Historical Fiction Book Tours Book Review: Tabor's Trinket

Please join Janet Lane as she tours the blogosphere for Tabor's Trinket, the first book in the Coin Forest Series, from January 26-February 20.

Publication Date: September 1, 2014
Dreaming Tree Publishing, LLC
eBook; 335p
ASIN: B00N9JVRD8

Series: The Coin Forest Series, Book One
Genre: Historical Romance/Medieval



Love proves perilous in this "Pretty Woman/Pride and Prejudice" historical romance tale set in 15th century England.

Sold as a slave in Romania for seven pounds and three solidi, the Gypsy girl, Sharai, escapes a slave ship infected with the plague. As an adult, she performs her silky, exotic dances to earn enough to sustain herself and the toddling orphan girl she adopted. She yearns for relief from the grinding poverty, and a secure home. Having been violated by a nobleman posing as her hero, she wants naught of any other man of title, and also scorns the dubious Gypsy king who pursues her. In a tent at the bustling autumn fair in Winchester, she meets the dashing Lord Tabor, and her resolve to avoid all noblemen softens.

Though possessed of a stately castle with prosperous lands, the English knight,Tabor, teeters on the brink of losing all his holdings. A powerful noble has attacked Tabor's castle, determined to seize his lands. Tabor seeks revenge for his older brother's murder, but England's throne is held by an infant king and his feuding uncles. The realm is paralyzed with uncertainty and lawlessness, and the crown has abandoned him.

Then a stroke of good fortune helps Tabor, a sizeable dowry that can save his holdings. He need only wed an earl's daughter, the regal Lady Emilyne. But he has already fallen in love with Sharai, and they are locked in a powerful dance of desire. His refusal to abandon Sharai plunges them into life-and-death struggles--and a painful choice between duty and love.

Praise for Tabor's Trinket

“This adventurous and chivalrous story succeeds on many levels. An emotionally satisfying tale.” –Romantic Times

“Tabor’s Trinket” has made Janet Lane one of my favorite authors. I loved the book! If you’re looking for wonderful story-telling, unforgettable characters, and a marvelous sense of time and place, you must read Janet Lane.” –Maggie Osborne, RITA-award-winning author

“Fans of medieval romance will be thrilled with the tightly written plot. It is a story of love in the face of prejudice and misunderstanding, set in a time wrought with intrigue and political machinations. Ms. Lane’s debut novel grips the reader from the first page to the last, and Lord Tabor is a wonderful hero. A knight who reads books of romance is sure to steal any heart. This is a thoroughly enjoyable story in which to lose one’s cares. Go ye forth and seek out Tabor’s Trinket, it far surpasses being a bauble. Indeed, ‘twould more likely be called a small treasure. –loveromance.com

“Debut novelist Janet Lane pens a descriptive story set in a period of great political unrest when a man of honor is hard to find. This is a romance, so we know there will be a great conclusion. It’s the fun of finding out how that makes Tabor’s Trinket intriguing. Pick up this title and enjoy the read.” –Romance Reviews Today

Buy the eBook

Amazon

Review:  It has been awhile since I read a medieval romance, but this one really intrigued me. I have to admit to a love of stories about Gypsies and this story.

It is a wonderful debut novel that will really keep your attention. It's the first in a series, that will leave you wanting more. The cover alone is enough to pull you in.a

I loved Sharai (I think the name is pronounced Sherry) and Tabor. Actually, I liked Tabor a lot more than I liked Sharai for a long time. He's a wannabe alpha male. He's got all the toughness you'd expect from an alpha, but he's softer and really a romantic at heart.

It is a novel  two people that really never should have found love, but do, despite all odds. Between, Tabor trying to make sure Coin Forest stays with his family and a mother that is really a snob, it is pretty hard. (Saying Lady Anne is a snob is an understatement. She's just downright unlikable.)

Sharai is smart and capable, which makes her a little bit hard to handle at times. Her. loyalty and love for Kadriya is what really makes you love her. (Kadriya's story is book two in this series).

