Guest Post from Susan May Warren: Darek from Take a Chance on Me

Take a Chance on Darek Christiansen

Hello, yeah. Hi. So, I’m Darek Christiansen, and Susie told me I had to show up and introduce myself. So here I am. Listen, it’s no mystery that I don’t want to be here. I really need to be getting home to Tiger, my five year old son. But apparently the resort needs a little public relations, so here I am.

I run the Evergreen Resort – a handful of cabins and an outfitting service for campers and canoeists located on a lake in the north shore of Minnesota. It’s a family operation – my parents inherited it from my grandparents. I never really wanted to take it over, but I had to do something to give my son a stable life after I lost my wife in a terrible car accident. Unfortunately, the man who killed her lives in our town. Okay, he was actually my best friend, but that seems so long ago, it’s hard to imagine that Jensen and were ever anything but enemies.

Okay, so yes, I struggle with forgiveness. And the guilt that I never really wanted this life – I was going to be a HotShot, a fire manager, fighting wildland fires. But life doesn’t give you what you want – it gives you what you deserve.

Which means I’m not going to end up with the cute new Assistant county prosecutor who just arrived in town. Even if she did buy me in the town fundraiser/bachelor auction. Because what she doesn’t know is that I’m the last man she should hang out with.

But deep inside, I’m hoping she’ll take a chance on me. Because what I really want (and don’t tell anyone) is to start over. To build a new life. I am just not sure how to get there.

I hope you’ll go on the journey with me in Susan May Warren’s newest novel about me, and my family, and life on a resort in the north shore of Minnesota.

Take a Chance on Me. In stores May 1^st.   

This blog post is by Susan May Warren. I've read and reviewed Take a Chance on Me which is another great Christian fiction novel by Susie May.   You can read about how to get a free novella when you purchase Take a Chance on Me here.

Coming Soon: A Review of Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

Book shipments are delayed, but I'm really looking forward to reading and reviewing Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade.


This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Undeniably Yours Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2013) by Becky Wade

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She's been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas. It was during her years abroad that Becky's passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, and eventually returned to writing sheerly for the love of it. Her first contemporary Christian romance, My Stubborn Heart, has been named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's RITA Award. Her newest release, Undeniably Yours, is available now.

These days Becky can be found failing but trying to keep up with her housework, sweating at the gym, carting her kids around town, playing tennis, hunched over her computer, eating chocolate, or collapsed on the sofa watching TV with her husband.

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she becomes the majority shareholder of his oil company and the single inheritor of his fortune. Though Meg is soft-spoken and tenderhearted--more interested in art than in oil--she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of her father's empire.

The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo's determined to resent the woman who's decided to rob him of his dream. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them--her wealth, his unworthiness, her family's outrage--and earn the right to love her.

But just when Meg begins to realize that Bo might be the one thing on the ranch worth keeping, their fragile bond is viciously broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their love--and their belief that God can work through every circumstance--survive?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Undeniably Yours, go HERE.

Rescue Team by Candace Calvert

Romance and suspense and Christian fiction- it's a great combination. Rescue Team is part of a new series- the Grace Medical Series- by Candace Calvert. I've read some other books by Calvert before and really enjoyed them.

Rescue Team is the story of Kate Callison, temporary head of the ER department at Grace Medical Hospital. Kate has secrets in her past that have put her at odds with God and hiding from meaningful relationships. She meets Wes Tanner, a search and rescue team volunteer who also has a past to overcome. It seems as if they will be able to move forward into a relationship. But, of course things begin to happen that uncover the hurts in their pasts.

I loved Kate as a heroine and Wes as a hero. They were very interesting characters and Calvert succeeded in helping me get to know them well. Their story was easy to become drawn into. There was just enough conflict and action to hook me but not so much that the story was drawn out.

There was a definite spiritual message here but no preaching. Kate and Wes both come to a realization that results in spiritual growth. Their transformations are almost a little unbelievable, but they work in the the story.

I really enjoyed this one. I was disappointed when it ended. And I'm sure I'll be looking for others in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Jennifer: An O'Malley Love Story by Dee Henderson

I've been a long time fan of Dee Henderson's O'Malley books. They are all books about heroes/heroines in rescue services.  The O'Malleys are a group of siblings who chose each other. They were all orphans in foster care services.

Jennifer is a prequel short story introducing us to the youngest O'Malley "sibling", Jennifer. She is a pediatrician specializing in young cancer patients, and she meets Tom, a surgeon. As Tom and Jennifer negotiate their new found relationship and Jennifer becomes the first O'Malley to find a relationship with God, the couple will also go through a tragedy that will affect them all.

The good: I love Dee Henderson's sweet romances. Just like the others, this one was touching and tender with just enough spark. There was the usual conflict as they came to know each other- Jennifer's lack of trust, Tom's desire to marry a Christian...Jennifer and Tom were main characters that we could easily relate to. And there was just enough inner thought combined with the action and dialogue in the story that we could get to know them.

The bad: I think I'm going to have to go back and reread all of the O'Malley books. I just can't remember what happens! And Jennifer sure does leave us hanging!

I give this one 5 stars and a PG for content.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story Bethany House Publishers (May 1, 2013) by Dee Henderson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Dee Henderson is the bestselling, award-winning author of 15 previous novels, including the acclaimed O'MALLEY series and UNCOMMON HEROES series. These days, most authors are out there energetically promoting their books in print and broadcast and via social media—wherever they can get attention. But Dee Henderson keeps a low profile. She avoids telephone interviews because of hearing problems, declined to provide a current photo, and will say only that she lives in Illinois.

 ABOUT THE BOOK

It's a summer of change for Jennifer O'Malley. The busy physician has a pediatrics practice in Dallas, and meeting Tom Peterson, and falling in love, is adding a rich layer to her life. She's sorting out how to introduce him to her family--she's the youngest of seven--and thinking about marriage.

She's falling in love with Jesus too, and knows God is good. But that faith is about to be tested in a way she didn't expect, and the results will soon transform her entire family.


If you would like to read the first chapter of Jennifer: An O’Malley Love Story, go to HERE.

Her Restless Heart Bible Study

As much as I love Christian fiction, I'm not sure I've had the opportunity to do a Bible study based on a Christian fiction novel before. But I recently was able to review Her Restless Heart, a Bible Study based on a book of the same name from Abingdon Press.

The study is based on the book Her Restless Heart- part of the Stitches in Time series. This is an Amish fiction series by Barbara Cameron. The study includes passages from the book, Scripture verses to look up, and application questions. It can be done along with reading the book or independently since the book excerpts are included. It is broken up into five days of study each week. As well as the study information, there are sections of information about Amish life included throughout the study.

I started the study after I completed my most recent through the Bible in 90 days reading. I like to read through in 90 days, then take a break for a more in depth study. So this study came along at a really good time.

There were several things that I particularly liked about the study.

* I really liked the excerpts from the book. It was nice to have the option of buying the book or not. Of course, after reading through some of the excerpts, I'll probably get the book, so I can finish it!
* I liked that even though the study was based on a Christian fiction novel, the focus constantly went back to Scripture with plenty of Scripture references. This was something I had been concerned about when I knew what the study was about.
* The study was simple enough to be completed without a burden of much extra work. The readings for each day were short, and the questions- though reflective- were not difficult.
* There was some flexibility to using the course. I used it just fine independently. There was a Facebook group for studying the book together. I joined at the very beginning, but I didn't keep up with it, so I just did the study myself. There is also a leader's guide. So the course could be done as a church small group.

I enjoyed this. I thought it was a great new way to approach Bible study. I enjoyed the book excepts and look forward to finding the book and waiting for others in the series.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this study for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Last Chance for Justice by Kathi Macias

Last Chance for Justice was a novel from a new to me author- Kathi Macias. I'm reviewing for the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.

