Annie Jones (1)Rezensionen
Autor von April In Bloom
Andere Autoren mit dem Namen Annie Jones findest Du auf der Unterscheidungs-Seite.
Annie Jones (1) ist ein Alias für Natalie Patrick.
Rezensionen
Irish eyes von Annie Jones
Dixie Fulton-Leigh has grown up in a family that is wealthy, well-educated and from a powerful family for generations. But now her father has died and she has to handle the family business on her own and take care of her slightly crazy relatives. Riley Walker was about to buy into the family business before the father died, so now he is trying to convince Dixie that he is not out to take over her, but just help her run her business. He comes with a little girl he is trying to raise that his sister up and left him with, and take care of his mother who has fallen and broken her hip. When, through delightful circumstances, Riley is offered a place in Dixie's large home as temporary residence, things get very complicated, but also delightful. I found myself enjoying every minute of my stay in the deep south. As one review said so well, it is a "story of love and laughter, tenderness and faith".
Jason's nicknamed "Lucky Dawg" (I'm not sure I ever figured out why.) and hates it (again, I'm not sure I ever figured out why.). He also doesn't like being called a hero. He's apparently never met his friend's family prior to this--and carries around guilt for not helping his late friend. Jason has a brother nicknamed "Hound Dawg" who apparently embraces his nickname if the early scene is any indication--though again, I'm not sure I figured out why he has this nickname.
Was given an ARC for an honest review.
Avery tries several times to tell him that she feels like no matter what she does (or tries to do) it is never right. Michael doesn't seem to "get it".
I agree with another reviewer that Heather's MO when confronted with something she doesn't want to handle is to run away. She also expects Michael to be a mind-reader and know what he did wrong so many years ago without having to be told. Unrealistic expectations and I agree with that same reviewer who pointed out that this method of coping isn't conducive to a "'Til death do us part" marriage.
I can understand Michael wanting to marry the female he's loved for years. I'm not so sure I understand Heather agreeing since she didn't seem to know he loved her until Colt Ridgeway pointed it out to her. She does protest, but not very strongly, before agreeing to marry him. In real life--I'm not sure this relationship would work out long-term without some real behavioral changes that might require some counseling to accomplish.
Widowed Mrs. Louise Howard Smith teaches piano as well as keeping the inn's books. Alice Howard is a part-time nurse. Divorced Jane Howard was a professional chef in San Francisco. She does the cooking and gardening. They share in housekeeping tasks.
These books have a formula: there will be a main problem and one or more problems for subplots. Guests and/or townspeople will be involved. Faith will play a part in resolving the problems.
It's New Year's Day and Jane is fixing a Southern-style dish for dinner. Alice is working. Their Aunt Ethel is supposed to be helping Louise take down the decorations, but she's not really doing much. (If the family were Catholic, those decorations would stay up until January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany.)
Alice's stories concern a newborn boy who might not live, and his young parents won't accept help except through the hospital. She accepts a speaking engagement, although it unnerves her, in the hope of getting money to help that baby.
Jane's story involves a widower named Lyndon Sturgis. I suspect he was a character in a previous book I haven't read. Anyway, Mr. Sturgis wants to build a house in the Acorn Hill area and wants to hire Jane to help him do that. Mr. Sturgis is impatient and often doesn't listen.
Louise has been asked to help associate pastor Henry Ley and his wife, Patsy, with their 'Making Marriage Matter' project. A young couple, Kat and Eggy Wickham, will stay at Grace Chapel Inn and be mentored in what makes a successful marriage. Louise, a widow who had a highly successful marriage, will be one voice. An older couple, Maggie and G. W. 'Mac' McGuffey, will also stay at the inn to help.
Of course things don't go as planned. Mr. Sturgis is making things more difficult for himself, Jane, and the building contractor she recommended, Clark. Barrett.
The poor Leys have so much literature they've researched and tests they want to give, but the tests aren't exactly popular with the Wickhams or the McGuffeys.
Things really go wrong for Alice at the conference. Among other things, the friend she was going to stay with needs a place to stay herself because of a problem at home. Thank goodness Agnes Pennington, who was Louise's next-door neighbor when she lived in Philadelphia, is going to visit at the inn while Alice and Virginia house-sit for her.