Wonderfully researched, this is a novel that you really shouldn't miss.

Rating: 5 flowers

About the Author

Janet Lane writes best-selling historical romance novels set in fifteenth century England during the so-called “Gypsy Honeymoon” decades. She graduated with honors from the University of Colorado, completing their Creative Writing program.

Her debut novel, Tabor’s Trinket, is an Amazon Bestselling novel and has received several awards. Emerald Silk, part two in the Coin Forest series, was reviewed by the Historical Novels Review, which noted that it “goes beyond simple romantic suspense by including serious issues such as racism, homophobia, and clerical greed. However, the love story and the quest for the stolen chalice take center stage throughout.” A Rocky Mountain News review stated, “This fast-moving, smoothly constructed historical novel (features) well-drawn characters and … strong sense of time and place.” #1 New York Times Best-Selling Author Lara Adrian called it “..an enchanting medieval romance filled with passion, intrigue and vividly drawn characters that leap off the page. I loved this novel!”

The Amazon Kindle release of her third novel in the Coin Forest series, Traitor’s Moon, is scheduled for November 25, 2014.

Janet was a featured author in RMFW Press’s Tales from Mistwillow anthology, and co-chaired the editorial board for that press’s anthology, Broken Links, Mended Lives, which was nominated for the Colorado Book Award.

Janet lives with her husband in Colorado, surrounded by a forest of conifers, herds of deer, an occasional black bear and a snorting Chihuahua. She welcomes your comments and feedback via her blog at http://janetlane.wordpress.com or on Twitter at @janetlaneauthor.

For more information please visit Janet Lane's Website.

Tabor's Trinket Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, January 26
Spotlight at Romantic Chanteuse
Spotlight & Giveaway at Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More

Monday, February 2
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, February 5
Spotlight at With Her Nose Stuck in a Book

Saturday, February 7
Spotlight at Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers

Monday, February 9
Interview at Boom Baby Reviews

Tuesday, February 10
Review at The Mad Reviewer

Wednesday, February 11
Spotlight at A Literary Vacation

Thursday, February 12
Interview at Sizzling Hot Books
Spotlight at The Lit Bitch

Tuesday, February 17
Review at Book Nerd
Spotlight at I Heart Reading

Thursday, February 19
Review at Book Drunkard

Friday, February 20
Interview & Excerpt at Historical Fiction Obsession
Spotlight at CelticLady's Reviews

Book Review: The Seal's Secret

Author: Tawny Weber
Title: A SEAL's Secret
Publisher: Harlequin Blaze
Publish Date: Jan 20, 2015
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: Net Galley
Book Blurb: 

Subject: Lt. Commander Mitch "Irish" Donovan

His Mission: Babysit a fitness queen with a hands-on approach!

Navy SEAL Mitch Donovan always plays to win. The push-up contest at the Halloween party should have been a piece of cake. Except that the cake in question is a hot woman dressed as a delicious dessert. Now the only exercise on Mitch's mind is restraint…

Livi Kane may be The Body Babe, but she has zero confidence. This hunky SEAL, however, makes her forget everything—except for a workout involving his hot, naked bod and a whole lot of sexy, sweaty delight. But Mitch has his secrets—and Livi certainly has hers. All it will take is one unexpected encounter to turn this steamy attraction into an even bigger secret that will start showing any day now…

 

Review: Tawny Weber knows how to write a hot steamy military romance. This story is no different. Mitch and Livi  are similar and yet very different. A SEAL's Secret is her 6th book in the Uniformly Hot series, and if you love military romance, you'll want to read all of them.

Both are physically fit, more so than any mere mortal can expect to be. Both are at the top of their game, Mitch with his military career and Livi in her fitness career.

Mitch is an absolutely fabulous hero. He's a tough guy  but deep down he's a softie. Livi is a little bit frustrating but a very likable heroine. She seems to be steamrollered by all the people who take charge of her career, from her ex-husband to her mother. Oh god, I hated her mom until the end. Livi who is so gorgeous she can make a twinkie costume sexy, has some shyness issues. (Don't we all wish that were our only issue?)

