Imagining him was harmless…until it wasn’t.
Romance novelist Meghan Townsend’s marriage is slipping, and no amount of prayer seems to help. She aims to recapture her husband’s waning attention by getting in shape and finds escape by crafting her own fictional love story. Taking inspiration for the hero from a new friend—the attractive, spiritual, and attentive Curtis Jameson—she pours her … Jameson—she pours her yearnings onto the page, and craves the kind of pulse-pounding romance found in her book, Racing Hearts…
In 1916 Corona, California, motorcars are all the rage, and racing them is what Meghan’s hero, Russell Keegan, does best. But when his competition vandalizes his car, the only mechanic available is a greasy woman in a man’s overalls.
After a racing accident claimed her father’s life, Winifred became the sole breadwinner for her family. She is disdained as a female mechanic, but her daddy’s trade is all she has left. Can she swallow her hatred of the races and take up Russell’s offer of big bucks to fix his car, or will she lose everything to mounting debt?
Under Meghan’s skillful pen, these two embark on a thrilling, adventurous romance. But she finds that writing those love scenes with Curtis’s face in mind takes her heart places it shouldn’t go. Will she realize in time that real life can be better than fiction?
About Better than Fiction
Better than Fiction is a unique, fun blend of Christian women’s fiction and turn-of-the 20th century historical romance. It has given two best writer buddies an excuse to work together, laugh together, create together. It’s given them an opportunity to spotlight the colorful town of Corona, California in this lighthearted romance, while sharing their burden for the woman tempted by infidelity or struggling with an affair of the heart.
EXCERPT
1916
Russell watched as Winifred left the Ford and approached with slow, almost reverent steps. As she walked the circumference, studying every angle of his car, he studied her.
Washed in light, patches of clean skin glowed pale through the grime on her face and neck. A single curl hung forgotten against the side of her gaping mouth. Having made a complete circle, she came around the back of the Cat and took measured strides along its side. Her fingers hovered above the wheel and followed the curve in a worshipful caress.
If he didn’t know her to be an unfeminine creature, he might think she were trying to seduce him.
Unbidden, the feel of her fingers ran a similar trail along his bare shoulders. He swallowed hard and squirmed in his seat. Something was wrong with him if a figureless woman in filthy coveralls set his mind on such an unchristian path. With a grunt, he shook off the images, jammed the handbrake into place, and jumped from the vehicle.
Present Day
Steve’s game had ended long ago and Meghan was still tapping away on the laptop. Smiling, she closed her computer and nestled into her propped pillows with a dreamy sigh.
There was something about historical romance. A different time, a different way of life, but the same spark between a man and a woman.
A sharp snorting broke her from her reverie. Her gaze traveled to her husband―snoring loud enough to send the city into evacuation.
Meghan turned and studied the strong angle of his nose, the outline of his lips―even if they were hanging slack and flapping with every rattling breath. To be fair, she’d gotten pretty lax with her own appearance until a couple months ago, and Steve had never said a word. Of course, he hadn’t looked at her the way he used to in a long time, either.
She reached out and ran a finger along his arm. Would he stir and pull her close?
He smacked his tongue on the roof of his mouth, then turned the other way.
Dejected, Meghan rolled onto her back.
Looked like all the sparks tonight were reserved for Winifred and Russell.
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Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
This story within a story finds us learning all about the struggles of car racing in Corona, CA in 1916. I certainly can imagine how incredibly dangerous it must have been to travel at such high rates of speed without all the safety features we have in the cars of today. Winifred (Fred), after losing her father in a racing accident has taken up where he left off and has become a mechanic, preferably not for race cars. Russel is a race car driver with a damaged car. Can they work together to get the Stutz ready for the big Corona race?
Meghan is having a great time writing this story, but her life is not turning out quite as wonderful as the life of her characters. Lack of communication with her husband, Steve, has found them struggling in their relationship. Will the realization that giving God control, instead of expecting Him to ride shotgun, help her stay away from actions she can’t erase? Can their life really be better than the fictional story she is writing?
