Customer Reviews

Wedding Bell Blues (The Piper Cove Chronicles #1)

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

 

 

It took me awhile to get into this book, for some of the same reasons as mentioned by others, the seeming "non-Christian" actions/vocubulary of some of the characters.

I decided I needed to give it another chance and am SO glad I did. About half way through, I met Linda Windsor and had a chance to chat with her. I expressed my concerns and she blushingly explained. Linda used to write non-Christian romances and has switched over to Christian fiction. She was embarrassed to admit that there were some slip-ups in her novel that she and her editor didn't catch, that shouldn't have been there. It's tough doing a cross-over novel, when you've been used to writing secular fiction. If the book goes into reprint in the future she assured me those items will be changed.

Now..for my opinion. I loved the story line. It was fresh and the two main characters fleshed out enough to feel you knew them. I enjoyed the fact that they were far from perfect and depicted some of the struggles that do go on in our personal lives. The secondary plot that centered around the heroine's father added to the depth of the story line and the last half of the book in particular grabbed my attention and kept me moving forward. If you can turn a blind eye to some of the small boo-boo's that Linda overlooked, you'll enjoy the story.

The first installment of The Piper Cove Chronicles from Linda Windsor shines with good writing and fun deeply layered characters.

This is the first book of Linda Windsor's that I've read, but it won't be the last. She writes with a sensitivity that allowed me, as a reader, to fully engage with the characters and see both Alex and Josh's perspectives. And there are huge hurdles in this romance. Much more than the fact that he left her with only a note 16 years ago.

While the old sparks and attraction are still there, Alex isn't willing to jump into his arms and repeat the mistakes of the past. And the characterization fully supports her reactions.

The setting is the fun Maryland Eastern Shore which Linda writes well. I could practically see the community and the real ones that surround it. There is also a full cast of supporting characters who add to the book's warmth and layering. And I have a feeling her girlfriends will find themselves in leading roles in future books.

I like to read inspirational books because I don't have to worry about how clean they are, especially the language. I felt like this book pushed the envelope a bit. It had at least one actual swear word and a few abbreviations. There were a couple other things that made me uncomfortable like it was a little more sensual then was necessary. I won't be reading the rest of the series.

Alex Butler has built a new career for herself after a painful divorce. She can pay off the loan on her business, and her three best friends are there to give her support and encouragement. The last thing she needs is another man in her life. Then she finds her younger sister is getting married and wants Alex to be Maid of Honor. The best man is none other than Josh Turner, Alex' former husband, and she is totally ticked.

Wedding Bell Blues is book one of the Piper Cove Chronicles, following the lives of four women who have been best friends since high school. Lively and witty, with Linda Windsor's trademark humor. A fun story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Wedding Bell Blues. The story centers around Alex and Josh. Once married 16 years ago, Josh left Piper Cove to pursue his music career leaving Alex only a note. She went to school and then began her own interior design business.

Now her little sister Lynn is getting married and Alex is planning her wedding. Lynn finally drops the bomb that John's (Lynn's finance) best friend and best man is Josh. Alex is stunned.

Josh is a changed person though and determined to win Alex back. The chemistry is still very much there but the deep heart love had not really ever left. Both of them were determined to get through this situation, but it seemed every time they ran into each other (and that happened a lot) the "love" feelings became more pronounced.

Realizing how they each felt....well, guess you'll have to read it to find out.

This story, which is filled with lots of quirky characters (The Bosom Buddies) is such a fun read, yet has such a deep message. That of faith, love and forgiveness. (Stuff we can all relate to). Linda's characters are not perfect and struggle with doing things the way God wants them to and waiting on His timing. I think we can all identify with that. Realizing mistakes of the past and knowing we can't change them but reminded that God can use them for good and also use them to change you into a better person. Most of all, allowing second chances.

I highly recommend this book if you enjoy humor, honesty, a great cast of characters and a timely message.

Linda never disappoints.

