For the love of…WOMEN’S FICTION! Sweet Nothings by Janis Thomas

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers…the place to be for sweet treats this February; you know, just with a bookish flair.

Today, we’re shining the light on a title that easily fits into the Women’s Fiction genre as well as a Contemporary Romance; all depends on the eyes/opinion of the beholder.  It stars enough desserts to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth, as well as some treats that are, well, not commonly found in your local bakery.  *ahem*  Shall we stop walking on broken eggshells discarded during our latest baking foray and cut right to the chase?  Let’s!  Today’s book of choice is…

Sweet Nothings

By

Janis Thomas

9780425264829

Berkley

SNAPSHOT:  Our middle-age heroine in the making gets dumped by her long term husband, side swiped by the wreckage he leaves behind, comes to terms with the obstacles before her and manages to find not only a new sense of normalcy but herself…AND a second chance at love along the way.  Oh, and there’s A LOT of cake.  ^_^

So, I have to ask you…if YOU were a baked good, what would you be and why? 

I blame the book for this intrusion into your inner thoughts entirely and yet, I can’t bring myself to apologize.  Sorry.  Taking a page from Ruby the Rebel…guess that would make me Gina the Griller…hmm, not so certain it has the same ring to it though.  (If you think of another, I’m all ears!)  Anywho, where I was going with this is right into the inner workings of our leading lady, one Ruby McMillan. 

She’s an ace mother, top baker and owner of ‘The Muffin Top’ bakery (love that name!), and a bit down on her luck right now…but don’t call her out of the game because honey, she is ANYTHING but; even if she doesn’t exactly know it right yet.  *smirk*  Hard times call for focus, renewed dedication, and enough Stress-ipes to fill a book (or blog….*hint hint* at future things to come)!  Good thing most of them come out delicious because HELLO!  Instant featured item of the week at the bakery!  Anyway, back on track here because when it comes to sweets, it’s definitely easy to get off on a tangent… ooh, how about vanilla cupcakes with tangerine icing? 

Despite her husband’s obvious blunder of ginormous proportions, Ruby has a supporting cast that will help her through just about anything.  Shall we meet them?  *nods enthusiastically* Let’s see, there’s Izzy, her best friend, business partner and Latina with attitude to spare (LOVE HER!).  Then we’ve got Smiley and Marcy, two of her fabu assistants at the bakery, both bringing their own unique style to the table.   On the family side of things, there’s her daughter Colleen, who’s a whiz with the beauty makeovers and modeling manners but could use a tune up on her verbal filter, and her son Kevin, a laid back surfer kid with heart to spare.  Even her Ruby’s mother, Estelle, who can barely remember her own mind let alone the faces and memories associated with her past, plays a role in all the things that come, adding strength to the foundation of her daughter’s walls both encased in icing and those with more of an emotional front.

Moving away from close relations, we step into the path of those that want to BE closer relations, if you know what I mean.  *wink wink* On that front, we’ve two…well, three if you count the ex (the scoundrel)…contenders.  In this corner, weighing in at who-knows-how-many-pounds-of-flour is Shane, over there is Jacob, and WAY over there is Walter (the putz).  Yes, yes.  They are quite the merry band of Ruby fans but not all with the same enthusiasm, nor the same approach.  Believe me, there were times I just wanted to slap one of them abouts the head so that he might get his point across, and others where it was like “down boy”.  *giggles*  Trust me, you’re in for a treat…and some steamy scenes too.  But I digress, because although love is a focal point in the story to some degree, it’s not what’s it’s all about…unlike turning around in the hokey pokey dance/song. 

Author Janis Thomas

It’s a story of life.  A tale of paths taken, new paths shown, and some forced down our throats like a dry brownie…with NO milk.  ( ** ) It shows us that like may not be a box of chocolates as Mr. Gump would say, but it definitely has its share of fruitcakes.  *ahem*  …it’s what you do with them that really counts.  So, in conclusion, I will call this a sweet treat of a read with a dash of sugar and a WHOLE lotta spice…maybe along the lines of a Pumpkin Spice Cake with Vanilla Icing; something you’re not certain you’ll like all the ingredients in, and yet blends wonderfully together to surprise and delight.   Recommended for older teens (possibly) through adults; though I’d lean more towards the latter group in both story interest and content (for the innuendos and steamier scenes…they are few but whew! *ahem*).  Oh and for those wondering what baked good I related myself to… the jury is still out on that.  I’m taking opinions though so throw out your thoughts and we’ll see where it takes us. (^_^)

the horror

Review copy received courtesy of Leyane at FSB Associates.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title as well as their future promotions, pay a visit to their official site, or follow along on Twitter.  This title is available now via Berkley Books, a division of Penguin Group USA, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf near you.

Until next time…happy reading!

[So, I’m trying a little something different in the format of my review today with a SNAPSHOT section; sort of a story summary without all the juicy bits spelled out.  It may be a permanent change; it may be only a trial.  We shall have to see how it goes…but feel free to leave feedback on it either way as YOUR two cents goes a LONG way in my book.  ^_^]