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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

In the Good Old Summertime: Is this Book Worth it

by Chautona Havig · Leave a Comment

Painter Place has all the perfect elements for a great summer read, but did it live up to its potential? See what I thought and who I recommend it for. via @chautonahavig

Summer reads—the staple of book lovers everywhere. Well, and Christmas reads, and TBR (to be read) piles, and RRs (recommended reads) and… and…

Sometimes you see a book and the first thing you do is go, “THAT should be the top of a ‘Summer Reads’ list.

That’s how I felt when the opportunity to review Painter Place appeared. I took one look at it and just knew it’d be right up my alley. Add to that an interesting synopsis, and I figured it was an easy win!

In the Good Old Summertime: Is this Book Worth It?

Note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.  Additionally, I requested and received a free review copy of this book. Opinions were not required, but I give them freely.

In the Good Old Summertime: Is this Book Worth it

I’ve spent most of the day trying to figure out how to articulate (or write, I suppose) how I feel about this book. I wanted to love it.

Unfortunately, I didn’t.

Before I say much, I have to confess that I found myself skimming. A lot. I also only read to the 80% mark. I just. Couldn’t. Go. On.

This may have contributed to some of my issues, but the issues contributed to me beginning that skimming bit.

So, take it for what it’s worth.

Painter Place was a difficult and confusing book to follow. I found it hard to keep up with whose point of view it was and what was happening. The plot points were a bit convoluted, I think with an eye to slowly unveiling the underlying plots. Instead, I just didn’t know what was going on much of the time.

I also, unfortunately, didn’t connect with the characters, so I didn’t care much that I didn’t know. I just wanted to finish reading the review copy I was provided and move on. That feels horrible to say, and I don’t mean it to be unkind.

There’s just a disconnect with me and this book and I can’t explain it beyond that it didn’t capture or hold my attention. While I’m not sorry I requested and received a free review copy of Painter Place, I can’t say I recommend it without reservation. I think it would likely be most appreciated by people who read literary fiction and want “literary lite” and those who live in the Carolinas—particularly coastal.

painter place reviewBook: Painter Place

Author: Pamela Poole

Synopsis: In June of 1985, Caroline Painter’s uncle whisks her away from her island home at Painter Place to film an art video in the harbor village of Mevagissey.

But instead of clearing her head, the young artist becomes entangled in adventure on the English Channel when she influences a rock star’s contract and the media launches her into fame. When she returns home, she discovers a shattering secret that makes her question everything in her life. Can she trust the only one who says he understands?

NOTE: This novel is written from a Christian perspective and contains faith elements.

About the author:

“Inspiring Southern Ambiance”

Pamela Poole’s love for the South inspires all her books and paintings. It’s why she describes her work as “Southern Ambiance.” She and her husband Mark currently live in Raleigh, NC, but she considers the Lowcountry of SC “home.”

Her perspective on writing books and painting is like that of the iconic artist Norman Rockwell, who once said he knew life was not ideal, but it should be, so he chose to paint that way.

Pamela has experienced enough “reality” in life and now seeks the warm, whimsical, loveable, and ideal in her creativity. She hopes readers will laugh out loud, sigh, be inspired to reach higher, and feel refreshed, as if they’ve been for a walk in warm Southern sunshine!

Pamela writes clean fiction from a Christian worldview, but she was an artist before she felt led to become an author.

Her stories often feature artists and art perspectives that help any reader have a deeper appreciation for painting.

Pamela lives life loving Jesus and her family as a wife, mother, and Gigi, and she is blessed with true friends. She is a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and PaintNC. Readers and art enthusiasts alike can enjoy her Youtube channel and her painting demos.

Her blog can be found on her art and publishing websites.

Her illustrations for FREE coloring pages are her contribution to a cause she cares about, the healing that happens through art, and they can be downloaded on her websites. To enjoy the latest content, sign up for her newsletters and follow Pamela Poole Fine Art and Southern Sky Publishing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Purchase your copy of Painter Place here. 
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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
byChautona Havig

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore has been released, and I got to chat with them about it last week. Guys, this series!  If the Christian influence on Viking history isn’t enough, what about adventure, fight scenes, and romance that won’t make you blush? How about that a damsel is in distress and… gets rescued by another woman instead of the stereotypical DUDE! Listen in!

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

Are You Ready for an Exciting New Viking Series from 2 Great Authors?

