The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter

by Teresa Slack

Book by Slack, Teresa D.

Genres: Romance, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Contemporary, Christian

306 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2006

Reviews

[Linore · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story opens with an introspective heroine who needs to do some soul searching. What could become stale tropes in the hands of some authors (the successful but burned out writer, the hardened, grieving widower) get satisfying treatments here. Throw in the author’s knack for capturing small town life with its cast of eccentrics and quirky characters, and the fun revs up as the story develops. Slack has a great sense of tongue in cheek humor, and can capture the essence of a character in one line. About a husband with a garrulous wife, she says, “He wore the resigned look of a man who hadn’t finished a sentence in thirty years.” Of another, “Like most men, he usually shut off his mind like a valve as soon as he hit the sheets and fell asleep as effortlessly as a cocker spaniel.” The southern names of characters are also authentically fun: Hephzibah Bean, famous for her BBQ; or Alma Faye Williams, the Ladies’ Auxiliary president. Describing a hot 4th of July parade, she notes that, “The Veterans of Foreign Wars looked like they were wilting on their float..” Small touches like these add to the developing plot of a citified writer who finds herself by losing herself (the Christian message) while also finding love in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s an identity crisis turned romance, and I recommend it to all those who enjoy sweet romance or Christian fiction. You’ll close the book on a smile.

[Tina Yarrall · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice read

A Christian contemporary fiction romance that is a pleasant and easy going read. No great surprises or action scenes but a clean romance story between two strong willed characters.

[Elle Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This isn't the type of book I would normally choose to read. I think it was recommended on a romance podcast I saw, so I thought I'd give it a chance. I was pleasantly surprised. The story had a romance thread, but if I were to name the theme of the book it would be: learning to put God first.

The story opens with the heroine struggling against her editors idea for a new book. She picks another idea she wants to run with off the top of her head and goes for it, only the words don't come. I won't ruin the book for you by telling you more, but suffice it to say her struggle goes on until she comes to some important realizations.

Don't pass this one up.

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another satisfying read from Teresa Slack

I am always confident that I will enjoy a book by Mrs. Slack. Her stories are very interesting and not predictable — even though you think you know where things are going. You don’t! Also, her characters are the best. — especially for a Christian author. Too often Christian writers make their characters totally unbelievable and , therefore, unsympathetic. But her characters are flawed human beings the reader can relate to and root for. It’s always a very enjoyable combination. Can’t wait to go on to another of her books!

[Felicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is really a 2.5 for me. The characters were good, but the pacing was awful. I was really starting to get confused about the main romance because we were so close to the end and they had barely spoken with each other. There was an event that was being set up for a couple chapters, and then suddenly we were will the characters after the event had happened, with one paragraph about it. I was so frustrated at the pacing throughout the book. But the characters were quite good, and the dialogue was good, so I'll bump it up to 3 stars.

[Fayo Kola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy Carter is the ultimate guide gal, she can guide you doing anything and doing it well but she's tired of her title, she wants out of the ultimate guide life. So she pitches a book that will take a long time to finish and travels away from her title. She is on a journey to rediscover who she is or if she even still wants to write. Of course she encounters God on this trip so it's a great read overall. But I did feel like things were dragged out a little.

[Jeannette Harbottle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a surprise!

I really didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Darcy had depended on God when she started her career, but when things were going well she began to depend on herself. It took writer's block and a new friendship to make her return to her former relationship with God, and then everything else, including romance, fell into place. A worthwhile read.

[Brenda Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean enjoyable love story

I do so much enjoy a good story that keeps me picking up the book every chance i get. Romance novels are not usually my choice in reading. However, i love Christian books with a message. No matter how far we run from the Lord he is always their for is when we are ready to return. I'll be looking for more books from this author. Thanks for a good read.

[Mary Wolff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read, kept my interest from beginning to end. First book I've read by this author, and really enjoyed her!

[Maritza Zoumas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story

Redemption , forgiveness and love! Not many books touch my heart the way this one did, it brought me to tears at times. Love it!!!!

[Carla Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about finding yourself, going back to God and love!

[Kathleen Denly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I wasn't sure about this book in the beginning. It had a much slower feel to it than my usual reads. In fact, I would compare it to visiting a true small town. It's a leisurely pace that you can't help but get sucked into enjoying. I found myself letting go of the need for speed and starting to enjoy the journey. This book is all about its characters, including its setting. I would say this isn't a book just any author could be successful at, but Teresa Slack clearly has the gift.

This was a refreshing and heart warming read I can happily recommend.

This was my first taste of Teresa Slack's writing and I look forward to reading more.

[Tonya · Rating 1 out of 5]

The title made this book seem like it might be good. Too bad that was not the case. Aside from the light plot, and generic story line, this book didn't have much to offer. The characters were not drawn well, and spoke waaaaayyyyyy to formally for the southerners they were supposed to be. The lack of question marks at the end of questions annoyed me. The book was overly preachy, and had lots of "scenes" that were totally superfluous (the little boy in the parade? Someone was just filling pages for no reason.)

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter by Teresa Slack is a fun inspirational romance.
It shows the struggles of a successful young writer in a well written story.
I loved the characters of Darcy, Leanne and Vince and how they interacted.
It shows how we need to seek the Lord in all aspects of our life.
I look forward to more by this author.Thanks for the complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Joyful · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ultimate Guide author is going through a dry spell and wants a vacation. When the editor tries to get a book on the ultimate Guide to finding Mr. Right, Darcy takes a vacation to write an ultimate guide to mom and pop cafes just to get out of writing what writing the Mr. Right book. On this vacation she mets a man. Darcy realizes she needs to renew her relationship with God. The characters are likable and the read is fun. I was given this book for an honest review.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darcy Carter is burned out as a writer but doesn't know what she wants to do now. I like that she comes to realize that God has to come first in her life. Most of the characters were developed and relatable, but Vince wasn't very likable for most of the story. While I appreciate that their romance wasn't all about physical attraction, I would have preferred to see a little more development in their relationship.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book The ultimate Guide Person after having written several Guide to books goes dry, takes a wonderful vacation that shows her how much she needs to look to her Lord, and examine what her life stands for, meets a wonderful person who needs to get his life straightened out. Read the book, watch what happens.....
God bless you

[Maritza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute easy read

I really enjoyed this book...Darcy is quirky, witty and tired of life lol. She gets away to North Carolina to "research" her next ultimate guide book and ends up finding so much more. I liked the little side stories from supporting characters' POV as well. Very cute.

[Nanette Littlestone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and charming, The Ultimate Guide to Darcy Carter is a satisfying read that invokes the charm of its Southern characters and famed cooking. You'll keep wondering if Darcy finds her Mr. Right, and that's a good thing.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read if you don't mind Christain romance and more born again moments than romantic moments.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like Christian romances, you might like this. It was a cute premise but dragged on too long. It got a little heavy and I had to start skimming.

[Kera R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than I thought it would be!

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book by this author.

[Margaret A Register · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice

A good story, a little wordy, and a few places missed the editor's pen. But overall, the author held my attention and I loved the "leading man"!

[Kc1881hotmail.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feel good story

When your down or feeling lost open a "feel good" story. Immerse yourself and take your mind off what's bothering you for awhile.

[Julie Malcolm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was OK for the most part, though I was a bit disappointed with the ending. I felt that the secondary romance got the better treatment.

[Lynnea Olson]

Great book