Their relationship starts with a bet at her aunt's bar, where she and her friend Tessa crash a SEAL party. For the most part it seems like their relationship, though hot and spicy is going to be without conflict, until Livi's mom gets some ideas about a new direction for her daughter's career. Those ideas involve the SEALs and Mitch gets involved, though he's not happy about it.

I was glad, Mitch turned out more like his father than his grandfather. I like guys that end up being family men.

Once again, Tawny Weber doesn't disappoint.

Rating: 5 flowers

Cover Reveal: The Protector

The landscape of Miami is already HOT HOT HOT! Jessie G is bringing even more HOTNESS with her 3rd book in the Sizzling Miami Series. We would like to introduce you to Master Saul Alvarez, Javier Escardo and Kyle Jensen our Main Characters and Models for "The Protector" Book Cover.

The Cover Reveal

Release Date for The Protector is on February 13th

The Book Description

There was a time when Master Saul Alvarez filled his days fighting and his nights teaching willing subs the pleasure of his whip. His compassionate understanding of the masochist mind makes him the most sought after professional sadist in the Miami BDSM community. Neither role invites long term relationships, but he’s comfortable with his solitary existence until he is charged with guarding Durango’s prized whore. One look into those terror filled eyes has him vowing to risk it all to save the beautiful man.

Javier Escardo had been praying for death, but never expected the stone cold killer he got in response. One glimpse into those sinful eyes reveals not only the promise of retribution, but a reason to live. Eight years later, free and mostly sane, Javier is determined to take what belongs to him. Saul’s heart. Through hell and back, through layers of pain and shifting realities, that one truth has remained firm. His protector needs saving and he can’t do it alone.

Hidden beneath the public persona, Kyle Jensen is a man who craves to be invisible without being insignificant. He longs to find a Master who will see his need to be taken over without abusing him and a lover who will care about him beyond the sexual games. It isn’t until he encounters the smoldering combination of Saul and Javier that he realizes it was never supposed to be just one partner at all.

Can two battered hearts be mended by the love of a third? Kyle becomes the light to their darkness, and he’s willing to risk his heart for theirs, but when the past threatens Saul, will Javier’s sacrifice destroy them all?

Jessie G. Bio

Like many readers, the dream of being a writer has been with me a long time. After three decades of trying, I'd begun to doubt. Thanks to social media, I followed my favorite authors hoping to glean some words of wisdom as I pounded out half-formed ideas with alarming regularity. Two repetitive themes emerged: To be a great writer you must read a lot and your butt must be in the chair every day like it's a job. The more you write, the easier it will be to write and the better you will be at writing. I took that advice to heart and write every day. With two published books and counting, it's been amazing to have made this dream my reality.

I am a firm believer in marriage equality, love at first sight, power dynamics and happily ever after. I'm a lover of strong secondary characters and series filled with families, biological or chosen. All are themes you'll find throughout my books.

Jessie G. Social Links

Website | Facebook | Twitter | tsu | Google+ | Ello

Upcoming Book Blog Tour

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Devil In The Deadline

Devil in the Deadline
(A Nichelle Clarke Headlines in Heels Mystery #4)
Paperback: 268 pages
Publisher: Henery Press (January 6, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-1940976617

 Book Blurb: 

When the Richmond police offer an exclusive in exchange for help with a case, nothing—not even a costume party—stops crime reporter Nichelle Clarke from making Manolo tracks to the crime scene. The hunt leads her to a televangelist’s compound in the Virginia countryside where the Reverend may be more interested in fat stacks of cash than he is saving wayward souls.

With two sexy guys tangled up in Nichelle’s story—and in her heart—work and love are on a crash course for disaster. Pressure pours in from every corner, including a faceless new competitor that means the deadline is always five minutes ago. As secrets threaten and the truth becomes her lifeline, Nichelle must unmask the killer and nail down the story before she’s snared in the carefully-constructed web.

