Book Review: "You're the One That I Want" by Susan May Warren

"You're the One that I Want" by Susan May Warren is the sixth and last book in the Christiansen Family series. This one follows youngest son Owen. He has been running from his mistakes and failures for so long that he fears he won't be welcome back at home. He finds himself fishing crab in Alaska where he is drawn to the captain's daughter, Scotty McFlynn.

Scotty has never know what it was like to have a family. She's just always been one of the guys. Will she be able to risk her heart on the "pirate" rogue who captures her heart?

It was nice to read Owen's story and find his redemption at last. This series is definitely needing to be read in order. Owen's story is started in the second book of the series, while several of the other storylines of this book are continuations of threads started in other books, as well. I felt like I was watching an episode of "Deadliest Catch" at parts in the book! I am going to miss the Christiansen family with their loud, boisterous, caring ways. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at the characters, I stayed up too late reading because I didn't want to put the book down. I thought that the book had a nice amount of talk about God and salvation and having faith in what He had planned for their lives. I am sad to know that this is the last book of the series as I have thoroughly enjoyed them all.

"You're the One That I Want" is available in paperback:

• Series: Christiansen Family
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 1, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414378467
• ISBN-13: 978-1414378466
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.1 x 1.1 inches

in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 9968 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1414378467
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 1, 2016)
• Publication Date: February 1, 2016
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B012P6RPZO

I received a free copy of this book through Tyndale's review program in order for me to give an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and no other compensation was received.

Book Review: "Step by Step" by Candace Calvert

Taylor Cabot has made a Survival list and has been checking things off as the 3rd anniversary of her husband's death approaches. Will she ever get to the point where she can check off the last item and move on with her life?

Seth Donovan comes to San Diego to train volunteers for the Crisis team, but also to see why Taylor is pulling back from her involvement in it. He is not ready for the feelings he has when he sees her again or the fact that she seems to be moving on with another man.

I first "met" Taylor and Seth in "By Your Side" as their story starts as a side plot to the main story. It would be best, therefore, to read the books in order. You get little reminders of that book and the novella "The Recipe" during "Step by Step". I really liked Taylor and Seth and wanted to shake Taylor for the way it seemed she was headed. Besides the main story characters, the book also follows Kasie Beckett and Sloane Wilder, two other employees in the San Diego Hope ER. Sloane's story will continue in the next book in the series. There is a spiritual thread woven through the story and the characters seek God's guidance for their lives.

"Step by Step" is available in paperback:

• Series: Crisis Team
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 1, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414390343
• ISBN-13: 978-1414390345
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches

Kindle edition:

• File Size: 7793 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 1, 2016)
• Publication Date: February 1, 2016
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B012P6LDUC

and in large print hardcover:

• Series: Crisis Team (Book 1)
• Hardcover: 498 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print; Lrg edition (May 11, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410487725
• ISBN-13: 978-1410487728

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I did not get any other form of compensation.

Book Review: "The Bishop's Son" by Kelly Irvin

Leila Lantz hasn't lived in Bee County long, but she was in love with Jesse Glick from the first time she saw him. Lately, he's been acting strangely, like he wants to court her but he doesn't. Will he figure out what God wants for him to do and how to not hurt Leila? Jesse's cousin, Will has feelings for Leila, also, but hesitates to make his intentions known since he doesn't want to hone in on Jesse's girl. He doesn't want Leila to get hurt, but is he thinking of only himself, or her?

I had a hard time putting the book down. I felt for both of the guys and Leila and the struggle that they were going through. I found myself tense as I waded through the decisions that they had to make about their futures. I had a hard time deciding which guy I thought Leila should choose. (She didn't pick the one I did). I felt a part of their world. I got emotionally involved in their lives. "The Bishop's Son" is the second book in "The Amish of Bee County Novels". I did not read the first one, but I wished that I had. I would have given me more of the story of the lives of the people of the community.

