Review: Beaten, Seared, and Sauced

Summary: Millions of people fantasize about leaving their old lives behind, enrolling in cooking school, and training to become a chef. But for those who make the decision, the difference between the dream and reality can be gigantic—especially at the top cooking school in the country. For the first time in the Culinary Institute of America’s history, a book will give readers the firsthand experience of being a full-time student facing all of the challenges of the legendary course in its entirety.

On the eve of his thirty-eighth birthday and after shuffling through a series of unsatisfying jobs, Jonathan Dixon enrolled in the CIA (on a scholarship) to pursue his passion for cooking. In Beaten, Seared, and Sauced he tells hilarious and harrowing stories of life at the CIA as he and his classmates navigate the institution’s many rules and customs under the watchful and critical eyes of their instructors. Each part of the curriculum is covered, from knife skills and stock making to the high-pressure cooking tests and the daunting wine course (the undoing of many a student). Dixon also details his externship in the kitchen of Danny Meyer’s Tabla, giving readers a look into the inner workings of a celebrated New York City restaurant.

With the benefit of his age to give perspective to his experience, Dixon delivers a gripping day-to-day chronicle of his transformation from amateur to professional. From the daily tongue-lashings in class to learning the ropes—fast—at a top NYC kitchen, Beaten, Seared, and Sauced is a fascinating and intimate first-person view of one of America’s most famous culinary institutions and one of the world’s most coveted jobs. -- Clarkson Potter

I can't say exactly why BEATEN, SEARED, AND SAUCED: ON BECOMING A CHEF AT THE CULINARY INSTITUTE OF AMERICA by Jonathan Dixon appealed to me so much. I like to eat and look at recipes, but I don't cook all that much; and I'd never dream of attending a culinary school. But for some reason, I was intrigued by BEATEN, SEARED, AND SAUCED. I wanted to know the inside scoop what it takes to train at The Culinary Institute of America.

Let me just say that I am 100% sure that I don't have what it takes to become a chef at The CIA -- not even close. I figured the process would be daunting, but I had no idea how rigorous the training is. It was part in-depth college coursework and part Hell's Kitchen (the reality show with Gordon Ramsay.) This two-year program is beyond difficult especially to someone like me who can't even comprehend learning this much about cooking and wouldn't even be willing to try half the recipes. Students learn about everything from knife skills, to meats, to pastry making, to wine, and they also have a rigorous externship. After reading BEATEN, SEARED, AND SAUCED, I have the utmost respect for anyone who could make it through this program.

Of course, I was fascinated with everything that had to do with The CIA -- from the coursework, to the teachers, to the food, to the students; however, what made BEATEN, SEARED, AND SAUCED so interesting was how Mr. Dixon presented the information. Mr. Dixon was almost 40 years old when he decided that he wanted to train to be a chef -- that's way older than the average CIA student. He came with a background in writing and teaching, and he's even worked for Martha Stewart, so I felt as if his maturity and prior experiences made his insight into the school even more relevant. I also loved how he included many of his own trials -- whether is be his difficulties in a course, or his insecurities about his decision to start school at 40, or even his relationship issues with his girlfriend -- because these glimpses into his personal life made the book that much more special to me.

Another thing that made BEATEN, SEARED, AND SAUCED so interesting to me were the anecdotal stories about the other students and the teachers. I thought the author did a great job of telling these stories and I found myself laughing a great deal at some of the larger-than-life personalities. I can see why the school administration needs a mix of teachers -- some tough and some more nurturing -- because it needs to make sure these students have what it takes to be a successful chef, but I would have been scared to death of most of them!

If you've every dreamed about attending a culinary school or are like me and curious about what it takes to become a chef, then I definitely recommend BEATEN, SEARED, AND SAUCED.

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this book.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page. For more information, see the welcome post.

Kid Konnection: Allegra Biscotti Books

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you two middle grade books from The Allegra Biscotti series that Booking Daughter and I both really enjoyed.

Summary: Emma Rose is SO not a diva.

She doesn’t want her turn on the catwalk—she’d rather be behind the scenes creating fabulous outfits! So when a famous fashionista discovers Emma’s designs and offers her the opportunity of a lifetime—a feature in Madison magazine (squeal!)—Emma sort of, well, panics. She has only one option: to create a secret identity.

And so Allegra Biscotti is born.

Allegra is worldly, sophisticated, and bold—everything Emma is not. But the pressure is on. And Emma quickly discovers juggling school, a new crush, friends, and a secret identity might not be as glamorous as she thought. -- Sourcebooks Jabberwacky

Summary: Emma Rose is SO not famous

So how did she score inside information on the most talked-about party of the year? Because Emma is secretly the hottest new fashion designer—Allegra Biscotti—and hired to whip up a Sweet Sixteen dress for the guest of honor. Wait…fashion emergency! How can she create a fiercely fashionable dress and keep her secret? There’s only one solution: Emma must go undercover—as her own intern!

But when Emma feels the pressure by her BFF to explain how she got an invite from the in-crowd and an ultra-fabulous fashion internship—just when Jackson finally starts paying attention to her—she knows she has to make it work…
…or will it all come apart at the seams? -- Sourcebooks Jabberwacky

THE ALLEGRA BISCOTTI COLLECTION and WHO WHAT WEAR by Olivia Bennett are positively adorable and exactly the types of books that I would have loved as a tween. (Heck, I still loved both of them and I'm a middle-aged mom!) The cover alone is just perfect for tweens -- it looks like a notebook with rounded edges and colorful doodles all over it. And the inside of the book is cute too. It's filled with even more sketches of clothes and fashion accessories.

THE ALLEGRA BISCOTTI COLLECTION tells the story of Emma, a very sweet young girl who loves to design clothes. When an editor of a leading fashion magazine falls in love with some of Emma's designs, Emma and her friend Charlie create a story that the clothes were designed by the Italian designer Allegra Biscotti. Before they realize it, they have created an entire secret identity for Allegra; and Emma learns that it's not easy to keep secrets from her family and friends.

WHO WHAT WEAR picks right up where the first book left off. Allegra's identity is still pretty much a secret but it's getting more and more difficult to keep things quiet. When Allegra is asked to design a Sweet Sixteen dress for one of the most popular girls in Emma's school, Emma faces quite a few challenges namely hiding Allegra's true identity, creating a dress that makes everyone happy, and working out things with her best friend.

I thought THE ALLEGRA BISCOTTI COLLECTION and WHO WHAT WEAR were so much fun to read and I sure hope that there will be more books in this series. I think tween girls are going to love Emma, and they even might find themselves relating to a bit to some of Emma's dilemmas. While most young girls aren't living a double-life like Emma, they are facing many of the same pre-teen issues that she does. For example, Emma feels like her mother doesn't understand her and that she is pressuring her at school. She also has some friend problems when her best friend starts hanging out with the popular crowd. In addition, Emma is discovering the whole new world of boys.

As a mother, I was surprised by how much I liked these books. The stories were very entertaining, but I actually liked the messages even more. Both books were very clean and while they did delve a bit into crushes, it was all very sweet. At first I was worried because Emma and Charlie seemed to be creating a lot of stories (and lies...); however,Emma did eventually tell her parents about Allegra Biscotti's identity. I liked that Emma got punished for lying, but I really loved that her parents listened to her and supported her love of fashion. In addition, there were so many important messages about friendship and staying true to one's self. I don't think tween girls can hear either of those things too many times.

Booking Daughter totally agrees that these books were terrific and read both of them within a few hours of receiving them. She even wants to read one for our mother-daughter book club's July pick because she is so excited to share Emma's story with her friends. At first, I was reluctant because I thought the books might be too "chick-litty" and not really discussable. However after reading just a few chapters, I agreed with Booking Daughter that we could find plenty to talk about. There is no doubt that both of these books are sure to be fun reads for tween girls, but they also touch upon some very relevant issues including mother/daughter communication, school issues, peer pressure, friendship problems, and even some innocent crushes on boys.

THE ALLEGRA BISCOTTI COLLECTION and WHO WHAT WEAR were both very popular in our house and I suspect that they will be big hits with many tween girls. I highly recommend this series!

Thanks to the publisher for sending a review copies of these book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!

BEA 2011 Highlights -- Thursday and Friday (Day 4 and 5)

You probably thought I was done with all these BEA wrap up posts because it has been a few days since I last posted one, but I still have a few more highlights to share with you!

Thursday was another insanely busy day -- not so much because I was attending the third day of the conference, but rather because I had plans for a tour of Greenwich Village and lunch with a very special lady -- Adriana Trigiani.

Kathy and I headed over to the Javits Center first thing in the morning so we could pack up and ship our boxes. I admit I almost had a heart attack when I received the final tally, but it's just a cost of attending BEA. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself (and my husband.) We managed to walk around the floor one final time and we did grab just a few more books....

Around 10:30, we decided that it was time to meet up with some fellow bloggers and take a cab to Greenwich Village for our scheduled tour. I was fortunate enough to be invited to do a walking tour of Greenwich Village hosted by Adriana's tour company. The day was absolutely beautiful and the tour was nothing less than amazing! In fact Nikki, our tour host, customized the tour to include spots from Adriana's books. We first visited Our Lady of Pompeii Church which was so beautiful that it took my breath away, and then we walked around the Village and saw a few buildings that were mentioned in Adriana's novels. I was especially excited to see the ones from LUCIA, LUCIA! We also stopped in the most adorable tea and coffee shop called McNulty's which I will be sure to re-visit (or at least order on-line) because they had some amazing teas like Apple Pie and Magic Spice Blend.

We met at Father Demo Square

Waiting for tour to begin

The Cherry Lane Theatre -- mentioned in LUCIA, LUCIA

Kathy smelling tea at McNulty's

Then we headed down to down to the Meatpacking District and learned all about the revitalization of this area. It's pretty amazing. Most of the buildings looked pretty rough on the outside, but inside they are very high-end restaurants and nightclubs. We also had the opportunity to go to The High Line Park. I had just seem the park from my cab window the day before and as thrilled that I would actually be able to walk around and see it. What a view!

View from High Line Park

And then it was off to The Standard Grill for lunch with Adriana! Adriana has been one of my favorite authors for years -- way before blogging. After meeting her a few times last year, I didn't think it could get any better. I was so wrong!

The Standard Grill -- where we had lunch

At The Standard Grill, we had our own private room. The decor was really nice and the food was excellent. I had some delicious carrot soup, a grilled eggplant sandwich, and cheesecake for dessert. But it was the conversation and company that definitely made the day. I was lucky enough to have scooped a seat right next to Adriana; and for the next few hours, I was mesmerized by Adriana's stories. She truly is larger than life!

Very Lucky Bloggers and Adriana!

Then it was back to the Javits Center by way the subway (and lots of speed walking) because we couldn't get a cab for the Book Blogger Convention Reception. Unfortunately, I was only there for a few minutes and missed out on talking to some friends. I was very bummed!

And then I had to rush off (again) to get to Atria Book's Blogger Party. They really did go all out and make us feel very appreciated. The food was catered by Aaron Sanchez, a chef who is coming out with a cookbook in the fall; and they even had quite a few authors there to meet like Lisa Tucker, Ellen Hopkins, Spencer Quinn, and Sarah Pekkanen. I picked up some wonderful books and had a blast!

After the party, Alison, Jenn, Candace, Kathy and I decided that we just wanted to chill. We headed over to Magnolia Bakery and got a few cupcakes and snacked on them next to a fountain. It was such a pleasure to visit with my friends and have some quiet time to talk.

That night, after Kathy and I got back to our hotel, I noticed a text from my husband telling me that we were "taking on water." ACK! I tried to call him and couldn't get through so I started to panic... just a bit. I eventually found out that we had experienced some awful storms, possibly a nearby tornado; and the rain was so strong that it came in through our dining room windows and ran down the walls. I figured there wasn't a lot I could do from New York, but I did feel bad for not being there to help... especially since they were without power for almost a day. (My husband kind of played down the damage until I arrived home. It wasn't awful, but we did have water damage in three rooms.)

