FTC FYI: review copy in exchange for honest review
I realized that I haven’t posted my official review of Of Grace and Chocolate yet, so let me do it now.
Of Grace and Chocolate is Krista Lynne Jensen’s debut novel. She currently has two more books under contract with Covenant, so we have more to look forward to from her.
Summary
After a childhood of neglect and abuse, Jill has created a new life for herself. The order and routine make Jill feel safe and secure–until the day Scott, a man from Jill’s past who doesn’t remember her, steals her phone and keys to get her attention. All he wants is a date, but Jill isn’t interested, knowing that he doesn’t remember her and how he hurt her.
But Jill’s day isn’t over yet. Her runaway sister shows up on her front porch, setting Jill’s highly ordered life onto a path that will change her forever.
My Review
Of Grace and Chocolate is a story full of emotion, choice and consequence, suspense, forgiveness and love. I’ve read it twice, and cried both times. Jill and Evie’s story touched me, and my heart broke for their past suffering.
I appreciated how the relationship between Jill and Scott developed with an emotional maturity not often seen in a romance novel. Great story, clean writing, engaging characters, and some really nice kisses all add up to an unforgettable read that comes highly recommended from me.
5 stars out of 5. I can’t wait to read more from Krista.
I can’t wait to tell our LDSWBR readers about a new feature on the blog this year. We are so excited to announce Guest Author Thursday, where we will be honored to present a blog post written by a guest author.
Here to start us off in the new year is Krista Lynne Jensen, debut author of Of Grace and Chocolate being released January 2012.
I had the opportunity to beta read Of Grace and Chocolate for Krista, and I LOVED-LOVED-LOVED it. (It even made my Top Ten Reads of 2011 list despite not having been published yet.)
If you enjoy Krista’s post, please leave a comment below and let her know!
Watch the book trailer for Of Grace and Chocolate at the end of the post.
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From Krista: Riding in a Mine Car
I’ve been sorting through the Christmas cards and letters. I keep up the family pictures for a while; make sure everyone has read the update letters before letting them go, keep the super-pretty cards for whatever reason in a box labeled Super-Pretty Christmas Cards.
So many friends have written things like, “So excited for all your success!” “Happy for all the good things you are experiencing!” Some of them are referring to my book and its launch in just a week or so (grinning). But holy wow, November and December have kicked my tush. The “good things” are definitely worth clinging to, because I feel like I’m riding in one of those mining cars on a rickety rail in an old abandoned mine, like in Temple of Doom, or The Apple Dumpling Gang, or Harry Potter in Gringotts, with cave walls collapsing and the tracks falling away and Indy is nowhere in sight and there’s a dragon chasing me and stalactites drop and WHERE’S MY INVISIBILITY CLOAK?
Okay, that may be exaggerating a bit (writer), but our family has been hit with all kinds of not-fun stuff the last several weeks. Things that might discourage me. Things that have worn me down. Health, job, kids, parents, friends. Things that have those close to us throwing up their hands and saying, “Are you kidding me?!”
Things that have me saying, “Oh, I am SO supposed to be writing.” Because alongside all of this weight, good stuff is happening with my writing. Good stuff that both scares me and thrills me. And I’m not discouraged. There’s a saying: “Be the kind of woman that, when your feet hit the floor each morning, the Devil says “Oh crap, she’s up!”
Maybe, with me, it’s when I open my doc. Maybe my words are where I can be strong. I can be a force. I’m supposed to do this.
Honestly, if you are compelled to write, whether it is a personal history, a short story, a novel, then write it. Figure it out. If it’s something you begin, and you’re hit with a barrage of “No-you-can’ts”, well, maybe that’s because yes-you-can. And you should. And you don’t know how many amazing things will come of it. Weather it out. Hold your chin up. Square your shoulders. Think of your favorite authors and how they didn’t give up. Surround yourself with people who shout, “Go, Krista!” or, you know, your name.
