Welcome to the Just Add Spice Blog Tour!
We're taking Carol E. Wyer's latest book to some of the world's best book blogs for a fun ride full of reviews, guest posts and amazing giveaways. Get involved for the chance to a win something steamy for the bedroom, a signed paperback and a spot on one of Keris Stainton's writing courses . . .
'Escape from reality comes in patent-leather Prada kneeboots
Dawn Ellis needs to escape from her painfully dull existence. Her unemployed husband spends all day complaining about life, moping around, or fixing lawnmowers on her kitchen table. The local writing class proves to be an adequate distraction with its eccentric collection of wannabe authors and, of course, the enigmatic Jason, who soon shows a romantic interest in her.
Dawn pours her inner frustrations into her first novel about the extraordinary exploits of Cinnamon Knight, an avenging angel -- a woman who doesn't believe in following the rules. Cinnamon is ruthless and wanton, inflicting suffering on any man who warrants it. Little does Dawn realise that soon the line between reality and fiction will blur. Her own life will be transformed, and those close to her will pay the price. Find out what happens in Just Add Spice by best-selling author Carol E Wyer.'
Andrea's Review
When I read the title and blurb for Just Add Spice I imagined I was in for a hot read - I was wrong. What I DID get was two wonderful stories in one. Carol E Wyer very cleverly weaves the dreary mundane life of would-be author, and housewife, Dawn Ellis together with the life of Cinnamon Knight, the sexy kick-ass lead character in her debut novel.
Just Add Spice switches between Dawn's real life and the life of her character, Cinnamon. As the story takes off Cinnamon jumps from the pages of Dawn's book and takes on a life of her own. She urges Dawn to take risks, rebel...to live her life for herself instead of for others and Dawn begins to live her life a little though Cinnamon, asking herself "What would Cinnamon do?"
Dawn joins a writing class to help with her novel and to give her a reason/excuse to get out of the house for at least one night in her dull life. There she meets the handsome, and younger, Jason who lets her know he's attracted to her. She starts going to the gym to get in shape so she can eventually take up kick boxing, all for research for her book. Dawn begins to enjoy her sessions and her new, trimmer figure but it goes unnoticed by her husband, who seems more interested in ordering new parts for their lawnmower!
There were times I felt really sorry for Dawn as she drifted through her lifeless marriage and other times when I was yelling at my kindle "For God's sake woman, do something about it!!!" I also wanted to poke her husband in the eyes quite a lot of the time for the way he treated her, grrr! And there were times when I cheered Dawn on.
I loved the scenes involving Cinnamon Knight and her avenging angel persona. I found myself looking forward to the next chapter in her life as Dawn wrote it, at times forgetting she was a character in a story within the actual story, confusing isn't it, lol? I also loved the supporting characters, her dad, who has a better social life than her and the wonderful members of her writing class, who come from all walks of life but each have their own story to tell.
If you're looking for lots of hot sexy scenes then you'll be disappointed BUT don't let that put you off. Just Add Spice is a heartwarming, funny and gentle story of a woman learning to live again after years of just existing.
I love that the author writes about more mature characters. This is the first book I've read from Carol E Wyer but it certainly won't be the last.
Andrea gives this a rating of...
About Carol
Carol E. Wyer is an award winning author whose humorous novels take a light-hearted look at getting older and encourage others to age disgracefully.
Her best-selling debut novel 'Mini Skirts and Laughter Lines' won five awards for humour.
'Surfing in Stilettos' which follows the further adventures of Amanda Wilson as she attempts to inject some fun into her life, was a Costa Award nominee.
Safkhet Publishing released 'How Not to Murder Your Grumpy' June 1st 2012, the first of three books in a 'Grumpy' series.
Carol has featured on numerous shows discussing 'Irritable Male Syndrome' and 'Ageing Disgracefully'. She has had articles published in national magazines such as Woman's Weekly' and on-line magazines. She writes regularly for The Huffington Post and author website Indies Unlimited.
She is a signed author with ThornBerry Publishing and Safkhet Publishing.
Follow Carol:
***GIVEAWAYS***
Win a spot on a writing course with Keris Stainton! The winner of the giveaway will have the choice of one of two fabulous online courses:
Writing for Teenagers
Want to write a novel for teenagers? This 6-week online course will help you come up with inspired ideas; create believable characters; write convincing dialogue; grab readers right from the first page and keep them hooked to the last.
Beyond The First Draft
An 4-week online course to help you move on when your first draft is done.
Giveaway closes 30th November 2013.
*Keris Stainton reserves the right to alter the times of this giveaway at any point.*
*Keris Stainton reserves the right to alter the times of this giveaway at any point.*
Add a little spice to the bedroom with Carol's essential kit:
Pink handcuffs,
I (heart) Spice Underwear
and some lovely Old Spice aftershave.
Giveaway closes 30th November. UK Only.
Win a signed paperback copy of Just Add Spice
and have your very own personalised copy of the book
readers are saying "you can't read quick enough."
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