TLC BOOK TOURS presents... It Takes a Villa by Kilby Blades - REVIEW!

HI guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we welcome back TLC Book Tours and Entangled Publishing as we set our sights on a title that released the end of last month, and is the perfect addition to your summer reading bag! Don't believe me? Well, it's like a vacation without actually leaving your favorite reading spot, filled with beautiful locations, gorgeous scenery, and characters you'll want to know. Curious? Great! Let's dive between the pages of today's blog tour guest and book of choice...

IT TAKES A VILLA

by

Kilby Blades

 Entangled: Amara 

Release Date:  May 24, 2022

About the book...

For the reasonable price of $1, Natalie Malone just bought herself an abandoned villa on the Amalfi Coast. With a detailed spreadsheet and an ancient key, she’s arrived in Italy ready to renovate–and only six months to do it. Which seemed reasonable until architect Pietro Indelicato began critically watching her every move…

From the sweeping ocean views to the scent of the lemon trees, there’s nothing Pietro loves more than his hometown. And after seeing too many botched jobs and garish design choices, he’s done watching from the sidelines. As far as he’s concerned, Natalie should quit before the project drains her entire bank account and her ridiculously sunny optimism.

With Natalie determined to move forward, the gorgeous architect reluctantly agrees to pitch in, giving her a real chance to succeed. But when the fine print on Natalie’s contract is brought to light, she might have no choice but to leave her dream, and Pietro, behind.

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Like I said, a vacation without ever digging for your passport, to the beauty, history, and heritage of the Amalfi Coast.  Natalie was a dreamer, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that...except when people knowingly take advantage of those dreams.  The villa she bought, comes with strings attached, and an unrealistic timeframe to turn things around, made even more so by obstacles that keep stacking against her.  Good thing she's tenacious.  Good thing she is made of tougher stuff.  Good thing...she runs into the likes of Pietro and the tender side of his heart connects with what she's wanting to accomplish, and WHY she's wanting to accomplish it.  Their work relationship turns into something more, but, just like their project has a cutoff date, so does any goings on between them.  Does that sour things in the mean time?  Certainly not because the countrymen are known for living for the day...but that doesn't mean that they don't slip under each other's skin, leaving a lasting impression that even they can't deny.  What will be harder to say goodbye to if things fall through?  The dream...or the new addition to that dream neither ever saw coming?

Natalie was a wonderful character, and I appreciated her can do attitude, along with her never-say-die mentality.  Considering her recent loss, she's pulled herself up by the proverbial bootstraps, and making a go of things...just as it was planned.  True, she's minus her partner-in-crime, but she knows that they would have wanted her to follow through, even if they could not.  The stumbles she has along the way were expected, a foreigner in a foreign country, there's a certain certainty that people will try to take advantage of you...and we're not disappointed, but don't lose heart because there are those with genuine interest, concern, and love to share...and they may center around those you were quick to write off.  The side story of the mysterious benefactor, and the family history kept hidden for a lifetime, were additional gems in an already beautiful crown, and I couldn't have been happier for Natalie's discovery.

All in all, a great escape for your summer reading adventures.  Filled with heart, adventure, secrets, and love, you can't go wrong with this wonderful story.

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About the author... 

Kilby Blades is a USA Today bestselling author of Romance and Women’s Fiction. During her fifteen-year career as a digital marketing executive, she moonlighted as a journalist, freelanced as a food, wine and travel writer, and lived it up as an entertainment columnist. She has lived in five countries, visited more than twenty-five, and spends part of her year in her happy place in the Andes Mountains.

Kilby is a feminist, an oenophile, a cinephile, a social-justice fighter, and above all else, a glutton for a good story.

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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours and the Entangled Publishing team for the ebook for review. (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. This title is available now via Entangled Amara, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today! Be sure to CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE TOUR making its way through the blogosphere for more bookish fun!