"The Bishop's Son" is available in paperback:

• Series: The Amish of Bee County
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 29, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310339545
• ISBN-13: 978-0310339540
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches

in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 1549 KB
• Print Length: 365 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0310339545
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 29, 2015)
• Publication Date: September 29, 2015
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00VEYGUVY

and in large print hardcover:

• Series: The Amish of Bee County (Book 2)
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print; Lrg edition (December 23, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410484602
• ISBN-13: 978-1410484604
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5 inches

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in order for me to give my honest opinion. No other compensation was received. I was not required to give a positive review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: "Stealing Jake" by Pam Hilman

Livy O'Brien helps run an orphanage in Chestnut, Illinois. She knows what it is like to be out on the streets and desperate. She does all she can to help them and show them that they can trust someone.

Jake Russell is the deputy in Chestnut and he aims to send the street kids back to Chicago where they came from.

With such differing perspectives, will they find common ground to build a love?

"Stealing Jake" by Pam Hillman is set in 1874 in a little town near Chicago. The characters truly came to life on the pages of the book and you could almost see the street kids shiver in the cold. I liked the main characters of Jake and Livy. They each had their own problems from the past that they had to deal with and trust that God would direct them. Besides the love story, there is the underlying mystery of the robberies that are taking place and whether it is the street kids that are committing them or not.

I would recommend this book.

"Stealing Jake" is available in paperback:

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (July 15, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496401263
• ISBN-13: 978-1496401267
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches

large print hardcover,

• Hardcover: 505 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (December 9, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410483975
• ISBN-13: 978-1410483973

and in Kindle format:

• File Size: 1952 KB
• Print Length: 385 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1496401263
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 24, 2011)
• Publication Date: June 24, 2011
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0057Z87DK

I received a free copy of this book from Tyndaleblognetwork in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: "The Wonder of You" by Susan May Warren

"The Wonder of You" by Susan May Warren is the 5th book in the Christiansen Family Series. Amelia Christiansen is the youngest child of the Christiansen clan and her family tends to hover around her to keep her safe, but she longs for adventure. After her time in Prague she flees home with a broken heart. When Roark St. John follows her to Deep Haven, Amelia is confused on what she wants--the familiar Seth Turnquist or the exotic Roark St. John.   Roark knows that he needs to tell Amelia that he is the heir to the Constantine Worldwide company of hotels and is very rich. He wants to be honest with her, but he also wants to know if she loves him for him or for his money.   Will they find the path that God has for them? How will Amelia know which man God intends for her.   Any book by Susan May Warren is a reason to read it, so I was excited to read "The Wonder of You". Susan May Warren creates realistic and developed characters. I didn't want to put the book down. I enjoyed the way the characters wanted to do what God wanted them to do but sometimes struggled with following, just like a regular person would.   Besides the main story line, this book also follows Max Sharpe, Grace Christiansen's fiance, and his struggles to love life with his realization that he is going to die earlier than Grace. Susan May Warren also sets up the story for the last book in the series, "You're the One That I Want" scheduled to be released in February 2016. (I can't wait!)   It would be best to read the books in the series in order as you can get to know the characters better that way and the later books have continuations of the other siblings' stories from the earlier books.   I would highly recommend this book.   "The Wonder of You" is available in paperback:  Series: Christiansen Family Paperback: 416 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 18, 2015) Language: English ISBN-10: 1414378459 ISBN-13: 978-1414378459 Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches And in Kindle edition: File Size: 3551 KB Print Length: 416 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 18, 2015) Publication Date: June 18, 2015 Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc. Language: English ASIN: B00PCK3A7I I received a free paperback of this book from Tyndaleblognetwork in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book Review: "Maggie Bright" by Tracy Groot

Set in May 1940, "Maggie Bright" by Tracy Groot is essentially the story about two groups. The first group revolves around the yacht "Maggie Bright". The second group is a group of soldiers trying to make their way to Dunkirk when the Nazis surrounded the British Expeditionary Force.

Clare Childs recently inherited the 52' yacht "Maggie Bright". She plans to one day circumnavigate the globe, but that will have to wait when a stranger comes aboard looking for a packet of information. When she gets involved in a Scotland Yard investigation involving those same documents, her life will never be the same.

