If Karen A. Chase absolutely had to turn 40, she decided she could do it gracefully in Paris… for nearly 40 days. What began as a blog to communicate with friends and family, became a travel journal filled with over a months’ worth of daily humorous, insightful, and detailed glimpses into her Paris adventures, each of which could be read in about 40 seconds.Peppered with Chase’s own delightful photographs, she also weaves in longer stories that reflect upon her experiences with the French, food, travel,photography, writing and love in the City of Lights. A companion to the e-book,her Bonjour40 blog still contains images and some notes for readers who crave more from her Paris adventure.

More about Karen A. Chase: Karen A. Chase is a Canadian-born author, designer and photographer. Born and raised in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she has resided in the United States since 1990. Bonjour 40: A Paris Travel Log (40years. 40 days. 40 seconds.) is her first book. She is also the owner/creative director of 224 Design, a branding studio. You can follow her on twitter at @KarenAChase

3. J’ADORE NEW YORK and Isabelle LaFleche on Chick Lit is Not Dead 

Isabelle LaFleche‘s novel J’ADORE NEW YORK is producing plenty of buzz! Chick Lit is Not Dead is one of the most recent sites to review this fabulous novel AND feature a Q&A with Isabelle herself. Here is a highlight of the Q&A where Isabelle talks all about being a novelist and her rise to it:

4. What is the best/worst advice you received while you were trying to break into the book biz?

Best: A friend in the publishing business suggested I contact a local publisher instead of going international. It was definitely the right thing to do for me.

Worst:  To send your manuscript  to agents and publishers quickly in order to get your foot in the door.   Any novel needs time to mature and evolve. It’s important to have several trusted friends who will provide honest feedback read it first. No one gets it right the first time, not even the pros.

More about J’ADORE NEW YORK

When Catherine Lambert, an effortlessly chic Parisian lawyer, receives an offer to transfer to the New York office of her prestigious firm, she unhesitatingly accepts. A dedicated follower of fashion and everything stylish, she is determined to conquer the high-flying world of Manhattan law-and love. Catherine’s daydreams of glamour quickly fizzle, however, when she is faced with her new job’s hard realities. Between the pressure of billable hours, the demands of Catherine’s impossible bosses, the conspiracies of two malicious secretaries and the advances of a lecherous client, New York is more of a nightmare than a dream. Then she meets Jeffrey Richardson, a powerful and handsome client, and her life takes on the romance she’d hoped it would. Candlelit dinners and trips to the Hamptons make even the most outrageous assignments bearable-until an unexpected request brings her new world crashing down around her.

With its insider’s perspective on the dirty deals and intrigue that have darkened Wall Street’s reputation, J’adore New York is a bright and funny take on the lives and laws of Manhattan’s most powerful players.

4. J’ADORE NEW YORK on Cheryl’s Book Nook

The buzz on Isabelle LaFleche‘s J’ADORE NEW YORK continues with a wonderful review on Cheryl’s Book Nook. Here is just a bit of what Cheryl had to say:

I was not sure if I would like this book as it is not something that I typically gravitate towards but it sounded good, so I decided to give it a chance. So, glad that I did. This book is hilarious and a quick read. Like for example when Catherine was being explained all the perks about health insurance, 401K, dental, etc. One of the benefits was pet insurance. Catherine thought…pet insurance? What lawyer at this firm has time to take care of a pet? Isn’t that like offering child care services to a group of monks?

More about J’ADORE NEW YORK

When Catherine Lambert, an effortlessly chic Parisian lawyer, receives an offer to transfer to the New York office of her prestigious firm, she unhesitatingly accepts. A dedicated follower of fashion and everything stylish, she is determined to conquer the high-flying world of Manhattan law-and love. Catherine’s daydreams of glamour quickly fizzle, however, when she is faced with her new job’s hard realities. Between the pressure of billable hours, the demands of Catherine’s impossible bosses, the conspiracies of two malicious secretaries and the advances of a lecherous client, New York is more of a nightmare than a dream. Then she meets Jeffrey Richardson, a powerful and handsome client, and her life takes on the romance she’d hoped it would. Candlelit dinners and trips to the Hamptons make even the most outrageous assignments bearable-until an unexpected request brings her new world crashing down around her.

With its insider’s perspective on the dirty deals and intrigue that have darkened Wall Street’s reputation, J’adore New York is a bright and funny take on the lives and laws of Manhattan’s most powerful players.

5. THE MAN WHO COULDN’T EAT on top of Amazon charts and author Jon Reiner gives interview on AM Northwest 

Jon Reiner‘s memoir THE MAN WHO COULDN’T is making a national statement and his Amazon.com rankings are reflecting that. Reiner’s kindle version of his memoir is in the top 100 for medical memoirs and journalist memoirs AND currently ranks #82 for hardcover journalist memoirs!

Starved of a good read?

Buy the hardcover here.

Download the kindle version here.

Jon was also a guest on AM Northwest in Portland where he gave a fabulous interview discussing his memoir. Check out the interview in full here!

More about THE MAN WHO COULDN’T EAT

Imagine not being able to eat or drink a single thing.  No lobster roll on the beach in Maine; no hot dog at the ballpark; no cool drink on a hot summer day; no birthday cake; nothing. In The Man Who Couldn’t Eat (S&S/Gallery Books: September 6, 2011), Jon Reiner – a James Beard Foundation Award-winning writer –chronicles his three-month struggle to live without food. Based on Reiner’s acclaimed 2009 Esquire magazine article by the same name, the book reinvents the foodoir, telling what happens when a man obsessed with food is denied the taste of it.  A beautifully written chronicle of one man’s journey from plenty to deprivation and back again,The Man Who Couldn’t Eat  will change the way you think about more than just your next meal.