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!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
“Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or
Services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it
on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally
and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance
With the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides concerning the
Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The book sounds very interesting. I love reading Christian fiction, and look forward to reading your book sometime.
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