Always the Designer Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

Audrey has been designing wedding gowns since she was a young girl. She and her best friend Carly would then stage Ken and Barbie’s wedding. Now Audrey is an adult, she has moved to New York City hoping to build a name for her wedding gowns. Even though Carly has married the man of her dreams, due to his being deployed they didn’t have the wedding of Carly’s dreams. So now Carly is ready to have that beautiful dream wedding. She and her husband are renewing their vows at the Tanglewood Hotel and of course she has asked Audrey to design her dress.

When Audrey arrives at the Tanglewood her life dreams seem to be slipping away. She knows that when she returns to New York she will have to close her shop and search for work elsewhere. Audrey isn’t afraid of moving, after all she really doesn’t like New York, but she is afraid of what the future holds for her. When Audrey meets JR, brother to the groom, she is intrigued. He sports a tattoo and rides a Harley. JR can’t seem to keep his eyes off of Audrey.

When Audrey is asked to design a wedding gown for a plus-sized bride she sees it as her opportunity to once again make a name for herself. All of the sudden Audrey has more options than she ever thought possible. And where does that leave Audrey and JR? JR is a wanderer, never stays in one place very long, will Audrey be able to capture his heart and keep him with her?

I enjoyed Always the Designer Never the Bride very much. From grown up girl slumber parties, witty dialogue between Audrey and JR, heartache and happiness, romance and Harley’s, Always the Designer Never the Bride is a fun ride! And as in each of the other Emma Rae Creation books each chapter has a helpful hint with fashion tips and a couple of yummy recipes thrown in. And did I mention that JR rides a Harley *swoon*! 

I received my copy for review from Abingdon Press through NetGalley. Always the Designer Never the Bride will be released April 2, 2012.

Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

This book made me laugh out loud! I love a story that can do that. The dialog between characters was so witty and filled with humor. A very entertaining read.

Emma works in a bakery for a cranky boss. Emma has just won the prestigious Passionate Palette award for one of her mouthwatering wedding cakes. A cake that Emma has only had a taste of since she is a diabetic. Emma's eccentric friend Fiona also works at the bakery. When Emma reads about the Tanglewood hotel opening up and in need of a baker she sees it as her and Fiona's chance to shine and show her true baking abilities, with hopefully a less cranky boss.

Jackson doesn't know what to think of Emma when he stumbles into the bakery that she works in. He sees her as an annoyance when she tries to get him to drink hazelnut coffee instead of the plain black coffee he asked for. When she shows up at his hotel to apply for the job of baker he is less than thrilled. But some things are out of Jackson's hands, mainly his 3 sisters! Emma has charmed her way to their hearts and they just know that if Jackson hires her the Tanglewood will have it's start in making a name for itself.

The book really becomes entertaining once the sisters become involved and once Emma's "divorced" parents arrive. Add to that Emma's Aunt Sophie who keeps escaping from the assisted living home and it all adds up to one riotous laugh after another!

Another fun thing about the book that was fun was that at the beginning(or ending) of each chapter there was either a recipe for some delicious sweet or wedding tips and advice.

I downloaded this book for free from Amazon.

This is the 2nd book I have read for the Why Buy the Cow? reading challenge