Instagram features:

Monday, May 23rd: @nsiabblog

Monday, May 23rd: @nerdy_book_lover_1987

Tuesday, May 24th: @mamabeardteacher on TikTok

Tuesday, May 24th: @randi_reads

Wednesday, May 25th: @karendeeandabc

Wednesday, May 25th: @lovemybooks2020

Thursday, May 26th: @everlasting.charm

Friday, May 27th: @purrfectpages

Sunday, May 29th: IG: @shobizreads and TT: @shobizreads

Reviews:

Monday, May 30th: @jenniaahava

Tuesday, May 31st: IG: @welovebigbooksandwecannotlie and TT: @welovebigbooks

Wednesday, June 1st: @subakka.bookstuff

Thursday, June 2nd: @rozierreadsandwine

Thursday, June 2nd: Stranded in Chaos and @sarastrand9438

Friday, June 3rd: @that.bookmom

Friday, June 3rd: @temmathomas

Monday, June 6th: @booksnbikram

Monday, June 6th: @nurse_bookie

Tuesday, June 7th: Books & Bindings

Tuesday, June 7th: @bookedwithheather

Wednesday, June 8th: The Romance Dish

Wednesday, June 8th: Living My Best Book Life and @livingmybestbooklife

Thursday, June 9th: @kristens.reading.nook

Friday, June 10th: @readingwithremy

Friday, June 10th: Kahakai Kitchen

Monday, June 13th: Eliot’s Eats

Monday, June 13th: @readingforamoment

Tuesday, June 14th: @abookwormwithwine

Wednesday, June 15th: @thereadingchemist

Wednesday, June 15th: @moonlight_rendezvous

Thursday, June 16th: Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Thursday, June 16th: @jessbeyondthepages on TikTok

Friday, June 17th: Books Cooks Looks

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

RRR presents... THE ITALIAN JOB by Kathryn Freeman - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're ushering in the new month (it's JUNE already?!) with another Rachel's Random Resources tour starring the latest from author Kathryn Freeman. Quickly becoming one of my go-to author's for Contemporary Romance, this time around she brings us an exotic locale, leads that go together like chalk and cheese, and a HEA that is well worth all the snipes, snark, and heated looks. Yes, my friends, you're in for a treat, so pack your bags for Italy as we step between the epages of today's ebook of choice...

The Italian Job

by

Kathryn Freeman

About the book...

Dream job. Dream house. Fake fiancé.

A year in a gorgeous Italian castle…

When Anna Roberts’ life implodes, an online search leads her to an ad for the ultimate dream job – management of a gorgeous castle on the shores of Lake Como, accommodation included. The only catch? Anna can’t do it alone…

…With the last man on earth she’d choose!

The castle owners will only accept a couple as caretakers, which means Anna needs a man on her arm at the interview. Enter her neighbour, Jake Tucker. Though Anna and Jake have never seen eye-to-eye, Jake’s had a rough few years and an escape to Italy sounds ideal. Yet, when they get the job and jet off, Anna and Jake face an unexpected challenge. Pretending to be a couple is difficult … but pretending the tension simmering between them doesn’t exist is quickly proving impossible!

AMAZON   UK  |   US

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Anna and Jake.

They may have grown up next door to each other...but they're definitely not harboring any secret feelings, dreams, or desires starring each other.

At least...not yet.

When first we meet Anna, she's a girl on a mission...to escape the h*ll she's wallowing through. Her a**hat of an ex did a number on her professionally, personally, and mentally...and she's sinking fast. Oh sure, on the outside she presents a good front, but we all know it's what's on the inside that counts and that currently looks like the salesroom floor of a high end retailer having a closeout sale. She just needs a break from it all, and with her dad's advice...she just might get it. The chance she takes is more than a fresh start, but a chance to find her self again...and maybe a new star for her happily ever after in the form of the last person she'd ever have considered.

Meet Jake...the last person Anna would have ever considered. It's not that he's bad, despite his reputation, prison stay, and bad boy looks. He's...misunderstood...and as much as he would protest, he doesn't really know himself all that well either. He loves his family, would do anything for them (hence the jail time, but it's not what you think), and is an all around good soul. Just because he finds joy in winding up his next door neighbor, watching her squirm when he tests that invisible line, gives her hairbrained scheme a chance so she can chase a dream, and can't explain away how she's gotten under his skin doesn't mean he's gone soft. It doesn't mean the BIG L-word either. It just means he's a good guy that needs a second chance in SO MANY ways, and a year stay in a castle, yeah...that couldn't hurt either. Guess he can stand her company if it means a new lease on life...or something like that.

