On Tour: Eleusis by Genevieve Fairbrother
Genevieve will be on tour June 3-17 with her novel Eleusis Macy needs a break to sort out her life. Her parents are dead and…
On Tour: Meeting Miss Mollie by Di Jones
Di will be on tour June 3-24 with her novel Meeting Miss Mollie She’s the Agony Aunt who has it all. Except for one small…
Book Review: Domestic Affairs by Bridget Siegel
I received a copy of Domestic Affairs by Bridget Siegel in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
When twenty-something political fundraiser Olivia Greenley is recruited by her close friend Jacob Harriston to join the Presidential campaign of Georgia Governor Landon Taylor, she is intoxicated by optimism and opportunity. Taylor’s commitment to social equality and economic responsibility in the post-housing-bubble era is palpable. Sacrificing her sleep, comfort and income are certain to help make the world a better place. Right?
Domestic Affairs: A Campaign Novel vividly captures the fervor and idealism of campaign life—as well as the disillusionment staffers feel when told to make the inevitable compromises. Leaving a meeting with foreclosure victims to hop onto a private jet is one thing, but how to justify dining at a $2,000-a-plate dinner knowing how many lunches the money could buy for at-risk kids? How far does one go when the ends appear to justify the means? And what’s a girl to do when the most charming, erudite, capable and ostensibly honorable man in the free world wants to take her to bed (but he’s married and her boss)? How does it feel to keep the biggest secret of her life from her best friend and coworker, even as the three of them spend every waking hour together? The tension between characters, right and wrong, and between success and implosion are taut.
Review:
This is the second political-based book I’ve read in the past month, and I have to say I’m really enjoying them! It’s interesting to learn about a world that I don’t know much about (politics confuse me, I’ll admit it) and then to also get a behind-the-scenes glance at all the key players. I like learning from my reading, and it was great fun to be able to chat with my fiancé over dinner and tell him about the “body guy” of a campaign and what fundraisers are like to plan. I wanted to shake my head more than once at Olivia for getting pulled into an affair with her boss that we could all see was a bad idea, but I liked the way the ending worked out. A very intriguing novel, and one I recommend!
4 stars
Q&A with Felicia Rogers
When did you know writing was for you?
I’ve always been an avid reader. One summer I read over two hundred and ten romance novels! Then a couple of years ago I read a pirate story and I got the bright idea that I could write one. Sure, why not? Couldn’t be that hard, right? Wrong. I wrote a story, sent it to a friend, and she destroyed it with red ink. So I buried the book and waited.
Later I read this great historical series, again I thought, I can do this. So I asked my cousin, who is great with the English language, if she would like to write a book together. The plan was for me to write a chapter send it to her, she would polish it and then we would just keep going but she grew busy and wasn’t able to help and before I knew it I’d written a full novel on my own.
While seeking publication for my first novel, and becoming more and more discouraged, I wrote a short story called The Holiday Truce. It won Solstice Publishing’s Celebrate the Season Contest. The rush, the excitement, of realizing I’d won felt so good that I wanted to write forever. In that moment I knew writing was for me.
How would you describe your book?
Love Octagon is a clean, humorous book about family life. Honestly I started this book as a way to vent about issues going on in my life but in the end it was riddled with actual stories from my family and friends.
What was the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Trying to keep all the characters straight! I had two lists beside me at all times: the character list and the “what in the world do this people look like and act like” list. The main characters in the book encompass eight different women, eleven children, and several men.
Love Octagon by Felicia RogersWhat is the one thing that you want readers to know about you as an author?
I would like readers to understand how much I enjoy writing about real life situations within different genres. I don’t want to be stuck just in historical, or contemporary, I want to be able to write about anything that pops into my head.
What does your daily schedule look like?
My daily schedule has changed drastically since I started writing. At first I got up early, read my Bible, and then wrote for a couple of hours, after which my normal activities of taking care of the kids and running my household kicked in. But now, I get up early and read my Bible, take care of the children, and write at night or whenever I can get a chance.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
The best advice I have is what I’ve heard from others, success as an author is not like a race but a marathon. You have to be in it for the long haul. Few authors get rich overnight but even without the money writing has its own rewards.
What is your favorite book?
I honestly don’t have one favorite book. I like lots of different authors that write in a myriad of styles.
