#BookReview: My Ex-Best Friend’s Wedding by Wendy Wax
About the Book A wedding dress passed down through generations unravels the tangled threads of three women’s lives in a novel of friendship, family, and…
July New Book Releases
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid – July 1, 2014. Lauren and Ryan are a couple who’ve been together for over a decade, but sadly, the magic is gone. Despite their shared history, they don’t feel the love for each other that they once did. To save their marriage, they decide to break-up for a year and see if they can find their way back together. There’s a lot of prepublication buzz surrounding this book. Post Script: I’ve read it, and the buzz is warranted. Fantastic read!
One Plus One by Jojo Moyes – July 1, 2014. Moyes’ latest novel sounds like a new twist on the Jennifer Lopez movie, Maid In Manhattan. Jess works as a housekeeper for Ed, an obnoxious millionaire technology executive. Jess is a struggling single mother who, of course, is barely scrapping by. When her math whiz daughter gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete in the Math Olympiad, it’s Ed who comes to the rescue by offering to take Jess and her family. On their adventure, Jess and Ed get to see the world through each other’s eyes – those who have money and those who don’t. It turns out to be quite a journey!
The House on Mermaid Point by Wendy Wax – July 1, 2014. Wendy Wax is back with her third installment of the 10 Beach Road series. The ladies, Maddie, Avery and Nicki, are back for another remodeling project – this time in the Florida Keys. Their reality show has assigned them the project of converting an old Florida house into a bed-and-breakfast. The house belongs to a notorious past-his-prime rock star who isn’t thrilled with the camera being on him once again. But he is intrigued by the newly divorced Maddie. I loved the first two books in this series, so I’m eager to read this one!
Landline by Rainbow Rowell – July 8, 2014. After two very successful young adult novels, Rowell once again delves into adult women’s fiction with a tale of a marriage falling apart. Georgie is a successful TV writer who has been so focused on work that her personal life suffers. When Georgie tells her husband that she has to cancel their Christmas trip to see his parents in Omaha, he husband decides to go anyway – and takes the kids with him. Talk about a wakeup call! Left alone, Georgie tries to figure out a way to save her marriage. The novel takes a paranormal twist when Georgie discovers a landline that can connect her to the past. Will this portal enable her to change the state of her marriage?
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – July 29, 2014. A Moriarty novel always promises love, humor and intrigue. Her latest story won’t disappointment. After a parent ends up dead at an annual school event, life in the suburbs will never be the same. The story focuses on three women and their complicated families, including spouses, children, ex-spouses and second wives. I loved last summer’s popular Moriarty chick lit mystery novel, The Husband’s Secret, and I’m certain this one will be page-turner.
New Releases: October 2013
Contributor: Allie October is my favorite month. The back-to-school routine has worked itself out and the holiday madness still seems like it’s months away. Don’t…
Book Review: While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy …
While We Were Watching Downton Abbey, by Wendy Wax, centers on three woman, Samantha, Claire, and Brooke, all residents of a Midtown Atlanta apartment building, who are each at different crossroads in their lives. Samantha is contemplating 25 years of marriage to a man she doesn’t think she loves. Claire is the divorced single mother whose daughter has just left for college. She’s starting over in a new place, with a new job as full time novelist. Brooke is the harried mother of two young children, and recently divorced from a narcissistic plastic surgeon who continues to chip away at her self-esteem.
At first the women don’t seem to have much in common. When the building’s concierge starts a Sunday night viewing party for Downtown Abbey, the women begin to bond. As they become friends, each experiences a personal crisis. The selfish actions of Samantha’s siblings threaten her already fragile marriage, Claire’s career ends up in shambles and Brooke can’t find the strength to face the machinations of her Ex. On their own, they’re unable to help themselves, but together they find the strength to persevere. Things get uncomfortably complicated when something terrible happens that threatens to destroy their friendships.
I’ve read all of Wendy Wax’s books and she’s a wonderful writer, expert at creating realistic women who come alive on the pages. I liked Samantha, Claire and Brooke, even when I was frustrated by them, which I sadly was sometimes. All three have self-esteem issues that I just wanted to shake out of them. Conversely, there were some characters that I just couldn’t stand – Hunter, Zachery, Meredith! They were so selfish and mean-spirited that it was almost cartoonish. More than once, I wanted to throw the book over things they’d said and done.
