Secrets Over Sweet Tea - Denise Hildreth Jones (Review & Giveaway!)
4 1/2 stars!
ABOUT THE BOOK -
Secrets can be funny things. We think they keep us safe, but more often
than not, they spill out when we least expect and make a mess out of
everything. It’s a truth Scarlett Jo Newberry knows all too well—a truth
Grace Shepherd and Zach Craig are about to learn the hard way. As the
lives of this boisterous pastor’s wife, polished news anchor, and
beleaguered divorce attorney intersect in the tree-lined streets of
Franklin, Tennessee, scandal threatens to topple their carefully
constructed worlds. Grasping at survival, they embark on a journey of
friendship and courage, desperate to find a way back to laughter, love,
and life.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
Denise Hildreth Jones is an author and Bible Study teacher. Her books
have been hailed as "smart and witty" by The Library Journal and
featured twice in Southern Living. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee,
with her husband, five bonus children, and her dog where she leads
Reclaiming Hearts Ministries. Visit her at www.reclaiminghearts.com
MY REVIEW -
Denise is one of my favorite authors! I have read all of her fiction books (7, I think). She is an amazing writer! Ever since the first book - "Savannah from Savannah" I knew I was hooked.
This is a great light southern fiction book. It is fun and quirky but with a touch of seriousness and sadness to it. The whole time I was reading this I was thinking - "Steel Magnolias", "Hart of Dixie" and "GCB", I could actually picture some of the characters playing the parts in this book. I love southern fiction because it is usually fun and this book did not disappoint me.
Denise is a great character builder. I have to say that is definitely her biggest strength. As in all of her books you really get to know the characters very well. There is such detail. You really feel like you are watching a movie or TV show. I can almost hear that southern twang while I am reading.
This book seemed so real to me. The situations were real. So many times (not always) a Christian Fiction will paint a pretty picture where everything is perfect with the world. I mean, they're Christians, they're perfect right?... wrong! Even Christian sin (no one is sinless except Jesus). We all have our secrets, we all have our regrets, even us Christians. In this book... boy do they have secrets! The characters are so human; they have flaws just like the rest of us.
Here are a couple of my favorite quotes -
THE-ALL-IN-ALL -"I need a googler!"He walked down the stairs from the bonus room. "Mom, you've got to learn how to work a computer."She stared at him like he had three heads. "Jack, I have five children. You don't have five children because you want to do things for yourself. You have five children so that when they are able, they can be your slaves. So come down here and get to work. I want you to google channel 4 news in Nashville..." ~ this made me giggle out loud!"Don't mock me, Jackson Newberry. Northerners are a different breed, baby. they don't like you to touch them. They don't want to be called sugar or sweetie or honey pie or darlin'. They've never heard of lard. They have no clue on God's green earth what fixin' to even means. And if you say y'all, they look at you like you'd probably marry your second cousin or something." - I don't even mind when she makes fun of us northerners, LOL.
All in all this is a great read! I highly recommend it. If you like quirky fun southern Christian fiction you would love this book! Of course it is very clean (no sex, only mention of it, and no swearing). This has a lot of laugh out loud moments. And don't forget the gorgeous cover!
Thank you Tyndale Blog Network for sending me this great book to read and review!
Get yours st B&N - HERE
or at Amazon - HERE
THE GIVEAWAY -
Yes! That's right, I am giving away my beautiful copy of this book!
To enter to win -
*Please use the form below
*Please be from either the US or Canada
*Please only enter your info once (I will add the bonus entry)
*Please comment on this post if you would like an extra entry.
*Winner will be chosen on 3/6/13
This sounds like a perfect read for Spring Break and I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteBeverly aka Booklady
O this sounds splendid. I love the quotes. I love sweet tea. I love Southern Fiction. Count me in!
ReplyDeleteOh there is nothing like heaven with sweet tea, and this looks like a great read.
ReplyDeleteJenna_bearden_10152005(at)yahoo.com
This sounds like a great read for this northerner!
ReplyDeletekpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
Sounds great. Count me in, please.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
What a great idea for a book! I love the idea of secrets changing us and making us different people, and changing the way we look at the world. I would love to read this one. Thanks for the wonderful review and giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love the title, and this sounds like a great read! Thanks for the giveaway! :o)
ReplyDeleteI have my fingers crossed for this one :)
ReplyDeleteI'm too discouraged and it is forreasons I will keep secret. But sure could use a lot of prayers. jrs362 at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteSweet Southern Literature! I love your review, sounds as good as the famous tea. Thank you for this giveaway.
ReplyDeleteCarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
This book sounds so good. I love reading about secrets and scandals. The book has a really cute cover. Thanks for this cahnce to win it.
ReplyDeleteayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I have just started reading Christian fiction and would like to read this novel.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun book.Loved the interview and I can so relate to the one part. I learned what fixin to meant when I moved to TX from NY.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com