Sunday, March 23, 2014

Good, Solid Fiction Read

A few years ago, I read a book I really enjoyed by Ann Gabhart.  It was titled Angel Sister.  It had some unexpected twists and it wasn't just another romance.  Recently, I read a new book by Gabhart titled Summer of Joy.  I liked it.

Summer of Joy centers around the Brooke family--Jocie, her Aunt Love, her father David, and her sister, Tabitha, and Tabitha's 3 month old son.  The story is also about the people connected to them.  David's wife left him years ago and he is in a new relationship.  Jocie is a teen, growing up and trying cope with the challenges of being in high school.  Tabitha returned home pregnant after living with her mother.  Aunt Love is the glue that keeps the home front together while David runs a newspaper office and pastors a local church.  Real people.  Real struggles.  Living and learning to show grace to one another.  

There are of course some twists and turns to the story.  But, it's pretty straight forward.  I was never quite as surprised as I was as I read Angel Sister, but it isn't as predictable as typical Christian fiction, either.  

I enjoyed the characters of this story and the story line.  At different times, the story is told from each person's perspective.  Sometimes this can result in a very choppy story, but I didn't find that in this book.  It did flow well.  The characters were very human.  

If you're looking for a good Christian fiction read, I'd pick this one up or read another of Gabhart's books!

Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Revell Books. 

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