Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations by V. Joy Palmer Review & Giveaway

About the Book

Book: Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations



Author: V. Joy Palmer



Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy



Release Date: February 14, 2019



Seventeen years after being orphaned, Apryl Burns and her twin sister Courtney have their own expectations for life. While Courtney continues to shine at everything, Apryl holds fast to the mantra that as long as her potato chip stash remains intact, then she’ll be fine.

But when their beloved grandmother ends up injured and unable to manage her struggling antique store, Courtney makes it their mission to revamp the business and save what’s left of their family’s legacy. Despite rampant doubts in her abilities, Apryl finds herself trapped under the weight of family loyalty as they transition to a wedding venue decorating service. Soon shes forced to ask (translation: blackmail) their grandmother’s renter/handyman, Chance McFarland, for help, an arrangement that is made even worse by the fact that Chance is her former (ahem, and current) crush.

Chance knows a few dozen things about family loyalty, which is why he begrudgingly agrees to Apryl’s insane plan. While Apryl claims they’re archenemies, the girl Chance only glimpsed in their teens starts to emerge, stealing what remains of his heart.

But expectations are a powerful thing. Amidst the glamorous weddings and swaying willows, can those old expectations be revised into something new?





Click here to purchase your copy,

About the Author

Joy Palmer is the author of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She is also an avid blogger and co-founder of Snack Time Devotions. In her spare time, Joy is an unprofessional chocolate connoisseur/binger, and she loves acting crazy and drinking coffee with the teens she mentors. When Joy isn’t urging the elves that live in her computer to write, she’s hanging out with her husband, their adorable baby girl, and their socially awkward pets.

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

More from Joy

I’ll confess something to you guys.

For about a year, I hated these characters. Like I vehemently hated them. For their refusal to bow to my will, I counted the ways I could take revenge against them for my own sadistic pleasure, and I seriously considered printing the manuscript just so I could burn it in an oil drum while I laughed like a Disney villain. I’m told my “Ursula laugh” is uncanny.

Some of you may be laughing. Some of you may be rolling your eyes. Some of you may be gasping in horror at the thought of an author killing her beloved characters. Or some of you may smirk and say, “I’ve been there, only I did kill my characters.”

I dove into the story with a wide-eyed innocence that came from thinking I was in charge of the story. My characters slapped that doe-eyed look off my face, letting me know I had no idea what I was doing. Sure, I knew the basics… They start off arguing, then fall in love… I had a couple great kiss scenes planned… Worth in God would be explored… Jokes would be made… But I could not get these stubborn characters to cooperate, and I was pulling my hair out by the roots trying to force them to get on board with my excellent program! I didn’t understand them, and their actions didn’t make any sense. Then my computer crashed…and died…taking over twelve thousand words with it. (A part of me thinks Apryl was behind it.) Suddenly, I was at square one, but I was actually a little relieved. Now I could start over.

Cue muffled sobs here.

After the untimely demise of my computer, I went to the 2016 American Christian Fiction Writers conference. At that conference, Ted Dekker said something in one of his keynote sessions that changed everything for me.

“Write to discover yourself.”

I still get chills when I think about this, and it has nothing to do with the below zero temperatures in my neck of the woods.

My writing changed after that. I made myself vulnerable, pouring my heart into Apryl and Chance’s journey like it was my personal journey. And as my literary world started to blossom, my literal world felt like it was being scorched by an exploding sun of heartache. And when that nasally (or does it only sound that way in my head?) voice whispered that I was worthless, God’s declaration of love was a big, bold font across the pages.

Through Apryl and Chance, I rediscovered my own worth to my Father.

And I hope you can, too.

I hope you laugh (the seagull scene is a favorite of mine). I hope you swoon (Apryl and Chance Forever!!). I would be especially pleased if you had to look up one or two pop culture references because I’ll just feel cool. But more than anything I hope you can rediscover your worth in our Father’s eyes, whether it’s for the first time or the seven hundred and eleventh time.

