Narelle here. It’s the middle of winter in Australia, and I’ve enjoyed warming up by escaping into summer romance reads. Today I’m sharing two August 2021 CCR (contemporary Christian romance) releases that I had the pleasure of reading in preparation for upcoming StoryChats @ InspyRomance podcast/YouTube episodes.
Join me in my armchair travelling to small town Jasper Lake, Colorado with Carla Laureano in Provenance, and Prince Edward Island, Canada with Liz Johnson in Beyond the Tides.
Click here to read the Book Description.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading Provenance and visiting the charming small town of Jasper Lake in the Colorado high country. Kendall was only five years old when she was abandoned at a day care center because her mom failed to collect her. She is haunted by not knowing what happened to her birth mother, which led to her growing up in the foster care system. Kendall is fiercely independent and believes she can only rely on herself. She rents an expensive home in Pasadena, California, with her interior design assistant that’s the home base for her business. Her business specialty is restoring historic homes.
Gabe is a town planner who has returned to Jasper Lake from Detroit to save his maternal grandparents’ home town. His mother sent him to live with his grandparents when he was a young teen because he was on a destructive path and needed straightening out. Gabe’s grandfather runs the Inn at Jasper Lake, and all the businesses have been struggling since a major flood a few years earlier. Gabe’s attachment to Jasper Lake inspires him to run for mayor. Now he’s the mayor, he’s determined to save the town from a ruthless developer who is intent on building a resort that would forever change the character of Jasper Lake.
Kendall is stunned to learn that her maternal grandmother passed away almost five years ago, and Kendall is the sole heir of a row of historic lakefront homes in Jasper Lake. The houses are situated in the middle of a parcel of land that a developer wants to turn into a large scale resort. The rent on Kendall’s Pasadena home is large, and the annual increases are squeezing her finances too tight. Selling her inheritance appears to be Kendall’s best solution to keep a roof over her head and her business afloat.
Sparks fly when Kendall arrives in Jasper Lake and meets Gabe. His family background is also complicated, and he’s confronted with family issues that impact on his current circumstances. Gabe assists Kendall in claiming her inheritance by the tight deadline, and she stays at his grandfather’s inn.
Kendall and Gabe are drawn to each other despite a number of complications, including Kendall not sharing Gabe’s faith. The faith element in the story is strong, and both Gabe and Kendall wrestle with faith issues. The story includes themes of forgiveness, redemption, and parallels with the prodigal son Biblical story. I recommend Provenance to contemporary romance readers who enjoy small town romances set in the mountains that address problems associated with historic home preservation and urban planning.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. Many thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley.
Carla Laureano is our guest at StoryChats @ InspyRomance podcast/YouTube for Episode #32 releasing July 30.
Click here to read the Book Description.
Narelle’s Thoughts:
There’s lots to love in Beyond the Tides, the first book in Liz Johnson’s Prince Edward Island Shores series. The historic seaport setting of Victoria on Prince Edward Island in Canada is quaint and pretty. I loved reading the Anne of Green Gables series when I was younger, and I’m drawn to stories that share the Prince Edward Island setting. I also enjoyed learning more about the everyday workings of a family owned lobster fishing fleet business. We meet a cast of interesting characters who live in the small and tight knit seaside community.
At times I found Meg’s stubbornness a little frustrating, especially her grudge against Oliver from a decade ago when they were at high school. That said, I know in real life that many people are like Meg and struggle to forgive and let go of long held grudges. Oliver was patient with Meg, and prepared to apologise, take responsibility, and right the wrongs from the past. The importance of forgiveness was a strong spiritual theme in the story.
The ‘I hate you’ romance trope isn’t my favorite, but I did empathise with Meg and her concerns for her mother’s health, and I understood why Oliver was keen to buy the family business from Meg’s father.
I recommend Beyond the Tides to contemporary romance readers who like the enemies-to-more romance trope with childhood friends reuniting in a small town seaside setting.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher. Many thanks to Revell and NetGalley.
Liz Johnson is our guest at StoryChats @ InspyRomance podcast/YouTube for Episode #33 releasing August 6.
Questions for you:
Mountains vs. Beach: Do you prefer reading CCR books with small town mountain settings or seaside beach settings, or both? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
what a question can I pick Hawaii where you have the Beach and also the mountains. I have to say While I like the beach I am more drawn to Mountains. I don’t mind a quiet beach village. I guess I am not as big on the crowded areas.
I would love to visit PEI. When you Meg’s grudge from high school I also see the same as in Anne of Green Gables and her grudge against Gilbert from school.
Both sound interesting. Looking forward to the storychats.
Today was a really cold day and very wet and now our state is in a 7 day lockdown maybe time to read a book.
