CFBA: Dating, Dining, and Desperation by Melody Carlson

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingDating, Dining, and DesperationB&H Books (March 1, 2014)byMelody Carlson



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults--with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.


ABOUT THE BOOK

Daphne Ballinger has learned to accept her deceased, eccentric aunt’s strange request that she marry in order to inherit her estate, along with taking over her aunt’s hometown paper’s advice column.

But knowing and accepting that God’s will be done becomes harder when a new neighbor, a divorced socialite, learns of Daphne’s predicament and takes on the task of finding her the perfect man, even if it includes speed dating. When God does open Daphne’s heart, it is instead to take in a young girl left parentless and in the care of her dying grandmother. It may be a temporary arrangement until the girl’s uncle returns from the Marines, but God uses Daphne to speak His heavenly love and protection into the life of the child -- whom Daphne soon discovers has a very handsome and single uncle.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Dating, Dining, and Desperation, go HERE.

COVER: Love it. Not sure yet what the store front has to do with the story, but I'm sure I'll learn as I go along. The postage stamp icon on the front cover is also used to lead off each chapter.

FIRST CHAPTER: After her aunt's death, Daphne Ballinger moved into her Victorian house in Appleton and took over her aunt's advice column. Her dilemma: she can only inherit the home if she gets married within a certain time frame. She thought her relationship with Jake was advancing passed friendship, but when she receives some news, she's no longer sure.

KEEP READING: Definitely. Carlson has created an opening chapter that wraps humor around the protagonist's conflict. A young woman's future hinges on finding Mr. Right in the next ten months. Daphne is a likable character caught in a tough situation, but Carlson's light style keeps it from being a downer. Instead, the reader is encouraged to continue reading to see if Daphne can pull it off. I feel this is crucial based upon the serious issue of temporary childcare facing Daphne later on in the book. I look forward to reading more.

Series: A Dear Daphne Novel

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: B&H Books (March 1, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1433679310
ISBN-13: 978-1433679315


I downloaded a sample of this book to my Kindle. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.