I have to admit that I only started this book because my husband had read it first and knew I would like it. So to please him, I read it. And I read the whole thing in about 4 hours straight without moving. I've never cared enough to write a review for a book but this one touched me. I cried almost the whole way through it. Mostly because it was like reading my own life right on the pages. I grew up in Palm Beach and was disowned by my family at 18 because I married my own "pool boy" type guy. He didn't have money and all he could give me was his love and that was enough for me. The man I married reminded me a lot of Steve. Mostly because at first, my now husband was very secretive and very hurt from his past that he didn't want to love either. And I was like Alessi - young and naive, always trying to look at the better parts of life. It's also funny that my husband loves to play chess like Steve and we're 10 years apart instead of the 9 from Alessi and Steve. And how my husband and I finally came together and got married? I got physically hurt, badly and the morning after my now husband took me and married me. So just like Steve, it took almost loosing me to realize how much he loved me. I think it was the little things in this book that made me cry too, like Alessi asking her mom why no one wanted them and her mother answering her by "They don't know what they're missing." I know what that feels like too. And how her aunt called her mother a slut and how she would be one too. I'd been called that too when I fell in love with my husband. And I also know what it's like to wander without a home of my own, just living in other peoples. I think that's what made me cry the most, but just to see what my life was like and how far I've came. Now I have a family - my husband and our 5 year old daughter. And now I know what to tell my daughter when she asks why she doesn't have grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or anyone else but us. "They don't know what they're missing."
Gripping story! I had to finish it, couldn't put it down. =]Heitzmann does a wonderful job of capturing the scenes and drawing you in, making you feel like you could be standing there in the snow, trying to catch the delicate flakes on your tongue along with Alessi herself. The characters are nice and complex. Flawed to perfection! (I type this with a smile on my face, because I've struggled with adding flaws to my all too perfect characters in my own writings. If a person is too perfect, with no serious struggles and challenges in their personality, the story is just plain boring.)The main character, Alessi Moore is likable from the start, in my opinion. She tries her best to see the best in those around her, even though they seem to shun her at first. Thrown into a situation that she thought might help her find what she was looking for -- a place to settle at last, and actually belong -- Alessi suffers the loss of her beloved Mustang and is left with nothing but the clothes on her back. [WARNING: SLIGHT SPOILER] Without going into detail, she eventually discovers she does belong, and the town of Charity is forever changed. Come to think of it, her arriving in the small town was just the sort of awakening the people needed.A good bit of romance thrown in there, but I did expect it. Violence. Theft. I would recommend for ages 16+.
What do You think about Halos (2004)?
I liked this book, and I loved the main character, Alessi. She was such a sweetheart. Despite the tough times and circumstances she faced in her life she kept her face to the sun and put her trust in God, humanity, and love. She swept into a small town, (re)named Charity, and gave the town a miracle with her generosity and kind heart. The story seemed a tad longer at times than necessary and a few parts seemed a tad too far fetched. It wasn't really a mystery, although there was a bit of a mystery woven throughout. It wasn't really a love story, although there was a bit of that too. All in all, a good book, but not mind-blowing in any way. The ending was nice, but left me wanting more. I was a little disappointed. I'd say it's worth the read, but not until after a few of the greats are exhausted first. I will try one more Heitzmann book before making a final determination on her work.
—Jessica
It's official: I've now read every one of Kristen Heitzmann's novels. Does this make me an official fan? Maybe after writing her an email of thanks will I consider myself as such.***If you need to be reminded to be thankful for the little things, to forgive past hurts or to humble yourself and pray for a miracle, you might like Halos, a story of one girl who teaches a town the true meaning of Christmas.Don't be mistaken--Halos is not some pulp fiction holiday piece full of peppermint and pine. It's a realistic tale of how self-righteousness and supposed self-preservation can do the worst to the least of us.That said, put Halos on your Christmas reading list or your Christmas in July reading queue. You'll be both challenged and entertained.
—Leah
I loved this book!! I got so wrapped into the story, the characters, and the plot itself. There was one point where I had to throw the book aside and weep uncontrollably because of how into it I was, only one other book got me this emotional and it was part of a series, this was a novel that not only tugged but yanked at my heart strings, I wept over Alessi and Steve like I knew them personally.The description of the story made me feel like I was watching it rather then reading it, I felt like I was apart of it, just writing this review is bringing back past emotions from this book. All in all "Halos" is a must read and at the top of my favorite list. I am proud to have it in my personal library.
—Beth
