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Hi Marcia,we met at Dog Eared Pages,
where I was selling my yoga books at the front of the
shop when you were in the back area. I just read your
Paper Children and loved it. Your story is mine and so
many of our stories and you expressed it so well
through your very dynamic characters. Thank you, and
best of luck with your writing. - Sandi Greenberg,
www.NoPlaceLikeOmYoga.com
Stressed in Scottsdale
was a non-stop fun book to read! Marcia Fine’s witty,
fast pace really let you experience her lovable
character’s out-of-control lifestyle. She pokes fun at
the Snottsdale crowd while romping down Indian Bend and
tooling through Fashion Square Mall, flying from one
mishap after another until her family and friends insist
she slow down. With a little crazy “only in Scottsdale”
help from her friends, the fun really starts as Jean
Rubin tries to learn to relax. Although this book can
be enjoyed on its own, it is the third in a series of
Books by Marcia Fine with her amusing Jean Rubin
character. Gossip.com is her first book and
Boomerang - When Life Comes Back to Bite You is the
second in the series. - Melanie Tighe, Dog-Eared Pages
Used Books
With the absurdities of desert living
set in her literary cross hairs, Fine once again skewers
some of Scottsdale's finest while her protagonist, Jean,
tries to find sanity in a world where it rains dirt and
blind sheep fall off mountains. Modern living isn't for
sissies and Fine addresses the deeper issues of the
environment and political corruption as she couches them
in laugh-out-loud lines. It is wickedly funny. A
laugh-out-loud read by Marcia Fine. Her hilarious
observations will resonate with all women. - Barb Davis,
The Serenity Room
Scottsdale
isn't exactly the typical American city. Many of its
residents enjoy an affluent lifestyle that includes
private schools, posh homes and plenty of plastic
surgery. It's this sometimes-laughable lifestyle that
convinced author Marcia Fine that the town was
overflowing with fodder for her next book. "I was at a
luncheon, and a woman came up to me and said, 'Oh, I'm
all stressed out,' Fine said. "I asked, 'What's the
matter?' and she said, 'I got a massage, and they didn't
have the right oil.' " Fine put the "stressful"
situation in its proper perspective for the massage
victim. That crisis was the catalyst for her latest book
"Stressed in Scottsdale," which uses
comedy to capture
life in one of the West's most wealthy towns.
- Dolores Tropiano, Special for the Republic
Read the Full Review (pdf)
Delightfully funny and
absurd, Stressed in Scottsdale is a smart, witty story,
unlike anything you've recently read. Few topics are
safe from Marcia Fine's satire as she takes aim at
societal issues of relationships, fertility, politics
and the environment, showing how carried away people get
and how absurd things can become. In the midst of all
the wackiness, Marcia Fine does a terrific job of
reminding us that, although their are things in life we
need to take care of, most of them aren't important
enough to cause us to lose our minds.
- Amy, Book Review
Read the Full Review
Multitasking Jean
Rubin is stressed in Scottsdale: endless errands, caring
for an elderly mother, helping with her kid's fertility
problems and her husband's political campaign. Marcia
Fine, the writer behind Jean Rubin, swears she is less
stressed. And why should she be? Stressed in Scottsdale is
the third book in her Jean Rubin series. No stress, right?
Marcia handed me a copy of her book at the workshop, and
it's had me laughing for the last two weeks.
- Matt Dewald,
Director, Erma Bombeck Humor Conference, University of
Dayton
Marcia, LOVED,
LOVED, LOVED, your book. Sorry, I didn't read it sooner
but, I was stressed in Buckeye. I traded you your book for
a "bling" piece of tableware at the Borgata. I think I got
the best of the trade. Your writing is charming and
funny. You have a wonderful way with words!! I would call
it a personality of words. I can hardly wait for your next
publication--it should be worth a salad set!! Good Luck
and I hope our paths cross again. I am sending your book
to my friend in Scottsdale and telling her to have all her
friends buy it. - Susan K. Waters
Multi-tasking JEAN RUBIN races
to accomplish endless errands, care for an elderly mother
forced to move to assisted living, help with her kid’s
fertility problems, manage a job and fight roof rats while
her anxiety level climbs to unmanageable proportions. She
employs a variety of soothing techniques from daily stress
tips to meditation, affirmations, deep breathing and a
self-help group. Nothing seems to work.
