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Dating, Dining, and DesperationMelody Carlson

General fiction

Dating, Dining, and Desperation

by Melody Carlson

Book 2 of the Dear Daphne series

320 pages · First published 2014

Daphne Ballinger has inherited her aunt’s grand house and a peculiar condition: she must marry within a year or lose the property. Her search for a husband becomes entangled with community events, dates, family expectations, and the growing realization that choosing someone because a deadline demands it is very different from building a life with the right person. The people around her have opinions about both her romantic prospects and what she should do with the inheritance. This Dear Daphne installment continues Melody Carlson’s light Christian romance series with small-town humor and a heroine whose practical predicament keeps making love feel like an assignment.

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Thirty-Story Orange Fizz + Thornfield Toddy

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At a glance

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Spice1 of 5
Suspense1 of 5
Creepy0 of 5
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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Dating and marriage pressure; grief over a deceased aunt; romantic disappointment and rivalry; Christian faith concerns; clean romantic content and kissing.

Alcohol-Free Pour

Thirty-Story Orange Fizz

A bright, refreshing sip suits romantic anticipation and a little escapism.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Fill a glass with ice, add orange juice, top with sparkling water, and stir gently.
  2. Garnish: Orange wheel.
  3. Glassware: Highball glass.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Thornfield Toddy

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A fragrant cup of tea suits romantic anticipation and a little escapism.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Add whiskey, honey, and lemon juice to a warmed mug. Top with hot black tea and stir.
  2. Garnish: Lemon wheel.
  3. Glassware: Mug.

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