Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson. Review!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Lock, Stock and Over a Barrel B&H Publishing Group (April 30, 2013) by Melody Carlson

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, Daphne 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 Daphne, going back home is an easy choice. What isn’t easy is coming to terms with the downright odd clauses written into the will.

Daphne 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 Daphne 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 Review:
This author wrote a different kind of plot. She started with the surprises, and then she wrote about the characters reaction to them. I didn't have to wait until the end to find out Aunt Dot's stipulations, but instead I got to read about Daphne's reaction to them. It was fun to read about Dot's secrets and I was shocked to learn about them. I do not want to spoil it for other readers, but I though that it was very clever and made the  story more interesting. I am excited that this is the first book in a series and am definitely going to be reading the rest.
I enjoyed the "Dear Daphne" letters and equally enjoyed the answers that "Dear Daphne" sent back. Eventually I would like to see the author release a book of just the "Dear Daphne" advice column. The book did not finish all of the stipulations, and that cost the book a star for me.
I am giving this book a 4/5. I was given a copy to review, however all opinions are my own.