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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

Why I Recommend a Book That Wasn’t a Favorite

by Challice Neipp · 4 Comments

Some books are hard to pinpoint what it is we like and don't about them. Surf Smugglers was one for me. Glad I read it, will read the next, but... something... via @chautonahavig

People know that I love the book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. They know reading one particular scene in it was what made me want to write way back in 1982. What people don’t always know is that I rarely recommend it.

While Betty Smith wrote a powerful story of a girl’s life in turn-of-the-20th-century Brooklyn, it isn’t a “pretty” story. Instead, it grapples with the horrors of poverty and what other terrible things those horrors sometimes spawn.

I won’t pretend I understood a lot of the stuff in that book. I’ve always been naive about things, and although I’m inching closer to fifty every day, that hasn’t changed over the years. From family members that you can’t allow your kids to spend time with to that “nice man” you know better than to allow your children near, the book has it all. And frankly, I missed most of it.

So, although it is mostly about a girl growing up, it’s not for girls of that age—not in my opinion. Like I said. I love the book, but I don’t recommend it.

Over the years, there’ve been other books I’ve not really cared for as much but I thought were important ones to read. Funny thing is, I can’t remember titles right now. My brain is in editing mode and not behaving. Either that or all the smoke in the air has turned my brain to mush. That’s possible, too.

But as I finished a book tonight, Surf Smugglers, I realized that I didn’t like it as much as the first, but it still has things to recommend it.

Why I Recommend a Book That Wasn't a Favorite Surf Smugglers

Note: some links are to affiliate sites that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Why I Recommend a Book That Wasn’t a Favorite

When I read Harbor Secrets, I really enjoyed the time period, the storyline, and the characters. Those same things ring true for Surf Smugglers. However, my overall enjoyment of the book wasn’t as strong. There are two likely reasons for this.

Either I needed to read the middle book, Riptide Rumors (which I intend to do, by the way… the hints I got about it from this book make me anxious to get to it), or the subject matter overpowered the series.

Okay, so there’s a strong possibility that both are true.

However, I actually think the subject matter is to blame. In a series that deals with heavy topics like smuggling, domestic abuse, abandonment, and other powerfully dramatic issues, you wouldn’t think racial tensions, early feminism, and WWI would be too heavy.

But they were. I firmly believe that this exact story, told with deep layers, and in a stand alone novel about similar but different characters, would have all of the strength and power of classic World War novels.

However, constrained in this place and with these characters, with a lighter touch due to the rest of the series, Surf Smugglers didn’t pack the punch that it could have. And I think that’s also why the spiritual depth felt a little lacking.

That said, compared to a lot of books marketed by Christian publishers, this one was much more spiritually encouraging. I appreciated that it was there and it was not preachy.

So with all that, why do I recommend Surf Smugglers?

Simple. The story is a nice one. It fits in the series and wraps things up. It doesn’t hold the same draw as some third books—that feeling that if this book is this amazing, then I’ve just got to read the first two. Rather, because the first (and I assume the second) were so good, and because this one deals with important historical events… Not to mention, this book wraps up some character and story arcs!!!

Because of those, I think the reverse is true. The prior book(s) and much of what is included in this one make this book a recommended read. It’s just not my favorite of Melody Carlson’s books.

I’m still not sorry I read the free review copy of Surf Smugglers I was sent, and I’ll be buying the middle book, still, as well as am looking forward to the last in the series. So, take that for what it’s worth.

Looking forward to my next Melody Carlson book… just like I always do.

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Comments

  1. Caryl Kane says

    September 11, 2019 at 12:32 pm

    Thank you for your honest review! This series sounds like one not to miss.

    Reply
  2. Mari Tysar says

    September 3, 2019 at 4:35 pm

    A tree grows in Brooklyn is one of my favorite books! I agree that I rarely if ever recommend it.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Surf Smugglers – Library Lady's Kid Lit says:
    September 12, 2019 at 5:45 am

    […] Just the Write Escape, September 3 […]

    Reply
  2. Surf Smugglers by Melody Carlson | It's Story Time With Van Daniker! says:
    September 6, 2019 at 9:01 pm

    […] Just the Write Escape, September 3 […]

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The Because Fiction Podcast

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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
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