The sparks were there, even when they were throwing the lightning rods at each other like Zeus in a temper. Neither was as bad or good as they imagined, and both had life lessons that hit them upside the head with the force of a two by four, but it didn't make them scarred and unlovable, but rather even more compatible, if they can get past themselves, and the idiotic interferences surrounding. I had a bad feeling when Rutherford kept popping up. I mean his circle of friends, the extent of his influence just seemed like a big red light screaming in the dark, so when things get hairy, I can't say I was completely surprised, but boy did I enjoy the ending! Sorry, can't spoil it, and you shouldn't want me to either because that just makes this Italian escape perfectly complete.

A great read for Contemporary Romance fans and those who love a little enemies to something more than story line, and another wonderful addition to this writer's body of works.

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About author Kathryn Freeman...

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to write a book. It may have had something to do with my obsession with reading romance. Real life interfered and I headed off in a different direction – into the world of science, becoming a pharmacist before joining the pharmaceutical industry. I did end up writing, but it was about disease and medicines. Decades later, I’m finally doing what I always wanted to do.

With a husband who asks every Valentine's Day whether he has to buy a card (yes, he does), all the romance in my life is in my head. Then again, his unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.

SITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK

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*** YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ***

...a paperback edition of The Italian Job by Kathryn Freeman

(Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this tour to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so click on over to your favorite online retailer to snag your copy today and be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

What's the BUZZ?: Still Life by Sarah Winman - REVIEW!

Hi guys!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're spreading a little PRE BOOK BIRTHDAY BUZZ about a title COMING SOON via G.P. Putnam’s Sons. It features a story lush in detail, diverse in characters, and moving on all accounts. For those scared of a little length in their reading, it comes in at just over 450 pages, but trust me, it’s well worth every one! Ladies and gents, please direct your attention to today's book of choice...

Still Life

by

Sarah Winman

9780593330753

G.P. Putnam’s Sons

RELEASE DATE: November 2nd, 2021

About the book...

Tuscany, 1944: As Allied troops advance and bombs fall around deserted villages, a young English soldier, Ulysses Temper, finds himself in the wine cellar of a deserted villa. There, he has a chance encounter with Evelyn Skinner, a middle-aged art historian who has come to Italy to salvage paintings from the ruins and recall long-forgotten memories of her own youth. In each other, Ulysses and Evelyn find a kindred spirit amidst the rubble of war-torn Italy, and set off on a course of events that will shape Ulysses’s life for the next four decades.

As Ulysses returns home to London, reimmersing himself in his crew at The Stoat and Parot—a motley mix of pub crawlers and eccentrics—he carries his time in Italy with him. And when an unexpected inheritance brings him back to where it all began, Ulysses knows better than to tempt fate, and returns to the Tuscan hills.

With beautiful prose, extraordinary tenderness, and bursts of humor and light, Still Life is a sweeping portrait of unforgettable individuals who come together to make a family, and a deeply drawn celebration of beauty and love in all its forms.

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This is a story that takes place over a lifetime, and while the situations and circumstances that transpire are important, memorable, and achingly beautiful even in their tragic moments, it’s truly the lives of the characters themselves that make it so moving.

Ulysses was a soul to remember. He went into the war a boy and came out a changed man, but in all the right ways. He cared deeply, still saw the hope in humanity, reached out a helping hand to those in need with no thought as to how it would be repaid, and just generally had a heart the size of the globes he eventually creates. It was this heart that saw him through the bad times. It was this heart that forged a connection with a passing stranger in the midst of battle that would carry forward with him all his days, and turn into a friendship most cherished. It was this heart that even while breaking, carried on, staying strong for those that needed him. My own heart broke for him when tragedy struck time and time again, but it was his desire to see things through, to move forward from those dark times that made you believe it would all work out in the end.

Alys we get to know and love as small child through tumultuous teen years and into her young adulthood.  She had a rough start in life and was given every reason to feel ultimately rejected, but I truly believed what saved her at every turn...was love.  She had an old soul, and understood so much more than someone her age would normally, but the love that surrounded her, no matter how nontraditionally woven, was her safety net.  It was what she felt deep down and knew even in those questioning days that she could fall back on without glancing back to be sure of its presence.  

