Customer Reviews

Blessed are the Meddlers (Sydney Alexander Series, Book 2)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Christa has once again created a fun-filled romance novel! I loved to see how the story extended after marriage with Sydney in addition to how Christa added new character to the remaining cast from the debut. This author has such a bright future with her chick lit writing! Make sure you read these two books for an entertaining time.

Sydney and company are back. But this time, Sydney, living in domestic bliss, sets out to help her pals find their own version of relationship Nirvana. After all, Sydney does have some success under her belt.

However, Sydney discovers that match-making is not for the weak-hearted or weak-kneed.

Classic snappy chick-lit with a twist as Sydney tells her version of events while dropping a few designer names. As Sydney and pals chug several coffee drinks and schmooze with the beautiful ones, readers anticipate how ugly the meddling might become. Especially when we are treated to an omniscient look into the meddlees lives.

Chick-lit lovers will want to check out this sequel to Around the World in 80 Dates, especially if they like big casts and lots of drama.

Great, fun read about the travails of dating but this time the perspective is different. This time, Sydney has found her "happily ever after" yet she wants to help her friends find the same.

This novel has everything..all the pop cult references you would expect..the exploration of dating and yet it is a deeper, more spiritual novel.

Banister has managed to write from a Christian perspective without dropping the anvils of faith, hope and God that can be tempting when writing something with a message..it is a marvelous feat.

I found myself really invested in these characters and yelling at the pages when I saw a wrong turn.
I was telling my friends about this book before I got to the last page.
I really look forward to Banister's next effort.
Fantastic job!

Perfect for : Personal reading, Book Club Read (Discussion Questions included)

In a nutshell: A really enjoyable read. The main character, Sydney, speaks to the reader in a conversational tone - which is wonderful! This modern gal is such fun to listen too! She admits that her success rate at matchmaking for her friends is about one in forty, which isn't all that stellar, but she still tries, and when she has a success, the couple is HAPPY! Some of the fun quips include references to Hot Pockets, Friends (TV Show), Jessica Simpson, etc.

My Review: I have really enjoyed this light book, with its emphasis on faith (and forgiveness), as well as some really great dialogue and relationships (I especially Sydney's with her editor-boss).

Characters: The characters were very lovable! I loved how the main character spoke to me through the book.

Story-Line: I think the story-line is cute and entertaining. With a success rate of 1 in about 40, why do people keep allowing Sydney to set them up?


Readability: This book was wonderfully fun to read - written in a lovely conversational tone. The author has added a fun little 1/2 sentense at the beginning of each new scene, which gives the reader a hint of what is to come - I found it really fun and charming (witty too!).

Overall: A fun, witty book, written with a Christian influence. This was the second book of the series, and I look forward to going back and seeing what Sydney was up to in the first book!

Once again I couldn't put it down. This time you get to really see more into the lives of the other characters rather than just Sydney. It is so funny it will make you cry and has a few tragic moments that will cause the same reaction. Well balanced in every way possible. If you have ever had friends in relationships you are going to seriously wonder if Christa has been following you around just so she can write her book. It was once again absolutly fabulous and I can't wait till she gets the third one done!! :)

Reading Christa Banisters Blessed are the Meddlers is like coming back to your favorite TV show after summer break. You're ready to get back into the characters' lives and revel in the ups and downs of the story arc. I enjoyed Christa's debut novel Around the World in 80 Dates and was eager to hear more about her quirky cast of characters.

Protagonist Sydney Alexander is now happily hitched and ready to spread the warmth of her charmed life to any and all of her single acquaintances. The trouble is, they don't always cooperate. Sydney orchestrates date after date, but with idiosyncrasies flaring right and left, her matchmaking becomes more like a messy game of Memory. I found myself holding my breath as Sydney turned over the cards, and sometimes, the mismatches were the most entertaining.

Christa Banister's style is hip, quick, and fun. With plenty of pop culture, relatable characters, and sarcastic wit, Blessed are the Meddlers is sure to please the palate of any romantic comedy lover.

Meticulously woven like the best Shakespearean comedy, "Blessed Are The Meddlers" by Christa Ann Banister reads like a well-detailed journal, complete with thoughtful "asides" by the main character, Sydney Alexander.

Now that Sydney's happily married, she wants the same bliss for everyone around her. So, why not play matchmaker? As you can imagine, this romantic comedy read is chock full of chaos...and laughter!

Sydney and Gavin are adorable. The supporting cast is a joy to encounter in these pages. Christa has penned a wonderful sequel to "Around The World In 80 Dates" that can easily be relished on its own! The bonus content is a nice touch, too.

Reading Christa Banisters Blessed are the Meddlers is like coming back to your favorite TV show after summer break. You're ready to get back into the characters' lives and revel in the ups and downs of the story arc. I enjoyed Christa's debut novel Around the World in 80 Dates and was eager to hear more about her quirky cast of characters.

Protagonist Sydney Alexander is now happily hitched and ready to spread the warmth of her charmed life to any and all of her single acquaintances. The trouble is, they don't always cooperate. Sydney orchestrates date after date, but with idiosyncrasies flaring right and left, her matchmaking becomes more like a messy game of Memory. I found myself holding my breath as Sydney turned over the cards, and sometimes, the mismatches were the most entertaining.

Christa Banister's style is hip, quick, and fun. With plenty of pop culture, relatable characters, and sarcastic wit, Blessed are the Meddlers is sure to please the palate of any romantic comedy lover.

I hope this doesn't come out as a slam, because I really, really, REALLY mean it as high praise...but reading a novel by Christa Ann Banister is like an episode of "Sex In The City" without all of the 'ick' and 'yikes' stuff! It's fun, it's heartwarming...and it keeps you a bit dizzy as you'll see!

<em>(NOTE: The above comment is not a commentary or a slam against fans of the television show...so no nasty comments please!)</em>

"Blessed Are The Meddlers" is a follow-up novel to Christa's debut, "Around the World in 80 Dates". I fell in love with Sydney Alexander as I watched her attempts to find her true love.

It was aptly subtitled 'Confessions of a Serial Dater'.

In her sophomore release, Christa has subtitled this one 'Confessions of a Serial Meddler'. There's a whole lot of confessin' going on, and that's because Sydney Williams now sees herself as a matchmaker of sorts for her girlfriends.

Can you hear the soundtrack of "Fiddler on the Roof" playing in your head too ("Matchmaker, matchmaker...make me a match...). Trouble is, Sydney isn't quite as good as she thinks she might be:-)

Jane, her sister Samantha, and boss Lucinda all end up out of sorts with Sydney by the end of the novel...and yet, they all find that special someone in their own way. And even with Sydney's meddling, as it turns out she's not too far off base.

Change is in the wind for all of our beloved characters, so I don't know if we'll see another Sydney novel from Christa, but I for one am in love with her unique writing style. She transitions from scene to scene in such a fun and creative way, and her opening movie quotes are a kick as well.

In the world of chick-lit and finding Mr. Right, Christa Ann Banister is a unique voice that makes me glad 1) I'm no longer single:-) and 2) that she followed her heart and created such enjoyable fiction.

I'm giving "Blessed are the Meddlers" five out of five bookmarks, with an airline ticket as a charm...you'll have to decide where it's going to take you. Here's prayin' you have a friend in your life like Sydney!

"Blessed are the Meddlers" releases August 2008 from NavPress.

Happy Reading!

Deena

I enjoyed Around the World in 80 Dates, but this story was even better. I just never know where Christa is going to take me but I can always guarantee that I won't be able to predict the outcome. That's what makes her books such fun and entertaining reads. She has a unique voice, crazy characters and great romantic plots with twists and turns.