Susan May Warren: The Wonder of You

By Kelly Bridgewater

From Amazon

Back Cover Copy:

Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for 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 new place mean leaving home behind?

My Thoughts:

I have read all of Susan May Warren’s books, including all the Christiansen’s family series. After finishing Casper’s story in Always on My Mind and being introduced to Amelia near the end, I couldn’t wait to dive right into Amelia’s story in The Wonder of You. True to the contemporary romance, Warren created everything I love about her writing and then some. Great descriptive setting, heart-pounding romance, and page-turning tension with wonder—I literally could not put this book down.

The writing was tight, interesting, and grammatically sound with a nice balance between the internal monologues and the actual conversation between the characters. Once again, Warren creates life-like characters that jump off the page. I felt Amelia and Roark’s struggle as they debated between the fling they had in Prague versus the reality of their normal situations. I enjoy watching Amelia and Roark interact and liked them instantly. Warren has definitely created memorable characters who fill the dining room table at the Christiansen family’s dinners. The supporting cast was members that, as an avid reader of the Christiansen family series, I have come to know and love. I enjoyed how Warren is continuing the family saga for my and tons of readers’ enjoyment.

The pace and flow was just right for this type of book. I enjoyed how Warren weaves the romance affecting Amelia and Roark into modern day story of chivalry who had to fight for the woman’s hand. It was unique, yet totally unpredictable but gripped my attention from the opening chapter. Warren did a good job in this book, which is a great addition to the Christiansen family saga. While Amelia jumped between the affections of Seth and Roark, it flowed naturally over the course of the story and provided plenty of sparks and attraction to appeal to majority of contemporary romance fans.

One of my favorite aspects of Warren’s writing is her ability to draw her readers into the story world. The story takes place in Deep Haven, Minnesota, which is a fictional town in northern Minnesota. I loved how this makes the twelfth book which takes places in this fictional town. Warren showcases her love for the Minnesota wilderness and the characters who populate this small town set against the crisp waters of Lake Superior. Her setting shines on every page with

Warren’s attention to the tiniest detail like the wind whistling through the pine trees. I felt like I was in Deep Haven.

Warren allows John, the paternal head of the family, to convince Roark to change by allowing him to truly grasp that God wants everyone to obey Him, not because of what God has given you, but simply because he asked. This is a hard lesson for everyone to believe, but Warren weaves this spiritual truth through the conflict on the pages and in the lives of Amelia and Roark as they struggle with their romantic tanglements. Warren does not preach at the audience. It came across natural sounding and fit the proper moment at the climax.

This book will appeal to readers of all ages. There is nothing questionable about the content. I believe it is a great tale for the younger ladies to read and discuss how true-love should act. True love is worth fighting for. Fans of Nicholas Sparks, Becky Wade, Melissa Tagg, Beth K. Vogt, and other writers of contemporary romance will enjoy The Wonder of You.

Always comfortable, Susan May Warren invited me to return to the familiar setting of Deep Haven in her latest addition to the Christiansen family saga. With another impressive blend of memorable characters, tingling romance, and nail-biting tension, The Wonder of You is an emotionally gripping story about learning to do what God asks without questions.

I received a complimentary copy of The Wonder of You from Tyndale Publishing and the opinions stated are all my own. 

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Melanie Dobson: Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

When Heather Toulson returns to her parents’ cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder.

Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.

Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.

My Review:

I, personally, have never read anything by Melanie Dobson, but Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor cover grabbed my attention and paired with the synopsis on the back drew me into the story. I truly enjoyed this story and want to read Chateau of Secrets.

Unique and thrilling, Dobson’s story of showing that light can shine through darkness gripped me from the first chapter. I am interested and couldn’t wait to read more about Maggie and Walter. While the story reminded me of the Biblical story about the shame of the fathers following their children for the next seven generations, I originally thought it would be a long time to break the “curse” on the family members. But Dobson explored a story that amplified God’s love and power through restoration through the generations. It was unique and lovingly written.

The story does have two timelines. The first timeline features the story of Maggie and Walter as they raise Libby, the child who loves to sit in the gardens and hangs out with butterflies. On the other timeline, I am introduced to Heather, who has returned to England to settle her parents’ estate four months after his passing. The timelines were distinguished from each other, yet complimented each other.

