Sunday, February 28, 2010

Trish Perry ~ Interview!

*Since the giveaway and interview were posted separately you can comment on either to enter the giveaway*
Today author Trish Perry is telling us about her book, Sunset Beach. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Trish! Tell us a little about yourself.
My messy past includes working for attorneys in Washington, D.C., as well as working for the Securities and Exchange Commission prior to my training for and working as a stockbroker. While a broker, I decided to get myself back to school and get my degree, because I really wanted to by a psychological therapist. But by the time I completed my degree, I had been exposed to creative writing and fell in love with it. I decided to write for a couple of years before deciding whether or not to get my doctorate in Psychology. I never went back to school—loved the writing too much. I live in Northern Virginia with my brilliant, funny teenaged son, and I have a married daughter, dear son-in-law, and fantastic grandson.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been seriously writing for about 16 years. I published my first novel in 2006 (so I wrote and submitted for ten years before gaining publication). My published books are The Guy I’m Not Dating (2006), Too Good to Be True (2007), Beach Dreams (2008), and Sunset Beach (2009).

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be?
That’s a tough one. My novels could be called romantic comedy, so in that respect they’re similar to those of Kristin Billerbeck, Sandie Bricker, Sandra Byrd, and Erynn Mangum.

Also, how would you rate the romance in you books?
I’d say they’re pretty G. I don’t calculate ahead of time how much kissing will or won’t go on. I take it as it falls into place. But none of my novels have more than, say, two to four kissing incidents in them—I tend to focus more on the romantic build-up. The mutual attraction plays a far larger role than any actions taken as a result of it. I’ve never heard negative feedback from readers that I include too much or too little kissing. Just like Goldilocks: juuuuuust right.

In your own words tell us a little about Sunset Beach.
Here’s how I word the summary of Sunset Beach:
Sonny Miller is tired of not knowing who she is. Soon she’ll begin graduate school to earn her masters in Psychology. But how can she counsel future clients about their identities when she isn’t even sure about her own? To that end she has cooked up a little meeting at a certain beach house in San Diego.

Sonny’s mother, classical soprano Teresa Miller, isn’t aware she’s about to be reunited at the beach house with her sister, Melanie Hines, after 25 years of estrangement. And Sonny isn’t aware her mother has invited a surprise guest of her own. Russian adoptee, Irina Petrova, finds herself dragged along on a trip so tumultuous she summons her handsome concert violinist brother for moral support.

The four women converge on the funky little beach house in San Diego, each with her own disappointments and hopes about family, identity, and love. For Sonny, the trip reveals all she expected and more than she ever dreamed.

Series info: Sunset Beach is the fourth book in The Beach House Series. Sally John wrote the first two books in the series, and I wrote the second two (my other one is Beach Dreams, Book 3).

Blurb-
Here’s how Harvest House worded it on the back cover. The first paragraph comes directly from the book:
Sonny opened the door, so excited she wanted to jump up and down. For just a moment she remembered the scene in The Wizard of Oz when Judy Garland survived the tornado and opened the door to a fantastic world of Technicolor and amazing events.

Sonny Miller plans to use a week’s vacation at a San Diego beach house to find the answers she has wanted all her life. Her mother ran away from home before Sonny was born; now it’s time to know why. She invites her mother, Teresa, and her mother’s estranged twin, Melanie, to the quiet and quirky beach house. They both show up…and with surprises of their own. Teresa, a successful classical singer, brings her latest protégé, and Melanie brings along secrets about Teresa and the identity of Sonny’s father.

Strong personalities cause big waves, and Sonny quickly finds herself in over her head. But as the twins begin to reconcile and reconnect, Sonny makes some surprising connections—romantic and otherwise—of her own.

Come to the beach house, where you will discover that between each sunrise and sunset is another day for healing, laughter, rediscovering the importance of family, love and romance, and embracing the promise of God’s tender mercy.

What made you want to write this story?
Actually, after Beach Dreams, Book 3 in the series, released, Harvest House asked me if I’d be interested in writing Sunset Beach. Of course, I’m not insane, so I said yes, indeedy! They suggested the title, and I worked from there. I had no story in mind, so I took time to formulate all new characters and to learn more about the San Diego area. I really enjoyed the way the characters and storyline popped up.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I had already done considerable research for Beach Dreams, which had the same setting (all of the books in The Beach House Series are set in the same house on Mission Beach). But I had used up all of the places I researched when I wrote Beach Dreams, so I had to scramble to learn of other places for my new hero and heroine to go! That was a challenge but also great fun, and the new places put story ideas into my mind. I loved that.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
• Sonny would be played by Mandy Moore.
• Sonny’s mother Teresa and Aunt Melanie are identical twins, so I would have them both played by Nancy Travis (but in different styles).

• I had a particular male model in mind for Grig, the hero, although I pictured Grig with a stronger jawline.

• I also had a model in mind Irina. I don’t know the model’s name, but Irina and Grig are of Russian decent, so I like these two models’ exotic looks.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I just finished the manuscript for my next book, which is scheduled for a September 1 release. It’s the first in my new series, The Tea Shop Series. Book One is called The Perfect Blend. It’s about a young woman who turns her back on her family, friends, home, and job to elope with a young attorney, only to have him stand her up when she arrives in his hometown. Too ashamed to go home, she tries to make her way in the charming little town. Along the way she meets a wonderful man and then must make some decisions when her fiancé returns to make amends.

How can readers get in contact with you?
If readers visit my website (trishperry.com), there’s a link for sending me an email. I love hearing from readers!

