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| Beauty to Die For |
By Mindy Starns Clark and Kim Alexis
B&H Publishing, 2012
Reviewed by Teresa Mathews
4.5 Stars
In this intriguing who-done-it Mindy and Kim give us a look into the life of a former supermodel that has formed her own skincare company.
Twenty four year old Juliette Taylor was fed up with her life as a supermodel, she wanted to make a change but didn’t quite know how until she meets a handsome stranger in an airport. While stranded in the airport for hours they form a life changing bond, but instead of acting in haste they both pledge to meet again as soon as they have their lives on course.
Fast forward twenty five years Juliette is co-owner of a skincare company, JT Lady, which provides beauty products to salons and spas. Juliette is well known for her seminars for Christian ladies that serve others, she even has a catchy phrase for it; “Isn't it time someone took care of YOU for a change?”
While en route to Palm Grotto Spa where she is holding a weekend retreat, Juliette encounters another supermodel from the old days, Raven the beautiful fiery redhead with an equally fiery temper. Surprisingly Raven is also headed to Palm Grotto, and when she learns Juliette is headed there Raven becomes enraged and threatens to kill Juliette. Less than 24 hours later Raven is dead and everyone thinks Juliette could have had something to do with it. Juliette needs someone to help her solve Raven’s murder because it seems the police aren’t doing a very good job.
Twenty five years later Juliette’s TOTGA (the one that got away), the mystery man from the airport, Marcus Stone shows up and attempts to reconnect with Juliette. Will he be the help she needs to solve the case? Or is he there because he was sent by the FBI to spy on Juliette?
This is a wonderful story that will keep you guessing with its many twists and turns. I enjoyed reading about the various spa treatments and thinking “I wish I could be there”! This dynamic duo of Mindy and Kim seemed to work well together because this was an enjoyable story that left me wanting to read more by them! Thanks ladies, great job!
Buy Mindy's book at Amazon, CBD, Barnes & Noble or other bookstores.
Winner this week must be a follower of OTT-WGH.
Simply put OF after your name if you are a follower, and add your email
address unless we know you well (and over time, we hope we do!!!)
It is mentioned in this review that Juliette hosts a retreat for Christian ladies that minister to others, so my question is; Are you in Christian Ministry? You can also share what type of ministry if you would like. This is just another fun way for us to get to know you a little better.
I'm loving this story, Teresa. And the cartoon cover is so cute. I can't wait for more books in this series.
ReplyDeleteI'm not good with verbal face-to-face ministry. Social anxiety, I think. But I like to think of blogs like this one and the one I belong to as a ministry to women.
And the new magazine that Dina Sleiman is part of - iFlourish - these are great ways to minister to people who read the blogs, as well as to the blogmembers themselves. I'm sure you've all grown close to one another and help lift each other up. I also think being part of a community like this helps me to grow in confidence so that maybe I'll eventually be able to minister face-to-face.
Really great review TERESA!! It certainly sounds intriguing with all it's twists, turns and interesting elements MINDY and Kim... definitely one to read! :)
ReplyDeleteI've always been drawn to the ministeries of encouragement, prayer (for everyone but also the severely persecuted), and helping the needy. SO grateful recently to join this blessed blog of Carrie's right here for another outlet of ministry.
There is SO much to be gained from reading quality inspirational novels, which is one reason I LOVE to promote these books!
Lovely review, TERESA!!! I do want to read this one in particular because I love that the heroine is not a twenty-something!
ReplyDeleteSUZIE--we believe God anointed us for this ministry. And that He will enable us, one day at a time. A lot of times if we get our minds off ourselves God can really bless us. Obedience is the big thing--doing what He has called you to do. And if He ever asks you to do a public ministry He will enable you to do so and you'll be able to give Him all the glory!!!
NOELA, that is exactly how we all feel. And I knew from being inside ACFW that almost every author has an amazing story of overcoming to share. Just like ministers do! Because when you are doing God's work, you will be persecuted and come under trials but He will see you through!
ReplyDeleteAmazing review, Teresa! This looks and sounds like such an entertaining book!
ReplyDeleteI know one of my ministries is working alongside of all of you wonderful ladies here on OTT and praying for AND encouraging my friends and family members.
