The Dream Dress by Janice Thompson ~ A Contemporary Romance Book Review

The Dream Dress

Weddings by Design, Book 3

Janice Thompson

Contemporary Romance

Back of the book:

Big dreams take big leaps of faith . . . but what if you trip on the way?

A lowly seamstress at a swanky bridal boutique, Gabi Delgado dreams of doing more than ripping out seams and fitting dresses to doe-eyed brides. She wants to see her own original dress designs gracing the young women of Texas. But when Jordan Singer, reporter for Texas Bride magazine, visits the shop to do a feature, Gabi is humbled in his influential--and unnervingly handsome--presence.

Convinced she'll never get her dreams off the ground now, Gabi needs lots of encouragement--especially from her friend Bella Neeley--to take a chance and start her business. And as she gets to know Jordan, she discovers that she may have to take a chance on love as well.

Read An Excerpt!

My thoughts: 

The first book by Janice Thompson I read was Fools Rush In. It is from the Weddings By Bella series which is the precursor for this series. My whole book club loved it because it was so widely appealing. It had depth and humor.

This new series, Weddings by Design, and in particular The Dream Dress continues that great writing style of Janice's that we have all come to love and expect. This particular book focuses in on Gabi Delgado, a wanna be wedding dress designer consigned to being the alterations girl at a prestigious salon.

Gabi is somewhat patiently biding her time trying to work her way up to being a designer. The situation seems pretty bleak but she is determined. Then one day along comes Jordan Singer, a reporter from a well known magazine, and her world turns upside down.

This book strikes just the right cord. There are new characters to get to know, family members that you want for your own, and old friends that you can catch up with from past books. The women at Haute Couture Bridal are an interesting group and the boss Demetri Markowitz keeps everyone hopping. Gabi's grandmother, Mimi Carmen, is an absolute delight. Who wouldn't want a grandma like that? Bella and the whole crew at Club Wed are so much fun to be around. Makes you want to be part of the family. 

I really think that you can read The Dream Dress as a stand alone title. But if you want my experienced opinion you really should read the whole Weddings by Design series. Actually you should absolutely indulge yourself and go back and start with the Weddings by Bella. You won't be disappointed . . . I promise!

Connect with the author:

www.JaniceAThompson.com

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Twitter ~ @booksbyjanice

The Language of Shoes ~ A to Z Lingo of Footwear

I don't know about you, but I just have a thing for shoes. I was browsing online and came across this cute infograph from Mozimo that describes the different terms used when describing footwear. Who knew there were so many terms?!!

I've heard of most of the terms, but some of them were a little unclear to me as to what they mean. But thanks to this great chart I am officially in the know.

The State Of Sex ~ A Giveaway For Pulling Back The Shades

Mommy porn has been around for a long time, but something about '50 Shades' struck a cord with women everywhere. The writing is poor and the scenarios are unrealistic but the books still sold like hot cakes. Something about these books really tapped into some of our deepest longings as women.

But do they help or do they just twist what God made us to desire? What's okay and what's not okay in a healthy relationship? Do we have to decide to be spiritual or sexual? Or is it possible to be both?

Read An Excerpt!

In the newly released book, Pulling Back The Shades, Dannah and Juli take apart the themes of books like '50 Shades' and break it down into five different areas that we women are drawn to and that these books seem to capitalize on. Without heaping shame on those that read these types of books, they point out the reasons we are drawn to them and why we need to be careful what we are reading. Many of these books take a very healthy and normal desire and twist it just enough to distort the good.

Pulling Back The Shades is a very thought provoking book that takes a forthright approach to sexual intimacy. It is addressed to women of all ages and backgrounds and talks plainly about the dangers of erotica for both single and married women.

Juli and Dannah look at erotica from a spiritual and sexual viewpoint. They provide sound Biblical teaching and use personal stories from women that have been affected by erotica. The goal is to help women navigate this uncharted territory and discover how to embrace their sexuality and spirituality.

We were so impressed with this brutally honest book that we wanted to introduce it to our readers and give several of you a chance to read it for yourselves! We are partnering with Authentic Intimacy and Igniting Women Books to giveaway 10 copies of the book.

For your chance to win one of the 10 copies, just use the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is open to all U.S. residents.


