Halos [Paperback]

Kristen Heitzmann (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2004

It was the halo that caught her heart between beats and made her pause to take notice. When Alessi Moore drives her red Mustang convertible into town, she wonders if this could be the place she was meant to find, a place to settle down. But when her convertible and all she owns is stolen, she is filled with doubt.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Romantic suspense is currently a hot genre in the evangelical Christian market (think Dee Henderson), and popular CBA author Heitzmann does the category justice here. Alessi Moore is a naive 21-year-old who still believes in fairy tales and miracles, despite a past that has left her orphaned and alone. As she drives across the country, looking for a new life, she stops in the snowy northern town of Charity. Her car and worldly possessions are stolen, and Alessi finds herself dependent on the kindness of strangers. She takes a job working in a bookstore for Steve, who distrusts all women; a cliched, angst-ridden romance follows. But something is rotten in Charity. The sheriff seems uninterested in finding Alessi's car; her stolen clothes turn up piece by piece in occasionally gruesome circumstances; and Alessi bears an eerie resemblance to a woman who disappeared several years ago. As the townsfolk talk of a mysterious "pact" they have made with one another, they muse cryptically, "Maybe they'd slain the devil, but his works were not forgotten." Will miracles be enough to save those in danger? Heitzmann paces her story well, and there is an appealing tension as the plot unfolds. Occasionally, Heitzmann overwrites ("The longing for Alessi's face filled his stomach more completely than the eggs and sausage"), but she also offers many solid descriptions and humorous moments. The use of the verboten word "damned" may surprise some conservative Christian readers. The joy of this novel is in Heitzmann's competent voice, engaging characters and many original touches.
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Review

"...grips the reader from the first page... outstanding." -- romantictimes.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (January 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764228269
• ISBN-13: 978-0764228261
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #788,458 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kristen Heitzmann is the bestselling author of seventeen novels, including The Edge of Recall and the Christy Award winner Secrets. An artist and music minister, Kristen lives in Colorado Springs with her husband, Jim, and their family.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!!!, July 17, 2006

By 

Aly-oops! (NM, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Halos (Paperback)

I had mixed feelings about this book, based solely on the notes of other reviewers. How glad I am that I took the time to read it for myself! Kristen Heitzmann, again, took me to a place I was loathe to leave.

21 year old Alessi is a truly unique character, & one cannot help but love her. Through all of her struggles, which include being orphaned by 12 & unwanted by any of her biological family, she maintains her wry humor, warm heart, & non-judgemental spirt, along with her belief in miracles. Quick to forgive & offer a second-chance, Alessi is not about to take a handout from anyone. And oh, how she longs to belong somewhere!

Steve is scarred by women, having been abandoned as a boy by his mother & then again in adulthood by his fiancee. He's preparing to endure his first Christmas since his elderly father passed away. Gruff & bear-like, the reader knows the only way this boy's shell is going to crack is through the gentle, unassuming presence of Alessi.

The characters are lovingly developed, continuing to grow throughout the book as they learn more about God, themselves, & those around them. I found myself rooting for each one as they faced minor to catastrophic challenges. Even Carl, who I was pre-disposed to dislike, had gained my empathy by the end.

This is a beautiful story about God, love, forgiveness, faith, & miracles. The characters wormed their way into my heart & left me aching for their happiness. I personally could have used another chapter or two; perhaps merely an epilogue. I was not ready to let this story end. Instead I guess I'll just get a few more of Heitzmann's books.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I lost myself in the story from the very beginning..., February 27, 2006

By 

Laura R. Witham (Anchorage, AK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Halos (Paperback)

I found it very, very easy to loose myself in this book. Kristen Heitzmann does an excellent job of bringing the characters in this book to life. Alessi Moore is stranded in a town that makes it no secret her presence is not welcome. She's faced with horrible obstacles that would send most warm bodies running with their tail between their legs, but not Alessi. She stood firm and refused to leave, but she did it with a compassion that definitely put my spirit in check when I was reminded of all the times I could have loved instead of fought. I originally bought this book so I could have something to read during my lunch hour. Instead, I had it read the very weekend I bought it. The romance in this book was perfectly balanced which further affirms my love of Kristen Heitsmann's writing. She does not shy away from true human affection and emotion but she also doesn't cross the fine line of over or under doing it. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance/suspense novel without compromising their faith.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely wonderful story about angels and love!!!, August 31, 2005

By 

chriscaglegirl83 "chriscaglegirl83" (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Halos (Paperback)

This is by far one of the most fun I have ever had reading a book in a long time!!! The storyline is wonderful and enchanting, keeping you entertained through the entire book. The story revolves around Alessi Moore, a 21-year-old woman who believes in halos and angels and is basically an orphan, having no family that wants her. She arrives in Charity, after seeing a halo around the town, only to have her car stolen with all her worldly possesions in it right from under her. She is befriended by Ben and Dave, two convenient store owners, who give her a room for the night and friendship that will last a lifetime. Arriving on the scene Steve, a guy who instantly gives Alessi a cold shoulder and tells her that her car will never be found. As the story progresses, Steve realizes he has fallen in love with Alessi and everything that she believes in. The suspense surrounding this story is the town has made a "pact" that no one will speak of. Alessi becomes the victim of cruel jokes, and the belief that no one in Charity wants to help her, except maybe Ben and Dave. That's all I'm going to say as far as the storyline goes, but I will go on to say that if you want a story that will entertain, keep you in suspense, and make you believe in angels, than this is the book for you!