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Tombstone Treasures #1
First Impressions
Sammie Carpenter understands how a uniform influences behavior. Wearing her Army fatigues puts her in the mindset of a soldier and donning her Class-A Uniform always helps her shift into Captain Mode. So what harm could come from her dressing like a saloon girl and strutting through the streets of Tombstone? She didn't know how to flirt to save her life, and she wasn't getting any younger.
When she met the lonesome stud cowboy, Jimmy, she knew he was the one. So why was their communication always so awkward? Couldn't he see that she was interested in him? No matter how hard she tried to win him over, she couldn't seem to get him to see past his first impression of her. But Sammie didn't give up easily. Somehow she would make him see that they were meant to be together, but how can she do that when all of her plans keep falling apart?
When she met the lonesome stud cowboy, Jimmy, she knew he was the one. So why was their communication always so awkward? Couldn't he see that she was interested in him? No matter how hard she tried to win him over, she couldn't seem to get him to see past his first impression of her. But Sammie didn't give up easily. Somehow she would make him see that they were meant to be together, but how can she do that when all of her plans keep falling apart?
- GenresChristian Fiction
110 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
1 person is currently reading
271 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Sutton
45 books419 followersMichelle has written over two dozen edgy, inspirational novels. She is a book reviewer and a retired supervisor for the State of Arizona. She currently lives in North Carolina. but will soon be moving to Florida.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
September 18, 2016
A Time-Release Pill
I love the way this author allows you to experience the character's emotions. As a reader it gives you the opportunity to get into the character's head and understand what they are going through.
First Impressions shows you what is like to struggle with sexual temptation and how easy it is to succumb to it. James was trying his best to remain a virgin until he was married, but then he meets Sammie. His attraction to her was so strong that he was willing to comprise his relationship with God. As their relationship progress, you see the ups and downs and you see that you need God in every aspect of your journey as you are dating. This story also shows you how complicated it can be when you are dating a non-believer and when you are not honest with the other person in the relationship.
There are so many great things about First Immpressions. There were self-righteous behaviors, anger, pain, sorrow and feelings of abandonment. There was so much healing that James and Sammie needed before they could ever think about being in a relationship with each other or anyone else.
First Impressions is like a time-release pill, while you are reading it, you may not realize how powerful it is. However once you sit back and analyze what you have read you see how it packs a punch that brings healing.
I love the way this author allows you to experience the character's emotions. As a reader it gives you the opportunity to get into the character's head and understand what they are going through.
First Impressions shows you what is like to struggle with sexual temptation and how easy it is to succumb to it. James was trying his best to remain a virgin until he was married, but then he meets Sammie. His attraction to her was so strong that he was willing to comprise his relationship with God. As their relationship progress, you see the ups and downs and you see that you need God in every aspect of your journey as you are dating. This story also shows you how complicated it can be when you are dating a non-believer and when you are not honest with the other person in the relationship.
There are so many great things about First Immpressions. There were self-righteous behaviors, anger, pain, sorrow and feelings of abandonment. There was so much healing that James and Sammie needed before they could ever think about being in a relationship with each other or anyone else.
First Impressions is like a time-release pill, while you are reading it, you may not realize how powerful it is. However once you sit back and analyze what you have read you see how it packs a punch that brings healing.
April 5, 2010
Actually, I rate this 4.5 stars, but it doesn't seem that it will let me do that.
This is my favorite book by Michelle Sutton. I loved how real these characters felt, and how true to life their experiences were. I could relate to both. And, as always, she weaved a hopeful, spiritual message throughout. Excellent, Michelle.
This is my favorite book by Michelle Sutton. I loved how real these characters felt, and how true to life their experiences were. I could relate to both. And, as always, she weaved a hopeful, spiritual message throughout. Excellent, Michelle.
February 7, 2010
Sutton pens a gritty inspirational romance with "First Impressions." The novel takes place in present day Tombstone, Arizona. Sammie and Jimmy are haunted by their tragedic pasts. Jimmy has let the Lord's word touch him and has become a Christian, but he'll need to draw on all his faith to tame his attraction to Sammie.
