Andrea Christiansen: Hangin' by a Moment

 By Kelly Bridgewater

He just wants to erase his past.

The day Jack—formerly Winston Stewart—walked out of jail, he vowed to keep his conviction a secret. After all, it wasn’t like he’d committed a murder. Just a terrible mistake, and he did his time. Now he wants a new life in a sleepy town where no one knows his name. Deep Haven is the perfect place to start over as a chef. The last thing the former pararescue jumper wants is to get involved. But when Boone Buckam—his friend and the one guy he owes for getting him out of the slammer—asks for help, how can Jack refuse?

She can’t seem to escape hers.

Colleen Decker has already escaped evil once—as a teenager, she was kidnapped by a murderer. But she’s put all that behind her as a trauma nurse in Minneapolis. Or maybe not, because a freak mistake in the ER sends her past crashing down on her. She needs a timeout in her hometown of Deep Haven. She doesn’t plan to stay—even when she’s roped into the job of flight nurse for the town’s Crisis Response Team chopper. Colleen’s not sure why she’s drawn to danger, but she’ll be safe enough. After all, she’ll need training, and her teacher is a handsome former pararescue jumper. What could go wrong?

But facing the past might put their future together in jeopardy.

When Jack said he didn’t want to get involved, he especially meant his heart—but being with Colleen feels like a fresh start. He’ll even climb aboard a chopper again, despite his vows. They’re headed for a happy ending…
But secrets never stay buried in a small town. And when disaster strikes one snowy night, they’ll both have to decide if the past will destroy them…or if it just might lead them home. 

Cozy up to this perfect Deep Haven drama about discovering a season of second chances

 

My Thoughts:

Hangin' By a Moment by Andrea Christiansen is a delightful contemporary romance story filled with heart and humor. I enjoy stories that show characters who are on a redemptive journey. Especially when they see themselves as one way and by the end of the story, they come to realize the way that God sees them or the way that they should have disproved the lies about themselves. Christiansen starts with an ex-con who has to overcome his dark fears and his past. His journey is quite memberable. With all the description of burgers in the story, I kept wanting to eat one after finishing this novel. Colleen, our heroine, has been featured in the Deep Haven stories. This time, she has grown up and is trying to overcome her own fears and worries from a stressful moment. The plot was well-written and kept my attention. I believe if fans enjoy contemporary romance, then Hangin' By a Moment will be right up their alley. I can't wait for another Deep Haven novel.

I received a complimentary copy of Hangin' by a Moment by Andrea Christiansen, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Rachel D. Russell: Then Came You

 By Kelly Bridgewater

So, what’s your name? I mean, if you’re going to be my plus-one for the parade, I should at least know your name.”

“Plus-one?” He shook his head. “Boone Buckam. And I can’t believe you got me into this.”

“Well, Boone Buckam, you’re about to find out exactly how much fun Fish Pic can actually be. Think of it like it’s a happy accident.”

He’s in Deep Haven to relax.

Detective Daniel “Boone” Buckam is more than burned out. After fourteen stellar years on the job, one bad judgment call—and, fine, a whole lot of cynicism—has forced him into a mandatory vacation. If he can get his head on straight, there’s a job as Police Chief waiting for him back in his Minneapolis suburb.

But then he meets Vivien.

Actress Vivien Calhoun isn’t really a drama queen. Sure, she gets swept up in the emotions of life—but please, she’s an actress. Or, um, was until a stalker made her flee the bright lights of Broadway. Now, she’s passionate about directing her local theater production. But when she accidentally ropes an uptight police detective on vacation into her cast, she can’t help but wonder if he might be the leading man she’s always longed for.

Of course, she’s in trouble.

Boone can’t help but like Vivien. He might even have a type—vivacious and bubbly, with a penchant for attracting danger. He can smell trouble even if she can’t, and is pretty sure her stalker has hunted her all the way to Deep Haven. He’ll have to stay by her side—even if it means being in her silly play—to keep her safe. But Vivien is more than he expected as she helps him discover a part of him he’s locked away…the part that said he could never love again.

So much for relaxing.

It’s summertime in Deep Haven, and the fun is heating up in this laugh-out-loud, charming story.

 

My Thoughts:

Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell brought Boone from the PJ Sugar series to the forefront of the story. With Boone being a detective and Vivien being an actress, tension and drama follow them throughout the entire story. From the first chapter, Vivien is hiding but wanting to satisfy her desire to be actress. Boone is also trying to take a break from police work and all the drama that he left behind from PJ Sugar. It takes a while for the romance to blossom on the pages of the story. The story has tension and electricity sparkling over the pages. Boone and Vivien are thrown in moments where they have to rely on each other and feelings bloom. With Boone being a detective, Russell threw in a little bit of suspense element, which I really enjoyed. Suspense novels are one of my favorite genres to read. Of course, the predictable ending occurs between Boone and Vivien. Again, like all the returning novels to Deep Haven, I have enjoyed seeing popular characters from other novels by Susan May Warren appear in this story. They make the town feel homey and definitely a place that readers feel comfortable in. Overall, Then Came You by Rachel D. Russell is a feel good romance novel with the happily-ever-after moment for readers who need those moments in their stories.

I received a complimentary copy of  Then Came You  by Rachel D. Russell and Susan May Warren from Sunrise Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

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Michelle Sass Aleckson: Crazy for You

 By Kelly Bridgewater

She’s doesn’t want any trouble…

Former soldier Veronica “Ronnie” Morales isn’t going to let her kid brother, Tiago, get pulled into the gangs of Minneapolis, so, seeking safety and a fresh start, she heads to sleepy Deep Haven on the north shore of Minnesota. She’s hoping to put down roots as the paramedic for the new Crisis Response Team, but it’s not easy to be the outsider.

He can’t seem to escape it…

It’s also not easy being the guy related to everyone in town. Especially when you’re the holdout vote for a landmark project. Fire Chief Peter Dahlquist might be the loneliest guy in town when both sides of his massive family—the Hatfields and McCoys of Deep Haven—demand that he pick sides. The only one who seems to understand is the newcomer in town…his new, albeit street-tough paramedic. 

Can trouble bring them together?

When Tiago finds himself caught up in small town shenanigans and the town blames Ronnie for tragedy, Peter is forced to pick sides. But this choice just might cost him the home—and the woman—he loves. 

 

My Thoughts:

Boy, do I love returning to Deep Haven! The Christiansen is one of my favorite literary families, so I love when I can see how they are doing. With Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson, she has definitely written in the same vein of Susan May Warren and said true to the world. The tension between Peter and Ronnie were set on fire. First, emotionally. One of my pet peeves, which also sometimes turns me away from contemporary romance is the fast emotions and love that occurs really rapidly in the beginning of this genre. Crazy for you is no exception. After the first argument and pushing of Ronnie and Peter's limits, they start to fall in love with each other. I enjoy seeing Ronnie and all her struggles, Aleckson did a fabulous job at crafting a character with a realistic background that allowed those walls to come up and stop her from allowing Peter to enter her heart. The conflict with Peter versus the two families jump off the page, allowing the readers to wonder what side will Peter actually align with. This story fits well in with all the other continuing characters of Deep Haven. I honestly can't wait to see what others stories come out about the widely popular Deep Haven characters.

I received a complimentary copy of Crazy for You by Michelle Sass Aleckson through Sunrise Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About the Author:

After growing up on both the east and west coasts, Michelle now loves living the country life in central Minnesota with her own hero and four children. She rocks out to 80's music on a Saturday night, enjoys playing board games, and is a hopeless romantic. And if you're wondering, yes, Sass is her maiden name.

She writes contemporary romance with a dash of sass and suspense. Connect with her on her website: michellealeckson.com (Image and bio taken from Amazon.)

Andrea Christenson: Can't Buy Me Love

 By Kelly Bridgewater

She’s not looking for love…

Housekeeper-slash-entrepreneur Ella Bradley prides herself on being ready for anything. After all, with a father who died—and lied to her—and a stepmom and stepsister who despise her, she has no one else to depend on. But on the biggest night of her life, she’s unprepared to be trapped in an elevator with the man of her dreams.

He doesn’t mean to lie…

Wealthy prince-to-a-fortune Adrian Vassos wants nothing more than to shed his reputation as a party boy and prove that he is a savvy businessman. Even, a gentleman. But when he’s trapped with a woman who knows his reputation but not his face, he gives into the temptation to be someone else—and lies.

A disastrous beginning leads to a fresh start…

When serendipity brings them together again—this time to work off community service—can their combined sentences spark a new ending? Maybe…if Adrian’s lies don’t find him out. Again. 

The magic of Deep Haven enchants in this modern-day Cinderella story.

 

My Thoughts:

Can't Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson with the help of Susan May Warren is  a contemporary romance fans dream come true. If readers have enjoyed all of Warren's Deep Haven stories, then they will probably enjoy this story too. With a domino effect of errors that occur, Ella finds herself thrown in Adrian's arms and path over and over again. Of course, there is plenty of predictable moments where the two characters find themselves questioning their romance and sparks flashing everywhere. The plot was a little different. She is worried about the environment; whereas, he wants to build a waterpark with chemicals galore. Tension. One of my favorite things was seeing the Christenson family again. They were my favorite family by Warren, so it is nice to see them play a part again. Overall, Can't Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson is just what the readers were wanting. Familiarity. Romance. Tension. Definitely a book for the keeper shelf.

I received a complimentary copy of Can't Buy Me Love by Andrea Christenson through Sunrise Publishing, but the opinions state are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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About the Author:

Andrea Christenson lives in the Minneapolis suburbs with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, bake bread, eat cheese, and watch Netflix--though not usually all at the same time. Andrea's prayer is to write stories revealing God's love.