Crescendo

Murrells Inlet Miracles #3

by Laurie Larsen

2019 Illumination Award Bronze Medalist!A Rags-to-Riches story in the world of country music ... with a twist!"We're Ace in the Hole. Let's let it roll!"The ride of a lifetime...

Aspiring country musician Blake Scott will do anything to catapult his band into the big time -- even if it means driving Uber to make ends meet. Encountering the beautiful and broken Haley Witherspoon on the worst night of her life, changes everything for him.

The black sheep of a wealthy family, Haley yearns to find passion to add purpose to her life. When Blake offers her the opportunity of a lifetime, she can't refuse. Managing Ace in the Hole is everything she needs -- and nothing she ever expected. Despite her family disowning her, Haley throws herself into helping the band reach success.

As Blake and Haley grow closer, she realizes that he's hiding something -- holding something back. Now it's up to Haley to uncover the truth about Blake's past while battling the vicious rumors that threaten to destroy the band. Putting their trust in God is their only hope. But will the faith they find in each other be enough to overcome the mounting danger, let go of the past, and create a future together?



The third book in the Murrells Inlet Miracles series of inspirational romance!Book 1: SanctuaryBook 2: RestorationBook 3: CrescendoBook 4: Capsized˃˃˃ A stand-alone story set in the Murrells Inlet Miracles world of inspirational romance˃˃˃ From the Award-winning author of the Pawleys Island Paradise seriesHeartwarming, life-changing Christian fiction.

Scroll up and grab a copy today.

244 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 4, 2018

About the author

Beachy, heartwarming and inspirational, Laurie Larsen's love stories contain a bit of faith in addition to the Happily Ever After. Her beloved Pawleys Island Paradise series gained fans, not only because of the stories and unforgettable characters, but the "arrogantly shabby" real-life island setting.

A multi-award winning author, she's won the EPIC Award for Best Spiritual Romance, the Illumination Book Award for Inspirational Romance Fiction and the eLit Award for Religious Fiction.

Laurie began her writing career back when she was juggling a challenging day job in Information Technology Management. Bewildered as to how an English major who loved to read discovered herself in a highly technical career path, writing became her creative release. Because "all good things come to those that wait," her reward finally arrived: retiring from the day job, moving to the beautiful South Carolina Lowcountry and writing novels full-time; at least, in between lathering on the sunscreen, walking the beach, and entertaining her feisty rescue pup, Weezer.

A member of Romance Writers of America for fifteen years, now, she's the President of an American Christian Fiction Writers chapter. She's lived her own Happily Ever After for over thirty years.

Want to stay in touch with Laurie?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurie...
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Newsletter: https://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/re...
Website: https://www.authorlaurielarsen.com/
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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Laurie-Larsen/...?

Reviews

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seldom has a band novel engaged me as much as this has!!!
A blend of faith, music, insecurity, romance and suspense that works together surprisingly well
The Lord's mercy and grace is clearly shown!
An excellent story line with good characterization

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haley Witherspoon and Blake Scott are from two different worlds. She grew up around money and has never had to worry about finances, so she's drifted from job to job never finding what would truly make her happy. Blake lost his parents to a house fire and works to support himself and his paraplegic brother Brett. I knew Blake was a good guy when he was Haley and Carly's uber driver in Restoration and he gave up earning any more fares to wait with them while Carly's daughter Grace was brought to the hospital. Haley takes over as Blake's band Ace in the Hole's manager and helps them find success and opportunities they've never dreamed of including helping Blake get a spot filling in as lead singer for established group Frontier. But Blake is not perfect. He questions Haley's motives and orders her to stop going after crazy Lindsay, who is secretly threatening his bands. When Haley forgets to pick up Brett at the airport because she is on her way to handle Lindsay, Blake in anger pretty much breaks up with her. His pride and his guilty over what happened to Brett and his inability to let him grow up are holding him back from true happiness and he could lose Haley forever because of it. Sweet Christian romance about finding your way in life and what will make you happy. I loved band mates Robbie and Jake and hope they get their own stories.

