What I’m Reading–Spring Splash by Denise Weimer is a book we’re discussing in the American Christian Fiction Writers Bookclub (more about this later.) I enjoyed it so much I wanted to tell you about it. But first, the photo. Again, it’s from my friend Deb Smith who takes awesome photos. she has an eye for what will make a great shot.
Now for Spring Splash. Here’s the cover and blub:
The heart of a champion may surprise you.
When an injury sidelines college swimmer Anna Callaway, her dreams are crushed. She pours herself into her sports marketing practicum, helping a local special needs organization promote their athletic event. What she doesn’t expect is a swim team ripe for the Special Olympics—and their handsome but stubborn coach.
Craig Holt has dealt with eager and ignorant volunteers before. No matter how determined or persuasive uptight Anna might be about coaching his team to the Special Olympics, he has no intention of allowing her to raise the hopes of his swimmers, his sister, or his guarded heart.
Then Anna herself gets a second chance at becoming a champion. Will she pursue her lifelong goals or make room for a new dream?
My Take:
I loved this story. As a teenager, I would have given anything to be on a swim team, but alas, no school in my city had one. So I get to live my dreams through books!
When Anna is injured just seconds from winning a spot on her college swim team, she thinks her world has ended. She believed if she could just get on that team, she might measure up to her sister and her father’s expectations. But she’s no quitter and starts rehabbing her shoulder. She also has certain requirements for her marketing class, and one is to market the Spring Games for the special needs organization.
That’s where she meets Craig and a host of interesting characters. I love the way Denise Weimer wrote about the special needs characters–not only did I come away from the book with a better understanding of them, but of their caretakers as well. And Denise had me right with Anna whenever she was in the water, whether working with the swim team or competing herself.
Craig’s sister, Margo, is special needs, and he is way too protective of her, but I could see why. During the course of the book, Anna helps him see that he has to release some of his control of his sister. And of course, the two fall in love, but can they overcome their obstacles? Anna wants to make swimming her life career. Craig feels he has too much baggage, plus Margo is part of the deal.
Spring Fling is a story that educates as well as entertains but the education never gets in the way of the story.
This is an uplifting story in a time of chaos and I think you’ll be glad if you read it! You can purchase it at Amazon.
Leave a comment, and I’ll enter you in a January drawing for a book from my library…that includes Obsession! I might not have read Spring Splash if it hadn’t been a book club selection since it’s not a romantic suspense, my usual read. But I was very pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed the story. Do you belong to a book club? Or have you ever read a book you didn’t expect to draw you in but it did?
What I'm Reading--Spring Splash by Denise Weimer is a fantastic read! Check out my review on my blog, and if you leave a comment, you might win a book! Click To Tweet
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Comments 43
My brother was on a swim team when he was in high school. It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
I wish we’d had swim teams back in the day, Diana! So glad you stopped by!
When I was in middle school, a close friend gave me a book for my birthday (we both read a lot). It was called “The Forgotten Star” by Joseph Greene. It was the first science fiction book I’d read, and it was fantastic! That started me on a long period of devouring science fiction. Sometime you never know what will grab you until you read something different.
That’s a great photo. Pat, do you know if your friend used a filter on her camera?
Author
Tim, I think she did it after she took the photo. She takes her pictures on her phone and there’s an edit button…so glad you enjoyed it. She has a good eye for photography. Thanks for dropping by!
I am so thankful for the many books available for us avid readers to read! I do prefer Christian fiction.
Author
Me, too, Jackie! I don’t read many general fiction books, only sometimes for research if I trust the author has really researched her material. It’s a fun way to do research. lol Thanks for dropping in!
I appreciate the scripture and beautiful photo. Denise has some really good books. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Author
Lucy, this is Denise’s second book that I’ve read and I love the way she writes. Thanks for stopping by!
My daughters & I, sometimes a friend have an impromptu club. And I have enjoyed some that they have chosen that I wouldn’t have read otherwise. Thank you for the Scripture.
Author
That’s neat, Lisa! I’ve read several books I probably wouldn’t have chosen but really enjoyed! Thanks for stopping by!
Interesting review. I probably would not have read the book either, but I will keep my eyes open for it now.
Author
Betti, I think you’d enjoy it. It was such a feel-good book I was sorry when it ended! Thanks for stopping by!
You have a gift for writing book reviews. Thanks again.
Author
Thanks, Delores! I love to read and I hope it shows in my reviews. So glad you stopped by!
This sounds like a great book. I’m going to share it with my friend at Walk Right In Ministries. It’s a ministry that offers peer support, consulting and encouragement to families with children with special needs and she always likes to hear about books that help people better understand their struggles.
