When I Fall In Love By Susan May Warren Book Review

 

My Review:

 

Susan May Warren has written another awesome book filled with romance. This book is the three book in the series A Christiansen Family. I haven’t read the other two books but I was able to follow along just fine. I read the book during vacation on the beach and I loved how the setting of the book was placed in Hawaii. I enjoyed how relatable the characters were and how Max and Grace both avoided falling in love at all costs. They seemed to be too terrified to let someone in and let themselves to be loved. This is something I personally struggle with myself letting someone get close enough and perhaps even falling in love with them. Yes, love could end but it also could last! Very eye-opening messages! I also liked how the book had a Christian message that was spread throughout the novel.

 

My favorite character was Max Sharpe and I connected with how he held onto the guilt of accidentally injuring Owen and ending his hockey career. The book had a great lesson about dealing with the truth and forgiving yourself and others when they make mistakes. This book also touched on Max’s family background and I liked how Susan described in details everything Max felt. Max didn’t feel like he deserved happiness because of Huntington’s disease that runs in his family. Max didn’t want another person having to suffer from seeing him going through the effects of the disease. I loved how she intertwined this facet of the novel and I thought it prominently enhanced the character dramatics. I liked how she added a minor character, Raina to the storyline and her story portrayed the importance of choosing our actions carefully. I would have liked to see more of her story played out more in another novel. If you’re looking for a romantic novel, then this one is for you!

 

“I received a review copy of When I Fall In Love from Litfuse for this review.”

 

About the book:    Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she'd vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled-or maybe yanked-away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime. Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away. Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace's faith will face its toughest test yet.   Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/z5Ijj   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. 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. She also runs a writing community for authors. Find Susan online: website, My Book Therapy, Twitter, Facebook

 

Read what others are saying:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/swarren

Susan May Warren's newest book in the Christiansen Family Collection, When I Fall In Love,  has won over readers' and critics' hearts alike. With critical reviews like, ". . . an exquisite romance. Profoundly touching on the topic of facing fears, this book is a true gem," and more than 60 five-star reviews at Amazon, When I Fall in Love is sure to please.

Susan has teamed up with some amazing food bloggers for a fun food challenge and a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway!

  One grand prize winner will receive:

• A KitchenAid Mixer
• The first three books in the Christiansen Family Collection.
• Melissa Ringstaff’s Kitchen Planner
• Jackie Brown's Freezer Inventory sheet

Grab your aprons and wire whisks and buzz on over to the When I Fall in Love website to learn more and enter the Hawaiian Chef Showdown! Susan is challenging you to make a Hawaiian-inspired dish using coconut, mango, or one of the other ingredients mentioned in the book. You’ll get extra points for creating your own recipe—plus she might share it on the When I Fall in Love site! Or if you're not up for an adventure in the kitchen just click one of the icons below for easy entry.

Hurry, the giveaway ends on August 10th. All winners will be announced August 13th at Susan's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Susan's blog on the 13th to see if you won!

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska By Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss Book Review

 

Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska is about the journey of a famous singer, Ginny Marshall. Ginny is pursuing her singing career full speed in Los Angeles, California. Music producer, Danny Kingston decided to surprise her with a new recording contract from a label to record a new album. Ginny is torn on if she should accept or not so she decided to travel to Alaska to meet an old lover. She fell in love with Brett Miller and got engaged but she broke it off. She chose to follow her dream of a recording career and move to LA. She hasn’t spoken or seen him since the break up and she mailed back his engagement ring.

 

When she arrived in Alaska, Brett is off on a wildlife adventure to clear his head. Ginny meets Brett’s Grandma, Ethel and stays at her house until Brett comes back. Grandma Ethel reveals and tells Ginny to read these love letters. These letters contain a written love story between Ellie and Clay. Ellie became Clay’s children governess and she watched over the children daily. Love and friendship eventually begin to develop between Ellie and Clay but the trials and conflicts of life initiate to come against them. You will have to read the book to see if Ellie and Clay fall in love.

 

Brett returns from his trip and they have a choice to make will they heal and let forgiveness happen or will they go their separate ways.

 

I would recommend this breathtaking fiction novel to anyone who enjoys romance and the thrill of falling in love. The novel was very descriptive in displaying how Alaska looked and the community that existed in the rural area. I immensely enjoyed how this one book had two different stories tried together to convey that love still exists and is possible to find. No matter how far or how long the expedition to love may take for someone to find their true love, it’s viral to keep believing. The novel was a true complexion of forgiveness and having the courage to mend and move forward despite your heart from being broken. I especially loved how the story had a major decision to be made. Would Ginny choose a career or love? I believe everyone at some point has to choose which one they care more about. This story will inspire you to give love another chance and to never give up on finding it!

 

Summerside Press has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book for being a part of Tricia Goyer 2013 Launch Team.

