Tacos for Two was a welcome break from my most recent reads that mostly included several suspense novels and a World War 2 novel. I actually enjoyed them all but sometimes a reader needs a little levity and romance to lighten things up a bit. Tacos for Two did that for me.
The primary characters are Rory and Jude who have connected through an online dating service. The only catch is that they must communicate only through messaging until it is time for them to meet and decide whether to continue the relationship. Their online conversations have been an encouragement and have convinced both parties that the other is exactly the person they need. Little do they know that they have been interacting in real life for awhile and their face-to-face encounters are, shall we say, less than encouraging.
A food truck competition takes center stage with Rory and Jude as strong competitors. Both have equally important reasons they want to win and readers will have a difficult time deciding which side to root for. Plenty of friendly rivalry, unexpected obstacles, and a few hijinks make for a fun read. Character development is excellent. I especially like Rory’s cousin Hannah, a young woman with Down’s Syndrome who is quite talented in her origami hobby and frequently speaks her mind with surprising wisdom.
I thoroughly enjoyed Tacos for Two and would recommend it to all lovers of its genre.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Two unlikely chefs. One life-changing contest. There can only be one winner . . . right?
Food truck owner Rory Perez may not be able to cook, but she’s determined to keep the family business out of the red. An upcoming contest during a food truck festival seems like the best way to do it. The prize money could finally give her solid financial footing, freeing up her time to meet the man she’s been talking to via an anonymous online dating site.
Jude Strong is tired of being a puppet at his manipulative father’s law firm, and the food truck festival seems like the perfect opportunity to dive into his passion for cooking and finally call his life his own. If he loses the contest, he’ll be back at the law firm for good, so failure is not an option.
But things are about to get . . . complicated. Rory’s chef gets mono, forcing her to cook after all. And Jude discovers that his stiffest competition is the same woman he’s been falling for online. Will they sacrifice the futures they’ve envisioned for the sake of love? Or will there only ever be tacos for one?
Betsy St. Amant is the author of more than fifteen inspirational romances, including The Key to Love, and a frequent contributor to iBelieve.com. She lives in north Louisiana with her husband, two daughters, a collection of Austen novels, and an impressive stash of pickle-flavored Pringles. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white chocolate mocha–no whip. Learn more at www.betsystamant.com.
Molly grabbed my attention in the very first chapter when she lost her job because she was too honest. How can a person be too honest? Isn’t that supposed to be a trait we all strive toward? As I walked beside her through the pages of this totally fun and fantastic tale it quickly became evident that Molly’s problem was not exactly honesty but the wisdom in knowing how much to say and when to say it.
Honestly though, I thoroughly enjoyed all of Molly’s exploits as she went from a job as a preschool teacher to one as a nanny to one child of a widower who was also working through his hospital residency. Molly and Ben’s story was sweet, funny, and romantic. It was delightful witnessing the growth of their relationship with all its ups and downs. Both characters were easy to love, especially Molly with her tender heart and Ben as a father determined to take care of his little girl no matter what it took.
Molly was a welcome ray of sunshine during this season of uncertainty in our world. I hope others will find it as much of an escape as I did.
I voluntarily reviewed a digital copy of this book provided by Just Read Publicity. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A Carol award finalist and Selah award winner, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is both entertaining and humorous with a somewhat heated romance between the two main characters Hadley and Max. Their story begins with them as competitors on a televised cooking competition where Max loses to Hadley and also totally loses his cool leaving Hadley just a tad traumatized. When they once again share a show, they are forced to work together but this time as partners rather than competitors.
I enjoyed how Hadley and Max navigated the trials and errors of the series, especially as they learned that they were being pitted against each other and decided to surprise the director by not falling in with his plans. It was a great example of how our heroes often do not live up to our expectations. Dialogue between Hadley and Max was often witty and fun but it definitely took awhile for them to trust each other. I liked the change in Max that he attributed to Hadley’s influence. What a better testimony it could have been if he changed because he saw Jesus in Hadley’s life.
Although this was a fun book to read, I fear that my age is showing. It is obviously a novel for the younger, more hip gals. I think I may have to bypass the current chick lit in the future and stick with something directed toward us more mature women.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Get ready for a heaping helping of humor, romance, and second chances
Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show, To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel’s other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.
When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum and is sent packing, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public’s good graces is to work alongside Hadley. As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love.
Bethany Turner is the award-winning author of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck and Wooing Cadie McCaffrey and the director of administration for Rock Springs Church in Southwest Colorado. A former bank executive and a three-time cancer survivor (all before she turned 35), Bethany knows that when God has plans for your life, it doesn’t matter what anyone else has to say. Because of that, she’s chosen to follow his call to write. She lives with her husband and their two sons in Colorado, where she writes for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.
So, if we were having this conversation in person, we would probably be hanging out at Starbucks or one of the cute coffeehouses in town. I’m nuts about all things coffee, I’m crazy about all things pink and girly, and I love, love, love the Food Network! I’m married to my best friend and the most amazing guy ever, Jon. He is amiable toward coffee, does not like anything pink or girly and tolerates the Food Network. So, we make a good match! In July 2010, we became parents to one of the funniest, cutest, sweetest little guys in the whole world (and nope, we aren’t biased at all!), our Nater-Tot, who is legally known as Nathan. Most days, I’m cleaning up messes, making goofy faces, trying to fit some writing in, and just LOVING the life that God has given me!
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Paige Alder is in a really good place. She’s dating nice guy Tyler. Her boss has offered her a raise. Her walk with God is strong. Life is great—and that’s when things start to change.
First, the youth pastor at church keeps asking Paige to work with him full-time. Then her sister shows up newly engaged and wanting to reconnect, even though they haven’t spoken in years. And now former boyfriend Luke has come back into her life. How is Paige supposed to know what the right decisions are?
