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CLP blog tours

BOOK FEATURE: “Six Tender Weeks”

January 16, 2018 Leave a Comment

“Six Tender Weeks” by Bena Roberts

Blurb: Forty-something scientist Helen leaves her husband after twenty uninspired years of marriage. Plagued with making the wrong decisions she looks towards holistic therapy and the universe to guide her choices. She meets hairdresser Alex and takes his advice to download the dating app SPRK.

Helen embarks on a voyage of self-discovery, paganism, hedonism and desire. What could go wrong? Well for one secret agent CJ is convinced that Helen is part of a notorious Romanian smuggling gang.

Six Tinder weeks is not the usual romantic novel; it is realistic fiction full of twists, turns that will make you laugh out loud. If you like something different, then you will enjoy this Pandora’s box of love, action and the unexpected.

**About the Author: Bena is an expat British woman living with her family in Germany. She was a journalist, blogger and analyst as well as CEO of quite a few geeky companies. She is a bookworm, gym bunny and partial to dry Italian red wine.

Bena’s passion for writing began as a child in the cosy corner of her parent’s bookshop in London. She grew up reading Sidney Sheldon, Judy Blume and Marian Keyes.  Six Tinder Weeks is her debut novel and is realistic fiction that will appeal to women, mums and especially those just divorced.

**Contact Bena Roberts: Website   Goodreads

**Click HERE to follow Bena on her Chick Lit Plus Blog tour!

Filed Under: Six Tender Weeks Tagged With: Bena Roberts, Book feature, Books, CLP blog tours, Six Tender Weeks

BOOK REVIEW: “The Next Best Thing”

January 16, 2017 Leave a Comment

the-next-best-thing

“The Next Best Thing” by Wendi Nunnery

Blurb: Four years ago, Emma Fraser’s first love took his own life. Now, twenty years old and in college, Emma and her best friend, Andy, are still mourning the loss of a friend and brother. Nothing is the same as it once was…and things are about to change even more.

Too heartbroken to even consider falling in love again, Emma stays distracted by school and work. Until she meets Landon and, for the first time ever, finds herself believing she might actually have a future with someone. But when Deegan Burke—the man responsible for all of Emma’s heartache—gets out of prison early, Emma is suddenly confronted by her worst fears. And when faced with choices she never thought she’d have to make, Emma discovers that the only person she really wants by her side is the last person she ever expected.

My Review: Having dealt with my own heartache, I was drawn to “The Next Best Thing.” At first, it started out slow, then it quickly picked up, and when it did, it didn’t stop until the last sentence. I loved Emma’s character. Losing a loved one is hard, but she had a wonderful support group around her that helped her move on from a horrible incident. Emma’s strength throughout the book amazed me, especially with how things went down with her best girlfriend–who I thought wasn’t a good friend at all, and I believed Emma saw that, too.

While I liked Emma with Andy and as sweet as he was, there was something about how they seemed better as friends. Without giving away any spoilers, Emma ended up with the right guy, and I was so pleased with how when a certain truth came out that he didn’t abandon her for good, (thank you, Wendi, for this).

If you’re looking for a page-turner that will make you think about life and how precious it is, then I recommend this book.

I give “The Next Best Thing” 5 stars!


wendi-nunnery**About the author: Wendi Nunnery is the author of The Mayfield Family Story, The Best Kept Secret, and The Next Best Thing. She is also the founding editor of Lady Literary Magazine and her work has appeared in The Huffington Post, The Simply Beloved, and Introvert, Dear. Wendi is a proud Georgia Southern University alum and believes colorful language is good for the soul. She lives, loves, and mothers in Atlanta, Georgia.

**Contact Wendi: Blog   Twitter   Instagram   Facebook

**Find her books: Amazon   Goodreads


**GIVEAWAY**

Click HERE to enter for your chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!


thenextbestthing

**Click HERE to see all the stops on Wendi’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!


Filed Under: Book Review, The Next Best Thing Tagged With: Book review, Books, Chick Lit, CLP blog tours, Death, Love, Romance, Suicide, The Next Best Thing, Wendi Nunnery

RELEASE DAY: “Holding Out for a Zero”

December 13, 2016 Leave a Comment

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000039_00073]

“Holding Out for a Zero” by Heather Wardell

Blurb:

“I’m doing the right thing, not feeding myself. It’s the only thing I can do, so I will do it. Gloria can somehow have the energy I don’t take in, and it will help her stay alive.”

