Source: Ember in Wrilogonzia
Date: April 20, 2010

April 20, 2010
Stressed in Scottsdale by Marcia Fine 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.
Reviewed by: Ember in Wrilogonzia

Source: Vicki Newell
Date: March 21, 2010

Review of Stressed in Scottsdale

March 21, 2010


Jean Rubin is very stressed. She's a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, employee and friend. Thankfully her BFF's Glee and April occasionally take her to the spa to help her de-stress. Still, her life is way to hectic and drastic measures are needed. She has to find a way to calm the whirlwind that is her life. This is a very very funny book. Reading it helped me to de-stress and I think anyone who doesn't think it's funny must have had their funny bone surgically removed.

There were so many times I found myself thinking "this sounds familiar". This book helped me discover that my own life was much more funny than I give it credit for. All the characters are so likable and I couldn't pick a favorite. Every situation was just as funny, if not more, than the one before. This is a totally hilarious book.

*Thanks to Marcia and Bostick Communications for sending me this review copy*

By Vicki Newell
Reading at the Beach http://ilratb.blogspot.com/

Source: Rhenna
Date: February 5, 2010

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).

I really loved this book as a short read, but sad to say it wasn't a "you can't put this down" kind of book. I think all in all the book was a great comedic read but not a life changing experience. If you've need a good laugh and maybe some perspective on your own stress level pick up "Stressed in Scottsdale".

Source: Grumpy Dan
Date: March 4, 2010

STRESSED IN SCOTTSDALE by Marcia Fine follows the life of one Jean Rubin, who is more than just stressed. She tries to fit in with the social crowd, move her mother to a new home, volunteer and also deal with clients. Can you see why she is so stressed? But she deals with the pressure with humor and Fine's story is written with such flair, that you can't help but enjoy this satirical look at life in Scottsdale. She also inserts tips on relieving stress and the beginning of her chapters which I found rather useful.

Source: Shirley Johnson
Date: March 2010

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!

Source: Starshadow
Date: March 10, 2010

I had never read anything by Marcia Fine before, and my opinion after reading this book was it seriously was laugh out loud funny. I loved how in a way she made jokes at life’s' crazy day to day tasks, this certainly was a bit lighter and witty, than I had originally thought.

I am not a huge fan of books like this but it certainly was a nice welcome change. I would recommend it to others, who are looking for a lil break from heavier reading and just need a little pick me up.

Source: Jill at Frugal Plus
Date: March 2010

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.
And who doesn’t need a little fun poked in this dead serious world? Stress and its effects on us are making headlines across America.
“I love Jean Rubin and writing this third book in her series has reminded me of how we all truly can embrace a little less frenetic activity in our lives,” notes author Marcia Fine.
If you enjoy the wit and gravitas of novels that expertly blend humor and real world insight then this is the book for you.
This book is hilariously true! The main character, Jean Rubin, is the present day Erma Bombeck, and I luv her books too! Life sure can stress you out and overwhelm you at times, and I believe, it’s good to sit back and be able to laugh at life’s curves thrown at all of us.

Source: Connie Harris
Date: March 2010

Jean Rubin is living a hectic life languishing in a quagmire of complications and stress. A typical day in Jean's life includes looking after her overbearing elderly mother, dealing with an unemployed son and neurotic children hitting her up for money, getting involved in a campaign dealing with her nemesis, Flora Beaudreux, not to mention her consulting business, and adorable yet demanding grandchildren, and her semi-retired husband, Maury.
Jean Rubin has a difficult time scheduling her over-scheduled, over-achieving life. After hitting rock bottom Jean Rubin begins to find a way to re-schedule her life and de-stress.
Stressed in Scottsdale is an entertaining look into the stressful life of Jean Rubin. It is an enjoyable, fun book to read. The characters are entertaining and well developed.

