First Impressions

Title: First Impressions
Author: Michelle Sutton
ISBN: 978-1-936000-67-8

Blurb: Sammie Carpenter understands how a uniform influences behavior. Wearing her Army fatigues puts her in the mindset of a soldier and donning her Class-A Uniform always helps her shift into Captain Mode. So what harm could come from her dressing like a saloon girl and strutting through the streets of Tombstone? She didn't know how to flirt to save her life, and she wasn't getting any younger.

When she met the lonesome stud cowboy, Jimmy, she knew he was the one. So why was their communication always so awkward? Couldn't he see that she was interested in him? No matter how hard she tried to win him over, she couldn't seem to get him to see past his first impression of her. But Sammie didn't give up easily. Somehow she would make him see that they were meant to be together, but how can she do that when all of her plans keep falling apart?

Video Trailer:


My Take:

If you've read my bio, you see that I was in the Army for a while. I did my training in Fort Huachuca, the area where this book takes place. In a lot of ways I could relate to what Sammie felt like. Michelle Sutton has once again dared to give us characters that are so true to life you could meet them at the gas station or live next door to them.

Sammie is good at her job, respected by her coworkers and yet feels as if she's left something behind in order to accomplish her goals. She still wants to be a woman ~ desired by men. At least that's what she tells herself. Her issues go much deeper than that though and flirting and hanging around Tombstone in a saloon girl outfit may get her more than she bargained for ~ in more ways than one.

Rustle up one tall, handsome cowboy and you have all you need to complicate things. This cowboy is a Christian, and doesn't want to fall for a saloon girl ~ even if her, um assets are well displayed, and everything about the woman herself is hard to resist.

The heat of the Arizona climate has nothing on the two of these people as they try to determine what they want out of life and each other.

I think this is an excellent example of realistic romance today. It shows how hard it is to try and avoid temptation, why we need people to stand strong with us and support us (not to mention those who are brave enough to tell us we're headed down the wrong path), and yet how wonderfully passionate romance can be when we find the one God has intended for us. Christian romance doesn't need to be limited to a peck on the cheek. This is the kind of book that would be great to share with a non-believing friend - or someone who thinks Christian romance is boring.

Just don't forget to bring the cold drinks, and be ready for anything. You never know where the conversation could lead. :o)