by admin | Apr 15, 2013 | Books
MY REVIEW:
“Take a Chance On Me” may just be the best of the Deep Haven novels yet. Warren takes the reader beyond the typical romantic plot as she plumbs the depths of several of the characters’ emotions. Although Darek and Ivy are the primary characters in “Take a Chance on Me”, Jensen and Claire also play major roles.
Darek Christiansen, a widower with a small son carries around so much anger and possibly some guilt since his wife’s death that townspeople tend to keep their distance from him. Jensen Atwood, Darek’s former best friend feels like a pariah in the town where he is forced to perform community service due to the fact that he was driving the car that killed Darek’s wife. He mistakenly thinks that if he works hard enough he can redeem himself in the eyes of Deep Haven residents. Then there is Claire Gibson, daughter of missionary doctors, who loves her life in Deep Haven – or she would if she did not feel like such a failure and disappointment to her parents. Finally we have Ivy Madison, newcomer in town as the assistant county attorney who wants nothing more than a permanent home and maybe a family of her own. It doesn’t take Ivy long to realize that she is already connected to Deep Haven in ways she had not imagined and the secret she holds could destroy her hopes for the future.
Although the development of a relationship between Darek and Ivy is of prime importance to the plot, each character’s struggles with forgiveness and their own faith lays the foundation for “Take a Chance on Me”. I can truthfully say that I gleaned plenty of truth in the narrative that can (and hopefully will) be applied to my own life. This novel is a wonderful example of true forgiveness and reconciliation.
Plenty of drama, action, danger, and romance kept me turning the pages. I loved the characters and enjoyed reading about many I met in earlier Deep Haven novels. I think this books probably has one of the most unique romantic scenes ever and the reader even gets two for the price of one! I can’t say enough about how much I enjoyed “Take a Chance on Me” and encourage everyone to pick up a copy as soon as possible.
This book was provided for review by The Tyndale Blog Network.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.
New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.
Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Susan May Warren is the bestselling, RITA Award–winning author of more than forty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. She served with her husband and four children as a missionary in Russia for eight years before she and her family returned home to the States. She now writes full-time as her husband runs a lodge on Lake Superior in northern Minnesota, where many of her books are set. She and her family enjoy hiking, canoeing, and being involved in their local church.
Susan holds a BA in mass communications from the University of Minnesota. Several of her critically acclaimed novels have been ECPA and CBA bestsellers, were chosen as Top Picks by Romantic Times, and have won the RWA’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice contest and the American Christian Fiction Writers Book of the Year award. Five of her books have been Christy Award finalists. In addition to her writing, Susan loves to teach and speak at women’s events about God’s amazing grace in our lives.
For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.
by admin | Apr 9, 2013 | Books, Historical, Romance
MY REVIEW:
Things are bound to get interesting when Lucy Kendall, daughter of a candy factory owner finds herself attracted to the son of the city’s rival candy manufacturer but doesn’t know his connection. Needless to say, she discovers Charlie Clarke’s true identity soon after she learns that his father is determined to destroy her father’s company. Although Charlie doesn’t like his father’s schemes, he follows his directions as he tries to prove himself to his dad. Lucy desperately counterattacks each move made by Standard Manufacturing to undermine City Confectionery but somehow they always seem to be one step ahead of her strategies.
“Unrivaled” is a tale filled with family secrets, greed, fierce competition, drama, and unexpected twists. Tempered by an elusive romance and humor, this novel was a quick read despite its four hundred page length. Although the seemingly doomed romance and the escalating rivalry kept things interesting, at times I became frustrated with Lucy and Charlie for trying to solve the problems under their own strength rather than actually talking over the situation and working together. I did approve of the way each of them came to terms with their own shortcomings and found themselves turning to God for the answers.
A bit different than previous novels I have read by Mitchell, “Unrivaled” was nevertheless a delightful reading experience.
This book was provided for review by LitFuse Publicity.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe’s best confections, she’s sure she’ll come up with a recipe that will save her father’s struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager–a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy’s skin.
Charlie Clarke’s new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he’s never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She’s making his work life miserable…and making herself impossible for him to forget.
Purchase a copy here.
Read an excerpt here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Siri Mitchell is the author of nearly a dozen novels, among them the critically acclaimed Christy Award finalists “Chateau of Echoes” and “The Cubicle Next Door”. A graduate of the University of Washington with a degree in business, she has worked in many different levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived in places as varied as Tokyo and Paris. Siri currently lives in the DC-metro area.
Find out more about Siri at http://sirimitchell.com/.
One “swooning” winner will receive:
- A Kindle Fire
- Vintage Candy Kit
- Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell (one for you and one for a friend!)
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 17th. Winner will be announced at the “Unrivaled” Author Chat Facebook Party on 4/18. Connect with Siri, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at a trivia contest, and chat with readers just like yourself. There will also be gift certificates, books, vintage candy kits, and more!
