Act Two: A Novel in Perfect Pitch

Glad I branched out and tried adding a new author to my Christian fiction library. Kimberly Stuart has a refreshing voice, great humor, and considerable character development skills. I especially liked that the saccharine factor was nearly nonexistent. Many in the genre write safe and "nice" dialogue for everyone, when in reality, a little admonition and correction/rebuke is necessary! You go, girl!

This book was fun and entertaining. Being from Iowa, I related to the feelings and subtle references to the rural mid-west living. I got a few raised eyebrows while reading it on the plane because I laughed out loud several times, but you can't help it.

try this one out. It's just a funny story about a lady you'll try hard not to like, in situations you can't help but chuckle at. Perfect escapism for serious time. There isn't page in the book that doesn't have sarcasm, wisecracking or outright hilarity.

This book is your classic fish-out-of-water story. Thanks to a little career desperation and a religious experience, a classical music diva from Manhattan accepts a one-time, one-semester job as a college voice professor in Iowa. Things get worse when she arrives to find she'll be living in the attic of an old house on a pig farm. Oh, and did I mention it's filled with kids? And that her daily chauffeur is an opinionated country music fan? Not exactly what she had in mind when her agent arranged this gig. What ensues is a delightful tale and a journey of discovering what's really most important. While this type of story has been done a thousand times, Ms. Stuart fills her novel with fresh, sassy characters and authentic details. A love of high society, fashion and cuisine meets practicality and downhome families in a plucky collision of real life in different cultures. It's fantastic. In fact, it's the most enjoyable book I've read all month! I highly recommend it. This Midwestern farmgirl turned NYC suburbanite has already mailed a copy to her Kentucky mama, sure it's going to be a hit with her too.

Rarely does this singer get to read a novel which lilts along in my own language. Okay. So I don't sing opera(!) but I do love music. So, reading this novel in first person (even though the heroine was a bit snobbish--hey, that only makes her transformation more fun to observe--) was a delight! But even if you aren't a singer or musician, you'll still love this story. And first-person? Bring it on. Not an easy choice in POV, but Kimberly makes it work. I laughed out loud too many times to count. If you're looking for a quirky and quick read, a fun and yet poignant story, don't miss this one!