On Friday morning, I was woken up bright and early by the vibrating of my cell phone. (And to think Kathy and I thought we could sleep in.) It was an automated message from the school district telling us that school was cancelled -- I told you the storms were bad! I decided then and there that I was going to have our scheduled lunch with author Sarah Pekannen and then head home a  few hours early. Kathy and I ended up having a nice breakfast at Junior's, and then we just walked around 5th Avenue and did some window shopping. We also managed to hit the Nintendo Store and pick up a few things for our boys.

Kathy and I met Sarah for lunch and had a fantastic time talking about BEA, books, and Sarah's next novel. After our lunch, I decided that I was going to head back home. I was torn because I loved my visit in New York and hanging out with my good friend Kathy, but I was desperate to see my husband and kids again!

Overall, it was just an amazing week!!!! Thanks for letting me share it with you!

Product Reviews: New Tech Accessories & Giveaway

As many of you know, I received an iPad for Mother's Day last month. I absolutely love it and I admit that it's opened a whole new world for me. Of course, I love reading my emails, tweeting, surfing the net, and even using my iPad to read a book; but I've also discovered that there are lots of cool accessories out there for it. Recently, I had the opportunity to sample a few fun ones. I thought I'd share my thoughts with you.

Jelly Belly Bean-Shaped Earbuds:

- Unique design
- Bright, exciting colors (consistent with the cases)
- Speciality ear cushion
- Maximum isolation
- Reliability and durability

The first product that I tried out were the Jelly Belly Earbuds, although if I'm being entirely truthful Booking Daughter grabbed them up first. (I can't blame her because they are very cute.) Jelly Belly Earbuds are shaped in the from of a traditional Jelly Belly jellybean and come in a variety of "flavors." We received the Strawberry Cheesecake ones which are bright pink. There is also an ear cushion which is attached to the bean that provides a comfortable fit comfort.

The Jelly Belly Earbuds were a hit with both Booking Daughter and me!

Dust-Off’s SmartPhone Portable Screen Cleaner

In order to get the most of all your smartphone and mp3 gadgets, it is important to keep them clean and fingerprint free. With Dust-Off’s SmartPhone Portable Screen Cleaner, travelers can safely and easily clean any device on-the-go thanks to the pen-sized pump spray and cloth which come in a compact package. The portable screen cleaner offers a safe and effective solution for removing smudges and fingerprints from all mobile devices.

The next product that I tried (and loved!) was Dust-Off's SmartPhone Portable Screen Cleaner. The key here for me was the "portable" part. This cleaner is actually small enough to carry in a purse or pocket -- it's really no larger than a Sharpie pen. In addition, it comes with a cloth that wraps around the cleaner and fits under the clip. It's just a great concept!

One of my pet peeves is the fingerprints that are all over my phone and my iPad -- it drives me crazy. And don't even get me started on my daughter's iPod or my son's Nintendo DS. After trying this product on my Droid 2 and seeing how great it worked, I went around and cleaned all our electronic products. Another winner!

9.7" Neoprene Sleeves for iPad

- Protects your iPad from scratches
- Pockets provide extra storage
- Inside lip ensures secure fit
- Available in stylish colors 

Lastly, I received an iLuv Neoprene Sleeve for the iPad. This sleeve holds my iPad perfectly and comes in a variety of colors. I received a pink one (I know.... perfectly matches my blog!) and it is just adorable.

There are a few things about the iLuv sleeve which really stood out to me. Besides being so cute, it does offer my iPad some extra protection from scratches for when I throw it in my tote bag. In addition, there is a little lip inside that fits over the top of my iPad and provides a more secure fit. And finally, I like that there are two, big pockets on the outside which hold my phone, my iPod or even my son's DS. I love having one cute product that holds all my gadgets!

I was just thrilled to have the opportunity to review these three new products, and I can't recommend them enough. And now, I'm going to share my excitement with one of you -- see below for your chance to win a set of Jelly Belly Stereo Earbuds!