The novel opens with Sammie getting used to her character as a saloon girl in Tombstone, Arizona. When she's not a character actor, she's an active duty Army Captain, at nearby Ft. Huachuca. As a teenager, Sammie was insecure about her looks, awkward around boys, and very shy, but since, she's grown into a very pretty woman. She still is a little awkward around men and hopes that she can get past that by becoming a character actor. Enter Jimmy, a handsome cowboy actor. When Jimmy meets Sammie, the sparks fly.
When Jimmy isn't acting, he's a counselor. As a teenager, his father, who was military, died in a parachute accident. His mother died in a traffic accident as she suffered from depression. Jimmy became a Christian and allowed the Lord's word to heal him. Still, he can't reconcile the Word to his attraction for Sammie.
Sammie and Jimmy begin to date. The chemistry between them is combustible. Sammie realizes that she met Jimmy as a teenager, but Jimmy can't seem to put the clues together and she's reluctant to let the Lord's word into her heart. Can Jimmy and Sammie put their emotional baggage behind them and come together as a couple? Only time will tell.
Sutton's writing dives the reader into her character's lives, making the story hard to put down. The plot is solid. Sutton paints very vivid descriptions bringing Tombstone to life, as well as her characters' emotions.
Sutton's characters are rich and complex. Sammie really grows throughout the novel. She wants to learn how to be more comfortable around men, but on a deeper level, she wants to be more comfortable with herself as well. It's especially rewarding to see Trinity's Gram help Sammie find the Lord. Sammie has to take the journey without Jimmy's help so she can come to him as an equal.
Jimmy also grows throughout the novel. While he's taken the Lord into his life, he has to learn to accept people for what they are and it's hard for him to accept Sammie's military career since his father died in the military. He has to reconcile this before he can firmly commit to Sammie.
The story is sensual for romance readers with several heavy kisses and caresses. "First Impressions," is a romance that embodies 1 Corinthians, Chp. 13, "Love is patient, Love is kind… it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
The novel opens with Sammie getting used to her character as a saloon girl in Tombstone, Arizona. When she's not a character actor, she's an active duty Army Captain, at nearby Ft. Huachuca. As a teenager, Sammie was insecure about her looks, awkward around boys, and very shy, but since, she's grown into a very pretty woman. She still is a little awkward around men and hopes that she can get past that by becoming a character actor. Enter Jimmy, a handsome cowboy actor. When Jimmy meets Sammie, the sparks fly.
When Jimmy isn't acting, he's a counselor. As a teenager, his father, who was military, died in a parachute accident. His mother died in a traffic accident as she suffered from depression. Jimmy became a Christian and allowed the Lord's word to heal him. Still, he can't reconcile the Word to his attraction for Sammie.
Sammie and Jimmy begin to date. The chemistry between them is combustible. Sammie realizes that she met Jimmy as a teenager, but Jimmy can't seem to put the clues together and she's reluctant to let the Lord's word into her heart. Can Jimmy and Sammie put their emotional baggage behind them and come together as a couple? Only time will tell.
Sutton's writing dives the reader into her character's lives, making the story hard to put down. The plot is solid. Sutton paints very vivid descriptions bringing Tombstone to life, as well as her characters' emotions.
Sutton's characters are rich and complex. Sammie really grows throughout the novel. She wants to learn how to be more comfortable around men, but on a deeper level, she wants to be more comfortable with herself as well. It's especially rewarding to see Trinity's Gram help Sammie find the Lord. Sammie has to take the journey without Jimmy's help so she can come to him as an equal.
Jimmy also grows throughout the novel. While he's taken the Lord into his life, he has to learn to accept people for what they are and it's hard for him to accept Sammie's military career since his father died in the military. He has to reconcile this before he can firmly commit to Sammie.
The story is sensual for romance readers with several heavy kisses and caresses. "First Impressions," is a romance that embodies 1 Corinthians, Chp. 13, "Love is patient, Love is kind… it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."
