Sunrise On The Battery

by Beth Webb Hart

She wanted her husband to attend the town's society-driven church. God answered her prayer in a radical way.

An emptiness dogs Mary Lynn Scoville. But it shouldn't.

After all, she's achieved what few believed possible. Born in the rural south, she has reached the pinnacle of worldly success in Charleston, South Carolina. Married to a handsome real estate developer and mother to three accomplished daughters, Mary Lynn is one Debutante Society invitation away from truly having it all.

And yet, it remains-an emptiness that no shopping trip, European vacation, or social calendar can fill.

When a surprise encounter leads her to newfound faith, Mary Lynn longs to share it with her husband. But Jackson wrote God off long ago.

Mary Lynn prays for him on Christmas Eve . . . and her husband undergoes a life-altering Damascus Road experience. As Jackson begins to take the implications of the Gospel literally, Mary Lynn feels increasingly isolated from her husband . . . and betrayed by God. She only wanted Jackson beside her at church on Sunday mornings, not some Jesus freak who evangelizes prostitutes and invites the homeless to tea.

While her husband commits social suicide and the life they worked so hard for crumbles around them, Mary Lynn wonders if their marriage can survive. Or if perhaps there really is a more abundant life that Jackson has discovered, richer than any she's ever dreamed of.

• ISBN10: 1611732751
• ISBN13: 9781611732757
• Publish Date: 1 March 2012 (first published 15 September 2011)
• Publish Status: Withdrawn
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Center Point
• Edition: Large type / large print edition
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 343
• Language: English

Reviews

[cherryblossommj]

What a great read! It was author Beth Webb Hart's last release, Charleston, Love, that I fell in love with the cover and wanted to know who this author was, but this was my first opportunity to read her work and I am so glad that I did. Charleston, South Carolina has a special place in my heart. My mother's sister lived on the Isle of Palms just outside of Mount Pleasant and Charleston and thus Charleston was what vacation meant. She's now moved inland a bit to a great area called Awendaw, but still Charleston spells to me relaxation and vacation. Also, my sister is a graduate of the College of Charleston, so it's one more thing about the place that makes it familiar and home away from home. I have very good memories of walking along the battery parks with my now husband and enjoying the birds and the crashing of waves. This author does a great job of painting the scene in a place that I know and love.

The story here is awesome. Truly amazing and one to share. It has been a while since I read a book in a manner of hours, but I just couldn't put this one down (even though there are other deadlines looming!). Mary Lynn is the first main narrator and even though twice my age, I could relate and understand her thoughts and feelings as well as hopes and dreams. Speaking of society life, I have a branch of family that I have seen from the outside that is a part of old Atlanta society from old money, and I remember as a child wondering why it went down their line and not ours... but maybe that was a blessing. I do have interesting childhood memories of elaborate Christmas parties... Back to the book though, Catherine is the oldest daughter and our second narrator. Sadly I can say that I can relate to her situation as well. When you're a high school kid surrounded by people with expectations it is hard to get lost when you do not see any rhyme nor reason or relief. Lastly, Jackson, our third narrator and the father. What a great character he is, and the one it really all revolves around. It's amazing what memories can make us belief, and what just a little investigation and open mindedness can do to a person's life.

It's hard to talk about this book, as I do not want to give anything away and thus feel that I'm being overly vague and possibly not making sense. But this is a great read about real lives that could be. It is a great example of split decisions and the directions that they could go. I really recommend it to anyone.

***Special thanks to Audra Jennings, Senior Media Specialist,
The B&B Media Group for sending me a review copy.***

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2011/10/17/sunrise-on-the-battery/