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Bishop Family #1
Summer of '65
Ivy Lewis went home to Memphis in the summer of 1965 unaware of the adventure that awaited her. She was content to go through the motions of her predictable routines back home while safeguarding a few little secrets about her life in Nashville. In her mind, the two worlds weren't meant to intersect.Then Michael Bishop entered the picture. He had just moved to Memphis from Detroit in hopes of expanding his motorcycle company. He appeared to be nothing more than an outlaw and a menace to the community. Any type of relationship between them was sure to be met with resistance from Ivy's family and friends.But Michael Bishop was too great of a temptation for Ivy.The summer of 1965 would be one of first impressions, first dances, and forbidden love.
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 17, 2017
487 people are currently reading
534 people want to read
About the author
Brooke St. James
115 books955 followersBrooke St. James is a USA Today bestselling author and Amazon Kindle All-Star. She writes contemporary romance novels with Christian and inspirational themes and happy endings. She was born and raised in south Louisiana but has had the opportunity to travel and live throughout the U.S. An avid reader, writer, audio book addict, and fan of all things artistic, Brooke constantly has her hands in some creative activity. She's currently back home in Louisiana enjoying life with her husband, children, and two lazy dogs.
To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
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Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/
Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames
To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com
Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames
To find out more about Brooke visit her Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/brookesaintj...
Her Official website at:
http://www.brookesaintjames.com/
Follow her on Twitter or Instagram:
@brooke_stjames
To join her mailing list or for specific inquiries:
brookesaintjames@gmail.com
Listen to her audiobooks on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@BrookeStJames
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
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Blurb:
Ivy Lewis went home to Memphis in the summer of 1965 unaware of the adventure that awaited her. She was content to go through the motions of her predictable routines back home while safeguarding a few little secrets about her life in Nashville. In her mind, the two worlds weren't meant to intersect.
Then Michael Bishop entered the picture. He had just moved to Memphis from Detroit in hopes of expanding his motorcycle company. He appeared to be nothing more than an outlaw and a menace to the community. Any type of relationship between them was sure to be met with resistance from Ivy's family and friends.
But Michael Bishop was too great of a temptation for Ivy.
The summer of 1965 would be one of first impressions, first dances, and forbidden love.
Blurb:
Ivy Lewis went home to Memphis in the summer of 1965 unaware of the adventure that awaited her. She was content to go through the motions of her predictable routines back home while safeguarding a few little secrets about her life in Nashville. In her mind, the two worlds weren't meant to intersect.
Then Michael Bishop entered the picture. He had just moved to Memphis from Detroit in hopes of expanding his motorcycle company. He appeared to be nothing more than an outlaw and a menace to the community. Any type of relationship between them was sure to be met with resistance from Ivy's family and friends.
But Michael Bishop was too great of a temptation for Ivy.
The summer of 1965 would be one of first impressions, first dances, and forbidden love.
June 30, 2017
I love this author and anticipate every new book released by her and this one is no exception.
Ivy and Michael are great characters with a great story you will not want to put down.
Some reactions this book caused...
Ivy and Michael are great characters with a great story you will not want to put down.
Some reactions this book caused...
August 28, 2017
Good Book
This was a good book. Will read the next one next. This is a Good Wholesome Book. Good Book. Good
This was a good book. Will read the next one next. This is a Good Wholesome Book. Good Book. Good
December 15, 2017
This is my first exposure to Brooke St. James and I am impressed with what I read. I am a fan of clean romance and am happy to find another quality author for this genre. My initial observation was that the story started out a bit slow and bland, and having Michael tell Ivy, “I want to marry you,” upon their first meeting was a bit unbelievable and over the top. I toyed with the idea of aborting my read before I was half way through the book. I’m really glad I kept reading. It is in the last third of the story that everything really begins to take shape and become a page turning experience. I was pleased to find only three editing errors. This is somewhat unique in the E-book world where errors abound. Still, authors should respect their readers enough to ensure these errors are resolved before publication. I will reveal no spoilers here, but will simply say that this author has a real talent in shining light on what true love and forgiveness is all about.
July 6, 2017
Great story!
I love this author and this book. I'm glad it ended the way it did. I would highly recommend this book to my friends and family.
I love this author and this book. I'm glad it ended the way it did. I would highly recommend this book to my friends and family.
August 3, 2017
Good Old Fashioned Romance
This is got old fashioned love story with a modern twist that you will just love so back and enjoy the characters and the story.
This is got old fashioned love story with a modern twist that you will just love so back and enjoy the characters and the story.
August 14, 2017
Sweet and fun
I really enjoyed this story! From the beginning to the end it was fun, sweet, and had a very very happy ending.
I really enjoyed this story! From the beginning to the end it was fun, sweet, and had a very very happy ending.
August 27, 2017
I really enjoyed this story.
This was a great story of what true love is. It had great characters and great messages. Some religion and a lot of sweet, clean romance.
This was a great story of what true love is. It had great characters and great messages. Some religion and a lot of sweet, clean romance.
August 27, 2017
Wow! This was my first time reading this author. What a sweet romance and the beginning of a family of characters that I already love. I highly recommend this captivating story.
November 29, 2022
A Fantastic Introduction to a Fantastic Family
Brooke St. James begins her Bishop Family series with Summer of '65, the story of Michael and Ivy Bishop. Michael is the founder of Bishop Motorcycles, and Ivy Lewis is a young pastor's daughter. Their romance sets up the entire nine-book series.
Ivy meets Michael at a swanky Memphis dinner catered by a barbecue restaurant. He's filling in for an absent waiter, and she's drawn to his bright blue eyes and straightforward personality. Town gossip says that old Mr. Morrow left Michael, a Detroit boy, his garage rather than giving it to his son. Further, it says that the Detroit boy met Mr.Morrow's brother in jail! Not a promising start to a potential relationship...
Michael, for his part, is drawn to the girl who played "Amazing Grace" on the piano with so much skill and devotion. He's been warned about flirting with the young women at the dinner, but after it's over and he's showing his motorcycle to some of the guests, Ivy invites him to church. He surprises her by showing up the next Sunday, and an old man tells her that he's been coming ever since he moved to Memphis. He just has been parking his motorcycle far from the building to minimize the noise.
Ivy's next surprising move, inviting Michael to her Maw-maw's house for Sunday lunch, earns her a lesson in riding a motorcycle and earns him a taste of Maw-maw's famous fried eggplant. The initially unpromising relationship is off to a great start!
Ivy has been at college in Nashville and using her independence to find her voice at blues clubs. She and her friend Alice go to a blues club in Memphis, and Ivy shocks Alice by singing onstage in her "blues voice", which is lower and richer than her Sunday choir soprano. Michael, who's also at the club, likes what he hears and sees. They see each other in church, at clubs, and in secluded spots around the city. Then three imposing men visit the garage.
One of the men is a sheriff. Another is a hulking goon, probably brought in to emphasize the point being made by the third man, father of Ivy's on-again, off-again boyfriend. He claims that Ivy doesn't know what she wants and will get tired of life with a "poor mechanic" when she could have his son, who's in line to inherit half of Memphis. He threatens--not Michael, but Ivy's family--with ruin if Michael doesn't break up with Ivy before she returns to college. He reluctantly does. Then they both spiral downward.
Michael's motorcycles become nearly as famous and well-regarded as Harleys, but he's not happy. Ivy quits school, pursues a career in blues music, and succeeds, but she's not happy either. He gets easily distracted and irritable; she begins drinking and abusing prescription drugs. Her younger brother Jacob visits Michael and tells him that Ivy is "sick", but gives no details. Michael, hearing that Ivy is sick, drives to Nashville that afternoon.
Ivy, drunk and depressed, confronts Michael in her house and hurls all kinds of accusations, true and false, at him to make him leave. Instead he stays in her living room, holds her hair when she vomits the next morning, and tells her what the three men threatened before he broke up with her. They apologize to each other and Ivy returns to Memphis, determined to stop her self-destructive behavior. She still wants to separate her blues singing from church music, though.
At the annual summer festival, Ivy allows herself to sing "Amazing Grace" in her blues voice and then surprises the audience by correcting the announcer, who referred to her as "Ivy Lewis", by saying that she'll shortly be known as Ivy Bishop! She then begs everyone at the show not to tell Michael because he doesn't know they're engaged yet! She tells him herself, and he's beside himself with joy! A week later they're married.
The Epilogue takes place nearly a year after their wedding and introduces their twin newborns, Jane and Jesse. Since Book 2 is titled "Jesse's Girl", it looks like the Bishop family is carrying on its legacy to the next generation...
Brooke St James has delivered sympathetic characters who live, love, ride motorcycles, and throw their grandmother's flatulent dog out of the house when he stinks up the kitchen. They also have a rich spiritual life, complete with meditations on God's sovereignty, protection, and forgiveness. One character describes repentance and restoration, and another reassures a friend that God knows the future and will work with--or despite--our actions. It's refreshing to read something that I can connect to a lesson shared in church!