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Finds-You-Glacier-Alaska/dp/1609365690/ref=cm_cr-mr-title

Check out the behind the scenes trip to Glacier Bay:

http://triciagoyer.blogspot.com/2011/09/research-writing-trips-buds-car-rental.html

 

Gustavus Inn at Glacier Bay Recipe: Halibut Caddy Ganty

 

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com/ListingRecipes.aspx?inn=215887&recipe=29483

Fire of the Raging Dragon: Pacific Rim Series By Don Brown Book Review

 

Fire of the Raging Dragon is the second novel in the series Pacific Rim Series.

 

The Chinese president, Tang Qhichen, also called the Raging Dragon, ordered his military forces to attack and conquer the island Itu Aba, Spratly Islands. Itu Aba belongs to Thailand. The Chinese gained control of the island. And the Taiwanese captured the Chinese ship Shemnong which is carrying military weapons. Many lives were lost and some of the remaining people on board the ship needed medical help. Shemnong requested medical assistance from the USS Vicksburg. The United States President Douglas Surber granted the request and ordered the ship to help the people on board. They discovered crimes against humanity on board the ship Shemnong. President Surber ordered for the ship to be captured and placed in United States care. This upset President Tang Qhichen and he attacked USS Vicksburg. USS Emory S. Land was near the ships and the Chinese captured the ship and demanded the United States to release Shemnong or they would kill everyone on board the ship. President Surber was torn in making a decision to let Shemnong go and ignore the crimes he saw on the ship or let Vicksburg be destroyed. But a major factor was his own daughter was a marine on board USS Vicksburg.

 

I immensely enjoyed reading this novel. It had a breathtaking plot and action that kept me hooked in. The novel had me feeling like this could truly happen. The crimes against humanity that was revealed in the novel could really be happening and we have no idea. It’s shocking and heartbreaking that something like this could exist. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves adventures and suspense. It would leave you entertained and thankful for the military that are committed to serving their country. They know the dangers and risks and still faithfully protect. If you’re looking for a great gift for someone, then this is the new series they will enjoy to receive!

 

 

“I received this book for free from Zondervan for this review”.

 

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of Fire of the Raging Dragon, then check it on Amazon.com or Zondervan.com:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Fire-Raging-Dragon-Pacific-Series/dp/0310330157

http://zondervan.com/9780310330158

My Stubborn Heart: A Novel By Becky Wade Book Review

Kate Donovan and her grandmother moved temporarily back to Pennsylvania. The grandmother wanted to restore and renovate her old house to proper living condition. Gran hired Matt Jarreau to fix the house. Matt is a man who has seen and experienced the pains and struggles of life. He married in his early twenties and was in a happily thriving marriage. Then an unimagined situation occurred that forever changed his life. He discovered that his wife had cancer. She eventually lost the battle to the disease. His grief and heartache consumed his every waking thoughts and his pain prevented him from healing and moving forward. He didn’t understand how he could live life without her. He was a former successful hockey until after his wife’s death. He decided to walk away from his destiny and his love and passion for hockey.  He stopped living and he started working and fixing old houses in the neighborhood. He became withdrawn and distance from the people who cared greatly for him. They tried so desperately to reach and help him heal. Matt has given up on God and he doesn’t comprehend how God could take away his wife. Kate became attracted to Matt and she kept falling for him. She had a special determination to get through to his walls of protection that he built. She was convicted to not let Matt remain in isolation and she wanted to him to release his burden and become whole again.

I would recommend this fantastic novel to anyone who enjoys reading a relatable story. Teenagers and adults would enjoy reading this book. The book had a vastly real life struggles and circumstances that every day people have to face through. None of us can escape the pain and heartache of losing someone we loved and cared greatly about. We sometimes go through the stages of blaming God but healing comes when we let go and deal with the hurts. I loved how Kate didn’t give up and she kept trying to assist him to open up to her completely. She kept asking him questions even when he wouldn’t answer her. She wasn’t settling for letting him be rude, uncompassionate, and bitterness run through his veins. I connected with Matt and how he became a loner when life dealt him the excruciating pain of losing his wife. It’s important we look out for the needs of others and show them Christ so that the world can experience wholeness and freedom!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers book review bloggers program.”  

If you would like to purchase a copy of My Stubborn Heart then check it out on Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/My-Stubborn-Heart-Becky-Wade/dp/0764209744

Angel Eyes By Shannon Dittemore Blog Tour

Shannon Dittemore has a breathtaking approach to the spiritual world surrounding the characters in this brand new novel. The book had a mixer of angels and demons fighting each other to win. The chapters are told from different viewpoints to capture the entire thrilling plot. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy exploring the seen and the unseen worlds of good vs. evil and angels against demons. If you’re a teenager or an adult who likes a fantasy packed novel then this one you will find this series irresistible! I immensely connected with the characters and the novel was extremely hard to put down.

