Piece de Resistance book review

Pièce de Résistance Book Review

By Sandra Byrd

In a word – delightful, witty, charming, fun – Ok, I know, that’s four words! I can now say I’ve read the three books in Sandra Byrd’s French Twist series, which started with Let Them Eat Cake, then Bon Appétit, and now Pièce de Résistance.

It is chick lit at its best, romantic, yet ‘clean,’ and that’s what I like about it. I recently read a book published by a ‘secular’ publishing house about the life of a Biblical character from a Bible story. I didn’t like it. But I like this.

Like many others, I’ve enjoyed following a year and a half in the life of Lexi Stuart, the mid-20-something heroine looking to find her place in life. I could easily identify with her – she went through many of the same struggles I did at that age (and beyond) – except for me – it’s taken a lot longer to get my act together, so to speak.

In this, the final book of the series, Lexi, who has been named assistant manager, has just a few short months to get the start-up high-end bakery profitable before she runs out of operating funds. She’s called upon to do marketing and manage staff, the very two things she doesn’t like to do, but which come as part of the job package.

Complicating matters is her relationship with her attractive French boss and beau Philippe and his charming daughter Celine, plus the down-to-earth lawyer Dan, a Seattle native. Whom will she choose? Will the choice be made for her?

With plot twists and fun surprises, Sandra Byrd has finished up this particular leg of Lexi’s journey with laughter and love – wit and wisdom. Through it all, Lexi continues to grow in her relationship with the Lord, and learns to rely more on His guidance.

What I love about Sandra’s writing is that it’s inspirational, yet with a “light and airy” feeling. It’s ‘feel good’ fun reading. There will be places you laugh out loud, and places you’ll get misty-eyed. Sandra has inspired me to continue to write, beyond the two years in which she was my mentor through Christian Writer’s Guild’s Apprentice Program. In order to write, I felt I needed to start reading more – and what better way to re-connect with Sandra than through her books.
You don’t have to read the first two books in order to enter into Lexi’s current world, because the book outlines the pertinent information. But I think you’ll want to.

And me, as a Chocolatier, found Pièce de Résistance, the pièce de résistance of the French Twist series. Available online from http://www.sandrabyrd.com/, or most any bookstore or Amazon.com.

What do you think about Christian literature? Post a comment and let me know. I promise you this blog isn't going to always be all about a book I've read, but today it is.

Perspective Please - The Noticer by Andy Andrews

The subtitle says, “Sometimes, all we need is a little perspective.” But how do we get that?

In The Noticer, Andy Andrews tells his story, along with the stories of several others of how, once their perspective changed, their actions, and their lives, changed.

In Andy’s case, he relates living under a pier as a young man after his parents died. Granted, he made some poor decisions, but at his lowest point, he finds himself crying out – not knowing anyone was listening.

Along comes Jones, a man of undetermined age and undermined race. He calls himself The Noticer. He dispenses advice and perspective like Solomon dispensed wisdom. He covers everything from love language dialects to how to find a mate to how to see your own value at whatever age you may be.

We see where Andy got his perspective. He’s read over 200 biographies, and went from a teenager living under a pier to what he is today – a best-selling author and public speaker.

In order to get my own perspective, I re-read Andrews’ book The Traveler’s Gift, which several people suggested I read after I’d experienced a devastating disappointment. It helped. That’s why I was already predisposed to read The Noticer. I was not disappointed.

Reading the book helped me to look at different periods of my own life, the choices I’ve made, good and bad. I especially liked the love language “dialects” from Chapters 2 and 3. An example: I’m a little of everything, as we all are, but mainly a dog. A dog responds to words of praise. The Bible says that an encouraging word in due season is delightful, and can be like apples of gold in settings of silver.

So if you're looking for a bit of perspective in your own life, get a copy of The Noticer, and start learning how to 'notice' things in your own life. What do you think? Post a comment and let me know.

Just Rambling Today

Well - I have a half hour before I'm gonna walk, then make supper, then make some serious chocolate!

This yellow mum was in full bloom last year when I took it's picture. It was called "Golden Prophet." It was on my doggie's grave in the backyard.

But it didn't really survive the winter, although it had survived five others. It had grown and prospered. This year though, it didn't. It didn't grow at all.

There are seasons in our life when the things we do grow and prosper, and other seasons when it seems all is pruned, dead, and silent. Spiritually speaking, I'm just emerging from one of those "dead" seasons. I am not in "full bloom" yet, but I am growing. At least I think I am.

One thing I have learned from the 'dead' season - use that to its fullest. Use the time to seek the Lord, to pursue Him passionately, as the name of this blog suggests. Allow the Lord to prune away those things within you that are not pleasing to Him.

I'm using plant language here - but many of you know my 'real' language is CHOCOLATE! Because once we're "tempered" (pruned, refined, and we start to grow again) - God can use us in ways we could never imagine! And it WILL be SWEET!

We need to remember - it's a PROCESS!