Manolos to Mary Janes

I love Chicklit. It’s a wonderful escape. And so, when Tracie Banister invited me to be part of the ChickLit Blog Hop, how could I say no? The chance to get to rub shoulders with these ladies couldn’t be missed. Plus, we’re giving away some AMAZING prizes.

Like so many other women, my first ChickLit was Bridget Jones’s Diary. It was easy to relate to. Her earnest, quirky, messed up life reflected what I was feeling putting myself through college. I mean, I would totally turn soup blue.

One of the things that was so wonderful about the book was that we got to laugh at ourselves as much as Bridget.

But, soon after that (at least for me personally) came a long string of books I struggled to relate to on the same level. They left me feeling confused with things that felt like inside jokes.

I’ll be honest, I once read a book where they argued the merits of strappy Manolos versus Jimmy Choos. I had to look those up to make sure that 1) I remember correctly they were shoes, and 2) I had no idea how to spell them.

Just in case you’re in the same boat, check them out:

$1,695 Jimmy Choos

$945 Manolos

Those books were the first time I heard about this ‘Fabulous’ items, but not the last. It seemed the down-to-earth, quirky girl I came to love and respect was gone. In her place were these characters who cared about social-climbing and over-shopping and alllll these shoes I’d never heard of.

The shoes!

I’d never heard so much about shoes in my life. But, more than these hard to spell shoes themselves, it was what they stood for. They stood for money spent often frivolously, of lifestyles I not only know nothing about, but didn’t care about, and of women I’d never know, and probably not even run into.

The Every Woman was gone, replaced with the Carries and Beckys of the (literary) world.

I edged away… slowly. Taking quick, silent steps away from the genre and toward other things I could relate to more easily.

Then, and I’m not sure when it happened, a slide started. And, not surprisingly, it happened with another shout out to our dear Ms. Austen. Austenland.

Someone handed me a copy. I was already a Shannon Hale fan from her YA books, so it wasn’t much of a challenge to open it.

Inside there were no questionable shoe choices. There wasn’t a life so glamorous or expensive or elite or Page 6’ish that I couldn’t ever imagine (let alone achieve) it. There was a girl, a bit quirky, in love with an idea (also a bit quirky) of just who Mr. Right was.

This girl ~Jane~ was smart, funny, independent and touchable. I’m betting she wore Mary Janes.

Mary Janes

Somehow — while I wasn’t looking — we’d gotten back to a life that was dreamable, women that I could like and respect and worlds that weren’t so obscure I wondered if they truly existed.

This isn’t to say one is bad or one is good or the whole genre should be one way. That’s the joy of the journey. Chicklit has something for every woman. No matter what your dream is, if you’re a woman, you’ll find a literary partner willing to open a door to that dream and let you escape there for a few hours… Shoes optional.

So, tell me what shoe makes *you* feel like the heroine of your own novel to enter to win a kindle copy of It’s in His Kiss. ~~> Drawing Wednesday Night.

Jenna’s been letting life pass her by as she works on her career. But, when she needs to do some research of this kissing kind, things may get a little more heated than she expected.
Research has never been so fun.

WARNING: This 11k novella has no vampires, shape shifter or scorching sex, but it might make you snort your diet Coke out your nose.

~~Caitie~~

For a chance to win the Chick Lit Author Blog Hop Grand Prize of a $150 Sephora gift card, simply do the following: 

  • Collect all 34 of the secret words (you will find a secret word in each of the blog posts on the hop.)  The word will be italicized, so it will be easy to locate.  ***HINT*** The secret word in my blog hop post is near a shoe. 
  • Submit your list of 34 secret words to CLABlogHop@aol.com before midnight on Sunday, May 20th and you will be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing! 
  • The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Monday, May 21st, and the $150 Sephora gift card can be redeemed online, or at any Sephora store in the US.
  • Chick Lit Author Blog Hop contests are open to residents of the United States only.
Please see the post below for a Linky list with all 34 participating authors/blogs.  You will have an opportunity to win a different e-book at each blog hop stop.  Good luck! CHECK THEM OUT HERE AND COLLECT THEM ALL TO WIN!