Twenty years ago, fourteen-year-old Valerie rushed off for lunch with her boyfriend instead of properly putting away a packet of balloons, and her little brother choked to death on his third birthday. In response, Valerie locked down every aspect of her life so she could never lose control like that again, and she’s still doing that today.

So when her sister Gloria is found comatose after an apparently random attack, Valerie is desperate to do something, anything, to save her only remaining sibling. But as a financial controller for a “nothing bigger than a size six” fashion designer, she has no medical background and no idea of how to help. But she has to find a way.

Since Gloria has always wanted to be a size zero, Valerie hits on food as the answer: by eating less, she will lose the weight Gloria now can’t and somehow save her sister that way. But when “eating less” turns into a frantic starvation diet to reach size zero before Gloria dies, will Valerie’s self control save her sister or destroy her own life?

**Find the book: Amazon   Goodreads


holding-outfor-azeroOther Participating Blogs

Polished & Bubbly

Jersey Girl Book Reviews

Books Dream Life

Shannon’s Bookish Life

Book Babble

Lampshade Reader

Silver Dagger Scriptorium

The Phantom Paragrapher

Book Lover in Florida

Book Groupies

Authors and Readers Book Corner

Chick Lit Plus


heather-wardell**About the author: Heather is a natural 1200 wpm speed reader and the author of nineteen self-published novels. She came to writing after careers as a software developer and elementary school computer teacher and has no plans to leave it. In her spare time, she reads, walks, lifts weights, crochets, takes care of her aquarium and her cat Trinity, changes her hair colour, and plays drums and clarinet.

Contact Heather:

Website   Facebook   Twitter


Filed Under: Holding Out For a Zero Tagged With: Books, Chick Lit, CLP blog tours, Heather Wardell, Holding Out For a Zero, Release Day, Women's Fiction

RELEASE DAY: “Misfortune”

October 18, 2016 Leave a Comment

misfortune

“Misfortune” by Amy Saunders

Blurb: Belinda & Bennett get caught in a battle of wills in an effort to help a new heiress who’s inherited from a woman she never knew. And it looks like someone wants her out of the way. After a man is killed on her property, it will take digging through an old house–and a family full of secrets–to unmask a killer, and a decades-old mystery.


amy-saunders**About the author: Amy is a sci-fi/mystery addict with a soft spot for humor and romance. She lives in Massachusetts, and loves to bake and watch movies. Learn more about Amy and her books at http://amysaundersauthor.com.

**Contact links: Amazon   iBookstore   Barnes & Noble   Kobo   Website   Twitter


misfortune-1-copy

**Click HERE to see other participating blogs!


Filed Under: Misfortune Tagged With: #CLPBlogTours, #GoddessLit, Amy Saunders, Chick Lit, CLP blog tours, Contemporary Romance, Misfortune, Release Day, Women's Fiction

RELEASE DAY: “Finding Libbie” by Deanna Lynn Sletten

September 6, 2016 2 Comments

finding libbie

“Finding Libbie” by Deanna Lynn Sletten

Blurb: Poring over a dusty hatbox of photographs in her grandmother’s closet, Emily Prentice is shocked to discover her father was married to his high school sweetheart before meeting her mother.

In the summer of 1968, Jack and Libbie fall in love under the spell of their small town, untouched by the chaos of the late sixties. Though Libbie’s well-to-do parents disapprove of Jack’s humble family and his aspiration to become a mechanic, she marries Jack a year after they graduate high school. But soon their happiness crumbles as Libbie’s mental state unravels and she is drawn to alcohol and drugs. Despite his efforts to help her, Jack loses the woman he loves and is forced to move on with his life.

