Worlds Collide [Paperback]

Alison Strobel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 15, 2005

Some Decisions Change Your Day. Some Will Change Your Life.

While the headlines screamed “Hollywood Heartthrob Marries Girl Next Door,” the public relationship of Jack Harrington and Grace Winslowe never revealed the private struggles that threatened to pull them apart–and when celebrity biographer Jada Eastman starts digging, she discovers that there’s more to this couple than anyone could guess.

Their relationship began like a scene from one of Jack’s movies. Leaving behind a dead-end relationship and the bitter Chicago winter, Grace had moved to Southern California to start a new life. Meanwhile, Jack had established himself as an up-and-comer with considerable acting talent, and a private heartache. When a fateful accident pulled the two of them together, they couldn’t avoid their initial attraction or the vast differences in their values and lifestyles.

Now, against the backdrop of Beverly Hills and the 24/7 nature of the entertainment world, Jada grapples with her own beliefs as she encounters the spiritual chasm of this famous couple. Can Grace and Jack face the consequences of their own personal histories–and can the biographer avoid being affected? As the three of them examine the couple’s bittersweet story, it becomes clear that everyday decisions can carry lifetime consequences when individual worlds collide.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The daughter of bestselling Christian apologist and writer Lee Strobel (The Case for Christ) pens an overly long, evangelistic story with likable Christian characters. The plot revolves around a real-time interview that celebrity biographer Jada Eastman conducts with Hollywood TV and movie star Jack Harrington (one of People's "Top 25 Most Beautiful People") and his wife, Grace. First-person chapters switch back and forth as Jack and Grace (with occasional interjections by Jada), narrate the story of their pasts, their romance and the daunting illness that now threatens Jack's life. The chronicling of the couple's spiritual quests soon bogs down into lengthy descriptions of church services and Jack's clichéd descent into alcohol and sex as he desperately seeks to know who he really is. Feeling "stalked by God," Jack wrestles with the idea of Christianity in earnest for almost a dozen pages, while the "ordinary gal" Grace plays out every female reader's fantasy of having a glamorous Hollywood hunk single her out (Grace: "But you're surrounded by women every day who look like goddesses...." Jack: "I would never, never want another woman over you"). Hollywood glamour, evangelical conversions, mostly competent writing and spiritual introspection should make this novel appeal to CBA market readers looking for an entertaining read to give their non-Christian friends. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Jada Eastman gets a contract to do a dual star biography of Jack Harrington, a Tom Selleck-like figure, and Grace Winslowe, the commoner who settled him down and gave his life meaning. But there's much more to it than that: Jack has had a pretty sleazy past; nor has Grace's life been without its rough spots. Meanwhile, Jada can't stay neutral: all the stuff about how Jesus has intervened in Jack and Grace's lives drives her nuts. It's a reasonably promising premise, but unfortunately, Grace is a bore. Jack isn't, but Strobel's account of his sins, while often affecting, is so moralistic that his redemption seems a foregone conclusion. John Mort
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (March 15, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578567939
• ISBN-13: 978-1578567935
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,821,973 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, Alison began writing stories in elementary school, following in the footsteps of her journalist/author father, Lee Strobel. She moved to California where she was inspired to write her first novel, "Worlds Collide," which released with Waterbrook Press in 2005. Her sophomore release, "Violette Between" came the following year and earned her a Rita Award nomination from the Romance Writers of America. After writing "Violette Between" Alison took a break from writing to enjoy life with her new baby girl Abigail. She now has another daughter, Penelope Jane, and two more books published--"The Weight of Shadows" (with Zondervan Publishing) and "Reinventing Rachel" (with David C. Cook), as well as two more releasing in 2011. To learn more about her or to sign up for her newsletter, please visit http://www.alisonstrobel.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Seeing Stars, March 15, 2005

By 

Eric Wilson "novelist" (Nashville, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Worlds Collide (Paperback)

Chick-lit? Bah. I loved "The Secret Life of Bees," but that's the closest I get to anything along these lines. Mention romance, and I'm instantly suspicious. I see enough soap operas in my work environment. Despite these sentiments, I was drawn to this book. The cover implied something less sappy, and so I dove in--with no regrets.

After a meandering beginning, I found myself knowing and caring about the main characters. In alternating chapters, I watched as Jack and Grace's lives converged. Jack is a Hollywood hunk. Grace is a small-town girl, now living near L.A. Jack deals with substance abuse and relational improprieties. Grace works through her unfamiliarity around a new set of church friends, as well as her new position as a school teacher. A believable set of circumstances bring this man and woman together, and the sparks cannot be denied. Yes, there is romance. But it was served with dollops of humor. I was laughing out loud at certain parts. I loved the dialogue between the characters. I even felt misty-eyed at one or two points. (I'll deny I ever wrote this!)

Although, as one reviewer has noted, this is indeed Christian fiction, it's Christian fiction which is willing to face life head-on. It does not shrink away from the temptations and tragedies we all face. This makes it vastly different from run-of-the-mill religious fare. "Worlds Collide" will help you see the stars in a new way, and it will leave you with a sense of Godly destiny even in the midst of heartache.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Christian Fiction, March 15, 2005

By 

Detra Fitch (USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Worlds Collide (Paperback)

Celebrity biographer Jada Eastman has published enough articles and books to know that behind the fame and glamour of Hollywood stars is grime that smells worse than any sewer ever could. During high school, Jada had a crush on Jack Harrington who was destined for stardom. So when Jack and his wife, Grace, asked her to write their biography, she agreed.

The relationship between Jack Harrington and Grace Winslowe began much like a romantic movie. He was an up-and-comer in the movie business (putting TV series behind him) and she was a simple fifth grade teacher. Their worlds collided, literally, when they were in an automobile accident. Jack was fine, so was the third party, but Grace was hospitalized. The two are attracted to each other, but they have vast differences too, the biggest being religion.

Now, against the backdrop of the entertainment world, Jada writes the story that all of Hollywood has been waiting for but the private couple kept to themselves. It will take Jada six months of close company with the couple to get the story. During that time, she learns how the famous couple grappled with their differences and won. But can she learn their story and NOT be affected?

**** The story targets the famous couple, their backgrounds, and more until about three quarters of the way through. From then on, the main focus is Jack getting Jesus and how it affects both their lives. The title is marketed as "Fiction/Contemporary". However, this is what I call "Christian Fiction". Nothing on the back of the book tells potential buyers that the story is basically about Jack becoming a Christian. So if you do not like Christian books, avoid this one. If you DO like them, then this novel is MORE than worth your money. It is told by Jack and Grace. Each chapter alternates with their views from before they meet, through their blooming relationship, and up to the present day. Keep the tissues close at hand. There are a few scenes that will warm your heart. Recommended reading. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great characters!, September 10, 2005

By 

J. Davis (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Worlds Collide (Paperback)

Most Christian fiction I've read has been about characters I can't identify with because they're so darn perfect! They don't say or do things they regret later. They don't have issues. They always know the right thing to say - and with sharp wit!

Not these characters. They're some of the most believable, interesting, and relatable I've read in a long time. The ending was good too. Not your typical fairytale/hollywood wrap-up. I loved this book!