The Wishing Tree by Marybeth Whalen

Ivy Marshall’s life is falling to pieces the same day she learns her younger sister’s life is coming together with a marriage proposal from her boyfriend. Ivy, while happy for her sister, cannot help wonder “what if” about her own life. What if she’d married the man her family wanted her to marry instead of Elliot? “What if” is a dangerous question, at times……

Ivy leaves Elliot to head back to Sunset Beach. Partly to help with her sister’s wedding, partly to get away from Elliot, and partly to think about life. Back in Sunset Beach, she does not want her family to know about Elliot- since they did not want her to marry him- they wanted her to marry Michael. Ivy figures she’ll see Michael at the wedding since his cousin is marrying her sister- but is surprised (and secretly pleased) to see that Michael is around for the summer.

Elliot is not taking Ivy leaving lightly- he takes to Twitter, one of her favorite social media sites, and begins tweeting to get Ivy’s attention. As the weeks go by, Ivy begins to see that Elliot is trying- he’s paying more attention- but what broke between them; she is unsure if can ever be fixed.

Ivy also has some hard truths of her own to deal with- her role in what lead to her family being hurt about her broken engagement, Michael, and the others she hurt in her past.

The Wishing Tree deals with hard issues with sensitivity and lightness: cheating, breaking hearts, growing up, disappointing family and finding yourself. Well-written, enjoyable, a story-line that is interesting and very readable.

Recommended.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

Marybeth Whalen has done it again. Written a book that is light, funny; yet poignant and thoughtful. Themes of love, forgiveness, and moving on are discussed and weaved in and out of the story of Ivy and her life. Thought-provoking. Read- you will not be sorry.

*The author provided me with a review copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above opinions are mine alone.

Interview with Beth Albright author of The Sassy Belles

Beth Albright, author of The Sassy Belles, found time in her busy schedule to stop by and answer some questions. Interviewing Beth was a fun experience- and if her book, The Sassy Belles, is half as fun as finding our her answers- then we are in for a delight! The Sassy Belles is part of Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List– a list that has quite a few good books- whether you are from the South or just long to read about Southern life and Southern belles.

Interview with Beth Albright:

What was the inspiration for The Sassy Belles?

Literally, I was homesick. I had had many careers from being an actress on Days of Our Lives, to being a long-time radio talk show host all over the country. After my son was born, I opened an acting school for kids and after nearly 7 years, the Enron scandal happened in Houston, TX, and my school was collateral damage. I sat in a rainy parking lot waiting for my husband to run into a grocery store, when I pulled my directors notebook from my purse and scribbled out the very first words of what would become The Sassy Belles. “My name is Blake O’Hara Heart and boy do I have a story to tell. It wouldn’t be such a story if Vivi hadn’t done what she did.” I was homesick and needed my mom and sassy girlfriends around me—with some salty margaritas!

From the beginning to end, how long did The Sassy Belles take to write?

It took many years because I wasn’t serious about it. I wrote most of it after my acting school closed and we were living in Nashville. Then we moved to LA for the third time, and my son became a competitive pairs figure skater and I put it away for three years. But my mom kept pushing me to finish, telling me I really had something, so I finished, went to the San Francisco Writers Conference, met my agent and she sold a three-book deal to Harlequin/MIRA!

Do you have a writing space? A writing routine?

I have a favorite chair, with my cat nicely sprawled behind my head on the back of the chair. Also, I love my desk and my writing space on the fourth floor of my SF townhome, but the chair in the bedroom seems to be where I land. My routine is hard…I had only about 5 weeks each to write the last 2 books in the trilogy. We wanted to keep a tight production schedule and I wanted to get the books out, so I wrote from about 9am till about 2-3am, taking breaks of course. With the next trilogy, I will be taking more time, but I am pretty diligent and focused when I write. I get inside the story and sometimes it’s hard to get me out!

Are any of the characters based on people in real life? Or just figments of your imagination?

All of the characters are good amalgamations of many of the people I know. I like to take traits of different people and put together new people. The character of Meridee is very much like my late maternal grandmother. She is closest to her actual character.

Will you be going on a book signing tour? If so, what are you looking forward to the most about the tour?

