Christian Fiction Devourers discussion

I can't believe September is here! Our group read for this month is Engaged in Trouble by Jenny B. Jones.

Here's the Goodreads summary:
When a washed-up pop star inherits a wedding planning business, it’s all bouquets and bliss until a bride turns up dead.

Paisley Sutton shot to stardom as a teenage rock sensation, but ten years later that star has fizzled out, just like her bank account. When she unexpectedly inherits her aunt’s wedding planning business, Paisley leaves the glamour of Los Angeles for a charming small town in Arkansas. Thinking she’ll arrive in Sugar Creek and liquidate the moldly property, Paisley’s shocked to find Enchanted Events has experienced a major makeover and is now the place for brides. She’s got two months to keep Enchanted Events afloat if she wants to sell and rekindle her music career with the profits.

Paisley’s tossed into a world of vows and venues, but her most difficult challenge comes in the form of one demanding bride. When this Bridezilla’s found facedown in her cake, all fingers point to Paisley as the prime murder suspect. And she does not look good in prison orange.

This former pop princess will need the help of her gun-toting, ex-CIA grandmother and her handsome neighbor, Beau Hudson, to unravel the mystery and clear her good name. As she and her unruly posse dig into Bridezilla’s life, she discovers the woman had a long list of enemies. The closer Paisley gets to the truth, the more her own life is in danger.

Love is in the air this wedding season, but before Paisley can help the ladies of Sugar Creek say, “I do,” she’s got to unveil a killer. Or find herself the next target.

Engaged in Trouble is the first book in the long-awaited Enchanted Events cozy mystery series by award-winning author Jenny B. Jones. If you like laugh-out-loud adventures, small-town romance, unforgettable, sassy characters, and a mystery to keep you guessing, then you’ll love this new page-turning series.
..............................................................................................................

Chime in below if you think you'll join in!

I loved this book sooo much!

I can't find the proposed publication date of book 2 Royally in Trouble. I have a hard time reading a new publication and waiting for the next book; so, I plan to get this book read at a later date.; thanks for bringing it to our attention; as an interesting read.
are these books stand alone reading in your opinion?

Carolyn wrote: "I can't find the proposed publication date of book 2 Royally in Trouble. I have a hard time reading a new publication and waiting for the next book; so, I plan to get this book read at a later date..."

Carolyn, I thought it was coming out this fall, but I'm not really sure.

In my opinion, this isn't the type of series to leave you hanging. This one is a complete story in and of itself, the mystery is solved, the main question resolved, etc. Then the next book will be an entirely new mystery. It's definitely has that cozy mystery vibe so that you know each one is resolved by the story's end. It does follow the same main character, that I know of.

Just my two cents on it. :)

I think JBJ's release date was pushed back...she said on her FB that she had a few life events come up.

Chantel wrote: "I think JBJ's release date was pushed back...she said on her FB that she had a few life events come up."

Oh, that's right! Now that you mention it, I do remember that.

I still need to read some of her previously published books!

I've read

I still want to get to her other series and

Beth wrote: "I still need to read some of her previously published books!

I've read [bookco..."

"I'll Be Yours" was really good! It was a bit more on the serious side. But she mixes humor and drama well.

thanks Beth, for your opinion; and I like mystery, every now and then, so, I will add it as a future read and continue to finish off series I have started and challenges for the year.
I won't be able to get in this month.

Beth wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I can't find the proposed publication date of book 2 Royally in Trouble. I have a hard time reading a new publication and waiting for the next book; so, I plan to get this book read..."

Carolyn wrote: "thanks Beth, for your opinion; and I like mystery, every now and then, so, I will add it as a future read and continue to finish off series I have started and challenges for the year.
I won't be a..."

You're welcome! :)

Chantel wrote: "Beth wrote: "I still need to read some of her previously published books!

I've read [bookcover:Just Between You and Me: A Novel of Losing Fear and Finding God|74..."

