Sunrise On The Battery by Beth Webb Hart ~ review

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 11, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595542000
• ISBN-13: 978-1595542007

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Synopsis from Goodreads:

Now that she's arrived at her ultimate address, will Mary Lynn's longed-for view of the harbor satisfy the craving of her heart?

At last, Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville are living the life they've dreamed of. Two self-described "small town bumpkins" from Round O, South Carolina, they made a small fortune selling the little gems of lowcountry real estate Jackson inherited and now they are living in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina, carefully working their way up the social ladder in hopes of meeting their ultimate goal: to give their three daughters the life they themselves never had.

But the long-forgotten God of Mary Lynn's childhood seems to be trying to get her attention in clear and unusual ways. So clear and strange she can no longer deny it. When Mary Lynn prays for Jackson to open his mind and heart to God, her prayers are answered beyond her wildest imaginings. Now Jackson's dramatic conversion (which includes street witnessing, giving away a lot of money, and inviting poor, desperate and marginalized people into their home) is threatening their social status as well as their family mission statement. Is she willing to go along with him?

What would it be like to go "all out" for God? Jackson, a sharp and focused Type A man, is unafraid and willing to go all the way. Mary Lynn has her doubts.

My take on this book:

Jackson and Mary Lynn Scoville planned to give their daughters Catherine, Lilla and Casey every advantage possible, to ensure that they had a successful future. Jackson and Mary Lynn grew up poor but with twenty years of marriage and some very successful land deals they felt as if they had finally arrived when they started getting invitations to join some of the elite social clubs  in Charleston SC. While the family seems to have everything, God has sort of been left behind even though Mary Lynn goes to church periodically, until something happens that reawakens her faith.  When she prays for Jackson's heart and mind to be opened to God she had no idea how it would transform their family. How will Jackson's newfound zeal for faith change their family?

This book stared out quite slow for me, although it did pick up as the story progressed.  Told from the perspective of three people Mary Lynn, Jackson and the oldest daughter Catherine, I thought the author easily transitioned between the three characters quite smoothly. I easily could understand why Jackson wanted his daughters to have everything he didn't. He realized the importance of education, and was always reading to try and make up for what he felt was lacking in his own education. I enjoyed the setting of this story as well, and the descriptions of the area really made me feel as if I were right there.
While I enjoyed this story, it took me several days to read it, I just couldn't become invested in the story. Even though this was a middle of the road story for me anyone who enjoys contemporary christian fiction that deals with family issues and faith should give it a try.


A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.
rating 3/5