Promise Me Always by Christine Lynxwiler

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.

Visit Christine here at her website/blog.

January Challenge

January's challenge is to find a new-to-you author buried in your TBR (to-be-read pile).

TBR pile?

You know that ever-increasing pile. The one you pass off as a bed post. The pile you made into a side table in your bathroom. The pile of books your cat mistakes for a scratching post.

Yeah. Those piles. Don't worry, I have them too. But mine are neatly categorized on bookshelves. By genre and author. (LOL)

Now just choose a book to read.

I think I'm going to read a book not far down in the pile. I just received it in December. Yes, I do have older books, but this one piques the interest right now.

Promise Me Always, by Christine Lynxwiler.

December Challenge: The Angel of Bastogne by Gilbert Morris

Title: The Angel of Bastogne

Author: Gilbert Morris
Year Published:2005

Why did you get this book? It is one of my book club selections.



B.O.B.B.: Like the fictional character George Bailey, sullen journalist Ben Raines is not a praying man, and he has heard enough talk about Christmas and angels. But the holiday movie, It's a wonderful Life, seems to follow him everywhere.Ben's aging father even has a "Clarence" story about a wartime angel who saved his life one Christmas on a battlefield in Bastogne.In tribute to his dad, but also to prove himself right. Ben sets out to track down the other servicemen who would have witnessed the so-called angel. What he finds would make a true believer out of anyone.



Do you like the cover?: The above picture does not do the cover justice. I think the cover is beautiful. Had it not been a book club selection, I would have at least picked it up in the bookstore.Did you enjoy the book? I did. Ben Raines grew up poor and was ashamed of his father's lack of success in life. His father owning a newsstand made Ben grown up without the material things his friends enjoyed. Through his research he learned his father's life meant more to others than to him. Through the lens of the other Bastogne survivors, Ben begins to see his father and the true meaning of Christian servitude.



Was the author new to you and would you read something by this author again?: Gilbert Morris is a new-to-me author. Over his career he has authored over one hundred books. You think of an genre, he has a book. YA, fantasy, historical romance, etc. A book club member wondered how someone who looked so stuffy could write romance. I took offense. What does romance look like? He's a professor, but does that mean he can't feel and express himself romantically. Just for the comment, I'm going to read one of his other books. There was romance in this book. I felt the attraction among Ben and Charlene just fine. At one point, there was a little romantic tension in the motel scene. I can't remember which one looked the other over and announced they had to leave because they could not trust themselves. LOL.



Are you keeping it or passing it on?: I will keep the book.

Welcome

I saw this type of challenge among two different genres. So I thought it would be fun to have a Christian fiction challenge.

It's simple. You're already doing it. You're an avid reader. You probably host your own blog. If you do not have a blog, you can post here.

This is how it works. Well, (lets use December) you sign up here saying you will read a Christmas-themed story of your choosing. At the end of the month, I'll list you as the winner of the challenge with a book reaction/review link to your blog. (In future months, I will award book prizes.)

Now others can tour your blog to see what you've read.

And don't fret. I'll have quick questions to answer if you're lost for words.

Title:

Author?

Is this author new to you? (Would you search out the author again? Are you now researching their back list?)

Did you like the story?

Where will this book live when you're done? (In a safe deposit box? In the nearest recycling pile. No. We're not mean here. Is it a keeper, a loaner, etc.)

You get the gist. You can write as much or as little as you want. In any format.

Have FUN.

This is a good way to...

... get good reading recommendations.
...meet new avid readers.

...And of course, promote what we love. Christian Fiction.

Are you up to the challenge?