Friday, June 06, 2014

Review: Ten Beach Road by Wendy Wax & Strawberry Daiquiri

Title: Ten Beach Road
Author: Wendy Wax
Genre: Women's Contemporary Fiction
Series: Ten Beach Road #1
Publication Date: 3rd May 2011
Pages: 432
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: Madeline, Avery, and Nikki are strangers to each other, but they have one thing in common. They each wake up one morning to discover their life savings have vanished, along with their trusted financial manager- leaving them with nothing but co-ownership of a ramshackle beachfront house.

Throwing their lots in together, they take on the challenge of restoring the historic property. But just as they begin to reinvent themselves and discover the power of friendship, secrets threaten to tear down their trust-and destroy their lives a second time.

My Thoughts: 
After recently listening to the audiobook of While We Were Watching Downton Abbey (and loving it) I joined the Wendy Wax fan club and dived straight into her Ten Beach Road series. 

The synopsis gives you the gist of things but what I love most about Wendy Wax is she totally gets her characters, female friendships, family dynamics, those mother-daughter relationships that make you feel like you need therapy ... do you know what I mean? She writes in such an intimate way they feel real to you, not just characters in a book. 

Even having little in common with Avery, Nikki and Madeline's former lifestyle (I identified with Maddie as an empty-nester) I really could see myself joining them for strawberry daiquiris and cheez doodles (I figure they're a bit like our Aussie cheezels) at sunset. From mutual adversity to unlikely friendship, I liked the bond they shared, their humour and sarcasm, I am woman hear me roar strength, vulnerability, temper, quirks ... I loved it all. 

The renovation of Bella Flora was a reno on steroids ... I loved the attention to detail, the blood, sweat and tears, the nitty gritty may not be everyone's cup of tea but it really appealed to me.   

I'm following straight on with Ocean Beach (any excuse for another daiquiri) in anticipation of the July 1st release of book 3, The House On Mermaid Point.






Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri - makes 2 plus a little top up ;)

2 cups ice
30ml (1 oz) strawberry schnapps 
60ml (2 oz) light rum
30ml - 60ml (1-2 oz) lime juice ... taste and see
2tsp castor sugar or sugar syrup
approx 1/2 - 1 cup of fresh or frozen strawberries (I think we used a 250 gm punnet ... cause we're greedy like that haha)

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a strawberry and guzzle enjoy. Cheers xx



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27 comments:

  1. Oh wow! That just sounds horrible, losing all of your life savings. It does sounds like an interesting read. & thank you for the awesome Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri recipe.

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    1. It happens :( but the womens' strength and bond made for a great read!

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  2. Sounds good and I need a drink now

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  3. Sounds good and those drinks look absolutely yummy.

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    1. Thanks Mystica, I think you'd enjoy this series.

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  4. Good to know you enjoyed it, I have just come from Goodreads and noticed in my feed that you were on to Ocean Beach. I fell in love with Wendy Wax's books when I read The Accidental Bestseller, one that I marked for myself as worthy of a reread when I have totally forgotten it!

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    1. ooh Kathryn I'm heading back to Goodreads to add The Accidental Bestseller to my wishlist, thanks. I really enjoyed Ocean Beach and I just don't want to leave so I'm now gobbling up Christmas at the Beach lol

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  5. I am so glad you have fallen in love with these characters! I am always sooo excited for each new book.

    But I actually "accidentally" discovered Wendy Wax when I read The Accidental Bestseller...and I've been riding the wave ever since. Love your review...and how you described the "intimate way" the author writes her characters. Enjoy!

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    1. Thanks Laurel-Rain, you're not alone singing the praises of The Accidental Bestseller ... it's now on my wishlist. I'm also excited to be caught up and looking forward to The House on Mermaid Point.

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  6. Hmm not convinced cheezels and strawberries go together...but it does sound like a great read. I must look into this author.

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    1. lol Karen, you're probably right but daiquiri and a good book now that's a perfect combination ... indulgence. You'll love this series :)

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  7. That sounds cute. I think cheese doodles are more like those cheese puffs that used to be around or cheese and bacon balls but just cheese.

    I am curious and think I will give this a try.

    Mmmm cheezles

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    1. yes I remember them Mandy, cheezels are my favourite. I think I'll think fondly of them every time I read a Wendy Wax book HA

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  8. A book in hand and a cocktail in the other... a great way to spend an afternoon!

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  9. I too loved Wax's Downton Abby book, but still haven't read any other of her books. Must remedy. It's strawberry season here, so I guess I might be "forced" to give these daiquiris a try.

    Yes, the cheesy things look right -- but I"m not so sure I'd have them with cocktails!

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    1. lol twisting your arm ... enjoy the daiquiri and I hope you love this series when you get to it.

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  10. What a perfect summer combo! I picked up all of Wendy's books after I "discovered" her at a panel discussion. Sometimes you just need a fun read, and her books hit the spot. And they'd be even better paired with that daiquiri!

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    1. this series just sings summer doesn't it Kerry Ann :)

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  11. Most of my good girlfriends live spread around the world, so when I read books about girlfriends it always makes me look around for potential new ones :) Glad you liked it, I still haven't read Wendy Wax yet.

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    1. lol put it on your summer reading list Stacy, I really think you'll love Wendy Wax's writing!

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  12. I love a good strawberry daiquiri - one of my favourite drinks. Now you have me longing for summer.

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    1. lets drink them anyway and dream of summer haha

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  13. I had to read this post to see what a Cheezel was....LOL

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