Project and content management for Contemporary Authors volumes
WORK TITLE: Only You
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://denisegroverswank.com/
CITY: Blue Springs
STATE: MO
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: no2012069117
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/no2012069117
HEADING: Swank, Denise Grover
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PERSONAL
Born in Kansas City, MO.; widowed; children: six.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Denise Grover Swank began writing a novel in the fourth grade. She never finished it. As she tells it on the Kay Bratt (Uncensored) website, “In September of 2007, I first started a blog, There’s Always Room for One More”—referring to her journey to Vietnam to pick up one of her three adopted children. She thought of it as fun. “For two years,” she said, “the majority of my blog was devoted to our daily family life, the misadventures of a single mother raising six children. I wrote with humor, sarcasm and the bittersweet moments in life.” Soon she felt that instead of living her life, she was watching it for kernels of interest for her blog. She was happy that she was learning “the fine art of telling a story,” and so, in 2009, she decided to try writing one.
Moving on from the death of her husband in a small-plane crash in 2006, she chose to “reinvent herself.” In the years since she made that decision, Swank has written more than forty books: adult thrillers, paranormal tales, fantasies, romances, and mysteries and young-adult novels. Her novels typically appear in series, among them, “Chosen,” “Rose Gardner,” “Curse Keepers,” “Wedding Pact,” and “Bachelor Brotherhood.”
"Rose Gardner" Series
The “Rose Gardner” series follows the title character through more than a dozen mysteries and investigations. Rose is a girl with psychic abilities. In the series opener, Twenty-eight and a Half Wishes, Rose has a disconcerting premonition of her own death, but it is her mother that turns up dead instead. Has her mother been taken for her? The two had argued just before her mother was murdered. To clear herself of murder charges, she must find the killer. A critic in Publishers Weekly remarked that “readers will root for the appealing heroine.” In Booklist, Stacy Alesi found “lot of humor” in the book and pronounced it “light, fluffy, southern fun.” The blogger at Steph the Bookworm summarized: “The mystery was fun and surprising, the romance was a roller coaster ride also full of mystery, and the main character was funny and charming.”
The second series offering, Twenty-nine and a Half Reasons, finds Rose on jury duty. Another of her visions tells her the man on trial is innocent. A Publishers Weekly reviewer found the characters “charming and diverting” and was “willing to overlook minor improbabilities” in the plot. Writing at My Seryniti, a critic called the book “fun” and “quirky” with “just enough intrigue to make you want to keep reading.” A reviewer on the All Things Writing website termed the story “fast paced,” saying that it had “humor.” The reviewer concluded: “I could probably list twenty-nine and a half reasons why you should read this book!”
Thirty-five and a Half Conspiracies is the eighth book in this series. The father of Rose’s ex-boyfriend has Rose charged once again with her mother’s murder and thrown in jail. J.R. Simmons has money and power and a determination to see Rose put away. A critic at Serious Reading called the book “completely realistic.” Rose must try to prove her innocence once more and expose J.R. as a liar. A critic at the Angela Bonnie Shockley website appreciated the “layer upon layer of passion, sub-plots, and deceit.”
"Bachelor Brotherhood" Series
The “Bachelor Brotherhood” romance series spins off from Swank’s previous “Wedding Pact” series. The premise of the trilogy is that the titular “bachelors” have sworn off becoming deeply romantically involved with women, never mind stepping close to the altar. The series begins with Only You, which finds Kevin Vandemeer returning home after serving in the Marine Corps. Soon he is swept into a relationship with his next-door neighbor, Holly Greenwood. What will become of his vow to remain single? Writing in Publishers Weekly, a contributor recommended the book to fans of contemporary romance, saying that this is a “sentimental, endearingly goofy story” and observing that the author’s “feel-good storytelling proclaims the primacy of love.” A reviewer at Romantic Reads and Such singled out all the story’s intertwined relationships as well done. Kevin’s relationship with his sister is “supportive but still snarky” and that with Holly is “sweet, spicy and humorous.”
Until You is the second in the series. This tale centers on another bachelor who wants nothing to do with romance. Tyler Norris is the best friend of Kevin Vandemeer from the previous series book. He begins to reexamine his attitude toward relationships in light of Kevin and Holly’s. Then, at a wedding party event before the marriage of friends Randy and Brittany, he meets Lanie Rogers, a workaholic who can’t seem to settle down. A critic in Publishers Weekly asserted that “flirty clandestine interactions at the wedding events are fun.” The reviewer also thought that the characters’ decisions to marry were based more on “being in the right place for a change of life” than they were about attraction or even love. The critic on the Romantic Reads and Such website commended the “truly hilarious slapstick moments” and observed that the “verbal sparring is all sass & fun.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, August 1, 2015, Stacy Alesi, review of Twenty-eight and a Half Wishes, p. 38.
Publishers Weekly, June 15, 2015, review of Twenty-eight and a Half Wishes, p. 65; August 3, 2015, review of Twenty-nine and a Half Reasons, p. 37; September 26, 2016, review of Only You, p. 72.
ONLINE
All Things Writing, https://allthingswriting.blogspot.com/ (August 10, 2012), eview of Twenty-nine and a Half Reasons.
Angela Bonnie Schockley Website, https://bongela.wordpress.com/ (November 4, 2015), review of Thirty-five and a Half Conspiracies.
DearEditor.com, http://deareditor.com/, May 9, 2014, author interview.
Christine Fonseca Website, http://beforeitsnews.com/ (February 2, 2012), Christine Fonseca, author interview.
DearEditor.com, http://deareditor.com/ (May 9, 2014), author interview.
Denise Grover Swank Website, http://denisegroverswank.com (June 27, 2017).
Kay Bratt (Uncensored), http://kaybratt.com/ (July 20, 2011), author blog post.
My Seryniti, https://myseryniti.wordpress.com/ (June 29, 2012), review of Twenty-nine and a Half Reasons.
Publishers Weekly Online, https://www.publishersweekly.com/ (June 27, 2017), review of Until You.
Romantic Reads and Such, https://romanticreadsandsuch.wordpress.com/ (June 27, 2017), review of Only You and Until You.
Serious Reading, http://seriousreading.com/ (June 27, 2017), review of Thirty-five and a Half Conspiracies.
Steph the Bookworm, http://www.stephthebookworm.com/ (September 16, 2011), review of Twenty-eight and a Half Wishes.
We Do Write, https://we-do-write.blogspot.com/ (May 20, 2010), Dorothy Dreyer, author interview.*
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty Facebook comments (in own her mind) and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.