Now that Emily’s mother has passed away, Jack is alone again, and Emily grows obsessed with the beautiful woman who had given her father such joy. Determined to find Libbie, Emily pieces together the couple’s fragmented past. But is it too late for happy endings?


deanna sletten**About the author: Deanna Lynn Sletten writes heartwarming women’s fiction and romance novels with unforgettable characters. She has also written one middle-grade novel that takes you on the adventure of a lifetime. She began her writing career self-publishing three novels in 2012 and has since published eleven novels. Her latest novel, Finding Libbie, is her second book published by Lake Union Publishing. Deanna believes in fate, destiny, love at first sight, soul mates, second chances, and happily ever after, and her novels reflect that.

Deanna is married and has two grown children. When not writing, she enjoys walking the wooded trails around her home with her beautiful Australian Shepherd or relaxing in the boat on the lake in the summer.

**Contact Deanna Lynn Sletten: Blog   Facebook   Twitter   Amazon Author Page


Finding Libbie (1)

**Click HERE to check out other stops on Deanna Lynn Sletten’s Release Day Blog Tour!


Filed Under: Finding Libbie Tagged With: Books, Chick Lit, CLP blog tours, CLP Release Day Blitz, Deanna Lynn Sletten, Finding Libbie, Romance, Women's Fiction

BOOK FEATURE: “Mistletoe and Murder”

July 20, 2016 1 Comment

mistletoe and murder

“Mistletoe & Murder” by Laina Turner

Blurb: In this short story Presley goes home for Christmas expecting it to be a relaxing holiday until her old boyfriend, Brian, asks for her help finding out who has been stealing from him and it turns from theft to murder. Why would anyone want to kill Tommy and what was he hiding?

**Click HERE to buy the book!


laina turnr**About the author: As a child Laina thought she would either be a truck driver (thanks to Jerry Reed in Smokey and the Bandit) or work at Taco Bell (her favorite restaurant as a child).

As she grew older she realized her talents lay in academics and business and for the last several years has been a business consultant and college professor where she uses the analytical side of her brain and not the side that makes up stories.

Through all her career choices she has continued to have a passion for writing. This stemmed from childhood whereas an only child she developed a vivid imagination spending most of her time making things up and thinking the Incredible Hulk lived in her closet.

Proud of her vast experiences in life from barrel racing to being on the dance team for a semi pro basketball team to being a mom of 2 amazing kids, she tells her family and friends that no one is safe from their escapades slipping in to her books.

Taking the plunge to write books (cozy mysteries and chick lit) that she actually let people read in 2010, she has worked her way up to being a real author, having 5 fans (maybe 6 now). Her blog, Writing is a Lifestyle, was launched to share the daily fun in the life of a Real Housewife of the Midwest along with the musing of other fabulous ladies.

**Contact Laina: Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads


Mistletoe & Murder

**Click HERE to see other stops on Laina Turner’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!


Filed Under: Mistletoe and Murder Tagged With: Books, Chick-Lit, CLP blog tours, Laina Turner, Mistletoe and Murder, Women's Fiction

EXCERPT: “Handbags and Hooligans” by Laina Turner

May 26, 2016 2 Comments

Handbags & Hooligans

“Handbags and Hooligans” by Laina Turner

Blurb: Presley went to Vegas to watch her friend Anna get married and the event turned into solving the mystery of her brothers girlfriend disappearance. But Ashley wasn’t exactly the school teacher she appeared to be. Who was she and was she kidnapped?


EXCERPT

“I called Morgan this morning when I was looking for Ashley,” Jesse explained to Jared and me. “Morgan, this is my sister, Presley, and her friend Jared. No. That’s why we’re here. We wanted to see if anyone here had heard from her.”

Morgan nodded hi to us. “No we haven’t, and she needs to call soon. Mr. Strong is livid Ashley didn’t show up and hasn’t called. She’s about to lose her job. Have you talked to Angela?”

“No. Why? Has Angela heard from Ashley?” Jesse asked.

“No, but she told me today during lunch that someone called the front office looking for Ashley and left a number. Maybe if you got the number you could call?”

“Thanks, Morgan. Have the cops been here yet?”

“No. Should I be expecting them? What’s going on?

Jesse looked at me, and I shook my head. I didn’t think we should be telling too much information.

“I just called them about Ashley and wondered if they had been by yet.”

“I understand. Listen call me the minute you hear from her. We’re all worried sick.”

“Will do. Thanks again, Morgan. C’mon guys, let’s go find Angela.” Jesse started off toward the building.

