EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS
By: Lisa April Smith
Published: December 1, 2011
It’s 1961 and Palm Beach socialite, irresistible rascal and devoted father Jack Morgan encounters genuine danger while staging his suicide to shield his beloved daughters from disgrace. Next, meet his daughter Charlotte (Charlie), an over-indulged 23 year-old struggling to cope with the traumatizing loss of her beloved father, her sister’s resulting mental breakdown and the discovery that she’s suddenly penniless. Fortunately Raul, an admiring young attorney, appears to offer assistance. As terrified as she is about daily survival, Charlie soon realizes that she has to learn what drove her father to kill himself. With Raul’s much needed ego-bolstering, the drive of necessity and unforeseen determination, Charlie finds a practical use for her annoyingly lean 5’ 11” frame. In time, this career finances her hard-wrought independence, her sister’s costly treatment and an emotional eye-opening journey to Paris.
Jumping back in time to romantic pre-WWII Paris readers meet young Alan Fitzpatrick – aka Jack Morgan – lack-luster artist, expert lover, irresistible rascal, and the bewitching girl who will become the mother of his children. Not even Charlie’s relentless detective work will uncover all Jack’s secrets, but in a fireworks of surprise endings, she discovers all that she needs to know and more: disturbing truths about her father, hew own unique talent, crimes great and small and a diabolical villain.
This book would fit those who love reading mystery/suspense novels as well as those who love women's contemporary fiction or chick lit. I love books set during WWII and this book really sounds like it would keep me turning the pages.
Author, Lisa April Smith lives with her husband, He-who-wishes-to-remain-anonymous, in Eternal Playland, Florida, a delightful spot just off I-95. Ms. Smith describes Eternal Playland as: "a little piece of level heaven with occasional dampness, where the bugs are plentiful but respectful, and even the smallest strip mall contains at least one pizza place and a nail salon." Smith and her husband have a son and a daughter as well as four beautiful, brilliant, and talented grandchildren.
Before discovering a passion for writing, Ms. Smith sold plumbing and heating, antiques, taught ballroom dancing, tutored, modeled, designed software and managed projects for IBM and returned to college multiple times to study anthropology, sociology, and computer science, in which she holds degrees, as well as psychology, archeology, literature, history and art. Combine those widely diverse interests with a love of travel and a gift for writing page-turners and it is easy to understand all the praise she has received for her books.
EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS has 18 reviews on Goodreads, with a rating of 4.78 stars and 9 reviews with a rating of 5 stars on Amazon. More praise for EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS:
“fantastic characters” “well told, well plotted out and executed perfectly.” “I was absolutely trapped by this book. " . . . held me right to the very last page.” “a surprise at the end that will have you sitting with your mouth hanging open" Natalie Hillier http://booksfromthepurplejellybeanchair.blogspot.com
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“Smith . . . has woven an intriguingly rich tapestry of delightful well-developed characters into a perfectly balanced plot bursting with riveting mystery, crimes of the petty and the horrible sort, suspenseful twists, and romantic tension complete with love scenes that sizzle and pop.”
Cari Pestelak http://audacityshewrote.com
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"5 Soaring Stars" ". . . it's the authentic details of the time-periods that make it fun to read . . .” “historical and fictitious characters work in sync as they are perfectly set in these time frames, and midst the transitory madness of WWs I and II Paris.” “Smith's writing isn't over-blown with emotion and sappy romance; rather, it is sophisticated and subtle. It’s witty, fun and sassy.”
Deborah Previte: http://abookishlibrarian.blogspot.com
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“This book has it all! . . . romance, mystery, sex and crime. . . . a story that you will not be able to put down.” Charla Wilson http://booktalkswithcharl.blogspot.com * * * * *
"If you like a thrilling read pick up this book.”
Cristina http://Alaskanbookcafe.com
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"Smith's books have the pace and heat of Jacqueline Susanne and the style and sophistication of Dominick Dunne." Amazon reviewer
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“Smith . . . has woven an intriguingly rich tapestry of delightful well-developed characters into a perfectly balanced plot bursting with riveting mystery, crimes of the petty and the horrible sort, suspenseful twists, and romantic tension complete with love scenes that sizzle and pop.”
Cari Pestelak http://audacityshewrote.com
* * * * *
"5 Soaring Stars" ". . . it's the authentic details of the time-periods that make it fun to read . . .” “historical and fictitious characters work in sync as they are perfectly set in these time frames, and midst the transitory madness of WWs I and II Paris.” “Smith's writing isn't over-blown with emotion and sappy romance; rather, it is sophisticated and subtle. It’s witty, fun and sassy.”
Deborah Previte: http://abookishlibrarian.blogspot.com
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“This book has it all! . . . romance, mystery, sex and crime. . . . a story that you will not be able to put down.” Charla Wilson http://booktalkswithcharl.blogspot.com * * * * *
"If you like a thrilling read pick up this book.”
Cristina http://Alaskanbookcafe.com
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"Smith's books have the pace and heat of Jacqueline Susanne and the style and sophistication of Dominick Dunne." Amazon reviewer
For more on Lisa April Smith, check out her website www.LisaAprilSmith.com.
You can also follow her on Twitter, HERE.
You can "Like" her on Facebook, HERE.
If you would like to read the FIRST CHAPTER of EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS, click HERE.
Smith is already working on the sequel to EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS titled, PARADISE MISPLACED.
GIVEAWAY ALERT:
I have a giveaway for one Ebook copy of EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS. If you are interested in winning, please fill out the form below. This giveaway is open until Sunday, April 22, 2012. I will choose a winner using random.org on Monday, April 23, 2012.
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