Book Review - Money Can't Buy Love by Connie Briscoe & Giveaway (Autographed Book!)- TLC Tour - August 1, 2011

Title:  Money Can't Buy Love

Author:  Connie Briscoe

Publisher:  Grand Central Publishing

Publish Date:  June 27, 2011

Hardcover, 304 pages

Source:  Review copy provided to me TLC Book Tours

Buy the Book:  Amazon

 (book 5 of 13 - 3rd Quarter 2K11 Reading/Reviewing Challenge)

About the Book:

Lenora Stone used to say if she didn't have bad luck, she wouldn't have any luck at all. At age thirty-eight, instead of socializing with Baltimore's A-list, she photographs them for Baltimore Scene, a glossy magazine filled with beautiful people who, unlike Lenora, never have to worry about car trouble and overdue bills. As much as she'd love to slam the door on her overbearing boss, quitting isn't an option. She's barely making her mortgage payments and, though her condo might not be a palace, it's hers. Lately even things with her boyfriend Gerald haven't been right. They've been together for three years but he can't seem to ask the one question she's been waiting for. But what Lenora doesn't know is that her luck is about to change...

Just when she thinks things can't get worse, Lenora wins the jackpot in the Maryland lottery. In a heartbeat, all her dreams become possible. She quits her job and indulges her every desire-starting with a shiny, silver BMW and a million-dollar mansion. Gerald is finally ready to put a ring on her finger and the city's most exclusive women's group is dying for her to join, officially moving Lenora from behind the lens, into the limelight. But in Lenora's lavish new world, all that glitters definitely isn't gold. Her old friend's are concerned about her sudden changes, and Ray, a sexy, young landscaper Lenora covered for the magazine is looking for more than a purely professional relationship.

As her life starts to come together, the things Lenora holds dear begin to fall apart. Has her world really changed for the better, or does fortune come with a heavy price?

My Review:

Lenora is a 37 year old who has a boyfriend named Gerald.  She really wants to get married, but he keeps putting the subject off. They have been together for 3 years, and she wonders if he will ever be ready.    He is trying to get his business off the ground and wants to get their finances in order before getting married.  I didn't like Gerald at all.  He made comments about Lenora's weight (I have had to deal with this problem myself, and it doesn't help matters at all...just makes me feel worse), and he was always so busy.  He seemed like he never had time for her.  On top of all that, she doesn't like her boss and is having trouble paying her bills.

She buys a lottery ticket and kind of forgets about it.  She ends up finally finding it a few days later and has the surprise of her life! She wins the lottery.  All her problems are solved right?  Well, her life will never be the same, that's for sure.

I really enjoyed reading this book.  It was really easy to follow, and the characters sound like real people.    I got a little annoyed with Lenora when she waits so long to bring her ticket in and with some of the other things she does.  I kind of had an idea of what was going to happen, but I didn't know exactly how things would turn out in the end.  I was surprised at her conversation with Ray at the end.   I'm glad she said what she did.  It would have been nice to know what happened next for her though!  Will there be another book to follow up?  Also, I still wonder about Gerald.  Was he really that busy with work?   Even though Lenora made some dumb decisions and she was annoying at times, I wouldn't have changed anything about this story.  I highly recommend it!

    My Rating

 

 5/5 diamonds - Loved It and Highly Recommend!

About the Author:

Connie Briscoe is the author of seven novels, one novella, and one nonfiction book.  Her third novel, A Long Way From Home, the story of her ancestors, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Her work has appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, USA Today,and Publishers Weekly.

Her nonfiction title, a photo-essay book featuring luminaries such as actress Ruby Dee and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, was coauthored with celebrated photographer Michael Cunningham. The collection of novellas was coauthored with Lolita Files and Anita Bunkley.

She currently lives in Maryland with her family.

You can find Connie on her blog:  Writer Revealed, Facebook, and Twitter

Giveaway:

I will give away one autographed book courtesy of TLC Book Tours.

If you would like to be entered to win, please leave a comment with your e-mail address.   Also, answer this question:  What would you do with the money if you won a million dollars or more?

Giveaway ends on August 8, 2011 at 7:00 a.m.

Connie Briscoe’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Monday, July 18th:  Life in Review

Wednesday, July 20th:  Buckeye Girl Reads

Thursday, July 21st:  Colloquium

Monday, July 25th:  Arms of a Sister

Wednesday, July 27th:  A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, July 28th:  Mocha Momma

Friday, July 29th:  Fiction State of Mind

Monday, August 1st:  Black Diamond Book Reviews

Wednesday, August 3rd:  Reflections of a Bookaholic

Thursday, August 4th:  Living Outside the Stacks

Tuesday, August 9th:  I’m Booking It

Thursday, August 11th:  Drey’s Library

Tuesday, August 16th:  Joyfully Retired

Disclaimer:  My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist. They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.

 © 2011, Cheryl of Black Diamond’s Book Reviews. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than blackdiamondsbookrev.fatcow.com, Urban Image Magazine, or Cheryl’s feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.