Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Friday, March 27, 2020

Every Summer by Joanne DeMaio (VBT: Book Review)

In association with Author Joanne DeMaio, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Every Summer!







Book Review




Every Summer by Joanne DeMaio
Book 10: The Seaside Saga Series
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: Paperback - February 20, 2020 / eBook - March 3, 2020
Format: Paperback - 306 pages
               Kindle - 2381 KB
               Nook - 726 KB
ISBN: 978-1670298188
ASIN (ebook): B083GYK98V
BNID: 2940162999928
Genre: Women's Fiction


Buy The Book:


Buy The Series: The Seaside Saga Series
Book 1: Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans 
Book 2: The Denim Blue Sea
Book 3: Beach Blues
Book 4: Beach Breeze
Book 5: The Beach Inn
Book 6: Beach Bliss
Book 7: Castaway Cottage
Book 8: Night Beach
Book 9: Little Beach Bungalow 
Book 10: Every Summer
Book 11: Salt Air Secrets (Pub Date: May 12, 2020)



Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for my honest review.


Book Description:

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes a novel of one unforgettable week at the shore -- during a summer that changes everything.

Every summer has a story. That couldn't be more true for Jason and Maris Barlow, the Bradford brothers, soon-to-be innkeepers Elsa and Celia, and the rest of The Seaside Saga cast. But this particular summer is leaving its mark on the New England beach town of Stony Point. As lone lobsterman Shane settles in for another week at his rented bungalow by the sea, emotional tides turn. Relationships come unmoored; secret love affairs surface; family bonds are tested.

So head under the trestle, walk the cottage-lined streets, sit on the sandy boardwalk, and spend Every Summer with your favorite beach friends. They're waiting for you.



Book Excerpt: (Select The Preview Button)



My Book Review:

In Every Summer, the beach friends' story continues where Little Beach Bungalow, left off. Author Joanne DeMaio transports the reader back to the tranquil seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut, where the summer season is coming to a close. The story picks up in the the last week of August, where relationship issues and long-held secrets will change the lives of friends: Maris, Jason, Eva, Matt, Kyle, Lauren, Elsa, Cliff, Nick, Paige, Vinny, Celia, and Shane.

In Every Summer, Author Joanne DeMaio easily captivates her readers' attention with this beautifully written tale through a seamless and flowing storyline, and with a wonderful description of a tranquil beach setting that wraps itself around the reader like a sun-warmed beach towel. The characters draw you into their lives with a strong emotional pull, their complexities and flaws are true-to-life, it is easy to relate to them with compassion, empathy, and hope.

With a mixture of intrigue, suspense, drama, humor, heartache, hidden secrets, romance, and a strong bond of friendship, the close of the summer season will take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride as the beach friends deal with old memories, long held secrets, past hurts, and an entwined history. Shane is in town for one last week, and he hopes to reconnect with his brother Kyle, and put an end to their troubled past. Then there is Maris and Jason, who are struggling in their marriage: their second anniversary is marred when Jason finds out about Maris' secret engagement to Shane fifteen years ago, and it pushes Jason over the edge, especially when he also struggles with the inner demons of the ten year annniversary of the tragic accident that took his leg and caused his brother Neil's death. With so much upheaval and changes this summer, can the old adage: as time heals all wounds, so does the sea air, help this group of friends continue to live by the credo: "salt air, not a care" and "cast away your troubles straight into the sea?"

The shimmering denim blue sea with its calming effect will offer them another end of the summer season of hope, love, family, friendship, heartache, mistakes, forgiveness, redemption, and blissful new beginnings. But alas, mistakes, secrets, past painful issues, and another surprising cliffhanger will leave the reader impatiently waiting to read more in Salt Air Secrets, the next installment in The Seaside Saga Series. So now that I have whet your interest in the beach friends latest comings and goings, drive under the railroad trestle and enter the enchanting beach town of Stony Point ... pull up a beach chair ... and visit with the close-knit longtime friends in author Joanne DeMaio's delightful novel, Every Summer.

