Tree Swing Reading

Review of "Unwritten" by Charles Martin

Book Bullets:

•     My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
•     Genre: Contemporary Fiction
•     Part of a Series: no
•     Publication year: 2013
•     Publisher: Center Street

 

Description:

An actress running from her past finds escape with a man hiding from his future.
When someone wants to be lost, a home tucked among the Ten Thousand Islands off the Florida coast is a good place to live. A couple decent boats, and a deep knowledge of fishing and a man can get by without ever having to talk to another soul. It's a nice enough existence, until the one person who ties him to the world of the living, the reason he's still among them even if only on the fringes, asks him for help.
Father Steady Capri knows quite a bit about helping others. But he is afraid Katie Quinn's problems may be beyond his abilities. Katie is a world-famous actress with an all too familiar story. Fame seems to have driven her to self-destruct. Steady knows the true cause of her desire to end her life is buried too deeply for him to reach. But there is one person who still may be able to save her from herself.
He will show her an alternate escape, a way to write a new life. But Katie still must confront her past before she can find peace. Ultimately, he will need to leave his secluded home and sacrifice the serenity he's found to help her. From the Florida coast, they will travel to the French countryside where they will discover the unwritten story of both their pasts and their future.

My Thoughts:

Charles Martin continues to be one of my favorite authors! I think he has a wonderful way of crafting a story like an artist making a sculpture.  There's a hint of suspense in wanting to know who Sunday is and what his back story is.  There's the raw emotions that he brings out of his characters.  There's powerful moments.  Beautiful writing.

50 Must-Read Books for This Summer: Christian Fiction [To pick and choose from]

Some of you have been in "summer mode" for a while now, but for us, summer starts now!  My kids are both finally done with school and ready to blast into summer, though I am hoping to float into summer like I'm on a raft on a lazy river.

And what's summer without books? 

For me, it's the best time to read, whether poolside, on the treeswing in our backyard or in the air conditioning in our reading corner when it's too hot or buggy to be outside. I feel like I can pick up a book while my kids swim, play with friends, or are reading on their own with me.

Just in case you need any help finding great Christian fiction to read this summer, think of me as your personal librarian, offering up a great list of the newest releases in whatever genre is your favorite!

So, here is my 2013 Guide to Summer Reading: Fiction Edition! Not that I'm reading all of these this summer--but I'd sure like to!

I've broken them down by category. Click on the book title below the image to read more about each book.

Suspense (my favorite!)

1. When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason

2. Unholy Hunger by Heather James

3. The Living Room by Robert Whitlow (coming in July)

4. Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes

5. When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey

6. A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flowers

7. Stress Test by Richard Mabry, MD

8. The Judgment Stone by Robert Liparulo

9. Memory's Door by James Rubart (coming in July)

10. Afloat by Erin Healy

11. Talon by Ronie Kendig

12. Truth-Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock

13. An Open Heart by Harry Kraus

14. The King by Steven James (coming in July)

15. Fearless by Mike Delosso

16. Congo Dawn by Janette Windle

17. Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer

18. Poison by Jordyn Redwood

 

HISTORICAL

19. Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

20. Widow of Gettysbury by Jocelyn Green

21. Sweet Dreams by Carla Stewart

22. Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

23. Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma (coming in July)

24. Unrivaled by Siri Mitchel

25. Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

26. The Quarryman's Bride by Tracie Peterson

27. On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin (coming in July)

 

ROMANCE

28. Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

29. Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson

30. If the Shoe Fits by Sandra D. Bricker

31. Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

32. Catch a Falling Star by Beth Vogt

33. Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

34. Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter (coming in late June)

35. The House That Love Built by Beth Webb Hart

36. Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

37. Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble (coming in July)

 

CONTEMPORARY

38. In Broken Places by Michele Phoenix

39. The Offering by Angela Hunt

40. The Sky Beneath My Feet by Lisa Samson

41. Sleeping in Eden by Nicole Baart

42. Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson

43. Unwritten by Charles Martin

44. The Wishing Tree by Marybeth Whalen

45. Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong (coming in July)

46. When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti

47. Pretty is as Pretty Does by Debby Mayne

48. Gone South by Meg Moseley

49. Grounded by Neta and Dave Jackson

50. Invisible by Ginny Yttrup

 

I'm sure there's way more great books that I'm missing, but these are a good start!

 

 

New from Charles Martin: Unwritten

Charles Martin gets me crying every time. He writes in a way that paints pictures with words and grabs your heart and twists it a bit. So. good.

Title: Unwritten

Author: Charles Martin

Released: June 2013

Publisher: Center Street

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Series? No

Publisher's Description:

 An actress running from her past finds escape with a man hiding from his future.

When someone wants to be lost, a home tucked among the Ten Thousand Islands off the Florida coast is a good place to live. A couple decent boats, and a deep knowledge of fishing and a man can get by without ever having to talk to another soul. It's a nice enough existence, until the one person who ties him to the world of the living, the reason he's still among them even if only on the fringes, asks him for help.

Father Steady Capri knows quite a bit about helping others. But he is afraid Katie Quinn's problems may be beyond his abilities. Katie is a world-famous actress with an all too familiar story. Fame seems to have driven her to self-destruct. Steady knows the true cause of her desire to end her life is buried too deeply for him to reach. But there is one person who still may be able to save her from herself.

He will show her an alternate escape, a way to write a new life. But Katie still must confront her past before she can find peace. Ultimately, he will need to leave his secluded home and sacrifice the serenity he's found to help her. From the Florida coast, they will travel to the French countryside where they will discover the unwritten story of both their pasts and their future.

What do you think?  Does this look like a good read?

To learn more about Charles Martin, check out his website.

Review of "Thunder and Rain" by Charles Martin

Description:

Third generation Texas Ranger Tyler Steele is the last of a dying breed-- a modern day cowboy hero living in a world that doesn't quite understand his powerful sense of right and wrong and instinct to defend those who can't defend themselves. Despite his strong moral compass, Ty has trouble seeing his greatest weakness. His hard outer shell, the one essential to his work, made him incapable of forging the emotional connection his wife Andie so desperately needed.

Now retired, rasing their son Brodie on his own, and at risk of losing his ranch, Ty does not know how to rebuild from the rubble of his life. The answer comes in the form of Samantha and her daughter Hope, on the run from a seemingly inescapable situation. They are in danger, desperate, and alone. Though they are strangers, Ty knows he can help-- protecting the innocent is what he does best. As his relationship with Sam and Hope unfolds, Ty realizes he must confront his true weaknesses if he wants to become the man he needs to be.

My Thoughts:

Charles Martin's books are always my favorites! I just can't get enough of the way he writes. He captures the emotions of his characters without making them "over-the-top." He gets me to feel things right along with them.  I end up falling in love with them.  I end up having my heart touched.  So good.  I want to read slowly to get the meaning in each word, because each word carries so much weight; but I end up reading fast because I can't wait to read more.

Just so you know, this is not a "Christian fiction" market book.  There's some language and subject matter to be aware of, in case you aren't expecting it.  That being said, the conversations between the little girl and God are beautiful and faith-filled as any.

I want more Charles Martin.  Every. Time. Wow.

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: Contemporary Fiction
• Part of a Series: No
  
• Publication year: 2012
• Publisher: Center Street