Review: I absolutely adore the Headlines in High Heels Mystery series. If you haven't read anything in this series, you need to start right now! You can start with this one though, because they can be read stand alone. (You will want to read the rest of the series, though, because these books rock)

There's a great deal of romance, suspense and humor in Nichelle's life and that's what keeps me coming back for more. Plus who can resist a story that has a televangelist. Cos you always know these guys are just a touch slimy, even though they want to save your soul!  As soon as Nichelle gets to the church, you know that something isn't right there.

Nichelle's investigation involves the death of a homeless girl. So your seeing a real sad aspect of life there along with the crazy world of the tv evangelist.

This is a really emotional mystery, as you get caught up in the life of Jasmine and her homeless friends and then later her friend at The Way Of Life Ministries. I especially loved Picasso, Jasmine's artist friend.

Oh and don't think Nichelle's love life is taking a back burner, because it is not. That always makes for fun reading. There's a love triangle going on here, but its not one that will leave readers too frustrated for her to make a choice. Actually, you kind of want her to have both of them. AH...I can't decide if I like Joey or Kyle better.

If that wasn't enough, there's a mystery blogger trying to one up her on the headlines too.

Great mystery! Great book! Great series!

Rating: 5 flowers

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TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Girls Of Mischief Bay w/giveaway

Want to know what happens next, click on the banner!

Excerpt: “There’s a burger special,” Pam said with a sigh. “Did you see it? If I get that, will someone eat some of my fries?”

“I will,” Nicole told her. “I get the protein plate here.”

Pam wrinkled her nose. “Of course you do.”

Shannon knew the protein plate consisted of broiled fish and shrimp with a side of steamed vegetables. Healthy, sure, but the low calorie count was of more concern to the body-conscious, bikini-clad locals.

“I’ll have a couple of fries, too,” she said. They would nicely round out the salad she generally ordered.

Pam poked Nicole in the upper arm. “You’re a stick. You should eat more.”

“I eat plenty.”

“Roots and grubs. Have a burger.” Pam leaned back in her chair. “Enjoy your metabolism while you can. Because one day, it’s all going to hell.”

“You look great,” Nicole said easily. “You’re in terrific shape.”

Pam’s brows rose. “If you say ‘for a woman my age’ I’m pitching you out the window.”

Nicole laughed. “I’d never say that. You’re nowhere near a certain age. That’s old.”

So spoke the thirty-year-old, Shannon thought wryly. Time was going faster and faster every day. She couldn’t believe she was only a few months away from turning forty, herself. She glanced at Pam and Nicole’s hands and saw the wedding bands and diamond engagement rings winking back at her. Not for the first time, Shannon considered the fact that somewhere along the way she should have gotten married.

She’d meant to, had always thought she would. Only her career had been her first priority—a fact that the men she knew didn’t like. The more successful she got, the harder it was to date. Or at least find a man who didn’t resent her devotion to her career. Lately, finding someone interesting and appealing had started to seem nearly impossible.

She briefly toyed with the idea of mentioning that. All the articles she read said that she had to put herself out there if she wanted to meet a great guy. She had to be willing to tell all her friends that she was serious and looking. Of course she had a sneaking suspicion that many articles in women’s magazines were written by people who had no idea what they were talking about. Besides, she wasn’t keen on pity. She was a successful, vital businesswoman. Hell, she was the chief financial officer of a company grossing more than a billion dollars a year. She didn’t need a man in her life. Which wasn’t to say she might not like having one around.

“How’s my favorite young man?” Pam asked.

Nicole smiled. “Tyler is great. I can’t believe he’s turning five in a couple of months. It’s going so fast. He’ll be in kindergarten in September.” She paused. “In a way, that will be nice. There’ll be less day-care juggling.”

As she finished speaking, her smile faded and a muscle twitched in her cheek. As if she were clenching her teeth.

