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You are cordially invited to the wedding of the year with the most unlikely bride and groom. Save the date . . . and say your prayers.
When funding for Lucy's non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir to Sinclair Enterprises—the primary donor to Lucy's non-profit organization.
Both Lucy and Alex have something the other desperately wants.
Alex has it all . . . except for the votes he needs to win his bid for Congress. Despite their mutual dislike, Alex makes Lucy a proposition: pose as his fiancée in return for the money she desperately needs. Bound to a man who isn't quite what he seems, Lucy finds her heart—and her future—on the line.
Save the Date is a spunky romance that will have readers laughing out loud as this dubious pair try to save their careers, their dreams . . . and maybe even a date.
Outside the birds sang happy little tunes as they sat on magnolia limbs old enough to have shaded Robert E. Lee. The May sunshine hovered over treetops and steeples, sending the good people of Charleston away from their porches and inside to the cool. Saving Grace occupied an old home downtown, wedged in tight next to an Italian restaurant that put out more than its share of trash and basil-scented air. But inside the house, Lucy sat in her swivel chair and wondered how many times a world could fall apart.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly." She stared at the slender woman sitting in her office.
"Sinclair Hotels will be cutting our funding to Saving Grace by forty percent, effective immediately."
Lucy had barely had time to put down her morning cup of coffee before the PR representative from Sinclair was knocking on her office door. Loosening the garage-sale Hermes scarf at her throat, Lucy tried to recall if she had put on deodorant that morning. It was all a blur. Surely she had. But she needed all her wits about her. And her Dry Idea.
"Miss Pierson," Lucy said. "I was promised this amount six months ago."
"Unfortunately, tough economic times sometimes necessitate cutbacks. I'm sure you understand." Miss Pierson speared her with a snotty gaze she had probably perfected in junior high. Lucy immediately had a memory of walking through the halls of her high school. The stares. The ridicule. Her classmates doing everything they could to make the poor scholarship girl feel inferior at that ridiculous private school her mother had made her attend. "Marcus Sinclair and the board are grieved over these decisions as well, which is why I was sent to personally deliver the news."
"And I am very grateful," Lucy managed to say. "Sinclair has been very generous. But if I can't guarantee the funds you initially quoted, I'll lose my federal and state grants."
"As you've probably read, Sinclair Hotels has suffered setbacks these last three years under the previous CEO. So Mr. Sinclair has come out of retirement and returned to the helm."
Miss Pierson had to be a size double zero. What a shame Sinclair didn't pay this woman enough to feed herself. Meanwhile Lucy's own size-ten skirt was about to cut her waist in two.
"Isn't there anyone I could talk to?" Lord, help me be calm. Claiming your peace here. I'm breathing in. Breathing out. Breathing—oh, seriously, her arms are no bigger than toothpicks.
"It was a board decision."
"Maybe I could speak with Mr. Sinclair?"
"That will not be possible. He's very busy with his duties as CEO, as well as campaigning for his son."
Lucy didn't even let herself think about Alex Sinclair, heir to the family fortune. Not that he needed anyone else's money. He had made his own as a quarterback for the New York Warriors. And she had gone to school with him, though she had been a year behind him. If he was still treating people the way he'd treated her, it's a wonder someone hadn't smothered him with a jersey in his sleep.
"You are still invited to the gala Friday night." Miss Pierson's eyes flitted over the walls of Lucy's office. Decorated with black-and-white photos of past and present girls of Saving Grace, it wasn't exactly art. But to Lucy, the pictures were more precious than any Van Gogh.
Tomorrow was the annual event when she would normally receive her donation check, happily assured that Saving Grace would carry on another year. Girls getting their educations. Gaining employment skills. Having a roof over their heads. Now she didn't know how they would continue through the winter.
Miss Pierson stood, her body gracefully rising from the scarred wooden chair. "On behalf of Sinclair Hotels, we appreciate you letting us participate in serving our community." Offering her hand in a limp handshake, Miss Pierson gathered her purse and exited the small office.