We just did a huge launch and book party at the Barnes and Noble in Tuscaloosa Alabama, where the books are based. We sold 200 books in four hours!! It was crazy. I definitely want to go on a huge book tour and I am hoping to put one together this fall when all 3 books are out! What I look most forward to is meeting my readers! I love people and love shaking hands, and talking with them!

Do you want The Sassy Belles to be made into a movie one day? If so, who are the actors that would comprise your dream cast?

Actually, the book is currently being packaged for a pitch for an hour long TV series!!! Vivi was written for Jessica Chastain!! I love Allison Brie as she appeared in Five Year Engagement as Blake! Betty White as Meridee for sure, Delta Burke for Kitty, Jessica Simpson (not pregnant) as Dallas. The men, oooh I love so many of them! Maybe Jon Hamm as Harry, Blake Shelton as Sonny, and Vince Vaughn as Lewis. Bonita would be played by Octavia Spencer and Arthur would be played by Denzel Washington! His character becomes huge in later books! I think that would be awesome!

The Sassy Belles is the first in the series. Can you tell us anything about the next two books, Wedding Belles and Sleigh Belles?

Wedding Belles, out July 30^th, to me, is the funniest of the three books. Here is the quote from the back of the book:

Seven months pregnant and head over heels in love, Vivi Ann McFadden is busy pulling together the final details for her wedding to Lewis Heart, famous play-by-play announcer for the Crimson Tide. But with two wedding-planners-gone-wild and a psychic giving her advice, a missing wedding ring and the ceremony happening on the same day as the wildly popular Crimson Tide kickoff game, chaos reigns supreme. Luckily, maid of honor Blake O’Hara Heart is on the job. She’ll tackle this wedding if it’s the last thing she does!

Sleigh Belles is much more poignant. While there are funny scenes, the story is a tale of tying to put pieces of a fragmented family back together for Christmas. You’ll need your hankies for sure. It is the most deep and emotional of the three books. Here is the back cover:

With her hair perfectly coiffed, nails freshly manicured and a heavy trail of perfume wafting behind her, local news reporter Dallas Dubois is sure she’s about to kick her career—and maybe her love life—into high gear. The director of the Tuscaloosa children’s Christmas play has fallen ill, and Dallas is ordered by her station manager to take the reins. Everyone is shocked—especially Cal Hollingsworth, who still remembers her as the Ice Queen from high school.

If nothing else, Dallas has never met a challenge that a little lip gloss and a Chanel knockoff couldn’t fix. But she has no idea how to relate to these kids, and their brutal honesty is giving her pause. Things are made even more complicated by the butterflies she gets whenever Cal is near….

But when long-lost family members reenter her life, Dallas’s icy veneer begins to melt. And with Cal by her side, she soon realizes that it’s what’s under all the hair spray that counts.

Now that you’ve read the interview- is your inner “sassy belle” just having a fit to read The Sassy Belles? If so, you are in luck! Come back on Friday- Beth will be revealing her #literarycrush, some Southern writers that she just LOVES, and more. There will also be a #giveaway of The Sassy Belles!

Beth Albright, author of The Sassy Belles, loves her sassy girlfriends and some salty margaritas ( Beth sounds like a very good person to be friends with!) For more information about Beth, please visit her website, The Sassy Belles Facebook page, or Twitter.

*Special shout-out goes to Beth for agreeing to this interview. Long live The Sassy Belles!

Island Girls by Nancy Thayer

3 girls. Sisters. Torn apart by jealousy. Family issues. Divorce. Brought together by their dad’s dying wish- he stipulates that the girls must live together in the Nantucket summer home for 3 months and then they may sell the house and split the proceeds.

Arden, Meg and Jenny- 3 girls who are as different as life can be- yet all 3 captured a piece of their father, Rory Randall’s heart. Where Rory did love his girls- his love did hurt the girls at times. Arden and Meg, Rory’s daughters from 2 previous marriages- saw firsthand how divorce can make people question love and commitment to a man. Jenny, Meg and Arden’s stepsister, lead a more charmed life with Rory- and yet finds herself questioning things as well.

