When I was first asked if I wanted to review The Bunko Babes I almost passed. Chick lit really isn’t my thing and if I knew then about the strong Christian influence, I definitely would have just said no.
If I had, I would have missed out on a great story. Leah Starr Baker has put together a believable cast of characters in her debut novel, The Bunko Babes. The main character, Becca Thornton, wrestles with such issues as what to wear, shopping, and the onset of a debilitating disease. Through all of this, her faith and love for her family shines through.
Becca and her closest friends form a group to play Bunko each week. While I am still not too sure what Bunko actually IS, it sounded like something fun and wholesome to do while hubby has taken the kids out for an evening.
When I began reading, I felt no kinship with these women. The group of friends reminded me of something straight from Pine Valley (All My Children on ABC). Preening, sexy, thinner than me, and somehow…shiny. I did not want to like these characters. In spite of myself, I began to care about them, one by one. Honestly, how many of us really get to go out on shopping sprees, hit the spa, or have perfect husbands? Not many, at least out of the tons of women I have met.
When you pull back that shiny skin, you begin to see the hardships that the circle of friends face. Certain problems strike anyone, anytime, regardless of their financial situation or religious affiliation. This is what Bunko Babes showcases with startling clarity. I found myself not feeling so jaded by my own life once I read a few chapters. By the end, I was thinking of how my own circle of friends match up with the girls in Bunko Babes. We may not be so rich, but we all rely on one another more than we think.
Have a friend whose birthday is coming up? You can find Bunko Babes at:
Amazon
Amazon
and other book outlets online.
Want to read more about Bunko Babes and Leah Starr Baker? Check out Blogstop Book Tours for listings off other blogs that will be hosting reviews!
4 comments:
Thanks Berto. :-)
Wow! All I can say is thanks for your insightful review of my novel "The Bunko Babes". I can't express what joy I feel when I read that someone has truly got the message I was trying to convey. Becca and her Babes have become like dear friends to me and are compilations of the many women who have touched my life over the years. I have definitely learned that friends are more valuable than gold. I am glad to hear that you have friends like that as well. Many Bunko Blessings, Leah Starr Baker
Leah, thanks for stopping by the blog. I am glad you enjoyed the review. I forgot to mention in it that I read the book the same day it came in, couldn't put it down!
One more thing, it was a very nice touch to have it autographed, made me feel pretty special. Good luck with your book and I can't wait to read the next ones!
In one sitting? I'm truly honored. As a busy wife and mother, I can only imagine how challenging that feat must have been. Again, thanks for the kudos. And good night to my fellow fiction lovers. It's time to put the kids down and crawl into bed with another great book.
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