Customer Reviews

Chesapeake Weddings (Romancing America: Maryland)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cecelia Dowdy wrote a collection of three short stories in the Christian fiction genre based on the lives of three women in unrelated situations, but whose life path ended up crossing at a later point. Monica was forced to take in her blind nephew when her younger and irresponsible estranged sister decides that she wants to chase her dream of traveling the world with her new fiancé under the premise that she wanted to travel the world. After the death of her father, Emily thinks that her biggest challenge is managing an entire dairy farm all alone, but soon finds that she has to fight for the survival of her livelihood once some secrets are exposed that she was never told. Karen had her entire life turned upside down when her fiancé ran off with the church secretary and a large chunk of embezzled funds, leaving her to wonder if her life with the man she was about to marry was a farce.

The title of the book gave the reader the proper expectation for all of the short stories, so there was little opportunity for shock and surprise. This was the first time that I read a book from the 'Romancing America' series, but it seems that there are a series of books that highlight a different state in the country and focus the setting of the story on that particular region. To whet your appetite, the author speaks at length about all of the various food selections in that area to the point that while reading, I often wanted the pleasure to taste the dishes myself.

Another impressive point of this story was the obvious research that the author conducted to make her characters' areas of expertise believable. In Monica's story, the gentleman that she ended up falling in love with was an agnostic scientist who was able to tutor her blind nephew. In that story, she was able to convey the language of someone who had that background. Emily's life was based on a dairy farm with an eventual CPA beau that had a drinking problem, and she was able to make the reader feel as if they were actually in a farm setting with all of the proper lingo. Karen fell in love with the man who lived next door to her mother who was a plumber and who had a heart for ministry.

I recommend this for the reader who needs something to just sit back and relax with on a lazy day. It is not a difficult read that requires much active thought. But, I definitely recommend that the serious dieter pass this read by, the temptation is entirely too great with all of the wonderful description of fresh seafood from the Chesapeake.

The book was provided by the author for review purposes.

Shica Robinson
APOOO BookClub

First, many thanks to Ms Dowdy for sending me a copy of Chesapeake Weddings to read and review. I found her stories filled with Christian inspiration and romantic charm.

"Chesapeake Weddings" is a collection of three different novellas. The first, "John's Quest" is Monica's story. Scotty, her blind nephew, arrives on her doorstep in the middle of the night when her sister is unable to take him with her on her honeymoon. Adjusting to life with a blind child is difficult for Monica. He's behind in school and been allowed him to misbehave because of his handicap. John, a college professor who tutors blind children in his spare time, agrees to take Scotty on as a student. The attraction and the conflict are clichéd, but convincing. Monica has been hurt before, and she is a Christian, so dating agnostic John is a problem so instead she helps him find his way into a loving relationship with God. At times, the dialogue read stilted, but overall you can identify with the characters. The story is after all a romance so John and Monica do find a way to each other.

I thought Ms Dowdy's crafting of dialogue and attention to detail in storytelling was much stronger in the second story, and the conflict felt less contrived than in "John's Quest." "Milk Money" is about young Emily who is faced with trying to save the family dairy farm after her father dies and her stepmom goes to live with one of her daughters. Frank, the CPA hired by the stepmom, handles the accounting side of the business. He is, of course, a very handsome gentleman and he takes a "liking" to Emily. Emily has feelings for Frank too only his drinking is a problem. Miss Dowdy does a fine job of weaving their journey to one another. "Milk Money" is definitely a worthwhile read.

The last story is "Bittersweet Memories." Karen Brown's embezzler fiancé has run off with another woman and $50000 of their church's money. Rather than contend with the ugly comments from church staff and members, Karen leaves her job, her friends, and her church to live with her mother in Annapolis to lick her wounds and build a new life. But she finds a blunt plumber named Keith who already knows Karen's story and the conflict and attraction interfer with her plans. Again, Ms Dowdy creates a fun story about healing and love.

I would recommend Chesapeake Weddings to someone who likes shorter stories. I'm really looking forward to more (and longer) romances from Cecelia Dowdy!