The summer starts off rocky with the girls- their past misunderstandings rearing it’s head at times. Slowly, the girls forge a relationship, and attempt to be sisters. As the summer continues, memories of the last summer they were all together in Nantucket are discussed, secrets are revealed, and frustrations are aired. Will the girls make it together all summer? Will Rory get his dying wish? Read Island Girls to find out.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is my 3rd Nancy Thayer book. Nancy Thayer writes a beach story very well. Island Girls is no different. It’s a book to stick in your beach or pool bag- a book that has an interesting storyline, characters that are fun, and a setting that cannot be beat. Nancy takes family secrets, weaves them with a beach setting- and shows the reader a story that can and should be enjoyed.

*This was requested through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above opinions are mine alone.

The Widow Waltz by Sally Koslow

Georgia Waltz has the life. 2 daughters she loves, a husband who she cannot picture life without, and an adorable little dog, Sadie. Life is pretty rosy for Georgia- till the day it isn’t.

When Ben Silver, Georgia’s husband, dies unexpectedly- Georgia and the girls are stunned. With how Ben took care of himself, they expected to have years with him. Georgia, while deeply distraught, knows this: Ben would have made plans to take care of her and the girls in the event of his untimely death. Except- the lawyer can’t find his plans. Money is missing. Georgia is beside herself- and yet knows she has to pull it together.

So Georgia makes a plan. She knows that it’s up to her- she’s got to find a way to make thing work. Cola and Luey also realize that being Daddy’s girls has been a great way to go through life- but that time is over.

With Ben dying, he left behind more questions than answers. Georgia finds that while she may not ever know all the answers to the questions- finding herself, being strong, learning to be independent- those are lessons that Ben’s death has taught her. And that is worth more than the money he should have left her.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is my first Sally Koslow book. I enjoyed it. Light and fluffy at times- and poignant at others. An excellent book for a book club to discuss- where each person could identify with the different characters.

Recommended.

*This book was requested through Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All above opinions are mine alone.

Reconstructing Amelia Week 3 Questions/Discussion!

We are at week 3 in our discussion! Some of us have finished. Some have not. The library is still holding at least 1 person back from getting the book!

But- we are here. We are almost finished. YAY!

Week 3 Thoughts:

1. The principal- why did he target Amelia for the truth about the Magpies? Was it because Amelia is the good girl? The honor student? Or was it because Kate is not involved in the school- like some of the other’s parents- and might not in the position to complicate the principal’s life?

2. The school is closing ranks, circling the wagon. Why? Because they have blood on their hands and they know it? Or is someone higher than them pulling puppet strings?

3. Money. It makes the world go round. What is the problem with money in Reconstructing Amelia?

4. Is Amelia being “catfished” in a sense? #nospoilers- just let me know if you have a feeling.

5. Dylan and Zadie- best friends till the end? Or is Dylan a pawn? Or is Zadie the real pawn? Again #nospoilers- just thoughts!

6. How hard is this for Kate? To find this stuff out? To know that Amelia was being bullied?

7. Why is the principal less concerned about Amelia actually dying on school grounds- and when the word “bullying” was mentioned- it seemed to get his attention?

***Note: I have not read the last chapter of the assigned reading for this week. I USUALLY read the night before I post the questions- and I read most of them last night. But I still have 1 more to read- so more questions may be added.

Literary Friday ya’ll…

Friday- Friday -Friday!

Deep South Magazine and their #literaryfriday goodness: Carl Hiassen’s Most Memorable Characters, Wiley Cash news, and more. Plus, the Author Spotlight that was featured yesterday on Erika Marks on my blog, Traveling With T, made the #literaryfriday news!

Literary New England is getting “chatty” during the month of July- 2 author chats lined up: Nichole Bernier, The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D, chats with @litnewengland July 2nd from 8-9PM EST. There will be a #giveaway! Then July 10, Erika Marks chats from 8-9pmEST- there will be a #giveaway for her chat as well. Use #LNEchat to participate.

Anita Loves Books is giving away a copy of Looking for Me by Beth Hoffman. #giveaway ends June 16th.

She Reads as part of their Books of Summer series features Meg Donohue. Read her Tell Me Something True: A Visit with Meg Donohue to find out some about All The Summer Girls.

Today, I reviewed Steamed to Death by Peg Cochran for Cozy Mystery Reviews!

