Thirty-Two Going on Spinster

Author: Becky Monson

Genre: chick-lit

Publication Date: December 12, 2012

Pages: 348

My Copy:  complimentary from author for review

Purchase:    Amazon

Book Description:

Julia Dorning is a spinster, or at least on the road to becoming one. She has no social life, hates her job, and lives in her parent’s basement with her cat, Charlie. With the arrival of Jared Moody, the new hire at work, Julia’s mundane life is suddenly turned upside down. Her instant (and totally ridiculous) crush on the new guy causes Julia to finally make some long-overdue changes, in hopes to find a life that includes more than baking and hanging out with Charlie. But when the biggest and most unexpected change comes, will the new and improved Julia be able to overcome it? Or will she go back to her spinster ways?

About the Author:

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing.  In her debut novel, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life.  She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.

Becky runs a large on-line book club called
“This Chick Reads”. Check it out on Facebook!

Social links:
Website – www.32goingonspinster.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBeckyMonson
Facebook Book Club - https://www.facebook.com/ThisChickReads

 Interview:

Today I had the pleasure to talk with Ms. Julia Dorning from the novel Thirty-Two Going on Spinster.  We had such a fun time talking, and Ms. Dorning surprised me with some freshly baked cupcakes that she had just whipped up. I now have a new best friend.

Welcome, Julia.  Mmmm, these cupcakes are absolutely delicious.  Where ever did you learn to bake?

Hi Dee! Thanks for having me! Well, baking was something that was ingrained me. My mom and I used to bake together when I was younger. My true obsession with baking came… honestly… when I had nothing better to do. So there. That’s my true reason behind the baking: no social life.

Wow! I can’t believe you have no social life, but that’s a good thing for me today because I can’t bake at all and I’m enjoying these tremendously.   So, besides being an awesome baker, what else can you tell us about yourself.

Well, up until recently, there hasn’t been much to tell. I’ve been doing the same thing day-in and day-out for the past ten years. Wow, that’s pretty sad, isn’t it?  That’s one of those things you don’t admit… like telling people you were born with a tail or something. Okay, no. That would be worse. But being a creature of habit for ten years ranks pretty high up in the pathetic category, right?  Although, over the past few months, my life has pretty much been turned upside-down.

 (LOL) Being born with a tail would definitely be something to hide. But you do think of yourself as a spinster.  What exactly is a spinster and why do think of yourself as that.

What happened is I Googled “spinster” on my smart phone and right there in Webster’s dictionary was the definition – and it was me. Someone who seems unlikely to marry, has no social life, etc. It was a harsh reality, honestly. I really need to stop Googling stuff. 

So, what would your ideal day be like?

Probably curled up on the couch with my cat, Charlie, watching a Cupcake Wars marathon.

 I can’t say I’ve ever watched Cupcake Wars, I’ll have to check it out sometime. 

What’s your family like? Any family drama you can share?

Drama? Oh, you know, typical family drama. A perfect younger brother that has set the bar too high, and a bratty younger sister that is spoiled and always gets what she wants. And then there’s me…

 Ahh, an average American family, right?

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Um, what is a lazy animal that procrastinates? Hold on, let me Google it. Google says I’m a cat. Quite fitting, actually. Really, I hate Google.

 Maybe you should switch to Bing. I hear it’s the new Google (lol)

Tell us about one your most embarrassing moments.

Sadly, there are just so many. Most recently, I got caught sleeping at work. So that was pretty embarrassing…

I love to gossip.  Can you tell us what your author is like? Do you have any juicy gossip you’d like to share with us about her?

Well, once upon a time my author also thought she would be a spinster. Turns out she didn’t become one. She’s happily married with three delightful kids (although she just got back from a family vacation to Disneyland where, on many occasions, she longed for the days of spinsterly solitude).  Like me, she is also a ridiculous procrastinator. She’s supposed to be writing my next story, but instead she’s ignoring her family and me and reading Women’s fiction (a.k.a. Chick-lit).  Seriously, she’s a bit obsessed.

