Dangled Carat by Hilary Grossman (Author Guest Post / Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Dangled Carat by Author Hilary Grossman!

Author Guest Post

When I was a little girl I remember my dad having a conversation with my much older cousin who needed advice. He was about to have his first child and he didn’t know if he should purchase a home. He was afraid to invest so much money in it and worried if he could really afford it.

My dad listened patiently as my cousin filled him in on all the details, including an in- depth spreadsheet of all possible “what if” scenarios. My dad reviewed all the figures and calculations. And then he said to my cousin, “Life isn’t always able to be figured out on paper. If you wait for the perfect time to do something, you will never do it. Sometimes you just have to go for it. When there is a will there is a way, and if you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it work.” My cousin bought the house, and my dad’s words stayed with me.

My dad’s words were ringing in my ears the day that I decided to actually accomplish my life long dream and start to write my book. I was scared to start writing it. After all didn’t have time to devote to writing a book. I have a very stressful full time job as the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer and distributor, where I work long hours. When I come home I don’t even want to look at a computer. How would I find the time to write a book?

I honestly had no clue, but I knew I would never forgive myself if I didn’t give it a try. I had to share my story. I was driven.

My dad was right. Where there is a will there is a way. For six months, as I worked on my first draft, every weekend, all day long, I sat at my dining room table pounding away at my laptop. I didn’t budge for hours, except to refill my water bottle. I kept a detailed spreadsheet of all the days I wrote and how many words I typed. I held myself to a strict regime. I think because I had such a limited time available to write I valued my writing time more. I never goofed around when I was supposed to be writing. I didn’t do emails, check Twitter or Facebook. In fact, I barely even answered the phone! And I loved every second of it....

The Author's "Assistant" (Recently Passed Away)

About The Author

Hilary Grossman dated a guy so commitment-phobic that she was able to write a book about their relationship. She is currently the CFO of a beverage alcohol importer and lives on Long Island.


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Dangled Carat - Book Trailer

Book Review

Dangled Carat by Hilary Grossman

Publisher: Independent Self Publishing

Publication Date: August 30, 2013

Format: Paperback - 280 pages / Kindle - 470 KB 

ISBN: 0615860354

ASIN: B00F55HITQ

Genre: Memoir 

BUY THE BOOK: Dangled Carat

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Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.

Book Description:

Hilary had gotten used to dating the commitment-phobic Marc, thirteen years her senior. They had a great relationship--why rush into things? She saw no need to pressure him for marriage, believing that when the time was right, he would propose. But after they had been together for four years, their friends decided to take matters into their own hands, pushing Marc to propose and making Hilary realize how much she really did want to marry the man that she loved. Unfortunately, Marc still wasn't ready--and their friends' meddling in the form of a faux engagement party led to a disastrous New Year's Eve that brought their relationship to an inevitable turning point.


Book Excerpt:

“Oh, don’t worry. I had no intention of ever calling him again. And I think he knew it. If my mumbling ‘yeah right’ when he told me to call him didn’t give him a clue, then it was my demeanor when I left the house. I was cold as ice, and hurt as hell. There is no doubt in my mind that as I pulled out of the driveway he realized he really blew it. But I did well, I didn’t cry until I was safely alone in my car.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m glad he didn’t see you cry.”

“I had no desire to go home and sit by myself. Nor did I have any desire to reach to a friend and try to make spur-of-the-minute plans. I didn’t want to tell anyone what happened, nor did I want anyone’s advice. I am tired of everyone telling me I am crazy for dealing with his shit. So I drove to a shoe store halfway between my house and his, and wandered around. I was there for about a minute, when I called my mother hysterical. The poor lady, she was at a wedding, and she was trying to console me!

“Your poor mom,” Jaye answered. I knew she could relate - her son is my age, and she has shared in his dating dramas.

“She didn’t know what to do or what to tell me. She kept reminding me she was at a wedding, which didn’t really help my emotional state, if you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I can understand,” Jaye grinned.

“So I got mad at her, and hung up. I wandered around the store for a few minutes, barely able to see past my rage. Now, you know I am really upset when a new pair of shoes can’t lift my spirits.”

My Book Review:

What's a girl to do when she is in love with a commitment-phobic man?

In her memoir, Dangled Carat, author Hilary Grossman takes the reader along for the ride as she weaves a touching story about her personal relationship and adventure in getting her commitment-phobic boyfriend Marc to the altar!

Hilary has an easy flowing style of writing that captivates the reader's attention as she retells her and Marc's love story from their first meeting, to the growing pains in their relationship, to the trials and tribulations of convincing an ultimate commitment-phobic man to make a marriage commitment.

This is a real-life love story, one built on love, patience, and acceptance ... with a little help from family and friends. You can't help but laugh, sigh, cry, and feel genuinely happy for this couple as destiny and love brought them together, it is truly a beautiful and heartfelt story that proves love really can conquer all!

Kudos to Hilary for sharing her wonderful love story with the world. Their love and devotion provides hope that maybe everyone else can be lucky enough to find that kind of true love too!

Dangled Carat is a lovely memoir that will melt the heart of every hopeless romantic!


RATING: 5 STARS *****

Contest Giveaway

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Virtual Book Tour Schedule

 Dangled Carat by Hilary Grossman ~ Virtual Book Tour Page Link

Tour Schedule:

March 31 – Keep Calm and Blog On – Review
April 2 – Samantha March – Q&A & Excerpt
April 3- Fiction Dreams – Q&A & Excerpt
April 4 – Girl Tries Life- Review & Q&A
April 8 – Sweets Books – Excerpt
April 8 – A Right Brain Wannabe – Review
April 9 – Change the Word – Q&A & Excerpt
April 10 – Chick Lit Club Connect – Guest Post
April 11 – Chick Lit Goddess – Excerpt
April 11 – Every Free Chance Book Reviews – Q&A
April 15 – Novel Escapes– Q&A
April 16 – Me, Bookshelf and I – Guest Post & Excerpt
April 18 – Chick Lit Plus – Review 
April 22 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
April 22 – Annabel and Alice – Review
April 24 – Storybrook Reviews – Excerpt
April 28 – A Novel Thought – Review