About the Book Book: Delicious Devotion Author: Melissa Wardwell Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance Release date: August 30, 2022
Why do weddings do their best to ruin relationships? Friends, family—even the couple!
Beth Stevens didn’t come to the Independence Islands to find a guy, but thanks to her beloved Gram, she had a place to go and the skills to start a business she loves. Meeting Scott again and getting engaged was a bonus she only dreamed of.
Now, in the final weeks before their Christmas Eve wedding, she can’t imagine not having him in her life. They have endured one hurdle after another in their two-year relationship and have remained devoted through it all.
And then months of wedding planning begins to fall apart as one person continues to undermine Beth’s choices. Scott has waited for this day to come but as he witnesses Beth unravel, he does everything he knows to do to protect and stand by her. The question is, will things ever come together enough to get them both to the altar before it’s too late? This Breakers Head novel is Melissa Wardwell’s final novel in the Independence Islands Series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters. The Independence Islands Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore. Click here to get your copy! About the Author Melissa Wardwell resides in Owosso, Michigan with her husband and three teen-aged children. She doesn’t mind alternating between the world of writing and the reality of being a mother, but she would rather sit with a good book or a good friend and a cup of coffee. When she isn’t penning works of fiction, she is busy reviewing books for her blog, Back Porch Reads. To see more from Melissa Wardwell, visit www.melissawardwell.com More from Melissa For five books I have tormented and teased readers. Some have even emailed me asking when they were going to see a wedding for Beth and Scott. Now I can say, this is your chance. I cannot tell you how fun this book was to write. Every plot line, great or small, that I left hanging in the previous four books will come together here. I know some didn’t like it, and I’m sorry, but that was the way the characters told me their stories.
See, my books for The Independence Islands run together like that of a television series. Not every plot is resolved at the end of the season and the characters come back in the next season. We know someone is ill at the end of season four, but will they survive through season five? And if it involves legal issues, well those don’t resolve in a short amount of time, no matter what. Then, there is the slow burn romance. I mean, come on, not every romance is a flash in the pan. The good ones build over the span of months, or in Beth and Scott’s case, years.
Throughout this series, these characters have faced their demons while learning to trust God’s hand in their lives. They have lost and loved, married and buried, celebrated and cried all while searching for something more. I don’t know about you, but finishing Delicious Devotion was like saying good-bye to dear friends. Of course, the hardest was Gram’s final piece of wisdom to the bride and groom…
“Be vulnerable with each other, in every way. If you cannot be vulnerable and open with your spouse, then there is no trust in your foundations. When you pray together, pray openly. When you talk about those private things that only spouses talk about, be willing to listen to your spouse and act accordingly. Remember to keep everything stated in those moments of vulnerability between the two of you. No bed is big enough for three people.”
That lady was so smart.
Thank you for going on this journey of self-discovery and growth in faith. Beth was not the only one who went through some changes over the last two years. I’d like to think that she and I grew together as we processed loss, success, new friendships, and healing of old wounds.
If you stuck with it through all five of my contributions and loved every minute, then you are welcome. If you wanted to lay hands on my swiftly and repeatedly, I apologize. Stories like this have minds of their own.
I hope you will continue to follow me as I publish more books with the wonderful people at Celebrate Lit and integrate a couple of these characters in future books.
Grace and peace be with you all your days, Melissa Wardwell
Blog Stops
An Author’s Take, September 22
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 22
lakesidelivingsite, September 23
She Lives To Read, September 24
Texas Book-aholic, September 24
Inklings and notions, September 25
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, September 26
deb’s Book Review, September 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 27
Aryn the Libraryan, September 28
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 28
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 29
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 30
For Him and My Family, September 30
Blossoms and Blessings, October 1
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, October 2 (Author Interview)
Holly’s Book Corner, October 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 3
Blogging With Carol, October 3
Sylvan Musings, October 4
Christina’s Corner, October 4
Simple Harvest Reads, October 5 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Giveaway To celebrate her tour, Melissa is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!! Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/21a63/delicious-devotion-celebration-tour-giveaway
My Review:
This book left me in a quandary--I've enjoyed the series and book overall, but there were a number of little things that annoyed me. So, I erred on the side of a slightly higher rating than I maybe should have given.
First, I had a time with the severe mood swings of both the hero and heroine. I wasn't entirely convinced that either one was ready for a lifetime commitment (at times). The heroine didn't seem fully grown up in her relationship with her mother--as a mother, I hurt for a mother left out of her daughter's wedding dress shopping yet the book came across completely on the side of the daughter. There were also some grammatical errors that caught me off guard. Even the lack of a real reception for the wedding because the married couple couldn't wait to leave for the honeymoon--come on, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event--stick around and celebrate.
I do like how everything resolved itself in the end--love conquers all.
I received this book free as part of the Celebrate Lit blog tour--but my opinions are clearly my own. I was not required to leave a positive review.