Lucy's head dropped to her desk. "Why me?" There had to be something she could do. She couldn't just sit there and let Saving Grace die simply because of one donation, substantial though it was. Lord, what am I going to do? I need some colossal help here.
She returned to pounding her head and muttering.
"Is this a private mental breakdown or can anyone join?"
Lucy's blonde curls flounced as she sat at attention. "Hey." The sight of her best friend Morgan should've been a welcome comfort. But spotting a young woman standing behind Morgan, Lucy knew there would be no time for her to pour out her heart.
"I was just telling Marinell here what a calm, sane person you are." Morgan sat in the chair Miss Pierson had just vacated and motioned for the girl to take the other vacant seat. "But that's after you've had your coffee."
Lucy barely withheld a glare from her smiling friend. "I'm giving crazy a try today. And so far ... I'm rather good at it." Lucy turned her attention to the girl who looked like a young Salma Hayek. "Hello, Marinell. I'm so glad you've decided to meet with me."
As the foster-care caseworker, Morgan had shared with Lucy the contents of Marinell's file. Age eighteen. Spent the last year and a half in four different foster homes, the last one being so difficult she had dissolved ties with the system and moved out on her own. Getting ready to repeat her senior year, Marinell was homeless and living who knew where on the streets.
"I told Ms. Morgan I would hear you out, but I don't plan on moving in," Marinell said. "I'm fine right where I'm at."
"And where is that again?" Lucy asked.
"With a relative."
Most of the girls they saw were so beaten down by their circumstances, they were almost afraid to hope there was something better. Lucy knew Marinell had no family in Charleston but her mom, whose parental rights had been dissolved. Her younger brother had yet to be placed and stayed in a boys' home. "A relative, huh?"
She shrugged. "A friend."
"Then I guess it's my job to convince you to stay." Which would be fine except for the small detail of Saving Grace closing down if Lucy didn't find some financial support. "Morgan went over the expectations, right?" Marinell just stared in response. "We're a faith-based operation here. You simply have to go to school, work hard, and follow our rules." There were curfews, Bible studies, life-skill classes, and responsibilities in the house that the girls had to adhere to. Between Lucy and the two resident assistants, a supervising adult was always at Saving Grace, making sure the rules were followed.
She and Morgan worked closely together. As a caseworker for the county, Morgan had contact with girls who had aged out of the foster-care system. Once they were eighteen and out of school, the state considered them adults. Saving Grace provided transitional housing for those with nowhere to go. While the state provided some assistance until they turned twenty-one, few young adults took advantage of it and simply struck out on their own. And with foster kids far outnumbering willing homes, the chances for a kid to be out on the streets was shockingly high. It was a national epidemic that the average citizen knew nothing about, and the injustice never failed to light the fuse of Lucy's temper.
Morgan would expect Lucy to give the girl the selling points. "Why don't we take a tour?"
"I guess."
Leaving Morgan behind in the office, Lucy and Marinell started down the hall. Lucy brought her to the spacious living room first. "We had a large church group help out with the décor. This is where all the girls hang out and watch movies or do homework. We have a Bible study here every Wednesday night." From the hardwood floor to the teal lamps, the room was like something out of a Pottery Barn catalog. Lucy forced away the thoughts of losing it all. Too much work had gone into making this space a home.
"It's nice."
Lucy saw her eyeing the flat-screen TV over the fireplace. "The girls just got a Wii donated, so we've been having some serious bowling competitions this week." Pleased she got at least a faint smile out of Marinell, Lucy moved on. "We have two halls of bedrooms. Each one has been adopted by a community member and professionally decorated. No two rooms are the same."
Lucy flipped the light of one bedroom and walked inside.
Marinell couldn't hide the surprise on her face. "I never seen anything like it."
"It's cool, huh? This is our last room left."
