Piece de Resistance: A Novel Review

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(More customer reviews)I have been aching to read Sandra Byrd's "Piece de Resistance". This wonderful novel picks up where "Bon Apetit" left off. Lexi has returned to Seattle from her bakery training in Paris to run the latest Delacroix Bakery. She is running into some challenges and is unsure if she can do it. She hopes that her interpretation of events and her study of Philippians is leading her in the right direction. She is also at a crossroads in her love life. Will she choose Dan, the Seattle lawyer, who makes her heart skip a beat when he enters a room? Or Philippe, the exotic Frenchman with the beautiful little Celine, who has captured Lexi's heart?
Byrd's writing sparkles like the Bijoux Bakery. I was riveted from cover to cover. The suspense builds as the story progresses, drawing the reader into a deep investment into Lexi's personal and professional choices. You'll believe that these characters live right next door to you.

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Having earned her chef's hat, Lexi Stuart bids au revoir to her glamorous and deliciously satisfying pastry mentorship outside of Paris and returns to her hometown of Seattle, Washington. There, she finds life unexpectedly complicated.She's put in charge of a high-end catering bakery called Bijoux, which should be her dream job, but there's a catch: She has to make this lavish bakery into a successful business in just a few, short months, which will require more than her ability to make an amazing wedding cake. In over her head and at a loss for creative marketing ideas, Lexi isn't sure what the recipe for success needs to be. Stir in a complicated relationship with her French beau Philippe and his daughter, Celine, then add a dash of romance with down-to-earth lawyer Dan, and life suddenly contains more ooh la la than Lexi can handle. With the fate of her career and her love life hanging by a thread, the phrase "piece of cake" has never been more daunting. Lexi learns that she must trust the dreams in her heart and the God who put them there.

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The Ex Factor (Harlequin Blaze) Review

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(More customer reviews)I loved all of the characters in this book. I didn't think I'd enjoy the "wedding planner" theme but it led to a lot of funny meetings between Karen (the wedding planner) and her ex-husband Dexter Crane (best man).
The chemistry between these two is off the charts but the secondary love story was just as good. Laurel, the ethereal cake designer and Ron, the boring accountant, ended up being the most poignant part of the book. They were complete opposites but so perfect for each other. Ron wooes Laurel by lending her his favorite mystery novels complete with his letter grade in the back. She finds it interesting that he never gives anything an A+.
Later, Ron tells her "You are the A+ I never thought I'd find."
That's the part that earned this book a place on my keeper shelf. Enjoy!


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Wedding planner Karen Petersham loves weddings-usually. Her newest client, Sophy, has brought along her best man for advice. And the best man is none other than Karen's sexy ex-husband, Dexter Crane. But there are rules when engaging in ex-sex: 1) Do not get romantically involved (obviously)2) All fun. No fight.3) Two words-booty call!4) (Reminder: nix the romantic involvement)5) Remember why it ended (important!)6) And get out before you fall in love with him again….--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

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Previously Engaged Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been so excited to read Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain. I read Strain's debut novel, The Icing on the Cake, and have been anticipating this sequel.
I love Annabelle Pleasanton, the hilarious, quirky, always-getting-out of scrapes main character. She is dating Isaac Matthews, and she gets the feeling that he's going to propose. He asks her ring size and hints that she should get a short lease on an apartment, but Annabelle keeps waiting for it to happen. In the meantime, she wins a $50,000 "Dream Wedding." Although he hasn't technically proposed yet, Annabelle begins to plan her "Dream Wedding."
There are a few obstacles keeping her from that dream wedding. First, there's Alex who dumped her at the prom, but seems to have had second thoughts. Then, there's Chloe, Isaac's agent, whom everyone seems to think is perfect for him. There's also the fact that Isaac is not into the high end designer suit and fancy food that her dream wedding require. To top it all off, an amazing job offer threatens to come between Annabelle and Isaac.
This is a funny, laugh-out-loud story about a very endearing woman. Through this first-person account, I felt like I really knew Annabelle. Strain's comical and crisp writing style brings the reader into the story like you're listening to your best friend and rooting for her to get out of the awkward situations she manages to get into.
Despite Annabelle's penchant for designer bargains, beneath that cashmere sweater, is a huge heart. She writes "Pink Notes" in a notebook which contains lists of people who inspire her. Amongst her "Pink Notes" are women who run a flower business and bakery whose proceeds go to charity. Inside, Annabelle knows what's important in life and it's a fun ride reading as she makes meaningful decisions with that $50,000 she won.
I love a story that makes me laugh and inspires me at the same time. Elodia Strain's Previously Engaged is that story. You'll find a well-written book with fleshed-out characters who feel real. Funny dialogue and interior monologue accompany this gem. With her clever writing style, Strain has composed a charming book that makes me want to read the next book she has to offer.


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Annabelle Pleasanton has just been given the chance of a lifetime: A $50,000 Dream Wedding. The only problem? She s not technically, 100 percent, all-the-way engaged. Her best friend has seen the ring, and her boyfriend has been dropping all kinds of hints but something seems to be keeping him from popping the question. With interference from all sides, including exciting new job opportunities, eccentric relatives, and ex-high-school-sweethearts, Annabelle begins to wonder if she ll ever get married. In this hilarious sequel to Icing on the Cake Annabelle navigates the crazy, often chaotic twists of life and love and learns some very important lessons along the way about what really matters most.

