Book Review: The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

I liked the up beat tone of this story even with the troubles present in the opening pages.

The Scent of Rain

by Kristin Billerbeck

• File Size: 600 KB
• Print Length: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 7, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0078FABW2

Genre: Inspirational Fiction
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: August 7, 2012

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.

Review:  
Daphne is a ‘professional nose.’ She has always been able to distinguish scents and she had a prestigious job with one of the most important perfumers in Paris. But she was willing to give up her position to marry for love. To her dismay her fiancé doesn’t show up for the big society wedding.

Daphne doesn’t know why Mark didn’t show but she admits that she had some niggling at the rehearsal dinner that all was not right. Rather than beg her old boss for her job back, or stay in San Francisco to suffer the whispers of society, she decides to travel on to Dayton, Ohio where she and Mark had arranged jobs and a home waiting. Granted the job she is going to is for formulation at a household products company and they think she will rescue the company by her special ‘nose’ ability.  Now she faces a whole new problem... after leaving the wedding she lost her sense of smell. She hopes it is temporary - a cold or stress - and that she can start her job using her chemistry skills to create.

Daphne’s new boss, Jesse, isn’t thrilled to have his boss, Dave, force the budget expense of a ‘nose’ on him instead of using other ideas that Jesse has suggested to turn around his division. Jesse isn’t prepared for the impact Daphne has on him as a man who still grieves the loss of his wife.  Jesse’s main goal has been to spend more time raising his three year old son but he finds himself caught up in the struggles and stresses of succeeding at work.

I really loved Daphne’s positive attitude toward life even during her disappointments with a groom that doesn’t show, moving alone to a new town, discovering her new home is a horrible fix-er upper and then learning her ex-fiancé got her old job in Paris. And she is facing her new challenges with the loss of what she might have thought as her most valuable asset, her ‘nose.’ I enjoyed how Daphne was able to use emotional definitions in creating smells and ideas for products.  Jesse is a nice character too: dedicated to his son, struggling with balancing his business and personal needs and conflicted by the stresses of having a boss overwhelm his own suggestions and better judgment.

The story read very smoothly with an up beat tone even in the midst of the struggles and conflicts. In addition to the troubles, there are fun experiences in the story.  The romance is light and developed almost reluctantly. There is a bit of mystery and a surprising twist in the resolution of the story. The spiritual aspects are nicely portrayed in the characters’ actions and attitudes.  The source of the title is a nice connection too. I recommend this book as a light romance and upbeat story. I hope to read more stories by this author.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Daphne's positive outlook:

"It’s the same job. Less romance, as you pointed out. But as the Bible says, there’s a time for everything under the sun. A time for sensual pleasures and a time for washing the dishes. This is my time to wash the dishes and make that job a more pleasurable experience."  Location 475.

No one probably saw her situation as dire as she did. Resilience was required. Life was meant to be lived triumphantly, not passed in the dark corners of one’s worst moments.  Location 967.

Thank you to Ruthie at Thomas Nelson who provided this book through NetGalley.

This story is set in Dayton, Ohio for my Where Are You Reading Challenge.I will also add it to my ARC list.

Book Review: Foolish Games by Karen Wiesner

This is another beautiful, inspirational story from Karen Wiesner.

Foolish Games

by Karen Wiesner

Book 3 of the Family Heirlooms Series

Reissue available now from Whiskey Creek Press
978-1-61160-015-5 (trade paperback); 978-1-61160-014-8 (electronic)
Click here for a printable order form
The paperback may be available at a significant discount with this special order form
Paperback from Amazon.com
Download from Amazon.com
Download from BN.com

Genre: Inspirational Contemporary Romance

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

(Book Description from Amazon)

Publication Date: April 6, 2010

Falling in love will take letting go of their fears. That, or a miracle…

Nuggets of faith can be passed down as family heirlooms from parent to child, sibling to sibling, spouse to spouse.

