Summer is just about here! And it’s the best season for reading, isn’t it? I am sharing with you three books that I truly enjoyed. I lost myself in a 20th Century Christian Historical Fiction. I was totally captivated by a romantic time-slip story and laughed and I was also moved by a literary love story. Enjoy my latest pile of book recommendations as you lounge on the beach, or relax on your porch or deck. I’d love to discuss these books with you, too!
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Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oh my, I started this book and was swept away to Maine, to a small town where regular folk live with the rhythm of the ocean. I was with them, as they tended their lobster traps, as they ate Gretel cakes in the local diner, and as they celebrated the Fourth of July. And I was also with them, praying with them as they faced hard decisions, searching with them as they peered through the fog and storm clouds to find a light, and giving thanks with them when they found their miracle. I am not a crier, but I cried with them, too.
This is Christian Historical Fiction. It’s not preachy though- it’s both profound and practical. Sometimes people do just need hope, a good meal and a purpose. Someone to remind you to “Lift your head.” when you can’t.
The book tells the story of twin brothers Robert and Roy and their families and friends, through chapters that alternate from World War II, the 50’s and 60’s to 2001. It’s also a story about rocks, waves, and hazelnut pie. Most of all it’s a story about hope, home, a poem, and a guiding lighthouse. The author writes with beautiful, poetic word pictures. Romance featuring the heroine Annie and a brooding sailor, are one of several tales of love in this book.
In the author’s notes at the end, Ms. Dykes shares interesting observations. I highlighted this part, “And to our nation’s brave soldiers, past and present. Thank you, to you and to your families. A novel-or a thousand of them- is insufficient thanks. With all my heart, thank you for what you do.”
I highly recommend this incredible debut novel.
Yesterday’s Tears by Jane O’Brien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m going to highly recommend Yesterday’s Tears- A Slip in Time, but first I must take time to digress. What is a time slip? In fiction, a time slip is when the main character travels to an earlier point in time but doesn’t know how it happened. Quite often, the main character has been exploring his family history or memorabilia when he slips to that time period. A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, written by Mark Twain in 1898, was a popular time slip story.
Time travel is somewhat different, and generally refers to a planned trip to the past, using a special machine. The character knows it is happening and the goal is to journey back and forth between points of time. Now that we have that settled, let’s look at Author Jane O’Brien’s latest book. You will want to take time to read it!
Jane O’Brien’s stories take place in her beloved Western Michigan. As this story begins in 2019, a young woman, Francine, has come to her grandparent’s farmstead. It is a sad time, as her grandmother has recently passed, and the rest of Francine’s immediate family will be joining Francine the next day to close the home.
Francine loved her grandparents and their way of life. She begins to go through her grandmother’s trunk, where many beautiful quilts are stored. There is a special story about the quilts. As Francine looks through the handmade quilts and ponders her memories, she begins to cry. Her tear lands on a faded tear mark on one of the quilts. With a tumble, Francine is now at a lonely train depot. She soon learns that it is 1875.
Would you like to go back in time? Even though you were not at all prepared? Could you survive in a small log cabin in the woods without anything? Francine’s life in 1875 is fascinating. She is helped by the townsfolk, and by two handsome men, Luke and Ned. As she grows more comfortable, she falls in love with one of the men and with her new life. But she worries about the 2019 family that she left behind, without a trace.
How Francine solves her time slip problem is truly creative and wonderful. I loved this story. Every time I read a Jane O’Brien book, I always say that it’s my favorite- but this one really is! Author O’Brien infuses all her books with a sense of history and place, and so the time slip writing is quite natural for her. Francine is appealing and resourceful, the townspeople are well-drawn, and the passion between Francine and her lover is engaging and real.
Don’t waste any time- read this book! Thanks to the author for a review copy. This is my honest review.
Rosalind by Judith Deborah
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dr. Peter Sutter is a top heart surgeon and he approaches life like the scientific clinician he is. Outside the hospital setting, he observes people as if he were doing an initial medical examination. He notes their height, weight, ancestry, and overall health. The only being he is somewhat close to is his golden retriever Genevieve. He lives alone; he has already divorced the first wife.
And then someone magical and colorful appears in his life. Rosalind. She is as entrancing as the cover of this witty, clever book. She is the elixir he’s been waiting for and he pursues her. Unlike him, Rosalind has lived and has felt joy and deep sorrow. Does she change him? We don’t know until the last few pages. Can they face what’s coming?
This spare and sophisticated book is a joy to read- such well-crafted characters. In some ways, I wanted this book to be longer, to spend more time with Peter and Rosalind. But the author’s spare language made this a remarkable fairy tale about two grown-ups in love in today’s world. This gourmet appetizer may not suit every palate, but I savored every page.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and BooksGoSocial for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.
About the Author