Marinell ran her hand over the cream-colored duvet, then the printed green pillows.
"So tell me about your family." Every girl that came through Lucy's doors had a story.
Marinell studied an M. C. Escher print on the wall. "My mom moved here a few years ago. My brother got sick and she lost her job. When one of my teachers found out we didn't have a place to live, the state took us."
"And where's your father?"
"Gone." Marinell shrugged as if it were no big deal. "Do you feed us here?"
"Yes. And you get to learn how to cook." Thanks to a handful of community volunteers, the girls got trained in various life skills, like preparing a healthy dinner and balancing a checkbook.
Walking back down the hall, Lucy could hardly make the necessary small talk for her racing mind. She needed time. There were people to call, companies to contact. She had to find new donors. And quickly.
Lucy guided her back into the office, but Marinell stopped just inside. "What's that?" Marinell pointed to a series of worn indentions in the sun-bleached wooden floor.
"Saving Grace was a convent until about five years ago." The thought always made her heart warm. "This is where the nuns prayed. Those dents there? That's from many hours on their knees."
"You serious?"
Lucy nodded. "I'd like to think the sisters would be proud of what we do here. Those marks in the floor remind me that I can't solve anything without putting my own time in on my knees."
"My mom and dad are Catholic. Um, I mean my mom is."
"But you're not?" Lucy asked.
Marinell looked away from the floor. "I'm not anything."
Lucy exchanged a look with Morgan before handing Marinell her card. "This is how you can reach me. If you need anything, give me a call—night or day." Pressing it in Marinell's hand, Lucy felt the warmth of the girl's skin, the life that pulsed beneath it. God, help me save this one. "We'd like Saving Grace to be your home, Marinell." She smiled into the girl's weary eyes. "And we'd like to be your family."
"Do you know how many people have said that to me?" Marinell's chin lifted in challenge. "I need someone who's gonna come through for once. I don't want this to be just another place that lets me down."
Morgan smiled. "Then I've brought you to the right place." Lucy listened to her best friend's words and willed herself not to burst into tears. "I promise, Lucy won't let you down."
"She's right." Chuck, Morgan's fiancé, ambled in from the crowded living room and leaned into the bathroom. "There's a fine line between nagging and stalking."
Lucy closed her compact with a snap and regarded them both. "I'm not going to hide in anyone's backseat. I just want to have a calm discussion with a few of the Sinclair board members."
They were an odd bunch—Morgan, Chuck, and the group eating pizza rolls in the living room. It was Morgan who had been her first friend after Lucy had returned to South Carolina three years ago. And when Morgan had introduced Lucy to the Hobbits, Lucy had felt like she belonged for the first time in her life.
After graduating from college in Florida, Lucy had remained in the state working for the Department of Human Services. Three years on the job, and a routine visit had taken her to a home like Saving Grace. She had walked inside a caseworker, but walked out a woman with a purpose and an unmistakable call on her life. And even though she hadn't planned to return to Charleston, God had lined everything up and all but shoved her on the plane.
Glancing at her phone, Lucy checked the time. "I need to get going." She edged past her friends and into her small living room.
"Lucy, you're looking ravishing tonight." Sanjay, a fellow Hobbit, stood a little too close to her and visibly sniffed near her perfumed neck. By day, Sanjay worked in IT. But at least twice a month he put in overtime as Lucy's own harmless stalker.
"I can't stay." She smiled at the small assembly of friends around her. "I have ... a thing."
"I make a great date for"—Sanjay slowly lifted one dark brow—"things."
"Please reconsider, Lucy. Or at least let us go with you," Morgan said, elbowing Chuck.
"Uh, yeah." He sounded about as interested as Lucy would be in sports. "We'd love to go to your swanky party."
"No offense, guys, but you'll just get in my way." She tugged at the waist of her dress. It seemed to have shrunk since she last tried it on. "I have a strategy for tonight. I owe it to the girls to give this one last try, and for that I need to stay focused."
