A Summer Of Surprises

A delightful beach read about a young woman’s personal growth as she finds new love and deals with one family surprise after another! Jill Conroy is tricked by her sister into becoming the housekeeper and cook for the summer at Seashell Cottage where Greg Campbell and his nephew, Brody, have been hired to do maintenance projects on the house. Annoyed at first, Jill soon realizes how wonderful it is to be away from her home in New York and the memories of her deceased, emotionally abusive husband. Soon the magic of the beach heals Jill enough for her to decide to move to Florida permanently to make a new life for herself. Her part-time work at a summer camp and the promise of a new job as a third-grade teacher in the fall make it seem as if her future is set. But a visit from her sister, followed by her mother, reveals secrets that surprise them all. Jill learns to accept the idea of love not only from Brody but from his daughter, Kacy, as the summer brings even more surprises. Another of Judith Keim’s series books celebrating love and families, strong women meeting challenges, and clean women’s fiction with a touch of romance—beach reads for all ages with a touch of humor, satisfying twists, and happy endings. Be sure to check out her other delightful books and series that readers adore. Contemporary Women's Fiction, Family Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary Women's Romance, Sisters Fiction, Family Fiction, Florida Beaches, Beach Read, Mothers and Daughters, New beginnings

A SUMMER SURPRISE begins with two children planning to visit their uncle's farm for two weeks, which is part of their Summer tradition. They enjoy the natural surroundings — the orchards, pastures and the beautiful Chesapeake Bay. They take care of the smaller animals and also groom and ride the horses. This visit turns out to be very different from the other times. The wounded Chincoteague pony that Uncle Mickey found and nurtured and the black stallion he brought from the rodeo when he retired decided to have a family. An unexpected chain of events is set into motion as the birth of a foal approaches. What will happen next? Beautifully illustrated by Thomas McAteer and filled with excitement, A SUMMER SURPRISE is highly recommended reading for children and their families. The story depicts a challenge the children face and how they bravely handle the situation. It also encourages caring for animals.

In this third book of related titles, our protagonist must face one more hurdle in accepting his Nana's new "family." Nana's new husband Bob has a grandaughter named Hortense. They were friends last summer - but over the winter she's changed and the tentative friendship they shared seems a thing of the past. At the cottage again for a summer holiday, the protagonist is horrified to discover that Hortense is no longer likely to enjoy climbling trees and running around. She's grown tall, wears skirts, and pins pictures of rock stars on her wall. Nana has deemed it "inappropriate" for them to share a room. All seems lost, until the two manage to find something to work towards together: a surprise birthday party for Nana. This charming picture book holds a valuable lesson about getting along by finding common ground.

Though it was years ago, Ben Buckley has never gotten over the loss of his wife. But even more than the mystery surrounding her death is the radical change that occurred in her life shortly beforehand. Their marriage was unusually happy--until she met a woman who "turned her on to religion." Baffled, angry, and still feeling guilty for the way he treated Chloe those final weeks, Ben now lives behind the protective walls of severed relationships and a rigid work routine. When two unlikely people enter his narrow world, Ben's view of his life begins to change, and gradually the barriers he's erected around himself come tumbling down. For readers who enjoy character-driven, thought-provoking stories that stay with them long after the last page is turned.

This collection of devotions for the Advent season is priced so it can be purchased by congregations and used as a giveaway "tract".