Customer Reviews

Hallie's Heart

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This first novel by Beach is filled with fresh characters and events and details. Beach tells a serious tale with a winsome touch of humor. When I finished the book, I hugged my oldest son who just happened to be walking through the room. The good and courageous relationships in this book left me wanting more of that in my own life. And Beach better start writing--I believe there's more of Mona and Hallie's story to be told. I'm left ready to read it!

MoNa VanderMolen owns a struggling antique store and most weekends find her out scouting for rare finds. Life isn't easy in the antique business. She discovers that dealers often outbid her at auctions. Now, someone has offered to buy her out. But Mona's a fighter and she will survive--she hopes.

When Mona goes to her beach house to escape from some problems she is shocked to discover her fifteen year old niece, Hallie, already there. Mona and Hallie's relationship was shattered over a year ago when Hallie's mother blames Mona for something and refuses to allow Hallie and Mona to see each other. But now Hallie is trying to teach her mom a lesson--but Mona wants to try to break down the barriers and win her nieces love and trust again. Is that possible? Or will the earlier tragedy destroy the family relationship for good?

HALLIE'S HEART is Ms. Beach's debut novel--though I'm not really sure why I received it in the fall of 2011 to review...four years after it's release. Looking on Amazon I see Ms. Beach has had other books released since then. But they appear to be nonfiction. I've never read any of her books.

Mona and Hallie are both realistically developed. I loved the beach setting on Lake Michigan. Some of the dream sequences were a little hard to follow, and the story did drag in spots. But all in all, it was a nice read.

In Hallie's heart, character Mona shared a strong personality and very strong faith in God. She didn't always trust God, but through the book she began to forgive and sought that same forgiveness for her niece. It was tough going to crack through the hard shell of Hallie, but much forgiveness prevailed. Strong friendships throughout the story and a softness from Ellen was meaningful to Mona. Highly recommended for church libraries. I read the book in large print which is nice as an option.

For anyone from the western side of Michigan, particularly Muskegon, Michigan, you will fall in love!

If you choose to read Hallie's Heart...BE PREPARED! This is one of those books you will not want to put down until you have finished it. It captivates your heart. You will find yourself totally wrapped up in the lives of the characters as they come alive on the pages. Have Kleenex ready - this is a story where you find yourself either laughing or crying a lot! Oh and be prepared for one more thing....this book will challenge you to examine your own life in wonderfully exciting ways!

I emphatically invite all to come to Stewartville and fall in love with the story of Hallie's Heart. Shelly Beach has spun a story of culture and character that compels the reader to sit, stay, and smile as a familiar but wonderfully new world enchants the mind to smiles.
Ms. Beach's use of character, reminds one of the wonderful sorts of people that pepper our own lives and stretch our sour faces to beam. Hallie's Heart delves deep into the issues of forgiveness, death, and guilt. The Christian themes and solutions are not an apology in this book but rather the sole solution.
If the passerby wishes to be delighted by a good read, I recommend this book. And they won't be disappointed because they will pleasantly find that they have escaped to Stewartville and into a land of chuckling smiles.

This is a good read. Heartwarming, loving, sweet and beautiful. It shows how much we are loved by God. I couldn't put it down. I'm from Michigan and I was wonderful to read about my own state. Thank you Shelly.

please get a copy and read this what a great author
thank you for the quick service

Hallie's Heart This was a very good story, written by a talented writer. The story was compelling. It would be helpful to relate to the story if you had a similar view on Christianity.The Lake Michigan setting was a nice change.

In a moving and tender but topical and fresh manner, Shelly Beach's novel, Hallie's Heart, is first and foremost an inspiring story. With real and lovable characters and contemporary situations, you'll laugh as well as cry as Mona and her teenage niece, Hallie, confront the past and strengthen the bonds of family relationships. Sideline characters will win your heart too. Not just for teens, this is today's Christian fiction with a message for everyone. Strongly recommended for women of any age.