Ain’t Misbehaving Review and Giveaway!

Posted by abakersp in Contemporary / 3 Comments

Ain't Misbehaving FB Cover copy

About the Book

00 Final Front

Title: Ain’t Misbehaving

Author: Marji Laine

Genre: Contemporary Inspirational Fiction

Release Date: January 16, 2017

True, Annalee’s crime amounted to very little, but not in terms of community service hours. Her probation officer encouraged her with a promise of an easy job in an air conditioned downtown environment. She didn’t expect her role to be little better than a janitor at an after-school day care in the worst area of town. Through laughter and a few tears, Annalee finds out that some lessons are learned the hard way, and some seep into the soul unnoticed.

Carlton Whelen hides behind the nickname of CJ so people won’t treat him like the wealthy son of the Whelen Foundation director. Working at the foundations after-school program delights him and annoys his business-oriented father. When a gorgeous prima donna is assigned to his team, he not only cringes at her mistakes, but also has to avoid the attraction that builds from the first time he sees her.

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My Perspective

You know the old saying, you can’t judge a book by its cover? That can easily be applied to the characters in this story. This was a refreshing reminder that just because a person may be high society, doesn’t mean they are a bad person. Quite often we are quick to judge someone based on their social position, much like Margo did. And shame on us. Annalee and CJ are both prime examples of why we shouldn’t do that.

Annalee was the total opposite of what I was expecting from her character. She did not want to use her family’s position to get her out of trouble. Instead she wanted to work, and be held accountable for her actions. I found her to be very endearing and selfless. Sure, she and a few lessons to learn throughout the story, but she tried her best, which is all we can really do.

While I liked the slow growing relationship between her and CJ, I almost wished it could have been a little bit more. I expected to see more of a dynamic love triangle between Annalee, CJ and Laurel. But I did enjoy the court scene near the end. It seems that justice does come to those who are deserving.

Overall this was a good book to read that gives you hope. Hope that there are still people in the world who want to make a difference. I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

  About the Author

Marji LaineMarji Laine has completed seventeen years of homeschooling with the surreal notion that

she’ll now have time on her hands. But that’s unlikely. Her publishing company, Write Integrity Press, keeps her extremely busy. In her spare time, she teaches a high school and college Bible Study, leads a Sunday morning high school fellowship group, directs a children’s choir, and sings in her church’s adult choir.

She enjoys road trips with her family and friends, photography, scrapbooking, and participating in musical theater. Her favorite past time is game night with her family and her kids’ extended collection of friends.

 

Guest Post from Marji Laine

AIN’T MISBEHAVING delves into the depth of life from the perspective of a shallow, sheltered woman. Annalee Chambers has been raised to pay attention to all aspects of society, particularly the appearance of success. Being cultured and socially-educated, she’s not really prepared to work in one of the poorest sections of town. And she’s really not expecting to find such joy intertwined with such poverty.

Having my story set in my hometown has some fun aspects. I got to handpick the homes for the main characters and the locations for the after-school program. And even now when I drive past some of those places, I get all excited about the story again.

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Photo by Andreas Praefcke via Wikimedia Commons

For instance, I chose a particular building downtown to be CJ’s (the hero’s) condo. It’s in One Arts Plaza. This condo was for sale when I was writing the book so I was able to download actual pictures of the place including the view from its southeast facing patio. You’ll laugh, but I don’t drive by that building without looking up to the 18th floor and half expecting to see CJ standing there.

AIN’T MISBEHAVING goes much deeper than only the setting, though. It was written a number of years ago, so many that I barely remembered the storyline. But when I started editing, I was moved to tears again and again. These characters are so real, and I would love to meet them!

I hope you’ll enjoy AIN’T MISBEHAVING and watch for Annalee and CJ to have an extra special cameo part in Book 2 of the Dallas Duets, PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ.

Blog Stops

Jeanette’s Thoughts, January 27

Janices book reviews, January 27

Remembrancy, January 28

Mary Hake, January 28

Reflections From My Bookshelves, January 29

Inklings and Notions, January 29

Texas Book-aholic, January 30

Carpe Diem, January 31

A Baker’s Perspective, February 1

Multifarious, February 2

Daysong Reflections, February 2

Bibliophile Reviews, February 3

proud to be an autism mom, February 4

Power of Words, February 4 (spotlight)

A Greater Yes, February 5

Reading is my Super Power, February 5 (Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 6

margaret kazmierczak, February 6 (interview)

Simple Harvest Reads, February 7 (Guest review from Mindy Houng)

Bigreadersite, February 8

Avid Reader Book Reviews, February 8

Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, February 9

Pursuing Stacie, February 9

Giveaway

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To celebrate her tour, Marji is giving away a grand prize of Dallas chocolates, Texas snack box, and a packet of Bluebonnet seeds!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c516

3 responses to “Ain’t Misbehaving Review and Giveaway!

  1. Kay Garrett

    Thank you for your honest review on “Ain’t Misbehaving” and for being part of the book tour with Celebrate LIt.

    Sounds like it would be an interesting book to read.
    2clown@arkansas.net