"Truffles by the Sea" by Julie Carobini

*** Leave a comment on this post to win a copy of Truffles by the Sea.***
This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Truffles by the Sea
Bethany House (February 1, 2008)
by
Julie Carobini

ABOUT THE BOOK:
If you read, Julie's first book, Chocolate Beach, then you might remember Gaby as Bri’s dramatic, lovesick best friend. Unfortunately, things get worse—much worse—for her before they get…well, best not to give it away.Sometimes all a girl has left is chocolate...Gaby Flores has a penchant for drama and an unfortunate knack for dating Mr. So Wrong. After breaking off yet another relationship, watching her apartment building burn to the ground, and discovering that her dippy delivery guy has run off with most of her business, Gaby decides it’s time to turn things around.So she moves to a tiny waterfront loft and takes on a new motto: “Be gullible no more!” With help from her friends, she works to rebuild her flower shop—and her life. But when legal troubles and quirky neighbors and two surprising romances enter her beachy world, Gaby’s motto and fledgling faith are put to the test.Can a young woman prone to disaster in both work and love finally find happily ever after?

My Review: I loved it. It was even better than the first!(which I loved) And the ending might just surprise you. :) I am also giving away a copy. Just leave a comment on this post.

"Truffles by the Sea is delightful! Julie Carobini has a new fan in this reader, and she's earned a spot on my keeper shelf." --Kay James, RomanceReaderatHeart.com

"This book is a delight to read, and the author has us rooting for Gaby from page one. This girl's never-say-die attitude is incredible, and her life is filled with all kinds of foibles. This is chick lit with heart – about so much more than finding a man.... While keeping the light chick lit tone, this book satisfied while avoiding the tired old formulas. Just when I’m ready to give up on the genre, I stumble across an author who can write without relying on stereotypes." --Cara Putman, writerinterrupted.com

"I liked Julie Carobini's first novel, Chocolate Beach, but her sophomore release, Truffles By The Sea, greatly surpasses it. I thoroughly enjoyed Carobini's second book and felt her writing was much stronger throughout. The characters are deeper and yet funnier – a great combination.... It's a great read for a cold winter day – you can curl up with the book, a nice fire and pretend you're the one by the sea." --Jill Hart, RadiantLit.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura Beach, California.She also likes to blog! Go leave her a comment at Waves of Grace.

Julie left you all a special message:

To celebrate my upcoming CFBA tour March 5-7, I'll be giving away a copy of Truffles by the Sea AND and a 1/2 lb. box of yummy truffles to three of your readers.All they need to do is drop by my blog http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/ during the tour and leave a comment and a way to contact them if they win!

"Happily Even After" by Marilynn Griffith

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Happily Even After (#3 - Sassy Sistahood Series)
(Steeple Hill January 1, 2008)
by
Marilynn Griffith

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Marilynn Griffith is mom to a tribe, wife to a deacon and proof that God gives second chances. While best known for her colorful novels about friendship, family and faith, Marilynn is also a speaker and nonfiction writer.Her nonfiction has been included in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE CHRISTIAN WOMAN'S SOUL and several other devotionals and magazines. Currently, Marilynn is editor of the SISTAHFAITH:BELIEVING BEYOND SHAME anthology. She is also the founder of Faithchick.com, a blog for faith fiction readers.Marilynn is the author of six novels dealing with issues such as teen pregnancy, AIDS, abstinence, stress relief, single parenting and marriage. Her recent fiction titles include TANGERINE and IF THE SHOE FITS.Marilynn has served as Vice President and Publicity Officer of American Christian Fiction Writers. She speaks to youth, women and writers about believing beyond boundaries and daring to reach dreams.Marilynn lives in Florida with her husband and seven children whom she taught at home for seven years. When not chasing toddlers, helping with homework or trying to find her husband a clean shirt, she can be found scribbling furiously on her next novel.To book Marilynn for media interviews, speaking engagements, Serious Fun fiction parties or book club call-ins, please contact her thru her WEBSITE.