I agree, she really does. I think that can be hard to do the right way, but I think she does it well.

There You'll Find Me is probably still my favorite of her books. It was definitely more serious than Save the Date, but I liked both of them.

Where did everyone get their copy? Not available @ my library, and not finding my options for hard copies online. I see kindle, but I would rather not have a kindle edition. Any ideas? Thanks! :)

Rebekah, usually when you check a book on amazon; they also have used books you can purchase on amazon site, right under the other options then kindle; and I have had good luck using that option also. I never gotten burnt on a used book.

Looks like the paperback has to be ordered through Amazon only. ☹️

Rebekah wrote: "Where did everyone get their copy? Not available @ my library, and not finding my options for hard copies online. I see kindle, but I would rather not have a kindle edition. Any ideas? Thanks! :)"

I'm seeing paperback for $13.99 on Amazon and the Kindle copy for $3.99. I just grabbed the Kindle copy since that is a really good deal. Although, generally, I'm with you, I love a hard copy of a book. But when it's a good deal, I can't resist. :)

I know right! That's why I got the ebook copy, lol the ebook deals get me every time. ;-)

Well, no one else has chimed for the discussion (where are all the voters?? Haha!), but here are a few questions anyway. :)

1. In the author's note, Jenny B. Jones says that this series is her "love letter" to her hometown and small towns everywhere. Sugar Creek is fictional, but she bases it on a real city in Arkansas, called Bentonville. Do you think she gets the small town feel right in this novel?

2. Over the course of the story, Paisley comes to realize that her dream has changed. She is good at event planning and enjoys helping her customers have a memorable experience. Have you ever had to let go of a dream, or realized that your dream had changed shape over time? Does Paisley’s experience ring true to how you may have experienced that in your life?

3. Do you have a favorite character? Why are they your favorite?

4. In your opinion, what is the most memorable scene in the novel?

5. Any guesses on what will happen to Paisley and any of the other characters in the next book?

Also, feel free to share any favorite quotes from the novel and/or any of your own thoughts.

Lol! I was going to check out this thread again today... I was like did any one read??? The suspense was eating at me. :-)

1. I think that's what I like most about this series is the quaint little town of Sugar Creek with an eclectic cast of characters. I really love that the town and how they got excited about Christmas and get all decked out. I love the quaintness of the town but also the air of mystery as well.

2. I think that's what made Paisley so relatable the fact that she had to start over again and find her place and purpose in life. Her story kinda of hit home (minus the glam pop group) I remember times of feeling like things didn't work out how I felt like they should. Or feeling like wow where do I go from here? But God always had another opportunity that was better in and more tailored me.


3. My favorite character oh wow this is a hard one cause like so many! Sylvie is one of my top favs because she's crazy in a fun way. reminded me so much of Maxine like I said earlier and I love the banter between her and Paisley and that close relationtionship. And Henry! he was of my favorites too! Even though he had a proper (slightly snobish) exterior he was really a sweet man. I always looked forward to scene between Him and Paisley.

The scene where I could stop laughing was the whole yoga break-in scene. Ouy! One of many crazy situtations they would get into.

Oh! and totally loved the paintball bridal shower thing. Such a cool idea! Lol! I looked it up on pintrest and it was actually some pretty fun photos.

I am planning to read it this weekend.

Hope you enjoy it, Caroline!

Caroline wrote: "I am planning to read it this weekend."

Nice!

Somehow I blinked and totally missed the book for September! I think I have missed most of the month in fact. I am picking up the digital book for $3.99 and will be reading the book this week. It sounds like it will be a fun read.

No worries, Jolyn! :) This month has just flown by, in my opinion!

If you get to it this week, I hope you enjoy it. There are several funny parts, but Paisley also struggles with some real hurts, so I thought it evened it out nicely. It was a fun cozy mystery.

Finally finished it! September has been a crazy busy month and my reading pace slowed WAY down.

