Sandra D. Bricker

Jessie Hart Stanton Takes a Final Bow

February 1, 2016 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

I’m telling you, this is the year for series endings. It’s February first and I have now read the final book in four series thus far in 2016. It’s always interesting to see how authors round out their series, and especially so in series such as Sandra D. Bricker’s Jessie Stanton Novels where readers have spent many hours with the same main characters.

Jessie Hart has finally gotten her life (and her name) back, so when Danny Callahan proposes, she’s not sure she’s ready to accept. After all, her relationship with her ex-husband (who wasn’t ever really her husband to begin with) proves she’s not skilled in relationships. Besides, her shop keeps her plenty busy and now, with the possibility of becoming part of a reality television show, she’ll have even less time to focus on Danny.

When her grandfather’s illness gets worse, Jessie is drawn back to Louisiana and everything she’s tried to distance herself from since moving to California. As she struggles to balance caring for her grandfather, her relationship with Danny, managing her store, and her ex-husband’s continuous advances, will Jessie hand her struggles over to the One who knows what tomorrow brings?

This series has been so much fun to read with its quirky characters, including Danny’s big dog Frank, and the life-lessons that Jessie has learned along the way. I was there when Jessie first met Danny, there when she inserted herself into Danny’s investigations (that was something I would have liked to read about one more time in this last book), and walked along with her as she’s made life-long friends and fallen in love with a Godly man. To be able to see Jessie grow in her faith and in her self-assuredness has been a delight.

Available online and from your local Christian bookstore March 1, 2016.

***Abingdon Press provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ready to Wear

August 18, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

No one will ever accuse me of being a fashionista. My work wardrobe consists of items mainly from Kohl’s, not a Karen Walker design in sight and my weekend apparel is more Target than Tommy Hilfiger (and yes, I had to look those fashion designer names up).

In Be My Valentino, the second book in the Jessie Stanton series, Sandra D. Bricker, brings fashion to life.

Picking right up where On a Ring and a Prayer left off, Jack Stanton continues to wreak havoc on his ex-wife’s wife. Just when she got her feet under her, Jack makes an appearance and pulls the rug right back out from under her.

As Jessie struggles with making her business profitable, Jack’s appearance brings her under the scrutiny of the FBI.

While the new man in her life, Danny Callahan, tries to be someone she can count on, he takes a side job to ferret out a mole at a local awards show.

Can Jessie trust another man after Jack stomped all over her? Will her business survive an FBI raid? And most importantly, will Jessie Hart put her trust in the one person who will never leave or forsake her?

I appreciate that this series is following Jessie’s journey because it emulates life. Just when you think you have everything figured out, you are hit with one (or three) unexpected hardships are thrown in the path you believe you have finally figured out.

Through humorous situations and heart-wrenching news, Jessie makes her way through life, learning to stand on her own two feet. I can’t wait to see what life brings her way next.

***Abingdon Press provided me with a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

On a Ring and a Prayer by Sandra D. Bricker

March 26, 2015 by Suzie Waltner Leave a Comment

Jessie Stanton’s life as she knows it is over. When her husband of over a decade cancels her credit cards, sells their house out from under her, and cancels the lease on her BMW, Jessie is left shell shocked and without a way to support the elaborate lifestyle she’s become accustomed to. Her best friend suggests she hire a private investigator to find her husband. Danny Callahan is a laid back, easy going, detective who enjoys surfing and working with his hands—worlds apart from his newest client. In order to support herself (and pay for Danny’s investigative services), Jessie is forced to sell the one asset she has left—the ring on her left hand. Through trials and several divine circumstances, Jessie finds a way to stand on her own two feet, to become a woman who rises above her circumstances. With Danny’s support and friendship, she grows in strength, wisdom, and pluckiness.

Bricker’s cast of characters is lovable (even those who are questionable at first redeem themselves after a while). Between Jessie’s love of designer fashion, Danny’s enjoyment of the simple things and helping others, Rigg’s unique lifestyle, Amber’s excitement and ambition, and Piper’s friendship, I was disappointed when I reached the end of the book. The good news? There will be two more books. Which is a good thing because there were still a few unresolved items at the end of A Ring and a Prayer.

Find your copy at your local bookstore or order online today.

***Abingdon Press (via Netgalley) provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.