So grab your copy of Unrivaled and join Siri on the evening of the April 18th for a chance to connect with Siri and make some new friends. (If you haven’t read the book – don’t let that stop you from coming!)
Don’t miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 18th!
by admin | Apr 2, 2013 | Amish, Books, Contemporary Fiction, Romance
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingThe GuardianBethany House Publishers (March 26, 2013)byBeverly LewisABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Beverly’s first venture into adult fiction is the best-selling trilogy, The Heritage of Lancaster County, including The Shunning, a suspenseful saga of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman drawn to the modern world by secrets from her past. The book is loosely based on the author’s maternal grandmother, Ada Ranck Buchwalter, who left her Old Order Mennonite upbringing to marry a Bible College student. One Amish-country newspaper claimed Beverly’s work to be “a primer on Lancaster County folklore” and offers “an insider’s view of Amish life.”
Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly’s tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, “Beverly’s books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don’t run across writing like that every day. I hope she’ll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time.”
A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction “book worms.”
Learn more about Beverly and her books on her Website.
MY REVIEW:
ABOUT THE BOOK:
When schoolteacher Jodi Winfield goes for a morning run, the last thing she expects is to find a disheveled little girl all alone on the side of the Pennsylvania road, clad only in her undergarments, her chubby cheeks streaked with tears. Jodi takes the preschooler home with her, intending to find out where she belongs. But Jodi is mystified when no one seems to know of a missing child, and the girl herself is no help, since she can’t speak a word of English. It’s as if the child appeared out of nowhere.
As the days pass, Jodi becomes increasingly attached to the mysterious girl, yet she is no closer to learning her identity. Then an unexpected opportunity brings Jodi to Hickory Hollow–and into the cloistered world of the Lancaster Old Order Amish. Might the answers lie there?
If you would like to read the first chapter of The Guardian, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
With her descriptive and easy-to-read style, Beverly Lewis takes the reader into Hickory Hollow and its slower yet comfortable way of life. This time we view this unique place through the eyes of schoolteacher Jodi Winfield who inadvertently finds herself involved with an Amish family and thoroughly charmed by their way of life. Still grieving her sister’s death, Jodi has wandered away from her faith yet finds a sympathetic friend in Amish widow Maryanna. As their friendship develops, each woman realizes that Jodi’s involvement in the Amish community may just have been orchestrated by God.
I enjoyed reading about the Amish in The Guardian, especially since there was very little emphasis on their strict rules and practices but highlighted their love of family and friends and their faith in God even in the face of tragedy. Although there was some romance, it was not the focus of this novel. Instead I saw how both Jodi and Maryanna grew in their faith and were able to overcome their grief to move on with their lives.
by admin | Mar 31, 2013 | Books, Law Enforcement, Romance, Suspense, Texas
This week, theChristian Fiction Blog Allianceis introducingScorned JusticeAbingdon Press (April 1, 2013)byMargaret DaleyABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold eighty-three books to date.
Margaret was the president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization of Christia writers with over 2300 members. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.
Until she retired a few years ago, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community as well as serving on her church’s vestry.
On a more personal note, she has been married for over forty years to Mike and has one son and four granddaughters. She treasures her time with her family and friends.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Texas Ranger Brody Calhoun is with his parents in west Texas when an unexpected attack injures the brother of Rebecca Morgan, Brody’s high school sweetheart. The local sheriff, a good friend, asks for Brody’s help. At first, it seems like an open-and-shut case. However, as Brody digs deeper, he realizes the attack may be related to an organized crime trial Rebecca will be overseeing. With Rebecca’s help, he compiles evidence which involves cattle rustlers, bribery, and dirty payoffs that shatter the entire community and put Rebecca directly in the line of fire.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Scorned Justice, go HERE.
MY REVIEW:
In Scorned Justice the action begins quickly and the drama and suspense do not let up until the very end. Although Judge Rebecca Morgan’s brother’s devastating injuries appear to be from an accident on the ranch, other close calls for her and those she cares for plus some threatening deliveries raise suspicion that the incidents could all be related to a current court case of Rebecca’s. Her brother’s friend Brody, a Texas Ranger, feels that the threats are real enough to provide protection for Rebecca and her brother’s family.
Continually escalating suspense that includes more than one murder, a kidnapping, and other tense scenes made Scorned Justice one of the most riveting novels I have read this year. Although the author dropped some hints and generously revealed one of the culprits fairly early on, there were still many unanswered questions as to motive and whether that person was the only one involved in the threats to Rebecca and those close to her. With several interesting plot twists, a surprise ending, and just the right amount of romantic tension between Rebecca and Brody as they renew their friendship, Scorned Justice was 100% satisfactory on all levels.
I have only read one of the previous novels in this series but this one does not seem dependent upon them for reading enjoyment. The publisher generously provided a copy of “Saving Hope” along with this one and I plan to read it just as soon as time allows. You can also bet that I will be picking up the final book in this series.