Cress was oddly enough, another heart at the center point of this tale.  You don't expect it, in fact, he comes off as rather unusual and eccentric, with no particular background to speak of, but experience in life has a lot to say for itself.  He reminds us that we all have roots, and the world is constantly trying to show us that fact, while telling us in its own subtle ways, which blow of the wind to follow; if only we'd LISTEN.  He listens.  He listens enough for them all at most times, and from the moment he ran after them as they drove out of town, two bags and a smuggled soul in his hands, his impression was made on me.  In Italy, his presence takes time to accept, but once he cracks through the veneer, he's at home.  When time eventually catches up with him, you see it coming, but you FEEL it so much more...and his bow out of this world was marked with another loss that will shake you to the core, but leave you knowing it couldn't have been any other way.

Evelyn we meet once upon a war mission, but she is such a lady of stature, such a woman of heart, such a force for the art world that even though there are bombs flying through the air, she, Ulysses, and the Captain are able to make a moment that will live on in time.  Their story's part ways for many years, and we get to know them apart in their own worlds as time ticks by, but when the moment is finally right, their reunion is that much more precious, that much more appreciated, and cherished.  You can see how the puzzle pieces fit together to make such a masterpiece, something to be gazed upon and contemplated as to how we can achieve those types of relationships in our lives.

Claude was the mouthy parrot that never said die.  He lived quite an adventurous life, and accomplished well more than any parrot I've ever known, including the ability to understand random human conversations, and dole out advice befitting the situation.  Peg was the girl that got away, and yet she and Ulysses had their moment...scattered through time, but there nonetheless.  It was obvious she trusted him with her soul, but her heart was always on the tear for something bigger, better, out there in the great wide world...which makes the lessons she learns inadvertently along the way, that much more heartbreaking.  Col could've just been the local bar owner, but he was such a big presence, along with his gentle souled daughter, Ginny. He was there when they needed him, and despite his easily raised temper, and unusual mode of transportation, he could always be counted on. 

In the end, this is a story very fitting its title...still life as observed in art, but also in the sense of even after everything happens, still life unfolds.  I know I pretty much wrote a detailed "who's who" for the story, but there are still so many people you have to meet, so much more to learn about the ones I've mentioned, I promised I've overshared nothing.  If you're looking for a story that checks all the boxes, makes you think, laugh, love, and cry over a silly old bird that wasn't quite so silly, don't imitate a still life portrait; add this title to your wish list today!

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About the author...

Sarah Winman is the author of three previous novels, Tin Man, A Year of Marvelous Ways, and When God Was a Rabbit. She grew up in Essex and now lives in London. She attended the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and went on to act in theatre, film, and television.

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Special thanks to Shelf Awareness and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ebook for review, snagged via a giveaway in their newsletter so if you don’t subscribe already, you know what to do! For more information on this title list, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is set to celebrate its BOOK BIRTHDAY, November 2nd, 2021 via G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House, so mark your calendar or pre order your copy today!

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!

RRR presents... TUSCAN ENCHANTMENT by Kate Zarelli

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're playing host to a stop along Rachel's Random Resources tour for a Contemporary Romance that's set to whisk you away to the magnificent Tuscan countryside.  We're talking family heritage, history, potential inheritance, and the possibility of "a leopard changing its spots"...with beautiful scenery, gorgeous architecture, and wonderful food to boot.  Hey, a girl likes what a girl likes...so without further ado, let's get this show on the road!  Ladies and gents, today's ebook of choice is...

Tuscan Enchantment

by

Kate Zarelli

eXtasy Books Inc

About the book...
This was no cold marble—this was a man! Antonia goes to Tuscany to rebuild her life. The last thing she wants to do is fall in love, least of all with rich, arrogant, aristocratic Lorenzo.

  Librarian Antonia Gray has fled England for northern Tuscany after an unhappy love affair to work on the archive of a 17th century Italian explorer, a member of a centuries-old aristocratic family. There she meets his descendent, Lorenzo Quattromani, rich, arrogant, handsome—and engaged to the beautiful and ruthless Giselle. The last thing Antonia wants is to fall in love, least of all with someone so dangerous. His engagement, though, is not what it seems, and Lorenzo breaks down Antonia’s resistance. But Giselle has other ideas.

