January's challenge: a new-to-me author from my TBR pile
Title: Promise Me Always
Author: Christine Lynxwiler
Year Published: 2006
Why did you pick the book: The cover (see cover discussion below) then the back-of-the-book blurb, the b.o.b.b., sounded interesting.
The B.O.B.B.: Allie Richards has always dreamed of having her own landscaping company. After she loses her job, her lifelong "Pinky Promise" girlfriends convince her to enter the Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition, a prequel to the Shady Grove Centennial Celebration.
The prize? A new landscaping truck, a chunk of cash, and a one-year contract for Shady Grove’s landscaping and maintenance.
But there’s a hitch. Every move Allie’s ragtag crew makes will be filmed and featured in the reality segment of the local TV show Wake Up, Shady Grove. And Daniel Montgomery, the man behind the camera, is after more than just a story. Will he be satisfied with anything less than Allie’s heart? Armed with a green thumb, help form her Pinky friends, and lots of determination, can Allie survive the hype, keep her fatherless kids from running amuck, maintain her faith, guard her heart and still win the prize?
Do you like the cover? The cover reflects the tone of this lady-lit very well. If the cover was a cartoon, like chick-lit tends to be, I would have expected a hyper, scattered character. Allie seemed calmer, even-tempered. That's the way I read her anyway. To be honest, the cover sold the book. Just lovely.
Moreover, I was happy the model’s full face is not shown. Sometimes an artist rendition or cover model distracts from the story. Especially the time, on another book, the cover model had dark hair and the story’s heroine had light-colored hair. Needless to say, it threw me from the story a bit.
Did you enjoy the book? I did. This is an enjoyable romantic comedy with an timely plot. A landscaping reality show! My favorite network, HGTV, in print!
After being inundated with televised and printed violence, I needed the break this story afforded. I relaxed. I chuckled. I pondered how we respond to situations after we lose control of them.
Additionally, I was glad the author did not make assumptions about being widowed. This is the first book I’ve read since abandoning stories about widowed characters. So many authors make huge stereotypical remarks or assumptions about widowhood, especially YOUNG widowhood, it is painfully evident research is not performed.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?. The challenge this month was to read a new-to-me author in my TBR. I would read books by this author again. It’s hard for me to turn down authors I know will make me think while making me laugh.
Are you keeping or passing it on? This copy will go right on my keeper shelf.
Title: Promise Me Always
Author: Christine Lynxwiler
Year Published: 2006
Why did you pick the book: The cover (see cover discussion below) then the back-of-the-book blurb, the b.o.b.b., sounded interesting.
The B.O.B.B.: Allie Richards has always dreamed of having her own landscaping company. After she loses her job, her lifelong "Pinky Promise" girlfriends convince her to enter the Beautiful Town Landscaping Competition, a prequel to the Shady Grove Centennial Celebration.
The prize? A new landscaping truck, a chunk of cash, and a one-year contract for Shady Grove’s landscaping and maintenance.
But there’s a hitch. Every move Allie’s ragtag crew makes will be filmed and featured in the reality segment of the local TV show Wake Up, Shady Grove. And Daniel Montgomery, the man behind the camera, is after more than just a story. Will he be satisfied with anything less than Allie’s heart? Armed with a green thumb, help form her Pinky friends, and lots of determination, can Allie survive the hype, keep her fatherless kids from running amuck, maintain her faith, guard her heart and still win the prize?
Do you like the cover? The cover reflects the tone of this lady-lit very well. If the cover was a cartoon, like chick-lit tends to be, I would have expected a hyper, scattered character. Allie seemed calmer, even-tempered. That's the way I read her anyway. To be honest, the cover sold the book. Just lovely.
Moreover, I was happy the model’s full face is not shown. Sometimes an artist rendition or cover model distracts from the story. Especially the time, on another book, the cover model had dark hair and the story’s heroine had light-colored hair. Needless to say, it threw me from the story a bit.
Did you enjoy the book? I did. This is an enjoyable romantic comedy with an timely plot. A landscaping reality show! My favorite network, HGTV, in print!
After being inundated with televised and printed violence, I needed the break this story afforded. I relaxed. I chuckled. I pondered how we respond to situations after we lose control of them.
Additionally, I was glad the author did not make assumptions about being widowed. This is the first book I’ve read since abandoning stories about widowed characters. So many authors make huge stereotypical remarks or assumptions about widowhood, especially YOUNG widowhood, it is painfully evident research is not performed.
Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?. The challenge this month was to read a new-to-me author in my TBR. I would read books by this author again. It’s hard for me to turn down authors I know will make me think while making me laugh.
Are you keeping or passing it on? This copy will go right on my keeper shelf.
Visit Christine here at her website/blog.
