Aisha FordRecensioni

I discovered this ChristFic author and first read four of her romance novels about twenty years ago. I recently reread 'em, and now I've finally gotten to what I think is the only other solo novel of hers, written around that early 2000s time.

I thought it'd be another contemporary romance, but I'd say this book is romantic contemporary fiction. It includes the perspectives of multiple characters and the different issues they're dealing with, rather than just being a story about Sabrina and her love interest.

Now, some aspects of the plot I didn't find the most convincing, including the fact that someone like Sabrina would agree to a workplace deal with unethical strings attached. I also didn't find it believable that entertainment outlets and numerous fans across the country would have such major interest in Sabrina's New Year's goals and the details of her love life when she wasn't already a celebrity—a music artist or movie star or someone whom wide audiences would already be primed for gossip about.

Yet, I still found the unfolding of it all quite entertaining and not too high on pettiness and "drama," even considering the villain of the story. I grew to like Sabrina and her love interest more as I got deeper into the read, despite my frustration with some naïveté on his part and my wishing they'd both just say what's on their minds at some key times. I'll admit that in the end, I felt just a little shortchanged in the romance department, as the resolution isn't a swoon-worthy one. But again, this isn't exactly a romance novel.

I'm not sure how much the book's salvation subplot was needed, but the whole aspect of it didn't merely feel pasted in. And a part of it gave me a good and genuine laugh-out-loud moment.

In all, I found this read satisfying, and it seems to have turned out that I saved my favorite novel by this author for last.

Dana is confident in her job as a bakery manager, even while the bakery's popularity takes a hit with the arrival of new competition in town. Dana's boss hires Ethan, a gourmet chef, to give the bakery's menu an upgrade, but Ethan and Dana don't see eye to eye on how to move forward in Pride and Pumpernickel by author Aisha Ford.

My goodness! Has it really been about twenty years since the first time I read this ChristFic romance? It's fun returning to modern reads where answering machines and pagers (and no cellphones) are the normal thing.

I've always gotten a kick out of this novel's title, and I appreciate the nuance in the business problem the characters have to tackle. I like that this isn't the kind of enemies-to-lovers romance where the hero and heroine behave like jerks to each other. The friction between Dana and Ethan isn't overdone...

...until maybe a turning point of conflict based on a matter so trivial, I couldn't take it too seriously. I also can't fully buy into a guys-only scene where the guys are discussing Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, and Mr. Darcy. It's like trying to picture a bunch of Black men at the barbershop on the corner...talking about Jane Austen. I just don't see it.

Nevertheless, a lot of sweet ChristFic romance fans would find this to be a pretty quick and easy dessert of a read.

Liked Wait for Me but not enough to keep

First, the cover--I think the guy on the cover looks annoyed or mad rather than interested in the girl on the cover. I can't imagine her being interested in him or him being interested in her based on the Heartsong Presents cover.

I admired Dana's dedication to her job with Grady's. It does seem that perhaps she put too much of her identity into that since she was so hurt by their decision to bring Ethan in. Then again, they could have discussed it with her in advance instead of springing it on her in front of him. So I could say I fault their leadership skills as much as Dana's in this regard.

I can see that Dana wants to keep some of the tradition of the bakery going--while at the same time, wanting to bring customers into the stores. She fights some of the changes, but once the surveys prove that customers like some of the new ideas, she is willing to give them a try at the bakeries. Honestly, I can't see Dana giving up her job with Grady's to manager Ethan's restaurant, but . . . it is a fictional world after all.

Ethan has some pride issues too though, because he won't give up on the bread pudding (honestly, it doesn't sound good to me no matter which of the ways they tried to describe it.) He goes back on his deal with Dana to accept the survey reviews and take things off the menu that the customers didn't like--and he makes her look bad to Mr. Grady as part of that. I kind of figured though that when his mom asked him to make a dessert, that was going to be what he made, and that he would finally realize it isn't as good as he thinks it is. (which is what happened).

In the end, it was a cute story.

Madison is back home from college, and her childhood crush, Jordan, still lives next door. He used to make fun of Maddy all the time, but he seems to have changed during her absence. Maddy thinks there may be a chance for this crush to become more--but maybe there are a few practical skills she'll need to pick up first in The Wife Degree by author Aisha Ford.

