Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Book Review and Giveaway: Kaye Dacus' Menu for Romance

Kaye Dacus' second book in the Brides of Bonneterre series was such an enjoyable read! She writes "inspirational romance with a sense of humor," and I'd say that is spot on. Picking up where The Stand-In Groom left off, Menu for Romance focuses on thirty-something event planner and an execituve chef, and of course everything that stands in the way of them getting together!

What I liked about this book is how Kaye focused on internal feelings we've all had and can relate to. For example, Meredith, the party event planner works for her parents. As a result, she feels that she's not respected, that her authority and title are just for show as her parents still try to run things. I love how Kaye shows Meredith's progression from indignance to doing something about it!

Meredith also comes from a big family. Not everyone comes from this type background, but likely we know someone who does! Her family can be nosy, in-your-face, embarassing...all the things that families can be (even if yours isn't big) and its interesting to read how Meredith chooses to deal with them. There is a happy balance when you have proper boundaries. (Hmm...might have to write a Therapeutic Thought on that.)

The chef, Major O'Hara, has a totally different set of issues to work through....the kind of set that involves mental illness, so I was happily clapping my hands. Having a mother with schizophrenia makes life difficult for Major. He's afraid to share the burden with anyone else, which is really SO realistic it's sad. Kaye even writes a schizophrenic break in one of the scenes....very compelling stuff, people.

So, that's my review. I liked Stand-In Groom b/c the premise was just wonderful. I liked Menu for Romance because the writing (as well as her premise, GMC...you name it) was just plain good. :)

Enter a comment to be entered in the drawing. My little girl had WAY too much fun with the scraps of paper with your names on them for me to deprive her of it again. I might take a photo and post it next time with the winner (if I get industrious).

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10 comments:

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Oh, don't enter me as I just received my copy in the mail, but your write-up has me rushing to get through the story I'm currently on to get to Kaye's. I loved Stand-In Groom, so I know I'll love this one too.

Katie Ganshert said...

Same with Eileen... I have a copy. It's on my stack of TBR books. But thanks for the review! Makes me excited to get to it. :)

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Well you can certainly put my name in for the draw!!! I love big families. My husband is one of 6 kids and they have 25 children between the 6 of them! Makes for a crazy Christmas!

sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

Jordan McCollum said...

I'm up for an entry. I've followed Kaye's blog forever!

Jody Hedlund said...

I'll definitely enter the draw! But if I don't win, my hubby just gave me an Amazon gift card for our anniversary, and you know what I'm buying! BOOKS! Thanks for the review! Sounds like a great story!

Lynnette Bonner said...

Cool. :) I'd love to win a copy of this book - sounds really good! :)

Jessica Nelson said...

I'm always hearing about her books. Please enter me. :-)

jessica_nelson7590 AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

It's like a double entry :) Sweet...

Amee said...

Please enter me! It sounds like a great book. :)

P.S. I found your blog by randomly searching Julie Lessman. I read your review for her three books and I couldn't agree more. I've only just finished the first, but I can't wait to dive into the rest.

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win this book!!