*Winners were picked using random.org and will be contacted by the authors shortly*
Available: NOW (amazon ebook)
Type: Novel
Publisher: Just Publishing
My Copy: Sent by author for review
From TV writer Dee DeTarsio, a new novel, The Scent of Jade. When an ancient jade relic that holds secrets to global warming ends up in the hands of a not-so-perfect heroine, she is thrust in a fish-out-of-water adventure, lost in the Costa Rican rainforest.
“Romancing The Stone” meets “Survivor” for Julie Fraser, who was minding her own business, living her life as snug as a bug in a rut in San Diego, California. As the least adventurous person she knows, Julie finally whooped it up one day to jet off and surprise her husband, who was on a business trip in Costa Rica. Reeling from the discovery that her husband wasn’t who she thought he was, she accidentally steals an ancient artifact and is chased through the wilds of the rainforest, not knowing where to turn, literally, or whom to trust. She knew she should have stayed home.
Can a monkey, a blonde Juan, a foreign scientist, a mysterious ‘love potion’ and the jade stone itself (that may hold secrets to global warming), help Julie on her mission to find and forgive her husband?
The stolen idol catapults her on a quest, as she discovers truths along the way about herself and her place in the universe. The Scent of Jade is creative and unique with surprising twists–in turn suspenseful and heartbreaking, combining humor and romance to reach the payoff ending. Original characters keep the pages turning.
The Scent of Jade spins its story with wit and wisdom, drawing those who love mystery, suspense, romance and adventure. While there are no vampires, readers are invited to enjoy the intrigue…
The Scent of Jade was a book that I wasn’t real sure about when I started it. I have mentioned previously that I’m a reader that craves conversation. I need the interactions between characters instead of all the internal dialogue. The Scent Of Jade had a lot of that internal dialogue.
When the main charcater Julie cataches her husband having sex with a spicy Costa Rican chica on an alter…she runs for the hills. Literally. Grabbing a jade stone from the alter (for a reason I never did figure out) she runs out into the jungle thinking she’s heading back to the hotel resort. Instead she ends up hopelessly lost.
At this point there is zero conversation for awhile. She is lost, starving and pretty pissed off. It felt kinda like Tom Hanks in Castaway. She starts talking to a monkey that is hanging around when she settles down in a POT FIELD for the night. Of course, if you’re stuck in a pot field you’re gonna smoke some right? RIGHT. She even knows how to roll a joint. Can’t get herself out of the jungle, but can stuff a blunt with the best of them. Her and the monkey get pretty stoned and she talks his little munchie-wanting head off. It was pretty hilarious.
I had an issue with her savior, Jaun, giving her a orgasm with a mere backrub. One point being…REALLY? That is one hell of a backrub. And secondly, where is her line of cheating? Now she is ticked off at her hubby for cheating yet shes having an orgasm with another man a few days later? I know, I know, it’s not nearly the same thing…but it’s a gray area.
When Jaun realizes Julie has the Jade Stone he immediately steals it for his get rich quick sister. Apparently the stone is the answer to global warming and is very valuable. What ensues is a back and worth tug of war that will result in a romp through the jungle that won’t soon be forgotten. There is plenty of local lore around the stone and environmental data to back up the lore. Whoever holds the stone is in possession of a great artifact that many have coveted for hundreds of years.
I would definitely put The Scent Of Jade into the womens literature category. This is a womans book for sure but there are some scientific backgrounds wound into it. Although parts of the story dragged for me and I didn’t find it to be a romance at all, I think readers that enjoy chick lit will get a lot out of it. Dee has a wonderfully descriptive voice that will make you envision the Costa Rican jungle with ease. Her use of scientific data to move the story along worked well and kept me interested even if I didn’t ever fully connect with the characters.
The Scent Of Jade is a cross between Indiana Jones and Romancing The Stone. Its a adventure that will keep you turning the pages and coming back if only to find out where the stone eventually ends up.
I give The Scent of Jade by Dee DeTarsio 3.75 stars!
Dee has said she will graciously give away one e-copy of the Scent Of Jade to a random commenter! Please just leave a comment with your email address to be included. This is open internationally! Contest open until Friday February 4th at 11:59pm EST.
