03 June 2011

The Scent of Jade


By Dee DeTarsio
Published by Just Publishing
05 October 2010
Kindle edition courtesy of Dee DeTarsio

In a rut in San Diego, Julie Fraser decides to surprise her husband, Colin, by joining him in Costa Rica where he is on a business trip. Julie expects her vacation to be one of lounging by the pool and ordering room service. She couldn't be more wrong.

A string of mishaps is awaiting Julie on this vacation: she accidentally steals a jade idol believed to be directly related to global warming, finds herself lost in the rainforest, gets stoned, befriends a monkey, is rescued by a gorgeous local, discovers a love potion, and gets arrested, all the while trying to ensure the idol doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

Julie's time lost in the rainforest isn't just a series of escapades, however. The reader also gets to know Julie in non-humourous moments as she reflects on her marriage and her life in San Diego.

DeTarsio has given us a bit of mystery, a bit of suspense, a bit of romance, and a lot of humour all rolled into one book. It's a quick read, due not only to DeTarsio's nicely paced writing but because you just can't leave at the end of a chapter. Wondering what was going to happen to Julie kept me going page after page after page.

This book is a step away from conventional chick-lit or women's fiction or however you want to phrase it. There is no shoe shopping, manicures, or pedicures; just a dirty stinky woman lost in the jungle (who would probably much rather be shoe shopping and having manicures and pedicures).

This is a fun book. And even though Julie was dirty and smelly through most of the book, she was a breath of fresh air to me.

3 comments:

Regina Della Neve said...

As I was reading your review I had visions of "Romancing the Stone" in my head - LOL!

So, can those of us who don't yet have a Kindle get this one in a traditional format yet? This sounds like it would have been a nice read for Bool Club.

Nancy Barnes said...

Sadly, I think you're out of luck with respect to finding a paper copy of this book - I think Dee DeTarsio publishes in ebook format only. (And you're right - I think the Boolers would enjoy this book!)

Dee DeTarsio said...

Dear Nancy--thank you for reading The Scent of Jade and for your great review--I had so much fun writing this, I'm glad you had fun reading it! I really appreciate your comments--you get what I was trying to do--thank you!

And Regina, still an ebook, but we are working on that--thanks!

Take care! Dee