This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing:
Pretty is as Pretty Does (bk 1)
Bless Her Heart (bk 2)
Tickled Pink (bk 3)
Abingdon Press (June 1, 2013)
by
Debby Mayne
MY TAKE:
The only thing better than getting to review a free book, is reviewing a whole series of free books! HEAVEN!
Debby Mayne has done a great job bringing the classmates of Piney Point High to life. I enjoyed how the story was told from all their POV's, giving us several unique perspectives, and yet the series still carries a strong main story line starring Priscilla. It was fun to read about the classmates crazy lives and a little eye opening to see how I could identify with each one in some way that I didn't expect.
As the one who planned most of my own class reunions, I really clicked with these stories. But I don't think that having a 10,15, or 20 year class reunion or not, will make a difference on whether you enjoy these sassy, southern tinged novels (warnin', ya'll might find yerself talkin' like them after readin' a while.) I also have a lot of family from down south and I have to say there were a couple of characters that reminded me a lot of my
Granny Boo, God rest her soul!
The Christian beliefs are there, founded probably most firmly in Priscilla, but each character is in a different place in the faith walk. The message of faith is not overwhelming, more of a "we're from the south so we grew up believing, but it's more tradition then a strong personal faith." It's a backdrop in a way. Some characters do find that shifts for them. I would have appreciated a little more Christian message, but the books are sweet, clean, fun, and a good crossover series for those not sure about reading the CBA market.
To read more about Granny Boo:
Granny Time,
To Granny's House We Go,
Back From Granny's
ABOUT THE BOOKS:
Priscilla Slater goes to her ten-year high school reunion with equal parts dread and eager anticipation. Even though she’s a successful owner of a chain of hair salons and no longer has the mousy brown hair, crooked teeth, and discount-store wardrobe, she still feels like the ugly duckling. But when she arrives at the reunion, Priscilla soon realizes that her old classmates aren’t exactly as she remembers them. With humor and a just a touch of sassiness, Priscilla finds herself facing her own truth—and she may be surprised at what she discovers.
As Priscilla Slater’s 15-year class reunion approaches, she decides to attend out of curiosity… and to flaunt her latest achievement—taking her business to a national level with the possibility of a TV show. As if getting ready for the event and putting up with the pranks of her former classmates isn’t enough, Priscilla’s hometown visit is further complicated by her parents’ separation. With the once-solid sanctuary of her home broken at the foundation, there’s only one thing Priscilla’s parents can agree on: no matter what sort of accolades their daughter receives as a hair stylist, she’s not living up to her potential. Eager to escape the painful reality of her childhood home, Priscilla bolts as soon as a call from New York brings good news: her offer to purchase one of the best salons in the country is likely to come through. But returning to New York means returning to Tim, Priscilla’s best friend and business pal who has been impatiently suggesting their relationship should be more than a friendship. Despite her recent achievements, will Priscilla learn that success doesn’t always result in popularity—or love?
Priscilla Slater shows up at her 20-year reunion as a national celebrity. Her hair salon dynasty has skyrocketed, and to top it off, she has her own line of hair products. She has become a huge success with the “Ms. Prissy Big Hair” line that lets women with the thinnest of locks get the coveted “big hair” look so popular in the South. Her classmates have finally come to terms with adulthood, but they’re handling it with the grace of a Southern woman wearing white after Labor Day. It’s just downright awkward! Asserting the maturity that her classmates have often lacked, Priscilla holds her head high. But she can’t ignore everything. When she catches her mother in the arms of her former high school principal, Priscilla can’t get out of town fast enough. Eager to get back to her more comfortable life, Priscilla runs head on into an ultimatum: Tim tells her they’re not getting any younger—as if she has to be reminded.
If you would like to read an excerpt from
Pretty is as Pretty Does (bk 1), go
HERE
JOIN THE PARTY!
Now that all three books have released, let’s party! (Yes, really!) Join our online class reunion the week of October 7, 2013 on Debby Mayne’s Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/136447929891169/ Stop by to answer questions about the books, respond to fun polls, join in fun activities to help you reminisce your high school days, and win great prizes. Tell your friends and meet us there!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Debby Mayne is a best-selling author who has published more than 25 books and novellas, 400 short stories and articles, and devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor, and a copy editor and proofreader. Her novel,
Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from RT Book Review, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July. She and her husband Wally have two grown daughters, and live in Palm Harbor, Florida.
KC Sprayberry began writing young, with a diary followed by an interest in
English. Her first experience with publication came when she placed third in a
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge contest while she was in the Air Force, but
her dedication to writing came after she had her youngest child, now a teen
getting ready to enter his senior year of high school. Her husband, son, and she
live in Northwest Georgia where she now spend my days creating stories about
life in the south, and far beyond. More than a dozen of her short stories have
appeared in several magazines. Five anthologies feature other short stories, and
her teen novel, Softly Say Goodbye, was released last year. 
