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Book Review: The Love of My (Other) Life by Traci …

I received a copy of The Love of My (Other) Life by Traci L. Slatton in exchange for an honest review.

This book begins with an introduction to Tessa. Tessa is a struggling painter who has been left behind by her husband with tons of bills that need to be paid. Over the years she has made some serious missteps in her career but hopes to eventually turn that around. Then, we meet Brian Tennyson. He is smart and funny and he really takes a whole of her … but he claims to be from another universe. And, he says that in their universe, they’re actually married. So, what’s a girl to do? Tessa’s world gets thrown upside down as she tries to find the truth and really begins to wonder about second chances and fate vs. coincidence. Are the two in fact soul-mates?

I was so interested when I first read the synopsis for the book and slightly thought it would read like a sci-fi novel. Well, if you are worried like I was, there is no need because this book is too cute for words. I instantly felt the spark when Tessa and Brian met and although it sounds odd, I believed him when he was he was from another universe from the get-go. This book is a riot and I really enjoyed it. I loved the conversations and the heart-felt-moments between the two main characters and I thought Traci did an amazing job at creating such likeable characters. Overall, this book is a winner and a fun ride!

Book Review: The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie …

I received a copy of The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen by Syrie James in exchange for an honest review.

The book begins as Samantha McDonough stumbles upon a letter tucked away in an uncut page of a two-hundred-year old poetry book. She instantly recognizes the salutation, the handwriting, and the content as an old piece from the infamous Jane Austen. Although the discovery is quite amazing, Samantha finally reads the letter and the content is even better – it claims that there is a missing manuscript that went missing at Greenbriar. Samantha racks her brain and can’t believe what she has just found, so she takes it upon herself and goes on a hunt for the missing MS. Afterall, it could be worth millions. Will she find it? And will it be all that she imagined?

The second I received the review request for this book, I instantly knew that I was going to love it – and I was right! A book about a missing Jane Austen manuscript? I was hooked instantly. This book was written really well and I loved the mystery and the suspense element that the author provides. I was fully invested in the hunt right along with Samantha and was so excited to see how the story unfolded. Overall, this book is a really fun ride with a great twist once you throw Anthony into the mix. I highly recommend this fun tale!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Future Tour: When Girlfriends Make Choices by Savannah Page

Savannah will be on tour April 1-22 with her chick lit novel When Girlfriends Make Choices A novel about forbidden love, the choices you make,…

Author Profile: Tenaya Jayne

Author Name: Tenaya Jayne
Website: http://tenayajayne.com/
Bio: Hello. My name’s Tenaya and I’m an addict. I mean author. When I was growing up, writing was just something I played at from time to time. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was one of those people who could never finish anything. When my eldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I began to write seriously. Writing became a necessity for me in the midst of my heartbreak. It was either that or take up drinking. I ‘m thankful I chose writing as my escape because I discovered it truly is my thing. I want to be swept away when I read. That’s what I want my books to do for you. The main goal of my writing is to entertain you. I want to help you escape everyday life for a little while. I hope you enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy sharing them with you!

I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I’m an advocate for Autism awareness, and women trapped in abusive relationships. I try to always look on the bright side and help others do so too. I’ve lived many places but I currently reside in Missouri. I love reading, indie and foreign films, gardening, and moody music.
Visit Tenaya’s tour page!

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes

I received a copy of SkinnyTinis by Teresa Marie Howes from CLP Blog Tours in exchange for an honest review.

SkinnyTinis is a cocktail recipe book with more than 70 recipes. For people watching their weight, this book is perfect because Teresa has gone through drink favorites and thinified them … and now they rake in around 142 calories each. The recipes still offer the same great taste as the traditional (and full calorie) alternatives, yet you won’t have the guilt that goes along with them.

Oh boy, I was so excited when I received my SkinnyTinis in the mail. Ironically, my mother-in-law was in town and I had just purchased a few bottles of alcohol, so I had some assistance in taste testing. By far my favorite was the Skinny Cosmopolitan (which is one of my go-to-drinks when out on the town) and I absolutely loved how quick and easy all of the recipes were. Now, I am not that big of a drinker so I have only tried a few, but so far, the ones that I have tried have been delicious and light. I also really enjoyed the great photographs that accompanied each recipe and I really loved that the book was so colorful. I have already recommended this book to a few gal pals and I will continue to do so. Thank you so much Teresa for doing the research and creating skinny solutions for my favorite mixed drinks. I love this book! A new bar staple!

