Review - - The Color of Love

The Color of Love

By Sharon Sala

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: February 6, 2018

Reviewed by Janga

  

When Ruby Dye, owner of the Curl Up and Dye hair salon in Blessings, Georgia, failed to show up in her usual place at church on Sunday morning, her friends were concerned. When she did not respond to their phone calls or text messages, their worry escalated. Concern turned to fear when Vera and Vesta Conklin, who worked with Ruby at her shop, and P. Nutt Butterman, Ruby’s Sunday lunch date, found her house ransacked and the message “Help Me” written in bloody letters. Ruby has become a valued part of the community, and the town comes together to pray for Ruby’s safety.

Ruby arrived in Blessings nearly fifteen years ago, looking for a safe place to escape the abusive husband she had divorced. She found sanctuary and a place to belong in the small Southern town, but just as she feels confident of her safety and is filled with hope that local lawyer Peanut Butterman is the secret admirer who has been sending her gifts for the past several months, Jarrod Dye, her violent former husband shows up at her front door, forces his way into her home, and abducts her.  Ruby is afraid that her life may end before she can experience the new happiness she was beginning to believe was within her reach.

This is just the beginning of the adventures of Ruby and Peanut as these two popular characters finally get their own story in Sala’s latest Blessings novel. The two will get their HEA, but not before danger threatens both of them and they prove that they and their love for one another can survive whatever life throws at them. Woven into the story of Ruby and Peanut are two secondary story threads of good people overcoming adversity. Widow Melissa Dean is unjustly fired from her job, but she faces the blow with determination and optimism and ends up with more than she dreamed. Twelve-year-old Charlie Conroy is doing his best to be the man of the family and take care of his sick mother and five-year-old sister after his father’s death in a meth explosion. But their situation is dire with no electricity and little food in the house. When a nursing home resident goes missing, Charlie and his bloodhound Booger get their chance to show their stuff. They not only find the woman, but Charlie earns $25.00 and wins the hearts and the help of the compassionate community of Blessings for himself and his family.

In the fifth novel of this heartwarming series, the town of Blessings once again functions as a central character. It is a small town with the usual propensity for gossip and nosiness that can have a mean edge, but it is also a place filled with good-hearted people who take care of their own. Ruby, who has been front and center of the caretaking brigade in earlier books is less comfortable when it is her turn to be on the receiving end. Determined not to be an object of pity and to stand on her own two feet, she has a difficult time accepting help graciously. Just as she is recovering from her injuries, physical and emotional, evil strikes a second and more devastating blow. Fans of the series will rejoice to see Ruby and Peanut prevail and to root for the other characters who prove that at least in Blessings good guys win.

If you like romance that is community-centered with multiple plot threads, a rich vein of humor, and a feel-good finish for more than the focal couple, I recommend The Color of Love. It can probably be read as a standalone, but it will be a particularly rewarding read for those who have watched Ruby and Peanut’s relationship slowly develop through the earlier books. Lest any fans of the series fear Ruby and Peanut’s HEA ends the series, book six, Come Back to Me, a reunion/prodigal son/secret-baby tale, will be released on September 4, 2018. Since I really enjoy Sala’s voice, her atypical protagonists, and the Blessings setting, I have already added the next one to my book calendar. I hope Sala follows the route Jodi Thomas took in her Harmony series and eventually gives us more of the Conroy family as well.

Review - - Chasing Down a Dream

Chasing Down a Dream

By Beverly Jenkins

Publisher: William Morrow

Release Date: July 4, 2017
Reviewed by Janga

         

For the eighth time, Beverly Jenkins takes her readers to Henry Adams, Kansas, the historic African American town that Bernadine Brown bought on Ebay in Bring on the Blessings, the first book in the series. The Julys, one of the town’s leading families, once again play a prominent role in the story. Matriarch Tamar wonders if newcomers are giving her due respect, collects speeding tickets to her dismay, and welcomes into her home a dying cousin for whom she has had few kind feelings. Tamar’s son Malachi, dealing with blows to his image of himself in his private life and in the running of the Dog and Cow diner, makes some bad choices and reverts to old patterns. Meanwhile, Malachi’s partner in the diner, Rocky Dancer is preparing for her wedding with eagerness and fear and planning changes for the diner.