July 20, 2011
This week I am honored that my good friend, Denise Grover Swank, has agreed to write a guest blog post. I’d like to congratulate her for her recent achievement, the publishing of Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes. Way to go, Denise!
Honestly, I can’t pinpoint what it is about Denise that I find so intriguing. Perhaps it is because she is a super mom to six children–two THREE who were adopted internationally. (and we all know that is a fascinating subject to me!) or is it the dry humor that is evident in all of her blog posts? (She reminds me of myself) It might have a teensy weensy bit to do with the fact that I laughed out loud when I stumbled across her blog for the first time when she mentioned that she was trick or treating around the neighborhood dressed as her favorite author. (Guess who!!)
Or Seriously, it could even be the fact that she has proven what a strong woman she is; surviving the tragic and unexpected death of her husband and instead of living the life of a victim, has reinvented herself in a way that her hubby is probably looking down and beaming with pride over.
I love to bring ways for you to support each other in the IA Community and this is my latest brag moment. Denise, I’m so proud of you. Now here is a bit from her in her own words. And go buy that book! You can get the Kindle version for only 99 cents right now! Please leave her a comment of congratulations— it is amazing how hard she has worked for this release. For anyone who leaves a comment, I’ll put your name in to win one of my 1st edition Silent Tears books, autographed to whomever you would like to give it to. Drawing to be held Monday, August 1.—-Kay Bratt
A Message from Denise:
I’ve always been a writer ever since the fourth grade when I started a novel in a wide ruled spiral notebook. I didn’t finish it. I made a few attempts at writing a novel in my twenties, never finishing those either. And for a while, I gave up my writing dream, thinking it was foolish. What made me think I could write a book?
In September of 2007, I first started a blog, There’s Always Room for One More. I was preparing to fly to Vietnam to adopt my daughter Emma and I knew a lot of families had blogs to record their journey. I’d also recently discovered the blog of Dawn Meehan, who wrote the blog Because I Said So. After years as a frustrated writer wanna-be, I thought, “Here’s something I could have fun with.”
And I did. For two years the majority of my blog was devoted to our daily family life, the misadventures of a single mother raising six children. I wrote with humor, sarcasm and the bittersweet moments in life. I prided myself in the transparency of my life. If I felt that way, 10:1 odds someone else did too. And while writing my blog posts, I perfected my writing. Plots had always plagued me when I tried to write anything of length. But with my blog posts, I learned the fine art of telling a story, that a story has a beginning, middle and an end. I learned about pacing. Sure that sarcastic comment I just wrote was funny (if only in my own head) but it slows down the story and interferes with the flow.
But while I loved the writing, I found I lived my life through a filter. As a situation occurred, I’d think, “How can I make this a blog post?” and to be honest, it began to bother me. While I loved creating stories, I felt like I lived my life watching my children so I’d have something to write about.
In the fall of 2009, I heard about NaNoWriMo, which occurs every November and stands for National Novel Writing Month. People all over the world sign up to write a novel* in the 30 days of November. (Their definition of a novel is 50,000 words. Most novels are actually 70,000-100,000) If you finish your 50,000 by the 30th you win! (A certificate, LOL) But it was the push I needed and I decided it was now or ever.
So in October, I plotted a book, a romantic suspense about women who died from heart conditions after going to a holistic diet clinic. I started on November 1st, eager and excited. On November 30, I had 69,000 words. I finished on December 10 with 94,000. And when I typed The End. I cried like a baby.
I did it.
Pretty awesome, huh? So why isn’t it published? To put it bluntly, it’s crap. Situations were completely contrived; there were plot holes big enough to drive a semi-truck through. But guess what? That’s okay because I needed to know I could do it. Perhaps I would have been more upset when I realized how bad it really was if I hadn’t already started novel #2—Chosen, my paranormal thriller/urban fantasy that will be out this September. I learned a lot with that first novel, titled So Much to Lose (diet clinic, get it? LOL) and I learned that sometimes things we think are “it” are only stepping-stones to what we’re really supposed to achieve.
But honestly, isn’t that what life is all about? Obstacles fall into our path, that seem so insurmountable at the time, but really steer us the direction we need to go.
When I finished that first novel, I fell in love. HERE was the job I’d been searching for my entire life. So I devoted my heart and soul into it, writing five books over the next year and a half. The third book I wrote, Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes, a quirky southern mystery with a paranormal twist, was released on July 12. Out of all of my books, Twenty-Eight is most like my blog. Sweet, but not sappy. Humorous, but bittersweet.
The reality is I wouldn’t be in this spot, with a published book, if my husband hadn’t died five years ago. That’s how I became friends with Kay, while I was attempting to write a memoir about my experience. She offered encouragement and support while I floundered. As I reevaluated my life, I realized that life is short and if we have dreams we need to live them now, not put them on hold for “later.” Because sometimes later never comes.
I also learned to take the bad and turn it into something good. I never chose to lose my husband, but the time I used to spend with him I now devote to writing. Life changes and moves on and we need to learn to move on with it.
And so I’m moving on. I have two more books coming out this fall, the first two books of a paranormal thriller/urban fantasy trilogy. And I have at least three more books planned with Rose, the main character of Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes. My children, who’ve watched me hunched over my keyboard, are now excited and proud, finally seeing the results of Mommy’s late night hours. Hopefully, they’ve learned that life is hard and things don’t always go our way, but sometimes when we work hard, dreams do come true.
May 20, 2010
Dorothy Dreyer
Interview with Denise Grover Swank
I hope everyone's week hasn't been as cloudy and gloomy as mine so far. If anyone's got any extra sunshine hanging around, feel free to send it my way. ;)
Until then, I'm here to brighten your day with another interview. We're talking with a busy and talented woman I'm sure you'll all be pleased to meet.
Welcome, Denise. Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Denise Grover Swank. I write adult thriller/paranormal and I am preparing to write a MG adventure/fantasy. I'm a single mom to six kids (three biological and three internationally adopted,) five of which still live at home. I'm currently work at home which allows me flexibility with my kids and writing.
Sounds like a full house. Let's talk about your writing. What is the name and genre of your manuscript?
CHOSEN is a thriller/paranormal.
Here’s the part where you pitch it. What’s your story about?
Emma Thompson was supposed to be a simple delivery for mercenary Will Davenport, but he’s repeatedly ambushed by gunmen hell bent on capturing her five-year-old son Jake, who not only sees the future, but tells Will he’s the Chosen One, the prophesied protector of his mother and the world.
How did the idea of the story come to you?