Agnes is a very engaging example of an elderly character who still lively and vital. I loved her reactions to some of the activities for Making Marriage Matter. She shares her own story about how she married her late husband, Woody (Woodrow). It was a sweet romance. (The song 'As Time Goes By' from that classic movie 'Casablanca', was Agnes and Woody's song.)
We do get to read Alice's speech, which I liked.
NOTES:
Chapter 2: my late father came from a long line of sons and daughters of the Old South, and according to him, only a [significant pause -- because that kind of language was not permitted in our house -- before heaping scorn on the next word] would put sugar in it and call it corn bread. Corn bread with sugar in it is johnnycake! We don't know if Jane is being authentic about her corn bread.
Chapter 6: See book 2, Going to the Chapel, for how the Leys came to live in the rectory while Pastor Thompson lives in an apartment.
Chapter 11 mentions a World War II treat, 'sweet milk,' which is not what the term means in the Old South.
See chapter 22 for a dumb stunt Mr. Sturgis pulled that is going to cost him time and money in getting his house ready.
See chapter 23 for what name Baby New Year was given.
The recipe for this book is New Year's Day Hoppin' John.
Cat lovers: Wendell, the Howard's big gray tabby, does appear.
Widowed Mrs. Louise Howard Smith teaches piano as well as keeping the inn's books. Alice Howard is a part-time nurse. Divorced Jane Howard was a professional chef in San Francisco. She does the cooking and gardening. They share in housekeeping tasks.
These books have a formula: there will be a main problem and one or more problems for subplots. Guests and/or townspeople will be involved. Faith will play a part in resolving the problems.
The main plot is the coming of Ida Lawson Hammond, a wealthy member of the formerly prominent Acorn Hill Lawson family. Mrs. Hammond remembers her girlhood in Acorn Hill fondly and wishes to benefit the town in some way. She is accompanied by her grand niece (great-niece -- both terms are correct), Heather Ann Hammond, a nice young woman. Mrs. Hammond is an imperious woman, used to doing things HER way.
The subplots are:
a. Ned Arnold, pharmacist, is substituting for Charles 'Chuck' Parker during his vacation. Mr. Arnold fears his memory is failing him.
b. Virginia Wellston, a self-taught church pianist from the nearby town of Potterston, She's taking lessons from Louise so her congregation won't know she needs improvement, but she's not taking instruction with grace.
c. Jane is restless. She wants to start a movie club.
d. Jane takes salsa dancing lessons. (Let's just say she's a much better chef and gardener...)
e. Abraham 'Abe' Dover, a widower, wants to court Alice, who was his late wife Lillian's nurse during her final days..
NOTES:
Parker Drug is described in chapter 8.
Chapter 17 has very important information concerning leftover pills. (To which I would like to add that it's very important for your pharmacist, doctor(s), and nurse(s) to know ALL of your prescription medications, your over-the-counter medications -- the ones you can buy without a prescription, and herbal/natural remedies. Ever hear of 'adverse drug interactions'? That means medicines that should not be taken together because something bad may or will happen. That includes herbs and natural remedies. Some medicines can't be taken with alcohol or certain foods. I'm on one of those myself. Luckily, I hate the food I can't eat while I'm on it.)
Of course all of the problems are solved or at least seen in a new light. Tales From Grace Chapel Inn is a gentle series that is particularly suited for reading during stressful times.
The recipe for this book is Zachary's Lemon Mousse.
Cat lovers, Wendell the big gray tabby does appear.
Yeah I did not really get it.
Love the leprechaun factor but the rest.... I still don't get it.
The first story in this bundle was written by Ruth Cardello and is about a college graduate from a wealthy loving family who has just heard a “secret” and is not happy so flies off in her private jet to France. This story of Madison and Richard, the wealthy princess and the talented chef, is one that is sweet and loving and filled with the message that family and love of family is very important. As with all love stories there is a glitch to deal with but it is also a happily ever after story perfect for the holidays.
