Road Trip Reads Giveaway (Oklahoma): The Best Summer Of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck

Posted June 28, 2023 by meezcarrie in Author Interview, Christian, contemporary, giveaway, Rachel Hauck, Road Trip Reads Giveaway 2023 / 90 Comments

today’s book: The Best Summer Of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck

We are moving right along on our summer-long Road Trip Reads Giveaway where we will be visiting all 50 states on the pages of recently released books. Because road trips are always better with friends – and books – right? So grab your fave snacks, a cold soda or bottled water, an upbeat playlist and let’s hum a Broadway tune as we head to our next destination!

today’s stop: Oklahoma

 

THE BEST SUMMER OF OUR LIVES by Rachel Hauck
GENRE: Inspirational Women’s Fiction
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: June 27, 2023
PAGES: 376

Twenty years ago, the summer of ’77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde’s life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow–the Four Seasons–had big plans.

But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, “Nowhere,” Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.

Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It’s a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love’s voice.

 

affiliate links used

A Memorable Summer—or Three!

by Rachel Hauck, author of The Best Summer of Our Lives

At my age, I’ve had a lot of memorable summers. Yet there are a few that stand out more than others – those summers that changed the course of my life in some way. (Cue the theme from Grease.)

1975 – At fifteen, my parents allowed me some freedom. I worked as a cashier at Publix, my best friend, Lorena, had a car, and we spent a lot of hours driving up and down U.S. 1 in South Florida. The summer became memorable because of how I’d changed. I’d shed those pre-teen pounds, layered my hair, and caught the attention of a couple of stockboys. They’d wink at me. Whistle when I walked by. I know that’s frowned on today, but that summer? I started to believe I was pretty.

1985 — My last summer at Ohio State. I attended summer school to fulfill some requirements for graduation that fall. I lived in the sorority house with about six others and well, I remember we laughed. A lot. I ran to K-Mart – this summer I was the one with the car!— and bought a kiddie pool. We sunbathed on the front walk. Crazy kids. Why was it memorable? Because I was graduating soon. Saying goodbye to my youth, to my educational journey. While I was ready to move on, a part of me wanted to be the girl always laughing with her friends while sitting in a kiddie pool.

2014 — My grandmother turned 100 years old in May of 2014. Her two daughters and their families gathered to celebrate. We rented cabins at a park in eastern Tennessee and, as the cousins caught up with one another, it became clear we were at the start of something. There were so many second cousins, several very close in age. While sitting on a porch, avoiding the rain, I looked around and said, “You know, we can’t let this go.” Everyone heartily agreed. That memorable summer was the beginning of a family tradition. We just had our tenth reunion, with more to come. The photo is of the pink flamingo float my husband and I bought to tote out for lounging on the lake. One of my nieces affectionately named it “Flammy.” We had some good laughs over Flammy.

Summers are fragrant with cookouts, cool rains, and in my world in Florida, the scent of the ocean. But summers also hold some of our most cherished memories. They are the days between one grade to the next. Of family vacations. Weddings and reunions. Take some time today to remember one of your favorite summers. Don’t keep the memories to yourself – call someone and reminisce.

Rachel Hauck is an award-winning New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She is a double RITA finalist, and a Christy and Carol Award winner. Her book Once Upon a Prince, first in the Royal Wedding Series, was filmed for an Original Hallmark movie. A retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. Rachel lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat. Learn more at RachelHauck.com.

Bethany House is offering a print copy of The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck to one of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What about you? What makes you want to read The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck? Have you ever visited Oklahoma? What has been your most memorable summer?

Tags: , , , , ,

90 responses to “Road Trip Reads Giveaway (Oklahoma): The Best Summer Of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck”

  2. Connie Porter Saunders

    I’ve never been to Oklahoma. My most memorable summer? Probably the summer of ’68. I’d just graduated from high school, I had a summer job working in my doctor’s office, and had a great fella to spend time with on Wed., Fri., Sat., & Sun. night, That fella asked me to marry him in September but not sure if it was before summer was officially over! BTW, we’re still married!

    Reply
  5. Rita Wray

    Sounds like a story I will enjoy reading.
    I have never been to Oklahoma.
    The summer I went to Australia to visit my family was the most memorable.

    Reply
  9. Rachael

    I was born, raised, married, and adopted our child—all in Oklahoma. It is my home. My memories of summers, Interestingly, are in Maine where I now live. We would drive 2,000 miles and spend three weeks on the road and at my daddy’s childhood home. It is just two miles from where our family now lives. Life can be strange!