What are you currently reading?
I don’t just read Christian fiction. I just finished reading Between Here and April, by Deborah Kogan, and now I’m reading The Help, by Kathryn Stockett. I think the next inspirational title I’m reading is Debby Mayne’s upcoming novel.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’m studying to be a courtroom reporter. Not only do I look forward to the stimulating people and situations I’ll come across in that field, I’m looking forward to the bills I’ll be able to pay with the paychecks! I don’t ever want to give up writing—not as long as it’s clearly God’s will for me—but the whole concept of the starving artist rings particularly true for most single Christian novelists!

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
I once said I’d choose to be a seahorse, because the male is the one who carries the babies. I thought that was cool. But I think being able to fly would be fantastic, so maybe a bird. But I’d want to be a smart bird, like a parrot.

FAVORITES:
Color?
I’d have to say red.

Childhood memory?
A family camping trip to Yosemite National Park when I was about eight. We stayed in a cabin, hiked, explored, shopped at the gift shop, where everything is fascinating to an eight-year-old girl. One of my favorite parts of that memory was when we stopped at a mountain stream and drank the fresh water. My sibs and I had bought these little collapsible plastic drinking cups, so this was our big moment. Our tap water must not have been very good, because I still remember how truly sweet that stream water tasted.

Era to write about?
I tend to write contemporary stories, although I may dabble in some other eras in the future.

What is/was this book’s release date?
Sunset Beach was released July 2009.

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter of this book?
Yes, the first chapter is posted on Harvest House’s site: http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com/books_fictionbook.cfm?productID=6926751

**Remember, you can enter the giveaway on this post, or the 'giveaway' post.**

Sunday Funnies!

Only in America ....do drugstores make the sick walk all the way to the back of the store to get their prescriptions while healthy people can buy cigarettes at the front.

Only in America ....do people order double cheeseburgers, large fries, and a diet coke.

Only in America ......do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.

Only in America ......do we leave cars worth thousands of dollars in the driveway and put our useless junk in the garage.

Only in America ......do we buy hot dogs in packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.

Only in America ......do we use the word 'politics' to describe the process so well: 'Poli' in Latin meaning 'many' and 'tics' meaning 'blooding creatures'.


Only in America ......do they have drive-up ATM machines with Braille lettering.

EVER WONDER ....

Why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin?


Why women can't put on mascara with their mouth closed?

Why don't you ever see the headline 'Psychic Wins Lottery'?

Why is 'abbreviated' such a long word?

Why is it that doctors call what they do 'practice'?

Why is lemon juice made with artificial flavor, and dishwashing liquid made with real lemons?

Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker?


Why is the time of day with the slowest traffic called rush hour?

Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?

You know that indestructible black box that is used on airplanes? Why don't they make the whole plane out of that stuff?!

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

Why are they called apartments when they are all stuck together?

If con is the opposite of pro, is Congress the opposite of progress?

If flying is so safe, why do they call the airport the terminal?

Friday, February 26, 2010

Trish Perry ~ Giveaway!

**Make sure to check back soon, because I will have an interview with Trish to post later!**

Sunset Beach
Trish Perry

About the book:
Sonny Miller is tired of not knowing who she is. Soon she’ll begin graduate school to earn her masters in Psychology. But how can she counsel future clients about their identities when she isn’t even sure about her own? To that end she has cooked up a little meeting at a certain beach house in San Diego.

Sonny’s mother, classical soprano Teresa Miller, isn’t aware she’s about to be reunited at the beach house with her sister, Melanie Hines, after 25 years of estrangement. And Sonny isn’t aware her mother has invited a surprise guest of her own. Russian adoptee, Irina Petrova, finds herself dragged along on a trip so tumultuous she summons her handsome concert violinist brother for moral support.