Jamie Elliot has been given the task of getting an injured Captain home. Along the way, they join up with some other soldiers also making their way to Dunkirk.

It took quite a while to get into the book. With all the different characters and their own unique way of communicating, it was sort of choppy at first. Once I knew what was going on with the packet of documents, and the characters started coming together, it flowed much better for me.  I haven't read any of Tracy Groot's other books, either, so I wasn't familiar with her voice. Added to that is the fact that this book is historical fiction and I generally read romances. This book has a bit of romance and a bit of mystery, but primarily it is historical. It made me want to learn more about the historical events that take place during the book (which I happened to be reading on the 75th anniversary of, which I thought was really interesting).

The book follows Clare and Jamie the most, but Murray Vance and William Percy also get quite a bit of coverage. Lesser amounts of time are spent on Sergeant Blake and Father Fitzpatrick as well. I got invested in the characters' lives through the story and was rooting for them on their journeys as the two sides of the book converged. I was glad for the bit of romance that made its way into the story ☺

I'm glad that I didn't give up on the book and kept reading!

"Maggie Bright" is available in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 3104 KB
• Print Length: 368 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 16, 2015)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00PCJZLHG
• 
  

and in hardcover:

• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 16, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414383231
• ISBN-13: 978-1414383231
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches

I was given a hardcover edition by Tyndale in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own and a positive review was not required.

Book Review: "Chance of Loving You" by Terri Blackstock, Candace Calvert, and Susan May Warren

"Chance of Loving You" is an anthology by three bestselling romance authors:

Author Terri Blackstock - view author info
Author Candace Calvert - view author info

Author Susan May Warren - view author info

"For Love Of Money" starts with Blake Adcock sitting in a restaurant ordering food he wasn't eating so he wouldn't have to leave.  Julie Sheffield spends time with him and wonders if God was answering her prayers.  That is until Blake leaves half of a sweepstakes ticket with an IOU written on the back.  Will they have a chance to see if their chance meeting was from God, or will the love of money get in the way?

 "For Love of Money" was my least favorite of the stories in the book.  I haven't read anything by Terri Blackstock before and am not as familiar with her "voice". I didn't dislike the story, though.  I think both Blake and Julie had moments when I didn't like them very much,  but there were also times when I liked them both.  I guess that makes them like real people.

"The Recipe" is the second book I've read by Candace Calvert and is actually the first story I read in "Chance of Loving You". Having recently read "By Your Side", I was excited to read more of her books.  Taylor Cabot makes an appearance from "By Your Side", but the story follows her cousin, Aimee Curran.  Aimee hasn't found her place in life, but hopes that entering the Vegan Valentine's Bake-off will show she's finally found her calling.  She doesn't get much of a chance to show her cooking prowess being a dietary assistant at the hospital, but she tries to add in extra little touches to cheer up the patients.  When one of her garnishes backfires, Aimee must face the patient's grandson, Lucas Marchal.  Lucas feels like his grandmother has given up and he tries to do everything in his power to keep her with him.  The more time they spend together, the more they question what their priorities are from life.

It was fun to watch Lucas and Aimee's relationship grow.  I held my breath when things seemed to be spiraling out of control and hoped for something that would save the day.  My solution happened, but didn't solve the problem the way that I expected.  I am hoping to see more of Lucas and Aimee in future books by Candace Calvert.

In Susan May Warren's "Hook, Line & Sinker", Abigail Cushman has spent the past year trying to avoid Ross Springer.  Their almost decade-long friendship was ruined after Scotty Springer's death.  Now they are both competing in Deep Haven's fishing contest.  Will being forced to spend time together bring them back together or drive them further apart?

I enjoyed reading "Hook, Line & Sinker"  I liked both Abby and Ross and felt the pain with them.  They were believable characters and I was rooting for them to mend their relationship.

Each of the stories include a recipe at the end that goes along with the story.

