The Unlikely Gift of Treasure Blume - by Lisa Rumsey Harris

Treasure Blume has an unusual lot to deal with in life; due to a family "gift," the majority of people who meet her will despise her upon their first meeting.  This "gift" has led to a lot of heartache and sorrow in Treasure's life, and has caused the people who love her to work to protect her where they can.  Treasure is tired of being coddled and has struck out on her own, securing her own job as a first-grade teacher in Las Vegas.  Small children are immune to the "gift," but parents, coworkers, and administrators are not.  Can she find some allies who can see beyond their initial impression of Treasure? Could she maybe even find love?

This book was not at all what I expected, but I found myself rooting for Treasure and hoping that she would find a way to make it on her own.  I'm not sure that I bought into the story of the curse/gift that had been handed down through the generations of Treasure's family.  However, setting that disbelief aside, the story was interesting.  I was glad to see Treasure willing to change some things about herself, yet remain committed to working through the ramifications of the "gift" on her own, standing strong to face the insults and injuries that frequently came her way.

I give this book 3 stars.  It was an original idea for a plot, and it was carried out decently.  I just didn't love it.

You can find the book for sale HERE, with excerpts available.


I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

For What It's Worth - by Karey White

Abby Benson is given the chance of a lifetime when her Aunt Grace dies and leaves her property with the advice that Abby turn it into a bakery and fulfill her dream of creating wedding cakes.  With encouragement, and a bit of guilt mixed in, from her family, Abby takes the leap that can change her life.  But with no business experience, what will she charge her customers?  What if she lets every customer decide individually how much Abby's work and creations are worth?  Will it bring her success or failure?  And is she prepared to handle either?

The idea of worth permeates this book and goes so much deeper than just the monetary value of a beautiful, edible creation.  As Abby wonders what her customers will think she's worth, she begins to evaluate what other things in her life are worth, but she, more importantly, has to wonder if she's worth what other people thinks she is worth.  It's a very risky situation, where not only could her business succeed or fail, but she has now wrapped up her own self-worth into the product.  The novel brings this idea of worth into Abby setting new priorities and goals for her life that change the way she views her business and the people in her life.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.  The search for worth on multiple levels took the book deeper than a simple inheritance/dream-come-true plot, and even broadened the romance story-line as both characters had to evaluate what their assumptions and plans for the future had been.  Each chapter started with a recipe, and while I only skimmed most of them, I highlighted a few to attempt at some point.  Maybe I need a book club to cook book recipes for.

I give this book 4 stars.  

You can find the book HERE.

You can find the author's blog HERE.

I received a copy of this e-book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.