Our worth isn’t defined by our jobs, our mistakes, our families, or the plans we have. Our worth is in a loving God who calls each of His children by name. Our worth is in our Father.

Set to the tune of a romantic comedy, there are a lot of little truths sprinkled throughout Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, but our worth in God is the glue that holds it all together – at least for me! This was the truth I wanted to convey in Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations all along. But until I started to understand this (I definitely haven’t mastered it!) in my own heart, how could I write about it?

I hope you guys enjoy Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations. I hope this truth touches your heart in some way.

And I hope you laugh. A lot.

Hugs,

Joy Palmer

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, April 27 (Guest Post from Mindy Houng)

Pause for Tales, April 27

The Becca Files, April 28

Moments, April 28

Godly Book Reviews, April 29

Just Your Average reviews, April 29

Kat’s Corner Books, April 30

Creating Romance, April 30

Maureen’s Musings, May 1

Hallie Reads, May 1

For Him and My Family, May 2

Vicky Sluiter, May 2

Wishful Endings, May 3

Emily Yager, May 3

The Christian Fiction Girl, May 4

Inklings and notions, May 4

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 5

Through the Fire Blogs, May 6

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, May 6

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 7

A Baker’s Perspective, May 8

Cultivating us, May 8

Texas Book-aholic, May 9

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 9

A Reader’s Brain, May 10

janicesbookreviews, May 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Joy is giving away a grand prize package that includes a signed copy of Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations,
a signed copy of Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations, a Hand-Carved Reading Willow Tree Figurine, a Character-Inspired Locket,
a Custom Roaring Twenties Book Sleeve from The Cozy Life Etsy Shop, an Anne of Green Gables Mug Rug from Bookish Star Designs Etsy Shop, and a Chai Latte Soy Candle in a Vintage Mug from Joplin House Cafe!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter. https://promosimple.com/ps/dfea/weddings-willows-and-revised-expectations-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed this lovely Christian romcom by a new-to-me-author! I seriously cannot even begin to count the number of times that this book had me smiling and literally laughing out loud! 

I loved that this story was set in New Hampshire (a state which borders my own home state of Vermont!) 

Overall, this is a very good romcom that I'm glad I read, and I highly recommend it, especially to fans of Bethany Turner, Melissa Tagg, and Sarah Monzon! I look forward to reading more of Ms. Palmer's work in the future! 

(4 Stars!)

I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Review: A Love Letter Life by Jeremy and Audrey Roloff

5 Stars!

As a long time fan of Little People, Big World, I was very excited when I heard that Jeremy and Audrey had written a book, so needless to say when I was given the opportunity to request this book to review I jumped at the chance. And I am SO glad I did, this book is fantastic! I really liked that it is a memoir, I'm not a big non-fiction reader but memoirs seem to always resonate the best with me, and I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book! It was so cool to read Jer and Auj's love story, they are such an inspiration to me and their heart for Christ shines through in every word they write. As a single twenty something who made a commitment as a teenager to wait for the man God has for me this book was such an encouragement and inspiration to me, there were tons of great nuggets of wisdom in this book that I plan to put to use in my future relationship! I don't know how they did it, but Jeremy and Audrey somehow managed to craft a book that applies to all, no matter your current relationship status! I seriously loved this book, it's going on my keeper shelf and I definitely anticipate rereading it many times in the future! Highly recommended! 

A big thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy of this wonderful book! Which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Review: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

5 Stars!

Squeee! THIS BOOK IS SUPER AWESOME! I despised having to set it down, found myself reading it at every opportunity, and as soon as I finished I was instantly craving a reread! I'm serious, TSLOSH is happiness in book form! I swooned, laughed until my face hurt, and turned the final page with a contented sigh and a heart that was renewed, uplifted, and inspired!

This is a MUST READ for all Christian rom-com fans! 😍😍😍😍😍

I read this book for pure pleasure. No review required.