Shannon hesitated, not sure if she should ask what was wrong. Because she already knew the answer. The three of them had been in the same exercise class for nearly two years. While she and Pam were faithful participants, the same couldn’t be said for anyone else. For some reason, the Friday noon class tended to attract the flakier clients.

Which meant it had often been just the three of them. They’d talked between Pilates moves, had shared various ups and downs. Shannon knew that Brandon, Pam’s youngest, had been a wild teenager—to the point of driving so drunk, he’d wrapped his car around a tree. Now he was a sober, determined student in medical school. She’d listened as Nicole had tried to explain her bewilderment that her stable, hard-working husband had quit his job to write a screenplay and surf. In turn, Shannon had shared the tribulations of her own personal life. Everything from the challenge of being the only female executive at a tech company to the difficulty finding a Mr. Right who supported her career goals.

While Shannon searched for a delicate way to ask if Nicole’s comment meant Eric was still determined to conquer Hollywood, Pam plunged right in.

“He continues to be an idiot?” she asked.

Nicole wrinkled her nose. “He’s not an idiot. He’s…” She hesitated. “Confusing. I know it’s been six months, so I should be over it, right? It’s not that I didn’t know.”

Pam angled toward her friend. “Honey, everyone says they want to write a screenplay or be on American Idol or something, but no one takes them seriously. There are dreams and then there’s real life. Eric has a wife and a son. He walked away from a great job to type and surf. Who does that?”

Nicole winced. “He’s writing, not typing.”

“Details. He’s not contributing financially or in any other way.”

“He helps,” Nicole said, then sighed. “Sort of. I don’t know what to do. You’re right. Everyone says they want to be rich or famous, and that’s great. But I don’t know. When he walked in and told me he’d quit his job…” She raised her shoulders. “I still don’t know what to say.”

Shannon got that one. She had been just as shocked as her friend and she didn’t have to live with Eric. She supposed a case could be made for everyone having the right to follow his or her dreams, but in a marriage, shouldn’t both parties get a vote? That was what had been so stunning about Eric’s decision. He hadn’t mentioned it or negotiated or anything. He’d simply walked away from his job and told his wife after the fact.

“While I don’t recommend this for every situation,” Pam said slowly, “have you considered smothering him with a pillow?”

Nicole managed a soft laugh. “Not my style.”

“Mine, either,” Pam admitted. “I’m more direct. But it’s an option.”

Shannon grinned. “This from a woman who carefully dresses her dog so she won’t be cold? You talk tough, but on the inside, you’re a marshmallow.”

“Don’t tell,” Pam said, glancing around, as if afraid they would be overheard. “I have a reputation to protect.” She touched Nicole’s hand. “All jokes aside, I know this is difficult for you. You want to shake some sense into him and right now you can’t. Hang in there. You two love each other. That’ll get you through.”

“I hope so,” Nicole said. “I know he’s a good guy.”

“He is. Marriage is like life. Just when you think you have it figured out, it changes. When I stopped working, I felt guilty that John was carrying the whole financial load. But we talked about it and he finally convinced me he liked having me home. I take care of things there and he handles bringing in the money.”

A world she couldn’t imagine, Shannon admitted, if only to herself. It was as if Pam was from another planet. Or another era. Shannon knew there were plenty of stay-at-home moms. The difference was she didn’t know any of them. Not as friends. The mothers she knew were like Nicole—always scrambling to keep up.

Although now that she thought about it, there were a couple of friends who had left their jobs and become stay-at-home mothers. Only once that had happened, Shannon had lost touch with them. Or maybe they’d lost touch with her.

“There are always rough patches,” Pam said. “But if you remember why you’re together, then you’ll get through it.”

Text Copyright © 2015 by Susan Macias Redmond

Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A.

Author: Susan Mallery
Title: The Girls Of Mischief Bay
Publisher: Mira
Publish Date: Feb 24, 2015
Buy: Amazon

Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tours & the publisher
Book Blurb:  Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there's a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she's never seen. He won't even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time.

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg .became VP at her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late—until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she really can have it all.