Family Heirloom, Book Three – Healing

A year after he lost his beloved wife, Peter Samuels still struggles with overwhelming grief. As the sole caretaker of growing children, the first anniversary of her death hits especially hard as he faces the world without a partner.

There is only one man for Kimberly Wolfe. Her boss, Peter. But he’s taken. First, by a marriage she envied from afar. Now by his grief. However, she’s used to the idea that happily-ever-after may never happen, not with a childhood haunted by a domineering father who used the Bible to justify his God-given place as the head of their household. A father who still refuses to repent for the wrong he’s done. Kim has tried, but forgiveness comes hard when trust is in short supply.

An innocent kiss on New Year’s leads to a growing awareness—of each other, and of the gaping holes in their lives that only love can fill. But before they can take the first steps on the road to healing, first they have to build a bridge…

Review:

Kimberly is a beautiful, caring and giving young woman. She is loved by many in her community. She was raised in a troubled household with a father who used the Bible and scripture to brow beat her mother under the description of “submission.” After her mother died and Kimberly had a violent altercation with her domineering father she found the courage to move out on her own. Although Kimberly would love to have a family of her own she is not sure she can ever find a man who will not use his position as “protector” to make decisions for her and ‘keep her in line’ as her father did to her mother and tried to do to her.

Peter is Kimberly’s boss and she has had a crush on him for years. But she had always honored his happy marriage. Now Peter has been a widower for a year and Kimberly is wondering if it might be possible for him to care for her. Peter recognizes that his children and his family all care for Kimberly. Suddenly he is seeing her in a new way. Is it possible that it would be all right for him to love a second time?

There are several secondary story-lines running along with Kimberly and Peter’s sweet romance.
Peter’s younger sister, Samantha, is ready to go to college and begin to move apart from her family. Yet her father, the local Pastor, wants her to help him witness to a young man being counseled under a delinquency program. Samantha is frightened of the boy but she continues to honor her father’s demands rather than disobey him.

Ms. Wiesner weaves some excellent Christian dilemmas and good responses and truths through the story-lines. The characters’ deal with issues including submission, forgiveness, the fine line of honoring parents and exercising personal discernment.

As usual Karen Wiesner writes wonderfully real and warm characters with real life scenarios. I love how both characters trusted God and were willing to let Him lead to get things right. Kimberly’s fear was almost unreasonable but that is easy for me to say never having been in such an abusive situation. I found it difficult and sad that Kimberly had such trouble forgiving her father and that caused only more pain and bondage for her.

I recommend this story for enjoyment and for sound biblical solutions in difficult life issues. I have enjoyed many stories now by Ms. Wiesner. If you enjoy christian romance I hope you will try her books.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Some of Peter's thoughts:

Kimberly helped him refocus. She accepted that the Lord was God, and His reasons weren’t humanly understandable to them.  Location 488.

Either he accepted the bad with the good in life, or he didn’t. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t leave the Lord behind because he’d trusted Him as long as he could remember. That was that. Location 496

Kimberly’s wise advice to Samantha:

You need to decide what the Lord wants you to do. He’s leading you. Even with the best of intentions, someone else could steer you wrong. Location 1069.

Thank you to Karen Wiesner for providing this for review.

Book Review: Home by Karen Wiesner

This story has an emotionally struggling protagonist.

Home
by Karen Wiesner
Inspirational Romantic Fiction
978-1-921636-76-9 (electronic);
978-1-105-20118-9 (trade paperback)
Available now in electronic formats by
Writers Exchange E-Publishing
and trade paperback by http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/karenwiesner
Download from Smashwords
Download from Amazon.com

Genre: Inspirational Romance
My Rating:  4.0 of 5.0

Description:

Small-town girl Ayodele "Della" Flynn lives in a city she abhors, where danger seems to be lurking around every corner. When her husband dies very unexpectedly, she's confronted with figuring out where her home is with her young son River and trying to come to terms with the loose ends her husband left their lives in.

