Thursday, November 11, 2010

Hattera's Girl


There are two things twenty-nine-year-old Jackie Donovan asks God for: an honest, wonderful man to marry, and to own a bed-and-breakfast in the Outer Banks region. In the meantime, Jackie works for Lighthouse Views magazine, writing articles about other local business owners, and intrepidly goes on the blind dates set up by her well-meaning but oh-so-clueless relatives. There's one specific property Jackie dreams of purchasing: the Bailey Place, a fabulous old home where Jackie spent many happy childhood afternoons, a place that has now fallen into disrepair because of its outrageous price tag. When Jackie meets handsome Davis Erickson, who holds the key to the Bailey Place, Jackie is sure God has answered both her prayers. But as Jackie learns some disturbing details about Davis's past, she begins to question her own motivation. Will she risk her long-held dreams to find out the truth?

About the Author:

Alice J. Wisler is a public speaker, advocate, fundraiser, and the author of two contemporary novels, How Sweet It Is and Rain Song, a Christy Award finalist. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the world in jobs that minister to people. Alice and her family live in Durham, North Carolina.

Bethany House was kind enough to provide this novel for me for review, free of charge - and I hate to say...I just couldn't finish it. I read almost halfway through the story but it failed to grab my attention. It wasn't bad writing, just not my style and very slow. I reached Chapter 9 and still felt that nothing had happened yet. Because of my busy personal life, I can't waste time on a book that doesn't grab me and make me eager to see what happens next.
But I'm sure it'd be enjoyable for someone wanting a relaxed, slow-paced, light beachy-type read. The premise was nice, but again, I just couldn't get into it. Personal preference!

2 comments:

Tonya said...

Oh man! This is the next book I have to read :( do you feel guilty when you don't read a full review book? I do & it's so frustrating bc I want to stop...I don't like the book but then I feel guilty if I don't finish it since a publisher was generous enough to give it to me for free

Betsy St. Amant said...

Its veeeeeery hard!

But...I've had to learn with my schedule, I can't do it all, and I gave it my best shot. Hopefully others will like it better than me!

I couldn't lie :(