BLURB:
In just a few short weeks, thirty something Abby George has endured the death of her mother, was dumped by her fiancé, and got laid off from her job.
Stunned and seeking a shoulder to cry on, she turns to her perfect older sister, Leigh. But instead of comfort, Abby receives a surprise: Leigh needs her in the Caribbean to help with some mysterious personal business.
While assisting in the sale and repair of a bed-and-breakfast, Abby uncovers a few huge family secrets as she juggles an unexpected roommate, quirky locals, and nasty centipedes.
Abby's world is further complicated when two potential suitors enter her life. Can Abby get beyond her own psycho drama long enough to open her heart to someone new? Or will she neurotically make her romantic life worse?
Packing nothing but her suitcases and a sense of humor, Abby George travels down an unfamiliar road, but it's all she can do to hang on for the ride...
Excerpt:
Abby smiled to herself, looked directly at Maria and said slowly, “I’m not trying to be a jerk or rude, but you wake me up after a long day of travel to ask me to leave my sister’s home?” Abby waved her hand around the room. “That I’m here to take care of?”
Abby looked Maria in the eye, almost laughing at the thought that this was an issue. Yet Maria was not reacting. In fact, she was just rocking and nodding.
“No time for limin’. Leigh asked me to be kind in telling you since you traveled so far an’ being her sister an’ all. Just no way to wake someone up to say get out, really.” The big pearly white smile was back. This woman needed to share her Crest Whitestrips with Ziggy.
What is the obsession with picking limes here? Abby thought. Are limes a main source of island income, and do I need to help pick them?
Abby crossed her arms. She could tell that her quizzical stare made Maria melt a little, wanting to explain further. Yet Abby felt like Maria was stopping herself.
“Abby, come. Let me make you some coffee. It seems to me that Miss Leigh may have left something out when she sent you here . . . ”
Oh no. Oh no! Abby’s voices were screaming in her head. Of course there is more to the story. That DAMN Leigh! She never, ever, ever can tell just the truth or tell something like it really is. Oh, hell no. She has to cover up something or . . . instead of lie, “I omitted the truth, Abby,” she says. Humpf. Omits the truth. I always think I know her. All I really know is that I never will know her like I think I do.
Abby was rubbing her forearms and realized her demeanor had shifted from “I’m the Queen of the Manor” to “I think I’m lost.” Maria took note of this, too, as she lifted herself from the rocker.
“Abby, come. Coffee and food. It does wonders for the body and the mind, not to mention the surprise of all this. And then I can explain to you the things you need to be hearing. It’s gonna be a bit to take in, oh yes. But Leigh wants you to know it for some reason. Otherwise, it would not be you doing this, right?” And with that, Maria began to walk out of the room, stopping at the door to turn around and wait for Abby.
Okay, strange Kittian woman with the bright smile, Abby thought as she slid into her flip-flops and shuffled out of the room behind Maria. You have a point. I need coffee. Let’s do this.
Review Rating: 4.5 LIGHTNING BOLTS
Review: In a time of need, Abby is in for a few surprises of her life....Rum Punch Regrets is a story about no regrets, making the best of things, and just trying to get by.
Anne Kemp's book is filled with intrigue, mishap, laugh out loud fun, and so much more. Some of the characters that you will meet in this story are so full of life! They have their quirks, and totally stand out. I love the way these characters have been developed. And they do have a way to stick in your mind even when not reading this story.
I like Abby. She's a great lead character and can easily be related to. Her sister- Leigh, not so much. But the secrets revolving around Leigh had me interested. Every time Abby learned something different about this trip that she took for Leigh, I was thrown by a curve even more. This story is full of little surprises!
I loved the unique characters such as Ziggy, Maria, and a few others. They sure bring a lot to this book. All the cast of characters has an important and interesting role.
Bottom line- Rum Punch Regrets has me hooked. I can't wait to find out more about Abby's future stories. Bravo to Ms. Kemp for penning a story to remember!
Author Bio:
Anne Kemp is the author behind the Abby George Series, which includes her debut novella, All Fruits Ripe, and first novel, Rum Punch Regrets, which is available in print and as an eBook. She is also the columnist behind “Anne In Progress,” which appears monthly in the Frederick News-Post, a newspaper in the DC-Metro area. As a blogger, she was nominated for a 2012 Bloggers Choice Award for Best Humor Blog, and is known for penning “The Ultimate Late Bloomer.”
Follow her on Twitter, @MissAnneKemp, or join her fans on Facebook for fun contests and giveaways. You can always find her at her website: www.annekemp.com.
A portion of Anne's proceeds are donated to Lupus LA.
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Thanks for being in the tour!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! This sounds like a book I would enjoy reading
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