by Rob Summers
Other Titles by Rob Summers
The Hila Grant Series:
Book 1, The Godsend of River Grove
River Grove Community Church voted out elder Ollie Fulborne, who was under suspicion of heresy and of sexually harassing a young teenage girl. But Ollie had been the driving force behind the church. Now, two years later, with numbers dwindling and church debt piling up, the people are considering allowing him to return to his former authority. Church member Hila Grant is dead set against Ollie’s return. This intelligent, lovely, and remote twenty-eight year old is willing to use even questionable methods to remind the congregation of his record and rouse them against him. Will her efforts be wasted, or will she be—in some sense—a Godsend?
Book 2, A Religious Spirit
Hila Grant attends a Charismatic house church that is being taken over by a highly questionable teacher. Because she tends to overdo it when challenging false teachers, she does not want to oppose Mrs. Vortgern. How can she take a stand for her faith without becoming self-righteous and vindictive?
Meanwhile, there are all these weddings going on, and she has to admit that she is a little concerned about still being single at twenty-nine. She could probably lure good-looking and witty Danny Hood away from his girlfriend, but that would not be very Christian. It’s time for a one-person spiritual retreat at a park cabin.
Book 3, A Narrower Mind
‘Safe’ in a wanna-be Mega Church, Hila has to choose sides in a dispute about the authority of the Bible. Meanwhile, a lot of people would much rather she didn’t date Jeff Fontaine, including his parents—and hers. Her new church offers support groups for children of dysfunctional families, and Jeff encourages her to join one in order to deal with her bottled up emotions. But Hila asks, “Aren’t things bottled for a reason?”
The City Allegories Series:
They drive cars, use cell phones, and shop at the mall, but they’re allegorical characters with names like Pride and Faith. The series tells the story of cousins Reason and Dignity, and of their life in an old house in the midst of a godless City. Fast paced and often funny, each book is a cross between Pilgrim’s Progress and a humorous modern novel.
Book 1, Pride House
The Quest for Vainglory
Young Mr. Pride marries Miss Doubt, causing grief to his cousin Miss Reason; and soon Doubt persuades Pride to welcome into Pride House her friends Worry, Tedium, and Confusion. Then, to make matters worse, Pride becomes infatuated with Miss Fame Vainglory, the City’s most desirable beauty, and will do anything to win her love. Though Reason could get help from Faith Orchard and her Heavenite family, it might cost the cousins their reputation as good citizens. Besides, the Orchards want her to consult with Pastor Truth, and she has never met such an opinionated man!
Book 2, Grace House
The Trial of Obscurity
If Dignity (formerly Pride) and Reason could only publish their book The Pride Story, God would be glorified and, incidentally, they would make buckets of money. So why does security expert Miss Obscurity keep doing things to sabotage their efforts? And does Reason’s old friend Bits Bitterly really just want to help her find a path to publication, or does he have hidden motives for spending so much time with her?
Book 3, Sandhill Street
The Loss of Gentleness
When a house collapses in his Sandhill Street neighborhood, Dignity has to decide whether to offend his parents, Neglect and Folly, by telling them what really happens to the homeless of the City. But in dealing with Neglect, Folly, and some other disagreeable relatives, Dignity and Reason don’t seem to comprehend how much they need the help of their young friend Gentleness. Meanwhile, Gentleness’ high school classmate Wittily Dread is in fear that her family will be ruined financially. If the Dreads are to stay on the good side of Mr. and Mrs. Mammon, she knows she must stay away from Gentleness and all those Heavenites down the street in Grace House.
Book 4, Goner House
The Return of Patience
Dignity and Reason have suffered much stress and misery because of their cousin Guiles, his daughter Prevarica, and the rest of the Leasing family. Now Guiles leaves Dignity the responsibility for bankrupt and neglected Founders Grove park, and it will take miracles—and a really good lawyer—to get him out of this. As for the Leasings, when they land in terrible trouble, old Ambassador Grace advises Dignity and Reason to try to save them, and he offers the prospect of help from Heavenite secret agent Patience Orchard. The question is, would the cousins rather just be rid of the Leasings?
About Rob Summers
The author of Merlin’s Slept Here is an administrative assistant at a university. He has been writing novels since he discovered, while in his twenties, that creating fictional worlds is a heap of fun. He lives with his wife in a small house on six wooded acres in rural Indiana, where they are manipulated and bullied by the dominating force in their lives, their cat Igor. Besides enjoying writing, he plays chess and strums guitar chords.
Connect with Rob Summers
Rob Summers’ email is mailto:[email protected]. He welcomes your comments or questions.