"every bride has her day" by janice thompson

The blog has been very quiet recently while I finished up the yearbook. (Ah, the life of a yearbook advisor!) Fortunately, I submitted it last Friday--a whole four days early!--so I'm back, and I'll have several reviews posting this week! First up is the third book in Janice Thompson's delightful Brides with Style series, Every Bride Has Her Day.

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Katie's determined to make it down the aisle this time--but it may be easier said than done

Katie Fisher is ecstatic. Pro basketball star Brady James has proposed, and she can't wait to start planning their life together. But it's hard to focus on her own happily ever after when her calendar is filling up with celebrations for friends and family. Beyond that, it seems everyone around her has an opinion--and a strong one at that--on what Katie's special day should look like. Will she ever manage to settle all of the details for her storybook wedding? Or will her overzealous friends and relations make a mess of everything?

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In Every Bride Has Her Day, Katie and Brady are headed toward their wedding day ... but everyone in Katie's life seems to know what that day should look like, and Katie's having a hard time standing up for herself. At first, I feared the theme of the book would be Katie letting everyone walk all over her while she tried to plan her big day (I recently read a book like this, and it drove me crazy); fortunately, that was not the case. Katie rather quickly--and with the help of Brady and her grandmother Queenie--stood up for herself and told everyone what she expected for her wedding. That's not to say it was smooth sailing to the altar, but the focus quickly moved from everyone trying to plan Katie's wedding to something else: romance.

In the first two books in this series (which you really should read before reading Every Bride Has Her Day), Thompson set up several secondary romances, and in this book, every single one (plus some others) took several steps forward. I especially loved seeing where love took Katie's aunt Alva, and it was nice to watch Brady's mother Nadia get another chance at love.

While I enjoyed most of the romances, this does lead to the one thing I didn't like about the book: everyone (and I do mean everyone) either got their happily ever after or was headed well on their way to one. I know, I know: romance novels aren't meant to be realistic, and we always want them to end happily. But much is made of Jane, a bridal shop employee who is really struggling with the fact that everyone else is either married, engaged, or in a relationship headed toward marriage. Through her characters, Thompson gives some really good advice to women like me who are still waiting for that happily ever after. Jane takes this advice to heart and comes to terms with her singleness. And then ... almost immediately after she lets go of her bitterness about being single, she meets a man. Maybe it's the cynical singleton in me, but I would have appreciated her story much more if a man hadn't dropped into her lap nearly immediately after she realized it was OK to be single.

Aside from that one thing, though, I loved Every Bride Has Her Day. It's full of both humor (usually having to do with Katie's dad) and heartwarming moments that made me tear up. This whole series has been great, and Every Bride Has Her Day is a wonderful way to wrap it up. 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Thompson's Brides with Style novels Every Bride Needs a Groom (4 stars) and Every Girl Gets Confused (4 stars), her wedding stories A Bouquet of Love (4 stars) and Never a Bridesmaid (4-1/2 stars) and her Titanic romance Queen of the Waves (4-1/2 stars).

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Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"every girl gets confused" by janice thompson

After winning the wedding dress of her dreams, followed by meeting the man of her dreams and landing her dream job, Katie Fisher's life seems perfect ... until her boyfriend begins to pull away and her ex tries to find his way back into her life. No wonder she's confused!

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How can she choose between the love she thought she lost and the love she stumbled upon in the aftermath?

Katie Fisher and Brady James may be a match made in heaven, but that doesn't seem to guarantee them a happily ever after accompanied by angelic choirs. Katie's almost-fiancé Casey is back in Fairfield, ready to rekindle their relationship. And there's nothing Katie's parents want more than for their small-town girl to leave Dallas and come home for good.

But can she really leave Brady behind? And will she ever be able to wear that gorgeous wedding dress she won?