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A March Bride by Rachel Hauck ~ A Contemporary Fiction Book Review

A March Bride

A Year of Weddings, Book 4

Rachel Hauck

Contemporary Fiction

About the book:

A year's worth of novellas from twelve inspirational romance authors. 

Happily ever after guaranteed.

Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from marrying her prince, King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom.

But when a final request comes from the government for her to renounce her American citizenship, couple with the lack of attendance to her wedding by family and friends, doubt seeds her heart. Is this God’s plan for her?

Losing Susanna is Nathaniel’s greatest fear. Marrying a king means her life will never be her own — right down to her very identity.

When she travels home to Georgia before the wedding, Nathaniel is unsure she’ll return. Gathering his courage, he devices a plan to win his bride all over again and prove her heart is the “kingdom” which he treasures above all.

My thoughts:

Last year I read Once Upon A Prince and totally delighted in the fairy tale romance of Nathaniel and Susanna. Can you imagine falling in love and finding out you are actually dating the future King of Brighton? That story ended just after the engagement but before the wedding took place. It was one of those stories that you knew was destined to be a happily ever after, but you sure would like to read more of the story.

Well, much to my delight A March Bride is a continuation of Susanna and Nathaniel's love story. We pick back up about three weeks before the big wedding. Something has Nathaniel stressed and a bit distant. Susanna of course comes to the wrong conclusion that begins a downward spiral in their relationship. Nathaniel jumps to another conclusion and the misunderstandings just begin to compound.

This is a very quick read but it is packed with so much. There is a great love story, heavy on the romance! But there are also some very big life lessons included. I enjoy Rachel's writing because she tells a great story but she also reminds us through that story that there is more to life than what is in front of us. In A March Bride we are reminded that this is not our home, that our citizenship is meant for heaven and our true bridegroom is the Prince of Peace. I'm really looking forward to the continuation of the Royal Wedding series.

A Year of Weddings Series

A December Bride by Denise Hunter

A January Bride by Deborah Raney

A February Bride by Betsy St. Amant

A March Bride by Rachel Hauck

An April Bride by Lenora Worth

A May Bride by Meg Moseley

A June Bride by Marybeth Whalen

A July Bride by Beth Wiseman

An August Bride by Debora Clopton

A September Bride by Kathryn Springer

An October Bride by Katie Ganshert

A November Bride by Beth K. Vogt

Connect with the author:

RachelHauck.com

Twitter ~ @RachelHauck

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My Amish Boyfriend by Melody Carlson ~ A Teen Fiction Book Review

My Amish Boyfriend

Melody Carlson

Teen Fiction/Amish Fiction

Back of the book:

Shannon's summer just got a whole lot more . . . Amish?

Shannon McNamara has exciting plans for the summer--getting her driver's license, a job, and more--and she can't wait to dive in. But her ill mother has plans of her own: to relocate them both to the heart of Amish country in Ohio where she has relatives who can help her.

Turns out a "simple" life is actually a lot of hard work. But when a hot young Amish guy named Ezra enters the picture, Shannon's ready to get an Amish makeover and even consider making it a permanent change. Will these plans come crashing down around her too? Or can she really make the jump into a whole new way of life?

Teen favorite Melody Carlson brings fans another surprising story of worlds--and families--colliding.

Read An Excerpt!

My thoughts:

Melody Carlson is well known for her fabulous Christmas stories, but she has also become prominent in the teen fiction genre. Melody has the distinct ability to write in a way that instantly connects with her adolescent audience. Her books often talk about subjects that are not addressed in other Christian fiction books.

In this story we meet Shannon McNamara who is a sixteen-year-old that has a lot of responsibility. Her father died when she was young and her beloved mother has a debilitating illness that leaves Shannon shouldering most of the weight of the household. The story picks up just as school is recessed for the summer. Shannon has plans for some personal freedom that get put on hold when they suddenly relocate to the Amish community where her mother grew up.

Once they are at her grandparent's house, things really begin to change. The handsome Ezra quickly catches Shannon's eye and she begins to contemplate becoming Amish herself. But are her motives honest? Does she really want to become a devout believer and assume all the requirements of the Ordnung? Or is this just another way to escape from a life that has become overwhelming?

I think this is a book that many teens will be able to easily relate to. I thought that the Amish lifestyle was portrayed honestly. Very few teens will be confronted with the choice of becoming Amish, but most teens do face some of the same challenges that are presented in the story.

Connect with the author:

www.MelodyCarlson.com

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