7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I LOVE this book!, Sep 8 2009
By Renee Replies "Renee" - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Taste of Fame, A: A Novel (Paperback)
I've read all the Potluck Club and Potluck Catering Club novels so far and this book was the funniest one yet. One of the things I like about this series is that the characters aren't perfect, but flaw-filled, just like the rest of us. It's fun to see them stumble over their flaws while trying to grow in their friendships and relationship with God.
And no, this book isn't about gossip, but love, romance, friendship and adventure.
The premise that the girls are forced to appear on the reality TV Show, The Great Party Showdown in New York is hilarious.
I love following the lives of these characters through each book. It makes me feel like I know them.
The writing and characterizations are great and I'm recommending it to all my family and friends and to my bookclub.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
A light, fun novel about friendship, Sep 6 2009
By Holly - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Taste of Fame, A: A Novel (Paperback)
I thought this was a fun book. It was easy to read and laugh-out loud funny in places. Each chapter is told, first-person, by one of the club members. I'm not a regular television watcher and I don't watch reality-television at all, so I have no comparison to the descriptions and experiences of the club members. However, a reality show about cooking groups competing against each other was an interesting premise. The story is Christian, but not preachy. The women all pray together before events, etc., and there is a real desire to do what is right and honest, even as other contestants resort to underhanded tactics in an effort to win the contest.
I was not familiar with the Potluck Club books before reading this one. The character's voices were terrific; some are certainly more likeable than others and I'm sure that if one was familiar with all of them and their history, they would feel like old friends. However, I didn't find any real disadvantage to not having read the previous books. I will certainly check them out in the future though.
I loved having the recipes at the end. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a recipe is mentioned in a book and then not included. This book includes 36 recipes, all of which are a part of the story. I'm going to try the Peppermint Patty Brownies, first!
A fun, light novel about friendship. Easily recommended.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Creatively woven together, Sep 28 2009
By Ashley Pichea - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Taste of Fame, A: A Novel (Paperback)
"A Taste of Fame" is book two in a series of novels about the ladies of "The Potluck Catering Club". Shepherd and Everson mix up a group of six ladies who originally came together to form a prayer club and have now (accidentally) taken their catering onto the big screen.
Each chapter in the book is written from a different character's POV. Each character has a unique background story that is expertly woven throughout, as well as the uniqueness she brings to the collective whole of the group.
The ladies of the Potluck Catering Club have found themselves tied into a contract forcing them to appear on a reality TV show - The Greatest Party Showdown - in New York City. Each of them (including the three guys that also managed to get roped in) have their own reasons for not wanting to go, but with the big picture in mind (raising enough money to save their church from bankruptcy), they choose to trust God for the outcome, knowing that He will bring to pass whatever He has planned for each of them.
As they find themselves moving farther and farther into the competition, they run into fiasco after fiasco. Through the humor, the tears, the fears, and learning to trust God with the little things as well as the big things, the ladies of the Potluck Catering Club will grab your heart and you will want them to cater your next big party!
Not only does this book include a great story, but it also comes with some great recipes that the ladies used throughout the story!
"The Potluck Club Cookbook" is full of easy and yummy recipes that are great for getting together with friends and family. From the back of the cookbook: "Potlucks make sharing good, home-cooked food with family and friends simple and easy. Start with a few (or a lot of) guests, bring delicious dishes to share, and mix with love. A proven recipe for success... From salads to casseroles to slow-cooker delights, there's something for everyone, even if you're watching your waistline... These great potluck ideas not only save you money, they also help you build memories to last a lifetime." I can't wait to try some of the yummy dishes inside and share them with family and friends!
Available September 2009 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.