    Reply
    • Rachel

      Wow! I did a lot of research on OK adoption to see how to handle part of the story. That is interesting ou now live in Maine two miles from our father’s childhood home. I think there’s a story here! 🙂 Rachel

      Reply
  10. Amy Donahue

    Summer ’77 was one of my favorite summers 🙂 I was 11 years old, completely unselfconscious, just reading my Nancy Drew books, playing with my new puppy, and enjoying life. I also saw Star Wars at the drive in and I was completely enamored.
    I’ve never been to Oklahoma but always enjoy reading about places I’ve not been to.

    Reply
    • meezcarrie

      ohhhh those days before we became self-conscious! So treasured. And your summer of ’77 sounds like my 11 year old summer too (though mine was in 88) – loved Nancy Drew 🙂

      Reply
  11. Anne

    I have never been to Oklahoma. This novel sounds captivating and wonderful. Many memorable summers when I was young. When I went away to summer camp for 3 weeks and then the next year for 6 weeks and met so many new friends. What an experience that was enjoyable and fulfilling. Another summer when we rented a very rustic cabin by a lake and fished, swam and went out on the motor boat which was small and had a 5 power motor. I pine for t hose days. Summers when I was young were wonderful and filled with fun and outside activities.

    Reply
  12. Delores Topliff

    I’ve been to OK as an adult attending a church conf. I’d enjoy more time there if that worked out. I lived in a non-Chris. home but the moms in a church plant across the street donated $ to provide a scholarship to a Chris. camp in Silver Creek Falls, Oregon. They had paid for their kids to go. They had a contest–tell in 100 words or less why you want to go to camp. I’d already been writing. I entered and won (I’m not sure anyone else entered & on the eve. before my 12th b’day, I finally understood enough to accept the Lord there. I cannot be more grateful!

    Reply
  14. Diana Hardt

    I have never visited Oklahoma. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  17. Pam K.

    I’d like to read this book because Rachel Hauck’s books are always good. My family lived in Oklahoma for a couple of years.

    Reply
  18. Maryann

    I’ve never been to Oklahoma. My best summers were at sleep away Bible camp and visiting my relatives farm in Ohio.

    Reply
  19. Winnie Thomas

    I’ve been to Oklahoma–just driving through. We used to go to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks often when I was young. My grandpa would take his boat there and we got to each catch a fish. I wouldn’t say it was the BEST summer of my life, but we were in Yellowstone when the 1959 earthquake happened! It was certainly memorable! Luckily, we came out unscathed.

    Reply
  20. Lelia “Lucy” Reynolds

    No, I haven’t been to Oklahoma. Childhood summers with my parents and siblings. I love Rachel Hauck books.

    Reply
    • meezcarrie

      I haven’t been either, Regina, but my mom spent time there when her dad was in seminary in Texas – he preached on Sundays at a tiny church in Oklahoma so they would stay there over the weekends with a family from the church. I love hearing her stories 🙂

      Reply
  24. Denise Turner

    I love Rachel Hauck books, so this is s must read. Never been to Oklahoma. Best summer was the 2nd after summer after I graduated from high school. My sister and I went to Hawaii.

    Reply
  25. Nancy

    I have been to Oklahoma. My most memorable summer was right after high school graduation. I immediately started college during the summer terms.

    Reply
  26. Sandy Avery

    I’ve enjoyed many Rachel Hauck books and am looking forward to reading this one.

    I have not been to Oklahoma.

    I have many wonderful summer memories. Spending time at the lake in Grandma’s travel trailer with boating, skiing, and swimming were favorites.

    Reply
  27. Jcp

    I love your books especially The Wedding Shoppe and The Memory House. I’m #23 on my library hold list for the ebook -can’t wait!

    Reply
  28. MS Barb

    When you mentioned going to a K-Mart to buy a wading pool, that brought back some memories! I worked at a K-Mart in 1982-1983!

    Reply
  29. Anna Xu

    It seems like a beautiful story. I love books with dual timelines. I added it to my ever-growing TBR list. 😄

    Reply
  35. Connie Scruggs

    My birthday is in June, so my most memorable summer was the year I turned 16. I got my driver’s license and was able to go, go, go all during summer break. I had lots of fun and enjoyed the freedom.

    Reply
  36. Hesper Fry

    This would be a great read for the summer! I have never been to Oklahoma. My most memorable summer is road trips traveling with my hubby!

    Reply
  37. Chanel M.

    I’ve never been to Oklahoma, but this book sounds like a great summer read. The premise is intriguing.

    Reply
  38. Tandi Cortez

    I love summery themed books! I have been to Oklahoma and there were a lot of cows and farms!

    Reply
  39. Candie L

    I live 4 hours from Oklahoma. One of our favorite casinos is there (we go a few times a year). Thank you

    Reply
  40. Betty Curran

    I have family in Oklahoma so I’ve been there several times. My most memorable summer was after I finished a temporary job in Italy I took a month to travel in Europe before going home.

    Reply

Leave a Reply