Monthly Archives: October 2012

Kristen Painter – Biography-Bibliography

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Kristen Painter – Biography-Bibliography


Biography
A little about me: I’m a former college English teacher, but I’ve held a crazy mix of other jobs including maitre’d for Wolfgang Puck, personal trainer, and sales for Christian Dior Bijoux. On the writing side of things, I’m a two-time Golden Heart finalist and have been on the board of three different RWA chapters. What can I say? I like getting involved. I’m not adverse to bossing people around either.
My forays into writing have been as varied as the jobs I’ve held. I’ve written poetry, articles for magazines, short stories, paranormal romances (that include fantasy, contemporary and steampunk genres) and now I’ve found a home with urban fantasy. I love worldbuilding and few genres give you the kind of license urban fantasy does.
I’m also the co-founder of the award-winning writer’s site Romancedivas.com. I blog occasionally at www.fictionistas.blogspot.com and tweet at twitter.com/Kristen_Painter more often than I should. You can also find me on my Facebook author page here: www.facebook.com/KristenPainterAuthor
I live in FL with my retired Air Force husband and a horde of feline dependents. I’m represented by The Knight Agency.

 

Bibliography

Urban Fantasy

House of Comarré series

Blood Rights – Release date – October, 2011
Flesh and Blood – Release date – November, 2011
Bad Blood – Release date – December, 2011
Out for Blood –  Release date – October, 2012
Last Blood – Release date – early 2013

Romance

All Fired Up – Release date- September, 2009
Her Viking Valentine – Release date – February, 2010
Heart of Fire – Release date – April, 2010
Miss Bramble and the Leviathan (novella) – Release date – October, 2010
The Perfect Dish – Release date – December 2010
Dark Kiss of the Reaper – Release date – March, 2011

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THE SECRET KEEPER by Kate Morton-a review

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The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton-a review

THE SECRET KEEPER by Kate Morton

THE SECRET KEEPER (released October 9, 2012) is one of those novels that I cannot explain in words. The amazing depth with which Kate Morton pulls the reader into the storyline left me dizzy and at times wondering about the world into which I was pulled.

In 1959 Laurel Nicolson, then 16 years old, witnessed a murder on her family’s farm and Laurel knew she had to keep a secret for fear her family would be torn apart. Little did she know that her entire life was built upon a lie. 52 years later, in 2011, Laurel will be called home as her mother lies dying and Laurel is determined to discover the truth behind that fateful day back in 1959. Throughout the story we follow Laurel as she uncovers her mother’s secret past through journals, photographs and the ramblings of a dying woman.

THE SECRET KEEPER takes the reader on a journey that spans close to 100 years. From the birth of an author to the death of woman whose heart had been broken too many times, the novel is divided into four sections that overlap each other as the story unfolds. Laurel is the daughter of Dorothy (Dolly) Nicolson, a beloved mother and wife, who raised a family and tended her husband with care and pride. But Laurel and her mother kept a secret that Laurel hoped her mother would finally acknowledge the truth.

The novel travels back and forth from present day to a time before the start of WWII when Laurel’s mother was a young woman in love hoping to start a life with the man of her heart. Then in a span of a few years down to a few months, the war would claim more than just the victims of a bomb. Heartbreak and sorrow, betrayal and pain, love and hate all mesh together when the lives of four people will become embroiled in a game of deceit and lies, and in the end, secrets that will be carried to the grave.

The characters are as emotionally colorful as they are distractingly real. You have empathy for a daughter about to lose her connection to the past, but with that comes the realization that everything she thought she knew about her family history had been a total lie. A death bed confession brings about a world of confusion when the mind of a dying old woman cannot be trusted to know fantasy from fact. But something Laurel’s mother said would trigger a waterfall of emotion and memories that start Laurel on a path to discover who was the woman they had all called Ma.