From my then three year old son. LOL One night my older son's girl friend told me Ryan counted to four, but only if he touched her fingers. I joking suggested perhaps he telepathically read her mind and that's how he knew the numbers. A light bulb went off in my head and I suddenly started playing the "what if" game. What if a boy could see the future? What if someone wanted him? What if his mother was on the run trying to protect him? And finally for a twist, 'cause I LOVE me a good twist, what if someone wanted HER and not her son?
I love good twists too. Sounds like an exciting read. Is your manuscript complete or still a work in progress?
CHOSEN is complete and ready to query. ARG!!!
Ah, the agent query-go-round. Tell us, do you have a critique group/partner or beta readers, or do you self-edit?
All of the above, plus one more: alpha readers.
I used four alpha readers as I wrote; two are writers (an man and a woman) and two a regular "readers" (also a man and a woman). They were crucial to help me stay on track with the story. One, just an avid reader, pointed out what she saw as a deviation from my character's motivation. She was absolutely correct and saved me a ton of future rewrites.
When I finished editing, I used both critique partners and beta readers. With my beta readers, I sent out questionnaires asking their reactions and opinions on particular areas of the book such as: what did they think of a particular scene, was the development of the relationship between Will and Emma believable? There were about 15 questions. God love 'em, they were all so enthusiastic about the book they answered my questions and offered plenty of their own opinion and insights too. I have to say, I was THRILLED to finally have someone read my book and see how much they loved it.
Sounds thorough. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?
The hardest part of writing is probably my criticism of my own work. I write a rough first draft but I have a friend who writes a beautiful first draft. Its hard not to compare. But I made my work shine in editing and at the end of the day, its how it reads when its finished, not when it's first written. (Thank God!)
Any tips you’ve learned about writing you’d like to share?
Read, read, read. Be open to constructive criticism. Accept that some days the words just don't flow like you want them too.
Good advice. Do you have an idea of your book’s cover art?
My reward for finishing my first draft was granting myself permission to make a book trailer. I created a book cover for the end of the trailer. The arm you see on the cover belongs to my 19 year old son. I had to do some major bribing to convince him to let me: 1) draw the tattoo on his arm 2) stand in our front yard while I 3) took his photo. (He is currently in therapy.)
LOL. Well then you've done your job as a mom. ;p Tell us about your inspirations for writing.
Music. I cannot write without music. I listen to lots of different genres, depending on the scene I'm writing. Some days I feel like I live with my headphones in my ears.
Let’s get to know you on a deeper level. What do you absolutely have
to have nearby when writing?
Internet. I research like crazy. I will spend 30 minutes researching something that is one sentence long. I have said if I am ever suspected of ANY crime, I will be arrested based on my search engine history alone. (gunshot wounds, how to pry open a gun cabinet, bullet proof glass, sniper tactics, you get the picture...)
I can just imagine! Pretty incriminating evidence, hehehe. Here’s the part where you thank the people who are supporting you. Who would you like to give a shout out to?
My six kids who range from 23 to 2. They have been wonderfully supportive and never even considered that I couldn't write a book. Also, all my friends who not only begged to read my book when I was done but loved it as much a I do.
And finally, where can people find you online?
@DeniseMSwank
http://www.deniseswank.com
Facebook:DeniseGroverSwank
Thank you so much for letting us get to know you, Denise.
Thank you for the opportunity!
And good luck with your books!
February 2, 2012
Christine Fonseca
HAPPY THURSDAY everyone! Welcome to another edition of Bookanista Thursday. I am EXCITED to have Denise Grover Swank with me today. But before I bring her interview, it’s also Day 2 of my blog tour, and I will be in three fabulously places today -
Nicole Zoltack hosts a guest post about the courage to create (and my personal creative philosophy)
LK Gardner-Griffie hosts a guest post about embracing the shadow in your writing
and Bookanista Stasia Ward Kehoe is hosting a fabulous interview.
Check it out. And also, check out what the other Bookanistas are up to:
Christine Fonseca interviews author Denise Grover Swank
Jessi Kirby and Jen Hayley are wowed by WANDERLOVE
Corrine Jackson is mesmerized by MAY B.
Stasia Ward Kehoe interviews DIES IRAE author Christine Fonseca
Debra Driza is entranced by HEMLOCK
Katy Upperman delves into THE DISENCHANTMENTS
Nikki Katz celebrates CINDER
Tracy Banghart marvels at JULIET IMMORTAL
Jessica Love spotlights SHINE
Gennifer Albin spreads some love for the trailer for STARTER
And now, my special Bookanista interview with Denise Grover Swank. First, a little about Denise:
BIO: Denise Grover Swanklives in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and has two previously published, award winningbooks—Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes, a humorous southern mystery and Chosen,an urban fantasy. Denise is the single mother of six children ranging in agefrom four to twenty-four. Her fourteen-year-old daughter is quick to point outwhat she gets wrong about teenage behavior in her books—and what she getsright.
Website link: www.denisegroverswank.com
Twitter: @DeniseMSwank
Facebook: DeniseGrover Swank
And a little about her YA title, HERE:
Blurb: Sixteen year old JuliaPhillips buries herself in guilt after killing her best friend Monica in a caraccident. Julia awoke in the hospital with a broken leg, a new talent fordrawing and false memories of the accident, in which she dies and Monica lives.The doctors attribute this to her head injury, but no one can explain how abracelet engraved with her name ended up at the scene of the accident. Abracelet no one has ever seen before.
Classmate Evan Whittaker paid Julia no attention before the accident, let aloneafter. Now suddenly he’s volunteering to tutor her and offering to drive herhome. She can’t ignore that his new obsession started after his two-daydisappearance last week and that he wears a pendant she’s been drawing formonths. When the police show up one night looking for Evan, he begs Julia torun with him, convincing her that Monica is still alive. Julia agrees to go,never guessing where he’s really from.
And now, my interview with the amazing Denise Grover Swank -
About the Book:
Give me the blurb forthe book in 140 characters or less: - Julia lives with the guilt of killing her bestfriend, until she falls for a boy who says her friend is still alive – inanother universe.
Do you have a favcharacter and why? - Julia. I love watching her growth throughout the book.
What do you hopereaders will get from your book? - I hope that my characters feel Julia’s painand hopelessness as the book starts but see that there’s always hope, even whencircumstances seem impossibly dire.
About theAuthor:
What inspires you? - Everything. Book,movies, TV shows, music, my children, current events. Sometimes it’s like mybrain is a sieve that filters out everything going in to pick out afew things to use here and there.
