Word Gets Around

December 22, 2008
Evangelical Christian novelist Wingate introduced readers to the delightfully homespun what-you-see-is-what-you-get town of Daily, Tex., in Talk of the Town
. In this sequel about the city's happenings and residents, Wingate expands upon the story line and offers readers more lovingly presented Texas talk, charm and romance. Wounded by the death of her husband, Lauren Eldridge is summoned back to Daily by her daddy, who's gotten himself into a financial pickle. Trying to pay an old debt by risking the ranch, Lauren's father asks his daughter to come home and tame a wild horse before the movie he's invested in starts shooting in Daily. Lauren's first instinct is to run anywhere but home. Still, she braves the emotional journey to help her father, remembering how he supported her after the accident that killed her spouse. What Lauren discovers back home amid familiar faces and places is forgiveness, love and a big, Texas-sized romance. Wingate's text is funny, to be sure, but a predictable story line detracts from what could have been a more poignant tale.

February 1, 2009
Lauren Eldridge is reluctant to go back to Daily, TX, but her father needs her. He is betting everything on an untrainable horse to star in a motion picture, and Lauren is a top horse trainer; she does what any good daughter would do. What she finds, besides a misbehaving horse, is screenwriter Nate Heath, who turns her head and complicates her job. Nate knows this script is his last chance to save his career, but he may find more in this little Texas town than he imagined. Wingate's ("Talk of the Town"; "The Summer Kitchen") crisp writing and healthy injections of humor make this coming-home novel rise above other similarly themed works. Recommended for public libraries and regional collections.

Copyright 2009 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

February 1, 2009
Hollywood comes knocking in Wingates second book about the delightful small town of Daily, Texas (Talk of the Town, 2008). Justin Shay, a self-indulgent screen idol, decides to make a movie of The Horseman, even though the script has been rejected time after time. Hepacks up his entourageincluding his best friend, writer Nathaniel Heathand heads to Daily, hometown of Amber Anderson, Justins current girlfriend. Lauren Eldridge left Daily behind and is nowa teaching assistant at Kansas State University. She has mixed feelings when her father, who raises horses for Hollywood movies, calls and begs her to help with the horses on the set.Each chapter is narrated by a different character, and each character is lovingly crafted. Lauren has frequent and hilarious flights of fancy; Nathaniel remains deeply loyal to Justin, his friend since their days in foster care; and Amber remains unexpectedly innoocent.Wingatesidyllic small-townatmosphere in this sweet romance makes for a charming read.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)