La Dolce Vita or Bust.We’ve all dreamed of ditching everything and running off to another country. But almost no one actually does. Well, Val feels like she’s almost no one. Invisible to her husband and dissatisfied with her life, deep in her soul Val yearns to be someone else. Someone sexy. Someone happy.With only her favorite romance novel to guide her, Val decides Italy is the perfect place … decides Italy is the perfect place for some relaxation, romance and reinvention. But she soon finds out that handsome men, like life, have plans of their own.
In the race to rediscover herself, what awaits Val at the finish line may be a completely unexpected type of victory…. Will Val score a home run? Or will she just want to run home?
If you’ve ever dreamed of ditching your life and running off to Europe, now’s your chance! Join Val on a roller-coaster ride through Europe that will leave you gasping! From gut-busting hilarity to gut–wrenching gaffs, finding yourself again is always worth the price of admission. Get your ticket now!
Absolute Zero is a full-length, stand-alone novel. It’s also the funny, yet often heart-wrenching prequel to the hilarious Val Fremden Mystery Series. Absolute Zero is not itself a mystery, per se. (Unless you count the mystery of why in the world we do the crazy things we do!) This novel is a satirical look at starting over after forty. Just like life, it’s full of ups and downs. It’s told through the eyes of a sharp-witted, reluctantly redneck woman who’s always played it safe – until now. Freedom comes at a great price for Val. Will it be worth it? Well, that’s up to you….
Pick up a copy and come along for a tour of Italy, Germany and the human heart.
Praise for Absolute Zero:
“With quick wit, pages of adventures, dialogue that sucked me into the scenes, and descriptions that created the most hilarious visuals, Absolute Zero is an every woman’s tale of rediscovery.” USA Today Bestselling author Pamela Crane
“I have long been an Evanovich fan and she is my go to author when someone asks for a book recommendation without telling me what genre they prefer. Now, I can add Margaret Lashley to that very short list.”
“Loved it. Couldn’t stop, had to see what happened next.”
“This character makes you proud to be a woman.”
“Want a good laugh and a new friend? Grab this.”
“Her characters are lovable and believable and you cheer, and cry, along with them.”
“Wonderful book. Had me at the first paragraph.”
“If you like Marie Force, you’ll like this author.”
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Val is the epitome of if you don’t laugh the only other option is to cry but she’s tough. Things occasionally go right for her but when they don’t she picks herself up laughs it off and starts from square one again.
Great reading that makes you think about life and reality
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2842823791?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1
Talk about not figuring it how this book had so many twists & turns it belongs on a roofer coaster. The ending was a bit dramatic for my taste but there was enough of a tease to want a sequel.
Well written. This is the back story to how Val found herself alone and nearly penniless in Glad One. This story is funny for the half but after Val moves to Germany very little goes right for her.
Received a free copy for a review and I can’t give it a great review. It starts out good with Val becoming stronger and believing in herself. But then as the book moves along she falls back into the same trap she has escape from in the beginning. I found it depressing as it moved along.
Okay the first one hooked me. Now I have to read the second book in this series. I loved seeing a woman change her entire life when she realizes one day is the same as the next and it will never change unless she takes that major step. What a great adventure Val has in Italy. The characters in the tour who have to teach English are a hoot and the different attitude in Italy of the men is a delight. When Val continues her journey she really learns what starting over means and how tragedy can be the start of a new life.
Wonderful Chick-Lit
This novel is a wonderful piece of Women’s fiction. From a baby marriage to a boring second husband to a fairy tale German husband turned nightmare, Val has led an interesting life. As she comes into her own and becomes herself, she finds excellent friends and learns the true meaning of the Italian La Dolce Vita. This story is a combination 5 friends and I throughout our mid-lives. It is fun, realistic, sorrowful and yet inspirational. I am getting the whole series and can’t wait to start the next book. I received this book at no cost and voluntarily chose to post my review.
I LOVED IT!!! … But it wasn’t what I expected – a mystery. It was about Val’s adventures and romance with Friedrich first in Italy and then in Germany.
I love Italy and I am a German living in Canada. Reading this book was like coming home to the life I’ve left behind.
A lot of ups and downs that gave me an array of emotions included smiles, laughter, anger and tears.
I can’t wait to read more from Val’s life and maybe there will be a mysteries in the following installments….
A highly entertaining read. Especially if you love Italy and/or know a few Germans 😉
4.5 because I wanted good happenings all through.
This starts and carries for a while as heroine adventures ; good natured, hopeful and supportive, friend and new acquaintances and new experiences away from the old life and into new, while in Italy. The same selfishness or grumpiness found in every group of people, but ITALI… Good humour and new love new marriage and family that down slides into right back where she was 7 years ago. Loss, grief, anger, and letting go heading home USA. Well written good story and plot. OK the ending was a bit angsty, low but author writes a note to say the only way is up.
I have long been an Evanovich fan and she is my go to author when someone asks for a book recommendation without telling me what genre they prefer. Now I can add Margaret Lashley to that very short list. Her books are a lighthearted look at reality. There is humor and joy, but also sorrow and anger. Her characters are lovable and believable and you cheer, and cry, along with them. I am loving this fun series and can’t wait for the next book!