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Summertime
Linn Sparks wanted all life had to offer. Fame, fortune, glamour and excitement. She found it as a star of the stage at the Crown Theater in San Francisco.
For Ed Ferguson, life was far less complicated. All he wanted was Linnie Mae, but she’d left him standing alone at the altar seven years before when she’d run off to pursue her dreams.
Now, Linn Sparks has come home to Brookfield, Kansas.
But coming back means facing a lot of unpleasant a strained relationship with a father who never wanted her, a mother whose grasp on sanity is slipping away, and the feelings she still has for the love she left behind.
Ed still wants Linnie Mae, but he knows she won’t stay. How can he spend the summer being near her and not get his heart broken again?
Between them, passions flare in the heat of SUMMERTIME.
For Ed Ferguson, life was far less complicated. All he wanted was Linnie Mae, but she’d left him standing alone at the altar seven years before when she’d run off to pursue her dreams.
Now, Linn Sparks has come home to Brookfield, Kansas.
But coming back means facing a lot of unpleasant a strained relationship with a father who never wanted her, a mother whose grasp on sanity is slipping away, and the feelings she still has for the love she left behind.
Ed still wants Linnie Mae, but he knows she won’t stay. How can he spend the summer being near her and not get his heart broken again?
Between them, passions flare in the heat of SUMMERTIME.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2013
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 30, 2013
I fell in love with Summertime and was sucked into the story from the first page. At the center, this is the tale of Linn Sparks (or “Linnie Mae”) and Ed Ferguson, two people who are meant for each other but haven’t quite figured it out yet. At least Lynn hasn’t. She left Ed standing at the altar seven years ago when she jumped on the chance of becoming a famous singer in San Francisco.
Now a celebrity chanteuse and the star of San Francisco’s Crown Theater, she returns to the small town of Brookfield, Kansas where she left Ed waiting. She hasn’t forgotten him but she’s in love with the glamor of her whirlwind lifestyle and the attention it brings her.
Ed has never stopped loving Linnie, but he’s a small town guy who has no desire to leave Brookfield. Rather than feel bitterness, he’s allowed his heart to heal and is trying to make a home for himself and his young son (a secondary plot with several surprises awaiting readers).
Linn only intends to stay a short while, long enough to address some family concerns, but before she knows it, the charm of the town, its folksy residents and Ed all have her delaying her departure.
It doesn’t hurt that Brookfield is in the process of building a stage to rival the theater where Linn performs in California and even has an operatic play ready to perform, penned by Linn’s former teacher.
Ed and Linn’s renewed love story unfolds against the backdrop of the play’s production and several subplots involving the townspeople. The descriptions, especially of the Kansas setting and the summer seasons are breathtaking. The characters are well-defined and the plot is neatly stitched together.
This was an enjoyable, engrossing read I highly recommend. The author brought a historical time vividly to life in a manner that left me satisfied beginning to end.
Now a celebrity chanteuse and the star of San Francisco’s Crown Theater, she returns to the small town of Brookfield, Kansas where she left Ed waiting. She hasn’t forgotten him but she’s in love with the glamor of her whirlwind lifestyle and the attention it brings her.
Ed has never stopped loving Linnie, but he’s a small town guy who has no desire to leave Brookfield. Rather than feel bitterness, he’s allowed his heart to heal and is trying to make a home for himself and his young son (a secondary plot with several surprises awaiting readers).
Linn only intends to stay a short while, long enough to address some family concerns, but before she knows it, the charm of the town, its folksy residents and Ed all have her delaying her departure.
It doesn’t hurt that Brookfield is in the process of building a stage to rival the theater where Linn performs in California and even has an operatic play ready to perform, penned by Linn’s former teacher.
Ed and Linn’s renewed love story unfolds against the backdrop of the play’s production and several subplots involving the townspeople. The descriptions, especially of the Kansas setting and the summer seasons are breathtaking. The characters are well-defined and the plot is neatly stitched together.
This was an enjoyable, engrossing read I highly recommend. The author brought a historical time vividly to life in a manner that left me satisfied beginning to end.
September 15, 2013
Loved, loved, loved this book! Again, you almost forget you're reading a historical book with the timeless theme! Really enjoyed the cast of characters in this small Kansas town and would like to see them return:) Great job Christina!
October 27, 2013
This book was great. I'm trying to figure out where to start on this review. The first thing that I just loved about this book is that the town took place in Kansas. Not Wichita or another major city but a small town, outside of Wichita. Personally I can't get enough out of mid-west novels. Being from Kansas and all it makes me feel nice and nostalgic to read them.
Linn was an easy character to like. She had a bit of stubbornness that started to wear down as Ed pushed her. It was really enjoying watching their relationship rekindle. I enjoyed Ed a lot. He was the type of guy you picture when you think of an old style man.
Linn and her father's relationship broke my heart, it brought tears to my eyes and I think that any daughter who is a daddies girl will be able to identify with them. And even if you're not.
Ed and his bother had an odd relationship. Couple times things were said and it made me take pause and go, "What the hell is wrong with the brother." But in the end it all made sense.
I loved Tad, Ed's son. He was adorable.
This book in my eyes gets five stars because when you read it, you're left smiling and feeling light hearted in the end. It was a breeze to read, I was told it was just over 90,000 words but I flew through it in under five hours. I can say, in the 34 books I have read this year, I can only think of three that I read that quickly.
Thank you Christina for asking me to review this book - it was a major delight!
Linn was an easy character to like. She had a bit of stubbornness that started to wear down as Ed pushed her. It was really enjoying watching their relationship rekindle. I enjoyed Ed a lot. He was the type of guy you picture when you think of an old style man.
Linn and her father's relationship broke my heart, it brought tears to my eyes and I think that any daughter who is a daddies girl will be able to identify with them. And even if you're not.
Ed and his bother had an odd relationship. Couple times things were said and it made me take pause and go, "What the hell is wrong with the brother." But in the end it all made sense.
I loved Tad, Ed's son. He was adorable.
This book in my eyes gets five stars because when you read it, you're left smiling and feeling light hearted in the end. It was a breeze to read, I was told it was just over 90,000 words but I flew through it in under five hours. I can say, in the 34 books I have read this year, I can only think of three that I read that quickly.
Thank you Christina for asking me to review this book - it was a major delight!
August 15, 2014
I loved it. Couldn't put it down. Ms. Cole's beautiful, descriptive writing brought me right into the story and made me feel like I was standing in Brookfield myself. The story centers on Linn Sparks. a woman who has had an unhappy life chasing dreams and seeking love and acceptance from her family. When she returns home, she discovers her feelings for the man she left at the altar seven years earlier haven't changed. In fact, not much in Brookfield has changed, except for the new theater.
At first I wanted to slap Linnie, but as I got to know her, she touched my emotions and I felt her pain. I loved how she grew and changed as the story went along. Ed Ferguson, the hero is this romantic tale, was terrific. Strong, loving, smart and still stuck on Linnie after all these years.
In addition to the love story of the main characters, I was totally taken by the wonderful cast of supporting characters. Ms. Cole built an entire town with eloquence and well-chosen words. The flavor of the era was the icing on this literary cake. I loved the story and couldn't stop reading it. I was sad to leave Brookfield at the end. This is a well-written romance that is so much more. Don't miss this if you fancy historical romance.
At first I wanted to slap Linnie, but as I got to know her, she touched my emotions and I felt her pain. I loved how she grew and changed as the story went along. Ed Ferguson, the hero is this romantic tale, was terrific. Strong, loving, smart and still stuck on Linnie after all these years.
In addition to the love story of the main characters, I was totally taken by the wonderful cast of supporting characters. Ms. Cole built an entire town with eloquence and well-chosen words. The flavor of the era was the icing on this literary cake. I loved the story and couldn't stop reading it. I was sad to leave Brookfield at the end. This is a well-written romance that is so much more. Don't miss this if you fancy historical romance.
December 6, 2013
Linn Sparks comes strolling into town after years of absence with a huge chip on her shoulder. Looking down her nose at the people that she grew up with. All of them except the man that still holds her heart.
Ed isn't sure how he feels about Linny Mae being back in town. One thing he does know is that she will break his heart again.
So - it is safe to say (thanks to the 5 bookworms) that I loved it. It was so much fun seeing this 'city girl' get brought back down to earth. It was such a full book. There were so many little side stories and side plots with characters I would have never imagined would work in the book. And it is filled with so much extra. Revenge, passion, laughter and tears.
It was beautiful seeing Linn and Ed get back together. I loved watching Linn grow back into Linny Mae and discovering that her small town really might have something for her after all. It was a fascinating read filled with twists, turns, happiness, hope and laughter.
Ed isn't sure how he feels about Linny Mae being back in town. One thing he does know is that she will break his heart again.
So - it is safe to say (thanks to the 5 bookworms) that I loved it. It was so much fun seeing this 'city girl' get brought back down to earth. It was such a full book. There were so many little side stories and side plots with characters I would have never imagined would work in the book. And it is filled with so much extra. Revenge, passion, laughter and tears.
It was beautiful seeing Linn and Ed get back together. I loved watching Linn grow back into Linny Mae and discovering that her small town really might have something for her after all. It was a fascinating read filled with twists, turns, happiness, hope and laughter.
October 2, 2013
I truly loved writing this story. The inspiration came from summers I spent in a small farming community. My cousins and I would pretend to be singing stars and dream about living lives of glamour and excitement. For Linnie Mae Sparks, that dream came true.
I hope you enjoy Summertime.
I hope you enjoy Summertime.
October 1, 2014
In SUMMERTIME, author Christina Cole takes a successful actress from 1914 San Francisco and returns her to her hometown in rural Kansas. At first, heroine Linn ("Linnie Mae") Sparks is not a likable character - much too full of herself. However, as the story progresses, her attitude and motives begin to make sense and she also changes her outlook. This book is a romance so there's an expected happy ending, but Ms. Cole kept me wondering - would the story end with Linn and Ed living happily ever after or merely happy for now?
January 8, 2014
A delightful historical romance with characters you instantly fall in love with.
January 10, 2014
Enjoyed this unique book and will have review soon while on the book tour
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews