The Class Reunion Series - by Debby Mayne Pretty Is As Pretty Does & Bless Her Heart & Tickled Pink

This is a three book series! I shall give you my brief reviews of all three books!
Pretty Is As Pretty Does, is the first book and in this book we meet all our man characters. I had to read this series, because it is in Mississippi. (I have lived there! Aggg!) It is time for the 10 year class high-school reunion! Priscilla is now a very successful hairdresser. She owns 3 salons and counting. You'd think her parents would be proud, but instead they are still put out that she didn't finish collage. She is single, and almost 30. She had a man who loves her, but can she even see him? Tim knows he is "below" Priscilla, but it doesn't stop him from loving her, nor working to win her over. He is a strong steady fellow, he just didn't go to collage, and his vocabulary is something he works on all the time to impress Priscilla. He is her date for the reunion, but her old flame from high-school will be there. What changes will that cause? And what is going on with Priscilla's parents?

Laura is marred to Pete, the high-school drunk. Together they have four children and Laura is trying to head up this whole reunion. Frankly, her life is falling apart in shambles.

Celeste was never pretty, she never took care to look good. Her life is about to change somewhat due to Priscilla's care.

Trudy is also falling apart. Divorced from her high-school sweetheart, she has to face him at the reunion with his newest "thing" on his arm. She hasn't been able to put her "perfect" beauty pageant image together since the divorce, and she is hurting and suffering.

The glue holding them all partly together is prayer, and Priscilla's work to make these ladies beautiful for the night of their reunion party. I found Priscilla's character to be strong, and sweet, and she just made the book! I did connect with some of the other characters too, and I thought that the first book was a great introduction to the series! I have to say thank you Debby Mayne for using a MS. phone # at the front of this book. That just make me smile from page one on out!

Bless Her Heart is the second book in this series. Oh my goodness! It has been five years already! It is now time for the fifteen-year reunion for Piney Point High. It is time to check back and and see how the lives of the people we met in the first book are progressing now.

They are definitely progressing! Things you might never thought would be a conflict, are now in conflict! Priscilla's parents are separated, and things are very strained to say the least! Someone is stealing, and lives are falling apart. People are trying to hold it together. Most of them aren't succeeding with that, and a few are learning to lean on God, and how to cope! While some relationships are falling into pieces, others are struggling and a few --- just a few are improving. There is an ice plant that is very interesting too. You should read about that part. Tim has some tough choices to make, as do several other folks. A few folks have tied the "knot" while others are miserably divorced, or in worse jams. We didn't loose any of our main characters, so the moment I finished this one, I started reading the next book!

Tickled Pink is the final book in this series. It can stand alone more than the middle book, but it is a wonderful end to this series. Priscilla has about reached the majority of her goals! She has Ms. Prissy Big Hair on the shopping network. Her name is a household word! She has salons that she owns all over the USA. She has it "all", or does she? Her Dad isn't in her life much of late, and her Mother is doing some shocking things, one of which is dating! Oh Poor Priscilla to watch her Mamma date after almost 30 years of marriage! Tim's life is changing drastically. Pete and Laura and their four young'uns have had some major issues that are still in progress. When a stalker photographs Tim and Priscilla, and sells the photos to the tabloids, it shows Tim that he is going to have get totally away from Priscilla and move on with his life, or get her to fall for him once and for all. Some of our folks are with child, and others are going through massive heart-aches. They have all matured in the last 15 years, but is it enough for them to all get along and get their lives on the paths that God wants them to be on?

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this series, and yes... Ms. Mayne captured much of life in Mississippi very well. I have experience, I know! While some of it is toned down from real life there, other things are just as real as what I am praying my friends there through. This series shows life, the ups-downs, ins and outs of some people who are well written enough that if they were based (even loosely) off some friends of a friend - I wouldn't be shocked. It is that real. Don't read this series if you don't want to smile, laugh, or almost cry, because this is real life in book format.

Carol :) 

This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Book Link- Pretty is as Pretty Does 

Book Link- Bless Her Heart 

Book Link- Tickled Pink 

(Abingdon Press March 1, 2007)

by

Debby Mayne

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debby Mayne is a best-selling author who has published more than 25 books and novellas, 400 short stories and articles, and devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor, and a copy editor and proofreader. Her novel, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from RT Book Review, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July. She and her husband Wally have two grown daughters, and live in Palm Harbor, Florida.


 ABOUT THE BOOKS

Priscilla Slater goes to her ten-year high school reunion with equal parts dread and eager anticipation. Even though she’s a successful owner of a chain of hair salons and no longer has the mousy brown hair, crooked teeth, and discount-store wardrobe, she still feels like the ugly duckling. But when she arrives at the reunion, Priscilla soon realizes that her old classmates aren't exactly as she remembers them. With humor and a just a touch of sassiness, Priscilla finds herself facing her own truth—and she may be surprised at what she discovers.

As Priscilla Slater’s 15-year class reunion approaches, she decides to attend out of curiosity… and to flaunt her latest achievement—taking her business to a national level with the possibility of a TV show. As if getting ready for the event and putting up with the pranks of her former classmates isn’t enough, Priscilla’s hometown visit is further complicated by her parents’ separation. With the once-solid sanctuary of her home broken at the foundation, there’s only one thing Priscilla’s parents can agree on: no matter what sort of accolades their daughter receives as a hair stylist, she’s not living up to her potential. Eager to escape the painful reality of her childhood home, Priscilla bolts as soon as a call from New York brings good news: her offer to purchase one of the best salons in the country is likely to come through. But returning to New York means returning to Tim, Priscilla’s best friend and business pal who has been impatiently suggesting their relationship should be more than a friendship. Despite her recent achievements, will Priscilla learn that success doesn't always result in popularity—or love?

Priscilla Slater shows up at her 20-year reunion as a national celebrity. Her hair salon dynasty has skyrocketed, and to top it off, she has her own line of hair products. She has become a huge success with the “Ms. Prissy Big Hair” line that lets women with the thinnest of locks get the coveted “big hair” look so popular in the South. Her classmates have finally come to terms with adulthood, but they’re handling it with the grace of a Southern woman wearing white after Labor Day. It’s just downright awkward! Asserting the maturity that her classmates have often lacked, Priscilla holds her head high. But she can’t ignore everything. When she catches her mother in the arms of her former high school principal, Priscilla can’t get out of town fast enough. Eager to get back to her more comfortable life, Priscilla runs head on into an ultimatum: Tim tells her they’re not getting any younger—as if she has to be reminded.

The book links are at the top, with each book name! :)