Memorial Day has come and gone. I hope you took time to
remember the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform and their families as
the summer of 2014 officially started. So, now that we are preparing for those
lazy, hazy, crazy days, you can find an exhaustive list of things to do and see
in the Ouachita area in the normal spot in the heart of this magazine. But,
what to take along? Sunscreen, a sturdy
hat with a brim, a hammock or at least a good lawn chair, and most importantly,
a good book that will help you while away the hours.
I have several titles in my to-be-read stack this year both
on my nightstand and on my new friend, the Kindle. Here is a quick rundown of
some I’ve read recently that I can recommend.
First up: “What Once Was Lost” by Kansas author Kim Vogel
Sawyer. Set around the turn of the previous century, the heroine of this story
has been very happily providing a home and a bit of stability to a rather
rag-tag group of people who are without a proper place to live for one reason
or another. One terrible night, the residents of the “poor farm” are displaced
by a fire that destroys the home Christina Willems family had established and
left to her charge. Now, she has the
responsibility of finding “temporary” solutions for all of them, while working
to get the home rebuilt. In the process, she and all of the residents find that
God’s plans are always so much better than their own.
Tamera Alexander has written two of my recent favorites.
Set immediately following the Civil War in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado,
“Within My Heart” is a tale of bravely overcoming past pain and grief to move on to new life. As
always, the hero and heroine are much more than one dimensional stereotypes.
Their hopes, fears and failings make the reader want to keep turning pages well
into the night. Regardless of the time period and setting, we can identify, and
enjoy every minute of this tale. In a bit of a contrast, “A Beauty So Rare” is
set in about the same time period in and around the Belmont plantation in
Nashville, Tennessee. Since the author lives nearby, she makes this tale rich
with details, and the feel of the opulent estate. Once again, the personalities
of the characters shine, and when we get to know the heroine’s father, we can
identify with the mixture of love and duty that make caring for our parents so
rewarding and difficult. Another delight. By the way, anyone who loves cooking
or raising flowers will not want to miss this one.
As always, one of my favorite escapes from the hot Arkansas
weather is to find a book that is set in the winter. “Baby, it’s Cold Outside”
by Susan May Warren is a delightful story about a group of people who get
stranded together inside the house of one of the town’s matriarchs. Taking
place right after the Second World War, each character has his or her own
heartaches to deal with. It’s a well told and multi-layered story with some
unexpected romance thrown in for good measure. Crank the air conditioning up,
grab some hot chocolate and a blanket, and settle in for a great read!
Most of you know me well enough to understand that I love
fictional stories as opposed to non-fiction when I’m reading for pleasure. I
made an exception recently for my Little Rock friend Tara Johnson’s book
“Hollow Victory”. Subtitled “ How to Identify & Disarm Five Landmines that
make Victorious Christian Living Feel Like a Lie”, it is an eye-opening look in
the mirror for any woman who feels like she is drowning while trying to live up
to the expectations of others. Written
by a lovely lady who has “been there” it is a great bit of encouragement for
all ages.
Finally, for all of you who love romance and rodeos, I have
the perfect pair of recent releases by local author Shannon Vannatter. “Rodeo Queen” takes place in modern day Ft.
Worth and Shannon’s fictional town of Aubrey, Texas. Our heroine is a confident
young woman who runs a clothing boutique when she’s not speeding around the
dirt-floor arena with a flag. When a deranged stalker attacks her, she suddenly
has to rely on a former boyfriend turned Texas Ranger who wants nothing more
than to protect her. But, is he doing this because he loves her, or because he
loves his job? “Rodeo Song” introduces the world of rock-star fame and
paparazzi to another of our Texas belles. This time, a former beau has to
convince our pretty cowgirl that there is more to him than bright lights and
encounters with adoring groupies. Both are Love Inspired Heartsong Presents books, an imprint of
the famous Harlequin line that mixes Christian values with heart revving
emotions. Summer escapism at its finest!
The illustration that accompanies this column is called a
“book-stack poem”. Just a bit of fun for
bibliophiles. What happens when you arrange a few of your books in this way? I
would love to see it. You can snap a quick picture and post it on the Ouachita
Life Facebook page, or as a comment on my blog at www.jennycarlisle.net.
Have a great summer!