Every Summer is an intricate story of interweaving friendships, life events, and deep family secrets and drama. It is a wonderful story that continues to demonstrate the power of the magical sweet salt air that will cure what ails you. This installment in The Seaside Saga Series held so much angst, you can't help but feel the full gamut of emotions as Shane and Kyle work out their brotherly issues, while heartbreaking martial troubles plague Maris and Jason. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I wanted to thoroughly throttle Jason, while on the flip side I loved that Shane's story continued in this book, and that the cliffhanger ending certainly whets the readers appetite with a possible Shane-Celia relationship in Salt Air Secrets ... sigh.

The Seaside Saga Series is a heartwarming series of stories of friendship, family, painful secrets, new beginnings and second chances. Author Joanne DeMaio weaves a wonderful tale written in the third person narrative, that is set in the present with flashbacks to the past. The reader is transported to the tranquil seashore town of Stony Point, Connecticut, where they follow along with Celia, Maris, Eva, Matt, Jason, Kyle, Lauren, Nick, Elsa, Cliff, and Shane as their lives change like the tide's ebb and flow on their little tranquil coastal town.



RATING: 5 STARS 




About The Author




Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea. Every Summer is her newest novel. Currently at work on her next book, Salt Air Secrets. Joanne lives with her family in Connecticut.


Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest









Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Mom Genes by Hilary Grossman (Publication Day: Book Review)



Mom Genes by Hilary Grossman
Book #2: Forest River PTA Moms Series
Publisher: Indepemdent Self Publishing
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Format: Paperback - 234 pages
               Kindle - 414 KB / 268 pages
               Nook - 418 KB
ISBN: 979-8611934326
ASIN: B08477RPVG
BNID: 2940162943402
Genre: Chick Lit / Women's Fiction


Buy The Book: Mom Genes
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple Books
Kobo
Goodreads


Buy The Series: Forest River PTA Moms 
Book 1: Go On, Girl
Book 2: Mom Genes
Book 3: Mom Boss (Publication Date: February 15, 2021)
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Apple Books
Goodreads


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest book review.


Book Description:


Big Little Lies meets Class Mom

The meddling moms of Forest River live for a good scandal. Speculation surrounding Claire Conroy's sex life has fueled the rumor mill for years. Now, when Claire returns home from a trip to Italy separated from her husband of thirteen years, the imaginations of the Lululemon-clad ladies' who lunch spin into overdrive. As the gossipmongers create their own scandalous backstory for the separation, blaming Claire's infidelity, she learns the hard way just how mean mommies can be.

Eager to begin her new life as a single mom of three Claire puts her trust in Jackie Martin, the president of the PTA, to help tell her truth and free her of the false accusations and scandal. But the plan backfires, and Claire is put further into the spotlight when an embarrassed mom declares war.

As Claire dusts off her resume, fights the daily urge not to strangle her ex-husband and his new girlfriend, and dips her toes into the dating world one dud at a time will she find the happiness she craves or succumb to the pressure of the mean girls?



Book Teaser:





Book Excerpt:



CHAPTER ONE:

To: Claire Conroy

From: Mia Montgomery

Date: 11/10 @ 3:24 PM

Subject: I hate to be the bearer of bad news

Hey Claire!

I know things went a bit too far last summer. The girls worked out their issues months ago. Why can’t the moms? Dumb question – LOL! Everyone knows the mommies of Forest River Elementary School students behave way worse than their kids any day! And when they go to battle…

I’m sorry your personal life is now under attack. You deserve much better, my friend! You should be enjoying this exciting time. New love is the best! I worry about you, though. How you are going to survive another five years at this crazy school is beyond me. I’m so glad I don’t have a first grader in the house and both my kids will be in the middle school come fall.

I shouldn’t be forwarding you this email. But you know me, I care about you, and I don’t want you to be hurt. You have a right to know what Donna is saying behind your back. Hopefully, this message was meant only for me. But there is always a chance she’s mass-blasting her pack of lies to anyone who has a child at the school. I hope not…. Also, is there any truth to what she wrote? Come on, Claire, you can confide in me.

XO,

Mia

PS – We have to arrange a dinner date one of these days. I’m dying to get to know your handsome Jake a bit better. How about next Saturday?

___________________________________________________________

To: Claire Conroy

From: Donna Warren

Date: 11/10 @ 3:19 PM

Subject: FW: Gearing up for the holidays at Forest River Elementary

Hi Mia,

Seriously, I don’t know how I can stand another seven more months of this term! I’m SO sick and tired of being told what to do and how to act from the high and mighty members of the Forest River PTA. Will they ever stop?!?!