Although Pam Eiland adores her husband, she feels restless now that the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise him brings the heat and humor back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she'll have to redefine herself. Again.

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, the girls of Mischief Bay will discover that life is richer with friends at your side.

Review: This is one of the few books in the "women's fiction" genre that I've read in a long time. I love Susan Mallery. She creates characters that you really want to know. The friends in this book are the kind we all wish we had. They are lovable and flawed. Sometimes you love them and sometimes you want to shake them.

I think every person who reads this book will pick one of the friends to really like the best. For me, I loved Pam. She was the real "Mom" of the group. She had a good marriage and life and she wanted to stay appealing to her husband. She had a few moments of vanity when her daughter announced her pregnancy, but I could forgive her for that. Oh and if you don't get a few chuckles out of the weekend getaway she has with her hubby, well, you have no sense of humor!

She's also the character that goes through the most in her relationship. Let's just say, her unexpected change isn't a good one

As for the other two ladies, I liked Shannon next and then Nicole, though I'm not sure why. I would have liked to understand her booty call relationship with Quinn better. The guy she becomes involved with is pretty close to perfect, though there are a few things that cause tension between them as the story goes along.

Nicole and her husband annoyed the hell out of me. I couldn't believe that it took the whole novel for their relationship to play out. But this only proves that not everyone's story is a happy one. I just was hoping for something better for her. Plus Eric was a first class jerk.

This was a wonderful novel that I devoured in a little over a day. I loved immersing myself in Pam, Shannon and Nicole's lives.

Rating: 5 flowers

One lucky commenter who leaves there email will win this awesome prize package!

It includes:


A Pacific blue beach towel
Pure Paradise body cream
Luxury moisturizing bath bar from the San Francisco soap company
An autographed copy of EVENING STARS by Susan Mallery (the first book with a character from Mischief Bay)
Flip-flop tea candle holder
Map of Mischief Bay
THE GIRLS OF MISCHIEF BAY Post-It book
THE GIRLS OF MISCHIEF BAY bookmark
Handy bath mini-tote
Susan Mallery lip gloss
Susan Mallery 3D luggage tag
Susan Mallery pen

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Book Review: Caught In The Act

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

The Davenports, Book Two

Montlake Romance, Contemporary

January 27, 2015

Paperback & Kindle

Catherine Davenport Carlton needs a break. After dedicating her life to her political-minded family, shocking scandals from the past have shaken her to her core. Summer in the quiet town of Dyersport, Maine, is just what she needs, especially with a super-hot neighbor right next door…who’s none other than Brody Hollister, the boy she fell in love with as a teen. Cat wants nothing more than to pick up right where they left off eighteen years ago, but she’s still haunted by a terrible secret that could devastate Brody.

Brody Hollister spent years pining over Cat Davenport. They met young and loved passionately—until she disappeared from his life. Now she’s back, as spirited and beautiful as ever. But while Brody is determined to help Cat free herself from her family’s drama, his own family may be hiding something that could ruin their rekindled romance for good.

In Book Two of the Davenports romance series, sex and politics collide…with passionate results.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Caught-Act-The-Davenports-Book/dp/1477821228/?tag=kila0c-20

B&N:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caught-in-the-act-kim-law/1120409149?ean=9781477821220

BAM:  http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Caught-ACT/Kim-Law/9781477821220?id=6165479539816

POWELL’S:  http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781477821220-0

Review: I haven't been reading a lot of contemporary romance lately but I'm glad I read this one. It is the second book in the Davenports series, but this is more a family romance type of series, so reading in order isn't necessary.

Cat is a daughter of a powerful political family. The neighbor that she's got her eye on is none other than the Brody who she loved and lost as a teenager. So not only is this a fantastic novel with political doings, but it is also a great novel of second chances.

Like all powerful families the Davenports are full of secrets and lies, but Brody's family has their share too, and that makes for some wonderful reading. Its kind of interesting that while the families in book are very political, the author doesn't go into any actual politics in the US. So there's no mention of which party the Davenports and the Harrisons are affiliated with.

That's actually kind of refreshing when any form of politics makes your blood boil.

Cat and Brody made a great couple and their chemistry was definitely electric. I liked Cat's inner struggles and her desire to break away from the control of her family to live her own life. Lord knows after the stuff that was done to her by her own mother, it wouldn't take much to tell them to go to, and stay put (as my mom always says).

There's a similar situation with Brody. Its hard to believe that two individuals could have so many secrets and lies. (Though with Brody it was more secrets and omissions) Oh, and how could these two people be so entangled in so many ways!

At times, I thought there was a little too much sex, but it is nothing that is overdone.

If you are a fan of Catherine Bybee, you want to try Kim Law, because you won't be disappointed.

Rating: 5 flowers

KIM LAW

BIO:

As a child, award-winning author Kim Law cultivated a love for chocolate, anything purple, and creative writing. She penned her debut work, “The Gigantic Talking Raisin,” in the sixth grade and got hooked on the delights of creating stories. Before settling into the writing life, however, she earned a college degree in mathematics and then worked as a computer programmer. Now she’s living out her lifelong dream of writing romance novels. She’s won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award, has been a finalist for the prestigious RWA RITA Award, and has served in varied positions for her local RWA chapter. A native of Kentucky, Kim lives with her husband and an assortment of animals in Middle Tennessee.

CONTACT LINKS:

www.kimlaw.com

kim@kimlaw.com

twitter.com/kim_law

facebook.com/kimlawauthor

pinterest.com/kimlawauthor/

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TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Divorce Diet

Author: Ellen Hawley
Title: The Divorce Diet
Publisher: Kensington
Publish Date: Dec 30, 2014
Review Copy Provided By: TLC Book Tour & Net Galley
Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

Abigail is sure the only thing standing between her and happiness is the weight she gained along with her beloved new baby. Until she instantly loses 170 pounds of husband.

When Thad declares that "this whole marriage thing" is no longer working, a shell-shocked Abigail takes her infant daughter, Rosie, and moves back to her parents' house. Floundering, she turns to an imaginary guru and best friend, the author of her new weight-loss book. But surviving heartache, finding a job, and staying sane as a suddenly single new mom isn't easy, especially on a diet--sorry, life journey.

Make an inventory of your skills, Abigail's guru instructs. Abigail loves cooking and preparing food--real food, not the fatless, joyless dishes her diet prescribes, or the instant-frozen-artificially flavored fare she finds in her mother's kitchen. So far, following everyone else's rules has led to being broke, lonely, and facing a lifetime of poached eggs, faux mayonnaise, and jobs in chain restaurants. What might happen if Abigail followed her own recipe for a good life instead?...

Review:  The Divorce Diet reads quite a bit like Bridget Jones' Diary. Both Abigail and Bridget have some similar annoying qualities, but for some reason, I liked Abigail, a little bit. That's not to say that I loved her, because most of the time I wanted to hit her with something or shake her, or make her do her laundry.

She's not the most likable of heroines. Granted, her life has taken a turn for the worse, but she is really annoying. She clings to her daughter and lets what is left of her life spiral out of control. (She has laundry issues that terrify me).

I loved how the diet book and Abigail's inner voice provide a little bit of levity, so that her story isn't too depressing. I also like that though a diet is what Abigail needs and is on, it isn't the focus of the book and losing weight isn't going to instantly fix things and bring happiness into her life.

Abigail's relationship with food is full of passion, and not in a bad way. I liked how that passion finally shaped the person that she would become post marriage. When she discusses food, it is hard not to start feeling hungry.

Her adventures in food service are down right hilarious.

I wish there were a little more back story to Abigail, especially with her relationship with her husband, Thad and her parents. Abigail is only 25 and her mom and dad are written like they are REALLY REALLY old. It just doesn't feel right. Plus I would have loved to have understood Abigail a bit more.

This was a great book for a quiet afternoon. It was quick and fun and I may just try to make Abigail's meatloaf at some point.

Rating: 4 flowers