How Sweet It Is [Paperback]

Alice J. Wisler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

Deena Livingston leaves behind a broken romance and her chef job in Atlanta to spend time at her grandfather's cabin in the mountains of North Carolina. But her grandfather has an odd request: he wants Deena to teach cooking classes to the ragtag group of middle-schoolers who attend the local afterschool program, The Center. Reluctantly, Deena agrees, but how is she supposed to convince these kids that cooking at home is better than eating at McDonalds? And after all she went through in Atlanta, why is she attracted to Zack, the social worker at The Center? Can a Dr. Seuss-quoting plumber, a curly-haired basketball player, and a group of middle-schoolers change Deena's outlook on life?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Atlanta chef Deena Livingston returns home to the North Carolina cabin she inherited from her grandfather to start a new life far from the heartbreak she suffered in Georgia. But instead of becoming isolated in self-pity, Deena finds her grandfather's will also stipulates that she work with local middle-school children. Written with a seasoning of Southern charm and populated with richly drawn characters, Wisler's second novel (after Rain Song) mixes romance, humor, and drama and tackles such issues such as child abuse and self-image. Sure to appeal to fans of Susan May Warren, Lisa Wingate, Angela Hunt, and Rene Gutteridge.
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About the Author

Alice J. Wisler is an author, public speaker, advocate, and fundraiser. She has been a guest on several radio and TV programs to promote her self-published cookbooks, Slices of Sunlight and Down the Cereal Aisle. She has a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Mennonite University and has traveled the world in jobs that minister to people. Alice and her family live in Durham, North Carolina.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House; 1 Original edition (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764204785
• ISBN-13: 978-0764204784
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #700,928 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in Japan, I love sushi! I also enjoyed walks to the stationer's store to purchase notebooks, scented erasers and pencils when I was in elementary school. With each purchase, I was sure I was going to write a bestseller!

Now, I live in Durham, North Carolina, USA with my new husband Carl and three kids. I write, blog and enjoy crafting fun characters. All of my novels are set in North Carolina. Rain Song (Christy Finalist 2009) is my first novel and How Sweet It Is was released in April 2009. (Also a Christy Finalist in 2010). Hatteras Girl made her debut October 2010. My fourth novel, A Wedding Invitation, set in Winston-Salem, NC, is out, and this is exciting! For me, this newest novel represents the need we all have to belong and be accepted, just like the Amerasian girl Lien, one of my characters, feels.

In addition to speaking at conferences and retreats across the country, I teach online grief-writing classes---Writing the Heartache---and design and sell remembrance cards. Since my four-year-old son Daniel's death in 1997, I've written articles on coping with grief. Many of these can be read at the Open to Hope website at http://www.opentohope.com. Be sure to visit my website at http://www.alicewisler.com and my blogs: http://www.alicewisler.blogspot.com/ and http://www.writingtheheartache.blogspot.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSPIRING AND ENTERTAINING!, April 21, 2009

By 

Julie M. Eller "Julie Eller, Inspirational Au... (Federal Way, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Sweet It Is (Paperback)

Deena Livingston is a young woman who seemingly had it all--a rewarding career as a pastry chef in an upscale restaurant, wedding plans well underway--until the night all of her dreams came crashing down around her, leaving scars on her body, and on her heart. Atlanta has become a painful reminder of a life that no longer fits. When her recently deceased grandfather's will provides the opportunity to move to an isolated community in the mountains of North Carolina, she jumps in with both feet, eager to escape life as she knows it.

Taking possession of the cabin, however, comes with one heavy-duty string attached; Deena must donate six months of afternoons at an after-school program for disadvantaged middle-schoolers at her grandfather's church, providing cooking lessons. The young woman who desires only to isolate herself and tend to her physical and emotional wounds is faced with two options; abide by the stipulation her grandfather has set forth in his will, or leave her hidey-hole and return to Atlanta and face the daily reminders of her shattered life.

Deena's world-view, and faith, are challenged and strengthened as she comes to know the people the Lord brings into her life in Bryson City, North Carolina. From her adolescent cooking group, she learns that not all scars are visible, and that it's possible to work through trust and anger issues while still keeping a heart open, and vulnerable, to others.

I chuckled, grinned, and wiped a few tears while reading "How Sweet It Is." Ms. Wisler is a talented new voice in Christian fiction. She speaks a distinct message of renewed hope and purpose through Christ's calling with skill, humor and sensitivity. I eagerly await her next release.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story, April 27, 2009

By 

K. Debrum (New England) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: How Sweet It Is (Paperback)

"How Sweet It Is", another great story by Alice Wisler. Wisler has a unique ability to create characters that whittle their way into your heart. Deena has inherited a cabin from the grandfather she barely knows, but who seems to know what Deena needs. A catch to the inheritance is that Deena must teach cooking skills to middle school kids who all seem to have their own issues they are dealing with. Deena, however, is determined to keep to herself, avoid relationships and heal her many wounds (internal and external). Wisler has created a stream of characters, some quirky, some not, who find their way into your heart. Each character comes at a time Deena needs them most - not that she always sees them that way! As she gradually finds her way, you will find yourself urging her on and cheering as she finds her place.

This second novel from Wisler, after "Rain Song" comes highly recommended. Alice Wisler keeps us all begging for more!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How Sweet It Is, April 15, 2009

By 

C. Kendall - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Sweet It Is (Paperback)

Alice J Wisler has done it again. In her new book, How Sweet It Is, we meet Deena Livingston. Deena is a young woman who has been through her fair share of pain. After an accident that left her scarred and a break-up that left her heartbroken, Deena decides to move from Atlanta to Bryson City, a small mountain town in North Carolina. Deena's Grandpa Ernest has left her his mountain cabin with the condition that she teach a cooking class to disadvantaged children. From the day she arrives in Bryson City, she is challenged to let go of her anger and forgive the past, not just by the children, but also by social worker Zack. As Deena continues to deal with her pain and hide her scars, she discovers an attraction to Zack and a genuine love for the children she teaches. She learns that scars are not just on the outside and that she and the children have more in common than she first thought.
Alice J Wisler is a writer with incredible talent. I adored this book, from the first page to the last. I think the thing that makes Alice's books so special is her ability to create characters that are very endearing. The characters in How Sweet It Is were written with such heart and such care. Each character is so unique and has his or her own pain in life. This book really spoke to me and it meant a lot to me to see this group of people, including Deena, come to grips with the need to heal and forgive. I can't recommend this book strongly enough. If you have not already read Alice's first book, Rain Song, do yourself a big favor and read that one too. You will be changed and your heart will be warmed. I loved this book and I am looking forward to more from this very talented author.