Favorite movie?
Would have to be the Star Wars trilogy. I’m crazy about action movies.
Who is your favorite literary character?
To be honest, I don’t have one.
Who is your writing inspiration?
My children offer a plethora of writing inspiration. I’m also inspired by nature and everyday occurrences.
What is your must have beauty product?
This is tough because I personally hate wearing make-up, I prefer the natural look. I guess I would have to say lotion.
What advice would you give yourself ten years ago? Any words of wisdom?
I would tell myself not to wait so late in life to write. Not to push myself so hard and to try and relax and have more fun.
Book Review: Love Octagon by Felicia Rogers
Disclaimer: I received a copy of LOVE OCTAGON by Felicia Rogers in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
Kevin Smith is an ordinary guy. He works a plain job. Owns a normal, but disorganized home. And plays like every single man. In short, he is the average male. Until one day on vacation, he takes a run in the park and rescues a bag lady from mugging, after which his life is never the same.
The mysterious lady grants him one wish. Assuming the woman’s offer is false, Kevin returns home with thoughts of a past conversation in his mind. Later when he steps from the shower everything has changed. The disorderly home is no more. All his vacation chores have been completed. And most surprising of all he has seven wives.
Will this unexpected twist turn out to be the blessing he hoped for, or a curse he wished he’d never asked for?
Review:
Love Octagon is a really good and hilarious read. I thought Felicia did a really great job at writing a unique story that was filled with heartfelt humor and interesting situations. And as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for, just as Kevin learns. The whole book played out just like a movie and I thought that the dynamic between Kevin and all of his wives was quite hilarious. I mean, what guy wouldn’t wish for more than one woman? It is nice to see that he learns out just how complicated it would actually turn out. Overall though, this book is really great and quite an enjoyable read and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something light and fun this summer!
Rating: 4/5 stars
Future Tour: The Legacy of the Key by SL Morgan
SL Morgan will be on tour July 29-August 5 with her YA/fantasy romance novel The Legacy of the Key No matter where you are, facing…
Book Review: What Happiness Looks Like by Karen Lenfestey
I received a copy of What Happiness Looks Like by Karen Lenfestey in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
Joely Shupe had a vision of what her thirties would look like: she’d be the mother of two, finger painting with her kids during the day and cooking dinner for her loving husband at night. Instead she’s a single mother struggling to provide for her only child.
To make matters worse, her ex-fiancé, Jake, shows up–unemployed and reeling from a personal tragedy. He claims he’s ready to parent the daughter he abandoned five years ago. Joely is more interested in Dalton, a devoted father to his own son, who offers to take care of her the way no man ever has. Should Joely risk her daughter bonding with someone new or with the man who broke her heart?
Meanwhile, Joely’s sister, Kate, has the husband and the home, but no baby. After several failed attempts at fertility treatments, Kate’s husband is ready to give up. Kate believes his solution to their problems will tear them apart.
For Joely and Kate, one thing is for sure: this is not the life they expected. Is it time to adjust their idea of what happiness looks like?
Review:
I enjoyed about the first 3/4 of the book. The family dynamic between sisters Joely and Kate was interesting to read about, and I like books that have a very real feeling towards them. I like reading about women’s situations, and this story definitely fit that bill. I actually didn’t even realize this was the second book in a series until about halfway through, when Kate was talking about how her husband Mitch had left her previously. I thought something more should be said about that, then looked it up to realize it’s book two, and I’m sure that situation had been discussed in the first book. That being said, I really didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not having read A Sister’s Promise, so that’s good! Now, I said I enjoyed the first 3/4 book – the ending just fell flat to me. I got confused by the relationship Joely had with both Dalton and Jake, and Kate’s struggle with infertility had me scratching my head at points. I almost felt like maybe it was being rushed, because all of sudden everything is wrapped up and I was a bit lost. Overall a good read and I would like to check out the first book as well.
3.5 stars
Book Review: Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke
I received a copy of Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:
April is a busy time for Hannah Swensen and her bakery; the warm weather makes folks in Lake Eden, Minnesota, go wild for something sweet. When Hannah hears that the Cinnamon Roll Six jazz band will be playing at the town’s Weekend Jazz Festival, she’s more than happy to bake up a generous supply of their namesake confections to welcome the band to town.
