Julie Arduini's Blog, page 122

Take the Plunge 2015 Summer Challenge

Julie’s note:

Don’t forget that Unlikely Merger is FREE on Amazon Kindle through July 5th. Pick up your copy here.

Summer . . . a time that kids pine for during the school year and parents may anticipate with something akin to dread. Fearing refrains of “I’m bored” or hours spent on the couch playing video games can make moms and dads nervous about the long, hot months stretching before their family. Focus on the Family’s Odyssey Adventure Club offers an answer, encouraging parents and kids to embrace faith and fun with the Take the Plunge Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse magazine’s Summer Challenge.

Take the Plunge

The Take the Plunge challenge features:

Master Mind Monday — commit God’s Word to memory
Ways to Play Wednesday — spend active time with your family
Faith Sharing Friday — share God’s love with others

The Take the Plunge challenge helps families memorize at least five verses, engage in five activities together and share their faith with five people before the school doors swing open again. Those who sign up will receive an 11-week plan with suggested verses to memorize, activity ideas (such as visiting a war memorial) and ways to witness (such as passing out popsicles at the park with an invitation to your church), making this challenge the perfect tool for parents who want summer to be a time of spiritual and social stimulation for their kids.

“Research tells us that the more senses we involve when teaching children a principle, the more likely it is to stick,” Plugged In editor and Adventures in Odyssey podcast host Bob Smithouser says. “Bible memorization by itself is great, but it becomes even more powerful when put into action. Know it. Share it. Live it.”

Families who sign up to take part in the challenge at www.whitsend.org/summer will have access to weekly verses to memorize, ideas for family fun and suggestions for service projects that allow a family to share their faith. Additionally, anyone who signs up to participate in the Take the Plunge challenge will receive a free scene from the latest Adventures in Odyssey album, as well as a free story from the book Strange Journey Back.

Tags:  Adventures in Odyssey, bored kids, challenge, faith, family, Julie Arduini, Odyssey Adventure Club, summer 2015, Take the Plunge Summer 2015 Challenge




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 A2Z Letter C---Cover Up My Crafts  Saturday Confession: Waiting on Medicine  COTT: Book Giveaway Contest Ends TONIGHT!  Book Review: Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson  Sabbath Sunday: He's Got YouCopyright © Julie Arduini [Take the Plunge 2015 Summer Challenge], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Unlikely Merger is FREE on Amazon Kindle through July 5th

The wait is over! Readers voted, the winning hero got their happy ending and now Unlikely Merger is FREE on Amazon Kindle through July 5th! http://amzn.to/1H3vydsPowered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

Book Description:

No longer needed as her father’s nurse, Mercy Lacewell attempts to step into his shoes at his acquisitions firm. That means travel, engaging strangers, and making final decisions—nothing she feels equipped to do. If her best friend has her way, Mercy will simply marry one of the single, available men she meets, but they overwhelm her. So handsome and kind. And so many. Even if she felt obliged, how could she ever choose?

Should she shove all attraction aside and focus on her father’s business, or is God warming her heart with the possibility of forever?

This is Book Three in the Heart Seekers series. Book One was A Dozen Apologies and Book Two was The Love Boat Bachelor. Unlikely Merger can stand alone but don’t you want to find out how all the stories tie together? It is quite the fun ride.

I wrote Landon Gates, Chapter 3, from Watkins Glen in Unlikely Merger. My heart was to honor the area I grew up in and create a character that represents the people. I named him after my nephew, and named his sister, Kaili, as the name we would have chosen had our son been a daughter.

All the heroes are swoon worthy and we heard at one point one vote separated five characters. Well, the votes are in but we can’t tell you who won Mercy’s heart.

Why not read on and find out? And once you’re done, if you enjoyed it, leave a review on Amazon and Goodreads? Thank you!

To purchase Unlikely Merger and leave a review, click here.

To review Unlikely Merger on Goodreads, click here.

