Blog Tour Guest Post, Review & Giveaway: Searching for Beautiful – Jennifer Probst

Posted June 8, 2015 by Cocktails and Books in Blog Tour, InkSlingers PR, Reviews / 1 Comment

Blog Tour Guest Post, Review & Giveaway:  Searching for Beautiful – Jennifer ProbstSearching for Beautiful by Jennifer Probst
Series: Searching For #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Published by Gallery Books Publication Date: 26 May 2015
Pages: 384
Also in this series: Searching for Always
Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org
Find on: Goodreads
three-half-stars

The highly anticipated third novel in theΒ Searching ForΒ series fromJennifer Probst, β€œone of the most exciting breakout novelists” (USA Today), featuring a runaway bride and the man who wants to be more than just her best friend...Genevieve MacKenzie has her life completely under control. About to wed the charming Chief doctor at the local hospital, she’s an up-and-coming surgeon with everything she could ever want. Until an escape through the church window on the day of her wedding sends her life into a tailspin...and flings her right into her best friend’s arms.When Wolfe catches his best friend falling out a window on her wedding day, he doesn’t ask questions. He whisks her away, determined to watch over her and discover the truth behind her desperate escape. But when his feelings turn more than platonic, he realizes he may risk his most important relationship in order to protect his damaged heart, and the woman he loves.Can Genevieve and Wolfe’s friendship turn into something deeperβ€”or is it already too late for true love?

Joelle’s Thoughts

Although Searching for Beautiful is #3 in Probst’s series, it is the first her books that I have read. I have seen from other review sites that devoted readers were excited that Wolfe was finally getting his own story. I can understand why. He is a likeable characterβ€”a lot of bad boy, but also a lot of heart. Wolfe’s character also elicits a lot of sympathy, one can’t help feeling sorry for him and what he went through as a child.

Probst does a commendable job developing all of the characters in this story. Even having never read #1 & #2 in this series, I felt like I β€œknew” Genevieve and her circle of friends. I also liked that Gen & Wolfe had a difficult time developing a relationship that worked for them. Their struggle was realistically portrayed, which I appreciate in a romance novel. There have to be some realistic elements in the story for me.

I know that fans of Probst will enjoy this book. While I wasn’t as attached to the characters as many other readers may be, it was good. Number 4 in this series should be interesting. I am curious to see what officer Petty’s story will be as I enjoyed the tension between him and Arilyn in this book!

 

GuestPost

FEMALE FRIENDSHIP POWER IN ROMANCE

When I wrote my marriage to a billionaire romance series, besides the delicious trope of marriage of convenience, I realized I was truly writing about the power of family. In all forms, from the dinner table in Bergamo, Italy, to tight relationship of sisters supporting each other, to the best bromances I could create, family was the center subject beating through the pages.

With the Searching for Series, I realized I was shifting to another topic I feel passionate about.

Female friendship.

The friends I hold dear have been with me since junior high. One is from elementary. We have a tight knit bond that has never been broken, and like family, my friends know who I am. They see past the veneer of civilization and society and call me out on my bullshit. They demand truth, make me howl in laughter, and challenge me to be better.

Without these type knit friendships, I would not be the same person. I loved the idea of exploring a strong friendship of three woman who met in college and decide to open up a matchmaking agency after a drunken night of cocktails.

Yes. This has happened to me before, but never lived past the flicker of dawn!

Each heroine is connected to the other in some way, which makes the series stronger. Of course each book can be read alone, but together, as always, it’s even stronger and more real.

With Searching for Beautiful, Genevieve’s friendship with Kate give her the strength she needs to quit being a surgeon and discover what she really wants in life. After running out on her wedding day, her entire life is in shreds and she needs to rebuild.

When pure disaster strikes, your true friends are sometimes the only ones who can understand exactly what you need to live again.

Female power beats through each of these books, because it has made a big difference in my life.

I hope you enjoy the tales and honor your own friendship tales as you read the Searching for series!

β€œGEN, GET UP.”

β€œUgh, what’s that smell?”

β€œI think it’s her. I told you we should’ve busted inΒ yesterday.”