Other citizens of Henry Adams, some familiar and some new, move in and out of the story, but the central thread involves Gemma Dahl, a grocery store cashier, who is rearing her twelve-year-old grandson, Wyatt, after his mother’s death in Afghanistan. Dahl, a white woman whose teenage pregnancy after an affair with a married man has made her a scarlet woman in the eyes of her hometown--even decades later, has settled in Henry Adams, with Bernadine Brown’s approval, for freedom from the slurs and for the educational benefits the school system offers Wyatt. When Lucas and Jasmine Herman, orphans who land in Henry Adams after a tornado-related accident in which their uncle and new guardian is killed, need sanctuary, Gemma opens her home and her heart. Bernadine and others are supportive of Gemma fostering the two children, who quickly bond with Gemma and come to feel at home in Henry Adams, but the social worker assigned to the case is adamant that Lucas and Jaz not be placed with a white foster parent. Much of the novel focuses on Gemma’s trials and victories and the fate of the two children.

The multitude of plot threads that make up this book may be confusing to new readers, but once they realize that the town of Henry Adams rather than a single focal character is the heart of Chasing Down a Dream and all the other books in the series, all will become clear and they will likely fall under the spell Jenkins weaves in this winning series. Fans of the series will delight in catching up with favorite characters. Tamar July is as wise and endearing as ever. Rocky and Jack’s wedding is a highlight, as is Bernadine’s smackdown of one of Jack’s racist relatives. The children are growing, as is the town.

This eighth novel may not be the best in the series, but it is an engaging story nonetheless. And every visit to Henry Adams is a joy. It is a place where the evils of real life may intrude but where power is used benevolently, justice triumphs eventually, penitents are forgiven, and love thy neighbor is not a truism but a way of life in all its New Testament amplitude. I never miss a Blessings book. If you enjoy feel-good reads with a large cast of characters and some lovely romance threads, I recommend this book.

Review - - A PIece of My Heart

A Piece of My Heart

By Sharon Sala

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: May 2, 2017

Reviewed by Janga

 

 

At twenty-six, Mercy Dane, who aged out of Georgia’s foster care system at eighteen, has spent five years in a dead-end job as a waitress at the Road Warrior Bar in Savannah. Although Mercy’s boss and co-workers have become her friends, it is a limited friendship because Mercy’s protective shell is thick enough to be almost impenetrable. She is very much a cat who walks by herself. That begins to change early one Christmas morning when Mercy gets a phone call asking if she can come to Blessings, Georgia, to give blood to a woman critically injured in an automobile accident and in desperate need of RH negative blood. With no hesitation, Mercy hops on her Harley and hits the interstate. Slightly over an hour later, she arrives at the hospital, pursued by the local police chief who thinks she is a stranger speeding recklessly through his town. Chief Pittman will discover that he is wrong on both counts: her speed is not prompted by recklessness, and she is not a stranger to him.

As Jack Talbot and his brother Duke, the husband and brother-in-law of Hope Talbot, the accident victim, are thanking Mercy for her help, Duke notices a resemblance between Mercy and his sister-in-law. He also notices that Mercy has an unusual birthmark, the same birthmark Hope has described as an identifying mark on her long-lost younger sister. Mercy scoffs at the idea that she could be that sister, but Duke persuades her to agree to a DNA test. As if that were not shock enough, Police Chief Lon Pittman turns out to be the man who befriended Mercy eight years ago when she was robbed and had nowhere to turn. Lon represented safety to her that night, and the two became lovers. Mercy fled the next morning, and Lon, who never forgot her, was never able to find her.