The four women converge on the funky little beach house in San Diego , each with her own disappointments and hopes about family, identity, and love. For Sonny, the trip reveals all she expected and more than she ever dreamed.

~~~~~
**USA residents only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Sunset Beach!


To enter:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win).

*Please specify that you want to be included in the contest!

*If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.

*The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment if you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest.

*The contest will run from today (Feb. 26) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (March 4). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 5th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

Tidings of Great Boys winner!

The winner of Tidings of Great Boys by Shelley Adina is:
Nancye!!

Congrats! I will contact you today for your mailing info. =)

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Out with the In Crowd by Stephanie Morrill ~ 4 stars

Out with the In Crowd
Stephanie Morrill
the Reinvention of Skylar Hoyt series #2
Revell - publisher
About the book:
She knew changing her life wouldn't be easy, but she never expected it to be this hard.

Skylar Hoyt may have vowed to change her partying ways, but it’s not so easy to change her friends. She’s trying hard to live a new life, but her old one is constantly staring her in the face. Add to that two parents battling for her loyalty, a younger sister struggling with a crisis pregnancy, and a new boyfriend wishing for more of her time, and Skylar feels like she can’t win. After all, how do you choose favorites among the people you love most?

My review:
Skylar is going through a lot right now. Her parents can’t seem to decide if they are together or not, her fifteen-year-old sister is pregnant (and not dealing with anything), her boyfriend seems just a little too friendly with his ex (not to mention that she is also Skylar’s ex-best-friend), and on top of all that she can’t seem to decide what she wants to do with her life. Wouldn’t you be stressed?

This is a great book and I love that this series is an ongoing story. Each storyline blends into the next book so you know that the best is yet to come. It isn’t a cliff-hanger ending, but it certainly shows that Skylar and the other characters still have some changes to make, and some growing to do. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series and seeing how everything ends up with Skylar!

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Becoming Lucy by Martha Rogers ~ 4 stars

Becoming Lucy
Martha Rogers
Winds Across the Prairie series, #1
Realms publishing
About the book:
In 1896, after her parents' deaths, seventeen-year-old Lucinda Bishop is sent to Oklahoma to live with her aunt and uncle. But Oklahoma ranch life brings her more than she bargained for when she meets ranch hand Jake Starnes, a drifter who is running from his past. As her friendship with Jake grows, Lucinda faces emotions she's never before experienced. As Jake learns more about God's love for him, he realizes he must face his past and the consequences of his actions, even if it means he will lose the girl he loves. Will he be able to get his life together before someone else claims her hand... or even her life?

My review:
Lucinda Bishop is a girl who has lost everything that is dear to her, and is trying to find her place in life following the death of her parents. Jake Starnes has endured too much tragedy in his young life, and doesn’t believe that God loves him and can forgive his past sins. Lucy’s aunt, uncle, and cousins all love and support these two and encourage them to be their very best.

The mystery shootings also added an element of suspense to this book, without making it a suspenseful book, if you know what I mean. I’ve always loved the cowboy code of honor, and how they take care of damsels in distress, so I automatically fell in love with the cowboys who helped Lucy. I really liked this book and its characters and am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Sunday Funnies!

A lesson to be learned from one typing the wrong e-mail address!

A Minneapolis couple decided to go to Florida to thaw out during a particularly icy winter. They planned to stay at the same hotel where they spent their honeymoon 20 years earlier. Because of hectic schedules, it was difficult to coordinate their travel schedules.

So the husband left Minnesota and flew to Florida on Thursday, with his wife flying down the following day. The husband checked into the hotel. There was a computer in his room, so he decided to send an email to his wife. However, he accidentally left out one letter in her email address and without realizing his error, sent the email.

Meanwhile, somewhere in Houston, a widow had just returned home from her husband's funeral. He was a minister who was called home to Glory following a heart attack. The widow decided to check her email expecting messages from relatives and friends. After reading the first message, she screamed and fainted. The widow's son rushed into the room, found his mother on the floor, and saw the computer screen which read:

To: My loving wife
Subject: I've arrived
Date: December 3, 2007

I know you're surprised to hear from me. They have computers here now and you are allowed to send emails to your loved ones. I've just arrived and have been checked in. I see that everything has been prepared for your arrival tomorrow. Looking forward to seeing you then! Hope your journey is as uneventful as mine was.

P.S. Sure is hot down here!

Friday, February 19, 2010

The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth by Shelley Adina ~ 5 stars

Make sure to check out my interview and giveaway with Shelley Adina, posted today!

The Chic Shall Inherit the Earth
Shelley Adina
All About Us series #6
Faith Words - publisher
About the book:
The girls of Spencer Academy are ready to take on life after high school . . . if they can make it through their last term!

Lissa Mansfield has come a long way since transferring to Spencer Academy two years ago. She’s made a great group of friends in Gillian, Carly, Mac, and Shani. She’s strengthened and grown her relationship with God. She’s even gotten over the Callum McCloud “incident” from her first term. Now she’s set to graduate and experience college life!

But with the girls about to separate and head in different directions, Lissa is faced with some of her biggest challenges yet. Her archenemy, Vanessa Talbot, has a shocking secret—one that could destroy her reputation forever. Can Lissa act on God’s prompting and reach out to her foe when Vanessa needs a friend the most? And with college on the horizon, will Lissa and Kaz finally come to terms with their feelings for each other? High school may be ending, but the excitement has just begun!

My review:
As the girls prepare for graduation they face new and unexpected challenges. They have to make difficult decisions; both in relationships and the scary what-college-to-go-to-and-what-to-major-in choice. These girls know the importance of following God’s direction in your life, and are such a good example of teens that learn (usually through trail and error) to seek His will and use the talents He gave them.

Lissa is such a great example of Christ’s love in this book! When a certain arch-nemesis of hers is in trouble, Lissa really reaches out to her… despite discouragement from her friends. We all need to be more like Lissa in that we are willing to reach out to people in need no matter the cost to ourselves.

Shelley Adina ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today author Shelley Adina is telling us about her book, Tidings of Great Boys. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Shelley! Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born on an island in Canada, emigrated to the U.S. when I was in my twenties, and married a man from California. We’ve been living there ever since, and have eight rescue chickens that my mom calls her “grandchickens.”

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been writing since I was 13, when I started my first novel. It got rejected, of course, but in the letter, the editor said I knew how to tell a story. That was enough to keep me going until I learned how to write a book properly. I sold my master’s thesis from the M.A. in Writing Popular Fiction program at Seton Hill University to a major commercial publisher—that was my first full-length sale. Since then, I’ve had 16 books published in romance, women’s fiction, and now young adult.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in you books?
My YA books have a frothy, friendly style, as though the characters were talking to the reader as one of themselves. I’m not sure who else does it this way—maybe Jenny B. Jones? As for romance, it’s definitely there (we’re talking about 16 and 17 year old girls, after all!) but it doesn’t go beyond kissing except in It’s All About Us, where the plot of the book revolves around the idea of the technical virgin, and how far is going too far. But there’s no physical stuff, it’s mostly what’s going on in the characters’ heads.

In your own words tell us a little about Tidings of Great Boys.
The fun part about Tidings of Great Boys is that it’s about Christmas in Scotland. I had to do all kinds of research about customs and food and had to contact folks I know who live there to give me real-life examples of what they do at Christmas in their families. I learned that New Year’s is called “the bells,” i.e. you wait until the bells to sing Auld Lang Syne. And I learned about first-footing, when the first person over your threshold on New Year’s Day brings food—even if it’s one minute after midnight

Blurb-
Finals week is approaching, and Mac is still undecided on where to spend the holidays. Normally she’d go home to Scotland, but spending two weeks alone in the castle with her dad isn’t as appealing as it used to be. So she invites Carly, Lissa, Gillian, and Shani to join her for the holidays! Mac is determined to make this the best Christmas ever. She even decides to organize the traditional Hogmanay dance for New Year’s Eve. If she can get her mother involved, maybe her parents will finally get back together. But when Mac and the girls arrive in Scotland, they are faced with bad news: The castle is falling apart and Mac’s parents are struggling financially. Not only that, but Shani is in big trouble with Prince Rashid’s royal family. Can the girls find a way to celebrate the holidays, get Mac’s parents back together, save the castle, and rescue Shani ... and will Mac believe it's all part of God's plan? There’s only one way to find out!

What made you want to write this story?
Well, Mac demanded her own book and I wanted to change up the setting, which had mostly been Spencer Academy, San Francisco, and California for the other books. Since she lived in this beautiful castle and winter break was coming up, I thought, of course she’s going to want to go home for Christmas—and of course the girls all have to go with her! Then I wondered how her old childhood friends would take it when she arrived with all these Americans in tow, and, well, the story just took off from there.

What research did you have to do for this book?
Fortunately I’ve been to Scotland, so writing about the countryside and castles was sheer fun. I used Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire (http://www.rampantscotland.com/castles/blcastles_fyvie.htm) as my model for the ancestral home of Mac’s family, the MacPhails. And, as I said, I did a lot of research on holiday customs.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
British actress Holliday Grainger would make a superb Lady Lindsay MacPhail, though she’d have to become a redhead with curly hair. And Jake Abel would make a lovely Alasdair Gibson.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m working on two books at once right now, both completely different from the All About Us books. At the same time, they both have characters struggling against impossible circumstances and trying to do the right thing. As soon as one of them finds a home, I’ll be able to talk about them!

How can readers get in contact with you?
I love to hear from readers! There’s a contact button on my website at http://www.shelleyadina.com/.

What are you currently reading?
I just started an MFA program, so I’m dividing my reading between Mastering the Techniques of Teaching and Jane Eyre.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I’m a historical costumer. Right now I’m making a Victorian bustle petticoat to wear under a Victorian gown. I’m speaking on a panel about writing steampunk this summer in Nashville, so I’m going to go in costume. How fun is that?

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
I’d be a sea bird of some kind because I love the ocean.

FAVORITES:
Color?
Salmon pink.

Childhood memory?
Beachcombing.

Era to write about?
The Belle Epoch.

What is/was this book’s release date?
Tidings of Great Boys came out a couple of months ago, in September 2009.

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter of this book?
You bet: http://software.newsstand.com/bookrdr/hbg-live/BookBrowse.html?a=a5YhH8Ej2M1ueEtevXa7iOS3avEtEqDPo4WlhmpTZR0l7%2FvNfirPLxlsYZGPFV6InjIa%2FM6yHR0tIvCgPkrdSc7wwOe4LsmB2asdMzJtAYs7TVOtxvsdUMQX0YrFB0VZ&z=hbg

