Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Jenny's Blue Velvet by Angela Carlie. My stop includes all the details for the book, my review and a giveaway.One lucky commenter will win an ebook copy of Jenny's Blue Velvet. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post. This giveaway is open internationally and ends on September 16th. The winner will be chosen randomly.
This tour is presented by Xpresso Book Tours.
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Jenny's Blue Velvet by Angela Carlie
Publication date: August 22nd 2013
Genre: Adult Romantic Thriller
Synopsis:
Jenny’s stuck.
She’s tried just about every occupation she can think of and will be digging out of student debt for a very long time, but has nothing to show for it. Her everyday routine feels like a prison. And her marriage? Well, let’s just say it’s been a little one-sided lately and the money she threw down on the toys from Lover’s Erotic Store was well worth it and then some.
Jenny decides her next big step is to become a romance writer. Romance books are flying off the virtual shelves, after all. This will be her big break, her escape from the prison, and a way to freedom. Self-publishing is all the rage these days. She’ll be a best seller in no time.
When Jenny makes friends with a woman named Cassandra from the gym, she instantly decides that her new friend will make a perfect main character in her upcoming book. After the first chapter, real life begins to resemble the fiction she’s writing. Her friendship blossoms, sex with her husband turns into a daily feast, and her job gets more interesting with each chapter written.
Out of the blue, a person who is a close friend with her husband and who is dating Cassandra disappears. As the mystery behind the missing person unfolds, Jenny wonders if she might be responsible for his possible death. And if she is, what will be the consequence? What has this writing business gotten her into?
Jenny's Blue Velvet is a dark, humorous, romantic thriller for adults only.
She’s tried just about every occupation she can think of and will be digging out of student debt for a very long time, but has nothing to show for it. Her everyday routine feels like a prison. And her marriage? Well, let’s just say it’s been a little one-sided lately and the money she threw down on the toys from Lover’s Erotic Store was well worth it and then some.
Jenny decides her next big step is to become a romance writer. Romance books are flying off the virtual shelves, after all. This will be her big break, her escape from the prison, and a way to freedom. Self-publishing is all the rage these days. She’ll be a best seller in no time.
When Jenny makes friends with a woman named Cassandra from the gym, she instantly decides that her new friend will make a perfect main character in her upcoming book. After the first chapter, real life begins to resemble the fiction she’s writing. Her friendship blossoms, sex with her husband turns into a daily feast, and her job gets more interesting with each chapter written.
Out of the blue, a person who is a close friend with her husband and who is dating Cassandra disappears. As the mystery behind the missing person unfolds, Jenny wonders if she might be responsible for his possible death. And if she is, what will be the consequence? What has this writing business gotten her into?
Jenny's Blue Velvet is a dark, humorous, romantic thriller for adults only.
This is a difficult review for me to write, and not because I didn't like the book. I think this may be one of the strangest books I've ever read. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. Jenny's Blue Velvet really messed with my head! In fact, I can't say a whole lot without spoiling the experience. I will say it was not what I expected.
Jenny seems to be experiencing a mid-life crisis of sorts. She spent eight years in college but didn't receive a degree. She's been married for 18 years, has two kids and works at a dead-end job. However, she's decided to write a romance novel since they seem to be so popular. Maybe if she can make enough money on the book, she can quit her job.
Jenny was a difficult character for me to like. She spends most of her time complaining about her life. But other than writing her book, she isn't doing too much to change things. Jenny's husband, Jason, seems a solid guy. He owns a gym and takes an active role in Jenny's health. In fact, we first meet the couple as they're running a 5K. Jason seemingly ensures they eat healthily and he's intent on Jenny taking a daily vitamin. Jenny is beginning to have concerns over Jason's fidelity when she sees him with another woman. However, Cassandra introduces herself to Jenny and lets her know she's dating another man. Jenny and Cassandra form a tentative friendship. Jenny thinks Cassandra is a very interesting woman and decides to use her as the basis for the heroine in her novel.
