KISS THE BRIDE
Four-in-one Contemporary Romance Collection
Includes Carrie’s novella: “Tea for Two ”
Coming September 2006, Barbour Publishing
ISBN 1-59789-353-6, 352 pages, $6.97

Four young women meet at a restaurant owner's conference—Angel from Florida, Monica from Missouri, Haley from Oklahoma, and Allison from New Jersey—and discover they share the same faiths, fears, hopes, and a lack of a love story in their lives. They vow to keep in touch, pray for one another, and meet again at next year's conference. What happens in between is a smorgasbord of changed lives, challenged faiths, new dedications and romantic twists that turn next year's conference reunion plans into reservations for eight.

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TEA FOR TWO by Carrie Turansky
Allison Bennett, owner of a financially strapped teashop in Princeton New Jersey, receives a large anonymous check that saves her business. But she has no idea who sent it. Could it be Peter Hillinger, a wealthy businessman who wants to convince Allison he is the man for her? Or is it Tyler Lawrence, Allison’s old boyfriend, who returns to town claiming a renewed faith and a changed life. Allison doesn’t know whom to trust. Should she follow her head or heart, or is there Someone else she should be following?
Click here to download an excerpt of "Tea for Two ."

A RECIPE FOR ROMANCE by Vickie McDonough
All her life, Haley Tannehill has been embarrassed by her parents’ old-fashioned restaurant, The Cowpoke Café. When she learns that her parents are retiring and giving her the café, she’s stunned. Now she can remodel and recognize her dream of managing an upscale diner. She recruits carpenter, Scott Jantzen’s, help in remodeling. Sparks fly between them, but when she learns his true identity, will her recipe for romance flop?

ANGEL FOOD by Kristy Dykes
Angel Morgan is intent on her new restaurant, Rue de France, succeeding so she can take care of her widowed mother. Businessman Cyril Jackson III is attracted to Angel but is concerned because she doesn't share his devotion to God. What will it take for Angel to realize the importance of soul food? And will Angel and Cyril ever make a perfect blend?

JUST DESSERTS by Aisha Ford
Once upon a time, Monica Ryan and Gil Butler’s families were inseparable, and so were Monica and Gil. But a business disagreement between their fathers put an end to any ideas concerning a happily ever after. Now that Monica and Gil have been thrown into business once again, is there forgiveness in the air, or is one of them plotting to serve the other their Just Desserts?

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Kiss the Bride Review

Kristy Dykes, Aisha Ford, Vickie McDonough, Carrie Turansky, Barbour Publishing (2006) ISBN 1597893536, Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (9/06)

“Kiss the Bride” is a compilation of four contemporary romances written by four different authors, but all are intertwined. Four young women become fast friends at the National Restaurateurs’ Convention in Dallas, Texas, when the hotel elevator gets stuck. Angel, Haley, Allison and Monica learn they have several things in common besides all attending the same convention and being in the restaurant business. All the young women are single and have high hopes of meeting Mr. Right in the not-too-distant future. In varying degrees, the young women trust God and know he has a plan for each of their lives. All the women vow to remain friends and to reunite at the next convention. Will any of them be able to share success stories of finding Mr. Right?

“Angel Food” and the Epilogue is written by Kristy Dykes and tells the story of Angel Morgan and her struggle to find patrons at her new restaurant, the Rue de France in the small town of  Nine Cloud, Florida. “Just Desserts” by Aisha Ford tells the story of Monica Ryan and her family-owned business in Missouri called The Pie Rack. A “Recipe for Romance” by Vickie McDonald finds Haley Tannehill in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a hostess at her brother’s restaurant called Tannehills and working at her parent’s business, The Cowpoke Café. And “Tea for Two” by Carrie Turansky tells of Allison Bennett and her sister who are opening Sweet Something Tea Shop in Princeton, New Jersey.

Since all the stories have food and a restaurant as common traits, we find that each story shares with the reader a special dessert that in some way has brought success for its preparer. Each dessert is known in that particular story for its popularity and “heavenly” taste.  At the end of each story, the recipe is included for the reader to try at home. Being able to prepare a dessert that we have just read so much about makes the reader feel a greater connection to the story.

“Kiss the Bride” is refreshing, upbeat, and clever. Four authors were able to put their talents together and show their individuality, but they also successfully show their ability to work together as a team. The common thread of a special traveling apron, purchased at the convention and then passed along to all the women, appears in each story. The authors obviously worked together to bond this element among the four stories. If you like Christian romance and cooking, you should thoroughly enjoy this compilation. I highly recommend this book!