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Not Quite A Bride Review

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(More customer reviews)I absolutely loved this book! It was so funny that I laughed out loud MANY times while reading it. I really love Sophie Kinsella books and since I've read them all I haven't found anything that tickled me as much as this book. I am SO excited to have a new author to read! I can't wait to read, Not Quite A Mom.

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This is a hilarious and heart warming debut novel of big dreams, big days, and even bigger lies...Molly Harrigan has always dreamed of the perfect wedding, she just never thought she'd be in scores of them as the bridesmaid. Now, on her thirtieth birthday - after her younger, married sister announces that she's pregnant - Molly's old dream takes on an all-new urgency. It doesn't help matters that her best friend Brad drops the bomb that he's engaged to his spoiled brat of a girlfriend. Devastated, Molly does what almost no one in the same situation would do. With a giant wedding fund burning a hole in her pocket (courtesy of her late, beloved grandmother), Molly hires a fiance. Now armed with the perfect boyfriend, Molly stages a whirlwind courtship, engagement, and grand-ballroom-style wedding. Lying to her friends and family is a small price to pay for cake-tastings, gift registries, and dress fittings. But lying to herself could cost Molly her one chance at true love - with a man whose feet are turning as cold as her own...

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Falling For Gracie Review

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(More customer reviews)Gracie Landon has spent the last 14 years trying to live down her infamous past. Sent away at the age of 14 because her obsessive love for Riely Whitefield resulted in all kinds of havoc, Gracie has been asked by her mother and sisters to return home to plan her sister Vivian's wedding. It turns out that the reason they appeared to invite her is for one of her famous wedding cake creations at no charge. Gracie, now living in LA is the wedding cake maker to the stars; the Vera Wang of the cake set. When her sister Alexis asks her to help spy on her husband because she suspects he's unfaithful, Gracie reluctantly agrees, particularly since it entails spying on the house of Riley. Zeke is Riley's mayoral campaign manager. Riley has a vengeful uncle who makes his winning the election a condition of his inheritance of $97 million. His plans are to win but not serve. When they literally bump into each other, she confesses to Riley why she's there, and he agrees to help her solve the mystery to ensure hsi chances for winning are not curtailed. Soon he wonders why he resisted her all the years ago. As Riley's popularity in the poles increase (thanks to a suggestive picture and a reprinting of "The Gracie Chronicles," highlighting her past transgressions), he and Gracie continue to investigate. But the current mayor will do anything to get reelected, and he and his mistress (who has link to both Riley and Gracie) try to embarrass Riley and Gracie at every turn. But when her livelihood is threatened, Gracie is out for blood.
The story is refreshing and more than a mystery/romance. The family dynamics of the Landon women could be a book in and of itself, and the nosy townspeople would make anyone happy to live an anonymous life in a big city. While the bad guys are no mystery, getting there is so much fun!

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Always the Baker, Never the Bride Review

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(More customer reviews)In a word, Scrumptious! Sandra Bricker's latest release had me laughing out loud, craving crème brule, and aching for the hero and heroine as their faltering hearts brought them two steps forward and one maddening step away from each other. Always the Baker, Never the Bride is a story that will delight from first bite until the last delicious morsel. This contemporary romance left me cracking up with every chapter and growling when I had to put it down. I love the way the plot wove in unconventional patterns, and the rich complexity of characters had them jumping off the page. A second helping, please!
-Emily Hendrickson

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Thirty-six-year-old Emma Rae Travis has been baking specialty cakes and melt-in-your-mouth pastries at The Backstreet Bakery in historic Roswell, just outside of Atlanta, for the last six years. But here s the rub about her job as a baker ... Emma is diabetic. When she tastes her creations, it can only be in the most minute portions. Emma is considered an artisan for the stunning crème brulee wedding cake that won her the Passionate Palette Award last year, but she s never even had one full slice of it. When Jackson Drake hears about this local baker who has won a prestigious award for her wedding cake artistry, he tells his assistant to be sure and include her in the pastry tastings scheduled at his new wedding destination hotel the following week. And for Jackson, that particular day has started out badly with two workmen trapped in a broken elevator and a delivery of several dozen 300-thread-count bed linens in the wrong size abandoned in the lobby. But when the arrogant baker he met a week prior in Roswell stumbles into the dining room with a platter of pastries and a bucketful of orders, he knows for certain: It s going to be a really rotten day. Can these two ill-suited players master the high-wire act and make a go of their new business venture? Or will they take each other crashing downward, without a net? And will the surprise wedding at The Tanglewood be theirs?

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Dress Rehearsal Review

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(More customer reviews)Lauren is the Vera Wang of wedding cake design. She owns a hip boutique and has an uncanny knack for determining a couples' potential for staying together based on the cake that they choose. Her best friend after all chose the wrong cake and ultimately the wrong groom. When her other close friend makes a near disastrous decision, it is up to Lauren to rescue her from making the same mistake.
Enter ex-boyfriend Neil. He and his fiance show up at her boutique and he chooses the cake that Lauren has already determined will be her cake. Did she make a mistake eight years ago when she sent Neil packing? Despite being in the early throes of a new relationship with marriage-shy divorce lawyer Charlie (who she has so much in common with, including clients), Lauren entertains the idea of pursuing a relationship with Neil before he ties the knot. At the same time, she is trying to launch a wedding cake book, set her friend Paige up with a more appropriate guy, deal with a temperamental head cook, and determine if happily ever after means marriage.
Witty and insightful, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, except for that ambiguous ending. It just seemed to be missing something!

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