Hardest aspect ofwriting? Best? - I think the hardest part of writing is writing even when youdon’t feel inspired. But sometimes once I get started, an idea will pop into myhead and re-inspire me. The best part is creating magic, because when Iwrite a book and it all falls into place, it’s like magic.
Who is your writinghero? - Wow,I don’t have just one and it depends on my current writing situation.
Randomness:
o Sweet or salty? - Salty
o Beach or mountains? - Beach
o Online or in person? - Online
o Ebook or print? - I used to be print but I’ve been switchingmore and more to ebooks
About theFuture:
What’s next for you? - I’m finishing an editof Sacrifice, the third book in my urban fantasy The Chosen series. ThenI’ll write Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons, the second book in my humoroussouthern mystery series. And then I’ll write THERE, the second book in the Onthe Otherside series.
One outrageous goalfor the future? - To make a living writing books. I used to think it wasoutrageous. Now it seems obtainable.
If you are now as intrigued as I am about Denise and her books, check out Amazon and Barnes and Noble and start reading :D
What are you reading these days?
Read more at Christine Fonseca, Author
May 9, 2014
Denise Grover Swank is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of nearly twenty novels, including mysteries, paranormal and urban fantasies, rom-coms, and thrillers for young adults, new adults, and adults, and various short stories. Denise’s two newest books—Business as Usual, the third book in the bestselling Off the Subject series, and The Curse Breakers, the second book in the Curse Keepers series, just released last month. Her Thirty-Two and a Half Complications, the fifth book in her popular Rose Gardner Mysteries series, comes out next month. And if that’s not enough to impress you, how about this: Denise does all this writing while raising six amazing children.
*Denise’s interview follows the Rafflecopter form for today’s Free Full Edit Giveaway. Scroll down for her full interview.
How many drafts does it typically take before you feel confident about the character and story choices you made?
500x750_28Wishes-200x300I’m never one hundred percent happy with a first draft, but I’ve had a couple among my seventeen books that I felt really good about and made only a few changes in revision. I finished a book last month that took about five passes with significant changes before I was happy with it. It’s not unusual for me to write a first draft and then cut one-third to half the book out and start over again. I usually know what’s wrong with the book when I’m finished, and when I send it to my awesome developmental editor—Angela Polidoro—I send her a list of my perceived issues, and she always agrees and then adds her own. But when I chop the book up and add to it, I’m usually pretty happy with the changes and only make minor changes in a third pass.
the-curse-breakers-cover-200x300Do you use critique partners?
I used to use critique partners when I first started writing and into the second year after I started publishing, but I’m too prolific for my partners to keep up. At this point, I only use a developmental editor along with three to five beta readers between developmental edits and line edits. But when I first started, I had three trusted critique partners and we made developmental suggestions along with line edits. My last remaining crit partner and I are too busy to give a full critique—and we pay people to do it—so we now beta read for each other when we have the time.
sacrifice-600x900-72dpi-200x300Which draft typically gets shown to your editor?
I send my first draft to my developmental editor. I hired a developmental editor with my fifth book—Sacrifice—and when she suggested I send the first draft, I was beyond horrified. SEND HER MY FIRST DRAFT??? But she said there was no sense editing words I was only going to cut, and she was right.
So when my first editor took a job that made her unavailable, I worked with new developmental editor and was again HORRIFIED. I’m more comfortable with it now because she knows I can take a very crappy first draft and pull a fantastic book out before it’s done.
How much revising happens after the editor sees that draft?
I send my first draft to Angela. She takes a week to go through it a couple of times and sends her notes. Then I do my major revision—chopping out major portions and rewriting or adding—and also clean up the writing—sentence structure. I usually budget three to four weeks for this. And then I send it back to her for line edits.
New-BAU_Small-193x300Can you share an experience of having a story problem you didn’t think you could solve but eventually did?
Wow. You know, when you’re in the middle of a block, you wonder how in the world you’ll get out of it, but at this point—seventeen books later—I trust it will come. I usually binge-watch Netflix and an idea/solution will come to me out of nowhere. I think the key—for me anyway—is to think about something else for a while.
My last book—The Curse Defiers—is the hardest book I’ve written to date. [Editor’s note: Pubbing September 2014.] It’s the one that took five major revision passes to complete. I sold the book to my publisher as a series but they chose to call it a trilogy after I had written the second book. I honestly had no idea how to wrap everything up in one book without making a complete mess of it. I still plan to continue the series with at least three more books, but obviously I had to wrap up some major issues for readers to be satisfied with a “trilogy.” Several plot lines stumped me and I wrote it only to decide it sucked and so rewrote it, then changed it completely and rewrote it again.
What’s the most drastic thing you’ve done to a story while revising?
Other than The Curse Defiers, I cut off the entire first half of my book Sacrifice and rewrote it in three weeks and blended and smoothed it into the second half, which took major changes.
Here_normal1-213x300How do you know you’ve got the final draft?
With my deadlines, I know when it’s time to send it to my editor. LOL. That being said, I won’t publish it if I don’t think it’s ready. Beta readers help determine that, along with a gut feeling that it’s right.
Thanks so much, Denise! I was fascinated to hear the nuts and bolts of your process.
P.S. For more on this topic, read Revision Week
posted by: The Editor
under: Revision Week
Only You
Publishers Weekly.
263.39 (Sept. 26, 2016): p72.
COPYRIGHT 2016 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Only You
Denise Grover Swank. Forever, $6.99 mass market (368p) ISBN 978-1-4555-3976-5
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Contemporary romance fans who love bridal trappings and don't mind well-meant social manipulations as long as they lead to a happy ending
will delight in the opener of Swank's Bachelor Brotherhood trilogy (spun off from the Wedding Pact series), a sentimental, endearingly goofy
story that packs a surprising amount of impulsive heat. Construction foreman Kevin Vandemeer, who's recently returned to Blue Springs, Mo.,
after a stint in the Marines, has sworn off women and resigned himself to living in the disaster of a fixer-upper his sister has purchased for him.
He even agrees to keep the kitten she finds under the steps. Then next door neighbor Holly Greenwood awkwardly brings him part of a
homemade lasagna, and they inevitably hit it off. But the demanding wedding planner for whom Holly works is actually Kevin's mother, and the
family meddling in their lives runs deep on both sides. Keeping the relationship secret until Holly's big assignment is done will be both necessary
and challenging. Swank's fluffy, feel-good storytelling proclaims the primacy of love as a force to which everyone should surrender--the
bachelors destined to star in future installments haven't got a chance. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich. (Nov.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Only You." Publishers Weekly, 26 Sept. 2016, p. 72. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA465558221&it=r&asid=741dec22ffe892a2cd2c4bc3d9cbfd0e. Accessed 20 June
2017.
