Gumbeaux Love
by Jax Frey
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GENRE: Southern Women's Fiction
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BLURB:
The adventures of the Gumbeaux Sistahs continues. Five, fiery southern women wage wars against their unique problems using their improbable friendships, hilarious evil-genius schemes, strategy sessions with oh-so-many cocktails, and a shared passion for good gumbo.
Single, Southern artist, Judith Lafferty, casually confesses to her Gumbeaux Sistahs that she is occasionally lonely and would like to fall in love again. Seriously - you'd think she would know to keep her mouth shut around these women by now. The sistahs tackle her problem along with their own with their usual unreasonable, extreme plots and schemes, including a kidnapping, a cupid costume, trying out pick-up lines at the cheese counter, and blind dates from hell. In helping out their friend, the sistahs help each other out as well and bring to light the many flavors of love in all of our lives. Be ready for twists, turns, laugh-out-loud times, and heart-wrenching moments. You'll be sure to recognize yourself and your best friends in the unstoppable sistahs.
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EXCERPT:
Judith rinsed her juice glass in the kitchen sink just as the doorbell rang.
“Who in the world at this hour?” she thought, shaking her head and glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s not even eight o’clock.”
She walked to the front door and started to open it, but before she could swing it open all the way, a hand clutching a paper coffee cup shoved its way inside, barely missing her face.
“What?” she yelped. Then she laughed. “Oh no, are you kidding me?” She opened the door to five Gumbeaux Sistahs, including Bea, Helen, Dawn, Lola, and Trinity who stood on her front stoop holding coffee. It was especially a surprise to see Trinity there since she lived across the lake and had a long way to come. But the most unexpected thing of all was Dawn, who stood there looking embarrassed as all get-out, wearing a big, red Cupid costume.
“Not again!” said Judith, rolling her eyes and remembering that this was exactly the way that the sistahs had originally kidnapped her and become her best friends in the world.
Dawn grimaced and said, “I don’t know why I’m always the one who has to wear a stupid costume.”
A Word From the Author:
1. Did you always want to be an author?
I think I did. When I was eight, I partnered with a girl in my neighborhood to hand-write a newspaper for our street called The Mithra Street Messenger. We put out one issue then our mothers shut us down because we had a Crimes section, which mostly featured the indignities inflicted upon me by my pesky brother. I still have a copy of the Messenger.
2. Tell us about the publication of your first book.
I published the first book of the series, The Gumbeaux Sistahs, a year ago October 1, 2019. With the help of friends, I had a book launch party at the coffee house (St.John’s in Covington, LA), where I actually wrote the book. My friends made big pots of gumbo and rice. We also served the Trinity cookies, whose recipe is included in that book. A ton of people showed up, and there was a line to buy and sign books. I could tell that the mostly female crowd appreciated the idea of the book, and couldn’t wait to read it. It was one great day!
3. Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?
I have to say that Jan Karon is one of my favorites. Her books, like the Gumbeaux Sistahs novels, offer a consistent venue to visit and a great escape. She can be relied on to bring hope and peace — the Gumbeaux Sistahs love her!
4. What’s the best part of being an author? The worst?
Best: I enjoy the cerebral exercise of creating a place and characters who bring happiness, laughter, and respite to readers, while tackling some of the problems we face every day in a loving way. The happiness rubs off on me.
Worst: The first five minutes of writing. That time is almost like trying to meditate wherein you have to clear the thoughts of your day and life and make room for the world of the Sistahs. It’s a struggle sometimes, but it never fails to happen.
5. What are you working on now?
I just started Book 3 of the Gumbeaux Sistahs series. This may be my favorite one yet!
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Born in New Orleans, Jax came into this world with a sense of celebration of southern culture, food, family and fun. Translating that celebration into her writing and onto canvas is her true calling. Her colorful art depicts everything from her dancing Gumbeaux Sistahs paintings to her popular line of original Mini paintings of southern icons. Because over 25,000 of the mini paintings have been created and sold into art collections worldwide, Jax holds a world’s record for The Most Original Acrylic Paintings on Canvas by One Artist from the World's Record Academy. Jax art and gifts can be seen at www.artbyjax.com.
Jax is also the co-founder of the Women of Infinite Possibilities, an empowering women’s organization started in Covington, LA, where Jax lives today with her loveable, tornado-of-a-pug named Lucy.
The Gumbeaux Sistahs' series of novels is a work of love for Jax After painting the Sistahs for many years, she finally gives voice to these women characters who have something to say and constantly make Jax laugh when she writes about them. http://www.gumbeauxsistahs.com/
Amazon buy link:
https://www.amazon.com/Gumbeaux-Love-Book-Sistahs-novels-ebook/dp/B08GJ9FZX5/
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION
Jax Frey will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Sounds like a good book.
ReplyDeleteI love the story of your book launch Jax! Sounds so lovely and fun. Did you do anything special for the release of this book too?
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the post and the book sounds like a great one to read, thanks for sharing it with me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteJax is a new author for me. This novel sounds like a must read. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book.
ReplyDeleteI like the excerpt.
ReplyDelete