Sanjay was not the most energetic of suitors. "And my nearby hotness would be a distraction."
She stifled an eye roll and sidestepped him toward the door.
Morgan followed Lucy to the door. "Have you at least rehearsed what you're going to say?"
"Something along the lines of 'twelve young women will be homeless because of your decisions.'" Lucy tapped her phone. "I also thought I'd show them some pictures. Let them see the girls they're kicking to the streets."
Chuck nodded solemnly. "This moment totally calls for light sabers."
"You should've updated me on the donation situation before I all but told Marinell you had a bedroom waiting for her," Morgan said.
She couldn't think about that now. Tonight was about a solution.
It was times like these Lucy wished she could pick up the phone and call her mother. Lucy had been eighteen when she'd died, leaving a gaping hole in her heart. Sometimes she even let herself wonder what her life would be like if her father was still alive. Lucy had never even met him. She only had two photos of him, but she imagined he would've loved her. Provided them with a happy home. If he were alive right now, he'd probably invite her over for grilled steaks and give her loving advice over the smoke from his Weber grill.
"Let me pray for you—in case you don't make it back alive." Chuck threw an arm around her as he cleared his throat and found his youth-pastor voice. "Lord, we ask that you protect Lucy as she speaks with the board members. We ask for you to change their minds. And if that's not possible, we pray that you'd open a door for the home that only you can open. Oh, and that Lucy would stay calm. And not get arrested. Amen."
Lucy lifted her head. "I promise if I need any backup, I'll call."
"Go get 'em, girl." With his Big Mac body, Chuck wrapped all three of them in a group hug. "And may the force be with you."
* * *
Lucy's hands shook as she smoothed them over her little black dress, a taffeta number with beaded straps she'd found at a new resale shop near the mall. The classic A-line had a slenderizing effect and didn't seem to scream, "I'm allergic to working out!"
Okay, Lucy. Get your game face on. There is work to be done. A girls' home to save. Board members to harass. Lord, I seriously need some help here.
As she looked around the ballroom at the crème de la crème of South Carolina, she struggled to draw a deep breath. She was a cubic zirconium in a sea of diamonds.
Lucy wove through the crush of people, her mind spinning with thoughts of her girls, her money woes, and the latest Star Wars novel that patiently waited for her on her bedside table.
"Lucy Wiltshire."
She turned at the nasally voice.
Ugh, not now. She didn't have time for this. "Hey, Bianca."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Save the Date by JENNY B. JONES Copyright © 2011 by Jenny B. Jones. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
SusieBookworm
Posted January 23, 2011
I absolutely LOVED this book! Jenny Jones is a wonderful author, bringing real world problems such as poor self-image, poverty, guilt, etc., and weaves them into a fantastic, "feel good" novel. The book is based in Charleston, South Carolina, and showcases the extremes on the social spectrum. Lucy is the founder of Saving Grace, which is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing a home and training for young women who would otherwise be out on the street and on their own after their foster care ended at 18 years of age. Lucy is about to lose her funding for Saving Grace, so she enters into a contract with Alex Sinclair to fake an engagement in order to win an election for Congress. Alex, a former pro-football player and member of the Charleston elite, will in turn give her the money she needs to keep her non-profit going. They go into this as less than friends, but soon develop feelings for each other. After learning about the person behind the facade, Lucy realizes that there is more to Alex than she gave him credit for. Lucy is not the type of person that Alex normally dates, which is exactly what makes her stand out. This is a great romance story that made me long to learn even more about this couple. I would love a sequel! I received this book free from the publisheer, and was not required to write a positive review.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 9, 2012
Loved it soooooo much
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 10, 2012
Save the Date is one of the best reads I have picked up by a new author. I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by Jenny B. Jones. I loved Alex and Lucy, really got to know them, and the chemistry between them was so real. The witty banter (along with exceptional characters), was the best anecdote to a dull day. I'm sure I had more than one weird look in my direction just from all the random laughter I spewed out listening to Alex and Lucy together. This book is a keeper for my shelf, and destined to well worn with care. I highly recommend you curl up somewhere cozy, get ready to release some endorphins, and 'Save the Date'!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 24, 2012