I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions are my own and were not solicited.
Better than Fiction
Better than Fiction is a book written by two authors . I read the book in one setting and it was over 300 pages. Part of the book is historical set in 1912. The historical part is about a female mechanic.
Meghan is trying to write her first book but hard getting support from her husband. She does get support from Curtis who is not her husband.
I loved the historical part, I had forgotten that cars was already in 1912. Russell is a race car driver and seeks a mechanic. He is surprised that he finds a female mechanic.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.
I have really enjoyed this book and how two authors worked together to write stories that intertwined with ease. Meghan has a dream to become an author and get published. She tirelessly works on her manuscript in her spare time. Meghan becomes disappointed that her husband Steve doesn’t seem to be supporting her. I could easily see how Meghan started to feel lonely in her marriage. The enemy finds anyway he can to put doubt in your mind and cause you to start questioning trust. I liked how the author introduced Curtis in the story who became someone Meghan started to find interesting. I knew danger was waiting around the corner as Meghan seemed to be drawn to him.
The other part of the story is set in 1916 and lets us have a front row seat in Corona, California. Winnie works hard at her family’s mechanic shop. It was very uncommon to see a woman as a mechanic in those days, but she sure could do circles around anyone when it came to fixing cars. Russell needs someone like Winnie to help him get his car ready for the race. They don’t exactly get off to a good start. Winnie is strong willed and doesn’t back down from threats. Someone is trying to sabotage her shop and cause bodily harm to her. I did like the slow pace of their relationship as we discover the loss Winnie and her family has suffered.
The authors have done such a great job of tying both stories together that I had a hard time not jumping ahead to see what happens. The concept of a person writing a story and we see the characters come to life is worth praise. Meghan sets her story in 1916, and we get to join her as she writes about Winnie and Russell. Both women are similar in the fact that they have low self esteem and always seem to think nothing good will ever happen to them. They both want someone to love them and notice them. They both work hard at their dreams but lack the ability to believe in themselves.
The lessons in the story are powerful as we see a marriage start to crumble and temptation seep in. Instead of communicating with her husband, Meghan jumps to conclusions . I didn’t like where she was headed emotionally , but liked getting to see her turn to God for help. Winnie finds herself in danger and Russell could be the answer to her prayers.
I won’t say what happens to these two couples, but I will say that both authors give us a look into trusting God, believing in yourself and being reminded that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. Communication is key in any relationship and it will be a lesson both women will experience. I thought the book was very well written and hope the authors’ team up again and write a book together.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
This was an interesting way to read a story. There were two storylines that worked together. I liked that in the present Meghan was writing a book about the past. It was fun to learn some of what happened during the race in Corona, California during 1916. Meghan wasn’t sure what was going wrong in her family life and she learned that one of the best things to do is communicate. I enjoyed these characters. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
“Real life was messier than fiction, but that was the beauty of it. Love was found in the mundane. The every day. The flat middle between the exhilarating highs and terrifying lows. It was found in socks with holes, in split ends and cellulite, in late work nights and unplugged toasters.”
I’ve read books written individually by April Gardner and Michelle Massaro in the past but I have to say that this book combining both of their talents exceeded my expectations. What a thoughtfully-written and beautifully crafted novel paralleling an author’s contemporary life with her fictional characters from the historical romance she’s writing! The transition from present day Corona, CA to 1916 is seamless. The two separate plots are both easy to navigate and the life lessons that the main character learns when she evaluates her life and her book are affirming and encouraging. If you enjoy a dual timeline novel (though the historical component is a bit different since it’s technically a “book” that the contemporary counterpart is writing), you will thoroughly enjoy this book that will have you marveling at the thrill of a car race in 1916 and contemplating what love and committed marriage really look like.