Author
Sandra, I learned so much from this book and it was such an enjoyable read. Thanks for dropping by! It’s always good to ‘see’ you here. 😉
It’s good to be out and about. 🙂
Yes, I belong to the same book club. I thought I had this book but it was her other one Fall Flip! I had so many other books to read for review this month that I skipped this one. I may look for it later.
Author
Do, Paula! I think you’d really enjoy it. And thank you for mentioning Fall Flip! I thought I’d read it but when I hopped over to Amazon, I realized I hadn’t and gobble it up for 99¢! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WFR5RP8/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
Yes, indeed! Don’t miss Fall Flip on sale. It was a Selah and RWA finalist and Amazon #1 bestseller in contemporary Christian fiction. Also a feel-good read.
Author
Can’t wait to read it, Denise! Thanks for stopping by.
I might not have looked at this book, as I also am more of a fan of romantic suspense. However, we have an adult special needs soon who competes with the Special Olympics. So after reading your take on this story, I have added it to my TBR list. It sounds like a really interest read.
Author
You will really enjoy this book, Linda! Especially since you know someone competing in the Special Olympics! Let us know how it turns out! Thanks for stopping by!
Linda, so cool about your son! Best of luck to him in his competitions. I hope you enjoy Spring Splash.
I am not in a book club nor have I ever been but have been pleasantly surprised by books that were better than expected.
Author
Me, too, Gloria–about being surprised! Thanks so much for stopping by.
Sounds like a good read. I’m in a book club that reads classics and I’ve been pleasantly surprised at discovering how many of the classics I’ve actually enjoyed.
Author
I know, Megan! Most of the time the book club selection isn’t one I’d pick up, but so far, I’m always glad I did. Thanks for stopping by!
I belong to a book club but the ladies want me to pick the books! I try to rotate the genre so we get something everyone will enjoy.
Author
That’s great, Joan! Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation!
I love the picture and verse. When my wife and I are driving anywhere, we particularly enjoy viewing the large fluffy white clouds.
I have never been in the kind of book club where the members all read the same book and discuss it in their regular meetings. However, I have been a member of Crossings Book Club on several different occasions which got me interested in certain authors. I think proofreading books has had more to do with me reading books in genres that were new to me and discovering that I enjoyed them. I still turn to my favorite genres as a rule but I will now read books in some of those others since I discovered that they, too, are interesting.
Author
It’s worked that way for me, too, Edward–only I’m usually reading with an endorsement in mind. So far I haven’t read a book I didn’t like and endorse. 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by. Oh, and I love to look at clouds!
Thanks for the book review & an opportunity to win a book from you! I was an assistant special olympic coach for many years for my County Board of DD–worked w/ some amazing swimmers & individuals!
Author
MS Barb, that had to be so rewarding! Thanks so much for stopping by and joining the discussion!
Spring Splash sounds like a fascinating book. I read a book called Guiding Emily by Barbara Hinske that, in addition to the story line, gave information about applying for a seeing eye dog, the training of a seeing eye dog (from the perspective of the dog), and the pairing of humans to their seeing eye dogs. It was really interesting and informative. Thanks for the opportunity to win a book.
Author
Guiding Emily sounds fascinating, Suzanne. I’ll have to look that one up. Thanks for stopping in!
My high school had a pool so we had swim teams. I was never interested in sports but from what I remember, our teams were pretty good!
I’ve never been a part of a book club before but if I found one that was reading books I would enjoy, I’d probably join. There have been many a book that I’ve read that pleasantly surprised me on how good it was! I don’t read much contemporary fiction, but the first book I read by Bethany Turner (The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck) really took me by surprise on how it really caught me up in the pages! Not only is she a funny writer, but she has a much deeper faith message that I connected with. Now I’m a forever fan of her! 🙂 Nicole Deese was the most recent author I discovered with her book “Before I Called You Mine”. It really pulled all the emotions out of me & knocked me for a loop (in a good way, of course). I’m sure there’s been many more like this, but those are two examples I could come up with.
I see I can borrow Spring Splash from KU so I am putting it on my list! Sounds really good from your viewpoint! Thanks for the recommendation, Patricia!
Author
I think you’ll enjoy Spring Splash, Trixi! I would’ve loved to have a pool at my school! Thanks for stopping by.
I am a member of a few book clubs and have read a few books that really surprised me that I enjoyed. Book sounds really interesting.
Author
It is, Shelia! I really enjoy my bookclub! Thanks for stopping by.
My children were on high school swim team and my grandson is now. It is a good healthy discipline.
You chose the perfect verse to go with the photo! Lovely shot!
Author
Thank you, Diane! I enjoy putting my photos and the verses together.