different emotions while reading this book, which was surprising to me. I just didn't expect to feel such a strong connection to Carrie's character. I kept hoping that Carrie would get a happy ending! Did she get her happily ever after? Well you'll have to read it to find out! :)

The In-Between / The Bad

• Nothing!

Lasting Impression

Overall, The Right Design absolutely blew my expectations out of the water! As a debut novel I strongly believe Isabella Louise Anderson is an author to watch out for. Should you read this? YES! I'll be recommending this to everyone of Goodreads!

Excerpt

“Carrie Newman?” he asked in an über-sexy Australian accent. Her toes curled at the sound of his voice. He reached out his hand and said, “I’m Oliver. Jane sent me over to help you unpack your boxes.”
Whether it was the Florida sun or the handsome man who stood in front of her that hit her like a heat wave, she blinked a few times more, and shook his masculine hand. “Thank you for coming, but I can manage. There are only a few of them anyway.” She pointed to her tightly packed car.
“I don’t mind.” Oliver smiled and clasped his hands, his voice sounding eager and more than ready to help.
I certainly could use your help in more ways than one, she thought to herself, calculating that it had been quite a while since she’d last had sex, which was way too long in her opinion. Shaking naughty thoughts away, Carrie regained her composure. “Thank you. I’d certainly appreciate your assistance.” She turned toward her car and pressed the unlock button, and then he took the lead. Between telling him which room to put the boxes in and passing one another between entranceways, Carrie tried to ignore Oliver’s flirtatious smile and the dimples indented in his cheeks. Finally, they unpacked the last two boxes from the car, leading them to meet in the kitchen.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“No, but thank you for coming.” She observed sweat beading the sides of his forehead. “Can I get you some water? I think I have another bottle in the cooler.” She pointed to the cooler Sara had packed for her.
He wiped the sweat off with his forearm. “No, I’m okay. Thanks, though.”
“Okay.” She looked around her kitchen and awkward silence filled the room.
“Would you like to come to Nick & Johnnie’s tonight? I’m working as a bartender there, and I’d love to buy you a drink.”
Carrie blushed and bowed her head. “I’d love to, but I’m kind of tired,” she lied as his face turned somber. “But maybe soon,” she added, giving him a polite grin.
Oliver beamed. “Wonderful! I look forward to seeing you again.” With one last glance in her direction, he reached into his wallet, pulled out a card, and handed it to her. “Call me if you need anything else. I work full time for Moving Waves, but call anytime—even if you need a handyman—I do it all.”
She wanted to say, “I’m sure you do,” but kept quiet. Shaking her head once again at the dirty thoughts that swam back into her mind, she took his card and smiled at him. “You’ll be hearing from me if I need anything.” She followed him out the door and watched him get into the truck.
“Goodbye,” he said after rolling down the window.
“Bye,” Carrie said quietly as she waved her hand in the warm air.

About the Author

Isabella grew up with a book in her hand, and to this day nothing has changed. She is a member of
the Romance Writers of America and has been featured on several blogs. While Isabella doesn’t blog a lot, she focuses her time on featuring other writers, along with working on her next book.

She created Chick Lit Goddess to share the love of the following genres: Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Romance, and Romantic Comedies! She loves featuring authors and their books.

Currently, she lives in Dallas with her husband and cat. She enjoys spicy Mexican food and drinking margaritas, and can be found spending time with family and friends, cheering on the Texas Rangers, and reading.

Isabella’s short story, Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, was featured in Simon & Fig’s Christmas anthology, Merry & Bright, in November 2013. The Right Design is her first novel.

Links: Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads