Christmas in September

It’s 80-degrees today, but it feels like Christmas!

No, Santa didn’t drop by early with a box of goodies from Sephora. My author copies of THE HOLIDAY INN arrived!!!!

Just like I am with my beauty reviews, I’ll be totally honest with ya’ll - it’s the best book ever! All three stories ROCK!

Okay, I may be a tiny bit biased, so here’s what reviewers are saying:

5-stars - Holiday Inn is excellent. Each story was refreshing, funny, romantic, and realistic. Each couple was faced with dilemmas that are constantly being asked. I found myself rooting for each couple as they struggled emotionally to hold on to each other. This is the perfect holiday story for anyone who loves and believes in happily ever after. -- Priscilla C. Johnson, APOOO BookClub

5-stars - With a nod to It’s A Wonderful Life, these three whimsical second chances uses the magic of the HOLIDAY INN to rekindle lost dreams and mend broken relationships. The three couples are developed enough so that their differences seem real, which in turn makes each pair’s scenario plausible. Well written, fans will enjoy spending time at the enchanting Holiday Inn (even without Bing). -- Harriet Klausner

4-stars (HOT) - In these three holiday stories relationships are examined, repaired and enhanced with the magical backdrop of a winter retreat. The situations feel real, the characters are well developed and the stories will draw you in. – Romantic Times Bookclub

Huge thanks to Dorchester Publishing for allowing me to write about New Years, which is my absolute favorite holiday. For more on my novella in THE HOLIDAY INN – “By New Year’s Day”, check out the bookshelf page on my author website. More info on Farrah and Stefanie’s novellas can be found at www.farrahrochon.com and www.stefanieworth.com.

Amazon.com is shipping copies now. (Hint, click on the book covers on the right!) Look for it in bookstores nationwide September 30th.

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Book Review: Eat This, Not That

Did Memorial Day weekend catch you by surprise?

Try to slip into last summer’s shorts or swimsuit only to find you couldn’t pull them up over your gut, butt or thighs?

Then looking down at the button that wouldn’t fasten over your expanding waistline, vow - “No more eating out!”

Time and convenience can override the best of intentions. If you’re like me, the promise to bypass fast-food restaurants and snacks will only last until your stomach starts growling for lunch.

Waiting in line at Wendy’s or the drive-thru at Chick-fil-a is the perfect time to consult Eat This, Not That: Thousands of Simple Food Swaps That Can Save You 10, 20, 30 Pounds-Or More! by David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding. This picture-packed book features just about every food joint you can think of and tons of popular grocery store items. It lists the not-so-good choices and gives you at least three healthier alternatives. Calories and fat grams are provided for most foods - good and bad.

I’ve read books like this before, but this one is the most comprehensive I’ve ever seen. It even has a section for food typically served at holiday gatherings from New Year’s to Valentines Day, even Halloween.

Here are a few examples:

KRISPY KREME

Eat This: Whole Wheat Glazed Doughnut; Original Glazed Doughnut Holes; Very Berry Chiller

Not That: Glazed Blueberry Cake Doughnut; Caramel Kreme Crunch; Mocha Dream Chiller


RED LOBSTER

Eat This: Garlic Griller Jumbo Shrimp and a baked potato with pico de gallo; Live Maine Lobster with cocktail sauce and seasoned broccoli; Broiled Flounder with lemon juice and a garden salad with red wine vinaigrette

Not That: North Pacific King Crab Legs with melted butter and Wild Rice Pilaf; Snow Crab Legs with melted butter and a Cheddar Bay Biscuit; Crab Alfredo


MC DONALD’S

Eat This: Quarter Pounder without cheese; 6 piece Chicken McNuggets; Egg McMuffin.

Not That: Premium Grilled Chicken Club; Filet-O-Fish; Hotcakes.

I keep my copy of this book in my car glove compartment for easy consultation when Mr. PBW tempts me with P.F. Changs, Popeyes or Sonic.

Do I think this book will make me skinny? No. However, I do think it will help me make better choices, and I’ll soon be able to zip my favorite summer skirt.

Eat This, Not That is $19.99 and available at bookstores and online. I snagged my copy at Amazon for $11.97.


And since you’re already thinking books, check out Farrah Rochon’s latest novel Release Me. Farrah and I, along with the awesome Stefanie Worth, are sharing real estate in Dorchester Publishing's October 2008 anthology, The Holiday Inn.

I’m three chapters into Farrah’s new book so far and loving it!

Actually, I picked up two copies of Release Me - one to read and an extra to drool over the gorgeous guy on the cover. Is he hot or what? I have to give myself a cool blast from my Evian mister every time I look at him.

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