Review: Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford

Welcome to my stop in this blog tour hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer.  A big thank you to author, Julie N. Ford, for providing me an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Don't forget to swing by the Tour Page for other fun stops in this tour. Ms Ford is also giving a generous Giveaway for this tour, $50 GC to Barnes and Noble, so be sure to enter that below!

Replacing Gentry by Julie N. Ford, AF, 2013, eARC, 252p, Rating=4
Source: provided by author in exchange for an honest review

When Marlie agrees to attend a cadaver ball at Vanderbilt Medical School, she did not expect to actually see any cadavers. Or, that a strange apparition would issue her a chilling message.
Despite the cadaver's warning, Marlie is married a year later to Tennessee State Senator, Daniel Cannon, and living in a plantation-style mansion with two step-sons. Add to the mix her growing suspicion that something is amiss with the death of Daniel’s first wife, Gentry, and newlywed Marlie is definitely in over her pretty Yankee head.
What begins as an innocent inquiry into her new husband’s clouded past ends with Marlie in the midst of a dangerous conspiracy.
A modern twist on the classic Gothic romance novels of Rebecca and Jane Eyre, Replacing Gentry follows Marlie’s precarious journey as she learns the truth about the man she married.

I've only read one other book from this author, Count Down to Love, and I see versatility!  CDTL was a lot romance but here in Replacing Gentry, Ms. Ford spiced things up a bit and worked in mystery and historical fiction.  I like the Cali-girl thrown to a Nashville-country life scenario.  This translated to a heroine that would have spunk and surely to stir things up.  Marlie certainly stepped on some toes and that brought danger in her midst.  So was she able to figure things out in time?

Although the mystery kept me turning the pages, it was the tender story of Marlie's fight for her family that brought me smiles.  She was driven and had purpose, both excellent qualities that will get her answers.  She needed answers because things kept getting creepier and creepier.  Yet amidst the mysterious uncertainties, the love story was the cornerstone that would give strength to reinforcing her determination.  She believed in her husband Daniel and optimistic about forming a solid relationship with her twin step-sons as well, so she had to find out the entire truth for their sake and her own.

There was a lot going on in this book and usually that would open up for a lot of criticisms but everything tied in by book's end.  The twists and turns had me gasping and wondering who's good and bad.  It was a thrill to walk through it all through Marlie's account.  I was pulling for a good outcome right up to the very end!

This was a fun and exciting read.  I'd recommend it to those who wants a bit of a mindbender with a soft sidekick.

The release date came earlier than expected and so it's now available!  Moreover, for a limited time it's on sale for $1.99.  Cool.




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"Count Down to Love"

Welcome to my stop in this blog tour.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to read and review this book.  Thank you Ms Ford for the delightful read and Lexie @The Book Bug for hosting this tour.  ~Be sure to check out other participants in the tour for your chance to win this book and a Due West CD.

by Julie N. Ford, AF, 2011, 231p, rating=4
Source: provided by author in exchange for an honest review

Abandoned at the altar, Kelly Grace Pickens finds herself left holding not only the bouquet but also the exorbitant bill for an A-list wedding. Homeless, a once promising singing career floundering, and her life bearing an uncanny resemblance to one of her country music ballads, she reluctantly accepts a last minute offer to appear on a reality TV show akin to the bachelor. Pitted against silicon-enhanced supermodels in four-inch heels, Kelly feels confident that she will be among the first would-be fiancés to be excused. Only, when the mysterious bachelor from New York City, Dillon Black, invites her to stay, Kelly finds herself thrust into the vortex of a game she doesn’t have the first idea how to play. Nursing her hopelessly broken heart while avoiding the foils of her fellow contestants, Kelly is oblivious to Dillon’s affections as she wades through hurt and betrayal to discover, in the end, that she has landed firmly on both feet.
Leaving behind Nashville’s Music Row for the majestic Grand Teton mountains, Count Down To Love takes readers on a journey from duplicity to sincerity as Kelly discovers that being true to oneself is the first step in finding happiness and everlasting love.

This was a story about testing the range of love and loyalty to oneself and what better way to exhibit that than by starting off in a horrible situation.  Hence, Kelly was left at the altar!  Yikes, what now?  How about getting roped into being a contestant on a dating TV show?  A "Bachelor"-like program, no less.  Wow, that was way out there!  It didn't seem to be the logical next step but it ended up serving as an intriguing backdrop for Kelly's journey to staying true to herself and in the process setting herself up for true love.

Although much of the read was predictable, I was transfixed by Kelly's character.  I could empathize with her denial.  I could understand her being gullible.  And in the end I applaud her integrity.  Of course, the swoon worthy romance between her and the bachelor, Dillon, didn't hurt either.  Wow, those kissing scenes were pretty tantalizing! 

This was a really pleasant read.  A clean romance that will leave you feeling optimistic about love by showcasing that honesty is attractive and where true beauty lies.  Well done, Ms. Ford.  Thank you for the delightful read.

Julie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in English Literature from San Diego State University. In addition, she earned a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama. She has worked in teaching, childbirth education and family therapy. Besides writing, she spends many hours working along side her husband at their UPS Store franchise, but hopes to re-enter the Social Work field someday.

She is the author of three women’s fiction novels, The Woman He Married (March 2011) and No Holly for Christmas (November 2011), published by Whiskey Creek Press. The third, Count Down to Love (July 2011), published by Bonneville Books.
Currently, she lives in Nashville, TN with her husband, two daughters and one very feisty fish.

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