Get lost in a sweet and contemporary romance filled with second chances and set against the Italian countryside. Check out an excerpt and my review, then download your own copy for just 99 cents during this tour. Please also leave a comment for the author and be sure to enter the giveaway! Note that some of the links included are affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, to help me support my websites.
The Sweet Life
Mamie Weber doesn’t know why she survived that terrible car accident five years ago. Physically, she has only a slight reminder—but emotionally, the pain is still fresh. Deep down she knows her husband would have wanted her to embrace life again. Now she has an opportunity to do just that, spending two weeks in Tuscany reviewing a tour company for her employer’s popular travel guide series. The warmth of the sun, the centuries-old art, a villa on the Umbrian border—it could be just the adventure she needs.
But with adventure comes the unexpected . . . like discovering that her entire tour group is made up of aging ex-hippies reminiscing about their Woodstock days. Or finding herself drawn to the guide, Julian, who is secretly haunted by a tragedy of his own, and seems to disapprove any time she tries something remotely risky—like an impromptu scooter ride with a local man.
As they explore the hilltop towns of Tuscany, Mamie knows that when this blissful excursion is over, she’ll have to return to reality. But when you let yourself wander, life can take some interesting detours . . .
Read an excerpt:
In the driver’s seat sat a square-faced man with a full Romanesque nose and short, dark hair. He greeted her with a wide smile. “Ciao, bella.”
She climbed the steps and smiled back. “Hello. I mean, Ciao. Sorry I’m late.”
Before the nice man in the driver’s seat could respond, a man standing about halfway down the aisle said, “I’m sorry, miss. You’ve got the wrong bus.”
Whoever he was, his cargo shorts and faded Led Zeppelin T-shirt didn’t carry any authority. But he held a clipboard, and his tone suggested he meant business. His Gaelic-looking face carried a slight boyish quality, hardened into a manly appearance due to his trimly cut mustache and beard. Wavy hair the color of cognac peeked out from beneath a gold cap with orange and blue lettering reading Wanderlust Excursions.
“I’m sure the hotel front desk can help you find the right tour.” He gave her a now-hurry-along smile and turned back to the man he’d been talking to.
“Did I just talk to you on the phone?”
He lifted his chin and raised a brow. “We’re waiting for Felix.” His gaze traveled her from top to bottom then he looked her in the eyes. “I’m pretty sure you’re not Felix?”
“No, but...” Mamie became aware of the silence and scanned the passengers.
Everyone in the full bus stared back. Quiet. Curious. She squirmed and her gaze drifted back to the man who seemed to be in charge.
“No. I’m not Felix, but if this is Wanderlust Excursions, it’s where I’m supposed to be.”
He squinted. “Wait. Are you the woman who answered Felix’s phone?”
“Yes. I’m taking his place on the tour.”
He snorted. A short, patronizing laugh. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re clearly not Felix.”
“But he transferred his vouchers to me.”
“Nobody told me. Our company rules state that purchased seats are not transferrable without prior home office approval.” He frowned and studied her again. “Besides, this is a specialized tour and you’re not a member of this group. Felix is.”
“How do you know I’m not?”
His lip curled into a little smirk. “Did you attend Woodstock?”
“The concert?”
“Is there another one?”
“Well, no, but...” Mamie scanned the other passengers more carefully. Other than the guide—everyone else was probably over fifty-five. Maybe even over sixty. “What group are they part of?”
“They are”—the guide, whose company sponsored tag read Julian, glanced at his clipboard—“the Woodstock Wanderers.”
“Felix may not have been part of it either.” Mamie never heard him mention them before.
“Are you kidding? Felix was one of our founder members.” A man with thinning white hair, dark-rimmed glasses, and a full white beard sitting in the front seat winked at Mamie. “Bernie” in capital letters sat square in the center of a nametag with a tie-dyed background. Beneath his name it said, “Favorite Woodstock Song: ‘Let’s Go Get Stoned,’ Joe Cocker.”
