ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Hauck is a forty-something, a child of the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's and '00's, who roller skated through the '70's into the '80's with Farrah Fawcet hair and a three-speed orange Camero. She graduated from Ohio State University (Go Buckeyes!) with a degree in Journalism.After graduation, she hired on at Harris Publishing as a software trainer, determined to see the world. But, she's traveled to Ireland, Spain, Venezuela, Mexico, Australia, Canada and the U.S. from California to Maine.
Rachel met Tony, her husband, in '87, at church, of all places. They married in '92.
They don't have any children of their own, just lots of kids-in-the-Lord and they love them all. However, they do have two very spoiled dogs, and a very demanding cat.
With a little help from my friends, my first book was published in ' 04, Lambert's Pride, a romance novel. My current release is Sweet Caroline from Thomas Nelson. Romantic Times Book Club gave both books their highest rank of 4.5 stars, with Love Starts With Elle being honored as Top Pick!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Elle's living the dream-but is it her dream or his?Elle loves life in Beaufort, South Carolina-lazy summer days on the sand bar, coastal bonfires, and dinners with friends sharing a lifetime of memories. And she's found her niche as the owner of a successful art gallery too. Life is good.
Then the dynamic pastor of her small town church sweeps her off her feet. She's never known a man like Jeremiah-one who breathes in confidence and exhales all doubt. When he proposes in the setting sunlight, Elle hands him her heart on a silver platter.
But Jeremiah's just accepted a large pastorate in a different state. If she's serious about their relationship, Elle will take "the call," too, leaving behind the people and place she loves so dearly. Elle's friendship with her new tenant, widower Heath McCord, and his young daughter make things even more complicated.
Is love transferable across the miles? And can you take it with you when you go?
If you would like to read the first chapter, go HERE
MY REVIEW:
I wanted to finish this book before I posted so I could review it and I just put it down so here is my review...
This book is not necessarily a sequel to Sweet Caroline, but it definitely follows many of the same characters except that this time we learn all about Caroline's best friend Elle. Normally I tell you if you need to read the books in order or if they can be read any which way. So I feel the need to tell you that you simply must read Sweet Caroline before you dive into Love Starts With Elle! But to clarify, it is not because Love Starts With Elle CAN'T stand alone, it is because if you haven't read Sweet Caroline yet than you are missing out on one of 2008's best books and I'd hate to see that happen! So read Sweet Caroline and THEN you can pick up Love Starts With Elle and simply fall in love with Elle and her cast of supporting characters. Rachel has definitely become one of my favorite authors (I don't think that she can write a bad book - it's just not possible!) and she has excelled with Love Starts With Elle. Rachel uses some clever writing techniques in Sweet Caroline (note the beginning of each chapter telling us what the daily special at the Frogmore Cafe is) and she continues in that kind of vein here. For one thing she brings Caroline back through e-mail conversations with Elle and then one of the men in the book, Heath, starts writing a book and we get to read portions of his book as it gets written. So in essence Rachel is writing a book within a book - totally clever!
I can't even get started on all the reasons you must read this book, but I do have to point out that in true Rachel Hauck style she manages to write a totally entertaining book that still deals with some eye-opening Spiritual truths. Elle struggles with how life is treating her and she has to learn how to trust that God is in control and not lean on her own understanding.
This book is a must read, but only AFTER you have read Sweet Caroline!!!
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