The second book is by Nina Bruns and is the story of Nick and Emily. He is a vice cop trying to catch a human trafficker before joining the K-9 squad and she is looking for a new job in the city that will provide more excitement than she had in small town New Hampshire. There is chemistry and fun with an almost love at first sight beginning. There is also danger and action before the happy ending. Another great story for the holidays.
I can hardly wait to read the rest of the books in this bundle…eight more to go and eager to read each and every one of them! And…how can you beat the price at 99cents for all ten?
The characters in DD are special in very many ways. They are somewhat stereotypical, but in a good way. They are very "Southern" in the way that is best about the South. Where many southern inspired books lean more towards the inbred, cruel, violent, uneducated, deeply prejudiced, women bashing, 'good-old-boys beating up the blacks and gays' sort of southern mentality (hey, I grew up there, I can say these things!) DD instead explores the other side of the South. The side where manners are expected, gentility is overlaid over a base of steel, kindness is a given, and morality isn't a joke. I genuinely liked and admired all of these characters. Well, except for the sleazy lawyer, but I enjoyed watching him having his evil plot blow up in his face (see 'women bashing' above), so it's all good!
The main character, Dixie, is strong, self-reliant, and strong willed as any true Southern Belle. Velvet over steel. She just lost her beloved father and now has three companies to run on her own, a nasty attorney trying to undermine her and take over her companies and a house full of insane relatives to ride herd on.
The main male lead is strong and handsome (of course) but he is also funny, gentle, loving and deeply determined to do the right thing for his family no matter the cost to himself. Of course, you know a relationship will develop, but it does so in such a funny and charming way that you know that Dixie will still BE Dixie after all is said and done. And he has his own family issues, a 'daughter' he took as his own when his useless sister abandoned her at two days old in the hospital, a tough southern lady mother with a broken hip and a strong need to get a real adoption completed so that he really can be 'father' to the daughter he has raised so well. Throw in some attorney mischief.
"That was before you realized that Greenhow had made just as big a monkey out of you as he had me. Now suddenly it doesn't seem like a laughing matter, does it?"
Add in some prototypical insane southern relatives:
". . . he picked up the(business)card and read aloud, "George Robert 'Smilin' Bob' Cunningham. Principal Judge, Miss Fulton's finest Future Furniture Fanatic (baby and toddler division), chief Justice Dominion Days Bail and Jail Fundraising court, Little League umpire, Mediating matters of all magnitude since 1978!"
See what I mean? Add a marvelous rendering of a 100-year-old black 'maid' who has been with the family since childhood, and a tragedy of true Southern Gothic proportions. Mix well with a depth of kindness, caring and consideration missing in most of the books I have read since I can't remember when. Tons of laughter, some surprises that I could see coming, but not exactly in the way they turned out to have happened, terrific writing overall and a ton of true heart. Overall, this was one of the most truly lovely books I have read in ages. And Dixie retains her guts, her spirit, her gentle kindness and her drive to do the right thing throughout the book - what more can you ask?
Highly recommended to anyone who wants a feel of the good parts of the South and the people there
The characters in DD are special in very many ways. They are somewhat stereotypical, but in a good way. They are very "Southern" in the way that is best about the South. Where many southern inspired books lean more towards the inbred, cruel, violent, uneducated, deeply prejudiced, women bashing, 'good-old-boys beating up the blacks and gays' sort of southern mentality (hey, I grew up there, I can say these things!) DD instead explores the other side of the South. The side where manners are expected, gentility is overlaid over a base of steel, kindness is a given, and morality isn't a joke. I genuinely liked and admired all of these characters. Well, except for the sleazy lawyer, but I enjoyed watching him having his evil plot blow up in his face (see 'women bashing' above), so it's all good!
The main character, Dixie, is strong, self-reliant, and strong willed as any true Southern Belle. Velvet over steel. She just lost her beloved father and now has three companies to run on her own, a nasty attorney trying to undermine her and take over her companies and a house full of insane relatives to ride herd on.
