Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck & GIVEAWAY


Dining with Joy was my first experience reading any of Rachel Hauck’s work but it most certainly won’t be my last. What a fantastic, feel good read and perfect for all us foodies out there! There’s even a couple of recipes at the end of the book — one for banana bread that I fully intend to try out!

Joy Ballard is the star of the very popular cooking show, Dining with Joy. The problem—Joy can’t cook! At all! She’s one of those who can’t even boil water without burning down the house kind of cooks. However, she has that special something that captivates an audience and makes the show a success. How did Joy end up on a cooking show when she can’t cook, you ask? Well it was her father’s show and when he became suddenly ill and passed he asked that she take over. She couldn’t refuse her father and after with Joy being so popular, it seemed easy enough to continue the lie.

Things are going merrily along until the producer sells the show right out from under Joy without warning. The new producer Allison has no idea about Joy and her little secret but she is money hungry and ambitious and she plans on taking the show to new heights. She does the one thing that Joy hates which is being thrown into a cooking competition and worse it’s with Wenda – Joy’s trouble making rival who just may know about Joy’s secret. Of course Joy is terrified – she can’t cook! However, just in time and to the rescue, is the handsome and talented chef Luke Redmond to save Joy’s day. He saves more than Joy’s day though; he may have stolen her heart as well.

Luke becomes Joy’s co-host and her hope is that he’ll be able to take over all the cooking segments, leaving her the reality stuff. Along the way sparks seem to fly between them but then sizzle out only to sparkle again. However, as with all things, nothing stays the same. It’s only a matter of time before Joy’s lies will catch up with her and everything will go up in smoke. Will she still have a career? More importantly, will she still have Luke?

I loved Joy. I thought she was funny even while being really stubborn. There is so much more to this book than just the cooking aspects as well. There is Joy’s family and all the other stuff surrounding the story that makes it good too like her past relationship with her father. The novel is classed as Christian Romance and there are numerous references to God but not overwhelmingly so although for me I love Christian fiction so it in no way bothered me. The romance is light and fun – just the way I like it. Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck is a light and fun read – just perfect for this time of the year when you just want to relax and enjoy a book. It’s definitely one of my favorites of the month!

I read Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. Be sure to stop by and check out the other tour stops as well as Rachel Hauck’s website. If you’d like to purchase your own copy you can do so here in the US or here in Canada. That or you can try your luck in my giveaway below!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have 1 copy of Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck to share with my readers courtesy of the publisher. To enter:

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. Those who do get the extra entry as well – just let me know in your comment.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, January 8, 2011. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
My review copy of Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck was provided by TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

Comments

  1. It sounds like a really good book, Dar. I'd love to win a copy 🙂

    meah56[at]gmail[dot]com

    I follow in my Google reader

  5. It does sound like a light and funny read which is perfect for this time of the year, you're right.Thanks for the great review!

  6. I love cooking shows, and I love to read – this sounds like a perfect book for me. Thanks for the giveaway.

    +1 Follow through Google Reader

    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  8. You know I love any kind of book that deals with food. 🙂 Please enter me!

    +1 Follower 🙂

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  10. I have been reading a lot about this book, and love that it has a foodie angle. It sounds like it's a great read, and I am glad that you enjoyed it. I would love the chance to win it as well, so please do enter me in your giveaway!! Great review, by the way.

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  11. I'd love to win! WordLily AT gmail DOT com I'm subscribed to your feed; not sure if that counts as following or not.

  12. Darlene, thanks so much for this review. Made me smile all the way to my toes and I need this today… XO!

    Thanks to all for entering to win!

    Love, Rachel

  19. I'm a follower through GFC I believe, but am sure I am a subscriber with email.

    dancealert at aol dot com

  24. Thanks for hosting this book giveaway, Darlene. This book sounds really good. I'm sure I'd be tempted to bake that banana bread as well.

    I'm a follower.

    I'll post this in my blog's sidebar. 🙂

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  28. Sounds like a really fun romance – and I love the food angle, too. Thanks for entering me. I'm a follower.

    carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com

  29. I would love a chance to read this book, I have read some 2 other books by this author and really enjoyed them! Thanks for entering me into this giveaway!

    And I'm a follower thanks.

    unforgetable_dreamer_always (at) hotmail.com

  30. Dining With Joy sounds like a great book. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the chance.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  35. Wow Dar, I am right now in the mood for a good feel-good book! And this sounds right up my alley, with all the foods mentioned and the recipes. Great review as always!

  38. She's on a cooking show but can't cook. That sounds hilarious!

    I'm a follower.

    diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

  51. what a horror to be on a show and not know too much about cooking. Nightmare!!
    Please enter me.
    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

  60. this looks so cute! thanks for the chance to win!!

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

  66. would love to read rachel's latest novel…thanks for the chance.

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

  69. This book sounds delicious!
    I am a follower. Thanks for the chance to win.

    booksetc[at]jewelrythings[dot]com

  73. It sounds like an interesting book, I would love to read it.
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

  74. #1 Follow your blog publicly via GFC (Elena Shkinder-Gugel).
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

  75. #2 Follow your blog publicly via GFC (Elena Shkinder-Gugel).
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

  79. I would love to win a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net