Hometown Girl by Michele Ashman Bell

From the back cover:
Jocelyn Rogers’s life is in a rut. Maybe she should step outside her comfort zone and move to Milford Falls, where she has inherited her grandmother’s house. With the encouragement of the other Butterfly Girls, Jocelyn musters her courage and starts a new life.

However, when she arrives in the small town that holds both good and bad memories for her, she discovers the house in worse shape than she expected, and getting repairs done is anything but easy — especially when it comes to dealing with Jack Emerson, a man who seems to be agitated by Jocelyn and everyone else within a fifty-mile radius.
To make matters worse, she has begun to worry that moving back to the place where she once spent a troubled summer will expose the deep personal secret she has kept hidden for fourteen years. But Jack also has a hidden secret that has prevented him from getting close to anyone in a long time. And now it seems that interfering neighbors may prevent both Jack and Jocelyn from moving forward with their lives.
Join the Butterfly Girls in this charmingly romantic story that shows sometimes it takes a leap of faith to land on your feet.

Michele Ashman Bell sent me this book to review and I'm so glad she did because I really enjoyed it. I found myself thinking about it even after I read it. It's a fun romance. At first, I wasn't at all excited about the main love interest, Jack. With his long hair, beard, and bad attitude, I couldn't understand why the main character, Jocelyn, would find him at all attractive--I wouldn't have. But, she could see beneath his exterior and as I read the story I could see more and more why she would be attracted to him. At the end of the story, Jack explains why his appearance is what it is and it makes perfect sense.

This book also includes some deeper, even disturbing, issues. The main one concerned Jocelyn. I felt connected to Jocelyn and I ached for her when she shared her long-held secret. It also made me angry--I won't say anymore so it doesn't ruin the story.

I love the relationship between the Butterfly Girls and how they worry about each other and love each other.  What a great group of friends.

I think Michele visited where I live to assemble such a cast of quirky characters. The townspeople made me laugh and reminded me of people I know. I loved Jocelyn's neighbor, Harry.

All in all, I had fun, and a few tears, reading this book and I recommend it. It's true that Michele sent it to me, but that didn't influence my review--the romance did that. I loved, loved, loved the first kiss. Michele sure knows how to show the romance in her writing and communicate those emotions. Gave me some tingles.

Michele is hosting a contest on her blog www.micheleabell.blogspot.com for a $50 VISA gift card. If you'd like to enter the contest be sure to visit her blog for directions on entering.

Review: Summer in Paris by Michele Ashman Bell

I recently read Summer in Paris a YA novel for the national market by popular and  prolific author Michele Ashman Bell. Though I did receive a complimentary copy from Valor Publishing and think Michele is one of the sweetest and kindest women I know, that did not influence my review. I read this book with interest because I want to find clean reads for my daughters and I'm happy to see one for the national market by a talented LDS author.

Kenzie is a spoiled little rich girl from New York. Her parents have handed her everything and she has no responsiblities. Her life revolves around her friends, her dancing, and money. She flips out when her parents tell her they've lost everything and she has to go stay with her relatives in Paris . . . Idaho. On top of that, her parents decide to separate.

I love this premise. Too many kids are spoiled rotten and don't know how to work. They don't even think about it. I loved that Michele threw her character into a country setting. I thought Kenzie's reactions were realistic and I loved watching her attitude change through the course of the story.

I really enjoyed the sweet romance and the mystery. Michele added a twist to the mystery. I thought the minor chracters were developed well. Tawni is especially annoying and reminded me of girls I knew growing up. I laughed at Hoover's new activity interest because I can relate. You'll have to read the book to see what I mean.

Summer in Paris is a fun read, but it also touches on issues like casting judgment and making false assumptions. I also like the friendship that's portrayed. I think young women will especially enjoy this book. I guess that makes me a young woman because I enjoyed it!

Look for this book in LDS bookstore or visit http://www.valorpublishinggroup.com/Books/summer-in-paris.php. You can learn more about Michele Ashman Bell here.

Interview by Michele Ashman Bell

Michele Ashman Bell, a fantastic LDS author and one of the kindest people I know, interviewed me about my writing and my new book, Altared Plans.

Here's the link if you'd like to read it: Michele Ashman Bell. I'd love to read your reactions to the interview (you can tell me if I sound dorky).

Thanks!