Spring Fever? Yes, Yes, YES.

It's no secret that I love author Mary Kay Andrews. I remember the first time I picked up one of her books (Hissy Fit) and she had me hooked from page one. If you love books with a Southern flair (and, yes, I capitalized Southern because that's how it's done here in the South), female lead characters that you will root for until the end, and enough sass to leave you yearning for a sweet tea straight from the Mason jar? Her books are exactly what you need in your life.

I recently received an early, not-yet-released copy of her newest novel Spring Fever. Mary Kay did not disappoint. I now want friends like Annajane and Pokey in my life and am searching for a cherry soda named Quixie. Want a little background on Spring Fever? 




About


Annajane Hudgens truly believes that she is over her ex-husband, Mason Bayless. They've been divorced for four years, she’s engaged to a new, terrific guy, and she’s ready to leave the small town where she and Mason had so much history.  She is so over Mason that she has absolutely no problem attending his wedding to the beautiful, intelligent, delightful Celia.  But when fate intervenes and the wedding is called to a halt as the bride is literally walking down the aisle, Annajane begins to realize that maybe she’s been given a second chance.  Maybe everything happens for a reason.  And maybe, just maybe, she wants Mason back.  But there are secrets afoot in this small southern town.  On the peaceful surface of Hideaway Lake, Annajane discovers that the past is never really gone.  Even if there are people determined to keep Annajane from getting what she wants, happiness might be hers for the taking, and the life she once had with Mason in this sleepy lake town might be in her future.


My Thoughts


Where do I begin? I was automatically hooked upon opening Spring Fever and stumbling into Annajane's life. I never wanted to put the book down as evident by dog-eared pages and the dark circles beneath my eyes. Spring Fever is the perfect beach read, the perfect book to have on your front porch while drinking some sweet tea.

Living in a small, Southern town myself I laughed along with Annajane and just felt for her. Here she is, divorced from the town's wealthiest family's son, and working for her ex at HIS family business. Awkward? Very much so.

Annajane has found a new man in her life and has decided that she is leaving behind her loft, career and Passcoe, NC.  Everyone in town is in her business about everything. I sympathized towards her in so much of the novel. Just to have to live with so many people breathing down your neck--and not to mention being on your ex's payroll was enough for me to want to pour her a glass of wine and be her friend.

Her best friend and Mason's sister, Pokey, is determined that Annajane and Mason were destined to be with one another. She has a feeling that Celia is up to no good and she keeps on with her impeccable match making skills. This is one pair of exes that Pokey knows they are meant to be together, not apart.

If you are looking for a new book to tote to the beach, lake or even just to your backyard, Spring Fever is the book for you. The plot is never slow and I never had the feeling of wanting the book to be over. In fact, when I got to the last page I was heartbroken that it was over as now I will have to wait one more year for her next novel to be released.

I have a feeling that once you have read one of Mary Kay Andrews' books that you will buying them all one by one. And when you do? Don't blame me for your late nights and tired mornings from reading into the wee hours of the morning. Add Spring Fever to your must read list this summer--once you discover Mary Kay Andrews your life will never be the same.

Spring Fever receives 5 out of 5 stars!


Where to Buy


Spring Fever will be released on June 5th--mark your calendars!

Pre-order at these stores:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble


About Mary Kay Andrews

Mary Kay Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestselling The Fixer Upper, Savannah Breeze and Blue Christmas, as well as Deep Dish,Hissy Fit, Little Bitty Lies and Savannah Blues. 


As a lifelong “junker” the author claims to know the location of every promising thrift store, flea market and junkpile in the southeastern United States, plus many parts of Ohio.

Married to her high school sweetheart, she is the mother of two grown children and a proud grandmother. After a brief hiatus in Raleigh, NC, she and her husband moved back to their old neighborhood in Atlanta, where they live in a restored 1926 Craftsman bungalow. She divides her time between Atlanta and her restored beach cottage on Tybee Island, GA.




You can connect with Mary Kay Andrews on:


Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads


Book info:

St. Martin's Press 6/5/2012HardcoverISBN: 9780312642716ISBN10: 03126427176 1/8 x 9 1/4 inches, 416 pages


I received an advance reader's copy from St. Martin's Press in order to read the book and conduct my honest review. No other compensation was given.

Book Pick of the Week: One Pink Line

Summer time used to be about staying up late, lounging by the pool every day and being carefree. Now that I can't do that as much as I used to (you know, this whole being a grown up thing) I try to read as often as possible. It's my way of escaping reality for a bit.

