Review for In Between by Jenny B. Jones

This was my first Jenny B. Jones novel and after reading In Between it won't be my last. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in the Katie Parker series.

Ms. Jones has a great teen ‘voice’ in Katie, a foster child with a mother who is currently serving in prison and who has never taken good care of her. She is sent to live with a pastor and his wife who have a grown daughter. The sarcastic tone of the book fits for a character like Katie. It makes her approachable and you feel that her personality has been etched out as a coping mechanism due to her heartbreaking circumstances. There are some plot threads left unanswered by the end of the book but it is a series and I’m sure more will be revealed in the subsequent novels. It’s a sweet, feel good Christian novel and at times it is laugh out loud funny. Great characters, interesting plot and themes that will speak to all ages. Highly recommended.

It's currently FREE on Amazon

Reading Old Favorites on my B-day Weekend

I'm sitting on my bed with a stack of books. All of them YA. It's my birthday weekend and I plan to read as much of them as I can. Among them I have Melody Carlson, Kristin Billerbeck and yes, Meg Cabot (and it's not just because Royal Wedding is coming out this summer!). Do you find yourself re-reading old favorites. I do! I do it all the time. And sometimes I feel guilty about that as there are so many good books out there that I have yet to read. But how can I not revisit these special friends like Elizabeth Bennet and even Princess Mia? So I say, go forth and read: read new books, favorite books and even something outside your usual reading genre. There is nothing better than being submerged in a good book. That's how I'll be spending my birthday--well, between eating good food and birthday cake, of course.

Just Released-Snow Kissed

Today is one of those days Logan Reilly wished he’d stayed in bed. Not only does he have to deal with the annoying Winter Wonderland Carnival but his close friend, that whimsical lover of snow, Holly Armstrong, is leaving town forever. The question is why didn’t she tell him and why today, of all days, does he realize she might be more than a friend?

Holly can nolonger stay in town knowing the man she loves only sees her as a friend. It’s time to move on; besides she has other career prospects.

As the carnival unfolds, watch God work in amazing ways. Can He change Holly’s mind and make her stay? Can He help Logan see beyond the friendship? Only time can tell.

Excerpt:

“Just breathe,” Holly whispered to Logan, as she slowly took in a deep whiff. “You smell that?”

He shook his head. “What? Burgers from down the street?”

“No.” She laughed; he could be so dense sometimes. “It’s the first snowfall.” She inhaled another intoxicating aroma of winter air. “It’s coming.”

“And what’s so good about snow? It’s just annoying and inconvenient.” He pulled his arm away and folded them across his lean frame.

“Snow is beautiful…magical.” Her voice came out breathy with the idea of snow making her feel all tingly.

“It’s cold, wet stuff that falls from the sky.”

“Then there are the wonderful clothes: hats, scarves, gloves…”

“…galoshes, wool socks,” he countered.

She continued, not to be undone by his cynicism. “Fresh baked cookies, hot apple cider, hot cocoa, hot toddies…what is a hot toddy?”

He nearly laughed at her, a cute smile building in the corner of his mouth as he shook his head.

Snow Kissed is now available from White Rose Publishing.

Best Book of the Week

It's official! I just received word and readers voted Relationship Rescue 'Best Book of the Week' over at LASR! This really is a wonderful story and I'm glad to see another book from The Wild Rose Press win the honor. Even more--because of the contest I sold at least one book. I had a reader write me back and tell me: 'Wonderful touching story. No wonder it's been nominated.' Well, those words were worth it all. Thank you to everyone who voted for Relationship Rescue.




LASR's Review from Black-eyed Susan:
In this wonderful short story Cindy Green gives us a glimpse into a world where neighbors and friends care too much to keep their noses out of someone else's business.

