Girlfriend Cyber Circuit:Johanna Edwards

Hey all,

I've joined the Girlfriend's Cyber Circuit and that means every so often, I'll have the opportunity to blog about a fellow chick lit author making the rounds in a virtual tour. Today we have Johanna Edwards, the 27 year old author of "The Next Big Thing" put out this month by Berkley.

Here's an official blurb:

Kat Larson figured she had nothing to lose by becoming a contestant on the new reality show From Fat to Fabulous-except maybe a few dozen pounds. Then she'd finally be able to arrange a face-to-face meeting with Nick, the British hunk she met online, who still thinks she's a size four. She'd finally be confident and graceful and thin-and there's that big cash prize, too, to pay for all those slinky new clothes she'd need. She'd finally have the perfect life.

That's the fantasy, anyway. She's about to find out the reality?

I just finished reading this book last night and I have to tell you, it's terrific. At first I was like, hmm another book on Reality TV? But then I started reading and I was completely hooked. The main character is so REAL. So like a person you'd want to go out and get drinks with. And Johanna really tugs at your heartstrings when she throws Kat and the other contestants into torturous, embarassing reality show "challenges." She also paints a poignant picture of how our society treats overweight people as second class citizens. Should really get people thinking. But at the same time, she's never preachy about it and keeps the book fun and lighthearted.

So even if you're not a fan of reality TV, I highly suggest chick lit fans give this book a try. If you want to read an excerpt, you can do so here.

Johanna's a very talented writer and I can't wait to read more of her books in the future. In addition to writing, she's host of a nationally syndicated radio program called "Book Talk" and an award winning journalist. (Big cheers for author journalists!!!) And did I mention she's only 27 years old!?

SOO... go check out THE NEXT BIG THING. And please feel free to post your own review in the comments section. :-)

Marianne