THE SECRET KEEPER is an amazing, well-written and emotionally draining look at the family dynamics built on lies and deceit. The character development and world building draws the reader into the storyline as though you were part of the action and conflict. Kate Morton’s look into the lives of desperate people during desperate times and it takes the love of a daughter to uncover the truth of what happened in 1941 and how it affected her family and her life in 1959. I cannot say enough about this amazing story. I was pulled in and held on for a ride that I will not soon forget. If you want a recommendation about the next book to read, pick up THE SECRET KEEPER and unravel the mystery alongside Laurel Nicholson as she uncovers the truth behind a life hidden behind a lie started so long ago.

Copy supplied by publisher (Simon and Schuster Canada) and Goodreads Firstreads.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Out for Blood by Kristen Painter – a Review

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Out for Blood by Kristen Painter – a Review

Out for Blood by Kristen Painter is the 4th book in her House of Commare series. This story picks up shortly after Bad Blood left off.  Let’s start with the official description.

Description:
After nearly dying, Chrysabelle finds new determination to move beyond life as a comarré and grasp hold of some normality. Until the Kubai Mata bring a new task to her doorstep: rescue the child Tatiana has kidnapped, or Mal becomes enemy number one. But before Chrysabelle begins that mission, the mayor declares a curfew in Paradise City in hopes of controlling the othernatural population. A close friend gets caught and when Mal gets in over his head, Chrysabelle runs to his rescue and unwittingly unleashes a power that’s lain dormant in him for centuries. Will that power be enough to help them rescue the child in Tatiana’s clutches or will their trip to Corvinestri be their last?

 Review:

Chrysabelle is still trying to discover the ramifications from using the Ring of Sorrows gold as her signum.  After she initially pushes Mal away again, she regrets her actions and tries to make amends.  She finds herself in a situation, that literally kills her, and Mal thinking he has lost the love of his life, watches in amazement as she comes back to life.

Finally as the story progresses, we get to see the romance between Chrysabelle and Mal come to fruitation.  Mal loves Chrysabelle with everything he has, even though the voices of the beast inside him push him to be evil. But Out for Blood has many continuing stories ongoing, with the characters we have come to enjoy in the earlier books:

Tatiana is the villain, and her usual nasty self, but now she has a child she adores, a child who becomes the first born vampire, and whom will also be a daywalker.  Tatiana, who is feared by all,  will stop at nothing, even plot to kill those against her, who stand in her way.

Chrysabelle is also determined to find her brother, and save him from Tatiana, and asks Mal and friends to help her.  They also plan to take away the kidnapped vampire child from Tatiana.  With her unusual signum, which has given her abilities that she needs to find more about, Chrysabelle is now one of the strongest Commarres’.  Tatiana of course wants her.

Doc, who is a feline shapeshifter,  and Fi, who is a ghost,  are the other romantic couple, and now that Doc becomes the leader of his pack, the laws require him to marry the former leader’s wife.  Fi must go over and beyond to find a way to free Doc, even if it means putting her own life on the line.

Creek, who must still answer to the Kubai Mata, is forced to push Chrysabelle, to help bring back that child to them, as she goes to find her brother.  Creek comes under the spell of a soul taker, and under her influence causes the Mayor to make rash and dangerous decisions.  Those of which will endanger and anger his family & friends.

The Mayor having lost her daughter to vampires, is determined to retrieve her granddaughter, even if she is a vampire.  Her decision to become a vampire to give her immortality and to help her granddaughter, causes much destruction along the way.

There is a lot of action, and excitement, as each story heads for their own climax. There were a number of twists, and a surprise ending.  It wasn’t really a cliffhanger, but nevertheless, it was a shocker.  Kristen Painter does a fantastic job with her world building of vampires, comarre, shapeshifters, ghosts, etc.  This is also a unique storyline, very different then most vampire books.  You really need to read this series from the start to understand this world, and what the comarre are.  This was an excellent book, exciting read, and with that ending, we have to hope Painter gets us the next book fast. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Lover at Last by J.R.Ward-back cover blurb

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LOVER AT LAST by J.R.Ward-back cover blurb

From: J.R.Ward Facebook page

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another….

