Summer’s Winter
Robin Johns Grant
Jan 2014
Inspirational romantic fiction
Story Merchant Books
ISBN 978-0989715430
US$2.99 eBook
US$12.9 paperback
When Jeanine finally connects with film star Jamie Newkirk,
the object of her obsession, will it be a dream come true? Or will she be
pulled into his family's nightmare of secrets, control, and death?
At age ten, preacher's daughter Jeanine fell in love with young movie star
Jamie Newkirk and the character he played--Danny Summer. Jeanine believed God
Himself promised Jamie would be part of her life--that he would rescue her from
boring rural Georgia. But eleven years later, she's graduating college and about
to settle into the dreary nine-to-five life with no word from Jamie or
God.
And then Jamie bursts into her life in an amazing way. There are plans to
resurrect the Summer series of books and movies, and Jeanine is right in the
middle of it all. Jamie seems to be falling for her, just as she'd dreamed. And
yet...
She never expected all the dark undercurrents. Jamie is hiding out in Georgia
following the suspicious death of his former girlfriend. And isn't it odd that
he found his mother dead of a supposed suicide in that same house two years
before, and that both women had the same strangely-shaped burn on their bodies?
And who knew there would be so many sinister characters involved in Jamie's
life, and in the Summer series? There's his young co-star, Charlie--the Summer
author died in an unexplained fire at his house. And Jamie's stepfather,
Elliott, and uncle Richard seem to be in a vicious competition for control of
the Summer series and of Jamie's life.
Jamie is obviously hiding things--about his family, about the deaths of his
mother and girlfriend. The media and the public have declared him guilty.
Jeanine longs to prove his innocence. Unless she can, Jamie's dark secrets may
shatter her dreams, her faith--and her life.
My review
I love Grant’s way with words and her sense of story. It’s
not breathless when it doesn’t need to be, and gradually sets up story in a way
that’s a luscious down comforter and not a bumpy, worn blanket. Since reading
Jordan's Shadow, I knew Summer's Winter would be just as good.
Young Adult fiction can cover a great deal of circumstances
and settings, but the genre involves exploration of self, growth, and a lot
angst getting there. Skillfully melding twists and romance, blurring the lines
between bad guys and good, and identifying and taking responsibility for bad
behavior without glorifying it, Grant has published a great story about a young
lady with gifts on a sure path guided by the only One we can truly trust, and
her obsession, a movie star from another continent portraying a beloved
character in a series of motion pictures. While Jeanine may not truly believe
that she’ll receive the longings of her heart, she has a firm foundation that
the Giver of all good things has a plan for her.
Within the realm of believability, the movie star, Jamie,
comes from a similar-enough background to feel guilt over actions he controls,
as well as events that he cannot influence…or can he? It’s this sense of
responsibility that bring Jamie and Jeanine together, yet keep them
frustratingly apart.
Told in multiple points of view, Summer’s Winter is a story will keep readers of romantic young
adult fiction turning pages. Set in contemporary America, the story has a
genteel feel, despite the despair and drug use and less savory actions hinted
at behind the scenes. The characters are rich and multi-layered, adding a
satisfactory denseness to the beautiful settings and even the less than
beautiful events. Star-crossed lovers? Sure, but emotionally satisfying and
with just enough questions left over that make me drool for a sequel.
About the Author
While waiting for her writing to pay off, Robin Johns Grant
did a lot of crazy fan stuff and was way too involved with books and movies
like Harry Potter and Star Wars, which helped her dream up Jeanine and Jamie
for Summer's Winter.
With a degree in English and a mid-life crisis coming on, she returned to
school and earned a master's degree in library and information science. She now
has her best day job ever as a college librarian, which keeps her young by
allowing her to hang out with students.
Robin was named 2014 Author of the Year by the Georgia Association of College
Stores, and Summer's Winter won a bronze medal in the Romance - Suspense
category of the International Readers' Favorite Book Awards.
Robin lives in Georgia with her wonderful husband Dave and formerly feral
felines Mini Pearl and Luna. She is also surprised to find herself part owner
of a sweet pit bull puppy named Pete who showed up as a stray at her mom's
house.
