• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Bio
  • Bookshelf
    • Audio
    • Complete List of Chautona’s Books
    • The Rockland Chronicles
      • The Vintage Wren
      • The Aggie Series
      • The Hartfield Mysteries
      • Sight Unseen Series
        • Sight Unseen Series Archives
      • The Agency Files
      • Christmas Fiction
    • Legacy of the Vines
    • Meddlin’ Madeline
      • Madeline Blog Archive
    • Ballads from the Hearth
      • Ballads from the Hearth Blog Archive
    • Legends of the Vengeance
    • Journey of Dreams
    • Wynnewood
    • Webster’s Bakery
    • The Not-So-Fairy Tales
    • Heart of Warwickshire
  • Start HERE
    • If You Like…
    • Characters
    • Suggested Reading Order
    • Free Books
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Podcast
    • Advertising
    • Podcast Guest Information
    • Podcast Interview FAQ
  • Merch Shop
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • Bonus
  • Speaking
  • New & Coming
Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Friendship, Family, & Romance: What More Could You Want from Summer Reads?

by Chautona Havig · 9 Comments

Summertime Lilies offers a sweet, slow, gentle romance to keep those lazy, hazy, days of summer less crazy and a whole lot sweeter. via @chautonahavig

The cover grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go until I’d filled out the form requesting my review copy. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a great cover.

The synopsis–too funny for words.  I had to give this book a shot.  I mean, what could be better than a fiercely independent single mother, an adorable little boy, and a tender man aching for a shot at loving them both.  Actually, it sounds a lot like one of my books, and yet it’s completely different, too.

I love how books are like that–same general idea but… nope.  Nothing like it at the same time.

Summertime Lilies Summertime Lilies

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

Friendship, Family, & Romance: What More Could You Want from Summer Reads?

The worst part about agreeing to read and review someone’s book is when you open it up to the first page and discover that it’s written in the style you hate most. First-person. Present tense.

Look, I grumble a lot about first person, but where I really struggle is with present tense. So here I was with my beautiful book and an opening that I could tell might be good… but I didn’t want to read.  Just being honest here.

And that’s the problem with reviewing books. You have to be honest. But no matter how kind you try to be, that honesty is going to hurt someone who put heart and soul into every one of those words.

So now I’m left with a conundrum.  I must be honest, and I must honor my commitment to read (done) and review (ouch!) a book I received free from the author because I requested it.

I felt certain in those first few pages that most of the problem would that present tense business.  Let’s face it.  If the trouble is your personal preference, then you can be honest without it being the author’s fault.

If that were all it was.

Yep, I’m getting the not-so-good out of the way so I can tell you what the author got right in Summertime Lilies.  Because she did–LOTS of right. She wrote lots of things I really loved, actually.

So here’s what I didn’t.  Conflict–there wasn’t much, really.  Tension… not much of that either. Writers often talk about “Mary Sue” characters–those perfect people who have token flaws and really are too good to be true. Too good to be interesting.  Well, in Summertime Lilies, I’d say the Mary Sue was the conflict/tension.

Lots of things came up that could have really created an engaging read, but instead, the author cleaned it up quicker than a neat freak at a crime scene. Not once did I believe that anything might keep Brittany and Matt apart. Their argument–both of them were right and wrong.  It was obvious.  The inlaw troubles?  Not there.  The token love triangle?  Yeah… that third arm was broken off at the nub right away (thank goodness).

And then there was the faith element.

The characters pray.  They go to church. And in an unexpected twist, they even consider what the Lord would want from them outside of church.  That was refreshing!  Part of me wants to complain that Brittany grew more from her interactions and bits of wisdom from a cousin than she did from the Lord–but I don’t believe it. Not really.

I think the point is that the Lord used this woman to speak some necessary truths into Brittany’s heart.  And that was a beautiful thing.

But an irreverent use of “God,” a few mild euphemisms, and a definite obsession with lusting after her neighbor with his shirt off left things uncomfortable for me. Had the faith element not been in there, I’d have considered it a “clean read” and moved along.  But with those elements, the others then stand out as a problem.

So with that out of the way, what did the author do right in Summertime Lilies?

A lot, actually.  For one thing, the pacing of the book was perfect.  Seriously, if it hadn’t been, I’d have struggled to get through the present tenseness.  That’s a big signal to me, by the way. Nothing shows pacing problems (for the way my brain works, anyway) faster than me being eager to walk away from it every thirty-two-point-six seconds.  Didn’t happen.

Characterization–amazing.  Seriously, I cared about these characters.  I fell in love with Grady–actually, he’s the best character of them all, except perhaps her brother Matt’s sister.  Those three characters have no Mary Sue tendencies.  Still, even Brittany and Matt, with their almost too-perfectnesses, made me care about them and root for them. And that happened even when I knew nothing would really stand in their way.  Even when I shook my head at the idea that Christmas presents would cause a real problem.

Description–mostly perfect.  Seriously. Not once did I go, “Get on with it already!” Instead, I spent most of the book knowing exactly where I was, what was around me, and all without too much attention drawn to the setting.  WOOHOO!

The Hook–not of this book, though.  Nope. It was the teaser chapter to the next book.  This one is about Brittany’s brother, and whooooeee!  I liked him in Summertime Lilies.  I did not like him in this teaser.  At all.  I wanted to smack him.  Give him a piece of my mind. Douse him in ice water.  All at once.

And that’s what left me on a great note. Because, you see… I’m dying to read that next book.  I’m so ticked off at the guy it makes my head spin.  Did you read that?  I am dying to read a book written in first-person, present tense because the author made me ticked off at a character being a jerk.

