Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La!

Lisa Marie Kroeker of Memphis, the only girl out of a family of five children, honored her mother's ban on Barbie dolls and survived a father whose business sign sported his head atop the body of a frog. Amelie Jeanette DuPree, a refined and delicate creature called Amy, moved to Memphis with her mother and Grandmere when both girls were eight. These two young people of conflicting and diverse backgrounds formed an immediate bond of friendship Lisa immersed herself in Amy's family and their refined family heritage. She loved the unhealthy snacks, bedrooms with flowers and frills, Mrs. DuPree's sophistication and Grandmere's floral French perfumes. Amy enjoyed the Kroeker's rowdy household even though Barbie dolls were disdained and sweets were nonexistent. This loving friendship lasted until their senior year of high school leaving Lisa to guess why Amy had pulled away. As young women, the two are reunited at a hospital in Cincinnati. Their renewed relationship digs itself into a deeper more solid bond. When Amy's Grandmere dies, they find her white silk purse that holds enough money for both Lisa and Amy to visit Paris. The older lady's note asked them to meet and thank a special family in Paris who owned a world-famous, refined linens shop. This adopted family taught her to create exclusive, elegant needlework, which provided an excellent lifestyle for her family. Touring Paris forces both girls to face personal fears from the time they arrive at the hotel in a stolen taxi and are entangled with the police department until their last fears are faced at the Eiffel Tower. Both women are Christians and their Paris experience helps strengthen their walk with the Lord. The famous Eiffel Tower parallels a step-by-step walk with God which helps overcome childhood fears. Read Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! as a travel guide to Paris: museums, churches, the Eiffel Tower, and a plethora of high and low-end shopping. The poignant and sentimental visit with Grandmere's Paris family is a beautiful story. A Discussion Guide is included for bookclub members.

Sisterchicks Say Ooh La La! By Robin Jones Gunn is another entry in the fabulous Sisterchicks series. I've really loved every book in this series, but this one really plucked at my heartstrings. Maybe it was that Lisa is a little sarcastic and cynical like me. Lisa and Amy promised each other in grade school that when they grew up, they would go to Paris together. When Amy's grandmother passes away, they take the time for the trip and find that the road to the City of Lights is filled with bumps. There are a couple of laugh out loud moments in the book, but the strongest parts are about God and His love. Both Lisa and Amy need to face their fears to fully enjoy not only their trip but their lives as well.

I can only say that Robin Jones Gunn has again spoken to my soul in this book. For everyone who has ever tried to be perfect so that God wouldn't be disappointed in you, it's a must read. The descriptions of sights and experiences in Paris are terrific. We see how God uses even the misguided, prejudiced, and legalistic tactics of one sisterchick's mother as a part of eventually lovingly drawing someone to Himself and how He orchestrates events to reconnect a lost friendship. I love everything about this book and the entire Sisterchicks series. The only drawback to these books is that since their effect is to make me crave visiting all the places Sisterchicks go, it could get to be a very expensive proposition. Can't wait for Sisterchicks in Gondolas. I've already pre-ordered it.

In this light, fun and sometimes touching novel, two forty-something lifelong buddies finally realize their dream and travel to Paris. They are on a mission--to meet a friend of Amy's grandmother. And this happens in a linen shop on Rue Cler. This was a pleasant surprise for me as this picturesque little market street a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower is where my husband and I stayed in a cute little hotel, the Grand Hotel Leveque two winters ago as a lifelong dream of my own. They also dine at a tiny restaurant which sounded much like nearby La Varangue, where the owner Philippe was usually the only chef and server. One busy night, he was out of an entree I wanted, so offered to make me something special. A lot of Americans would not choose what he offered me, but I loved it--chicken livers in a sauce of Balsamic vinegar! Delicious! Hey, it was Paris! A sweet part that really touched me: Amy and Lisa sat in Cathedral Notre Dame, and a little girl ran in and hid behind a column. Without knowing it, she solved a mystery of life for Amy, which I won't give away. "Grace upon grace," Lisa tells us. Amy's ultimate conquest of the Eiffel Tower is pretty and satisfying, a triumph over many things. I left the book on my ottoman and picked it up several times after finishing it just to re-read that chapter about God's sweet love. Robin refers to the women using a guide book. _Rick Steves' Paris_ is the book we used, where we found Rue Cler, the Hotel Grand Leveque and La Varangue. The City of Light is a beautiful main character, itself, and Robin Jones Gunn shows her love for it in vivid descriptions of shopping, dining, history and beautiful, detailed scenery that place the reader right there. Nevertheless, the marvelous setting never outweighs the story of the love of friendship renewed and the love of God discovered. Vive la Paris!

This was the most wonderful book in the series yet! I loved it. I received in the morning and had finished reading it that night. I could not put it down. I laughed, and cried, and thought of my best friend the whole time. Keep it up, Robin - anixously awaiting the next one.