Once the results of the DNA test confirm that Hope and Mercy are sisters, Mercy moves to Blessings to get to know her sister. She also discovers that the persistent Lon, who is all that he appeared to be when he rescued her eight years ago, is difficult to resist. But not everyone welcomes Mercy to Blessings, and she has some battles to fight before she can claim the small town as home. Despite the cruelty of the adult equivalent of teen mean girls, Blessings with its familiar cast of characters proves that it can take care of its own and that it considers Mercy one of them.

A Piece of My Heart is the fourth book in Sharon Sala’s Blessings series, and it has the heartwarming appeal of the earlier books. Mercy, who is both tough and vulnerable, emotionally needy and independent, is an interesting, sympathetic heroine, and Lon is courageous, honorable, and patient enough to deserve her love. Unfortunately, the number of coincidences pushed the story into the unwilling-to-suspend-disbelief zone for me. The lost-sister plot and the reunion of the one-time lovers was one coincidence too many for me to accept as plausible.  I was also bothered by the inept villains that seem to be a recurring motif in these books.

Nevertheless, I still find Blessings, as insular as it seems at times, an amusing place to visit. The colorful Ruby Dye (Sorry. I could not resist that pun) continues to pull strings, accomplish good deeds, and win the hearts of readers.  I like Ruby, and I am intrigued by the ongoing Ruby-Peanut Butterman thread. I hope they get their own book soon. A Piece of My Heart is not the strongest book in the series, but fans of the earlier books will find it rewarding despite some flaws. If you are new to the series, I suggest beginning with You and Only You (originally titled The Curl Up and Dye), the first book in the series, followed by I’ll Stand by You and Saving Jake.

The Beauty of Blessings with Debbie Macomber

PJ, here. I've had the opportunity to meet many authors over the past ten years, some online and others in person. Of those I've met in person, one of the most genuine and generous is Debbie Macomber. I've been reading Debbie's books for almost 30 years, receiving mailings from her since before the invention of the World Wide Web, and chatting with her via her forum before the invention of Facebook or Twitter. In all those years, through good times and bad, what has most impressed me about Debbie, besides her ability to write enough keeper novels to have her own shelf in my home library, is her joy, her gratitude, and her kindness. Each year, Debbie sets goals, chooses a word, and, as she puts it, "lives with intention." Her word for 2016 was "Joy," a word that inspired her to create something called a Blessings Box. 


Blessings is a word I learned at a young age. Some of my earliest childhood memories are of time spent with my grandmother and the lessons I learned at her knee. Prominent among them were those of kindness, generosity, gratitude, and blessings. Those attributes were present in her life every day and, through her example, I learned to make them a priority in my own. She taught me to not only be grateful for the blessings in my life but also to be a blessing in life. To do for others. To treat others as I want to be treated. From her, I learned that being a blessing in someone else's life brings blessings to my own; bringing happiness to someone else multiplies that which I receive in return. That joy is in the giving. 

Back to that Blessings Box I mentioned earlier. Included in the Blessings Box that Debbie created are items that bring her joy: a tote bag, her favorite tea and candle, recipe cards printed with some of Debbie's homemade recipes, stickers, jam from a company started by two young women following their dream and spreading positivity, a pen, an inspirational print, and a personal journal in which Debbie provides suggestions, quotes, and guidance to help others reflect on their blessings and set themselves up for the year ahead. And, of course, because they bring joy to Debbie's life, she's hoping they will also bring joy to others.

Do you know someone who would enjoy Debbie's Blessings Box? They can be purchased from her website but, because of limited quantities left, will only be available until February 15th. Click here for more information. The Romance Dish readers, for one week from today, can use the code TRD5 while ordering to receive a $5 discount. In keeping with Debbie's commitment to sharing blessings, $5 from the proceeds of each box sold will go to World Vision to help educate girls around the world. 

Remember, at the beginning of this post, when I mentioned Debbie's kindness and generosity? She has generously offered three complete Blessings Boxes (that's a $120 value!) for us to give away here at The Romance Dish. So tell me...

Who or what has been a blessing in your life? Large or small, recent or long ago, share those blessings that have brought you joy.