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young- just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions… but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together… finally become one.

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Joanne Brothwell-Interview with the Author

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Joanne Brothwell-Interview with the Author

TRC: Hi Joanne and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to get to know a little bit about the author. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Joanne:  I’m a goofball with an addiction to coffee and a strange obsession with The Vampire Diaries. I find myself daydreaming at the most inopportune times, and I love to torture my characters for fun!

 

Photo: Photo by Karly Woolsey Photography, Photo manipulation by Glass Slipper Designs

TRC: What inspired you to write your first book?

Joanne:  I think the idea had been brewing in my mind for quite some time, and I just reached this point in my life where I thought, Hey- it’s now or never. On March 8th of that year I started writing, and three years later to the day, it was released.

TRC: Do you find anything particularly challenging about writing?

Joanne:  Trying to fit it into my busy life. I’m a wife, soccer mom of two, and have a full time job. There are snippets of time I fit it in, but it’s not easy.

TRC: STEALING BREATH is your latest novel. Would you please tell us about the premise?

Joanne:   Here’s the blurb:

Deep in the backwoods of North Dakota, twenty-one year old Sarah Ross is searching for a missing child when she is attacked by a glowing-eyed, transparent… creature. Sarah survives, destroying the monster by using mysterious abilities she didn’t even know she had.

Bloody and bruised, Sarah flees the scene and runs directly into Evan Valente, a handsome, charismatic stranger who helps her back to safety. But what is Evan doing out in the forest at five in the morning?

Turning to a healer, Sarah is shocked to learn her eyes bear the mark of the Indigo Child—an evolved human with the ability to feel the emotions of others. But her indigo aura also makes her an easy target for those who wish to consume her powerful essence.

Soon, Sarah is falling deeply in love with Evan and wants nothing more than to follow her heart and trust that he is the man he says he is. But she can’t ignore the lingering feeling that Evan is hiding a terrible secret. The deeper she digs, the more danger she faces, leading her on a course that will force her to face the darkest, innermost parts of her soul.

TRC: What were some of the challenges you faced researching the background information with regards to the Native North American heritage?

Joanne:  I didn’t find it too difficult, really. But the interesting thing about Skinwalker folklore is that it is not to be talked about, or one will face the possibility of inviting an attack. So finding some first-hand accounts is difficult. They are limited to a small handful of people who are willing to speak about it publicly.

TRC: Are any of the Native myths and lore directly associated with STEALING BREATH ?

Joanne:  Skinwalker lore is directly associated, but the lore in my book has a unique twist. True Skinwalkers are also able to shapeshift into animals, but I wasn’t interested in having a shapeshifter, so I completely eliminated that aspect of the lore. However, other aspects remained true to the lore: that they are evil shaman who can perform soul-travel, they have glowing yellow eyes and perform malicious rituals.

 

TRC: VICARIOUS is a prequel novella to STEALING BREATH. Would you please tell us about the premise? Why did you find it necessary to release a prequel so close to the release of the main novel?

Joanne:  Vicarious is the story of how Sarah came to discover her empathe abilities. It was an idea the publisher came up with, to have an imprint called “Little Moons”; novellas using characters from our novels, and at the time, I felt like writing Sarah’s backstory and submit it to the imprint.

 

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Joanne:  Three. Silencing Breath is slated for release in March, 2013, with the third and final novel to follow in 2014.

TRC: Did you learn anything from writing STEALING BREATH?

Joanne:  I learned to just keep pushing forward despite all of the odds seeming completely insurmountable. I’d write, get critiqued, and then rewrite. I’d query, get rejected and then cut 50,000 words in one day. This happened so many times I lost count. Persistence and tenacity are the only ways to make it in this industry.

TRC: Did you face any difficulties getting your book(s) to publication?

