Summer Plans and Other Disasters

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About the book

Elementary school music teacher Callie Stevens thinks she’s finally figured out God’s plan for her life—she even made a list to keep her on track. Moving in with her brother and reconnecting with her ex-boyfriend are at the top of the list. What’s not on the list is running into her childhood crush, Ryan. God wanted her to connect with Kyle, right? Trying to figure out God’s plan is hard enough. But a dating-averse older brother, the young blonde who adores him, a pregnant best friend, and Callie’s continual mishaps make her wonder whether her best laid plans were truly God-inspired.  Now available from Elk Lake Publishing! My thoughts:  SUMMER PLANS AND OTHER DISASTERS is Ms. Beery's first published book and it is a winner. Callie is a musically gifted klutz who seems to be no good at anything except music. She's flighty and accident-prone which does make for an entertaining read, though you have to wonder how a teacher who lives on her own could possibly be so clueless. What I liked about this book most is that it was set at a real-life lighthouse that I've been to many times. Old Mission Light in Traverse City, Michigan. Here's a picture of it. Isn't it gorgeous? Here's a closer picture: There are four different point of views in this story: Ryan, Callie, Jack, and Stacey. Readers are left with the impression that there might be two romances, and maybe there is the beginning of a second one. Callie spends most of her time chasing Kyle and dreaming of taking their former relationship into the future. She also spends a lot of time messing up so Jack has to redo her work.  There isn't a whole lot of interaction between Ryan and Callie at the end of the book -- in fact he kind of disappears for awhile and I wondered if he'd moved out and what Callie thought of it, until I found out he hadn't. There isn't much sexual tension, but there are a lot of confused adulting people roaming around -- which does add to the humor. There is also a good spiritual message.  For the more conservative bunch, there are some "soft swear words" and there is mention of going out for drinks. They don't actually do it. I did enjoy reading SUMMER PLANS AND OTHER DISASTERS and it is nice to *finally* see this book in print. I was given a copy free. All  opinions are my own.

About the author

Karin wrote her first novel in 2007 to cope with her husband’s cancer diagnosis (no worries – he’s cancer free now!). With the support and encouragement of her family, she submitted that manuscript. That particular manuscript has not been published yet, but Summer Plans and Other Disasters, her first published book, releases in September 2018. Karin writes contemporary and speculative fiction stories with a healthy dose of romance, but she’s also expanded her repertoire: she writes feature stories for the local paper, copy material for businesses, and blog posts for herself and others. She even edits (offering copy editing, fiction editing, and critiques through Write Now Editing Services) and teaches (she’s the Substantive Fiction Editing instructor for the PEN Institute and can be found around the country teaching writing and editing courses at conferences and at her local college). When Karin’s not reading, writing, or editing, she enjoys cooking and baking. She plays the piano and sings (the key of E, please). She kayaks with her husband in the summer, watches football in the fall (Go Blue!), and enjoys Christmas lights all winter long. Shy but extroverted, Karin adores her nieces and nephew and loves spending time with her family.  Learn more about Karin at: karinbeery.com. You can also follow her on: Facebook - www.facebook.com/authorkarinbeery/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/karinbeery  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/karinbeery/ Elk Lake Publishing (for tagging) Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ElkLakePublishingInc/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/ElkLakePubInc Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elklakepubinc/

Tour schedule

A Christian Writer's World 10/1 Pause for Tales 10/1 Just One More Paragraph 10/1 Feeling in Red 10/1 this chattanooga mommy saves 10/1 Author Austin Ryan 10/1 Vicky Slutier 10/1 Sunny Island Breezes 10/2 A Rup Life 10/2 Living Outside the Lines 10/3 Veronica's 'Views 10/3 The World As I See It 10/3 Savings in Seconds 10/4 Book Reviews From an Avid Reader 10/4 Wall-to-wall books 10/5 Lighthouse Academy 10/5 Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic 10/5 Daysong Reflections 10/5 View from the Birdhouse 10/5 Misadventures of the Dynamic Uno 10/5 Pamela Black 10/6 Through the Fire blogs 10/6 More Of Him 10/8 Locks, Hooks and Books 10/9 EmpowerMoms 10/9 Texas Book-aholic 10/9 Moments 10/9 Janicesbookreviews 10/10 A Busy Mom of Two 10/10 Splashes of Joy 10/10 My Reading Journeys 10/10 Homemaking Organized 10/11 Happily Managing a Household of Boys   10/11 Radiant Light 10/12 Inklings and Notions 10/12 Remembrancy 10/13 2014 and Beyond! 10/13 Southern & Style 10/13 Bigreadersite 10/13 A Room Without Books is Empty 10/14 God is Love 10/15