Previously Engaged by Elodia Strain

I have decided that Elodia Strain needs to learn how to write faster. I can not possibly wait another year or two for her to give me something new to read. Elodia has definitely earned a place in my reading heart. She’s one of those authors who just makes you feel good on every level. She tells a fun, engaging story that also inspires and uplifts you.

If, like me, you fell in love with Annabelle in The Icing on the Cake, you have to get your hands on Previously Engaged to see what happens next.

Here’s a sneak peak at what Annabelle’s up to this time.

I’ll admit that the first time I got married all I really cared about was the dress and actually getting married. I was young and it was all very exciting, but beyond “me look pretty” I foolishly let my mother do whatever the heck she wanted. Sooo I could fully feel Annabelle’s pain. I also didn’t have to deal with the total weirdness she faces as she enters the world of weddings. What’s up with that? Do brides actually act that way? I’m told they do. *Shudder*

Point in case: The second time I got married (gasp!) I wore the dress I’d worn to my college graduation and got married in a jail (double gasp!). No, the groom was not in the jail. Technically, we were married above the jail in the little city courthouse, but my children will still never let me live it down. I have learned that while having a beautiful wedding can be nice, it very rarely dictates the success of the marriage and I think that’s way more important than “me look pretty.”

So, what I really want to know is do the types of charitable organizations she described really exist? I’m betting they do. And boy does that make me feel like a schmuck for not using more of my time and talents to bless the lives of others. I promise Annabelle, and Elodia, I will repent one of these days. Does anyone know how to go about setting up a nonprofit? Come talk to me in, um, ten years and maybe I’ll have a plan by then.

In reality the message I take away from Elodia’s books is that we all have choices, we all have opportunities to do good and be good. It’s all about which opportunities we take and what our choices mean to us.

Whines for Previously Engaged? Very few. I was a little sad that the copy editing wasn’t better, but that’s a whole different ballgame than the story itself. I also didn’t like the cover as well as I liked The Icing on the Cake. It’s cute, but it didn’t attract my attention as much as I would have liked. I hope it doesn’t blend in too much on the shelves and get overlooked because it’s definitely worth the read.

Yippee for Annabelle! You’re my hero! And, hugs to Elodia for creating a character and message that can so totally capture my heart. Learn to write faster. I’m a very impatient woman. ;)

The Icing on the Cake by Elodia Strain

What can I say? The Icing on the Cake by Elodia Strain was one truly fun book! I loved Elodia’s personable style and I loved the premise of the novel. It’s bright, uplifting and teaches a beautiful message in a fun way.

Some people don’t care for books in which the main character “interacts” with the reader. I don’t love it or hate it: like all writing, it has to be done well. Elodia manages this writing style with ease. To me, it was like reading some of Meg Cabot’s cleaner stuff in the national adult market and like reading a Kerry Blair title in the LDS market. Elodia has a way of making the reader feel like they’re having a conversation with a quirky friend that they can totally relate to.

The Icing on the Cake held very few “stumbling points” for me. I only have two nit-picky complaints (aren’t my complaints always nit-picky?) One: I think the reader should have had to work harder to find out Annabelle’s middle name. ;) And two: You might not find it a problem, but I had a difficult time relating to Annabelle’s dependence on her parents. Yes, I can concede that many people do have close relationships with their parents. That is not a situation I’m familiar with so it was difficult for me to relate to Annabelle on this matter. When I left home, I left home to start my own life as an adult. I quickly learned that if I was going to be my own person, I could not go running back to my parents for everything I needed. Yes, there are things that I’ve counted on their support for in the past, and present, but it is not my first instinct to take my problems to them. Now, don’t get me wrong— I love my parents, but I’m also very comfortable with the fact that they live 2000 miles away from me. ;)

Look for The Icing on the Cake to give you a great chick-lit lift, with the sweetness of the gospel adding just a little more flavor. But be forewarned: I thought I’d finally found a book that would just make me giggle and occasionally laugh out loud but sadly, this was not the case. By the time I got close to the end, I had to shed a few tears whether I liked it or not, but they were definitely happy tears. The gospel message shared by The Icing on the Cake is touching and simple: it’s about seeing the good in people and trying to be good because of their example. I know I could personally benefit from taking a few more “pink notes” myself.

Oh, and one more complaint about The Icing on the Cake—I’m totally miffed at Elodia for teasing me with all those dropped hints and descriptions for delectable goodies and treats. Why? Well, because I’m a food person. The book made me totally hungry and she didn’t include a single recipe for any of the goodies she’d been dangling in front of my face! Totally rude!

So, to make up for Ms. Strain’s terrible insult to my taste buds, I’ve provided you, my dear reader, with a recipe I found for Portuguese sponge cake. I haven’t tried it yet, but soon will. (If you get to it first, tell me how it is.) Make one for yourself, then curl up with a piece, ok two, and enjoy a fun read: The Icing of the Cake. It will make your whole day.

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