6/20/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1498014121049 2/5
Gale Document Number: GALE|A465558221
---
6/20/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1498014121049 3/5
Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes: A Rose Gardner Mystery
Publishers Weekly.
262.24 (June 15, 2015): p65.
COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes: A Rose Gardner Mystery
Denise Grover Swank. Crooked Lane (crookedlanebooks.com), $24.99 (288p) ISBN 978-162953-219-6; $14.99 trade paper ISBN 978-162953-
375-9
When DMV employee-Rose Gardner, the narrator of Swank's solid series debut, experiences a disturbing vision of her death, she composes a
bucket list of items such as "dress like a princess" and sets out to accomplish them before it's too late. A noisy fight with her mother, Agnes, and
Agnes's subsequent murder make Rose the top suspect with the police and the nosy townspeople of Henryetta, Ark., but Rose thinks that her
mother was mistaken for her and fears that her sister, Violet, may be in danger. Other complications include a menacing DMV customer who
keeps turning up and issuing cryptic comments, a sexy neighbor who seems to be leading a mysterious double life, a locked chest in her mother's
closet, and a dog with a flatulence problem. Despite some weak plotting, readers will root for the appealing heroine. (Aug.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes: A Rose Gardner Mystery." Publishers Weekly, 15 June 2015, p. 65+. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA418342404&it=r&asid=60af453fd3547e6b525b712d4c82f5e5. Accessed 20 June
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A418342404
---
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http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1498014121049 4/5
Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons: A Rose Gardner Mystery
Publishers Weekly.
262.31 (Aug. 3, 2015): p37.
COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons: A Rose Gardner Mystery
Denise Grover Swank. Crooked Lane (crookedlanebooks.com), $24.99 (352p) ISBN 978-162953-220-2
[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]
Swank's delightful second Rose Gardner mystery (after Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes) finds the daffy, accident-prone Rose up to some risky
hijinks after she has one of her "visions" in the Fenton County, Ark., courthouse. In a quandary over whether to move to Little Rock to be nearer
to police detective Joe Simmons, her boyfriend, the 24-year-old Rose gets a brief reprieve: jury duty. Running late because of parking problems, a
broken heel, a security scan delay, plus the ladies' room being cleaned, Rose takes care of urgent business in the men's. While there, she has a
psychic vision and realizes that the man on trial is not guilty. Swank makes affable Rose and company--Joe, sister Violet, dog Muffy, and nosy
neighbor Mildred--so charming and diverting that we're willing to overlook minor improbabilities and just enjoy this romantic suspense ridealong.
(Sept.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons: A Rose Gardner Mystery." Publishers Weekly, 3 Aug. 2015, p. 37+. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA424619995&it=r&asid=e6899da9dd3e238798b3115707175c47. Accessed 20 June
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A424619995
---
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Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
Stacy Alesi
Booklist.
111.22 (Aug. 1, 2015): p38.
COPYRIGHT 2015 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist_publications/booklist/booklist.cfm
Full Text:
Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes. By Denise Grover Swank. Aug. 2015. 288p. Crooked Lane, $24.99 (9781629532196); paper, $14.99
(9781629533759).
Rose Gardner has been the dutiful daughter for 24 years, despite her abusive momma. Rose is a charming character, incredibly naive and sweet,
but she finally snaps; she tells off her momma and creates a list of 28 wishes for herself on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt that includes such items
as wear high heels, kiss a man, and get cable. While working at the DMV, she has a vision about herself being murdered; turns out her momma is
the one who gets murdered, and Rose is the prime suspect. Her mysterious new neighbor, Joe, is incredibly helpful and adds a bit of romance.
There is a lot of humor in this series debut, much of which borders on but never quite crosses over to being out-and-out silly, and the mystery
almost takes a backseat to Rose and her declaration of independence. Still, it's light, fluffy, southern fun and should appeal to Mary Kay Andrews
and Charlaine Harris fans.--Stacy Alesi
Alesi, Stacy
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
Alesi, Stacy. "Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes." Booklist, 1 Aug. 2015, p. 38. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA428997840&it=r&asid=32c416d2969325108da978164b17a9dd. Accessed 20 June
2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A428997840
Review: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes by Denise Grover Swank
September 16, 2011 By StephTheBookworm
Well it’s certainly been a hot minute since I’ve posted a review up on this here blog! Things have been crazy and will continue to be as I am moving on Saturday! Mouth is STILL sore from surgery, but hoping I’ll be back to eating normal foods in another week or so. And with that, onto the review!
Title: Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes
Author: Denise Grover Swank
Genre: Mystery, Southern, chick-lit
Publication: 2011
Source: For review, CLP Tours
Rose Gardner is a naive 24 year old Southern girl with psychic-like visions of the future. One day while working, she sees a vision of herself… dead! Only… it’s her nasty and abusive momma that ends up dead that night instead of her. Realizing that she isn’t going to live forever, and that her vision may still come true in just a few short days, Rose makes a list on the back of a Wal-Mart receipt of 28 things she wants to do before she dies. These include things like playing in the rain, kissing a man, and doing “more” with a man. Before she can make a dent in her list though, Rose becomes the prime suspect in her momma’s murder. Rose quickly realizes someone is after her, believing she has something that they want, and they will do anything to get it – including kill again. When her house gets broken into, her sexy new neighbor, Joe, comes to the rescue. Now, Rose must clear her name, stay away from the dangerous killers, complete her list, and figure out her growing emotions for Joe, who has a few secrets of his own!
Such a fun Southern mystery with a lovable and adorable heroine! I loved Rose. Even though she is 24 years old, you’d definitely think otherwise. Her momma sheltered her for her entire life and Rose is severely lacking in life experience. Having never kissed a man or drank alcohol, Rose promptly adds these to her list of things to complete before her impending death at the end of the week and Joe is happy to help. Her list also includes things like dancing, getting a cell phone and cable TV, as well as a dog. Her list demonstrates just how much she has been sheltered and how much she has yet to live. Her naivety, while silly, is actually quite endearing. I also loved her Southern charm, and loved the dialogue throughout the novel. Oh, how I wish I had a Southern accent…
The mystery was fun and surprising, the romance was a roller coaster ride also full of mystery, and the main character was funny and charming. If you like Southern novels and mysteries with humor, this is definitely the book for you! I am really looking forward to the next book in the series, and I already miss Rose, so hurry up and write, Denise. 🙂 Haha!
