Welcome to those of you stopping by after reading our devotion on Proverbs 31 Ministries. Your timing couldn’t be better. Today we announce our featured book club selection for July: Dandelion Summer by Lisa Wingate. And we’re also giving away a Kindle to one lucky winner!
Over the last few months our selections have covered some weighty topics and it’s time for a breather. We couldn’t have found a better story to land in this month than Lisa’s latest novel – perfect for the warm lazy days of summer.
A little about the book:
All of her life, Epiphany Salerno has been tossed like a dandelion seed on the wind. Now, with the death of Mrs. Lora – the family friend who took Epie into her home – the sixteen-year-old must move to Dallas to live with her indifferent mother and new stepfather. Trapped on the low-rent side of Blue Sky Hill, the half-Italian and half-African-American Epie doesn’t fit in-and soon finds herself on the wrong side of the law. To make restitution, she’s sent to work in another place she’s not wanted: a home on the upscale streets of the The Hill.
When J. Norman Alvord learns that his daughter has hired a teenager to stay with him in the afternoons, he’s determined to nix the arrangement. Widowed and suffering from heart trouble, Norman wants to be left alone. But in Epie’s presence, Norman finds a mystery. Deep in his mind lie memories of another house, another life, and a young black woman, a housekeeper, who saved him…
As summer comes to Blue Sky Hill, two residents from different worlds will journey through a turbulent past and find that with an unexpected road trip through sleepy Southern towns come a life-changing friendship…and clues to a family secret hidden for a lifetime.
You can read the first chapter here.
Lisa is giving away a Kindle to one lucky winner, along with a signed copy of the book and a little extra bling. If you’d like to win this prize pack, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post.
We will be discussing Dandelion Summer on our discussion forum all month long. If you’ve not signed up to become a member (it’s free!) we urge you to do so. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with all of our featured authors. This month all those who participate in the discussion will be entered to win a “Book-n-Bling Gift Pack,” including an autographed copy of Dandelion Summer and a bit of bling to go with it! For every comment you leave in the discussion, your name will be tossed in the hat.
A little about Lisa Wingate:
Lisa Wingate is an award-winning journalist, magazine columnist, popular inspirational speaker and a national bestselling author of 16 books. Her first mainstream novel, Tending Roses, is in its fifteenth printing from Penguin Putnam. Tending Roses is a staple on the shelves of national bookstore chains as well as in many independent bookstores.
Recently, Lisa’s Blue Sky Hill Series, set in Dallas, received national attention with back-to-back nominations for American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year Award for A Month of Summer (2009) and The Summer Kitchen (2010). Pithy, emotional, and inspirational, her stories bring to life characters so real that readers often write to ask what is happening to them after the book ends.
Lisa is one of a select group of authors to find success in both the Christian and mainstream markets, writing for both Bethany House, a Christian publisher, and NAL Penguin Putnam, in mainstream fiction. Her bestselling books have become a hallmark of inspirational southern fiction. Her works have been featured by the National Reader’s Club of America, AOL Book Picks, Doubleday Book Club, the Literary Guild, American Profiles and have been chosen for numerous awards.
Lisa Wingate will be attending Proverbs 31 Ministries annual She Speaks Conference later this month. If you’ll be there as well, make a note to meet her during the She Reads book signing on Friday afternoon. Or just pull her aside in the hallway and say hello. She’ll be there all weekend.
About Ariel Lawhon
Ariel Lawhon is the co-founder of She Reads, novelist, blogger, storyteller, and life-long reader. She lives in Texas with her husband and four young sons (aka The Wild Rumpus). Ariel believes that Story is the shortest distance to the human heart.
Proverbs 31 has touched my life many days in a dark time for my family and I. I really appreciate the ministry and am currently looking for more Christian books to read. I look forward to all that you have to suggest. Thank you for your ministry!
I read proverbs 31. It helps me so much to see clearer. Never a bad thing.
This book sounds so intriguing. I am currently struggling with some changes in my home life and I often wonder how I am going to make it through the day. I often feel that I am just barely keeping my head above water. I turn to God daily to seek the will to push through and know his purpose for me. I have to admit that I have to seek God several times a day for the same problems…seems so hard sometimes to give control over to God. I am anxious to read this book and get out of the sinking boat and walk over to Jesus. Thank you for your Proverbs 31 devotion!
I am so excited to find this blog – I recently moved to PA and have no current friends and bookclub to be part of. Please sign me up for the give aways!
-Jen
We had a family meeting today to be more open and honest with each other and share deeper. Looking forward to reading Lisa’s book.
I look forward to the rest of her book. Loving the summer dandelions. Lisa is an awesome writer, and shares about our life struggles. God filled.
I can’t tell you how much I hope to read this book. I have a lot of boats in my past and don’t know how to get off them and move on with my life. I should be happier than ever as a new mom, but I can’t seem to be over my past………
I just read the Proverbs 31 devotional that mentions this book (July 4th). I know I am behind in reading this one. I am looking forward to reading this book. I am always looking for new authors especially Christian authors.
I have many bad boats in my past and I am constantly trying to put them to rest. Thank you for sharing this devotional it was something that I really needed to read today. So, I guess being behind in reading this devotioanl was a good thing.
Sounds like a wonderful read. Can’t wait to find out what happens next.