Maddy is a returning character from an earlier novel. So if you might want to read Stacy's Wedding sometime, it'd be cool to read that book first, though it isn't strictly necessary.

This story started out pretty slow for me; I was almost ready to set it aside after a couple chapters or so. Then it started getting rather fun, and I recognized the reasons why I enjoyed it the first time, when I read it years ago. The funnier stuff in here is romantic comedy material that got some laughter out of me.

The story isn't all fun and games, though, as it addresses some serious issues, even outside of the romance. Now, evangelism is spread on thick through the plot, and it doesn't come off too naturally. On a lighter note, something like the ability to cook is a life skill, not a wife skill, and equal partnership in a marriage doesn't necessarily equate to equal housework. Different marriages work differently, of course.

But I don't think it's this story's real point to drive home a homemaking message, so much. Besides, the romance is interesting without depending on melodrama to give the hero and heroine their challenge. Other fans of sweet ChristFic romance should like this one.

Always the bride's wedding planner, never the bride. So it is for Stacy and her thriving career coordinating other people's nuptials. Her history with a certain, recurring problem in romance has made her leery of getting into a serious relationship—even with a (perfect?) man like Max in Stacy's Wedding by author Aisha Ford.

Okay, so what I may love most about this story (besides the fact that Stacy and Max are book lovers!) is that it's so '90s. Pagers, answering machines, and this thing called the Internet that feels more new and cutting edge than commonplace. Granted, I probably didn't need so much of the online book group chat in a bookish chat room, since not all the book chat details are necessary to the Stacy-and-Max plot. But the book group's overall tie-in is a good one.

Plus, a nice portion in the middle of the romance takes place over the holidays, and I'm quite the Christmas fan.

This tale is written in a simple style, though maybe a bit too simple or corny in places where it could have been more original. Besides that, I would've liked the romance to have a deeper conflict, as it seems the couple's main issue is how they resort to rather juvenile behavior over misunderstandings. It's not the kind of thing that makes me feel the characters are ready to make lifelong relationship commitments soon.

But at least the hero and heroine here recognize their behavior for what it is, after the fact. It's not completely like romances where couples act like adolescents all book long, then to squeeze the altar in before the book is over, they make up without any thought or decision to grow up.

I first read this ChristFic novel maybe over a decade ago, and overall, I enjoyed the reread. I'm looking forward to revisiting a few more of this author's books.

Sabrina Bradley is the Assistant to the Assistant Producer of The Daily Dose, a Midwest daytime talk show. The show host, Darci Oliver, has a knack for interrupting Sabrina’s schedule with personal errands requiring her to deal with various housekeeping, dry-cleaning, and catering services. Sabrina is repeatedly faced with conflict and adversity as she manages to still handle her daily responsibilities. She is thorough and innovative. In one scene, she attaches paper plates, with faces drawn on them, to pillows and props them up in chairs to prepare for an upcoming television interview!

Avery Benjamin is Darci’s boss, unofficial ex-fiance, and the show’s producer. He and Sabrina are members of the same church. Avery is impressed with Sabrina’s work ethic and the clear thought process with which she carries out her responsibilities. Himself a man of faith, he becomes captivated, taking into account her unshakable faith and dedication to the LORD. He begins to watch out for her at the office and to also include her in previously-closed production meetings. He pursues Sabrina with reckless abandon trying to become involved in every aspect of her life.

Darci takes note, disapproves, and sets out to undermine and discredit Sabrina at any cost. When Sabrina’s private list of New Year’s resolutions literally falls into Darci’s lap, it’s showtime. For those who have watched even one episode of “Ugly Betty,” I have two words to describe Darci: Wilhelmina Slater. She pulls out all the stops, considering nothing sacred, to achieve her goals.

Will Sabrina’s faith prevail? Is Avery her Boaz? Are Darci’s schemes a match for Avery’s favor toward Sabrina?

If you’ve ever worked for a television production company, been a witness to or victim of office politics, had an office romance or known someone who did, watched a daytime talk show, written New Year’s resolutions, or even snuck a peek at a tabloid, you will enjoy reading this novel. I intend to read other works by this author. (2004, 324 pages, $23.95)

This book was so filled with love and excitement.