Dobson’s writing drew me in. I struggled with Maggie, Libby, and Heather as they were trying to figure their way through their pass issues and how to handle them in their present state. There is an even balance between the prose and dialogue. Even when Dobson handled the spiritual issues, she isn’t preachy or demanding attention. The character’s spiritual side strengthens them, not weaken them.

The only issue I had with the timelines is the timeline that takes place first. For some reason every time the story would slip back into that time period, which was the nineteen-fifties and sixties, I imagined the story taking place a hundred years earlier. Maybe because of the servants and living in a thatched cottage behind the Lord and Lady Croft’s Manor. Using those words made the era appear from a different time. Even though I imagined the characters in a different century, it didn’t ruin the story for me. I clung to every word and truly enjoyed the story.

Overall, Melanie Dobson’s story, Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, drew me in with God’s love and power for restoration. The sad, love stories between the various couples kept me glued to the page that I didn’t want to put the book down. I can’t wait to read Dobson’s Chateau of Secrets.

I received a complimentary copy of Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor from Howard Books through Netgalley and the opinions stated are all my own.

Where to connect with Melanie Dobson:

Personal Website

Where to purchase Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor:

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

Christianbook

Do you enjoy reading stories that feature different timelines? Why or Why not?

Defeating the Green Monster

By Kelly Bridgewater

Before you read this post, I would like you to read my heart-wrenching story of how the green-eyed monster has gripped my heart. Here are the links to: Part I  and  Part II. Read them first!! Please !!

It makes me pretty vulnerable, but I think it is necessary to show what today’s post is going to be about.

We have all been jealous of someone else’s success or life. It hits me a lot. I cry and hate that I did not get handed the better plate in life.

But I have some steps that I take to keep the green-eyes monster of jealousy at bay.

1.)    I pray for that person.

I know it sounds funny. But when I start to feel upset, I close my eyes and pray for the tinge of jealousy to move on. Then I bring that person to mind and pray for them. Sometimes it is a struggle, but I want to reap blessings on that person.

2.)    Worship and pray

Remind myself of the Great God that I serve. He wants what is the best for my life, even though it is really easy to remember sometimes. Spending some time focusing on God and reminding myself of what he has accomplished in my life brings a smile to my face.

3.)    Write

Sounds funny, but I pull out my laptop or journal and write. It does not have to be long, but something to prove that God gave me this desire for a reason. No matter how much I try to walk away because I get frustrated, God pulls me right back in and begs me to write the story he has placed on my heart.

What do you do when the green-eyed monster of jealousy attacks you?

Denise Hunter: Married ‘til Monday

By Kelly Bridgewater

Back Cover Copy:

With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby's husband for just one last weekend.
Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.
Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.
Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. Her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college—her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It’s just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

My Review:

I was first introduced to Denise Hunter when I read The Wishing Season. I thoroughly enjoyed her book, even though contemporary romance is not my first choice when it comes to a book. But something about Denise Hunter’s A Chapel Springs Romance series rings a chord in my soul.

First, the lies and the hurts that the characters in the Chapel Springs Romance series ring close to home. The lies that the heroine or heroes believe, either that they will amount to nothing or something as damaging is a lie that I personally have struggled with since I was a child. Inner struggles like this affect a lot of people. Hunter does a good job at understanding how these hurts would affect a person and even ruin their outlook on relationships. I felt a tug at my heart while I read her story.

As for the romantic tension, it was creative and original. The part where a couple has to pretend that they are married has been overdone, and honestly, I thought that this is what the story would be about. But Hunter surprised me by throwing obstacles in their way to spark that flame that Abby and Ryan allowed to weaken. The story is sweet, and Hunter drew me in on the first page and kept me glued, waiting to find out what would happen to Abby and Ryan.

The characters are important to telling the story as much as the tension threading through the story. It will be hard not to fall in love with Ryan and sigh as he shows his ongoing love for Abby. Ryan is a true hero in my book. As for Abby, she has a lot of hurt to deal with in her past, which I totally understand, but her transformation and willingness to return to God brought a smile to my face.

Overall, Denise Hunter’s Married ‘til Monday, is a gripping story dealing with the hurts and lies from a childhood that can affect someone’s outlook on life. The romance is a hard fought battle, but luckily, Ryan and Abby are adorable characters to hang out with. I truly enjoyed this book, and I am sad to see it is the last book in the series. I have to go back and read the first two books now.

I received a complimentary copy of Married ‘til Monday from Thomas Nelson through Netgalley and the opinions stated are all my own.

From Hunter's Amazon's Author Page

Denise Hunter’s Writing Bio:

Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than 20 books, including "Dancing with Fireflies" and "The Convenient Groom". She has won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and is a RITA finalist.

Denise writes heartwarming, small-town love stories. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.

In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps too!

When Denise isn't orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana where she and her husband are raising three boys.

Where to connect with Denise Hunter:

Personal Website

Facebook

Where to purchase Married ‘til Monday:

Amazon

Barnesand Nobles

Christianbook

Your Local Favorite Bookstore

What part of stories involving the same families members appeal to you the most?

The Green Monster (Part II)

By Kelly Bridgewater

I call this the latest tug on my heart. I know it might not mean much to some. It might even be called ranting, but this green-eyed monster has been tugging at my heart for a while, so I wanted to confess my latest wanderings. If you missed the first part, here is the link. It should take you back to part one of my story. Return next week, where I will tell you what I do to defeat the green-eye monster.

Here goes:

Michael was a mechanic, so companies would fire him every ninety days because they didn’t want to pay benefits. It was hard to try to raise a new baby while being the bread winner for the family. We had problems with the hospital of Indianapolis, so we left and moved in with his parents in Terre Haute. Having a built-in baby-sitter, I went to college at the Indiana State University. For the first time in a long time, I started to feel like myself again. I had two boys at home, and we rented a two bedroom house, but I loved taking classes at college.  I finished my bachelors and had three boys by then. I went to graduate school at the same college while being a graduate assistant who had grad school paid for with a salary of $7,000 a year. Not much to live off. My husband finally had a steady job while I was attending school, and Mike’s aunt watched the kids for free.

We finally bought a house with 2,500 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, but it is in town, which is not what we wanted at all. We wanted a house in the middle of the country.

While Michael and I have no debt but the house, which will be paid off in eight years and nine months, Michael and I still dream of more for our lives. I have sent out 230 job applications since I graduated with my Masters in 2012 to a number of publishing companies, newspapers, magazines, and local jobs. I’m overeducated for some. Undereducated for others. What gives! I can’t even find a decent paying job for the education I have.

I have struggled and followed God, and I still have nothing to show for it.

Back to the friend, a number of them have started this writing venture that I have been on since I could learn to write, a couple of years ago, now they are winning contests, being invited to appear on all these blogs, and being recognized in the writing community.

The green-eyed monster keeps telling me that it isn’t fair. They haven’t struggled for anything in their lives. God has given them everything on a silver platter.

Why not me? Where is my invitation to guest appear on popular writing blogs? Where is my recognition for writing? I have been writing forever. I have a Masters in Writing. I have four complete manuscripts. I have the degrees to work at the publishing companies.

But I do not have the “right” degree to work at the top notch publishing companies. I attend the ACFW conference and know a bunch of writers, agents, and editors in the publishing business. I write at least 2, 500 words every day. I have entered a number of contests. I struggle with writing Deep POV. I have seen my writing improve since I started the ACFW, but I still need to work on my writing. I know that.  I have studied all the “great” writing craft books. I have read and read the great books, studying how they handle aspects of the writing crafts.

We only make 30,000 a year, so we really do not have a lot of money to spend on lavish vacations or expensive writing retreats.

I keep asking God. If you want what’s best for us, then how come I do not have a publishing career or a job in a publishing company? I feel like God has abandoned me because of one mistake when I was nineteen. I have struggled my entire life while I watch my friends have all my dreams or their dreams realized without any problems in their path. 

I do not mean to be so whiny, but this has been on my heart for a while, and I wanted share my confession with others. Maybe someone will lift me up in prayer. I certainly have spent a lot of times on my news, praying and worshiping. 

Ever feel that way?  Return next week, where I’ll tell you what I do to try to defeat the green-eyed monster.