About the Author
Julie is a forty-something, dangerously close to becoming a fifty-something, graduate from San Diego State University with a BA in Political Science. In addition, she has a Masters in Social Work form the University of Alabama, which has only made her better able to recognize the unhealthy, codependent relationship she has with writing. Professionally, she has worked in teaching and as a marriage and family counselor. She is the author of four women’s fiction novels, including Count Down to Love, a 2011 Whitney Award finalist. When She’s not writing she entertains delusions of being a master gardener, that is, when she’s not killing the unsuspecting plants in her yard with her good intentions. She lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, two daughters, a Betta named Bob, and a Scottish fold kitten, Ardweal.
Julie can be found at her website, Twitter, and Facebook.
Book Information
Home Matters by Julie Ford
Publisher: HEA Publishing
Publication Date: March 10, 2014
Genre: Romance
Purchase: Amazon
Book Synopsis
“According to her mother, Olivia Pembroke was born to be a star. But how is she supposed to be famous when she can’t even get a decent acting gig? Her lucky break comes when she lands an audition for a wildly popular home improvement show. Even though she has no design training and has never held a power tool, she refuses to let that stop her. She’s confident that her destiny is finally within reach.
When her affection are torn between her heartthrob co-host and the irritating, yet somehow endearing lead contractor, does she continue to reach for the stars? Or does she deign a new happily ever after? One that leads not to the fading lights of fame and fortune, but to a love that will burn forever.
The Ripple Effect Romance Series
“Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different coursse — one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love.”
Home Matters is the first book in the Ripple Effect Romance Series. Come back in exactly two weeks for a review of Silver Linings and then every two weeks after that I will review the other books in the series. I will link the list below with all the reviews as I release them if you’d like to bookmark this page for future reference!
Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford
Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin
Book 3: Righting a Wrong by Rachael Anderson
Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White
Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver
Book 6: Immersed by Jennifer Griffith
My Review
Home Matters is a novella, a shorter novel, and is the first book to kick-off the Ripple Effect Romance Series. Home Matters follows Olivia who is a budding actress who just got her big break, a starring role on the hit reality show Home Matters. However, once she starts filming she quickly realizes that things are not as they are portrayed on TV. Olivia is expected to just sit back and be the face to Eleanor’s, the head designer, designs…even if the designs go against what Olivia knows are the home owners wishes.
In her personal life, Olivia falls for her co-star William and the two start a whirlwind affair. However, Olivia feels a pull, that she quickly dismisses, towards Pete, the carpenter for the show. Olivia tries to ignore the pull that she feels towards Pete, and forces herself to invest in the relationship with William. Olivia has a hard time deciding if the pull of her heart for design and Pete are worth what she would give up by going with her head which says acting and William.
All-in-all this was a great kick-off to the series, and the main character from the next book makes a small cameo in this story. The characters of Olivia, William, and Pete were all really well developed and while I knew what kind of person William was going to turn out to be I wasn’t expecting what actually happens with him. My only complaint with the book was that I felt the ending was a bit rushed, I would have actually have preferred for this to be a full novel instead of a novella. This has me waiting in anticipation for the next novel in the series.
Rating
4 out of 5
Thank you SO much for taking the time to read and review Home Matters! I really appreciate your support =D
It was a great read. I can’t wait to go and find more of your books to read 🙂
I don’t have that much time to read, so if I do, it’s usually a novella. This one sounds like one I would really like to read.
Sounds like an interesting book. I’m still working my way through A Song of Ice and Fire series, so this might be a good read once I finish that!
This sounds like a good, easy read that I would really enjoy! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This sounds like such a cute read. Thanks for the review!
I like the sound of this! romances are fun for reading 🙂
This sounds like a super cute book. Reminds me of Trading Spaces.
I’ve been looking for good books to take on vacation with me- this sounds like a hit! Thank you!
I love the whole “torn between two people” type of deal. Gosh, somedays I’d love to live these characters lives to see what it feels like.
Sounds like an interesting read, my sister would enjoy it.
I can’t help but play this novella out as in the show “Tool Time” from Home Improvement…. Tim and Al competing for the love of Heidi 🙂
I seriously thought that at one point while reading it!
Sounds like a good book. I wish I had more time to read, dang it!
This sounds like a very interesting read! I will have to check it out….thanks for your review!
I like series where I can continue with the character. Sounds like a great read!
This sounds like a great book! Thanks for sharing your review!
I admit I laughed out loud about the Masters helping her know even more of her relationship woes with writing. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This sounds like a really good read! I’m going to check out all of her stories.
This sounds right up my alley. I definitely want to read it (and probably the whole series!)
This looks like a pretty good book series. I love how the covers aren’t over the top but still show romance.
I love easy reading!
The book sounds like a very good read. Adding them to my list of summer book to read. I read by the pool in the summer time!
This sounds like an interesting read. I will check it out for my teenie bopper.
This sounds like a great series. Good for beach reading!
sounds like it’s a pretty nifty book. definitely something people would enjoy. i’m not really into romance though.
Been loving all your book reviews lately!
I love that you’re sharing all these books…..this one looks AWESOME!
I thought at first that reviewing book on a beauty blog might be a bad idea BUT it seems to be going over well 🙂
Thanks for the review. This is another book I am going to have to add to my to read list.
The cover is cute, but it doesn’t seem very”romance novel” to me. It’s probably not one I’d pick up. I have so little time to read these days, I have to be very selective with my time and a lot of time the cover art is the make or break for me.
Now this looks like a book I would read! I love reading about people that seem real.
I love series and this sound like it would be a good read!
I like the looks of this book. I hate when I think a book is a book and it turns out to be a novella. But I know this up front about this one!
I love a good romance novel! I will have to check this out, my daughter and I are constantly looking for a new book series to read
I novellas! It’s about all I have time for nowadays. Looks like a great read.
What a great read! I’m always a fan of a good romance novel.
I love to read and this sounds like a fun series with well developed characters.
Another great review – I always look forward to hearing your suggestions. My reading list is getting longer and longer!
This sounds like one to add to my collection. I really need to find more time to read.
i judge books by their cover and I like this cover. i like indulging in a little romance reading.
This sounds like an interesting read. I will have to keep it in mind the next time I am looking for books to add to my reading collection.
I always find novellas too short! Lol! I’m like “GIVE ME MORE!”
My husband and I will probably be doing some small renovations in our next home, don’t know how romantic that will be since we’re already married and will probably argue more than kiss.
I absolutely love romance novels, so Home Matters sounds like my kind of book! I will be adding it to my to-read list!