Humorous fiction

Book SynopsisIt is the spring of 1989 in New York City when Jill Dodge, a post-punk rocker from Texas, finally gets her big promotion at Mega Big Records. She is thrust into a race to find a gritty, urban rapper before the “Gangsta” trend passes their label by. As Jill and her mostly middle-class coworkers search for the next big rap star, they fluctuate between alliances and rivalries, tripping over the stereotypes of race, class, and musical genre. They work to promote their current roster of acts as well as the new rap artist they sign to a contract. It turns out, he may not be what they expected. Full of original lyrics and wit, Start With the Backbeat is a compelling examination of the nuances of class, race, and culture in America―which are sometimes ridiculously serious.Trade Review2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Best Cover Design, Fiction 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist in Chick Lit 2017 IPPY Silver Medal Winner in Contemporary Fiction 2016 Best Book Award Finalist Fiction: General “How we hold on to our authentic selves in the face of change is the reverberating question behind Isassi’s witty and knowing first novel.” —Booklist “Start with the Backbeat is the touching story of one idealistic young woman's journey into the music industry when it was at its multiplatinum peak. Holding onto those ideals is a challenge, but Garine Isassi's clear, smart, good-hearted storytelling is itself a blow against easy cynicism. She reveals a sharp eye for how quickly greed and self-interest can displace a love of music—and an equally sharp understanding of how a dedicated person's daily principled decisions can make sure that doesn't happen. It's a tale that's both poignant and uplifting.” —Anthony DeCurtis, Contributing Editor, Rolling Stone magazine “Told with an insider's ear for dialogue and setting . . . Start with the Backbeat is a fresh, interesting look at a little-known slice of the music industry.” —Sarah Pekkanen, best-sellling author of The Opposite of Me and Catching Air “Music, friends, family, love, and a career anyone would envy! It's 1989 and Jill Dodge is working her way up the ladder at a NYC music label. Her quirky friends and diverse co-workers saunter in and out of Jill's life as she attempts to create a world that's artistic but also pays the bills. Insight into the glamorous world of music as rap was coming on scene provides a backdrop that is unique and dynamic as we watch Jill move past post-college angst and insecurity. A fun read that brought a smile to my face and got my feet tapping as I went on Jill's journey to fulfillment.” —Kathleen Shoop, bestselling author of Love and Other Subjects “A joy ride through the heyday of the eighties rap craze with a heroine you can’t help but root for, Start With the Backbeat is smart, stylish, and fun from beginning to end.” —Kamy Wicoff, author of Wishful Thinking “Fast-paced and entertaining, Start with the Backbeat is about a young woman's search for love and success in the exciting but sometimes cutthroat music industry. It’s a fun and heartwarming—a genuine pleasure to read. Like your favorite tune, you'll find yourself humming it for days.” —Andee Reilly, author of Satisfaction “Garinè B. Isassi’s funny, tender, and smart novel, Start with the Backbeat, is one of the few books that give us a woman’s point of view of the music industry and an ethnically diverse range of characters. Set in the late ’80s, it tells the story of Jill Dodge, who, after several years as a temp in the Admin Pit (think, ‘armpit’) of Mega Big Records, is promoted to a staff position. The brisk pace and breezy style keep the reader turning pages as Jill struggles to maintain authenticity in the face of clueless execs, romantic snafus, and a wannabe rapper. Isassi skewers the racism and sexism at the core of the industry with a light touch while evoking the deep love of music that drives each of her delightfully unique characters.” —Céline Keating, author of Layla and Play for Me

