Wednesday, May 29, 2013

VBT: Character Interview, Giveaway, and Review of Geoducks are for Lovers by Daisy Prescott



Blurb:

Food writer Maggie Marrion is just getting back on her feet after a horrible year, or two, or three. With their twentieth reunion approaching, she invites four of her closest friends from college for a weekend at her beach cabin. What she doesn’t expect is her best friends, artist Quinn Dayton and part-time erotica novelist, Selah Elmore, to play matchmaker. The two plot a surprise that will make the weekend, and her life, a lot more interesting.

Gil Morrow, former grunge musician turned history professor, joins them as Selah’s date for the weekend. After coming face to face with the one who got away, he decides he's waited long enough to get the girl. With the support of old friends, a few wishing rocks, the world’s largest burrowing clam, and a hot lumberjack thrown into the mix, Gil reminds Maggie that forty-something isn’t too old for second chances.

Can we learn to love the life we have and let go of who we expected to be? What happens when the generation from The Breakfast Club and Reality Bites meets The Big Chill? Come spend a weekend with these Generation X-ers as they share laughter, tears, life’s ups and downs, old stories, and new beginnings.

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I was able to sit down with Maggie and Gil and ask them some questions. ;-) Unfortunately my interview was sent to another host and she already posted it. :-( You can see my interview at Snifferwalk books. Because of this slight mix up, I'm going to share their character interview with John instead of my interview with Maggie and Gil. I hope you'll enjoy it regardless.

Name: John Day


Before your story began, what were your hopes for the future? Did something change that?

I'd been flirting with my neighbor, Maggie Marrion, for the past couple of years and hoping to get something going with her. But that kind of changed recently. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens. All I know is she smiles all the time now and she's even more beautiful.

Describe yourself for us today:

I'm 32, in pretty good shape, tall, with brown hair. I have a full beard that I'm thinking of trimming for summer. Beards get hot. I like to fish and go crabbing. Not much of a hunter. I work for my family's timber company. Oh, and I'm single. *winks*

Okay, tell the truth. What is your favorite food? Salmon I never get tired of it.

What’s your greatest talent? Flirting

Tell us a little about where you live.

I was born and raised on Whidbey Island and currently live in my uncle's beach cabin on Sunlight Beach with my dog Babe. It's an old fishing cabin from the 50s or something. I admit it's kind of a man cave and I have a stuffed deer head over the fireplace that my grandfather shot.

How about a favorite pastime? Probably fishing. I like hanging out with my neighbor. She makes the best cup of coffee.

Tell us about your love life. No comment. Are you single? *winks*

What makes you happy? Being out on the water or in the woods. Just being outside.

What is your greatest fear? That I won't find the right person to spend my life with. I've been a bachelor for a long time. Gets old sometimes, you know?









Purchase it from Amazon.


Excerpt:

“We’ll see how the night goes.”

“Is that a challenge, Maggie May?” Gil leans forward and catches her eye, then puts his hand on her leg above her knee, and squeezes.

The heat of his hand warms her and her muscles clench.

“Maybe.”

Gil licks the corner of his mouth. “Good to know.” Leaning back, he keeps his hand on her thigh.

Mentally, Maggie fans herself. The fire in front of her isn’t the only one she’s playing with tonight.

Quinn and Ryan eventually make their way out to join the group on the beach, carrying the s’mores supplies along with metal skewers from the kitchen.

“I can’t believe I’m offering this after the meat feast, but who wants dessert?” Ryan gestures the platter of goodies.

“I’ll never turn down chocolate or Nutella.” Selah gets up to grab a skewer and marshmallow.

“I need to taste Maggie’s Nutella s’more,” Gil says, squeezing her leg. “Mind making me one?”

“If I can stand, sure.” She pushes off the sand, using Gil’s leg to prop herself up.

“Charred or not charred?” She waves a marshmallow in front of Gil.

“Charred, of course.” He grins.

“Heathen,” she teases and sticks the marshmallow directly into the flames. Pulling the flaming ball of goo out of the fire, she blows on it before handing the skewer to Gil. ‘Hold this, and no eating it.”

Carefully grabbing a graham crack, she smears on a dollop of Nutella, and then places the charred marshmallow on top before adding another cracker.

She licks a big dollop of Nutella off the side, getting some of the warm chocolate on the corner of her mouth.

“Here.” She hands him the sticky mess, noticing that Gil shifts his legs and squirms.

“You missed a spot.” He gestures to her lips before biting the s’more.

Maggie licks her lips, trying to get off the Nutella. She glances at Gil, who closes his eyes and moans.

“Good?”

“Mmmm…. Hhmmmm… mmmmm” is all that comes out of him. Still with his eyes closed he reaches up to swipe off the Nutella from chin with his thumb. It’s Maggie’s turn to quietly moan as she watches him lick his thumb.

“Food porn as foreplay?” Quinn asks as he sticks his own marshmallow into the flames next to Maggie.

“What?” She asks, completely unaware of where she is.

“You have it so bad.” Selah chimes in from behind her. “Move out of the way or toast another marshmallow.” She bumps Maggie with her hip.

“More,” Gil says, opening one eye as he pops the last of the s’more into his mouth.

“Best s’more ever?” Maggie asks, grabbing another marshmallow.

“Best ever.” Gil winks. “More.”

“Greedy.” She chars another marshmallow.

The rest of the gang is likewise toasting and moaning over their creations.

“Where was this when I used to smoke pot?” Quinn asks.

“I’m grateful Nutella wasn’t around in college. I’d be as big as a house,” Jo says, eating a perfectly toasted but not charred marshmallow.