SUZIE thank you for coming by and sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteI too am a little shy when it comes to being in front of a crowd, but the funny thing about that is I have been playing piano in churches since I was twelve years old. But take away my piano and my knees want to start knocking. :D
Being part of this blog has been a blessing to me and I hope in return I can be a blessing to others. GOD is so amazing...when you look in the BIBLE you will see plenty of examples of where HE used people that thought NO LORD I CAN'T DO THAT!! They are the ones that have to FULLY rely on HIM to get the job done. He only needs a willing vessel and HE will fill it up with the power to do whatever HE has called that person to do!
SUZIE I am so glad you have found a place where you are fulfilling your ministry but don't be surprized if GOD isn't going to give you the power to do more face-to-face ministry too since you have been willing to help others through your blog! :)
As always I love your review, T.! Can't wait to get started reading this one.
ReplyDeleteNOELA thank you! This was a great read and I know you will like it. It has some humorous parts too...the only thing I'll say is their reunion meeting didn't go as planned by her TOTGA! Don't want to give anything away but you will get a good laugh out of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are a part of our blog...it's like you are a sister to me and your sweet servant's heart is hard to miss. Love you!
MARIAN thank you my sweet daughter from another mother! :) You are another reason I have been blessed since joining OTT, I've gained a "daughter".
ReplyDeleteI know you will love this book and it doesn't take very long to read either. MINDY AND ALEXIS did a fantastic job, I hope we'll be reading more from this dynamic duo in the future!
CARRIE thanks and hope you don't mind that I seem to be in a "talkive" mood! LOL I woke up with a headache but that hasn't stopped me from gabbing on here. I want to thank you again for asking me to be a part of this ministry...I KNOW it was a GOD-THING because this "shy" girl never dreamed she would be a part of something so wonderful. GOD IS SO GOOD and of course so is CARRIE!!! :)
ReplyDeleteDIANA you, my BFF, are another one of my BLESSINGS in life. GOD always knows when you need a special blessing and you my sweet were that special blessing. When hubby and I moved to ALA to become the Music Ministers it was so good to see you again. Everyone there was so nice to us but it's great to know you and Paul always have our backs!! :D
ReplyDeleteAnd now here we are sharing a ministry together with CARRIE, MARIAN and NOELA!! What a team for GOD we make!!! I am having one of those Holy Ghost moments me, you and CARRIE always talk about and I'm going to share it with EVERYONE...
"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. (NIV)
I AM CLAIMING THIS PRAYER OF JABEZ FOR THIS BLOG AND FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN NEED OF A BLESSING AND HEALING!! WOW!! GOD IS SO GOOD!!
I feel those Holy Ghost bumps, too! Wow! The annointing is on you, gf! Thank you for your kind words, TERESA. I needed them today for sure, as I'm going through some conflict today. ugg You are such a blessing in my life as well... you have no idea!!
ReplyDeleteDIANA just as I typed "What a team for GOD we make!!!" That scripture hit me just like a lightbulb being turned on!! PTL!!
ReplyDeletePTL! That's just confirmation that we are in His will and we are a ministry that is reaching out to hurting people and God is going to enlarge our territories to reach more!!
ReplyDeleteI am not a part of a ministry, but it does sound fun and I have often wanted to join. Just don't know how to go about getting involved! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteOF
MEGAN just pray about it and GOD will lead to where HE wants you. HE just wants us to be willing, and it sounds like you are. Maybe inquire at church if they need help, if you love being around babies...maybe they would love to have new helper in the nursery. Or if you love to cook maybe they could use your help with the next dinner they have. I'm sure you will find your place. Thanks for sharing with us. And Good Luck in the drawing! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, once we do those prayers, God starts moving things around MEGAN, to make room in our lives once we get WILLING! I cried out to Him to help me with this blog never realizing how He would bless me with these angels AKA contributors! Mind boggling how He put us together!
ReplyDeletePraying TERESA is feeling better soon. I have taken a couple of migraine pills today too. I think mine from food allergies. But we did LAUGH our heads off on Monday so maybe it is catching up with us now!!!
My ministry is being a preacher's wife, the webmaster of our pastor's website on which we are spreading God's word in the Netherlands, and being part of this wonderful group of ladies on the blog.
ReplyDeleteIn our first year of marriage I prayed that my husband would be a preacher someday. Now 12 years later he's preaching regularly in our church, or at a guest church. We've had a Bible study- and prayer group.
Now the young men in our church love to hang out with us and ask us advice about spiritual things. Pretty cool when you think we were like that too, and now we are the ones giving advice and show them God's will through His Word.
Praying your migraines will go away T & C!!
