Blog Tour: Lust on the Rocks

A few weeks ago I wrote a review for Jennifer's Garden by Dianne Venetta as part of a blog tour hosted by A Cozy Reader's Corner. I really enjoyed that novel (you can read that review here) and was looking forward to the next book in the set, Lust on the Rocks, which features Jennifer's best friend. I was not let down as I really enjoyed this one!

Here's the synopsis:

One case away from partnership, Samantha Rawlings is forced to share her high-profile case with a sexy younger man, whose eyes are on a different prize. In the best interests of her client, Sam opens the door to his strategy. Turns out, a little too far...Victor Marin has ulterior motives. The defendant in her case holds the key to his revenge and his last chance for justice. But as he chases old demons, he uncovers a powerful woman with no inhibitions, one he wants to possess for himself. But decidedly single, Sam wants no part. Until Vic walks away.

I really liked Samantha. She's smart, sassy, sexy, and spunky. It was great to read about her because she pretty much has everything in life totally figured out. She's amazing at her job as a lawyer which means she has a kick ass apartment with a gorgeous beach view. She's got a large, crazy, and loving family. The only kinks she needs to work out have to do with relationships - even though she thinks she's doing just fine. This is the issue she had to work through in the book and it was great to see her grow and realize how she needed to change.

I had enjoyed reading Jennifer's Garden and knew I would be reading the next book soon after. I was a little worried that I wouldn't like it as much or that I would miss Jennifer, as I always am when I read a series that focuses on different characters who are connected. It turns out I didn't need to worry as I actually liked Sam's story better and I may even go as far to say that I liked Sam better than Jennifer. There was more pep to Sam and I think that helped me enjoy the book more. This novel was a little steamier and the side plot wasn't quite as heavy.

Overall, I really liked Lust on the Rocks. I think fans of chick lit and romance alike would enjoy it as well. I will definitely be looking forward to what Dianne Venetta writes next!

Happy reading :)

Guest Post: Dianne Venetta

I'd like to thank Dianne Venetta, author of Jennifer's Garden for writing this interesting guest post for Books Etc. She gets asked a lot if the gardening in the novel comes from her own green thumb. Read on to see if that's the case!

Many who read Jennifer's Garden want to know how my love of gardening played into the writing of Jennifer’s Garden.  The answer to this question lies in this guest post.  Enjoy!


"A woman will bloom in time…" is a play on words that epitomizes my core belief: women are unique and beautiful and follow a life path unlike any other. Comparing ourselves to others is a waste of time, because we don't walk in their shoes. We borrow them, but we don't own them. She's going to have to make her own way in life. I'm simply her guide on how best to go about choosing which direction is right for her.
And this is the way it was meant to be. Not all tomatoes sprout at the same time. Squash grow in a variety of sizes and shapes and color. Trust me. I grew a zucchini once that turned into a pumpkin, right before my very eyes. Beats the heck out of me, but I've learned not to fight Mother Nature. While she has a sense of humor, she doesn't appreciate back talk.
While this wasn’t the first novel I wrote – that one was the story of a mother-daughter relationship, one that needed healing but wouldn't—until the women involved learned to accept who they were, why they affected each other and how they could move forward together in an intimate and loving relationship; the way nature intended. Eventually, I will publish the story; for my daughter.
The garden analogy is actually the result of a brief hiatus I took from writing a few years back. After an exceptionally tough rejection (apparently my thick-skin was thinning) I had to "step away from the beast" so to speak, and regain my perspective and objectivity about the craft of writing. No better place for me than outdoors!
However, while out gardening my mind never quit. I have a bad case of the "busy mind" anyway, but all sorts of thoughts took flight in my brain between my rows of corn and tomatoes and next thing you know, a new blog was born called BloominThyme. It journals my foray into the realm of organic gardening, my lessons learned, creatures discovered—including the antics of two kids and a dog along the way!
But the garden is also where my stories grew roots, in my heart and in my mind. Stories about a woman's personal growth and maturity, these were books I wanted to write. I'm sure it stems from my desire to be a good role model for my daughter; sharing with her the mistakes I've made, decisions that went well, the endless palette of choices that await her."

Blog Tour: Jennifer's Garden

Welcome to my stop on the A Cozy Reader's Corner organized blog tour for Jennifer's Garden by Dianne Venetta. I'm so very glad Tiffany contacted me to be part of this tour because I really liked this book!

Here's the synopsis:

JENNIFER’S GARDEN epitomizes the showdown between a career woman’s criteria for the perfect husband and what true love means.
In a race against time, cardiologist Jennifer Hamilton is caught between her mother’s dying wish and taking the risk of a lifetime with Jackson Montgomery. He’s the man hired to complete the landscaping for her new home; the venue for her upcoming wedding. Jackson’s everything she never wanted in a man, but as the job progresses, his lure pulls strong. It’s an attraction she cannot deny.
And one that puts her career on the line.

It took me a little while to really like Jennifer - but I suspect that was supposed to happen. Like Jackson, I found her cold and closed off but I knew there was more to her than met the eye. She was facing a lot of stress due to her mother's illness and imminent death and I could tell that's where a lot of her standoffish behaviour came from. I was worried for a bit that I wasn't going to like her at all because she acted atrociously to Jackson. For someone who seems to have such high standards she doesn't seem to have any manners. She was incredibly prejudiced towards him and that drove me absolutely crazy. He's a landscape architect and she seemed too think he needed to show up in a suit and tie. Um. Right. Not sure where she got that idea. Anyway, she eventually saw sense, thank goodness!

The story in this novel was really sweet but also very sad. It was hard to read at parts when Jennifer was worrying abut what she was going to do without her mother. I admit I teared up a bit after her mother passed away which shows I was invested in Jennifer's story.

I wish the situation with Jennifer's old boyfriend was explained a little more. They dated when they were teens and he was the reason she never gave into passion and instead chose a man who ticked all the right boxes. Because of how the fallout with this boy was explained I first thought that her father was not a very decent man. It seemed like he completely flew off the handle - more so than a father normally would when he catches his daughter with a boy. As it turns out, her father was a good man and the story of how her parents almost weren't able to get married was quite sweet.

There were a few parts where the flow of the story was a bit awkward, such as a chapter ending in mid conversation. It wasn't a cliffhanger type discussion but the chapter was ended in an awkward  place. The only other thing I found odd was the Greek tycoon storyline. I don't think it really added anything to the story at all. (PS I know this is kind of vague but there's a bit of a twist, albeit a strange one, with this and I don't want to give anything away.)

Overall though I really liked reading about Jennifer's life and going through the troubling times with her. She is such a good person and it made me so happy to see everything work out for her in the end. I'm now looking forward to reading Lust on the Rocks which features Sam, Jennifer's best friend. Stay tuned for a guest post from Dianne Venetta as well!

Happy reading :)