“This sure brings back memories,” Jared whispered to me as we walked into the elementary school. “Nothing has changed. This is exactly as I remember it from the school we went to. Just smaller. It even smells the same.”

I agreed, looking at the art–lined hallways and grabbing a view of the classrooms as we went in search of the office.

“Over there, guys,” Jesse said, pointing to the sign that said ‘office’ above it. “Angela is the assistant to the principal; she’ll be in there. Let’s just hope she hasn’t left already.” Crossing the hall in large strides, he pushed open the door and stepped in. I could see him start to panic a little, as he looked around not seeing Angela. “Is Angela still here?”

“She sure is,” a plump blonde woman in her mid–thirties replied. “She just walked back to the copy room. She will be back in a sec.”

“Thank goodness,” Jesse said with a sigh, turning to Jared and me. The blonde looked at us sort of strangely, but they were spared any other conversation by Angela strolling back into the waiting room.

“Jesse,” Angela said, surprised. “What brings you here?” She was a striking woman, probably late twenties, dressed in what one would consider a typical teacher’s outfit. Gray trousers and a pink sweater set. Conservative, yet attractive.

“I’m looking for Ashley. Morgan said someone called for her and left a number, and that you might be able to give it to me.”

“I take it you haven’t heard from her, then?” Angela said, looking concerned. She started to rifle through some papers and Post–its sitting on the counter.

“No. Neither has anyone else, it seems.”

“I can’t imagine where it would be. Now I know I had that number sitting right here.”

Presley looked at Jesse, who was getting more and more anxious as Angela looked for the number. He seemed about ready to jump out of his skin.

“Ah–ha. Here we go. It’s a seven–oh–two number, so it’s local.”

I could see Jesse’s surge of excitement. He seemed barely able to hold himself back from snatching the paper out of her hand. Hopefully this would be the key to finding where the hell Ashley was.

“Thanks, Angela,” he said as he turned and rushed out the door.

“Let me know when you hear from her,” Angela said to our backs as we followed him. “And tell her to call us here ASAP. She’s in hot water.”

“Slow down, Jesse,” I called. Jared and I were almost running to keep up with him. Jesse ignored me as he pulled his cell out of his pocket. “Jesse..,” I started to say.

“Shhhh,” he said, turning and giving me an irritated look.

By the time we made it to the parking lot, Jesse was leaning against the car with the phone to his ear. I could hear it ringing. The other end must have picked up because Jared and I watched as the blood drained from his face. Pulling the phone away, he just stared at it and disconnected.

“Jesse, what’s wrong?”

He just looked at me, his mouth opening and shutting with no words coming out.

“Dammit, Jesse. Who answered the phone?”

He shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. “It was the number to The Pink Pony.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.” I glanced at Jared, eyebrows raised.

Jared looked back and just shook his head. “You are so naïve sometimes. That… sounds like what one would call a gentlemen’s club.”

“Oh.”

“Jared’s right,” Jesse said. “The Pink Pony is an upscale gentlemen’s club on the Vegas strip. Why would someone from there be calling Ashley at work?”

I didn’t know the answer to that, but I guessed it might explain those skimpy clothes and costumes in Ashley’s apartment. I could tell Jesse had come to the same conclusion by the pained look in his face. But how could that be without Jesse’s knowledge? That seemed like a pretty big secret to hide. This whole situation was getting stranger and stranger.

“Get in the car,” Jesse said. “We’re going to find out who at The Pink Pony knows Ashley and why they are calling her.”

I wanted to argue because I wasn’t at all sure the answer Jesse got would be one he wanted. But there really wasn’t any other choice. I looked at Jared and could tell he was thinking the same thing. What could I do? Jesse was right on one front. We needed answers, and this would be one way to get them.

There were a fair number of cars in the parking lot of the strip club considering it was the middle of the day. Although, I hadn’t ever been to a strip club, much less in the middle of the day, so maybe this was normal. “I didn’t expect it to be so busy at this hour,” I whispered to Jared.

“People come here for lunch.”

**Buy “Handbags and Hooligans” now!: Amazon

**Add the book to your queue!: Goodreads


laina turnr**About the author: As a child Laina thought she would either be a truck driver (thanks to Jerry Reed in Smokey and the Bandit) or work at Taco Bell (her favorite restaurant as a child).