Before the festival even begins, tragedy strikes when the tour bus overturns. Among those injured is Buddy Neiman, the band’s beloved keyboard player. Buddy’s injuries appear minor, until his condition suddenly takes a turn for the worse–as in dead. Hannah’s no doctor, but she suspects that the surgical scissors someone plunged into Buddy’s chest may have something to do with it. Hannah isn’t sure just how she’ll unravel the mystery, but one thing’s for sure: nothing’s sweeter than bringing a killer to justice. . .
Review:
While I normally enjoy a mystery novel (and baked goods!) I had trouble getting into this book. I think a large part might have been because this book is a part of a series, and I haven’t read anything else in it. I always felt like I was one step behind everyone else, or the person sitting outside the gossip circle looking in. It was also a bit predictable, which almost feels weird to say knowing that I wasn’t familiar with the characters or the previous storylines, but even then I knew what was going to happen before it did. There were some humorous parts and sections that piqued my interest, but in the end, it fell a bit flat for me.
2.5 stars
In My Mailbox: Week of May 26
Title: Stupid By Choice
Author: Leighton Summers
Received: From Smith Publicity
Synopsis: A novel about the adventures and regrets of a Texas Oil Princess’s quest for finding love… Melanie St. John is a beautiful, smart, rich Texan daddy’s girl born to a bold, high-powered lawyer in the oil business who helps Melanie grow into someone who is both worldly and capable. But once she leaves college and enters the privileged world of dating highly sought-after men of leisure, she is catapulted in and out of the wealthiest places on the globe while hoping to get married and start a family with one of them. But these mostly destructive love affairs soon become a dynamic exploration of wealth and love, with all the highs and lows. And to complicate matters she is surrounded by her older, free-wheeling, wildcat sister (and her sister’s exotic but destructive best friend) as well as her own two completely opposite best friends, and each of them also hopes to find their own Prince Charming—which all only adds to the competition, adventures, and scandals. But throughout each relationship Melanie explores the deeper, more prevalent themes of family, friendship, love, intimacy, freedom, betrayal, motherhood, and most of all, inner strength.
His Fantasy Maid by Susan BlexrudTitle: His Fantasy Maid
Author: Susan Blexrud
Received: Via CLP Blog Tours
Synopsis: On the eve of Jake Sinclair’s bachelor party, his best man surprises him with a fantasy maid named Amy. Clad in a bikini, she cleans his house and jump starts his heart. She’s beautiful, smart, and compassionate. Why is a woman like this working as a fantasy maid? A few days later, with thoughts still distracted by the enigmatic Amy, Jake crashes his car and wakes in the hospital emergency room where his fantasy maid is now wearing scrubs and wielding a stethoscope. Is she an hallucination, or is his fantasy maid a doctor?
Expected by Sarah EnglandTitle: Expected
Author: Sarah England
Received: From Crooked Cat Publishing
Synopsis: Sam Sweet is terrified of giving birth.
Only,she doesn’t daretell anyone. Especially her grandchild-obsessed mother or herfiancé, Simon – top surgeon by day, mind-game expert by night.
Repressed by the expectations of others, Sam feels trapped. All she ever wanted was a career and a crack at independence, but as a catastrophically failed psychiatric nurse who now injects fillers into the crinkled faces of unhappy women, a career is proving tricky. There’s something wrong with the product and clients are suing.
Jealous work colleagues stir up scandalous gossip, and soon Sam hits rock bottom, consoling herself with button-popping chocolate binges and terrifying spending sprees.
Sam is going to have to find her voice if she ever wants to be herself, fall in love, and follow her dreams.
Alas, the wedding date is set…
Love in Darkness by EM TippettsTitle: Love in Darkness
Author: EM Tippetts
Received: From EM Tippetts
Synopsis: Alex had everything when he was with Madison. But the darkness within him wouldn’t go away. After two years apart, he returns to Pelican Bluffs and to the girl he never wanted to leave. Madison wants to give their love another chance, but Alex can’t fight fate. He is what he is. Ruined. Crazy like his mother. And Madison deserves so much more. When his secrets spill out into their small town, Alex has a choice to make. Hide away in the darkness forever, or let love in.
