1. Moon over Edisto
    Beth Webb Hart
    Thomas Nelson / 2013 / Trade Paperback
    Our Price$16.44 Retail Price$17.99 Save 9% ($1.55)
    4.6 out of 5 stars for Moon over Edisto. View reviews of this product. 13 Reviews
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    Stock No: WW542021
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  1. Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Engrossing southern fiction
    August 6, 2013
    Carole Jarvis
    Jonesboro, Georgia
    Age: 55-65
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart is a stand-alone novel that beautifully captures the sights, smells and tastes of South Carolina's Lowcountry as the backdrop for this complex and moving drama involving the dysfunctional Bennett family. My attention was captured from the very beginning of this well-written novel.

    I was drawn to this story because it seemed to fit two of my interests - southern fiction and relationship drama - and it certainly did not disappoint. South Carolina's Lowcountry and Edisto Island are so vividly described and become such an integral part of the story that they are elevated to character status - traditional southern cuisine, the Ravenel bridge, salt marshes, winding streams, and "massive live oaks, their Spanish moss waving in the light evening breeze from the creek."

    This story is all about the Bennett family, a family Julia describes as "Southern Gothic Dysfunction." Instead of looking at how a seemingly loving marriage disintegrated, Moon Over Edisto focuses on the lingering effects of betrayal and desertion on the ones left behind, for it's always the innocent who are most affected.

    Characterization is rich and complex. The older sister, Julia, tried to cope by running away and starting a new life in New York, though often haunted by panic attacks and bouts of depression. Meg - feeling that her father was a fool, while her mother had no clue - became harsh and legalistic, wanting justice for the guilty ones rather than grace, to the extent that her own marriage was threatened. Meg "realized how very worn out she was. How exhausting it was to wear her masks, to build her reputation, to prove to the world day in and day out that even though her parents were fools, she was not. She was a responsible, morally upstanding citizen. She could be counted upon. She was worthy of admiration. She would not shame her husband or falter in any way. She had the blessed life, and she would not squander it. Or would she?"

    The three children from their father's other family simply captured my heart, especially Etta, who only talks to her little brother. I love how Beth uses art in this narrative, as Julia and Etta discover a shared talent. One day, Julia sees Etta's sketch of their father: "This young girl had captured something true about him. Something in his rich brown eyes that could only be described as love. How could someone with eyes like that cause so much damage?"

    Although the ending is upbeat and satisfying, this is not a story where everything is tied up neatly, nor should it be. If I wished for anything, it would be a longer ending, but that in no way detracts from this powerful novel. There is a strong spiritual message, but rather than being overt, it is embedded in Julia's heart and actions. Julia's character occasionally uses the phrase, "Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy," and these words seem to have so much more feeling and depth at the end.

    I am so glad that I discovered Beth Webb Hart's work. Moon Over Edisto is a very moving novel with great depth, and I recommend it highly. I suspect many readers, especially those touched by divorce, will find that this story speaks to them.

    This book was provided by Thomas Nelson through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
  2. smk402
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    This captures the beauty of the Low Country.
    April 2, 2013
    smk402
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 3
    This book got off to a really slow start. So much so that I read less than one chapter before setting it aside for something with a faster pace. After reading four(!) other books, I remembered this book on my e-reader and how much I was looking forward to reading a book set in the Low Country, and forced myself back into it. I'm so glad I did.

    Once Julia makes the decision to head to South Carolina and care for her younger half-siblings, the story really picks up. I could almost taste the salty air and smell the pluff mud once Julia made it to Edisto Island. Ah, home. The next thing I knew I had finished the book and was wanting more. The characters came to life best from Etta's eyes. The silent child had the most insightful things to share. Meg has some justifiable anger towards her sister, but the way she treats her mother throughout much of the book bothered me.

    Saying why would involve spoilers, so suffice it to say that I would love to see a sequel to this book.

    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
  3. Fitzysmom
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Moon Over Edisto
    March 4, 2013
    Fitzysmom
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Life is messy and oftentimes the messiness inflicted on you is the result of others' actions. Several years before this story takes place Julia's father made a very messy decision. This decision shattered many lives and the cracks kept appearing even after he was gone. His actions set into motion repercussions for both of his families.

    Julia has spent many years isolating herself from all of the pain and mess of her family. But sometimes there are journeys that we need to take. It may see as if we are doing something for someone else, but in the end we are the ones that are blessed.

    Beth Webb Hart has once again woven a southern gothic dream (or is it nightmare) of a story. In this novel she allows her main character Julia to face the worst type of betrayal. The situation will have you yelling, NO NO NO...that's not fair! But we all know that life isn't fair, it's about refinement.

    I enjoyed the book so much. Coastal South Carolina is my favorite place to be and Beth puts you right there with the pluff mud between your toes and the salty breezes in your hair. After reading it someone asked me if it was a happy ending. I had to respond that I don't really know. It wasn't what Julia had planned, but it was definitely what God had intended all along. It's a story that leaves you speculating about what all of their lives were like ten years down the road. My bet is that there are lingering consequences but most days are happily ever after. This book is definitely worth purchasing and savoring and then passing along to many others.
  4. Janet
    Belton, TX
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Of Reluctant Reconciliation
    February 18, 2013
    Janet
    Belton, TX
    Age: 45-54
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Set mostly on an island off the coast of South Carolina, "Moon over Edisto" is the story of a woman forced by her compassionate nature to return to the home she ran away from. When the woman who destroyed her family comes to her in desperation, Julia just can't say no–though no one, except maybe her aunt, would have blamed her if she had. In a moment of crisis, Julia abandons overseas plans with her employer and fiancé in order to care for her three young half-siblings while their mother undergoes surgery. Back in her childhood home, she reconnects with the family and friends she left behind for a glamorous career as an artist in New York.

    I loved this story of forgiveness and reconciliation. I especially loved the way God is portrayed as giving Julia what her heart desires through what seems to be great sacrifice. At one point, Julia thinks Marney is destroying her life a second time, when really she's inadvertently offering what Julia most wants and needs.

    As I reached the end of the story, I started hoping for a sequel, though. Julia's story was complete as written, but the author left me with so many questions about Etta, Meg, Mary Ellen, and Jake. There's plenty of material there for a second book, if this is what Hart has planned. I'll be eager to read it if it shows up on the bookstore shelves.

    I received a complimentary eCopy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers in exchange for this review.
  5. bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    heartwarming novel of love and forgiveness
    February 4, 2013
    bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    What would be the most difficult thing to forgive someone for? That was the question that sparked the author to write this novel. For Julia Bennett and her sister, the hardest thing for them to forgive was their father betraying their family.

    Twenty years ago, Julia had felt sorry for her college roommate, Marney, and invited her to spend the summer with the Bennetts. The family spent time in the summer on a South Carolina sea island, Edisto. Julie still remembers the pain she experienced when she came in and saw her father and her college roommate close, too close.

    Now Julie is a recognized college art professor in New York and soon to be engaged. Like her sister and mother, she still deals with the hurt from her father's actions. Even though he has been dead for years, his actions continue to pierce Julia's heart. And then Julia receives a phone call from her elderly aunt, her father's sister. Marney is ill and someone needs to stay with the children, Julia's half sisters and brother.

    When Julia finally decides to do back to Edisto, to the house she remembers from her childhood but now the home of her father's second family, her life is changed forever.

    This is a well written and enjoyable novel. My heart went out to Julia. She was all set for a wonderful future when the results of her father's past actions invade her life. How could she possibly love those children? But God is faithful and Julia was willing.

    There was just one aspect of the novel that was less than perfect. At the very end, well, it just got tied up to quickly and too easily.

    There is a discussion guide at the end of the book so this would make a fine choice for reading groups.

    I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
Displaying items 1-5 of 13
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