Rating: 
Summary: Perfect Beach Book!!
Review: I recently picked up this book in a mad rush at the airport to get on a plane for a long needed break - what a lucky grab for me!! This book was the perfect bonus to my vacation. I found myself opening this book by the pool, at the spa, even in my room when I had a little down time - any chance I had I took to see what "the girls" were up to. For a thirty-something married woman, it was a wonderful retreat back to the single days: travel with girlfriends; worries about boyfriends; and overall questioning of the meaning of happiness. It was light enough for the beach, yet meaty enough to hold my attention. Caldwell's development of Casey, Kat and Lindsey was so detailed, I'm certain I could pick them out of a line-up. There is a little bit of each of us in each of them, making it easy to relate to everything happening in the book, no matter what your age or your stage. Caldwell uses a well-balanced mix of descriptive scenery, private thoughts, conversations and events, all making me feel I was on that trip, too. She even managed to throw in some good twists along the way. For someone who has always thought there should be more to a book ending than "they lived happily ever after", this one is a true winner! Thanks to Caldwell and let's all hope she keeps them coming!! If you don't like this book, try the self-help section.
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: I think young professional women have finally found a voice to champion our cause. While being realistic, Laura Caldwell accurately portrays the ups and downs of a single woman in this slice of life drama.
Rating: 
Summary: Summer beach book
Review: If you are looking for a easy breezy summer beach book to read then look no further. This book is about three girlfriends who have lost some of their friendship due to college and other issues. Casey the main character of the book is going through a really hard time because she is trying to figure out what she should do with her life. Sin (Lindsey) is really upset with Casey for not keeping in touch and Kat is just looking for a good time with any guy she meets.
Rating: 
Summary: Breaking the mold.
Review: If you're looking for a warm and fuzzy romance about a woman meeting the man of her dreams and living happily ever after, then this book is not for you. However, if you want a book filled with real emotions, real conflicts, and a hopeful (not overly romanticized) outlook, then read BURNING THE MAP. I get so sick of reading things that have absolutely no basis in the reality of the human condition. Laura Caldwell must feel this same disdain, for instead of insulting my intelligence with a nice fluffy fantasy, she provides the story of three very different women who used to be close friends and are trying to find that friendship again. Casey is the heroine, and she's let her relationship with her boyfriend supercede that of her closest friendships. Looking for an opportunity to change that, she invites her two best friends on a trip to Europe. But beyond reconnecting with her girlfriends, Casey reconnects with herself, her own desires. It's a bittersweet yet hopeful tale of self-discovery that proves sometimes the love of a man isn't enough to make you happy.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Fast Read
Review: It's the perfect book to lounge around with for the weekend or take on flight. Laura Caldwell's carefully crafted prose makes the adventure of Casey, Kat and Sin one that every 20-something (even 30-something) can related too. Casey utilizes job fear, boyfriend/commitment fear, friendship woes and parent-stress to catapult herself into an adventure of a lifetime. Burning the Map goes beyond the normal hum-drum of chick-lit because Caldwell adds depth and layers to her character. I quickly turned the pages and was very satisfied with the result.
Rating:
Summary: Smarter than Average, and Interesting Locations!
Review: Laura Caldwell is a very good writer, and I really enjoyed this book. It is intelligent chick lit -- and by that I mean it is well thought out, well-composed, and sophisticated. Another thing I really liked was that the main characters visit international, sexy locales throughout the story, which made it that much more fun. The reason I am only giving it three stars is because you get the sense that the author has not yet fully come into her own (I think this is her first novel) -- the novel is pretty straightforward. But it is worth picking up, if you are looking for something light, but not *lite*!
Rating:
Summary: Well-written!
Review: Laura Caldwell's "Burning the Map" deals with Casey who was on vacation in Rome and later Greece with her close friends from college, Kat and Sin. The vacation was very much needed for Casey as she was dealing with problems and issues in her life and the trips provided some sort of an esacpe. Casey used to be closer to Kat and Sin but ever since she met John and was also enrolled in law school, she neglected them. Casey was hoping this vacation can help mend things with them. At the same time, her parents were having marital problems and Casey was finding a difficult time dealing with it. Worse still was her problems with John who became too obsessed with his work and their relationship was getting too mundane. In Rome, Casey met an Italian guy who sent her heart racing and the brief encounter made Casey realized that it had been a long time since she was excited to see a guy and her relationship with John was just too plain. At the same time, she realized that it would not be quite easy to mend things with Kat and Sin and Casey felt left out in their conversations. However, as they gradually open up, Casey found out that she was not the only one with problems but Kat and Sin had issues in their life too. In the mean time, as her vacation was coming to an end, Casey dread the thought of working 10 hours with a law firm and also facing John. I really like and enjoy this book very much. I think most readers can relate to what Caldwell's character, Casey was experiencing. Caldwell also did an excellent job developing the characters and making her readers feel like they really know Casey. The book is very well-written and exciting at the same time, especially with the part on vacation. In addition, this book also contains a bit of everything such as friendship, love, career, and family. This book is highly recommended and it is one of the best in its genre.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It!
Review: Laura Caldwell's Burning the Map is for anyone who has ever travelled with her girlfriends, or for anyone who has ever wanted to travel with friends. The novel made me long to pull out my back pack and book a flight to the Greek Islands. Caldwell's insights on friendship, family, and finding your own path in life are both witty and wise.
I absolutely loved this book.
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Summary: this book will make you fall in love with Italy AND Greece!
Review: Light, entertaining read which surprising ending. Travel Rome and Greece with three girlfriends who are out for a summer of fun and frolic. And boy do they get frolic! Several foreign lovers cross their paths and lots of good times happen but seriousness takes over when Casey finds out some shocking news from the homefront as well as discovers what she see for her future. Excellent writing and great book for those "calgon take me away" moments!
Rating:
Summary: Curl up with this page-turner
Review: Need a virtual vacation or just plain tired of your boring old life? This book is the page-turner you want to curl up with. The main character goes on a fab vacation with her best buds from college to romantic Rome and exotic Greece - described in delectable detail by this first-time author Caldwell. The main character, a law school grad, faces a life crisis in these beautiful locations. Should she enter a boring and tedious law practice and marry her boyfriend? Or, should she chuck it all and follow her dreams to really find herself - despite what her friends and family may think? You'll be inspired to take another look at your life and really think about making a change. Caldwell is a promising author who can really take you inside the heads of her characters. You will really feel like you've had a vacation! All I can say is - I can't wait to see what else she'll write!
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