And now to some thoughts...

1. Yes! I have to say, the last page and a half of the book was absolutely beautiful. The description she gave of what "home" was in a small town reminded me of my current small town and the ones that surround it, and brought a smile to my face. There is something to be said for a simpler, quieter life--a fact that seems to grow more and more obvious the older I get.

Finished it just now. What a fun book!

3) My favorite character is Sylvie. Never have I ever read about an ex-CIA grandmother. All the scenes she is in is hilarious. I realized she is in another Sugar Creek novel (story of Emma), A Sugar Creek Christmas, which I own. Hoping to read it soon.

4) Though it is not a scene, I liked the last chapter in which the author wrapped up the story as a homage to small towns. The whole description makes me feel that I am missing out by never having lived in a small town.

I'm with you ladies! I loved that final image that the last chapter evokes. It definitely felt familiar to me and made me think with fondness of small-town life.

I am behind on book club reading and just finished "Engaged in Trouble" from September.

I was surprised by this book. I expected to really like the story but I didn't.

I was going to ask if it was a Christian/inspirational book because it didn't feel like it was to me as I was reading it. I actually posted this question on the general book discussion thread before posting here. I thought this thread was closed because it was archived. Beth answered that Jenny B. Jones is not writing Christian fiction now so I have my answer. Beth said she didn't learn that the author was no longer writing Christian fiction until after she had read "Engaged in Trouble" as well.

The problems I had with the book were that there seemed to be more sexual innuendo in the book than I expected and I didn't care for the disregard that Sylvie and Frannie had for the law. I know from reading reviews that many find their actions to be humorous but I don't have a very good sense of humor. Now that I know that the book is not Christian fiction, the sexual innuendo is less surprising and actually is pretty tame but I still don't want it in the stories I read.

I did find the mystery to be enjoyable and I liked Paisley's character over all. I liked that she had a change of heart and decided to stay in Sugar Creek and continue with the wedding business. I was disappointed that the relationship between her and Beau did not develop by the end of the story. I assume that it will develop more in future stories but since Sylvie and Frannie's characters really turn me off and I won't be reading any more in the series, I won't be watching it develop. I was also really worried that Paisley and Beau might end up in bed together at several different points in the story so I am not sure I would be willing to read more about them even if I did like Sylvie and Frannie.

Here is my Amazon/GoodReads review that I wrote last night:

Good mystery but some disappointing characters

I was really looking forward to reading this story when Christian Fiction Devourers selected it to read for September. It sounded like it was going to be a fun mystery. Unfortunately the two retired CIA agents who had the attitude that they were above the law ruined the story for me. I understand that Sylvie and Frannie are supposed to be the comic relief but I don't have a good sense of humor and when their first reaction is always to do something illegal rather than to find legal means of gathering clues, it didn't sit well with me. They did love Paisley and were good family to her and I liked how the mystery played out in the story so I read through the whole story but if the mystery hadn't been well written, I would have quit reading because of Sylvie and Frannie.

The underlying level of sexual innuendo that they brought to what I thought was a Christian story was a disappointment as well. After reading this story I am not sure if it is supposed to be a Christian or inspirational story or not. If it is, the faith/inspiration element is extremely light. God is not a significant part of the characters' lives at all.

Sex - no sex but a fair amount of innuendo. Sylvie and Frannie have a book club called 'Sexy Book Club' and they are constantly wanting to hear whether Paisley has done anything with anyone. They also store/retrieve weapons and assorted other items in bras, panties. Paisley and Beau were in bedrooms or other situations that could have easily gotten to sex several times throughout the story and made me nervous as to the direction of the story as I was reading.
Language - none
Violence - none other than a non-graphic murder to make this a murder mystery story
Religion - There was one scene where a character said the only place he could sense God was when he was out fishing at the river where he got baptized as a teen (while he was fishing of course). Another character felt guilty about only throwing prayers up to God in times of emergency.