I live in the Atlanta area, so I love the descriptions of the city and its citizens, which in my opinion are dead on. What really resonates with me though, is the story of friendship between the women. Meeting late in life, they’re tentative with one other at first, which is natural because it’s hard to make friends late in life. I know this, because I hear women lament about it all the time. But I think once a connection is made, these friendships can be deeper than the fleeting ones of our youth. I enjoyed their interactions and the slow, authentic development of their relationship.
Before I read this book, I’d never seen Downton Abbey – although I’m now addicted! Other than a plot point that brings the women together by way of their shared love for the show, the series has very little to do with the story. The book is an enjoyably easy read about friendship and how it can help us during our darkest times. Although I think it’s better classified as women’s fiction than chick lit, it’s still a fun ride.
Guest Post from Wendy Wax
Top 10 Reasons to Spend Time at TEN BEACH ROAD in October
TEN BEACH ROAD is hitting the shelves anew this month as part of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Penguin Group’s READ PINK® program.
The READ PINK® program was created by my publisher, Penguin Group (USA) to promote public awareness of breast cancer and breast cancer research and to support and recognize the contributions of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation®(BCRF) by connecting the cause to books written by, for and about women.
For the past two years, Penguin’s Read Pink donation has sponsored 500 hours of research time and I’m incredibly proud and honored to have my book on the shelves with the Read Pink Seal on the cover and information about BCRF in the back of the book.
But… it’s October! My books usually hit the stores when temperatures are rising, school is out and we’re either headed to the beach or at least daydreaming about sand, surf and sun. So this got me thinking about what makes a book a beach book, and why we should throw caution to the wind and read them all year long. After all, if some fashionista somewhere can decree that white pants are acceptable all year long, then why can’t we do the same with beach books?
Not convinced? Well, let me share my “Top 10 Reasons to Spend Time at TEN BEACH ROAD in October” list with you and see if we can get on the same page. (Pun fully intended!)
1. Since school is back in session, it’s important to set a good example for your kids by reading. If you pick up TEN BEACH ROAD, you’ll be enjoying a sweat-soaked summer with Maddie, Nicole, and Avery as they rehab a dilapidated beachfront mansion in Pass-a-Grille, Florida. Your kids will just think you are very smart and studious.
2. If you need something to warm you up, the men of TEN BEACH ROAD are hot.
3. Now that I think about it, I’m not sure why books that really take you away are necessary in the summer. What better time for a good mental escape to the beach than a cold, rainy day in October?
4. When you’re looking ahead to long cold months with the sun setting earlier and earlier each day, you can at least feel good that you have not lost everything in a Madoff-style Ponzi scheme like the women of TEN BEACH ROAD.
5. If your neighborhood is getting too cold and windy for DIY projects, you can read about Maddie, Nicole and Avery’s work on Bella Flora and just tell your hubby that you’re in the “planning stages” for next spring and summer.
6. Did I mention that there are some hot guys in TEN BEACH ROAD?
7. Reading beach books in the summer can make you feel bad about not being quite bikini ready… but in October, you can pull out a big cozy sweater and some chocolate cake and know you have months before you have to worry about that again!
8. If beach vacations are not just for summer, then beach books shouldn’t be either. October is actually a good time to head to the beaches in Florida. The crowds have thinned and the temperatures are still warm. You could leave the kids with Dad, grab your girlfriends, a few copies of TEN BEACH ROAD and call it a book club weekend!
9. Friendships are timeless, and so are troubles. TEN BEACH ROAD is the story of three women who are thrown together when they lose everything. It could be set in Aspen in March, Boston in December or Dubuque in May. The story is about the women, their lives, and their bond. So reading it in October wherever you live will work. I promise.
10. I think I have mentioned that there are some hot guys in the book, but it bears repeating! If you’re looking for a way to warm up, there’s nothing better than picturing Joe Giraldi running shirtless on the beach. (Not sure who Joe is? Pick up the READ PINK® edition of TEN BEACH ROAD to find out)!