~~~~~
**USA residents only, please**
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Tidings of Great Boys!


To enter:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win).

*Please specify that you want to be included in the contest!

*If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.

*The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment if you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest.

*The contest will run from today (Feb. 19) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (Feb. 25). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 26th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson ~ 5 stars

Swinging on a Star
Janice Thompson
Weddings by Bella series #2
Revell - publisher
About the book:
There’s a fine line between ambitious and crazy. Bella’s just not sure where it is.

Bella Rossi’s life is nearing perfection. Not only does she have the perfect guy, but she’s also running a successful wedding-planning business and is about to plan its most ambitious wedding yet --- a Renaissance-themed fairy tale come true, complete with period costumes and foods, horse-drawn carriages, and even a castle. There’s only one hitch. The best man just happens to be Hollywood’s hottest and most eligible bachelor, and he’s showing an interest in Bella. Oh, and did we mention he’s staying at her house to avoid the paparazzi?

With all the pressure surrounding this wedding, Bella’s not sure she’s going to make it through. Add her starstruck sister and her feuding aunt and uncle, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster --- and a lot of laughs.

My review:
Janice Thompson has done it again with this great second book in the Weddings by Bella series. The characters we know and love are back and better than ever, with some new lovable characters too. But things such as a medieval wedding extravaganza, the Food Network team coming to her house (the day before the wedding), nosy little neighbor children, a serious case of mistaken identity, a startling event involving uncle Laz, and a tropical storm threaten to destroy all of Bella’s struggles for balance (and sanity). Not to mention the Hollywood hunk that is staying at her house to hide out from the paparazzi… and who seems to be falling for her. The craziness is sure to make you laugh, and the ending is sure to make you sigh. Be sure to check this series out!

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Sunday Funnies!

I Wonder...



Why do we press harder on a remote control when we know the batteries are going dead?

Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there is not enough money?

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?

Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard?

Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?

Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?

If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?

Why is it that no matter what color bubble bath you use the bubbles are always white?

Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

Why do people constantly return to the refrigerator with hopes that something new to eat will have materialized?

Why do people keep running over a string a dozen times with their vacuum cleaner, then reach down, pick it up, examine it, then put it down to give the vacuum one more chance?

Why is it that no plastic bag will open from the end on your first try?

How do those dead bugs get into those enclosed light fixtures?

Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that's falling off the table you always manage to knock something else over?

In winter why do we try to keep the house as warm as it was in summer when we complained about the heat?