Tags:  A Dozen Apologies, Julie Arduini, Landon Gates, The Heart Seekers Series, The Love Boat Bachelor, Unlikely Merger is FREE on Amazon through July 5th, Watkins Glen, Write Integrity Press




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 12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 9 - The ADVENTure Awaits You! by Charissa Steyn  Do You Hear the Captain's Call that Another Misfit is Leaving Barbie Island?  Book Review: Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter  Saturday Confession: When You Miss a Blessing  Sabbath Sunday: When I See a CaveCopyright © Julie Arduini [Unlikely Merger is FREE on Amazon Kindle through July 5th], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: Burning Justice by Helena Smrcek

Book Description:

Romantic suspense, set in French Lick Indiana, first in the Alicia Yu, FBI series.Between a beacon of hope and redemption, comes Jacob. Nora’s future hangs in the balance of his past.

Pacifist Mennonite social worker Nora Martin is on the verge of opening a residential facility for first-time offenders. After years of planning, she’ll finally be able to rescue young men from the violence of prison…or what has been their only other option, the violence of the military.

But then a stranger in camouflage and combat boots marches through her front door and claims to own her house. And he’s not interested in letting Nora change it.

Who is Petty Officer Jacob Schwartz, and why does no one in the close-knit town of French Lick, Indiana want to acknowledge that he exists? What are they hiding? What had seemed like a safe community is now full of secrets and old heartaches, and Nora is caught in the dangerous middle. Her only ally is her best friend, FBI agent Alicia Yu (who readers first met in Glitter and Sorrow), but even Alicia can’t protect her from the way Nora’s heart races every time Jacob’s in the room.

Can she trust a man in uniform?

Nora and Jacob’s choices have taken them down different paths, but God may still show them a safe way back.

 

***

The mark of good romantic suspense is constant conflict. Chemistry. A push-pull reaction in every chapter, every scene. Burning Justice has all of these things and more.

Alicia isn’t the star of Burning Justice as much as Nora Martin is. Nora’s about peace but nothing in her life is peaceful. Especially when Jacob comes back to town.

The two battle through plans for the farm, whispers about them that threaten the plans for the farm, whispers about his past, fears she has about her own past. There is sorrow and pain, but there is also fun self talk from Nora in the first person POV.

I found this book to be one I knew I should put down to get things done around the house, but I couldn’t. All the things above impressed me so, right down to the dramatic ending.

Each year I share my favorite reads of the year and right now, Burning Justice is in the running. I highly recommend.

(I received Burning Justice in exchange for an honest review.)

Tags:  Alicia Yu Series, author, book review, Burning Justice, FBI, fiction, Helena Smrcek, Julie Arduini, Mennonite




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Comments:  1 (One) on this itemTake a look!  
 A2Z Meme: Pull-eeze Contain Your Potty Mouth  Saturday Confession: I'm Just Going to Shake...  Celebrating My Blog Anniversary with a Book Giveaway  Get Some Couch Time with Jeannie Campbell, Character Therapist  Guest Blogger Laura Hodges Poole: My Middle Name is Not 'Doormat' (& Neither is Yours)Copyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Burning Justice by Helena Smrcek], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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COTT: In Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot Wins Latest Clash

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I know, technically Summer just started,

but…

Thank you all for participating in our

special May releases Clash of the Titles. We appreciate the efforts of all of our fans, and

particularly our authors this month:

Rachel

James, Jennifer

Rodewald, Heather Day

Gilbert, and Sarah Loudin

Thomas

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Some of the very encouraging words from our readers include:

–Love reading your books. Can’t put them down.

–Great looking

reads. All new authors to me. So, looks like I have great TBR pile for the

rest of the summer.

–Love all of Amanda Cabot’s books. I have Firefly

Valley here ready to read.

–I love Heather Gilbert’s books. She

writes in such a fresh and wonderful way, I feel I’m right there with her

characters. I especially love Tess’s character!

–Sarah Loudin Thomas,

I have loved both of your books! Keep ’em comin’!

–Trial by Twelve

is a masterful suspense novel. I love that it is set in West Virginia and

has a married couple as main characters. I hope there is a sequel! Bravo,

Heather Gilbert!

–Blue Columbine is a favorite and can’t wait for

more of Jen’s books to come out.

–Rachel James is an exciting new

author of engaging historical characters.

And the champ of this clash is…

Amanda Cabot, In

Firefly Valley

 

[image error]

She’s lost her dream job—but has she found the man of her dreams?

