Miss Lucy Kendall has just returned from traveling in Europe with her aunt and uncle. The Swiss Alps, Bavaria, Athens, Munich, Florence, ballrooms of Vienna, dressmakers in Paris ~ but her treasures she has brought back are Premium European Sweets! Her father owns City Confectionery, the makers of the famed Fancy Crush; that is after he has lost his original company, Standard Candy Manufacturing, and its prime recipe for Royal Taffy.
Mr. Charles Clarke recently has come through Union Station too. He is the son of the owner of Standard Manufacturing. Left by his father as a young boy, Charlie is now becoming reacquainted with the man who lives in luxury while he, his mother and sisters lived in Chicago's struggling South Side.
At a chance meeting, Lucy and Charlie bump into each other. Literally. They continue on, never forgetting each other. They have no idea they are "competitors." She trying to come up with a new candy to save her family's failing business. He to come to the recognition of his father; to succeed. They are thrown together in "polite society." As their hearts yearn for betterment, they yearn in earnest for each other.Your past is not as important as your future. Did you know that? Can't change anything about what you've been, but you can change who you'll become.
--Unrivaled, 17
Intricately, they try to outmaneuver each other. Yes, by now, they know their family distinctions. There were no business practices that were governed locally, as they try to outwit each other in keeping their candies before the public eye ~ or saliva-savoring candy wrapper images, that is!
This is a sweet tale of trust developing, overtaking the bitter pill of competition in staying on top and in the forefront. Soul-searching and finding all they need in the One who can give life to them, individually and together. Freely receiving God's gift of grace. Not one better or worse than another; His love freely available to receive. My paraphrase of Lamentations 2:14, "It is necessary for your iniquity to be exposed, so as to release you from captivity." So true. Unrivaled.
I read Unrivaled in one day. Such a good story. I liked the decision Alfred Arthur makes to stand for love. A seemingly sub-character frees others to go beyond appearances and be real. I liked reading about the homemade taffy-making in Lucy's home kitchen. When I was a little girl, the teens would come to our home and have a taffy-pull party. We saved the "Sunbeam Girl" 4-inch wrapper from the middle of the bread packaging. It was waxed on one side and just right to wrap the taffy pieces. Buttery and sticky, it was pulled until it was a light color. I sure enjoyed the melt in your mouth taffy!
Siri Mitchell, author of She Walks in Beauty, A Heart Most Worthy, The Messenger
Product Details:
Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764207970
ISBN-13: 978-0764207976
Back Cover: Falling in Love could be a recipe for disaster ~
Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe's best confections, she's sure she'll come up with a recipe that will save her father's struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager--a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin.
Charlie Clarke's new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he's never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She's making his work life miserable...and making herself impossible for him to forget.
***Thank you to Litfuse Publicity Group for sending me a copy of Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell to review in my own words. No other compensation was received.***
One "swooning" winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Vintage Candy Kit
- Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell (one for you and one for a friend!)
So grab your copy of Unrivaled and join Siri on the evening of the April 18th for a chance to connect with Siri and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)
Siri Mitchell is my all time favourite Christian writer. I am so excited for this release. I love sharing her writing with my friends and just gave Love's Pursuit to my sister-in-law. Can't wait to add another of Siri Mitchell's titles to my shelf.
ReplyDeleteBlessings for a wonderful Easter weekend.
Dotti xx
Thank you, Dotti. Our youngest daughter is visiting us. She was gracious and walked at my pace on our hour plus mother/daughter walk/talk before supper.
DeleteI have enjoyed her books I have read. I do have Love's Pursuit to read. I really like her style; it seems as if you could walk alongside them.
Have a blessed weekend with your family! Kathleen