Jenny's novel, which we get chapters of as she writes, is intriguing. It's a romance with a paranormal twist. We don't get much development since we don't actually read it in its entirety, but it was definitely more exciting than Jenny's day-to-day life. Candy and Damian, the characters of the novel, were interesting and I'd have liked to have gotten to know them better. Candy, in particular, with her fascination with the color blue.
Jenny's Blue Velvet has a 'Stranger than Fiction' feel to it. It is quite a trippy reading experience. I enjoyed the romance novel portion because I enjoyed Candy and her story, even if it was odd. However, even though I did like the mystery surrounding Jenny's life, I never really connected with Jenny as a character. Of course, there is a reason for that but I can't explain it without spoiling. Jenny's Blue Velvet is unique and it's well written, too. I simply think it's rather strange. And though that's not a bad thing in itself, I think maybe it's a little too strange for me.
Jenny seems to be experiencing a mid-life crisis of sorts. She spent eight years in college but didn't receive a degree. She's been married for 18 years, has two kids and works at a dead-end job. However, she's decided to write a romance novel since they seem to be so popular. Maybe if she can make enough money on the book, she can quit her job.
Jenny was a difficult character for me to like. She spends most of her time complaining about her life. But other than writing her book, she isn't doing too much to change things. Jenny's husband, Jason, seems a solid guy. He owns a gym and takes an active role in Jenny's health. In fact, we first meet the couple as they're running a 5K. Jason seemingly ensures they eat healthily and he's intent on Jenny taking a daily vitamin. Jenny is beginning to have concerns over Jason's fidelity when she sees him with another woman. However, Cassandra introduces herself to Jenny and lets her know she's dating another man. Jenny and Cassandra form a tentative friendship. Jenny thinks Cassandra is a very interesting woman and decides to use her as the basis for the heroine in her novel.
Jenny's novel, which we get chapters of as she writes, is intriguing. It's a romance with a paranormal twist. We don't get much development since we don't actually read it in its entirety, but it was definitely more exciting than Jenny's day-to-day life. Candy and Damian, the characters of the novel, were interesting and I'd have liked to have gotten to know them better. Candy, in particular, with her fascination with the color blue.
Jenny's Blue Velvet has a 'Stranger than Fiction' feel to it. It is quite a trippy reading experience. I enjoyed the romance novel portion because I enjoyed Candy and her story, even if it was odd. However, even though I did like the mystery surrounding Jenny's life, I never really connected with Jenny as a character. Of course, there is a reason for that but I can't explain it without spoiling. Jenny's Blue Velvet is unique and it's well written, too. I simply think it's rather strange. And though that's not a bad thing in itself, I think maybe it's a little too strange for me.
I write fiction involving young people. Mainstream publishing would label my writing as YA or middle grade. Since I’m an indie author, I can skip over the labels and tell you that each one of my stories is unique, can be read and enjoyed by all ages, and almost always has a young person as the protagonist. Authors write what they know and I don’t know old yet. I may someday write about older people, but that’s so far in the future that I can’t see it yet.
Hmm I'm not sure this is a book for me. I'm glad you were able to enjoy it, despite it being strange. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Teresa. I felt so funny when I got to the end...really, not like anything I've read before. :)
DeleteWell, this certainly seems different and interesting. I'm glad you liked it, despite not connecting with the mc.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, Brandee!
It is definitely different, Andrea. It was kinda like watching Inception for me...I felt maybe I wasn't smart enough to be reading it! LOL It all makes sense in the end though. :)
DeleteA trippy experience? Now I'm even more intrigued! I usually love these kinds of strange stories I'm glad you liked it! :)
ReplyDeleteCertainly trippy, Giselle! When I read the blurb for this I was on board...but like I said, it wasn't what I expected. Of course, if you read it you'll understand why that is... Thanks so much!
DeleteThe concept for this one does sound rather odd. She's using this girl she met that she thought was sleeping with her man as a character in a novel that she is writing. How odd that she's writing a novel. This is definitely a different sort of story. Love your review :D Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's not the half of it, Jaclyn. It really is an interesting book. I just can't enough without spoiling. Still, I didn't connect with Jenny but I don't know that that wasn't part of Ms. Carlie's plan. See what I mean? Mind-bending! LOL
Delete