And hang on. That ride in the mine car is a doozy. *ducks*
Krista Lynne Jensen’s debut novel, Of Grace and Chocolate, will be on shelves anytime now at an LDS bookstore near you. Come join her and author Sarah M. Eden at their Double Book Launch, Saturday, January 14th at the Fort Union Deseret Book in Midvale, Utah from 11:00-1:00. There will be chocolate and wonderfulness.
FTC FYI: Free review copy from publisher in exchange for honest review
First Things First
This is an unusual read for me because it’s a novel based on a movie instead of the other way around. I have previously read one novel based on a movie and it was less than great (then again, so was the movie.) Luckily, this was not the case with My Boyfriend’s Girlfriend.
I haven’t seen the movie version of My Boyfriend’s Girlfriend yet and I’m grateful for that because there is a twist near the end that I was not expecting at all. I felt the impact of that unexpected turn of events more strongly in written form than I think I would have on-screen. Now I look forward to seeing how things play out in the movie compared to the novel.
For almost the entire book I really wasn’t sure who I wanted Jesse to end up with. Both Ethan and Troy are very likable, attractive, and interesting men. I finished the book in just a few hours. I kept turning pages, anxious to see who Jesse would choose, or even if she would choose between them. I won’t give anything away except to say that I was at first surprised and then very satisfied with the ending.
Now the Rest
I usually like to read a book before the actors are assigned to parts in the movie version because I want to picture them in my head first. However, there were a few instances of dialogue that I might have found a bit annoying except I could easily imagine Alyssa Milano saying those lines.
Jesse’s internal dialogue is where Elodia really shines. Entertaining internal dialogue is what made me a fan of Elodia Strain when I first read Previously Engaged a few years ago. Elodia did a wonderfully job meshing Jesse/Alyssa Milano’s voice and actions, putting them smoothly and believably into words on paper to create a fun and enjoyable read.
My biggest complaint is something mostly likely beyond Elodia’s control (not having seen the movie I’m not sure how this character plays into things in the film). I didn’t care for nor see the purpose of Maddy in the story. I found her irritating and overbearing. I was really bugged by the fact that she was so openly rude to Jesse in front of everyone numerous times and nobody said a thing. Why? If it was supposed to be funny, I missed the point.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed My Boyfriend’s Girlfriend. I recommend it to readers who like fun, easy-going romance. The unexpected twist bumped my rating up to 4 stars. I really appreciate that My Boyfriend’s Girlfriend is clean. There was no language and the sexual content is limited to kissing.
Life has never looked so promising for Shelby Hamlin. After weathering a lonely childhood, her father’s death, and her mother’s rejection for joining the Church, she is now engaged to someone who appears to be the ideal man: Brad Thompson, an ambitious BYU student who’s stalwart in the gospel. And when Shelby travels alone to Brad’s hometown in Montana while he’s in California, she’s warmly embraced by her future in-laws—with the exception of Cameron, Brad’s resentful brother whose own engagement recently ended in bitter scandal. But as Cameron becomes Shelby’s increasingly frequent companion in Brad’s absence, their initial sparks of irritation become the glowing beginnings of a complicated romance. And as the two explore the breathtaking scenery of Big Sky country, Shelby’s heart pulls her away from her carefully laid plans. Can she have the love she’s always wanted without destroying the family of her dreams?
I adore a good romance and I have always wanted to go to Montana, so I was pretty excited to get my hands on a copy of Montana Summer.
First things first: I loved the way the relationship developed between Cameron and Shelby. Considering the plot, I was worried about the growth of their relationship feeling stilted or contrived. It didn’t. I really, really liked Cameron and was relieved to like Shelby as well. She sacrificed a lot (particularly her relationship with her widowed mother) to join the Church. Many of her friends alienated her as well. Other than a couple of her roommates and her fiance, Brad, Shelby is all alone in the world.
Brad’s mother, Millie, welcomes Shelby to the family home in Montana when Brad is called away early for an internship. Shelby plans their wedding with Millie’s help. Brad’s brother, Cameron, who is also a local park ranger, is called upon to take Shelby around to see all the sites. Thus begins a friendship that soon blossoms into something more for both Shelby and Cameron.