The #giveaway is still going on for Erika Marks The Guest House. Comment on Erika Marks: Author Spotlight for a chance to win!

What are you reading for #fridayreads? I’m reading The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan, The Wishing Tree by Marybeth Whalen, Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight and hoping to get in Time Flies by Claire Cook.

Speaking of The Engagements by J. Courtney Sullivan- it is mentioned in OBSESSED- The 20 Next Big Things in Glamour’s July 2013 magazine.

Happy reading!

Steamed to Death by Peg Cochran (Plus RECIPE!)

Steamed to Death

ISBN:978-0425252208

Series: Gourmet De-Lite Mystery

Publisher: Berkley

Source: Cozy Mystery Review

Gigi Fitzgerald has signed soap-star, Felicity Davenport, as one of her clients for Gigi’s Gourmet De-Lite. Gigi is pretty excited as she hopes that this will help put her business on the road to success. Gigi is also excited because her and her best friend, Sienna, will be working together some to help Felicity re-brand her image (Gigi with weight loss and healthier living, and Sienna with public relations). All seems to be going well until Gigi sees an article in the paper questioning if Felicity has a new boy-toy and the boy-toy in question is Sienna’s husband.

Later, when Felicity’s body is found- the police question Sienna about her work relationship with Felicity. Gigi, being no fool, knows that Sienna could not have killed Felicity- and also knows that the police are considering her a suspect. So Gigi, Sienna and Alice team up to find who could have killed Felicity. The list is long- and each person has a motive. Could it be Felicity’s husband? Or her manager? Or the actress, Vanessa, that wanted more air-time on the soap opera where her and Felicity were actresses?

Gigi’s hands are pretty busy with trying to figure out who had the most to gain by Felicity’s death- but to add more to her plate- she has 2 men in her life. One is an incurable flirt, Declan, owner of a restaurant in town. The other is Detective Mertz, who Gigi would like to get to know better; but work seems to get in the way.

Does Gigi solve the mystery? We, as readers, need to hope so- or it’ll be the end of delicious recipes from Gourmet De-Lite!

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

This is my first Gourmet De-Lite mystery. Enjoyable. Characters that are interesting. Romance. Good plot. Funny at times. I would definitely consider reading more of Gigi!

Ice Cream Novelties

This is a fun, extremely versatile dessert that you can whip up on the fly for unexpected guests. It takes plain ice cream to a new level. It can be adapted in a myriad of ways—if you are serving children instead of adults, use Oreo cookies mixed with sprinkles or chocolate chips or whatever comes to mind. If you don’t care for Amaretto, you can substitute another liqueur or leave it out. Same with the nuts—try chopped pecans, pistachios or peanuts.

Vanilla ice cream

Approximately 3 handfuls of vanilla wafers

1/3 cup sliced almonds

2 – 3 TBL Amaretto

Put vanilla wafers in a plastic zip-lock baggie. Crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Spread out on a cookie sheet and mix in sliced almonds. Sprinkle with Amaretto if using.

Roll individual scoops of ice cream in mixture. Place coated ice cream scoops on a cookie sheet. Put in freezer for at least an hour to harden.

Peg Cochran writes Gourmet De-Lite Mysteries featuring Gigi Fitzgerald. She also writes as Meg London. To find out more about Peg, please visit her website.

Erika Marks: Author Spotlight

Today, I’m pleased to announce that Erika Marks is back with an Author Spotlight. In this, she confesses her #literaryconfessions and #literarycrush! Come see what else she revealed today!

Author Spotlight:

Erika, when you are not writing- what are some of your favorite things to do?

Being outside, for one! My husband is a biologist so we are big hikers and campers and gardeners. We are also a family of cooks and bakers, and are always looking to try new recipes.

Could you tell us some of your favorite authors?

There are so many! I would definitely include Alice Hoffman, Annie Proulx, Louise Erdrich, Karen White, Andre Dubus, Wendy Wax, Jo-Ann Mapson, Ann Hite, Stephen King, Elizabeth Berg, Anne Rivers Siddons.

What book (or books!) will you always make room for on your shelf?

LIFE OF PI

Do you have any #literaryconfessions? (Mine is: Last summer I confessed that I’d never read Pride and Prejudice (although now I have!)