Review: If you like emotional drama, this book has some to share.
Della was born in small town, Peaceful, Wisconsin and she wasn’t happy about moving to Chicago when her husband, Declan, pushed her to do so for his business.  She always hoped the move would be temporary. When she became pregnant with their son, River, he became the focus of her love. The family lives in a ramshackle apartment in an area that is unsafe.  The money that Declan and his partner, Hannah, made from the sale of the business was reinvested in a new business that is failing. Della has to walk to a nearby waitress job just to have money to keep food in the house. All of this leads to resentment and a deterioration of Della and Declan’s relationship.

When Della discovers that Declan has betrayed their seventeen year marriage it is the last straw.  Della announces that she is taking River and moving back “home”.  As Della prepares to leave town, she gets a call from Hannah advising that Declan is dead! Hannah is understandably distraught and she keeps harping about having a share of the insurance.  Della is less than sympathetic to Hannah’s situation and has to cope with her own, and River’s, shock and grief.

Declan’s parents and a nephew, Cade, drive in to bring Della and River home to Peaceful. Cade has always been interested in Della, but Declan got to her first. He quickly bonds with River and is a huge help but Della is too injured to consider a new relationship.

There are some interesting details regarding Declan’s death that add intrigue and vengeful actions by Hannah bring a bit of suspense. Primarily though the story is focused on Della’s emotional turmoil. Some of her thoughts made me contemplate. For example, which comes first: the husband’s loss of self-esteem or the wife’s loss of respect when he doesn’t do more to support the family?  Either way it is a downhill spiral unless someone takes steps to stop the disastrous cycle.

I liked Della’s fierce love for her son and her steadfastness. However, I thought she had been too weak for so many years and part of the decline in the relationship has to lay on her shoulders. She eventually recognizes she needs to be less self absorbed and she needs to rely more on God than in her own strengths.  Particularly she has to allow God to heal her issues of extreme distrust and fear if she is ever to be able to love again.

This story is told in first person by Della.  Although technically well written, I thought this presentation resulted in a bit of  “telling” rather than showing. I honestly prefer stories with less drama and more action.  Ms. Wiesner has the ability to create real to life characters and situations but the protagonist here is not my favorite. Although Della’s emotional trauma is very real, I was annoyed that she had such a struggle to get beyond the past betrayal and pain of loss.  This is an easy enough read but the pace was less motivated due to the weight of the unhappy emotions. Readers who enjoy emotional drama might well like this story a bit more than I did. Ms. Wiesner is a wonderful author with many stories to choose from and enjoy and I look forward to reading more of her works.

 Thank you to the author for this book to read and review.

I will add this to Chicago for my Where Are you Reading Challenge and to my ARC challenge.

Book Review: Baby, Baby by Karen Wiesner

Once again Ms. Wiesner has crafted real to life characters in a warm, believable story.

Baby, Baby [Family Heirlooms Series Book 1]  
by Karen Wiesner

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 377 KB
• Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC (April 1, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0056HP6QK

     Genre:  Christian Fiction, Inspirational Romance
     My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description Book One Family Heirloom: Accepting God’s will A Proverbs 31 wife wonders, does “submissive” mean giving up having anything of her own?

Thirty-seven-year-old Tamara Wolfe married her childhood sweetheart, Robert, right out of high school and proceeded to have a passel of children who fill her life to capacity. With the last of her children in preschool, Tamara decides to make a business out of her long-time love of creating designer gift baskets. She doesn’t expect Robert to be against it from her first word.

Robert has always prided himself on giving Tamara the option of staying home to raise the children, just as his father did before him. Since birth, it’s been drilled into him that a man who doesn’t provide for his family is the worst kind of loser. What will happen if her business takes off? She won’t have time to take care of the family. Worse, maybe she won’t need him anymore.

Although they’d agreed years before their family was complete, Robert considers that perhaps the cure for Tamara’s restlessness is another baby.

