Tree Swing Reading

Review of "Take a Chance on Me" by Susan May Warren

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: Contemporary Fiction
• Part of a Series: yes, book 1 of "Christensen Family Series"
  
• Publication year: 2013
• Publisher: Tyndale House
  

Description:

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.

My Thoughts:

This was a great book to read while my kids and their friends were enjoying the water park yesterday! I really enjoyed it and read it all in one sitting. Warren always delivers and this book is no exception. I was enchanted by the Christiansen family and am glad to see that it's going to be a series of books about the family. Can't wait to read the next one!

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: Contemporary Romance Fiction
• Part of a Series: Yes: Christensen Family Series book 1
  
• Publication year: 2013
• Publisher: Tyndale House House

Description:

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.

My Thoughts:

This was a great book to read while my kids and their friends were enjoying the water park yesterday!  I really enjoyed it and read it all in one sitting.  Warren always delivers and this book is no exception.  I was enchanted by the Christiansen family and am glad to see that it's going to be a series of books about the family.  Can't wait to read the next one!

50 Must-Read Books for This Summer: Christian Fiction [To pick and choose from]

Some of you have been in "summer mode" for a while now, but for us, summer starts now!  My kids are both finally done with school and ready to blast into summer, though I am hoping to float into summer like I'm on a raft on a lazy river.

And what's summer without books? 

For me, it's the best time to read, whether poolside, on the treeswing in our backyard or in the air conditioning in our reading corner when it's too hot or buggy to be outside. I feel like I can pick up a book while my kids swim, play with friends, or are reading on their own with me.

Just in case you need any help finding great Christian fiction to read this summer, think of me as your personal librarian, offering up a great list of the newest releases in whatever genre is your favorite!

So, here is my 2013 Guide to Summer Reading: Fiction Edition! Not that I'm reading all of these this summer--but I'd sure like to!

I've broken them down by category. Click on the book title below the image to read more about each book.

Suspense (my favorite!)

1. When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason

2. Unholy Hunger by Heather James

3. The Living Room by Robert Whitlow (coming in July)

4. Fear Has a Name by Creston Mapes

5. When Mockingbirds Sing by Billy Coffey

6. A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flowers

7. Stress Test by Richard Mabry, MD

8. The Judgment Stone by Robert Liparulo

9. Memory's Door by James Rubart (coming in July)

10. Afloat by Erin Healy

11. Talon by Ronie Kendig

12. Truth-Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock

13. An Open Heart by Harry Kraus

14. The King by Steven James (coming in July)

15. Fearless by Mike Delosso

16. Congo Dawn by Janette Windle

17. Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales by Randy Singer

18. Poison by Jordyn Redwood

 

HISTORICAL

19. Grave Consequences by Lisa T. Bergren

20. Widow of Gettysbury by Jocelyn Green

21. Sweet Dreams by Carla Stewart

22. Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

23. Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma (coming in July)

24. Unrivaled by Siri Mitchel

25. Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

26. The Quarryman's Bride by Tracie Peterson

27. On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin (coming in July)

 

ROMANCE

28. Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

29. Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson

30. If the Shoe Fits by Sandra D. Bricker

31. Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

32. Catch a Falling Star by Beth Vogt

33. Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck

34. Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter (coming in late June)

35. The House That Love Built by Beth Webb Hart

36. Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

37. Rosemary Cottage by Colleen Coble (coming in July)

 

CONTEMPORARY

38. In Broken Places by Michele Phoenix

39. The Offering by Angela Hunt

40. The Sky Beneath My Feet by Lisa Samson

41. Sleeping in Eden by Nicole Baart

42. Lock, Stock, and Over a Barrel by Melody Carlson

43. Unwritten by Charles Martin

44. The Wishing Tree by Marybeth Whalen

45. Welcome to Last Chance by Cathleen Armstrong (coming in July)

46. When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti

47. Pretty is as Pretty Does by Debby Mayne

48. Gone South by Meg Moseley

49. Grounded by Neta and Dave Jackson

50. Invisible by Ginny Yttrup

 

I'm sure there's way more great books that I'm missing, but these are a good start!

 

 

New Series Starts from Susan May Warren: Take a Chance on Me

Trying to get all this previews done so I can put them on my summer book list! This is a new series from Susan May Warren, an amazing author that I love!

Title: Take a Chance on Me

Author: Susan May Warren

Released: June 2013

Publisher: Tyndale House

Genre: Contemporary Romance Fiction

Series? yes: Christiansen Family Novel #1

Publisher's Description:

 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.

 

What do you think?  Does this look like a good read?

To learn more about Susan May Warren, check out her website.