Cecelia is a good writer, I just had a hard time getting 'into' each novella and to be honest I am not sure why. I think I prefer longer stories that have opportunity to delve deeper. I do love clean, Christian romance and Cecelia provided that. Personally, I had a hard time connecting with her characters and I think that is more me and not Cecelia. The book is worth checking out for quick, easy romances.

I really enjoyed reading about the heroines in these three stories,but I just didn't care much for the heroes except for Keith, in the third story "Bittersweet Memories".

In John's Quest,even though I liked the hero John,the least of all three heroes. I really enjoyed the story of Monica's blind nephew Scotty,but I wish there would have been more descriptions of what it is like to be blind,and what someone like Monica would have to learn to care for a blind child. I would think that would be pretty overwhelming to just have a blind child dumped on you! But there was nothing mentioned about how much she would have to learn.I think Scotty's tutor John could have been used to explain a lot of that. I still found it interesting,but would have loved to have learned more,and about what it must be like to be blind,too.

There have always been self-centered women like Scotty's mom Gina who leave the raising of their children to others,without a second thought,so that was very believable. I thought John was too controlling and I don't trust guys who make declarations of love immediately.

I'm afraid that I didn't care for Milk Money. I didn't like the hero Frank until towards the end of the book. I just couldn't believe the family situation,with Emily,and her stepmother,and all the mystery and secrets,even with her father.

I thought each story had an original plot.

I loved each heroine and admired their strength and character, but Keith in the last story "Bittersweet Memories", was the only hero that I fell for. All these men were too pushy,and controlling in ways. I would never even put up with any man ordering for me in a restaurant! I just think "what a nerve" and how controlling! That was the only fault I had with Keith,though,otherwise he was the nicest and most appealing of the heroes.

BTW,I loved how this author mentioned that each of these men smelled wonderful,due to their aftershave/cologne,because I am absolutely wild about men wearing 'smell good',too!

I think Cecelia is an author to watch for,and I wish her much success.

Chesapeake Weddings is a collection of inspirational stories that are as different as they are familiar.
Bittersweet Memories introduces Karen Brown, who, after suffering heartache and shame brought on by a former fiancé, returns home only to face unexpected challenges from a surprising source.

Milk Money relays the story of polar opposites, Emily and Frank. Despite their personal and religious differences they join forces to straighten out the financial tangle that will place the dairy farm Emily's father established, into her hands.

John's Quest gives us insight into what can happen when anger collides with the power of innocence. This happens when college professor John steps in to tutor Monica's blind nephew.
Inside each story Author Dowdy has the ability to draw the reader into the story with her special brand of storytelling. Neither story is a heavy read, nor were they meant to be. What they are, are memorable stories, told with a fresh voice.

3 1/2 Star Rating

Dr. Linda Beed/Reviewer
On Assignment Reviews for Let Us Bear Fruit

"Chesapeake Weddings" is a collection of three different stories. I really liked how Cecelia developed the friendships of the characters and had them woven into the following stories. I think Cecelia did a wonderful job of presenting Christian values without being "preachy". The book was very enjoyable for me!
In "John's Quest" Monica becomes an instant mom when her sister "dumps" her blind son, Scotty, at her home. The sister wants to see the world with her new boyfriend. Monica is thrust into one of the hardest jobs of all! John is recommended as a tutor for Scotty when the school principle advises Monica that his grades are below grade level. There is an attraction between John and Monica but it is hampered by the fact that John is agnostic and Monica is a born again believer.
In "Milk Money" Emily is trying to save the family dairy farm. Her father has recently died and her step-mother has gone to one of her daughters homes to begin to heal. Before leaving she hires Frank, a CPA, to audit the farms finances. He is, of course, a very handsome gentleman and he takes a "liking" to Emily. Emily has feelings for Frank but his drinking presents a problem. Can he come to terms with what has brought him to drink?
In "Bittersweet Memories" Karen is devasted to learn that her fiance' is an embezzler. She leaves her job, her friends, and her church to go live with her mother. Keith is her mother's next door neighbor who has his own plumbing business. In the beginning he seems to really get on Karen's nerves but she soon softens up. Keith is busy in his church, which also happens to be the church that Karen's mother belongs to. After what Karen has just been through, she has drifted from God and isn't sure if she wants to get back into church or not.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes shorter stories. I'm really looking forward to more from Cecelia Dowdy!

