Posts
A Great Summer Read from Best-Selling Author Jane Adams
What if you got what might be your last chance at both love and success -but getting one meant giving up the other? Charlotte "Sugar" Kane hasn't produced a hit TV series in years, so when her kids left home and her lover moved out, she left L.A. for New York, where a woman over 40 doesn't have to file an environmental impact statement to go out in public. Then the network green lighted her new show and she's back in Hollywood, older, wiser, and ready to prove she can still deliver a hit. Suddenly without warning, she's struck by a crisis that threatens everything she holds dear - her career, her health, and the unconditional love she's finally, unexpectedly found. Sugar Kane, the irreverent narrator of this smart, resonant novel about love, sex, work, money, family and friendship, marks the return to fiction of Jane Adams, a writer and psychologist whose expertise on women's lives finds its liveliest, warmest and wittiest expression in a unique heroine in the prime of her life.
Sugar Time has been optioned for a major motion picture by John Morrissey, the producer of "American History X," "Booty Call," "Havoc" and other hit films.
Bostick Communications
Most people think that only actresses over 40 have to worry about their age and looks, but if you ask Sugar Kane she tell you that isn't the case. EVERY woman in Hollywood has to be concerned about aging. Sugar hasn't written a hit show in over 20 years, but knows she still has what it takes. Her latest venture looks promising and is getting serious consideration by the execs. Out of nowhere her fear of not being able to keep up with the young go-getters hits her in the chest - literally. While sitting at home enjoying a sitcom and some Chinese take-out she suffers what seems to be a heart attack. Time in the hospital makes her realize she needs to hide her condition from the possible producers of her series or they may find her too big a risk to keep on board. Not only that, but while she is away her young assistant seems to have taken WAY TOO MUCH credit for what Sugar has done.
Sugar also decides to keep her health a secret from her son and daughter. Her daughter is a new mother and her son is very sensitive to the conditions of those he loves. Add in Alex, a new love interest, and Sugar is keeping the secret again. Her thoughts - why would a man want a woman on the edge of a major health crisis. Little does she know Alex has his own secret and is living life to the fullest so as not to miss a moment.
Sugar's decision to keep her health issue a secret is stressful as is the ungodly amount of time she must devote to getting her pilot rewritten to meet the execs demands. As she grows closer to Alex and overworked from her career, Sugar must make the decision to throw in the towel on something. Can she give up the career she has worked had to prove she is still capable of? Should she let go of the man that quickens her pulse and makes her feel alive in every way?
I found this to be an entertaining read, but also thought provoking. There is so much chick-lit focused on the twenty-something or even someone in her thirties, but women over 40 or 5o get lost. It's as if society forgets that women that age have desires for family, work, and men. Jane Adams takes that to task with Sugar Time. What she writes isn't a sweet little story about your grandma. She makes Sugar Kane a real woman. A woman that most of us can probably relate to. I happen to be in my thirties, but started my family young and feel much older than others my age. I also talk to my mom a lot and know that being in your fifties doesn't stop you from living a full life. Heck, fifty really isn't old. Face it- now that is only half of a life for many people.
I did have an issue with this novel, but it may just be a personal thing. I do not mind sex scenes or crude talk, but I can not stand to read the "p" word (describing female anatomy) in novels. To me it takes away from the story every time. I have not read a Jane Adams novel before to know if it is her typical lingo. I felt like it was an attempt to really show Sugar as a woman with a sexual side, but I thought that was easily seen without going there. Like I said that is probably my personal thing and may not bother any of you.
I would recommend Sugar Time to others for sure, but I wouldn't call it my best read of the summer. However, I am excited to think about it becoming a movie. I think it would translate well, and it would be nice to see the lead role as a beautiful, older woman.
I am excited to read more of Jane Adams novels. She has 3 fiction novels and 8 non-fiction. She is a social psychologist who has covered many different topics, but most focus on women coping with family or change.
To gain more insight on Sugar Time go to the blog. Or you can visit the book website.
