The Homemaker (Chain of Lakes 1) by Jewel E Ann-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 30, 2205

I was hers, but she was never mine.

Alice Yates is the hired “homemaker” for the Morrisons, an affluent couple in Minneapolis. For Alice, it’s a dream job to dress up like a 1950s housewife and read romance novels to Mr. Morrison before his afternoon nap.

But when the Morrisons’ only daughter returns home for the summer with her fiancé, Alice comes face- to-face with her shattered past—the only threat to her perfect life.

Eight years earlier, vacation rental owner Murphy Paddon had an impeccable vinyl record collection and did the most irresistible thing before kissing Alice, earning him a five-star rating. Their fortnight love affair was life-altering and ended tragically.

Murphy doesn’t know if Alice remembers him or whether he should tell his fiancée that the hired-help living in the guesthouse is the woman who irreparably broke his heart. He needs closure, but will the lingering glances and silent yearning lead to the end or just the beginning?

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REVIEW: THE HOMEMAKER is the first instalment in Jewel E Ann’s contemporary, adult CHAIN OF LAKES romance series. This is thirty-two year old, freelance technical writer Murphy Paddon, and ‘homemaker’ Alice Yates’ story line.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the story line premise, there may be triggers for more sensitive readers.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Murphy and Alice) using present day, and memories from the past, THE HOMEMAKER follows struggling relationship between our story line couples. Approximately eight years earlier, Alice Yates spent two glorious weeks at a summer rental where she would meet and fall in love with her ‘landlord’ Murphy Paddon but Alice was keeping secrets, and those secrets were about to destroy both Murphy and Alice’s life, ripping apart the already fragile relationship between our story line couple. Fast forward to present day, Alice, working as a 1950s homemaker for an affluent couple, would come face to face with her past in the guise of the soon to be son-in-law of the people for whom she works. As Alice struggles to contain her anxiety and potential emotional breakdown, Murphy is determined to get the answers he never got year before.

The world is building follows dual timelines as Murphy and Alice’s relationship begins, and comes to an abrupt end, then eight years later a surprise reconnection. Alice would disappear without a trace, and Murphy struggled with what happened and why. As Alice continues to pretend for the Morrison’s, she battles between head and heart unable to pretend with the man she lost years before

The relationship between Alice and Murphy is one of second chances but Alice’s secrets are heart breaking and dark, and in this, our heroine struggles to reveal the truth to the man she once loved. Murphy is purposeful and resolute in his determination to face the past but Alice is heading for a downward spiral when the past refuses to let go. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

THE HOMEMAKER is a story of loss, grief and recovery, secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is heart breaking, emotional and dramatic but slightly predictable; the romance is fated and seductive; the characters are broken, determined and charismatic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor.

With 10 years of flossing lectures under her belt, she took early retirement from her dental hygiene career to stay home with her three awesome boys and manage the family business.

After her best friend of nearly 30 years suggested a few books from the Contemporary Romance genre, Jewel was hooked. Devouring two and three books a week but still craving more, she decided to practice sustainable reading, AKA writing.

When she’s not donning her cape and saving the planet one tree at a time, she enjoys yoga with friends, good food with family, rock climbing with her kids, watching How I Met Your Mother reruns, and of course…heart-wrenching, tear-jerking, panty-scorching novels.

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