The Relationship Shoppe: A Novel [Kindle Edition]

Susan Paulson Clark (Author)

Book Description

"An overall delightful, engrossing read filled with emotional twists and turns."
- Diane Donovan, eBook Reviewer, Midwest Book Review.

"Encompasses a wide range of common, contemporary issues, and there should be a little something in there for a woman in any stage of any relationship."
- Candy's Raves, CandysRaves.com

"If you're looking for something fun to read that will take your heart on an exciting roller coaster ride, buy this book."
- Kim Boykin, author of The Wisdom of Hair (Penguin)

Marian Sheffield longs to climb out of the pits, but before she can transform her career and romantic life, she must contend with the indiscretions of Belle, her business partner and best friend. Along the way, Marian learns the difference between a crush on her guy friend and the very real advances of her company’s investor—and how to apply the relationship advice she promotes in her own bookstore.

HAVE YOU EVER:
- Felt as if your life has fallen apart?
- Questioned why it had?
- Resolved to turn things around?
- Refused to give up when everyone around discouraged you?
- Been betrayed by a friend?
- Fallen in love with someone who doesn’t love you back?
- Ignored the person who is right for you?

Then you may want to browse in THE RELATIONSHIP SHOPPE!

Product Details

• File Size: 392 KB
• Print Length: 242 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Stairstepz Media (April 12, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007TWU4WG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #11,512 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Here's a toast to new beginnings May 7, 2012

By Sandi Perry

Format:Kindle Edition

Marian and Belle, two friends who met at a support group for troubled people have joined forces in this life-affirming novel, The Relationship Shoppe. Both recent divorcees, they quit their day jobs and take a chance on themselves. After months spent on building a website business dedicated to selling self-help and inspirational books, they decide to take their a page from their own book and start their own business. With financial help from their friend Ruth's son, Andrew, himself a widower, Stairstepz is born.
The cast of characters is a bevy of everyday people just trying to cope with life and its challenges with grace. We cheer Cooper and Agnes as they find love and root for Marian as she learns how to stand on her own and feel good about her difficult choices. The relationships in her life give her the strength to cope with financial challenges and remind all of us that sometimes the thing you are searching for is right in front of you. Her two adorable sons give her the daily strength to believe in herself and their future. This book is a perfect reminder to never give up on yourself.--Sandi Perry

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Word- April 29, 2012

By Scootsky

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

A well-told tale of a young woman who's not quite sure of herself or her true desires tangling with the realities of single motherhood. Ms Clark is in control of her material and it's very readable. The proper mix of self-doubt and unrealistic expectations keep the protagonist more than occupied and at places in pain as she traverses a slice of modern Dallas life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars a good start May 1, 2012

By Janey Phillips

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I read this book by a new writer with no expectations. I enjoyed the book, but felt at times that I was reading a condensed book. The book may have been better if some of the characters and occurrences were a little more fleshed out (for example, more background on Andrew's emotions, a few details on how the business got the attention of the New York news show) . Some transitions were abrupt, and passage of time was not represented. All in all, a worthwhile read. I will look for more books by the author.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Relationship Shoppe July 24, 2012

By curioCity

Format:Kindle Edition

Marian is trying to raise her kids and recover from a disastrous relationship. And she is trying to do it while starting a new business - a self-help bookstore and a website. There is a nice irony in this novel - two girls selling books about great relationships while stumbling around in the reality of trying to make them actually work in real life. The characters are flawed and likeable - everyone knows a character like Belle, who drinks too much and consistently needs comfort after choosing another wildly inappropriate partner. Marian herself struggles to choose between her very attractive, but barely interested crush and the man who truly finds her fascinating. And she just has too much to do - which will ring true with anyone who has ever started a business while parenting! There is also a lot of good-humored wisdom in the story. It's a chronicle of the ups and downs of starting a new business - a great parallel with the stomach churning ride of a new relationship. Clark keeps it light and fresh and despite its honesty, the story is never depressing, only refreshing and hopeful.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars great book for all you single mom's out there July 11, 2012

By Jennifer Purdy

Format:Kindle Edition

I just loved this book. Women who have been through divorce and those with children will really identify with the emotions these women are faced with. The authors puts you right in the midst of their lives, choices, challenges, joys and fears. Read it you'll love it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Good story w/ simple writing July 5, 2012

By Sarah Noel

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I really enjoyed "The Relationship Shoppe." It held my interest throughout and I was eager to keep reading to find out what was going to happen with each of the characters. There were also very few typographical or grammatical errors, which was nice! Kudos to the author on that! She really seemed to put in the time and effort to polish the story before releasing it.

My main criticism is that the storyline and characters seemed a little flat at times. Not as much depth as I would have liked. For example, a character would be in a fine mood at one second, and then something would happen (something relatively minor) and all of a sudden that character would lose it and have a fit. The reaction seemed way too severe and not matching the cause. Also, things seemed to jump around at times. An example of this is a character (I'm leaving out names to avoid giving away the story) isn't sure how they feel about another character, or they say they don't really like them or aren't interested, etc. Then in the next paragraph they're thinking of a future with that person. What?! Where is the build-up? Where did that sudden change of heart come from? These are the things that I felt were missing from the story.

I felt the story got off to a great start. The characters were built up well, described well, and I was interested in them. But as the story went on, that is where things fell flat. Gaps appeared in the plot/storyline. Characters jumped sporadically from one emotion/feeling to the complete opposite. I think the author has good potential and is skilled at telling a story, but needs more experience. When I read it I didn't know anything about the author. It felt like I was reading a first novel from a 20-something.... It wasn't until I went to post this review that I saw that the author is, in fact, more experienced in life, which surprised me. All in all, however, I would recommend this story and this author to others and would be interested in reading other novels by this author. Read more ›

More About the Author

Susan Paulson Clark has been a freelance writer for fifteen years. She's an avid reader who enjoys women's fiction, mysteries, and non-fiction titles. Susan enjoys painting (acrylics) and spending time with her husband. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara with degrees in English and Education and is a member of the DFW Writers' Workshop.

Contact info available at SusanPaulsonClark.com.