Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson -CFBA Review

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Over the years, Melody Carlson has worn many hats, from pre-school teacher to youth counselor to political activist to senior editor. But most of all, she loves to write! Currently she freelances from her home. In the past eight years, she has published over ninety books for children, teens, and adults–with sales totaling more than two million and many titles appearing on the ECPA Bestsellers List. Several of her books have been finalists for, and winners of, various writing awards.

She has two grown sons and lives in Central Oregon with her husband and chocolate lab retriever. They enjoy skiing, hiking, gardening, camping and biking in the beautiful Cascade Mountains.

ABOUT THE BOOK

With high hopes, Dorothy Ballinger lands her dream job at The New York Times. But it’s not long until writing about weddings becomes a painful reminder of her own failed romance, and her love of the city slowly sours as well. Is it time to give up the Big Apple for her small hometown of Appleton?

When her eccentric Aunt Dot passes away and leaves a sizeable estate to Dorothy, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Dorothy only stands to inherit the estate if she agrees to her aunt’s very specific posthumous terms — personal and professional. And if she fails to comply, the sprawling old Victorian house shall be bequeathed to . . . Aunt Dot’s cats.

And if Dorothy thinks that’s odd, wait until she finds out an array of secrets about Aunt Dot’s life, and how imperfect circumstances can sometimes lead to God’s perfect timing.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel, go HERE.

My thoughts:  When I finished this book my first thoughts were “when does the sequel come out!  I can’t wait to find out what happens next!”  To me this is the ultimate compliment to  a writer as they have you so hooked that you are literally hanging in suspense waiting to know what happens!  This is one of those books!     The professional terms are easy to meet but the personal ones aren’t quite so easy, especially when an old flame who broke our main characters heart shows back up!  Great book that everyone definitely needs to read!  I passed my copy on to another to read so go get your own!