Customer Reviews

The Potluck Club: Trouble's Brewing (The Potluck Club, Book 2)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Trouble brews at every turn, and the ladies need prayer. But when the Potluck Club threatens to break up, can they find glue strong enough to mend it? Funny, endearing and poignant, the members of the Potluck Club walk off the pages and into your life. They're your next door neighbor and pew partner at church. One of them might be you.

I loved the first book of the series, and this second one is even better, if that's possible. What I find so fascinating, and frankly amazing about this book, is the way it's written. Each author writes three of the characters, yet their stories intertwine seamlessly.

As I turned the last page, I was delighted to see there is a third book in the works. I have grown to love the ladies of the Potluck Club, as you will, too. It will be fun to see if Clay ever uncovers all their secrets. Somehow I have my doubts.

The Potluck Club has six members and by the time you finish reading the book you'll feel they are your friends. There's Donny Vessy, town deputy. She has an admirer, Clay Whitefield, investigative reporter, who has loved her since high school, but she can only see him as a friend. Donna has a painful secret she can never tell anyone, especially Clay

Lizzie Prattle's life is running smoothly until her son Tim leaves his wife, Samantha, and his children, and moves back home. Lizzie has to do something to save her son's marriage, but it's difficult to succeed when you don't have any co-operation.

Vonnie Westbrook never told her husband, Fred, she'd been married before. She thought her baby from that marriage had died at birth, but one day he shows up on her doorstep, which puts a real strain on her marriage.

Goldie finally walked out on her womanizing husband, Jack Dippel. She has a new look, a new man, and a new life, but Jack wants her back. He swears he's a changed man, but Goldie finds it hard to think straight, when tall, dark, and terrific Van Lauer is gazing into her eyes.

Lisa Leann Lambert is a newcomer. She owns a bridal botique and has recently added a dating service. She has also started writing an advice column under the pseudonym of Aunt Ellen. She doesn't really gossip, she just wants to help her fellow Potluck members, bless their hearts. They need her.

Evangeline Benson, has never married. She wanted to, but that no-account Doreen Roberts stole Vernon Vessy out from under her nose in high school, and she's never got over it. Now she has a chance at Vernon, but Deputy Donna, Vernon's bratty daughter is doing all she can to get her father to dump Evie.
Each of the women in Trouble's Brewing is so real, so enjoyable, you'll have trouble putting the book down. You'll remember these characters, and the recipes are great too.

I have not personally read this exact book as I just finished book one of this series but based on just the first book I can't wait to get to book 2, Trouble's Brewing. The writer of this book really does an excellent job of keeping your attention throghout the book and when you set it down, you can't wait to get back to it. She clearly has known people like the people in the book and you will find that you do as well. I recommend the whole series - I intend to read every one of them.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the second book of the Potluck Club was even better than the first! The characters are very well rounded and interesting, deep and thoughtful. The ladies go through realistic trials and tribulations and progress and grow in realistic ways. I like that there are not "pat" answers to all the problems, but the ladies learn to trust God more in the midst of all the complications. I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Trouble Brewing certainly satisfied my craving for more Potluck Club! Well, nearly. It left me wanting more. I'm truly wrapped up in the lives of Donna, Evie-girl, Vonnie and rest, but am on pins and needles waiting for the third book!

This group of friends and almost friends has the feel of some of my own relationships. Their problems are realistic, deep, some not able to be solved. I love the variety in age and experience of the women, bringing this book to life.

It was gratifying to see Clay's character fleshed out more in this second book, as well as Donna given more depth. These are definitely real people. Goldie's emotional state is overwhelming at times. Can I kick Jack?

I'll definitley stay tuned for book three. And while I wait, I'll be trying out the recipes in the back of the book ...

The Potluck Club: Trouble's Brewing by Linda Evans Shepherd and Eva Marie Everson is the second book in the Potluck Club series. This book picks up shortly after the first one left off. Evie and the sheriff are still dating (but not for long), Donna is trying to hide her deepest secret, Clay is still trying to get up the courage to ask Donna out (and starts a weight-loss plan), Lizzie's married son has moved home, and everyone else's lives are in equal chaos. Even the club itself seems to be falling apart. And that does seem to be the weak point of this book. While we get to see each woman's struggles, there are few scenes of the women all together working as a team which was a real strength in the previous book. Maybe the author intended to create the sense of disconnection between the women. There are only two times in the book when all the women get together. The book was definitely an enjoyable read, and the teaser at the end of this book for the next one will make you tear out your hair until the third comes out.

It is hard to believe that the second book could be better than the first but it was!! I love these women and their lives. I could not put this book down and I can not wait for a third book. This is great reading and I recommend it to anyone!!!

In Summit View, Colorado, Gold Rush News reporter Clay Whitefield beleieves that the members of The Potluck Club have secrets that he plans to uncover. Currently the Ace Reporter is interested in learning what the youngest and newest associate Deputy Donna Vesey hides behind her visage of toughness as his mind (and his heart) is interested in her. Donna's tragic secret lies in her previous job in Boulder.

Meanwhile Evie and her beau seem in love, but both have commitment doubts. Vonnie's biological son from her first marriage that she hid from her spouse has come to visit her though his arrival could end her marriage as she hid that information too. Lizzy's son Tim is leaving his wife to move back in with his parents. Goldie's estranged husband, abetted by their daughter, plots to persuade her to take back the womanizer she tossed out. The Potluck Club is there to help each other, but even the club is in jeopardy due to the antics of bridal shop proprietor and known town crier Lisa Leann spreading gossip.

The second Potluck Club tale (see THE POTLUCK CLUB) is a fun ensemble novel that rotates the subplots between the club members giving the book a vignette feel similar to that of Mossy Creek but in Colorado instead of Georgia. Each key thread moves forward with purpose and new ones tantalizingly dangle at the end leading to hopes of a follow-up book. The cast in spite of its size seem real like next door neighbors, and their troubles genuine. Though separate personal filaments are developed they intertwine cleverly like the DNA helix (but six not two strands) as fans of contemporary tales will appreciate Linda Evans Shepherd & Eva Marie Everson's fine character driven drama.

Harriet Klausner

Book is really good..enjoying it immensely! It arrived in good condition and on time! Thanks for making owning books affordable...

If you love to read, this book is better than having nothing. I didn't find the chapters to flow easily. In fact, at times, the stories are too confusing.

It is unbelievable the pressure placed on a woman to get back with her philandering spouse. Everyone gets so excited at the prospect of the poor woman reconciling with her scumbag serial cheating husband. As one reviewer said, it is full of gossip. However, this is an example of a small town. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing. Or at least, they think they know. Not only do they know, they will have the moral answer for the woes and troubles. I wouldn't recommend this book unless it is your last choice.