Acting Up

Covington Falls Chronicles #2

by Kristin Wallace

Addison Covington is the reigning Ice Queen of television. Until her producer husband falls in love with her on-screen daughter and a well-placed punch on national television casts her as the wicked ex-wife. Fired and disgraced, she escapes to Covington Falls, the idyllic Southern town where she found comfort in a time of turmoil as a teenager.


Life is constantly on the brink of chaos for widower Ethan Thomas. Being a single father is one challenge. As a high school principal he also has to deal with hundreds of students and their interfering parents. Now, he’s short one drama teacher and if he doesn’t find a replacement to direct the spring musical he’s going to have a riot on his hands. His childhood neighbor, Addison Covington, could be an answer to prayer. Or one more complication he can’t afford.


Before Addison can say “Casting Call” she's drafted to direct the high school musical. Soon she’d dealing with some off-key caterwauling, a bitter stepson showing up on her doorstep, and the boy-next-door turned sexiest high school principal she's ever met. One thing Addison and Ethan agree on is that there’s no room in their lives for romance. He’s got too much at stake, and she needs to reclaim her former glory in Hollywood. In the end, these two lost souls will choreograph a happy ending with the help of Grace, Love and a Curtain Call.

421 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Growing up Kristin devoured books like bags of Dove Dark Chocolate. Her first Golden Book led to Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew, Encyclopedia Brown, C.S. Lewis and the Sweet Valley High series. Later, she discovered romance novels and fell in love all over again. It’s no surprise then that Kristin would one day try her hand at writing them. She writes inspirational romance and women’s fiction filled with love, laughter and a leap of faith. When she’s not writing her next novel, Kristin works as an advertising copywriter for clients that have included the Miami Marlins, Discovery Networks, The Peabody Hotel, Radisson Seven Seas Cruises and Sea World. She also enjoys singing in her church choir and worship team and playing flute in a community orchestra.

Reviews

[Wilani Wahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Loved the message of this book. I found it difficult to put the book down.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addison gets a letter from her great aunt at the perfect time. She has just filmed her last scene on the show she just got fired from. She got fired for hitting another actress who had just sole her husband. She goes back to the only home she ever really remembers to hide from the media and get her head clear. The small town is just what she needs. Eden lost his wife years ago and besides taking care of twin boys he is also the principle of the high school. When the parents hound him to find a director for the school play he ask Addison if she would do it. She agrees and gets more than she bargains for. She had a crush on Eden years ago but he is still grieving his wife and she is grieving her marriage. They both have different thoughts and while they clearly like each other they both are on borrowed time.

Wow this story simply blew me away. I fell in love with Addison right away. It may not have been right but just knowing she hit the husband stealing was great. To bad she didn't get him as well. She has ben broken down emotionally and going back to a small town is clearly great for her. Most think she would be snobby being rich and famous but she isn't. She is down to earth and knows how to make people feel good about themselves. Eden is the sexy boy next door all grown up into a wonderful man who loves his kids and all the kids in his school. He is simply too good for words.

After reading this book I have to say I need more by this author. She is a wonderful writer. The town she has create makes you want to pack up and move there if it really exist.Note to self check for it on a map. It isn't just the hot men but the whole community that makes you wish you where there. I liked all the characters except maybe the ex husband but he does do one good thing and that is let Addison keep his son. I love Addison for what she does for that boy! I know I mentioned the sexy men but I have to say while I enjoy steamy books this one is clean and it is very refreshing actually. Both Addison and Eden have to learn to move on and they both actually use God to help them. I don't like books that shove religion down your throat. This one has religion in it but it really has a special place in it and makes the book very different and wonderful. I love everything about this book and really hated to see it end. I will definitely be buying more from this author.

[Gina Hott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hott Synopsis:
Addison Covington needs an escape. Her dreams of happily ever after went down the drain right along with her career when Addison punched her hubby’s new girl.
Fortunately, she knows there is one place to heal – her Great Aunt’s – where’s she’s healed before. What she wasn’t expecting was how the town and life would drag her in. First there’s the spring play with no director, then there’s the step-son with no direction, lastly there’s the school principle with no wife.
What everyone does have, in this town, is God, and Addison isn’t sure she can trust Him again.

Hott Review:
What I liked: I LOVED this book! There was so much & I devoured it. Actually I was shocked at how many pages there where because I’d read it so quickly.
I thought it was really fun the way the author managed to work the title, Acting Up, into the plot in so many ways.
This is a romance for older adults who are working on regrouping after that first time didn’t go as planned. It was a wonderful change of pace and the writing is fun and very interesting.
Kristin Wallace is one author I’m going to need to watch for!!
What I didn’t like: I missed episode one — I’m going to need to catch that!