[Trudy Cordle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so enjoyed Blake and Haley's story! The story took some unexpected twists and turns, which just made me keep reading!! Haley had to learn that her worth wasn't in her last name or in her parents expectations for her. Her worth was in God and how she would let Him use her. Blake had to learn that he couldn't always be in control, and he didn't need to take on God's role in his life or Brent's. Brent would do just fine by learning to do things for himself. Just like you and I need to learn in our own lives.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, was not required to leave a review, and the opinion expressed is my own.

[Cathy R Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Career-wise, Haley has been drifting for years - trying one thing after another in an attempt to find something she is passionate about. Her family wanted her to go to college and become part of the family business, but she refused, and now they appear to have lost all faith in her. She's becoming discouraged - but then she meets Blake and his band, Ace in the Hole. They are playing in small bars, trying to break through into something bigger, but their manager, Lindsey, isn't getting them anywhere. From the first, Haley has big ideas, and seems to have found her niche at last. Becoming the band's new manager wasn't part of her plan, but it fits like nothing else has ever done, and everything is also going well in her growing relationship with Blake. But then negative reviews start to appear on everything connected with the band. Who is doing it and why? And when Haley wants to pursue the problem and grows increasingly worried, but Blake wants her to ignore it completely, will their relationship survive the strain? Things will have to get much worse before they can get better....

As the third book in a series, this shared a couple of characters with previous books but otherwise is completely standalone. Like the previous books, it is a clean contemporary romance with interesting characters and plot, and good writing. I have thoroughly enjoyed the author's other writing, and was thrilled to be offered an ARC of this new book to review. All in all, this is a book and an author I would definitely recommend.

Characters: Generally well drawn, though Lindsey seemed a bit extreme in some of her behaviour.
Storyline: Logical and mostly fairly predictable, but with occasional surprises, and all well written.
Content and language: Clean, no problems noted.
Message: Reminders to rely on God in life - didn't take over the book, but fitted in well in the background.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

[Linda Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you have a name like Haley Witherspoon it is difficult to hide your family’s wealth. People pleasing Haley wasn’t ashamed of her parent’s wealth, but she wanted to find her own future, not join the family business. A weird accident and an evening spent at the ER with an Uber driver changed everything for her.
Blake is the lead singer in Ace in the Hole, a cover band, who also works as an Uber driver to help support his aunt and paraplegic brother. In her excitement in discovering Ace in the Hole’s fantastic talent, Haley also discovers her talent – promoting and managing this group of musicians. But how long can she holdup working two jobs? And what about those butterflies she gets whenever Blake shows up?
This is a delightful book! The characters grab your imagination and make you wonder how hard you would be willing to work for your dream. Besides clean romance, this story contains a mystery and a couple of twists that I did not expect. Great job, Laurie Larsen!
The author provided this book to me and I am willingly giving this review.

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I write this I still have a silly grin on my face from the end of this book. This author not only gives you a clean read but it is also one filled with the passion of a believer sharing not preaching the Word of God. In their story Blake and Haley both learn a valuable lesson. While his life and subtle references help her to develop her walk with God it also helped Haley remember who to seek. For Blake the reminder that it isn't all about him and release of undue guilt. These two have much to be thankful for and this story tells it all as they join the stage with a group we know and love things are happening back home. They will both learn something and maybe you will too.

Great story from this author who skillfully presents the message without detracting from an awesome story. Can't wait for more on these occupants of Murrells Inlet and the miracles that the love of God can bring.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean Christian romance, touch of suspense, action, stalker, danger, and page turner. Haley goes to hear Blake, who is the lead singer for Ace In the Hole band. As their friendship develops she discovers she's good a marketing and ideas to help the band advance. Threats are made, someone is out to destroy Haley and the band.

I read the book in two sittings and loved it. Kept my attention, good characterization, fast paced and highly recommend this book and author.

I received this book as an ARC from the author with no expectations except for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own and this is an author I plan to read again and again. Only complaint...it ended all too soon. Of course I love long novels. This is the first book I've read by Laurie but it won't be my last. Her characters come to life.