So, show the world the kind of woman you really are: brave, fearless, and bold. Wear white pants after Labor Day, drink a Piña Colada in December and proudly show off your copy of TEN BEACH ROAD in October. You’ll be the envy of the neighborhood, and you can be proud knowing you’re supporting a great cause!
Ocean Beach by Wendy Wax
I received a copy of Ocean Beach in exchange for an honest review. This was the first book I read from Wendy Wax, and I was excited to tear into it. The story followed characters from her previous novel Ten Beach Road ¬- Madeline, Avery and Nicole. After renovating Bella Flora, the women get an opportunity to fix up another home – this time in South Beach and while shooting a pilot for a television show called Do Over. What they didn’t realize is that the TV show about renovating old homes has actually turned into a reality show. Maddie’s daughter Kyra had an affair with a much-married famous actor that produced a son, and the producers are dead-set on having the baby a feature in the show. Avery’s mother Deirdre is also along for the ride, and trying to mend their broken relationship. Deirdre left Avery when she was a young girl to pursue her career, and Avery is unsure she can ever get past that betrayal. Nicole is trying to overcome a scandal her money-hungry brother put her through and get her matchmaking business back on track, and Maddie is trying to save her own marriage. The women invade the house and meet the sweet old man who owns it, Max. Together, the entire group try to put the once lively house back together – but an air of mystery surrounds why Max is so insistent on getting it “ready” for someone from the past.
I will say, I think you need to read Ten Beach Road before Ocean Beach. When I got the book, I didn’t realize it was a continuation from a previous novel, but I could easily tell right from the beginning that was clearly the case. I just felt like I had missed a huge chunk of storyline, and that feeling never went away. While I enjoyed the story and the characters, I most definitely recommend you read Ten Beach Road first. I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of Max and Millie’s missing son, though I will say that it wasn’t too much of a mystery. I had it figured out right away, and in my eyes it was fairly obvious as to who the child abductor was. Krya drove me a bit batty with her decisions, which were also obvious that they were going to backfire on her, but I enjoyed the dynamic between her and her mom Maddie. One thing that confused me – and this is a really small detail – was the back and forth between Nicole and Nikki. At first, I thought they were two separate people, and I got a bit lost. But Nicole and other characters refer to her as both, and I just didn’t understand the constant switching. Max was such a sweet character, I loved how jovial he was and the love story that happened between him and his late wife Millie was so enchanting. Overall, I liked the book and would recommend – after Ten Beach Road of course!
[Rating: 4]
Interview with Wendy Wax
Samantha Robey
ChickLitPlus.com
Q: Why do you love writing?
I don’t think there’s anything more rewarding than having the opportunity to create characters and the worlds they inhabit out of nothing but imagination. It’s even more incredible when these characters and their lives become real and important to others.
The letters and emails from readers telling you how much they’ve enjoyed something you’ve written or complaining that you kept them up all night reading, are best of all.
Q: You have worked in radio, television, and film. If you had to pick one to have a career in one, which would it be and why?
I have a soft spot for radio, probably because that’s where I started. I began at the college station, moved into voice over commercial work, and did a stint in Tampa as the host of a live radio show called ‘Desperate & Dateless’ during a time when I was both!
I’m also drawn to radio because, like writing, it requires a lot of imagination and is more about what’s inside you than what you look like or how others perceive you.
One of my favorite college classes was an exploration of early radio. We used to listen to the old shows; the ones families used to tune into each week before television existed. I was fascinated by the visual images that were created just by using voice and sound effects.
There was a really great comedy routine where you could actually picture Lake Michigan being emptied and then turned into a gigantic hot fudge sundae. It ended with a plane dropping the maraschino cherry on top!
Q: What do you hope readers take from your books?
I hope they enjoy themselves; that for however long it takes them to read one of my books, they can leave real life behind and escape into people and places that interest them and they can relate to.
Q: How do you find fresh ideas for your characters?
I don’t know exactly where they come from. I’m a pretty instinctual writer and the kernels of story ideas come out of the headlines or things that I observe around me.
