Evergreen

About The Book:  An empty nest has Ingrid Christiansen dreading the upcoming holidays, but her husband, John, couldn’t be more excited about this new season of life. He even has a surprise trip abroad planned. He’s sure she’ll love it. What’s more romantic than Christmas in Paris?  Before he can stop her, however, Ingrid agrees to spearhead a major church project. Then their faithful dog, Butterscotch, needs emergency surgery, draining their savings. And then—because disasters strike in threes—an unexpected guest arrives, dredging up old hurts.  As a beautiful blanket of snow transforms the north woods into a winter wonderland, a deep chill settles over John and Ingrid’s marriage. With the holidays fast approaching, their only hope of keeping their love evergreen depends on turning the page on the past and embracing a new chapter of their future.

About The Author:  "Growing up in Minneapolis and attending the U of MN, I learned to love city life, although I'm a woodsy girl at heart. Or maybe I'm an adventurer -- having lived and traveled all over the world, including Siberia Russia as a missionary for eight years. Probably that's why my characters can't sit still, and seem to get into one scrape after another -- they're too much like me! I love God, my family, my country, my church, and feel privileged every day to be able to write stories, that I hope inspire and entertain!"

My Thoughts On The Book:  I love reading Susan May Warren.  This book was no exception.  It is another delightful story of the Christiansen family.  From the moment I began reading until I reached the last page I was hooked.  I was actually sad that the story had ended.  Warren is a wonderful character builder and you feel as if this family lives next door to you.  This is a must read.

Disclaimer: This book was given to me to review in exchange for an honest review.  The thoughts are entirely my own.  Thank you for this opportunity.

It Had To Be You!

 

 

About The Book:  Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreamed of making a name for herself as a reporter, but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen . . . but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.  Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles upon a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together . . . and begin to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.
Learn more and purchase a copy at Susan’s website.

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. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com  Find out more about Susan May at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/

Giveaway Information:  Susan May Warren is celebrating the release of her newest Christiansen Family novel, It Had To Be You, with a $100 Visa cash card giveaway and offering readers a free book club kit.

One winner will receive:

• $100 Visa cash card
• Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on March 29th. Winner will be announced April 1st on Susan’s blog. Also, visit her website to learn more about the It Had To Be You backstory and Susan’s free book club kit.

My Thoughts On The Book:   I am a huge fan of Susan May Warren.  I think she is the grand dame of contemporary romantic fiction.  I read this book in 2 days (actually one night and part of the next morning) because once I began I could not put it down. Warren does an amazing job and really knows how to spin a captivating story. I loved Eden and Jace, and they definitely have a lot to learn when it comes to life.   I loved the way she portrayed Gods hand as He brought the circumstances in their lives out of control so that they would trust what He has for them.  It is one of those stories you will not be able to put down.  I couldn't.   There was an added bonus at the end of the book, a free novella called I Really Do Miss Your Smile. This is the story of the Christiansen parents, Ingrid Young and John Christiansen. I liked the background it provided.  I cannot wait to meet up with the Christiansen family again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book through Tyndale Press and Litfuse Publishing Group. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.* 
 

The Shadow of Your Smile

About the book: A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future? Read the story behind the story here: http://www.susanmaywarren.com/books/the-shadow-of-your-smile.  About the Author:  Susan May Warren is an award-winning, best-selling author of over twenty-five novels, many of which have won the Inspirational Readers Choice Award, the ACFW Book of the Year award, the Rita Award, and have been Christy finalists. After serving as a missionary for eight years in Russia, Susan returned home to a small town on Minnesota’s beautiful Lake Superior shore where she, her four children, and her husband are active in their local church.  Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice.  Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!)  A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: http://www.susanmaywarren.com.   Think you might want to buy the book?  Then click here and you will go directly to Amazon.
Blog Tour, Party, and Giveaway Info:  Sometimes love requires a little forgetting ... Come back to Deep Haven and find out what's been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you're new to the Deep Haven series - this is the perfect book to start with - each book in the series is a stand alone story.  Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.
One grand prize winner will receive:A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)
The entire set of Deep Haven Books
The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.
Blog Tour Schedule:  If you want to read the reviews then click here.
My Thoughts on the Book:  Wow! I have not read anything by Susan May Warren before but I will definitely read her again.  This is an author who creates books worth reflecting on.
This book is one of those that you need to sit on and think on awhile. This is an author who can spin quite a masterpiece. That is exactly what this bookis, a masterful work of art. I was hooked from the beginning and would have done anything to read this wonderful story.
Disclaimer:  I was not paid to review this book and the opinions I gave are 100% my own

The Shadow of Your Smile

About the Book: A beautiful blanket of snow may cover the quaint town of Deep Haven each winter, but it can’t quite hide the wreckage of Noelle and Eli Hueston’s marriage. After twenty-five years, they’re contemplating divorce . . . just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. But then an accident erases part of Noelle's memory. Though her other injuries are minor, she doesn’t remember Eli, their children, or the tragedy that has ripped their family apart. What’s more, Noelle is shocked that her life has turned out nothing like she dreamed it would. As she tries to regain her memory and slowly steps into her role as a wife and mother, Eli helps her readjust to daily life with sometimes-hilarious, sometimes-heartwarming results. But can she fall in love again with a man she can’t remember? Will their secrets destroy them . . . or has erasing the past given them a chance for a future?
About the Author:  Susan May Warren is the RITA Award-winning author of more than thirty novels.  she and her husband served as a missionary in Russia for eight years before returning to the States.  She 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.  If you want to know more about her visit her website at http://www.susanmaywarren.com.
My Thoughts:  This book was one I did not want to put down.  All thoughout the book I wondered what I would do if I could reset my own life.  Having experienced many not so wonderful moments would I do the same things I did when I was 21?  30?  40?  What would I chose to not do....or do anyway? These were question Susan Warren presented to me in the book.  This book was about Noelle and Eli....but it was also about me. While reading this book I found my own thoughts wondering to my own only daughter and wondered to myself what I would do without her.  My parents lost a child when he was 6 and I lived through how his death affected my family.  Grief is a dark place and sometimes I wonder if it would not have been easier for my parents to start over.  Without the memories of what was....there would be no pain.  I also thought about lost friendships, lost relationships, lost marriages, mistakes...and the wounds go on.  But...then I asked myself can they be erased?  The answer was a resounding NO!  The dark moments are what make us who we are and Susan Warren eloquently shows this to her readers.  This is an amazing book of hope.  I would recommend this book and give it 5 stars.  It is a must read!  
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free to review.   I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.