"Chance of Loving You" is available in Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2958 KB
• Print Length: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 16, 2015)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00PCJVWRY
• 
  

Paperback:

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (April 16, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496405374
• ISBN-13: 978-1496405371

and hardcover large print:

Hardcover: 420 pages

• Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print (September 9, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410481352
• ISBN-13: 978-1410481351

I was given a free paperback copy of this book from Tyndale for me to review.  A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

Book Review: "By Your Side" by Candace Calvert

"By Your Side" is the first in Candace Calvert's new "Crisis Team" series. ER nurse Macy Wynn has learned to be tough and trust no one after growing up in foster care. She is very independent and is determined to help her sister whatever it takes. 

Deputy Fletcher Holt has recently transferred from Houston to Sacramento in order to be close to his mother as she is battling cancer. He believes that God has a plan for everything, but he also wants to do all he can to help in every situation. 

Macy and Fletcher are thrown together after a sniper attack on a freeway. Even though they keep butting heads, they are drawn to each other. 

"By Your Side" is the first book I've read by Candace Calvert. I will definitely be reading more of her books after reading this book, however. "By Your Side" was very easy to read and flowed nicely. It is told from the point of view of several of the characters, both main and secondary. It was interesting to see how all of them were feeling. The book had several story lines wound through the story making it very rich and detailed. Besides the romance of the story, there was also the mystery of who the freeway sniper was and what his motivation was. We also got to follow Taylor Cabot and her struggles with being a widow. I am looking forward to reading Taylor's story in "Step by Step" next year. Throughout the book, faith in God is woven through the characters life and it was a pleasure to watch them grow in their faith.

I would recommend "By Your Side" to those who like Inspirational Romance. 

"By Your Side" is available in paperback:

• Series: Crisis Team
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 19, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414390327
• ISBN-13: 978-1414390321
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 7.4 x 1 inches

Hardcover:

• Series: Crisis Team
• Hardcover: 499 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print; Lrg edition (July 8, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410479765
• ISBN-13: 978-1410479761

and Kindle:

• File Size: 3265 KB
• Print Length: 429 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1414390327
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 19, 2015)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00LPQLIYU

I received a free paperback version of this book by Tyndale Publishers in order for me to give an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Book Review: "Always on my Mind" by Susan May Warren

"Always on my Mind" by Susan May Warren is the 4th book in the Christiansen Family series (plus 1 novella).  It continues Casper Christiansen's story that started in the 3rd book ("When I Fall in Love").  Casper fled Deep Haven after finding out the reason for Raina Beaumont's deep hurts.  He tries to find fulfillment and satisfaction as an archaeologist and searching for treasure on the side in Roatan.  However, he is never able to get far from the memory of the summer he spent with Raina.  After his dig doesn't pan out, he heads back to Deep Haven to surprise Raina and tell her how he feels about her.  Showing up unexpectedly, he wasn't prepared for the fact that Raina was pregnant!  When Raina starts dating Monte Riggs, can Casper step back and let Raina go and not try and fix everyone's problems like normal?

"Always on my Mind" has a lot of things going on in it!  There is the main story line of Casper and Raina, but there is also a thread following Darek Christiansen as he struggles to keep the family resort afloat as well as a thread about trying to solve the mystery of the Duncan Rothe treasure.  I have read all of the Christiansen Family books except the first one about Darek (I think I'll have to remedy that!) so it was fun to get to see the other members of the family again.  I think that this book would be best to read after at least reading "When I Fall in Love" as Casper and Raina's story actually starts there.  There are "refreshers" in this book, but I think it would be best to get the whole story from reading the previous book.   I enjoyed reading "Always on my Mind" and read it too late into the night!  I wanted to shake some of the characters sometimes and held my breath in other places to see what was going to happen.  I would recommend this book to those who like Christian romances.

"Always on my Mind" is available in Kindle format:

• File Size: 3015 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (December 18, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00LPQLIKY

and paperback:

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (December 18, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414378440
• ISBN-13: 978-1414378442
• Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.5 x 8.5 inches

I received a free paperback copy of this book from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Book Review: "Honor" by Lyn Cote

"Honor" by Lyn Cote is set in 1819-1820 America and deals with the issue of abolition and the treatment of free people of color in the North.

