Sparkelicious by Libby Floyd (Author Guest Post / Book Review)

In association with Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews welcomes Libby Floyd, author of Sparkelicious!

Author Guest Post

From National Television To Books:

How My Favorite Television Phrase, 'Sparkelicious' Became The Title Of My New Novel

Most of you will probably know me from television, cooking with Bobby Flay on The Food Network or as a prime time host for ShopNBC and Shop At Home, presenting Sparkelicious jewelry on your tube in your living rooms. However, by day, I've been busy cranking out novels on my laptop for the last fifteen years.

In 2005, when I moved to Minnesota for my hosting gig for ShopNBC, I found the freezing cold winters difficult to deal with, so my writing became my only escape and I found that it was the only thing that I wanted to do. It was in my blood. I was obsessed, writing about five to eight hours a day before I went live on TV. My passion for writing had been my little secret for so many years but now I'm happy to say that Sparkelicious has finally been born after three years of dedication and hard work. The Minnesota winters have finally served me well!

The story is set in my charming hometown of Greenville, S.C. and my spiritual home of Los Angeles - fashion designer Laney Montgomery is at a crossroads in her life on the heels turning 40. On a much-needed vacation back home to South Carolina to visit her family, Laney realizes that her family is in disarray but while tying to fix them, Laney learns that her own marriage is in serious trouble back in California and her fashion business is on the verge of collapse. The affections of a handsome younger man don't help matters either as Laney must fix everyone else before she can find true happiness for herself. 

My love for writing began as a teenager. To me, it was a natural progression; first poetry, then original country / pop songs, which I performed with my band in Los Angeles and Nashville, and then short stories. I soon found myself immersed in writing novels. While in college at The University of South Carolina, where I majored in Fashion Merchandising, I published an award-winning book of poetry called A Winning Heart, which led to me becoming the youngest nominee for Poet Laureate of South Carolina. Also, while living in L.A. and working as a talent agent by day for Whilhelmina Models and singing at night, I wrote a parental guide called Calling All Kids, for parents who were interested in getting their children into modeling and acting in Hollywood. It sold in several children's magazines and bookstores.

Sparkelicious is my first novel. It was inspired by one of my trip's back home to South Carolina. After moving away to New York and then L.A. after college graduation, I returned after several years to discover the sleepy little Southern town of Greenville was now vibrant and alive. I also found that I'd missed so many family events and still hadn't come to terms with my father's death. He died in 2000 from cancer and this particular trip home was closure for me. I had also missed the Southern charm and humor of the South. When you read my book, you'll find my fictional characters to be colorful and real. And, after living in L.A. for so many years, I had to relive my life there, so I decided to capture the glamour of Hollywood. My novel showcases several famous locales and venues in my old stomping ground. And of course, Sparkelicious hits on the touchy subject of age and turning 40, which most women find devastating, especially in Hollywood. However, I decided to explore ageism in a positive and uplifting light through Laney Montgomery's character, who finds that it's never too late to fall in love with your true passion and your true love. I think that life can be, truly, Sparkelicious!

About The Author

Libby Floyd has been a national on-air television personality for over 15 years with appearances on ShopNBC, Shop-At-Home and The Food Network. She was the youngest ever nominee for the prestigious position of Poet Laureate of South Carolina following the release of her poetry book A Winning Heart. Libby is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and was a contestant in the Miss America and Miss USA programs.

Her latest book is the contemporary romance, Sparkelicious.


AUTHOR WEBSITE
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GOODREADS
Libby Floyd's Sparkelicious Virtual Book Tour Page On Pump Up Your Book!

Sparkelicious Book Trailer

Book Review

Sparkelicious by Libby Floyd
Publisher: Chardonnay Press
Publication Date: July 27, 2012 Kindle / August 15, 2012 Paperback
Format: Paperback - 236 pages / Kindle - 834 KB / Nook - 685 KB
ISBN: 0985847638
ASIN: B0090SID6G
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Women's Fiction


BUY THE BOOK: Sparkelicious
AMAZON
BARNES & NOBLE


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Pump Up Your Book! Virtual Book Publicity Tours.


Book Description:


Laney Montgomery is living the dream – a successful L.A. fashion designer, a fabulous home in the Hollywood Hills and happily married to an English film director. But on a trip back home to South Carolina, she finds herself in the middle of a family crisis, which she’s determined to fix. However, the affections of a handsome, younger man creates havoc in her personal life. With her marriage in serious trouble back in California, Laney is faced with losing it all but maybe that’s the only way for her to find true happiness.


My Book Review:

Laney Montgomery is a successful fashion designer and owner of the Los Angeles based Sparkelicious clothing line that is popular with the Hollywood rich and famous. She is married to Thomas Morgan, a British film director twelve years her senior. When serious issues arise in her marriage, Laney heads back to her hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, for a long overdue visit with her mom Sophie and sisters Bridgett and Missy. But not everything is fine when she gets home: with family drama and her marriage on the rocks, Laney tries to fix everything, but when she meets Matt, a handsome young bartender, her life gets even more complicated, and she has to face some tough issues in order to decide what is really important and will bring true happiness in her life.

Sparkelicious is a sassy fast-paced story about family, love and life issues served with Southern charm and Hollywood glitter. In her debut novel, author Libby Floyd weaves an entertaining tale written in the third person narrative that engages the reader to follow Laney's story filled with family drama, marital deceit and business issues that leads her on a journey to discover what really matters most in life.

This lighthearted story transports the reader to the picturesque locales of Greenville, South Carolina and Los Angeles, California. Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, these two cities brings a mixture of Southern charm and hospitality with Hollywood glitz and glamour that will captivate the reader's attention.

The author has created a fun cast of characters who are realistic and have flaws and issues that are easy to relate to. With a wonderful portrayal of a strong family dynamic, the reader is drawn into Laney, Sophie, Bridgett and Missy's trials and tribulations,and how their strong family bond filled with love and respect for each other helps them sort through the issues in their lives. With engaging dialogue and interactions, and a storyline filled with drama, humor and romance, Sparkelicious is a story that is sure to keep you entertained!


RATING: 4 STARS ****