Talk of the Town by Lisa Wingate

 

Published February 1st 2008 by Bethany House Publishers

ISBN: 0764204904 (ISBN13: 9780764204906)

 

Overview: The show American Megastar is the hottest thing on television but its associate producer, Mandalay Florentino, is worried. She's just arrived in the tiny town of Daily, Texas, to arrange a surprise "reunion concert" for hometown finalist Amber Amberson. Only it turns out everyone in town seems to know the secret. And paparazzi are arriving. And word from Hollywood is that Amber has disappeared with a "bad boy" actor. Can anything go right in this tumbleweed town?

Imagene Doll loves her town of Daily, Texas, but things are lonelier without her beloved husband. Life seems dull. At least until that fancy-dressed woman pulls into town, looking terrified and glamorous all at once. Soon life's not the least bit boring as Imagene--and the rest of Daily--find themselves at the center of a media maelstrom...with a young girl's future on the line.

 

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My Review: This was such a fun story! I thoroughly enjoy Lisa Wingate's writing style. Her description of life in Daily, Texas made me want to be a part of the small town. The idyllic scenery provided the perfect backdrop for the story and helped to break up the thoughts and actions of the characters, keeping the reader interested.

 

The characters, supporting and main, were fantastic. I could feel the tension and stress Mandalay was under. The author captured those emotions and made them real. The chemistry between Mandalay and Carter was intriguing and well-written. Imagene Doll's character, by far, was my favorite! I could hear her sweet southern accent and imagine her going on with life around Daily. Her wit and sarcasm was greatly appreciated throughout the book.

 

What I felt the story was missing, however, was a strong Christian message. Don't get me wrong, there was a message. I think Imagene's character sums up the message nicely when she states: "...sometimes in life you carry the ball, sometimes you just run along, and sometimes you're flat  on your back, but just because you don't have the ball don't mean it's not moving toward the goal." What Imagene is saying, and the author is trying to get across, is that sometimes you have to let go and let God. We are not in control of our lives, no matter how hard we try. I just feel like the message wasn't expressed enough in Mandalay's life.

 

Overall, this was a fun, enjoyable story! I would recommend it for anyone who wants a quick read with witty characters and Southern Texas charm! 

 

About the Author: Selected among BOOKLIST'S Top 10 of 2012 and Top 10 of 2013, Lisa Wingate skillfully weaves lyrical writing and unforgettable Southern settings with elements of women's fiction, history, and mystery to create stories that Publisher's Weekly calls "Masterful" and ForeWord Magazine refers to as "Filled with lyrical prose, hope, and healing.” Lisa is a journalist, an inspirational speaker, a reviewer for the New York Journal of Books, and the author of over over twenty novels and countless magazine pieces.

Her books have held positions on many bestseller lists, both in the U.S. and internationally. She is a seven-time ACFW Carol award nominee, a Christy Award nominee, an Oklahoma Book Award finalist, a Christianity Today Book Award nominee, an Inspy Award nominee, a two-time Carol Award winner, a LORIES Best Fiction Award winner, and a Utah Library Award winner. Recently, the group Americans for More Civility, a kindness watchdog organization, selected Lisa along with Bill Ford, Camille Cosby, and six others, as recipients of the National Civies Award, which celebrates public figures who work to promote greater kindness and civility in American life.  Visit Lisa at her website: www.LisaWingate.com.

 

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