Review #3: Dying to Get Published, by Judy Fitzwater

Review #3 - Dying to Get Published, by Judy Fitzwater

Genre - Mystery (humorous)












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I must admit that I haven't read a full length fiction novel that wasn't some how connected to a romanctic plot in quite some time.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good suspense book but I like to also have a romantic subplot as well.  With that being said, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.  This novel was highly entertaining and quirky.

Synopsis
The novel Dying to Get Published briefly lets us into the world of Jennifer Marsh, an unpublished and sometimes ditzy writer whose mental capacity I often questioned--with good reason--throughout the story.  She craves seeing her name on the cover of one of her many unpublished works and has a desperate desire to succeed almost to her own detriment.  Jennifer works out a scheme in her mind that seems to be the plot from one of her books and she allows herself to become swept away with carrying it out, all the while enlisting the help of others.  The eight unread manuscripts rivaled only by an equally tall stack of rejection letters are her driving force in plotting a murder that she's too nice to carry out, all in the name of fame.

Review
As stated earlier Dying to Get Published is quirky and filled with many funny, head shaking moments.  I originally decided to get the book strictly based off of the title and cover.  I mean really, what aspiring writer struggling to get their name out there can't identify with a fellow writer who goes off the "deep end" just a little in the name of success.  I believe the writing bug probably makes everyone slightly loopy.  With that being said although there wasn't a huge amount of romance I enjoyed reading this book and felt that the author wrote a solid story, with a nice pace.  The interaction between Jennifer and her writing critique group as well as her unknowing partner in crime Sam Culpepper was really well scripted throughout the book. The only thing I wasn't completely sold on was some of the office scenes towards the end of the book.  It just didn't feel completely believable to me.  Overall it was a good read.  This book is the first in a series of six of The Jennifer Marsh Mysteries and I would absolutely recommend it as a funny mystery novel to pickup.

Author's website: http://www.judyfitzwater.com/

Review #2: You Can't Plan Love, by Synithia Williams

Review #2-You Can't Plan Love, by Synithia Williams

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality Rating: Sensuous

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Can I just say I love "discovering" new authors.  I thoroughly enjoy being surprised by a new writers work to the point of looking forward to finding and reading more of their books.  While awaiting the new release of a tried and true favorite author, it's so nice to stumble upon or be introduced to a new author or an existing author whose work I've never had the pleasure of reading.

I've been in the midst of editing and re-editing my current project, however I decided to reward myself with a "little" reading time.  BIG MISTAKE. :) After winning, You Can't Plan Love in a blog contest I had been eyeing the book on my Kindle Fire off and on.  Finally I decided to read a few pages of the first Chapter and from there I was hooked.

SYNOPSIS:
The story centers around Kenyatta Copeland and Malcolm Patterson.  Kenyatta has allowed herself to be swayed by passion and emotions so much in her past relationship disasters that she is now determined to play it safe and stay away from men who elicit any degree of lust and desire from her traitorous body.  She is engaged to Brad, a man that she is not in love with, all the while pining away for her boss Malcolm.  Malcolm is doing his own fair share of lusting over Kenyatta but is determined not to engage in an interoffice affair.  All bets are off once he finds out about her engagement and he becomes determined to show her all the reasons why she should give them a chance.  Kenyatta soon realizes that her plans to play it safe in a marriage that would be built on security and convenience may not be safe at all.  After just a taste of passion in Malcolm's arms, Kenyatta remembers all the reasons why she should trust in her heart once again.

REVIEW:
This was a very well written book, with great character development and an overall interesting and entertaining plot.  The author was able to weave a believable cast of characters together in a sensual romance that kept me turning the page to find out what would happen next.  I loved the chemistry between Kenyatta and Malcolm and how it always seemed to be simmering below the surface.  The twists and turns of the story kept things at a nice pace and I especially enjoyed the ending, which in my mind was NOT the standard cookie cutter happily ever after.  It felt more true to life and I could relate to it more than I can with the endings of some novels I've read.  See HEA: Cookie Cutter Blog  Minus a few minor edit tweaks-that took nothing away from the story-I give this book four stars.  Great writing and a sensual romance novel definitely worth picking up.  You won't be disappointed.

Author's website:  http://www.synithiawilliams.com/