Winging It

by Christine S. Feldman

Up until now, straitlaced Simon Kirkendale has done an admirable job of keeping his high society mother’s demands for grandbabies at bay, but lately she’s kicked things into high gear. So he isn’t too disappointed to delay her latest matchmaking attempt when a pretty stranger hops into the backseat of his car en route to one of his mother’s dinner parties and tells him to drive. A car-jacking? Nope. More like a bird on the run, but this particular bird happens to be a parrot who has slipped its cage, and Simon’s new acquaintance desperately needs to get it back before she loses sight of it altogether. Ever the nice guy—and okay, maybe also a little intrigued by the colorful Miss Juleen Pruitt’s sudden appearance in his car—Simon hits the gas pedal and obliges only to find himself unwittingly dragged into a wild goose chase around town for a bird who seems to be determined to either get itself killed or the two people trying to catch it. Simon’s money is on the latter.But it turns out that a little disruption and chaos in his life might just be what Simon needs most—especially if it comes in the form of Juleen.If he can just manage to survive meeting her…

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Romance, Adventure, Adult

104 pages, Paperback

First published May 20, 2015

About the author

Christine S. Feldman writes both novels and feature-length screenplays, and she has placed in screenwriting competitions on both coasts. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her ballroom-dancing husband and their beagle.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won Winging It, by Christine S. Feldman, in a give-a-way on Tometenders Book Blog. If you want a short, hilariously funny and very sweet story that will most definitely leave you with a smile, this one is for you.

Simon Theodore Kirkendale III never quite fit into his Mother’s mold. He was on his way to her house for yet another dinner with yet another blind date with what he could imagine would be another perfect, prim and proper woman, when a breath of fresh air literally jumped into his car. Was this a car jacking? No, but it was the beginning of an adventure that was sure to change his life.



Juleen was bird sitting her Grandfather’s Amazon parrot, Frankie, when he escaped. She has to get him back before her Grandfather comes home from the hospital. Simon just happened to be in the right place at the right time so she jumped into his car and told him to follow that bird.



“Sorry. I had him, but he got away.”
“Of course he did, you were on fire!”
“There was that,” he agreed.



And thus began the adventure of a life time which included a duck pond, man eating dogs, flaming cherries jubilee, and various bodily injuries. What a perfect way to get to know a woman. Would it be impolite to ask her for her number now?

“Too much sensible can get pretty boring after a while. Same goes for proper.”

This is super short but is definitely going to leave a lasting impression. I loved it.

[Stephanie (Bookfever) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winging It by Christine S. Feldman is honestly the cutest and funniest book I have read this year. I can't remember how many times I laughed out loud or smiled like crazy with it.

I really liked the main character, Simon Kirkendale from the start and the story pretty much starts with a woman named Juleen jumping into his car and telling him to drive to chase Franky, her grandfather's parrot, that she lost. This was already so funny because I hadn't really expected this to happen. To say Simon was startled is an understatement but he goes along with it anyway.

The rest of the story continues with trying to catch Frankie, which is very entertaining to say the least, from jumping into a pond to getting set on fire. I also loved how Simon found out how a bit of absurdity is not a bad thing, especially where Juleen is concerned because she's not an average woman. And I can't point out enough how much I loved the humor in this book. I don't read a lot of romantic comedy books but is they're all like this I might have to read more.

Usually with short novellas like this I find that there's not enough room for me to really get to know the character or have a connection to them or the story but this is definitely not the case with this story. It was very engaging and of course funny as hell. Not quite a five-star read but I would absolutely recommend this to anyone, especially if you're looking for a hilarious story that's well-written and entertaining.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a super cute, fun read. It's perfect if you're looking for a quick pick me up. Simon and Juleen have a very unique "meet cute" and it seems like one thing happens after another. Simon is a very good sport. Even though this is a shorter story, it didn't feel rushed or incomplete. It was just an enjoyable escape. I was going to read a chapter before bed, but got sucked in and couldn't put it down.

I am such a fan of Christine's books and can't wait to see what she comes up with next. This is perfect if you're looking for a lighthearted opposites-attract story.

Content
Romance: Squeaky clean
Language: None
Violence: None
Religious: None

Source: Received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come on over to Celebrate the Release of WINGING IT! Enter to win light-hearted reading that will make you smile!

Click on Banner to Enter! INTL
Ends May 29, 2015

No good deed goes unpunished! (But good things come to those who wait.) Ask Simon who was conscripted to help a beautiful and quirky woman to capture an escaped parrot! Talk about flying the coop, and taking everyone on a wild goose chase! Juleen may be an angel in disguise, worth the ruined suit, slime, burning tie and especially for giving Simon the perfect excuse to avoid another Mother-knows-best attempt at match-making. Simon finds that living life on the edge with a woman whose heart is as big as her determination to re-capture the winged escapee, might just be one of the best things to ever happen to him! (Nevermind he could foil his mother, once again!)

