Thursday, July 9, 2009

Misery and Makeup Do Go Together

***Contest Alert***
Details on how you can win a copy of Misery Loves Cabernet follow my review!

I received Misery Loves Cabernet through Library Things Early Reviewer program; when it arrived I was surprised to find it was the 2nd book in a series - knowing my love for the series you know I wasn't upset. So, off I went in search of the 1st book A Total Waste of Make Up.


Title: A Total Waste of Makeup
Author: Kim Gruenfelder
Publisher: St. Martins Press / Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance
Pages: 384
On Sale: December 27, 2005




Synopsis:
Charlize "Charlie" Edwards certainly knows, in theory, what it takes to lead a successful and happy life. She owns a nice house in Silverlake, LA's trendiest neighborhood. She has glamorous and loyal friends who accompany her to the hottest clubs in town. And she works as the personal assistant to Drew Stanton, Hollywood's sexiest movie star. But she's also turning 30, chronically single, and faced with serving as maid of honor at her younger sister's wedding. Charlie finds herself struggling to juggle the chaos of wedding planning (while wondering if she'll ever wear the white dress herself), her all-consuming job for lunatic boss Stanton, and a serious crush on Jordan, a photographer on the set of Drew's latest feature--a man who might actually return her feelings.

My Review:
A wonderful debut novel with likeable & loveable characters that left me wanting more so I quickly cracked the spine on the next book in the series.


Title: Misery Loves Cabernet
Author: Kim Gruenfelder
Publisher: St. Martins Press / Griffin
Genre: Contemporary Fiction / Romance
Pages: 358
On Sale: April 14, 2009




Synopsis:
Charlize “Charlie” Edwards finally has it all: a house in Silverlake, L.A.’s hippest neighborhood, two fabulous best friends who always have her back, and a great (though hectic) job as the personal assistant to Hollywood’s hottest movie star, Drew Stanton. ..... Maybe Charlie’s journal of smart-alecky life advice—which she’s always been better at writing than following—has finally helped put her on the right track.
Unfortunately for Charlie, Drew is causing complete havoc on his new movie set, her eccentric family is descending upon L.A. for the upcoming holiday season, and her love life may be back to square one. ........ But there’s nothing misery—or seduction—loves better than a great glass of Cabernet.
(Synopsis has been edited to protect the outcome of A Total Waste Of MakeUp!)


My Review:
Another quick & enjoyable read from cover to cover with enough action, angst and advice to keep the pages turning. Much of the content is built from things readers learn in the first book, so don’t skip ahead, enjoy the entire bottle of wine, I mean series….just grab a glass of your favorite vino and get reading.

CONTEST!!!!!!!!!

If you weren’t lucky enough to score your own copy of Misery Loves Cabernet when it was featured on Free Book Friday (which includes an interview with Author Kim Gruenenfelder) here’s your chance to make this a part of your own private library. St. Martins Press/Griffin has sent me 3 extra copies of Misery Loves Cabernet to be awarded to readers of Not So Humble Opinions.

To enter:
Comment on here with the answer to this question:
Everyone likes to bring wine as a hostess gift at holiday parties, what other great ideas do you have?
The contest will begins at 6:00 AM CST on Thursday July 9th and will end at 3:00 PM CST on Wednesday July 15th. Winners will be posted on Thursday July 16th.

Rules:
  • No duplicate comments.
  • You may receive an additional entry by linking on twitter and then leaving a link in the comments.
  • You may receive an additional entry by blogging about this contest and then leaving a link in the comments.
  • This giveaway is open to US residents, aged 18 and over
  • Winners will be selected via random draw, using the Random Number Generator, and will notified by e-mail.
  • You have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.
Good Luck!



13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I haven't actually given many hostess gifts. I've taken chocolate before. I guess I'm just not very original.

carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Well, I'm totally lame so I've brought wine or flowers or chocolates or a dessert. But I still want that book and I'd love to see what other people bring.

Chris said...

D'oh - I'll correct my link!

Um, good beer? ;)

Anonymous said...

I tried to give one of my children as a hostess gift but it didn't work. Although that refusal was a bit more gracious than the one for the bag of used cat litter.

Guess I'll need to read others' entries. Maybe I can learn something...

I ♥ Book Gossip said...

I like to bring strawberry dipped in chocolate and champagne.

cindyc725 at gmail dot com

Turtle said...

I always like to take an ornament, especially if i have an idea of their style. Or i make a small item for them such as a mini breakfast basket with homemade jams, or maybe just a small side dip or holiday cookie plate. Sometimes we will take a bottle of my hubbys homemade wine, ale or cider with a handmade bottle bag.

Unknown said...

Its not fair to say no duplicate comments when SOME PEOPLE listed about a thousand things in their comment...

Um, a pie?

Debs Desk said...

I would love to be included in your giveaway. I like to give a gift for the hosts children. Usually books.
Thanks
Debbie
debdesk9(at)verizon.net

Mozi Esme said...

I love the idea of gifts for the children mentioned above!

What I've done - chocolate, or some kind of dessert that can either be served with the meal or kept by the hostess for later (home-baked breads work the same way). Plants. Or something from a recent travel - e.g. from Africa.

MamaKnits2Much said...

I'm an addicted handcrafter so I often make something for the hostess. If it's a holiday I might crochet a doily, knit a mini stocking and fill it with goodies, or sew a set of festive napkin rings. Whatever suits my fancy at the time and fits with the hostess' decor and theme.

kathemc(at)gmail(dot)com said...

If I've got enough time, personalized stationery -- if nothing else, they can use it for post-party thank yous! If there's not enough time, Vosges Chocolates.

Anonymous said...

I say anything personal that they made and that of course includes desert.....who can resist any yummy sugary goodness!
bjwaldron(at)gmail.com

Anonymous said...

I think a bottle of a nice liqueur is a good host/hostess gift.