I just finished reading One Pink Line by Dina Silver. One Pink Line was such a fun book to read. I immediately loved the main character, Sydney, who starts out the book by finding out that she is pregnant. She is nearly done with college, in love with a man that shows her what love truly is, and then she finds out that she is pregnant. Now she has the task of letting her family and the man that she loves know about her unplanned pregnancy. Will she lose the one man that has shown her what true love and compassion truly is?

The story is also narrated by another person, Grace. Grace is young and has grown up in a loving home, but she has yet to meet her "real" father. She loves her stepfather, but to her it's not her "real" father. What is he like? Why hasn't he ever met her? Why is she different? These questions will follow her until she gets the answers that she is looking for.

One Pink Line was written beautifully. It was easy to follow, easy to read, and easy to fall in love with. Dina Silver has a talent for writing and I cannot wait to read her upcoming novel. If you are looking for a fun book to lose yourself in this spring and summer I recommend that you pick up One Pink Line. 


Final Word: Read it. Love it. Have a glass of wine, curl up and enjoy.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble.

About the author: Dina Silver is a graduate from Purdue University. She has spent the past 15 years feeding her red wine habit by working as a copywriter in the advertising industry. In addition to writing ad copy, she formed Dina's Ideas, a greeting card company, in 2003. Dina serves as the sole writer and designer for the business and has penned over 300 greeting cards since its inception.

I received the e-book to read and review. No other compensation was given and all opinions above are my own.

Book Pick of the Week: Chosen by Chandra Hoffman

I love finding a book so invigorating that I cannot put it down. It is while reading these types of books that the exhaustion the next day is well worth it.

Chosen by Chandra Hoffman was one of the above. This book was so intense and had me wanting, no, needing, to find out what was going to happen next. My heart would pound and I would read every chance that I got. I found myself staying up until midnight to squeeze in those next pages and chapters.

Here is a brief description as told on the book jacket:

It all begins as a fantasy...


A caseworker in her "paperwork-signing" suit alongside beaming parents cradling their adopted newborn: this is the blissful picture that keeps Chloe Pinter, director of Portland's Chosen Child domestic adoption program, happy as she juggles the demands of her boss and the incessant needs of adoptive and biological parents. 


But the dream job that offers Chloe refuge from her turbulent personal life soon becomes a nightmare involving three very different couples" the college sweethearts who, after suffering fertility problems, are now expecting their own baby' the wealthy husband and desperate wife for whom adoption is a last chance; and the couple who has nothing--except the baby everyone wants. But when a child goes missing, perceptions of family and future are challenged, posing the questions: What happens when you get what you thought you wanted? How far would you go if it wasn't what you wanted after all?


Right when I read the book jacket I knew in my heart that I had to read this book. As a mother who has struggled with unexplained infertility, as a sister to four adopted siblings, I knew that this book would be a great read.

The characters were so believable--it was as if I actually knew them. Once I started to get deeper into this book I saw that some of the characters were not who they seemed to be on the outside. I could relate to a few of the characters, but I think that the characters whom I could not relate to are what kept me captivated the most.

I could not imagine having to make a sacrifice so large such as putting my child up for adoption. Chandra Hoffman made me feel as if I were the mom who was placing my child with their forever family. The ache in their hearts--you truly get to see a point of view that many of us do not get to witness every day.

When I got to the portion of the book where the child goes missing, I felt sick to my stomach. Once the parent of the missing child realized that the child has disappeared, I once again felt like I was this character. The panic. The heart racing. The collapsing onto the ground--it was written in such a believable manner and had me feeling as if I had to hug my daughters that much closer.

All in all? I loved this book. Chandra Hoffman's writing skills are phenomenal. The characters did not seem to be stereotyped as they sometimes do in books that have well defined characters who play a certain role. It was as if I knew all of the characters in my own life.

I highly recommend this book to all of my blog readers and friends. I cannot tell you how many times that I told my Mom that she must read this book. I raved about it so much and she is now going to read it. I loved Chosen and hope that once you read it, you will understand when I say that I could not put this gripping read down.

Chick Lit Plus is hosting an Amazon gift card giveaway! Simply visit the Chosen blog tour page and leave a comment. Super easy!


Want to learn more about Chandra Hoffman and keep up with her social networks? You can "like" her on Facebook and/or follow her on Twitter.

A huge thank you to Chick Lit Plus for this amazing reading and review opportunity! I received the book to read and no other compensation was given. All opinions expressed above are my own.