Point Clear

This is a great book about a woman making changes in her life and the events that influenced her. Smooth reading with a progressive plot.

I rarely have the chance to read such an inspirational book such as this one. Caroline is a well developed and sensual character you can't help but become attached to. As someone that's had to deal with the struggles of change and self introspect, I can really relate to this book. For anyone seeking true inspiration, this is the book to go to!

Jennifer Paddock has written a beautifully poetic book. The beat and flow of words are almost symbolic of the storm and the aftermath and how it affects the lives of two unrelated, yet connected people. I can tell Ms. Paddock did her research, but she also wrote from her heart. I can recommend this book to all who are looking for a tantilizing story and a good read. A librarian in Ft. Smith, AR

Twenty-seven years old Caroline Berry left Oklahoma to attend the renowned NYU writing program. However, she drops out of the program as she struggles to earn a living. On top of her financial woes, Caroline finds she suffers from writer's block unable to put together two coherent sentences. She needs a change, but the opportunity finally occurs when she inherits some money from her late grandfather. Caroline leaves the Big Apple for three weeks at the Grand Hotel, a family favorite in Point Clear, Alabama where she plans to write the great American novel. She soon meets a young man Walker on the beach. However, her idle time is devastated by Hurricane Ivan's assault on the Mobile Bay area and Walker vanishing. With a theme in mind, Caroline begins to write Walker's tale even as she investigates what happened to him fearing suicide will be the ending of his and her tale. Caroline makes the tale as a wannabe writer who finds her subject. The story line focuses on her efforts to make it and cleverly offers the evolution of her work on Walker. Though everyone is super nice and cooperative and the action somewhat lacking, readers will enjoy following Caroline as she obsesses over THE SECRET WORD that will enable her to tell the world what led to what happened to Walker by writing about this apparent tragedy. Harriet Klausner

I loved this book! It's beautiful, the cover, and the writing alike. As someone who's experienced hurricanes firsthand and who has vacationed in Point Clear at the Grand Hotel, I can attest to Paddock's accuracy in both details and emotions. I've never heard Mobile Bay described before as "the relaxed foot of a swimmer". I've never met a character quite like Joseph, the philosophizing Irish tennis pro who wields a William Wallace broadsword on the court to inspire his players. I've never been so surprised, at least not lately, not in a long time, by a plot, but Point Clear delivers an unpredictable and heart-warming answer to the missing person case of champion swimmer Walker Galloway, who vanishes in the wake of Hurricane Ivan soon after meeting Caroline Berry. She will later feel compelled to discover what happened to him and will gather clues and begin writing his story. And as she grows and develops due to her experiences in Point Clear, so does her story of Walker change. She revises and revises until what's left is a version clear as water, and as clear as truth can be. Very smart and very fun to watch unfold.