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Hallie's Heart
Mona VanderMolen, an antique dealer in a small Michigan town, is trying to keep her business alive. As Mona faces the uncertainties of her own future, Hallie, Mona's fifteen-year-old niece, suddenly arrives on her doorstep. Guilt-ridden over her sister's drowning several years earlier, Hallie has run off to her aunt's cottage. As the two women work through their problems and learn to forgive, will an unfortunate accident tear them apart once again? Guaranteed fiction!
- GenresFiction
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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100 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 29, 2010
A touching family story that might make you cry at the end.
July 16, 2015
"Hallie's Heart" grabbed me from the first page. The author does a wonderful job of defining the characters and depicting the community where the story takes place (a region with which I am very familiar). The drowning accident provided the central conflict, but perhaps the protagonist's own personal struggles could have been more clearly defined. At times, the story line was bogged down by the protagonist's prayers. While they were essential to the resolution, the inclusion of them moved the reader out of the action. I would have enjoyed more development of the side story involving a potential love interest. However, I did enjoy the book and it kept me up late as I chased after the key that would unlock "Hallie's Heart". I would recommend this book.
February 19, 2016
Mona is Hallie's aunt and has been a positive force in her niece's life until a tragedy. In the two years that follow this tragedy, Mona and Hallie, along with everyone else in their lives, move on but with deep hurts and unvoiced pain and guilt. Hallie runs away to her aunt's beach house and the book then tells the story of their lives beautifully. All the facts become known throughout the book giving you a reason to keep reading. Beach's descriptors are clear and give good mental visuals for the reader without going overboard. When they are stifling in the heat, the reader feels it. When one downs a cold drink, we are also refreshed. Don't miss this story filled with love, shared pain, forgiveness and good writing.
March 31, 2015
Hallie's Heart is the story of a troubled teen and her loving aunt.
Great character development made the characters come alive. Humor sprinkled throughout kept this serious story a fun read. It was an inspiring read demonstrating God's love and forgiveness.
I highly recommend this book. Be sure to also look for the sequel - Morningsong.
Great character development made the characters come alive. Humor sprinkled throughout kept this serious story a fun read. It was an inspiring read demonstrating God's love and forgiveness.
I highly recommend this book. Be sure to also look for the sequel - Morningsong.
September 7, 2016
I enjoyed reading this story. Recommend if you ever had something bothering you that came from deep within.
July 3, 2018
There is so much brokenness in the main characters...both Mona and Hallie are dealing with the death of Hallie's sister. Both are grieving, and are angry, and are struggling to forgive themselves in this tragic accident. I love how the Lord works things out in this situation and turns it into something good, no matter how painful their reality is. This is another new author to me, and I really want to read more of her books. I truly enjoyed this one though I found myself in tears at times. Very well done!
June 29, 2020
If you want a novel that will uplift you, then Shelly Beach's Christy award-winning novel "Hallie's Heart" is what you need. During this time of living in a pandemic, I found it inspiring. A must-read!
February 12, 2015
3.5 stars. Most weekends find flame-haired Mona VanderMolen scouting for rare finds. A former teacher who quit her job after a family tragedy, she's been the owner of Stewartville Antiques for eighteen months now and is finally learning the ropes. But life isn't easy in the antique business. Dealers often outbid her at auctions, and things are tight. Someone has already offered to buy her out. But she's a fighter, and she intends to make it through the tough times.
Mona's dire financial situation isn't her only problem. Her relationship with her beloved fifteen-year-old nice Hallie was shattered eighteen months ago, thanks to Mona's sister. She blames Mona for the accident the family's still reeling from and refuses to allow aunt and niece to see each other. But that's about to change. Hallie has plans her mother and Mona know nothing about. Can Mona get through to her niece with the love and forgiveness she so desperately needs? Or will that tragedy that shook their family take them both down for good?
Mona's quirks (like her peanut M&M cravings) make her believable and real, and it's easy to understand why niece Hallie is drawn to her. The single, fun loving woman isn't concerned what people think, either of her appearance or actions. Hallie herself is painted as the slightly cliched rebellious teenager at first, but it isn't long before we see her in a different light.