Joanne:  Oh, did I! I was rejected many, many times before I had an offer. After that, I had to rewrite most of the manuscript once again! It was quite a process.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family, friends and other authors. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Joanne:  I have a super smart husband who I bounce my ideas off of. That is so useful to me because he is a sort of MacGyver in his day job and he always has plausible ways to solve seemingly unresolvable situations.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Joanne:  I just finished writing a Science Fiction/Fantasy novel called The Eve Genome. I’m in the process of sending it to some Beta readers for feedback. While they’re going through it, I’m in the very early phases of plotting out a whole new book.

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Popcorn

Favorite Dessert
Apple Crisp

Favorite TV Show
The Vampire Diaries

Favorite Movie
The Hunger Games

Favorite Song
Maroon 5: One More Night

Last Movie you saw
Snow White and the Huntsman

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Milk – the sweeter, the better!

Do you have any pets?
I have a retired police dog with titanium fangs and a feral barn cat missing two toes.

TRC:  Amazing….titanium fangs.  You could write a novel around a retired police dog 😉

TRC: We would like to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Stealing Breath is an intriguing look at paranormal storyline that detours from the usual. We wish you the best of luck with your writing career.

Joanne:  Thank you for having me, Sandy!

 

 

 

 

Joanne is offering an ebook copy of STEALING BREATH to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe.

1. You must be a registered member at The Reading Cafe to qualify for the giveaway. If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page of by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please leave your email address along with your comment, as Twitter etc does not allow for your email address, should we need to contact you.

3. Giveaway is open internationally.

4. Giveaway runs October 24-27, 2012

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STEALING BREATH by Joanne Brothwell-a review

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STEALING BREATH by Joanne Brothwell-a review

STEALING BREATH by Joanne Brothwell

STEALING BREATH is the first book (March 2012 release), but second storyline in Joanne Brothwell’s new paranormal romance series. Bordering on urban fantasy, the story takes place in and around the Native American Navajo reservations in North Dakota. Based loosely on the myths and lore of the fabled skinwalkers, Stealing Breath is a fascinating look at a paranormal subject that is becoming more popular. This is my second series featuring skinwalkers, and the premise is very intriguing.

21 year old Sarah Ross is an empath-with the ability to feel people’s emotions. Hoping to aid in the search for a missing 8 year old girl from the local Wakina reservation, Sarah and her friends embark on an overnight campout in the local forests of surrounding the reserve. Several days had passed without a trace and the prospects of finding the child were slim. But when Sarah suddenly finds herself confronting a ghoulish apparition with yellow eyes, she knows she is about to die, Building her strength from within, Sarah is shocked when the force of her fear and anger, shove aside the being trying to draw her last breath. Injured and scared, Sarah tries to escape only to run into a beautiful stranger who is instantly attracted to the girl with Indigo Eyes.

Evan Valente owns Valente Developments- a young businessman hoping to set down roots and developing a nature preserve for both locals and tourists. His attraction to Sarah sparks something between the two and the chemistry is instant. Within days, the couple is an item, but trouble and strange electrical phenomenon seem to follow them. But with sudden realization, Sarah suspects Evan knows what has been happening. Loosing her heart to Evan was never what she had planned. And her friends begin to suspect Evan is hiding a secret or two as well.

Throughout the storyline, Sarah is counseled and confronted by the local Native elders regarding her encounter with the ghoul. But what the elders reveal with shock Sarah-she has the eyes of an Indigo Child- a human evolved with special abilities and it is these abilities that have made her a target. And someone close to Sarah has brought the trouble to North Dakota.

Sarah and Evan’s relationship begins to blur when their powers feed one another. But when the truth is finally revealed, Sarah will force herself to look at the bigger picture. Heartbroken and in pain, she knows to save herself and her friends, it is time to leave her life behind but trouble and love will follow Sarah, and with a renewed determination, Evan will prove to Sarah, that love does conquer all-even with family who wished you were dead.

