Summer Reading--Having a Blast!

It's that time of year again! Whether you're like me (ie: going to school) and have the whole summer off, or whether you have a sunny week-long getaway coming up, or even if you just squeeze in reading no matter what your schedule is like, now is the time to be inspired by some great reads!

I've been doing a lot of reading lately, and I plan to do plenty more in the weeks to come. ;) So today I'd like to share my list of must-reads (so far) for Summer 2011! I'll include excerpts from my reviews so you can see why I like these books so much:

A Great Catch by Lorna Seilstad

Once again Seilstad has swept me away to the sunny shores of Lake Manawa for a delicious summer treat! Following up the delightful Making Waves [which I also highly recommend!], this book offers another inning of fun and faith while sharing a unique and engaging story.

A Great Catch has a thoroughly enjoyable setting and a wonderful story--just right for the beginning of the summer season or anytime you're longing for some summer fun!

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Levi’s journey to win her heart and Eden’s journey to discover the beauty of forgiveness make this an enjoyable and worthwhile read. Just like Witemeyer’s first two books, A Tailor-Made Bride and Head in the Clouds, this book has action combined with a tender and adorable romance to hold the reader’s interest, while also sharing important truths about God’s love and loving others. To Win Her Heart is made even sweeter with the thoughtful correspondence between Levi and Eden, the colorful descriptions of the flowers and 19th century clothing, and the emphasis on a wonderful topic – literature.

Undercurrent by Michelle Griep

If there's one thing for sure, it's that Griep knows how to write romance! Tummy tingling and gripping, this love story is thrilling. With a combination of viking strength, a touch of Phantom-of-the-Opera intrigue, and a heart with ocean-depth, the hero is quite swoon-worthy. ;) And beyond the wonderful historical details and the fantastic romance, this book also contains a powerful theme of sacrificial love as a picture of the way God loves us.

My Foolish Heart by Susan May Warren

Like in the movie You've Got Mail, Isadora and Caleb find themselves falling in love online (and on the air) without realizing who exactly the other person is--and how different romance in action can be from romance through words. Also, like Tom Hanks, Caleb is the one who figures out who Miss Foolish Heart really is before Isadora figures out who Boy Next Door really is.

Instead of feuding book store owners, however, Isadora and Caleb are two people with conflicting fears. One is afraid to leave the safety of her house due to a horrible memory, and the other is afraid of dependency (especially on God) due to the debt he feels he owes for his very life. But the new NY152 and ShopGirl have a sweet romance all their own in this football-themed book that will have you cheering them on!

Pompeii: City on Fire by T.L. Higley

Like Vesuvius, this book is powerful and should not be underestimated! The tension builds steadily, with short sections from the volcano's point of view that remind the reader that below the surface of political upheaval and emotional drama stirs a dangerous depth that will drastically shift priorities once it explodes upon the scene. When that explosion happens, everything changes.

Until then, different sorts of danger fill the pages--from an evil politician bent on continuing his unjust reign, to fears of inadequacy and failure, to intense gladiator fights. There's a lot to take in as a reader, and some of the events (both past and present) are heartbreaking and disturbing to read about. But through it all is an underlying message of hope and security through the Messiah even in the midst of all the evil and suffering of this life. The glimpses of community, acceptance, and love are very sweet indeed.

Special Note: This book (Pompeii) is the Christian Fiction Book Club selection for next month's discussion! If you're interested, borrow or buy a copy and then join us on July 9th at Seasons of Humility for the discussion!

Hope this list gives you some ideas for some great summer reading! Do you have any suggestions for books that should be added to this list?

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Summer Vacation = Reading Time!

I am officially home for the summer, and I am so excited for extra reading time! Today I thought it would be fun to discuss what we're reading and what we love about fiction. I know this is far from an original blog post topic, but I think it's a popular one nonetheless. ;)

I recently finished A Matter of Character by Robin Lee Hatcher--the third book in "The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs" series. As much as I loved Fit to Be Tied (the second book in the series), I think this one just might be my favorite!

With a very relatable heroine, a conflicted hero to make your tummy flutter, and some interesting twists to a sweet story, this book turned out to be a quick and satisfying read! Plus, I just love how the title was explored as a theme throughout the book, looking at what character really is and what it means to live out a godly character. As the heroine is a novelist/writer, I found that some of her internal struggles were ones I could understand, especially the question as to whether one should write for pure entertainment or to convey the truth. Very enjoyable book!

Up next on my reading list is A Heart Divided by Kathleen Morgan and Pompeii: City on Fire by T.L. Higley. (Can I just say that I love being able to promote Christian fiction and get free books in the process? It's definitely a win-win situation! If you have a blog, there are a lot of great review programs out there! If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment and I'd be happy to help as best I can!)

Anyway, here's the blurb from Revell for A Heart Divided, which is now available:

"When fate brings them together, they must choose between family ties and love.

The Caldwells and Wainwrights have been feuding for decades. Still, Sarah Caldwell has misgivings when her father pressures her into distracting a ranch hand while he and her brothers rob the Wainwright place. When it becomes clear that hand is actually Cord Wainwright, heir of the Wainwright holdings, Sarah realizes things have gone too far.

As the feud boils over, Cord and Sarah make a most inconvenient discovery--they just might be falling in love. Can they betray their families to see where this attraction leads? Or will their families betray them?

Against the beautiful and wild backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in 1878 comes this sweeping saga of romance, betrayal, and forgiveness from beloved author Kathleen Morgan."

It certainly sounds wonderful!

And as for Pompeii: City on Fire, I am super excited to read this one! I just love T.L. Higley's work--she certainly knows how to write fascinating historical romance, in my opinion! Here's the blurb from Amazon.com for her latest book, which is releasing next month (June 2011):

"Pompeii, a city that's many things to many people. For Cato, it's the perfect escape from a failed political career in Rome. A place to start again, become a winemaker. But when a corrupt politician wrongfully jails Cato's sister, he must oust the man from power to save her.

For Ariella, Pompeii is a means to an end. As a young Jew, she escaped the fall of Jerusalem only to endure slavery to a cruel Roman general. She ends up in Pompeii, disguised as a young man and sold into a gladiator troupe. Her anger fuels her to fight well, hoping to win the arena crowds and reveal her gender at the perfect time. Perhaps then she will win true freedom.

But evil creeps through the streets of Pompeii. Political corruption, religious persecution, and family peril threaten to destroy Ariella and Cato, who are thrown together in the battle to survive. As Vesuvius churns with deadly intent, the two must bridge their differences to save the lives of those they love, before the fiery ash buries Pompeii, leaving the city lost to the world."

Also, be looking for my reviews of Undercurrent by Michelle Griep (a Viking, time-travel, historical romance book) and God's Shelter for Your Storm by Sheila Walsh (a devotional book) in the coming weeks here on the BB!

So, what are you reading right now? And out of curiosity, what do you as a reader look for in the fiction you read? Do you mostly read for entertainment, or do you like fiction with a message/moral?

Happy reading!

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