7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Chick-Lit in Clerical Garb - Fun!, September 25, 2005
This review is from: Heavens to Betsy (Paperback)
It's not easy for a woman who enters a realm normally occupied by men. Just ask Betsy Blessing and she'll emphatically agree. But Betsy faces a particularly difficult situation-she's an ordained minister. Not only that, she's assistant pastor at Church of the Shepherd, an old church of mostly old folks and governed by a group of crusty and cantankerous board members.
Betsy is also single. And of course she is subjected to the match-making efforts of her friends. On the other hand, after suffering through these impossible "dates" one wonders if her friends aren't enemies in disguise.
The real fun starts when Betsy must step in to fill the pulpit for the ailing senior minister. Now she has all the responsibilities of being senior minister, but none of the respect that goes along with it. A leaking baptistery, money disappearing from the collection box, and disapproval of her association with David Swenson, pastor of a "rival" church, will keep you totally entertained.
When her best friend decides Betsy needs a make-over, televised for the whole world to see, the results are disastrously hysterical. Her congregation does not approve of the `new' Betsy. You'll laugh out loud as you follow Betsy through the struggle not only with her congregation, but with herself. She deals with a past she's not proud of, her awakening feelings for David, who up to now has just been a friend and sparring partner, and her relationship with God.
You'll love Betsy - she's delightfully human, and this is a fun romp through the life of a lady preacher who finally comes to terms with who she really is. And the author, Beth Pattillo, is herself an ordained minister, which lends credibility to this brisk, fast-paced read.
Peggy Phifer ©2005
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Smooth Combination of Inspirational-Chick Lit!!!, July 10, 2005
This review is from: Heavens to Betsy (Paperback)
Ms. Pattillo has penned a very entertaining, but moving story with the main character Betsy, an ordained minister who is just like the rest of us, struggling with insecurities, looking for love, and dealing with life's everyday issues.
Betsy doesn't think that preaching the word of God is her true calling. At least she hasn't found "bliss" in doing this. Truth is she's been fired from one church, and is now just a mere fill-in until the retiring minister can be replaced. On top of that her best friend David is now making her feel things best friends just shouldn't feel. It's over popcorn that she comes to the realization that she loves him and wants him for her very own. But, does she have the faith and the courage to go for what she wants, or will she play it safe?
Betsy is a wonderful character and Ms. Patillo has done a wonderful job conveying that Ministers are people too. Ms. Patillo has deftly woven a story that will pull the reader in just too see what Betsy will do. The ensemble cast of secondary characters is great addition to this page turning read. I look forward to the next in this series. Will Betsy get her man and finally walk down the isle, and more importantly will she stay with the ministry or will she try her had at being a lawyer???
Official Reviewer for Romance Designs
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Funny and compassionate, July 8, 2005
This review is from: Heavens to Betsy (Paperback)
Beth Pattillo has created a funny, compassionate and romantic story with Heavens to Betsy. Being young, single and full of self doubt, Associate Reverend Betsy Blessings has all the same trials and tribulations of any young career women. The book gives some interesting insight into the lives of those who have chosen to be involved in the church without being patronizing. I would probably go more often if I ever found a church with a minister like Betsy. This book was a really fun, light read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for something a bit different in a romance genre.
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