The latest email from Claire Conroy and the crew put me over the edge! I guess there wasn’t anything wrong with what she wrote about Thanksgiving, but I take offense to being ordered how to behave by someone like her!

I hate to gossip, but I finally learned the TRUTH about what happened between Claire and Kevin… He FINALLY came to his senses and ditched her! Good for him, I say!!! How it took so long for a smart guy like him to realize what we all knew for YEARS baffles me. But I guess her stupid plan of trying to hide in plain sight worked. She got away with it for years! Well, her gig came to an abrupt end right after they returned from Italy! Kevin canceled a golf game and came home unexpectedly. Poor guy picked up the house phone to order a pizza and overheard her telling her cousin (you know the relationship blogger in Kentucky) about her feelings for Jake! Kevin hightailed it out of the house so quickly, her head spun. Finally, Jackie Martin’s pawn is getting what she deserves. But I do feel so sorry for Claire’s children… And for Kevin, of course… The poor guy, finally realizing the truth about his wife and his college best friend…so sad!

Don’t tell anyone I told you the truth. As I said, I don’t want to gossip.

Kindest regards,

Donna

PS – in case you need proof, here is a picture of Kevin moving out of their house!

___________________________________________________________

I SLAMMED MY LAPTOP SHUT with so much force I woke up my nine-year-old Golden Retriever, Roxy. I knew I shouldn’t take my rage and frustration out on the poor device, but I couldn’t help it.

I was so sick and tired of the petty parental politics that plagued my town. I was exhausted from always putting on an act. I spent my days and nights consumed with which woman I could trust, and which would turn on me the first chance they had. It was draining. I had joined the PTA years ago, in the hopes my coveted role would keep the vultures away. Little had I known it made me more of a target. Many nights, I laid awake in bed, wondering if I should pack up my family and start over somewhere else. But would things be any different?


My Book Review:

In Mom Genes, the second book of the Forest River PTA Moms series, the reader is transported back to Forest River, NY, where they catch up with the lives of the PTA moms. In this installment, the focus is on thirty-nine year old stay-at-home mom, Claire Conroy.

After thirteen years of marriage, Claire and husband Kevin's marriage hasn't been going well for some time, and they decide to separate. The tongues start wagging in this small town, rumors abound that Claire has been unfaithful, espcially after ex-PTA mom Donna Warren sets her sights on bringing Claire down with her non-stop gossip in front of the whole town! Claire is determined to start fresh as a single mom of three kids by finding a job, and even trying the dating scene, but it's not easy when the spotlight is always on her, so what's a girl got to do to find happiness?

Mom Genes is a humorous chick lit/women's fiction story that explores the complexity of living in the suburbs and dramatizes the relationships within the cutthroat world of suburban PTA moms.

I loved reading Mom Genes! This was such a fun story, you can't help but lose yourself in the drama and cutthroat parental politics that Claire encounters from the members of the small town Forest River PTA. With a lot of eye-rolling, smirking, and outright snickering, I really enjoyed following Claire and her co-PTA members as they ruled the roost at Forest River Elementary. It was fun to watch as Claire navigated through the trials and tribulations as she started her life over as a newly-single working mom. So pull up a chair and follow Claire as she finds her footing while dealing with the petty parental politics of the Forest River PTA, and the mean girl rumors that circulate throughout the community. With the help of some of the PTA moms, Claire gains self-confidence, while embracing the bonds of close girlfriends that she never thought she would ever have, and even a second chance at finding romance.

I can't wait to read Boss Mom, the third installment in the Forest River PTA Moms series. In that book, the reader will follow PTA President Jackie Martin's story. The publication date for the third book in the series is set for February 15, 2021, so don't forget to put that on your TBR list!

Mom Genes is a wonderful story of family, the invaluable bonds of friendships, and the ability to make it through anything that life throws at you along the way.



RATING: 4 STARS 




About The Author




By day, Hilary Grossman works in the booze biz. By night she hangs out with her "characters." She has an unhealthy addiction to denim and high heel shoes. She's been known to walk into walls and fall up stairs. She only eats spicy foods and is obsessed with her cat, Lucy. She loves to find humor in everyday life. She likens life to a game of dodgeball - she tries to keep many balls in the air before they smack her in the face. She lives on Long Island.


