Legacy Lane (Harts Crossing, Book 1) [Hardcover]

Robin Lee Hatcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

Angie Hunter left Hart's Crossing for college and never looked back. So when her widowed mother needs care following surgery, Angie is more than ready to hire a nurse rather than return to her antiquated hometown. But when she is passed over for a promotion at work, an angry Angie quits and heads home anyway.

Francine Hunter is both excited and nervous about having her daughter home for the next two months. She sees this as her chance to make a new connection with her estranged daughter. Will she be able to nudge Angie toward faith without overdoing it? Or will Angie pack up and leave for a new job as soon as Francine has recovered?

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

RITA and Christy award–winning novelist Hatcher, who has penned 40 works of fiction, kicks off her new four-book Hart's Crossing series with this disappointing first installment. High-powered journalist Angie Hunter reluctantly returns to her Idaho smalltown home to care for her mother, Francine, as she recovers from knee surgery. Francine had "fallen in love with Jesus" at age 44 and driven Angie away from Christianity and, finally, from Francine herself. CBA readers will have a sense of deja vu as Angie gradually comes to see the value of her small town, finds a potential love interest and overcomes her strained relationship with her mother. Other characters are briefly introduced, including women in a quilter's group. The dialogue can be banal ("You've always made the best coffee...." "Thank you dear, but there's really no secret to it. I just follow the directions on the coffeemaker"). The faith that is presented comes across as preachy rather than inviting further investigation. Some readers will disagree with Hatcher's views about God's will ("While there's [sic] lots of good things I can do, not all of them are part of God's plan for me. I'm trying to discern what those plans are"). Many of the characters' names closely resemble those of fellow Christian novelists (Patti Bedford for novelist Patricia Bedford, Lyssa Sampson for Church Ladies author Lisa Samson, Angie Hunter for Angela Hunt, etc.), perhaps an insider joke that falls flat. Hatcher is a better novelist than this book indicates, and one hopes the second installment will be an improvement.
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Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Fleming H. Revell (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800718542
• ISBN-13: 978-0800718541
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,578 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm the author of 60+ novels and novellas. My home is in Idaho, where I spend my time writing stories of faith, courage, and love; pondering the things of God; and loving my family and friends. Please note that the list of my books on Amazon includes novels written for the general romance market from 1984 to 1999. My Christian fiction has been published from 1999 to present. I no longer recommend my older fiction. Purchase used books with caution. For more information, please visit my web site at http://robinleehatcher.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Pleasantly Surprised!!, May 1, 2005

By 

Bridges "Bridges" (Long Island, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legacy Lane (Harts Crossing, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Upon browsing through the library, looking for something new with "substance," the beauty of the cover on Legacy Lane caught my eye. Glancing through it, I thought it might be a little too bland. It turned out, however, to be a book that I've since recommended to many friends. Yes, it was predictable -- but isn't that refreshing in today's world? There's no complex sub-plot, no violence, no intrigue ... just a plain, uncomplicated, enjoyable story -- with a happy ending!! It really draws you into a peaceful place, and you feel surrounded by genuinely good, God-loving people. At the end, you just wish your "visit" could have lasted longer.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A sweet, fast read..., April 7, 2004

By 

Huntress Reviews (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legacy Lane (Harts Crossing, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Angie never wanted to spend more than a few days at home in the small town where she grew up. She thought hiring a nurse to care for her invalid mother after surgery would suffice, but a trick of fate changes her plans. Passed over for a promotion she busted her butt to earn, she quits and heads back to do the nursing herself, never imagining it would be she who would be healed.

Angie's return answers her mothers prayers and brings the older woman hope that she'll be able to help save her wayward child's soul. Angie might be resistant, but prayers and love are a tough combination to fight.

*** Legacy Lane is a sweet, affirming, and fast read. It will give hope to anyone who has had a tough evangelism nut to crack. Ms Hatcher has succeeded in transitioning from secular to Christian writing without watering down her story. ***

Amanda Killgore for Huntress Reviews.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The true meaning of legacy, March 19, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Legacy Lane (Harts Crossing, Book 1) (Hardcover)

Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favorite authors. Her books always grab you by the heart, and this one is no exception. If there is someone in your family searching for faith in Christ, this book is an absolute roadmap! Yet, it's a fun, lighthearted read with a "Mitford" feel to it. I feel like the characters have already become my friends and I'm anxious for the other books in the series to come out.