Tamara prays for wisdom. All she wants is a small space of time for herself. Is she being selfish? Or is God leading her to continue being an outdated model of the Proverbs 31 wife--submissive, but never equal?

Review:

Tamara and Robert have had a nice marriage raising several children together. They have shared their ups and downs and most importantly have shared their faith. As their youngest child enters pre-school, Tamara is encouraged by a stranger to market the gift baskets that have been a labor of love for her to make special and give as gifts. Before she even realizes it Tamara is buying the materials and passing out flyers through her friends and sister-in-law who think this is a grand idea.

Unfortunately, when Tamara presents the idea to Robert he is angered and threatened. Robert’s father had always insisted that it was the husband’s responsibility to provide for the family and his wife had no business going out to work. Robert had no idea how limiting this was for his mother and he has managed to forget his mother’s unhappiness at the restrictions placed on her.

Robert argues that setting up the basket business will effect Tamara’s household and family life. Also he insists that they don’t need the extra money that she could bring in. Even if it would help with upcoming college expenses which will stress their  budget if he doesn’t get the promotion he is fighting for at work.

Robert is a worrier and has had times of depression that Tamara has patiently worked through. Now he gets more tense as the promotion looks like it will go to a less qualified co-worker. He also wonders if Tamara might be attracted to another man at their church who has had a secret crush on her for years. Tamara is concerned that Robert may even be trying to force her to get pregnant to keep her with young ones so she can’t develop this side interest.  His behavior causes pain and hurt for Tamara and frightens his sister who thinks that he will be unreasonably dictatorial like their father.

Tamara is a beautiful, loving and supportive character - I’d love a friend like her. Robert’s work stresses are very vivid to me as my husband had to deal with a similar situation. The tension builds and secrets are revealed. The couple experiences much stress and some estrangement before they can talk clearly and hear each other’s concerns and desires. This communication problem is so real in life, as are the problem of worrying too much and the issue of submission being improperly used as a tool of control in some Christian households.

The writing flows well and kept me engaged in the interesting problems. I was anxious to learn how the matters were resolved.  I highly recommend reading Ms. Wiesner’s works if you enjoy life-like stories that deal with real Christian issues.

Interesting quotes:
Tamara's thoughts:
Has she been so giving that her own husband felt no compunction about being selfish and insensitive to her?  Location 1533

Tamara to a friend whose husband isn’t a believer:
“Ed doesn’t own your soul. The Lord does, and He wants to be the source of your reliance.”  Location 2033

Thank you to the Author for this book to enjoy and review.

Book Review of Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3]

This mystery story includes warm characters, realistic scenarios and interesting life issues.

Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3]  

by Karen Wiesner 

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 483 KB
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Whiskey Creek Press LLC (June 15, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0058OCJZC

    Genre:  Inspirational Romance, Mystery
    My Rating:  4.0 of 5.0

 

Product Description
Erin Shanley, a hospice nurse, turns amateur sleuth when she realizes that some of her patients are being swindled out of their life savings by the new “psychic” fortunetellers in Briar’s Point. She confides in her neighbor, Detective Tyler Shaw, whom she grew up alongside and considers her best friend.

Tough guy Ty has been in love with Erin since their disastrous first attempt at a romantic relationship when they were teenagers. Erin has been skittish about love since she discovered her father was cheating on her mother—and Ty is so much like her father. How can she risk loving a reckless, restless adventurer when her mother’s loyalty to a man like that brought her so much pain? But when Erin’s bumbling sleuthing attempts arouse someone’s wrath, she realizes her heart isn’t the only thing in danger.

Review:

Erin is a caring, nurturing person both at home and in her work. She is a homemaker who cans fruits and vegetables from her own garden, cooks wonderful meals and stays close to home with her two younger sisters. At work she is a warm compassionate hospice nurse.

