Reviews of THE MISSTEP OF HEATHER BAINBRIDGE, a contemporary novel by author, C. D. Faulconer

Reviews of THE MISSTEP OF HEATHER BAINBRIDGE, a novel about loving too much, materialism, and disgrace . . . by author, C. D. Faulconer

Reviews
of:
THE MISSTEP OF HEATHER BAINBRIDGE

Reviewed by Eva Almeida, of: Ebooks N' Bytes

"The Misstep of Heather Bainbridge" is a heartwarming story about a red-haired child tragically orphaned at 3 months of age. Her Aunt Claire takes over raising her with unconditional love and Christian beliefs. The story unfolds as the innocent and caring Heather writes "letters" addressed to Aunt Claire in a style reminiscent of a Dear Diary . . . a perfect way to capture the insights of a child as she grows up. Even though the story is told in Aunt Claire's view, we can glimpse the changes in Heather as she grows into adolescence and chooses her boyfriends based on materialistic values.

As she becomes a woman, Heather marries the materialistic Arthur Conway and quickly her life whirls out of control from her husband's insistence on an extravagant wedding to his uncontrollable gambling. The anguished Heather, torn between her obsessive love for her misguided husband and her strong moral beliefs must choose to sacrifice her beliefs or lose her true love. Poor Aunt Claire is steadfast in her support whether she agrees with Heather's actions or not...kindly giving Heather her wisdom and advice when asked, but never openly judging her niece.

Even though my own daughter is only a child, I could imagine her in Heather's shoes and that brought me to tears several times in this book. It is not light reading, but full of lessons on faith, hope, betrayal, love, relationships, and sacrifices. A definite read for anyone with daughters - even read it with her to show her the possible consequences of wrongful actions. Overtall, I truly appreciate the conflicts between good and evil that C. D. Faulconer deftly weaves in "The Misstep of Heather Bainbridge."

Reviewed by Detra Fitch, of: Huntress
"Heather was only three months old when her parents died in a car wreck. This novel started the reader on that fateful day. The main character was "Auntie Claire" until Heather was married. Then it shifted to being Heather. However, the entire story was focused upon the life of Heather.

This tale mainly showed that no matter how well the child is raised, no matter how giving and caring the child becomes, being blinded by love to the wrong man can ruin it all.

Author C. D. Faulconer spins a story with a well-aimed moral to her readers. The blunt ending will surprise you and drive the story's lesson home! Excellent!"

Reviewed by Carol Durfee, of: Romance Communications

Setting: Walnut Glen, California 1950-late 1970's.

"Orphaned as an infant Heather Bainbridge was raised by her Aunt Claire. Claire welcomes her into her life with unconditional love. The two of them become quite close over the years and Heather considers Claire her mother but she has never felt complete. Claire's best friend, Helen, is a psychologist whom she depends on for input on life's situations. Helen has been at Claire's side through the loss of her husband and then her sister and brother-in-law, Heather's parents. Heather's classmates make fun of her because she didn't have parents like they did, which leaves her wondering who she really is. At a young age, Heather marries Arthur Conway and they have a very tumultuous marriage. He insists on a grandiose wedding that they can't afford. Arthur is an overly domineering man with a gambling addiction and Heather must decide how much of herself she wants to give up for him.

THE MISSTEP OF HEATHER BAINBRIDGE is a book about relationships, the trials and tribulations a single mother goes through raising a child and of a girl growing up and maturing through life. Claire is a woman of strong faith who has dealt with several losses during her life. Her friendship with Helen is important to both women. The dialogue is thought provoking and meaningful throughout this story. As the mother of two daughters, for me it was a heartfelt journey of a child's coming of age. This is not a light read, but a touching and inspirational one. It makes you believe that things can work out. I can recommend this story about finding oneself."

Reviewed by Tamara McHatton, of: Rhapsody

"After the death of her parents Heather Bainbridge came to live with her only relative, Aunt Claire, her mother's older sister. This is the story of Heather growing up and finding out about the realities of life, including heartbreak and the ability to survive.

Although told in a unique way, Heather tries to go into the why and wherefores of an obsessive love with adequate results. A few of the questions needing answers weren't fully explored, but most details were touched upon.

Heather Bainbridge remains, throughout, an innocent. Her husband begins and stays an immature character with an obsessive personality, whether it be his wife or his gambling. Heather's heart stays true to Arthur even years later as she remembers her first love.

C. D. Faulconer has written THE MISSTEP OF HEATHER BAINBRIDGE in a unique style that after a bit more work will set her books off in a class by themselves. Full of thesaurical imagery and societal lessons, Heather takes the journey of life with an ageless aunt as her conscience. Through all the adversities of growing up and finding out the pain of a fanatical love, Heather still retains a freshness found only in the very young."

Reviewed by Chris Carsten, of: Writers Club Romance Group

Heather is the sole survivor of a tragic car accident, adopted by a loving aunt and raised to womanhood with all the care, attention and devotion her Aunt Claire can give. Yet nothing can erase the feeling of abandonment this child feels, and Faulconer has written a story of the choices made by a young woman looking for her place in someone else's world.

The early part of Heather's life is full of sunshine, with this cloud of self-doubt far off on the horizon. When Heather begins to date, we see how little a childhood of love can influence decisions of a romantic heart. This young woman chooses a lover who showers her with material affection, and she doesn't, or won't, see what kind of man he is. The cloud of self-doubt now hovers over her life, shadowing her judgment and her choices. Her Aunt Claire can only offer support and love; she can't stop Heather from taking this path.

And as those of us who've made some bad choices know, Heather will have a lot to learn from hers. But THE MISSTEP OF HEATHER BAINBRIDGE ends just as its title characater has begun to reassemble her life and her dreams. We are left wondering what will happen to her, just as we often wonder what will become of us.

This is not an easy book to read. It is a story of great love, but also of great loss, and then great betrayal. But at the end, it is a story of survival, and of hope."

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