I prefer the mountains, though right now in the midst of winter the warmth of a beach sounds very attractive.
Hoping your lockdown is over soon Jenny :)
Back and forth, back and forth. I guess I have a slight preference for the mountain setting. I like the cooler temperatures and the sense of being tucked away and having a purpose and place in the community. Of course, those things can happen anywhere and do. I just think I have an automatic sense of comfort that kicks in for a mountain setting.
Of course a twilight walk down the beach holding hands with my sweetie…hmmm. Back and forth, back and forth.
Hi Jenny, yes, you can pick Hawaii! City beaches have a very different vibe to a beach in a seaside town or a tropical island. PEI has been on my travel wish list forever, lol. Now you’ve mentioned it, there is a similarity between the grudges held by Meg and Anne. Good pick up!Thanks for commenting and stay safe during the lockdown. Enjoy your extra reading time. 😊
Hi Dianne, I’m thinking about warm beaches, too. The icy wind we’re experiencing from the Snowy’s may be clouding my judgment, lol. Stay warm and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lincoln, I understand the back and forth, lol. I grew with ocean views in Sydney, and I now live in a smaller city with mountain views. It’s a hard call. Thanks for commenting. 😊
I second Dianne in hoping and praying your lockdown isn’t extended like in Sydney and Melbourne.
I live in the mountains, so for an escape, I pick the ocean! No one who knows me is shocked by that LOL.
If I had to choose where to live, that’s harder. We’re here because of family + hubby’s job. It doesn’t hurt that it’s gorgeous and we love it. But… the ocean calls. It always has.
I like both, though I really prefer mountains! I don’t live far from the beach, but I don’t go as the beach doesn’t like me! As long as the story is good, I’ll read about any location!
I love both mountain and beach set stories, though I think if forced to choose I’d probably go beach. Mainly because I love visiting the beach and reading a story set there always makes me want to visit in real life.
I like both!
I like both.
It really doesn’t matter to me about setting as long as the story is interesting and the romance sigh-worthy. I do love visiting the beach, but I live in the mountains. I wouldn’t want to live at the beach. Too many tourists and never a good hair day. We live near a manmade lake and never ever go there. It’s always packed and I like chlorine and being able to see through the water. When we visit the beach, I wade the shore and pick up seashells.
Thank you so much for sharing. I enjoy both settings. I find it hard to decide which I like more. I can say it depends on my mood as to which one I read first. God bless you.
Hi Narelle! I enjoy both settings. Beach and Mountains. Michigan has a large shoreline and I live less than a mile from the beach. My favorite mountains are the Smokey Mountains. Books sound fascinating. Best wishes. Stay warm.
Setting doesn’t matter. I just like a good story.
I like both settings. It just depends upon the story.
I love both! Small town along the beach with the mountains on the other side :) even better!
Really I love any small town story, mountains, beach side, suburb, urban, country…anything!! Probably because I live in a small town on the Oregon coast, and can understand the dynamics & mindset of the people.
I have Liz Johnson’s coming to me (love her!) so I need to check out Provenance. They both sound like wonderful stories to get lost in :-) Thanks for highlighting them & your reviews Narelle. I can always use good book recommendations!
I love both in small towns because I’m living in the country like that so both are great type of stories.
Both are good & I’ve lived in both & right now I do also.
Hi Valerie, no, I’m not shocked that you chose ocean, lol. 😊
Hi Trudy, It’s not an easy choice. Fictional beaches love all readers equally, lol. Maximum enjoyment for all! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Megan, yes, beach settings remind me of why I love visiting the beach. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Paula, yes, me too! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Jcp, yes, I love both! Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Shannon, yes, I can relate to not having good hair days at the beach. We’re fortunate in Australia to have many beaches outside our cities that aren’t packed with tourists year round. The open spaces in the mountains can also be found at the coast. 😊
Hi Debra, You’re very welcome and yes, it’s a tough decision. We’re expecting -5C overnight, which is swaying me toward preferring the beach, lol. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Renate, I’ve always wanted to visit your Smokey Mountains and Michigan. I’ve only briefly seen Lake Michigan from Chicago and from the train in Wisconsin and Illinois. On my travel wish list! Enjoy your summer and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Merrillee, yes, the setting can’t rescue a boring story. 😊
Hi Mary, I love when the setting is like a character in the book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Natalya, yes, there are books where the setting is the best of both worlds. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Trixi, You’re very welcome. Enjoy Liz’s book, and I hope you’ll also have an opportunity to read Provenance. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Amy, Small town stories are always a winner for me. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Sylvain, You’re fortunate to live near mountains and the beach. Thanks for commenting. 😊