Hot Summer Reads!

Welcome to the 2011 Edgy Christian Fiction Hot Summer Reads Blog Tour. Check us all out! There are some great summer reads out there just waiting for you to pick them up or download! To purchase one of these wonderful novels, just click on the book cover.

I’m off to a late start with my blog post. Life is supposed to slow down in the summer – ya’ know, “hazy, lazy days.” Just doesn’t seem to happen when you have kids! Today was the start of swimming lessons, which is apropos for this blog post. Any of my four book choices would be great to take along to the beach. The first two are historical romances, Westerns really, written by me. Each takes place in 1880’s Colorado and were inspired partly by my love of Louis L’Amour Westerns. Each is full of action, a touch of suspense and, of course, romance. 

CELTIC CROSS  - Sometimes you have to forget who you are in order to become who you should be.

Cristeen Latham has spent her life trusting no one – sometimes not even herself and certainly not God. When she arrives at the Donovan ranch clinging to life, Matt Donovan is determined to help even though she is a stranger. But now a madman is on her trail and Cristeen must learn to trust…or die.

CELTIC KNOT – There’s something to be said for familiarity, but it’s not all good.

When widow Abby Finnegan meets ranch hand Kyle Lachapelle, she figures he’s as deceitful as her family. But Kyle is a Secret Service operative working undercover, and Abby has a disturbing connection to his counterfeiting case. Abby’s protecting her heart while Kyle can’t afford the feelings stirring in his. Love is out of the question…or is it the answer?

The third book is one I’ve been wanting to read for a while – what better excuse than a blog tour!

SEASONS IN THE MIST by Deborah Kinnard

Bethany Lindstrom is a history student working who goes back in time to 1353 Cornwall. How it happens, and how Deb Kinnard makes it fit with her Christian world view is fascinating. Once Beth adjusts to her new surroundings, she becomes embroiled in political intrigue of King Edward’s court. She makes new friends and finds love, something she lacked in her modern life. But does she belong in the fourteenth century or the twenty-first? The history and language in this novel are an added joy – I especially loved that no one could pronounce Bethany nor Lindstrom properly. This book is a must read for any fan of historicals or time-travel.

For my fourth book, I chose one by an author a recently “met” online. Dora Hiers first novel, published by White Rose Publishing, is a contemporary romantic suspense. Just like my current WIP. In fact, Dora’s style is much the same as mine: real people faced with a situation just slightly out of the ordinary.

JOURNEY’S END by Dora Hiers tells the story of Chelsea Hammond and Trey Colten. Chelsea is just about to open a camp for troubled teens when, ironically, the son of the man who murdered her husband shows up unexpectedly. He witnessed his mother’s murder;  US Marshal Trey Colten and his partner are sent to protect both the boy and Chelsea. But who will protect Trey from the effect Chelsea has on his heart? The story is well-written, fast paced, with just enough conflict between Trey and Chelsea to keep the pages turning. I highly recommend this novel to lovers of romantic suspense.

If you've read one of these novels, I'd love to hear your opinion. And don't forget to check out future posts for some great ideas. Wednesday, July 20th, visit http://shelialipsey.com/blog/ ; Friday, July 22nd, it's Tracy Krauss's turn (www.tracykraussexpressionexpress.com).