Earth to Betsy

Betsy #2

by Beth Pattillo

Can you have your (wedding) cake and eat it, too?

Betsy Blessing is about to have it all–the chance to be senior minister of Church of the Shepherd and a long-awaited first date with her best-friend-turned-love-interest, David Swenson. But David’s unexpected marriage proposal and a developer’s surprise offer to buy the dying downtown church building thrust Betsy into a whirlwind of decisions. Betsy’s future mother-in-law, editor of Budget Bride magazine, plans to feature the nuptials in an upcoming issue, but is Betsy ready to buy her wedding gown at Goodwill and register for china at Chips-n-Dings? And not everyone at Church of the Shepherd thinks relocating to the suburbs is a great idea. Can Betsy persuade the naysayers that she can lead them to the Promised Land?

Factor in a homeless man named Booger, a demanding parishioner with a broken hip, and David’s clandestine meetings with his former fiancée, and Betsy has more than she can handle. Is happily ever after out of reach for the fabulous Reverend Blessing?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Faith, Contemporary, Christian, Chick Lit

304 pages, Paperback

First published June 20, 2006

Reviews

[Melissa (Semi Hiatus Until After the Holidays) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book featuring a woman pastor who is wimpy and won't stand up for herself during wedding planning.

[Marian Beaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beth Pattillo’s Earth to Betsy is quite a romp. Especially if you like quirky characters, a zippy plot and splashes of humor everywhere. A floundering church, a mostly absent fiancé, and a suffocating mother-in-law propel the plot and allow the author to express her growth as a woman. A must-read for women in ministry and all those who revel in novels that imitate real life.

[Mackenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of 2
*Great!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Betsy's sagas as a female pastor struggling to balance the demands of her congregation, her love life, and her family continue. Betsy is all hyped to go on her first official date with David--her pastor friend who finally admitted his feelings for her. Not even a fight with the office copy machine and a disagreement with a church elder over the possible sale of their aging building can dissuade her. She receives the shock of her life though when her first date turns into a surprise engagement party where David's mother--the editor of a budget bridal magazine--announces her plans to feature Betsy's nuptials in the magazine. Betsy feels she has no choice but to go along with everyone else's wishes--and so begins a series of hilarious (for the reader) escapades as she negotiates her future mother-in-laws ideas of the perfect wedding on a shoestring. And she is also involved in what may be the biggest decision ever for her church--whether to stay put downtown or sell out and move to the suburbs. [return]Patillo delivers another fun read with a meaningful message.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the previous book better (Heaven's to Betsy), although this one wasn't bad... it was just more stressful to read. The last time I was in a wedding I was totally stressed out and I was just the maid of honor. This book brought back some of those stressful emotions to me that I now associate with planning weddings.

[Cardelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Beth Pattillo's Betsy Blessing so much! Perhaps its because I too am a thrity-ish female minister, but I found her relatable, touching and funny. I am reading Earth to Betsy now and can't wait to see what becomes of Rev. Blessing.
Update: Finished the book. After the first chapter I thought I would hate it, but turned out to really enjoy it as well. Great job!

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sequel to Heavens to Betsy, which finds Betsy and her longtime friend-turned-boyfriend, David, planning a very hurried wedding. Or, rather, having it planned for them by his controlling mother, who happens to edit a "Budget Brides" magazine. I didn't like this book as much as the first one, because the awfulness of everything made me uncomfortable. But I was happy with the ending. :)

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character's passive/aggressive, non-confrontational personality was starting to get on my nerves. But the last third of the book redeemed it and made the read worthwhile. Good summer reading.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these Betsy books, probably because I am a female pastor. I laughed out loud many times as I read it...in public too! How embarrassing. Hope Pattilo writes some more...the character David made me laugh because he's Lutheran, guess what? Me too.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked Heavens to Betsy more... this one was OK, but not great.

[Dellory Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun book by Beth Patillo. I love her style.

[Tari · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing sequel.

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book, but I skipped some of the middle of the book, because I wanted to move things along a bit. Liked how the story ended up.