Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker is a delicious read.  Between each chapter of this novel are recipes, wedding and party tips, menus and invitations. So fun! Gives the book a you are there feel.

I loved the unusual family dynamics of Emma and her love interest Jackson. Emma’s parents have a very dysfunctional relationship. Emma works hard to maintain peace not understanding what is under the surface.  Jackson sisters are so protective of him after the loss of his wife.  Working alongside supporting their little brother’s new hotel venture. Succeeding in driving this accomplished businessman to find secluded places for refuge from the smothering.

From a writer’s standpoint the dialogue is so believable.  It offered a great peek into all the character’s personalities. Jackson’s older sisters are a delight to get to know. Sandra Bricker captures their adorable southern drawl with a few words like sistuh, sugah sprinkled in but doesn’t overdo it with lots of phonically spelled words.

Our heroine, Emma Ray Travis is a world class baker who also has diabetes. That adds a special flare to the character. But to me was also the negative. It was like the smoking gun. Why give your character diabetes and not write some drama around it? A diabetic who has total control of her disease especially under stress seemed unbelievable. I was disappointed that Emma never once needed rescuing from a diabetic reaction.  Sandy Bricker made it a point to emphasize how good Emma was at keeping on top of her disease. I couldn’t decide if the author was trying to show the reader Emma’s need to control everything or if it was a statement that diabetes is not a death sentence to a normal life.

That observation aside I learned a lot about the art of writing reading this one. I will be looking for more of Sandra Bricker’s books.