Mary Smith's Blog

Book Review: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

 

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It seems like forever since I have written a book review. Do I even remember how to? Let's give it a shot!!! I received this book from my Book of the Month pick and am I happy I did. Wow, this book is a true page turner. I read it in one sitting. 
What I loved: Taylor Jenkins Reid truly knows how to keep a reader engaged. I figure this book was going to be an Elizbeth Taylor knock off, but O...M...G... I was wrong! She shows us what one woman, Evelyn Hugo, has to go through to make it in the Hollywood world of the 1950's until present. It's not the hard work, the deception of others and Evelyn, the lies, the secrets, it is all the above. In this book there is a SERIOUS twist that I didn't see coming and truthfully ... I loved it. Evelyn has a lot of secrets and truly hides who she truly is. With each husband, you see Evelyn grow, mature, cry, love, hate, and continually push herself further and further. 
What I didn't like: There is a jump in the timeline with her one of her husbands and I truly wish Taylor Jenkins Reid would have shown more of their story. However, it's not a deal breaker by any means. 
I would say this is my favorite read of 2022 ... thus far!!! You can pick it up here and I highly recommend it!!!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

I miss sports. I mean, I LOVE sports. Especially hockey and baseball. Unless you didn't know that! HAHA!
I was lucky enough to write an amazing series with Lindsay Paige called, The Ninth Innings Series.
The first three books are probably my favorite of the series and I know many would agree.
I mean, come on, how hot are those baseball pants?
If you haven't read Felix, Blake and Hector ... click below and see what all the fuss is about!

There is a giveaway attached to this sale. 
If you like my Facebook page, click here, AND Lindsay Paige's Facebook Page, click here.
If you have already liked both of our pages, just leave a comment below. Also leave a comment below once you have liked both pages. 
At the end of July, I will put all the names in a hat and pick 2 winners to get a (unsigned) paperback of Felix. 
No matter where you live in the world. 
Again, thank you for all the support! 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Of all the books, I've written, The New Hampshire Bears are the nearest and dearest to my author heart. 
I started this series in 2015 and published the first one in 2016. My schedule has it to be completed in 2021 (maybe 2022, depending on my real life). Now, I know many you worry about this series just going away, but if you read The Selfish Marriage, then you saw the announcement in the back of the book and you know my secret. 
SShhhhh... don't tell! 
However, if you are new here or wanted to wait until closer when the series ends, well, I would suggest you start it now because (in my opinion) this series is amazing. 


Click here to check out the series! 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Hello, Readers!
How is everyone doing? Still enjoying Christmas in July?
Are you sick off all the sports romance books? I get it if it's not your thing. What about a rocker book? Better yet, a Hot Manager of the top rock band. How does that sound?
If you want to check it out.. then click below and check out the latest sale.

And before you ask, yes there is a giveaway attached to this Christmas in July sale! 
You don't have to purchase this book to enter the giveaway. All you have to do, share this post. If you can't share the Facebook post. 
Once you share it, I will put your name in a hat and FIVE winners will receive a signed copy of Always Forever from me. It doesn't matter where in the world you live. If you win, I will mail the book to you! 
I hope you enjoy. As always, thank you for the supprt!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

Okay, I know I have said numerous time how much I love my New Hampshire Bears series. I know it's been a least 300 times ... today.

However, it's true. I love my Bears. They has been part of my life for such a long time and they seem to be sticking around for a long, long time.

This Christmas in July, I want to talk about Edgar and Greer, The Selfish Marriage NH Bears 15. This book has touched my heart in such a way, it's hard to put into words.

I love these two. They might even be my favorite to date.

I was absolutely stunned by the reviews for this book and I hope you all check them out ... here.

Now, I am going to put this book on sale. I know you can be mad at me for it, that's okay. However, I will do this. If you purchase and/or leave a review then I will put your name in a hat to win a $50 Amazon gift card!

All winners will be announced at the end of July!

Thank you for all the support!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

How is July going for everyone? I hope you all are well.
I am still celebrating Christmas in July here and I get to share a book I absolutely love. Not only because I was able to write it with my dear friend Lindsay Paige.
This book is part of our Oh Captain, My Captian series. Now, don't worry, you can read these books as standalones. Since each book is a different team and ... captain. (Hence the series name.)
For this Christmas in July, LP and I are putting Their New Beginning is one sale FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, for ... wait for it ... 99 CENTS!!!!

Click below to check out this amazing book. Also, if you purchase the book and leave a review, send me a link and I will put your name in a hat. I will draw the name at the end of July for ONE winner to receive a giftcard from TARGET!!! 
Come on, who doesn't love Target? Now, I know that not everyone has a Target in their area. Therefore, if you win and don't have a Target, discuss it with me and we can figure out another major retailer to get a giftcard from. 
Thank you for the support and enjoy! 

CHRISTMAS IN JULY!

How is everyone enjoying the Christmas in July sales?
What? You want more?
Well, all right! 
How about twin college football players? How does that sound?
You got it! 
Meet Dart and Dash!

Click here to read all about them!
Oh, and how about this as well!
If you read the book and leave a review, send me a link to the review and I will put your name in the hat. At the end of July, I will drop ONE name to win a $50 Amazon giftcard!
Enjoy!
Thank you for the support!

CHRISTMAS IN JULY IS HERE!

