Rebeca Seitz

First Blush is the first book I've read by Rebeca Seitz and I loved everything about it! Contemporary romance, women's fiction, chick lit - no matter the classification, it's an engaging read. Some social drinking is present, but not in a way that stands out. From characterization to storyline, dialogue to setting, and laced with humor throughout, Rebeca is a strong writer. First Blush is actually a novella of approximately 100 pages that sets the stage for more stories to follow, and I'm show more very eager to continue on with these characters.

When it comes to setting, Rebeca made me "feel" Naples - its breathtaking water views, stately mansions, and with keen insight into how the elite of society think and behave. Money doesn't always bring happiness, as we all know, and I felt for the Mrs. Pelser described by Elizabeth: "Here she sat, day after day, in a beautiful home that she barely saw, married to a husband who barely saw her. It must be lonely. And tiring. And purposeless."

The main characters were very interesting, real, and easy to connect with. 30 years old and alone after her husband left with a younger woman, Elizabeth hasn't found her purpose or calling in life, struggles to pay the rent, and fails to live up to what a society daughter in the Bakersfield family should be. And then there's the personable and mysterious Nick - I really can't wait to learn more about him.

I've never heard of a place like Ganderley's and while I'd like to think it's a real place, I suspect it's a part of Rebeca's imagination. Ganderley's started when two sisters, Elva and Esther, lost their husbands and found themselves in possession of eight houses, two yachts, several vehicles, and tons of books and antiques. I loved these ladies who decided to share their wealth by letting people borrow whatever they needed, kind of like a fancy lending library. As a musician, I found Elizabeth's thoughts about Ganderley's music room moving: "I entered the music room and cast a glance toward the baby grand gleaming in the corner of the room. Instruments captivate me. All that potential, just waiting for a skilled and talented person to notice and take action. They look like orphans, waiting to be loved."

There's not a lot of obvious faith elements in this novella, but I suspect we'll see more as the series unfolds. I liked how Elva shared her spiritual wisdom with Elizabeth: "There's no need to rush about. . . . You'll find your path and then you'll know that everything leading up to it was necessary." Just another reminder of how, even though we might not understand at the moment, we can trust that God was working for our good all along.

Rebeca is currently working on the next story, Second Glance, and I can't wait! First Blush comes to a satisfactory conclusion, but with the promise of much more to come. Highly recommended. 5-star rating given in comparison to other novellas that I've read.

Thank you to BookFun for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. show less

"Coming Unglued" is nothing short of fabulous. It is an absolute page turner for me that I could not put down until the very end that left me with tears. As book two of a Sisters, Ink novel it does well and could be read as a stand alone although it does continue where "Sisters, Ink" left off with a focus on Kendra (book one is a focus on Tandy). This story is about forgiveness and seeing sins as what they really are and growing as an individual and as a person leaving the past as what it show more is. I'm not sure that anyone could read this story without related a little bit or possibly a lot to the pain of what is going on. But it is amazing how things that seem like there is no solution can be worked out in a manner or form. This book is by far going on my keeper shelf and I cannot wait for the next books in the series to follow along with the other sisters in their journeys of life. Like the first book there was a confusion of a double take with a name swap or two, but it doesn't take away from the story much at all if you're paying attention and caught up in what is happening. I'd recommend this read to anyone really, especially someone in need of some healing and romance. You might be a little surprised at what you can learn about yourself through the lives of these fabulous characters. show less

I love the play on words with this title, because it really means many different things. At least it did to me. One thing with this book that I would preface, is that I would definitely say it is for an older audience, college age and married. I would not give this one to a teen girl, because I feel the "marital bliss" although wonderful and fully appreciated would be out of place for a young reader. Earnestly, I could hardly put the book down even in the sad parts. This is the third book in show more the Sisters, Ink Series. Reading the back cover or description blurb you know that it is about Joy Sinclair. She is the sister with Chinese ancestry. From the previous books you know that she is married and shy. Reading the pictures and description you know that she is having a bit of an issue with infertility, you know one of her sisters gets pregnant, and you know that she debates a trip to her "home land". What you do not know is all of the twists and turns and amazing depths and insights that the author takes you on. Bits of the book are written in a journey or thought like entry from Joy's deepest thoughts. Going with her on this journey is incredibly moving and educational. As a reader, you think one thing is going to happen, and then something entirely different occurs. At first I was unsure if I was happy with the change, but Rebeca's writing guides you to a point without manipulation or controversy of your thoughts. It is a fabulous story. I recommend it for a read, but I do recommend that you read the series in order, to fully appreciate what occurs in the lives of the Sinclair sisters. As a person who has dealt with infertility and some of the almost same issues of the heart that occur in this book with sisters and other things this book was an incredible piece to open into my heart, and I feel extremely blessed that God brought it to me at this point in my life. Go read it, read them all! I cannot wait for the next one later this year! show less

"Coming Unglued" is nothing short of fabulous. It is an absolute page turner for me that I could not put down until the very end that left me with tears. As book two of a Sisters, Ink novel it does well and could be read as a stand alone although it does continue where "Sisters, Ink" left off with a focus on Kendra (book one is a focus on Tandy). This story is about forgiveness and seeing sins as what they really are and growing as an individual and as a person leaving the past as what it show more is. I'm not sure that anyone could read this story without related a little bit or possibly a lot to the pain of what is going on. But it is amazing how things that seem like there is no solution can be worked out in a manner or form. This book is by far going on my keeper shelf and I cannot wait for the next books in the series to follow along with the other sisters in their journeys of life. Like the first book there was a confusion of a double take with a name swap or two, but it doesn't take away from the story much at all if you're paying attention and caught up in what is happening. I'd recommend this read to anyone really, especially someone in need of some healing and romance. You might be a little surprised at what you can learn about yourself through the lives of these fabulous characters. show less