A Hilltop in Tuscany [Paperback]

Stephanie Grace Whitson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2006

Liz Davis' life is going exactly as planned. But just as things seem to be perfect, her whole world comes crashing down. Can she find her hilltop in this valley? The sequel to the bestselling A Garden in Paris.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...should please both her established fans as well as newcomers to her writing." -- Amy Padgett, curledup.com

"Leaves the reader satisfied that this was the best of all endings." -- Carolyn Scheidies, Author's Choice Reviews

About the Author

STEPHANIE GRACE WHITSON is the author of fourteen novels and is a two-time Christy Award finalist. She pursues a full-time writing and speaking career from her home studio in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764229362
• ISBN-13: 978-0764229367
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #444,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Writing is something I've always done. . . not something I ever expected to do as a job. Back in the early 1990's when I was home schooling my four children and we began our state history unit, I became fascinated with the lives of the pioneer women who settled the west. Fascination led to research and "playing with imaginary friends." I sent off my first query letter largely as an exercise in anticipated rejection. Much to my amazement, instead of being rejected I was given a three book contract. In hind-sight, I believe God was providing a career for the day when my husband of 28 years would die (of cancer in 2001). I once worried about whether or not I would run out of ideas. Now I am more concerned about picking WHICH stories I should spend my time developing. I'm not going to live forever and I don't want to waste a moment on things that are less than the BEST pursuits.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sequel worth waiting for....., February 19, 2006

By 

Kay S. Walsh (Harrisonburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Hilltop in Tuscany (Paperback)

Part 2 of A Garden In Paris continues the story of Mary Davis and her daughter Liz. It is also the story of the incredible men who cross their paths. Mary is a widow who, though dedicated to her husband while alive, searches for a future in remnants of the past. Leaving Omaha, she finds herself in Paris.

Liz roots herself in Omaha and all the illusions it holds. When her fiancé asks for more than just continuing her past, to shape their future, Liz balks.

The characters are well developed. I found myself strongly disliking one character, but this person grew as a person to the point I found understanding, acceptance and forgiveness.

This book is a tribute to the author's versatility in moving from historical to contemporary fiction. Thanks for the gift of story!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Softly romantic tale that pulls readers in, June 23, 2006

By 

Christian Book Previews "Christian Book Previews" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Hilltop in Tuscany (Paperback)

In this sequel to A Garden in Paris, Mary is happily enjoying her newfound life in France and the friendship of two extraordinary men. Meanwhile, in Omaha, her daughter Liz struggles with running the family business, planning a wedding, and tentatively building a relationship through email with the man she just found out is her real father, Jean-Marc David.

When Liz's fiancé, Jeff, hears that his sister has finally left her abusive husband, Jeff heads to California to join his brother in being there for Sarah and her kids. Liz reluctantly follows, wanting to support Jeff but never feeling comfortable around his family. Then Jeff gets a promotion which will relocate him to California. Liz's life and business is in Nebraska, and she does not want to leave. Is Jeff worth the cost?

Luca Santo rejoices to hear of Jean-Marc's new faith, but it smashes against the love Luca is beginning to feel toward Mary. Jean-Marc and Mary loved each other once. He cannot stand in the way of their happiness now.

This beautifully written novel begins slowly, relying on the realistic and relatable characters to pull readers in. And they do. You sympathize with Liz feeling torn between her past and future, Mary's hesitant mothering of her independent daughter, and Luca's decision to step away from the one he loves. While several subplots could be removed from the story without being missed, they add to the richness of the tale. Readers will want to pick up the prequel first, as the two stories are closely entwined. Women will most appreciate this softly romantic tale. - Katie Hart, Christian Book Previews.com

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful women's fiction, June 9, 2007

By 

Ruth Axtell Morren (Maine, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Hilltop in Tuscany (Paperback)

My daughter picked this book out from a Christian Bookstore shelf, because the cover and title looked and sounded interesting. We have lived both in Europe and in the U.S., so any story set in Europe (esp. Paris) will quicken our interest.

I had misgivings about the Tuscany part, since I didn't want a knock-off of Under the Tuscan Sun. But I was quickly swept into the story, although it seems to be the second of a series. It didn't matter. It was easy to sort out the characters and where their lives were at at this point in time.

Whitson is a wonderful writer. She knows how to get you into the mind of both the 20-something, as well as the 50-something (?) protagonist. Even when the one behaves badly, you're rooting for her. Wonderful novel about relationships, great descriptions of the food. I spent my junior year in Paris and visited a friend spending hers in Florence, so this took me right back. I could just picture the areas Whitson was describing.