Summer Breeze (Thorndike Press Large Print Christian Fiction) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Catherine Palmer (Author), Gary D. Chapman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2007 | Series: Thorndike Press Large Print Christian Fiction

In book two of this fiction series based on the best-selling non-fiction book The Four Seasons of Marriage, readers meet the blended family of Derek and Kim Finley. Kim has a set of twins—one boy and one girl—from her first marriage; Luke has recently been diagnosed with diabetes, and Lydia is acting out as a result of the attention now being showered on Luke. To complicate matters, Derek's overbearing mother comes to live with them. With all that's going on in their lives, Kim and Derek's communication begins to break down and their marriage slowly moves into winter. Although the second book will focus on Kim and Derek, readers will also encounter all their favorite characters—Patsy Pringle, Pete Roberts, Steve and Brenda, Esther and Charlie—as well as some new ones, like the proprietor of the new sandwich shop that's moved in next to Patsy's beauty parlor.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Catherine Palmer lives in Missouri with her husband, Tim, and sons Geoffrey and Andrei. She is a graduate of Southwest Baptist University and holds a master's degree in English from Baylor University. Her first book was published in 1988. She has published nearly forty novels. Catherine has won numerous awards for her writing, including the Christy Award, the highest honor in Christian fiction. Total sales of her novels number nearly two million copies.

Dr. Gary Chapman is the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc.; an internationally known speaker; and the host of A Love Language Minute, a syndicated radio program heard on more than 100 stations across North America. He and his wife, Karolyn, live in North Carolina.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From AudioFile

Jill Shellabarger assumes the roles of Kim; her new husband, Derek; Kims 10-year old twins, Luke and Lydia; and Dereks meddling mother-in-law, Miranda, who moves in with the family. Shellabarger embraces each role with stylistic skills that define each character. She excels at portraying the emotional outbursts, followed by tears and self-recrimination, of assorted family members as theyre challenged by the new living situation. She deftly captures meddlesome Miranda, with her condescending attitude and scathing remarks, which send Kim fuming from the room. She skillfully depicts Derek as a man torn between two women he loves. The twins sibling rivalry, complicated by Lukes childhood diabetes and a new stepparent, is convincing. Shellabargers performance leaves nothing to be desired--except more. G.D.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 443 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr (November 14, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786296151
• ISBN-13: 978-0786296156
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,921,409 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Summer Breeze- Hot Topics, July 31, 2007

By 

Eileen Key (San Antonio, TX) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Summer Breeze (The Four Seasons of a Marriage Series #2) (Paperback)

Patsy Pringle's hair salon takes the area's pulse within its newly formed group, The Tea Lovers' Club. It allows the ladies to share their good news and their worries. In Book Two of this series, Kim Finley is center stage. Her mother-in-law, Miranda, has come to visit indefinitely and care for the twins, and nothing Kim does is right. Kim's concern over her daughter Lydia's rebellious actions and worry over Luke's diabetes is very stressful. How will she handle Derek's perfectly put together mother? And how will Derek manage the two women he loves most?

The citizens have adopted Cody Goss, a homeless man, and when Miranda orchestrates his leaving, no one is happy about it. This mother-in-law has stirred up more than one family.

Chapman and Palmer have created characters who share real down-to-earth problems. Their blend of humor and honesty sheds a revealing light at how God would have us handle life's stressors.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Strong Women, September 1, 2007

By 

Maryjane Munley (Woodridge, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Summer Breeze (The Four Seasons of a Marriage Series #2) (Paperback)

As with the 1st book, depicted women are strong and faithful to their faith, however I find them somewhat unbending and rather shrewish, while the men are silently strong and see the women as difficult to get along with. I'd like a better balance.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a fine family drama, June 10, 2007

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Summer Breeze (The Four Seasons of a Marriage Series #2) (Paperback)

Derek Finley feels his world is collapsing although he loves his wife Kim and her twin children Lydia and Luke from an abusive previous marriage. Helping him somewhat cope with his off the scale stress is he knows they love him too. Still he and Kim worry about paying their bills now that Luke has diabetes. Kim will need to return to the workforce, but both parents worry about caring for the children with no stay at home adult.

The answer is simple; Derek's mom Miranda moves into the household. However, the third adult causes all sorts of troubles between her son and daughter-in-law as Miranda needs to be in charge. Besides being the commanding general she also practices some odd religious beliefs that frighten Kim as her children might emulate their step-grandmother. This once solid marriage appears in deep trouble from tropical storms.

This story is based on Gary Chapman's belief that marriage changes like seasons and those in which the couple communicates their fears and desires will only get stronger. SUMMER BREEZE is an entertaining stand alone tale of two generations sharing a household that leads to conflict ironically because everyone "knows" what is best for Luke while Lydia feels left out. Using hyperbole to make the point that relationships run into storms followed by SUMMER BREEZE, this is a fine family drama filled with emotional people frightened that everything sacred to each of them is falling apart. Fans will appreciate the different reactions of the Finley family to Luke's diabetes while also reading the first marriage based tale, IT HAPPENS EVERY SPRING

Harriet Klausner