Beautiful Dreamer

by Lorraine Beatty

When teacher Lena Butler agrees to be tour guide for a visiting film producer, she regrets it immediately. He's everything she dislikes—he's charming, undisciplined, and unpredictable. But it won't be long before she can get back to her routine and dreams of securing a vice principal position.

Dixon Edwards came to St. Augustine to scout locations for his Christian film company, yet it's his lovely but uptight guide who grabs his attention. He decides to teach Lena how to relax and enjoy life. Their feelings for each other grow quickly, but when Lena is offered her dream job, she must decide which is stronger—her need for security or her love for Dix.

Can Lena learn to trust God with her heart's future?

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 16, 2012

About the author

Lorraine Beatty was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, but now calls Mississippi home. She and husband Joe have two sons and six grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in Junior High and has written for trade books, newspapers and company newsletters. She is a member of RWA, ACFW and is a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel, and spend time with her family.

Reviews

[Kristina Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

The heroine of the book, Lena Butler, is a teacher who has always been "the responsible one". The eldest sister of three, she had to take the reins of the family when her mother died, and her father turned to booze to drown his sorrows. Now, all she wants is to be promoted to vice-principal of her school so that she can have the security and stability that she did not have as a child. Enter Dixon Edwards - film producer who needs a local to help him scout film locations in beautiful, historic St. Augustine, Florida. Charming, adventurous and gorgeous, Dix upsets Lena's world with his easy outlook on life and flashing dimple in his cheek. Dix challenges everything Lena believes in: order, stability and having a plan. However, behind his charming smile and engaging ways, Dix is hiding pain and secrets of his own that will eventually threaten the budding romance of this couple.

I enjoyed this book, and in some ways, identified with Lena. Often circumstances in life, put you in positions that you never would have chosen for yourself. How you deal with those circumstances and who you lean on - yourself or God - can often determine the choices you make in life. Lena has to make a choice between a job that she believes will give her security and stability - and love of a man who can give her all her dreams without the "necessary" safety net she craves. Which will she choose? And Dix is the hero we all dream of - he swoops in and shows Lena another way to live her life: with color and adventure and spontaneity. But when Lena has to make a choice that may stymie their relationship, he reacts in a way that does not seem in line with how he is portrayed throughout the book. Or does he?

This is a very good Christian literature book. Any references to God and how a relationship with Him impacts the lives of the characters in the book is done in such a way that even readers who believe differently than what is portrayed in the book should not be offended or turned off. I applaud the author for that. It is not easily done.

There are hints in the book that there are (or should be) books based on the lives of Lena's sisters, Jenna and Suzanna. I would read them, if I could find them.

[Ciara Mckinzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is entertaining but highly predictable. The chemistry is stale and never feels deep. I really appreciated one passage in particular when Dix is talking to Lena about faith in God. It’s a message I keep hearing a lot recently, and it restores my faith!

[Harlequin Books]

Category: Inspirational Romance