Hot Flashes and Cold Lemonade





Living the perfect life has always been easy peasy for Pearl Bryzinski, because she’s practically a pro at ignoring the negative and putting a positive spin on the facts, but it’s impossible for her to find anything positive about Daddy skipping town with that blue-haired floozy in a flashy brown Pinto. No matter how hard she tries, she can’t ignore the fact that he’s gone… or the fact that she’s becoming a drama queen who can sweat like a sumo wrestler doing push-ups in a sauna. It’s almost enough to suck the blush out of her rose-colored glasses. Whether she likes it or not, she’s gonna have to turn some of her wishbone into backbone.

Layer by layer, assumptions and misconceptions peel away, as Pearl learns to buck up in the face of reality, and to laugh at her imperfect… but not so bad… life. Supported by a down-to-earth husband who loves her with every blue-collar bone in his body, a mother who isn’t the self-centered witch Pearl imagined her to be, three terrific grown kids… okay, make that two terrific kids, and a Golden Boy who’s a far cry from 24-carat… and a bunch of wonderful wacky gal pals, Pearl comes to realize that her mixed bag of family and friends makes her life damned near perfect. Pearl being Pearl, she’ll never give up her rosy specs entirely, but learning to handle reality also means learning to deal with death.

 ******

Hello, there.

I trust if you took the time to click on that tab, you've already read my book? If so, thanks! I do appreciate it. So, whatcha got for me? You think you have a better idea of where the characters are a year later? Sock it to me.




21 comments:

  1. I just sent you an email [that you are more than welcome to repost here if you like, or I will if you want] I LOVE YOUR BOOK. I just figured out even more people to send it to for Christmas [Bless you, you made shopping easy this year.]

    I like the way you rounded everything up the following year, especially Luke. That jerk. He deserved it. Oh and Willie and Marybeth. LOVED that. YAY! So no, short of Luke dying a firey death [aren't I a meanie] I like the way you ended it. Perfect.

    Love you girlie. 12:34 JG

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    1. Thanks so much. I'm glad you were happy with the ending. As for Luke, don't worry. I have a feeling he'll see that fire... eventually.

      Love you, too. 12:34

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  2. Oh wow congrats on the book. It's interesting that we say hot flushes in the UK. I'm hooked with your synopsis. All the best.

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    1. Thanks, Madeleine! So far, it's all been good... and I'm having fun with it.

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  3. I laughed (always a good thing), I cried (not necessarily a bad thing). I loved it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And the lucious lucas will without doubt engineer a bad end for himself - and blame everyone else.

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    1. Thank you so much for leaving a comment. I'm thrilled that the book made you laugh and cry, and even more, that you enjoyed the ride.

      And I'm sure you're right about Lucas. (Or are you...?)

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  4. I love that title and cover. What fun!

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    1. Thanks! I hope you find what's between the covers to be fun, too.

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  5. I enjoyed reading your book, after choosing it purely because the title seemed like something I could relate to. The only item in the epilogue that jumped out at me as being incongruous was having Matt be both a Young Republican and gay...not the typical pairing. But hey...... mix it up! Pam

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    1. Thanks, Pam. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I know what you mean about Matt. A gay young Republican? It does sound a little bit like an oxymoron, doesn't it? Surprised me, too... HA

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  7. Hey Susan, I just finished your book and wanted to congratulate you on a well written book, you grabbed at pieces of my life here by telling of situations and people that were so close to reality for me.

    I enjoyed your book and wanted you to know how much I liked it.

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    1. Thanks, Jimmy! I'm really glad to hear it .And thank you for posting such a nice review on Amazon and Goodreads, too. You made my day!

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  8. I loved your book, Susan! I thought it was great fun, but it also had some sad and sobering moments too. I wrote a review for you on Amazon. I hope you are writing a sequel because I want to read more about these characters. :)

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    1. Thanks, Connie! You just made my day. I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the book, and really appreciate you taking the time to write a review. :)

      No plans for a sequel, but ya never know...

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  9. I haven't yet read it, but it looks so good! Listening to everyone's comments here makes me want to!

    Raindrops of Sapphire

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    1. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I do appreciate it. If you'd like to get an e-version of this book, Amazon will be offering it for only ninety-nine cents all next week. Woo HOO! (Dontcha love a bargain???)

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  10. I just followed a link here from another page and after reading the description I've decided your book has to go on my "Want to Read" list!

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    1. Thanks, Stacy. Sorry for taking so long to respond, but your comment kinda fell between the cracks. :)

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  11. I finished your book last night. I felt like I could have been Pearl. It is so similar to my life and I loved that! I am almost 50, so menopause is coming. I do have a great support group of friends that I can go through that with that are my age. I am an only child and my dad suffered the same fate as Pearl's...the disease not the airplane. I laughed so much and out loud. My family probably thinks I am crazy. I cried and I just enjoyed your characters. Great writing! I loved it. I gave you a review on Goodreads too. I think you hit so many topics that people would relate to and find comfort in the way you handled them. Thank-you for this book!

    https://lorisbusylife.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you so much, Lori. I'm thrilled you were able to relate to the story. Your comment has officially made my day!

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