Author Blog / Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
BookBub
Instagram
Pinterest
Goodreads



Friday, February 21, 2020

Where We Belong by Shann McPherson (VBT: Book Review)

In association with HarperCollins Publishers, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for Where We Belong by author Shann McPherson!







Book Review



Where We Belong by Shann McPherson
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: February 21, 2020
Format: Kindle - 1120 KB / 384 pages
               Nook - 2 MB / 384 pages
ISBN: 978-0008381967
ASIN: B07W62WZKC
BNID: 978-0008381967
Genre: Contemporary Romance



Buy The Book:



Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from HarperCollins Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event. 



Book Description:

An emotional, compelling page-turner from your next romance obsession, Shann McPherson, about the power of friendship and finding love where you least expect it.

When Alice ‘Murph’ Murphy’s beloved mother died, she promised to keep the family bakery in Graceville, Georgia afloat—even if it meant letting her high-school sweetheart, Nash Harris, go. For years, Murph has been biding her time, waiting for Nash to come back for her.

So when he strolls into Piece O’ Cake, Murph’s heart skips a beat—until he hands her an invitation to his wedding… There are painful secrets in both their pasts that only the two of them share, and Murph can’t bear the thought of Nash belonging to someone else.


There’s only one thing Murph can think of to do: fake a relationship with local bar owner and old friend Harley Shaw to remind Nash of what he’s losing, and win him back for good.

Nash is Murph’s best friend, a vivid reminder of her childhood and all the things she’s lost—but the more time Murph and Harley spend together, the more the lines between real and pretend begin to blur. Can Murph choose between the one who got away and the one who never left—and heal her aching heart? 



Book Excerpt:






My Book Review:

In her debut novel, Where We Belong, author Shann McPherson weaves a lighthearted romantic tale of friendship, love and second chances.

Set in Graceville, Georgia, the reader is easily drawn into this entertaining story as they follow three best friends as they navigate the trials and tribulations of life and love.

Alice "Murph" Murphy, Nash Harris, and Harley Shaw have been best friends since the age of nine. They've been through thick and thin, but for Murph, Nash has been her everything: first crush, first kiss, first love. As childhood sweethearts, Murph thought that their love would last forever, but life got in the way, and changed everything in their relationship. They went to NYU together, but when Murph got the call that her mom had Stage 4 Breast Cancer, she came home to Graceville to take care of her dying mom, and to run their bakery, Piece O' Cake. When her mom died within six months, Murph took over running the bakery, while her relationship with Nash came to an end because of the long distance between them.

Five years later, Murph's bakery is doing well, and she still holds out hope that she and Nash will find their way back to each other when he finishes medical school. When Nash unexpectedly shows up at the bakery, Murph thought that he came home to her, but alas, he's come to give her an invitation to his wedding, and if that wasn't bad enough, he wants her to make the wedding cake! Shocked and completely heartbroken, Murph is determined to win back his heart at any cost. So with a week to put her plan in motion, Murph fabricates a story that she and Harley are a couple just to make Nash jealous, and engages in an all-out plan that is filled with enough crazy antics that brings out her inner-psycho! So what's a girl to do when she finds herself in a twisted love triangle? Should she give up on her lost love, move forward with her life, and maybe get a chance to realize that true love has been under her nose the whole time?

Where We Belong easily keeps the reader engaged as they follow Murph's story. Told in the first person narrative by Murph, the reader follows along as Murph struggles to accept that Nash has moved on, and slowly comes to realize that the true love of her life has been in her corner the whole time. There was a great mixture of emotion, drama, angst, humor, and crazy antics mixed in this story. The author does a great job of describing the history of the childhood friendships between Murph, Nash, and Harley, especially with the flashbacks to their childhood memories throughout the story. You can't help but feel compassion for Murph as she faces the changes in her relationships with Nash and Harley, finds unexpected love, and discovers herself along the way.

Where We Belong is a heartfelt story that has enough emotional depth, drama, romance, comedy, and witty banter, that makes it a delightfully entertaining debut romantic tale that romance fans will certainly enjoy!