I write women’s journeys—stories about women discovering who they are and what they’re made of. My characters are often an amalgamation of women, or at least the kinds of women, that I know or have met.
Q: Is there anything that really surprised you about being an author or the writing industry in general? Maybe any good secrets or inside tidbits you can share?
I was certainly surprised by how brutal the publishing industry can be. There’s writing and then there’s getting and staying published, which are very different things.
The Accidental Bestseller, which was recently reprinted in mass market paperback, is definitely an inside look at the publishing industry. I’ve joked that ‘the names have been changed to protect the innocent,’ but it’s as true a look at what it is to be a writer today as I was able to write without having to label it non-fiction.
It’s the story of four critique partners who’ve been friends for a decade and who discover just how far they’re willing to go to help each other survive the industry.
It’s up for a Rita Award, which is really interesting since the book actually begins with one of the characters sitting at a very similar awards ceremony waiting to see whether she’s won a prestigious writing award that she hopes will revitalize her career. Of course, now I wish I’d written her winning!!
Q: What type of research do you conduct for your books?
Research comes in all different forms and in any given book there can be lots of different things you need to know and understand. In Leave It to Cleavage, I had to learn about the bra industry, beauty pageants, small town policing and some really interesting forensics issues.
I’ve also researched talk radio, advertising, divorce, construction, financial theft, politics and ballroom dance, just to name a few. It’s pretty much impossible to write a novel without needing to learn about things you don’t know, and I think it’s really important to understand what you’re writing about and get your facts straight. The more you know, the more realistic your scenes will be and the more authentic your characters feel.
Q: What was the best part about growing up in Florida?
The beach! I grew up on St. Pete Beach, which is that comma shaped barrier island on the west central coast of Florida that curves into the Gulf of Mexico. It’s still my favorite beach in the world and walking barefoot with the white sand squinched between my toes is the most relaxing thing ever. My current work in progress is actually set there, which is a lot of fun.
Q: When you were growing up, what did you think your career would be one day?
I’ve always loved to perform, and when I was little I just wanted to be famous—whatever that means!
Later I wanted to be a famous journalist or a famous stand up comedian. I’m not as worried about the famous part anymore—it is, after all, a pretty relative term. I feel really fortunate to get to make things up for a living.
Q: What is your advice for aspiring writers?
In The Accidental Bestseller each chapter begins with a quote about writing. I was originally looking for one to begin the book and found so many that resonated with me, that I used as many as I could.
As I mentioned earlier and wrote about in The Accidental Bestseller, it’s not an easy business. In addition to talent, the most important thing is probably persistence. Frankly, you have to really, really want it in order to hang in through all the ups and downs a writing career typically entails.
Chapter one begins with John Steinbeck’s quote, “The profession of book writing makes horse racing seem like a solid, stable business.” John was right!
Another that sums things up is from James Baldwin who said, “Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck—but most of all, endurance.”
Q: Where would be your dream vacation?
On a white sandy beach, with the sound of the waves washing gently onto shore, reading—for as long as I wanted to without any interruptions. I’ve joked that I could read a book a day if my family would leave me alone long enough, and I’d like to put this theory to the test!
Because I love the beach so much and to celebrate the release of The Accidental Bestseller in mass market paperback, I’m running a contest for those lucky enough to get to one. Just take a picture of yourself reading a copy of The Accidental Bestseller on the beach—any beach— submit to my website www.authorwendywax.com I’ll post it on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/authorwendywax ,
and enter you to win a beach bag full of my favorite books!
Contest from Author Wendy Wax
Author Wendy Wax is hosting a fun contest for her novel The Accidental Bestseller, which is being published May 25th. Readers need to send in a picture of them reading The Accidental Bestseller on a beach- any beach!- by August 1st and they will be entered to win beach bag of books by some of Wendy’s favorite writers!
Visit www.authorwendywax.com click on ‘Join Wendy’s email list,’ fill in the form, attach your photo, and hit ‘submit’ to enter.
Photos will also be posted on Wendy’s facebook page. Be sure to friend Wendy so that you can see your shot!
I know I’ll be sending in my picture…I just have to find a beach first! Pre-order your copy below from Amazon and take that pic!
