Monday, July 8, 2013

Tag Team Review + Guest Post + Giveaway: White Trash Beautiful

White Trash Beautiful (White Trash, #1)
White Trash Beautiful (White Trash Trilogy #1)
by Teresa Mummert
Expected publication: July 9th 2013 by Gallery Books
first published September 19th 2012

A word-of-mouth bestseller that’s captivating readers with its honesty, grit, and headstrong heroine, White Trash Beautiful is a story for anyone who has ever felt trapped in life, cheated by love—and longed for something more . . .

Cass Daniels isn’t waiting for her knight in shining armor. She knows that girls like her don’t get a happily ever after. Not if you live in a trailer with your mom, work at a greasy spoon diner, and get leered at by old men. Maybe that’s why she puts up with Jackson—her poor excuse for a boyfriend, who treats her like dirt. Cass has learned to accept her lot in life. That is, until he walks into her diner. . . .

His name is Tucker White, and he’s different from any man Cass has ever known. Tall, tattooed, and bad-ass gorgeous, he’s the lead singer of the rock band Damaged. From the moment they meet, Tucker sees something in Cass he just can’t shake. Something beautiful. Something haunted. Something special. And he’s determined to find out what it is—if only he can get her to open up and let him in. . . .

Synopsis from Goodreads

Purchase link: Amazon

The Plot
Lindsay: I'm not gonna lie; the subject matter was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I think it is something that everyone should read. Poverty and abuse are two things that are far too common in this world, and this book touches on the desperation and hopelessness of it all. I take for granted all the little things; hot showers, a full stomach, my health and happiness. We all need a reminder every now and then.

Lori: The subject matter is almost ripped out of my childhood. I found myself identifying with Cass a lot. If you've followed my reviews over the past year you know that I grew up poor, and sometimes we went without stuff that people take for granted like water, or lights, or a decent meal, or even a house phone (I'm old). It was never a constant but it was enough to mark me. The abuse. Yeah, I've been around abusive addicted butt heads.

Characters
Lindsay: Cass is strong, in so many ways, withstanding more than most could even imagine. She is definitely tougher than me! The problem, though, is that she has a sense of loyalty that ends up being her downfall, keeping her trapped in a life she doesn't deserve. And lets be honest; NOBODY deserves this life. It rips me up inside, that Cass would somehow believe that is was her fate to live out her life in that trailer park, tied down to a man who uses her like that. Cass brought out a protective nature inside of me, that is usually reserved for my children. I love when a female character kicks ass all on her own, but it's nice to be reminded that there's nothing wrong with asking for help. It's more realistic that we need to lean on someone from time to time.
Tucker is the exact opposite of Cass. He won't take that kind of abuse from ANYONE. He is cocky, and sure of himself, and exactly what Cass needs. What I love most about him is that he sees something in Cass, and doesn't give up on her. He is just as loyal, but it isn't misplaced in her. 
I just wanted to mention quickly Cass' mother and boyfriend, Jackson. They are both drug addicts, and it makes they behavior erratic and unpredictable. Teresa portrayed this perfectly, giving brief glimpses into the people they used to be.

Lori: I loved Cass she broke my heart through and through. Despite all the stuff that happened when I was younger I never felt that I deserved it. Do I feel protective of Cass like Lindsay did? Yes I did. But I never doubted Cass's strength, at the end of the day Cass was going to get out of there or die trying. She may have felt like she deserved to be there at times but Cass was determined. 

Tuker. Umm where is mine?

Jackson and Cass's mom: We all remember the people they were before the drugs took over. The hardest part for family members to learn is that they will NEVER be those people again. Having this disease take over their life will permanently change them, and the way people around them view and treat them. I think Teresa got this down almost to a T. 

Chemistry
Lindsay: Chemistry between fictional characters is always hit or miss. Luckily, I thought this was a HIT! I found it curious at first that Tucker would see something in Cass in such a short period of time, but it was just that I was still blind to what he saw. As the story moved on, we were given glimpses into Tucker's background, and I knew exactly how he felt. I wanted to protect her too! They have a genuine attraction, and I love that Tucker is always a perfect gentleman. He is Cass' karma, and they belong together. <3

Lori: I second that emotion. The chemistry was great, even if their relationship did move fast. I agree about the glimpses we get into Tucker's past, but also added on to that is the fact that Cass had no idea who he was. That has to be nice. 

Everything else
Lindsay's rating: 4 stars
The style, as a whole, was great! I loved being wrapped up in this story! I felt such a huge array of emotions, from despair, straight through to hope. There were parts of it that were definitely hard to read, but I knew that things just HAD to work out. Although parts of this story read like a fairytale, it's almost too dark for a "happily ever after". I am desperate to get my hands on the next book, to see how it all works out... or IF it works out. O_O

Lori's rating:  4.5 Stars
I loved the book in it's original form, and I loved reading the new stuff. It's just an all round great read! 
Yep, need the second book now!


Q: Thanks for being here today, Teresa! I would love to hear about where you get your inspiration. Are you characters based on yourself, or someone else in your life?

A: The characters are not based on my personal experiences but I definitely have some things in common with Cass. I swear (more than I should) and can be very sarcastic. I pull inspiration from everyone I come in contact with in life. I've known a lot of people who have struggled with poverty and abuse, especially in my childhood.  I think it is important to talk about these topics and not shove them in the back of a closet, but I also wanted to show that things in life can get better. Everyone deserves love, no matter what situation they have come from.  Cass can be anyone.  She can be your neighbor, your sister or even yourself.  And that’s a message I wanted to stress in the book as well, even if it’s not immediately apparent: if you are in a situation where someone is hurting you, please reach out to someone for help and know that it can get better.  Hope sustains.

About the author:
I was a Russian spy at the ripe age of thirteen, given my uncanny ability to tell if someone was lying ( I also read fortunes on the weekends). By sixteen I had become too much of a handful for the Lethal Intelligence Ensemble (L.I.E.). I was quickly exiled to the south of France where I worked with wayward elephants in the Circus of Roaming Animals and People (C.R.A.P.). I was able to make ends meet by selling my organs on the black market for pocket change and beer money. At the age of twenty three I decided to expand my horizons and become a blackjack dealer in Ireland. I loved the family atmosphere at Barney's Underground Liquor Lounge (B.U.L.L.). People couldn't resist the allure of Liquor up front and poker in the rear. Eventually I became tired of the rear and headed off to the United States to try my hand at tall tales. That is what brings us here today. If you have a moment I'd like to tell you a story.
(This bio is not to be taken seriously under any circumstance.)

Teresa Mummert is an army wife and mother whose passion in life is writing. She is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling novels White Trash Beautiful and Suicide Note. Born in Pennsylvania, she lived a small town life before following her husband's military career to Louisiana and Georgia. Check out her website for samples and updates! TeresaMummert.com

 


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