Book Review and Giveaway for The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck @KristinBeck


The Scent of Rain
Fiction/Christian/Romance

Back of the book:

When deprived of her most prized sense, Daphne discovers a life she never expected, right under her nose.

Daphne Sweeten has left Paris—and a career she loves—in order to marry a man she loves even more. But when he stands her up on their wedding day, Daphne’s left reeling. Trained as a professional “nose” or perfume creator, Daphne soon realizes that her sense of smell has somehow disappeared too.

In the days following she moves to Dayton, Ohio, to take on a job creating fragrances for household products. Without her sense of smell, she must rely on her chemistry skills, and hope her handsome new boss, Jesse Lightner, doesn’t notice before she can figure out how to get it back.

Despite her desire to return to Paris, she can’t deny the way Jesse makes her feel. But when Daphne approaches former contacts, she learns her missing ex-fiance has somehow snagged her old job.

As Daphne and Jesse work on a signature scent for their new line, she feels God at work in her life as never before. And the promise of what is possible is as fresh as the scent of rain.



About the author:








I grew up with a strong sense of justice. I simply knew the way things should be. And since I’m not smart enough to be a district attorney, I am a novelist. My childhood was slightly confusing. I blame my parents for this. Oh heck, I’m going to blame them for everything. I think I would have turned out normal if it weren’t for them.

Okay, probably not. I am a fourth-generation Californian, and an American mutt, but identify most strongly with my Italian heritage. My mother’s family, of strong Norwegian/German descent, tried to teach me how to do things right. How to cook, clean, sew, budget accordingly—all the things a proper young girls should know to be a contributing member of society. I however, failed miserable. For my 40th birthday, my grandmother gave me a cookie gun, so it’s clear she hasn’t given up on me yet! That is eternal optimism!

My dad’s Italian family taught me about the good life. The indulgent life. How to eat, shop and be merry. My Nana had very tiny feet and a penchant for shoes (she worked at the Emporium, no doubt to fund her shoe addiction). My afternoons at her house had no lessons, other than how to walk in her high heels, drape myself in her mink stole and drip myself with rhinestones. Tastefully, of course. I picked up on this lifestyle much quicker.

I graduated San Jose State University with a degree in Journalism and Mass Communications (emphasis in Advertising), gave my life to Jesus during college and found my true love in a Christian Singles’ Group, which yes, I skewer in What a Girl Wants. He is German. Practical. And a Contributing Member of Society. I am still Italian, fluffy and an aficionado of fine shoes and handbags.

Together, we have four children and now it’s our turn to confuse them. The circle of life. Dysfunctional family style.

My thoughts:

Have you ever had one of those days that starts out perfect but ends far short of that?  We meet Daphne on her wedding day. A day that has been planned out to the tiniest detail. She has the perfect location, perfect cake and of course the perfect designer dress. The only little snag in the day is the groom. He decided not to show. In fact the whole groom’s side of the church is empty.

Can this really be happening? She has given up a prestigious career in the perfume industry in Paris to take a job in Ohio to create fragrances for the home. All for the creep that doesn’t bother to show up for their wedding. Where is the groom you ask? In Paris of course, taking the job that Daphne just gave up. Where does that leave Daphne? In Ohio where the disasters just continue to pile up.

I loved meeting Daphne. She’s definitely a girl I could relate to. Let me tell you how she is described in the book. “On a Friday night, Daphne was either at the archery range or testing scents in her home office—maybe if she was really feeling wild, she’d knit.” I say three cheers for the introvert!

This is a great book about a woman that has real struggles. She gets thrown to the ground over and over again, but by God’s grace she continues to get back up again. I think it will not only make you laugh but it will make you think and evaluate your own life. It is one of those books that can be read just as a light read or you can go below the surface and contemplate what is important in this life we are living.

Favorite quotes:

How could God take away her most precious gift? It made her wonder if she’d done something wrong, something she wasn’t aware of that harmed another. But God wanted good for her, for all of His children, so she kept looking for the lesson in her affliction. God had His reasons. Reasons she might never understand, but still she ruminated on possibilities.

“It’s the scent of rain. Like God’s mercies are new every day, the scent of rain washes away what’s old and begins fresh.”


Giveaway:

One reader will win a copy of The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck. Open to US and CA 18+. Giveaway will end 09/03/2012 at 12:01 am EST. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below to be entered!

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14 comments:

  1. The book sounds very interesting. I love reading Christian fiction, and look forward to reading your book sometime.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would like to win this for my book club.

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  3. I'd love to win this for myself.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'd like to win this for myself.

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  5. myself! sounds so good! thanks!

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  6. I'd like to win it for me because it sounds really good. I would share it with others after I read it though!

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  7. This would be for my neighbor!

    theyyyguy@yahoo.com

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  8. For myself. Sounds like a great read.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Please Enter Me In Your Book Giveaway.
    It Would Be Great To Win A Copy of
    The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck.
    In Response To Your Question Of Who would you like to win this for?
    I Would Like To Win This For Myself But When I Was Done
    Reading It I Would Let My Mother Read It.
    Thanks For Having This Giveaway!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would like to win this for myself.

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  11. For myself

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