DEVINE DESTINIES

AMAZON  US | UK

🍝     📖     💞     🍝     💞     📖      🍝

Once upon a time, there was a girl...a librarian to be precise.  She lived in England, had her life on track, and was perfectly content in her innocent little world...until the big, bad, ugly event occurred that threw a rock at her crystal world, shattering it to pieces unrecognizable from before.  In truth, she was saved from a life that would have been twice as bad, but in practice, she still had a broken heart, broken trust, and a life that needed rebuilding.  Enter the next perfect opportunity, a job in Tuscany.  Beautiful scenery, beautiful people, and a change of pace from her current predicament.  She scored big with the Countess, who seemingly doesn't like anyone, but I found more particular than rude.  The friendship they built was just what she needed to start over, and everything seemed right as rain, until her nephew arrives with his fiancé in tow.  No problem, they're just family...unwelcome, and self important, but related nonetheless.  What would Antonia have to worry about?  What indeed...

Our girl Antonia was a gem.  Innocent, but with fire.  A wealth of knowledge in her field, yet unlearned in many areas of life...part of which she got an unfortunate lesson in before arriving in her new home away from home.  She knows her strengths and is learning the others she possesses in the eyes of the beholder.  The Countess, I was quite fond of.  Though some cast her in a harsher light, I felt she was very strong, knowing who she was, able to face her family history as well as its current state with a raised chin, yet not against altering her opinions when the time was right.  Luigi (the butler) was even quite the interesting fellow, though we obviously don't get to know him THAT well, I got the impression he was much more family than some of the members. 

The only ones I didn't really care for were George (who shall not be mentioned other than by name at this moment) the ex, Giselle the fiancé, and Lorenzo himself.  Giselle was an out and out cold-hearted, came from money but only likes money, word that starts with a "b".  She went through the motions because it looked good not because she actually felt anything...unless it was to tear love asunder when it was actually found.  Lorenzo, I just couldn't take seriously.  After his initial "introduction", he never really redeemed himself in my eyes...on a personal level, I mean.  Familial wise, I did see his desire to actually be involved and make amends, so I could respect him on that front...just not the other.  Story wise, it had potential; I'm just not certain it lived up to all it could be. 

Okay, all that being said, there's definitely a few things I need to lay on the line.

First, I really wasn't a fan of the cover...other than the scenery. In my opinion (because really, that's what we're dealing with here), her dress is a bit short for the character being portrayed and her character, and he looks like a playboy whose full of himself...oh wait. He is...well still, he seems a lot more swarmy there than described in the book.  SECOND, the way the "romance" came about.  I mean THAT meet cute was anything but cute, let alone a "meeting" in any true sense of the word.  In fact had it been myself, he probably would have been doubled over in pain on his way out.  THIRD, we're back to that sense of romance and story building.  I quite literally was sitting there going...WAIT, what?!? Love. How? When? HOW?!  Don't get me wrong, I wasn't unhappy for the characters, she needed something "good" in her life and he definitely needed a change of well, EVERYTHING, but there was something missing to connect point A to point B.

In the end, it won't be for everyone, but that doesn't mean it's not for you.  Do you dream of a Tuscan escape?  Okay then, here you go...the descriptions of the land, the people, and the places therein are certainly attention grabbing.  The ever-after definitely had a touch of sweet, both for the potential couple and their unique situation...and I did truly like the arrival of the "surprise guest" towards the end.  It's the middle that kind of has me in knots, but one persons uber-awesome-read-of-the-century is not always another.  I say if it grabbed your attention, give it a go!  You'll never know unless you try.

🍝     📖     💞     🍝     💞     📖      🍝

About the author....

Kate Zarrelli is the romance and erotica pen-name of Katherine Mezzacappa. Kate is Irish but now lives in Carrara in Northern Tuscany, between the Apuan Alps and the Tyrrhenian Sea, with her Italian husband and two teenage sons. She writes historical, erotic, feel-good and paranormal fiction, set all over Europe, and in her spare time volunteers with a used book charity of which she is a founder member. You can follow her on Facebook at Kate Zarrelli books or on Twitter @katmezzacappa.

