"Sailing in Style"

(Love by Design, #2)

by Dana Mentink

Description

  

Fledgling decorator Cy Franco has an impossible mission; to turn the water damaged reception room of an historic inn into a showplace fit for the spectacular private wedding of a celebrity actor couple. The sticky wicket? The work must be done without disturbing any of the guests and the River King Inn happens to be a paddle wheel steamboat. For Cy it’s a golden opportunity to support Dollars and Sense, a decorating company owned by Cy and his sister Rosa. And really, he can’t exactly refuse the work, since he was the one who caused the damage in the first place when he caught site of a woman from his past, Piper Brindle, the lady who stole his heart (and his pickup truck.)

Missing jewelry and jilted lovers? Slipcovers and celebrities? Paintbrushes and painful pasts? It’s going to be a tumultuous journey on this river boat cruise.

Purchase at the following locations:
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.barnesandnoble.com

Biography

Dana Mentink lives in California where the weather is golden and the cheese is divine. Her family includes two teen girls (affectionately nicknamed Yogi and Boo Boo.) Papa Bear is retired from the fire department and he met Dana doing a dinner theater production of The Velveteen Rabbit. Ironically, their parts were husband and wife.
Dana is an American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year finalist for romantic suspense and a two time ACFW Carol Award winner. Her suspense novel, Betrayal in the Badlands, earned a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Award. She is honored to write for Harlequin’s Love Inspired, Harlequin Heartwarming, and Harvest House Publishers. Besides writing, she busies herself teaching third grade. Mostly, she loves to be home with Papa Bear, Yogi, Boo Boo, a dog with social anxiety problems, a chubby box turtle and a feisty parakeet.

Website: http://www.danamentink.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dana.mentink?fref=ts

My Thoughts ~

Aboard the steamboat River King Inn we are introduced to several quirky characters, some with questionable backgrounds and motives and others who'll warm your heart. I was immediately fond of Cy, a work driven, tender hearted, lonely young man who carries a load  of heartache that refuses to let him go. His past love, Piper, is a frustrating young woman who is goal driven to become an actress at the expense of the one who loves her most.

The setting is charming, and easily envisioned as a grand old relic of the past, with a possible resplendent future. Events throughout this story are fast paced and filled with mystery and intrigue. There are characters who warmed my heart, and others who are as irritating as a nasty fly! The balance of characters and events was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I found humor between the lines and was touched by the warmth generated by the author's approach to some very special family members. This is a wonderful weekend read filled with mysterious events and romance, a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat and captivated throughout!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.