Erin and her neighbor, Ty, were sweethearts in high school. But she felt betrayed because Ty and his family knew of her father’s infidelities but they didn’t tell Erin or her mother. Erin hasn’t forgiven her father and doesn’t trust any man, including Ty.

Ty grew up with restless parents who were eager to go off to the woods to hunt. Ty does enjoy hunting but he loves to be home and views Erin as the perfect homemaker.  Although Ty made a mistake getting involved with the wrong woman when in his early twenties, he has since realized that the only woman he wants is Erin.  He is a steady and reliable police detective and a good neighbor who helps Erin and her sisters whenever he can.  He wants to do whatever is necessary to prove to Erin that he is not like her father.

Erin allows her life to be controlled, almost consumed, by worry and fear. She is distressed when a couple move into a vacant house on the block and put out a sign that they are spiritualists and fortunetellers.  One of Erin’s patients thinks that her jewelry has been stolen. When Erin and Ty discuss the investigation they realize that the spiritualists are visiting the elderly patients and getting them to sign over assets.

I really liked Ty’s strong and reliable character.  I also liked Erin’s warm personality but her worry and distrust were too much. The book is full of interesting discussions. There are arguments on the pros and cons of recreational hunting, the pros and cons of celebrating Halloween and how to react to spiritualists. Also the story reveals difficulties in proving criminal cases of coercion.

Unfortunately I feel that the first part is bogged down with repetition of Erin’s distrust and worry. This became frustrating for me.  I think the story would have been improved by shortening that portion and still could get across the valid point that worry can cause us to live in cocoons instead of living a full life. Once the story moved into the mystery it was on more solid footing, was very engaging and moved quickly. I appreciate Ms. Wiesner’s smoothly descriptive writing that reveals realistic characters in real life mystery scenarios.  I also enjoy the faith based messages that are not preached but are woven into the story.

I liked that the characters from Retired and on the Rocks and Love is Blind...And It Don't Pay the Bills Either, books 1 and 2 in the Denim Blues series, were included in this story. This was a nice addition to the series but I would recommend reading them in order.

Find more wonderful and award winning books at Karen's Website.

Book Review and Giveaway 2 Copies: A Match Made in Heaven by Shari MacDonald

Get ready to laugh at an unexpected match for a wacky match maker.

A Match Made in Heaven

by Shari MacDonald

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (February 16, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157856137X
• ISBN-13: 978-1578561377

 Genre:  Romantic Comedy (Christian Fiction)
My Rating:  4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 16, 1999
The Salinger Sisters Series spins the tales of four sisters who find love–in spite of themselves. The love–and laughs–began in Love on the Run and continue in Book Two, A Match Made in Heaven. Lucy Salinger has always been brilliant at making matches–for everyone else. But though she is owner and leading “matchmaker” at one of the most prestigious dating services in Los Angeles, Lucy finds herself withdrawing from every man who might be interested in dating her.

Then handsome and successful behavioral psychologist Dr. Campbell Howard comes into her office…and Lucy proceeds to set him up on the most disastrous dates in dating history! Is Lucy just losing her touch? Or is she, on a subconscious level, choosing women she knows aren’t right for Cam…just so she can save him for herself?

Review: This is a sweet, fun, and light romance.
Lucy has surprised herself, her family and the public by being a successful match maker. She seeks God’s guidance in her business which is ironically called “Rent-a-Yenta.” She has three sisters who are close and somewhat concerned that Lucy can find a match for others but not herself. Lucy has a vivacious assistant, Gabby, who wants to take on some match making duties if only Lucy would loosen up the controls.  Lucy claims that being left at the altar by her college sweetheart has nothing to do with the fact she barely dates.  Her loved ones and friends suspect she has some trust and control issues.

One morning an eccentric woman comes in seeking Lucy’s services for her brother, a shy, stay at home psychologist. The case is presented as an emergency because her brother stands to lose a substantial inheritance if he doesn’t marry by the age of 30 which is coming up in a month!  Lucy’s ethics object to rushing a match. Besides she isn’t sure she can help the man based on the geeky picture the sister presents.

