Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker is this week’s Reader Friday. Here’s the first line: “She just went over like a lopsided sack o’ corn. I tell ya, I never saw nothin’ like it.”
I loved this book! But first the photo and verse. There was just enough light to capture the slight hint of pink in the sky and the bare limbs of the trees. But spring is coming! And I love those two verses in Psalm 91. They are very comforting.
It’s been a busy week with the release of Fatal Witness! It made it to the #12 spot on Amazon in Christian Mystery and Suspense. Thank you! Now onto Sandra D. Bricker’s Always the Baker Never the Bride. Here’s the cover and back copy:
They say you can’t have your cake and eat it too. But who would want a cake they couldn’t eat? Just ask Emma Rae Travis about that. A baker of confections who is diabetic and can’t enjoy them.
When Emma meets Jackson Drake, the escapee from Corporate America who is starting a wedding destination hotel to fulfill a dream that belonged to someone else, this twosome and their crazy family ties bring new meaning to the term “family circus.” The Atlanta social scene will never be the same!
My take:
I started reading this book when I went to bed, thinking I would read a chapter, and then go to sleep…I didn’t put it down until two the next morning. It was a feel-good book! ~ Confession ~ I’ve had this book for several years and somehow it got put away without me reading it. I found it recently and laid it on my bedside table. Now I have to get the other books in the series.
Emma was such a wonderful heroine. I felt as though I knew her personally, and she was a perfect fit for Jackson, even if he didn’t know it. And poor Jackson–his three older sisters are determined to take care of him, never mind he’s a successful businessman. Emma is caught in the middle of her parents’ strange divorce, and then there’s her aunt, Sophie, who adds so much to the story.
Oh, and the recipes! They sound amazing and are a bonus. Bicker has crafted a great story here that will leave you feeling better about the world.
Always the Baker Never the Bride is in KU and you can read it for free or purchase it here.
Leave a comment (like the first line of whatever you’re reading) and I’ll enter you in a February drawing for a book from my library! January’s winner is Tim Johnson!
Check out my review of Always the Baker Never the Bride. Leave the 1st line of what you're reading and I'll enter you in a drawing for a book from my library! Click To TweetThank you all who made this possible!
Comments 36
This book sounds like a winner. Now it’s on my list, too. And congratulations on fatal witness.
Author
Thanks, Delores. You will enjoy Susan’s book, too!
That is an unusual photo. As Ansel Adams would say, it’s all about just the right light. Good pairing of the verse to go with it.
What am I reading now? Why, “Fatal Witness” of course! I’m just starting chapter 14, and loving the story. So many possibilities.
I just finished David James Warren’s (yes, Susie May’s son) “Cast the First Stone”, #1 in the series The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone. It starts a bit slow, but I got hooked about half way through. It works in a bit of time travel, so you have to put on your science fiction hat, but keep your suspense hat handy. You’ll need it. Warning: the end is a cliff hanger.
Author
Tim, did I ever tell you that Susie Warren is the main reason I’m published? She is a fantastic teacher. I’ll have to check out David’s book–I’m sure the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. 🙂
This comes from Double Take by Lynette Eason: The click next to her ear jerked her out of a deep sleep to roll into a sitting position, a scream on her lips, her eyes on the man with the gun standing next to her. “Adam?” “What are you doing?”
Author
Lynette’s book keeps the tension high through the whole book, Diana! I love that story.
Congratulations to Tim Johnson!
Oh, that first line, Pat. It cracked me up! I bet the whole book is full of humor.
I am reading The Rubicon by Aubrey Taylor. It’s a historical Christian fiction set in WWII Germany. The first sentence: Discipline.
As you can imagine, the book covers some grim topics. But it’s also a compelling read. (Oh! And it’s on sale this month over at Amazon.)
Author
I will definitely check out The Rubicon, Priscilla! And Susan Bricker’s book is chock full of humor.
The verse reminds me of a a bird opening her wings to shield her babies.
I loved Fatal Witness! So glad it’s doing well.
Finding a good book that has been in a readers stack is like finding hidden treasure! Definitely adding it to my list.
Author
Thanks, Gail! I have no idea how I overlooked the book. Now I have to get the others. lol
Sandra Bricker’s book sounds delightful. Love those kind of stories! Great review, Pat. Books that go to 2 a.m. are always a winner. lol
Love, love, love the photo and those gentle hues throughout the sky. Absolutely gorgeous! I really look forward to these and the Scripture.
Congratulations on Fatal Witness glad YOUR books finally came!!! 🙂 Wonderful plot and characters.
“Ella Whitaker braced herself for another of the woman’s screams.” This is the first line in Stephenia H. McGee’s book, In His Eyes.
Congratulations Tim! Clap!Clap!
Author
Barbara, I love Stephenia McGee’s books! We got together a few years ago and brainstormed plots…such a fun time! I thought you would enjoy the photo.
Pat, I just got five of Stephenia’s books. Boy am I in for a treat, huh? So neat that you had the brainstorming session, 🙂
Author
Steph is a great writer!
