EXTRA ! EXTRA! Presenting the first of our regularly scheduled Book Club features- May features Friendship Makes The Heart Grow Fonder- Plus a NOOK GIVEAWAY!!!

UPDATE-Lisa Verge Higgins has generously offered a NOOK as a giveaway for this monthly feature. Stay tuned for more information

Starting Monday May 6th The Reading Frenzy will be turned into a part-time book club.

Reading Schedule:

Week One- May 6th-12 Chapters 1-8
Week Two-May 13-19 Chapters 9-16
Week Three May 20-26 Chapters 17-End

Those of you familiar with the Barnes & Noble.com forums will remember the irrepressible Lisa Verge Higgins who so graciously gave up her time and energy to spend with us last year as we read and discussed her novel The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship. In light of the fact that the B&N.com forums are going through yet another change (not yet public) Lisa has agreed to be my Guinea Pig and will be in attendance through out the month while we read and chat about her newest release Friendship Makes The Heart Grow Fonder on my blog. So please if this sounds like something you’d like to join in tell all your friends as we turn my interview/review blog into a book club for the month of May. I’ll still be interviewing authors, having giveaways and giving thoughts of the day but in addition we’ll be pulling up chairs and sharing coffee, tea and maybe a glass of wine while we talk about this wonderful piece of literature.

Here’s the hat she and her publisher gave us as a thank you last year, hint you’ll have to read the novel The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship to find out about the hats.

So read on, learn a bit about Lisa and if this kind of thing floats your boat come on aboard -

The Contest hasn't been finalized yet but you'll be the first to know

I’m turning it over to Lisa for a minute now:

Lisa tell us a bit about Friendship Makes The Heart Grow Fonder, where the idea came from and what you hope your readers come away with after experiencing the novel.

Thanks so much, Debbie, for letting me be a part of your new adventure!

As for Friendship Makes The Heart Grow Fonder. . . one reader described the novel to me as a cross between the movies “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Bridesmaids.” Considering that the story is about three women in emotional transition setting off for Europe only to stumble upon some unexpected, life-changing, and hopefully hilarious adventures . . . then I think that’s a pretty vivid assessment! 

The story focuses on Monique, a young widow who hides in the drawer of her bedside table a bucket list written by her husband during the months of his treatment—a list of adventures he’d hoped to experience with her when he got better.  For four years, she ignored it, too overwhelmed raising their daughter to consider resurrecting old dreams.  But when she notices her neighbor Judy acting crazy in an empty nest, and their best friend Becky, traumatized by chilling news, Monique contemplates that list with new eyes.  Her husband never meant for her to do these things alone—and this crazy list of adventures might save them all. 

Those of your readers who are familiar with The Proper Care and Maintenance of Friendship and One Good Friend Deserves Another already know that my books focus on ordinary women overcoming difficult times with the help of good friends.  For this particular story I had the opportunity to relive a backpacking trip I’d taken across Europe with a shifting group of old and new buddies.  As you can imagine, that trip was an incredible experience that taught me a lot of life lessons, including one that I hope my readers will take away:  Sometimes getting lost is the only way to find what you’re looking for.   

And I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for this exclusive opportunity you’re giving us. If this is a huge success (which it will be) it will be all because of you and if it flops, well you know. J

Onward and upward, Debbie!  I’m sure it’s going to be AWESOME!

I’ll be reaching out all over to advertise this, so it will catch on. If you know anyone who loves the idea of a proper book club invite them to this and pull up a chair and plop yourself down and join in too.

I’ll pimp it big-time on my facebook page and website – starting next week after I hand in my next book, Random Acts of Kindness!  (PHEW!)

My Review of Friendship Makes The Heart Grow Fonder

Monique lost her husband Lenny to cancer four years ago, and she’s had his “bucket list” hanging over her head, so when she learns that a friend is suffering a loss of her own she proposes a preposterous idea.
Becky has just gotten news that’s making her already dimming eyes more cloudy, she’s got children to raise and a troubled marriage to figure out, she’s got no time for going blind. When her friend and neighbor who’s suffered a loss of her own suggests completing her dead husband’s bucket list she thinks it’s the craziest idea ever.
Judy is suffering a huge case of empty nest syndrome that’s left her at loose ends which makes her feel small when she learns of Becky’s situation and thinks of the loss that Monique has suffered, especially since her married life is in good working order. But when Monique invites her on this complete the bucket list trip, she’s all for it.
This journey will mean different things to these three friends who’ve all suffered loss, who’re all at a fork in their particular road. Will they be enlightened or will this trip just make their losses more real. Will Monique find closure, and resolve to live again? Will Becky come to terms with her diagnosis, can she face what ever waits for her at home? Will Judy find a new reason to get up in the morning when she’s got no to do list to complete?

Lisa Verge Higgins has delivered another masterpiece in fiction, and what makes it especially memorable is how she really “gets” friendship, the unique relationships that defines kindred spirits. She takes reality to a new height,  and she delivers it not with the happy endings we find in romance and yet not with unhappy endings either, what she gives instead is a realistic recipe for life, served with a huge helping of hope. Her plot is not far fetched, it could happen to you or someone you know. Her narrative flows and her characters shine and no matter who you are or where you are in your particular life journey you will find a bit of you inside her pages.
Lisa you’ve taken me around the world more than once now and each time I find something new to love about what you lovingly have to say. So wherever in the world you plan on going next I’m in.

Purchase the book at B&N, Amazon , Walmart or borrow a copy from your library shelf.

Come by often to see what's happening, to chat with Lisa about her upcoming release, her past releases, be sure and like her FB page or check in at her website both where she keeps fans up to date on all her goings on.

Then choose your favorite chair and come sit around the table with us for this exclusive on-line Book Club read.
If you like it stay tuned for news for next month.