What if you got what might be your last chance at both love and success -but getting one meant giving up the other? Charlotte "Sugar" Kane hasn't produced a hit TV series in years, so when her kids left home and her lover moved out, she left L.A. for New York, where a woman over 40 doesn't have to file an environmental impact statement to go out in public. Then the network green lighted her new show and she's back in Hollywood, older, wiser, and ready to prove she can still deliver a hit. Suddenly without warning, she's struck by a crisis that threatens everything she holds dear - her career, her health, and the unconditional love she's finally, unexpectedly found. Sugar Kane, the irreverent narrator of this smart, resonant novel about love, sex, work, money, family and friendship, marks the return to fiction of Jane Adams, a writer and psychologist whose expertise on women's lives finds its liveliest, warmest and wittiest expression in a unique heroine in the prime of her life.
Sugar Time has been optioned for a major motion picture by John Morrissey, the producer of "American History X," "Booty Call," "Havoc" and other hit films.
Bostick Communications
Most people think that only actresses over 40 have to worry about their age and looks, but if you ask Sugar Kane she tell you that isn't the case. EVERY woman in Hollywood has to be concerned about aging. Sugar hasn't written a hit show in over 20 years, but knows she still has what it takes. Her latest venture looks promising and is getting serious consideration by the execs. Out of nowhere her fear of not being able to keep up with the young go-getters hits her in the chest - literally. While sitting at home enjoying a sitcom and some Chinese take-out she suffers what seems to be a heart attack. Time in the hospital makes her realize she needs to hide her condition from the possible producers of her series or they may find her too big a risk to keep on board. Not only that, but while she is away her young assistant seems to have taken WAY TOO MUCH credit for what Sugar has done.
Sugar also decides to keep her health a secret from her son and daughter. Her daughter is a new mother and her son is very sensitive to the conditions of those he loves. Add in Alex, a new love interest, and Sugar is keeping the secret again. Her thoughts - why would a man want a woman on the edge of a major health crisis. Little does she know Alex has his own secret and is living life to the fullest so as not to miss a moment.
Sugar's decision to keep her health issue a secret is stressful as is the ungodly amount of time she must devote to getting her pilot rewritten to meet the execs demands. As she grows closer to Alex and overworked from her career, Sugar must make the decision to throw in the towel on something. Can she give up the career she has worked had to prove she is still capable of? Should she let go of the man that quickens her pulse and makes her feel alive in every way?
I found this to be an entertaining read, but also thought provoking. There is so much chick-lit focused on the twenty-something or even someone in her thirties, but women over 40 or 5o get lost. It's as if society forgets that women that age have desires for family, work, and men. Jane Adams takes that to task with Sugar Time. What she writes isn't a sweet little story about your grandma. She makes Sugar Kane a real woman. A woman that most of us can probably relate to. I happen to be in my thirties, but started my family young and feel much older than others my age. I also talk to my mom a lot and know that being in your fifties doesn't stop you from living a full life. Heck, fifty really isn't old. Face it- now that is only half of a life for many people.
I did have an issue with this novel, but it may just be a personal thing. I do not mind sex scenes or crude talk, but I can not stand to read the "p" word (describing female anatomy) in novels. To me it takes away from the story every time. I have not read a Jane Adams novel before to know if it is her typical lingo. I felt like it was an attempt to really show Sugar as a woman with a sexual side, but I thought that was easily seen without going there. Like I said that is probably my personal thing and may not bother any of you.
I would recommend Sugar Time to others for sure, but I wouldn't call it my best read of the summer. However, I am excited to think about it becoming a movie. I think it would translate well, and it would be nice to see the lead role as a beautiful, older woman.
I am excited to read more of Jane Adams novels. She has 3 fiction novels and 8 non-fiction. She is a social psychologist who has covered many different topics, but most focus on women coping with family or change.
To gain more insight on Sugar Time go to the blog. Or you can visit the book website.
this one sounds like it would relate to our moms well...
ReplyDeleteI read this one too and had a similar reaction. I don't object to any specific word, but I thought it was a bit squicky for a mom and daughter to be sharing pubic hair grooming tips. I'm just not that enlightened.
ReplyDeleteAs you say though, a good story and food for thought.