Giveaway Alert: I have three sets of Jelly Belly Stereo Earbuds to share with three lucky readers. To enter, just fill out the form below before June 23rd at 11:59 p.m. I will randomly select and notify the winners the following day. This giveaway is open to those of you with U.S. addresses only. Good Luck!

Review: Summer Rental

Summary: Sometimes, when you need a change in your life, the tide just happens to pull you in the right direction….

Ellis, Julia, and Dorie. Best friends since Catholic grade school, they now find themselves, in their mid-thirties, at the crossroads of life and love. Ellis, recently fired from a job she gave everything to, is rudderless and now beginning to question the choices she's made over the past decade of her life. Julia—whose caustic wit covers up her wounds--has a man who loves her and is offering her the world, but she can't hide from how deeply insecure she feels about her looks, her brains, her life. And Dorie has just been shockingly betrayed by the man she loved and trusted the most in the world…though this is just the tip of the iceberg of her problems and secrets. A month in North Carolina's Outer Banks is just what they each of them needs.

Ty Bazemore is their landlord, though he's hanging on to the rambling old beach house by a thin thread. After an inauspicious first meeting with Ellis, the two find themselves disturbingly attracted to one another, even as Ty is about to lose everything he's ever cared about.

Maryn Shackleford is a stranger, and a woman on the run. Maryn needs just a few things in life: no questions, a good hiding place, and a new identity. Ellis, Julia, and Dorie can provide what Maryn wants; can they also provide what she needs?

Five people questioning everything they ever thought they knew about life. Five people on a journey that will uncover their secrets and point them on the path to forgiveness. Five people who each need a sea change, and one month in a summer rental that might just give it to them. -- St. Martin's

Every year, I look forward to a new book by author Mary Kay Andrews. I always seem to like her light books about women, love, and friendship; and they are ideal books for the beach and/or pool. I was particularly excited about her new novel SUMMER RENTAL because it takes place in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I have many fond memories of the Outer Banks because that was where my family vacationed every year.

I really liked SUMMER RENTAL and it did encompass everything I've come to know (and love) about Mary Kay Andrews' books. I'm not sure that this novel was my all-time favorite one of hers, but it was still a very entertaining read, a great summer escape, if you will. There was a little something for everyone -- romance, relationship dynamics, mystery, action, and humor.

SUMMER RENTAL tells the story of three long-time friends, Ellis, Dorie, and Julia, who are renting a home for a month in the Outer Banks. Each woman is desperately in need of some downtime as they deal with the loss of a job, the ending of a marriage, and other inner demons; and they are all hoping that this vacation will be exactly what they need. Things get complicated when their landlord Ty falls for Ellis and Dorie brings home a mysterious woman to stay in their attic. By the end of the summer - through lots of ups and downs, these characters all discover new things about their friends as well as themselves.

There were a few things that really stood out to me about SUMMER RENTAL. First and foremost, I appreciated the characters. I think I most related to Ellis because of her Type A personality, but I also thought liked Dorie and Julia. Dorie was a sweet girl whose "perfect" marriage was ending, and Julia was an aging fashion model who used her caustic wit to hide her insecurities. All three of the friends were a perfect complement to each other, and I liked how they supported each other while at the same time challenging their friends to be better people.

In addition the supporting characters, namely Ty and Maryn, were also great additions to the story. I'm not usually a big fan of romance novels, but there was just enough sexual chemistry between Ty and Ellis to keep my interest. Plus it didn't hurt that there were lots of descriptions of a naked or half-dressed Ty, and he was portrayed as a rather sexy guy. Maryn was also a very interesting character because she provided the mystery element to the story. The reader got a glimpse into Maryn's past, but it wasn't until the end of the novel when things really started coming together for me and Maryn's character took on a greater role.

I also really liked how much the setting was part of this story. It's been about 10 years since I've visited the Outer Banks, but I could still picture everything perfectly based on the descriptions in this story. Reading SUMMER RENTAL actually made me nostalgic and desperate to re-visit this area. I also appreciated how Ms. Andrews' incorporated a little bit of the Outer Banks history into the story. I have a feeling the setting stuck out for me a bit more than the average reader because I do love the Outer Banks and have so many fond memories of the time I spent there. I'd be curious to see if other readers who haven't been to the Outer Banks had the same reaction.



Overall, I enjoyed SUMMER RENTAL a great deal and think it's a wonderful summer read. Fans of Mary Kay Andrews' will not be disappointed.

Thanks to Tandem Literary for providing a review copy of this novel.

Guest Blogger: Susan Schneider & Giveaway

I am so glad to welcome Susan Schneider, author of THE WEDDING WRITER, to Booking Mama. I recently read and reviewed her new novel THE WEDDING WRITER, and I have to say that I think it is an ideal book for the summer. It's got some extremely interesting characters, juicy scandals, some major backstabbing, and even some love!

Ms. Schneider is a bridal magazine editor and writer and it's evident that she knows a thing or two about how things work at a bridal magazine. I guess that's the reason she was inspired to write THE WEDDING WRITER. You can learn more about her background and writing inspiration in this fantastic guest post.

WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW (or maybe WHITE WHAT YOU KNOW)

The world of white wedding dresses is a fairy-tale land built on happily- ever-after fantasies of eternal love and happiness. And in this day and age, too! But just look at the brou-ha-ha surrounding the royal wedding. As a bridal magazine editor I spent more than 10 years writing about fashion, flowers, food and favors for big, glossy bridal magazines. What was it like? Well, let me tell you the story…!

The estrogen-fueled bridal industry is a lot tougher than it looks—just ask the women who ceaselessly toil in tulle, lace and organza to create visions of loveliness. In this, my first novel, I seized the chance to give readers an insider’s peek—to raise the veil, so to speak. Don’t get me wrong: I loved working in bridal—I only became a bit cynical after seeing too many women splurging on their dresses: Does anyone really need a $20,000 wedding gown? Or a $100,000 wedding reception? (You can spend all you want, but it won’t make a happy marriage—believe me, we heard the stories.)

At the same time bridal is so happy and the dresses are so pretty and the flowers so beautiful. But it isn’t all Cinderella’s castle. I felt compelled to show that this happy world is populated with ambitious, competitive, talented women who have their own agendas. My fashion editor character, Sara, has dressed thousands of brides in their white dresses, and yet has a painful secret that has kept her single all her life. Another editor’s marriage is on the rocks while she designs other women’s dreams. And the main character, Lucky, is just plain unlucky when it comes to love…

There is something irresistible about seeing the grit behind the glamour. Yes, bridal is beautiful, but there’s pain there too. (Look at what the dance does to a ballerina’s feet!) The pressure to be perfect can turn a normal girl into a bridezilla. I wanted to show that a very well- marketed fantasy can make just about anyone crazy. So am I a cynic after my years in the bridal trenches? Maybe just a little—but you have to be or at least have a sense of humor. I know there’s no such thing as a “perfect” day. I know that not every princess lives happily ever after with her prince. Full disclosure: I happen to be divorced and a feminist, to boot! But I also know that the fantasy is irresistible. Another full disclosure: Who do you think was up at four a.m. watching Kate and Will tie the knot in London? 

Moi. 

*****

Susan Schneider has over 10 years of experience as a bridal magazine editor; formerly she was executive editor at Bridal Guide Magazine, a national consumer magazine for engaged women, and she was also executive editor at Conde Nast's Modern Bride and at Elegant Bride. She covers everything wedding, from fashion to flowers to food to stationery, etiquette, registry and honeymoons. She especially enjoys writing true-life wedding stories. Her first novel, The Wedding Writer, draws on her expertise as a wedding writer and from her day-to-day contribution to the business of bridal.

A big thanks to Ms. Schneider for writing this terrific guest post!

Giveaway alert: I have one copy of THE WEDDING WRITER to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before June 21st at 11:59 p.m. ET. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you with U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only. Good luck!

Review: The Wedding Writer

Summary: Four talented women, one glossy wedding magazine: life should be as perfect as a bridal catwalk… right?

Lucky Quinn writes up weddings for one of the hottest bridal magazines. And it wasn’t easy to get there. From humble beginnings, she outsmarted her way into the center of New York’s glamorous magazine industry – making up for her background with a sharp mind, whip-thin physique, and ceaseless ambition.

