I do not know if I shall scream or cry or both. Love Starts with Elle is officially one of my favorite books of all time. It is by far my favorite book of contemporary Christian fiction. I enjoyed Sweet Caroline immensely, but it does not fully compare with the power and wonder of Elle. This is a sequel, but does stand alone on a firm foundation of Christ no less.

Elle is an artist, well in her heart. She mets Mr. Wonderful, who I did not like from page one, but he's so right. Until he's not, bu More...

Great book! I love books about relationships. Elle finds her relationship with God by going to a chapel and becoming a prayer warrior.

http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2012/09/...
Have you ever been presented with a highly-appealing opportunity, and you accepted it, even though you had serious doubts?

Elle has a happy life living in her small southern town. Realizing she has “no talent” as an artist, she runs her successful art gallery. She’s also dating Jeremiah, a pastor at her church. Jeremiah’s charismatic personality is appealing to Elle, and when he asks her to marry him, she says yes.

However, problems crop up once Jeremiah mov More...

I loved this book! I had been wanting to read it for quite some time, so, when I finally got it, I practically devoured it! Finished it within a day.

What can I say..? Rachel Hauck is a pretty great author. The characters were very real to me (which makes a good book just that much better!). My two favorite characters were Elle (obviously) and her dad. Loved the relationship between those two — it was really special. Ms. Anna was another truly wonderful character. The world needs more prayer warr More...

3.5 or 4.
Rachel Hauck writes a good love story. I love her characters, and her settings make me want to live in a small southern town. She's good with banter and moving relationships along. I like how her characters have tough choices to make, and the spiritual aspect of it, though sometimes the Christianity is a little strong for me--just the lingo, I guess, since it's not my brand of Christianity. :)
Sometimes I think her heroines take a little too long to figure things out, give lame guys one More...

I read romance manuscripts in my day job, and have read countless published romances. You'd think after awhile they would all be the same. Not so. Rachel Hauck has penned a romance that took my breath away. She starts with the setting in Beaufort, South Carolina (what could be more romantic?) Brings in characters that you are sure you would find there, whom you want to meet and know. Then, she adds surprises and grabs your emotions. Sigh. I didn't want this story to end. If I could write a roman More...

Religious chick-lit. It was an enjoyable, quick read. I haven't read a chick-lit in a while, so this was a treat. I think if I read too much of this author, it would become more annoying than enjoyable, but as it was, it was fun to escape into the worlds where it is obvious who should end up with who, and they always do just at the right time when all career problems seem to be resolved. And I was pleasantly surprised that the religious side of it was pretty realistic. No sudden conversions, but More...

Original post at One More Page

A week ago, some colleagues and I were discussing relationships and romance, and how one must go in choosing a mate. Perhaps "choosing a mate" is not the proper phrase to use (frankly it sounds a bit too bestial for me), but the discussion was about how the other person can be qualified as a potential guy or girl or will they be cast off into the friend zone. It was quite an interesting discussion, and I was surprised at how some of the guys told me that I needed to More...

So I'm going to say it right now: this is a Christian/Spiritual novel. So now some of you can run away, but for those of you who remain, do stay and sit awhile.

In a nutshell: "Sleepless in Seattle" meets the Christian faith.

For a Christian novel, this story and the characters really stuck to me. I found this book on Goodreads and started reading it via the Google Preview. I remember really, really liking it but for some reason, I didn't check it out until I raided my library system this past wee More...

I LOVED EVERY MINUTE of this book. From the very first page to the last I delighted in Elle's life and her family, and you will too. Rachel Hauck has captured my heart with Elle's story. It's filled with fun,unforgettable characters, situations that made me laugh out loud, and parts which were thought provoking. Rachel drew me into Elle's life,
and her dilemma. Rachel answers some questions that we may have asked ourselves while reading. Questions such as: "Just because we have feelings of love f More...

Quite possibly the best Christian chick lit title I have ever read. I adored this book!!

Favorite quote:

"Only now, in the midst of pain and failure, do I find myself running to Him. I can speak to Him, but my ear is not tuned to hearing. That realization frightens me. Is my life in shambles because He wanted me to stop and face Him, not dialog with my back to Him as I wnet about my day with half-hearted faith?"

This was a very entertaining story. The author did a fine job of writing this romance/inspirational book. She knew just what she was doing when she created these wonderful characters and storyline. I especially loved the significance of the white feather. Well done. The only negative comment I have to say is that their were several typos throughout the story that were a little distracting.

