Weddings by Design Series by Janice Thompson

Its ok - your not seeing double - yes I did just do a review of a great book called Picture Perfect Wedding by Fiona Lowe who is an Australian Author (although the book is set in America)

This Picture Perfect is the 1st in a new series by Janice Thompson. I've just finish reading book 1 and 2 in this series which flows on lovely from her earlier series called "Weddings by Bella"
The second book 'The Icing on the Cake" came out on 15th August 2013.
I really loved the first series and was very happy to realise that this new series picked up where the old series finished. I can't wait for Book 3 to come out next year.

Picture Perfect (Weddings by Design #1) by Janice Thompson

The first in the "Weddings by Design" series by Janice Thompson picks up a few years down the track from her "Weddings by Bella" series and while you could just pick this book up on its own reading the three books in the "Weddings by Bella" series does round things out.

For me I loved that even though it is a new series it ties in with the first because I really wasn't finished with Bella and her boisterous Italian-Texan family so it was great to find out what had been happening since I last left them behind in "It had to be you".

In Picture Perfect Wedding Irish-American wedding photographer Hannah McDermott feels her life is always coming second. So when she gets a chance to impress Bella Neeley, Galveston Island's most sought-after wedding planner she decides she will be like her ancestors and fight to the end - even it if it means going up against her arch rival Drew Kincaid who also happens to be Irish, and a Photograph, and did she mention... very good looking. But while dealing with a celebrity Bridezilla and her nightmare of a publicist Hannah discovers that maybe she doesn't always have to come second, and that her life really isn't that bad, and just maybe Drew might not be her arch rival after all.

This is another sweet love story with a message from Christian Author Janice Thompson. Each chapter starts with an appropriate Irish Saying or Blessing, some will make you laugh out loud, all well chosen for the chapter.
This book made me laugh and swoon and generally feel great. I can't wait to read the next books in this series.

The Icing on the Cake (Weddings by Design #2) by Janice Thompson

Book 2 in Weddings by Design picks up the story of Scarlet Lindsey - Hannah's best friend and baker extraordinaire. Scarlet's wish has finally come true when her Aunt Willy helps her to open her own Bakery on Galveston Island but as in life things never go to plan. Scarlet has to juggle her ever helpful assistant and friend Kenny who is more in love with her than she is with him, her best friends wedding which she is not only Maid of Honour but also making the wedding cake plus the stress of the grand opening and trying to organise the church fundraiser and things are looking a bit wobbly for poor Scarlet. But with Janice Thompson's trademark Christian Faith and good friends & family Scarlet tries her best even if her 'sticky buns' get her into trouble more than once.

The Icing on the Cake flows on great from Picture Perfect Wedding and expands on the stories of the characters we have come to love including the Rossi's and it was great to see a different side of Bella's brother Armando and the hilarious antics of Aunt Willy and Aunt Rosa (Bella's Aunt) and their "top secret family recipe" (which by the way is in the back of the book!)

I was given a copy of this book to do a review and when I realised it was book 2 of this great series I had to get onto Amazon and download Book 1. Now I just have to wait til next year for book 3 :(

I Love Cat's

Those who know me will know that I LOVE Cats, and have done so since I was a very little girl. Most of my life growing up I've had a cat in my life and don't know what I would do without them. Earlier this year my family acquired two beautiful kittens from our local animal shelter and while they two 'girls" could not be more different (they aren't actually sisters - although we do call them that!) they never cease to brighten up our lives. My kitten Tilly (Mia 'belongs' to my dad) loves nothing better than to curl up on my chest and go to sleep - although now that she is getting to be quite big this sometimes causes breathing issues when she squashes her shelf up against my neck!) I can't imagine my life without them.


Tilly's favourite sleeping spot as a kitten

"Sisters"

Mia in a state of total relaxation getting a foot massage from Dad

I just finished reading the newest instalment of Bob the Street Cat who changed the life of James when he decided to 'adopt' James as his owner. I thought I would post the view from both books here - if you haven't read about Bob yet - you should! You don't have to read the first one to read the second book but it does help round things out.

A Street Cat Named Bob: How One Man and His Cat Found Hope on the Streets by James Bowen

An encouraging look at how Bob changed James life. A refreshing tale because he doesn't try and make excuses for how his life ended up.

James ended on drugs, homeless and a bit lost in life, but while busking on the streets of London and trying to sell the Big Issue he is "adopted" by a street cat he names Bob, and having someone else to be responsible helps James to make some positive changes in his life. Bob does his part in trying to repay James assistance in his life as well in this relationship.

This is a honest and upfront biography and James doesn't try to sugar coat his failings. This is not just a book for animal lovers

The World According to Bob: The further adventures of one man and his street-wise cat by James Bowen      

The World according to Bob is a great follow up book from "A Street Cat Called Bob" and lets you know how things have been going. Some parts overlap a bit as this book starts before James got the contract to write his first book but isn't repetitive.

I really liked the honesty of this book, James never tries to make himself appear better than he or his situation is - its always very honest and upfront. The antics of Bob a heart warming and remind me of my own cats - especially the part when James was sick and Bob was trying to give him a "cat scan".

For me I found this was a fast read (only too me 3 hours) but was enjoyable. If you want to know more about Bob and James they are also on Facebook.