BOOK REVIEW & CFBA Tour: Love Me Tender

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Love Me TenderSummerside Press (September 1, 2010)

byJanice HannaABOUT 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.


My Review:
Love me tender…. Love me sweet… never let me go…



This song played in my head the entire time I read this delightful novel, that is how thoroughly ensconced in the era and book I was.


Who can’t resist a yummy hero in Johnny Hartman? Not me and certainly not Debbie Carmichael. With the first book in the “When I Fall in Love” series, I was swept away and taken on a fun ride into 1950’s California and the love story of the characters. Everything, even down to the introductory celebrity “gossip” at the beginning of every chapter had me humming the tunes and wishing for a poodle skirt. What I loved so much about this book is the era and the atmosphere. I was taken to Hollywood and Laguna Beach. I could see the Soda Shoppe and Debbie behind the counter with her delightful family. I laughed with the characters at times and enjoyed their passions that brought them to life.


I did think that the character development could have been deeper, but it certainly did not detract from how fun this book was to read. A real joy! Lighthearted and entertaining, while delivering a solid message on faith and relationships, this book does not disappoint!


This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers for my copy to review through CFBA.