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Book Review: Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck & GIVEAWAY

December 13, 2010 by Darlene


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.

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Filed Under: 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010 Romance Challenge, 2010-100+ Challenge, TLC Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary says

    December 13, 2010 at 11:42 am

    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

  2. Tea says

    December 13, 2010 at 12:02 pm

    I would love to read this book.

    teakettle58@yahoo.com

  3. Tea says

    December 13, 2010 at 12:04 pm

    I follow your blog in my G.reader.

  4. Tea says

    December 13, 2010 at 12:10 pm

    I have blogged about the giveaway in my sidebar.

    http://readwithtea.blogspot.com

  5. Andreea says

    December 13, 2010 at 12:13 pm

    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. Linda says

    December 13, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    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

  7. Wall-to-wall books says

    December 13, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    Oh yea! Oh yea!
    Please enter me!

    I am a follower.

    forevereading at gmail dot com

  8. Janel says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:05 pm

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

    +1 Follower 🙂

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  9. Angela says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Enter me aploughery (at) yahoo (dot) com

    I am also a follower (GFC).

  10. Zibilee says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:29 pm

    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. Word Lily says

    December 13, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    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. Rachel Hauck says

    December 13, 2010 at 3:05 pm

    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

  13. Brandy says

    December 13, 2010 at 3:23 pm

    This book sounds great!

    butterflychick12(at)earthlink(dot)net

    I am a blog follower as well!

  14. Jonita says

    December 13, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    I'd love the chance to win this one. I find myself drawn to well-written "foodie" books!

    jonitathebookchick(at)gmail(dot)com

    +1 I follow you with GFC
    +1 Your contest is on my sidebar at http://book-chic.blogspot.com

  15. PoCoKat says

    December 13, 2010 at 4:17 pm

    Sounds delightful…looking forward to reading it!

    littleone AT shaw DOT ca

  16. PoCoKat says

    December 13, 2010 at 4:18 pm

    I follow on GFC.

    littleone AT shaw DOI ca

  17. Bookworm1858 says

    December 13, 2010 at 4:25 pm

    This looks so cute-I'd love to win a copy!

    bookworm1858 AT hotmail DOT com

    +1 follower

  18. Brenda says

    December 13, 2010 at 5:20 pm

    I would love to win this book, please enter me!

    dancealert at aol dot com

  19. Brenda says

    December 13, 2010 at 5:21 pm

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

    dancealert at aol dot com

  20. Karen B says

    December 13, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    Sounds like a perfect read for a snowy, stay-at-home day.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  21. Karen B says

    December 13, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    Email subscriber and GFC follower.

    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  22. debbie says

    December 13, 2010 at 6:01 pm

    I would love to read this book.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  23. debbie says

    December 13, 2010 at 6:02 pm

    I am a gfc follower.
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  24. Suko says

    December 13, 2010 at 6:12 pm

    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

  25. Teresa says

    December 13, 2010 at 6:49 pm

    Please count me in!

    teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

  26. Rebecca Rasmussen says

    December 13, 2010 at 7:45 pm

    I am always up for a good book — and with recipes! And people who can't cook! xo

  27. CarolNWong says

    December 13, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    I think is so daring for Joy to have a cooking show without knowing how to cook! Please enter me in this contest.

    I am a Google Friend Connect Follower and an e-mail subscriber.

    I tweeted:

    Carolee888 is my Twitter name
    https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2010/12/book-review-dining-with-joy-by-rachel.html See link for giveaway of 'Dining with Joy"

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  28. Carol says

    December 13, 2010 at 8:51 pm

    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. AmandaSue says

    December 13, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    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. Cindy W. says

    December 14, 2010 at 1:04 am

    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

  31. Cindy W. says

    December 14, 2010 at 1:04 am

    I am also a GFC follower.

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

  32. Staci says

    December 14, 2010 at 1:18 am

    This one sounds totally delightful and I love the fact that she can't even boil water!!!

  33. Ann says

    December 14, 2010 at 1:41 am

    Looks like a great book. I follow the blog

    summergal05(at)gmail(dot)com

  34. Bookfool says

    December 14, 2010 at 2:40 am

    You had me at "feel good read".

    bookfoolery at gmail dot com

    I'm a follower on google reader.

  35. Veens says

    December 14, 2010 at 2:59 am

    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!

  36. Esme says

    December 15, 2010 at 6:07 am

    I love anything that has to do with food.

    thanks

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

  37. Esme says

    December 15, 2010 at 6:43 am

    I follow.

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

  38. Anna says

    December 15, 2010 at 6:26 pm

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

    I'm a follower.

    diaryofaneccentric at hotmail dot com

  39. naida says

    December 15, 2010 at 9:07 pm

    This sounds sweet Dar, great review.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  40. Charleydog says

    December 16, 2010 at 1:56 am

    Thank you foroffering this contest.

    pboylecharley AT hotmail DOT com

  41. Esme says

    December 17, 2010 at 12:22 am

    cococroissants

    https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/2010/12/book-review-dining-with-joy-by-rachel.html dining with joy giveawaway

    chocolate and croissants at yahoo . com

  42. Zoë says

    December 18, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    i'd love to be entered 🙂

  43. Zoë says

    December 18, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    I'm a follower

    strandedhero(at)gmail(dot)com

  44. Linda Kish says

    December 19, 2010 at 1:04 am

    This sounds like a great book!