That’s what was missing from Summertime Lilies. I didn’t get that emotionally invested until the teaser for book two.  But that’s okay.  Because book two is going to be amazing. I can just taste it.

About the Book

Book:  Summertime Lilies

Author: LM Karen

Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction

Release date: Jan 30, 2021

A sweet and sentimental contemporary romance with a uniquely witty voice.

There are three things you should know about Brittany Masters:

  1. She’s a single mom and a nurse manager at the local cancer clinic
  2. She has big plans for a quiet summer
  3. She’s convinced that fudge pops are the answer to almost all of life’s most important questions

A new neighbor, Matt, making friends with her son while simultaneously pursuing her blow plans for a predictable summer right out of the water. A chance meeting at the cancer clinic where she works renews a connection with an old friend and gives her the perspective she’s been missing. From quiet nights on her front porch swing in Matt’s company to long talks in the clinic with her old/new friend, Brittany’s summer is anything but routine.

Share161
Pin
Tweet
Email
162Shares
Share
Pin
Tweet
Email
162Shares

Related

Filed Under: Book Reviews

Previous Post: « This Author Gives Us Excellent Historical Fiction
Next Post: How an Unfortunate Time in History Inspired a Fabulous Series »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Carol Cox says

    June 6, 2021 at 5:26 am

    Chautona, I really like Adoring April in your new Save the date anthology.

    Reply
  2. Caryl Kane says

    June 4, 2021 at 4:11 pm

    Chautona, Thank you for sharing your honest thoughts.

    Reply
  3. Debbie P says

    June 3, 2021 at 9:29 pm

    Beautiful cover! This sounds like a great summer read.

    Reply
  4. Debbie P says

    June 3, 2021 at 9:28 pm

    Sounds like a great summer read!

    Reply
  5. Debbie P says

    June 3, 2021 at 9:27 pm

    This sounds like great summer read!

    Reply
  6. Amelia says

    June 3, 2021 at 6:52 pm

    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Emma says

    June 3, 2021 at 3:20 pm

    This sounds like it could be a fun story! I don’t mind first person, present-tense all that much.

    Reply
  8. Hannah Corner says

    June 3, 2021 at 9:39 am

    Thank you for your comments about the pacing…a lot of times I have a hard time picking up a contemporary book because I’ve tried too many that are super slow. Or..super fast.

    Reply
  9. megan allen says

    June 3, 2021 at 7:59 am

    This looks so so good! Thanks for the book rec!

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

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:

  • Apple 
  • Castbox 
  • Google Play
  • Libsyn 
  • RSS
  • Spotify
  • Amazon
  • and more!
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
Episode 265: A Chat with Karen Witemeyer
September 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 264: A Chat with Romance Author, Sarah Monzon
September 26, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 263: A Chat about The Love Script w/ Toni Shiloh
September 23, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 262: Chatting about The Legacy of Longdale Manor with Carrie Turansky
September 19, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 261: Chatting with Christian Youth Fiction Author, Candice Yamnitz
September 15, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 260: A Chat with Rachel Hauck
September 12, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 259: A Chat with Debut Author, Laura Conaway
September 8, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 258: A Louisiana Christmas to Remember
September 2, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 257: A Chat with Fantasy Author, N. Ford
September 1, 2023
Chautona Havig
Episode 256: A Chat about Summer in the Spotlight w/ Liz Johnson
August 29, 2023
Chautona Havig
Search Results placeholder

Love Audio Books?

audio book ad

Check out the Sparrow Island novels. A tiny island with a lot of heart

independence islands series

Featured Books

A Ransomed Grete

A Ransomed Grete
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
A Ransomed Grete
Buy now!

Twice Sold Tales

Twice Sold Tales
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Twice Sold Tales
Buy now!

Under the Hibiscus

Under the Hibiscus
Buy This Book Online
Buy from Amazon
Buy from Amazon Kindle
Under the Hibiscus
Buy now!

Upcoming Posts

Sorry - nothing planned yet!

Or just subscribe to the newsletter

Recent Blog Posts

  • What Would Make a Tropical Vacation More Exciting? Find Out!
  • Sometimes All a Girl Needs Is a True Change of Heart
  • How Does an Intense Christmas Competition Lead to Love?

I buy my stickers here! (affiliate)

Custom Stickers, Die Cut Stickers, Bumper Stickers - Sticker Mule
Just another hour... Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai fr Just another hour...
Tea is Pumpkin Masala Chai from Marcella's Enchanted Cottage and blueberry cinnamon roll courtesy of #6daughter
, @andralane0129 
#AmReading 
#AnnetoberReadAThon 
@teri_blake_author 
#womensfiction
Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we go Yum... seriously the best beef ever. So glad we got some,  but so many missed out. 
Thanks @robsogbbq
Instagram post 18282011413151971 Instagram post 18282011413151971
If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagsteve If you haven't read Seek and Hide by @amandagstevens , stop everything and order this book. Then schedule dinner delivery the day it arrives and dive in. Chilling,  inspiring,  and proof that Amanda is a stellar Storyteller.
#AmReading 
#ChristFic
Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month Reposted from @beccawierwille Less than one month until release day for Road Trip Rescue! 🚘 🐶 Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 24 to help me celebrate sending this story into the world. 

Also, prepare for more posts than normal. I’m excited to launch this book. 🥳
I think the moon is embracing autumn, too. I think the moon is embracing autumn,  too.
Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release Reposted from @lisaphillipsbks Woot! Happy release day, @lovereadwriterepeat
  • Home
  • Bookshelf
  • New & Coming
  • Blog
  • News!
  • Disclosure & Policies
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Chautona Havig · All Rights Reserved · Coding by Gretchen Louise

Don't go before you grab your FREE short story collection!