Glitter and the Grouch by Mary Pat Johns Blog Tour Book Review

About the Book

Book: Glitter and the Grouch (Romance in Valiant Book Three. It can be read as a standalone.)

Author: Mary Pat Johns

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

Release date: September 3, 2024

Silas and Nat don’t get along. Neither can they leave each other alone. When a prank goes terribly wrong at their workplace, they face an impossible choice.

Either they compete in a canoe race to prove they can work together or forfeit their futures at Peeps. Quitting isn’t the norm for either of them. Good thing, because their boss isn’t backing down an inch. He assures them they can accomplish anything they set their minds to, even if it’s 3 days and 260 miles of river.

There’s only one catch—they’ll have to be in the same boat.

Will they reach deep inside to find out what they’re made of? Or will they succumb to the physical rigors of the event and the machinations of Nat’s controlling ex?

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:

This is a fun romance that centers around a canoe race that was new to me. Being forced to work together on the race is a good frame upon which to hang an interesting romance. Strong bonds can be formed when challenges are faced together. Gracious allowances must be made when exhaustion takes over. Johns presents a good many obstacles to romance that must be overcome in just a few days. The characters were well drawn as they went from playful adversaries to committed partners.

While this is generally a light romance, there is a little suspense too. Faith is an important part of the paddling duo making it to the end. There is even a little helpful supernatural intervention from time to time.

This is a quick read as it is about novella length. It is fun and informative and would make a good evening's entertainment. Johns' writing style is clear and easy to read.

My rating: 4/5 stars.

 

About the Author

Mary Pat Johns’ writing career began once she retired from years of teaching speech and writing. She’s written devotions for an online publication and had short stories published by Chicken Soup for the Soul. She currently writes a weekly faith column for the local newspaper. Countin’ On Jesse, her first novel debuted in 2023, and book 2 of the Valiant series, Lovin’ On Red, released in release in 2024. God put it in her heart to tell stories of brave veterans and their reintegration into civilian life after suffering the traumas of war.

She lives in South Texas with her husband and their two dapple dachshunds. Her grown children and five grandchildren are useful sorts who keep her grounded with her reading/writing obsession. You can find her at the gym, at her computer, or reading a good book.

More from Mary

I wrote Glitter and the Grouch for two reasons. The first reason was peace of mind. LOL.  Two minor characters from Books 1 & 2 of the Valiant series INSISTED on having their own story. Rather, Nat insisted and Silas grudgingly followed. He hated the idea at first, but all’s well that ends well.

The second reason is I absolutely LOVE the Texas Water Safari and follow it every year. When I talked to a friend who competes, he wasn’t sure how I would write a book about it. When I explained it would be a story about two people who fall in love during the race, he grinned from ear to ear and said that scenario had happened a few times.

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I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.

(My star ratings: 5-I love it, 4-I like it, 3-It's OK, 2-I don't like it, 1-I hate it.)