    Thanks for the chance to win.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  45. JHS. says

    December 19, 2010 at 8:40 am

    This is definitely on my TBR list — and I'm a GFC follower!

    JHS
    Colloquium

    jhsmail at comcast dot net

  46. Anonymous says

    December 20, 2010 at 4:01 am

    Sounds great! I love chick lit!

    billiondollarprincesss@hotmail.com

  47. Anonymous says

    December 21, 2010 at 12:14 pm

    I would love to win a copy of this book.
    RJB
    loki304(at)tds(dot)net

  48. Susan says

    December 23, 2010 at 4:46 am

    This looks like a good foodie story.

    susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

  49. Susan says

    December 23, 2010 at 4:47 am

    #1 I follow your blog by gfc.

    susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

  50. Susan says

    December 23, 2010 at 4:48 am

    #2 I follow your blog by gfc.

    susanbillietaylor [at] gmail [dot] com

  51. robynl says

    December 23, 2010 at 2:54 pm

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

  52. robynl says

    December 23, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    I already follow via GFC as primrose; #1
    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

  53. robynl says

    December 23, 2010 at 2:55 pm

    I already follow via GFC as primrose; #2
    yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net

  54. Dina says

    December 25, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    I would love to read this one! aitmama {{at}} gmail {{tod}} com

  55. Dina says

    December 25, 2010 at 5:36 pm

    Follower aitmama {{at}} gmail {{tod}} com

  56. Dina says

    December 25, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    http://twitter.com/aitmama/status/18784610154455040

  57. Marci J says

    December 26, 2010 at 1:51 pm

    sounds like a fun read and unique plot – fingers crossed!
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

  58. Colleen Turner says

    December 27, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    This sounds so good! I love food shows and the idea of a great story AND recipes sounds great!
    Thanks,
    candc320@gmail.com

  59. Colleen Turner says

    December 27, 2010 at 11:24 pm

    I am a GFC follower (Colleen Turner).
    candc320@gmail.com

  60. Carrie at In the Hammock Blog says

    December 28, 2010 at 3:23 am

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

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

  61. Carrie at In the Hammock Blog says

    December 28, 2010 at 3:23 am

    i'm a follower

    inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

  62. Elisabeth says

    December 30, 2010 at 1:32 pm

    Sounds great. Follow your blog -love it.

    ladybook21@yahoo

  63. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    January 1, 2011 at 2:50 am

    I would love to read Dining with Joy 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
    blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]net

  64. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    January 1, 2011 at 2:50 am

    Already publicly following Peeking Between the Pages with Google Friend Connect [Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}]
    blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]net

  65. Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug} says

    January 1, 2011 at 2:51 am

    Tweeted the giveaway
    blog[at]theluckyladybug[dot]net

  66. karenk says

    January 1, 2011 at 7:59 pm

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

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

  67. Kelly Massman says

    January 2, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    I would love to win this!

    thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom

  68. Kelly Massman says

    January 2, 2011 at 2:36 pm

    thanks!
    kmassmanATgmailDOTcom
    I'm following through GFC!

  69. Coni says

    January 4, 2011 at 1:46 am

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

    booksetc[at]jewelrythings[dot]com

  70. LAMusing says

    January 7, 2011 at 4:59 am

    Ooh – I'd love to read this! Thanks for the chance
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

  71. LAMusing says

    January 7, 2011 at 5:00 am

    I follow you on GFC
    adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

  72. Norma says

    January 7, 2011 at 5:01 am

    sounds terrific! Count me in please 🙂
    bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

  73. Elena says

    January 8, 2011 at 2:56 am

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

  74. Elena says

    January 8, 2011 at 2:57 am

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

  75. Elena says

    January 8, 2011 at 2:57 am

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

  76. Elena says

    January 8, 2011 at 3:04 am

    #1 tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/spelena/status/23574670309593088
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

  77. Elena says

    January 8, 2011 at 3:04 am

    #2 tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/spelena/status/23574670309593088
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

  78. Elena says

    January 8, 2011 at 3:04 am

    #3 tweet:
    http://twitter.com/#!/spelena/status/23574670309593088
    elena.cacahuete(at)gmail(dot)com

  79. Nancye says

    January 9, 2011 at 3:38 am

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

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  80. Nancye says

    January 9, 2011 at 3:39 am

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  81. Nancye says

    January 9, 2011 at 3:39 am

    GFC Follower

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  82. Nancye says

    January 9, 2011 at 3:41 am

    Tweet! Tweet!
    @NancyeDavis

    http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/23946446973706241

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #1

  83. Nancye says

    January 9, 2011 at 3:41 am

    Tweet! Tweet!
    @NancyeDavis

    http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/23946446973706241

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #2

  84. Nancye says

    January 9, 2011 at 3:42 am

    Tweet! Tweet!
    @NancyeDavis

    http://twitter.com/#!/NancyeDavis/status/23946446973706241

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net
    #3

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