Chad and Marina Anthony are very concerned about their young friends Mitch and Robynn. Mitch and Robynn had been in love and had been engaged. They'd seemed so happy! Then it all fell apart and they broke up. Now they have to deal regularly with the discomfort of living in the same town, having the same friends, and going to the same church. Ms. Green paints a vivid picture of their subsequent unhappiness - an unhappiness that has been duly noted by the Anthonys - an unhappiness that the Anthonys set out to rectify in a sneaky and most satisfying manner.

Will their interference bring peace to Mitch and Robynn, or will it just increase their discomfort? All this reviewer is going to say is fix yourself a nice cup of tea and sit down for a short and pleasant read. You'll be glad you did!

An Excerpt from Relationship Rescue:
Robynn raised her eyes to see a couple walking toward her, pushing a baby in a stroller. She recognized Anna and Nate Stephenson, frequent shoppers at her baby boutique, and their cute-as-a-button six-month-old daughter, Kelsey.

“Oh, hey, Anna,” Robynn replied. She leaned down to the baby. “And how is my favorite customer.” She shook her head from side to side at the little girl with animation. “Hello, Kelsey. It’s nice to see you, Kelsey,” she said in a babyish tone.

The baby’s face broke out into a large toothless grin and then she squealed with delight. “She’s always happy to see you, Robynn,” said Nate.

“When are you finally going to get married and have a baby, Robynn?” asked Anna with a smile.

It was annoying how often she was asked that question and how much it hurt to hear it now. But what did she expect as the owner of a baby shop. It was different when she was with Mitch. They’d made plans for a future—a life, a house, and children with God at the center of it all.

Thankfully, before she had to respond to Anna’s question, Nate asked her another one. “Are you waiting for some friends tonight?”

Robynn only smiled in answer; it was easier than admitting she had no life.

“Nate, look there. Isn’t that Mitchell Regan?” asked Anna.

“Do you know, Mitch?” asked Robynn, a bit taken back. She tried to keep her voice reserved and even.

“Sure,” Nate replied. “He’s been Kelsey’s photographer since she was born.”

“You should have seen the adorable shots he took of her last week,” Anna gushed. “He is so good with babies…well, all the kids. He’ll make a great daddy one day.”

Robynn closed her eyes for a split second as her insides twirled with pain. She loved kids and the one thing she’d always hoped for was a child of her own. Without realizing it, she had raised a hand to her stomach.

“You know, Mitch, too?” said Nate.

“Yes, he’s a…a friend of mine. We attend the same church.”

“Maybe you should make him more than a friend, Robynn,” said Anna. “He’s awfully cute.”

She didn’t need to be told that. Yes, Mitchell Regan was cute, standing six foot two in his bare feet with a natural tan which seemed to make his sandy-blonde hair glow, broad shoulders, a smile to make any girl melt, and those profound brown eyes—the eyes that could charm anyone into anything. Too bad I couldn’t charm him the same way.

Anna and Nate said their goodbyes and entered Gimme a Latte. Robynn knew she should either go on in as she promised Marina or go home. This is what was so difficult—remaining in the same circle as Mitch, pretending to be his friend, made her heart ache and yet she couldn’t imagine severing any and all connection to him.

Oh, Lord, guard my heart. Being friends with him has been harder than I ever imagined.

Pushing the door open, she stepped inside. Well, her date this evening had been horrible already. Why not add awkward and embarrassing to the mix. Then it would be a perfect night.



Cindy K. Green has crafted a bittersweet story of failed love and second chances. Sometimes touching, sometimes funny, this short, sweet read will warm your heart. ~ Kara Lynn Russell, author of the Orchard Hill series of Inspirational romances.


Blurb:
Two blind dates: one was stood up and the other one wishes she was. Have they both been set up in more ways than one?

After Mitchell Regan and Robynn Hartley broke off their engagement, they remained friends and continued attending the same church. They've attempted to keep their unhappiness a secret from each other and everyone else but they can't fool their close friends, Marina and Chad Anthony, who decide enough is enough. It's time for a Relationship Rescue.

Now Available at The Wild Rose Press ($1.50).