Three randomly chosen people leaving a comment will each receive a complete Blessings Box. (U.S. only)

Because international shipping on these boxes would be prohibitive for me, I'll also randomly choose one international commenter to receive a Debbie Macomber book of your choice from bookdepository.com. (value not to exceed $10 U.S.)

Coming next from Debbie Macomber...

If Not For You
Ballantine Books/Random House
March 21, 2017
Pre-Order

If not for her loving but controlling parents, Beth Prudhomme might never have taken charge of her life and moved from her native Chicago to Portland, Oregon, where she’s reconnected with her spirited Aunt Sunshine and found a job as a high school music teacher. If not for her friend Nichole, Beth would never have met Sam Carney, although first impressions have left Beth with serious doubts. Sam is everything Beth is not—and her parents’ worst nightmare: a tattooed auto mechanic who’s rough around the edges. Reserved and smart as a whip, Beth isn’t exactly Sam’s usual beer-drinking, pool-playing type of woman, either. 

But if not for an awkward setup one evening, Beth might never have left early and been involved in a car crash. And if not for Sam—who witnessed the terrifying ordeal, rushed to her aid, and stayed with her until help arrived—Beth might have been all alone, or worse. Yet as events play out, Sam feels compelled to check on Beth almost daily at the hospital—even bringing his guitar to play songs to lift her spirits. Soon their unlikely friendship evolves into an intense attraction that surprises them both. 

Before long, Beth’s strong-willed mother, Ellie, blows into town spouting harsh opinions, especially about Sam, and reopening old wounds with Sunshine. When shocking secrets from Sam’s past are revealed, Beth struggles to reconcile her feelings. But when Beth goes a step too far, she risks losing the man and the life she’s come to love.

Review - - Saving Jake

Saving Jake

By Sharon Sala

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Release Date: October 4, 2016 

Jacob Lorde has returned to his hometown of Blessings, Georgia, after his eight-year stint in the army. A limp serves as a visible reminder of his close encounter with an IED. Despite the limp and some residual pain, his body has healed faster than his psyche. PTSD means that unexpected noises can trigger flashbacks and nightmares shatter his sleep, but Jake hopes he can find healing for his war-weary soul in his peaceful hometown. Although his father’s death means home is different, he takes comfort in all that remains unchanged. If he can just convince the people of Blessings that he’s no hero regardless of his Purple Heart, Jake just may be able to build a life for himself in the tiny mountain town.

Laurel Payne recognizes Jake Lorde when she sees him walking home. She has known Jake all her life. Even so, she is tempted to ignore him. His uniform is an all too vivid reminder of her late husband Adam who returned safely from his time in Afghanistan only to kill himself with his own gun a few months later. She doesn’t need the reminder, but her conscience will not allow her to ignore the limping veteran. She turns her old pickup around to offer him a ride home.

Neither Jake nor Laurel is looking for a relationship. Jake has enough to deal with making repairs to his parents’ home that is now his, adjusting to civilian life, and deciding what he’s going to do now with his time now that he has been discharged. Between cleaning houses to support herself and Bonnie, her six-year-old daughter and caring for her child, Laurel has little time for anything else. The enmity of her husband’s family, who hold her responsible for Adam’s death, makes her life more difficult. She is also still haunted by the horror of discovering her husband’s bloody body in their bedroom and angry with him for leaving her and Bonnie. But Bonnie is charmed by Jake who reminds her of her daddy, and she will not allow her mother to ignore their lonely neighbor. Jake and Laurel begin as helpful neighbors and soon become friends. Friendship morphs into a love that will bring healing to all of them if Laurel can open her heart to trust again.

Saving Jake is the third book in Sala’s Blessings series. The idyllic small town is filled with quirky characters who care for one another and are not shy about beneficial meddling. Jake and Laurel are sympathetic, vulnerable people who deserve an HEA, and Bonnie is a believable six-year-old who touches the reader’s heart and, along with her pet chicken Lavonne, evokes a few chuckles. This Eden is not without its serpents, but one is a singularly inept villain, and the other, whom I found the more horrifying, is unwittingly self-destructive. Both get their just deserts.