Like always, you have built characters that have a sense of humor, as
well as some short comings. Alex's biggest short coming is the fact
that she is afraid to trust. To trust God and to trust Josh. She's
also too impetuous. But what's great about her is that she recognizes
her failings and is the first to admit them. I love the fact that she
is very believable. And Josh. Well, I just love him. I love how he
fights for what he wants. And he wants Alex. He's determined to show
her that his faith is real and that it has changed his life. The Bosom
Buddies. What a unique group of friends these women are! I'm looking
forward to reading each of their story in turn. I think that my
favorite character is the little girl who is sitting on the swing with
Alex at the end of the book. She's such an imp that it reminds me of
my friends who have young children.

I don't want to wait until the next one is done to read Ellen's story.
Or Jan's. Or Sue Ann's. I'm totally hooked!

Alexandra Turner, or Alex as she is known to friends, is completely shocked to see her ex-husband, Josh Turner, back in Piper Cove, ostensibly just as part of her younger sister's wedding party. However, Josh has changed his life, found God, and still loves her. Whatever Alex's feelings might be, she has a lot of old wounds in her heart, and though she believes in the Bible, applying all the words about forgiveness is a little hard to do when you have to do it. Facing her feelings for Josh is not the only challenge ahead of Alex. Between making her sister's wedding impressive, dealing with her father's health, and the consequences of secrets, Alex is in for a lot of lessons that will bring great rewards if she passes the tests.

**** Christians are not perfect people, just forgiven people. This is made clear from Wedding Bell Blues. Rather than drawing stereotypical pictures of people who would never dream of doing wrong, Ms. Windsor's characters are people you might meet anywhere. She proves that a story can be real without having explicit content, though there can be slight implications that the characters are thinking about such things without making them lesser beings. If you are tired of bland inspirationals, then this should join Karen Kingsbury and other such writers on your shelf. ****

Amanda Killgore

Linda Windsor has long been a favourite author of mine, penning humourous tales of spunky women looking for love and finding mishaps and adventure along the way. Wedding Belle Blues is no exception. Alex is a heartwarming mix of independence and loyalty, the latter holding her back from stepping away from her father's domineering presence in her life. When Josh Fraser shattered her heart and their wedding vows sixteen years earlier her devoted friends, Suzie, Ellen and Jan flew in to protection mode and with Josh's sudden reappearance, her friends once again take on their guardian roles.

Wedding Belle Blues is a vibrant and fun story with plenty to love about the characters and setting. Alex learns transformation is possible and a future she thought lost may still be on the horizon, if she can get past her hurt and fear. Without a doubt, Linda has drawn me in with one story to the lives of the women of Piper Cove and it is with great anticipation I look forward to Ellen's story, a Harley riding, practical woman and absolutely no time for romance, in the 2008 release of For Pete's Sake.

This is a wonderfully romantic tale of two people who had too much, too soon. As teenagers, Alex and Josh fell in love and shared a stormy marriage that lasted less than a year! Sixteen years later, Alex's sister is getting married, and Alex is helping to plan the wedding as the Maid of Honor. She is about to pay off a business loan to her critical father. Life is looking good. Then, Alex learns that Josh is returning to Piper Cove as the Best Man in her sister's wedding! Will Alex be able to get through her dealings with Josh without losing her heart to him all over again?

Wedding Bell Blues is a masterfully written story about choices and forgiveness and love. Bravo, Linda Windsor! I can't wait for book 2!!!

This is the first novel I've read by Linda Windsor and now I'm wondering what took me so long to delve into her stories. I own several more, which I will soon be reading, especially if they are all as good as this book was. I really enjoyed the tension between characters. Especially the hero and heroine. The longing for each other, and yet trying-to-remain-aloof-but-not-succeeding portion of the story kept me smiling.

I love a book that has passionate kissing in it, especially when the two people who are drawn together also feel like they shouldn't succumb to what they long for. That makes for the best romantic tension. And this book has fabulous kissing and romance, yet they never fall into dangerous territory because Joshua is heroic enough to flee temptation. The author has a gift for description, making your heart float at times. She also has a great sense of humor and uses witty metaphors.

Incredibly romantic, this novel had just enough sizzle to hook me on her books for life. Not to reduce it to sizzle, because the spiritual element was deep and edifying as well, but I SO love an inspirational novel that has more than just one kiss at the end. Trust me, if you love romantic tension, great character arcs and an interesting plot, this story has a gourmet distribution of them all. Delicious and addicting. I loved it.