They say laughter is the best medicine, so maybe you girls must get together again soon. ;)
Thanks for the great review, TERESA, so glad you enjoyed the book! It was really, really fun to write. Kim Alexis is so down-to-earth and funny and such a delight to be with. I don't think we stopped laughing the whole time we were working together.
ReplyDeleteSUZIE, if you like the cover, you really should see the book trailer. The publisher did it, and I think it's the best book trailer I've ever seen. :) And isn't it wonderful how the internet is providing a whole new way to minister? People who aren't ready to do so face to face can still have a big impact on others for Christ through this medium.
NOELA, thanks for the shout out to Christian fiction. Amen! I have heard so many stories about real lives being changed through fiction.
CARRIE, haha, this was the first book I've written where the heroine was actually my age--and it wasn't easy for me. Isn't that strange? I'm so used to writing from the point of view of younger women that I had a hard time getting into the mindset of someone more like me. :)
MEGAN, sometimes we are already involved in all sorts of ministry, we just don't think of it that way because it's on a less "formal" basis, like showing up with food when someone is grieving. Often the best way to take it to the next level is just look at those areas that we find the most fulfilling or where we feel the Lord's leading and then simply put the word out that we're available to do more. If your church is like mine, you'll soon have your hands more than full with added duties!!!
CARRIE & TERESA, I hope you both feel better soon. I'm having a real headache week as well. Ugh! Made the big mistake of running a few errands on my way home from Physical Therapy on Tuesday. (I'm supposed to come straight home and lie down in a dark room for a few hours, to keep from further stimulating my brain.) Anyway, by the time I finally got home I was about to collapse. Went straight to bed, and I've been there ever since. Ack, it's incredible how debilitating serious head pain can be. It has finally begun to subside today, but they're keeping me on bed rest for the weekend. Man, did I learn my lesson. No more errands for me. It's straight home and straight to bed from now on!
MARIAN, being a preacher's wife is like being First Lady, such a huge job but without the separate paycheck. :) Sounds like you and your husband make quite a team. Good for you!
Y'all keep the comments coming, this is fun.
MINDY thanks for the well wishes. The pain is not as bad as it was just in that stage where my brain is in a fog. So sorry you are having a bad week with the headaches. Please take care of yourself we want to be able to read more of your marvelous books. :) Thanks for being so sweet and for coming on here even though you aren't feeling well! Take care!!
ReplyDeletesounds intriguing! please enter my e-mail
ReplyDeletemirjam(at)fotoflits(dot)com
I read Beauty to Die For and enjoyed it very much. I look forward to more books in this series.
ReplyDeletepmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
OF
We have just organized a Women's Ministry Team at our church of which I am a part. We only have 5 on our team but hope to grow. We are planning a Christmas Cookie Exchange and luncheon for the ladies of our church on Dec. 2nd.
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower enjoying your blog.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
MARIAN it's so good to hear about you and your hubby's ministry. As a young girl I always thought I would marry a minister and now I am married to a minister of music and so enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteAbout laughter...I feel that God has given me a gift of laughter...I love to bring cheer to people when they are feeling down. Makes you feel GOOD to laugh. The only thing missing on Monday was you and Noela!
Oh no! Praying for you MINDY! Sorry to hear you have to spend the weekend in bed. I pray you get to at least listen to a story. Do you have someone who can run errands for you? I had to hire someone because of my feet being so bad this past six months but they are finally improving, thank God, and I pray you will fully recover so you too can do all those little activities that people take for granted.
ReplyDeleteMIRJAM we have you entered..thank you for stopping by. My fingers wanted to spell your name MIRIAM because that's my sister's name. :)GOOD LUCK in the drawing.
ReplyDeletePAM it was a fun read wasn't it? I would love to read more from Mindy and Alexis too, they make a great team! Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteRUBYNREBA welcome to our blog!! We are so glad you are a follower. That's exciting about starting a new Women's Ministry at your church. And the Cookie Exchange sounds yummy. God Bless you for your service!
ReplyDeletethanks for chance to win ....I'm gfc follower
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
APPLE BLOSSOM you are quite welcome!! Thanks for being a follower and Good Luck in the drawing!
