BOOK REVIEW and CFBA Tour: Hatteras Girl by Alice Wisler

This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingHatteras GirlBethany House; Original edition (October 1, 2010)byAlice Wisler
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. 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 graduated from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the country in jobs that minister to people. Alice was raised in Japan and currently resides in Durham, North Carolina.
Facts about Alice
* Born in Osaka, Japan and lived in Japan for 18 years
* Went to Kyoto International School and Canadian Academy
* Majored in Social Work and graduated in 1983 from Eastern Mennonite University
* Worked at a group home for disadvantaged kids outside of Philadelphia
* Taught English and Culture Orientation at a refugee camp in the Philippines
* Taught English as a Second Language in Japan
* Speaks and teaches on Writing the Heartache
* Has three kids on earth, and one in Heaven
* Recently got married to Carl on 2/7/09
ABOUT THE BOOK

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?
If you would like to read the first chapter of Hatteras Girl, go HERE.

My Review:

A women’s fiction novel, HATTERAS GIRL surprised me in more ways than one.

The start of the novel is slow in my opinion and I considering skimming, but there was something about the story that stopped me. I will admit that first person present tense is not my favorite to read, but as the book progressed I didn’t notice it as much.

Nothing is overt in the story line. The romance, the faith message, the characters actions. Everything is “shown” as it happens, without a great deal of internal monologue, which I found interesting. About half way through the book it kicked up a notch as events came to a head and I really got to see the characters actions.  This second half of the book changed my opinion on the story and as the book flowed towards the ending, I saw where the beginning had been taking me. In the end, I am able to honestly say I liked the story as a whole. I think if you don’t mind slow beginnings and trusting that the story and the characters will sustain the book you might enjoy this one. I would suggest you read women’s fiction already though as this book is a strong candidate for the genre.

This review is my honest opinion. Thanks to the publishers through CFBA for my copy to review.