Jean’s keen observant eye of the modes and mores of an
upscale community enhance a fast-paced life, rife with
satirical situations including an Asian nail salon, the
most expensive gourmet food store in town and mammogram
hell. - USA Book News
"Do you need to
de-stress your life? Then pick up a copy of Fine’s book
and escape from the chaotic pace of life with fits of
laughter. Fine has taken the life of one stressed out,
over committed woman and made her into someone we can all
relate to and learn from. You will see parts of yourself
and friends in the lead character, Jean Rubin as she faces
some of life’s challenges with grace and humor." 4.5
out of five stars. - Ember in Wrilogonzia
"Beginning this book I had a little bit of problems with
it holding my attention, but wait, that soon was halted as
I was plunged into the hectic and all too familiar life
of, Jean Rubin. As I followed the happenings I actually at
times felt she had been spying on my life and taking
notes. Here is a woman who really wants to get it all
together, she longs for less stress and more relaxation.
Will she ever achieve her goal? As the story rolls
on and we meet her husband, mom, kids, grandkids,
co-workers and friends we fully understand why she breaks
down, now the problem, how to bring her back up. I found
her husband endearing, although not really having a clue,
her mom, well let's just say she was a mom, and her
children are like so many thinking mom can do it all. You
have to laugh, don't you? And of course we cannot leave
out her zany friends, who although have Jean's welfare at
heart, do not always take the time to stop and think.
Crazy! I loved some of the antics of her friends
trying to help Jean out of her slump and help her to
relax. My favorite part of the entire book is when her
friends take her to loosen up and she has to do motions
with her body that she doesn't do in the privacy of her
own home. I laughed out loud, somehow remembering my own
self in similar situations. Listen, if you are
stressed, and who isn't, this book is for you. You will,
relate, have pity, get mad, and maybe be glad you are who
you are instead of being Jean. I do promise you some laugh
out loud moments in this read, and isn't that what life is
all about. Very enjoyable!" - Shirley
Johnson/Senior Reviewer, MidWest Book Review
"“A Split Your
Pants, Laugh Aloud Hit” - Okay listen up folks, when
reading “Stressed in Scottsdale” make sure your bladder is
empty because due to excessive laughter you are likely to
pee your pants! Jean Rubin, portrayed as the witty
protagonist in “Stressed in Scottsdale” made her début in
Marcia Fine’s satire series beginning with “Gossip.com
followed by “Boomerang.” Fans of the award-winning author
can take delight in knowing Jean Rubin is back in all her
glory in this latest installment, as Fine continues to
create a chaotic and comical ambiance for her readers’
enjoyment." - Barbara Watkins, Bookpleasures.com
Read the Full Review
"OMG! I seriously
thought I would pee my pants when reading this book. It is
so funny, and the author hits the nail on the head with
every chapter. You will find yourself nodding your head in
aggreement with her tales of caos. She uses witty humor
with politics, relationships and just about everything
else you can think of that can cause stress in your life.
She knows when to throw in the laugh out loud humor and
keep you interested in finishing it all in one sitting.
You will relate to alot of the story and find yourself
remembering some of the sassy comments for future use!" -
Amy J, My Overstuffed Bookshelf
Read the Full Review
"Stressed in Scottsdale" is a comedy
about one woman's life spiraling out of control into a
stress-infused free fall. Poor Jean tries to take care of everyone
elses needs in between doctors appointments and her husbands new
political campaign for a greener Arizona. Her balancing juggle act
may never end even when she has a mini stroke.
It made me laugh from start to finish. You can easily relate to Jean
if you are in college or post-college. I see my stress through her
and think "thank god that's not me!" Jean is relateable as opposed
to her kooky friends and children. But they make life all the more
interesting. I really enjoyed the flow of the book but I thought the
ending was rather abrupt it seemed unfinished. Yes, the day is saved
time to relax but there's got to be something else just around the
corner that could have been alluded to! The authors sarcasm was
refreshing it's nice to hear a woman author who's not afraid to put
it out there. I really enjoyed the little stress tips at the
beginning of each chapter (they were so amusing)... - Rheanna, Try
Reading My Mind
Read the Full
Review
Laughter is the Best
Stressbuster
Face it — we live in a world that’s only getting crazier.
Every minute brings another text, another task, another spam
email advertising cheap pharmaceuticals…keeping up with it
all could drive a person to distraction. Not to mention the
things our politicians get past us when we’re not paying
attention — whose idea was smog anyway, and who decided it
was good idea to bomb the moon? All of it could give a
person a heart condition — or worse.
Read the Full Review
Stressed in
Scottsdale, award-winning author Marcia Fine’s satire will
have you laughing, crying and kvetching with leading
character Jean Rubin about the manic 24/7 lives so many of
us are living. Think Nora Ephron’s humorous writing
style and add to it the wonderful character of Jean Rubin
and her take on serious issues such as the environment,
political corruption, mammograms, IVF and jobless kids,
all with a biting sense-of-humor.
