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CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Tea for Two by Trish Perry

Tea for Two by Trish Perry

Book two of the Perfect Blend series doesn’t disappoint. I want to wander into Millicent’s tea shop. That appears to be the place where the magic starts for Perry’s characters. The tea shop is a character on it’s on, making you desperately want to hit the back of the book and hit the kitchen. The recipes sound amazing and if I weren’t allergic to gluten I’d be trying out a few of these. I may still try with some gluten free flour. The one I really want to try would be impossible, but it sounds amazing. Malted Chocolate Mousse Cake. Dreaming….. okay I’m back. No, malt for me I’m afraid.

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough

Finally a Bride by Vickie McDonough 

Finally it’s here! Jack’s story is a hoot. McDonough let her grow up but she kept her rascally personality intact.

Even jailbird Carly is back—her story though small was important to me from the other books and I’m glad to know what happens with her.

Butch, Jack’s nemesis turns up in an unexpected way as well.

This is the last book in the Boarding House Brides series (you don’t need the others first but you’ll be missing some good reading if you don’t get them!) and it’s sad to let the characters go.

McDonough pulls the personas of her characters through every book and page, you never wonder why did that character do that? It’s not like her or him.

The writing is fun, creative and entertaining. 

 

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Second Chance Brides by Vickie McDonough

Second Chance Brides by Vickie McDonough is the second book in the Texas Boardinghouse Brides series.

 This book is one of McDonough’s best ever.  The cover on the book pulls you into the story. The cover artist caught the essence of the characters, Shannon O’Neil and Mark Corbett translating them into real people for me.

 Shannon and Leah Bennett were caught in the Corbett brother’s scheme to find a wife for their cousin. (The Anonymous Bride Book 1) Both have reasons for not returning to where they came from. Shannon is an Irish immigrant and now she’s alone in Lookout, Texas.  Leah’s dad tried to sell her to the oldest man in town and she doesn’t want to go back home.

 Now both women are searching for ways to support themselves in Lookout.

Shannon and Leah are easy to like, McDonough has transformed them from the needy women in book one to women you want to know.

 There is also the subplot of Jack (Jacqueline the boarding house owner’s daughter) it’s been fun to watch her mature through the pages.

 Now I am eagerly awaiting book 3, I don’t know what it is titled but I hope it’s about that incorrigible  Carly from The Anonymous Bride!

(Please note: Book 3, Finally a Bride, is out, and the review will be posted next week.)

 

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: When the Stars Collide by Janice Thompson

When Stars Collide by Janice Thompson

Like all of Thompson’s books this one will make you laugh. Not as much as the other’s she’s written, but you’ll still find many parts funny. There’s a zany grandmother who dresses in clothes worn by Elizabeth Taylor and other older famous movie stars. She also plays a game of movie quotes with her granddaughter throughout the book. Loved that!

 The setting for this adventure is unlikely but oh how I wish it were true! It’s a TV show based on family values and morals! The two main characters of the sitcom run a talent agency and are encouraged by the child actors to fall in love. The off-stage couple Kat Jennings and Scot Murphy find themselves playing the part in real life as well. Confusion becomes chaos when Kat’s grandmother—a long ago Hollywood eccentric star—thinks the wedding planned for the show is a real wedding.

Despite its sad undertones of the grandmother’s failing mental health I enjoyed this book. And wouldn’t you know it? That hunk Brock Benson, from previous books, shows up in this book too. Janice Thompson when will we get to see him fall in love? Soon I hope.

 

Tips from the Pros: Diana Brandmeyer

Greetings from Sarah Sundin on a crisp fall day that makes me want to cuddle up in a warm quilt - perhaps like one of the quilts author Diana Brandmeyer features on her website. Not only is she an extraordinary quilter, she's a gifted writer with plenty to share with us today.

Diana, how did you get into writing?

Like many, I wrote stories when I was little, but it wasn’t until the birth of my second child I realized I could make a little money and share my faith with my stories. I started writing devotions for children, which led to taking a course from the Institute of Children’s Literature.

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: The Country House Courtship by Linore Rose Burkard

The Country House Courtship is Book 3 in this series, but you don't need the other two to fall in love with this story. Burkhard has an amazing talent to write a book with just enough details to get the stories that happened before without spoiling them if you want to go back and read them. If you have read the other two you'll be pleasantly surprised that there isn't a ton of repetition of what you all ready know.

The Country House Courtship is pure delight. The main characters you fell in love with before are still very much present in this book. They haven't grown old and withered on the vine! Ariana  and Mr. Mornay have settled in their country manor with their children and life is enjoyable.

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: It Had to be You by Janice Thompson

It Had to Be You is Book Three in the Weddings by Bella series. This time Bella is trying to to plan the wedding for her Aunt Rosa and Uncle Laz. They want a 1940's style band and Laz wants to include a friend from the past: Sal who was just released from prison and is rumored to be part of the mob.

All the characters you've enjoyed in the previous books are back in It Had to Be You--except for Bella's best friend, Jenna, who appears to be missing and no one knows where she is.

It Had to Be You is a nice ending to this series.

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: The House in Grosvenor Square by Linore Rose Burkhard

At the end of Before the Season Ends we are left with a happily ever after moment, knowing that Ariana Forsythe and Phillip Mornay will be married. Not so fast!

Book 2, The House In Grosvenor Square, begins with the happy couple embarking to an orphanage where Arianna realizes she will have the money to help others once she is married. If Mr. Mornay approves of course, since it is his money. Mr. Mornay delights Arianna when he tells her to set the amount to be sent to the orphanage.

More fun waits for her as he gives her permission to redecorate his home to reflect her tastes as well as his.

Then trouble erupts, the household staff fears they will be released from their positions, items are stolen from Mr. Mornay, and then his prized possession, Arianna, is almost kidnapped! He is beside himself with worry about her and does what he can to protect her. Is it enough? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

The House in Grosvenor Square is a delightful read. It took me back to summers sitting on the swing reading Austen over and over. It’s nice to have a new Jane in town just in time to sit outside on my swing.

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson

Fools Rush In could be subtitled My Big Fat Greek Wedding Meets Italian Texans. 

Misunderstanding the southern use of initials for names, Bella Rossi, wedding planner, hires a DJ for her first cowboy themed wedding. 

She’s surprised when she learns D.J. is his name, not his profession. Through quite a few quinky dinks D.J. decides to take the job anyway. 

D.J. isn’t just a cowboy, Ellie finds him fitting in with her crazy family and filling a space in her heart.
To say this book is unexpected wouldn’t be enough, not when you throw in a pizza-making uncle with mob ties, an aunt who chases the neighbors' kid with a broom while shouting in Italian, eighty pairs of cowboy boots, and a bird. 

Fools Rush In is book one of the Weddings by Bella series. The author, Janice Thompson, not only writes but is an experienced wedding coordinator, which can only lead to more humor and odd happenings in Bella’s story.

CAN Book Review by Diana Brandmeyer: Deadly Exposure by Cara Putman

T.V. news Reporter, Dani Richards moves to Lincoln, Nebraska to care for her Aunt Jayne who has Alzheimer's.

Taking her aunt to see Cats, Dani prays she won't see Caleb Jamison, the man who stole her sixteen-year-old heart. Not only does she see him, she has to work with him when she discovers a dead body at the theater. Caleb is on the police force and is assigned to keep Dani safe, but can he protect her heart from him?

Deadly Exposure is a page turner. It was a delight to read a suspense novel that doesn't go into grisly details. Yet Putman gives us enough to thrill and scare us into saying "don't go in there!"