RATING: 5 STARS 




About The Author





With big dreams of being a published author since she was an eleven-year-old girl writing Beverly Hills 90210 fan fiction before fan fiction was even a thing, Shann McPherson has been writing angsty, contemporary romances for most of her thirty-something years. Living in sunny Queensland, Australia, when she’s not writing Shann enjoys making memories with her husband and cheeky toddler son, drinking wine, and singing completely off-key to One Direction’s entire discography.


Amazon Author Page
HarperCollins Publisher - Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Goodreads












Tuesday, February 18, 2020

It Happened In Tuscany by Gail Mencini (Book Review)




It Happened In Tuscany by Gail Mencini
Book 2: Tuscany Series
Publisher: Capriole Group
Publication Date: PB - February 11. 2020 / eBook - February 18. 2020
Format: Paperback - 408 Pages
               Audiobook - 9 Hours 32 Minutes
               Kindle - 6474 KB / 317 Pages
               Nook: 6 MB
ISBN: 978-1938592157
ASIN (Audiobook): B084P9VM75
ASIN (Kindle): B082J4HLRF
BNID: 2940162771371
Genre: Historical Fiction


Buy The Book:


Buy The Tuscany Series:
Book 1: To Tuscany With Love
Book 2: It Happened In Tuscany



Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.



Book Description:

From the multiple-award-winning author of To Tuscany with Love comes a captivating story of the epic tug of war between honor and duty, the irrepressible power of love, and the concept of family.

In 1945, Will Mills and his fellow soldiers in the 10th Mountain Division scaled Italy’s treacherous Riva Ridge in the frigid night to break through the nearly impenetrable German line of defense. Severely wounded, Will was rescued by Italian partisans and one, a beautiful girl, tended his injuries until he had the strength to rejoin the U.S. troops.

Tormented and haunted by his decisions and actions during wartime, Will knows he has unfinished missions in Italy to complete. The passage of time and years of carrying this unfulfilled need have molded Will into a bitter, angry man.

Seventy-five years later, Will’s spunky thirty-two-year-old neighbor, Sophie Sparke, faces disaster in her life. Everything is going wrong—her job, her love life, even her dog. Part of the problem is that confident and fiercely independent Sophie lets her quick mouth get her into trouble.

Grouchy, mean-spirited Will finagles Sophie into traveling with him to Tuscany to find the partisan who saved his life. Will also secretly hopes to confront the demons his wartime actions created. Sophie and Will comb enchanting Tuscan hill towns on an improbable and unfolding mission with few clues to aid them. Will’s passionate tenacity drives their quest and in the process exposes their darkest secrets. The journey alters the course of their lives, and Will and Sophie find more than they had imagined in the hills of Tuscany.



My Book Review:

In It Happened In Tuscany, author Gail Mencini weaves an intriguing historical fiction tale that follows the emotional journey of an unlikely pair in the scenic hill towns of Tuscany.

On February 18, 1945, seventeen year old Army Specialist Will Mills is part of the elite 86th Regiment - 10th Mountain Division from Colorado, who are faced with the challenge of attacking the Germans on Riva Ridge, on Italy's Apennine Mountains. Will is injured from sniper fire during the attack, and a group of Italian partisans (resistance fighters) rescued him. Will falls in love with Francesca Polvani, the young Italian girl who tended to his injuries. At the end of the war, Will ships home to Denver, where he meets and marries his wife Marie, but a letter and photo from Francesca arrives a year later, leaving Will with unfinished business. Seventy-five years later, Will's wife Marie passes away from Alzheimer's disease, and at the age of ninety-one, Will is determined to return to Italy in search of Francesca.

Thirty-two year old Sophie Sparke's ex-boyfriend Russ Grant has dumped her for another woman, and to make matters worse, his father who is also Sophie's boss, wants her to make travel arrangements for Russ' honeymoon. Sophie refuses to make the travel arrangements and quits her job. Left with no job and no future plans, Sophie's elderly neighbor, crotchety Will Mills, gets her to agree to accompany him on his journey to Italy.

Written in the third person narrative, this is a wonderful story that transports the reader to the panoramic beauty of the Italian countryside of Tuscany, where Will and Sophie embark on an impossible journey to find Francesca. The reader is easily drawn into this captivating story of love, family, friendship, secrets, fears, and determination. The author masterfully interweaves Will's life story that alternates between the past and the present, providing the reader with snapshots from his time in Italy during World War II, while also giving the reader a glimpse into Sophie's story as well.

This is a compelling and realistic story that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and provides much food for thought. The story ultimately shows the power and bond of love, family, and friendship comes full circle when Will and Sophie embark on an emotional journey through Tuscany in search of Will's past love seventy-five years later. You can't help but root for this unlikely pair as they search through Tuscany's countryside for Francesca, it is not an easy journey, but it is a story that will have the reader feeling the gamut of emotions.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the stunning description of the Italian setting of Tuscany. The author provides the reader with a richly vivid setting that reads like a tourist guide. From large cities to panoramic countrysides to old world hill towns; to guided tours of cultural historical sites and quaint shops; the author does a phenomenal job of describing the sights, sounds and smells of Italy. You can't help but feel like you are with Will and Sophie as their journey provides them a chance to rediscover themselves and heal from the traumas of their pasts.

At the end of the book, the author has provided the reader with a collection of simple Italian (Tuscany) recipes that are absolutely mouthwatering!

It Happened In Tuscany is a touching story that captures the power of love, the bond of family, the essence of friendship, and the ability to heal from life's experiences. It is a heartwarming story that will resonate long after the last page has been read.

It Happened In Tuscany is the second book in the Tuscany series.


RATING: 5 STARS  






About The Author




Gail Mencini made her literary debut with To Tuscany with Love (January 2014, Capriole Group) an adult coming-of-age novel set in central Italy.

Born in rural Nebraska, Mencini graduated with honors in 1976 from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, where she majored in accounting, economics and business administration. She holds a Master of Laws of Taxation degree from the University of Denver College of Law.

Mencini co-owned an accounting firm and practiced for 15 years in public accounting, specializing in tax law related to mergers and acquisitions and real estate. She also spent time in the higher education field, working as an adjunct professor at the University of Colorado and Metro State College, as well as the University of Denver College of Law. She was a repeat speaker at national continuing education seminars and a featured presenter in a real estate conference in the Caribbean.

In 1990 when she married her husband, Mencini became an “instant mother” of three boys plus another son two years later, which opened the doors to becoming a full-time mother and igniting her long-time passion for creative arts, gourmet cooking and traveling.

She went on to become a contributing editor and photojournalist for Buzz in the ‘Burbs, writing monthly cooking columns featuring dinner themes, recipes and complementary wine suggestions. She also served as interim director of marketing for Wine Master Cellars as the company transitioned to new leadership. She has been a member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers for nearly 20 years as well as the Pikes Peak Writers for over 10. She most recently joined Author U based in Aurora, Colo.

She writes and cooks in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and family who are always ready to critique her abundance of story ideas and recipes.


Author Website
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
Goodreads






Sunday, January 12, 2020

Made In Nashville by Mandy Baggot (Book Review)



Made In Nashville by Mandy Baggot
Publisher: Harper Impulse
Publication Date: February 6, 2014
Format: Paperback - 305 pages
ISBN: 978-0007591916
ASIN: B00HY5XGN2
BNID: 978-0007591916
Genre: Contemporary Romance


Buy The Book:


NOTE: 

The book is going to be re-published under a new title: One Summer In Nashville on February 13, 2020.




Pre-Order The Book: 




Book Description:

An on-stage attack left Honor Blackwood with more scars than just the one on her face. It’s been ten years since she left her spot as Nashville’s brightest country music star. Is now the time to return? And is she brave enough to do it?

Country rebel and rock star, Jared ‘Jed’ Marshall is hot property on the Tennessee music scene in more ways than one. He’s wild, he’s sexy and everybody wants a piece of him. But when he sets his sights on Honor, is it pure attraction or just distraction on his mind?

Honor’s record label signs the ex-boyfriend that dumped her and suddenly going back to her old life is harder than she thought. Can she get a new contract? Will she get to perform at the Marlon Festival? Or will Dan Steele destroy everything?

When a secret from the past becomes public knowledge it’s no longer just about the music. Are all the people in her life lying to her to get what they want? And who is really behind the anonymous gifts she keeps getting sent? 



My Book Review:

Ten years ago Honor Blackwood was an eighteen year old rising Nashville country music superstar, until an on-stage knife attack left her face scarred, and her music career gone in a span of two short years. 

Jared "Jed" Marshall is the hottest new Nashville country-rock bad boy. He's heading out on his first headlining tour, and is in search of a supporting artist to open up his concerts. 

