Tag Archives: T.B. Markinson

Book Review: A Family Woman by T.B. Markinson

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A Family Woman by T.B. Markinson

A Romantic Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (12/13/17)

Summary:

Lizzie is back, and this time she has just a few short months until her pregnant wife gives birth to their twins. Lizzie has never had the greatest relationship with her family and would rather not see them, but Sarah has other plans. Lizzie will become a family woman.

Keywords:

 Romance,  Tension, Holding in Feelings, Chain, Parents, Soon-to-be-parents, twins, Lesbians, Sex, Family, Parenthood, Reconciliation, Secrets, Contemporary, Complicated Families, Pregnancy, Relationship

My Review:

The first half of the book – before the twins arrived – had quite a few sex scenes. They were very interesting to read because they were between two females, but there was quite a bit of it.

I loved how Lizzie and Sarah interacted with each other in their day-to-day lives. Lizzie’s devotion and love for Sarah, the mother of her unborn children, the love of her life, her partner in everything was amazing. I felt my heart patter every time Lizzie thought about Sarah before she spoke or went out of her way for Sarah. I want that deep, satisfying, unconditional level of love!

Lizzie’s relationships with her brother, her father, and her friends were so interesting to watch. The dynamics were fascinating. Especially as the subplots became more and more complex.

This book was humorous and fun, just like the first two in the series. I found the level of detail in the actual birth of the twins completely fascinating, as most movies and books gloss over birth.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson 12/13/2017 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.25

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Book Review: A Clueless Woman (A Woman Lost Book 0) by T.B. Markinson

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A Clueless Woman (A Woman Lost Book 0) by T.B. Markinson

A Romantic Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (11/24/15)

Summary:

“No wonder I was single. I lacked charm, conversational skills, and panache.” (Kindle Locations 917-918).

Lizzie hasn’t had any for over a year, when she broke up with her crazy ex. Nowadays she knows books are a safer bet, especially since she still hasn’t gotten over the ex and the ex still comes around for handouts, or to blackmail Lizzie into handing out her inheritance hundred by hundred. Lizzie has been too embarrassed to tell anyone, even her closest friends. At least now she knows what to look for in a bad relationship, right? When her graduate professor introduces her to Sarah, Lizzie’s normally tongue-tied left-feet become even more hopelessly entangled as she falls head over heels for the gutsy heart-on-her-sleeve high school English teacher. Can Lizzie keep the bad news ex away from her budding new relationship or will the ex ruin another relationship and Lizzie’s next chance for love?

 

Keywords:

 Romance, Relationships, Friendships, Lesbians, Tension, Holding in Feelings, Coffee, Chai, Teacher, English Teacher, Professor, Student, Ex-relationships, Books, Research

 

My Review:

I wish I had the opportunity to read this book closer to the time I’d read the first book in the series, as I’d forgotten most everything about Lizzie and her world, but I found that I didn’t need to read A Woman Lost Book 1 first to completely enjoy A Clueless Woman.

As with her other books, T.B. Markinson builds her characters with an expertise and ease that is fun to read. Lizzie is completely developed. Sarah has her own quirks and personality. Even the ex has been thoroughly described.

There were more romantic/sexy scenes in A Clueless Woman than I remembered being in a Woman Lost. I thought there was a good balance between the romance, the build up and the rest of Lizzie’s story.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson November 24th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Book Review: The Miracle Girl by T.B. Markinson

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The Miracle Girl by T.B. Markinson

A Romantic Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (07/06/15)

Summary:

“My life was built on lies. When would it all come crashing down?” (Kindle Locations 725-726).

JJ Cavendish, after 25 years traveling and adventuring has come back to her hometown of Colorado. When she left all those years ago it was to the tune of an emotional and heartbreaking breakup with her sweetheart Claire. JJ, the Miracle Girl, is back and bumps into Claire at the new office. JJ never stopped loving Claire, but Claire now has a son and secrets she has to keep from her coworkers. Will JJ be able to pick back up where she left off with Claire?

 

Keywords:

Lesbians, Love, Romance, Adventure, Newspaper, Trending, Twitter, Blogging, Past Struggles, AA, Secrets, Heartbreak, Sex, Relationships

 

My Review:

Miracle Girl had a lot of the characteristics I enjoyed in T. B. Markinson’s other books. Markinson’s main character was female, most of the characters were female, the females had real jobs and power, the relationships were first and foremost in the plot, there was fun and clever banter between characters, and there was plenty of drama.

I didn’t feel as connected to the main character as I usually do with Markinson’s characters, as she was in a very different career than my own, in a very much different income level than my own, and of course in a very different type of relationship than my own. Normally, I love seeing how new things play out, but this story left me wanting for a little more to latch onto for similarities to my own situation, lifestyle, and personality. Markinson has created a character with deep flaws, a former addict, who has left her past behind her, but it catches up to her.