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Book SynopsisER physician Elizabeth Hillman has been hurt by the men in her life far too often—which is why she spends her free time safely alone, reading the memoir of Giacomo Casanova, history’s most famous libertine. But when a child in Lizzy’s care dies, she flees to Venice, Italy for a much-needed break—and there, on a lovely rooftop, Casanova appears beside her. In 2016, Casanova is still Casanova. He seduces her friends, is arrested for child endangerment, and even boffs the cleaning lady. Although his antics upset Lizzy, she’s determined to enjoy his conversation and not fall victim to its legendary charm. But when she and Casanova travel to Paris seeking an answer to a question of love that would have changed his life, an incendiary love affair begins to unfold. Who better to teach modern guarded Lizzy about love and life than an eighteenth-century libertine?Trade Review2017 The Reader Views Literary Award: Winner, Romance 2017 Beverly Hills Book Awards: Winner, Romantic Comedy 2016 Beverly Hills Book Award: Winner, Romantic Comedy "Rea offers a small spin on the popular time-travel trope by bringing the past to the very near future. The narrative is full of the practical—and often humorous—problems that arise when one meets an 18th-century libertine . . . In addition, Rea sprinkles bits of well-researched history amid the romantic tension, working in specific details from Casanova’s life, such as his appreciation of intelligent women. Though falling in love with an infamous playboy may be ill-advised, Rea makes it seem like a wonderful idea. A light, enjoyable romp through time." —Kirkus Reviews “Conjuring Casanova is a skillfully crafted, delicious tale, successfully integrating contemporary romance, time travel, history, and intrigue . . . Rea’s quick wit and obvious sense of humor shine throughout the narrative.” —Reader Views "Casanova got a bad rep for about three centuries. He was confused with Don Juan, censored until 1960, was dismissed as a writer, and lumped together with famous misogynists. After the true text of the Story of my Life appeared in 1960, his admirers hastened to rescue the famous eighteenth-century lover and Illuminist from ignorance and neglect. Melissa Rea has brought him to life in our time. He was hard to resist in his lifetime, and as this novel makes it clear, he's just as seductive now." —Andrei Codrescu, author of Casanova in Bohemia "Rea takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster in her debut novel, Conjuring Casanova. The story is full of rich characters and extremes; tears to laughter, twists to turns, oh no to oh yes moments, and ahh's that warm the soul. This fascinating story is entertaining from the first page to the last." —Pam Webber, author of The Wiregrass

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Book SynopsisJohn Frederick is a man of considerable substance, in every sense of the word. Rich, intelligent, reclusive, and very large, John Frederick lives to eat. His everyday needs are tended to by Mrs. Floyd, his house manager, and by a never-ending parade of personal chefs. Enter Lexie Alexander, the latest applicant for that once-again vacant position. A young woman of magical sensibilities, fresh out of culinary school and still recovering from a recent personal tragedy, Lexie lives to cook. As time passes, a love of food, musical comedy, and tea begins to weave a connection between John Frederick and his new chef—but then a major medical crisis completely turns life at Frederick House upside down, threatening the bond John Frederick and Lexie have forged. Size Matters is the story of how people interact with each other and with the world, and what happens when the structure of a person’s life, their self-image, and all their familiar coping mechanisms are shattered.Trade Review"It’s a jolly, lighthearted narrative, JoJo Moyes’ Me Before You (2012) for foodies. Like a slice of a favorite dessert, thoroughly enjoyable, but gone too soon.” —Kirkus Reviews "This thought-provoking, intellectual novel examines how individuals react when their familiar coping mechanisms are completely shattered.” —Bookstr "Novak packs a lot into this short and sweet foodie novel, and it’s obvious she had a great deal of fun writing it.” —Booklist "Size Matters offers the perfect blend of romance and friendship with a dash of culinary wit." —Redbook

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Book SynopsisHonorable Mention in the New England Book Festival: General Fiction Honorable Mention in the London Book Festival: General Fiction Tzippy is a wealthy widow, feisty, determined, vain and living in Florida. Her three children will be visiting for Tzippy’s 80th birthday celebration and will be bringing with them the old wounds that Tzippy did more than her fair share to inflict. As her birthday approaches, the death of a close friend as well as the aches, pains and daily indignities of aging are preying on her mind. Tzippy wonders how she will be remembered? Her relationship with her children is not good, particularly with Shari, her youngest and most screwed up. Shari is a problem drinker and still plagued by the eating disorder she’s had since adolescence. She always blamed her mother for her problems and lately Tzippy has had the uncomfortable feeling Shari may be right. On the day of the party, on edge and anxious, Tzippy decides on a shopping trip to Saks which is always her quick fix, and while there, sees a brooch she wants, but not enough to pay for it. It finds its way into her purse and as she is making her get away—unlike the other times—she is caught and hauled off to the police station. Now that Tzippy is turning 80, there is not an infinite amount of time left. Will She be able to repair the damage that has taken a lifetime to create?Trade Review“Tzippy, The Thief marks the introduction of a major new voice in American fiction. Every day, we are buried below an avalanche of consumerism that validates only the young. Keenly observant and humane, Rohner explores the tucked-away realities of aging: the fears of approaching twilight, the regret at loss of beauty and health, the examination of family and emotional legacy. This is an important book, and the debut of a clarion voice.” —Charles Bane, Jr., Pushcart Prize Nominee and author of The Chapbook and New Poems "Tzippy the Thief clearly establishes novelist Patricia Striar Rohner as an original and gifted storyteller. A thoroughly entertaining and deftly crafted read from beginning to end, Tzippy the Thief is an especially recommended addition to community library General Fiction collections." —Midwest Book Review