 Oh, well, there’s nothing like getting caught up in a good book.  I’m the same way.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk me today.  Do you have any final words for our readers?

Yes, use Google cautiously.

And also, I really hope you enjoy my story! xoxo, Julia

My Thoughts:

Julia Dorning is 32 years old, stuck in a job she hates, lives in her parents basement with her cat, and deathly afraid of change.  She sees herself living a spinster life, at least until a new co-worker turns her world inside-out.

This book sucked me in as soon as I saw the title.  I’m so glad I didn’t pass this one up, as I totally enjoyed the character Julia, and couldn’t get enough of her ‘spinster’ personality.

Julia is such a fun character and I found her to be so witty and carefree, yet so unsure of herself.  Some of the crazy predicaments she found herself in had me laughing out loud.  (I’m still laughing as I write this just thinking about it.) It was fun watching Julia change throughout the story, and there was enough family and workplace drama, and a bit of romance, to keep me turning the pages.

I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a fun, light, easy- read chick-lit book.  Author Becky Monson did a great job with her debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in the future.

♥♥♥♥♥

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The Equation

Genre: Action/Adventure, Spirituality, Personal Growth & Inspiration

Publisher: Tarantin Ent.

Release Date: November 22, 2012

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | iBookStore

Book Description:

The Legendary Larry King writes “The Equation is a Cross-Cultural Odyssey, an asset that will inspire in people the science of accomplishment.”

The Equation Book tells a true, cross-cultural saga that spans over 58 Years and explores exciting adventures on 4 continents.

The Story of a young lad named Omer, born to a wealthy family and shackled on an island of battling hierarchies.

The youth leaves his home, and meets great dangers and tragedies as he seeks to discover Time’s Silent Secret.

At the turn of the Millennium, the mission was to track historic clues and discover an Equation that was lost through the times … hidden in the margins. An Equation that whoever finds it will be Transformed. And with its 4 Rings of Power … design destiny.

A Revolution is inspired! Time Stops!

Will the lad transform or bite from the forbidden power and be carried to the brink of Death?

Excerpt:

One class, an Irish boy gave me a piercing look with his cold blue eyes. He was only 15, but his receding hairline, shaped his scalp like a spear. His white face had a pinkish hue, and his beard grew like a Viking forest. Subconsciously, we recognized a connection … our eyes blazed with flames. After the class drew to a close, the students were walking down the grand hall. Leaning against the wall in his long black coat, he called: “Hey you!” I turned, and the Irish lad hissed loudly, “Over here … ” After looking around warily, I approached him, and he said, “Come… take a walk with me.”

The boy’s name was John. He started a chat that would last 6 hours … “Cricket, rugby, driving on the left … all is boring. What do you say we try a new game? Something more … competitive, shall I say.”

Over an ice-cold drink, he proposed a simple game: 2 bands of youths are battling one another with wooden clubs and blunt broom sticks.

I looked around at the splendid diversity of races and colors of the students. I then said to John: “Let’s enlighten the game a little.”

After scanning the schoolyard, pointing out spots, predicting pitfalls and scribbling on piles of papers … we set the game.

The Game’s Name: Earth’s Civil War__

The Goal: Winning 5 continents of Earth__

The Armies: John’s Team shall lead the North. Omer’s Team shall lead the South_

Number of Matches: 5 battles for 5 continents

A game where John would assemble the Northern students: Irish, British, Swedish, Canadian, German, Scottish, Finnish … And a dark-skinned lad would assemble the Southern students: Italian, Spanish, African, Portuguese, and South Americans.

It was an idealistic war. A war between the British maritime fleet and the desert warriors of the Sahara. A war between the glory of the Austrian orchestra and the solo Spanish guitar. A war … between North and South.

I stood up and said to the Titans, “I can see the fear in your eyes, the same fear that lies in every living thing. One day the age of bravery might stand on the brink of destruction, and Hades might toast to our bones. But that is not this day. Today we stand up and conquer our minds!” One by one the titans stood up and exclaimed, “For Victory!”