Christy Award Nominees Giveaway: Contemporary Series

The Christy Award is a "Christian fiction award to recognize novelists and novels of excellence in several genres of Christian fiction." The nominees for this year were announced recently and the winners will be announced June 24. Every year I make it my goal to read all the books that are nominated for the Christy Award. I also give them away!

I will giveaway the books by category while I am reading the books nominated in that category.

To enter to win any/all of these books, please do the following:

1. Post a comment indicating which book/books you would like to be entered for in the featured category.

2. Enter by the date indicated. For this category, please enter by JUNE 21, winners announced on June 22.

3. Respond within 10 days should you receive an email indicating you won a particular book.

4. Come back soon for the next category giveaway!

Today's category is: "Contemporary Series" and the books are:

 

Book 1: Two Destinies (Secrets of the Cross Series) by Elizabeth Musser

Description:

Now 1994, France faces unrest and rising poverty while neighbor Algeria is in the midst of a blood civil war. Risléne Namani, a French woman born to Algerian parents, converts to Christianity and falls in love with Eric Hoffmann, a Christian, committing the unpardonable sin in the eyes of her Muslim family. Eric must find a way to rescue her—from a forced marriage in Algeria, or even death.

 

A powerful, relevant tale of social struggle, heartache, cultural conflict, and faith put to the ultimate test.

Book 2: You Don't Know Me (Deep Haven Series) by Susan May Warren

Description:

To everyone who knows her, Annalise Decker is a model wife and mother. She’s a permanent member of the PTA, never misses her kids’ sporting events, and is constantly campaigning for her husband’s mayoral race.

No one knows that Annalise was once Deidre O’Reilly, a troubled young woman whose testimony put a dangerous criminal behind bars. Relocated through the Witness Security Program to the sleepy town of Deep Haven, Deidre got a new identity and a fresh start, which began when she fell in love with local real estate agent Nathan Decker. Twenty years later, Annalise couldn’t be more unprepared for her past to catch up with her.

Book 3: Waiting for Sunrise (Cedar Key Series #2) by Eva Marie Everson

Description:

Life sometimes gets the best of us. For some it's the daily pressures, for others it's the shadows of the past. For Patsy Milstrap, it's both. When she travels to beautiful Cedar Key on Florida's Gulf Coast in search of healing, she never dreams her past will be waiting for her there.

With a large helping of Southern charm, Waiting for Sunrise is a touching story of family, young love, and the need for forgiveness. Author Eva Marie Everson expertly draws out the bittersweet moments of life, weaving them into a tale that envelops the soul.

2013 Christy Award Nominees Announced!

I just love the Christy Awards!  I love hearing which books are nominated!  I love reading all the nominated books!  And, I love giving them away! (Which I will again for this year soon!)

The nominees for 2013 were just announced and I am so excited to tell you about them!  Now you know what I will be reading coming up.

The Christy Advisory Board is pleased to announce nominees in nine categories for the 2013 Christy Awards honoring Christian fiction.

Contemporary Romance Nominees

The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzmann
(Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon
(Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert
(WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Contemporary Series, Sequels, and Novellas

Two Destinies by Elizabeth Musser
(David C Cook)

You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren
(Tyndale House Publishers)

Waiting for Sunrise by Eva Marie Everson
(Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Contemporary Standalone

The Air We Breathe by Christa Parrish
(Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Borders of the Heart by Chris Fabry
(Tyndale House Publishers)

Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry
(Tyndale House Publishers)

First Novel

Into the Free by Julie Cantrell
(David C Cook)

Tangled Ashes by Michèle Phoenix
(Tyndale House Publishers)

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green
(River North, an imprint of Moody Press)

Historical

Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot
(Tyndale House Publishers)

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green
(River North, an imprint of Moody Press)

A Wreath of Snow by Liz Curtis Higgs
(WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

 

Historical Romance

Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden
(Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Be Still My Soul by Joanne Bischof
(WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group)

Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz
(Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Suspense

Downfall by Terri Blackstock
(Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

The Last Plea Bargain by Randy Singer
(Tyndale House Publishers)

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn
(Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Submerged by Dani Pettrey
(Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

*This category includes four nominees due to a tie in scoring.

Visionary

Daughter of Light by Morgan L. Busse
(Marcher Lord Press)

Soul's Gate by James L. Rubart
(Thomas Nelson, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Starflower by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
(Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group)

Young Adult

Child of the Mountains by Marilyn Sue Shank
(Delacorte Press, a division of Random House)

Failstate by John W. Otte
(Marcher Lord Press)

Interrupted: A Life Beyond Words by Rachel Coker
(Zondervan, a division of HarperCollins Christian Publishing)

Congratulations to the nominees!