Meghan is our contemporary heroine who is trying to write and publish her first novel. She deals with all the mundane things of life that we do and equally struggles with being the best mom, wife, friend, and Christian she can be. Temptations, misunderstandings, frustration, and life struggles pull her away from her husband as these feelings also fuel her story that she’s writing. In 1916, Winnie is our historical heroine, working as a mechanic, shunned by society. When Russell, a hotshot race car driver, comes into town and needs her help, things become quite complicated between them. The Corona of 1916 is easy to fall in love with and the characters from the past are fun to get to know. Meghan and her husband Steve’s story rolls out a bit at a time, interspersed with the romance and excitement of 1916 Corona, and their story is somewhat more somber but still fascinating and heart-tugging.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
Fiction that challenges one to think carefully about real life is always welcome in my book (or Kindle, to be exact.) April W. Gardner and Michelle Massaro have combined to create a time-slip novel of racing, avarice, grease monkies, and modern-day friends who juggle families, church life, and keeping fit. Romance and the lack of it are big themes in this novel. What do you do as a modern married woman in a Christian marriage blown cold? Where do you take refuge? A very fun way to examine a tough but very real topic in the church today.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the authors and publisher via Celebrate Lit. This in no way influenced my opinions, which are solely my own.
Better than Fiction by authors April W. Gardner and Michelle Massaro is a story within a story. This is a Christian contemporary and historical fiction rolled into one book. The historical section is set in 1916 Corona, California. Done right, I love dual time novels. This one definitely is!
I was immediately comfortable with the writing styles of both stories. Words flowed and imagines appeared in my head like a movie. I had no trouble imagining the characters or empathizing with them. They were realistic and well rounded.
Never before had I heard of the races in Corona so this taught me something. I love books that teach me new things. The other thing that is a must have for me in Christian is a strong message of faith. Better than Fiction does. It is refreshing not to need to search for the hidden message but see it written boldly. Bravo!
The modern day female leading character is a married woman struggling. She and her husband need better communication. The historical one is a mechanic and has problems not of her own making.
These stories really come together well with timeless issues. The authors have such similar styles that it felt like one person penned this entire story. They each included twists, life lessons, and an inspirational message.
I definitely recommend this book. It is very different from any that I have ever read. My interest was piqued early and stayed the entire book. I rate it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit but these are my honest thoughts.
Two books in one, where do I sign up?
I love stories that go back and forth between past (in this case 1916) and present day. There are few authors who can pull off writing a duel story line well, however, I have found two author who did one together! They did a fantastic job. I think that the author’s expressed both sets of characters accurately and I really felt involved in their lives by the end of the book. I was sad to see it end. My favorite part though was probably the premise. Too often I think we chose to live in a made-up world rather than being thankful for the one we have. I am guilty of that myself. I believe that the authors did justice to this problem and summed it up in an understandable way. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the duel story line that was unique and interesting, the great premise, and the amazing characters.
I loved the concept of this book, and we are gifted with actually two books in one!
The two authors have melded this into one book, and although we are flipping between 1916 and present day, and I never felt lost.
A strong point in both of these stories is that often our thoughts/impressions are not fact! Lessons are learned, and conclusions are made, and we are there to the very end.
Looking forward to more by these new to me authors.
I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.
My Thoughts on Better Than Fiction:
Man. This book. I’m not so sure what to say about it. It’s a great read. The authors are amazing. I fell in love with the characters.
But. Wow.
The story of this book is so so good. You get this great first story about a woman feeling lost in her marriage. She’s doing things to try to get her husband’s attention again but all the while she’s also visualizing another man as the hero or love interest in the story she’s writing.
Quick side note. The story within the story is amazing and I’d love to see that expounded on in another book too because there is so much potential there! I love that story.
So here’s the thing. Better Than Fiction is a fiction book about an author creating a work of fiction. Does it mean that her life is better than the fiction story she’s writing? Or does it mean that my life is better than the fiction story I’m reading?
See the dilemma. It convicted me a little bit. I read fiction to escape for a bit. To let my brain have some quiet time away from the daily struggles of life here in my house of eleven little monkeys. It’s my escape. But is the fiction better than my life? Do you ever feel like maybe you’re getting the short end of the stick in life because it’s not like a fiction novel?