Devastated by a downsizing, Marisa St. George has no choice but to return

to the small Texas town where she grew up. Though it means a giant step

backward, she accepts a position as business manager at the struggling

Rainbow’s End resort. The only silver lining: Blake Kendall, a new guest

who might make her believe in love at first sight. But will Marisa’s dreams

of happily-ever-after be turned upside down when she discovers Blake’s real

identity?

This warm and witty story of dreams deferred and mistaken identity will

have you believing in second chances.

Buy the book on Amazon,

Barnes

and Noble

A NOTE FROM AMANDA

My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who helped make In Firefly Valley the

winner of this month’s Clash of the Titles. Your support means so much to

me! I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: you’re the reason I write.

Thank you for your belief in me and my writing.

I’ve been delighted with the response to this book. A number of you have

told me you think it’s even better than the first of the Texas Crossroads

stories, At

Bluebonnet Lake. Since I hope that my writing improves with each book,

hearing that has been the encouragement I need to work even harder on the

next book.

I’ve also been pleased with the praise reviewers have given In Firefly

Valley. RT BookReviews rated it a page turner and said, “Cabot’s heartfelt

storytelling rings true as she addresses the pains of bitterness and

resentment, as well as the hard fight to love again and forgive all hurts.

…Charming secondary characters and the beautiful Texas Hill Country

setting cap off a story that is a delight to read.”

[image error]Blogger Trudy Shiroma Koeffler had the following to say:

“To say I have a new favorite author is an understatement! This book was

absolutely fantastic on so many levels! First of all it brought deep

spiritual truths into the story naturally and realistically. The love story

was the sweetest one I’ve read in a long time, but it was not a predictable

love story at all. It had twists and turns, and nail biting episodes that

had me guessing till the end. I was impressed with the mature way love was

displayed in this story on all fronts with the various characters. This

book is not some fairytale romance but rather a tale of characters with

real issues, fears, heartaches and hang-ups. The author deals with each

issue in a detailed, emotionally healthy and spiritual rich way. The

description of landscape, cabins, cooking and friendships will make you

wish you could take a little trip to Dupree and visit Firefly Valley

yourself!”

Thank you again for your support. I’m excited, overwhelmed and more pleased

than I can ever say at having In Firefly Valley win this award. And, for

those of you who’ve asked “what’s next?” the third of the Texas Crossroads

books, On Lone Star Trail, will be released in February 2016. If you’d like

to learn more about that and my other books, I invite you to sign up for my

online newsletter. It’s simple: just send me an email. You’ll find the

address on my web page. I look forward to hearing from you.

About Amanda: Amanda Cabot is the bestselling author of more than

thirty novels including the Texas Dreams trilogy, the Westward Winds

series, and Christmas Roses. A former director of Information Technology,

she has written everything from technical books and articles for IT

professionals to mysteries for teenagers and romances for all ages. Amanda

is delighted to now be a fulltime writer of Christian romances, living

happily ever after with her husband in Wyoming.

Visit her website and Facebook page Twitter Blog

 

Tags:  Amanda Cabot, Clash of the Titles, COTT, fiction, In firefly Valley, Julie Arduini, romance, summer 2015, summer reads




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 Thankful for Life by Eleanor Gustafson  Saturday Confession: Resurrected Fire  Character Confession: That One Thing  Video of the Week: Surviving Henry by Erin Taylor Young  WFW: Summer's Real OppressionCopyright © Julie Arduini [COTT: In Firefly Valley by Amanda Cabot Wins Latest Clash], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Sabbath Sunday: When You’re the Purple Tree

When I first saw this picture I focused on the colorful tree on the right. It looked like one of those inspirational quotes “If you can’t stand up, stand out.”

It also reminds me of a talk I had with my oldest years ago. He is a kid with a clear sense of right and wrong. He’s deeply grieved when he sees people choose wrong, especially when it is himself. He realized the name of his school had “Christian” in it, yet he wasn’t seeing the behavior in everyone. He really struggled.I couldn’t completely remember the verse but I knew it was in 2 Timothy. I told him there’s going to be a time where he’s going to do the right thing.

And he’s going to stand alone.

All the green trees are going to follow the popular choices, the fun ones.

