'Til Grits Do Us Part: A Review

In the second book in this series, Shiloh was happily in love with a country boy and the small podunk town in which she was stuck. Because the second book's ending showed our heroine happy, I wondered where the third book would take the hapless girl who found herself in embarrassing situations nearly every chapter. What I found was a pleasant surprise. While planning her wedding on a shoestring budget and trying to learn more about her mom, Shiloh becomes the victim of a confused stalker, who thinks he is destined to marry her. With her life in danger, she connects the guy chasing her to an old unsolved crime she's investigating for the newspaper. Will she finally get her wedding, or will the stalker ruin her big day? And, will we readers ever find out what her middle name is?

I loved all the elements that carried over from the first two books: the mixture of the Japanese culture and the Southern small town ways, Shiloh's adventures, and the slew of characters that make the book come alive. Because the mystery took center stage, some of the characters were left behind some, and for the first half, Shiloh's finance Adam felt like a minor character instead of the hero. Thankfully, that was fixed by the end where he will make readers swoon with his gentlemanly love for Shiloh.

The mystery was fast-paced and well-written. It contained enough twists and turns to keep me guessing, and the whole series demonstrates the author's talent to write both character-driven and suspense-driven plots.

However, I do recommend reading the series in order.
I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

Like Sweet Potato Pie: A Review

I loved this book! While the first book in the series (Southern Fried Sushi) starts off slowly and builds to a fun read, this book hits its stride early. Shiloh is still a  funny, bumbling mess trying to figure out her place in the world. Like most Christians, especially new in their faith, she embraces Christ, but the past still calls her in the form of her ex-fiance and the dream of working as a reporter again.

Spinola's style of writing is fun and the characters seem to come alive in this book. Becky and Tim's struggle with conceiving a child is well-done and adds a serious balance to the funny episodes in which Shiloh finds herself. What I like most about this book is that the author has the characters endure real experiences and emotions. Shiloh's new walk with Christ and her struggle to figure out God's plan for her makes for an interesting read.

Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this book. I do recommend reading book one first.

I am eager to see what happens next!

Southern Fried Sushi: A Review

Summary: When Shiloh P. Jacob's mother passes away suddenly, Shiloh leaves her fast-paced life in Tokyo, Japan (where she's a reporter for AP and engaged to Carlos) to bury her mother in Virginia. While she is coming to terms with the death of her mother, who was never a real mother, Shiloh loses her job and her fiance. Stuck in redneck country, Shiloh has to put together the pieces of her life with a little help from some country folk.

My thoughts: The first few chapters had too many details and not enough action, but once Shiloh sets foot in Virgina, the story picks up and becomes a great read. The author's fun style is evident in the vivid, colorful characters (although a bit stereotypical of the South). The character development of Shiloh is heart-felt and authentic. The supporting characters of Becky and Faye are quirky additions and epitomize what's best about the South.
The spiritual truths are evident but not preachy...it's more of a development of character than a lecture to the reader.

I loved this book: from the cute cover, to the notebook Shiloh keeps of Southern sayings, to the roses in her mother's garden, to the truth that with God, things can bloom again.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.