'Sarah Starts Over,' Emma Gleich from Guest blogger Meg W!

Sarah Starts Over is the brand new first novel from up an up and coming young author of chick lit. It is a fun yet often touchingly poignant story of one girl’s struggles to find herself in the modern world and the characters and adventures she encounters along the way. Perfectly capturing the Melbourne suburbs in which it is predominantly set, this story follows Sarah as she deals with those age old issues of love, career, friendships and finding out who she really is. 

Surrounded by a strong ensemble cast that includes the faithful best friend, exacerbating yet lovable housemate and a series of horrible ex-boyfriends, Sarah Starts Over is an engaging and well-written novel. A real page turner that strikes just the right balance between light-hearted and serious, it’s impossible not to warm to and empathise with the lead character of the story as she faces the ups and downs of life in the city.    For anyone who loves chick lit and has ever struggled with love, career or friendship dramas (who hasn’t?!), this is a must read. The perfect companion to a long hot summer…

CLICK HERE TO BUY or BORROW ON AMAZON!

' A Guide to the Birds of East Africa' by Nicholas Drayson

The story... Mr Malik is an honourable and reserved widower - middle aged with a combover that isn't fooling anyone. Nobody knows that for three years he has been in love with Rose, the leader of the East African Ornithological Society Tuesday morning bird walk.

Mr Malik is working up the courage to invite the object of his affections to the annual Nairobi Hunt Ball. The untimely arrival of the wealthy Harry Kahn sees a competition ensuing to see who can identify the most species of birds within a week - for the privilege of asking Rose to the ball.


With disposable wealth on his side, Harry Khan has no trouble hiring boats, light aircraft and guides to take him to Kenya's choicest bird watching spots. And yet Mr Malik isn't so easily defeated - despite having his car and wallet stolen - he had a few unorthodox methods of his own!

My verdict... I absolutely tore through this book in one day. I loved it! So light and amusing, with spectacular knowledge on birds. It made me want to visit Nairobi one day - especially to see Kakamega Forest!! Parts of the story reminded me of the Owen Wilson/ Jack Black movie 'The Big Year.'

HOLLYWOOD BLONDES - Golden Girls of the Silver Screen

After going to see the Grace Kelly exhibition in Bendigo, I was inspired to find out more about Hollywood's silver screen era.


Hollywood Blondes: Golden Girls of the Silver Screen explores the lives and careers of Tinseltown's most memorable blonde bombshells. It was a heartfelt eye opener into the lives of these stars which are now immortalised in the silver screen. Many of them led tragic lives, which had they been movie stars today, would have turned out totally different.


Twenty-two classic actresses are profiled including
* Marilyn Monroe
* Jean Harlow
* Carole Landis
* Betty Grable
* Marie McDonald,
* Thelma Todd
* Lana Turner
* Jayne Mansfield
* Barbara Payton
* Veronica Lake
* Grace Kelly
* Alice Faye
* Mae West
* Carole Lombard




There are more than one hundred rare photographs featured throughout the book, lending it a real-life feel, as opposed to just posed photographs. One of the things I loved most about this book was the snippets of each actresses life - given in 5-10 pages. There were no boring bits!

Overall, an amazing insight into the lives and careers of some of women's pioneers in screen acting!

'The Second Wife,' by Elizabeth

Sequel to 'Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman.'

ABOUT THE BOOK: Minty used to be the irresistable mistress. She even managed to achieve the elusive title of second wife! Having finally found the comfort and stability that she once craved, Minty finds that the grass isn't greener on her new side of the fence. Her family life has brought her more disappointment than she cares to admit, and she is constantly fighting the ghost of the 'first wife,' her ex-best friend Rosemary.

Despite Minty's best efforts at avoiding Rosemary, her husband Nathan isn't doing the same. When Minty finds out that Nathan has a friendship with Rosemary behind her back, things take a turn for the worse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Elizabeth spent her childhood moving home every three years - including living for brief periods in Egypt and Nigeria before moving to Guildford, York and Edinburgh. Elizabeth Buchan obtained a double degree in English and History at the University of Kent at Canterbury. She began her career as a blurb writer for Penguin Books

OTHER NOVELS BY AUTHOR:

 Daughters of the Storm Light of the Moon Consider the Lily

Perfect Love

Against Her Nature

Secrets of the Heart

The Good Wife

That Certain Age

Separate Beds

Daughters

On the road frequently? Audiobooks are a great way to pass the time! View the clip below for a sneak preview of the audiobook 'Separate Beds.'

RECOMMENDATION:Admittedly, I didn't read the prequel 'Revenge of the Middle-aged Woman,' which I think was the storyline I was expecting when I first picked up the book. Being an empathetic person, I took the storyline a little to heart and found it depressing. It didn't follow the path I thought it would take at all, which, being a chick-lit lover, was a little disappointing. However, if you don't like the stereotypical story and don't mind a bit of a twist to your chick-lit, then this would be a great book for you!