Book Spotlight: That Summer (Caney Creek Series Book 1)

Synopsis:

To escape his poppa's physical abuse and their dirt-poor farm life, Jim flees to an imagined prosperous city life where he can make his own choices, ignoring God patiently knocking on his heart's door. Settled in town, Jim strays from God and the way of faith his momma taught him. He meets a girl and loses his heart ... and meets another girl and loses his willpower. Jim wrestles with social and moral dilemmas as he makes a choice beside Caney Creek that will alter the lives of five people.

Author Bio:

Jo Huddleston is an Amazon Bestselling Author who writes sweet Southern historical romance novels in her West Virginia Mountains series; her endearing Caney Creek series; her novella, Donna's Detour; and her recent release, Tidewater Summer.

Jo's nonfiction published books are: Amen and Good Morning, God: A Book of Morning Prayers, Amen and Good Night, God: A Book of Evening Prayers, His Awesome Majesty: Praising God's Greatness, and America: Her Hope for the Future. She coauthored two published nonfiction books with Vickie Phelps: Writing 101: A Handbook of Tips and Encouragement for Writers and Simply Christmas: Memories, Traditions, and Stories of the Season.

Jo likes to laugh with people but not AT people. The beach is her favorite vacation spot. Jo doesn't like to see or hear about people or animals being abused. She's a spectator fan of several sports, her favorite being tennis. Jo doesn't like being in the dark and is fearful of snakes!

Her more than 200 articles and short stories have appeared in over fifty different Christian and general publications, including Guideposts, Decision, and The Upper Room. Jo is a contributing writer to Christian Devotions Ministries (http://www.ChristianDevotions.us).

She writes two blogs you can find at http://www.johuddleston.com and at http://lifelinesnow.blogspot.com. She also publishes a regular e-newsletter and wrote an inspirational newspaper column for seven years.

Jo's career has spanned a variety of work. She was a high school teacher and guidance counselor, a state political campaign secretary, two-time small business owner, and a real estate agent.

Huddleston holds a B.A. degree with honors from Lincoln Memorial University (TN), and is a member of their Literary Hall of Fame. She earned an M.Ed. degree from Mississippi State University. Jo is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).

Visit Jo's website at www.johuddleston.com where you can read first chapters of her novels and novellas and sign up for her mailing lis to receive her free quarterly e-newsletter as well as timely updates and announcements.

Email Jo at jo@johuddleston.com

My Review:

That Summer (Caney Creek Series Book 1)
Have read other works by the author and enjoyed the reads.
This one starts out with Jim and he's had enough of his father's treatment and leaves to go to the city for a job and a place to stay. He hopes his father won't take it out on the younger kids still at home.
His mother understands but is torn from his leaving.
He is introduced to not only the plant owners daughter, Caroline but the ways of the city life,drinking with the guys and life at the boarding house.
Events and people break them apart and the only thing he can rely on is to go back to the church and follow his Bible and God.
Story follows each of them over the years...such heart aches and struggles during the depression and deaths...
So strong through to the end.
I was given the book from the author via Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest review