MY REVIEW:
I love the concept of this new series by Summerside Press. Each book is set in a different music period and the music of that time plays a central character in the story. I believe this is the first one and it struck a chord with me because it is set in my favorite musical time - the 50's - love it! Janice does an amazing job of making the music an important part of the story and I loved the waves of nostalgia as I read it. The jukebox in the diner makes a fun addition as the songs change when people are having conversations and the titles usually have some commentary on the conversation - too fun! The characters are fun, Debbie and Johnny are great, I expected to hate Bobby but he turns out to be a good guy and then Becky Ann and her little friends add the groupie feel that is needed when you are writing about heartthrobs. The storyline itself is a little simplistic, not in a bad way - the style is reminiscient of Wanda Brunstetter, but it is different from the other books by Janice I've read. Nothing is left for the reader to figure out, everything is stated for us very clearly. But that also means that I can see this as a book I can have my daughter read and I think she would love it to. For me this was a wonderful walk in a nostalgic park that I would visit again.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna, She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published over fifty books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, childrens books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. Janice currently serves as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers).
She was thrilled to be named the 2010 Barbour/Heartsong Author of the Year with three books on the top ten list for that house. Janice is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Her online course, "Becoming a Successful Freelance Writer" has been helpful to many who want to earn a living with their writing. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all.
ABOUT THE BOOK
As "Love Me Tender" plays in the background, Debbie Carmichael determines to salvage her family's restaurant, Sweet Sal's Soda Shoppe, when her father's health fails. Teen heartthrob Bobby Conrad agrees to perform at a fundraiser concert. But just two weeks before the highly publicized event, Bobby backs out of the benefit. Enter Johnny Hartman, a young, unknown singer to take Conrad's place. Debbie soon realizes the twists and turns leading up to the concert are divinely orchestrated. And it isn't dreamy Bobby Conrad who has stolen her heart - but the tender love of Johnny Hartman.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Love Me Tender, go HERE.
1 comment:
I'm so glad you enjoyed this '50s flavored story. The idea was to keep it simple. Not my usual comedic voice, I know, but I wanted to veer off from the norm and try something that I thought would swing people back in time to a simpler/kinder era, one filled with heartthrobs and giggly girls. So happy you liked it, and happy, too, that you're willing to help get the word out. :) Thanks so much!
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