Debut author, Sarah Anne Crouch, takes readers on a journey to the town of Shady Springs, Arkansas and a church that is home to a handsome youth minister and the last place Madeleine Mullins wants to be.
We talk about the book, the series I want this book to kick off, and an upcoming novella collection next year. Add to that some of Sarah Anne’s favorite books and let’s just say I had a great time chatting with her!
Don’t You Just Love a Brilliant, Intriguing, and Surprising Synopsis!
One of the most delightful things about this book (before I read it anyway!) is an unexpected little twist in the synopsis. Knowing that the main character has rejected God, this little line about how she helps someone else rekindle his love for his job takes it out of the predictable and into the delightful.
I had a blast discussing not only the synopsis with Sarah but also her characters. Aunt Clara sounds awesome, and I can’t wait to meet her. A.J. sounds like exactly what Madeliene needs to see where her view of the Lord is skewed, and I don’t know. I’m just a sucker for a character who is honest about his or her issues with God. Too often authors (and I’m including me!) act like it’s not really a thing. We tend to focus on our unworthiness instead of maybe… just maybe… our idea that God isn’t worthy of us. I don’t know if that’s Madeliene’s issue, but it kind of sounds like it.
I really need to read this book!
A Summer in Shady Springs by Sarah Anne Crouch
The last place Madeleine Mullins wants to be is back in Shady Springs, Arkansas—the town where her whole world fell apart. But when her beloved Aunt Clara begs her for help, Madeleine reluctantly takes a job painting a mural at her aunt’s church. Her plan is to finish quickly and leave her bad memories behind. But the more time she spends with the handsome youth minister and the more she reads her Bible, the more she wonders if she has been wrong about God and the Church all along.
Three years out of college and A.J. Young still doesn’t know what he wants to be when he grows up. He knows he wants to settle down and build a family but hasn’t found the wife he’d like to share his life with. Then Madeleine comes to town. Their friendship buds quickly, although it can never be anything more as long as she isn’t a Christian.
An undeniable attraction grows between A.J. and Madeleine, but she’s only in town for a few weeks, and he can’t date someone who doesn’t share his beliefs. How can Madeleine help A.J. discover a passion for the career he’s always wanted? And how can A.J. convince Madeleine to give God and Shady Springs a second chance?
Readers can find out more about Sarah Anne Crouch on her WEBSITE.
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