Claire Cook, author of Summer Blowout
Summer Blowout by Claire Cook, published by Hyperion Books is about Bella Shaughnessy, a makeup artist in a very large family of Irish hairdressers (who admit they seem as Italian as Irish - but this is Massachusetts, you know) on the South Side of Boston (often called the Irish Riviera), who, after becoming fed up with men when she discovers her husband has been two-timing her with half sister Sophia, decides to swear off men once and for all. Something a lot of of us gals can readily identify with.
Bella's main passion in life is lipstick - she has a bona fide lipstick addiction and chooses lipstick to match her mood. Not one to be stuck in the dumps, Bella, discovers a perky dog she was assigned to dog sit but which she becomes so attached to that she must keep it - after renaming it Cannoli.
Life, love, lipstick, Cannoli, the beach, all conspire to whip up a man for Bella. A perfect man just seems to waltz into her life. Does Bella go for the big one (this new guy?) after swearing off men? Read to find out.
Reading Summer Blowout has done three things for me: I realized I need even more lipstick shades than I currently own - (at least 6 - need something new and fresh for this summer), I need a perky, adorable pooch, and I want to go to the beach something fierce.
Romantic comedy at its best.
Summer Blowout by Claire Cook
Excerpt:
"I made it to my first gig in record time, possibly propelled by the smoke coming out of my years. Then I waited. And waited.
I couldn't take it anymore. I fumbled in my makeup kit so I could sneak another quick fix. After some consideration, I decided Revlon Super Lustrous in Pink Afterglow was a good choice for a recently divorced brunette with green eyes and ivory skin who'd just attacked her ex-husband's car and had lips that were a lot dryer than they used to be.
...Sometimes the makeup artist is like a rock star. She's the guru you've been searching for. She can help you change your looks and maybe even your life. Other times the makeup artist is like a maid. The toughest part is you never know which one you'll be when you walk through the door. Clearly, I was not having a rock star kind of day so far.
I walked over to a shelf, closed my eyes, and grabbed a book. I was hoping for a good one, but it turned out to be something boring about torts. Whatever they are. For lack of a better idea, I balanced the book on top of my head and took a couple of long, gliding steps. In health class, back in sixth grade, we actually had to practice this to improve our posture. In hindsight, it wasn't a bad idea. It's not makeup, but good posture can go a long way toward creating the illusion of beauty.
And not to be depressing, but aren't some of the best parts of life really just an illusion?"
Claire on the beach with her book
Link on Amazon to buy
List price is $23.95 but Amazon is selling it for $16.29. You can get used or new copies for $13.92.
The next feature book of the Getting Better All the Time group, Summer Blowout, by Claire Cook, is a hilarious and rambunctious story about a recently single woman who finds herself on a new path and hits all of the bumps life throws her along the way.Join the group now!
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Comments: 75
RJ :o)
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it is a fun book.
enjoy.
now back to bed for me. sick..
I hope you feel better soon.
namaste
Claire really is a hoot. She writes like she speaks and like she is....
Love the photo on the beach.
Janet, yeah - that is priceless.
thanks for this.