I have been charmed by this series. It is entertaining and heartwarming, and if there is a bit of tongue-in-cheek mockery of Southern mores, the mockery is gentle. Sala’s affection for her fictional town and its appealing characters comes through clearly and adds to the reader’s enjoyment. Nevertheless, my reaction to Saving Jake is mixed. I loved visiting Blessings again, and I found Jake a particularly engaging character. But as a Georgian born and bred, I kept getting pulled out of the story by the geography. From the beginning, Blessings is described as a mountain town: “He took a deep breath, smelling pine trees on the mountains around him, and the scent of smoke from someone’s fireplace. He was home.”

However, we are also told that Blessings is near Savannah. That lovely city is located on the coastal plain, and the highest elevation is only about fifty feet above sea level. Although “mountain” can be used somewhat loosely, “mountain town” in Georgia generally refers to places such as Dawsonville, Ellijay, and Hiawassee in the northern part of the state. * Some would consider this confusion a minor point, and certainly many readers will not notice it. But it was enough of a problem for this reader to keep the book from being an unqualified great read. Regardless, Sala’s voice is wonderful, Blessings is a delightful place to visit, and I recommend you add it to your itinerary.  I’m sure I will be returning in May when the next book in the series is released.

~Janga

* I should note that I read an ARC of the book. It is possible that a mountainous Savannah does not appear in the final edition.

Review - - Stepping to a New Day

Stepping to a New Day

By Beverly Jenkins

Publisher: Morrow

Release Date: June 28, 2016 

Genevieve Gibbs, having rid herself of her cheating, thieving, utterly repulsive spouse, former Henry Adams mayor, Riley Curry, and Cletus, the loathsome hog Riley treasures, has declared her independence and is looking forward to being a new woman even if she is sixty-something. This time she refuses to change herself to please anyone—not even Clay Dobbs who has loved her for decades or Marie Jefferson, her housemate and lifetime best friend. There’s a new man in town, retired big rig driver Terrence Christopher “T.C.” Barbour, a widower who has arrived in Henry Adams from Oakland, California, to help another widower, his nephew Gary Clark, who is struggling to handle all the responsibilities of single parenthood. T. C. is not only a real gentleman and good looking enough to set Gen’s heart a flutter, but he also likes the new Genevieve.

Rev. Paula Grant, pastor and psychologist, has done wonders helping various members of the community with their problems, but her own seem to have increased with the death of her grandfather. Paula knows she will have to deal with her psycho aunt when she returns to Oklahoma for her grandfather’s funeral, but she is not prepared for all the secrets that will be revealed, some of them deeply buried.

These are the two leading stories in this seventh book in Jenkins’s Blessings series, set in Henry Adams, Kansas, a historic black town founded by freed slaves after the Civil War. However, there are several smaller stories as well. Fans of the series will be happy to see the town’s children are still a vital part of the scene, and other familiar characters play their necessary roles, including favorites such as town owner Bernadine Brown and Mayor Trent July and his wife Lily Fontaine July. Riley and Cletus return to complicate matters.

Long-time Jenkins readers may recognize Henry Adams as the setting of her first novel, Night Song (1994). The town has changed a great deal since Bernadine Brown bought it on eBay with a portion of the $275 million divorce settlement she and a tough lawyer exacted from Bernadine’s cheating husband (Bring on the Blessings, Book 1). The improvements to the town continue, and the population keeps growing. But the unique spirit of the town remains. 

Some label this book a contemporary romance, but I think it is closer to women’s fiction with romantic elements. The romance between Gen and T. C., both in their sixties, is sweet and endearing, but it is only a part of their stories and an even smaller part of the book over all. Regardless of the label applied, Jenkins gives readers a feel-good story that offers a mix of sweetness, humor, sentiment, and redemption. I’ve been reading the series since the first book, and I’m always ready for another visit to Henry Adams. I particularly liked that this novel shows characters over fifty still changing and growing. I definitely recommend this one.

~Janga