Book Tour ~ A Billion Reasons Why

"A Billion Reasons Why" by Kristin Billerbeck


Publisher's Summary
Katie McKenna had resolved to live a quiet life, marry a practical Christian man, and leave all her “worldly” desires behind.  Since moving to California, she’d made it her goal to live life logically and for the Lord.  She has the perfect life—a fulfilling job, a cute apartment, and a wedding to plan with her soon-to-be fiancé, Dexter.

But then in walks Luc DeForges, the handsome ex-boyfriend who’d broken her heart.  After graduating college and rejecting Katie, Luc cornered the organic food market and became one of the most eligible multi-millionaire bachelors.  But now he’s back and asking her to go home to New Orleans to sing at his brother’s wedding.  She hasn’t fallen victim to her emotions since leaving New Orleans, and she’s invested too much to give into them now. 

When Luc was in his element, there was nothing like it.  His excitement was contagious and spread like a classroom virus, infecting those around him with a false sense of security.  Katie inhales deeply and reminds herself that the man sold inspiration by the pound.  His power over her was universal.  It did not make her special. 

Katie’s boyfriend, Dexter, is a practical man.  As Katie’s roommate Eileen offers, “Katie, no matter how many entries you put in that book, Dexter is not going to be a romantic.  I mean, fine, you’re going to marry him.  He’s a good man.  I just don’t want you to be disappointed.  No matter how many junior high school hearts you draw next to his name, Dexter is going to order you what the Internet says is the proper gift for each anniversary.  He’ll probably have a program created that does it for him.”  But Dexter is safe.  He’ll be a good dad.  He’s very intellectual.  He’s punctual.  He’s everything she needs in a husband.

And Dexter will propose as soon as she gets her grandmother’s ring from her mom.  And Luc will provide her with a free trip home for just that purpose.  Plus, she needs to go home to New Orleans.  It’s her last chance to find out why Luc tossed her from his life like a banana peel off the back of her father’s pickup.  Love is a decision.  A choice.  All the leading experts said so, and she’d decided she would love Dexter in a way that honored and respected him.  The way she’d loved Luc left her worn out and depleted, like an empty air mattress.  Then what use was she?  She’d get her ring and closure as well.  Then nothing would stand in the way of her life with Dexter.

But what if God has more in store for her?  What if God’s desire for her is a heart full of life?  Can the passions she had as a young woman, which led to many of her past mistakes, still have a place in her life? 

About the Author:

Kristin Billerbeck is a successful novelist from northern California.  She has authored more than 30 novels, including the Ashley Stockingdale series and the Spa Girls series.  She is a leader in the Chick Lit movement, a Christy Award finalist, and a two-time winner of the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award.  She has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times.  

My Thoughts:  

Definitely in the chick-lit category,  this was a quick weekend type of read.  Dealing with heart's desires and escaping hurts, the story was built around 2 different relationships in the main characters life, a past relationship full of passion and love and yet deep hurt and a current relationship she deemed "safe".  When the past comes walking back into her life, Katie McKenna will have to face her feelings.  In having to confront her past and everything in it, the main character must really take a deep look into her own heart and what makes her "her" and if she is willing to give up all that entails and to really ask herself what are her plans for her life and what are God's plans.  


 In all honesty, the characters never really grabbed me and made me feel for them even as the story progressed. While the author does build the story and the character's backgrounds to let the reader see why they are acting and reacting to each other the way they are,  sometimes the conversations just happened too quickly and changed track faster than appealed to my preferred style of reading.   Also because of the genre of being chick lit romance, there was the expected descriptions of what feelings and thoughts they brought out in each other, which I tend to start scanning over.  I really liked the character of "Mam", the main character's Mom, and thought she had some great quotable remarks as the story progressed.   And I did find the descriptions of the differences of lifestyle and attitude between 2 different areas of the U.S. , New Orleans and California,  a very interesting comparison and thought the author did a really nice job of bringing that into the story.   


If you enjoy the chick lit/romance genre and are looking for an easy weekend kind of read then you might enjoy "A Billion Reasons Why".  


Thanks to B & B Media & Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing the book free for an honest review.  All opinions are expressed are my own. 


To purchase "A Billion Reasons Why" you can go here.