Babe in the Woods by Jude Hopkins | Book Review ~ Excerpt ~ $15 Gift Card
A book blog tour from Goddess Fish Promotions.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Marianne & Judy at Goddess Fish for providing me with the information for this tour.
Book Details
Babe in the Woods by Jude Hopkins Published by The Wild Rose Press on 06/07/2023
Genres: Women's Fiction
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 281
Source: Goddess Fish PromotionsIt's September 1995, the first year of the rest of Hadley Todd's life. After living in Los Angeles, Hadley returns to her hometown in rural New York to write and be near her father.
In addition to looking after him and teaching high school malcontents, Hadley hopes to channel her recent L.A. heartbreak into a play about the last moment of a woman's innocence. But she seeks inspiration.
Enter Trey Harding, a young, handsome reporter who covers sports at the high school. Trey reminds Hadley of her L.A. ex and is the perfect spark to fire up her imagination. The fact that Trey is an aspiring rock star and she has L.A. record biz connections makes the alliance perfect. She dangles promises of music biz glory while watching his moves.
But the surprising twist that transpires when the two of them go to Hollywood is not something Hadley prepared for.
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Excerpt from Babe in the Woods
Trey was twirling the end of a white stick in his mouth. With a loud slurping sound, he pulled from his mouth a bright red lollipop before sticking out his tongue, which now matched the color of his shirt.
“Fire your secretary,” he said, tapping his watch. “May I come in?”
She let him in, the shame of her unkempt apartment equaled only by the shame of her own disheveled appearance.
He stood close to her. “I have to say, you are much more attractive without all that make-up.” He talked with the lollipop stuck in his cheek. “Definitely younger.”
It was an approach she remembered from her time with Derek. First you surprise them, then compliment them when they’re at their most vulnerable. She made a mental note.
He walked toward the nearest chair, sat down, but quickly jumped up again, fishing in his pockets. “Where are my manners? Here.” He extended a lollipop, grape flavor, her favorite.
“No thanks.” It wasn’t even on the level of the apple Neil had given her on the first day of school. Besides, what was with men and their semiotics anyway? Perhaps it beat communicating with words. And how in the world would he have known grape was her favorite flavor? Was she that transparent? Was there a grape “type” as opposed to an orange or cherry type? The grape type would be moody and dark. The orange type would be young, perky, sassy. The cherry type? Passionate, desirable. Like him.
Excerpt provided by the author/publisher for use in this post.
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Purchase Links for Babe in the Woods
Amazon – OneLink for every country
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My Thoughts on Babe in the Woods
“Babe in the Woods” by Jude Hopkins is a novel set in rural New York in 1995, following the life of Hadley Todd. Hadley, a 35-year-old woman, returns to her hometown after living in Los Angeles to be near her father and to write. She hopes to channel her recent heartbreak into a play about the last moment of a woman’s innocence.
In addition to looking after her father and teaching high school students, Hadley seeks inspiration for her play. She meets Trey Harding, a young and handsome reporter who covers sports at the high school. Trey reminds Hadley of her L.A. ex and becomes the perfect spark to fire up her imagination. Hadley also sees the opportunity to use Trey’s aspiration to become a rockstar and her L.A. record business connections to gain music biz glory for herself.
However, the story takes a surprising twist when the two of them go to Hollywood, which is not something Hadley prepared for. The novel is a journey of self-discovery and growth for Hadley, who is disillusioned with life and love.
Although the story is entertaining, the promotion of the theory that a woman needs a man to be complete can be slightly disturbing. However, Hadley is a likable character who readers can root for throughout the novel.
Overall, “Babe in the Woods” by Jude Hopkins is not a romance novel but a story of a woman trying to find herself and her place in the world.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love my Amazon Kindle Unlimited Subscription. So many books, so little time!
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About Jude Hopkins
Jude Hopkins has published essays in The Los Angeles Times, Medium, the belladonna—and poetry in various journals including Gyroscope Review, Timber Creek Review and California Quarterly.
It has always been her desire to write. She was featured in Dickinson College’s literary magazine when she was an undergraduate. One poem in particular, “Mixed Metaphors,” contrasted two viewpoints in a lakeside scene: one of a romantic young woman who thought the wind was blowing through her hair like an Aeolian harp; the other, that of her suitor who believed the water looked as cold as hell. Ah, love’s different sensibilities! What she lost in that relationship, she gained from her sojourn at Dickinson, earning her Phi Beta Kappa key while there, as well as a desire to continue her education.
Then it was on to graduate school at Arizona State University where studying for her master’s degree in English and grading essays as a teaching assistant took most of her time (and partying — it was ASU, for Pete’s sake). However, she did have a germ of an idea for a self-help book that she began outlining, fueled by many a Thermos bottle of Dunkin’ coffee.
It wasn’t until she moved to L.A. that she thought about writing a proposal for that self-help book. She got some bites from agents. Top agents. But working three jobs took precedence. (One of those jobs was at a Hollywood record company where she met a Beatle, among other artists.)
When she finally moved back to Pennsylvania, she began seriously writing again, squeezing in time to pen some poems between endless essay grading at one of the University of Pittsburgh’s branch campuses. As an adjunct English instructor, Jude was uncompromising on what she expected from her students, knowing they were capable of achieving great things when challenged, but she tried to balance the hard work with humor. Nevertheless, she knew that discipline and knowledge could turn even the most reluctant student into a pretty good writer. To achieve that end, the cellphones had to be put away, and attention had to be paid. The result? Some model research papers and essays from memorable students (she taught English in Pennsylvania, New York state, California and Arizona).
The need to write something besides comments on student essays gnawed at her. One day, she took out her old self-help book manuscript from a cobwebby drawer and began the process of turning it into a novel. That novel became “Babe in the Woods” and will be traditionally published by Wild Rose Press sometime in 2023. She blogs about that novel, so, readers, please follow her blogs as she updates everyone on the book's progress. Please also check out her essays and poems, also featured herein.
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Purchase Babe in the Woods online from a local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Info Link
Amazon – OneLink for every country
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
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Giveaway!
Jude Hopkins will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Visit more stops on this Goddess Fish tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Babe in the Woods
Full Tour Schedule:
April 24: Archaeolibrarian – I Dig Good Books!
May 1: Our Town Book Reviews
May 1: Long and Short Reviews
May 8: Gina Rae Mitchell
May 8: Country Mamas With Kids
May 15: Sandra’s Book Club
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This sounds like a good book!
Thank you, Dreaa. I hope you’ll be reading it!
The book sounds very interesting. Great cover.
Thank you, Piroska, for your lovely comment. I hope you read it and enjoy it.
The book sounds wonderful.
Thank you, Sherry, for leaving such a nice comment. I hope you read it (it comes out June 7).
Sounds like a good story.
Thank you for commenting, Rita. I hope you read it!
I’m wanting to know what Beatle Jude Hopkins met? Do tell.
Hi Audrey – It was my favorite Beatle, Paul McCartney. His wife, Linda, was with him at the time, so I met them both. I wrote about my encounter here on my website: https://www.judehopkinswriting.net/post/the-day-i-met-paul-mccartney-spaghetti-is-involved-april-23-2022-by-jude-hopkins
Jude Hopkins has led an interesting career path leading to authorship of Babe in the Woods. I am sure her experience has enriched her book.
Hi Nancy – Thank you for commenting. Yes, to interesting career path…especially the time at a Hollywood record company.
Thank you for reviewing my book.
Thanks for hosting!