But him, that purple tree, is going to stand on a solid rock and proclaim truth. And even though it will feel like he’s standing alone, he won’t be.

The Lord will always be with him.

I’ve felt like that purple tree—standing out for Jesus—telling others how free it is to live for Him (not easy, free.) Guess what? I often stand alone.

I bet you’ve been there, too.

Guess what?

The Lord will always be with you.

 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

5 But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:3-5

 

Tags:  amateur nature photo, Julie Arduini, photography nature, Sabbath, standing out, Sunday, trees




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 Thankful: A Choice We Make by Martha Rogers  Youngstown-Warren Sister Rally  My Favorite Fiction Reviewed Read of 2011 (Say that Ten Times Fast)  Character Confession: Amazing at Warped Speed  Clash of the Titles: Vote for Favorite December ReleaseCopyright © Julie Arduini [Sabbath Sunday: When You're the Purple Tree], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Saturday Confession: When a Gen X’er Marries a Boomer

Growing up I never put my Barbie dolls into the plot line that they were going to meet someone ten years older and get married. No, Ken was their age. They went to the same school, lived in the same area. I assumed that was how my life would be.

Fast forward and I graduated college and finally surrendered my singleness. When Tom came into my life I was kind of mad. I was content. If it was going to be me and Jesus I was fine. Imagine my shock when he comes into my life as a divorced man with two kids. And oh right, ten years older.

The age difference didn’t bother me too much because I’ve always been an old soul. I did wonder how it would change through the years. I’ll admit, I see a gap sometimes. It would be tempting to be frustrated by the differences but I try to approach marriage like Rocky.

Yeah, Rocky Balboa.

Because he said about Adrianne—“I got gaps. She got gaps. Together, we ain’t got no gaps.” #marriagePowered By the Tweet This PluginTweet This

Here’s what I mean:

Parenting. As a Boomer, he grew up with the mantra that you can’t swim for 30 minutes after eating. As A Gen X’er, I lived a little more flexible on that rule. If we’ve had a full dinner and dessert of course no one is going in and swimming laps as soon as the fork is put down. But if I’ve had a hard candy, I’m going in. Okay, I’m embellishing it a little but he is a hard liner on this rule.
Music. I grew up with Michael Jackson, NKOTB, Madonna, everything 80’s. My Pandora covers it all. He loves when CCR plays and I’m not a huge fan. He also loves 40’s music and Southern Gospel. A lot. I’m a fan but I have to take that in small doses.
Communication. My parents were boomers who believed there is no such thing as fighting or problems, so don’t speak of these things, ever. My husband has the same background. I hated that as a kid because I saw problems all over the place and I wanted to talk about them. I really believe this is in part why I write, I process the things I wanted to chat about as a kid. I am way, way more open than he is and I even hold back.
TV. Bonanza vs Little House. Tom and my Dad were Bonanza fans. I grew up idolizing Laura Ingall’s life because she had Pa via the 1970’s series. Now that I’m older I think what I was looking at was Michael Landon as an actor. I thought for sure my husband would long to get out the popcorn Ma and Pa style and watch re runs in bed. Ha. He makes fun of Little House. Had I known this, it quite possibly could have been a deal breaker. I realized it’s a Bonanza vs Little House issue, or, Boomer vs Gen X’er. And I still grieve as I watch the re runs all by my Gen X self.

These are pretty minor when you think about it, or, I need to remember they are. Early on I feared the age difference would result in more years alone if he passed away before me. The reality is his health is better than mine and I’ve given him instructions on what to do when I’m gone. I feared we’d be incompatible and he feared I’d be a camp counselor instead of a step-mom. But through the years and age difference we laugh about the same silly things we did back then, we find common TV and music to enjoy, and we’ve found a decent balance when it comes to parenting.

But I’m still mad about Little House.