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Every Girl Gets Confused, book two in Janice Thompson's Brides with Style series, continues Katie Fisher's unlikely path toward happily ever after. Amid helping plan her grandmother's wedding, organizing a giant Black Friday event at the bridal shop, and dealing with Brady's knee surgery, Katie finds that her ex Casey wants back into her life. Her confusion is understandable: she loves Brady, but she has such history with Casey.

As I read this novel, I did something I very rarely do—I flipped to the end and read the final page when I was only about halfway through the book! I just needed to prepare myself if Katie and Brady were going to break up...so I guess you could say I care about these characters! (And no, I'm not going to tell you what I found out.)

The book is about so much more than Katie's love life, though—it's also about family, compromise, and faith. And those aspects make it much richer than if it had "just" been a romance novel.

Full of quirky, hilarious characters, Every Girl Gets Confused is a fun continuation of the story Thompson began in Every Bride Needs a Groom, and I'm now anxious to rejoin these characters in the upcoming Every Bride Has Her Day. 4 stars.

Buy the book.

Read my reviews of Thompson's wedding novels Every Bride Needs a Groom (4 stars), A Bouquet of Love (4 stars) and Never a Bridesmaid (4-1/2 stars) and her Titanic romance Queen of the Waves (4-1/2 stars).

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Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"every bride needs a groom" by janice thompson

Janice Thompson's new series is set in her sweet spot—the wedding industry.

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Somewhere in a sea of tulle and taffeta, satin and crepe, Katie Fisher needs to find a key ingredient of the perfect wedding—the groom.

Small-town girl Katie Fisher is busy planning her fairy-tale wedding. Sure, her boyfriend hasn't managed to pop the question just yet, but that doesn't mean she shouldn't enter a contest in Texas Bride magazine to win the dress of her dreams, right? Anyway, she's sure he'll be getting down on one knee any time now. And a one-of-a-kind designer dress doesn't just fall out of the sky right when you need it.

But when Katie's boyfriend takes a job in another town and breaks up with her—on the very same day she wins her dream dress—her world is turned upside down. Dare she go to Dallas to claim her prize? And will the hunky pro basketball player who runs the beyond-swanky bridal shop—yeah, you read that right—discover her humiliating secret if she does?

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I've come to expect a few things from a Janice Thompson contemporary novel: humor, quirky families, and first-person storytelling, and it's usually centered around the wedding industry. Every Bride Needs a Groom fits perfectly into this brand.

Honestly, this book seems exactly like something the Hallmark Channel would make into a movie. It's light and funny with a touch of romance. And Katie's family is a hoot! From her grandma Queenie with her mysterious grudge against the Presbyterians to her afraid-to-let-her-babies-test-their-wings mom to her black sheep aunt Alva, the characters practically jump off the page.

The whole set up is pretty ridiculous with Katie winning a designer wedding dress with no fiance to speak of, but Katie's secret definitely adds to the humor of the story, and the "big reveal" to the bridal shop people came about in a way I didn't anticipate; I'm glad Thompson didn't drag it out. I'm looking forward to continuing Katie's story in book two!

Every Bride Needs a Groom isn't a story that will make you contemplate life, but it is the perfect book for when you need a little escape from reality. This would be a great book to throw in your beach bag. 4 stars.

Read an excerpt.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Thompson's wedding novels A Bouquet of Love (4 stars) and Never a Bridesmaid (4-1/2 stars) and her Titanic romance Queen of the Waves (4-1/2 stars).

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Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"never a bridesmaid" by janice thompson

Who hasn't felt overlooked and underappreciated at some point? That familiar emotion is what Mari deals with in Never a Bridesmaid.

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Can one bridesmaid undo the disasters caused by a poorly chosen maid of honor and save her sister's wedding from disaster?

Mari's older sister Crystal is getting married, and Mari is one of her bridesmaids - actually, the last in a lineup of five bridesmaids, but that doesn't really bother her. Much. But Sienna Jameson as the maid of honor? Really? She might be Crystal's best friend, but she's ditzy and undependable on her best days. When the best man turns out to be hunky Derrick Richardson, the right fielder for the Houston Astros and one of Houston's most eligible bachelors, Sienna abandons her duties as maid of honor to chase Derrick, and it's up to Mari to make sure Crystal's wedding day goes off without a hitch.