There were several romantic moments that I enjoyed, especially one in particular (that I won’t mention so as not to give anything away) that I read more than once. Okay, more than twice. Ahem.
Jeanette’s descriptions of the beautiful Montana setting were well-written, with just enough detail so the reader could picture it in their mind without slowing the story down. I would love to visit the places Cameron showed Shelby, especially Quake Lake.
Now the rest: Writing romance for the LDS market is tough. Sometimes it is difficult to avoid the cliche. Some of those cliches (i.e., BYU student engaged to straight-laced RM, sons who kiss their doting mother’s cheek twice in every scene they are together, etc.) are in Montana Summer, but they were minor and not a big deal to me.
The thing I tripped over most in Montana Summer was frequent mid-scene point-of-view changes. I know it’s technically not against the rules to change point-of-view mid-chapter with no discernible “marker” (like *** or a flourish), but I found myself finishing a page and glancing back to the top because I swore we were in Cameron’s head but I suddenly found myself reading things only Shelby would be thinking. I did come across a 3-sentence paragraph with a different point-of-view (including omniscient) for each sentence.
This is a personal preference issue and a lot of readers might not be bothered by it. Despite the frequent point-of-view changes, I enjoyed the romance between Cameron and Shelby so much that I’m adding Montana Summer to my romance shelf to read again in the future.
I hope Jeanette is working on another manuscript because I would love to read another romance from her.
My rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
FTC FYI: I received a free review copy that did not affect my review.
Watch a video interview with Jeanette Miller below:
Melanie Bennett Jacobson is an avid reader, amateur cook, and champion shopper. She consumes astonishing amounts of chocolate, chick flicks, and romance novels. After meeting her husband online, she is now living happily married in Southern California with her growing family and a series of doomed houseplants. Melanie is a former English teacher and a popular speaker who loves to laugh and make others laugh. In her down time (ha!), she writes romantic comedies for Covenant and maintains her humorous slice-of-life blog. Her first novel, The List, hit shelves in March.
Melanie’s next book, Not My Type: A Single Girl’s Guide to Getting It All Wrong, another romantic comedy, will be released in October.
LDSWBR: If you had an entire day to read (on the beach, at the lake, by the pool, etc.), what book(s) or genre would you reach for first?
MELANIE: Contemporary YA fiction, preferably something with a dose of romance. I just read Anna and the French Kiss and loved it. That’s the genre I’m feeling right now.
LDSWBR: What book(s) do you look forward to reading the most this summer?
MELANIE: I’m looking forward to 10 Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn’t Have) by Sarah Mylnowski. I’m also twitchy to get my hands on Pumpkin Roll from Josi Kilpack. And whatever Sarah Eden puts out next.
LDSWBR: How would you describe the perfect summer day?
MELANIE: I’d get to sleep until 9, browse blogs and news feeds without interruption, eat a delicious sandwich for lunch, and then lounge at the beach for three hours of uninterrupted reading while my husband watched the kids in the water. EXCELLENT.
LDSWBR: Thank you so much, Melanie!
The List by Melanie Jacobson (Covenant; March 2011) is available for purchase in paperback from Deseret Book and for the Kindle from Amazon.
Would sleeping in be a part of your “perfect” summer day?
***
***Countdown to Summer 2011 Contest***
LDSWBR will hold a drawing on June 25, 2011 for a $50 Amazon gift card, as well as a variety of books being offered by some of the LDS authors featured in the Countdown. This will be a raffle-type drawing, so more entries means more chances to win. There are several ways to enter the Countdown to Summer 2011 contest. See details below.
Book prizes generously donated by the authors:
The Upside of Down by Rebecca Talley
Gifted by Karey White
Bumpy Landings by Donald J. Carey
Captive Heart by Michele Paige Holmes
The Perfect Fit by Michele Ashman Bell
River Whispers by Kathi Oram Perterson
Hazzardous Universe by Julie Wright & Kevin Wasden
Hearts Through Time by Marie Higgins
Double Deceit by Stephanie Humphreys
The List by Melanie Jacobson
The Forgotten Locket by Lisa Mangum
The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden
Blackberry Crumble by Josi S. Kilpack
**Bonus Prize** An autographed copy of BLOODBORNE by Gregg Luke (released August 2011)
Do ANY of the following to enter:
Post a thoughtful comment on the Countdown to Summer 2011 author posts. Comments can be added on any of the author posts anytime during the contest period (June 1, 2011 through June 24, 2011). Only one comment per person per Countdown to Summer author post will be entered into the drawing. Feel free to comment more than once per post if you’d like, but only one comment will be accepted as an entry.
Send LDSWBR an email to ldswbr AT gmail DOT com telling us which of the following you have completed. If you already do these things, email us and let us know. Each item gets you 1 entry.
Follow LDS Women’s Book Review on Facebook
Follow @LDSWBR on Twitter
Subscribe to LDSWBR by email (see top right sidebar on website)
Follow LDSWBR with Google Friend Connect (right sidebar beneath “Follow LDSWBR”)
On each Countdown to Summer author post, leave a comment telling us which of the following you completed or already do. Each item gets you 1 entry.
Follow the author’s blog (if they have one)
Follow the author on Twitter (if they tweet)
Follow the author on Facebook (if they have a Facebook page)
Tweet this message each day. One entry per day. Just copy and paste into your twitter message window to send it (LDSWBR must be able to see the tweet): LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw @ldswbr
Blog about this contest on your blog then send us the link to your specific blog post. You can find the Countdown graphic badge/button to include in your blog post here. (5 entries)
Post the following on your Facebook page (3 entries) then send us an email (ldswbr AT gmail DOT com) telling us that you did: LDSWBR Countdown to Summer 2011 – Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card & great summer reads! http://bit.ly/kZ5jXw
Here are the rules:
Contest ends at 12:00 Midnight MDT on June 24, 2011.
Drawing winners will have until 12:00 Midnight MDT on July 2, 2011 to claim their prize. After that time, another name will be drawn to receive the prize.
Book prizes can only be shipped within the contiguous United States.
LDSWBR reserves the right to decide what determines a “thoughtful” comment.
Let’s keep counting down to summer with some great reads!
FTC FYI: received free review copy that did not affect my review
When Ashley Barrett’s older sisters are both married before the age of 19, she decides not to follow in their footsteps. Instead, she makes a list of 25 things to do before getting married.
While spending the summer in Huntington Beach, Ashley’s determined to cross Learn to surf off her list. To do that she needs Matt Gibson, who is sought after for his surfing expertise as well as his good looks. Ashley may not be blond like most of the girls trailing after Matt, but she’s learned how to make the most of her best features. Despite being desperate for Matt’s surfing knowledge, she plays indifferent and succeeds in getting Matt’s attention.
Ashley realizes that she’s as attracted to Matt as he is to her. They both agree to have a summer fling with no strings attached (number 17 on Ashley’s list). They spend most of their free time with each other and have a great time together. Knowing they will go their separate ways at the end of the summer, Ashley starts working on another item on her list: Try internet dating. That’s where she meets the guy she hopes to hang out with occasionally when she returns to Utah for school in the fall.
There’s only one problem- Matt starts hinting that he doesn’t really want to let her go and Ashley finds herself more attached to Matt than she expected.
I had a lot of fun reading The List. There were several parts that were so laugh-out-loud funny I had to read them to my husband. I’m a big fan of the romance genre, but finding a good, non-cheesy, clean romance feels a little like Mission: Impossible. Thanks to authors like Melanie Jacobson, Sarah M. Eden, Michele Paige Holmes and Becca Wilhite, finding clean, well-written romance novels is getting easier all the time.
The List is a perfect summer read. Taking place on the beach, Matt and Ashley’s story is fitting to read by the pool, the lake, or the central AC vent (assuming it ever gets warm enough to use the AC). I really enjoyed The List and give it a definite 4 stars. If you appreciate a well-written, fun romance I suspect you will, too.
Of Grace and Chocolate