If you like an easy, fast read with some woman on woman action and a whole lot of little story bits and well-thought out characters, then Miracle Girl may be just the read for you.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson July  6th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 4.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Book Review: A Woman Lost by T.B. Markinson

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A Woman Lost by T.B. Markinson

A Romantic Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (01/02/14)

 

Summary:

She is predictable as pie, always ordering a chai tea when out at the local Starbucks with her best friend Ethan, and avoiding talking about her relationship like they are the plague. She doesn’t like to open up and swoons – inside her own head- at any pretty woman. She feels like she gets cornered into doing what she doesn’t want to do and can’t figure a way out of it, even if all it would take is one conversation. She is a relationship wuss.

 

Keywords:

 Romance, Relationships, Unsupportive Family, Friendships, Lesbians, Tension, Holding in Feelings, Coffee, Chai

 

My Review:

Lizzie isn’t just a relationship wuss, she tries very hard. Her personality holds her back. Don’t we all do this? We’re worried about what our partner will do or say so we don’t bring up those difficult questions at all. Push them to the back of the closet where they can’t affect us, but they always do eventually. Markinson has a way with building her characters. Lizzie, Sarah, Ethan, and Maddie are all realistic layered characters with personality quirks and humors all their own. I really enjoy Markinson’s characters in everything that she writes and A Woman Lost is no exception.

A Woman Lost was built on tension. It was apparent in every word and every scene and I was just waiting for it all to fall apart or blow up. I wasn’t disappointed. Markinson herself describes Lizzie: “You’re so wound up all of the time that sometimes you crack.” (Page 35). Lizzie keeps her feelings bottled up inside, but not just because it adds tension to the story. She has a reason for doing this. Markinson has built her up and given her complication and motivation and backstory to explain who she is and why she does the less applaudable things that she does. If she has such a great girlfriend, why would she pursue the new hot chick? If any of us would succumb, so would a character like Lizzie. The story is realistic and the characters are realistic in this way and that is why Lizzie is so very relatable even while you want to kick her in the pants and tell her to stop being such a ninny. It’s difficult to do that when you’re as stubborn as Lizzie, “I should always go the exact opposite of my gut feeling; however, I was too stubborn to ignore my intuition.” (Page 228).

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson January 2nd, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Book Review: Claudia Must Die by T.B. Markinson

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Claudia Must Die by T.B. Markinson

A Comedic Thriller Novel published by T. B. Markinson (07/13/14)

Summary:

What if you could evade your imminent murder by setting up your doppelganger to die in your place, would you do it? For Claudia, it’s a given that Parker must die. Claudia doesn’t have room for guilt or remorse because Parker seems like she doesn’t enjoy life or have any friends or loved ones. On the forty ninth day of Claudia’s stakeout of Parker Mapes, the hired assassins show up to do the deed and Claudia’s plan seems to be going flawlessly. That is, until Parker’s lover shows up.

Keywords:

 Assassins, Violent Men, Guns, Killing, Comedy, Set-Up, Look-Alikes,

My Review:

T.B. Markinson delivers again with her fourth novel, Claudia Must Die, in a fast-paced comedic story of kill or be killed. Markinson has a way with descriptions and setting a scene to get the reader really involved with the story. The scenes are vivid and authentic. Each page invokes intrigue and keeps your attention. The author catches your attention with the vivid yet simple cover and keeps it from the very first sentence to the very last sentence.

This story was a very funny take on an assassination attempt with a side of attempted identity theft. But it wasn’t all fun and games. Markinson fueled the characters’ actions with real emotions and motivations. She didn’t put in anything extra while giving the story everything it needed. The backstory was written concisely and integrated seamlessly into the plotline.

The characters were larger than life, but believable and relatable. The dialogue was realistic and fun. One of my favorite lines was, “Too many people talk, yet I haven’t met anyone worth listening to.” (Location 565). This story was just too fun and I enjoyed every minute/page of it. It unfolded just like a comedic heist would in a movie. And hey, not everyone has to die.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson July 13th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Book Review: Confessions from a Coffee Shop by T.B. Markinson

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Confessions from a Coffee Shop by T.B. Markinson

A Fiction Novel published by T. B. Markinson (07/13/14)

 

Summary:

Cori is working the local coffee shop to make ends meet, but she shouldn’t have to work two jobs. She’s the daughter of the famous writer Nell Tisdale, she went to Harvard, and she is a University professor. Doesn’t add up? Throw in the shopaholic girlfriend Kat and the fact that Cori can’t seem to finish her own book (long since spending the $10,000 advance).