ABOUT THE BOOK
Superwoman doesn't live here!I marry a gorgeous executive, have a baby, lose all the weight (most of it), and move to a fine house in the suburbs with a welcoming new church. Wait...did I say welcoming?One teeny waaah! and new mothers and their crying babies are exiled to a separate room. At least there's some enlightening conversation. Like about my husband and issues I didn't even know about!And then there's my aptly named mother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, who can't stand me.I'm about to lose my mind! So it's high time for a visit to the Sassy Sistahood for some much-needed advice about men, marriage and motherhood!
The Sassy Sistahood: They get by with a little help from their friends.

"Miss Match" by Erynn Mangum

Book Summary:

Lauren Holbrook has found her life's calling: matchmaking for the romantically challenged.
And with the eclectic cast of characters in her world, there's tons of potential to play "connect the friends."She works for her best guy friend Brandon as a photographer and meets the beautiful blond Hannah when he hires her to be the new receptionist. Her dad is a retired somewhat wealthy germ a phobe widower. Inspired by the recent success of matching her sister and new husband, Lauren sets out to introduce Nick, her carefree singles' pastor, to Ruby, her neurotic coworker who plans every second of every day. Lauren gets thrown together with Ryan, Ruby's brother. They pretend to be dating so that everyone will leave them alone. What could possibly go wrong? Just about everything. When Lauren's foolproof plan begins to unravel, she learns that a simple introduction between friends can bring about complicated results. And as she reconsiders her new role as Cupid (as well as her vow to stay single forever), will Lauren finally decide that God's plan is always good enough? This book is open to a sequel and it has came out, "Rematch." The third book will be published next summer.

Author: Erynn Mangum is a 22 year old still living at home . This is her first book and she started writing just for fun. She is obsessed with chocolate and coffee especially Starbucks. Visit her online at http://www.erynnmangum.com/

Brittanie:

I lovved this book. I thought it was cute and funny. I had many laugh out loud moments. There were many references to Jane Austen and Emma in this book. They were great. She has a def. movie obsession. To me Lauren's extreme coffee obsession and chocolate is a little over the top. I do not drink coffee but I do love chocolate and if we eat like Lauren we will all be at least 400 lbs. Even with that this book was great. I ordered the sequel as soon as I finished it. I have read it so review coming soon on that one. I highly recommend this cute chick lit series.

"The Guy I'm Not Dating" by Trish Perry

Book Description:

“Yowza!” exclaims Kara Richardson when she sees the handsome proprietor of the new delicatessen in town, Gabe Paolino at the gym where she is a personal trainer. He soon expresses mutual interest. This would be the start of a perfect love story, except for one thing—after a messy breakup Kara has vowed to stop dating for a while and only be friends with the men in her life. She is determined to rely on God's leading and not on her heart for romance. She read a book on not dating which in turn leads Gabe to read the same book.

But when humorous circumstances send Kara and Gabe on a road trip to Florida, hope springs anew. Her vow of not dating is challenged daily. Fortunately a group of friends and family tag along in the deli van. It makes for a very interesting journey that is entertaining and full of surprises. Even with Kara’s flirtatious coworker Tiffany—“a hyena in heels”—along for the ride, the uncouple begins a lively journey that could change their paths forever.

This memorable, charming story of love’s persistence captures the honor of waiting on God’s timing, and the adventure of finding the perfect guy to not date.

Brittanie: I liked this book but it had a very slow start. Toward the middle once the journey began it really got good. I liked the interaction between Gabe and Kara. It is obvious from the beginning that they should be together. This book had laugh out loud moments and some touching serious ones too. There are a few conversions to Christianity but as long as you are Christian you will not find the book overly preachy. I was personally touched by all of them. I was expecting a light chick lit and while I got that there was also deep satisfiying characters and plot line. The sequel "Too Good To Be True" is out now. It is the story of one of Kara's best friends Ren.