More…
Author: Kristin Wallace
Source: Astraea Press
Grade: A
Ages: 18+
Steam: It’s not steamy per se just some steamy kissing that some teens shouldn’t be reading.
Setting: Covington Falls
Series: Covington Falls Chronicles Book 2

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great novel. I can truly say I love Covington Falls, Georgia. I enjoyed watching Addison as she tried to deny her feelings for Ethan but knowing that her Aunt Ruth, Ethan's kids, Jason and Carson, and her step-son, Aaron would make her come to the the right decision in the end. I loved watching as Addison took the school musical and made it into a true love story for the kids she was working with. I love how she made a difference in Michelle's life. Not only that, I loved how Addison was so clear-headed when dealing with problems in her life. I wish I could do that with a similar grace.

I actually had started reading MARRY ME, the first book in this series, but at work I started reading ACTIING UP and I just couldn't put it down. I is definitely amazing. I will read all the books in this series for sure. I'll make MARRY ME next on my TBR list.

If you like Christian fiction, you will adore this. I had no idea this was a Christian book when I first started reading it. But I think people who haven't tried Christian fiction would like this too. I mean, who doesn't love a story about a soap opera star coming back to her small town hometown and finding love. It is a no brainer!

5 Sars!

I received this as an ARC pdf copy from Astraea Press in return for an honest review. Honestly amazing.

[Pauline Creeden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun, engrossing read. At nearly 40, Addison's story is an excellent combination of romance and "hen lit" -- in her search to find herself, she finds a lasting love as well. Even though this is the second book in a series, it works perfectly as a stand-alone. I haven't yet read book one, but didn't feel like I missed much in reading this one first.

It's a feel good romance, one that will leave you misty-eyed in places and possibly needing a hanky. The author writes so well, that even though it's a full-length novel, I finished it in one day and didn't want to put it down. It was better than watching a movie. And I love this sort of romantic comedy. Inspirational and motivating, this story will leave you with the feeling that all things are possible with love...and with God.

*A free copy of this book was given to me in exchange for an honest, not necessarily positive, review.*

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot principal, beautiful actress

I have read Book 1 and book 4 in this series previous to reading this. It was a great book, with a Christian perspective but real people who don't act perfect and have real troubles. The hero, Ethan, is a widower with twin boys who still loves his wife who has passed immensely, but there is a big part of him that is ready to live and love, but is scared. Oh and did I mention he is tall, masculine, handsome and HOT?! The heroine, Addison, is beautiful but has been deeply hurt by a philandering husband. The road to romance for these two was not an easy one but it had a wonderful HEA. There are also great secondary characters, great aunt and stepson of the h; family members and twin sons of H. Also a good story line involving a high school play. Now onto book 3 :)

[Brenda Demko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been on a roll lately with outstanding books finding their way to me. This was no exception. The story was inspirational while being realistic. There was romance, doubt, minor violence, anger, disappointment, bratty and not so bratty teens, adorable little boys, a Hollywood star, a high school musical (NOT the High School Musical!), a small town, romance, awesome characters, etc.... Need I go on?

Acting Up was way more than I expected when I agreed to read it. I thought it was fantastic!

I received an ecopy in exchange for my honest opinion. I really would like to read more from this author.

[Virginia Boylan · Rating 2 out of 5]

An enjoyable story with a likable heroine and too-good hero. Despite his haunting guilt trip over his late wife, Ethan is almost too perfect. Addison is also unbelievably good as she settles down in her picture-perfect home town and wrestles with her past. Her rebellious stepson is the best part of the story, but even he seems to come around to wanting to be a good boy too easily. If only real life was this easily resolved. Well-written, this mild inspirational is fine if you don’t care to dig too deeply into reality.

[Charlene Amsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning! This book kept me up all night!

This story is well written, filled with characters real enough to live next door, and will take your emotions on an exhilarating roller coaster ride. I thought I'd read for an hour before bed to unwind, and I stayed up until 3 a.m. Because I couldn't bear to put the book down. I have one left in the story to read -- the first one. I'm reading them all out of order, and they're still wonderful.

[The Suburban Eclectic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Acting Up is like The Courtship of Eddie's Father meets 7th Heaven. Although, Acting Up is formulaic and predictable there is something pleasant about it's amiable and sweet style. I would recommend it for those that like a clean, cute story.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read!!! Kristin Wallace is a great author. I love her writing style. Really enjoying the Covington Falls characters.