We are featuring Summer Reading Challenge author, Dee DeTarsio! In Dee’s novel, All My Restless Life to Live, life is a soap opera, especially for Elle Miller who writes for one. (Ellen dropped the “n” in her name in hopes of finding a better ending for herself.) When her laptop crashes, she borrows her recently deceased dad’s computer and gets way more than she bargained for.

Here are Dee’s five picks for the books that inspired her to write All My Restless Life to Live:

Almost Paradise by Susan Isaacs

“I fell hard for Susan Isaacs and her lovely, irreverent writing which felt like Almost Paradise. That book has it all, love, romance, family saga, hard times—dialogue to die for—worth rereading!”

Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner

“Susan Isaacs’ heir apparent, Jennifer Wiener, continued the trend of smart and smart-mouthed heroines in Good in Bed.”

Watermelon by Marian Keyes

“Marian Keyes, is my author crush: She’s a Virgo, I’m a Virgo. She’s a successful internationally recognized goddess of an author, and I . . . well, I’ve read everything she’s ever written. I expect we would be best friends. Her most excellent Ms. Keyes is from Ireland, I love the color green. From her first book, Watermelon, (my seventh favorite fruit) to Sushi For Beginners (I’m only up to California rolls myself!) I have loved, read, and reread every word.”

Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

“Game of Thrones is the ultimate soap opera, (and features my second husband, Jon Snow).”

Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

“All of these books conspired to inspire me that life is a soap opera, and before you know it, it will all be Gone With The Wind.”

Pinterest PS – You will love this Pinterest board inspired by the cover of All My Restless Life to Live!