Though this is called book number one in "The Potluck Catering Club" it apparently was a spin-off of another series by authors Linda Shepherd and Eva Everson. I feel as if I was at a disadvantage since this novel doesn't provide enough back story for a new reader to follow along with what has occurred between characters in this novel. A lot of the novel is just recapping what happened between characters in other novels and very little was actually about the catering club. I actually thought that it would be more about them getting together, planning parties, and the women in the club actually interacting together. Instead there was a mis-mash of story lines and very real interaction with the women of the catering club until the very end.

Another major issue is that due to the number of characters in this novel I did not get enough time to really become involved with anyone's story. The chapters quickly alternate between characters and I had to go back several times to the beginning of a chapter just to remind myself who was 'speaking'.

Third and the most important issue for me was that when I looked up the book description this was not put out there as a Christian fiction novel. I have no issue with Christian fiction but it really is not my taste and I found a lot of things not really delved into at all besides some characters remarking they should pray on it. Frankly if the women in the novel were as Christian as they talked I would assume that the authors would have more scenes of them interacting at church or at church functions. I think this novel was definitely trying to be chick lit with a hint of Christian mixed into it and it ended up just not working at all.

I will definitely not be following up with the next book in this series. ( )

Even the "Holier than thou's" see that they may not be acting as Christ-like as they should be in this story of friendship, family and faith. The characters in this book were well-developed, you had good sense of who they were and while some of the characters had some serious problems there was enough fun that the story didn't get bogged down, by being too serious at any rate. I mentioned at the beginning the Holier than thou' s that's where I wished the authors would have moved the story along. But those moments did help the character work through those attitudes I just wish in places they could have gotten there quicker. I enjoyed the faith shown, that it wasn't static, that these women (and the men) had doubts and crisis of faith. It was a good first book in a series and I'll be interested to read the rest. And I didn't even mention the recipes at the end of the book which is the place to have them in a work of fiction. ( )

Umm--book 1? There is way to much background information here that obviously was from another book.
It was an OK read, just kind of confusing with all of the characters telling their stories in chapters and you got kind of confused at times. ( )

The Potluck Club is back and better than ever! They've decided to take their culinary talents, join forces and start up a catering business to serve the town of Summit View. What better way to have fellowship than to serve delicious foods with your best friends to those who love your home cooking? However secrets from the ladies' past start to come back and haunt them. When trying to hide their lurid past from each other, it only starts to tear each woman apart from the inside. Will they learn to trust each other to help them out or will the business fall apart before it barely gets up off the ground?

This book is like comfort food. You know you're going to enjoy the book even before you open the cover. I was so happy to see that one of my favorite series was continuing. I was also happy that the story just adds on, nothing out of the ordinary has changed in Summit View. Everyone gets along a lot better in these books. It's really nice to see the group come together without too much bickering. Any characters that seemed annoying in the first series have toned down a lot are and are more likable. Lisa Leann finally has moments where she cannot be in control. It was refreshing to see her not acting like a know it all for a change. I really hope that Lizzie's story is expanded more in future books. I feel like something needs to be done for her situation as no one is helping her out and it's getting to be a downward spiral. I, myself, have no trouble with the multiple story lines and points of view. Each character is unique and has such an interesting story line that I never got lost. The only thing I didn't like was the way Donna was treated by her half sister and by her boyfriend's mother. How much negativity and snubbing can one person take? Also what's funny is that in the past series I complained that there was too much of Clay and that he took away from the series. Now in this one, he's barely in it at all and I want him back! As always, there are some wonderful recipes from dishes mentioned in the book added for your reading and tasting pleasure. I even tried out a couple of the recipes in the back of the book. The Texas Hash was super easy to make and delicious. I have had requests to make it again (thank you Lisa Leann!) I can't wait for the next book in the series. I love these ladies and I'm so glad they're back! ( )

I have loved all the books in the Potluck series. Each book just gets better and better and I truly look forward to each new book when it comes out! ( )