PROLOGUE
Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more, men were deceivers ever;
One foot in sea, and one on shore, to one thing constant never. Shakespeare
Virginia Coast
April 1745
With his back to the coastal wind, Henri Lennox settles his arms around Esmee Shaw, guiding her soft, pale hands with his tanned, callused fingers as they let the long silken line out. A Heart Adrift Laura Frantz
Happy Weekend
Author
Wow, this sounds great, Caryl!
Gorgeous photo, and like you Pat, I find Ps. 91:1-2 comforting.
Congrats on Fatal Witness doing so well! Can’t wait to read it.
Congrats Tim!
When I first read your email early early this morning your review of Always the Baker Never the Bride nabbed me and I have downloaded it from KU. Mysteries and romantic suspense are my favorite genre but sometimes I want a lighthearted read.
I’m reading Forgotten Past by Mary Alford – “She’d made a dreadful mistake.”
Author
Thanks, Miss Mary! I think you’ll really enjoy this book. And I’ll have to see if I have Forgotten Past by Mary Alford!
The sketchy basement space was dark as a cave ,save what, little light the fifteen-inch computer monitor provided, and outside the window the moon was playing hide- and- seek.
Author
Ohhh, what’s that from, Alicia? It really sounds intriguing.
This books sounds really fun.
Author
It is, Megan!
This sounds like a fun read. I plan to check it out. Congrats, Tim! I just finished this book:
Prelude
I never thought my life would turn out this way, and to be honest, I would never have chosen this path, given the choice.
The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith
Author
Jill Smith’s book sounds really good, Gloria.
“Tuesday was a bad day to die.” Silent is the Grave by Candle Sutton
Author
Oooh, Natalya, Silent is the Grave sounds really good. I’ll have to check it out.
book sounds fun! Congrats Tim!
Author
I think you’d enjoy it, Shelia!
Wonderful picture. The selection of Scripture is a good one. I think of Jim Elliot whenever I read the last phrase of vs. 1.
I don’t remember reading any of Sandra Bricker’s books, although I think I won one of her books in a giveaway nine years ago. She passed away the year after that.
Tonight or tomorrow, I plan to start reading Lisa Harris’ Aftermath. The first two lines:
“Don’t get too comfortable.”
Chase Beckett opened his eyes as his brother-in-law, Jace McQuaid, slid into the empty train seat across from him.
Author
Hi Edward. I saw that she had passed away when I researched her other books. Very sad. She was a very good writer. And I have Lisa’s book on my TBR list!
I’m reading an ARC of Kimberely Woodhouse’s 8 Down. It starts with “Nothing could have prepared her for the dead body at the crime scene.” It’s fantastic! I highly recommend it!
Thanks for your review of Always the Baker Never the Bride. I went to KU and downloaded it immediately.
I’m looking forward to reading Fatal Witness. Congratulations on its success!
Author
Thank you, L! Kimberly’s book sounds really good. I’ll check it out as soon as I finish my edits.
I love your photo and verse Patricia, you always pick the right one!
Congratulations on your book release and the #12 spot already, I’m sure it will climb quickly. I can’t wait to read it! I’m currently reading the 2nd book in Mary Connealy’s newest series, “The Law of Attraction “ and the first line is “If I have to make one more pair of chaps… Nell Armstrong heard her own voice. Good grief, thinking about chaps had her talking to herself again. She badly wanted to make dresses and bonnets, ribbons and ruffles. “Would it kill someone in this town to want a few yards of lace?” This series has some humor and a lot of suspense too!
I put the Always A Baker book on my TBR list. I love to read a light read now and then, we all need some laughter in all this craziness!!
Author
Love Mary Connealy’s books, Ms. Dottie! Will have to add this one to my TBR table! Glad you enjoy my photos and verses. 🙂
Funny thing, I have that book on my shelf…buried in the back somewhere, lol! I’ll have to dig this one out because I love feel-good books. I see all the books are on Kindle Unlimited so I’ll have to borrow those as well 🙂 Also, I remember hearing about her passing in 2016. Seems we lost quite a few good authors over the last few years.
My book I just got done reading & reviewing is “The Irish Matchmaker” by Jennifer Deibel. I absolutely LOVE the setting in Ireland & would love to visit someday! Here’s the first few lines:
The warning came far too late, and before Donal Bunratty could register what his daughter was saying, he was slammed into with the force of a locomotive. Arms akimbo, he craned his neck to anchor himself in space while his feet flew up and over his head. The rustic odor of wet hide assaulted his senses, and Donal groaned and rolled onto his back. Wiping the muck from his eyes, he looked up to find Bo standing over him, huffing. Donal grunted. “Hallo auld man.”
That was his gentle (but big) bull and that scene made me laugh! Donal didn’t get hurt, thankfully, but I could just picture that scene in my mind. I loved this book so much….Jennifer writes with such a lyrical voice and makes the reader feel like they plopped right into the pages of the book.
Author
Take me to Ireland with you, Trixi! I’ll have to find that book. I love everything Irish, too.