ReplyDeleteYes Teresa I can understand that, it a strange Dutch version, if you are Catholic in Holland you also spell it like Miriam, but I'll listen to almost everything so thats no problem :) and OF and no I am not in a Christian ministry, if I would be in one and if they would have me :) it would be music, I love to sing. When I lived in Canada a was in the choir, that was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteMIRJAM thats great that you enjoy singing hopefully you can find another choir to join and since you are willing I am sure they will accept you. Nothing better than a sweet person that loves to sing! ;)
ReplyDeleteI could have sworn I already entered this contest...Oh well, I wish to enter. This book sounds great and if Carrie is recommending it, it must be good. My ministry is in teaching Sunday School. I have taught for over 25 years, ages ranging from pre-school age through 5th grade. It is truly a blessing to teach children, although exhausting at times. Have a blessed weekend.
ReplyDeletedebsbunch5[at]jesusanswers[dot]com
Thanks so much for all of the nice comments about the book that Mindy wrote (and I helped)
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you all and have a great weekend.
Kim Alexis
KIM!!! We are so excited to have you visit with us! Am I shocked or what! I am going to call TERESA right now and tell her. I thought it might be a prank but the link took me to your website, lol! You have a blessed weekend, too!!!
ReplyDeleteKIM, you are so beautiful! Thank you for co-writing this wonderful book with Mindy and for stopping by our blog. You two make a dynamic duo!
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! KIM!! What a honor that you came by!! Thank you so much, I really enjoyed your book, it was such a pleasure to read. I hope you and Mindy decide to pair up again, it would be fantastic. I hope it was ok that I called you and Mindy the dynamic duo! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by KIM! That was a humble comment. I like you! ;)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Teresa! I just said that in my comment above thinking I was being original!! You did happen to mention that in your review, tho, so that settles it. Out of the mouth of one or two witnesses it is established! ;)
ReplyDeleteTERESA, I wish I could have been there on Monday. Next time lunch in Holland. :D
ReplyDeleteI also love to laugh. I had a couple of years without much laughter and those years were not fun at all! Laughter is a gift from God!
Teresa, thanks for the great review of "Beauty to Die For". It sounds like a fun book. I do enjoy the chick lit mysteries, so I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeletePresently, my ministries include: providing a home for my daughter and her 4 children. Two of the children are new to my home(step-children). Their father (my son-in-law) is preparing to deploy in the Navy. Every weekday, I provide after-school care and tutoring/homework help. One of the children needs much help--up to 2 hours each afternoon. (I am a retired teacher). It has been a big change for me, but I know this is what the Lord has asked me to do.
I forgot may email
ReplyDeletemay_dayzeeATyahoDOTcom
OF
Pick me! Pick me! This sounds so cool!!! Loved the review, TERESA :)
ReplyDeleteMIRJAM, are you in Holland? Three of my books have been translated into Dutch: Je Geld of Je Levin (A Penny for Your Thoughts), De Roep Van Het Moeras (Whispers of the Bayou), and Schaduw Over Lancaster County (Shadows of Lancaster County). It's always fun to see my own words translated into a language I don't even speak!
ReplyDeleteDEBBIE, how wonderful that you have taught for that long. What a great ministry.
KIM, so glad you stopped by--but don't be so modest. It was definitely a team effort all the way!
TERESA, by all means you can call us the dynamic duo. Love it!
KAY, bless you for this ministry! May God give you much love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control!
Hi ANNE, good luck!
MARIAN I so wish it could be in HOLLAND next time. We did miss you and NOELA, and we did talk about how we wished you both could be with us. You would have had a blast laughing with us. Especially when Carrie dropped a huge amount of change under the table and Susan and I thought Carrie and Diana were going to butt heads when Diana was trying to pick it up. Dear Carrie was thinking about the waitress and how she could have the extra change as a bonus. TOO FUNNY! I think Susan and I had our giggle boxes turned upside down (a phrase my mom used to say all the time when I was a kid)!!
ReplyDeleteKIMK what better ministry than taking care of your precious grandbabies. I pray the Lord will protect you SIL and give you the strength that you need to continue to minister to your babies.
ReplyDeleteANNE...thank you, I know you would love this book it was such a great read! GOOD LUCK!! :)
ReplyDeleteLike the simple art on the cover. Eyecatching.
ReplyDeleteIf I can still enter, I would love to win this! I do nursery and children's church for the under 5 crowd. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteVeronica-OF
KAYM, CONGRATS! You are our second winner this week for a book by MINDY Starns Clark!!! Congrats!!! Thanks for being one of our followers, too!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS KAYM!!!!! Hope you enjoy the book!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am looking forward to reading my first book by Mindy Starnes Clark!
ReplyDelete