My only problem was that there were some grammatical errors/typos, which could easily be cleaned up and edited, so I did not let that deter me from my enjoyment of the story!
My Rating: 4/5
My review for the first Rose Gardener Mystery, Twenty Eight and a Half Wishes.
Review: Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons
Series: A Rose Gardner Mystery #2
Author: Denise Grover Swank
No of Pages: Ebook
Release Date: Published June 29th 2012
Synopsis:
When Rose reports for Fenton County jury duty she figures she’s lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV. Instead, despite a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she’s picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses, she realizes an ominous vision she had in the men’s restroom proves the defendant is innocent. And there’s not a cotton picking thing she can do about it.
Or is there?
As if things weren’t bad enough, Rose’s older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can’t commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn’t about to let the best thing in her life slip away.
What’s happening:
We find Rose still working at the DMV now with Suzanne as her boss. As if that’s not enough drama Rose gets a letter saying she’s on jury duty. Her first day at the court house goes horribly. Murphy’s
Law is definitely in effect and anything that could go wrong, did. She was late, got a parking ticket, broke the heel of her shoe, had to get searched by the same cop that wanted to put her in jail for her
mother’s death, and on top of that Mason Deveraux III was a complete jerk to her after she ran into him.
Once she realizes she’s picked for the jury things get worse. The case looks like it’s going to be an easy one but she knows the defendant is not guilty which makes this a whole different ball game. Sadly since she’s not supposed to talk about nor investigate the case Rose does what she always does, calls Joe.
But their conversation doesn’t go so well and now an innocent man’s life is on the line and only Rose can save him.
My thoughts:
As sequels goes this one is great. Actually Denise Grover Swank puts enough in the book that you could probably read this without even reading the first. It holds its own that well. Although there are some things, like Joe’s last name that you wouldn’t understand but the story itself does not seem like a sequel other than already being in love with the characters.
Downside to Twenty Nine and a Half Reasons? Only that Rose makes some seriously bad choices but I had to remember, Rose grew up very sheltered. She doesn’t know normal things that the outside world, ALL of the outside world, knows. And because of that her choices seem bizarre but are actually due to the way she was raised. Also, I’m on the fence about Joe. Do I like that guy? I’m not sure yet. He keeps hurting her (I won’t say too much) and wants to push her to do things she’s not ready for and I just want to punch him! I know he is probably just doing what he thinks is right but it’s driving me crazy! But that’s what a good story is supposed to do, so even though this is a negative for me for the book, it’s also a positive. What can I say? I love to hate that guy!
I think it’s a very easy, well put together story with great characters that have some serious issues! A fabulous read and even being mystery, once again I loved it! The plot was well played out and kept me guessing, which I love! I kept looking for clues to what had happened and just when I was about to give up Denise Grover Swank threw me a bone. There’s just enough intrigue to make you want to keep reading. I hated putting this book down when I had to, and I didn’t unless I absolutely HAD to, much like the first.
Fun, quirky, definitely not a serious read and I loved it!
Friday, August 10, 2012
Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank--Review
***This book was given to me by the author as part of a book tour in exchange for an honest review.****
I love a good murder mystery, especially if it has a dash of humor in it, and I have to admit that being a southern writer myself, I tend to be drawn to tales set in the South. Perhaps that's why Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons by Denise Grover Swank entertained me as much as it did. I had put off reading it for some reason, and now that I've gotten to review it, I really can't wait to read more from this author!
Here's the synopsis of Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons from the book blurb:
When Rose reports for Fenton County jury duty she figures she’s lucky to get out of a morning working at the DMV. Instead, despite a disastrous encounter with the new assistant district attorney, Mason Deveraux, she’s picked as a juror on a murder case. As the trial progresses, she realizes an ominous vision she had in the men’s restroom proves the defendant is innocent. And there’s not a cotton picking thing she can do about it.
Or is there?
As if things weren’t bad enough, Rose’s older sister Violet is going through a mid-life crisis. Violet insists that Rose stop seeing her sexy new boyfriend, Arkansas state detective Joe Simmons and date other men. Rose is done letting people boss her around, but she can’t commit to Joe either. Still, Rose isn’t about to let the best thing in her life slip away.
First things first, this book is actually the second in the Rose Gardner series. I typically don't like to read sequels if I haven't read the first book, but one of the great things about Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons, is that I didn't need to read the first one. The author did a fabulous job of integrating in the back story without making me feel like I'd missed anything. That's actually quite an accomplishment! If anything, it made me want to go back and read the first book.
Rose is a nice, if somewhat naïve, girl who is just finding her place in the world. All her life she's had psychic visions which have been a plague to her, though they sometimes get her into entertaining situations. She comes across as a very relatable woman who manages to stumble into trouble, which drives her police detective boyfriend, Joe, crazy. I really liked Joe! He was that right mix of protective, jealous, sweet and endearing. Think about a snack that is both salty and sweet and you've got his character.
There were some fun situations and characters that helped drive this tale along. I love the "poisoned" casserole brought in by a jury member and the fact that the Judge is outraged because Rose doesn't know about Angela Lansbury and Murder She Wrote. Some of the character names cracked me up too, like Bruce Wayne Decker. Lots of Batman references there. I also thought that Violet, Rose's sister who is suffering from a mid-life crisis, was a strong character representing what many people go through when unwanted change comes along.
The story is fast paced and with so much humor, it was easy to read and enjoy. I did figure out who the murderer was, but it wasn't until close to the end. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.
All in all, I could probably list twenty-nine and a half reasons why you should read this book! I look forward to checking out the first book in the series and reading the follow up to this one.
Here are the links to the book on Amazon, as well as, links to learn more about Denise Grover Swank:
Thirty-five and a half conspiracies is the eighth book of the Rose Gardner Mystery series. The book is filled with a lot of thrill and suspense that keeps the reader glued to the book. The author, Denise Grover Swank is regarded as the bestselling author by the New York Times and USA Today. She has written several books containing suspense, mystery, thrill and romance.
PlotRose Gardner has always been in some type of danger but she manages to escape. This time, she is in trouble with one of the most powerful people and it may be a challenge getting out of it. J.R Simmons is one of the most powerful men in southern Arkansas and he has pressed charges against Rose which lands her in the Fenton County holding cell.
She is not the only one in trouble. Her boyfriend Mason and her friend Skeeter are also in danger as J.R Simmons is also determined to destroy them too. Rose’s ex boyfriend is also J.R Simmons’ son and he joins his father in his wicked attempts.
