BookLover Sue: Review & Giveaway - Pie Girls by Lauren Clark

Pie Girls

by Lauren Clark

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Princess, Southern belle, and spoiled-rotten social climber Searcy Roberts swore on a stack of Bibles she’d never return home to Fairhope, Alabama. After marrying her high school sweetheart and moving to Atlanta, Searcy embraces big-city life—Carrie Bradshaw style.

But now, Searcy has a teeny, tiny problem. Her husband’s had a mid-life crisis. He’s quit his job, cancelled her credit cards, and left her for another man.

Searcy returns to Fairhope, ready to lick her wounds. But when her mother falls ill, she’s is thrust into managing the family business—only to discover the beloved bakery is in danger of closing its doors forever.

Enlisting the help of the adorable bike store owner next door, an array of well-heeled customers, and her soon-to-be ex-husband, Searcy hatches the plan of the century to save Pie Girls.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt:

Chapter 1

This cannot be happening.

I steal a glance at the clock. Where is my husband? And my anniversary gift, for that matter. The robin's egg blue box, the crinkle of the white tissue paper. The gasp of surprise, well-practiced, when I lift the diamond-encrusted pendant from its nest.

Alton, always the gentleman, will insist on helping. He'll clear his throat, looking rather pleased with himself, stand up, and sweep my long blond hair off to one side. With flourish, he'll ever so carefully drape the platinum chain around my neck, plant a soft kiss on my bare shoulder, and ease the clasp into place.

When my eyes blink open, the room’s still empty. Alton, who's been on a business trip for a full week, promised he'd make it home for our anniversary. If he doesn't, he’s going to be in huge trouble.

I fold my arms across my chest and walk over to our huge picture window. Elegant skyscrapers glow in the dark night, windows twinkling white and gold. Below them, steady streams of traffic wrap like ribbons around the maze of interstate highway.

Away from the roadways, Atlanta is surprisingly lush and dense, with rolling hills and trees—beautiful magnolia, dogwoods, old Southern pines, and magnificent oaks. The expansive green space, well-manicured parks, and flower-lined sidewalks remind me a bit of home.

Buckhead—where I live—is a mecca for shoppers, visitors and businesses, with its upscale boutiques, restaurants, and hotels. Trendy bars, dance clubs, and bistros all come to life when the sun melts into the horizon. A place to see and be seen. It truly is the Beverly Hills of the South, as my friend Phillipa likes to call it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review:

Pie Girls is a story about a young wife, Searcy. She's married to very wealthy Anton Roberts. She shops at all the best stores. She has a personal shopper, a woman who makes a very good living helping Searcy spend money. Searcy is celebrating her 10th wedding anniversary, cooking a wonderful home-made meal with a pie made from her grandmother's secret recipe. Apparently, even with all her money, she is willing to roll up hew sleeves when it involves baking. She is anticipating a very, very expensive gift and preparing for the occasion purchases shoes that costs more than my kitchen appliances. When Anton is hours late for the big event, Searcy first believes he has just forgotten their plans. Apparently, he tends to forget plans when he is deep into his work. Anton's boss lists Anton as missing, which terrifies Searcy. But Anton is not missing. He eventually just pops in at home and announces he no longer wishes to be married and then quits his lucrative job. Searcy is beside herself. She identifies herself as Anton's wife. She doesn't believe she knows how to be anyone else. She decides to go home to stay a bit with her mother who owns and runs a restaurant called "Pie Girls." Searcy's mother has let the popular "Pie Girls" go and turns to her daughter for help. Searcy has got what it takes to turn the business around if she can find it within herself to believe she is capable of being more than the rich wife of Roberts.
This story is rich in descriptives and I truly enjoyed going shopping with Searcy. I loved experiencing the wonder of having whatever you want whenever you want it and going through the trials and tribulations Searcy goes through as she discovers her hidden strengths and talents. I found myself drawn into her world and enjoyed every minute of it. For this reason I give Pie Girls a 4 1/2 stars and highly recommend it. It is a book to read while enjoying a delicious dessert or a glass of wine. ~JoEllen

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lauren Clark writes contemporary Southern novels sprinkled with sunshine, suspense, and secrets. A former TV news anchor, Lauren adores flavored coffee, local book stores, and anywhere she can stick her toes in the sand. Her big loves are her family, paying it forward, and true-blue friends.

She is the author of four award-winning novels, Dancing Naked in Dixie, Stay Tuned, Stardust Summer, and Pie Girls, as well as a short story, A Very Dixie Christmas, published in the Merry & Bright holiday collection. Lauren is a member of the Gulf Coast Writers Association and the Mobile Writers Guild. Check out her website at www.laurenclarkbooks.com.

Website: www.laurenclarkbooks.com

Blog: www.laurenclarkbooks.com/blog

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LaurenClark_Bks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Clark/235315706518284

Pintrest: http://www.pinterest.com/laurenclarkbks/

Kindle: http://amzn.to/X8rCq1
Nook: http://bit.ly/1pHBVuo

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/pie-girls/id906182442?mt=11

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway:

Lauren will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The more you comment, the greater your chances of winning!

Follow the tour HERE