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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 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
byChautona Havig

Nothing says fairy tale like a sweet western romance by an author like Karen Witemeyer… unless it’s a fairytale retelling set in Texas in the late 19th century, right?  Fairest of Heart takes the familiar “Snow White” and turns it on its head with retired cowboys, a self-absorbed actress, a Texas Ranger, and a sweet girl who knows the true Source of her beauty.  Listen in to see all the genius Easter eggs Witemeyer planted in this book.

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

Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart

I fell in love with the cover of Karen Witemeyer’s Head Over Heels a few years back (only to learn it’s much older than that, even), and meant to read that book.  I didn’t.  #BecauseIdiot. Well, that’ll be rectified just as soon as I’m done listening to her first book in a trilogy of fairytale retellings. I loaded it up on my Audible app tonight and wheeeeeeee. Here I go! So much for no new books until October. HA! 

Karen talks about her heart for young women today and how they’re taught by every bit of media blasting at them that they need to use their bodies to get what they need or want when the Lord has a better plan. And I can’t guarantee it, but I strongly suspect she does it without preaching. SQUEE!

Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Once upon a time in Texas . . .

Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

You can learn more about Karen Witemeyer and her books on her WEBSITE. Don’t forget the book is 30% off on BakerBookHouse.com.  

Follow Karen on BookBub and GoodReads.

And don’t forget her Posse Group on Facebook.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
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