Dining With Joy by Rachel Hauck

Joy Ballard has a secret: she's a cooking show host who can't really cook.

When her South Carolina-based cooking show, Dining With Joy, is picked up by a major network, Joy Ballard's world heats up like a lowcountry boil.

Joy needs help. Then she meets chef Luke Davis who moved to Beaufort after losing his Manhattan restaurant. A cook at the Frogmore Cafe, he’s paying debts and longing to regain his reputation in the elite foodie world.

Luke and Joy mix like oil and water…until Joy is exposed on national television. With her career and his reputation both under fire, they’ll have to work together to fix the mess. Is it possible that they can learn to feast on God’s love and dine with joy?

My Thoughts:
While this was not one of my favorite books, I will say that I do think Mrs. Hauck has a talent for writing. She really knows how to blend the characters with the plot to create a story that someone is sure to love. I, myself, just couldn't get into the story enough to really try to figure out what was going on.

Now, I am not telling you this to be negative. On the contrary. I think that you should give this book a shot. It is one that my daughter will love (she is a fan of Rachel Hauck's) but I am not so much of a romantic contemporary lover. I really thought this book would be more to my liking, but, sadly it wasn't.

Please, give this book a try anyhow. It does deserve a chance, just not for a grandma like me.

~A Copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

~I do not receive financial compensation for any of my reviews. I do however from time to time receive complimentary review books to read and post HONEST reviews, positive and negative. The acceptance of a book does not guarantee a positive review.~

Where Hearts Are Free by Golden Keyes Parsons

The odds are stacked against Bridget and Philippe reuniting. But God has a plan for them if they'll only believe.

It’s 1687, in the burgeoning town of Philadelphia, and for seven years, Bridget Barrington has watched with growing affection as Philippe Clavell worked as an indentured servant for her father, a wealthy landowner.

Her father rejects her request for Philippe to be a potential suitor as he has none of the qualities Mr. Barrington hoped for his daughter's future husband, the least of which is a respectable income.

Heartbroken, Bridget accedes to her parents’ wishes and gets engaged to a man she does not love. However, Bridget's husband-to-be does not love her, but only her wealth.

But there's always light in the midst of darkness for those who have faith. This stunning historical romance concludes the gripping Darkness to Light series.

My Thoughts:
I must say that this is not my style of book. I just couldn't get into the story line of this book. It may be that I'm used to a certain genre of books, or that I am just not used to this author, but it wasn't to my liking.

That doesn't mean it's not good for someone out there. If you are a Golden Parsons fan, then definitely check this book out. If you like the stories that are set in the 1600's and way back in history, then you will like Golden's style of writing.

This will be a book that I will pass on to my daughter in hopes that she enjoys it better than I did.


~A Copy of this book was provided for review by Thomas Nelson Publishers.

~I do not receive financial compensation for any of my reviews. I do however from time to time receive complimentary review books to read and post HONEST reviews, positive and negative. The acceptance of a book does not guarantee a positive review.~