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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What’s the Best Thing about Every Great New Book?

by Chautona Havig · 8 Comments

On a Summer Tide did more than give me a great introduction to a new series, it also helped me articulate something that has bothered me for a really long time. via @chautonahavig

If I’ve been asked once, it’s been a thousand or more times. “So, what makes a good book?”

That’s like asking what makes a “good kid.”

You can’t just pinpoint one thing (well, I suppose technically, you could say God and call that good) and that’s that. Lots of different things go into the shaping of what people eventually call a “good kid.”

And the same is true of a good book. For one thing, genre plays into it. What makes a great mystery can ruin a good romance—or make it better. So many factors play into it.

  • The author’s use of common tropes—and twists on them.
  • A way of describing things that stands out from all other authors.
  • Being so clever that you can make mud funny.

How can anyone possibly hope to identify that “best thing?”

Last night, I pulled out On a Summer Tide to read for this review, and someone asked me how I can stand to read so many books. Bless her heart. The poor girl was serious, too. I hope I didn’t offend her with my laughter.

Honestly, I don’t remember what I told her. Still, it sparked a conversation, and she eventually asked the question. “So, what makes a good book?”

And after that, I became determined to find something that every great new book has. It wasn’t easy, but I think I did it.

What's the Best Thing about Every Great New Book?

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I requested a review copy of this book and chose to share what I thought of it.

What’s the Best Thing about Every Great New Book?

I’m calling it magnetism—that inability to put a book down. The reasons for it may be myriad, but the reality always means one thing—you’ve got a great book.

I’d requested a review copy of On a Summer Tide, and needed to get it done. So, in the wee hours last night, I started the book. Going to be totally honest here… I expected to skim a lot and reread on my trip out of town tomorrow.

This is where I say to myself, “You’re so cute.”

Like I could possibly skip a single word of this book. Every time I tried (all two or three of them, anyway), I found myself going back and rereading large bits to find any words I’d missed.

See, the story had a lot of fabulous elements—interesting plots and subplots, engaging characters, and a fabulous setting. With her usual skill, Suzanne Woods Fisher weaves a multi-layered story that holds you riveted to the page.

She invites you into the lives of these characters and makes you care about what happens to them.

One of the most brilliant things about On a Summer Tide is that she manages to keep such diverse characters consistent with themselves. Maddie is always focused on where someone might need support and encouragement. One of the locals is always ribbing one of the others. From primary character to the rarely-mentioned supporting characters, they stay in character the entire time.

That’s tough to do, folks, and Ms. Fisher did it with deceptive ease. Trust me. There’s nothing “easy” about it, but she sure makes it look like it just naturally happens because that is who that character is.

The faith element might be my favorite thing about the whole book. It was real. It’s the kind of thing I see play out in the lives of people every week. Someone doesn’t hear about Jesus and instantly have an encyclopedic knowledge of the Bible and Bible terms. Faith isn’t fully bloomed the moment someone miraculously discovers a “sinner’s prayer” without any help from another believer.

No, faith in this book comes quietly, gently, and with much resistance.

For those who want to know, there were two (that I recall) uses of a word that some would take issue with. Furthermore, sinners act like the sinners they are. And in the past, some redeemed sinners did some pretty awful stuff.

On a Summer Tide is recommended for people who have a strong connection to Maine, who love realistic characters and complex family stories, and just a hint of a gentle romance. Definitely recommended for people who enjoy a bit of understated depth to their fiction and a lighter sprinkling of romance.

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Comments

  1. Lacey Waters says

    May 25, 2019 at 7:42 am

    This sounds fantastic, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  2. Arletta says

    May 24, 2019 at 8:23 pm

    Blueberry buckle or blueberry crisp – yum to both! Thanks for the review and for sharing the recipe.

    Reply
  3. Patty says

    May 24, 2019 at 8:00 pm

    I’ve got this one on my Amazon wish list! I have never been to Maine but hope to get to visit through these characters and this book.

    Reply
  4. Caryl Kane says

    May 23, 2019 at 5:02 pm

    Thank you for the wonderful review! This books sounds like one not to miss.

    Reply
  5. Amelia says

    May 23, 2019 at 12:12 pm

    I really enjoy your reviews!

    Reply
  6. Paula Shreckhise says

    May 23, 2019 at 10:28 am

    I always appreciate your honest reviews. Now I can count on a good read in this book!

    Reply
  7. Shelia Garrison says

    May 23, 2019 at 9:29 am

    I had to laugh out loud when the lady ask how you can stand to read so many books! My answer would be, “There are so many stories and so little time. With Chautona Havig, Joy Ohagwu, Janette Oke, Judith Miller, John Michael Hileman, Lauraine Sneeling, Melanie Wilber, Tracie Peterson and Vikki Kestell, just to name a few, still writing new books. “How could I not always have one in my hand?””

    Reply
  8. Andrea Stoeckel says

    May 23, 2019 at 9:01 am

    SWF is always a go-to for me. I love her books

    Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
byChautona Havig

I had a chat with actor and author Henry O. Arnold a while back, and boy did we have a lot of fun. His Song of Prophets and Kings series features the advent of Israel’s kings from Samuel’s birth through David hiding from Saul (so far) and onward. Listen in as we chat about his most recent release, The Singer of Israel.

 

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

What Made David Such a Man after God’s Heart?

I think this series will show us. I love that Henry O. Arnold started back at Samuel’s story to prepare us for the story of arguably the most influential king of Israel. Yes, Solomon was the wisest and richest, but David offered something that Solomon didn’t have. He was an average guy—a shepherd, no less—chosen by God to lead his country.

In a sense, it’s kind of the ancient Jewish version of a poor, everyday guy growing up to become President of the United States. If you know what I mean.

This five-book series is available as an eBook, in print, and as an audiobook, too! Henry read a snippet of it to us, and boy you get a feel for his love of Scripture and God’s people as he reads.

And if that wasn’t enough, he even gave us a hint of his upcoming Christian suspense/thriller “series. He says he has two books planned for sure, so… at least a duology, but maybe we can talk him into a trilogy at least? Get those odd numbers and everything?

The Singer of Israel by Henry O. Arnold

A singer’s voice inspires a troubled nation…A shepherd’s courage vanquishes a giant

The last official act of the prophet of Yahweh was to secretly anoint a replacement for the king of Israel who has been brought low by an unbalanced mind. The great prophet of Israel lives in fear of the wrath of the king. Then out of the hills of Bethlehem emerges the last-born son of a family of shepherds to become the unforeseen hero of Israel.

When David sings of the glory of Yahweh, this shepherd wins the hearts of the royal family and restores King Saul’s troubled mind. But when the singer/shepherd defeats the champion of the Philistines in single combat, David becomes forever known as “the giant slayer.” Saul quickly sees that David is now a threat to his kingdom and secretly plots to have him killed.

David may be the champion of the people of Israel, but he must live under the constant threat of Saul’s wrath until he is finally forced to flee for his life.

The Singer of Israel is a tale of triumph and tribulation, deepest love, and burning rivalries; the new epoch is given a voice…and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.

You can learn more about Henry on this WEBSITE.

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Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
Episode 215: A Chat with Henry O. Arnold
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