Jill, Frugal Plus
Read the Full Review
"Just read Gossip.com and
Boomerang and started Stressed in Scottsdale – Marcia you are
amazing, I couldn’t put them down, please keep on writing, you are a
funny, thoughtful, talented, amazing addition to our world and I am
honored to call you my friend!" E. Lynn Lanoue
"A few chapters into Marcia Fine's novel
"Paper Children", and you will feel like a part of her family;
halfway through the book you'll be glad you aren't. By the end,
you'll have a compassionate understanding of the ordeals of Jews who
escaped Europe before World War II...
...Fine's evocative metaphors and 360-degree descriptions allow
the reader to see, smell, hear and feel each scene just as the main
character does. Every page is filled with vivid descriptions of the
setting and those involved, as well as historical references. Fine
has clearly done her homework related to events surrounding World
War II and succeeding decades, but certain parts of Mimi's story do
feel over-researched as she and her mother's habits tend to reflect
the commercialized vision of the 1960s.
Overall, Fine is an excellent writer, and "Paper Children" is a
must-read, especially for those interested in the Holocaust and its
aftermath." - Jenna Lee Dillon, Trends Magazine
Read the Full
Review
"“Stressed in Scottsdale?” Surely
that’s an oxymoron. However, by setting her novel in the sunny, chic
and relaxing resort of Scottsdale, Arizona, award-winning author
Marcia Fine meticulously sets up the tensions facing Jean--a
middle-aged, over-committed writer who is pulled in too many
directions by her semi-retired husband, her recently widowed mother,
her daughter and grandchildren, as well as her bevy of best friends.
Quite by accident, she finds herself entangled in the
socio-political conflict between the Green Party’s candidate and a
land developer, who has not only razed archaelogical sites for his
proposed resort, but is married to Jean‘s arch-enemy. Readers will
find that Ms. Fine’s razor-sharp humor, keen eye for details, and
inclusion of relevant themes create a very enjoyable read." Deborah
Hilcove
“Once again Marcia Fine presents a
breezy slice of life through Jean Rubin. As Rubin navigates her life
while tending to the needs of her demanding family, life in upscale
Scottsdale reveals its own obstacles. She learns how to achieve
serenity with major shifts in attitude and firm choices." Gail
Fisher, columnist & author
“Stress Tip: When it’s 108 degrees,
and your grandchildren have stopped listening to you, and your
mother wants to wear all of her costume jewelry at the same time,
and you can’t seem to get rid of that nagging knot in between your
shoulder and neck, it’s time to read Stressed in Scottsdale!
Marcia’s book sheds light on all of those zany Scottsdale characters
that make up this great desert landscape called Arizona.”
Tania Katan, author of My One Night Stand With Cancer
“I can totally relate. Endless
schedules, too many emails, work needing revisions and a husband who
means well as he signs you up as his do-good-side-kick! I was sucked
in from the first paragraph. Fine’s tongue-in-cheek observations
resonate... thoughts you want to say, but never dare! A fun, sassy
read.” Tamara Gold, The Red Lipstick Reporter
"With the absurdity of desert living
set in her literary crosshairs, Fine once again skewers some of
Scottsdale's finest while her protagonist, Jean, tries to find
sanity in a world where it rains dirt and blind sheep fall off
mountains. Modern living isn't for sissies and Fine addresses
the deeper issues of the environment and political corruption as she
couches them in laugh-out-loud lines. Wickedly funny!" Jessica
Leigh, Editor, skirt!
"Marcia's books often make me laugh out
loud. Her ability to capture the universal humor in us all makes
this book a fun and joyful ride. I saw myself in this book... and
everyone else I know!" Susan Brooks, Entrepreneur, author,
speaker
"Who needs Valium, when you can just
read Stressed in Scottsdale and feel good? Definitely, a fun read."
Shawn Pelofsky, Stand-up Comedienne/Chelsea Lately
"It made me laugh
from start to finish. You can easily relate to Jean if you are in
college or post-college. I see my stress through her and think
"thank god that's not me!" Jean is relateable as opposed to her
kooky friends and children. But they make life all the more
interesting. I really enjoyed the flow of the book but I thought the
ending was rather abrupt it seemed unfinished. Yes, the day is saved
time to relax but there's got to be something else just around the
corner that could have been alluded to! The authors sarcasm was
refreshing it's nice to hear a woman author who's not afraid to put
it out there. I really enjoyed the little stress tips at the
beginning of each chapter (they were so amusing)." - Rheanna,
Try Reading My Mind.
Read the Full
Review
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