[Susan Boland Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crescendo is Book 3 in the Murrrells Inlet Miracles series by Laurie Larsen. It’s a character-driven book unfolding the lives of Haley and Blake and their attraction to each other. They are drawn together due to unusual circumstances which led to their inspirational romance. Haley is a rich girl trying to find her way in the working class world. Blake is a musician working hard to gain a fan base for his band, Ace in the Hole. This novel took a leap by sending readers into the entertainment world. The characters built their relationship while trying to understand God’s plans. The story was a quick and entertaining read, I enjoyed every minute of it. I think Christian and Non-Christian readers alike will have their curiosity sparked to read Crescendo cover to cover!

[Shona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blake and Haley meet under unusual circumstances - one you can read about in the previous book in the series. However, there’s a definite spark between them! Blake is the lead singer of a local band, who subsidises his pay by driving an Uber, and Haley works at the local college. This story follows the band as Haley begins to manage them. It’s not straightforward and an added complication arises from a girlfriend of one of the other band members.
A riveting read from one of my go-to authors. Fun, romance and a little bit of danger - what more do you need?!

[V Shore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich girl meets country western singer who wants to make it big. She is the black sheep of the family and rejected because of her inconsistent work progress. He is in a band trying to go somewhere.

The ins and outs of the music business, along with a view towards making it big, results in an interesting Christian story with a somewhat surprising twist and some very interesting and important issues. Enjoyable plot and somewhat thrilling ending (if somewhat predictable). This is a keeper feel good story.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crescendo is another wonderful book from Laurie Larsen. I just find her stories so compelling. Her characters are so real - flaws and all. There is a lot of drama in this plot, particularly regarding Lindsay. Blake and Haley both have their demons to overcome is their romance is going to evolve. I was up far too late finishing this fascinating story.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. There was so many new and different things going on in this story that it kept me captivated. I had a very difficult time putting the book down and got lost in the story-line. I could relate to the characters and it felt as the story was happening today! I am looking forward to reading more from Laurie Larsen.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crescendo is another wonderful book from Laurie Larsen. I just find her stories so compelling. Her characters are so real - flaws and all. There is a lot of drama in this plot, particularly regarding Lindsay. Blake and Haley both have their demons to overcome is their romance is going to evolve. I was up far too late finishing this fascinating story.

[Ochegba · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful story and I enjoyed every aspect of it. The characters were so real and their experiences made it all the betterment Haley and Blake's growth and understanding, their journey and all the went through it was so real and it held my attention from start to finish. Another great story. 

[Marilyn Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book to read. I was reading 4 hrs a day because the story was so good. I loved the way the country singer and her met. It was cute. I didn't like the mean lady, but there are people who are like that in this life. No matter what was going on, both he and she kept trying to keep their priorities in order. And God as swerved in a big way

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful Romance about Second Chances

I loved this storyline about love and music.The characters were intriguing amidst the setting of a country band.
This book is recommended for those who love sweet romance.

[Rhonda Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! It's 1am and I've just finished reading this attention grabbing book. While there was some predictability to it, how the author built to it kept me turning the pages until the end. Beautiful love story had me swooning 😍 with relatable lives and situation. Loved it!

[Anne Rollin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent read...I enjoyed it very much. Ill definitely be looking for more by this author!

[Lenda Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read.
The characters and the plot keep you on your toes until the very end.
I haven't read any of Laurie Larsen books but I definitely will now.

[Jennifer Hatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is my first time reading books by Laurie Larsen. I loved all three of the books and hope there will be additions to the series.

[Linda]

Laurie Larson became a new author on my favorites list. I read this whole series and loved the continuing story.
I loved this one cause I do love country music.

[Cheryl]

This was an awesome story.

[Samantha · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like the protagonist. At all. Rich and beautiful. Has it all. Really hard to connect with. I really enjoyed everyone else, but she overruled everyone.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful read from Laurie Larsen! This faith-filled, encouraging, inspirational novel is another in the series set on the Grand Strand in South Carolina. Laurie's novels are always hard to put down and keep you coming back to see what happens next! I loved reading about Haley and Blake and cannot wait to read the next one!