Great things to think about while reading a wonderful book. Highly recommend.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Authors must be creative to come up with their fictional stories, but April W. Gardner and Michelle Massaro take it to the next level by giving readers a story within a story.
As Meghan’s attempts to reignite her marriage fail, she immerses herself more and more into the historical novel she’s writing. At times, the book parallels her life but basing her hero and someone she knows leads to temptations.
I loved the historical portion of this book. Winnie and Russell are great characters and the details of the Corona race are fascinating. I liked the contemporary part of the book but when things were getting so bad in her marriage, it bothered me that she didn’t just lay it all out there with her husband. After so many years of marriage and the trials they’d already weathered, the lack of communication was frustrating. If she’d sat down with him, gotten mad at him, something, so many of the questions and doubts she carried would have been solved.
Granted, without that tension, the modern day story would have simply been fluff and the warning to guard your heart wouldn’t be necessary.
Better Than Fiction will appeal to historical and contemporary romance readers alike.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
What a wonderful story!
I love the insertion of the historical story within the story. They both tugged at my heart, though for different reasons.
Meg broke my heart for the pain she endured as her husband pushed her away. Flirting with him, treating him to his favorite everything. Nothing seemed to help. He continued to work later and later, and then there were the phone calls she overheard parts of. . .
As she attempted to make things right by finally losing weight she had gained, the new friend she found in her trainer and the advice from her best friend “it doesn’t hurt to look” had her modeling her hero after her new trainer – and her daughter’s Sunday School teacher!
How miserable it is for us when we seek to have the people in our lives fill the needs that only God can fill! When we look to anyone to give us our sense of value or to protect us from everything, or any other desire, we set them up to fail. Only God can be everything we need all the time! This message was brought home so clearly and beautifully.
While there was a subtle admonition to married women not to seek solace in friendships with other men, this was not a preachy story, nor did it sound like it was written to push this point. Quite the opposite. It was fascinating, filled with emotional turmoil, deep sadness, hope, and powerful spiritual lessons.
Racing Hearts, Meg’s novel, was such a fantastic story itself. Going back to 1916, Corona, California, it tells the story of Winnie and Russell and the Corona Road Race. It’s kind of crazy that I had never even heard of that, having grown up on the other side of the foothills from Corona! There was so much to love about this story. The woman mechanic who is Russell’s only hope for getting his Bearcat repaired for the race. The unknown Jefe who was sending his thugs to collect the debt left by Winnie’s absent brother.
Whether you prefer contemporary or historical Christian fiction, Better than Fiction is a must-read!
Read my review of Better than Fiction by April W. Gardner Michelle Massaro at AmongTheReads.net
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
This was a different form of a time slip novel. The main female character Meghan pursues her dream of writing a novel in the present day while the novel she is “writing” pertains to the 1916 auto race in Corona, California.
For me it was full of emotions. One minute it brought me on a high, the next minute I was wiping tears from my eyes. The characters were so real and broken, just like we find ourselves at times. I really felt for Meghan but she and her husband Steve were not communicating and so much could have been avoided if they had.
I found it interesting that Winifred, the character in the novel Meghan was writing, was a female grease monkey with expert knowledge in the area of repairing auto engines. She and Russell kept going back and forth as to what they were going to do regarding his auto and getting it ready to race. To add to that Winnie’s brother had skipped town with massive gambling debt and she was being harassed and physically hurt because of it. The faith element was brought into the forefront of both stories, not as preachy but as in what the characters needed to be reminded of, which hit home with me too.
I really enjoyed reading this story. It’s one that might require a second read in the future just because it was so good.
I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise. All opinions are my own.
Did I like this story? YES, how fun that we had an author writing a book as we followed her through her everyday life! The story of a handsome auto racer and a woman mechanic was a delightful romance mixed in with the dangers of racing and a brothers gambling debt. That in itself was so good! Then we get into the problems of a troubled marriage and misunderstandings that plague her writing and relationships.. I loved this story and yes, it was better than fiction! Thank you to the author for the gifted copy to review..