Overall, I liked this book very much, and I highly recommend it!
Brooke St. James begins her Bishop Family series with Summer of '65, the story of Michael and Ivy Bishop. Michael is the founder of Bishop Motorcycles, and Ivy Lewis is a young pastor's daughter. Their romance sets up the entire nine-book series.
Ivy meets Michael at a swanky Memphis dinner catered by a barbecue restaurant. He's filling in for an absent waiter, and she's drawn to his bright blue eyes and straightforward personality. Town gossip says that old Mr. Morrow left Michael, a Detroit boy, his garage rather than giving it to his son. Further, it says that the Detroit boy met Mr.Morrow's brother in jail! Not a promising start to a potential relationship...
Michael, for his part, is drawn to the girl who played "Amazing Grace" on the piano with so much skill and devotion. He's been warned about flirting with the young women at the dinner, but after it's over and he's showing his motorcycle to some of the guests, Ivy invites him to church. He surprises her by showing up the next Sunday, and an old man tells her that he's been coming ever since he moved to Memphis. He just has been parking his motorcycle far from the building to minimize the noise.
Ivy's next surprising move, inviting Michael to her Maw-maw's house for Sunday lunch, earns her a lesson in riding a motorcycle and earns him a taste of Maw-maw's famous fried eggplant. The initially unpromising relationship is off to a great start!
Ivy has been at college in Nashville and using her independence to find her voice at blues clubs. She and her friend Alice go to a blues club in Memphis, and Ivy shocks Alice by singing onstage in her "blues voice", which is lower and richer than her Sunday choir soprano. Michael, who's also at the club, likes what he hears and sees. They see each other in church, at clubs, and in secluded spots around the city. Then three imposing men visit the garage.
One of the men is a sheriff. Another is a hulking goon, probably brought in to emphasize the point being made by the third man, father of Ivy's on-again, off-again boyfriend. He claims that Ivy doesn't know what she wants and will get tired of life with a "poor mechanic" when she could have his son, who's in line to inherit half of Memphis. He threatens--not Michael, but Ivy's family--with ruin if Michael doesn't break up with Ivy before she returns to college. He reluctantly does. Then they both spiral downward.
Michael's motorcycles become nearly as famous and well-regarded as Harleys, but he's not happy. Ivy quits school, pursues a career in blues music, and succeeds, but she's not happy either. He gets easily distracted and irritable; she begins drinking and abusing prescription drugs. Her younger brother Jacob visits Michael and tells him that Ivy is "sick", but gives no details. Michael, hearing that Ivy is sick, drives to Nashville that afternoon.
Ivy, drunk and depressed, confronts Michael in her house and hurls all kinds of accusations, true and false, at him to make him leave. Instead he stays in her living room, holds her hair when she vomits the next morning, and tells her what the three men threatened before he broke up with her. They apologize to each other and Ivy returns to Memphis, determined to stop her self-destructive behavior. She still wants to separate her blues singing from church music, though.
At the annual summer festival, Ivy allows herself to sing "Amazing Grace" in her blues voice and then surprises the audience by correcting the announcer, who referred to her as "Ivy Lewis", by saying that she'll shortly be known as Ivy Bishop! She then begs everyone at the show not to tell Michael because he doesn't know they're engaged yet! She tells him herself, and he's beside himself with joy! A week later they're married.
The Epilogue takes place nearly a year after their wedding and introduces their twin newborns, Jane and Jesse. Since Book 2 is titled "Jesse's Girl", it looks like the Bishop family is carrying on its legacy to the next generation...
Brooke St James has delivered sympathetic characters who live, love, ride motorcycles, and throw their grandmother's flatulent dog out of the house when he stinks up the kitchen. They also have a rich spiritual life, complete with meditations on God's sovereignty, protection, and forgiveness. One character describes repentance and restoration, and another reassures a friend that God knows the future and will work with--or despite--our actions. It's refreshing to read something that I can connect to a lesson shared in church!
Overall, I liked this book very much, and I highly recommend it!
September 5, 2018
Summer of 65: Bishop Family Book 1 is by Brooke St. James. This book begins the story of the Bishop Motorcycles and their extended family. It is a cute story and is easy to read and fun to read.
The town was horrified and mystified when Old Man Morrow gave his shop to some kid from Detroit to build motorcycles instead of to his son. Many gossips thought he had done something to blackmail Morrow into giving it up. However, he hadn’t and Morrow’s son didn’t want the shop or the land it was on. He was perfectly happy with the arrangement. Michael Bishop had to just get used to it.