 

One of the biggest surprises I recall from researching books by different authors was that the cozy mystery and suspense author I liked and respected, Heather Day Gilbert, had also written historical Viking books! I made the erroneous assumption that they were romance and skipped them (for the time being… I knew I’d read them some day), and then something happened.

A few months ago, I saw this cover.  With Heather’s name on it.  And some other gal I hadn’t heard of–Jen Cudmore.  What is this deliciousness?  The cover was AMAZING… not stereotypical nor was it inauthentic.  It was just GOOD (not to mention gorgeous) and with the Celtic frame (the Vikings did go over to Scotland/Ireland after all), I just felt like it hit all the sweet spots.

Well… the book is here, folks.  And I’ve got a copy in my hot little hands.  No, really. It’s July. And I live in the desert.  My hands are totally hot and in totally all the wrong ways. Just throwin’ that out there.

Anyway, Heather and Jen chatted with me about To Love a Viking, and oh my!  This book sounds fabulous. We know Viking women were strong. Even those that weren’t warriors had to survive Nordic winters. Ergo, strong.  But what about strong enough to build a new society with people they’d once fought against. Oh, and rescue a damsel in distress #BecauseYeah!

I’m ready to dive in to To Love a Viking myself, and I hope you’ll grab a copy, too. It promises to be incredible.

To Love a Viking by Heather Day Gilbert and Jen Cudmore

Get swept up in an enthralling new romance series featuring women who rule the hearts of Viking men.

ELLISIF Forced into a financially advantageous marriage that spirals into a nightmare, Ellisif cannot help but imagine what might have been and ache for what was lost. The only lights in her life are her daughters and the friendships she’s forged with the household servants.

Though seven years have passed since Ellisif wed another man, Dagar still cannot forget the woman who captured his youthful heart. As the Viking warrior battles for his country’s future, he finds himself entangled in a personal war for Ellisif’s freedom that could cost his family their reputation and standing with the king. If he risks all, can he save the woman whose face still haunts his dreams? And if given another chance, will she choose him?

INARA Escaped slave Inara is determined to start a new life. Under the guidance of warrior and shipbuilder Håkon, her sword skill grows, as does her confidence that the Viking men will accept her as a warrior in her own right.

When she is selected to lead a perilous rescue mission to protect Ellisif, Inara finds herself blindsided by feelings for Håkon…and by threats to her freedom far closer than she feared. As dreams and desires collide, she wrestles against the lies holding her captive. Can she conquer her doubts before all that she’s hoped for slips from her hands?

Written by award-winning historical author Heather Day Gilbert and fresh voice Jen Cudmore, two love stories entwine in this sweeping Viking-era romance, the first novel in the Tavland Vikings series.

You can find out more about the series and the authors on Heather’s WEBSITE.

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Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
Episode 155: Chatting with Heather Day Gilbert & Jen Cudmore
July 1, 2022
Chautona Havig
Episode 154: A Chat with Romantic Suspense Author, Sami A. Abrams
June 28, 2022
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Episode 153: A Chat with Historical Author, Tracie Peterson
June 21, 2022
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Episode 152: A Chat with Contemporary Romance Author, Amy Anguish
June 14, 2022
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Episode 151: A Chat with Christian Romance Author, Carrie Padgett
June 10, 2022
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Episode 150: A Chat with Mystery/Thriller Author, Steven C Harms
June 7, 2022
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Episode 149: A Chat with Jennifer Sienes about Night Songs (and more!)
June 3, 2022
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Episode 148: A Chat with Author, James R. Hannibal
May 31, 2022
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Episode 147: A Chat with Biblical Fiction Author, Jubilee Lipsey
May 27, 2022
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Episode 146: A Chat about The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher
May 24, 2022
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The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't e The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't even see coming, and now... it's time to find out what happened... and get Mallory and Benjamin's story.  I can't wait to share it with you!
Releases July 26. Stay tuned for release day fun from Minnesota!  WOOT!  An #affiliate preorder link (at a discount) is in my bio.
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The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't e The end of Finding a Memory had a twist I didn't even see coming, and now... it's time to find out what happened... and get Mallory and Benjamin's story.  I can't wait to share it with you!
Releases July 26. Stay tuned for release day fun from Minnesota!  WOOT!  An #affiliate preorder link (at a discount) is in my bio.
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It's July!!! Time for a new book from the Read You It's July!!! Time for a new book from the Read Your Bookshelf Challenge by @chantelreadsallday 
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