Dr. Campbell Howard steps in the office to find Lucy with head on her desk and drooling! Let the craziness begin! Campbell is a handsome, trim fellow and Lucy has no idea of his identity as they begin to talk and banter. There is immediate easy exchange between them and although Lucy agrees to accept him as a client  she senses some reluctance within herself. 

Campbell and Lucy are clearly drawn to each other but Lucy insists on sending him on dates. She is somewhat relieved that the dates aren’t going well even though she knows she isn’t being fair to his search.

There is a lot of wackiness in Lucy’s behavior and sweet tenderness in Campbell’s. But it seems that Lucy’s fear may sabotage her own chances to have a meaningful relationship. 

I liked that the faith expressed in the story is presented as part of the lives of the characters. The emotions and lessons are natural and not preachy.  The story is very cute and my book club group agreed it was a nice, easy read - no deep thinking required - that was just what they needed for a break in their busy lives.

I have two copies of this book left over from the group I purchased for book club.
TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for print copy - TWO WINNERS:
1. Tell me if you ever tried a dating service or if you know of anyone who had success with a match maker. :-) This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on December 2, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on December 3. Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and eBook Giveaway: Renegade Hearts by Anne Patrick

This is a story that woes your heart.

Renegade Hearts

by Anne Patrick

Format: DRM Free ePub
Vendor: Desert Breeze
Publication Date: 2011
ISBN: 9781612520810
ISBN-13: 9781612520810
[Linked to Christianbook.com; also available at Amazon, B&N]
Genre: Inspirational Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Description
Single mother, Jenny Holloway, has her hands full running a 1200-acre ranch, and keeping her daredevil son out of the emergency room. So when her foreman suggests she hire on his son Gil Montgomery, who just got home from the war, Jenny jumps at the opportunity of having another skilled cowboy around. Gil was used to taking orders, even from women. What he wasn't prepared for was the feelings this little firecracker of a woman triggered in him. Jenny is a lot like the bronco she's rescued and is now trying to break. The unexpected death of her husband has left her jaded and afraid to risk her heart getting broken again. Somehow, he has to gain her trust and prove that he isn't going anywhere.

Review: This is a plus, plus read for me: horses, a little suspense and warm family romance.

Jenny is a strong woman fighting to continue the success of the cattle ranch she and her husband, Rick, struggled to build. Jenny has learned that she has to be tough so she isn’t taken advantage of in the competitive and tough world of cattle breeding. Her husband has been dead for several years and in addition to the ranch, Jenny has her hands full with their 10 year old son, Zach.

Gil is the 32 year old son of the ranch foreman. He has returned home to recover from injuries received in Iraq. Gil is glad to have the hard ranch work to distract him from his war memories. Even more distracting is the feisty boss lady. Even though she is experienced and capable it is clear that she is trying to handle everything by herself. When he sees her face down a rogue horse he is ready to step in and protect her. She may not think she wants or needs another man around, but Gil is determined to show her he is the right man to help her with the ranch and with raising a young boy.

It is wonderful that Gil realizes the importance of developing a relationship with Zach as well as going slowly with Jenny. Jen has to be coaxed to see that she can take the risk of loving again.

The characters are real and draw you into their world. Even young Zach is a well developed character and you can feel the exuberant boy in him. The author portrays good detail for the cattle ranching and breeding business that provides fullness for the setting and plot. There are trained horses, horses to be trained and foals to marvel over. The plot includes a bit of thievery and suspense, in addition to the romance. Both plot elements kept me interested in how things would be handled. 

There are gentle themes of forgiveness and obedience together with underlying threads of lives grounded in faith, miracles and blessings. The writing flows beautifully.  Although there were one or two minor items that seemed repeated that didn’t bother my full enjoyment.  This is a truly lovely, sweet read that will leave you with a nice “ahhh” felling when it is done.

