I like the Dear Daphne series, and enjoyed the main character helping a poor family in town. Looking forward to the next installment to see if there are any sparks between the heroine and a visitor at the end of this book. ( )

Dating, Dining and Desperation is the second book in Melody Carlson’s Dear Daphne series. It is just a few month after Daphne’s Aunt Dee has died and named her as her heir, with a catch. Daphne has one year to meet and marry or she will forfeit all claim to the estate. While Daphne feels the pressure from the will, her family and her friends to find Mr. Right, she is sure that the desperation she feels is just not what God wants.

New friends and old characters arrive in Daphne’s life. The perky, Southern divorcee, Sabrina Fontaine, offers comedic touches to the story, while young neighbor, Mabel, touches Daphne and the reader’s heart. I like that Daphne decides to step away from her own life, problems and the parade of somewhat eligible men and gives her time, money and love to this child in need.

Dating, Dining and Desperation has a small town setting that provides a relief to busy and stress-filled lives. The charming town and its lovable residents will make you want more. I am looking forward to more adventures with Daphne as she discovers what is important and what God wants for her life.

Note: The first two books were published by B&H Publishers. Due to changes at B&H, Carlson will be publishing books 3 and 4 in an ebook form. I am hoping they will be available soon!

Recommended.

Audience: YA to Adults.

(Thanks to B&H for a review copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.) ( )

Title: Dating, Dining & Desperation (A Dear Daphne Novel Book #2)
Author: Melody Carlson
Pages: 320
Year: 2014
Publisher: B & H Books
Romance is just one thread in the novel, and as you read the book, you will discover there is so much more than meets the eye. Let me explain. Most stories are wrapped up within a single publication at times in a series. Here is one that is in total four books (the last two are eBooks only) that follow along with Daphne as she lives in the town of Appleton. Daphne inherited the estate of her grandmother with one very huge stipulation…she has a year to get married to retain possession.
Readers are first introduced to Daphne along with her dilemma in Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel. Now the sequel continues Daphne’s pursuit of Mr. Right. Within the life of this main female character, the audience gets a wider perspective of the Daphne’s neighbors and town. There are some tough spots Daphne is pulled into by her new neighbor Sabrina. Jake is the executor of Daphne’s grandmother’s will. He too seems like he might have an interest in Daphne besides her being his client.
The host of prospects that Daphne meets is really a reflection on reality I am sure for some readers. The marriage deadline while months away isn’t the only pressure in life for Daphne when she reaches out to help a little neighbor girl. Like real life there are times it is okay to be alone, but not to the neglect of those who live right in our own neighborhood. Daphne is stretched personally as she reaches out to meet, greet and help her closest neighbors. While that turns out to be most beneficial for Daphne and others, it also spurs her creativity as a writer.
The hard part was reading at the end that the publishers were going to finish the series as eBooks only. For those of us who love to have a book in our hands that was disheartening. The author shares the eBook information so people can finish Daphne’s story. Please know that B & H publishing is the reason for this change. Personally, I think depending on eBook formats only is not wise, but that doesn’t reflect on the author.
I highly recommend reading the series as it is a mix of mystery, romance, faith and reflective of society. Readers will be able to keep in touch with the author through her website and links. I highly encourage the audience to read the well-crafted tales.
My rating is 5 stars.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Other reviews can be read at http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ . Also follow me on Twitter @lcjohnson1988, FaceBook at https://www.facebook.com/lisa.johnson.75457 ( )