Then, in one day, her life is utterly transformed; two of the magazine’s major competitors fold, and Lucky is named Editor-in-Chief, replacing the formidable, but aging Grace Ralston, who had been at the magazine’s helm from day one. Grace taught Lucky everything she knows, but now it seems that she taught her too well...

As the ripples of Lucky’s promotion spread, the intricate lives of four women begin to unfold. Felice, Your Wedding’s elegant and unshakeable Art Director is now being shaken for the first time by troubles at home. Sara, the Fashion Director, is famed for her eagle eye for fashion trends and exquisite hair. But, for all her know-how, “the Angel of Bridal” has never come close to starring in a wedding herself – she’s picked the dress, but where’s the groom? Grace, recovering in the wake of her sudden, humiliating fall from power, must learn to accept herself – and love – after a life dedicated to fulfilling other women’s dreams. And, through it all, Lucky begins to discover just how lonely the top really is. -- St. Martin's Griffin

If you were anything like me as a teen, you probably loved dreaming about your future wedding. It didn't matter that the groom wasn't even in the picture yet. I still enjoyed buying those HUGE bridal magazines and looking through them over and over again. So when I heard that there was a new book called THE WEDDING WRITER by Susan Schneider that takes you behind the scenes at a bridal magazine, I was definitely interested!

THE WEDDING WRITER tells the story of four very different women who work (or have worked) on a glossy bridal magazine called Your Wedding. Each of the women is more talented than the next and very good at their jobs, yet none of them seem satisfied with their lives. They are all missing something and striving for perfection in their jobs in the hopes that they can fill that void through work. We all pretty much know that that never works, right?

THE WEDDING WRITER was a very fun read and I admit that it reminded me (more than a little bit) of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. It's kind of an insider's look at the inner workings of a bridal magazine from the production schedule, to the features, to the competition, to the employees. I can definitely say that my curiosity about what goes into the production of a magazine was satisfied. And, there were loads of references to all things bridal -- including dress and shoe designers, fabrics, flowers, dinnerware, etc. -- which I thoroughly appreciated. So I can safely say that bridal junkies and readers interested in magazine publishing should be very pleased with THE WEDDING WRITER.

While I definitely enjoyed THE WEDDING WRITER, I don't know that I can say that I loved it. I definitely appreciated the novel though, despite having a very hard time relating to any of the four women. I realize that I don't have to relate to a character in every book to enjoy it; however, I also know that it sometimes helps. I just found all four of these women to be so shallow and self-centered for the vast majority of the book. While their behavior didn't exactly endear them to me, it did make for some good old fashioned fun. I laughed a lot at their back-stabbing and manipulation as well as the dog-eat-dog world of magazine publishing; and I thoroughly enjoyed the author's use of satire.

I also was pleasantly surprised by the depth of the characters...eventually. For a large part of the book, I was rather annoyed by their behavior, but they all redeemed themselves by the end of the novel. I now realize that each of the women was battling her own inner demons -- her insecurities and the pressure of  her job -- and that is what made them seem so distant to me. About two-thirds of the way through the novel, I started to "see the light"  and realize that each woman was really just looking for love and acceptance. And this funny and scandalous novel became a little sad and even touched my heart.

THE WEDDING WRITER could possible make for an interesting book club pick. I have a feeling that most female book clubs could discuss these characters and their actions for quite awhile. I wasn't able to find a formal reading guide, but there certainly isn't a lack of things to discuss. Some of the themes you might want to explore include careers, integrity, friendship, betrayal, love, relationships, and mother/child relationships. You could also have a very cute wedding-themed book club meeting which might be fun!

If you want to learn more about the bridal and/or magazine publishing industry, or if you appreciate juicy novels, then I definitely recommend THE WEDDING WRITER.

Thanks to Diane Saarinen of the Saima Agency for providing a review copy of this novel. Make sure you come back tomorrow because Ms. Schneider will be here with a great guest post and I'll also be giving away a copy of THE WEDDING WRITER.