Comments

  1. After watching “Bridget Jones’ Diary” I decided to try writing.

    • What about it made you want to write? Was it a “I can do that” Or “I could do that better” Or “Oh, that was fun” – I’m always curious what the thought is that pushes us to start that first story.

  2. I love Chick Lit! When I need a laugh or just to feel good, I break out a Chick Lit book and get my fix. It’s in the Kiss sounds like a book I would definitely read. Thanks for participating in the hop!
    Rhonda D
    slinkydennis@yahoo.com

    • Thanks Rhonda – I love it too. I feel like there’s a misconception that “light” equals “stupid” – SO not true. There’s some amazingly deep “light” stories in the genre 🙂

  3. Thanks for the contest.

    brn2shop9
    brn2shop9 at gmail dot com

  4. Thanks for stopping by everyone – Don’t forget! To enter for It’s in His Kiss, tell me what shoe makes *you* feel like the heroine of your own novel!

    There’s also some AMAZING posts on this loop. I hope everyone is enjoying them all!

  5. WONDERFUL giveaway!! 🙂

    bethanyscruggs[at]gmail[dot]com

  6. Thanks for doing the hop! I <3 Chick Lit and have a blast with hops!

    <3 Tobi
    tobihelton at gmail dot com

  7. YES! The way you felt about chick-lit is exactly the way I felt about it back in the day. I write it (just self-published my first book in fact woo hoo!) and I’m from an average town and an average family with average money so there was no comprehension in my brain as to how these self-employed women could afford $900 shoes in those books you speak of. When I set out to write “Ripple the Twine” I knew my FMC would be a girl like me – Tomboy, sports loving, one of the boys but still a little neurotic and into cute boys as well as a self-made career. There’s nothing wrong with any of those shoes above as far as I’m concerned (all gorgeous!) but sometimes I feel that ‘write what you know’ can be interchanged with ‘read what you know’ as well. Great blog, happy to have stumbled across it while on the CheekyReads twitter feed!

  8. I like at least a 6 inch platform heel in pink or blue suede. Hot, fun, and unexpected.

    I’m a new fan! I’m so excited about this blog hop because I get to meet new great authors like you. 🙂
    caribellacreations at gmail dot com

    • Bethany, Tobi Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s been great having people hopping around!

      Jenn, I almost felt constantly confused to! And annoyed! Didn’t these heroines understand that part of being independent was being able to pay your bills! lol Thanks for stopping by. I ADORE CheekyReads. She has lots of good stuff going on.

      Cari SIX INCHES??? Dear Lord, I’d be like 6’3 … and constantly lying on the ground with a broken ankle. You’re a stronger woman than I am – Or at least more graceful 😉

  9. I’m more of a Jimmy Choos girl… though I will NEVER pay that much for a pair of shoes. Instead I will go to Target and find something cute for $30 and buy those instead. 🙂

    Great giveway! I love the sound of your book. 🙂

    Lisa @ Lost in Literature
    llongi717 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    • I absolutely love Target – You know where I had a great luck-out with cute “who made those, they’re adorable but I don’t recognize them” shoes? SEARS! Three pairs of patent leather ballet slippers for $49 total!

  10. A pair of $200 Stuart Weitzman’s that I bought for my wedding, over 20 years ago. Those shoes made me feel very much the heroine in my own romance. pwriter1(at)yahoo(dot)com

  11. Thanks for doing this, its fun!
    Pinksapphire118 at gmail .com

  12. Boots are what make me feel sexy and that I can take on the world. I like chunky heels that are at least 3-4 inches tall.

    sionedkla@gmail.com

  13. You know what’s so sad? I have wide feet with a high instep. Only the most practical thick-heeled shoes fit me. I wasn’t born to wear cute shoes. I shouldn’t be allowed to write chick lit. I should slink away and write sad gothics or something. Truly, it’s almost a horror story, not being able to wear fun shoes. I should start a support group. But I do like to look at cute shoes, and hey, think of the money I save, right? It’s ok. I’ve come to terms with it. Glad to be part of the blog hop. Have fun, ladies!

  14. This is a great post and I feel exactly the same way. I write chick lit as well (participating in this blog hop in fact) and I wanted to write the kind of book I like to read – about a REAL girl figuring her shit out and not just sipping martinis and strutting around in stilettos.

    Meredith

    dithythekid at hotmail dot com

  15. Theresa Crowell says

    I love heels. Always have. No matter how much of a fat day I am having, my feet always look good.
    theresacrowell(at)msn(dot)com

  16. I like shoes as much as the next girl but my current favorites are a pair of Mary Jane Crocs … yes I said Crocs. They are comfortable and in my job I can’t wear fancy shoes. thanks for participating in the hop!

    mimirose41209 at hotmail dot com

    • Theresa ~~> I love that you know heals make your rough days better! We all have them. I have this black top and when it dies, I’m in big trouble.

      Mimirose ~~> I haven’t tried Crocs, but I ADORE my SoftWalk Mare Janes. You’ll have to pry them from my hands (or off my feet!)

  17. What a fun post! Such a great sense of humor:)

  18. Margaret says

    Love the title! That’s a great song too lol! Thank you for the giveaway!

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  19. Hi Caitie!
    I loved this post and was so happy to meet another “solemate!” I mourned the loss of the Every Woman as well but luckily things turned around. I’m so happy that we have some great new writers to explore!

    And as a fellow Austen lover (and blog-hop participant), I agree that Jane would have been rocking the Mary Janes!

    • Natalie! *HA* “soulmates” – very cute. I’m working my way through all the posts and am amazed at the brilliance. Really enjoying them.

      Margaret ~ Thanks! I’m having a ball this week with all the vistors stopping by. I should have made brownies! 😉

  20. gina herberg says

    looking forward to winning a FREE Chick Lit e-book! i have seem to become a book whore lately!

    gina herberg
    maxpinet@aol.com

  21. I am with you on the Manolos and Jimmy Choos, I would probably break something:) I like cute shoes but I am all about the comfort factor as well. Thanks for being a part of this hop! They are so much fun and you get to find new great authors.

    • Thanks Allyson and Gina!

      My TBR list has been growing as I’ve slowly hopped around the group! I’m glad I’m not the only one finding new authors 🙂

  22. If I wanted to spend that much money on shoes, I wouldn’t be working so hard for these give-aways! Nice to know there is chick-lit for all kinds of chicks.

    Amy Sherman

    abcdsherman at gmail dot com

  23. I’m just one cold piece and no shoe can compare to that. I love shoes too.
    Enjoyed the post.
    sidne @ rdg.rendezvous@gmail.com

  24. I’m joining the Boots Girls club. I like ’em comfy and slouchy. 🙂 That’s what I feel best in. I’m not nearly coordinated to pull off the platforms!

  25. Mary Doherty says

    Thanks for doing the hop! I am a flip-flop girl.

    gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com

  26. AND THE WINNER IS: Meredith Schorr!

    Thanks so much everyone who played along. If you didn’t win, I’m having another drawing Thursday you’re automatically entered for. Please stop back Thursday night to see if you won!

  27. This is over already? I thought it ended the 20th?

  28. Thanks for the blog hop! Enjoying reading and so many books now on my list!

  29. joanna2950 says

    Any kind of strappy shoe makes me feel like the heroine of my own novel. I don’t care if they’re heels or flat. I feel sexy in strappy shoes. But the one requirement is they have to be comfortable.
    Great post. Thanks for the giveaway.

    • I will worship at the feet of anyone who makes us strappy, comfortable shoes that are cute. It’s such a hard find. I’ll buy two bc the wait for the next pair I like is always loooonnnnnngggg.

  30. Erica Kincannon says

    A strappy dress shoe with a higher heel, perferably black, makes me feel like I can strut my stuff. I stand up straighter, my shoulders roll back and my head tips just a little higher.

  31. Sad I missed the first drawing. I thought the deadlines was 12 am. Boooo for not having internet.

    Anyways, I agree I can’t afford those shoes and can only dream of a life where I could. These girls with dozens of thousand dollar shoes are very much unrelatable.

    Ocbride (at) gmail (dot) com

  32. I live in my Mary Janes!

    • It looks like I’ll have to figure out another giveaway next month for all those people who let me know they would have liked a copy! Thanks ladies!!!

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