Troubles and Treats by Tara Sivec Blog Tour - Interview. Review and Giveaway!

Oh that Tara Sivec does it again.  Troubles and Treats is the 3rd and final book of the Chocolate Lovers Series.

Synopsis:

Drew and Jenny have spent years being the envy of their friends with their out of control sex lives - well, not really. Mostly it makes their friends want to throw up in their mouths a little.

With two little kids and two busy lives, for the first time, Drew and Jenny aren't on the same page in the bedroom. Drew will stop at nothing to get his previously amorous wife back in the sack and Jenny will do anything for a full night of sleep.

Carter and Claire, and Jim and Liz are their usual (un)helpful selves and are full of advice for the disconnected duo, wanting nothing more than to help restore order to the usually happy couple's lives.

In the third and final installment of the Chocolate Lovers Series, will Drew and Jenny find the spark that's been missing in their marriage, or will the trouble they're having cause a stickier situation than the time Jenny poured honey all over Drew and he fused himself to a tree.

Check out my review, interview with Tara and giveaway details after the jump!  (And if you're easily offended, please don't continue.  But if you were easily offended you probably wouldn't even be here...or be friends with me. Either way, you've been warned)




Review:

Tara never fails to crack me up.  If you haven't read the first 2 books in the series; Seduction and Snacks (Chocolate Lovers #1) and Futures and Frosting (Chocolate Lovers #2), I beg you to get off your ass and buy these books NOW!  Go ahead...I'll wait.

 

While the first two books focused on Claire and Carter (and of course Gavin!), this book focuses on our two favorite geniuses, Jenny and Drew.  I was 3 pages into this book when I found myself laughing out loud while reading it in bed.  I don't even know where she comes up with this stuff!

The things that come out of Drew's mouth (or what he's thinking) truly are a work of art.  And Jenny, oh that Jenny, well she isn't the sharpest crayon in the box.  But that's part of their appeal, and well, the wouldn't be our Drew and Jenny would they?

"Not to be confused with Vanilla Ice obviously.  If Mr. Ice walked over here right now, I would freak the fuck out!  Best rapper since Milli Vanilli.  You can't blame it on the rain without first stopping, collaborating, and then listening.  Genius."

I found myself really loving Drew in this book.  I found him a little annoying in the first 2 books, except for his famous t-shirts.  Those were classic.  Oh, you don't know what I'm talking about?  Didn't I already tell you to read the first 2 books?  Jeebus.  Would you go get them already?  Gosh!

I couldn't help but feel for him.  As a mommy and wife, I know how hard it is to find time for just the 2 of you.  You're both exhausted and sleep takes priority over everything.  But Drew doesn't give up!  He really loves Jenny and of course misses their once legendary sex life.  He pulls out all the stops and gets creative trying to get the old Jenny to come back to him. 

Of course Claire, Carter, Jim and Liz are in the book too and the book wouldn't be complete with this friendship being showcased in all its glory!

Their friendship reminds me a lot of how my friends and I speak to each other.

"I love you, but don't cry.  I will punch you in the face if you cry.  I don't do criers."

I was sad when the book ended.  I liked how it ended, but just sad that it was the end of the series.  It really was a funny story about this amazing group of friends and all the trouble they can get into.  It also shows, just because you grow up, get married and have kids, doesn't mean you can't have a little fun!

Interview:

Tara, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a couple of my questions.  Is there a book out there that had an ending that made you so mad?  If so, what was it and what would you say to or ask the author?  

My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult.  Jesus H I want to throw something against the wall right now just thinking about it.  If I could talk to the author, I’d probably just scream “WHYYYYYYYY?!!  WHY GOD WHY???!”

I had the pleasure of meeting you and your hubby at the book signing event here in Chicago and you two are crazy fun.  What would you say is the secret to your happiness?  

Thank you so much!  Wow, that is a tough question!  We’ve been together since we were 15, friends since we were 12.  We’ve grown up together and learned everything together.  I would have to say, don’t sweat the small stuff.  You can bitch and moan all you want about the toilet seat being up or every cabinet in the kitchen left wide open all the time, but it’s not going to get you anywhere.  Pick your battles and make sure they are really good ones.  And that you can win them.  And if that doesn’t work, just fight dirty and start crying.

You seem to be a lot like me where things that are romantic to most women are a bit corny to us.  What is your idea of the perfect first date?  

Ha ha!  I used to think I was a romantic person until I started writing this series!  When I tried writing Claire and Carter cuddling after sex I was just like, “Uuuughhh, boo!  How can she possibly sleep like that??  She’ll be all sweaty and he’ll be snoring in her ear.”  It’s been 20 years since I was on a first date and we went to Burger King and the movies.  That was a pretty great first date.  Now that I’m older though, I’d probably fall asleep during the movie.  So dinner at home followed by a TV show.  They’re shorter.  I can stay awake for those.

If you weren't writing hilarious and amazing books, what would you be doing right now?  

Working full time at an investment firm, whining and complaining every day about how much I hate my job.

If you could pick a theme song to your life that would play in the background every morning when you wake up, what would it be?  

Amish Paradise – Weird Al Yankovic.  “As I walk through the valley where I harvest my grain I take a look at my wife and realize she's very plain…” 

I don’t know why.  I just like to sing this song.  And we live by Amish people, so it’s fitting.

I need some gift suggestions for my husband and girlfriends.  What are your favorite gifts to give during the holidays?  

Gift cards.  One size fits all.  Actually, I HATE giving gift cards, but when you have in-laws that are picky as shit, that’s what you go with.  I’m the type of person who likes to buy a bunch of small gifts so they have a lot to open.  For the girlfriends, I’m a big fan of the Lolita glassware line.  They sell them at Hallmark stores and I LOVE them!  Is this not the cutest wine glass ever??? 

For your husband, good luck!  I’m clueless this year for my husband.  I like getting him a bunch of things to open but he’s getting harder to shop for in his old age!  He likes to buy me a bunch of Victoria’s Secret stuff, but I always tell him that’s a gift for him, not me.  So maybe I’ll go spend a bunch of money at VC this year and let him open up all my new underwear.

Giveaway is now closed!  Congrats to LovemyLes526!

Tara is giving away a signed copy of Troubles and Treats to one lucky reader!  

To enter, just leave a comment on this post by Friday December 14.  You're comment could be about anything, your favorite moment of the series, your favorite Drew shirt, what you ate today...anything!  Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you.  This giveaway is open to international entries as well.

Tara and I at the TFEiC book signing here in Chicago back in September.  

No big deal or anything. ;)

My cousin Gigi, Mr. Tara Sivec and Me!