The book had many life concepts that everybody could relate to. The book proved and showed the effects of how fear can hinder us from living our lives. I liked how Shannon displayed fear to be like a hidden dark cloud and we must rid ourselves of any doubt and insecurity. The main character, Brielle struggled with fear and she didn’t understand how God could allow bad things to take away people she loved. Many of us have asked the same question over certain situations we had to go through. I was touched by how Brielle started to recognize that there is a battle going on in the spiritually that we can’t see. An unbeliever started seeing the truth! Jake was also a big character that I found what it means to be a man and a protector. Jake showed the significance of watching out for someone that you greatly loved and he had an amazing position on believing the precision of Faith. I also thought the author did a brilliant job at bringing light to rescuing human trafficking victims. This is the first book in the fantasy series and I can’t wait to continue in the journey of Brielle and Jake!

“I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity Group/ Thomas Nelson for this review”.

About the book:  Angel Eyes By Shannon Dittemore


Once you've seen, you can't unsee. Everything changes when you've looked at the world through . . .Angel Eyes


Brielle went to the city to chase her dreams and found tragedy instead. She's come home to shabby little Stratus, Oregon, to live with her grief and her guilt . . . and the incredible, numbing cold she can't seem to shake.


Jake's the new guy at school. The boy next door with burning hands and an unbelievable gift that targets him for corruption.


Something more than fate has brought them together. An evil bigger than both of them lurks in the shadows nearby, hiding in plain sight. Two angels stand guard, unsure what's going to happen. And a beauty brighter than Jake or Brielle has ever seen is calling them to join the battle in a realm where all human choices start.


A realm that only angels and demons-and Brielle-can perceive.






About Shannon:

Shannon is a wife and mother. A sister. A daughter. A friend. She was raised in Northern California by her parents-pastors of their local church and constant figures of inspiration.
As a youth, Shannon traveled with an award-winning performing arts team, excelling on stage and in the classroom. As a young adult, she attended Portland Bible College, continued acting, and worked with an outreach team targeting inner-city kids in the Portland-Metropolitan area.
It was in Portland that she met her husband, Matt. They were married in 2002. Soon after, they took the reins of the youth ministry at Living Way Community Church in Roseville, California where they continue to serve in that capacity. In October of 2004, their son Justus was born, followed by their daughter Jazlyn, born in 2008.


Find out more at www.shannondittemore.com.






Win a Nook Color from Shannon Dittemore (@ShanDitty)! "Angel Eyes" Giveaway and Facebook Party {6/26} Celebrate with Shannon by entering her "Angel Eyes" Giveaway and connecting with her during the Author Chat Party on 6/26!


Find out what readers are saying here.

One "angelic" winner will receive:

• A Brand New Nook Color
• A copy of Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 25th. Winner will be announced at the "Angel Eyes" Author Chat Facebook Party on 6/26. Shannon will be hosting a book chat, testing your trivia skills and giving away some great prizes!


So grab your copy of Angel Eyes and join Shannon on the evening of the June 26th for a chance to meet Shannon 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 RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 26th!

Falls Like Lightning By Shawn Grady Book Review

Silas Kent is a smokejumper. Elle Westmore is a pilot who is the best in the business. Silas dated Elle for one summer then he called it off. Elle has since married and gotten divorced. She also has a daughter named Maddie now. Kent still has buried feelings for her. An enormous fire has broken out burning the forest rapidly. This fire has led them back to each other again. Broken hearts are having one more chance to mend. They will have to face the past where they can overcome the future. Silas and Elle fall into major trouble during the flight to put out the dangerous fires. They discover they are in for a rough ride. The smokejumper crew members are not at all what they seem. They are hunting for gold and they will kill in order to keep it for themselves. Will Kent and Westmore make it out alive and fall back in love? Can they stop the bad crew members in time or will the fire get them first?

I would recommend this novel to any teenager or adult who is looking for a thrilling and suspense filled novel. It will keep you reading along until you find out what has happened. This novel is filled with action and romance. Men and women will both enjoy this wonderful novel. I enjoyed reading about the smokejumpers. I never even imagined how hard of work they have to do to contain the fires. I appreciate how tough they are to keep us safe. They truly are brave! Shawn Grady does a great job at describing the scenes that I felt I was there along side with them. This was my first novel I read of Grady’s and it was worth it! If you want a great mystery novel then you should check out this one!

“I received this book free from the publisher through the Bethany House Publishers book review bloggers program.”

Read Chapter One-Five:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/55895980/Falls-Like-Lightning

If you would like to purchase a copy of Falls Like Lightning check out Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Falls-Like-Lightning-Shawn-Grady/dp/0764205978