As the sun began to rise, the chants and the light of the torches started to materialize out of the mist. John later told me that one of his aides said: “They come from Hell …” And John replied, “No … they come from freedom.”

The Sun Eclipsed

For the second time in my life, I transformed … but on that day, a decision sparked the dark powers of The Equation.

I waged a war upon the light and declared that I would conquer my subconscious by any means necessary. I would descend alone to its murky depths and suffocating heat with the 4 Rings of The Equation, and win dominion over all its archetypes, treasures, innovations and second natures.

I would break all the mental barriers of the mind and reach my star … not because of my color, not because of my class, not because of luck, not because of talent, not because of experience, not because of knowledge, not because of IQ … but because of the abilities I would infuse into my character, like the blood that runs effortlessly through the veins.

The drive for triumph spread like a wildfire. I stood up … and picked up a plan.

Hours upon hours accumulated into an experience of accelerated expansion.

 

About The Author:

“I believe that success is indivisible; the success of anyone anywhere is the success of all of us everywhere.”

James Tarantin is a Philosopher, Game Architect, Author, the Executive Chairman of Tarantin Ent LLC and the Creator of 4=T²D².

An American Citizen who immigrated to the United States alone with no family, money or any formal education … as a Philosopher, James studied 5 Chief avenues; The Mind, Pragmatism & Enterprises, Morality, Metaphysics and Aesthetics. These avenues are explored in his written works, such as The Equation.

After several months of deep research and traveling to Rome, James saw the Equation in a dream at age 16. From 9/22/10 – 12/25/10 he handwrote the entire book.

James believes that each person is just around the corner at accomplishing their mountain top. And though he was a poor young man at the time, James was the first immigrant to America, and one of the youngest spiritual thinkers in history, to write a memoir at the age of 25, in a language that isn’t his mother tongue and with no training in writing whatsoever. The first memoir to present a new philosophical theory and explores a rich array of issues: Family Life, History, Mystical Science, Philosophy, Human Evolution, Personal Success, Enterprises, Spirituality, Beauty, The Universe and Cultures on 4 Continents.

At the age of 22, the legendary broadcaster Larry King took James under his wing, and he founded Tarantin Ent LLC … A company to be structured after a 50 page model that includes international business classes, classified strategy science, culture and values, and long-term Life-Cycle vision.

As the company’s Executive Chairman, James has 5 responsibilities: Content Creation, Global Strategy, Legislation, Balancing the Budget, and Transparency.

Before the age of 26, with fierce belief, James created, almost single-handedly: complete screen manuscripts, a library of stories, animated superheroes, a trading card game, the mobile game design script, a technical design document, goods and services, distribution channels, and the platform for a new social network.

“You go anywhere in the world, from The Big Apple to Paris and from Brazil to Berlin … the borderline between success and failure is blurred. In this new century, people want something fundamentally different.”

“The Equation is the answer spoken by the hearts of young and old, rich and poor.”

 

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Agent Colt Shore Domino 29.

Axel Avian

Purchase:   Amazon     Barnes & Noble

Book Blurb:

When an ordinary kid learns he’s the heir to a secret agent dynasty, F.A.L.C.O.N puts him on a case to protect a famous rock group and find a missing journalist. Before he knows it, Colt Shore has gone from body guard to rock star to full-fledged agent when he learns that a human trafficking ring plans to kidnap a group of teenage girls. It will take more than his ingenuity and skills and a couple of cool gadgets to protect his new friends and rescue the captured girls before it’s too late.

My Thoughts:

In Agent Colt Shore,  author Axel Avian gives us a fast paced, action-filled book that will please both teens and adults.

I couldn’t help but love Colt Shore.  He’s just an ordinary 15-year-old boy who has been training at FALCON, a special training school for secret agents.  Although Colt hasn’t trained to be a field agent, circumstances take place and he finds himself on an active assignment to protect a young teen rock band touring overseas.  Armed with some cool gadgets, Colt sets off for quite an adventure.