I had the opportunity to read Chesapeake Weddings and truly recommend this book. If you're the type of person who do not like to read but want to start I guarantee this book. You will not be disappointed. I love how Cecelia Dowdy corporates the characters into the other two stories from the first one. It shows the value of true friendship and the difficulties that they have to go through. They can each encourage each other with I know what you're going through because of my experience. You can make it because I did. Cecelia Dowdy writes to an African American audience, but you will look past skin color and realize that this is a book for everyone. Love and romance can be appreciated by everyone.

First of all I wish to thank Cecelia for sending me a free book or at least for the price of an honest review.

These three stories are short and although I prefer longer reads (300-400 pages) I found Cecelia's stories to be sweet and charming and chock full of Christian inspiration. Her stories are easy to understand and have a certain romantic charm. I think anyone that enjoys reading about the devotion of good Christian people will enjoy the characters in these stories. The only negative I have to say is that I would like to see her delve into the characters a bit more. For instance, in John's Quest Scotty didn't come across as a blind child to me and I think she should have been more elaborate about what he goes through as a blind child. But I guess with short stories you have to keep them within a certain amount of pages. I think Cecelia show great promise for many more Christian Romance stories in the future.

The book includes three short stories.
If you would like to read each review for each story, please check my profile and read reviews for John's Quest, Milk Money, and Bittersweet memories since the book holds these three stories.
The writer has presented valuable lessons for women getting into relationships. She presented real people with real problems. Some readers may find the book too preachy since the writer centered on GOD as the foundation on any relationship and was not afraid to strongly point it out throughout the book. The author shows us important insights how to deal with doubts and pain by having faith and a personal relationship with GOD.
The tension was okay, but I was looking for more intriguing scenes.
I did not like when the writer inside the dialogue put a summary of what was said and then went back to the dialogue again. Some scenes were rushed and happened so fast. But it is hard to develop the plot in such short time and limited space for writing. Also, all three stories had the same plot but pictured different places and different people. I was hoping for something different to learn in each story.
I was not so much engaged in each story. I could put the book away and not having guilt of continuing to read the rest. But the writer presented some important things that I have taken to my heart.
My two favorite scenes come from the first and the last story.
A very touching scene was when Monica was afraid to lose his nephew when the mother came back into the picture in the first story: I had tears in my eyes.
Another scene that moved me was from the last story, and it was when the son read the letter from his father that he found after his dad's death.
I am hoping that the writer will come up with different plots, write books longer, and engage the audience more. But I loved some great descriptions that the author wrote which took me away and taken me to a different time and place. I felt serene in some of the peaceful surroundings that the writer described!

I enjoyed all three stories in the first story it was interesting seeing how John's mind works as an Agnostic. I loved how Cecelia let us see Johns thought process. The interaction between Monica and Scotty was lovely to see and showing just cos you have a disability doesn't mean you cant have a life was great. I found the whole story interesting and you know what I love about this book, Monica is in her late 30's and I do enjoy reading books featuring older heroines, Thanks Cecelia.
Story two I enjoyed the rural setting as I come from a rural area also. When we first meet Frank he helps Emily deliver a calf with her thinking hes the vet. I liked how this book started then as Emily finds out hes the Accountant who she didn't want to hire it gets interesting. Frank has baggage which we see right from the start and I was interested in how Cecelia would work with it. I enjoy the country girl city boy encounters.
story 3 was my favourite story. I like the way that both Karen and Keith both have issues to deal with and Cecelia didn't give them the easy option to fix the issues. It was good to watching this story unfold. I really hope there will be another book as there is room for a follow up to answer some questions particularly about a couple of charactors.