This warm and humorous second book in the Paige Alder series will help young girls work through important issues, such as forgiving others and obeying God.
Second book in Carlson’s Life at Kingston High, “The Best Friend” not only explores the true meaning of friendship but delves into some pretty serious issues faced by today’s teens. Primary character Lishia Vance was feeling pretty left out after her best friend apparently found a new best friend. Not only that but it seemed as though the rest of her friends from church had abandoned her also. So Lishia was a prime target when cheerleader Riley decided that Lishia would be the perfect best friend for her. So, desperate to be accepted and even popular, Lishia allowed herself to be manipulated into doing things she wouldn’t ordinarily do even though she felt uncomfortable doing them. Eventually she had enough but found it difficult to extract herself from the situation – a situation that had even become dangerous to her.
At my advanced age (old enough to have teen grandchildren), it is difficult to imagine some of the things our young people come face to face with every day. It would be nice to believe that they don’t need to be warned about some of the things depicted in “The Best Friend” but I am afraid that would just be denial. I am so thankful that Melody Carlson is brave enough to write about the things most of would like to ignore and that she does so in a manner that teens can enjoy and relate to. I only wish these books had been around when my own daughter was in high school.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
With her signature insight into the lives of teen girls, bestselling author Melody Carlson explores the treacherous world of friendship, loyalty and choices girls face in high school in The Best Friend, a Life at Kingston High novel.
Lishia Vance is flummoxed. One day she has friends. The next day everyone has turned against her. No explanation. Just complete social isolation. Even her best friend Janelle isn’t giving her the time of day. When she makes a connection with Riley Atkins, a popular cheerleader, things start looking up. But is Riley really as good a friend as she seems? Or is Lishia better off without her?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington’s, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, The Jerk Magnet, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. Melody was selected for a Romantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her books in 2010 and 2011. She and her husband live in central Oregon. For more information about Melody visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.
“Hello, Hollywood” is another fun filled tale from Janice Thompson that is filled with her trademark quirky humor. Set in the same sitcom TV studio as “Stars Collide”, first installment of Thompson’s Backstage Pass series, the primary character is Athena Pappas, the head screenwriter for the wildly popular TV series. Included are some beloved old friends as well as several new friends the reader will love, including Athena’s fun and loving crazy Greek family.
Athena’s world tilts when a new writer is added to the writing team. It doesn’t help that he is a somewhat famous comedian who has just starred in his own HBO TV special and has been nominated for an award. Her lack of self-confidence has her convinced that it is only a matter of time before everyone knows she is a fraud and her job security is gone. Prepared to hate the new writer, Steve Cosse, Athena finds herself liking him against her better judgement. But in her mind, there is NO WAY an Adonis like Steve could ever be interested in someone like her.
Well, it is a given that “Hello, Hollywood” is a romantic comedy featuring Steve and Athena. What you don’t know is how much fun it will be on the journey to the expected conclusion. Let me just say, “Conflict, conflict, conflict!” I loved the mentions of classic TV comedies and the chapter titles of old TV shows. Athena’s tendency to script her own romantic moments in her head as she experienced them was hilarious. As I can always expect from one of Janice’s novels, “Hello, Hollywood” has a well paced plot, wonderful characters, plenty of humor, a sweet romance, and an unobtrusive but clear message of faith. I know I can count on Janice to supply me with stories that brighten my day. If you have never read one of her books, “Hello, Hollywood” (and “Stars Collide”) would be a good place to start.
This book was provided for review by
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
ABOUT THE BOOK: Say Hello to Hollywood! Find out just how funny life can be when you try to script it.
Popular romance author and screenwriter, Janice Thompson, is charming her readers once again with a behind-the-scenes look at life in Hollywood. Her new book, Hello, Hollywood! (ISBN: 978-0-8007-3346-9, $14.99, 288 pages, September) is the second installment in the Backstage Pass series. This time, Thompson takes her readers inside the writer’s room.
At 28, Athena Pappas has a pretty great gig. She’s the head writer of one of the most popular sitcoms in television history, Stars Collide. Yet, something’s still lacking: her love life.
Athena finds nothing wrong with still living at home with her large, wacky Greek family and making her bed with the same Strawberry Shortcake sheets she had as a kid. None of that has prevented Athena from plotting her characters’ romances. So why is her own love life so hard to script?
Athena’s love life gets the shakeup it needs when her boss hires up-and-coming Vegas comedian, Stephen Cosse, to help boost the show’s sagging ratings. Feeling her position as head writer threatened, she starts to doubt her talents, and the fact that Stephen is as good looking as Adonis doesn’t escape Athena’s attention either.
Sparks fly as the competition—and attraction—between the two heats things up. While they struggle to create conflict and comedy for their characters on the page, Athena and Stephen develop a relationship they never would have scripted for themselves and discover that not being in control of the plot of their lives may just be the best thing that’s ever happened.
Hello, Hollywood! delights readers with its charm and humor. Every character will jump off the page and into the readers’ hearts.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson affords an inside look at TV land, drawing on her experiences as a screenwriter. She is the author of the Weddings by Bella series and lives in Texas. To learn more about Janice visit her at: www.janicethompson.com
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Betsy St. Amant is the author of more than fifteen inspirational romances, including The Key to Love, and a frequent contributor to iBelieve.com. She lives in north Louisiana with her husband, two daughters, a collection of Austen novels, and an impressive stash of pickle-flavored Pringles. When she’s not composing her next book or trying to prove unicorns are real, Betsy can usually be found somewhere in the vicinity of a white chocolate mocha–no whip. Learn more at www.betsystamant.com.
A Carol award finalist and Selah award winner, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.