Cori’s life gets thrown further from order when the hot cheerleader from high school saunters into the coffee shop when Cori’s working. On top of her old crush making an appearance, Kat is supremely jealous, Nell can’t stop talking about sex in front of her, and Kat’s dad ropes her into doing his dental billing work at night. Cori will not only have to find time to sleep, but also get her life back in order before something breaks.

 

Keywords:

Drama, Friendship, Stuck in a rut, Writing, Lesbians, Loyalty, Coffee Shop

 

My Review:

T.B. Markinson has a gift for character interplay and raising the stakes. She creates brilliant characters full of life that the reader is bursting to meet. After first reading Marionette, Markinson’s then newest novel, I just had to read every other novel and I haven’t been disappointed. Confessions from a Coffee Shop is a great portrayal of woman down on her luck who has the ability to change her life, but is stuck in her rut.

Markinson gives us a thirty year old character who any woman of any age can relate to. Cori has relationship issues and job issues and friendship issues. Markinson also gives us so much life of character that we are instantly in the midst of all Cori’s issues with her. Markinson shows the brilliance of her writing as Cori develops throughout the novel.

Halfway through I understood the cleverness behind the title, it’s a double play on words and absolutely brilliant. I loved the book through and through and can’t wait to pick up the next book by T.B. Markinson.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson July 13th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website

Miscellaneous Mondays: My Favorite Indie Authors 4/5 – T.B. Markinson

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I found T.B. Markinson from a Goodreads Review group. The book was Marionette and I fell in love. I was so excited to see that Markinson had other books I could read and was going to release Claudia Must Die in December. I was hooked, but I didn’t read all her books immediately. I wanted to save them, savor them, cherish the reading time I spent with them. I have since read all but A Woman Lost and I’m super psyched that Markinson is working on the sequel!

T.B. Markinson is on my list of Indie stars to watch out for because she writes such good books. I’ve read all her books and in each of her four books (thus far, but I’m hoping for more) she has hooked me from the very first sentence to the first paragraph to the first page and on throughout the entire novel to the very end. I’ve never read such a great opener as the one in Marionette. Markinson had me hooked and I couldn’t put it, or any of her other books, down. And now I want more. Markinson delivers a smooth writing style that is descriptive without giving away too much. Her characters are alive and have a depth and personality that rivals anyone you might meet in real life. But the characters were so much more than alive, they were larger than life and I wanted to stay in their lives indefinitely, but they were still very relatable. The situations Markinson writes about are intriguing and the dialogue is realistic and, at many times, quite witty. One of the reasons I really like Markinson as an author is that she always (so far) uses female characters as her protagonists and many of her other characters as well.

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Check back next Monday for the week’s Indie Author Rising Star 5/5

Book Review: Marionette by T.B. Markinson

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Marionette by T.B. Markinson

A YA Novel published by T. B. Markinson (11/01/13)

 

Summary:

 Paige is a troubled freshman in college who is trying to start fresh. She is continuously held back by her family’s sordid secrets and the way her past binds her and drags her back into it. When she tried and failed to commit suicide, Paige is forced to deal with her conflicted feelings, and upon the insistence of her girlfriend Jess, promises to see the college counselor once a week. From her homophobic Catholic roommate to her girlfriend’s misguided mission to help everyone around her, Paige will have to learn to deal with who she is and what happened in her past. In learning who she is, Paige will discover the most juicy, horrific secret of them all.

 

Keywords:

 Suicide, Intrigue, Lesbians, College-Life, LGBTQ issues, drama, friendship, loyalty, teen issues, dark secrets

 

My Review:

From the very beginning through to the very end, I was hooked. The opening was wonderfully executed by introducing a fluid and fantastically intriguing writing style. The end was one of those one liners that is so satisfying as the final sentence of a novel.

Paige is such a dynamic character. She may talk about herself as having specific characteristics and personality traits, but her character has depth. The narrative style reminds me of the style used in the movie Warm Bodies. T.B. Markinson and the Warm Bodies screen writer Jonathan Levine employ continuously running inner-dialogue that is amazingly interesting and spot on for the character. I am in love with Paige and how she tells her story. Her thoughts are juicy, spicy, and vivid. This would make a very good audiobook.

This book had me laughing as much as the Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion. The main character Paige is one for a witty comeback that makes for such a fun read. Her unintentional humor as a person makes these situations even more funny. One of my favorite lines was Paige’s response to one of Liddy’s comments about how Liddy doesn’t do her job for the money. Paige says to Liddy, “I suppose prostitutes could say the same thing.” (Location 462).

I recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the witty comments in Warm Bodies, wants a book that integrates the LGBTQ community without being obvious about it, or would like a dynamic YA book featuring a troubled college-aged female protagonist.

This novel was published by T. B. Markinson November 1st, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 5.0

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

T.B. Markinson’s website