Our Magical Summer

(Paperback)

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Description

"Our Magical Summer" is a coming-of-age romance novel. In the summer of 1964, teenagers Paul Tyler and Christy Shuler meet on a beach at the lake in their hometown of Lake City, Indiana. They are immediately attracted to one another. Paul wants a summer romance, but Christy resists because she's leaving for Arizona in three months and doesn't want to become attached. Before long, the two fall madly in love. After spending their magical summer together, Christy flies to Arizona for her freshman year of college. They vow to be faithful until they can be together again. When a terrible misunderstanding pulls them apart, they lose contact with one other. Paul starts on a long journey to find Christy and clear up the misunderstanding. They never stop loving each another, but will it be enough to bring them back together to fulfill the promise of what they called "Our Magical Summer"

Reviews

"Garrison Keillor has said, 'Men can be trained to be monogamous, much as a bear can be trained to ride a bicycle.' Clearly implied is that while it can be done, it is not natural, nor easy, and the bear should be forgiven if he struggles to keep his balance and occasionally topples over. Same for men, and women too, The tension between sincere, loving fidelity to spouse and family versus attraction to another perfect soul mate is at the heart of Richard Martin's first novel: "Don't Let the Past Remind Us of What We are Not Now." Martin presents us with time-travelling lovers, reminiscent of "Somewhere in Time," except Brian, has left a beloved wife and daughter back in 1998. Meanwhile Brian has journeyed back to his college days at Indiana University in 1968 with Tess, a woman who is not merely stunningly beautiful and supremely sensuous but also kind, good, and wonderful in every way. Unfortunately, Brian is haunted by the thought of how hurtful his mystifying disappearance and prolonged absence must be to his beloved wife and child. Along the way you're likely to be titillated by the sensuality, and nostalgic for the joy of youth set in the idyllic college town of Bloomington, Indiana and the beautiful campus of Indiana University. For all of us Baby Boomers the frequent references to the music of the era are another endearing ingredient. But the heart of the book is that what traditional morality condemns as sinful infidelity can be the result of an over-abundance of real love, that good, decent people can have multiple potential soul mates. For men and women, the choice of one life partner and exclusion others can be as painful as the amputation of a limb. Martin is to be commended for reminding us of the price we must pay for a lifelong exclusive commitment, that the choices we must make and repeatedly reaffirm are not easy, and the bear should not be eternally condemned if he (or she) takes a tumble." Steven Fleece, retired judge, IU alumnus

Author Bio

Richard Martin published his first novel, "Don't Let the Past Remind Of Us What We Are Not Now," in the summer of 2023 at age 75. "Our Magical Summer" is his second novel. "I started writing and publishing novels at the same age Grandma Moses began painting." Though now retired, his professional years spanned diverse roles in teaching, broadcasting, and journalism. His academic journey includes a bachelor's degree from Indiana University and a master's degree from Webster University. He has also taken online courses from prestigious institutions such as Yale, Stanford, The University of Edinburgh, and The University of Copenhagen. Along with writing, Richard enjoys showcasing his talent in community theatre, playing his guitar, and singing karaoke. A native Hoosier, he lives in Indiana alongside his extraordinary wife, cherishing their shared joy of three children and six grandchildren.