Monday, 3 July 2017
Aphrodite's Closet by Suzy Turner
Release Date: May 2017
Publisher: Suzanne Turner Publishing
Publisher: Suzanne Turner Publishing
Genres: Chick Lit
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Agatha Trout didn’t even know she had a Great Aunt
Petunia, so imagine her surprise when she finds Petunia left her a corner shop
in her will. But it’s not just any old corner shop—it’s a corner shop that
needs something unique, something the town of Frambleberry has never seen
before. Influenced by her confident best friend, Coco, Agatha is soon convinced
that there’s only one way to go: an adults-only sex shop.
While some of the townspeople
are clutching their pearls in horror, others are open to the
new experiences this shop offers. But not everyone in Frambleberry is
convinced. Will the women soldier on in the face of violent threats or will
their fears get the best of them—and their new venture—before it even gets off
the ground?
Extract
“What about wool?” Aggie suggested.
“What about wool?”
“A wool shop?”
“A wool shop?”
“Are you just going to repeat after me all morning?”
Coco shook her head and put her hand on top of Aggie’s.
“Aggie, honey. You’re twenty-eight years old, not seventy-eight. Why, oh why
would you want to sell wool to all the old biddies of Frambleberry all day
long?”
Aggie shrugged, “It wouldn’t be so bad. Some of those old
biddies are quite lovely.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot they’re some of your neighbours. You
really need to find yourself another house. Living in a bungalow is for retired
people,” she mouthed as an old lady walked past and scowled at her.
Coco raised her eyebrows and returned her attention to
Aggie.
“Come on, there must be an alternative business opportunity
needed in this town. Oh my God. I mean, seriously O-M-G,”
“What? What Coco?”
Coco began to grin at her best friend as she sat up
straight. “I’ve got it. It’s bloody brilliant. I can’t believe I didn’t think
of it earlier. It’s perfect and it’s a proper money earner, Aggie. There’s
potential to earn squillions here. Oh my God…I’m so excited. I could so help
with the decor. I’ve got ideas swimming about in my head already. We must get
on to suppliers right away. I know a few people who might be able to help, come
to think of it. Dickie from Saffron Walden, for example, he owes me a favour.
And there’s Selena from Frome. Oh and I must ring Alison, although I think
she’s in Edinburgh at the moment. I’ll wait ‘til the weekend. Oh this is going
to be so much fun. Drink up, Agg. We need to get going. We’ve got masses to do.
Come on, let’s…”
Coco stopped short and stared at her friend. “What?”
Aggie closed her eyes for a moment and shook her head.
“What’s up, honey?”
“Have you listened to yourself? You’re getting so carried
away. But there’s just one little something you haven’t mentioned yet.”
“Oh really, what’s that?” Coco replied innocently.
“What kind of shop are you talking about?”
Coco slapped her own forehead and started to chuckle, “Oh
right. Sorry…Aggie. You’re going to open the town’s first…sex shop!”
Imagine inheriting and old Victorian shop with its very own flat. Imagine starting your own business........selling adult toys and sexy lingerie! Imagine your very staid mother almost having a blue fit over it! Aphrodite's Closet is a brilliant read and includes all these things. Aggie has never been adventurous, instead preferring to always keep her head down and be practically non -existent. She's a complete contrast to her friend Coco who is a tiny bundle of gorgeousness and who has men almost tripping over themselves to be with her. Coco however is so cool and down to earth and absolutely adores Aggie.
When Aggie inherits a shop from her aunt Petunia Coco comes up with the bright idea of opening an Adult shop...........the town's first sex shop! Aggie's sister Christie also comes on board and the 3 of them are determined to make a success of the shop despite threats coming at them almost immediately. Someone in Frambleberry is very unhappy about the shop and it seems will stop at nothing to close them down.
As Aggie learns more about the infamous late aunt Petunia, she begins to reinvent herself, feeling more confident with each passing day and she puts that down to aunt Petunia's influence despite only ever meeting her late aunt when she was a mere child and not even remembering her.
This is a fun read with lots of love and laughter and a slightly serious side at times. This book has it all. I read it in one sitting and it was just what I needed to unwind after a hectic week. Suzy Turner has really outdone herself with this book. The characters are all so entertaining, including Aggie's mum Trixie despite being so infuriatingly prim and proper all the time! A highly recommended read.
ABOUT SUZY TURNER
Born in England
and raised in Portugal, Suzy lives with her childhood sweetheart Michael, two
neurotic dogs and a cat.
Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy worked as a trainee journalist for a local newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she took the job of assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher before becoming editor of a monthly lifestyle magazine. Early in 2010 however, Suzy became a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul (The Raven Saga), Daisy Madigan's Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone, Looking for Lucy Jo, We Stand Against Evil (The Morgan Sisters), Forever Fredless, And Then There Was You and Stormy Summer.
In 2015 she
launched her popular 40+ lifestyle blog which continues to go from strength to
strength, while just over a year later, she trained to become a yoga
instructor. Suzy continues to write, blog and teach yoga in one of Portugal’s
loveliest settings - the Algarve.
What a wonderful review!! Thank you so much for hosting the tour, JB and for read and enjoying the book! You've made my day <3 <3
Suzy xx
www.suzyturner.com
Very nice review. Really piqued my interest in this story. I've never read a Suzy Turner novel, but I certainly want to now!