Tags:  40's, 80's, Baby Boomer, Bonanza, confession, conflict, differences, Gen X, Julie Arduini, Little House, marriage, Michael Landon, parenting, Rocky Balboa




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 Character Confession: When Lightning Strikes  12 Pearls of Christmas | Day 11 - Just Like Mary by Carla Anne Coroy  A2Z Meme: Opportunity  The Lessons I'm Learning from Whitney Houston's Life and Death  Sabbath Sunday: Joy in the Morning by Julie ArduiniCopyright © Julie Arduini [Saturday Confession: When a Gen X'er Marries a Boomer], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: Old Fashioned by Rene Gutteridge and Rick Swartzwelder

Former frat boy Clay Walsh has given up his reckless lifestyle and settled down to run an antique shop in a small Midwestern college town. Determined to put his partying ways behind him, Clay has become notorious for his lofty and outdated theories on love and romance. But when Amber Hewson, a free-spirited woman with a gypsy soul, rents the apartment above his shop, Clay can’t help being attracted to her spontaneous and passionate embrace of life.

New to the area, Amber finds herself surprisingly drawn to Clay and his noble ideas, but her own fears and deep wounds are difficult to overcome. Can they move beyond their differences and their pasts to attempt an “old-fashioned” courtship?

This is a novelization based on the movie of the same name. I read this before watching the movie, but my guess is the authors did a great job keeping the book in tune with the movie.

I had trouble at first getting into the story because it almost dealt with secondary characters before Clay and Amber. Once their story started I was caught up in their quirky romance. Amber had been hurt before and as fascinating as Clay’s principles are, she’s afraid of getting hurt again. Clay has used those principles as a wall to protect himself from ever becoming what he used to be. But Amber is someone who just might help him find that balance—and romance.

It’s a sweet read and is a refreshing change from what the world offers dating couples.

I encourage you to take a chance on Old Fashioned.

To purchase Old Fashioned, click here.

I received Old Fashioned from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tags:  book review, fiction, Julie Arduini, novelization, Old Fashioned, Rene Gutteridge, Rik Swartzwelder




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 Book Review: God is Able by Priscilla Shirer  Saturday Confession: Sometimes I Say No to Prayer  Saturday Confession: Close Enough  My 12 in 12 Update  Sabbath Sunday: Get Your Feet WetCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Old Fashioned by Rene Gutteridge and Rick Swartzwelder], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: Old Fashioned the Devotional by Ginger Kolbaba and Rik Swartzwelder

Book Description:

Contrary to popular opinion, being “old fashioned” doesn’t mean you’re dull or unromantic. In fact, a true old-fashioned relationship can be more exciting and romantic than anything you’ve ever experienced! So what does it mean to do things The Old Fashioned Way? Sure, it means opening doors, holding out chairs, and taking things slow. But a true old-fashioned romance goes much deeper than that. Inspired by the motion picture Old Fashioned, this book will show you how to reclaim the lost art of romance by introducing you to romantic love as God intended it―for all of us. Regardless of your past experiences, where you’ve been, or where you are now, you can find and create a love that will last a lifetime.

As you work your way through this 40-day journey of inspiring readings and questions for reflection, you’ll discover all the unique and amazing benefits of doing things the old-fashioned way and be well on your way to creating a love story for the ages.

Rik Swartzwelder, writer and actor in Old Fashioned, offered that the movie wasn’t about having the answers. If such a vehicle exists, it would be, in his words, this devotional.

Ginger Kolbaba takes the heart of Old Fashioned and crafts 40 excellent devotionals to make you think about living life with purpose and without regret. I found the devotionals creative, thought provoking and a perfect companion to the novelization and DVD.

To order Old Fashioned the devotional, click here.

I received the devotional from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tags:  book review, devotional, Ginger Kolbaba, Julie Arduini, Old Fashioned, Rik Swarzwelder




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 Guest Blogger Melanie Slaugh---The Missing Step: Character  A2Z Meme: I Used to Wish Life was Easy  Sabbath Sunday: Did You Hear Your Invitation?  Sabbath Sunday: Ah, Temptation  COTT BLOG ALLIANCE: Meet Christine Lindsay and Pamela S. ThibodeauxCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Old Fashioned the Devotional by Ginger Kolbaba and Rik Swartzwelder], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson

Book Description:

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is busy planning her fairy-tale wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn’t managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? Anyway, she’s sure he’ll be getting down on one knee any time now. And a one-of-a-kind designer dress doesn’t just fall out of the sky right when you need it.