Review: The Edge of Mercy by Heidi Chiavaroli

5 Stars!

Wow! I'm speechless, in the best way. Having read (and loved!) all of this author's previous books I automatically signed up to review this one without even knowing what it was about! Based solely on the fact that it's a Heidi Chiavaroli novel I knew that I would be swept away and would hate to put the book down, both of which happened almost instantly. I was completely engaged in the story and was rooting for the characters from the start! The Edge of Mercy is an emotionally rich, soul-stirring read, it grabbed hold of my heart and wouldn't let go! I feel that God has used this book to change my heart and encourage my faith, and if you read it I have no doubt that He will speak to your heart through it as well! 

This isn't an easy, lighthearted read, but if you are looking for a book that will grab your heart and take you on a journey that will impact your life for the better then The Edge of Mercy is the perfect choice! 

I loved this book and am so happy to have read it! I highly recommend The Edge of Mercy and cannot wait for Heidi Chiavaroli's next book! 

I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Review: First Wave by Lisa Phillips

5 Stars! 

Wowza, what a ride! This is the second book by this author that I've read and I am now officially hooked on her stories! This story is SOOOO good, it grabbed me on the first page and I hated to set it down until I finished it! I love suspense books that feature a team of characters, and the team in this book is SO great, their camaraderie and banter was fabulous and I loved the entire ensemble crew of characters! 

The suspense was nonstop, it was written so well that each scene played out like a movie in my head, it gave me all the same feels as when I  experience an episode of one of my favorite shows: NCIS: Los Angeles, but in book form which is even better!

Amidst all the fabulous suspense, the romance thread was woven in beautifully, and perfectly balanced with the suspense! I loved every minute of this book and am so glad that I read it! I am eagerly anticipating book two in the Northwest Counter Terrorism Taskforce series, and I am thrilled that I own several of this author's backlist titles on my Kindle that I can read while I'm waiting! 

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to all fans of Christian romantic suspense, this is one you won't want to miss! 

I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Top Ten Audiobooks!

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Top Ten Audiobooks

1. A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White and Narrated by Liz Pearce

2. Then Came You by Becky Wade and Narrated by Heather Masters and Ryan Hudson

3. Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren and Narrated by Pam Turlow

4. Shattered by Dani Pettrey and Narrated by Christina Moore

5. How a Star Falls by Amber Stokes and Narrated by Patrick Wilson Mahaney

6. Storm Front by Susan May Warren and Narrated by Cynthia Farrell

7. Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson and Narrated by Emily Elizabeth Hamilton

8. Moving Target by Lynette Eason and Narrated by Rachel Dulude

9. If I Live by Terri Blackstock and Narrated by Kate Rudd

10. Deadly Obsession by Yours Truly and Narrated by Peggy Sowersby (Yes, a shameless promotion, but this narrator did a fabulous job of turning my dream of having one of my books become an audiobook into reality!)

Review: Justice Mission by Lynette Eason

5 Stars!

Wowza! What a fabulous start to the True Blue K-9 Unit series! If you know me at all then you know that Lynette Eason is one of my all time favorite authors, so it goes without saying that as soon as I heard about this book I immediately added it to my wish list! Justice Mission drew me in from the first page and I hated to stop reading it. I immediately liked Luke and Sophie, I really appreciated that they were flawed and realistic characters who were both very kind and never stopped putting others ahead of themselves. I also loved Luke's bond with his K-9 Bruno, it was obvious how much they loved each other, and all the moments when Bruno seemed to be trying to communicate with Luke through his body language and facial expressions were spot on and so much fun to read about! I love that this series is following NYPD K-9 Officers, and can't wait to read the next book in the series! 

Overall, I loved this book so much! It's one of my very favorites of Lynette's Love Inspired Suspense titles! I highly recommend Justice Mission, it's going on my keeper shelf, and I definitely envision that I will be reading it again in the future!

I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.