so funny-i laughed outloud:)cant wait 2 read more by this author!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 2, 2012
Couldnt put it down
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 26, 2011
Jenny b. Jones never dissapoints me, defintely is my new fav christian fiction author! Im looking forward to more 'grown up' books from her! Be sure to check out her blog!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 23, 2011
This is my favorite book it is amazingm
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 31, 2011
This book is amazing and had me laughing so hard. I couldn't put it down its that good. Usually im not one to read a book with out vampires or something supernatural, but the way that Jenny B. Jones placed little things like a Doctor who marathon and such just made me love it even more and i was totaly able to relate to Lucy, the main character. She was just like me in ways. And she wasn't some skinny snot like many other female characters are in most books. She gave her characters such depth and passion that I felt like i was there with them, feeling there pain and suffering, dancing with joy and singing right along with them. This book is getting a place on my top ten. ~Stevie F 20
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted August 15, 2011
Loved it! I love reading a good clean romance between two God fearing people!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.The funding for Lucy's non-profit home for girls has completely fallen through. Her plan? Attend a black tie gala, hunt down Sinclair board members, and harass them until they change their minds. It's all going exactly how one might expect-badly-when Alex Sinclair approaches. Lucy doesn't have time to be toyed with the Playboy-son of the company's owner. She continues to bother board members until disaster ensues and a board member is sitting in a pile of shrimp. For reasons Alex can't quite understand, he goes to comfort Lucy. Little did either of them know, some paparazzi got some pictures of them together that were all over the papers the next day.
This gives Alex and idea. He needs to clean up his image if he is going to win his campaign for congress. And Lucy needs money to save her teen girls home. So Alex proposes a deal: Lucy poses as his fiancé in exchange for the money she needs.
Jenny B. Jones is such a fun author. Her books always reel me in and keep me grinning. The premise of this one was a bit unorthodox. It both made the story fun and made me uncomfortable for Alex and Lucy. I felt bad that these two Christian characters were going on and on with this lie. Still, Jenny B. Jones managed to work it all out, entertain me, and give some great food for thought as to finding your identity in Christ. And as always, her supporting cast was very enjoyable. I loved that Lucy was a science fiction fan. Very fun.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 25, 2011
Words can not express how much I LOVE this book!!! This is one of the funniest books I've read since well ever. I lost count of the times I laughed out loud during this book. Lines like where Clare is praying and her prayer is "Jesus, Alex is an imbecile, and you need to fix it, Amen. Or lines like "It's on my bucket list. and the response is "So is kissing Pierce Brosnan, but that's not going to happen either." It's a very entertaining read.
The book is about Lucy who runs a girls home called Saving Grace for girls that have aged out of the foster care system and have no where else to go. Her program is in danger of losing it's funding because it's largest contributor-Sinclair Hotels-can make it's usual donation due to the economy. Enter Alex Sinclair-former classmate of Lucy's as well as a retired NFL superstar who's running for Congress. He makes her a deal she can't refuse-he'll give her the money she needs to save Saving Grace IF she agrees to pose as his fiancee to help him win the election. Let the fun begin!!
This is an instant favorite I will read over and over again. Now I'm dying to read Jenny B. Jones other books.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 7, 2011
Today, I'm going to be reviewing Save the Date by Jenny B. Jones. No, my dears, not Junie...Jenny. Haha (how many people got that one?). This one's a fiction novel...which means this chick lit fan really liked it. :)
Enter Lucy. A single woman who works for a nonprofit that she created to take in foster girls off the street and help them learn how to be bright, young Christian women that shine the glory of God. Part of this job is finding and securing donations from local businesses and churches to help keep the organization afloat. Sinclair Enterprises has been one of her biggest donors- until now. Their VP (well, ex-VP, now) had squandered away millions (or, well, thosands. Whatever). So, in order to get back on budget, they slash their donation to 30 percent of what they had been giving Saving Grace (which is big bucks). So, Lucy must find a way to keep the home open so that they can provide a home for these girls.
