Saturday, January 14, 2023

Review: Have Yourself a Christiansen Christmas by Susan May Warren

Series: Christiansen Family #7
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: SDG Publishing
Released: Nov. 25, 2021
234 pages
About the Book:

Please…come home for Christmas…

It's Christmas in the winter wonderland town of Deep Haven, and the Christiansen kids are all heading home for the holidays. But no one feels very merry.
Grace is worried about her husband's life-changing illness…
Eden is facing devastating news…
Casper is in over his head (of course!)…
Amelia is dodging a walk down the aisle…
Owen…well, Owen just nearly died, again…
But it's Darek who has news that just might destroy the family legacy.
The trip home for all is filled with secrets, memories and old dreams. But when they discover the real reason they've been asked home for the holidays, it will shake their world. It'll take a disaster for them to discover that home is the place for answers, hope and most of all…miracles.
 


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, I do not recommend reading this one. There are so many characters and a lot of references to their backgrounds, it would be confusing and overwhelming. When the book begins each Christiansen kid is dealing with some sort of challenge. After reading the first six books and getting to know these characters in those it was depressing to see how they are doing now and what they were dealing with. As I got further into the book it felt like it was getting more and more depressing, but it also portrayed real life. Life isn’t perfect and there will be challenges everyone is faced with. There were a couple situations where I just didn’t understand the characters struggles, it felt forced and a bit out of character for them from the previous books. I was surprised at how much I was rooting for Owen as he hadn’t been one of my favourite characters, but I loved the direction his life was headed at the end of this book. This story shows just how important communication between spouses and family members is. The book may start depressing but it does end on a happy note with each character embracing God’s love for them and learning to lean on him. I loved the scene of the girls in the church washroom and the way feelings and situations were revealed. 

Favourite Quote: 
“Life doesn't have to be perfect to be happy. Sometimes you have to find the happy places between the pain.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

Other books from this author that I have reviewed:   

   
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Friday, January 13, 2023

Review: You're the One that I Want by Susan May Warren

Series: Christiansen Family #6
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: Feb. 1, 2016
385 pages
About the Book:

Owen Christiansen has been in a downward spiral since an injury ended his NHL career. But a job on an Alaskan crabbing boat offers a fresh start . . . maybe even a shot at romance with Elise “Scotty” McFlynn, the captain’s daughter.

Used to being one of the guys, to never relying on anyone, Scotty doesn’t believe in happily ever after―especially with someone like Owen. Her instinct is confirmed when Casper Christiansen arrives to drag his prodigal brother home, bringing with him a truckload of family drama―and even worse, the news that Casper is wanted for questioning in connection to a crime back in Minnesota.

But Owen is more than the sum of his mistakes, a truth both he and Scotty discover when she escorts both brothers to Deep Haven as part of her new job on the Anchorage police force. Thrust into an unfamiliar world of family, faith, and fresh starts, Scotty begins to see potential for a happy ending . . . if she’s brave enough to embrace it.
 


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This is Owen’s story. His story begins in book 2 and he has been on a downward spiral since. I did not like his attitude and how he was treating others, however my opinion of him changed in this book. The opening chapters, have Owen working on a crab boat in the midst of a storm, his boss, Scotty, falls overboard and without even thinking Owen jumps in to rescue her. They end up stranded on a lifeboat waiting for rescue. During this scary time, they open up to one another as they think death is close. These scenes really captured me, I loved the action, the honesty shared and the chance to get to know Owen without his family around. They are rescued and due to circumstances Scotty ends up returning to Deep Haven with Owen. I had really liked Casper in the previous books, but in this one he annoyed me. It began when he loses it on Owen when Owen is laying in a hospital bed. His attitude continued the rest of the way through. It was like he forgot everything he had learned about trusting and leaning on God from the previous book, he was back to trying to fix things himself and not trusting God. Casper is in a tough situation, but I did not like his response to it. I also didn’t understand why there wasn’t much time spent searching for answers. It was like everyone was avoiding the situation. I really enjoyed how Scotty could see past the broken Owen and see the guy Owen was aiming to be. The scene at the jail between Scotty and Ingrid made me mad and I loved how Owen stood up for Scotty against his family. Scotty was trying to the right thing, and it was hard for her to make that decision. Thankfully things work out in the end. I liked how the author portrayed these characters as real, flaws and all. No family or person is perfect, we all have things to learn and even once we learn something we need reminders and never really stop learning. 

Favourite Quote: 
“There are no chance happenings with God. God does not stumble around wondering what He's doing.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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Thursday, January 12, 2023

Review: The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren

Series: Christiansen Family #5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Tyndale House
Released: June 18, 2015
417 pages
About the Book:

Mortified after her year abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough to embrace the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He’ll do anything for a second chance—even contend with Amelia’s old flame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark’s continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her place mean leaving home behind?
 


My Rating & Thoughts:    ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The central focus of this book is the baby of the Christiansen family, Amelia. In the previous book she had just come home from Europe with a broken heart and was feeling like a failure. In this one Amelia is forced to deal with her feelings as Roark shows up trying to win her heart back, but he has competition from Seth, her high school sweetheart. Amelia feels torn between the two, Seth is safe and familiar while Roark is the unknown and risky choice. After a time of trying to figure out what to do by herself she learns to turn to God and ask him what his plan for her life is. The turning point comes during an accident she has, here God's plan for her life becomes clear to her. I really enjoyed the way this book progressed. I am not a fan of love triangles and was drawn to one guy more than the other, but I still felt for the other guy when Amelia made her decision. Weaved throughout the main storyline is the continuing story of Grace and Max. I really enjoyed their part of the story and my heart broke when the little girl spoke for the first time. It was so great to reconnect with the characters of Evergreen resort again, I especially enjoyed how Jensen and Claire were there for Roark even though their friendship with him was new. I felt the various storylines were weaved together beautifully and flowed naturally. The main message I have taken from this book is trust God and let him lead you. 

Favourite Quote: 
“There is nothing God won't forgive.”
(I purchased my copy of this book; opinions expressed 
in this review are my honest opinion and completely my own.)

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