While Mari is wrapped up in dress fittings, bridal showers, and bachelorette nights, Derrick has taken notice of her devotion to her sister and her determination to make the wedding perfect. But between dodging Sienna's advances and watching Mari running around like a madwoman, Derrick is left to steal moments whenever he can to get to know this beautiful bridesmaid.

When the maid of honor shows up to the ceremony late and more done up than the bride herself, Mari fears her attempts to make her sister's wedding perfect have all been for naught. Will the bride be up-staged by the maid of honor? Will the fifth-in-line bridesmaid ever be recognized for all the work she's done? And will Mari finally have a moment to revel in the magic of a wedding and dance in the strong arms of a man?

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First of all, the title is a bit of a misnomer, as Mari is certainly a bridesmaid. What she is is the last bridesmaid—the one who stands farthest away from the bride. Her frustration as she deals with the hurt of being passed over for maid of honor duties and strives to make her sister's day the best day possible anyway is palpable ... and totally relatable.

Amid the frustration, though, is a lighthearted wedding story that completely fits with the Janice Thompson brand. The romance between Mari and Derrick is sweet, and I also loved the dynamic between Mari and her sister Crystal—despite Crystal's insensitivity toward Mari and her tendency to bow to her future mother-in-law's wishes, she clearly loved Mari, and Mari loved her. Never a Bridesmaid is a great entry in the Year of Weddings series, and fans of wedding stories will love it. 4-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of Thompson's Queen of the Waves (set on the Titanic, 4-1/2 stars) and Bouquet of Love (Weddings by Design, 4 stars).
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings and Year of Weddings 2 novellas.

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Janice Thompson got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. She has published over ninety books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children's books, and more. She particularly enjoys writing light-hearted, comedic tales because she enjoys making readers laugh. In addition, she enjoys public speaking and mentoring young writers. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. Visit her website at www.janiceathompson.com. Twitter: @booksbyjanice Facebook: Janice Hanna Thompson's Reader Page

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a bouquet of love" by janice thompson

About the book: She didn't expect to fall in love—but roses aren't the only thing blooming on Galveston Island.

Cassia Pappas has found herself in a nearly impossible situation. She wants to spend her time immersed in her new job at a Galveston Island floral shop, arranging blooms and brightening occasions with her lovely creations. But her boisterous Greek family—especially her father—has other ideas. They've all relocated to Galveston to open up a new family restaurant located on the Strand—directly across the street from iconic pizza place Parma John's—and they want Cassia's full participation.

To make matters worse, as Cassia is trying to develop a strong professional relationship with Galveston's premier wedding coordinator, Bella Neeley, her own father is intent on stealing all of the Rossi family's faithful customers. Not exactly the best way to get into this former Rossi's good graces!

Still, at least Alex, that hot delivery guy from the nursery, is always hanging around the flower shop ...

My take: It bodes well for a book that's marketed as a romantic comedy when you giggle while reading the first page! From beginning to end, A Bouquet of Love is a pleasure to read. Main character Cassia Pappas narrates the novel, and nearly every time I laughed was due to something she said in her narration.

While A Bouquet of Love contains romance, I didn't really care if Cassia and Alex ended up together. For me, the most interesting aspect of the novel was the dynamic between the Pappas and Rossi families. I loved watching Cassia's relationships with the Rossi family members unfold, and the characters were so vivid that I could easily see this novel as a fun family movie on the Hallmark Channel.

Overall, A Bouquet of Love is a funny and endearing novel. And while it's the fourth book in the Weddings by Design series, you don't need to have read any of the previous books in the series (or in the Weddings by Bella or Backstage Pass series that preceded it) to jump right in. I highly recommend it for a light summer read!