Can you believe it's that time of year again? It's Christmas in July.
Trust me ... we all need this! 2020 is kicking our a$$ and I don't know how much more I can take!
But, every year I look forward to this time where I can share my books with you. On SALE!
That's right! You heard correctly! It's SALE, SALE, SALE! And who doesn't love a sale? Especially books!
So, let's kick off with one of my all-time favorites ... they're an oldie, but a goodie!
It's the Penalty Kill Trilogy!
All the way back in 2013, Lindsay Paige and I wrote our first trilogy together (This was the first of three series we wrote together - but more of that at a later date)

And there they are ladies, gentleman, and those who don't identify as either! The PK Trilogy is now ... ON KU!!!
If you are a KU subscriber, then you can read all three of these beauties for FREE! Yes, FREE!
Do not be discouraged if you are not a KU subscriber! It's okay. 
You can still start the series for only .. wait for it .. 99 cents!!
Just click below!



I hope you al enjoy the trilogy and keep checking back because there will be pop-up giveaways and SO MANY SALES!!
Thank you for the support!

Update on writing, upcoming projects, how you can help and Christmas in July!

Happy Saturday everyone!
I hope everyone is well!
I just wanted to give you a little update about what is going on in my author world.
Thanks to Angie, the best PA in the world, she has helped me complete the FINAL Roster of ... drum roll please ... THE NEXT GENERATION OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE BEARS!
That's right, 20 more books of hot hockey players will be coming your way! I can't promise no more tears, BUT ... BUT ... I am thinking of doing these a little bit different. I am looking to make these more romantic and less dramatic. Now, don’t get me wrong, there will be some drama. I can’t create stories without some drama! HAHA! However, maybe not as my normal amount of drama.
Now, this is where you all come in at! Are you ready? Sometimes the hardest part of me creating stories is coming up with names! Typically, I use a baby book. (I know that sounds silly, but it helps). Sometimes, I just see a name on a cashier, or salesperson, and I mix up the letters and come up with names like that. I’ve even used READERS names! It’s true. I admit it!
I need some female names.
I would like to see your suggestions. If I like that name and add it to my list of characters, you will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and I will send you a signed paperback. No matter where in the world you live. (Now, that doesn’t mean you’ll get the book tomorrow, I haven’t even started on these books. Well, just book 1 and if you read Edgar and Greer, you know which book it is.) Anyway, let me hear your suggestions. You can PM on Facebook or Instagram, leave a comment or send me an email: gonewritingpublishing@gmail.com
I am still working on the current New Hampshire Bears. I am halfway through book 16 and hoping I can get it out in August/September. I wanted it to come out for Christmas in July, but I can’t write as fast as I used to. But it’ll be on your Kindles soon! And some of you have ask, YES I am doing the entire original NH Bears roster. There have been trades, and such, those new players will be in the Next Gen books, not these Bears. Once I finish book 22 of NH Bears, then I will release the novellas.
You don’t know about the novellas??? Oh, that’s right I hadn’t announced that yet! Well, I guess I am now. Each NH Bear player will have a novella. Essential, closure for us all and put the series to bed. No, they won’t be very long and (more than likely) they will – well, maybe – be in one big book, or I’ll split them up in two or three. I haven’t decided. Nonetheless, the original Bears will end.
I am working on several other projects. I have a few paranormal books in the works, and I write in them when they hit. I WILL have a werewolf book out this year. And it might be a trilogy … IT MIGHT BE. I haven’t decided if I want to make it one HUGE book and 2 mid size books, or 3 quick read books. I don’t know, but it will be out this year.
Like I said, NH Bears 16 will be out in August/September. NH Bears 17, probably around November/December and that will be all for them in 2020. The Next Gen NH Bears 1 and 2 might be out this year, but I am thinking I’ll start that series in 2021. The original Bears will be finished in 2021. If I can stick to my schedule, by December 2021. I am very sad for the series to end. It has brought me the greatest joy. I have laughed, cried, yelled and even thought about stopping it numerous times, because my books don’t sell well.
I know you see the 2,000 plus fans on my FB page, and the almost 6,000 fans in my newsletter, but my books don’t sell. I’ll give you an example. NH 15, The Broken Marriage, I gave away 50 ARCs, for people to promote and/or leave a review. As of today, on Amazon there are 5 reviews. Just 5. And when you ask how many books I sold altogether, I sold 75 and I am SO THANKFUL for those who purchased the book! And if you do the math, I made less than $100. The book cost me about $1,500 to cover, edit, promote and publish. (Not to mention my time). But I keep pushing these books, because I love them. I absolutely love my Bears characters and I want to finish this series and continue writing. I definitely don’t do it for the money, because I don’t make money on the books. None of my books. I lose money every time I click publish, but I love to write, and I won’t be stopping any time soon.
Now, for the Christmas in July celebration … because we NEED it!! I will be doing special gifts for my reader group ONLY. Not to mention, special gift cards, special sales, and games! Be sure you follow my blog, because I am going to be funneling the post through there this year.
Can’t wait to see what the next half of the year brings us all!
Thanks for all the support!

My favorite movies and why I love them so much!

I love to watch movies! Probably too much, but I love to watch movies. Like books, they can touch you in some way and impact your way of thinking. Some make you laugh; some make you cry; some make you think, and some bring back the best and/or worst memories. 
Let's begin with my list ...
1) Harry Potter  

I have loved Harry Potter since the day I read the first book, in the early 2000's. A friend had recommended it to me and from the first chapter I was hooked. I even have a HP tattoo! When the announcement came regarding the movies, my heart sank. Come on, we're all Boo Nerds and sometimes the movie just ruins it. (Need I remind you about Percy Jackson