This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Love Me Tender
Summerside Press
(September 1, 2010)
by
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna, She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over fifty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. Janice currently serves as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).
She was thrilled to be named the 2010 Barbour/Heartsong Author of the Year with three books on the top ten list for that house. Janice is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Her online course, “Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer” has been helpful to many who want to earn a living with their writing. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As “Love Me Tender” plays in the background, Debbie Carmichael determines to salvage her family’s restaurant, Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe, when her father’s health fails. Teen heartthrob Bobby Conrad agrees to perform at a fundraiser concert. But just two weeks before the highly publicized event, Bobby backs out of the benefit. Enter Johnny Hartman, a young, unknown singer to take Conrad’s place. Debbie soon realizes the twists and turns leading up to the concert are divinely orchestrated. And it isn’t dreamy Bobby Conrad who has stolen her heart – but the tender love of Johnny Hartman.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Me Tender, go HERE.
Learn more about Janice and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
For a trip down memory lane to the early days of rock and roll, poodle skirts, and drive-ins, Love Me Tender is just the ticket. A sweet and tender love story set primarily in a popular diner near the beach in sunny California, this novel features a young woman dedicated to making life easier for her ailing father. As she plans a benefit concert hoping to meet the hot new singer/actor Bobby Conrad, she meet Johnny Hartman, a newcomer to LA who just wants a chance to share his music.
As in her other books, Janice Hanna (Thompson) has managed to present the reader with likable and interesting characters while keeping it real. Both Bobby and Johnny were portrayed as young men whose strong faith kept them on track in a day when rebels like Marlon Brando and James Dean were the norm. Excerpts from the Hollywood Heartthrob magazine at the beginning of each chapter added an extra layer or interest to the story. While not as humorous as some of Hanna’s other novels, Love Me Tender still had its moments, especially in scenes featuring Jim’s son Toby.
If you love TV shows and movies such as “Happy Days” and “Grease”, Love Me Tender should be a must have addition to your reading list. The cover alone will grab your attention.
Thanks so much for the sweet review. I agree this book wasn’t as comedic. The full-out comedy just didn’t seem to fit the time period. But I loved, loved, loved the characters and the story and I’m glad you liked it, too!