The main male lead is strong and handsome (of course) but he is also funny, gentle, loving and deeply determined to do the right thing for his family no matter the cost to himself. Of course, you know a relationship will develop, but it does so in such a funny and charming way that you know that Dixie will still BE Dixie after all is said and done. And he has his own family issues, a 'daughter' he took as his own when his useless sister abandoned her at two days old in the hospital, a tough southern lady mother with a broken hip and a strong need to get a real adoption completed so that he really can be 'father' to the daughter he has raised so well. Throw in some attorney mischief.
"That was before you realized that Greenhow had made just as big a monkey out of you as he had me. Now suddenly it doesn't seem like a laughing matter, does it?"
Add in some prototypical insane southern relatives:
". . . he picked up the(business)card and read aloud, "George Robert 'Smilin' Bob' Cunningham. Principal Judge, Miss Fulton's finest Future Furniture Fanatic (baby and toddler division), chief Justice Dominion Days Bail and Jail Fundraising court, Little League umpire, Mediating matters of all magnitude since 1978!"
See what I mean? Add a marvelous rendering of a 100-year-old black 'maid' who has been with the family since childhood, and a tragedy of true Southern Gothic proportions. Mix well with a depth of kindness, caring and consideration missing in most of the books I have read since I can't remember when. Tons of laughter, some surprises that I could see coming, but not exactly in the way they turned out to have happened, terrific writing overall and a ton of true heart. Overall, this was one of the most truly lovely books I have read in ages. And Dixie retains her guts, her spirit, her gentle kindness and her drive to do the right thing throughout the book - what more can you ask?
Highly recommended to anyone who wants a feel of the good parts of the South and the people there
Annie Jones
It was a little piece of heaven on Route 66. True, the famed Double Heart Diner had seen better days. But it was still such a special place for so many people. And Georgia Darling wasn’t going to let some city-slicker shut it down, no matter how handsome and sweet-talking the stranger might be.
It was a precious piece of land on the Texas panhandle, and it belonged to him. So why was businessman Jett Murphy letting some cute, fiery redhead try to talk him out of bulldozing the entire building? If Miss Darling thought she could beat him when it came to being headstrong...well, maybe he had met his match.
This was a fun book and easy read. I liked the characters which were well developed and likeable. I think that this was just as enjoyable the second time around. There is a cozy feeling despite the route 66 idea of transition and temporary. I was sad when this book came to an end. It made me want to jump in my car and ride along Rt 66 till I found this diner.
I want to thank Net Galley and TKA Distribution for allowing me to read and review this book in return for a free copy and was never asked to write a favorable review by anyone.
Great story of faith, trust, and forgiveness. Of letting go of the past and giving God control. I'm excited to read other books in this series and find out what happens to all the other characters!
4 STARS
A romantic comedy car trip along Route 66 makes me want to travel too.
I laughed with them and at them and throughly enjoyed the book.
Jett Murphy is head of his company. Jett plans to buy an old diner to tear down and sell to a developer who wants to build on it. Jett does business but keeps himself a part and out of limelight.
Georgia Darling worked for jet but when she found out their company planned to buy the dinner she quit and told in a note if they would not stop she would go to the press to stop them.
Her note sounded like blackmail to Jett and his uncle.
Thier is a reporter who has been trying to find dirt for a story on Jett. He found out another reporter was meeting Georgia and he went instead.
Jett showed to meet with Georgia instead of sending someone esle.
Georgia decided to not to talk to reporter and was trying to get out of restraunt without being seen. she puts a plastic bag over her hair and grabs a busboy bin. and a comedy of pitfalls with broken dishes food flying as Jett trys to rescue Georgia and reporter taking pictures trying to chase them. It got on tv too.
Jett was supposed to stay at his family cabin and out of site for a week for the deals to have time to pull together.
Georgia talks him into coming with her along the route 66 down to the cafe and giving her a chance to save it. They where disguises and get into a lot of trouble along the way.
I will try and read the other books as they come out its a Trilogy. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
12/11/2012 PUB TKA Distribution
It was a fun to read story, with alot of fun parts and also alot of lessons to be learned in the lives of these folks. The author does a good job of communicating a message in her stories of a serious nature, but makes you enjoy yourself while doing it. Although you can read this as a stand alone, it would help you understand April's family and the town much better if you read the other books, especially book one, although book two was my favorite.
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