I’ve never read PRIDE AND PREJUDICE either! In fact, I’ve been slowing chipping away at a list of classics that I always wanted to read but never did, so my #literaryconfessions could take a while!

Do you have a #literarycrush?

Oh, I absolutely do! I remember all of my earliest literary crushes. Ben Mears from Stephen King’s ‘SALEM’S LOT, I always loved him for the way he swoops in and takes matters into his hands and ultimately saves young Mark, becoming like a father to him. Atticus Finch, definitely. Finny, from A SEPARATE PEACE. Pretty much all the Curtis boys in THE OUTSIDERS. And of course, Gilbert Blythe!

What are some of the books that will be in your beach bag for 2013?

There are so many I’m excited about! For starters, Susan Tekulve’s IN THE GARDEN OF STONE, Karen White’s THE TIME BETWEEN, Louise Erdrich’s THE ROUND HOUSE, Beth Hoffman’s LOOKING FOR ME.

What was your favorite childhood book?

I loved John Christopher’s Tripods trilogy (Will was definitely one of my early #literarycrushes!)

Was there a person or a book series that helped start your love of reading?

My sixth grade English teacher, Mr. McKee. He gathered a group of us—outside of class—and we read the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy with his guidance and support. It was extraordinary. There’s no question his encouragement and passion for books and story made a huge impact on me.

If you were not an author, what would you want to be?

If I weren’t such a lightweight when it comes to blood, I would want to be a doctor or a vet.

If you could be a character in a book, who would you be? Why?

Oh wow—what a great question! I’d have to say Claudia from FROM THE MIXED-UP FILES OF MRS. BASIL E. FRANKWEILER. I mean, spend the night in the Met?! What could be cooler?

Now that you’ve read through the author spotlight- I have more to announce! Today begins the #giveaway for a copy of The Guest House, Erika’s latest book. It’s a lovely story- and one that should be read with a glass of sweet tea.

To enter the giveaway (sorry US only!) please comment on this post. Include your email (you may use the (AT) and (DOT)). The giveaway ends Thursday, June 20th at 11:59pmEST. While liking Traveling With T’s Facebook page or following the blog will not earn extra entries- it’s always appreciated. 🙂

ICYMI: Interview with Erika Marks

Traveling With T’s Review of The Guest House

Tuesday Mashup

LOTS to announce!

Rebecca @ Love at First Book is featured in Bloggers who WIN, a feature created by BookStore-BookBlogger Connection. She talks all about the magic of a book store in this feature!

Want to get to chat with Beatriz Williams- author of A HUNDRED SUMMERS? Yes, yes, you do! So join in Thursday night with Literary New England from 8-9pmEST and chat! You might even get lucky and win a book 🙂 Use #LNEchat to join in!

She Reads revealed their The Books of Summer list last week. 6 books that you need to read this summer! As part of their The Books of Summer, they will also be having author interviews and others fun news- here is a catch-up of what has been posted:

Grab It While You Can (Marybeth Whalen’s new book, The Wishing Tree, $3.99 in e-book!)

The Wishing Tree Soundtrack

Tell Me Something True: A Visit with Beatriz Williams

Tell Me Something True: A Visit with Amy Sue Nathan

Today I interviewed Erika Marks, author of The Guest House, on my blog. Here’s the interview- and Thursday- check back to see Erika’s #literaryconfessions and #literarycrush (PLUS a GIVEAWAY!)

ICYMI: My review of A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Williams!

Deep South Mag has posted their Twitter Chat Schedule, Summer Reading List 2013, and Summer Book Signing Calendar 2013 ( when you look at the summer book signing- you *may* see a familiar face 😉

Happy Reading 🙂

Interview with Erika Marks

Erika Marks, author of Little Gale Gumbo, The Mermaid Collector, and her newest novel- The Guest House, found time in her busy writing and book touring schedule to answer a few questions for me at Traveling With T.

I’ve had such a “fan girl” feeling about Erika since I read Little Gale Gumbo around 2 years ago. Then last October, my IRL book club picked Little Gale Gumbo for their read- and I was able to talk to Erika on the phone- I don’t think I quit grinning about that for some time!

So, my readers, knowing that backstory- you can understand exactly why I’m so excited to have Erika here for an interview!