How come you never hear father-in-law jokes?

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania by Cerella D. Sechrist ~ 5 stars

Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania
Cerella D. Sechrist
Love Finds You series
Summerside Press
About the book:
Chef Sadie Spencer has learned that in life, as well as in food, sour balances sweet.

After returning to her deliciously charming hometown of Hershey with a young daughter in tow, Sadie has managed to rise from the ashes following the death of her husband, the passing of her mother, and the dissolution of her career as a TV chef. With the help and encouragement of her best friend, Jasper, she opens a restaurant and looks forward to savoring the sweet side of life. That is, until a handsome Russian entrepreneur arrives in town, apparently intent on opening up his own restaurant in direct competition to hers. Sadie becomes obsessed with honing the one skill she’s never had – creating desserts – to keep up with her adversary, and in the process, she finds a love that’s simply icing on the cake.

My review:
Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania is the sometimes sweet, sometimes sour tale of Sadie Spencer’s journey towards learning to trust and learning to let go. This book will really make you think about your priorities. What are you making into a big deal that doesn’t need to be? What are you neglecting that is really important? I’m definitely going to be shuffling some things around since reading this book.

Jasper is amazing! He had so much patience and forgiveness, that I was shamed at my own lack in those areas. Grace is something I struggle with and I related to Sadie with her struggle to let go and give people grace like she has been given. Dmitri is great. I would LOVE to see him come back and have his own story made into a book. (HINT, HINT, CERELLA!) ;) I look forward to seeing what other books this author will come out with in the future!

Friday, February 12, 2010

Cerella Sechrist ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today author Ceralla Sechrist is telling us about her new book, Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania (and other stuff, see below). She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Here is the total list of things being given away:
* an autographed copy of Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania
* a handcrafted, beaded bookmark featuring a quote from the book on its reverse
* a chocolate-covered Oreo treat
* a votive candle and glass cup


Welcome, Cerella! Tell us a little about yourself.
Let’s see, here’s a list of things about me, acrostic-style!

C – Coffee. (I’m addicted.)

E – Edith Wharton (One of my favorite classical authors.)

R – Rain (I love the rain – it’s perfect to cozy up inside and read. I hate snow, though. I’m not a winter-weather kind of girl!)

E – Earth tones…(are my favorite colors! Chocolate brown, forest green, rusty red, etc.)

L – Leaves! (I love anything with a leaf design on it!)

L – Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania (My debut novel! Eeee!)

A – Autumn (My favorite season.)

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve wanted to be a writer since I was ten years old. I spent my teens and twenties, keeping up with as much of the industry as I could as well as honing technique and craft. I wrote my first book when I was sixteen years old and started submitting it to publishers at seventeen. Several manuscripts and thirteen years later, I’m finally seeing a book in print! Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania is my debut novel, but I’m hoping there will be many more to come!

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your book?
Hmmm…let’s take Rene Gutteridge’s humor (like in her Boo series), Karen Kingsbury’s knack for redemptive storylines and toss in some cookbooks, and we’ll have somewhat of the dish that I hope Love Finds You in Hershey tastes like.

I’d give it a PG-rating. For some kissing, love talk and the decimation of quite a few desserts.

In your own words tell us a little about Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Hershey tells the story of Sadie, a single mom and restaurateur who is juggling all the ingredients in her life: her impish five-year-old daughter; her best friend, Jasper, who’s falling in love with her; a handsome and mysterious Russian entrepreneur opening a competing restaurant next door; and her ne’er-do-well father’s return with the hopes of mending their broken relationship.

The thing about Sadie is that she’s got a little bit of each of us in her – she’s a little neurotic at times, she wants certain things she can’t have, and while she’s sweet, she’s feisty, too. On the way to earning her just desserts, she experiences several hilarious and heartwarming adventures, such as a denture faux-pas, a near-poisoning of one of the characters, and the loss of another’s pinkie finger tip!

Blurb-
Chef Sadie Spencer has learned that in life, as well as in food, sour balances sweet. After returning to her deliciously charming hometown of Hershey with a young daughter in tow, Sadie has managed to rise from the ashes following the death of her husband, the passing of her mother, and the dissolution of her career as a TV chef. With the help and encouragement of her best friend, Jasper, she opens a restaurant and looks forward to savoring the sweet side of life. That is, until a handsome Russian entrepreneur arrives in town, apparently intent on opening up his own restaurant in direct competition to hers. Sadie becomes obsessed with honing the one skill she’s never had – creating desserts – to keep up with her adversary, and in the process, she finds a love that’s simply icing on the cake.

What made you want to write this story?
For years, I wrote historical novels but had absolutely no luck getting any of them published. Finally, after my fourth or fifth attempt there, I thought to myself, “I want to write something completely different than what I’ve been doing. Something light, something silly but sweet and something that I‘d pick up at the end of the day and just escape into for a few hours if I were reading it.”

Having established that desire, I was suddenly filled with possibilities. I had never written a book in a modern-day setting, so it was an absolute treat to begin considering what this story would be about and what everyday interests of my own I could incorporate. I have a foodie streak, so I was really interested in having the story revolve around food.

