"summer's list" by anita higman

Thirty-something single Summer Snow has been unlucky in love. But when her grandmother's dying wish is for Summer to complete a bucket list of sorts with the childhood friend she hasn't seen in twenty years, it seems Summer's luck in love is about to change.

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A dying wish alters the course of a young woman's life.

Life hadn't been easy for Summer Snow. In acts of selflessness---caring for her ailing parents and running her grandmother's bookstore---she had forfeited her youth and dreams for the needs of others. And the only tries she had at love . . . didn't turn out. She had the bookstore, she had her beloved granny, but she was missing something---or someone.

Opportunity strikes when Granny sends Summer on an unexpected adventure with one Martin Langtree, a kind but gangly young man from Summer's past. A childhood friendship is rekindled, a romance is sparked, and mysteries are solved in one magical Texas summer. Will Summer strike out on love again, or will things finally go her way?

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When I first heard about Summer's List, I was intrigued. I love reading about older heroines, and the bucket list concept combined with a long-lost best friend sounded fun and romantic. And it was, some of the time. However, I really struggled to connect with Summer's List. I think there are several reasons for this:

• The dialog often comes off as stilted and unnatural. I don't think I've met anyone who speaks quite like Summer, Martin, and Granny, and their conversations tended to make me feel removed from the story.
• The novel is dialog heavy and description light. This wouldn't be such a problem if the dialog was more natural, but because I didn't particularly enjoy the dialog, the lack of description only further removed me from the story.
• Martin's brothers are horrible at best and psychotic at worst. The resolution with them near the end of the novel really seemed too good to be true.
• A few things aren't explained fully, like Summer's parents' deaths and Martin's parents' abandonment. I definitely would have liked more information and, in the case of Martin's parents, a more thorough resolution.

I did enjoy certain aspects of the novel, though. I loved the list that Summer had to complete, especially the hot air balloon ride. That scene, as well as the events directly following, really tugged at my heart. Martin was completely endearing, and I enjoyed watching him rekindle his friendship (and more) with Summer. I also enjoyed the mystery of Martin's parents--both biological and adoptive. 

I wish that I had liked Summer's List more, but I just didn't connect with the majority of the novel. I do think that many readers will enjoy it, but it wasn't the novel for me. 2-1/2 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Higman's A Merry Little Christmas ( 3-1/2 stars) and Winter in Full Bloom (3 stars).

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Best-selling and award-winning author, Anita Higman, has over thirty books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends.

Find Anita online: website, Twitter, Facebook

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"winter in full bloom" by anita higman

About the book (from Litfuse): Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger to her—a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades—Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just babies.

Without looking back, Lily—with her fear of flying—boards a jumbo jet and embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to Melbourne, Australia. Soon, she is befriended by imprudent Aussie who might prove to be the key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer imagined possible—the chance to fall in love again.

My take: Winter in Full Bloom is the compelling story of Lily, a woman whose life is turned upside-down by the revelation that she has a twin sister. Her search leads her not only to her sister, but also to two things she didn't know she was searching for: a chance at love and a renewed relationship with her mother.

I greatly enjoyed the first half of the book, as Lily meets Marcus (the aforementioned "chance at love") and her sister Camille and forges relationships with both of them. But in the second half of the book, when Lily goes home and she and Marcus both confront their pasts, I didn't stay as engaged. In particular, I felt that the conflict with Lily's mother was resolved too simply, and the confrontation with Marcus's family, while intense, didn't quite ring true.

While it's not one of those "I just can't put it down" books, Winter in Full Bloom has an intriguing plotline and unpredictable twists. And can we just acknowledge that cover? I'm not sure what it has to do with the story, but it certainly is beautiful!

My rating: 3 stars

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Higman's A Merry Little Christmas.

About the author: Best-selling and award-winning author Anita Higman has over 30 books published (several coauthored) for adults and children. She's been a Barnes & Noble "Author of the Month" for Houston and has a BA degree, combining speech communication, psychology, and art. Anita loves good movies, exotic teas, and brunch with her friends. Connect with Anita at www.anitahigman.com.

About the giveaway: Anita Higman's latest novel, Winter in Full Bloom, has just released. She's teamed up with her publisher, River North Fiction, for a fun giveaway and a Facebook Author Chat Party on August 29th.

 
  One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HD
• Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on August 28th.Winner will be announced August 29th at the Winter in Full Bloom Author Chat Party on Facebook. During the party Anita will be hosting a book chat, talking about family, announcing the winner of the Kindle Fire, and giving away a ton of books, gift certificates, and more. Oh, and she'll also be giving party goers an exclusive look at her next book.

So grab your copy of Winter in Full Bloom and join Anita on the evening of August 29th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book, don’t let that stop you from coming!)

DON’T MISS A MOMENT OF THE FUN; RSVP TODAY. HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE 29th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."