I asked to review Tawna Fenske's BELIEVE IT OR NOT because I enjoyed her debut book, MAKING WAVES. As the book sat on my shelf, waiting to be reviewed, I kept thinking of the early 80s' comedy, THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO - here are the lyrics from its theme song:
Believe it or not,
I'm walking on air.
I never thought I could feel so free-.
Flying away on a wing and a prayer.
Who could it be?
Believe it or not it's just me.
As I read the the book (while riding the exercise bike at the base gym), the 80s pop song morphed into the head banging music of the 80s hair bands. In fact, 80s hair band music has a double purpose in BELIEVE IT OR NOT - it provides the motivation for the exotic male dancers at the hero's bar. The music also influences the heroine's ability to bluff her way as a psychic. Coincidence or not? Perhaps it was no coincidence that as I was reading about male dancers, I was riding to head banging music with a ripped military guy running on the treadmill in front of me.
Actually, psychics and strippers are the catalysts to bring together the mismatched lovers in BELIEVE IT OR NOT:
Do you believe in...accounting?
Numbers never lie, so Violet McGinn found safe haven in the most boring profession she could find. Until her renowned psychic mother lands in the hospital and Violet has to run her business. Now you can have your taxes filed and your aura read, in one convenient location.
Do you believe in...music?
Drew Watson is the jaded owner of the local hot spot next door, and doesn't need a single thing except a good crowd to dance to what he's spinning on Saturday night.
Do you believe in...love?
The only thing Violet and Drew seem to have in common is that neither believes in that psychic hoo—hah. Except Drew seems to play exactly the right song at exactly the right time. And truth be told, it makes Violet's heart dance just a little ...
Check out my review on Amazon at this link and Goodreads at this link. I am giving way a print copy of BELIEVE IT OR NOT to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Leave a comment about '80s music - love it or loathe it? Do you listen to music while reading? exercising? cooking?
I often play 80s music for my children to demonstrate I had a life "before them". Recently, I played Winger's MILES AWAY and both my children just rolled their eyes. Sigh, Winger was easy on the eyes! I am going to dig out the CD now ...
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, March 17, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, March 18.
Mahalo,
Kim in Hawaii
To learn more about Tawna and her books, check out her website at tawnafenske.com.
To watch Winger's video, check out this link to You Tube.
Remember March Madness here at SOS Aloha! All commenters to my blogs in March will be entered into a special drawing for prizes from RT in Chicago - 3 US, 3 Canadian, and 3 international readers will win a package with books and goodies. Comments can be made at:
- SOS Aloha, sosaloha.blogspot.com
- Aloha On My Mind, alohaonmymind.blogspot.com
- My guest posts at the Reading Reviewer (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday) at marygramlich.blogspot.com
I'll post the winners of March Madness on Monday, April 2.
I love 80s music. I liked Depeche Mode, New Order and Madonna. I do listen to music when I work and read.
ReplyDeleteI loved The Greatest American Hero...and frequently had similar dreams where I just could not get up an fly easily! Don't remember Winger but have plenty of favorite songs from the 80s.
ReplyDeleteI've never really been into music, so I could not name any 80's band or singer & I like quiet in the house. So, no music playing ever.
ReplyDeleteI love the 80's Hair Bands. I was a teenager in the 80's so that's the stuff I listened to when I was a kid growing up. I still listen to the Hair bands and always have music on while I am online/reading/ doing housework..ect.
ReplyDeleteI like 80s music but I do not listen to music a lot. It distracts me
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes I listen to 80' music, but I don't go crazy about it. Since I was born in 1983, I'm more into 90'
ReplyDeleteI love 80's music....everything from The Cure, The Smiths, Depeche Mode, to all the great hair bands, to Madonna. I don't listen to music when I'm reading. I guess I listen to it most when I'm in my car and when I'm cleaning the house.
ReplyDeleteVery entertaining post (as always). I'd forgotten about Greatest American Hero. I think a lot of time we like music because we associate it with something that happened. I've never heard of 80s Hair Bands.
ReplyDeleteAnn
I love the music from the 80's....I have a couple of CD's of the greatest songs from the 80's.
ReplyDeletePlease don't enter me *I already have a copy* cheeeeers!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love Tawna's debut book and I'm so looking forward to this new book! LOL... Now I'm going to have 80's earworms while I read this. Thanks :)
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ReplyDeleteNot a big fan of the 80's music/hair bands. About the only time I get to listen to music is in the car, but if I'm alone in the house I'll play some Bob Seger really loud - especially Old Time Rock & Roll.
ReplyDeleteI like to listen to 80s music now and then. I always listen to music, can't stand the quiet.
ReplyDeleteI like the end of the 60's, the 70's the most and the beginning of the 80's. My husband and I use to have an hour commute each way, he drove, I read sometimes but we also listened to music a lot and also at home. I love to listen while I'm cooking.
ReplyDeletecatslady
I really enjoy 80s music. I like having music set me in a mood whether it's tackling a new challenge, doing mundane chores or just having fun. One thing I can't listen to music to while doing is reading. Too distracting.
ReplyDeleteI like 80s music. I listen to it when commuting.
ReplyDeletetotally love the 80's music, the 80' era has many legendary musician such as whitney houston, michael jackson and many more. Totally love their music:),aretha zhen
ReplyDeleteI adore music as for music from the 80's not so much here and there are a few I like but I am more of a 60's and 70's fan
ReplyDeleteDesere
I liked only a few songs from the 80's. :) I'm listening to an oldie station here in NJ that plays 70'-90's songs all daylong. Love the groups from the 70's. Stuck in a time warp but I'm loving it. lol
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I don't listen to much music anymore. I didn't care for the little I listened to in the 80's. I still like music from the late fifties and early sixties and will listen to that once in a while.
ReplyDeletelove the 80's but hated the 90;s , like the 70s though
ReplyDeleteblackroze37
i love 80s music. i grew up on it. i used to tell my parents they should of had me a little sooner so that i could be considered an 80s child. love this era. i listen to music all the time. doing everything, from cleaning, to cooking, to reading, etc. ;D
ReplyDeleteI love music from the 60's, 70's and 80's. I have many cd's and listen to them often. I also love the Big Band and other music from the 40's and 50's.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com
I love the music from the 80's but of course I grew up in the 80's! I have all those 80's flashblack CD's! I don't listen to music while reading too distracting but love to listen to music when I cook and clean!
ReplyDeleteI like all different types of music and I do like the early 80's music from when I was in college. Of course being from New Jersey it was Bruce Springsteen blasting out of dorm windows as I walked to class.
ReplyDelete