Hi guys!
A great big Fall welcome to you from me and thank you for making Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers a part of your day.
Today, we're playing host to a blog tour via Book Junkie Promotions that stars a Contemporary Romance title that's sure to please. No really! The story was quite a surprise....in more ways than one. *ahem* Let's get to the review, shall we? Ladies and gents, though I do believe the audience will be MUCH larger in the ladies category, please join me in welcoming today's blog tour guest and book of choice....
Come Dancing
by
Leslie Wells
9780692235911
Allium Press
About the book....
Julia is a book-loving publisher’s assistant. Jack is a famous British rock star. “Opposites attract” is an understatement.
It’s 1981. Twenty-four-year-old Julia Nash has recently arrived in Manhattan, where she works as a publisher’s assistant. She dreams of becoming an editor with her own stable of bestselling authors—but it is hard to get promoted in the recession-clobbered book biz.
Julia blows off steam by going dancing downtown with her best friend, Vicky. One night, a hot British guitarist invites them into his VIP section. Despite an entourage of models and groupies, Jack chooses Julia as his girl for the evening—and when Jack Kipling picks you, you go with it. The trouble is … he’s never met a girl like her before. And she resists being just one in a long line.
Jack exposes her to new experiences, from exclusive nightclubs in SoHo to the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood; from mind-bending recording sessions to wild backstage parties. Yet Julia is afraid to fall for him. Past relationships have left her fragile; one more betrayal just might break her.
As she fends off her grabby boss and tries to move up the corporate ladder, Julia’s torrid relationship with Jack takes her to heights she’s never known—and plunges her into depths she’s never imagined.
AMAZON US / UK | B&N | BOOK DEPOSITORY | INDIEBOUND
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This could have been me....
...if I was born 20 some odd years before I actually was, attained a position in the publishing industry (that I really really REALLY hope to acquire one day), and had a bit of rhythm (yeah....not a good dancer). This SERIOUSLY could have been me!
I always find it helps if you are able to identify with a character or characters when reading a story. It makes it more personal somehow even though it's truly a work of Fiction. Julia and I were cut from the same mold, from interests to playing things close to the heart, snarkability to general looks (she is a much better catch), even where she's from (PA...woo!); the author could have taken a snapshot of my life and worked the magic of a fairy godmother to turn it into the wonderful read that it is. Though perhaps wonderful may not be the right word. Now don't get me wrong, it was GOOD with more than a capital "G". I simply mean that it was something more than just good.
It was surprising...on so many levels! The author's ability to make you feel for all the key players was essential to making things work and work they do. Like a well oiled machine or a well tuned guitar, Julia and friends work their way into your heart. Then again, some simply get under your skin...for better or worse (*raises eyebrow*)...and the affect is totally intentional. Just try to resist Jack and his imperfect life. What? You thought because he was a rock star, things we all glitter and gold? Think again. Then there's the other end of the spectrum with those you'd rather see take a long dive off a short cliff....*shakes head* Once again, the reason for my impressed level being set to high.
It was complex...the blend of personal story with the publishing world worked well even when they didn't play nice. You were never quite sure if things would work out for the unexpected couple, or quite frankly if they WERE in fact a couple. Doubts arose, conflict ensued, make ups happened, but still...uneven ground was where we resided. It reminded me of another series that I enjoyed immensely, The Publicist....and that's definitely not a bad thing!
It was titillating...yes readers, BEWARE THE STEAM. I shan't reveal too much but this part of the tale definitely lands it in the NO KIDDOS category. I should have known when it involved a rock star and the editorial assistant next door; just call me naive.
In the end, it made you believe that though happily ever afters may not be realistic in the true storybook sense, our own versions can happen. Sometimes it just takes some rockin rescued pumps and BOTH parties being the bigger person. Now then, that's not too much to ask...or is it?
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About the author...
Leslie Wells left her small Southern town in 1979 for graduate school in Manhattan, after which she got her first job in book publishing. She has edited forty-eight New York Times bestsellers in her over thirty-year career, including thirteen number one New York Times bestsellers. Leslie has worked with numerous internationally known authors, musicians, actors, actresses, television and radio personalities, athletes, and coaches. She lives on Long Island, New York.
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Special thanks to Amy at Book Junkie Promotions for the chance to bring this tour to you AND heartfelt thanks to author Leslie Wells for the SIGNED review copy. (THANKS!) To check out all the fun that's been and still to come, be sure to stop by the official tour page. To connect with the author or discover what tours are on the horizon, feel free to click through the links included above.
Until next time...happy reading!
I should know better than to stop by your blog because I see fun sounding books like these and end up buying them! I'll skim through the steamy parts as I'm intrigued by the stoey because it's the type I enjoy. Thanks for sharing this gem with us! Publishing related fiction is fun!
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