The Bet by Darlene Panzera ~ TLC Blog Tour with review

• Review for "The Bet" a Bonus story in Debbie Macomber's Family Affair."
• Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Reprint edition (June 26, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061997137
• ISBN-13: 978-0061997136

Click here to purchase a copy.

My take on "The Bet:"

There is a rumor that there is a gold mine somewhere on the property of Windy Meadows Ranch, and owner Jenny O'brien certainly could use some gold. She is doing everything she can to save the ranch from not only foreclosure, but from a land development company called N.L.C Industries. The reason that N.L.C.wants the property is because it sits right smack dab in the middle of some land they own and the only way they can sell their property is to acquire Windy Meadows. Down at the Bets and Burgers Cafe everyone knows the bank has given Jenny a deadline, and are placing bets on who she will marry in order to save Windy Meadows. When a stranger named Nick Chandler makes a ten thousand dollar bet that he can get her to marry him in five weeks needless to say she is surprised, but sure he will lose the bet. When the ranch forman hires Nick and his sister to work at Windy Meadows, she plans on steering clear of him, instead she is drawn to him. Thing is Nick is keeping a major secret about who he is and what his plans really are. Will Jenny figure out who Nick really is, and what about The Bet?

"The Bet" is a bonus story that was included in Debbie Macomber's "Family Affair." This was one of those stories that took me a few chapters to really become invested in the story. I think part of the reason was there were several characters introduced very early in the story, and with this short story I felt like  parts of the story was rushed, although as the progressed it drew me in and the descriptive writing held my attention. I would consider this story a very short novella, with characters that were pretty well developed,an interesting but somewhat predictable storyline and an ending that wrapped up the story quite nicely.Overall, I think Ms. Panzera is an author to watch, and I will certainly be watching for more of her work.


To read my review of "Family Affair" click here.


To follow along on the TLC Blog Tour and read what other bloggers are saying about this story just click here.
About the author:


 A graduate of the Writer's Digest Advanced Novel Writing School and The Christian Writer's Guild apprentice program, Darlene is an active member of Romance Writers of America's Greater Seattle and Peninsula Chapters. She's attended numerous conferences and classes, served five years on the board of RWA's Peninsula Chapter and in 2011 served as chapter president.

Darlene is the winner of the "Make Your Dreams Come True" contest sponsored by Avon Books which led her novella, THE BET, to be published with Debbie Macomber's FAMILY AFFAIRreleased June 2012. She received a second contract with Avon Books, a division of HarperCollins, for the full length manuscript of THE BET, and is currently working on her next novel.

She's also published several short stories and  A Look of Love was a top finalist for Writer's Digest Popular Fiction Awards Contest.

Born and raised in New Jersey, Darlene now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three  children. When not writing, she enjoys camping, hiking, photography, horseback riding, crafts, music, and lazy days at the lake.

Darlene would love to hear from her readers. You can find her on Facebook or Twitter

To learn more about Ms. Panzera be sure and check out her website by clicking here.

rating 4/5

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review, and I can honestly say I really enjoyed this story.