Maggie hands Gil another s’more, which he snatches from her like a starving man.

“You okay there, big guy? Can I make one for myself now?”

Gil gives her a stink eye but nods his head, his mouth too full to respond verbally.

Maggie sits back down next to Gil with her own s’more. She takes a bite, closes her eyes and moans. She can’t help herself.

When she opens her eyes, she catches Gil licking the s’more right before biting it.

“What the hell?” She tries to save her s’more from his greedy mouth, but he is too quick.

“It was dripping and going to land on your shirt. I was trying to be a gentleman and protect your clothing.”

Maggie stares at him.

“Not buying it?”

“No.” She licks her lips where the melted marshmallow makes them sticky. She watches Gil staring at her lips.

“Can I help you with that?” He offers, his eyes flicking to her mouth, then back up to her eyes.

“I think I’ve got it.”

“I’m not sure about that.” He reaches out his index finger, swipes under her bottom lip, and shows her the chocolate.

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About the author:

Before writing full time, Daisy Prescott worked in the world of art, auctions, antiques, and home decor. She earned her degree in Art History and endured a brief stint as a film theory graduate student. Baker, art educator, antiques dealer, blue ribbon pie maker, blogger, content wrangler, freelance writer, fangirl, gardener, wife, and pet mom are a few of the other titles she’s acquired over the years.

Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy and her husband (aka SO) currently live in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with their dog, Hubbell, and an imaginary house goat. Geoducks Are for Lovers is her debut novel. She is busy researching her second novel.

Author Links

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You can find the Tour Schedule here.



My Thoughts:

First let me say that the title is very fitting. Geoducks are the world's largest burrowing clam. It is not only the mascot of their college but it has other relevance too. It is strange how people so often mimic animals.

I can't believe this is a debut book! The characters. Oh the characters! They make this book. :-) I especially loved Quinn. Although Selah was amusing too!

This is an adult read. Not because it is provacative but because it deals with adult problems and adult characters.

The leading lady is Maggie a forty-ish food writer who hides out on an island. She doesn't realize that she's hiding. When her marriage fizzled and then she lost her mother, she found solace in her island home and never felt the need to leave.

She has a week long reunion with her friends from college who visit her. They surprise her by bringing along the man she loved and lost twenty years ago.

Gil is a former grunge rocker who is now a history teacher. He had a thing for Maggie and she broke his heart. They both married others and are now both available and in the same vicinity. The only thing standing in the way of them having a relationship is Maggie.

This book had me hooked pretty much from the start. It was evenly paced and I really enjoyed the interaction between all of these middle aged friends. :D

In addition to the rebuilding of Maggie and Gil's relationship, there is a lot of reminiscing, some meddling, a few squables, some tasty grub, achohol, revelations, and dirty scrabble!

Geoducks are for Lovers was a unique and fun second chance at love type book.

I recommend this to all of those who enjoy great characters or second chance type books.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I liked it a lot. I'll be keeping an eye out for more books from this author. :-)






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28 comments:

  1. I appreciate that both characters are free when they meet again ( what can i say i don't like cheating) part of me would have wanted that he wait for her but anyway, sometime second chance are so cute because you need the right person at teh right time and sometimes both aren't ready at the same time....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel the same way about cheating. I would much rather see them get split up and have a second chance at love later. :-)

      As they say everything has a time and a season.

      What will be will be. :-)

      Delete
  2. Thank you for hosting today! Great Review!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I didn't really keep in touch with too many folks from college unfortunately.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. lol i didn't keep in touch at all so you can be glad to be in contact with a few ( quality is better than quantity)

      Delete
    2. Very true Miki. Quality is much better than quantity!

      I think most people get separated from their friends from school. That's what reunions are for.

      Delete
    3. Definitely agree. I only have a few close friends now. I wouldnt trade them for 100 friends. :)

      Delete
  4. Thanks for your review and being a good sport about the switch-up!

    John needs love too. ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No problem. These Things happen.

      Speaking of John, will he be getting a book?

      Delete
  5. I haven't kept in touch with college friends. I started my own family and have stayed very busy indeed. When I do have some free time it's spent with hubby :)
    Lori
    lorih824 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is the same with most people. :-)

      I'm sure that your hubby appreciates the time spent with him. ;-)

      Delete
  6. No, I haven't went to college yet.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have kept in touch with a few college friends, but we don't see each other very often because we live in different states.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's great that you've found friends worth keeping in touch with! ;-)

      Delete
  8. This sounds like a very sweet read. And nope not really. :) I cant say that their "old" im only 24. :)
    -Amber

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was pretty good. The characters made it for sure!

      Delete
    2. I like character driven books so I'll check it out. :) Not our usual paranormal but I like diversity! :)

      Delete
  9. Of course. Some of my best friends from high school and college are still my best friends today.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi! Thank you for sharing!! :) Congrats on your release. And i dont know. I havent gone to college yet. Im 22. Tho, since high school, i only keep in touch with one person and shes pretty much my sister. So no, probably not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi back! I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :-)

      Most people don't seem to keep in touch. I think we all tend to grow in different ways when we get out of school. :D

      Delete
  11. I never see anyone that I went to college with. I was the youngest in my class- most were already in their 30's or older so..... I was 18 at the time and a few had kids my age or older so that made it kinda awkward...Great review and love the excerpt!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I do spend time with college buddies because I'm currently in college. Does that count :-)? Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love to spend time with my old college friends, though they are all hundreds of miles away so our visits are not as often as I'd like.
    Thanks.
    Stephanie
    steph0828 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete