Blue Heart Blessed (Paperback)

by Susan Meissner (Author)
Key Phrases: Father Laurent, Farher Lauren, Something Blue (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this sweet contemporary romance, Meissner (A Window to the World) explores one woman's response to rejection and hurt. When a man she'd trusted jilts Daisy Murien almost at the altar, bitterness colors every aspect of her world. Admirably, she parlays her betrayal into opening a secondhand bridal gown store, Something Blue, where each gown has a story and a tiny blue heart is sewn into the seams and blessed by Daisy's friend and mentor, the elderly Father Laurent. When the kindly priest is felled by a heart attack, a new romantic interest (predictably) enters Daisy's life. Lurking on the sidelines is a high school friend who may have feelings for Daisy, and a wealthy single Christian man who can't seem to make the sparks fly. Meissner tells her story well, and her Christian themes are interwoven throughout with a deft touch. Readers will appreciate some fresh elements: an Ecuadorian couple that cooks for the apartment dwellers every Sunday, and the one gown in Daisy's inventory she does not want to sell. The ending is well told if conventional, with all the loose ends neatly tied up, which should please fans of happily ever after romance novels. (Feb.)
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Product Description

In this moving new novel by critically acclaimed author Susan Meissner, readers will once again delight in the masterful storytelling that resulted in the author’s A Window to the World (2005) being named among the top ten Christian novels of the year by Booklist Magazine.

Left standing at the altar, Daisy Murien, a wounded but hopeful romantic, opens a secondhand wedding dress boutique, hoping to soothe her broken heart while giving doomed wedding dresses a second chance at love. Her predictable days take a sharp turn, though, when the retired Episcopal priest who blesses the tiny, blue satin heart she sews into each dress falls ill. When the priest’s brooding and recently divorced son arrives with plans to take his ailing father away, a contest of wills begins between two stubborn—and hurting—souls. While fighting to keep Father Laurent close by, Daisy finally begins to understand why she has routinely convinced potential buyers not to buy the one gown that started her business—her own: She doesn’t want to give up on the dream of a fairytale romance.

This compelling story is about the magnificence of unconditional love and God’s impeccable timing in bringing it about.

“Susan Meissner’s strength is making characters so real, you root for them as you welcome them into your life.”
—Mary E. DeMuth, author of Wishing on Dandelions and Watching the Tree Limbs

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers; 1st Thus. edition (February 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736919171
• ISBN-13: 978-0736919173
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #372,274 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful romance, July 19, 2008

By	Cara Putman (Lafayette, IN) - See all my reviews

Susan Meisnner is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Before this book, I'd read one of her Rachel Flynn novels, which I thoroughly enjoyed. But that didn't mean I'd enjoy a straight romance. Boy, am I glad I picked this one up.

Blue Heart Blessed is filled with characters you can love, and they have plenty of quirks to be interesting. Daisy was jilted days before her wedding and ends up opening a second-hand bridal dress boutique. She knows she's not over her ex since she can't sell her dress. Her mother and aunt live in the same building with her and help her run the shop. Father Laurent provides sage advice and blesses the little blue hearts sewn into each dress.

One of the things I loved about this book was that the romance was subtle. I thought it was going to develop. Then I hoped it would develop. But the plot never relied on romance to keep going. And Daisy talks to herself through her journal. The advice she gives herself is priceless.

I enjoyed this book and can't wait to read Susan's next, The Shape of Mercy.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Discovery, January 11, 2009

By	Gayla M. Collins (Sheridan, WY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is my first Susan Meissner read, and based on this book I will be reading many others. Such a gentle, cozy but important read.

Meissner's characters are unique and their uniqueness fuels this wonderful tale. Daisy, jilted by a her fiancé, opens a used wedding gown shop....inside each one she sews a little blue heart blessed by the Episcopal priest who rents one of her apartments. The wedding gowns each have a sentimental history which double blesses them. Besides the priest, a myriad of quirky renters keep the story flowing with laughter and curiosity. I believe the pages must have turned themselves as I was so entrenched in the mesmerizing action that I don't recall my fingers touching them.

The last three chapters enraptured me. Enlightened me. Renewed my belief that God is the only One in the world that can truly love and accept us as we are. With His Love we can handle all the heartbreaks and celebrate the joyous events. In His Love we can know of our importance, our worth, our status in His eyes. I wept through the epilogue and you have to write well to have me crying.

Beautiful, lovely read and I promptly ordered a few more of this gifted author's offerings upon finishing this book.

Thank-you Cindy for the recommendation and thank-you Susan Meissner for not letting Cindy's encouragement fall flat.

Highly recommend!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This story touched me deeply, October 19, 2008

By	Donna K. "bookcrosser" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This is my first Susan Meissner book, and I loved the author's style of writing, with just the right touch of humor and compassion to counterbalance the serious issues the characters are going though, and a non-preachy approach to delivering spiritual messages. I absolutely loved the bridal shop/apartment building setting, and everything the blue hearts symbolized. This story is full of hope, and what resonated with me is that the seemingly bad and negative occurances in our lives might be God's way of clearing the path for the better things He has planned for us to come through.