As she grew older she realized her talents lay in academics and business and for the last several years has been a business consultant and college professor where she uses the analytical side of her brain and not the side that makes up stories.

Through all her career choices she has continued to have a passion for writing. This stemmed from childhood whereas an only child she developed a vivid imagination spending most of her time making things up and thinking the Incredible Hulk lived in her closet.

Proud of her vast experiences in life from barrel racing to being on the dance team for a semi pro basketball team to being a mom of 2 amazing kids, she tells her family and friends that no one is safe from their escapades slipping in to her books.

Taking the plunge to write books (cozy mysteries and chick lit) that she actually let people read in 2010, she has worked her way up to being a real author, having 5 fans (maybe 6 now). Her blog, Writing is a Lifestyle, was launched to share the daily fun in the life of a Real Housewife of the Midwest along with the musing of other fabulous ladies.

**Contact Laina: Website   Facebook   Twitter


Handbags& Hooligans

**Click HERE to see other stops on Laina’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!


Filed Under: Handbags and Hooligans Tagged With: Books, Chick-Lit, CLP blog tours, Excerpt, Handbags and Hooligans, Laina Turner, Romance, Women's Fiction

AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Randi M. Sherman, and EXCERPT of “The Lobby”

May 18, 2016 1 Comment

randi m sherman

About Randi M. Sherman: A native Californian, raised in “the valley,” Randi moved to San Francisco decades ago and more recently makes her home in California’s wine country. Trying her hand at country living Randi describes herself the Eva Gabor of the Sonoma/Napa area.

Until Randi’s huge success as an author, or until potato chips are considered a vegetable and wine is accepted as a fruit, Randi continues to split her time between writing, laughing and actually enjoying her life  with more undesirable tasks such as being a stuffy corporate-type using her Bachelors of Science Degree from Chapman University.

**Contact Randi: Website   Facebook   Twitter


INTERVIEW

In five words, describe yourself: Creative, Devoted, Risk-Taker, Brave and (if Risk-Taker is considered one word) fortunate.

Tell us about your writing/editing/publishing routine: Coffee, write when it hits me. I keep a working copy open on my PC all day everyday, and read dialogue out loud. When editing – I read the  entire book paragraph by paragraph and ask myself if it says exactly what I intended.  I have to admit that I want to control every aspect of the publishing process, so I spend most of that time trying keep to it moving and calm myself. I also try to focus on promotion planning.

Have you always wanted to be an author? I was a stand up comedienne in Los Angeles, the did improvisational theater in San Francisco – when I didn’t become rich and famous doing that – my humor took another form. Being a writer wasn’t planned – but I’m glad it happened – it makes me a better and more thoughtful person.

Do you have any writing rituals? Hmm, that’s a good question. I’m not sure we should probably ask the people I live with – I’m certain they could point out something quirky.

Hard/paperbacks or eBooks? I prefer Paperbacks, I like to hold something in my hands. Its the same with newspapers. I do make my books available in all formats to reader – because everyone has their own preference.

What is the best advice you would give to new authors? I’ve learned that a writer needs to take off her shoes, untuck her blouse, raise her hands up over her head and run full speed down the hill. A writer need to let go of all inhibitions and fears and “go for it.”

How do you come up with the titles of your books? I wish I could tell you take there is some exhaustive research and focus group activity – but the titles simply come to me – because, perhaps they are so simple.

Which author would you love to meet? Unfortunately she has passed away – Nora Ephron because she could make the mundane entertaining and poignant.

What is your favorite word? “Yes”

Is the social media more of a help or a hinder? Its a good option to getting the word out. However, recently I read the book Contagious that suggested that word of mouth is the most effective method. As much as I try, I’m still a little social media challenged anyway.