The theme of forgiveness is gently and convincingly woven through the pages of this contemporary story. Some of the dream sequences were a little hard to follow, but Beach's sprinkling of imaginative phrases (my favorite: "It's hot enough to gag a maggot.") and characters you'd like to call your friends make up for some mild first-book-itis.
Overall, Hallie's Heart is a touching family story and a refreshing debut novel.
Mona's dire financial situation isn't her only problem. Her relationship with her beloved fifteen-year-old nice Hallie was shattered eighteen months ago, thanks to Mona's sister. She blames Mona for the accident the family's still reeling from and refuses to allow aunt and niece to see each other. But that's about to change. Hallie has plans her mother and Mona know nothing about. Can Mona get through to her niece with the love and forgiveness she so desperately needs? Or will that tragedy that shook their family take them both down for good?
Mona's quirks (like her peanut M&M cravings) make her believable and real, and it's easy to understand why niece Hallie is drawn to her. The single, fun loving woman isn't concerned what people think, either of her appearance or actions. Hallie herself is painted as the slightly cliched rebellious teenager at first, but it isn't long before we see her in a different light.
The theme of forgiveness is gently and convincingly woven through the pages of this contemporary story. Some of the dream sequences were a little hard to follow, but Beach's sprinkling of imaginative phrases (my favorite: "It's hot enough to gag a maggot.") and characters you'd like to call your friends make up for some mild first-book-itis.
Overall, Hallie's Heart is a touching family story and a refreshing debut novel.
November 22, 2011
Title: HALLIE’S HEART
Author: Shelly Beach
Publisher: Kregel Publications
January 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2436-6
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary
MoNa VanderMolen owns a struggling antique store and most weekends find her out scouting for rare finds. Life isn't easy in the antique business. She discovers that dealers often outbid her at auctions. Now, someone has offered to buy her out. But Mona's a fighter and she will survive—she hopes.
When Mona goes to her beach house to escape from some problems she is shocked to discover her fifteen year old niece, Hallie, already there. Mona and Hallie’s relationship was shattered over a year ago when Hallie’s mother blames Mona for something and refuses to allow Hallie and Mona to see each other. But now Hallie is trying to teach her mom a lesson—but Mona wants to try to break down the barriers and win her nieces love and trust again. Is that possible? Or will the earlier tragedy destroy the family relationship for good?
HALLIE’S HEART is Ms. Beach’s debut novel—though I’m not really sure why I received it in the fall of 2011 to review...almost five years after it’s release. Looking on Amazon I see Ms. Beach has had other books released since then. But they appear to be nonfiction. I’ve never read any of her books.
Mona and Hallie are both realistically developed. I loved the beach setting on Lake Michigan. Some of the dream sequences were a little hard to follow, and the story did drag in spots. But all in all, it was a nice read. $12.99. 240 pages.
Author: Shelly Beach
Publisher: Kregel Publications
January 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8234-2436-6
Genre: Inspirational/contemporary
MoNa VanderMolen owns a struggling antique store and most weekends find her out scouting for rare finds. Life isn't easy in the antique business. She discovers that dealers often outbid her at auctions. Now, someone has offered to buy her out. But Mona's a fighter and she will survive—she hopes.
When Mona goes to her beach house to escape from some problems she is shocked to discover her fifteen year old niece, Hallie, already there. Mona and Hallie’s relationship was shattered over a year ago when Hallie’s mother blames Mona for something and refuses to allow Hallie and Mona to see each other. But now Hallie is trying to teach her mom a lesson—but Mona wants to try to break down the barriers and win her nieces love and trust again. Is that possible? Or will the earlier tragedy destroy the family relationship for good?
HALLIE’S HEART is Ms. Beach’s debut novel—though I’m not really sure why I received it in the fall of 2011 to review...almost five years after it’s release. Looking on Amazon I see Ms. Beach has had other books released since then. But they appear to be nonfiction. I’ve never read any of her books.
