Chesapeake Weddings

Author: Cecelia Dowdy
Publlisher: Barbour
Chesapeake Weddings is a three in one Romancing America book.

John’s Quest
Monica is lumbered with her blind out of nephew by her wayward sister Gina. Scotty was way behind with his school work and swears relentlessly. Monica seeks out a tutor for him and dark and handsome John is recommended for the job. They are attracted to each other but John is an agnostic. Will Monica compromise her faith?

Milk Money
Emily’s father passed away, and she is determined to keep the family diary farm. The farm’s accounts needs to go through an audit. With a dishy accountant looking at the books, will everything be kept above board?

Bittersweet Memories
Karen’s fiancé has done a runner with the church funds and the assistant treasurer. Bewildered, Karen moves in with her mum to lick her wounds. She did not bargain for her desire for solitude to be interrupted by the plumber next door. Will Karen dare to trust another man again?

This three in one book is basically a Christian Mills and Boon. The plot ideas were great, especially John’s Quest with a visually challenged character. However I was disappointed. The telling instead of showing emotion between characters killed the stories. The author intrusion where the reader was not trusted to read between the lines was frustrating. The books would have been improved if the characterisation had more depth. I liked Bittersweet Memories because unlike the previous two books, where it was the ladies coaxing the guys to God. Keith in the last book was the agent of restoration.

My Verdict: Great plot ideas that would have been riveting if the writing was tight.