Mamie would’ve never put Bernie together with that song, but... The bus’s silence and everyone watching her jarred her back to the problem at hand. “Felix never mentioned your group to me.”
Guess she knew Felix but didn’t know him. The truth about how she and Felix knew each other, though, wasn’t something she could share.
So she did the only thing she could do. Staring Julian square in the eye, she said, “Uncle Felix wanted me to take this trip. I’m his niece. He insisted I go in his place.”
“His niece, huh?” The tour director rubbed the back of his neck and considered her again. He shook his head. “I’m sorry he’s decided not to come, but on the transfer, I can’t budge. Rules are rules.”
A thin gentleman sitting a couple rows behind Bernie, with salt-and-pepper patches of hair above his ears, piped in. “Julian. Dude. Can’t you just go with the flow? She looks harmless. Let her come.”
Mamie squinted. His tag read Bob, but before she could read more, the others joined in with choruses of “yeahs,” and she looked away.
“You know what they say, Julian.” A woman with curly brown hair, peace sign earnings, and a pretty smile said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Mamie noted her nametag read Martha and her favorite Woodstock song was “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Still, and Nash.
Julian pursed his lips. “All due respect Martha, me losing my job isn’t exactly small stuff.”
Martha grinned slyly and winked. “We promise to keep it a secret from the boss.” She glanced around. “Right everybody?”
Another chorus of loud “yeahs” filled the bus.
One slim man with thinning hair who sat in the last row fist bumped the air. “We aren’t afraid of the man.”
The passengers murmured and nodded, complete agreement on that one. Mamie loved this solidarity. Though she’d never considered herself a hippie—more like a loner—she had an incredible urge to be part of this group.
Julian watched them, frowning. He refocused his attention on Mamie. “Sorry. I’m going to have to ask you to step out so we can start. We’re already running late.”
Normally, Mamie respected timeliness, schedules, and rules. But she had a job to do. A mission to accomplish.
“Please. My uncle, he really wanted me to go and—”
Julian took several swift steps to the front of the bus and stopped close to her. He dropped his voice. “Listen, this isn’t personal. The last thing I need is to lose this job. Do me a solid and go see if you can get any of your money back.”
She quietly replied, “You don’t understand. I need to go on this tour.”
He narrowed his hard green eyes, but before he could say a thing, a chant filled the air.
“Let her stay. Let her stay. Let her stay.”
A blond-haired woman with a cherub face who sat at Bernie’s side spoke up over the chant. “Doesn’t she remind you of Tracy, Bern?” Her nametag read Sandra and her favorite Woodstock song was “Amazing Grace” by Arlo Guthrie. She patted Julian’s arm in a very maternal way. “Tracy’s our daughter. We’d love having some young energy around. Tracy’s just too busy working to spend any time with us.”
Julian’s lower lip dropped. He drew in a deep breath, looked at Mamie, and motioned to the door. “Let’s talk outside.”
She turned and headed off the bus. Little did he know, she wasn’t about to back down. Nothing would stop her from getting on this bus or making the most of this adventure. Two very good reasons existed for fighting the good fight.
The memory of her husband and daughter.
She climbed the steps and smiled back. “Hello. I mean, Ciao. Sorry I’m late.”
Before the nice man in the driver’s seat could respond, a man standing about halfway down the aisle said, “I’m sorry, miss. You’ve got the wrong bus.”
Whoever he was, his cargo shorts and faded Led Zeppelin T-shirt didn’t carry any authority. But he held a clipboard, and his tone suggested he meant business. His Gaelic-looking face carried a slight boyish quality, hardened into a manly appearance due to his trimly cut mustache and beard. Wavy hair the color of cognac peeked out from beneath a gold cap with orange and blue lettering reading Wanderlust Excursions.
“I’m sure the hotel front desk can help you find the right tour.” He gave her a now-hurry-along smile and turned back to the man he’d been talking to.