Although Rose’s friends are determined to help her, the task proves difficult because J.R Simmons has a lot of money, power and influence which he has used for years to cover his conspiracies. Rose considers reassuming her role as the Lady in Black which can save her life and that of her friend and boyfriend. However, if she does so, she risks her identity being revealed and she also risks her life.
The book is amazing and the story is completely realistic. The suspense in the book will keep you reading it continuously and eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. The storyline is easy to follow from the beginning so there are no confusions anywhere in the book.
REVIEW OVERVIEW
Until You: The Bachelor Brotherhood, Book 2
Denise Grover Swank. Forever, $7.99 mass market (352p) ISBN 978-1-4555-3980-2
MORE BY AND ABOUT THIS AUTHOR
Despite the series name, the middle installment of Swank’s Bachelor Brotherhood trio (after Only You) dives back into wedding fan territory by placing much of the action in the context of the shared obligations of wedding attendants to a beloved bridezilla. Tyler Norris, who made the bachelorhood vow after drama with his ex, clicks with workaholic Lanie Rogers, who’s preparing to move out of Kansas City, at prep events for the wedding of Tyler’s friend Randy. They want to keep their hookups casual, which means keeping them secret from the bride, Lanie’s matchmaking cousin Brittany. The flirty clandestine interactions at the wedding events are fun to read, but the actual sex scenes are bland, and the protagonists’ approaches toward thinking of settling down feel more about being in the right place for a change of life than about lust or love. A side plot pits Tyler’s law firm against Lanie’s job success, and its awkward resolution undermines the prospect of long-term happiness proceeding from the obligatory concluding proposal. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich Literary. (May)
Book Review – Until You
02
Friday
Jun 2017
Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Contest ≈ Leave a comment
TagsBachelor Brotherhood series, Book Review, Denise Grover Swank, Until You
Warm, sunny days just beg for a wedding-themed romance, dontcha think?
*****
Until You
Bachelor Brotherhood Book 2
by Denise Grover Swank
May 30, 2017
Forever Mass Market Paperback, $7.99
Blurb:
“Swank’s fluffy, feel-good storytelling proclaims the primacy of love as a force to which everyone should surrender-the bachelors destined to star in future installments haven’t got a chance.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review) on Only You
Never settle down. Ever.
Workaholic Lanie Rogers lives a completely nomadic lifestyle. Her job keeps her on the move, and relationships are a complication she doesn’t need. That is, until she meets Mr. Tall, Dark, and Hotness at a pre-wedding party. Complicated? Maybe. But lately, Lanie’s life has been missing a little something—and sexy playboy Tyler Norris offers something she definitely can’t refuse.
Tyler has always been a little too popular with women for his own good. Ever since he and his buddies vowed to remain bachelors, Tyler figured he was safe from temptation. Lanie and her gorgeous brown eyes are about to prove him so, so wrong. With one kiss, the heat is intense. After one night, it’s pure combustion. It was supposed to be a no-strings fling—until these two commitment-phobes each discover the one undeniable exception to their rule.
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mLhQqb
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/2lzjzPv
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2lrtUfl
iBooks: http://apple.co/2m95Amu
Google: http://bit.ly/2men69e
*****
Review:
I thought that once we’d moved on from Only You it wouldn’t matter that I hadn’t read any of the other wedding books by Swank … and I can’t figure out if I’m right or not. I can’t find anything about Randy and Brittany but it plays out like these are people that should have been the couple in their own story. It’s kinda strange because I feel like I should know them already but I can’t find them anywhere … unless they are maybe secondary characters? If they are, then once again the fact that I jumped into a series (kinda) did me a disservice. If they aren’t, then it is a little weird. (Or maybe I need to work on my memory.)
Overall though the coupling of Tyler and Lanie is a wonderfully entertaining read. Both Tyler and Lanie have their reasons for avoiding relationships but lucky for them it looks like they’ve both reached a point in their lives where they are ready for a change. Their friends are pairing up and it’s causing them to evaluate themselves & what they truly want out of life.
And it couldn’t have happened at a better time because together these two are just down-right ah-dorable! It’s a hoot as they first try to ignore their attraction and then hide it from her meddling cousin. There’s a few truly hilarious slapstick moments that had me smiling and their verbal sparring is all sass & fun. While things may have played out a little too conveniently (it is a romance), they have to have a HEA (because it is a romance). Plus, once you see how Tyler wins his girl, you’ll be wishing you had been there to see it 🙂
*****
Author Info:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese, which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty (in her own mind) Facebook comments and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe
www.DeniseGroverSwank.com
www.Facebook.com/DeniseGroverSwank
Add Until You to your shelf on Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2lz7p9a
Follow Denise Grover Swank on BookBub: http://bit.ly/2qkjfq1
Follow Denise Grover Swank on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rDzzpG
*****
Giveaway:
Enter to win 1 of 10 free copies of Until You!
http://bit.ly/2n1Gnsc
*****
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Book Review – Only You
17
Friday
Jun 2016
Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Blog Tour, Book Review, Sneak Peek ≈ Leave a comment
TagsBachelor Brotherhood series, Book Review, Denise Grover Swank, Only You
Love wedding related romances and this one was a ton of fun!
*****
Swank_OnlyYou_MMOnly You
Series: The Bachelor Brotherhood, #1
by Denise Grover Swank
On Sale: June 14, 2016
Publisher: Forever
Format: eBook
Price: $3.99 USD
Add to Goodreads
Blurb:
The first book in a spin-off from Denise Grover Swank’s New York Times bestselling Wedding Pact series (The Wedding Pact, The Player, The Gambler, The Valentine)
“Warm and funny, the first book in the Bachelor Brotherhood series reads like a great Hollywood rom-com.” –iBooks Best Books of June
Never say never…
Romance isn’t an option for Holly Greenwood. With her wedding planner career on the line she needs to stay focused, and that means pleasing her demanding boss, not getting distracted by her mind-alteringly hot neighbor…
Ex-Marine Kevin Vandemeer craves normalcy. Instead, he has a broken-down old house in need of a match and some gasoline, a meddling family, and the uncanny ability to attract the world’s craziest women. At least that last one he can fix: he and his buddies have made a pact to swear off women, and this includes his sweetly sexy new neighbor.
After one hot night that looks a whole lot like a disaster in the light of day, Kevin and Holly are about to learn that true love doesn’t play by the rules…
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo
*****
ONLY-YOU-quote-graphic-2a
Excerpt:
Kevin wasn’t sure why he was surprised Holly was here. She was a wedding planner, and from what he’d seen so far, she was a damn good one.
