Review: Dating, Dining and Desperation

dear readers,

I read Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel last month (http://mynoveladdiction.blogspot.ca/2014/02/review-lock-stock-and-over-barrel.html)and just finished the follow-up book...

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

DATING, DINING AND DESPERATION
(Book 2: Dear Daphne)
written by Melody Carlson
genre: contemporary fiction, christian fiction, romance


3 STARS 

Daphne is still looking for a husband in order to fulfill her Aunt's condition of her inheritance. With less than a year left Daphne has to start dating ASAP.  She has help in her new Southern neighbour, Sabrina who has moved to town to get away from her ex-husband.  While Sabrina pushes Daphne at any and every man, her father and friend, Olivia still want her to date Ricardo, the owner of a local diner.  Daphne has been brooding over her aunt's lawyer, Jake who is on vacation with his ex-wife.

While her love life seems to be taking over everything she comes across a young girl who is being raised by her elder sickly grandmother.  Daphne inserts herself in Mabel and Vera's life and wonders if adopting a child would trump getting married.

Dating, Dining and Desperation is what I would classify as a middle book in that it carries on from the last book and sets up the next novel. Not a bad light contemporary romance but nothing special. I also do not like the heroine's love interest as it seems forced and I am just not feeling the chemistry. 

love,
kris

Review: Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel

dear readers,

Melody Carlson is a Christian Literature author...which basically means God is mentioned without his name being taken in vain and characters may attend church.  Recently, I have picked up some novels with the "Christian Literature" label but it has not affected my opinion of the book.  I am not Christian or religious but believe in God and love learning about different faiths. As long as religious preaching does not take over the novel I will continue with these light quick reads.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

LOCK, STOCK AND OVER A BARREL
(Dear Daphne: Book 1)
written by Melody Carlson
genre: christian literature, contemporary romance, fiction

3 STARS 

Daphne's life in New York and working at The New York Times is not going the way she had first envisioned. Her best friend is married and having her first baby and looking for a new house.  When Daphne's Aunt Dee dies she rushes home for the funeral.  She soon discovers she has been left Aunt Dee's estate but it comes with conditions. These conditions must be met within the next year if she wishes to keep her new life back home.

This book is described as "Christian Literature" but isn't heavy on religion (or preachy) at all.  I cannot describe too much about the novel as there is some surprises that might be revealed.  I will say this is a light low action contemporary romance with light humour.

I do have the next novel in the series to review.

love,
kris