Enter Alex. Football player. You know. The one you love to hate. Has it all until a knee injury puts him out of the game. Permanently. He has it all...except for the votes he needs for his congressional campaign. Apparently the voters think he's a bit of a player...according to the tell all in People magazine...he is. He needs to find a sweet hometown beauty to win the voters hearts. And that's where Lucy comes in. She needs money to keep Saving Grace afloat. He needs a woman to stand by him. And God? Well, he has a plan bigger than either of them could EVER imagine.
On a scale of 1 to 5...I'd give this one a 7. It's a keeper for my bookshelf...and I'd highly recommend you get yo a copy!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 22, 2011
Jenny B. Jones created a compelling plot from the start. The main characters are deep and strong and independent. They also have very real issues in their life at the start of the book. And with the awesome plot twists-I adored it!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 17, 2013
Jenny B. Jones has done it again. I have enjoyed all of her books and Save the Date was one of my favorites. This was a really different sory line but so good. You will fall in love with all of the characters in this book and of course, root for true love. This book has it all; drama, comedy, heartbreak and romance. I would have to give Save the Date 5 stars. Excellent read!
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Posted January 2, 2013
This bookis amazing!!!!!! :)
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Posted December 8, 2012
After I bought one book of jenny's, I tried another one just to see if it met my standards.....then i bought another...and another! I cant stop reading jenny's books; all her characters are relateable and super funny, and the plots are always intriguing. In Save the Date, (a book with a storyline almost similar of that to My Fake Fiancee) Lucy is the coordinator of a girls home trying to make ends meet--that is, until former football star and aspiring congressman Alex comes to her with a proposition: to pose as his fake fiance for the duration of time before the election in exchange for a handsome sum that will save her girls home. Ultimately, Lucys decisions regarding Alexs proposal and her girls home will change her life dramatically.
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Posted October 27, 2012
I love this book sooooo much it is so cute and funny
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ok I'll admit it, I'm not someone who is easily amused. I truly wish I was the person that laughed at the drop of a hat, but I'm not. With that being said, I want to share that I laughed out loud numerous times when reading this book. "Save the Date" by Jenny B. Jones at first glance looks like a classic, cute, chick- lit kind of book. I'm thinking, it will be sweet, charming and a nice read. There is nothing wrong with that, but as I got into the book, I discovered much, much more- funny, great characters and a "deeper than meets the eye" storyline.
Our heroine, Lucy Wiltshire is sort of a modern day Cinderella. Growing up in Charleston, South Carolina with a mother who earned her living as a maid did not give her social status at the prominent Montrose Academy where she attended as a child, and as a result endured teasing and bullying there. Fast forward to the present and Lucy is the founder of Saving Grace, a home for foster girls aged 18-21 making the transition to adulthood with her help and guidance. A major problem erupts- one of her biggest backers has pulled the plug on their contributions by a significant amount. She is in danger of losing the home and panicked about her girls, where will they go. Poor Lucy, what's a girl to do?
Well, the hero of the story has the answer to that query- enter Alex Sinclaire- a former attendee of Montrose Academy and famous former professional football player as well. He has decided to run for a Congressional seat and Alex needs a little help overcoming his somewhat "Playboy" public perception problem. So after a chance meeting at a local gathering where both are present and pictures are taken of them together, he finds that his approval points have skyrocketed. It seems that the public likes a good Cinderella story and he hatches a plan- a staged romance with a win-win scenario- Alex gets a girl on his arm for public events and Lucy gets the funding she needs to keep Saving Grace open. Sounds like a no-brainer for everyone, but add in Lucy's social awkwardness and propensity towards clumsiness and you get some really hilarious situations.
