HALF BAKED WOMEN: THE REHEAT
by Bobbie Candas
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GENRE: Women’s Fiction
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BLURB:
That first year of college, they thought they’d done it all
Twenty
years later, they’re not done learning.
In 1971,
they were just four girls starting their journey at the University of Texas in
Austin. Twenty years later, they reunite in San Antonio along the Riverwalk,
seemingly successful and happy. But beneath the surface, cracks from their past
still linger.
That first
wild and frivolous freshman year, Carney, Breeze, Margo, and Nicki navigate
together through romances, jealousy, and risky habits, trying to find
themselves while stumbling into adulthood. But years later, as they come
together for a three-day reunion, they are reminded that maybe they still have
something to learn from each other. Reckless events unfold, forcing them to
confront the mistakes and secrets they thought they left behind.
Half Baked
Women: The Reheat takes us back to a time of carefree abandon and easy
friendships, where the journey of self-discovery was filled with adventure,
road trips, chance encounters, laughter, and tears. If that sounds intriguing,
jump in and enjoy the ride.
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Excerpt Three:
It was still dark at six a.m. on a Tuesday
morning. Carney had promised herself that she’d get up early, hit the library
as it opened, and study for two hours before an important Italian exam. She
stumbled around their dark room, not wanting to wake Breeze, pulling on
yesterday’s jeans and T-shirt. Carney grabbed her books and shoes at the foot
of the floor mattress and stepped out of the room.
She immediately heard a loud groan and felt the
smoosh of a body part under her bare feet, as she tripped and fell on top of
someone. This was followed by the pained utterance of, “What the fuck!” below
her.
“Shish,” she hissed and whispered back, “Sorry,
so sorry,” as Carney climbed off the body and stood up. The profanity came from
a long lump wrapped in a blanket, laying in the hallway. She switched on the
overhead hall light and apologized again. “I’m so sorry. Did I break anything?”
A guy looked up at her squinting into the light,
then pulled a pair of glasses from his T-shirt pocket, put them on, and pushed
himself up to a sitting position. He quickly patted down his ribs and legs.
“No, it appears we’re in luck. No broken bones. Sure glad you weren't wearing
heels; could have lost a lung.”
“So, who are you?”
“Randal Lee Hooker. Uh, guitar player
extraordinaire.” He wiped his glass lenses on the faded black concert T-shirt,
and put them on again. “You’re looking mighty fine this morning.”
Carney looked down and examined this strange man
sleeping outside her door. “Whose friend are you?”
“Richard, from next door. There’s three of us
who needed a place to stay last night. They ran out of space and they suggested
I ask one of your roommates if I could sleep on your floor.”
Carney nodded, and approved of his dark, longish
shag haircut, stache, and rugged rock-n-roll look. “Randal Lee, do you happen
to speak Italian?”
“Si, amore mio, but that’s pretty much all I
got.”
She sighed deeply, disappointed to have to cut
this short. “Unfortunately then, I have no use for you right now. Go back to
sleep Mr. Hooker. Perhaps I’ll step on you another time?”
He shrugged. “Probably not. Headed to Louisiana,
but who knows?”
“One can dream.” Carney smiled and waved.
“Arrivederci.” A guitar player extraordinaire sleeping at her door. Now that
would never have happened at Kinsolving! Apartment living had a few perks after
all.
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Review: Four friends that hadn’t seen each
other in 20 years were gathering for a reunion. Carney goes through men like
tissue paper—use them once and then throw them away. Breeze just ended marriage
#4. Margo was an aging model now tied to a husband and kid. Nicki was a
fiercely independent mom. These characters right away intrigue the reader. See
how the friends met in college in 1970’s Texas.
The read was generally pretty
good, but the narrative can be lengthy and slow. Story constantly shifts
between the present and the past as it depicts the history and nuances of each
of the girls. At times, the details can be somewhat daunting. I wish this
would’ve been a quicker and shorter read so that it would’ve made it easier to
connect with the characters. Story mostly relays the history and growth of
these characters. Even at 40, they’re still learning. Aren’t we all? A fairly
nice read.
Rating:
3 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
I'm
a Texas girl: Grew up in San Antonio, went to school at UT in Austin, and
graduated with a degree in Journalism. I eventually settled in Dallas, where I
raised a husband, a few cats, and two kids.
My husband, the children, and the cats will probably disagree on who
raised whom, but I'm always a sucker for a robust discussion. For years, I was
involved in retail management, but I have untangled myself from the world of
clothing and shoes and immersed myself in my true passion — writing fiction and
delving deep into the lives of my characters.
I
do come up for air occasionally, and I've been known to imbibe in a few glasses
of wine and have been occasionally spotted forking into decadent desserts while
gathering with friends and family. Put me on a shady deck or an
umbrella-covered patio, with a table full of opinionated know-it-alls, a spicy
margarita, and I'm in my happy place. I also enjoy trips to distant places, and
most recently have been enjoying summers along the Aegean coast of Turkey.
But
I'll always make time for writing and reading, with a stack of novels ready and
waiting on my nightstand, and a few always sleeping patiently on my Kindle. I
bounce around genres, and I'm usually up for a good recommendation. So, let me
know what you've enjoyed reading lately. I can be reached on Instagram, at my
FB author page--Bobbie Candas, or on my Amazon Author Central page.
Half
Baked Women: The Reheat is my sixth novel. All available in E-book, paperback,
or KDP
I
look forward to hearing from you!
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bobbiecandas
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bobbie.candas
Amazon
Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bobbie-Candas/author/B00MNS6KV0
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8292457.Bobbie_Candas
Buy
Link: https://books2read.com/u/4AZ5Xp
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GIVEAWAY
Bobbie Candas will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift
card to a randomly drawn winner.