January 8, 2011
If you are looking for straight up romance from a Christian worldview, Michelle Sutton is the author for you. First Impressions is the first in the Tombstone Treasures Trilogy, a series of romance novels whose main characters work in the historic town of Tombstone, many as part time actors that help bring a sense of authenticity to this tourist attraction. This lends a sprinkling of old west flavor to the modern sensibility of the book. First Impression is a romance – there is no doubt about that. The central conflict is the emotional struggle the two main characters have as their passion for one another is ignited. Jimmy is a Christian, and wants to do ‘what’s right’, meaning staying sexually pure until marriage. But his attraction for Sammie is so strong, he often finds himself in compromising situations. Sammie, on the other hand, is not a believer and struggles with self esteem, compounded by the fact that they knew one another as children – a fact that Jimmy seems to have forgotten. There are lots of fairly steamy scenes in the book, which makes it rather unusual in the context of a ‘Christian’ romance. However, this is probably the thing that makes the novel stand out. Sutton does not try to pretend that Christian couples don’t struggle when it comes to pre-marital sex. She is honest about the emotional turmoil, feelings of guilt and physical desire that can easily come into play. The hero in her book is not portrayed as a saint – nor should he be. He is a normal red blooded male who is struggling with an issue that is probably becoming more and more difficult for people to contend with in today’s culture. Although the treatment of the topic is frank and honest, Sutton is also able to maintain a tasteful balance. The book is in no way pornographic. It is simply a story of two people in love and the struggles they face as they come to terms with their own desires and obeying God’s word. I would recommend this book to those that are looking for an unapologetic romance. There is enough ‘steam’ to satisfy without becoming erotic, while maintaining a solid redemptive story.
February 7, 2010
I love Ms. Sutton's writing! Her stories dig deep into the inner soul of her characters and deal with issues and feelings and longings that are common to us all, but ones which the typical Christian novel does not deal with. Where other novels gloss over our inner urgings, Ms. Sutton faces them head on without fear. I would say this particular story deals with lust vs. love. What is the difference? What does God say about this? He created our attractions, after all. They are not inherently evil. But what do we do with them? How can we harness them in a world where no one seems to? Although there is alot of sexual innuendos in this book, there has to be in order to get the points Ms. Sutton wishes to get across. The characters are real and likeable and we really feel for them. Let's face it, all of us have been in similar situations. Some of us have fallen. Others have overcome.
Ms. Sutton's writing is crisp, simple, and clear and makes for an enjoyable, fast read. Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone, even as young as 12. My reason? They are going to face these issues in school and with their peers. Why not face them in a story where the characters make the right choices and God is glorified. Bravo to Ms. Sutton!
Ms. Sutton's writing is crisp, simple, and clear and makes for an enjoyable, fast read. Personally, I would recommend this book to anyone, even as young as 12. My reason? They are going to face these issues in school and with their peers. Why not face them in a story where the characters make the right choices and God is glorified. Bravo to Ms. Sutton!
January 13, 2010
First of all, I want to say that this is definitely for mature teens and up. This is very steamy and not to be read by younger people. But, the message in this book is priceless. First Impressions so completely stresses the importance of handling relationships God’s way that it will make you examine yourself and your walk with the Lord. Michelle is one of those authors that really touches you because she understands the importance of being real. Yes, the book is fiction and fun to read, but it deals with real issues that are usually not addressed in such a straight-forward, understandable way. There are consequences for doing things our way instead of God’s. Not because He gets angry and decides to ruin our life since we didn’t do what He told us to, but because God’s way is best. He created us and He knows how we work. When we follow His guidelines, it keeps us from ruining our own lives. I loved this book and think that Sutton is just getting better and better as a writer. I look forward to seeing the amazing ways that God will continue to use her writing to reach people.
Read
March 25, 2013Sammie usually wears an army uniform to work. She wants to be desirable and learn to flirt, so she volunteers to play a saloon girl in Tombstone, Arizona. And then she discovers a lesson women over the world learn - when you dress to attract attention, you get the wrong kind. Jimmy, a counselor playing a cowboy, is interested in Sammie. He can tell she has "issues" and he knows he should avoid "missionary dating," but he can't stay away.
Author Michelle Sutton clearly shows the push and pull of dating. When Sammie plays the sex card, she's shocked when a man calls her on it, yet when he declines her offer of sex, she takes it as rejection. Jimmie rationalizes dating Sammie, spending less time in prayer and Bible reading, and skipping church. Tombstone Treasures offers a wealth of lessons for those on the dating market.
And now I'm eager to visit Tombstone, Arizona!