“Did I just talk to you on the phone?”
He lifted his chin and raised a brow. “We’re waiting for Felix.” His gaze traveled her from top to bottom then he looked her in the eyes. “I’m pretty sure you’re not Felix?”
“No, but...” Mamie became aware of the silence and scanned the passengers.
Everyone in the full bus stared back. Quiet. Curious. She squirmed and her gaze drifted back to the man who seemed to be in charge.
“No. I’m not Felix, but if this is Wanderlust Excursions, it’s where I’m supposed to be.”
He squinted. “Wait. Are you the woman who answered Felix’s phone?”
“Yes. I’m taking his place on the tour.”
He snorted. A short, patronizing laugh. “I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re clearly not Felix.”
“But he transferred his vouchers to me.”
“Nobody told me. Our company rules state that purchased seats are not transferrable without prior home office approval.” He frowned and studied her again. “Besides, this is a specialized tour and you’re not a member of this group. Felix is.”
“How do you know I’m not?”
His lip curled into a little smirk. “Did you attend Woodstock?”
“The concert?”
“Is there another one?”
“Well, no, but...” Mamie scanned the other passengers more carefully. Other than the guide—everyone else was probably over fifty-five. Maybe even over sixty. “What group are they part of?”
“They are”—the guide, whose company sponsored tag read Julian, glanced at his clipboard—“the Woodstock Wanderers.”
“Felix may not have been part of it either.” Mamie never heard him mention them before.
“Are you kidding? Felix was one of our founder members.” A man with thinning white hair, dark-rimmed glasses, and a full white beard sitting in the front seat winked at Mamie. “Bernie” in capital letters sat square in the center of a nametag with a tie-dyed background. Beneath his name it said, “Favorite Woodstock Song: ‘Let’s Go Get Stoned,’ Joe Cocker.”
Mamie would’ve never put Bernie together with that song, but... The bus’s silence and everyone watching her jarred her back to the problem at hand. “Felix never mentioned your group to me.”
Guess she knew Felix but didn’t know him. The truth about how she and Felix knew each other, though, wasn’t something she could share.
So she did the only thing she could do. Staring Julian square in the eye, she said, “Uncle Felix wanted me to take this trip. I’m his niece. He insisted I go in his place.”
“His niece, huh?” The tour director rubbed the back of his neck and considered her again. He shook his head. “I’m sorry he’s decided not to come, but on the transfer, I can’t budge. Rules are rules.”
A thin gentleman sitting a couple rows behind Bernie, with salt-and-pepper patches of hair above his ears, piped in. “Julian. Dude. Can’t you just go with the flow? She looks harmless. Let her come.”
Mamie squinted. His tag read Bob, but before she could read more, the others joined in with choruses of “yeahs,” and she looked away.
“You know what they say, Julian.” A woman with curly brown hair, peace sign earnings, and a pretty smile said, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Mamie noted her nametag read Martha and her favorite Woodstock song was “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Still, and Nash.
Julian pursed his lips. “All due respect Martha, me losing my job isn’t exactly small stuff.”
Martha grinned slyly and winked. “We promise to keep it a secret from the boss.” She glanced around. “Right everybody?”
Another chorus of loud “yeahs” filled the bus.
One slim man with thinning hair who sat in the last row fist bumped the air. “We aren’t afraid of the man.”
The passengers murmured and nodded, complete agreement on that one. Mamie loved this solidarity. Though she’d never considered herself a hippie—more like a loner—she had an incredible urge to be part of this group.
Julian watched them, frowning. He refocused his attention on Mamie. “Sorry. I’m going to have to ask you to step out so we can start. We’re already running late.”
Normally, Mamie respected timeliness, schedules, and rules. But she had a job to do. A mission to accomplish.
“Please. My uncle, he really wanted me to go and—”
Julian took several swift steps to the front of the bus and stopped close to her. He dropped his voice. “Listen, this isn’t personal. The last thing I need is to lose this job. Do me a solid and go see if you can get any of your money back.”
She quietly replied, “You don’t understand. I need to go on this tour.”
He narrowed his hard green eyes, but before he could say a thing, a chant filled the air.
“Let her stay. Let her stay. Let her stay.”
A blond-haired woman with a cherub face who sat at Bernie’s side spoke up over the chant. “Doesn’t she remind you of Tracy, Bern?” Her nametag read Sandra and her favorite Woodstock song was “Amazing Grace” by Arlo Guthrie. She patted Julian’s arm in a very maternal way. “Tracy’s our daughter. We’d love having some young energy around. Tracy’s just too busy working to spend any time with us.”
Julian’s lower lip dropped. He drew in a deep breath, looked at Mamie, and motioned to the door. “Let’s talk outside.”
She turned and headed off the bus. Little did he know, she wasn’t about to back down. Nothing would stop her from getting on this bus or making the most of this adventure. Two very good reasons existed for fighting the good fight.
The memory of her husband and daughter.
Buy links
**My thoughts**
I was attracted to this storyline first because it was set in Italy. I've always wanted to go there and especially love to read stories set there. And then there's the whole idea of rebuilding one's life and second chances. I wasn't disappointed.
Mamie and I are about the same age and are both looking to kind of reinvent ourselves and embrace life again. That helped me relate to her a lot, even though I have not experienced near the tragedy that she has. Yes, the idea of her trying to find herself again by going to Italy screams Under the Tuscan Sun, but it's really not a ripoff version of it. I found myself getting lost in the descriptions of the scenery, making me feel as if I were right there with Mamie and Julian and the rest of the tour group. I really need to get to Italy.
Julian and Mamie both have a lot of tragedy in their pasts and are trying to figure out how to live life again. Fate has totally brought them together to help each other find their way, even if they don't really realize it as it is happening. Together they can ride the roller coaster as they grow into who they are supposed to be. It's a story of second chances and romance, and the country of Italy is just as much a character as the wandering Woodstock hippies and others. Truly a pleasurable way to spend an evening and would be perfect to read at the beach.
About Sharon Struth
Sharon Struth believes you’re never too old to pursue a dream. The Hourglass, her debut novel, is a finalist in the National Readers' Choice Awards for Best first Book, and her Blue Moon Lake Novels include the bestseller, Share the Moon.
When she’s not working, she and her husband happily sip their way through the scenic towns of the Connecticut Wine Trail, travel the world, and enjoy spending time with their precious pets and two grown daughters. She writes from the friendliest place she’s ever lived, Bethel, Connecticut. For more information, including where to find her published essays, please visit www.sharonstruth.com or visit her blog, Musings from the Middle Ages & More at http://www.sharonstruth.wordpress.com/.
Social Media Links
Website: www.sharonstruth.com
Twitter: @sharonstruth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sharon-Struth-Author-Page-139641182749036/
Sharon Struth will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThe setting does appeal.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed getting to know your book; congrats on the tour and I hope it is a fun one for you :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the tour. The cover makes me think this will be a sweet story.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteIf you could meet one literary charachter, who would it be? Thanks for sharing. Bernie Wallace BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteI love your cover and I can't wait to read your book.
ReplyDeleteSorry I couldn't be here the day of the party. I got sidetracked now I'm playing catch-up!
ReplyDeleteWhich book have you read the most? Thanks for hosting the giveaway. Bernie Wallace BWallace1980(at)hotmail(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteI would love to read your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me and for your lovely review! I was having trouble posting earlier but with my new phone it seems to be working. Thanks so much to everybody who’s stopped by the tour and for your interest in my book.❤️
ReplyDeleteExcellent post! I really enjoyed reading it - especially the review! Looking forward to checking this book out!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like such a beautiful read. I was able to spend a good amount of time in Italy many years ago, and I would love to spend a few days relaxing with this book now.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
--Ann B.
(Email: L-----B@yahoo.com)