Source: Barbara Watkins
Date: March 2010

“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.
When my own manuscript was rejected not once but five times last week, my grocery bag containing two dozen eggs tumbled from my arms crashing to the pavement in the Wal-Mart parking lot, and I couldn’t bend down to retrieve it for fear my head would explode, I thought of Marcia Fine’s Stressed in Scottsdale!
You follow Jean Rubin and a cast of madcap characters as they make every effort to lead a less stressful life in, what ninety nine percent of us refer to as, a chaotic world. I guarantee you will find a little of yourself, family, and friends among these wacky characters. The author takes on serious subjects such as relationships, political issues, and the environment while using witty humor when feasible. As an added bonus, you will also find twenty-five stress release tips throughout the book – helpful indeed!
I found my most memorable part of the book in chapter nine. The main character, Jean Rubin, experiences a mini stroke. Surrounded by her husband, Maury, and her children, she listens as they throw out questions. How do you feel? Did you black out? Can you still babysit? It is scary that I can wholeheartedly relate to this section!
Marcia Fine’s keen eye for detail, sharp-witted humor, and addition of relatable subject matter create an entertaining and enjoyable read. Fine’s tongue-in-cheek annotations reverberate – opinions we would often like to express – but dare not! I found Ms. Fine’s comedic style of writing similar to that of Erma Bombeck’s humorist writings – often making the smallest incidents hysterical therefore drawing attention to the larger important issues.
So grab a copy of Stressed in Scottsdale by Marcia Fine, sit back, relax, and prepare to laugh your a** off!

Source: Amy J. – Book Addict
Date: March 2010

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 agreement with her tales of chaos. 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 a lot of the story and find yourself remembering some of the sassy comments for future use!

Source: Trends Magazine
Date: February 4, 2010

http://tinyurl.com/ybnvt9y

Source: Jessica Leigh Lebos
Date: January 3,2010

Laughter is the Best Stressbuster
Stressed in Scottsdale
By Marcia Fine
Reviewed by Jessica Leigh Lebos

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.
Managing this overwhelmed state of mind is the challenge of protagonist Jean Rubin in Marcia Fine’s latest novel, Stressed in Scottsdale. Jean has already taken on murderous fashionistas and greedy developers in Fine’s first two snicker-worthy send-ups of Scottsdale, Gossip.com and Boomerang: When Life Comes Back to Bite You, both of which skewer the tony Arizona enclave for its superficial culture, plastic surgery obsession and ostentatious displays of wealth. Jean sticks out among the fake blonds dripping with diamonds like a cactus in an azalea patch with her Birkenstocks and Women’s Studies doctorate, and in this third tale of her heroic efforts to keep her life balanced, the stress begins to take its toll.
Drawing on news headlines and perhaps her own experience as a multi-tasker, Fine creates a frenetic — and funny — atmosphere that makes readers feel relieved that their own lives couldn’t possibly be as absurd. Jean has more on her to-do list than ever: Her well-meaning husband, Maury, has volunteered her to help the local Green party candidate win against her nemesis, her kids have kids of their own but can’t manage to quite grow up and a clever cat burglar is stealing the jewels of her best friends. Plus, there are needy freelance clients, her cantankerous elderly mother and a young environmentally-minded volunteer who might have designs on Maury — and at middle age, who can compete with thin thighs?
Thankfully, Jean has her pals Glee and April who occasionally whisk her away to the spa to help her relax, but those two with their endless credit can’t truly comprehend what it means to juggle work, family and finances in the real world. Their generosity helps Jean take a few breaths, but it’s not enough to stave off total system overload. Jean suffers a frightening collapse, and when she comes to, she realizes that while circumstances haven’t changed, she’s going to have to come up with more creative ways of handling them.
Fine clearly has an inside track to the 10,000 square-foot homes and girl-with-guns luncheons, but like any good satire, this one has wisdom to impart. Underneath its humorous barbs about rich desert living and Botox parties, Stressed In Scottsdale