Now appearing in Ouachita Life magazine’s July edition- Here’s a solution for our common problem- It’s too hot for outdoor activities!
A side note for this list- All of the books mentioned in this list (with the exception of Pepper Basham’s Some Like it Scot which is not a Scrivenings Press book) are available in Kindle version for 99 cents now through July 4!
The link for this special price will be provided at the end of the article.
Happy Reading, my friends. Stay cool!
Summertime Escapism as a Survival Technique
If you have lived in the Ouachita Region for any length of time, I think you will agree that we have enjoyed a remarkably nice spring this year. Frequent rain showers have produced beautiful flowers, and though we have endured our share of severe storms, most of us have emerged unscathed.
Now, we are entering the time of year we would just as soon skip. When the big news on the nightly weather report is the three digit heat index, we struggle to encourage others to visit our area. The most common advice we give to tourists is “Please come back in the fall. You will love it.”
What to do to survive the next two or three months? As always, my suggestion is to either stay inside or find some plentiful shade with a tall icy drink, and lose yourself in a good book.
First up, several local authors provide quality fiction.
Ellen E. Withers, of nearby Conway, AR has received acclaim for her mysteries, all set in her home state of Missouri, and all providing stories from the past as well as the present. So far, I’ve enjoyed Show Me Betrayal and Show Me Deceit. Her newest, Show Me Skullduggery is equally intriguing, this time taking place in a riding stable. (You know my soft spot for all things equine.) If you can’t decide between historic stories and current who-dun-its, these books give you the best of both worlds.
Tonya B. Ashley lives in the Saline County community of East End. Her books take place in Van Buren, Arkansas during its hey day as a riverboat stop for folks headed west for the Gold Rush of the 1840s and 50’s. Her first book Of Faith and Dreams featured a handsome blacksmith and a stranger whose mysterious past took him out of his comfort zone. Tonya loves nothing more than hanging around the forges during Caddo Gap’s Fall Festival. You may catch a glimpse of her there just before the release of book two, Fireflies in Sacred Shadows. I’ve been privileged to preview this one. The faith journey of the protagonists only helps the romance seem more realistic and captivating. I predict you will love both books.
If you are looking for lighter fare this summer, try a collection of novellas. Pets Amore also features an Arkansas author, Linda Fulkerson of Morrilton along with other Scrivenings Press writers, Amy Anguish, Heather Greer and Beth Westcott. Best described as Christian romantic comedy, these four stories all feature pets. A puppy, a parrot, a hamster, and even an ornery goat play their parts in keeping things exciting, and bringing the characters closer to each other. Nothing but fun in this book!
Speaking of Rom-Com, a new favorite of mine takes us “across the pond” for humor, romance and adventure. Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham includes traditional elements like a cute youngster, his adorable dog, and a broken-hearted hero. Add in the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, a quirky cast of Edwardian re-enactors, and then put the handsome hero in a kilt, and this one is a can’t miss for a wonderful summer read.
Another way I escape the summer heat is to read a book set at Christmas time. Once again, I am recommending a novella collection I had a part in, A Gift for All Time. My story is a contemporary one, which accompanies two historicals written by Ellen E. Withers and Tonya B. Ashley to share the journey of a hand-crafted nativity scene and the families that love it over several generations.
Of course, I will also take this time to recommend my own books in the Crossroads series, Hope Takes the Reins, Faith Moves Mountains and Love Never Fails. I hope you will love the characters in these stories as much as I do. Set in the beautiful Arkansas River Valley they are intended to give you hope while pulling at your heartstrings.
All of the above books can be easily found on Amazon in either paperback or e-reading formats. To stay abreast of new books coming out, you can subscribe to my monthly newsletter by following me on my website, https://jennycarlisle.com. You will even receive a free gift!
It is a pleasure to renew my acquaintance with you, my first readers. I pray that you and your family enjoy the daily blessings God provides this summer. Keep in touch!
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