Sunday, January 17, 2010

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)

7 comments:

  1. This book looks so good! I love the cover, I wish it was available in print and not just ebook form! I love my edgy inspirational fiction so I'm sure this is right up my alley. Thank you for your review Lee!

    xoxo~ Renee

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  2. LOL! Hey, this is one of the best reviews I've read (generally speaking) because you have a way with words. When Desert Breeze gets into printing their books I'll let you know, but for now it's e-only. But you can see why a typical CBA publisher would never buy this story, eh? Can you believe I tried to sell it to Love Inspired back in 2004? What was I thinking. ROFLOL!

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  3. Renee ~ The cover is great, isn't it? I do prefer print myself, but for some authors... ;o)

    Michelle ~ Thanks for coming by. No, I can't see this pleasing the CBA much. I sure liked it though. :o)

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  4. Thanks for the Great Review! For me personally, print is still best :)

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  5. I love it when Author's actually stretch the limit and don't act like it's all easy for Christians to have perfect relationships without no temptation! It's just not realistic. Sounds interesting. Love the cover too! Definitley like print...like holding the book in my hands. OH! And love the name of the street....Toughnut. LOL

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  6. Michelle is so creative and she does such an excellent job of capturing how people really feel ~ what struggles and joys people have... That is why it's worth it to me to go the extra mile to read her work, even if I can't hold it in my hands.

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  7. I loved your review! I just posted a link to it on my own site.

    SephB just did a guest review of this same book on my blog and she found that the romance between Sammie and Jimmy was “combustible”. ;-)

    You can read her review here:
    www.tracysbooknook.com

    -Tracy

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