But when Katie’s boyfriend takes a job in another town and breaks up with her–on the very same day she wins her dream dress–her world is turned upside down. Dare she go to Dallas to claim her prize? And will the hunky pro basketball player who runs the beyond-swanky bridal shop–yeah, you read that right–discover her humiliating secret if she does?

Every Bride Needs a Groom is a sweet romance that was a quick read but continues to hold my attention for all the right reasons. Normally if we knew a Katie, we’d mock her for planning a wedding without being proposed to. But in Every Bride Needs a Groom, it’s easy to feel sorry for her and yearn for her situation with the contest work out. Usually when you read that a NBA player is running a wedding shop, you would think there’s no way. Well, it works. And I was rooting for Brady.

But more than Katie and Brady, I loved the other characters. Brady’s mom. Katie’s brothers. Grandma. Her sister. The pastor. Each have their own story that flows well with the main characters without taking over.

I loved Every Bride Needs a Groom. This is a perfect summer read. Check it out!

To purchase Every Bride Needs a Groom, click here.

I received Every Bride Needs a Groom from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Tags:  book review, bride, Dallas Mavericks, Every Bride Needs a Groom, fiction, groom, Janice Thompson, Julie Arduini, NBA, romance, Texas, wedding




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 Sabbath Sunday: You See a Sunset, I See a Promise  Dialogue: Snappy Dialogue, That Is  Character Confession: I'm Intense with a Dash of Superficial  Guest Blogger April Gardner Talks about COTT Book Club Feature: Ellie Gustafson's The Stones  COTT: Announcing the Olympia WinnerCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Every Bride Needs a Groom by Janice Thompson], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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Book Review: Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant

Book Description:

Former pageant queen Stella Varland doesn’t trust beauty anymore after her divorce. Her appearance betrayed her and led to brokenness, so instead of being beautiful, now she tries to make beautiful things, but she always falls short. So she keeps her passion for art to herself and focuses on her interior design work. But if she doesn’t get another job soon, she’ll be stuck living with her parents.

 

Contractor Chase Taylor is determined to live a life of no regrets after losing his fiancée. Now he lives life at full speed, striving to see how much he can accomplish. He knows if he slows down, he’ll fall apart. So he returns home to Bayou Bend to renovate the town’s old theater and is shocked to discover that the designer for the project is his old flame, Stella.

 

Forced to work together, Chase and Stella battle their chemistry and past as they struggle to compromise and work together on a vision for the theater. Their wills clash as they attempt to hide their brokenness—and their unresolved feelings for each other—until Chase discovers the hidden parts of Stella, while losing her trust in the process.

A near catastrophe, a fire, and a small-town gossip mill finally force Stella and Chase to realize that they have a choice—to hold on to the shards of their pasts, or surrender their fragmented pieces to the One who makes a beautiful masterpiece from their brokenness.

I’ve read several, if not all of Betsy St. Amant’s books. I loved the premise of this one—two people with a past involving each other have to work together on a restoration project of a movie theater while having even more past the other one doesn’t know about. For Stella, she’s divorced and suffering terrible anxiety because of it. For Chase, he lost his fiancee.

Like a mosaic, pieces are there for a great piece of work. I loved the umbrella aspect of the story, that really stood out to me. But I felt like a piece was missing. That we could get to know Stella a little bit better but we didn’t have access. Like her beauty pageant past we saw a beautiful glimpse of the outside, but didn’t get to know her beyond that. Chase was a bit more developed but I wanted to know and feel more from the both of them.

Their chemistry is great and there’s a lot of conflict to keep the pages turning. It would be a great book to bring to the beach.

To read Love Arrives in Pieces, order here.

I received a copy of Love Arrives in Pieces in exchange for an honest review.

Tags:  anxiety, beauty pageant, Betsy St. Amant, book review, divorce, fiction, Julie Arduini, Love Arrives in Pieces, movie theater, restoration, romance




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 Angels with Flashlights by Kathy Dippolito  Never Forget that Mom was Right  12 Pearls of Christmas---Deborah Raney's Snowflake Party  From Transition to Justice: Year in Review  A2Z Meme: Heaven's Happy HallelujahCopyright © Julie Arduini [Book Review: Love Arrives in Pieces by Betsy St. Amant], All Right Reserved. 2015.

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