I was justed introduced to your website by a good friend of mine Anji. I am looking forward to reading more. The devotions look like they will be very encouraging, Thank you for sharing your talent it is a real blessing.
I was looking for a good summer read. This looks fabulous. As you said in Proverbs 31 – it is time I got off the boat. Thank you for reminding me that He is there for me, I just need to take his hand.
Just read about Bad Boats and identify with it… All of us need to be reminded of this, but I am especially looking forward to my daughter being able to read this. Her life has fallen apart due to a series of bad boat experiences and she is beginning a new life in Christ. I think this is something that has great potential for her to understand more about how and why she fell so deeply into a black hole of sin and away from God. Thanks!
WOW! What a great devotion! I have some bad boats I would like to leave behind…praying God will help me in overcoming the doubts and fears that continue to ‘plague’ my thoughts, my habits and my walk…In JESUS I am more than a conqueror! Thank you for this post and for the opportunity to win this giveaway! The book sounds great!
First post on this blog – new member of “She Reads”. I’ve been trying to develop a book club – may just join this one instead. I can’t wait to get started on this book.
Sounds like a delightful book, full of insight. I’d love to read it. Please enter me in the drawing.
This sounds like a very interesting book. The space program was just beginning when I was in my twenties and the first orbit of John Glenn. I like books of all types. You would say that I am a book-aholic. I have been thinking of getting a Kindle or something similar.
Thanks for writing this book. Having & living in faith is a life-long journey. This story looks like the type that will stretch us and show us examples of depending on God to increase our faith. I’m so grateful that God allows us “be in-progress” with our faith. All glory be to Him!
Karin Melvard
Thanks for the great book! I would also like to be entered to win the Kindle!
Susan
I just found your site. This book sounds like a good read. I love the idea of an on-line book club and Christian book recommendations. I will certainly be checking out your previous picks.
Dandelion Summer is next on the summer read list. Can’t wait to get started!
Thanks so much for introducing me to Lisa Wingate. Being an Okie, familiar with Push county, makes ready her writings feel like visiting with a long lost friend. Thanks Lisa – Go Pokes.
“Dandelion Summer” sounds like a fantastic summer read. I graduated in 1966 so I am anxious to read it and recall the first orbit of John Glenn and the first walk on the moon, and so many other good memories from my past. Thank you for writing it.
I am so thankful God has lead me to the Proverbs 31 Ministry devotionals! Every time I read one, the depths of my soul is touched.
I hope I can get a copy of Dandelion Summer. Like so many others, I have plenty of bad boats in my life, also. As a “rookie writer” myself, I believe in anything I write or anytime I have opportunity to speak and share that God has a personal message in anything I write or say. I believe God has a personal message just for me in Dandelion Summer. If I am so blest as to win the Kindle, well, I already have plans to pay it forward to my sister. She is mostly house bound and reads A LOT. I know the Kindle would be such a blessing to her! I’m praying for you all. It’s awesome to have you all available to me.
This may be the book for me. Looking forward to reading more!
This book sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to start it. Please enter me in the give-away.
So far I every book I have read from your site has been great! I look forward to this one as well…and if I can read future books on a kindle..all the better!
I had already looked over this book to read it before I found this site. Now I am even more excited to read it.
Just read the P31 devotional that linked to this book, and what a find! I am excited to add Dandelion Summer to my reading list.
I love “she reads”. I have found great books here and look forward to reading many more.
I found your blog from Proverbs 31 website. I am always searching for future books to read, and the idea of an online “bookclub” sounds great. I wouldn’t mind winning a kindle too.
Please consider me for your generous giveaway I only have a small phone to read and would love a kindle to fill my soul with your awesome devotions thanks deb
I was led to this web-site by my “Encouragement for Today” email. The book, Dandelion Summer, sounds great and the Kindle giveaway sounds good, too. I was in elementary school in the 60′s. If I win, I would like to donate the Kindle to Dea, from the July 13 post, for her to give to her sister.
Reminds me the title of a book I read several years ago “If You Want to Walk On Water, You Have to Get Out of the Boat!” Loved the devotional. Children give such wonderful object lessons, don’t they? Looking forward to “Dandilion”. Sign me up for the prize too!
Sounds like a great book. Please enter me for the Kindle giveaway.
Blessings
Sign me up for the giveaway. Looking forward to reading the rest of the story.
Wow…God moves. I’ve just gotten back into reading and really love fiction. God has been dealing with me about reading Christian fiction books but did not know where to find out about good ones. Well today I found this website and now I have many to choose from. Thank you so much for being here so I can be faithful.
I am enjoying the ‘encouragement’ emails I’ve been receiving from Crosswalk. Please sign me up for the book give away. Thanks you.
Looking forward to reading this book. Think Dandelion Summer is a book that my entire family could benefit from.
Looks like a goodbbook.I
I am not a big reader, but I want to be. I just need to find the right book and this looks like it could be it. I would love to read it and win the Kindle, then I could begin reading on a regular basis. Thanks for the opportunity ~ Kate
I’m excited to read this book! And I have not been excited about a book since I left home in February!
Wouldn’t mind owning a Kindle, too.
God bless,
Jenn
I look forward to reading this book and putting it in our church library!
Dandelion Summer sounds very thought-provoking. Life brings so many different experiences to people and it is very interesting to mentally put oneself in the situations facing another. I have enjoyed the blog about Dandelion Summer here and look forward to reading it.