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BY
CLAIRE COOK
NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK!
Claire Cook once again ventures into the genre of the “living is easy” summer beach read with her latest book, Summer Blowout. Bella Shaughnessy’s fascination with makeup, particularly lipsticks with names such as Kiss My Lips or Catfight, is the daughter of loving but divorced Irish parents. Her father, Lucky, was married three times, but still holds a place in his heart for Bella’s mother. He has a mania for all things Italian ever since their honeymoon in Tuscany. His sociable persona and outlandish mannerisms are part of his charm, and what endears Lucky to the family and clientele alike. Set in the Marshbury area around Boston, the Salon de Lucio is the main salon that is next to the family home. The other salons, including Salon de Paolo, have apartments above them, and Bella Shaughnessey lives in the one above de Paolo.
Bella’s life revolves around the family business of beauty salons where she works as a talented makeup artist and hair stylist. The Shaughnessy family mans the small family chain of beauty salons with Bella’s four half-brothers and –sisters and in-laws, both current and past. While sounding like a happy, loving family, we quickly realize the conflicts that exist are what make this story percolate. Central is Bella’s marriage that dissolves when her husband runs off with her half-sister. Bella is rightfully bitter and cautious and swears off relationships until she encounters a young, captivating entrepreneur, Sean Ryan. With a business idea, he introduces a way for Bella to use her talents to her advantage and on her own with no family connection. On her own, Bella thinks she can be happy with no man or attachments. However, enter purely by accident, one small fuzz ball of a pup that Bella falls for and finds it is a love that is worth taking a chance on. This is where Cannoli enters to steal Bella’s heart and often times, the story! Bella and Cannoli become inseparable much to the chagrin of many of the family members. But Bella finds it easy to confide in Cannoli and trust her heart to this tiny dog.
As Bella’s new business venture grows, so does Bella’s interest in this charming businessman, Sean. However, with Cannoli in her life, Bella is content and doesn’t want any more entanglements or relationships. Fighting to not let desire take over, Bella keeps her distance in this business relationship with Sean Ryan until things come to a point on a crazy family wedding weekend in Atlanta that will change Bella’s life forever.
Readers, who enjoyed the shoes in Beth Harbison’s Shoe Addicts Anonymous, or designer clothes in Lauren Weisberger’s The Devil Wears Prada, will become quickly caught up in Summer Blowout. Cook’s story revolves around the world of makeup artists and hair stylists. Fans of her other books, including Life’s A Beach and Must Love Dogs, will find Claire Cook continues to entertain with this latest romantic riotous romp! Fans won’t be disappointed if they are looking for a carefree amusing summer read!
6 comments:
Sounds like a fun read!
Sounds like a fun summer read. I will see if Amazon has it.
Awesome review. Always nice to get some author information too! :)
Heh heh, the dog's name is Cannoli...that's so cute!
I haven't read any of her books but I have seen Must Love Dogs. This sounds like an interesting story and I like the family of hairdressers angle too. Great video!
You can't go wrong with Claire Cook! She has a new one coming out soon as well I think everyone will want!
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