The Perfect Blend [Paperback]

Trish Perry (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2010

If you enjoy the novels of Debbie Macomber, you’ll love this perfect blend of recipes and romance set in a small town with a big heart.

Steph Vandergrift is in need of a job. She left everything behind to elope with Middleburg attorney Rick Manfred, never imagining he would stand her up at the altar. Now, hoping just to get by until she can decide what to do next, Steph thinks she’s found the perfect position at the local tea shop.

Kendall James, one of the kindest and most eligible bachelors in the area, meets Steph  and proceeds to pursue her. But by the time Steph feels able to consider dating again, her runaway fiancé returns and tries to win her back. Steph is wary, but she and Rick always seemed to blend so well. Are they truly meant to be together, or does God have something else in mind?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Perry (Sunset Beach) entertains and gently inspires in this first of the Tea Shop series, a cozy tale about love lost and found. Steph Vandergrift left all to elope with attorney Rick Manfred and was then left behind before reaching the altar. Beside herself with disbelief, Steph allows a kindly tea shop owner to provide her sustenance for stomach and a bruised soul. Milly Jewell, the twice-widowed shop owner, offers Steph a temporary job at her small restaurant. Having burned her personal bridges with family and friends, Steph thankfully agrees to the arrangement, and soon meets Kendall James, proprietor of the pricey hotel where she was staying before the wedding fell through. Mutually smitten is an understatement as Steph and Kendall immediately connect. Inevitably, obstacles interfere with an otherwise perfectly spun fairy tale. Perry takes what could be a glib, weightless tale and makes her own blend work.
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About the Author

Trish Perry is an award-winning, multi-published novelist. Before her novels, Perry published numerous short stories, essays, devotionals, and poetry in Christian and general market media. Perry holds a B.A. in Psychology, was a 1980s stockbroker, and held positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission and in several Washington law firms. She serves on the Board of Directors of CCW and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She invites you to visit her at trishperry.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (September 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736930159
• ISBN-13: 978-0736930154
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,083 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Religion & Spirituality > Christianity > Fiction & Poetry > Fiction

More About the Author

Award-winning novelist Trish Perry has written Unforgettable (2011, Summerside Press) and Tea for Two (2011), The Perfect Blend (2010), Sunset Beach (2009--winner, 2010 Greater Detroit RWA Award), Beach Dreams (2008), Too Good to Be True (2007), and The Guy I'm Not Dating (2006), all for Harvest House Publishers. She collaborated with several renowned authors on the devotionals Delight Yourself in the Lord...Even on Bad Hair Days (Spring 2011) and His Grace is Sufficient...Decaf is NOT (Fall 2011) for Summerside Press. Her short Christmas novel, 'Tis the Season, is featured in Summerside's Love Finds You on Christmas Morning (2011), along with Debby Mayne's Deck the Halls.

Perry wrote a monthly column, "Real Life is Stranger," for Christian Fiction Online Magazine and was editor of Ink and the Spirit, the newsletter of Washington D.C.'s Capital Christian Writers organization for seven years. Before her novels, Perry published numerous short stories, essays, devotionals, and poetry in Christian and general market media.

Perry holds a B.A. in Psychology, was a 1980s stockbroker, and held positions at the Securities and Exchange Commission and in several Washington law firms. She serves on the Board of Directors of CCW and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She invites you to visit her at www.trishperry.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SO SWEET!, October 11, 2010

By 

Carman (ContinuousDelights) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Perfect Blend (Paperback)

This is such a sweet, heart-warming read! And I loved the witty humor, too! That was a pleasant surprise. However, just because it is sweet doesn't mean it is fluff. I loved the messages woven into the story about acceptance, relationships, and boundaries. It was all so well done! I can't wait for the next book in this series!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Who's acceptance matters?, November 21, 2010

By 

Janna R. Ryan (Nebraska) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Blend (Paperback)

It's been awhile since I've read such a fun, enjoyable book. I was swept away by a fun, quirky heroine that I could root for and cringe with when things went wrong (which they often did). Yet there is a strong underlying message about acceptance and whose acceptance really matters in life. I really liked this book and am pleased to see that it is the start of a series... I'm certainly hoping to see more of Kendall and Steph.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable and Practical, May 10, 2011

By 

K. Grant (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Perfect Blend (Paperback)

Wow, this book had me laughing out loud throughout! The characters are so lively and realistic yet so charming! The main character, Steph, is so clumsy and after being dumped by her fiance is required to reflect on her next move. As clueless as she starts out, she is able to rely on her faith and new friends while she makes her way in life. There is also forgiveness as she humbles herself to her parents and finds the acceptance she needs from them. I also deeply admired her growth when she determines to figure out where she belongs in society without relying on a man or her parents. There is nothing inappropriate in this story at all which makes it so refreshing compared to so many books on the market these days. This author successfully and realistically brings characters to life including Steph, whose heart and convictions are stronger than she realizes. She even forgives those who have totally mistreated her and apologizes when all she wants to do is hide. Deciding to forgive those who have hurt you the most and apologizing to others you have mistreated instead of taking revenge or justifying yourself are remarkable traits even in fiction. Steph's character is uncomfortable and insulted more than once in public and through prayer and obedience she comes through doing what's right, not what's easy or popular. Her journey is admirable and hilarious and in the end she realizes who she is and where she belongs. Not everyone's journey fits so nicely within 250 pages of a story, but there is truth and authenticity in the way Perry writes. Not everyone will relate to Perry's characters, but many will be entertained by them in a positive way. Perry understands what it takes to write about flawed characters without including offensive material and the audience is able to experience God's grace as her characters do within her stories. I cherish these types of stories and I look forward to reading more of Perry's books.