Lynn still misses her husband who died when she finds out her brother Myron- whom she hasn't seen in years- has also died and left her his old home near a cemetery as an inheritance. Lynn takes her grown daughter, Rachel, and goes to her old hometown to go through her brother's things. Lynn has to face people from her past, and Rachel has to choose between the affections of two men as the two women seek to clean out Myron's things and to solve an old mystery he has left behind.

I must admit that this one wasn't one of my favorites. I just never could seem to really get into the story, and I found myself just trying to be finished instead of really enjoying it.

What I liked:
*There is a little bit of a mystery. It keeps the story going as we hold on to find out what it is going to happen.
* Although Lynn's character isn't my favorite, I did like Rachel, her daughter. I thought she was an interesting character. I wish we had read more of her than of Lynn and that her character had been developed more.
* I liked the theme of the story- returning to your home town, Lynn's confronting people from her past.

What I didn't like:
*I didn't think any of the characters were well-developed. I just didn't feel like I got to know them through the story.
* There was this air of "Lynn needs to confront her past and solve her brother's secret," but as we know more about Lynn's past and the big secret, there just isn't much to it. The actual resolution is not much compared to the build up.
* Even though this "love triangle" with Rachel is sort of played up, I felt a little let down about that also.

I'm not sure I would look for more of the books in the series. It just wasn't my favorite.

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Last Chance for Justice B&H Books (May 1, 2013) by Kathi Macias

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Her novel set in China, Red Ink, was named Golden Scrolls 2011 Novel of the Year and was also a Carol Award Finalist; her October 2012 release, Unexpected Christmas Hero, was named 2012 Book of the Year by BookandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.

Kathi is passionate about The Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors. To learn more about the persecuted church, please visit VOM’s website and Open Doors Website.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Welcome to Bloomfield, where life is simple, love is real, and stories are shared.

Lynn Myers is still reeling from losing her husband of thirty-five years when word comes that her only sibling, an older brother, has also died. With no one else to settle the estate, she must return to her small hometown of Bloomfield, however briefly, to settle his affairs.

Lynn’s daughter, Rachel, has just graduated from Bible college and with no other commitments comes along to sort through her uncle’s huge old home, right next to the local cemetery.

It isn't long before Rachel has two men -- a handsome CPA and the youth pastor -- seriously vying for her attention. At the same time, Lynn's attention is drawn to a set of journals her brother has left behind detailing a long-standing Bloomfield mystery.

As they pursue solving this mystery, Rachel must make some personal decisions about her future, while Lynn is forced to face unexpected issues from her own past.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Last Chance for Justice, go HERE.

Great Kids Reads and a 52 Books in 52 Weeks Update

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

I haven't posted a 52 books update in a few weeks. I have been reading, but I have a few reviews that will be published at a later date.

I did want to post about a few children's books that I have finished up recently with Ashlyne and Rachel (my 2nd and 3rd grader). I love to read aloud to them- for school and in the evening. I often stumble upon old favorites I haven't read in a while or upon really good books that I hadn't read yet. There have been three recently.

Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski is the book we most recently finished from our evening reading. I remember other books by Lenski, but I don't think I had ever read this one. I loved it. It's the story of a backwoods Florida family- Crackers- during the early 1900s. When they move into their new home, Birdie- the young daughter is excited about the prospect of her family's new opportunity to grow fruit. But the family constantly has troubles with their neighbors- the Slaters. This is a sweet story- interesting from the historical perspective and a very good moral also.


Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl is one of those that I've known about and watched as a movie but never read. We read it and completed a lapbook for it. I'm glad that I finally picked this one up to read. There was more to this than just a fanciful tale. There are many lessons to be learned in Charlie's story. We all enjoyed it as I caught the older kids listening along quite often.


Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes is the book we are finishing up now. I've been a long time fan of Estes's children's books. We've all enjoyed The Moffats books. Now we are enjoying Ginger Pye, the story of the Pye family and their new puppy-Ginger. There is a mystery person who appears to be following the children in the hopes of getting Ginger. I love Eleanor Estes's descriptions and charming historical scenes of small New England towns.



 Later this week, I'll posting my most recent fiction reviews. Stay tuned.