I was delighted to be asked to read and endorse this book. Rene Gutteridge is a writer with a great comedic voice and her enthusiasm for this project was contagious. Then I read the book.Never the Bride is a delightful book. Jessie, the heroine and star of the book, is a wise-cracking, sarcastic gal I'd love to take to lunch. This book had me in stitches as I laughed with Jessie, in tears as I felt her pain and desperation. If you're looking for a book that's more than a romance, this is the book. This novel will speak to the heart of every woman who's ever sought the perfect man, by pointing them to the perfect romance.
You will be challenged as you read Jessie's struggles to give up the purple pen. She's determined to plan her life -- anyone relate? Even if you're happily married, this book has a underlying message that will resonate and have you examining your heart. This book truly is so much more than a romance.
Leave a comment about the thing God has challenged you to give up to Him, and I'll enter you in the contest to win this book. I have two to giveaway, so if we get over 20 comments, I'll give one to two lucky people.
More about the book:
Jessie Stone has spent thirty-five years fantasizing about marriage proposals, wedding dresses, and falling in love. She’s been a bridesmaid eleven times, waved dozens of couples off to sunny honeymoons, and shopped in more department stores for half-price fondue pots than she cares to remember.
But shopping in the love-of-her-life department hasn't been quite as productive. The man she thought she would marry cheated on her. The crush she has on her best friend Blake is at very best…well, crushing. And speed dating has only churned out memorable horror stories.
So when God shows up one day, in the flesh, and becomes a walking, talking part of her life, Jessie is skeptical. What will it take to convince her that God has a better love story than one of the thousands she’s cooked up in her journals? Will she trust Him with her pen when it appears her dreams of being the bride are forever lost?
A romantic comedy with a spiritual twist, Never the Bride is what it means to lose control—and getting more than any woman could ever imagine.
19 comments:
I've been having a tug 'o war with God for decades now. In my heart and soul, I know I need to follow where He leads me. When I do that, life flows smoothly. But I am impatient and no sooner do I give something up to God than I grab it back. It's almost as if I'm saying, "That's okay, God. I'll take it from here!"
Needless to say, these little wrestling matches that I "allow" myself to win almost always end in disaster. I am not a bad person, just a scatter-brained one, but when I focus my attention on following God's plan for my life, things always go better. I am really working on listening to God consistently, and not just when I am in distress.
The twist in this story surprised me, at least according to the reviews. What I thought it would be about isn't what it's about. A first love with God is what I gleaned from the reviews. Please add me to the contest, as I want to see where the author takes us.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com
Tough question since I think that there have been many things that G-d has wanted me to give up. I remember when He wanted me to quit smoking a long time ago. When He talked to me about it I didn't even tell hubby as before in the past when I tried, I only made a liar out of myself. This time He saw that I was really serious about it and made it so easy for me to quit because I was being faithful to Him.
Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com
I have to learn how to let God have complete control of my life.That seems to be a sturggle for me.But I know that God never gives up on me.I look forward to reading this book please enter me into the draw thanks
Kellie
God regularly challenges me to give up or yield "my rights". It is not an easy task!
Rene lives close to me and she came to our book discussion group one time. she was so friendly and took time to visit with us. we loved her and her book :)
I'm looking forward to reading her new book!
stampedwithgrace at cox dot net
I totally relate to Jesse! I plan out everything!
Sometimes it's a good thing, but mostly i end up just have to make a new plan anyway.
i've loved the Rene Gutteridge books i've read, but this one sounds very different!
I think I'm in the process of giving up my comfort zone. He's working on that with me right now.
I've known for many years that God wants me to attain and maintain a healthy weight. The decades of obesity have not been healthy, physically or emotionally, but I keep resisting. I keep choosing chocolate chip cookies and ice cream over the hard work of disciplining my body and my appetite. That's not pretty in any way, but that's my struggle. I truly do hope one day that I will lose this excess weight and live free of obesity.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway. The book sounds great!
~Susan
ahappyheartathome (at) gmail (dot) com
I guess the biggest thing that God wanted me to give up, was my plans to never get married and be a missionary. They were good plans, but not His plans for me at the time!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com
I love Rene Gutteridge's books! I would love a chance to win one of her books.
Answer to the question... the toughest thing God has asked me to give up would be my desire to control EVERYTHING. Now I'm down to only controlling a few things... (work in progress)
Blessings,
hollymag(at)Gmail(dot)com
My dream for many years was to be an Opera singer. It seemed that dream would come true when I was accepted into the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
But I knew if I wanted to have a family, and I just couldn't imagine putting a family through the long rehearsals and even longer nights of performance.
God confronted me with this reality when my relationship with my future husband was just beginning at the very same moment I received my acceptance letter from SFCM. I had to decide, and let go of one of those dreams.
While I still dance around my office singing Quando men vo, and sometimes feel a longing for the stage, I will be forever grateful that I chose God's path and my husband.
It seems like I'm daily challenged to give up control over my life and the burdens I carry. Every time I think I've been successful at that, something else crops up and I have to make the decision again.
If Never the Bride is as good as Rene's other books, I can't wait to read it.
cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net
I've recently started a job out in the world and it has sure challenged me. I thought I had who I am in Christ down until the pressures from those who don't know Him come from every direction. He has challenged me to show Him more in the face of who others are toward me. How hard can that be? HARD. I guess He has challenged me to give up me and let Him show in spite of who anyone else is.
Thanks for the chance to enter your drawing.
Pam Williams
cepjwms at wb4me dot com
What a wonderful book for a summer time read! I am finding at this stage in my life that God is teaching me to do less worrying and completely realize that he is still in control! Many thanks, Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
Cigarettes...he hasn't won yet....sigh
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Y'all are amazing with your comments and transparency. Thank you! God continues to ask me how much I trust Him with things like my writing career, my children, etc.
I'm struggling with this right now. I believe God has given me the answer to my prayer for keeping my girls in their school they have been going to, yet I still question it and wonder if it really is the best choice. I would love to read Rene's book. I haven't read any of hers, so this would be the perfect opportunity.
pleblanc_1[at]charter[dot]net
Never the Bride sounds wonderful .Thanks for having this giveaway. Please add me to the contest.Thank you.
God continues to challenge me to be willing to go anywhere and do anything with a right spirit. When I trust, He always shows Himself in amazing ways.
worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com
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