Anne writes suspense, sweet romance and inspirational romance.  I met Anne through The Sweetest Authors group where there are wonderful authors writing sweet stories. This is the third story I have read by Anne and I feel confident to say that I will always be glad to pick up her works for an encouraging, refreshing, sometimes suspenseful, and always warm read.

Thank you to Anne for the ARC to enjoy and review. Anne is generously offering an eBook copy to one lucky commenter.

OPEN WORLDWIDE.
TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY FOR an eBook Copy of Renegade Hearts:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3.  For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* Open Worldwide.
* This contest will close 10:00 PM (Central) on November 25, 2011.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 26. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review: Love is Blind...And It Don't Pay the Bills Either by Karen Wiesner

Real characters, mystery with suspense and sweet romance are a good combination.

My Rating:  4.25 of 5.0

LOVE IS BLIND...AND IT DON'T PAY THE BILLS EITHER
Book 2 of the Denim Blues Mysteries Trilogy
Inspirational Romantic Mystery (Police Procedural)
by Karen Wiesner
978-1-61160-001-8 (trade paperback); 978-1-61160-000-1 (electronic) Available now from Whiskey Creek Press
Click here for a printable order form
The paperback may be available at a significant discount with this special order form
Download from Fictionwise
Paperback from Amazon.com
Download from Amazon.com

2010 CAPA Award winner (inspirational romance category)!
5 hearts and winner of the Award from The Romance Studio!
2nd Place winner in the Mainstream/Single Title/Romantic Suspense category of the 2010 Lories Best Published contest!

Product Review:

Working with local private investigators Den McHart and Sylvia Price, Briar's Point Police Department Detective Orlando Bateman solves a missing person case. Keeya Nilsen, visually impaired from the plane crash that took her parents' lives, comes to him and has a justifiably bad attitude about love, since all the men she's ever loved have cheated on her and robbed her...including the last one, who absconded with her most prized possession - her grandfather's unpublished Blues compositions - when he flew the coop. As together they search for her last boyfriend and her missing legacy, Orlando reminds Keeya of the faith she'd had before the plane crash that changed her life and makes her see love as God intends.

Review: This is a lovely story of renewal of faith and virtue and the sorrow of bitterness.

Detective Orlando Bateman is more than happy to stay busy investigating cases especially to help him forget the lose of the woman he has loved for so many years.  Sylvia (see Retired and on the Rocks (Denim Blues Mysteries, Book 1) cherishes Orlando as a friend but she is soon to marry Den.  We discover as the book proceeds that Orlando has not dated as he believes that intimacy should only take place in marriage.

Orlando meets Keeya when Den brings her into the station to report the theft of money, credit cards and, more importantly, her grandfather’s unpublished music compositions. Orlando is a big Blues fans and recognizes Keeya’s grandfather’s name and music. He is immediately drawn to Keeya’s beauty even as he is mindful of her visual difficulties.

Keeya lost her full sight when she was injured in the plane crash that killed her parents. She lived with her grandfather and another crash victim, Blair.  Blair suffered severe damage to her face and in spite of reconstructive surgery her face is still disfigured. Blair has taken care of Keeya for years, being her eyes and helping to guide her. Keeya was betrayed by her first husband and a second boyfriend too. Now she has to report to the police that her latest boyfriend has stolen from her.  She is embarrassed and ashamed that she has made very bad choices with men.

Orlando and Keeya draw close as they search the clues and confront the thief.  They share their pasts and Orlando helps Keeya to see that God did not abandon her but she has stepped away from Him and His loving guidance.

The mystery includes some red herrings in suspects and some evil that Keeya didn’t recognize. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense as well as learning more about the visually impaired. I especially liked the message that the freedom that God gives comes with consequences for the choices we make. I enjoy this author who writes wonderfully real characters and life-like stories. I’ll be reading the third book in this series, Souls on (B)oring Street [Denim Blues Mysteries Book 3], soon.