By Design: The Beginning

Books One-Three of the By Design Series

By: J.A. Armstrong

Narrated by: Jill Smith

Length: 12 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

Building bridges has a very different meaning for Jameson Reid than it does for Candace Fletcher. J.D. Reid spends her days designing some of the most elegant and majestic buildings and homes in North America. US Senator Candace Fletcher has spent her life working to build bridges between people.

J.D. Reid is not who Candace Fletcher was expecting to arrive on her doorstep. Candace will challenge all of Jameson's preconceptions about the women of Washington, DC. The enigmatic architect will test the resolve of the junior senator from New York.

Two women will discover that falling in love may be out of their control, but creating a relationship in the world of politics and business is completely by design.

Follow Candace, Jameson, and the lovable lunatics of the Fletcher-Reid clan through romance, friendship, and the ups and downs of creating a blended family. The inner workings of Washington politics pale by comparison to a house full of opinionated and animated parents, children, and grandchildren. Discover that whatever can’t be cured with fortune cookies, Bible study, or wine can always be remedied with a steady dose of love and laughter.

This special edition includes the first three books in the best-selling By Design series with bonus content not featured in the short stories. It also includes lesson plans, a reader-requested spin-off to By Design that features Candace's daughter Michelle Fletcher.

©2019 Nancy Ann Healy (P)2020 Nancy Ann Healy

A Reader's Nightmare -

In my estimation this book should have been rewritten before it was a book. The book jumps in consciousness from one idea to another - there was nothing to learn about being a Senator - no villain per se - while the book gave me the impression that Pearl was Afro-American - at least the storyline led me that way - it was a jumble full of wisdom and deep insight into one's ability to stand up and be who you are. If I was the proofreader, I would have insisted in more detail - the book jumps from a house to office to car to hospital with no outward design whatsoever - It's like all happening magically like -- bing we are here and bing we are there - no description of even a tree -- it was hard to stay connected -- anyway you get the idea. Other than that - the story line is beautiful, the characters are brilliant and the nuances are great. I was not lost in the book as the line of people and places had no distinction whatsoever. The narration I'd give a C- -- nuances are missing and the rooms had no descriptions - it was bed -bam - kitchen -- anyway I digress. It is a good idea and all - -just needed some filler to make the characters real and the rest of story as well.

I am ready for the next installment

First off, I have read the entire By Design series multiple times. J. A. Armstrong has a writing style that allows the story to flow and pull the reader in. She likes to throw in a twist every now and then, some happy, some not so happy. There are also the laugh out loud moments and you find yourself smiling.

I highly recommend all J. A. Armstrong & Nancy Ann Healy books and audiobooks.

Best book ever!!!

I read the book and knew how well the story was written with strong well developed characters. I was hoping for an audiobook and now it's here. J.A.Armstrong is an incredible writer and Jill Smith is very talented. She brought the book to life. You can feel the love, the pain the passion and the humor. I can't wait for the next one.

You will Love it!!

I have read and reread this whole series. I love J.A Armstrong!! I highly recommend this book over and over and over again!!

Great love story

Loved it nice story good narrating. Worth the read would listen to it again. Nice

Loved this book

This was a great book, story was very romantic the erotic parts were beautifully written. LOved the humor and the characters, although it is about a senator it was not too political. I would like to read about a republican lesbian senator running for governor once.... ho well it is a nice dream I guess.
The last part about the daughter of the senator was a little repetitive and redundant, but it was well written so I loved it as well.
Narration was EXCELLENT

Fantastic!

What a story. The story of this neat’ unique family. All of these characters were awesome! Great writing and narrating. Get it.

Can't miss combo

Once again this combo of J.A. Armstrong and Jill Smith have hit the ball out of the park. I have been waiting for this series to come to audiobook, and I am not disappointed. I love the getting to know this couple and the cast of characters that surround them. I can't wait for the next installment in this series, I hope it's books 4-6

Loved loved loved. So many tropes!

Late in life. Age gap. Straight girl
meets gay girl. Strong femme in a blazer. Cat ladies. And quips galore. My only criticism is that I question whether the narrator holds her nose for Jamison’s character. Otherwise so great. Repeat listen for sure.

Excellent!

I have over 500 lesbian romance books in my library and I enjoyed this book as much as any in a very long time! Characters are great! Could hardly get my work done because I couldn’t stop listening! Highly recommend.