What do you want readers to take away? As I developed all of the many characters in THE LOBBY I created a history of each as well as the full reason why they were in THE LOBBY -it occurred to me what the purpose of the book – I want readers to realized that if we all just put down our phones and look up there are people standing right in front of use, with full histories and reasons for being where they are at that moment. Take a minute and acknowledge and maybe even appreciate the person standing in front of you.


the lobby

“The Lobby”

Blurb: Welcome to The Shipley Hotel, where the perky and attentive staff provides the gold standard in artificial concern and comfort to all the colorful characters who pass through its polished brass revolving door and find themselves in The Lobby. Practically engineered for eavesdropping, San Francisco’s juiciest hotel lobby offers the perfect place to witness the comings and goings—and the most comedic intersections—of staff, long-term residents, and eclectic guests. Featuring over fifty stories all transpiring in a single twenty-four hour period and intersecting in the Shipley’s elegant lobby, readers will meet an eccentric and vast array of characters, most of whom will look awfully familiar and all of whom will speak to the heart. Employing acute skills in human observation and a keen understanding of the essential human needs—frequently unplanned and unexpected rendezvous, ready laughter at others’ expense, and maybe even a little love and acceptance—Randi M. Sherman’s unique wit and candor will surely make the reader sit up, stand up, roll over, or assume an interested leaning position and take notice. Get comfortable (on the exquisitely upholstered lobby couch) and spy on those checking in and out of the Shipley. Careful: you might just encounter a version of yourself among the ornate balconies and intricate woodwork.

**Find “The Lobby”: Amazon   Goodreads


EXCERPT

Slump-shouldered and dizzy from exhaustion, Peggy stretched her neck, took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes, willing herself to be awake and perky. Dressed for the day in her high-rise, poly-blend walking shorts, a muted-colored Madras blouse, and an oversized pastel pink Jazzercise visor, she stood in the hotel lobby. It was only 6:00 a.m. Looking out through the front windows of the hotel, she could see the streets were still practically empty, and even the sun was having second thoughts about starting the day. Waking up before six o’clock in the morning was just too early, especially on a vacation.

“Hank, dear,” she said sweetly, holding a Mylar-wrapped breakfast bar. “Have one of these energy grain bars. It has fiber.”

He snatched it from her, peeled back the wrapper, then shoved it into his mouth and ate it in just two bites. Crumbs flying, he said, “Damned right. I’m not going to wait in line at some overpriced coffee shop for a plate of twelve-dollar eggs. We can have an early lunch.” He spotted a basket of shiny red apples on the registration desk. “Mary Margaret, go get a few of those too. They will tide us over.”

Peggy’s movements are hindered by the beige naugahyde pocket-for-everything purse that was slung over her head and shoulder, crossing her chest. The purse strap was too short for it to be worn this way. It cut tightly between her breasts and rested at her side, just below her armpit, causing her arm to hang at a forty-five degree angle from her body.

“You can never be too careful, Mary Margaret.” Hank checked the positioning of her bag. “I hear there is a lot of purse snatching going on in this city.” He stood back to take a look at her. “Maybe you should put on your sweater—you look like a tourist. You’re just inviting trouble.”

It was big talk from Hank, who was dressed in brighter than-white walking shoes with Velcro closures for efficiency, an AARP fanny pack, and his new short-sleeved sport shirt which was tucked tightly into his underwear beneath his sans-a-belt, high-water polyester dress slacks, replete with a bulging back pocket due to an overstuffed wallet. Clutching his cartoonish city map like it was the map to the Holy Grail, Hank marched toward the morning clerk who was standing behind the front desk. He pointed at Peggy’s feet. “Pick ‘em up and lay ‘em down. We have a lot to do today, and it’s already after six.” With purpose, Hank asked the desk clerk Candice, “Is the conger . . . conseer here?”

Another typical tourist, Candice thought. Ready to go at the crack of dawn. Should I tell him that with the exception of a Starbucks, nothing in this city is open before nine? “Good morning, sir,” Candice smiled. “I see you are up early. I’m sorry sir, but Philippe, the concierge, does not get in until nine o’clock. Perhaps I can help you with something?”

“Yes, you can. We have a heavy day of sightseeing ahead of us, and I want to be efficient about it.” Hank slapped the map down on the counter.

“Okay, I’ll see what I can do. What would you like to do today?” Candice smiled again, as she was trained to do.

“Well,” Hank began, “today we want to walk across theGolden Gate Bridge, ride on a cable car, go to the Cable Car Museum, Fisherman’s Wharf, that curvy Lombardo Street, Golden Gate Park, the Legion of Honor, the Cannery, and Alcatraz.”