Winging It by Christine S. Feldman is a short but fabulously funny tale of the adventures of a feathery flight from incarceration and the heroes who braved just about every mishap imaginable! Fast, furious and never without humor, Ms. Feldman has created one of the best feel good reads I have ever read! No seriousness here, folks, so if that’s what you are looking for, move along. If you need a few chuckles, or even guffaws with a definite budding romance in the offing, Ms. Feldman’s words are going to give you the funniest ab workout around! She spared nothing in creating mayhem and madness, as I “flew” through this engaging read!

I received an ARC edition from Christine S. Feldman in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: May 20, 2015
Publisher: Christine S. Feldman
Genre: Romantic Comedy Short
Print Length: 63 pages
Available from: Amazon
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun quick read.

Winging It, is such a fun, quick, and humorous read. I absolutely loved Juleen's quirky and lovable character. And, Simon fastly grows on you as an all around likable guy.

A short novella, that's squeaky clean and yet full of humor, you'll find yourself smiling the entire time.

[Caroline Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christine S. Feldman’s ‘Winging It’ is everything it is cracked up to be. A short contemporary that leaves the reader smiling after providing fun, quirkiness, and excitement, not to mention the romance! I found myself laughing at certain scenes between the main characters, Simon and Juleen, as the author tells of their escapades in trying to capture Juleen’s grandfather’s parrot, Frankie!

This fast-paced, light-hearted story is extremely refreshing and original. The reader will love the unpredictable run of events as Simon and Juleen try to chase down Frankie in Simon’s car after Juleen jumps in and asks unknown Simon to put his foot down, and then later on foot as they race through a park after a bird in flight.

It is due to Simon’s chivalry and good-mannered upbringing that he goes along with Juleen and tries to help once he finds out the exact true nature of her ‘carjacking’. Only, after being bored with his mother’s vision of what his future bride should be like, he becomes fascinated with Juleen, and her quirkiness. After all, she is interesting and has some energy about her that is different.

Juleen is the chaos in the ever-so-organised life of Simon. His routine leans on the tedious side of the fence, whilst Juleen appears wild and free spirited. Opposites attract in this exciting, little read. And Simon can’t help but be drawn to her.

However, in the back of his mind he knows that his mother is expecting him to turn up for dinner and hoping to entertain a blind date with a woman of her choosing. His good manners and courtesy, not to mention the guilt trip his mother plays on him, all add up and make him feel obliged to meet this latest blind date. Will he be amazed and fall for his date, or is Juleen still playing on his mind?

If you’re looking for an uplifting, laugh-out-loud fast read Winging It is definitely for you! It really stands out from many other rom-com reads in a very punchy and vibrant way. And, it will leave you wanting more!

An ARC copy was provided by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

[Alisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simon Theodore Kirkendale III is in need of a proper wife -- or so his mother thinks. And she guilts him into blind date after blind date with girls who are all the same... and he isn't interested in any of them. He is a high school math teacher (not the lawyer his mother wanted him to be) who has never wanted to fit in his mother's perfectly proper world.

A funny thing happens on his way to one of these blind dinner dates at his mother's house... An unexpected passenger dives into his car and leads him on a wild parrot chase. Juleen is bird-sitting her grandpa's parrot when the parrot escapes and Simon has unwittingly come along just in time to help her with the pursuit! Simon quickly learns that he prefers unusual and unpredictable to proper and boring.

This is a novella so it is a quick, fun read if that's what you're in the mood for... the entire novel takes place on one fateful night.

Content: Very clean, a few instance of taking the Lord's name in vain
Source: Amazon.com

[Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
by Kim

Christine S. Feldman brings humor with Winging It. In an attempt to capture a runaway parrot, Juleen Pruitt goes to the extreme. She jumps into the car of an unsuspecting Simon Kirkendale, and tells him to “gun it”. Poor Simon doesn’t know what to do, except follow orders. In the course of a very short evening, the two manage to have several comical episodes. You have to wonder if the lovely little too smart for his own good parrot, Frankie knew what he was doing all along.

**Received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.**

[Jackie (Jackie's Book World) · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World.***:)

Winging It is a romantically hilarious novella that is going to leave you wanting for more...