Interview with Erika Marks:

What was the inspiration for THE GUEST HOUSE?

Tamara, let me first say thank you so much for hosting me and all these wonderful questions! Most of my novels come out of an idea for a character or a relationship, but in the case of THE GUEST HOUSE the inspiration was place. At eighteen, I was fortunate to spend a summer on the property of a massive shingle-style cottage like the one in the book and the experience never left me. It was a deeply romantic place and I always imagined fantastic stories in its walls, all the summers it had been filled with guests and parties and, of course, all the drama that must have gone on.

The characters in each of your books (LITTLE GALE GUMBO, THE MERMAID COLLECTOR, and THE GUEST HOUSE) are beautifully written, yet flawed and very human. How long does it to take you to create the characters?

Thank you for saying so! It really depends. Some characters come to me fully-realized right away. Camille Bergeron and Ben Haskell from LITTLE GALE GUMBO were like that. Writing them was like recalling friends I had known for a long, long time. Others, such as Tess from THE MERMAID COLLECTOR, eluded me for a while as I wrote, hiding themselves from me. I think I know how I want them to be, but often their personalities evolve through contact with other characters—and they surprise me.

Each of the past books have been set in the New England area- does that area’s rich history enable a better creative experience for you as a writer? Do you have plans to change your setting one day?

New England is where I grew up and certainly a setting I feel so comfortable writing about and one that is so much a part of me. That said, now that I live in North Carolina and am getting to experience and fall in love with the Carolina coast, I look forward to setting future stories along these beaches.

As a writer, do you ever hope that any of your books will be made into a movie? And if so, do you have any idea about actors and actresses you would like to see play the characters in your books?

Oh, of course! I am such a movie buff and frankly, I usually “cast” my novels as I am writing them—I can’t help it! I think of all my novels, THE MERMAID COLLECTOR seems the most naturally suited to be made into a movie, but I would certainly be thrilled to have any of my novels made into a film!

How long does it take to complete a novel from beginning to end?

That depends. Usually I write a first draft in a few months, and then the revisions go pretty quickly after that. With my debut, LITTLE GALE GUMBO, the revision period was longer simply because my agent and I weren’t really under a deadline—but then once it sold, my editor and I worked on revisions within a time frame, of course, to meet established deadlines. I like to believe, too, that the more I write, the more efficient my writing gets—that I can troubleshoot issues along the way, see area that will need work, plotting concerns, etc. As writers, I think we are all working to strengthen our craft with every book, always. There is always a way to make my writing stronger, and I value that tremendously.

Erika, do you have a writing routine? Or a writing space?

While my children are in school, I keep to a fixed writing work day. Mornings start with checking in with social media and then I get right to it. But of course, when deadlines get fast and furious—and summer schedules change our routines—I may write at odd hours, and much more at night. When my girls were little, I would soak up any available moments to write so I’m very much a believer in being flexible too. If you have ten minutes free, write for ten minutes. Don’t wait for “the perfect” block. It rarely comes—and I also think it sets up an expectation for performance that can be daunting and ultimately unproductive. That said, I can’t write in a coffee shop or any kind of public place, and I have to have music on—but always instrumental.

Are there plans for a 4th novel?

Yes, I’m writing it now—and I’m really excited about it. Not to give too much away—since I’m terribly superstitious—but it’s set in Folly Beach, South Carolina, and centers around a woman who revisits her past as a champion surfer—and the life and loves she left behind when heartbreak caused her to give it all up.

Liked the interview? Want to know more about Erika Marks? Check back Thursday at Traveling With T for an Author Spotlight with Erika Marks- find out her favorite books, #literayconfessions and #literarycrush. Plus- a GIVEAWAY- one lucky commenter on Thursday’s Author Spotlight will win a copy of The Guest House! Want to read a review of The Guest House? Here is my review of The Guest House by Erika Marks.

To find out more about Erika Marks– her past books, book events, and more- please visit Erika’s website. It’s filled with tons of good information! Also, The Guest House, Erika’s latest book made not 1, but 2 Summer Reading Lists this year- so yay for Erika! Here’s the links for She Reads The Books of Summer and Deep South Magazine’s Summer Reading List.