
Sorry, I was hoping to have this written and published weeks ago...I feel so bad about it, but a short review it is. Where did March go???
Title: Raspberry Kisses
Author: Cecelia Dowdy
Publication Date: December 4th 2014
Rating: 4 Stars (In English: “It Was Quite Good”)
Synopsis:
Facing eviction, Rhea Morrison, a young grieving widow, must save her failing bakery. Her
recently-injured twin sister, Raven, loans her money – stipulating Rhea attend a singles retreat to spy on Martin Lane, Raven’s new love interest. Disgruntled, Rhea attends the retreat and is attracted to Martin. She discovers that Martin can help save her bakery.
Pastor Martin laments over his secret, traumatic past mistakes. He’s destined to lead his father’s church, despite blatant rejection. He can’t love Rhea - he’s yet to forgive himself for his past, and if Rhea knew how he used to be, she would have no interest in pursuing a relationship with him. In spite of their shared attraction, he helps Rhea form a plan to save her business. Martin, a former successful bakery owner, can expertly create delicious pastry recipes.
Rhea feels torn about her attraction to Martin – he’s a pastor, and after her husband’s death, she vowed to never get involved with another pastor. Plus, her twin sister, Raven, has strong feelings for Martin. Can Rhea let herself have romantic feelings for Martin – knowing it would hurt her sister?
Can Martin and Rhea overcome their past so that they’re free to love again?
My Review:
What drew me into this book was that the characters were real. None of this "just romance" than I first was afraid I had gotten myself into based on the nice and mushy cover.....
No, this book covers grief, self esteem challenges, financial setbacks, wanting relationships. etc. Marvin speaks Spanish well enough that he is able to have a largely Hispanic congregation and give opportunity to those that otherwise would not be as successful in the English culture here.
The book was a collage of weighty conflicts of realistc people and realistic lives... but it also took time to describe some pretty rockin' desserts, lol. Gotta love good food :)
I would say that my favorite part of reading this book (although I have to say I loved that it was a quick read and its quite inexpensive) was that the characters were largely unknowing of what was going on around them. It was great fun to anticipate how these things would play out!
All in all, I read it easily in an afternoon and can easily rate this book to be a solid 4 Stars.If you get a free afternoon this spring, you really should look into it.
I can recommend it to everyone and anyone, and specifically to those that are into realistic fiction and/or struggling with new beginnings after any sort of challenge. If you are interested, you can read a sample of the book here as well as purchase the book from Amazon in the Kindle Edition. It is not currently available in Paperback or Hardcover.
Kindle Edition: http://amzn.to/1bWuoWp
*** Cost: $0.99 ***
Cecelia Dowdy writes "I'm a Christian fiction romance author with books published by three major houses: Steeple Hill/Love Inspired, Barbour, and Crossings Book Club"
Her website is: http://ceceliadowdy.com/
This review was provided (although not additionally sponsored) by the author.