HI guys!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, you're getting a triple dose of my bookish nature as we play host to not one, not two, but THREE book tours from a few fabulous promotion groups out in the the blogosphere! There's a little something for everyone, so sit back, relax, and get ready to be bookishly inspired...or at the very least, your MUST READ list will be! First up, we've got TLC Book Tours as we share the EXCITEMENT for the latest Susan Mallery title COMING SOON via Harlequin Books. That's right, we're just a few days out from its book birthday, BUT you're getting a taste of what's in store between the pages RIGHT NOW! First the intro, then the sample...so please join me as we welcome today's first blog tour guest and title in the spotlight...
by
Susan Mallery
9781335479990
HQN
Release Date: March 15th, 2022
About the book...
One woman discovers the beauty in chaos in this poignant and heartwarming story about the threads that hold family together from #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery.
With her divorce settlement about to run out and a mortgage she can’t afford, Robyn Caldwell needs a plan for her future. She nurtured her family and neglected herself. But how’s she supposed to think when her daughter has become the most demanding bride ever, her son won’t even consider college, her best friend is on the brink of marital disaster and her ex is making a monumentally bad decision that could bring everything crashing down on Robyn’s head? So when her great-aunt Lillian invites her to Santa Barbara for the summer, Robyn hops on the first plane.
But it’s hard to run away when you’re the heart of the family. One by one, everyone she left behind follows her across the country. Somehow, their baggage doesn’t feel as heavy in the sun-drenched, mishmash mansion. The more time Robyn spends with free-spirited Lillian, the more she sees the appeal in taking chances—on dreams, on love, on family. Life is meant to be lived on purpose. All she has to do is muster the courage to take a chance on herself
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~~~ EXCERPT #17 ~~~
Harlow and Enid scored a corner table on the restaurant’s patio. Overhead fans stirred the humid air just enough to make sitting outside tolerable.
“Tonight’s on me,” Harlow said, studying the specials listed on the blackboard by the bar. “We’re still celebrating you getting into medical school.”
Enid shook her head. “That’s old news. I leave in eight weeks.”
Harlow looked at her friend. “Nervous?”
“Terrified. The first year is supposed to be so hard.”
“But you’re the smartest person I know. You’ll be fine.”
“What if I fail?”
Harlow reached across the table and grabbed her hands. “What if you get all A’s?”
“Unlikely.”
“There’s that optimistic spirit I admire,” she teased. “You were nervous about high school, and you aced that. You were freaked about college because, and I quote, ‘All the smart kids will be in one place.’ You graduated top of your class. Medical school is no different.”
“I wish that were true.”
Harlow grinned. “When have I ever been wrong?”
Enid smiled. “You do have a good track record.”
Harlow waved over their server and ordered two piña colada sunrises, jalapeño poppers, chicken and mango skewers and coconut shrimp.
Enid grinned. “All my favorites.”
“Of course. You got into Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. You’re my hero.”
“I still can’t believe it.” She lowered her voice. “I’m really excited.”
“You should be. You’ll be a terrific doctor. And for the record, you don’t have to study pediatric oncology.”
Enid’s dark eyes widened. “But I want to.”
“You’re still starstruck by the doctors I had when I was little. Maybe you’d prefer to be a gynecologist. Or a neurosurgeon.”
“I promise to keep an open mind, even though I’m certain about my decision.”
“You can’t keep an open mind and be certain. They’re mutually exclusive.”
“You know what I mean,” Enid said with a laugh.
Harlow nodded, knowing there was no reasoning with her friend on this topic. When she’d been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL, she’d been all of seven. She’d been too young to understand how sick she was, but everything about her treatment had scared her, especially the worry and terror in her mother’s eyes. Enid had been a constant in her life. Her friend had insisted on visiting regularly, bringing dolls and books to keep Harlow company. She’d been fearless when Harlow had thrown up for weeks, lost her hair and been too weak to raise her head.
While Harlow’s parents had insisted all would be well, Enid had looked up ALL and reported her findings to her friend. It was only then Harlow had realized how close she was to dying. The revelation had sent her parents into a frenzy, but she’d felt better knowing the truth.
Their drinks arrived, drawing Harlow back to the present. She raised her glass. “To Enid—my amazing friend.”
“I’m not amazing, but thank you.”
They touched glasses then sipped.
“So,” Harlow said with a laugh. “About the wedding…”
Enid opened the timer app on her phone. “Seventeen minutes,” she said, pushing a button. “You have seventeen minutes to monopolize the conversation with wedding talk.”
Harlow laughed. “I love that you’re not going to let me turn into a bridezilla. So, Kip says I should plan the wedding of my dreams. I can’t decide if he’s being supportive or avoiding making any decisions.”
“It’s probably both. Guys don’t fantasize about their weddings the way a lot of girls do. It doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you.”
“I know, but I wish he wanted to be a little more involved.”
“Maybe when you nail down some specifics, he’ll be interested.”
Harlow knew she was right. “Venue and date matter the most. I’m still thinking my mom’s beautiful backyard.”
Enid’s expression turned doubtful. “If you’re planning on next summer, it could be hot and humid, or worse, raining. Do you want to risk an outdoor wedding?”
“We could get a tent.”
“So, a tent in the rain? Harlow, don’t you want to get married inside?”
Harlow laughed. “No, little library mouse. I like the outdoors. I want to feel the grass in my toes.”
“You’re not wearing shoes?”
“Metaphorically.”
“Or you could find a really nice venue with green carpeting. I’m just saying.”
“When I was nine, my Uncle Leo died. I didn’t know him that well, but my mom was devastated. Austin, Mom and I went to Santa Barbara and stayed with Aunt Lillian for the summer. It was magical. Her house is incredible. Huge and old, with secret passageways. Anyway, when we finally came home, my dad had bought the house my mom has now. We were all surprised. I remember running out onto the patio with Mom. She said the backyard was beautiful enough for a wedding. I told her I wanted to be married there, and she said she would make that happen.”
Harlow smiled. “It’s my destiny to marry Kip there.”
Enid laughed. “Then I sure hope your destiny doesn’t include rain.”
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About the author...
#1 NYT bestselling author Susan Mallery writes heartwarming, humorous novels about the relationships that define our lives-family, friendship, romance. She’s known for putting nuanced characters in emotional situations that surprise readers to laughter. Beloved by millions, her books have been translated into 28 languages. Susan lives in Washington with her husband, two cats, and a small poodle with delusions of grandeur.
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Special thanks to TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, the publisher, this tour, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour to catch all the excerpts for more bookish fun!
Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!