Jared hears one of Honor's songs on the radio, he doesn't know who she is/was, but he is determined to have her join his tour as his opening act. Honor has been hiding behind her fears for ten years while secretly writing songs, and her music label wants her to move forward, get her into the recording studio and back on stage. But letting go of her fears isn't going to be a bed of roses for Honor, she's got a lot of issues to deal with and so does Jared. Can Honor and Jared leave their troubled pasts behind, make beautiful country music together, and find love along the way?

Made In Nashville is a wonderful romance novel that transports the reader to Nashville, the heart and soul of country music. Written in the third person narrative, the author weaves a heartwarming tale of romance with drama and everything country music added in the mix. The story has a lot of depth and emotions as it realistically deals with painful pasts, fears, family and relationship issues, and the Nashville country music scene. As Honor and Jared's story unfolds, it will simply pull at your heartstrings. 

The author does a wonderful job with the character development, there are a lot of intriguing layers to both Honor and Jared. As Honor and Jared's story unfolds, the heartwrenching drama and their budding romance is filled with enough suspense, unexpected twist and turns, and a deeply moving ending that will stir your soul. 

I really enjoyed reading about Honor and Jared's troubled pasts, and how their romantic relationship progressed as the story unfolded. You can't help but love Jared's bad boy personality mixed with his sweet tenderness toward Honor, as he championed her way back into the Nashville music scene.The colorful supporting cast of characters (especially Mia, a music shop owner and Honor's BFF, is such a fun character with a crazy fun personality), smooth dialogues, and humorous interactions make this one heck of an entertaining read. 

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't express how much I loved that the author featured Nashville and the country music industry in the book. I am a huge country music fan who wants to visit Nashville so bad, and this book has made me determined to do just that! Oh and if that isn't enough, the author has a kickass country music playlist in the beginning of the book to put you in the mood as you read, how cool is that! So come along for the ride, and enjoy the world's best country music that can only be Made In Nashville

Made In Nashville is a wonderful romantic story that will take you on an emotional roller coaster ride with its dramatic twists and turns, but ultimately it will leave you with a satisfied smile on your lips.


RATING: 5 STARS 






About The Author




Mandy Baggot is an international bestselling and award-winning romance writer.

The winner of the Innovation in Romantic Fiction award at the UK’s Festival of Romance, her romantic comedy novel, One Wish in Manhattan, was also shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists’ Association Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year award in 2016.

Mandy loves the Greek island of Corfu, white wine, country music and handbags. Also a singer, she has taken part in ITV1's Who Dares Sings and The X-Factor.

Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and the Society of Authors and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband and two daughters.








Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Jersey Girl Book Reviews: Top Ten Books Read In 2019

It's that time again! Time to reveal Jersey Girl Book Reviews Top 10 Books Read in 2019!

From NY Times Bestselling Authors to Indie Authors, I have read 85 wonderful books, and trying to narrow it down to my Top 10 favorites has not been easy. While I have enjoyed every book, here is the Top 10 Books I Read in 2019 that simply moved me the most.












1) The Military Wife by Laura Trentham
                                                       
                                                        


2) Bread Bags & Bullies:Surviving The '80s by Steven Manchester



3) TIE - Night Beach / Little Beach Bungalow by Joanne De Maio (Series)
                                                           
                                                           




4) Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott                         
                                                         
                                                                



5) The Night Olivia Fell by Christina McDonald
                                                           
                                                                    



6) The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros                              
                                                        
                                                                
                                                           
                                                              

7) The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides



                                                          
                                                                            
                                                     
8) Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
                                                         
                                                                         



9)  Daisy Jones And The Six by Taylor Reid Jenkins
                                                     
                                                                      

                                                       


10) Sunset Beach by Mary Kay Andrews
                                                          
                                                                     



Honorable Mentions (Because I had such a hard time choosing the Top 10 Books this year!):


1)  Summer of '69 by Elin Hilderbrand

                                                         

   
2)  Park Avenue Summer by Renee Rosen



3) Regretting You by Colleen Hoover


                                                          


And there you have it, my Top 10 Books that I read in 2019!


Check out my complete 2019 books read on Goodreads: 



Stayed tuned to see what fabulous books are in store for 2020 on Jersey Girl Book Reviews!