This book was hard to put down.  There were so many twists & turns, I just had to keep reading to see what would happen next.  Agent Colt is a fun, realistic character.  He has his doubts, but he’s quick on his feet and he knows when to trust his instincts.

What I really enjoyed was the hidden history lesson I got.  I was unfamiliar with much of the locations that took place in the book, so of course I had to do a little research of my own.  Mr. Avian made it easy for me by providing some links on his website.  If you get the chance,  check out his site at  axelavian.com .

I have no problem recommending this book.  It’s a fun, clean, exciting read.  Recommended for ages 12 & up.

*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review, and all opinions are my own.

♥♥♥♥♥

About the Author:

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  Wicked Game

Lisa Jackson & Nancy Bush

Release date: February 1, 2009

Paperback: 384 pages

My copy: borrowed for Kindle lending

Purchase:     Amazon      Barnes&Noble

 Book Description (Amazon)

The Authors:

#1 NYT and USA TODAY bestselling author Lisa Jackson started writing after her sister read an article in TIME Magazine in 1981 about how young mothers were making money writing romance novels. Both Lisa and her sister, Nancy Bush, began their writing careers right then, and lo, these many years later Lisa has published seventy-five plus novels and has no plans to slow down anytime soon.

NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author Nancy Bush has been writing for over thirty years. She and her sister, bestselling author Lisa Jackson, began their writing careers in romance and through separate paths found their way to romantic suspense, mysteries and thrillers. Nancy’s latest thriller, NOWHERE SAFE, will be on the stands fall 2013. Its companion stories, NOWHERE TO RUN and NOWHERE TO HIDE, consistently hit the bestseller lists. SOMETHING WICKED, the third installment of the ‘Wicked’ series, co-written with Lisa Jackson, will be available June 2013.

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  Double Whammy

Gretchen Archer

Book Description

Davis Way thinks she’s hit the jackpot when she lands a job as the fifth wheel on an elite security team at the fabulous Bellissimo Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. But once there, she runs straight into her ex-ex husband, a rigged slot machine, her evil twin, and a trail of dead bodies. Davis learns the truth and it does not set her free–in fact, it lands her in the pokey.Buried under a mistaken identity, unable to seek help from her family, her hot streak runs cold until her landlord Bradley Cole steps in. Make that her landlord, lawyer, and love interest. With his help, Davis must win this high stakes game before her luck runs out.

Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you’ll probably like them all! DOUBLE WHAMMY is the first book in the Davis Way humorous mystery series. Bonus: Includes book club discussion questions.

Praise for DOUBLE WHAMMY:

“Funny & wonderful & human. It gets the Stephanie Plum seal of approval.” -Janet Evanovich

Purchase:  Amazon   Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts:

Gretchen Archer’s debut novel, Double Whammy, is a fun, entertaining read.  I loved the main character, Davis Way, and found myself laughing so much throughout the book at her carefree ways.

            Davis Way, from Pine Apple, Alabama, lands herself an undercover security job in a Mississippi casino.  Dressed in expensive clothes and crazy wigs, she’s given a pocket full of cash to go play and figure out how someone keeps winning the progressive payout on the Double Whammy slot game. Who wouldn’t love that job?

            I enjoyed this book so much, I had a hard time putting it down.  Davis’ crazy antics and hilarious daydreams kept me glued to the pages right to the end.  Her nicknames for her co-workers, Teeth & No-Hair, had me envisioning them as ‘hulk’ type men, and Bradley was a fairy tale prince charming.

            I enjoyed all the characters, and the mystery of who the ‘bad guy’ was, wasn’t easy to figure out until the end.

         Overall, Double Whammy was a fast-paced fun, mystery that I would happily recommend it.

♥♥♥♥♥

About the Author:

Gretchen Archer is a Tennessee housewife, mom of three, grocery-list and crime-caper writer. She’s the author of the Davis Way Mystery series.

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