Rating: 5 stars

On Tour: Love at 11 by Mari Mancusi

Mari will be on tour February 4-25 with her novel Love at 11 When Maddy graduated from Columbia University, she was ready to change the…

Blog Tour Sign Up: Appetites by Karen Frankola

Sarah hates her life. Even though she’s got a great job in Manhattan, she’s on the wrong side of forty, chubby, and can barely remember the last time she had sex. It doesn’t help that her younger sister Max has the world’s best butt, despite a diet of burgers and beer.
Out of the blue, Sarah hears from Harry, the Brit she almost married twenty years ago. He’s visiting New York in four months. Sarah refuses to see him unless she can lose a lot of weight—fast! Her solution? Asking Max to lock her up in her basement and feed her nothing but healthy meals. Max, a struggling waitress, agrees begrudgingly. She has her own set of appetites—for drink, drugs, and great-looking losers.
Sarah thinks a summer in Max’s basement will give her a new body, a fresh start with Harry, and the friendship she’s long craved from her sister. But things quickly go wrong. A drunken Max neglects her, while Sarah develops an unhealthy obsession with Max’s boyfriend. Can Sarah turn back time with Harry or will she and Max kill each other first? Can either sister ever learn to say no?
This is a story for anyone who’s ever been desperate to change her life.
Due to the sexual content, this book is recommended for mature audiences.

Book Review: The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee

I received a copy of THE TYPEWRITER GIRL by Alison Atlee in exchange for an honest review.
Summary:

When Betsey disembarks from the London train in the seaside resort of Idensea, all she owns is a small valise and a canary in a cage. After attempting to forge a letter of reference she knew would be denied her, Betsey has been fired from the typing pool of her previous employer. Her vigorous protest left one man wounded, another jilted, and her character permanently besmirched. Now, without money or a reference for her promised job, the future looks even bleaker than the debacle behind her. But her life is about to change . . . because a young Welshman on the railroad quay, waiting for another woman, is the one man willing to believe in her.

Mr. Jones is inept in matters of love, but a genius at things mechanical. In Idensea, he has constructed a glittering pier that astounds the wealthy tourists. And in Betsey, he recognizes the ideal tour manager for the Idensea Pier & Pleasure Building Company. After a lifetime of guarding her secrets and breaking the rules, Betsey becomes a force to be reckoned with. Now she faces a challenge of another sort: not only to outrun her sins, but also to surrender to the reckless tides of love. . . .
My Review:

I thought this book was a lot of fun and felt instantly taken back into the past. I loved Betsey from the get go and was so excited to finally get to read such a strong and forceful female literary character (it has been a while) and I love that she truly fights for what she wants. The chemistry between Betsey and Mr. Jones definitely took hold of me during my reading and I was so eager to get to the end, only to be disappointed that the book was over and I wouldn’t be able to read anymore. Overall, this book is really well written and very well researched. A true gem and quite historical. I would definitely recommend it.
Rating: 4 stars

CLP Blog Tours Book Review: Becoming Mrs. Walsh by Jessica …

Jessica Gordon is now on tour with CLP Blog Tours and Becoming Mrs. Walsh. Ooh, this novel. I am getting married myself this September, so I could instantly relate with Shoshana Thompson. We are brides-to-be, we are close in age – but she is a tad different from me in that she is marrying into one of Washington D.C.’s wealthiest families. There is a lot of pressure on her in becoming a Walsh – the clothes, the makeup, the events, not to mention her grand wedding. While Shoshana believes she loves Andrew and he is the perfect man for her, she starts to get feelings for someone else…someone she definitely cannot have romantic feelings toward.
This book was so juicy, and the ending had me practically salivating. I loved the Walsh family, from the brothers to the sisters-in-law to the mom. Shoshana is relatable but also likeable – she’s someone about to take a big step and gets scared when her feelings about her impending marriage and husband seem off. If you’re a chick lit fan, you will be green with envy reading about some of the designer clothes and shoes the Walsh’s have and the trips they gallivant off to at a moment’s notice. And I found it fun that Shoshana is from Iowa and there are scenes with her family back in that state – I live in Iowa myself. Seriously, this book was right up my alley! But let’s get back to the ending – I was happily reading along, wondering what would happen and being on my toes, then coming to terms with Sho’s final decision and being happy for her when wham – there is definitely a sequel coming out and I can’t wait to read it! You must pick this one up!
5 stars