Ivy Lewis was the daughter of Reverend Lewis, pastor of one of the largest churches in Memphis. She was beautiful and she had great talent on the piano and singing. Her family and friends were not aware that she spent time at college singing, n the blues in clubs at night. She was fabulous. However, she was cognizant of her Father’s position in town and was careful as to what she did.
When Michael first saw Ivy, he was attracted to her and knew immediately he was going to marry her. However, how was he to convince her of it much less her parents?
January 8, 2018
I received this book through the Goodreads giveaway. This was a Christian love story with the motorcycle builder, Michael, falling hard for the pastor's daughter, Ivy, who falls equally hard for him. The beginning of the book spent a lot of time getting them together. Then it skips 2 months, and they are torn apart by the threats of one of the richer men in town who wants Ivy for his son. Next, we have the passage of almost a year. I found it strange that so much time went by with no development of the plot, although that did speed up getting to the climax. I also wish there had been a bit more development of a relationship with Michael and Ivy's father. But the point of forgiveness was well made.
Ivy is a wonderful singer, which was described, but I couldn't help but wonder what she really sounded like!
Ivy is a wonderful singer, which was described, but I couldn't help but wonder what she really sounded like!
March 16, 2018
This is a love story with a whollop.
Ivy is the pastor's daughter who has always met everyone else's expectations. She plays the piano beautifully, but has a secret side to her music that no one in her family knows. Home for the summer, Ivy figures she'll relax and enjoy the summer and just play around with her family. The first weekend home, she meets Michael and everything changes. Michael has a reputation, with his worse fault being that he was from somewhere else.
Does their summer of love get past the warm fuzzies? Can they build a lasting relationship when forces from the outside threaten their love?
Although this book was only ~200 pages, I felt the story was complete. Ivy's spiritual journey is realistic and warm. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Ivy is the pastor's daughter who has always met everyone else's expectations. She plays the piano beautifully, but has a secret side to her music that no one in her family knows. Home for the summer, Ivy figures she'll relax and enjoy the summer and just play around with her family. The first weekend home, she meets Michael and everything changes. Michael has a reputation, with his worse fault being that he was from somewhere else.
Does their summer of love get past the warm fuzzies? Can they build a lasting relationship when forces from the outside threaten their love?
Although this book was only ~200 pages, I felt the story was complete. Ivy's spiritual journey is realistic and warm. I look forward to reading more in this series.
July 17, 2018
The feel's are real!
Summer of 65' has just climbed it's way on to my top ten favorite book title's. It truly is a good down home southern, godly read that's packed with a whirlwind of emotion . It only took me a day to read this book because I truly just couldn't put it down until I found out the out come of things. Its actually kind of difficult to properly write this review because it touched me on a higher level than it probably will others.. It wasn't like any of these other Indie books on the marks and no disrespect to any of the others but this had more of a real, raw & personal touch to it. I'll forever be grateful of Brooke St James for sharing this wonderful TEN STAR read!
Summer of 65' has just climbed it's way on to my top ten favorite book title's. It truly is a good down home southern, godly read that's packed with a whirlwind of emotion . It only took me a day to read this book because I truly just couldn't put it down until I found out the out come of things. Its actually kind of difficult to properly write this review because it touched me on a higher level than it probably will others.. It wasn't like any of these other Indie books on the marks and no disrespect to any of the others but this had more of a real, raw & personal touch to it. I'll forever be grateful of Brooke St James for sharing this wonderful TEN STAR read!
August 3, 2021
Summer of '65 by Brooke St. James is the start and original book of the Bishop Family Series. This story sparks the beginning of Ivy Lewis and Michael Bishop's love story. She had embarked on an adventure and he had just moved to Memphis from Detroit in hopes of expanding his motorcycle company. The summer of 1965 is one of first impressions, first dances, and forbidden love.
This book is a clean and sweet romance that explores true love in the 60's.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is a clean and sweet romance that explores true love in the 60's.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 13, 2024
I really enjoy reading stories about the 60's and 70's and I really enjoy this author's books! I have read several of her books and I was never disappointed. I love that they are clean and talk about God. Brooke also has a way of making you feel the intense romance buildup between the couples in her books, sweet but also intense. I really enjoyed this one and will continue on with this series. Thanks again Brooke!
July 13, 2019
This is a perfect Summer book!
Young love! This book was so good! I don't want to tell you much but I do want you to go and read it. It was a page turner. It was hard to put down! I could see myself reflected in parts. I could remember other friends of mine mirrored in This too! I hope you love this book as well!