In Christine S. Feldman latest novella, we are taken on adventure as two strangers go around the city chasing after a very adorable parrot. Simon Kirkendale is tired of having his mom trying to run his life, first it was all about his career and now is about future grandbabies. Yet, he reluctantly accepts her dinner invitation in hopes of stopping her from messing with his love life now. Although he knows too well that his mother is about to start matchmaking him with any available lady that she approves of. As he makes his way to his mom's house, a stranger hops into the backseat of his car demanding him to keep driving or they are going to lose Franky. They go through a series of hilarious adventures as the two try to keep up with the her parrot. Simon knows that his mother is going to be mad if he skips dinner, but he finds himself having a lot of fun with Juleen that he doesn't want the night to end.

Juleen never expected to meet Simon under her current circumstances, but she had no other choice or her grandfather's parrot was going to get away. She knows that the parrot means a lot to her grandfather, and missing him is not an option. Now all she is focus on is getting Franky back, but as she spends time with Simon, the more she finds herself attracted towards him. Soon she discovers where he was heading to and decides to distance herself by letting him go. What she doesn't know is that the parrot was going to be the real matchmaker after suddenly landing on Simon's shoulders at the end of the night. After having a long day, Simon is on the quest of finding Juleen before it's too late.

I absolutely loved this novella, it had me laughing out loud so many times. The characters are funny, yet serious. Juleen is a carefree character, she loves to paint and had an interesting personality. Simon is more serious, yet he is willing to help Juleen. As for the plot, being as it is a novella it is quiet short. I would really love to read a full novel just to see what happens to the characters. Overall, the story was well paced, and a fast read. I would highly recommend it to those of you that want a romantic yet hilarious read. :)

*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Elizabeth Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute book! It's more novella than novel. It all takes place one night. Simon's mother has invited him to yet another blind date in her attempt to get my grand babies. On his way there, a woman jumps in his car and tells him to tail somebody and his life is forever changed. He and Juleen have hilarious adventures and mishaps tracking her grandfather's bird. Simon realizes that he doesn't want the "perfect" life and wife his mother is trying to carve out for him. He wants to "wing it." This was a very cute, funny, romantic story.

[Christy Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this novella! Please tell me there will be a sequel! Juleen was such an entertaining character to read. Simon was great, too. I laughed and smiled through the whole book. Really quick, fun read that won't disappoint.

[Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, clean humorous short story starting when an unknown young woman (Juleen) jumps into the backseat of Simon’s car, and orders him to “drive, before we loose him”, where later on, the “him” appears to be an escaped parrot. Obviously, in the end, Simon and Juleen end up together, but the romance part is a bit thin.

[Jo-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This funny story starts with Juleen jumping into the back of Simon's car, telling him to go, go. She is chasing Frankie, her grandfather's parrot that got loose and is flying away. Simon was raised to be a gentleman so he went, went.

Simon is actually Simon Theodore Kirkendale III and is on his way to yet another blind date his mother has guilted him into attending. The women his mother sets him up with are perfect in every way (in her mind anyway) but Simon isn't interested in any of them. While chasing Frankie, Simon realizes that he prefers Juleen's quirky unpredictability to his mother's view of the perfect woman which would be well bred, proper and very boring.

Even though Simon knows his mother is expecting him for dinner to meet the latest of her set-ups, he doesn't want to leave Juleen on her own to find the parrot. He is having so much fun with Juleen that he doesn't care that his mother will be angry with him. The more time Juleen spends with Simon, the more she is attracted to him. I loved these characters. Talk about opposites attract - these two couldn't be more different! Simon is "the perfect gentleman" always doing what was expected of him. Juleen is much more laid back in her attitude toward life. Because she cares so deeply for her grandfather, she willingly jumped into a stranger's car to chase and catch her grandfather's parrot so that he wouldn't be devastated by the loss of the bird.

Although bound in a short page count, you get to know the main characters in this novella quite well. I appreciated the fact that the male lead was a charming, witty, all around nice guy. By paring him with a woman who was a little quirky, but yet still able to stand on her own and stand up for herself Christine Feldman creates characters that you can’t help but get into.

I loved this hilarious adventure of Juleen and Simon chasing Frankie by car and on foot. I was chuckling right from the beginning to the end. The action scenes are remarkable and I liked the detailed descriptions of the surroundings and the scenes. The ending was a surprise but wonderful.

Please note I won this book in a giveaway hosted by Tome Tender. As a whole this was a quick, happy, enjoyable read that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend.

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I should have looked at the length of the book. Not hidden; my fault. This may be the shortest one I've purchased. That being said, it was a light-hearted, quick read - maybe took me an hour. I didn't dislike it, but it is more like what I would have expected from a magazine short story. Had I paid attention to the length, I wouldn't have bothered.

[Teya Teya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Fast, fun, and pact from start to finish. My only beef was it ended and I wanted to sed the mom meeting the girl he met. Well written I saw the whole thing. I will look forward to more from this author.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, funny story.