SITE  |  FACEBOOK

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Win a Little Carrara Marble Heart Pendant
(Can be engraved with winner’s initials)
Open Internationally

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE RAFFLECOPTER FORM!

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Special thanks to Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources for the chance to bring this reveal to you. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, this promotion, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour as it makes its way through the blogosphere...

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!



TLC BOOK TOURS: The Sweet Life by Sharon Struth - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Hi there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're joining a TLC Book Tour already in progress.  It stars a Lyrical Press release that could easily fit into both the Women's Fiction and Romance genres...with a healthy dose of traveling to satisfy any bout of cabin fever you may be experiencing as the hot summer says turn into brisk autumn nights.  So, if you'll kindly grab your carry-ons and follow me, we're about to embark on today's reading escape with our book of choice...

The Sweet Life

A Sweet Life novel

by

Sharon Struth

Lyrical Press

About the book...

In Italy, the best attractions are always off the beaten path . . .
 
Mamie Weber doesn’t know why she survived that terrible car accident five years ago. Physically, she has only a slight reminder—but emotionally, the pain is still fresh. Deep down she knows her husband would have wanted her to embrace life again. Now she has an opportunity to do just that, spending two weeks in Tuscany reviewing a tour company for her employer’s popular travel guide series. The warmth of the sun, the centuries-old art, a villa on the Umbrian border—it could be just the adventure she needs.

But with adventure comes the unexpected . . . like discovering that her entire tour group is made up of aging ex-hippies reminiscing about their Woodstock days. Or finding herself drawn to the guide, Julian, who is secretly haunted by a tragedy of his own, and seems to disapprove any time she tries something remotely risky—like an impromptu scooter ride with a local man.

As they explore the hilltop towns of Tuscany, Mamie knows that when this blissful excursion is over, she’ll have to return to reality. But when you let yourself wander, life can take some interesting detours . . .

Amazon | iBooks | Google | Kobo

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Though I've only seen the films, I liken this read to a cross between Under the Tuscan Sun and My Life in Ruins.  Mamie is reaching for an uncertain future, while Julian is hiding from his past.  Both seem stuck in place due to the pain they are holding so tightly too, but sometimes misery loves company...and in that same vein, company can turn into something more, which can break the shackles of what-once-was-and-can-never-be once and for all.

It was great getting to know Mamie under the guise she originally presented, but more so as the story unfolds.  Hey, a secret identity can be hard to keep (not that I'm speaking from experience or anything), so when the cracks started showing, I couldn't help but feel for her.  She's walked a hard road these last five years and deserved the chance to find her way again.  I was worried she wouldn't get that chance with Julian being so stubborn, but those crazy free-loving-music-loving Wanderers were just the right amount of free spirit to kick things into gear.  As we travel with this wildish and wizened group, we get a history of some of Italy's greatest known landmarks as well as a peek at those places one can only discover by walking off the beaten path...sorta like the way we find OUR true selves and, in the case of our leads, the power of forgiveness.

In the end, the potential love affair was a part of the story, but not the whole shebang.  I actually fancied the other aspects of the tale even more...like taking chances, living for today, sharing our true self with others, and the power of letting go.  Though Mamie and Julian both dwelled a bit much on their own circumstances for my own tastes, they got it together in the end and really, what more can you ask of two characters blown off their charted courses by the winds of fate?

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About the author...

Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, is a finalist in the National Readers’ Choice Awards for Best first Book, and her Blue Moon Lake Novels include the bestseller, Share the Moon.

When she’s not working, she and her husband happily sip their way through the scenic towns of the Connecticut Wine Trail, travel the world, and enjoy spending time with their precious pets and two grown daughters. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut. For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit www.sharonstruth.com or visit her blog, Musings from the Middle Ages & More.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter

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Special thanks to Lisa at TLC Book Tours for the chance to bring this tour to you as well as the team at Lyrical Press for the copy for review.  (THANKS!)  For more information on this title, the series, the author, the publisher, THIS TOUR, or those on the horizon, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

BEFORE YOU GO...

DON'T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO WIN IN THE TOUR WIDE GIVEAWAY!  YOUR CHANCE TO WIN...

...a $25 AMAZON or B&N Gift Card!

~~~ CLICK HERE TO ENTER ~~~

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!