Bright Lights of Summer

OK girls, young or old(er)... Softball. Did you play? Fast pitch, slow pitch, or the dreaded (for me) arc ball? High school, college, city league, semi-pro, national? Now, remember that movie we all flocked to see about the women who played baseball while the men were away in the war?This brings me to the latest book to make it off the bench on Team Gena's-To-Be-Read-List and darned if that book didn't hit a home run. Bright Lights of Summer by Lynn Ames is fun, fun, fun. In present times, a young woman interviews an older woman (and ex-player) about the women's softball leagues of the 40s, about the women who played, and about being gay back then. As the older woman shares her story, we are taken back in time; we get to watch those games and get a up close look how life was in those days. Lynn's historical research is spot on, the fiction threaded neatly through it all. If you were a player or a fan, pick this gem up. I was thinking so much about playing, my old catcher's knees were aching.

This was clearly a labor of love; both of women's softball and love between women. A touching romance unfolded in the form of a present day journalist interviewing one of the last survivors of the American Women's Softball League. Chapters loosely alternate between present day exchanges between these two, and the experiences of Diz (the survivor) and her lover in the early 40's. From eager young Theodora (Diz) wanting nothing more than to play softball like her sister, to meeting Frannie and all that transpires between the two, the story is a delight. The details about World War II and the WASPS, Wrigley's Professional Women's Baseball League and many other historical occurrences seemed well researched and were fascinating. I couldn't put it down and would recommend it to anyone. Fans of Ms Ames other books will be tickled to notice the nod to characters from her earlier romance novel "Eyes on the Stars".

10 stars really--I LOVED this book! I identified so much with the ball players. The whole story and tone stayed true to the times. One really big issue I have tho--THERE HAS TO BE A SEQUEL, A CONTINUATION of this story!!! HAS to be. What happened to Dot? What happened to Frannie and Diz? How long did they play ball, then what did they do? What happened to women's softball--how much longer did it exist as it was then? How did it die, or did it just evolve into something different? Cuz there's softball and national tournaments today, but it doesn't seem the same. How hard for a woman to love another woman in earlier times. What a great story!

GREAT STORY ABOUT THE LADIES OF SOFTBALL IN THE TRUE LIGHT OF DAY. MADE ME PROUD TO HAVE EVER PLAYED SOFTBALL. MS. AMES WEAVE BETWEEN FICTION AND FACT IS SPELL BINDING . DIZ AND FANNIE COULD HAVE BEEN MY NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS WHEN I WAS GROWING UP. BEING UNDER THE LIGHTS OF THE DIAMOND WAS OF THE MOST THRILLING THINGS IN MY CHILDHOOD. I COULD WELL RELATE TO THE SPELL OF THE GAME.

Lynn Ames has written a homage to the softball leagues of yesteryear when the world was at war and women stepped up to do their part. I loved the original characters woven in among the real-life ball players. The jumps back and forth in time were relatively seamless and easy to follow. I simply loved this book and its story and pretty much read it in all in one night. I couldn't put it down once I started it. Needless to say, I give it five stars and recommend Bright Lights of Summer to anyone who is interested in softball, the women's baseball league in the forties and a sweet romance at the heart of it all.

If you enjoy softball and wonder what life might have been like for two female ballplayers in love, then this is a must read. Lynn Ames had marvelous insights from a woman who was one of the best catchers in women's softball history--Dot Wilkinson, who turns 95 on October 9, 2016. In real life, Wilkinson, who played softball from 1933-1965, helped propel the Arizona Ramblers to the National Title in 1940, 1948 and 1949.

If you are any type of Baseball fan this is definitely the book for you. It is wonderfully written by Lynn Ames who not only writes great literature but does extensive research prior to releasing her books. If you liked the movie "league of their own" this will become a must read over and over again for you. I'm happy to say that two of the women depicted in Miss Ames story are still alive to attest to the authenticity of this book. I know I will read it again and again.

This is a wonderful, sweet, nostalgic look at love and life in a simpler time. I enjoyed every second of it. Bravo to Lynn Ames for giving so much heft and heart to a story that delights as much as it informs. You don't have to be a softball fan to enjoy this tale—winning and losing are eternal themes that resonate in life as much as they do on the playing fields, and both are here presented with care, finesse, insight, and a lot of heart. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

This is a decently done historical romance which also serves as a tribute to softball (not a game we Brits play). Some of the game techniques passed me by and the romance lacked a little something (I wanted more detail than we got - not explicit sex but, for example, more background on whether Diz’s mother & sister ever worked out the true nature of Diz and Frannie’s relationship and their reactions). But the ‘telling of our story’ was nicely done and I enjoyed the solving of a little mystery near the end. There’s a nod to another of Lynn Ames historical romances ‘Eyes on the Stars’ too...

Having met and heard Ms Ames read an excerpt from 'Bright Lights of Summer' at the GCLS Conference recently I knew I had to read it. Having played softball religiously during my younger years and having had the honour of representing the US Navy in the sport I had high expectations.Ms Ames didn't let me down. Her main characters, Diz and Frannie are electrifying as Diz takes us through their years together. The trials and tribulations they face and overcome are not only realistically written but will open the eyes of the reader. The author's relationship with Dot Wilkinson shines throughout the book. Thank you Ms Ames for this amazing historical book and congratulations again on your Goldie award for 'Bright Lights of Summer'. The book and you, definitely earned it!

Awesome worth-while book about both softball in the 50’s and 60’s and life as a lesbian in a world where it was seen as wrong.