Young love! This book was so good! I don't want to tell you much but I do want you to go and read it. It was a page turner. It was hard to put down! I could see myself reflected in parts. I could remember other friends of mine mirrored in This too! I hope you love this book as well!
January 31, 2020
I love all of Brooke's stories. Of course some are better than others, but the Bishop Family series is my favorite. She takes you all the way thru to the grandkids. You, well I, become so invested in the characters, the family. Summer of '65 isn't my favorite of the series, but it is the beginning of a special family.
July 19, 2020
This is a great start for a family series.
I find it interesting that people still judge others before they get to know them. This is another good book by St. James with believable characters and situations true to life. She always includes all kinds of angles that hold a reader's interest.
I find it interesting that people still judge others before they get to know them. This is another good book by St. James with believable characters and situations true to life. She always includes all kinds of angles that hold a reader's interest.
November 9, 2025
Cute
A rebel ministers daughter and a motorcycle fabricating man. Lots of family love and some misunderstanding to go along with the family dynamic but they work it out. Gossip is just that ,if you want truths than you have to ask the hard questions and also be willing to answer the hard questions.
A rebel ministers daughter and a motorcycle fabricating man. Lots of family love and some misunderstanding to go along with the family dynamic but they work it out. Gossip is just that ,if you want truths than you have to ask the hard questions and also be willing to answer the hard questions.
July 28, 2017
Enjoyable read
I chose a 4 star rating as this book was highly enjoyable to read. I liked how it took us back in time. I didn't give it a 5 because Ivy seemed almost too similar to another character by this same author.
I chose a 4 star rating as this book was highly enjoyable to read. I liked how it took us back in time. I didn't give it a 5 because Ivy seemed almost too similar to another character by this same author.
September 28, 2017
Southern romance
Ivy and Michael shocked the city of Memphis with their relationship and because of a few bigots it was jeopardized ,fortunately a sensible little brother smoothed out the misunderstanding
Ivy and Michael shocked the city of Memphis with their relationship and because of a few bigots it was jeopardized ,fortunately a sensible little brother smoothed out the misunderstanding
December 28, 2017
Review
Awesome book. I laughed out loud and cried. I am glad my husband was at work so I could read it without his teasing I cannot wait to get started on the next book in this series.
Awesome book. I laughed out loud and cried. I am glad my husband was at work so I could read it without his teasing I cannot wait to get started on the next book in this series.
January 18, 2018
Great book
Good read showing how God can change the hearts and mind of people when they get the wrong idea, and profile people on the actions of a few people. Thankfully God's Amazing Grace covers everyone.
Good read showing how God can change the hearts and mind of people when they get the wrong idea, and profile people on the actions of a few people. Thankfully God's Amazing Grace covers everyone.
February 8, 2018
Edit please
The story is excellent, the characters are well developed and likable but there is major editing needed. It’s like the author submitted a first draft instead of a final.
The story is excellent, the characters are well developed and likable but there is major editing needed. It’s like the author submitted a first draft instead of a final.
April 26, 2018
Great Book!!!
Wonderful read ! It is so hard to find a good Christian Romance ! This book was Sweet,Romantic,and hard to put down ! I loved it! This is what I like I it made me want to play piano and sing!!!!😇🙏
Wonderful read ! It is so hard to find a good Christian Romance ! This book was Sweet,Romantic,and hard to put down ! I loved it! This is what I like I it made me want to play piano and sing!!!!😇🙏
April 27, 2018
The start of another good series
Wow! What a powerful demonstration of how we can make bad choices and bad mistakes, but it’s not too late to come back to the Lord. He can always change our lives and make us who He wants us to be. I can’t wait to read the next book!
Wow! What a powerful demonstration of how we can make bad choices and bad mistakes, but it’s not too late to come back to the Lord. He can always change our lives and make us who He wants us to be. I can’t wait to read the next book!
September 2, 2018
Excellent.
A tender romance with realistic characters. The development of the story is smooth and sensitively written. The grammatical errors are distracting but easy to overlook as the story unfolds. I would definitely recommend this book.
A tender romance with realistic characters. The development of the story is smooth and sensitively written. The grammatical errors are distracting but easy to overlook as the story unfolds. I would definitely recommend this book.
June 27, 2021
The book is a good, and enjoyable fun sweet inspirational romance read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, and they have good chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 1, 2021
Enjoyable
This book tells how it all began, from Michael meeting Ivy and eventually marriage. The successes and the failures, like and dislike...a love story, sweet romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book tells how it all began, from Michael meeting Ivy and eventually marriage. The successes and the failures, like and dislike...a love story, sweet romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews