Around the World in 80 Dates: Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater (Sydney Alexander Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Christa A Banister (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 27, 2007

Travel writer Sydney Alexander is ready for one particular journey to end: her frustrating search for a Mr. Right. But things are looking up: Just after landing her dream job, she meets an eligible round of bachelors.

Now Sydney will discover just how far she?s willing to compromise to land her dream guy.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Sydney Alexander is a travel writer. She?s a very well-dressed travel writer?hasn?t yet met a shoe or clearance sale she could pass up. She?s funny. She?s got a great relationship with her sis. She?s got a hilarious next-door neighbor, Rain, who happens to be a hippie. And she?s got a wonderful relationship with God. So what?s missing?

A decent date. A date where she doesn?t have to pay because he?s "between jobs." A date where she?s not fabulously fashionably ready to go only to learn "the band just got a last-minute gig" and he has to cancel. A date she wants to kiss good night, not run screaming from. Is that really so much to ask?

About the Author

Christa Ann Banister lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her husband, Will. They love to play Scrabble and throw darts on a map, dreaming about exotic travel locations. In addition to writing fiction, Christa is happily employed as a freelance writer for her many, many clients.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: NavPress Publishing Group (September 27, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160006177X
• ISBN-13: 978-1600061776
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,373,914 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars New Chick-Lit Author to Keep an Eye On, November 29, 2007

By 

Kelly Klepfer (Iowa) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Around the World in 80 Dates: Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater (Sydney Alexander Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Around the World in 80 Dates is adorable. The description of the book does not do the book justice. Christa Ann Banister has a perfect chick-lit voice and is not afraid to use it. Classic stuff...shopping, name brands, coffee shops, ice cream binges, girlfriends, guys and drama.

Chick-lit fans need to check it out. Those with a love of quirk need to check it out. Great descriptive writing through the eyes of sarcastic-witted Sydney as her life unfolds in the classic "what else can go wrong" format, with wacky inserted omniscient peeks into the lives of her inner circle.

A spiritual message that will encourage patient twenty-and-thirty- something ladies-in-waiting. I will caution the more sensitive readers...if you have any issues with alcohol, dating, or movie choices for Christians, consider yourself forewarned that you may disagree with some of Sydney and company entertainment choices.

This is one of the more fun reads I've invested time in this year. I will definitely look forward to more from Christa Ann Banister. I'd also love to have a cup of coffee with her the next time I visit Mall of America.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Testimony to the Disappointed Christian Woman, March 20, 2008

By 

C. Mitchell "care lab" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Around the World in 80 Dates: Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater (Sydney Alexander Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

I absolutely loved this book! What was so great about this book to me was that it was written from each of the viewpoints of the different characters which made the main character's story all the more interesting. I read this whole book in one day which I haven't done with a book in a while. This book was a refreshing testimony to my spirit which is at times cynical and disheartened by a lack of available suitors that meet even the most basic of a Christian woman's standards. From the first few pages I fell in love with Sydney Alexander and I can't wait for Christa Ann Banister's sequel to this story in the fall. After I finished the book I prayed and thanked God that I had purchased this book which has given me a tangible sense of hope although the story is fictional.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I'm happily married, so I can laugh! : ), January 29, 2008

By 

Stacey (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Around the World in 80 Dates: Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater (Sydney Alexander Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

Sydney is a travel journalist who experiences the ups and downs of dating and life in general. Between good dates and bad dates and friends' dates, chance meetings and swearing off dating, this book covers it all - well, maybe not all, but most of the dating scene. There are other situations sprinkled in, as well - relationships with family and friends, career happenings, and lots of travel. I particularly enjoyed living vicariously through this world traveling young lady.

"Around the World in 80 Dates: Confessions of a Christian Serial Dater" by Christa Ann Banister is a clever novel of one Christian woman's journey through the merciless gauntlet of dating and life in general. As I laughed along with Sydney's "misadventures in dating," Christa has made me very glad that I am happily married, and not a part of this chaotic and unpredictable scene. Even though I generally prefer action and suspense in my Christian Romance reads, I enjoyed this more cerebral novel and will definitely read this very talented author again.