Admittedly,
I’m a little late with your summer reading list. Looking back, though, the
oppressive heat waited a little longer this year as well. We had a few
scorchers in June, then some remarkably nice temperatures around the Fourth of
July. At this posting, the burn ban has been removed for the Ouachita region. Thankfully, it’s nothing like the deadly wildfire season we endured in 2012.
Two
of my favorites this summer were actually written by Arkansans who are members
of the Arkansas Chapter of American Christian Fiction Writers, for whom I
currently serve as Vice President.
First,
“Fairer Than Morning” by Rosyln Elliott. The book is set in the newly industrialized Midwest and
eastern part of our nation during a time when indentured servants were used and
abused by their “owners” and duels to the death were still an accepted way of
settling a dispute. Ms. Elliott writes eloquently about the struggles faced by
young people in pre-Civil War America. The lesson learned: Through it all,
love, and in particular, God’s love will triumph when we allow it.
The
next Arkansas treasure is Shannon Vannatter, who has a very successful career with
Heartsong Presents, the inspirational imprint of Love Inspired and Harlequin
Romances. Shannon and I attended a writer’s retreat in Lonsdale with several of
our fellow Christian fiction writers, and I learned she had written a series of
romances based on one of my favorite spectator sports- the rodeo.
The first
story, “Rodeo Ashes” centers on a young lady who is finding her stride in the
fast paced world of marketing. The company has chosen to promote the career of
a newly prominent rodeo champion, forcing our heroine to confront some very
traumatic memories from her past. As in any good romance, the two struggle to
remove the obstacles that keep them apart, and find that they have much more in
common than they ever imagined. I’m very happy to own the next three books in
this series, and I’ll definitely enjoy the ride each time I have the
opportunity to spend time in Shannon’s fictional arena.
Another
reading adventure allowed me to live out every little girl’s dream of becoming
Cinderella. “Once Upon a Prince” by Rachel Hauck takes place in the US on the
coast of Georgia. A handsome real-live prince from a fictional kingdom
somewhere in the British Isles has come to vacation at his family’s estate, when
he encounters a young lady with a flat tire and a recently broken heart.
Happily, he becomes acquainted with her without all of the press exposure and
hoopla that usually follow him. Though she is in no mood to start another
relationship, the two form a friendship, and of course eventually fall in love.
Their vastly different backgrounds become a stumbling block, and it seems that
happily ever after is not in the cards. Scenes on both sides of the ocean keep
the reader drawn in, and the journey to the conclusion becomes a very enjoyable
page-turning experience.
I’m
currently reading another historical, “Thorn in My Heart” by Liz Curtis Higgs,
which transports a familiar tale to the exciting and romantic setting of the
Scottish Lowlands. Only a little ways in, I’m already spellbound by her very
skillful story-telling.
As
another source of great entertainment- don’t forget the book that most of you
probably own at least one copy of- the Bible. Our weekly studies have taken us
through the trials of God’s chosen people as they left a world of slavery and
headed to the promised land. We recently enjoyed the romantic tale of Ruth, and
the courageous exploits of a giant-killer named David.
There’s
much to be learned about the big plans God has for all of us!
Enjoy
the rest of your summer, and remember: to everything there is a season. Don’t
let the heat get you down. Our beautiful, cool Arkansas days will be here again
before we know it!
