CFBA Review: Pretty Is As Pretty Does by:Debby Mayne

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Pretty is as Pretty Does (bk 1)
Bless Her Heart (bk 2)
Tickled Pink (bk 3) (Abingdon Press June 1, 2013) by Debby Mayne

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debby Mayne is a best-selling author who has published more than 25 books and novellas, 400 short stories and articles, and devotions for women. She has also worked as managing editor of a national health magazine, product information writer for HSN, a creative writing instructor, and a copy editor and proofreader. Her novel, Love Finds You in Treasure Island, Florida received 4-1/2 stars from RT Book Review, and was named a Top Pick for the month of July. She and her husband Wally have two grown daughters, and live in Palm Harbor, Florida.

ABOUT THE BOOKS

Priscilla Slater goes to her ten-year high school reunion with equal parts dread and eager anticipation. Even though she’s a successful owner of a chain of hair salons and no longer has the mousy brown hair, crooked teeth, and discount-store wardrobe, she still feels like the ugly duckling. But when she arrives at the reunion, Priscilla soon realizes that her old classmates aren’t exactly as she remembers them. With humor and a just a touch of sassiness, Priscilla finds herself facing her own truth—and she may be surprised at what she discovers.

As Priscilla Slater’s 15-year class reunion approaches, she decides to attend out of curiosity… and to flaunt her latest achievement—taking her business to a national level with the possibility of a TV show. As if getting ready for the event and putting up with the pranks of her former classmates isn’t enough, Priscilla’s hometown visit is further complicated by her parents’ separation. With the once-solid sanctuary of her home broken at the foundation, there’s only one thing Priscilla’s parents can agree on: no matter what sort of accolades their daughter receives as a hair stylist, she’s not living up to her potential. Eager to escape the painful reality of her childhood home, Priscilla bolts as soon as a call from New York brings good news: her offer to purchase one of the best salons in the country is likely to come through. But returning to New York means returning to Tim, Priscilla’s best friend and business pal who has been impatiently suggesting their relationship should be more than a friendship. Despite her recent achievements, will Priscilla learn that success doesn’t always result in popularity—or love?

Priscilla Slater shows up at her 20-year reunion as a national celebrity. Her hair salon dynasty has skyrocketed, and to top it off, she has her own line of hair products. She has become a huge success with the “Ms. Prissy Big Hair” line that lets women with the thinnest of locks get the coveted “big hair” look so popular in the South. Her classmates have finally come to terms with adulthood, but they’re handling it with the grace of a Southern woman wearing white after Labor Day. It’s just downright awkward! Asserting the maturity that her classmates have often lacked, Priscilla holds her head high. But she can’t ignore everything. When she catches her mother in the arms of her former high school principal, Priscilla can’t get out of town fast enough. Eager to get back to her more comfortable life, Priscilla runs head on into an ultimatum: Tim tells her they’re not getting any younger—as if she has to be reminded.


My Review of Pretty Is As Pretty Does:
 Priscilla owns 3 different salons in 3 different parts of the country and she's the one worried about going to her 10 years graduation. She is very insecure to be the woman who has had success in the world. It probably hasn't helped that her parents think of her as a stupid person for dropping out of a major college just to get a degree in cosmetology. But that doesn't seem to matter to them, she is just wasting her life running a salon, and a successful one at that. Will she be able to show what she's done with her life and be proud? Or is she going to go run and hide?

 Laura was so sure of her self in high school but now that it comes time for her 10 year high school reunion she is terrified. She ended up marrying the underdog having three kids and a DUI. She loves her family, minus the DUI, but being what she was in high school compared to now, is just sad. Talking with her failure of a husband, she will end up acting as she has everything together and go. Will this experience go well or is it all going to come crumbling down around her?

 Tim has had a major crush on Priscilla for years, it probably doesn't help that he works for her. He see her as she really is, an insecure but strong woman. When he hears of her possibly going to her high school reunion, he thinks this would be perfect. So he tells her that he would love to go with her to the reunion, she tells him just exactly what he wanted: Yes. But he wasn't expecting her to say he is like the brother she never had, that had to burn a little. Will she soon feel the way he feels about her? Or will she find someone else?

 Trudy pictures herself as a fat, useless, and unlovable woman all because of her useless, good-for-nothing ex-husband. She hates to go to her high-school after being divorced from her high-school sweetheart. She had been the head cheerleader and he the captain of the football team, and now he's off with one of his new lovers and she can barely fit into a skirt. The main thing she's dreading is seeing him and one of the new ladies in his life and after one phone call the dreadful thought is conformed. Will she still go? Is this gonna be a big disaster?This reunion will be one to remember.

**Disclosure** This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from CFBA.