β€œI know. I couldn’t find my spare key. Why won’tΒ she wake up? What if she overdosed?”

β€œDon’t be so dramatic, there’s no wine or pill bottles.Β But the empty ice cream cartons and candy wrappersΒ means she’s on a sugar crash. Gen, sweetie, openΒ your eyes.”

The voices swirled together in a beautiful musicalΒ harmony. Her eyelids felt heavy and she had a badΒ feeling that if she opened them she’d rememberΒ something terrible. She tried to ignore them, but the

nice voices came with hands that were poking her andΒ trying to turn her over. Gen growled. β€œGo away. I’mΒ tired.”

Her body was shaken harder than a James BondΒ martini. β€œWake up, I mean it. You’re freaking us out.”

She opened one eye. Three female faces peeredΒ down at her. β€œHow come you’re not at work?” GenΒ mumbled.

β€œIt’s Sunday,” Kate said. β€œWe’ve been trying toΒ reach you since yesterday. Thought you were withΒ Wolfe, but he’s at some kind of convention thing soΒ he told us to break in. How long have you been inΒ bed?”

Huh. When did her life splinter into tiny pieces soΒ she had no job, no possessions, and no future? OhΒ yeah, Thursday. β€œFew days.”

Kennedy pulled back. β€œWoman, you need to brushΒ your teeth.”

β€œTomorrow.” She tried to roll back over but theyΒ forced her to sit up, climbing on top of the bed so theyΒ all surrounded her.

β€œDid something happen with David or the hospital?” Arilyn asked.

Gen realized they didn’t know. After her exit, she’dΒ gone directly to the grocery store and bought everythingΒ that looked like it would kill her. Saturated fatsΒ and sugar galore. Trying to avoid a big pity party on

top of her wedding fiasco, she’d texted everyone thatΒ she’d be working nonstop and would catch up later.Β Knowing Wolfe would be checking on her anyway,Β she’d told him she was staying at Kate’s and she’d contactΒ him next week.Β Then she’d gone to bed and stayed there.

β€œHoney, what happened? Wolfe was frantic. YouΒ lied and said you were with me,” Kate said.

β€œDidn’t want him to worry. He’s been baby-sittingΒ me and it’s getting embarrassing. I’ll be fine.”

Kennedy lifted two empty bags of Funions. β€œIf youΒ ate these you’re not fine.”

Gen took a breath. β€œI quit the hospital. My residencyΒ is over. I had a huge fiasco with David and heΒ threatened to make my life hell, and I realized IΒ can’t continue there.”

Kate stood up and smoothed back her hair. β€œOkay,Β I’m going to go kill him now. Remember you’re myΒ witnesses, so I was never there.”

Gen grabbed her hand. β€œI know you’re serious, soΒ sit back down. I need you here, not in jail.”

Kennedy fumed. β€œHe can’t get away with that. YouΒ need to report him.”

She lifted her hands. β€œGuys, he’s covered his tracksΒ well. In fact, he planted seeds of depression and anxiety.Β Wrote up a report for HR. He runs the unit, andΒ I’m just the silly runaway bride. I’m not going back,Β and I don’t want to get involved in a lawsuit or investigationΒ I’ll lose. It’ll actually be worse for me.”

β€œI’m sorry, Gen. But I am going to kill him forΒ you.”

She smiled at Kate. β€œI know you would. You’reΒ such a good friend.”

β€œLet’s avoid talk of murder, please, and figure thisΒ out,” Arilyn piped up. β€œCan we hook you up with aΒ tape recorder where you can get him to confess hisΒ evil plans on record?”

They stared at her. For such a sweet, gentle soul,Β Arilyn had a vicious streak that always fascinatedΒ Gen. β€œGood idea,” Ken jumped in. β€œNate can help usΒ set it up.”

Gen laughed. Only her friends could introduceΒ humor into every situation.

 

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CnB About the Author

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Website:Β  www.jenniferprobst.com

Facebook Fan Page:Β  https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage

Twitter: Β  https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst

Goodreads:Β  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

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