Review: Playing by Heart by Anne Mateer

Book Cover and Synopsis:

Lula Bowman has finally achieved her dream: a teaching position and a scholarship to continue her college education in mathematics. But when she receives a shocking telephone call from her sister, Jewel, everything she's worked for begins to crumble.

After the sudden death of Jewel's husband, Jewel needs Lula's help. With a heavy heart, Lula returns to her Oklahoma hometown to do right by her sister. But the only teaching job available in Dunn is combination music instructor/basketball coach. Neither subject belongs anywhere near the halls of academia, according to Lula!

Lula commits to covering the job for the rest of the school year, determined to do well and prove herself to the town. Reluctantly, she turns to the boys' coach, Chet, to learn the game of basketball. Chet is handsome and single, but Lula has no plans to fall for a local boy. She's returning to college as soon as she gets Jewel back on her feet.

However, the more time she spends in Dunn, the more Lula realizes God is working on her heart--and her future is beginning to look a lot different than she'd expected.

My source for book: Review Copy

My Thoughts:
Though I'm not a big sports fan, I found it quite amusing that Lula was appointed coach for the girls basketball team despite the fact that she didn't know anything about the game! It was interesting to see her slowly learn the basics and play "coach" to the girls who knew more about the game than she did.

I really liked both Lula and Chet as the main characters, but the will-they-or-won't-they relationship angle went back and forth a couple more times than I would've preferred. I grew a little weary of them both pushing the other away for various "noble" reasons, all the while failing to communicate on the issue which ultimately made it seem like a complete rejection. I really wanted their communication to be better, and in the end I wasn't entirely convinced they knew each other well enough to make a commitment.

The regulations for female teachers of this era seem much more strict than for the men, and while I found this rather unfair I also suspect that it's likely a very realistic portrayal of the issue. I really liked seeing Lula sort of innocently buck the extreme rules, and the outcome was one that I truly didn't expect.

For those who want a happy ending (and who doesn't, right!?), the story does have one, though it took a detour that I hoped it wouldn't. Regardless of that, what sticks in my mind the most is Lula's shining moment towards the end, which I thought was quite fun and also a nice nod to her efforts to learn the game of basketball. 

Undeniably the story has some very unique plot elements and an overall good message, but honestly it's not my favorite novel from the author. ("Wings of a Dream" holds that honor.) While this one is generally entertaining, it just didn't have a "wow" factor for me. Though it's well written and seems realistic, ultimately I don't think the characters or their story will stay with me very long now that I've reached the end. Still, if the synopsis sounds appealing to you at all, I'd say go for it. It's a very solid "good" story, but just not "great".

My Rating: 3 stars

Thanks to the publisher (Bethany House) for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest opinion. 

Review: At Every Turn by Anne Mateer

Book Cover and Synopsis:

Caught up in a whirlwind of religious fervor when two missionaries speak at her church, Alyce Benson impetuously pledges three thousand dollars to mission work in Africa. She's certain her wealthy father will simply hand her the money. But when he refuses, she must either stand up in front of the congregation and admit failure, or raise the money herself.

Alyce harbors a secret passion for speed and automobiles. It's 1916, and the latest advancements in car engines allow some to post speeds upwards of seventy miles per hour! When she discovers her father's company has sponsored a racing car that will compete in several upcoming events--races in which the driver will be paid and could win as much as five thousand dollars in prize money--she conspires with her father's mechanic, Webster, to secretly train and compete.

But as Alyce comes across needs in her own community, money slips through her fingers faster than she can earn it. And when her friends cast aspersions on Webster's past, she believes she might have trusted the wrong man with her secret. Will Alyce come up with the money in time, or will she have to choose between her promise and the man who holds a piece of her heart?

My Thoughts:
Set in 1916, At Every Turn is a unique historical tale that's written in first person, told solely from Alyce's point of view. I love first person writing, though it's somewhat uncommon in historical fiction.

I wasn't able to completely connect with Alyce...she's likeable enough, but she occasionally seemed just a little bit "too good". Her personality is extremely impulsive, but at the same time she's very determined to meet her goal of raising $3,000 for missions. These two traits come together to put her in some amusing predicaments, which only seem to get worse despite her efforts to rectify things. Her intentions are good, but she has a knack for digging herself a bigger and bigger hole, with no way out!

I really liked Webster (one of the main male leads in the story), and the mystery surrounding his past was intriguing. He holds back any and all details of his past life, which frustrates Alyce, but it ultimately deepens the mystery for the reader. When the details of his former life were finally revealed, I was somewhat surprised, but quite happy with the revelations and the way things turned out.

Overall, I liked Anne Mateer's debut novel Wings of a Dream a bit better, but this was definitely a unique read; it's certainly not just your average everyday story! (I think it would actually make an excellent TV-movie.) I'll be keeping my eye on Anne Mateer, and I'm pretty sure I'll be checking out her next book when it's released!

My Rating: 4 stars
(I received this book courtesy of the publisher, Bethany House, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, a positive review was not required.)

Review: Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer

Book Cover and Synopsis:

Rebekah Hendricks dreams of a life far beyond her family's farm in Oklahoma, and when dashing aviator Arthur Samson promised adventure in the big city, she is quick to believe he's the man she's meant to marry. While she waits for the Great War to end and Arthur to return to her so they can pursue all their plans, her mother's sister falls ill. Rebekah seizes the opportunity to travel to Texas to care for Aunt Adabelle, seeing this chance to be closer to Arthur's training camp as God's approval of her plans.

But the Spanish flu epidemic changes everything. Faced with her aunt's death, Arthur's indecisiveness, and four children who have no one else to care for them, Rebeka is torn between the desire to escape the type of life she's always led and the unexpected love that just might change the dream of her heart.

My Thoughts:
Rebekah is young and somewhat naive, and the situation she finds herself thrust into is more than most 19-year-old's would be prepared to handle. Instead of caring for her ill aunt as she originally thought, she finds herself the sole caretaker of a stranger's farm and four young children! It's way more responsibility than excitement and adventure-seeking Rebekah expected, and the last thing she wants is to be stuck on a farm like her parents before her were.

Though it interferes with her life plans and dreams, she admirably shoulders the semi-temporary responsibility. She has some ups and downs, but it's fun and encouraging to see how she grows and matures as the story progresses. With maturity, and a growing love for the children in her care, she comes to the realization that the life she never wanted might just be better than anything she ever dreamed of.

The writing style is first person, told entirely from Rebekah's viewpoint. I always love when books are written in first person, but it's fairly uncommon in historical novels so I particularly appreciated it here. Rebekah has several possible love interests; usually I can immediately spot the characters that will end up together, but this one fooled me.... In a good way, though! :) It turned out exactly as it should, and in the end I was very glad she didn't end up with the one I originally assumed she would.

This is Anne Mateer's debut novel, but it certainly doesn't feel like a debut. It's an excellent offering; I really enjoyed it. If you're a fan of historical fiction, this is one you won't want to miss!

My Rating: 5 stars