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Book Synopsis"Love matters a little, but luck matters more." The words of thirty-five-year-old David Melman's Jewish grandmother still haunt him. He's scared to settle down. Instead, he dates twenty-something pop stars that he meets through his celebrity-branding business. But when his niece and nephew inform him that he's hit "rock bottom" with his latest inappropriate relationship, David realizes that change might be in order-so when his sister Marcy, with her own ulterior motive, pushes him to take a film-writing class taught by her friend Laurel, he agrees. Will writing a movie about a childhood visit to his grandparents in Florida, an unforgettable driving lesson, and a 1977 Cadillac bring David love? Luck? Or both? Alternating between David's present-day life and his past through his movie script, Chuckerman Makes a Movie is a romantic comedy blended with a comedic coming-of-age.Trade Review2019 International Book Awards, Winner, Fiction: Religious 2019 International Book Awards, Finalist, Best New Fiction 2018 Foreword Indies Winner in Adult Fiction—Humor 2018 Winner, Chicago Writers Association Book of the Year Award Fall book pick by the LA Times, Denver Post, and NY Daily News “Dickman’s debut novel is witty and observant throughout, and she packs her prose with sensory detail. A funny, romantic story.” —Kirkus Reviews “Art imitates life in Chuckerman Makes a Movie, a laughter-inducing novel of nostalgia and self-discovery.” —Foreword Reviews, 5 star review “With snappy dialogue and a witty collection of characters, Dickman's debut is utterly enjoyable.” —Booklist “Chuckerman Makes a Movie is an endearing, comic novel full of love and family dysfunction. Its characters are so alive they might as well, for better or worse, be standing in your living room. By interweaving Chuckerman’s screenplay with his life, Francie Arenson Dickman cleverly blends the past with the present and coming-of-age with romantic comedy. The result is a truly original debut novel—a story that is multi-layered, multi-generational and downright hysterical. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll never want to leave your front row seat as the delightful drama unfolds.” —Dylan Massin, television director and producer of NBC’s Parenthood “Thoughtfully narrated and with a split-screen storyline, Chuckerman Makes A Movie is a unique coming of age tale told through the lens of a film-writing class. Quick-paced, witty, and well-executed, Francie Arenson Dickman’s debut novel weaves together a series of flawed and honest relationships, both past and present, with the kind of mastery one would expect from a seasoned best-selling author.” —Randi Olin and Lauren Apfel, executive editors of Motherwell Magazine “Francie Arenson Dickman has crafted a quietly beautiful love story about the relationships that matter most, spanning decades and stretching from 1970s Florida to the early 2000s New York. At the center is David 'Chuckerman' Melman, a mid-30s fragrance king whose sisters think has an unnatural relationship with his grandfather's classic Caddy. It's in this behemoth of a car that the story begins and ends. But it's the in-between that will draw you in. The book's colorful character development, under the guise of a screenplay, makes for an entertaining and even touching read. If I could recommend it as a beach read, I would — instead, it'll have to go on the Fall 2018 Getting Hygge With It list. A great page turner for a long weekend!” —Bookblogger LitzyDitz: Books Without the BS “I enjoyed Francie Arenson Dickman's Chuckerman Makes a Movie immensely. Not only does Chuckerman (AKA David Melman) try and make a movie, he makes a book, a damn good one, funny, full of great energy, serious without, thank god, taking itself too seriously. And best of all it's chock full of family stories, the stories who make us who we are—whether we pull off the movie or not.” —Peter Orner, author of Am I Alone Here? “Francie Arenson Dickman’s strikingly original debut novel, Chuckerman Makes a Movie, seamlessly glides between David Melman’s past and present though a witty, nostalgic screenplay, a charming, thought-provoking love story, and a big, beautiful 1977 Cadillac. The author’s humorous and disarming storytelling will not only have readers immediately rooting for Melman as the protagonist of what is, at its core, a romantic comedy, but it will also offer them a fresh, funny, and sneakily allegorical take on the important relationship between interfaith dating and coming-of-age. A fantastic read.” —Ron Bahar, MD, author of The Frontman