Author Michelle Sutton clearly shows the push and pull of dating. When Sammie plays the sex card, she's shocked when a man calls her on it, yet when he declines her offer of sex, she takes it as rejection. Jimmie rationalizes dating Sammie, spending less time in prayer and Bible reading, and skipping church. Tombstone Treasures offers a wealth of lessons for those on the dating market.
And now I'm eager to visit Tombstone, Arizona!
January 10, 2011
Another great read by the master of Edgy, Michelle Sutton! The woman knows how to heat things up! First Impressions isn’t as steamy as some of her other books, but you can always expect some heat. I loved how she showed the internal struggle for the characters. How conflicted they were to do what they knew was right, but how temptation was there staring them in the face. Making it all too desirable to succumb to their longings. I love how she has the spiritual thread interlaced throughout her books. Showing the importance of faith. A relationship with Jesus. All and all another wonderful read.
April 2, 2010
Michelle is one of my favorite authors! She writes about feelings, urgings, and longings that we've been told we're not suppose to think about or talk about. What's even better, she does it without fear or trembling! Her characters are real, and honest; they're just like us, not perfect and they struggle daily with issues just like we do. Each day we have the opportunity to make a choice on whether we live for God or not. While this book is steamy with the romance between the characters, Michelle doesn't stray away from the inspirational message. This is another Home Run for Michelle, and I can't wait to read the next one!
August 10, 2012
Outstanding! I read straight through this book in a few hours. Enjoyed it tremendously. It is so REAL - how we believers sometimes really struggle with the desires of our flesh vs what we know God desires of us. I felt so bad for poor Jimmy at times as a result of his struggle, not to mention his confusion over some of the things Sammie said and did. My heart also ached for Sammie's struggle with believing God could love her. I think we've all been there at one time or another (or multiple times!). The ending left me smiling big. :-)
December 24, 2010
"First Impressions" is definately different from most Christian Women's romance novels. While I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next in the series, this book is not for everyone. There are a few things Michelle is more bold about than most christian authors and some might not appreciate the level of realism in her writing. However, by the end of the book I feel she handled the issues fairly well.
Michelle, thank you for a different and delightful read!
Michelle, thank you for a different and delightful read!
March 21, 2012
Michelle Sutton does it again in this edgy romance set in Tombstone, AZ. The first book in a 3 book series and I cannot wait to read the rest! Who doesn't enjoy a good love story with a handsome cowboy? The story is more enjoyable because handsome cowboy, Jimmy actually has some morals even if he is severely tempted by Sammie.
April 27, 2010
I'm the author so I loved it!
January 18, 2010
fun read!
July 18, 2010
I loved it. Their struggles with desire and painful pasts weren't sugar coated. At the core is a beautiful story of finding true love.
September 3, 2010
Oh my goodness!! This was a great book!
It was steamy, funny, and a little sad. I could not stop reading it!
I finished it in one afternoon.
I cant wait to read the second book in the series.
It was steamy, funny, and a little sad. I could not stop reading it!
I finished it in one afternoon.
I cant wait to read the second book in the series.
July 15, 2015
Ugh!
I did not enjoy this book at all. I searched it out because Mary Anderson recommended it as an enjoyable "edgy Christian fiction." I loved her "A Trusting Heart" so much that I've read it twice. This book sounded like it was written by a 7th grader and the dialog between the main characters was juvinial as well. There were also numerous lines that didn't have a previous reference to make the information relevant. I don't have an issue with the sensual description of thoughts. I believe our sexuality is a gift from God within the confines of marriage which was the spiritual point of the book. I'm also not picky about grammar mistakes. But.....the words and behavior of these 20 something characters felt like something from a jr. High school hallway! There are great Christian Romance novels out there. This is not one of them.
I did not enjoy this book at all. I searched it out because Mary Anderson recommended it as an enjoyable "edgy Christian fiction." I loved her "A Trusting Heart" so much that I've read it twice. This book sounded like it was written by a 7th grader and the dialog between the main characters was juvinial as well. There were also numerous lines that didn't have a previous reference to make the information relevant. I don't have an issue with the sensual description of thoughts. I believe our sexuality is a gift from God within the confines of marriage which was the spiritual point of the book. I'm also not picky about grammar mistakes. But.....the words and behavior of these 20 something characters felt like something from a jr. High school hallway! There are great Christian Romance novels out there. This is not one of them.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews