Branching out

It has been rumored for quite a while that chick lit was dead or dying.  I disagree.  What is happening with chick lit is that instead of dying off it is branching out or morphing:  chic lit mystery, chic lit paranormal, chic lit adventure, chic lit fantasy.  And there are those times when I am looking for something light to read, and chic lit fits that need to a T.  If you feel the same, here are a few titles to fit the bill.

Kate White's Lethally Blond continues the adventures of Bailey Wiggins.  A journalist who has a reputation for finding scandal and dead bodies, Bailey has a new job (reporting on scandal involving famous people), a new boyfriend (sexy new star of the television series Morgue), and a new body (another actor from the television show).  White's series continues to reflect New York City?s fast pace and chic styles.

Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson is the second book (following Enchanted, Inc.) combining magic (Merlin is head CEO of Magic, Spells & Illusions, Inc.), young women sharing an apartment in Manhattan (and clothes and shoes and shopping for the same), romance, and corporate espionage (even if the desired object is a better spell).

The Givenchy Code by Julie Kenner has graduate student Melanie Prescott's preoccupation with finding money for rent, working on her dissertation, and lusting after designer shoes interrupted by strange coded messages leading to money or death.

And finally there is Mindy Klasky's Girl's Guide to Witchcraft where librarian Jane Madison's job at the Peabridge Library in the Washington, D.C. area is threatened with budget cuts.  Efforts are made to attract more business and in the meantime her pay is reduced but included is an offer to live on site in an abandoned caretaker's cottage rent free.  Jane's discovery of a library of ancient manuscripts and books in the basement of the cottage is at first only interesting.  But when reading aloud from one of the books animates a statue and brings an angry David Montrose, her warder from the DC coven to her door, life does get pretty interesting.