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Book SynopsisFive college friends have arrived at forty in very different circumstances, but with at least one thing in common: they are among the more privileged in society. Elizabeth and Sara are lawyers, Martha is a doctor, Carmen is a wealthy and well-educated homemaker, and Heather, the most successful, is a famous tech executive—and after more than two decades of friendship, they know one another better than anyone. Then Heather writes a women’s advice book detailing the key life “mistakes” of her four friends—opting out, ramping off, giving half effort, and forgetting your fertility—that becomes wildly popular, and Elizabeth, Sara, Martha, and Carmen all feel the sting of Heather’s cruel words. Despite their status, these women face everyday obstacles, including work problems, parenting challenges, secondary infertility, racism, sexism, financial stress, and marital woes—and as they weather their fortieth year, each one can’t help but wonder if their life might have been different if they had followed Heather’s advice. But as these friends are continually reminded, life is complex, messy, disappointing, and joyful, often all at once—and no one can plan her way out of that reality. In the end, all five women must embrace the idea that their lives are shaped not just by their choices but also by how they handle the obstacles life inevitably throws at us all.

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Book SynopsisApril is a thoughtful yet sarcastic mother of two who tries her best to be a caring, connected mom in a middle-class culture where motherhood has become relentless. April rages at modern motherhood’s impossible pressures, her husband’s “Dad privilege,” and her kids’ incessant snack requests. She wants to enjoy motherhood, but her idealist vision and lived experience are in constant conflict with one another. Is she broken—or is motherhood? Desperate for an answer, she seeks out a therapist, and lands with an unexpected woman whose validation and wisdom gives April the clarity to reclaim herself and even start designing clothes—her pre-motherhood passion. But when the ever-elusive babysitter cancels last-minute, April finds herself back at square one. She seeks guidance, but her therapist is now dealing with her own crumbling marriage—and instead of counseling April, she convinces her to speed off to Las Vegas with her to help catch her husband cheating. With a little weed, alcohol, and topless pool hopping, plus a male stripper and some much-needed autonomy, the two find lost pieces of themselves that motherhood swallowed up. But neither one is prepared for how tested—and tempted—they will be, or for the life-altering choices their journey will force them to make. Who is guiding whom anymore?Trade Review2020 IPPY Awards Silver Winner in Humor “Laugh-out-loud funny. You will not be able to put it down, just like your children.” —Emily Liebert, USA Today best-selling author of Pretty Revenge “The great specificity with which Ferner writes about child-rearing. . . helps set this book apart in the field of comic women’s fiction. . . Ferner will likely have many fans awaiting her next irreverent volume. A clever and often caustic sendup of modern motherhood.” —Kirkus Reviews “Ferner’s book is at times laugh-out-loud/so-funny-you-have-to-repeat-aloud-to-the-person-nearest-you, and at times viscerally poignant in how accurately she portrays motherhood—as well as how tenuous working outside of the home can feel! Most of all, she reminds us that no matter how many children we have, where we live, or how we live, we as mothers are more alike than we are different: we all share a driving, intense love for our children and are at our strongest when we band together.” —Dr. Darria Long, best-selling author of Mom Hacks “This book is as important as it is hilarious–social artistry at its finest. Brandy warms the heart, blows the whistle, and helps us feel less alone in the struggle.” —Beth Barry, author of Motherwhelmed, creator of Revolution From Home “Reading Adult Conversation is like having a friend who is both funny and 100% real walking beside you on the heart-bending and life-upending path of parenthood. You will see yourself within these characters and find humor and solace on every page. Brandy has somehow captured the sometimes soul-crushing reality of parenthood in a way that makes you laugh, feel deeply seen, and provides a bit of therapy all at the same time!” —Britta Bushnell, PhD, author of Transformed by Birth “…this gripping story is so relatable you'll wonder if she pulled pages from your journal…. Adult Conversation is a much-needed antidote to today's perfect Instagram mom.” —Laura Mullane, author of Swimming for Shore: Memoirs of a Reluctant Mother “Adult Conversation might not sell you on stay-at-home motherhood, but it will make you long for more time to stay at home reading.” —Darcy Lockman, author of All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership

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Book Synopsis“Poignant, funny, and smart, Brunch and Other Obligations is a must-have for contemporary women's fiction shelves. Readers will want to watch for what Nugent does next.” —Booklist “A thoroughly upbeat and fully entertaining novel from cover to cover.” —Midwest Book Review “Brunch and Other Obligations is women’s fiction at its finest! A tender, witty, heartfelt novel that had me laughing out loud in one chapter and reaching for tissues in the next. With humor, heart, and hope, Nugent reminds us that, once in a lifetime, if we’re very, very lucky, we just might find a friend who knows us better than we know ourselves.” —Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times best-selling author of The Life List The only thing reclusive bookworm Nora, high-powered attorney Christina, and supermom-in-training Leanne ever had in common was their best friend, Molly. When Molly dies, she leaves mysterious gifts and cryptic notes for each of her grieving best friends, along with one final request: that these three mismatched frenemies have brunch together every month for a year. Filled with heartwrenching scenes and witty prose, Brunch and Other Obligations explores the intricate dynamics of girlhood acquaintances who are forced to reconnect as women. This upbeat novel reminds readers that there’s hope for getting through the hard times in life—with a lot of patience, humor, and a standing brunch date.

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Book SynopsisFinalist, 2016 National Indie Excellence Awards (Fiction - General) Finalist, 2016 International Book Awards (Fiction - General) Finalist, 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (Two categories: General Fiction/Novel, under 80,000 words, and Second Novel) Finalist, 2015 USA Best Book Awards (Women's Fiction) When English major Nora Plowright finds herself staring at college graduation as if at the edge of a cliff, she decides to become a newspaper reporter—and right away, she manages to get a job at a local paper (which you could still do in 1978). Although fearful by nature, Nora pursues a tip from a stranger and soon is investigating corruption at the Maryland State Highway Authority regarding the controversial placement of a major highway. The developing scandal, with its shady “players,” tests both her budding reportorial skills and her appetite for danger. Also, her passion for storytelling makes it increasingly difficult for her to stick to the facts. Honest and humorous, Just the Facts is a coming-of-age novel about finding one’s way in the real world that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with figuring out what to do when she or he grows up. Honest and humorous, Just the Facts is a coming-of-age novel about finding one’s way in the real world that will resonate with anyone who has struggled with figuring out what to do when she or he grows up.Trade Review“Ellen Sherman’s new novel, Just the Facts, is a poignant, colorful portrait of a young woman coming of age in a small newspaper newsroom. Brimming with an ardor for writing and great literature, rookie reporter Nora Plowright unearths a major political scandal, but discovers that her passion for storytelling, and compassion for the people she covers, often conflict with her job. Nora’s emotional odyssey is captivating as she grapples with the fallibility of daily journalism, her parents' foibles, religion, and a steady stream of potential boyfriends. Those of us who have labored in the trenches of journalism will savor Nora’s triumphs (front-page bylines!) and wince at her disasters, which so many of us have experienced.” —William K. Marimow, two-time Pulitzer-Prize-winning journalist and editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer “From the beginning of her first job after college—as a staff reporter for a small Maryland newspaper—Nora Plowright pretty much knows she's happier writing about well-trained cockatiels and a school ban on potato chips than she is dealing with plane crashes, violent crime, and corruption. But nothing is as appealing to her as the variations on reality she rehearses in her mind as she drives from one assignment to the next. This is a touchingly honest and very funny twist on the cub-reporter-earns-her-stripes theme, and Nora is great company as she faces her (mostly) irrational fears, unexpected suitors, unsavory politicians . . . and a very dangerous bag of peppermint puffs.” —Jane Schwartz, author of Caught and Ruffian: Burning from the Start “Ellen Sherman has written a smart, funny, and accomplished novel. Just the Facts provides both an inside view of the world of a small-town newspaper and an engaging portrait of a young woman at a pivotal point in her life.” —Kitty Burns Florey, author of The Writing Master

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Book SynopsisIt’s never too late for a second chance . . .Things haven’t been easy for Aiden Cisneros. His beloved wife passed away 5 years ago, and their pride and joy, the Happy Valley Bed and Breakfast, has been falling apart ever since. With his daughter getting ready to move away to college, Aiden is finally ready to let go. All he wants to do now is sell the place and move on with his life. There’s just one problem . . .And her name is Rebah Reynolds.A travel blogger with a drinking problem and a bad attitude to match, Rebah is burned out on her internet-famous lifestyle. For her, travel has lost its allure, and now it’s just a pay check. In a drunken fury, she gave Aiden’s B&B a disastrous review a few years back. So, the last thing she ever expected was for him to call and request another chance.Struggling to keep up with her younger competition, Rebah agrees and heads out to Napa to craft one of her famously scathing critiques to satisfy her obnoxious followers. Aiden, however, has a wild scheme cooked up to guarantee a great review and close his sale. But something funny happens when you’re surrounded by the romantic hills of wine country . . .Can these former adversaries give each other the second chance they both deserve?

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