Peggy tapped Hank on the shoulder. “And don’t forget Union Square, Hank.”

“You can shop at home,” He called over his shoulder. Turning back to Candice, “What’s the best route? I’d like to work from furthest to closest.” Hank was all about efficiency. “It’s all about organization,” he explained. If a household task could be wrapped up in five minutes he found a way to do it in four. “In the military . . .” Hank would say and then fill in the blank with the most Hank-a-fied, time-efficient way to do something. He meant well, but Peggy knew that he usually made it up as he went along.

Peggy had always hated being called Mary Margaret, Hun, or Marge, but Hank insisted. She endured Hank’s bossy, blow-hard-headedness all for the sake of keeping him calm. They had been married for thirty-five years, and she figured it was probably her fault that he was the way he was. After all, she had been raised to be agreeable. But she secretly wanted to break free of the middle of the row, middle class, very average, superefficient life she was leading and do something wild, something unplanned. Thursday night Bingo just wasn’t cutting it anymore. Anything new or different would be welcome. Dining out somewhere other than the two places in town where Hank was comfortable and where he didn’t spend twenty minutes raving about the “cost of things”— that would be good. Sex with the lights on or for longer than two minutes would be a welcome change. But neither would be enough. Peggy craved the life that she saw on the morning and afternoon talk shows. The life where people were frivolous and chatty, who drank champagne any day, for any occasion, not just at 11:55 PM on December 31st. Wearing a piece of clothing that wasn’t labeled “wash-n-wear” or blended with some fabric that’s name ended in -ester or -oline would be heaven after years in flammable synthetic clothing.


The Lobby (1)

**Click HERE to see other stops on Randi’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!


Filed Under: The Lobby Tagged With: Books, Chick-Lit, CLP blog tours, Randi M. Sherman, Romance, The Lobby

EXCERPT: “Love, Alabama” by Susan Sands

April 20, 2016 4 Comments

love alabama

“Love, Alabama” by Susan Sands

Blurb: Emma Laroux’s a fallen Southern beauty queen whose past is barely whispered about in her small town. But the secrets and lies surrounding her scandal still haunt her, and something about Matthew Pope may hold the answers…if only she could put her finger on it.

Matthew Pope wonders what awful karmic thing he’s done to land him in Podunk, Alabama. But when he sees Emma Laroux again after all this time, he knows he’s still the only one who holds the key to unlocking the truth of her past…

Will a shared moment in time ten years ago threaten the best thing that’s ever happened to them – each other?


EXCERPT

Emma pulled up behind Matthew’s car and frowned, noticing that his taillight was busted. She got out and pulled the bag of items from the back seat, not giving his car much more thought.

Knocking gently on the door, she figured she would leave the bag on the front step if he didn’t answer. He might be sleeping. But what if he’d gotten light-headed, fallen, and hit his head on the bathtub and was knocked-out cold, lying in a pool of his own blood? The thought, while mildly ridiculous, gave her just enough pause to knock again, this time more loudly.

No answer.
She rang the bell.
No answer.
Now she was concerned. His car was in the drive. He was definitely home. Her heart began to beat in her ears.
She tried the door.
Locked. She looked through the leaded glass front door. No movement. Nice house.
She knocked again.
Emma still had the bag in her arm. So, she carried it with her around the back of the house to the screened in porch. The screen door was open, so she stepped up onto the pretty porch with the comfy furniture. It appeared that Matthew spent time out here. There were pillows, a rug, a throw, a couple books, and a lamp. Nice.

She knocked on the back door. No answer. She didn’t see anyone inside.
She bit her lip and tried the door. It opened. “Hello? Matthew?”
No answer. She moved inside and let her gaze wander around the room. It was cozy and well decorated for a guy’s place. She noticed the kitchen to the right and headed in that direction. She put her bag on the kitchen counter then headed toward what she knew must be the master bedroom. This house was similar in style to hers.

She called out to him again. Emma was getting worried now. Why didn’t he answer?

As she entered the bedroom, she noticed it the blinds were closed and it was rather dark, but she could see no one was in the bed. Then, she realized the shower was running. Against any kind of decent judgment, she moved toward the bathroom door. She couldn’t help herself; she peeked inside. He wasn’t standing in the shower; he was sitting on the floor. She panicked and rushed towards him before her brain informed her to actually speak his name.