My rating: 4 stars

Buy the book.
Get the Kindle version of Picture Perfect, book one in the series, free! (Free as of 8-20-14)

About the author: Janice Thompson is a seasoned romance author and screenwriter. An expert at pulling the humor from the situations we get ourselves into, Thompson offers an inside look at the wedding business, drawing on her own experiences as a wedding planner. She is the author of the hugely popular Weddings by Bella series and the Backstage Pass series, as well as Picture Perfect, The Icing on the Cake, and The Dream Dress. She lives in Texas. Learn more at www.janiceathompson.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"queen of the waves" by janice thompson

About the book (provided by Litfuse): When pampered Jacqueline Abingdon makes secret plans to elope with the family gardener, she asks another woman to take her place on the much anticipated maiden voyage of the Titanic. Tessa Bowen hails from a poor corner of London but has been granted the opportunity of a lifetime—a ticket to sail to America aboard a famed vessel. But there’s a catch: she must assume Jacqueline’s identity. For the first time in her life, Tessa stays in luxurious quarters, dresses in elegant gowns, and dines with prestigious people. Then a wealthy American man takes an interest in her, and Tessa struggles to keep up the ruse as she begins falling for him. When tragedy strikes, the game is up, and two women’s lives are forever changed.

My take: I've always been very interested in the Titanic because family legend has it that my great-grandmother planned to emigrate from Wales to the United States on the ship ... but the third-class tickets sold out before she could get one. As a third-class passenger, her chances of survival would have been slim—so I am very thankful that she couldn't get a ticket!

This year, the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking, has seen a wealth of Titanic coverage. From novels to miniseries to the re-release of the film Titanic, the Titanic has received the royal treatment. Queen of the Waves is the third novel about the Titanic that I've had the pleasure of reading this year, and it is unquestionably my favorite. Author Janice Thompson does a fantastic job of putting the reader on the Titanic. As I viewed the opulence through the character's eyes, I could truly imagine what it looked like. (Of course, it also helps that I've seen the movie Titanic!)

However, as great as Thompson's descriptions were, what really pulled me in were her characters. I loved Tessa, Nathan (the American who falls for Tessa-as-Jacquie), and Iris (Jacquie's lady's maid); I hurt for Jacquie when things didn't turn out as she'd planned; and I wished for a Roland (Jacquie's fiance) of my own. The only character I didn't fully connect with was Peter, Tessa's brother and Jacquie's boyfriend. But that's a small quibble when compared to the joy I derived from reading this novel!

I also loved that John Harper, an evangelist who died in the Atlantic while still proclaiming the gospel, made an appearance in the book. One of the other Titanic books I read this year was about him, so it was fun to see his name pop up again.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it. 4-1/2 stars!

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
See my reviews of the other Titanic books: Tricia Goyer's By the Light of the Silvery Moon and Robert Plant's Titanic: The Ship of Dreams.

About the author: Award-winning author Janice Thompson, who also writes under the name Janice Hanna, has published nearly eighty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more.

She formerly served as vice president of the Christian Authors Network and was named the 2008 Mentor of the Year by the American Christian Fiction Writers.

Thompson lives in Spring, Texas, near her four grown daughters and young grandchildren. She leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds.

Readers can keep up with Janice Thompson by visiting janiceathompson.com, becoming a fan on Facebook or following her Twitter.

About the giveaway:
Celebrate with Janice by entering to win a Kindle Fire!

 

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Where the Trail Ends by Melanie Dobson
• Queen of the Waves by Janice Thompson

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 17th. Winner will be announced at the American Tapestries Author Chat Facebook Party on 10/18. Connect with authors Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson for an evening of book chat, trivia and fun! There will also be gift certificates, books, and a Book Club Prize Pack to be won (10 copies for your book club or small group)!

So grab your copy of Queen of the Waves and Where the Trail Ends and join Janice Thompson and Melanie Dobson on the evening of the October 18th for a chance to connect with the authors and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the books – don’t let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."