There is so much more going on in this story than the general romance between these two characters, Alex is dealing with grief and guilt over his twin brothers disappearance and probable death. Lucy struggles with feelings of great inferiority and worth as she describes herself at one of the many social events as " a cubic zirconia in a sea of diamonds". They truly go on a journey together in dealing with their respective "stuff". Their chemistry and banter between each other is fun and amusing in one moment and truly deep and probing in the next. Add in Lucy's love of all things science fiction, specifically Star Trek and the book just gets better and better. I couldn't go into detail on the supporting characters here, but they are well written and really, really funny. When a well know socialite winds up at one of Lucy's gatherings of her sci-fi friends and is asking questions about Star Trek, I about bust a gut.
It truly is rare for me to find a book where I am laughing uproariously in one moment and shedding tears the next, while seeing great spiritual elements in the whole thing. Elements like our struggles with our worth and figuring out the whole man-pleasing versus God-pleasing dilemma. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed and I will be keeping my eye on Jenny B. Jones in the future. I know this is
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 13, 2011
Reading a book by Jenny B. Jones always makes me so happy! She always writes great stories that are fun to read but also challenge me in my faith. I especially liked Save The Date because it really reminded me of how we live with such heavy burdens on our heart and God is just waiting for us to give it over to him. There aren't many authors that can remind me of things like this in a book with a super fun story line! I also loved the romance in Save The Date! Jenny B. Jones is one of my favorite authors!!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged."Save the Date" by Jenny B. Jones took me captive in the first paragraph of the prologue. The sassy protagonist, Lucy Wiltshire thought she was about to become engaged to her long-time boyfriend. The expected proposal turned out to be his news of a job offer...in another state.
Two years later, Lucy found herself in dire straits when Sinclair Hotels, one of her biggest donors for Saving Grace, pulled their funding. Tough economic times, it seemed, knew no boundaries. Lucy established Saving Grace, the home for girls who age out of foster care, and her dedication to "her girls" created some comical scenes throughout the book. One of my favorites was Lucy crashing the Sinclair gala...literally. Alex, the heir to the Sinclair fortune and a candidate for Congress, swept her to the dance floor to keep her away from the affluent guests. But Mr. Zaminski didn't have a chance. Lucy knocked into a waiter, causing him to spill his tray of shrimp cocktail on the floor. The beaded strap of her second-hand gown broke at the same time. Zaminski hit the floor. Lucy, graspong her last semblance of modesty, headed for the nearest exit. Alex followed her outside. While comforting her, he inadvertently gave the news media photos of him embracing a young blonde.
Two weeks later, Alex discovered his numbers in the polls rose dramatically because of the photos and a bogus magazine story about his romance with Lucy Wiltshire. Thus came his scheme to easily slide into his Congressional seat. Lucy needed funds to keep her home for girls open. He needed her to pose as his fiancée.
From their first meeting to the end of the story, I watched Lucy grow from a klutzy kid to an elegant young lady. Alex grew from a self-centered football hero-playboy to a caring young gentleman.
I identified with Lucy because she knew as much about football as I do and shopped for clothes in second-hand stores (you can find me most weekends at Life's Treasures in south Tampa - Bruno Magli shoes for $3.00!).
I highly recommend this light-hearted romance novel. Jenny B. Jones is a master at planting seeds, setting gems, and creating sassy dialogue. Her talent for flashbacks (or back story) is pure genius. A great example for any aspiring writer to follow, this is the way a novel should be written!
Overview
You are cordially invited to the wedding of the year with the most unlikely bride and groom. Save the date . . . and say your prayers.
When funding for Lucy's non-profit job is pulled, she is determined to find out why. Enter Alex Sinclair, former professional football star and heir to Sinclair Enterprises—the primary donor to Lucy's non-profit organization.
Both Lucy and Alex have something the other ...