He’d been on his way out of the room, needing a breather from the noise and the chaos of the reception when he’d seen her at the table. He hadn’t planned on asking her to dance—hell, he hated to dance—but he’d been desperate for a reason to talk to her.
When he sat back down at the table, Tyler wore a smirk. “Crashed and burned, huh? I thought you were going to the bathroom to take a piss.”
“I was. I just happened to run into a friend.”
“Run into a friend, my ass. I thought we’d sworn off women. I’ve held up my end of the bachelor brotherhood. And let me add that I had no idea my balls could turn this blue.”
“She’s a friend,” Kevin said, trying not to sound irritated and feed any more fuel to the fire.
“She’s his neighbor,” Matt said, taking a sip of his beer, and giving Kevin a pointed look. “They’re friends.”
Tyler burst out laughing. “You got friend-zoned?”
“No,” Kevin said slowly, picking up his drink, surprised Matt hadn’t told Tyler about the situation he’d stumbled upon. “I was the one who said I wanted to be friends.”
“Why?” Tyler asked, watching Holly with a little more interest than Kevin liked. “She’s hot. Do you know if she’s seeing anyone?”
“No.” Kevin’s irritation grew.
Tyler stood and adjusted his tie, a smirk lighting up his eyes. “Screw the brotherhood. I think I’ll go over and introduce myself.”
Kevin was up in a flash. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?” he looked surprised. “She looks like she’d be worth a short break from my hiatus from women.”
Kevin stepped in front of his path, his jaw set. “Because you’re a prick who will use her and toss her aside and she deserves a helluva lot better than that.”
Matt was up in an instant, grabbing Kevin’s arm. “Why don’t we get some air?”
“You like her,” Tyler said, slack jawed.
“Of course he likes her,” Matt said. “For someone so smart, sometimes you’re an idiot.”
“In my defense,” Tyler said. “He said they were friends.”
“Okay,” Matt said slowly. “When was the last time you convinced a woman to be just a friend?”
“Never.”
“I rest my case, counselor.”
Tyler sat back down, and Matt tugged on Kevin’s sleeve to get him to join them.
“I can’t believe you didn’t last even a single week,” Tyler said.
“He didn’t last a single day,” Matt told him. “He slept with her the night after our agreement to remain single.”
Tyler burst out laughing. “For a tough-ass former Marine, I expected you to be the last holdout, man. At least a week or two.”
*****
ONLY-YOU-quote-graphic-2b
Review:
**Minor spoilers, maybe, kinda, so just a warning**
FYI, I didn’t read the Wedding Pact series (for those that know me, *shocker!*), and while there are references to it – especially with Kevin’s sister – it didn’t impact this story much. I think it can easily stand on its own.
I’m going to start by saying that the ending seems a little rushed to me, not the relationship so much as just the timing. I think the whole story covers about 3 weeks, and while it reads like a movie rom-com (funny, wacky and sweet), what works for me on the screen needs a little more time on the page for some reason here 🙂 I want to emphasize it is definitely a very minor complaint, because if you take the timing out of it, I am highly satisfied with how things go for these two.
As I say that, I have to admit that I do kinda wish I’d read at least Megan’s story so I have a better feel for Kevin because I think that he was probably a handful in the previous book. The stories about the crazies that he attracts, and thus the very funny misunderstanding with Holly, are a hoot. And he’s got such a wonderful relationship with his sister, supportive but still snarky, that I would love to see that from her side.
Once their misunderstandings get straightened out, the interactions between Kevin & Holly are sweet, spicy and humorous. The main drama then comes from his mother and the fact that Holly works for her. It’s not the best of situations for either but they eventually make it work. (There’s those rom-com moments again 🙂 )
I’m looking forward to Kevin’s friends getting their own romances because I definitely believe those two need to be shaken up!
*****
Denise Grover Swank CREDIT Cody BauchmanAuthor Info:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived in the area until she was nineteen. Then she became a nomadic gypsy, living in five cities, four states and ten houses over the course of ten years before she moved back to her roots. She speaks English and smattering of Spanish and Chinese, which she learned through an intensive Nick Jr. immersion period. Her hobbies include witty (in her own mind) Facebook comments and dancing in her kitchen with her children. (Quite badly if you believe her offspring.) Hidden talents include the gift of justification and the ability to drink massive amounts of caffeine and still fall asleep within two minutes. Her lack of the sense of smell allows her to perform many unspeakable tasks. She has six children and hasn’t lost her sanity. Or so she leads you to believe.
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November 4 2015
UNCATEGORIZED
Review: Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies
November 4, 2015Bongela
Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies
Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies by Denise Grover Swank
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
All aboard the love train!
Just when you think Denise Grover Swank cannot possibly out-do herself…she goes and does it time and AGAIN! Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies brings together just about everything the series to a head. It’s fast-paced, stressful, and, at times, heart wrenching. For me, this installment’s theme was facing the consequences of your actions. By the end, even everyone who wins still loses…and I love it!
The meat of this book is about publicly outing JR Simmons as the monster he is, while trying to prove Rose’s innocence. As always with the Rose Gardner Mysteries, there’s layer upon layer of passion, sub-plots, and deceit. Rose as the Lady in Black is in full bloom and proves to be an unstoppable force. Neely Kate reveals more about her very colorful past and I’m VERY eager to learn more. I’ve got my own theory about her, but this isn’t the place for theories! Joe sets out to take down his father. Mason’s life is still very much in danger. Skeeter Malcom is a very welcome anti-hero with a heart of gold. Kate and Hilary are still as trustworthy as the average politician who promises you the world and gives you nothing. Not only is there a mysterious benefactor for Rose, there’s also a shady stalker.
Why did I call my review the love train? It’s simple: everyone (including the bad guys adoration of her Lady in Black persona) loves Rose. She’s got no less than four men desperate for her in one way or another.
My only two gripes are 1) The tidbits we’re fed about Violet, Hilary, and Kate are STILL dangling in the air with no resolution at the end of this installment; and 2) While JR has been captured, little happened to solve the smaller mysteries that make up the mythology of the series. At the end, I still wanted more, even though this is the longest novel of the series. However, that’s entirely okay! I trust Denise’s vision for the series. I am certain that the 9th novel with be every bit as action packed and satisfying.
Finally…both #TeamJoe and #TeamMason need to brace themselves. 😉
Thirty-Five and a Half Conspiracies is one heck of a fast-paced adventure that you cannot miss. I’m sure the six-month wait for Thirty-Six and a Half Motives will be well worth it. Even with my gripes, they’re not enough to take away from what is most definitely a satisfying five star read. Thank you, Dense! *****FIVE STARS*****
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