She pulled open the door, certain he was dead before she shrieked, “Matthew, open your damned eyes!” He did. Open his damned eyes. Opened them really wide. “Emma? Why are you in my shower stall?”

She really didn’t have a great answer to that. “Oh, Lord. I thought you were dead.” It was the best she could do.

He did look nearly dead. He smiled weakly. “I’ve been really sick, so I thought I’d sit here for a little while. But I’m not dead. So, um, could you hand me a towel? Unless, of course, you prefer a shower?”

Emma then became acutely aware of her position. And his. He was naked. Oh, Lord, was he naked. The most delicious naked she’d ever seen. And now she couldn’t stop staring at his naked. And apparently his naked knew it now. Because it was staring straight up at her, too.

“Emma—a towel? Because I’m a little more inclined to invite you into my shower now.”

She raised her eyes beyond his naked to his eyes, horrified. “Uh, a towel. Sure.” Looking around, she grabbed the closest towel she could find, the one hanging on a hook beside the shower. “I thought you were dead,” she said again, as an explanation.

She was a complete idiot. And now she wanted to jump his sick bones.

Just as quickly as she heard him turn the water off, he all but shoved her out of his way to get to the toilet and throw up. That was enough motivation for Emma to snap out of it and get the hell out of sick, naked Matthew’s bathroom.

While he was getting his clothes on, she did the same things she’d done for Cammie. After everything had been sanitized, she brought in a tray with saltines and ginger ale. She found him lying weakly in his bed wishing for death to take him.

“I’m sorry I invaded your privacy. Cammie asked me to come check on you. She’s sick and wondered if you’d come down with the virus, too. When you didn’t answer, I thought maybe you’d had an accident.”

He opened one eye. “That’s a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?”

She grinned. “Probably. But I’m known for my dramatic flair on occasion. I’m artistic, in case you haven’t heard.” She straightened his bed like she’d done for her sister.

“Are you mothering me?” he asked.

“My mother always said you feel better when your bed isn’t a mess.”

“She’s right. Thanks. Sorry you had to—see that.”

“That’s okay. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before.” She swished her hand as if waving his words away.

“Not that. I meant, the throwing up part. I don’t think anyone has seen me bare-assed, hanging over a toilet before. It’s not very manly.”

“I have an aversion to vomit, so I excused myself from the room as soon as I knew what was happening.

Don’t worry, still manly.” She envisioned the other manly part and kept her opinion of that to herself. Holy moly, every bit of him was manly. It was all burned into her brain permanently.

“I’ve brought saltines, Gatorade, chicken broth, and ginger ale. Call me if you need anything. If it’s a twenty-four hour bug, you should be fine in the morning.”

“Emma, thanks again. I appreciate your looking out for me.”

“We really need to find you some friends in town.” She smiled and left the room.
Her legs were shaky. She could never look at him the same way again—not without mentally undressing him, knowing what lay beneath. She drew another unsteady breath.


susan sands**About the author: Susan Sands grew up in a tiny Southern town in Northwest Louisiana near the Texas border. She graduated from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, during the filming of Steel Magnolias on her campus. There’s no more Southern, small town claim to fame than that.

Her characters and setting are pulled from those very Southern, small towns and open spaces, where the air is clean and the words are often spoken with more syllables than necessary, y’all.

Her lifelong love of reading and the realization that her children were growing up and would eventually move on spurred her to try her hand at writing. Susan’s two novels, Again, Alabama, and Love, Alabama, are currently available both in digital format and in print from all online retailers.

Susan lives with her dentist husband and three nearly grown children in Johns Creek, GA. She is a member of the Georgia Romance Writers and the Romance Writers of America.

**She loves connecting with readers and can be found at all the fun places: Facebook Author Page   Twitter   Blog-Sweet Home Alpharetta


Love, Alabama

**Click HERE to see other stops on Susan’s Chick Lit Plus Blog Tour!


**GIVEAWAY**

**Click HERE to enter to win a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card


Filed Under: Love, Alabama Tagged With: Books, CLP blog tours, Excerpt, Love, Alabama, Susan Sands

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