Mona and Hallie are both realistically developed. I loved the beach setting on Lake Michigan. Some of the dream sequences were a little hard to follow, and the story did drag in spots. But all in all, it was a nice read. $12.99. 240 pages.
August 9, 2008
Mona is the owner of an antique shop struggling to make a go of her business. But she struggles with more than that – her past is haunted with anguish and guilt. And her teenage niece, Hallie, is caught in the same agony. As their tale unfolds, Beach slowly reveals the story of their painful past, and the hidden guilt they share.
Note: This book won the 2008 Christy Award in the Chick Lit category.
When the book opened, I thought I’d picked up a light read as I tagged along with Mona to an estate auction to find treasures she could sell. The story changed as the author began hinting that all was not well with Mona’s family relationships. There’s a sister who barely speaks to her, and a niece she’s not allowed to see. Despite the appearance of a neurotic wiener dog and a memorable antique shop employee, this isn’t a ‘feel good’ novel – at least not through most of the book. But it’s a poignant story with realistic characters who love each other and want to help one another through the pain of loss and guilt.
Note: This book won the 2008 Christy Award in the Chick Lit category.
When the book opened, I thought I’d picked up a light read as I tagged along with Mona to an estate auction to find treasures she could sell. The story changed as the author began hinting that all was not well with Mona’s family relationships. There’s a sister who barely speaks to her, and a niece she’s not allowed to see. Despite the appearance of a neurotic wiener dog and a memorable antique shop employee, this isn’t a ‘feel good’ novel – at least not through most of the book. But it’s a poignant story with realistic characters who love each other and want to help one another through the pain of loss and guilt.
July 14, 2008
I was pleasantly surprised by this pick. Definitely billed as a "Christian Read" it was entertaining as well as wholesome.
15 year old Hallie runs away from her stifling home and straight into the arms of her single aunt, Mona, whom she adored at one time before a terrible accident took the life of Hallie's sister two years prior.
Now trying to forgive herself and her aunt for the accident and gaining the ability to move on with her life, Hallie is in for a lot of life lessons while staying with Mona.
Meanwhile, Mona has her own demons to tame regarding her father and her skewed opinion of him.
This was a quick read, though there were a few instances that I didn't think got explored enough. I would've prefered some clarifying or exploratory paragraphs that would've tied up some lose ends.
15 year old Hallie runs away from her stifling home and straight into the arms of her single aunt, Mona, whom she adored at one time before a terrible accident took the life of Hallie's sister two years prior.
Now trying to forgive herself and her aunt for the accident and gaining the ability to move on with her life, Hallie is in for a lot of life lessons while staying with Mona.
Meanwhile, Mona has her own demons to tame regarding her father and her skewed opinion of him.
This was a quick read, though there were a few instances that I didn't think got explored enough. I would've prefered some clarifying or exploratory paragraphs that would've tied up some lose ends.
January 5, 2013
Ah, so this is what a Christian book looks like. I think I'll be avoiding those in the future, as they pretty much seem like ordinary novels, but I'm not sure whether the refreshing lack of smut is worth the overly abundant name dropping of God. Wavering more around a 2.5, as I'm not sure I really liked it, but the antique-dealer aspect was sort of interesting and neither did I really hate it.
August 29, 2008
I had the privilege of meeting, listening to, and corresponding with the author who is a funny, warm, inspiring woman of God. Her book is equally inspiring, hard to out down, and a great reminder that God loves us no matter how "unlovable" we think we are.
August 31, 2013
The delicate handling of the guilt that goes along with the tragedy of losing a loved one when we feel a responsibility for what happened is well worth the read.
Wonderful clarity on God's loving care and His gift of free will. highly recommend
I could not put it down.
Wonderful clarity on God's loving care and His gift of free will. highly recommend
I could not put it down.
July 27, 2011
I really enjoyed this book!! Reading about Lake Michigan & places near it was awesome....gave me one of a real picture of where some of the things took place. A great book to read this summer!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews