Guest Post by Rachael Anderson and Giveaway Links

On Writing Humor

Whether a drama or a suspense or a romance, I'm the type who requires comedic relief in a story. Otherwise I come away more stressed than before, and books and movies are supposed to relieve stress (at least in my mind), not add to it. But when it comes to writing, injecting humor takes work. Your characters have to think humorous thoughts, say humorous things, and put themselves in humorous situations. And when you're not a natural-born comedian (like me), this isn't as easy as it sounds.

My books aren't slapstick humor. Nor are they the laugh out loud from start to finish type books either. They're just fun. They have funny moments, sad moments, tender moments, frustrating moments, and romantic moments. But I try to write so that the happy/funny moments outweigh all else. It all comes back to that comedic relief I mentioned before. Here's hoping I pulled it off.

Rachael
www.rachaelreneeanderson.com

About the Author:

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Links:
FB fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Anderson/174521852685105
Website:
http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/rachaelreneeand
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3229576.Rachael_Renee_Anderson
Amazon author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Renee-Anderson/e/B003357K70/

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.htm

Giveaway Details:

Tour Giveaway (shared rafflecopter for entry) - October 1st to 31st:
-Grand Prize
    Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette (Ebook for International winner)
    $15 Amazon Gift Card
    Copy of the DVD Sneakers (US only)
-Print copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette
-3 Kindle Ebook Copy of The Reluctant Bachelorette

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Don't forget the Book Blast Giveaway too - see the post here.

$50 Amazon Gift Code compliments of Author Rachael Renee Anderson

OPEN WORLDWIDE.  Ends 10/31/12

You can see more guest posts and reviews along the full blog tour found here.

Book Review: The Reluctant Bachelorette by Rachael Anderson

This is a lovely, lively, clean romance.

The Reluctant Bachelorette
by Rachel Anderson

• File Size: 690 KB
• Print Length: 316 pages
• Publisher: HEA Publishing, LLC (September 5, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0096T6IQQ

Genre: Romantic Comedy
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: September 5, 2012
Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go. Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

Review:
Taycee has been struggling with dating as there are many good men but none have helped her overcome the crush she had, at age 14, on her older brother’s best friend, Luke. But Luke broke her heart when he left town without looking back and without staying in touch. Then her brother went away to college and moved away and her parents retired to Florida.  Taycee feels she has been abandoned and she is determined to make a success of the flower business she has opened in her home town.

Taycee lives in a community of small family farms who are struggling to remain alive in a slow economy.  Taycee's best friend, Jessa, calls in an undisclosed favor.  Jessa has cast Taycee as the bachelorette in an online program to raise funds to help the farmers. Taycee isn’t comfortable with the whole idea but once announced she has no way out without letting down the whole town.

To add to Taycee’s dismay, her old crush, Luke, has just moved back to town. Before realizing she is the Bachelorette, Taycee nominates Luke to participate in the bachelor pool. The audience will get to vote on the 21 bachelors, not Taycee. Once she gets Luke included Taycee then schemes to get him voted off before she realizes there may be hope for them after all. She becomes even more conflicted as Jessa insists that the dates “step up the romance.”

The bachelors include some characters that make for fun problems. Among the men are an arrogant, self centered but handsome guy that the audience really likes; a likeable rodeo, good ‘ole boy who is lots of fun; a nice guy who spits when he talks; and a  sweet, warm business man who really clicks with Taycee and the audience. (I really liked Jake and hope that there may be a story for him.) The dates are sometimes awkward but mostly fun. But do any of these eager beaus have a chance with Luke in town?

I loved the fun, clean romance. The characters are nicely developed with very real reactions. Ms. Anderson does a great job of keeping the reader engaged with plenty of romantic conflict and tension without any need for spicy sexual content. There are ethical and emotional dilemmas, joyful moments and heartache.  Jessa uses guilt to get Taycee into the program and to keep her going beyond what is comfortable or fair. I was intrigued to see how everyone would react when the mess was exposed.

The writing flows really well with lots of natural dialogue and humor. Several times I thought how life-like the story was with the misunderstandings, disappointments, ethical and emotion conflicts.  This is a very enjoyable romance that is sure to get you chuckling. Don’t miss it, especially at the current bargain price of $.99!

Word thoughts:
                     Funny, easy read, sweet, conflicted and HEA!  

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Taycee’s dismay:

For six weeks, Taycee would be forced to turn her life upside down, and to prance in front of cameras, acting happy about being made to date guys she had no interest in dating. Location 541.

Taycee’s disappointment:

But no matter how much she wished it, that didn’t mean it would come true. Because that was how life worked. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. And when you lose, you have to get over it and move on. Location 2518.

Thank you to the author and Kathy at BookBlast Tours for providing this eBook for an honest Review. Check out the Guest Post to learn a little about Rachael and for Giveaway links!

This is set in Shelter, Springs, Colorado for my Where Are You Reading Challenge. I will also add it to my ARC and New Author challenge lists.

BookBlast Feature with Giveaway: The Reluctant Bachelorette

Rachael Renee Anderson is offering $50.00 Amazon Gift Code as part of BookBlast Blog Tour.
See details and Rafflecopter form below for entry.

I'll be posting a review on 10/23 so please check back.
Meanwhile, see the Blog Tour list for chances to win copies of the book:
The Reluctant Bachelorette Blog Tour - October 2012

And if you don't want to wait to read the book you can get it at a discounted price through 10/7!

The Reluctant Bachelorette 
by Rachael Anderson

Unknowingly cast as the bachelorette for her town’s charity event, Taycee Emerson wants out. Especially when she discovers her old teenage crush, Luke Carney, is one of the bachelors and it's up to the viewers--not her--to decide which bachelors stay or go.

Coerced into participating, Taycee does what any self-preserving girl would do. She launches a subtle attack on Luke’s good name with the hope of getting him voted off the show. Unfortunately, Luke's an eye-for-an-eye kind of guy, and when he discovers what she's up to, it means revenge.

But when their pranks go south, will they screw up any chance they have at a future together, or will they be able to forgive and forget and prove that love really does conquer all?

About the Author:

Rachael Anderson is the author of four contemporary romances: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four, can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.


Links:
FB fan page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Anderson/174521852685105
Website:
http://rachaelreneeanderson.blogspot.com/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/rachaelreneeand
Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3229576.Rachael_Renee_Anderson
Amazon author page:
http://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Renee-Anderson/e/B003357K70/

http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour.html

Giveaway Details:

$50 Amazon Gift Code compliments of Author Rachael Renee Anderson

OPEN WORLDWIDE.  Ends 10/31/12

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent's permission. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.