I found this to be a touching story of love, faith and second chances. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the author skillfully wove a second love story into the primary one by using excerpts from the hero's novel-in-process. Although I suspect many other readers will not be bothered, I did find the various grammatical errors, starting with one in the first paragraph, distracting.

This was a fast read and quite good. The writing was good about how Elle was grappling with her faith and trying to find true love. The plot kept moving and there were swift twists and turns. Developing a relationship with God was important to several characters in the book but not overdone. The only detraction/distraction was all the typos in this book--yikes!

Another sweet, likeable, but just okay Christian romance. Elle is an artist-turned-gallery owner trying to put her life back together after a broken engagement. Heath is a lawyer-turned-novelist taking a sabbatical after the tragic death of his wife. They're both endearing and you'll root for them, but I found myself constantly wondering, "Who talks like that?" You'll know what I mean if you read it.

i loved Elle! What a great character, imperfection,struggles, identity crisis, struggling artist all wrapped up into one. There were a couple of corny parts but they didn't ruin the story!Of course the story in the story i also liked...it wasn't the driving force to my love of this book but i do love a story in a story.

Too ridiculous, too predictable, stupid characters, and who actually calls someone else a "cell phone whore?" (This is what Elle calls Jeremiah at one point). I just couldn't bring myself to care about the characters and their problems. There is good inspirational, Christian fiction out there; this is not it.

This book was a little slow and all of the typos didn't help. I enjoyed the love triangle story line, but the book was beleaguered by all of her preaching. I can appreciate someone wanting to share a message, but it was just a little too much.

I'd give this a 3.5 if I could. Almost a 4. I have been too liberal with my rating system in the past so I'm toughening up. Good, clean, fun, light read. I would definitely recommend this to others who are looking for something quick, easy, but fun!

When we first met Elle in "Sweet Caroline", she was running her own Operation Wedding Day. Now she's been swept off her feet and has packed up her South Carolina life in order to move to Texas to marry her man. Her business is sold, her house is rented, the invitations are in the mail. When the wedding doesn't happen, Elle must rethink her life with only a few of the former pieces in place. As she turns to the Lord, He visits her in very real ways and gives her new dreams, new friends, new chall More...

A FANTASTIC read! I loved this book as well as The Wedding Dress and look forward to all of her work! The characters faced real life problems and they leaned on God to overcome them. I really dived into this novel. Id love to have a cup of coffee on the porch at the cottage and sit with Miss Anna at the chapel. We could all learn a thing or two from Ms. Anna!!!! Happy Reading, Folks!

Again, once I got to a certain spot in the book, I couldn't put it down. A nice light romantic read that ties in characters from Sweet Caroline. Who can resist a widowed man with a 4 year old little girl he is taking care of by himself?

Loved this book. Passed it on two two "reluctant reader" friends who also devoured it. I don't typically read Christian fiction romance, but this exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended!!!

Fairly typical Christian love story. The story took awhile to hold my interst, but once Elle breaks up with the self-absorbed preacher/ex-football hero, I enjoyed the rest of the story.

I like her books alot. The first one in the series was okay (although parts of the spiritual "experiences" I don't necessarily agree with), but I like this one much better than the first.

Loved loved this book. Such a sweet story! It also encouraged me to really start having my own prayer time. Not while I am driving, but when I can really be quiet and not just be heard by God but be able to hear him. Cant wait to read more Hauck

This is the fourth Rachel Hauck book I've read and my favorite so far! The dialogue was fun, the characters were compelling and the love of Jesus was on every page. Keep writing, Rachel!

I honestly likes this book. I believed every word on the page...even the feather part. This book was really good and I love that Rachel doesn't do stereotypes.

WOW! what can i really say about this book, it was awesome. The story was something new for me, sweet and at times, I wanted to kill Jeremiah. Overall, this book was nice, sweet wholesome and just made me feel good all inside. Love, Love, this book. :) Highly recommend it.

Right from the start Rachel Hauck's characters jump of the page. They are funny and honest, sometimes to a fault. They are the close friends that stick around no matter what life may bring.

In this novel the reader goes through the ups and downs of life with Elle. Her heartbreak and disappointments hit close to home; her insecurities about her artistic talents echo the feelings of insecurity we as human's carry around with us, especially for women who weigh themselves down with thoughts of imperf More...