Magnolia Spring

Calloway Summers #4

by Jennifer Erin Valent

Jessilyn Lassiter finally thought she'd seen the end to the turmoil of her younger years in Calloway County, but when an unexpected face shows up in town and digs up heartbreaking memories, her resilience is tested. Will this mysterious reappearing reignite the bitter trials of the past, or will it bring a surprising hope for the future?

A short story to continue the tale of the beloved characters in Fireflies in December, Cottonwood Whispers, and Catching Moondrops.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Novella, Historical, Christian

48 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2016

About the author

Jennifer Erin Valent is the 2007 winner of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest and 2010 Christy Award winner for Fireflies in December. She lives in central Virginia, where she has worked as a nanny for over fifteen years. A lifelong resident of the South, her surroundings help to color the scenes and characters she writes.

www.jennifervalent.com.
http://twitter.com/#!/JenniferEValent
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...
https://pinterest.com/jenerin76/

Reviews

[Olivia Noack · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Calloway Summer series has been among my favourites for so long so when I found out about this, I immediately bought it on my kindle so that I could read it right away. I was really sad that it was only 48 pages, but I didn't care. I just wanted to spend more time with my favourite characters. In this book, Jessilyn and her friends deal with the same problems that appeared in the first three books. This novella was good, but I can't say that I enjoyed it that much because it wasn't really what I wanted it to be. My main problem with this is that it didn't spend enough time with Jessilyn and Luke together. So much of the series was about Luke and Jessilyn's feelings for him and I feel like that element to Jessilyn's life was left out of this story which made me upset and frustrated. Just because Luke is my favourite character and I think that he deserved a bigger part in this novella.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like catching up with dear old friends shootin' the breeze and drinking sweet tea.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A novella that picks up about a year after Cottonwood Whispers ended. Short, but good. Wish this author would write more.

[Carol James maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a series.

I have to say this is one of the best book series that I have ever read. I feel like the Lassiters are family and I dread not spending time with them now that I have finished the final book. Take this journey....you will laugh and you will cry. You won’t be sorry.

[Jennifer Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved This Series!!!

I enjoyed reading all 4 books in this series! I hated for each book to end. I wish book 4 was longer. These books start off good and I loved it from the beginning to the end! Made me feel like I was right there with them. I’ve laughed and I’ve cried. But the wisdom in these books will stick with you long after reading them.

[Splendid · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a disappointment! I thought this was a book and it's a 48-page short story. Oh well, I'm happily done with this series. Three full books in a row, and now this shortie. Enough of Calloway for me!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

mercy prevails

It’s amazing how time passes but there are still things about people that don’t change. It is hard to forget in forgiveness until we know that the Lord wants us to choose to forgive. This was a very good series!

[Abby Bannister · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to come across this short book. It was wonderful to be back in the Calloway world again- even if for just a short time. What a beautiful way to wrap Jessilyn & Gemma’s story. Thank you for this gem!

[Sandra Carney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise ending

This 4th Calloway Summers book adds a surprise at the end that could open to more in future. I certainly hope so as I thoroughly enjoyed the whole series. The dialogue was natural and then characters feel like people I know personally. I am sorry to let them go!

[Whitney Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

Seemed like checking in on old friends. So good! Definitely recommend this short story if you enjoyed the books in this series!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great snippet of what is happening in the characters lives. Hopefully, there will be more to come!

[Sandy Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing. Not as great as the first 3 books of this series. 48 pages was rushed and didn’t really have an ending. Guess we will never know what they had.

[Sarah Hanneman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more!

I’m so sorry this is the end! Write about the lives of the next generation! It’s too good to stop now!

[Kerry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely follow up novella to a favorite series. Beloved characters deal with the strong emotions and difficult decisions this author artfully weaves into her stories. It was so good to see Jessilyn, Luke, Gemma, and Ms. Cleta again.

A must-read for those who loved the Calloway Summer Series!

[Abigail Noack · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy when I found this short story. I loved getting one last glimpse at such a great cast of characters, and another great conflict in their town.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book

This delightful novel is good for all ages. It is so thrilling and adventurous yet loving and heartbreaking. I'm sad this series had to come to an end!

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sad to find out this was just a short story in the Calloway summers trilogy, but nonetheless, it delivered! This book picks up with Jessilyn married and pregnant with her first child with Luke and Gemma raising her young daughter, Opal. I was happy to see Ms. Cleta was alive and well, but things turned south when Jordan Hadley returned to town. After he is killed, a woman comes to Gemma's home with a baby and begs her to take the baby in - for good. Gemma has to be one of the most delightful, wonderful characters in all of fiction, don't you think? Needless to say, Gemma takes the baby in, reminiscent of when the Lassiters took her in, and agrees to raise her with Opal and Tal.