STEALING BREATH is a bewitching story-shamans, witches, demons, skinwalkers and stories of myth and legends from both North America and across the sea. Joanne Brothwell weaves an exciting storyline that compels the reader to turn the page. There was an April 2012 prequel-Vicarious released with the back story of focusing on Sarah’s relationship with an ex-boyfriend –3 years before she met Evan.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO / Books a Million

Reviewed by Sandy

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VICARIOUS by Joanne Brothwell

VICARIOUS is the prequel novella to Joanne Brothwell’s  paranormal Stealing Breath.  Set 3 years prior to Stealing Breath, Vicarious follows Sarah Ross as she endeavors to discover the truth about her relationship with Tyler Mansbridge. 6 months together and things were beginning to fall apart. 

It was Tanya’s big summer party and Tyler again bailed on Sarah for the weekend.  But with Sarah’s empathic powers and ability to sense emotions, Tanya was hiding something from Sarah. And it wasn’t until Tanya had too much to drink did the truth about Tyler’s weekend reveal.  And confronting Tyler about the accusations only made Sarah feel worse.  Without any proof she looked like a raging jealous girlfriend. But finding the object of Tyler’s new affections in close proximity forced Sarah to look for the truth-and she knew just who was going to tell her.

Setting Tyler up was going to take some skill, but with her friends and accomplices at her side they made plans to meet up at the local fair.  Not knowing who would be present, it too only a few minutes for Tyler to realize he had been set up.  Humiliation and anger radiated from Tyler, but Sarah knew that her relationship was over with the young man who had once said he loved her. Coming into her own, Sarah knew that one day she would find the right person for her, but it would probably take about 3 years.

VICARIOUS is a short story about 5 chapters in length (told from Sarah’s POV) that introduces the characters and premise behind Joanne Brothwell’s new series.  Although Vicarious never touches on the adventure that will almost end Sarah’s life, it does lay the groundwork for a wonderful storyline.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon

 Reviewed by Sandy

 

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BLOOD RIGHTS (House of Comarre #1) by Kristin Painter

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BLOOD RIGHTS (House of Comarre #1) by Kristin Painter

BLOOD RIGHTS (House of Comarre #1) by Kristin Painter

BLOOD RIGHTS is the first novel in Kristin Painter’s House of Comarre Urban Fantasy series. Set in the year 2067, the first novel in the series introduces the reader to a wide variety of supernatural beings, terminology and a vampire premise that follows a different path than many vampire storylines. But a little background information is required to follow the premise.

Our heroine is Chrysabelle, one of the strongest and fiercest Comarre. The Comarre are a hybrid race of humans, specially trained in the warrior arts and in service to the vampire nobility. But the method of service is necessary for both parties-as the source of pure blood, the Comarre provide strength and nourishment to the vampires and in return, the vampire is able to drain the toxic effects of the pureblood buildup in the Comarre. It is both an honor and a duty to owe patronage and ‘blood rights’ to the vampire nobility, but Chrysabelle’s patron has been found murdered and the Ring of Sorrows is missing, and all suspicions turn to the woman who has sworn allegiance to the vampire for over a hundred years.

Chrysabelle must seek refuge and solace with her Aunt Maris. But time is running out. Hoping to discover the truth to Algernon’s murder, Chysabelle is sent forth looking for the one man Maris has told her to find. When Chrysabelle crosses paths with the fallen vampire Malkolm, her adventure into the underworld of demons, shapeshifters and fae, becomes a little more complicated when her true identity as a Comarre beckons the inner beast hidden beneath the façade of the recluse vampire.

Malkolm is a fallen vampire –cursed with the many deaths he has hastened at the hands of his beast. But the voices in his head continually urge the vampire towards another kill, and this time, their target is a beautiful Comarre, tattooed with the golden fretwork of the most powerful and pure. Although unwilling to admit she is in trouble, Crysabelle needs Malkolm’s help, but it is the call of her blood, that excites the beast hidden within. But fate has brought these two lonely beings together, and it will be blood that will bring them closer –still.

Tatiana is a powerful vampire with a motive of pure menace and vengeance. Hoping to secure the position of Dominus in one of the most powerful vampire Houses, Tatiana requires the Ring of Sorrows, and Algernon was the last known vampire to be in possession of the powerful jewel and now his Comarre is missing and presumed guilty of both murder and theft of the ring. The true nature of the ring has yet to be revealed, but Tatiana’s endeavor to discover its’ power will unleash an evil thought only to exist in mythology and lore. And the hunt for Tatiana will push Malkolm and Chrysabelle spiraling the depths of hidden passages, only to discover there are more secrets locked behind the façade of an aging Comarre and a vindictive vampire hoping to avenge the death of a child.

We are introduced to Malkolm’s constant companions-Fi, a ghost from his past that haunts his present, and Doc, the shapeshifting feline who has been cursed to the life of a house pet: Marissa as Chrysabelle’s aunt who has a few secrets of her own: and Dominic, a powerful vampire with connections to both Chrysabelle and her aunt.

Kristin Painter labels herself as a gothic urban fantasy writer. The genre is usually a dark look into the future world heading for destruction at the hands of the supernatural. Although there is little in the way of ‘urban fantasy’, the gothic tag is quite dark and evil. There is no sex, no foul language but the violence is bloody and sharp. The relationship between Chrysabelle and Malkolm is slow to build and even slower is their realization of the inevitable. I am not sure whether this series is YA. I cannot find any reference to the age discipline that the author has intended-with the lack of many of the ‘staples’ of an adult storyline, this novel could read as YA, except the characters are definitely NOT teens. Blood Rights has an interesting premise that offers a different twist to the vampire myth and legend. 

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO / Books a Million

Reviewed by Sandy

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Pride and Precipitation by Heather Horrocks-a review

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PRIDE AND PRECIPITATION (Chick Flick Clique #1) by Heather Horrocks

PRIDE AND PRECIPITATION is the first novella (September 2012) but second release in Heather Horrocks new Chick Flick Clique series focusing on a group of girlfriends, living in Aspen Grove, who get together once a week for movies, food and gossip. Pride and Precipitation follows weather meteorologist Breezy Jones and the take over at Aspen Grove’s local news station.

Breanna (Breezy) Jones is an award winning meteorologist who is loved by everyone until the day Noah Drake, the new station manager tells her that she will now be the assistant to a hot and high profile weathercaster from California. But to Breezy’s dismay, Noah’s off-handed comments to another will find Breezy believing that she is nothing but a ‘Pollyanna’ and the station needs an infusion of new blood to boost the ratings. When personalities collide, Breezy will find herself giving notice and walking away from a job that she loves.

Noah Drake finds himself attracted to the ‘spunky’ meteorologist and is completely taken off-guard when she quits. He should have realized that money isn’t everything, especially when Breezy found herself being relegated to coffee girl for a spoiled Californian implant. But Noah will soon learn that the people of Aspen Grove love their little ‘Pollyanna’ and it will be Noah who must go groveling back, when his job is on the line.

The Chick Flick Clique get together once a week to watch movies and talk. We will discover that not everyone is happy in their current relationships, and someone will soon lose a loved one to cancer. The friends allow each other to cry and bitch, as well as sharing many laughs about the local townspeople and the happenings around town. And to Breezy’s surprise, her friends will begin a crusade to get Breezy back on the job.

PRIDE AND PRECIPITATION is a humorous and romantic storyline with a HEA. Breezy has a very positive outlook on life and most would probably consider her personality a little on the quirky side with a touch of Pollyanna. I picture Amy Adams as the character of Breezy. And it was a welcome surprise to learn that a group of women could all get along without a cat fight to end their friendship. If you are looking for a quick read on a quiet night, Pride and Precipitation is a welcome read.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon / Barnes and Noble

Reviewed by Sandy

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