Review: Eye of the Beholder by Jackie Weger
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 19, 2013
Phoebe Hawley is a no-nonsense type of heroine. She is smart and sassy in her country ways and has a lot of responsibilities on her shoulders right now. Her character is well developed and likeable, although some of her methods are a bit underhanded. Maydean is a hoot, she provided a lot of unneeded stress for Phoebe, bless her little pre-teen heart; Ms. Weger had her down well. Everything that came out of this little spit-fire's mouth I could hear coming from my own daughters. (Pre-teen girls are a trial in and of themselves.) Willie-Boy was a typical five-year-old boy and provided a lot of comic relief and was a blessing to have around.Gage Morgan is a handsome widower with a hard heart, and wasn't a character easy to like at first. As we learn about his character it was easy to understand why he had built a wall around his heart to protect it. His relationship with his daughter, Dorie, was another matter altogether, it made me wonder if he was worth the effort to get to know at all. However, Phoebe sees potential in this brash hardworking junkyard owner. One of my favorite things about this book was the heartwarming relationship that develops between Dorie, a lonely little girl who misses her mother, and Phoebe.There is a light Christian theme that runs through Phoebe's upbringing that is not too in-your-face. I thought it fit with her character and she wasn't trying to convert anyone. A typical example is this passage.She went onto the porch and stared up into the noonday sun until a kaleidoscope of colors blocked out true vision. Prudence, temperance, and fortitude swelled within her. Being noble was doing God's work, certain, she thought. Ma would be so proud."Whatcha doing standing out in the sun like that, Phoebe? You know it makes your freckles pop out."What with feeling so fine spirited, Phoebe didn't like being reminded of earthly flaws.  "I was prayin' over your food, Maydean, so you won't choke to death. The way you gobble I figured I'd better get as close to God as I could."As the tenuous relationship between Gage and Phoebe develops both seem to change and begin to temper each other until one of Phoebe's schemes blows up in her face. I found this story a nice change of pace with real down home people and an easy read despite the backwoods, under-educated, country drawl. This is a nice, out of the ordinary, old time romance you are sure to enjoy. I found no significant editing or proofing issues with this book.FYI: This book contains adult situations.**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. ** August 15, 2013