Julia - Small Town, Big Dreams

Smitten Novella #2

by Kristin Billerbeck

When a group of friends devise a plan to turn Smitten, Vermont, into the country s premier romantic getaway, Julia finds her own true love along the way.

With the local lumber mill closing, residents wonder if their town can stay afloat. Then four friends and local business owners Natalie, Julia, Shelby, and Reese decide the town is worth saving. How will they do it? They ll turn Smitten into a honeymoon destination!

In "Small Town, Big Dreams" by Kristin Billerbeck, Julia Bourne has big city dreams for her hometown of Smitten. Will grill owner, Jake Grant, send her plans up in smoke?

Excerpted from "Smitten, " a novel in four parts written by Christian Fiction s most popular romance novelists and real life BFFs!

Genres: Romance, Novella, Christian, Contemporary, Anthologies, Christian Fiction

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 6, 2012

About the author

About Kristin
I grew up with a strong sense of justice. I simply knew the way things should be. And since I’m not smart enough to be a district attorney, I am a novelist. My childhood was slightly confusing. I blame my parents for this. Oh heck, I’m going to blame them for everything. I think I would have turned out normal if it weren’t for them.
the billerbeck's

Okay, probably not. I am a fourth-generation Californian, and an American mutt, but identify most strongly with my Italian heritage. My mother’s family, of strong Norwegian/German descent, tried to teach me how to do things right. How to cook, clean, sew, budget accordingly – all the things a proper young girl should know to be a contributing member of society. I, however, failed miserably. For my 40th birthday, my grandmother gave me a cookie gun, so it’s clear she hasn’t given up on me yet! That is eternal optimism!

My dad’s Italian family taught me about the good life. The indulgent life. How to eat, shop and be merry. My Nana had very tiny feet and a penchant for shoes (she worked at the Emporium, no doubt to fund her shoe addiction). My afternoons at her house had no lessons, other than how to walk in her high heels, drape myself in her mink stole and drip myself with rhinestones. Tastefully, of course. I picked up on this lifestyle much quicker.

I graduated San Jose State University with a degree in Journalism & Mass Communications (emphasis in Advertising), gave my life to Jesus during college and found my true love in a Christian Singles’ Group, which yes, I skewer in “What a Girl Wants”. He is German. Practical. And a Contributing Member of Society. I am still Italian, fluffy and an aficionado of fine shoes & handbags.

Together, we have four children and now it’s our turn to confuse them. The circle of life. Dysfunctional family style.

Reviews

[Caitlyn Santi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this novella. I thought it was great that Julia and Zak have known each other since they were children, and loved each other for a long time but were both too stubborn to admit it. That provided a good angle for the story and kept it from feeling like instant romance. I liked both the characters and found myself relating to Julia's desire for independence yet wanting to feel like the men in her life truly cared about her and appreciated all she was capable of. For myself, having lived my entire life in a tiny Vermont town, I've wanted to read these stories since they were first released And I have to say the authors (Kristin Billerbeck especially) did an amazing job of depicting the fictional town of Smitten! It's rare to see stories set in my home state so I am thrilled to say that I loved the way this story depicted Vermont, (Actually, based on the mention of other real towns that were near Smitten, if Smitten was a real place it wouldn't be that far from where I live. I found myself wanting to meet Julia and her friends at Ben and Jerry's! That's how 'into' the story I became!) I loved the epilogue too, it was oh so sweet. I look forward to reading the rest of the book, as well the two sequels, Secretly Smitten and Smitten Book Club!

[Gwen Hopkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the rural small town setting.

The closeness and long time knowledge of the characters was wonderful. If you have not lived in a setting like this, it might be difficult to imagine.

[Janet Merrell · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK novella. Enjoyed it more than the first. Liked how the couple had known each other since childhood.

[Heidi Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this little second installment of the Smitten series! :) I especially loved the believable growth in the characters! Now, for Shelby's story! :)

[Janis Conner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. No

[Andrew Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had trouble following all the dialogue in this book. Topics continued to jump back and forth. I did like the idea of the relationship but I did get frustrated with Him sometimes.