From there, it was like adding bits and pieces to a recipe – a dash here, a dash there. I loved the idea of focusing on desserts, but I was fascinated by the idea of a chef who lacked that one ability. So Sadie was born – a woman who is very talented at cooking but cannot do the one thing she’s always wanted: create killer confectionary delights. Once Sadie was created, and I knew about her dessert obsession, it wasn’t so hard to link her to Hershey, since it’s only an hour away from where I live and is a town I absolutely adore.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I was used to writing historical time periods, which take massive amounts of research. So, to me, it felt like the research for Hershey was much simpler than what I’d been accustomed to doing! I took several trips to the town, just to get the layout in my head and enjoy how truly sweet and charming Hershey can be. Since I was already a foodie, it wasn’t hard to continue to immerse myself in a ‘food culture’ – and of course, chocolate taste-testing was occasionally required! =)

Mostly, I just spent hours in the town of Hershey itself, imagining what it would be like to live there and be in Sadie’s shoes.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
This is one of the best questions! I love mentally ‘casting’ my books – strange as it may seem, writing is a very visual thing to me. I want to be able to see it in my head so I can translate those images onto paper.

As I wrote the book, I had a rough cast in my own mind – but keep in mind, these are just my personal visions. My sister is always in complete disagreement with me on whom I cast and chooses her own actors accordingly! Feel free to do the same. =)

For Sadie, I envisioned Sandra Bullock because she had that girl-next-door, slightly funny persona. And she just feels like someone who could be your best friend, much like I feel Sadie could be. Sandra is a little older than Sadie is, so maybe Jennifer Garner would work, too!

For Jasper, it was a little tougher. My favorite description of him, in the book, is when Sadie thinks he’s like a ‘surfer dude gone country’. It’s a little hard to peg this image, so I decided if we just blend Owen Wilson (I love him!) with Keith Urban (love him, too!), maybe we’d get it just about right! Several people don’t understand my love for Owen Wilson, however, so…to each his own. I’m actually quite fond of the model picture used in my video trailer for Hershey (see the link on the main page of my website), so I’d love to slot that guy into the role!

Dmitri is tougher still, because he’s described as being extremely handsome. He’s the complete opposite of Jasper – dark and mysterious while Jasper is light and fun. I like Goran Visnjic, and he has an accent (though it’s not Russian), so he’d probably get my first vote on the matter.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
My agent is currently shopping around a contemporary women’s series in which I have the first book already written. I’d also love to have another go at a second Love Finds You story – there are so many possibilities to be had!

How can readers get in contact with you?
Feel free to contact me through my website: www.cerelladsechrist.com/contact I love to hear from readers so don’t be shy!

What are you currently reading?
Rumors, the second book in the Luxe series by Anna Godbersen. That series has been described as Edith Wharton meets Gossip Girl, and that’s just about right. I love Edith Wharton’s novels (though I don’t watch Gossip Girl!), so I’m enjoying that series. Next on the list is Just Jane by Nancy Moser.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I have an obsession with brushing my teeth. I brush several times a day. My sister was once so concerned about this, she asked the dentist if it was normal and healthy for me to brush so frequently. He told her it was fine. I would probably brush my teeth over washing my hair, if I had to choose. LOL

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
I’ve always had this fascination with whales. They’re so large and yet so majestic, graceful…regal in their own way. I can’t imagine how surreal it would be to live underwater. It’s a world with its own ethereal quality.

On the flip side, I think the Pixar movie A Bug’s Life is adorable, and being a Praying Mantis could be interesting.

FAVORITES:
TV show, and/or movie?
I’m so excited about the final season of Lost. I’ve loved that show every step of the way – every convoluted twist and turn. It’s been a challenge and a guessing game, and I adore it.

Place to go on vacation?
Williamsburg, Virginia – I get to go once a year with my mom and ‘adopted aunts’. I love that town: the history, the shopping, the countryside. We always go in the autumn, when the weather just starts to turn crisp. It’s absolutely enchanting, with the leaves changing and the historic atmosphere.

Book this year or month? Why?
Melanie Wells’s trilogy: The Day of Evil series from Multnomah Books. (When the Day of Evil Comes, The Soul Hunter, My Soul to Keep.) The first book was interesting, but the second book is where this series comes into its own. It’s a perfect blend of spiritual warfare and edge-of-your-seat mystery, along with an engaging main character (Dylan) whose dry wit had me smiling several times throughout the stories. It was one of those wonderful reader dilemmas where you can’t put the book down, but you want it to go on forever.

What is/was this book’s release date?
The official release is February 1, but it can be found online and in most stores right now!

Do you have a link to a place to read the first chapter of this book?
Absolutely! You can read the first chapter on my website, here:
http://cerelladsechrist.com/books/lfyhershey/excerpt/

~~~~~
*USA residents only, please*
Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania!

To enter:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win).

*Please specify that you want to be included in the contest!

*If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.

*The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment if you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest.

*The contest will run from today (Feb. 12) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (Feb. 18). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 19th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

The Raven Saint winner!

The winner of The Raven Saint by MaryLu Tyndall is:

RUBYNREBA!!

Congrats! I'll contact you today for your mailing address. :)

Monday, February 8, 2010

Anything But Normal by Melody Carlson ~ 4 stars

Anything But Normal
Melody Carlson
Revell Publishing
About the book:
She thought she'd left the summer behind . . .

This year should be the best of Sophie Ramsay's life. She's friends with all the right people, she's a shoo-in for editor of the school newspaper, and she's managed to turn the head of one of the hottest guys in school.

But something's not quite right. Sophie has a secret--one she won't be able to keep under wraps for much longer.

My review:
This is the first book that I have read by Melody Carlson and I enjoyed it. I’ll try to be a little vague since I don’t want to spoil the plot for someone who hasn’t read this book yet. There was a certain guy in this book that I was hoping would come to a sudden and painful end. Well, that didn’t happen, but I wasn’t expecting it to, just hoping. ;) I was a little disappointed with Sophie’s final decision, but I can understand why she would do what she did. I really liked how Sophie changed in the book, and befriended people that she probably wouldn’t have before. Sorry to be so vague, but I don’t want to give anything away! This is a good book and I liked it, but it isn’t quite my cup of tea. I tend to like books that get more in-depth with the characters and are a little longer. It is a good book that I’m sure lots of readers will really like.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sunday Funnies!


A man is walking home alone late one foggy Halloween night, when behind him he hears:



BUMP...


BUMP...


BUMP...



Walking faster, he looks back and through the fog he sees the image of an upright casket banging its way down the middle of the street toward him.



BUMP...


BUMP...


BUMP...



Terrified, the man begins to run toward his home, the casket bouncing quickly behind him.



FASTER...


FASTER...


BUMP...


BUMP...


BUMP....



He runs up to his door, fumbles with his keys, opens the door, rushes in, slams and locks the door behind him. However, the casket crashes through the door, with the lid of the casket clapping.



clappity-BUMP...


clappity-BUMP...


clappity-BUMP...



With the casket on his heels, the terrified man runs.



Rushing upstairs to the bathroom, he locks himself in. His heart is pounding; his head is reeling; his breath is coming in sobbing gasps.



With a loud CRASH the casket breaks down the door.



Bumping and clapping toward him.



The man screams and reaches for something, anything, but all he can find is a bottle of cough syrup! Desperate, he throws the cough syrup at the casket...



and,





The coffin stops.

Friday, February 5, 2010

Marylu Tyndall ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today author MaryLu Tyndall is telling us about her new book, The Raven Saint. She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, MaryLu! Tell us a little about yourself.
I live in one of the most liberal states in the Union in one of the most liberal parts of the state and probably one of the most innovative places as far as science and technology goes: The Bay Area in Northern California. It's a beautiful place to live with a mild, Mediterranean climate. An hour west of me is the gorgeous Pacific coast, and 4 hours toward the east, we have the majestic sierras. I've lived here for nearly 30 years, but my true love is the tropics of Florida where I grew up and where my entire family still lives and where I go and visit as often as I can! My husband and I have 6 children, most of them all grown up, and 3 cats currently, although we seem to attract strays! (cats, not kids)

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I’ve been writing my entire life, though it was just a hobby of mine in my younger years. I wrote poems, short stories, and novels as a teenager but I never thought I could ever get published. Once I graduated college and started working and raising a family, I had to put my writing aside for a time. It wasn’t until five years ago that I felt God calling me to pick up my pen again. Currently, I have 7 novels published and 3 more under contract. God is good!

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
I always get asked this question and I never know quite how to answer it. I don’t think my writing style is similar to any other author I’ve read. But if I had to choose, I would say perhaps Deanne Gist or Julie Lessman. My stories are not just romances, but full of adventure and action, intertwined around a strong spiritual theme. As far as the rating on the romance in my stories, I’d have to give it a PG. I would say my novels are a bit more on the edgy side than your normal Christian fare.

In your own words tell us a little about The Raven Saint.
The Raven Saint is an adventurous story of betrayal, pride, and the healing love of God. Set in the Caribbean in 1718, it follows the story of Grace Westcott, a virtuous lady who has spent her life serving God. When she is kidnapped from her home by a daring French captain who intends to sell her to the Spanish as a slave, she cannot understand why God has allowed such tragedy to befall her.

Captain Rafe Dubois hates nothing more than a religious pretence of piety. Fleeing a home of abuse and betrayal under the thumb of his self-righteous father, he became a mercenary upon the Caribbean. There isn’t any job, no matter how vile, he won’t undertake in order to amass the fortune he needs to build a hospital for the poor in his home town of Port-de-Paix.

Follow the adventures of Rafe and Grace as they sail from South Carolina to the island of Saint Dominique, to Columbia and face pirate hunters, betrayal, sword fights, seduction, and a voodoo curse.

The Raven Saint is the third book in the series Charles Towne Belles, although I don’t think you have to have read the first two books to enjoy this one. The series revolves around the parable of the seed and the sower in Matthew 13 in which each story represents one of the seeds. In this book, Grace Westcott, the heroine, represents the seed that falls on the good soil and produces a great crop. She is a woman who loves God and spends all her time in His service. But she has one tiny problem: her piety has turned into pride and her mercy into judgment.

Blurb-
Grace Westcott has spent her entire life serving God and helping the poor—not to mention trying to save the souls of her two wayward sisters. But while on an errand of mercy, she is kidnapped by a French mercenary and told she will be sold to a Spanish Don in Columbia.

Determined to hold on to her faith and see God in every situation, she believes she must have been sent to help someone find God’s love. But no one will listen to her please, warnings, and prayers.

When Grace’s situation grows far worse than she could imagine, she is forced to face her own human weaknesses. But she isn’t prepared to face her biggest weakness of all—falling in love with the nefarious captain, Rafe Dubois.

Will Grace discover god’s purpose for this harrowing journey? And what will she do when she realizes His purpose for her is not to redeem the captain and his crew, but herself?

What made you want to write this story?
When God first gave me the concept for this series from the parable of the seed and the sower in Matthew 13, I knew that I would have to write a story about the seed that falls on the good soil. The first two books in the series represent the seed that falls among the rocks and the seed that falls among the thorns. Honestly, I thought I would have a harder time writing this third book because I could identify least with the heroine. But what I discovered as I wrote Grace’s character was that I was more like her than I first realized. It is my desire that as people read this story, they will also see any hypocrisy and judgmental attitudes that exist in their own heart and allow God to burn out those seeds of pride which will keep them from loving others and growing in Him.

What research did you have to do for this book?
Quite a bit of research went into this book as well as the entire series. Specific to this story I studied the history of Saint Dominique (Present day Haiti) and what the religion of Voodoo entailed. For the entire series, I studied the workings and sailing of tall ships, the history of the Caribbean, history of Charles Towne, SC, and the clothing, customs, and language of the early eighteenth century.

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
The actress Amanda Peet looks most like I picture Grace. Dark hair, green eyes—an elegant beauty.

Orlando Bloom would have to play Rafe. The rake, scoundrel, and bad boy who possesses a heart of gold.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’ve just started writing a new series called Surrender to Destiny. The three books are set in Baltimore, MD during the War of 1812 and tell the story of three women whom God uses to change the course of history and save our great nation from tyranny. The series’ theme is about finding your God-given destiny. Each book is focused around an important battle during the War and shows how if we surrender to God and allow Him to lead us, our lives will have eternal significance.

How can readers get in contact with you?
Website: http://www.mltyndall.com/
Blog: http://www.crossandcutlass.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=181159984111&comments=#/marylu.tyndall?ref=profile

What are you currently reading?
Angel Time by Anne Rice

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I have a terrible fear of public speaking!

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
A deer. Graceful, yet timid and easily frightened.

FAVORITES:
TV show, and/or movie?
LOST / Counte of Monte Cristo

Place to go on vacation?
Carribean!

What is/was this book’s release date?
January 1st, 2010

~~~~~
**Giveaway open to any country**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of The Raven Saint!
To enter:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win).

*Please specify that you want to be included in the contest!

*If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.

*The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment if you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest.
*The contest will run from today (Feb. 5) until 10:30 CST on Thursday (Feb. 11). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 12th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

Thursday, February 4, 2010

The Country House Courtship winner!

The winner of The Country House Courtship is:
Jen Unsell!!

Congrats! I will contact you today for your mailing info.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman ~ 5 stars + Favorite!

**Make sure to check out my review of book one in this series, also posted today.**

Plain Pursuit
Beth Wiseman
Daughters of the Promise series #2
Thomas Nelson - Publisher
About the book:
Carley has given up chasing her dreams. Now her dreams are chasing her.

Carley Marek experiences culture shock when she visits her friend Lillian's family on their farm deep in Amish country. She'll get an article out of the visit--and maybe some of Lillian's newfound peace will somehow rub off on her.

Just when Carley is getting used to the quiet nature of the Plain community, Lillian and Samuel's son falls ill. But the local doctor who can offer the most help has been shunned by the community and forbidden to intervene.

As David's condition deteriorates, Dr. Noah determines to do whatever it takes to save the boy's life. Carley is caught in the middle--drawn to Noah, wanting to be helpful in the crisis--and confused by all their talk about a God she neither knows nor trusts.

Carley must decide what in life is worth pursuing...and what to do when she's pursued by a love she never expected.

My review:
Wow. For me, this book was a real tear-jerker. I cried so much! I was really touched by this story, and I love it. I really liked how this book shows that God works out everything for our good and that if we will let Him, the results of our bad choices can be turned into something great. These characters will start to grow on you, and they certainly did with me. I was so into this book that I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the next books in this series!

Thanks to BookSneeze for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman ~ 4 stars

Plain Perfect
Beth Wiseman
Daughters of the Promise series #1
Thomas Nelson- Publisher
About the book:
A search for peace in Amish country proves anything but simple for a woman on the run from life...and herself.

On the rolling plains of Lancaster County, PA., Lillian Miller is searching for her grandparents' house...and so much more. After years of neglect and abuse, she's turning to a lifestyle of simplicity among the Amish to find herself.

As she discards the distractions of her former life, she befriends the young boy working on her family's farm and his attractive widowed father, Samuel Stoltzfus. Despite Lillian's best efforts to the contrary, her feelings for Samuel--and his for her--deepen. Will Lillian find her faith in Plain living, or will she be forced to return to her former life?

My review:
While I don’t agree with some of the beliefs of Amish people, I do admire their determination to follow God’s word. I like the way that people help and support each other. I liked this book and the characters, although some of the beliefs frustrate me at times. This is a nice sweet read.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Miss Match by Erynn Mangum ~ 5/5 stars + Favorite!

Miss Match
Erynn Mangum
A Lauren Holbrook Novel, #1
NavPress- Publisher
About the book:
Lauren Holbrook has found her life's calling: matchmaking for the romantically challenged. And with the eclectic cast of characters in her world, there's tons of potential to play "connect the friends." Inspired by the recent success of matching her sister and new husband, Lauren sets out to introduce Nick, her carefree singles' pastor, to Ruby, her neurotic coworker who plans every second of every day. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything. When Lauren's foolproof plan begins to unravel, she learns that a simple introduction between friends can bring about complicated results. And as she reconsiders her new role as Cupid (as well as her vow to stay single forever), will Lauren finally decide that God's plan is always good enough?

My review:
This book is a joy to read. Erynn Mangum’s writing truly captures your attention and keeps it until the very end. I loved the characters in this book. They are crazy and funny while at the same time true-to-life and believable. Lauren is one of the few characters I’ve ever read about that I actually wish was a real person, because I think she would make a wonderful friend.

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I highly recommend this series to people who enjoy reading authors such as Jenny B. Jones, and Mary Connealy. Erynn has the same zany, lovable characters and quick wit that makes these authors so much fun to read.

I love that Miss Match was mainly inspired by Jane Austen’s books, Emma and Pride and Prejudice. I love those books and was very pleased by the similarities while not being the same book in a contemporary setting. This is a definite to-read along with the other books in this series.

Thanks to NavPress for sending me a copy of this book for reviewing.