Honor Penworthy had been raised to be the lady of High Oaks Plantation, but she intended to free the slaves following her grandfather's death and fulfill her father's greatest wish prior to his own death.   Instead of being able to free the slaves of High Oaks, Honor is left with nothing but her personal slave and $100.  Honor travels to PIttsburgh to the only family she has left, Miriam Cathwell, a distant relative of her mother's.

Samuel Cathwell lost his hearing when he was 8 due to a cholera outbreak leaving him cut off from the world and dubbed an outcast or a freak.  He is not thrilled that his mother has taken in a stranger. When Miriam is unable to travel to Ohio and settle the land he bought, he needs someone who can speak to the hearing world for him.

Neither Honor nor Samuel is excited about the arranged marriage, but they have no other choice.  They each need the other for survival.  Life in Ohio isn't easy and they must figure out what kind of a relationship and marriage they have.  When Honor becomes involved in helping runaway slaves, will Samuel stop her or help her?  Will they finally know what true love is?

It took me a little bit to get used to Honor's use of thee and thy, but once I did, it didn't throw me off any more.  I found the characters to be realistic with strengths and weaknesses like we do.  The story was well written with historical features that made you feel like you were there with them.  I was unaware the extent of hardship for free people of color even in the North.  I liked how Honor wanted to follow the "Inner Light".

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Christian Historical romances.

"Honor" is available in Kindle edition:
File Size: 2563 KB

• Print Length: 385 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00J37IHNS

paperback:

• Series: Quaker Brides (Book 1)
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 141437562X
• ISBN-13: 978-1414375625
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1 inches

and hardcover:

• Series: Quaker Brides (Book 1)
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (December 10, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1410474038
• ISBN-13: 978-1410474032
• Product Dimensions: 5.7 x 1 x 8.6 inches

I received a free paperback copy of "Honor" from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review.  The words and opinions are my own.

Book Review: "Evergreen: A Christiansen Winter Novella" by Susan May Warren

"Evergreen" by Susan May Warren is a novella about the parents of the Christiansen Clan, John and Ingrid.  Now that the kids have all left home, Ingrid is feeling the loneliness and John wants to fix it, so he plans a getaway to Europe for Christmas.  Different responsibilities keep coming up that make the trip impossible.  John and Ingrid are missing the spark that they had when they were first married.  Will they be able to mend past hurts in order to keep their marriage evergreen?

After previously reading two of the Christiansen clan books, I was sort of surprised to find that John and Ingrid were facing a chilling in their marriage relationship.  I found myself discouraged and down while they struggled and felt renewed hope when things were getting worked out.  I can feel for both Ingrid and John's point of views and didn't think either of them was "more wrong" than the other.  The book mentions things that happen in the other books in the series, so it would probably be best to read them in order to get the "full picture".

I received a free hardcover book from Tyndaleblognetwork in exchange for my honest review.  I didn't realize it was going to be a hardcover.  It also was a slightly unusual size at 5.25 x 7.25".  It was a plain gray cover under a full color dust jacket.

Evergreen is available in hardcover:

• Series: Christiansen Family
• Hardcover: 208 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414394012
• ISBN-13: 978-1414394015

and Kindle edition:

• File Size: 2207 KB
• Print Length: 209 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1414394012
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (September 1, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00J37IGL6

Book Review: "When I Fall in Love" by Susan May Warren

I was given a free paperback copy of "When I Fall in Love" by Susan May Warren by Tyndaleblognetwork in exchange for my honest review.

Grace Christiansen can't imagine herself leaving Deep Haven.  When her family surprises her with a culinary retreat to Hawaii, she has to muster the courage to get on the plane.  While she is there, she becomes friends with Max Sharpe, who helps her reach for more than she realizes she ever wanted.  Max suffered through his dad dying from Huntington's Disease and doesn't want to let anyone go through that, so he tries to keep himself from falling in love with Grace.  Can they discover God's plan for their lives?

I had previously read Susan Warren's "It Had to be You" and was glad to be able to read another chapter in the lives of the Christiansen family.  Besides the story line with Grace and Max, Susan Warren also gives us the story of Raina Beaumont, Grace's assistant, and her search for a place to fit in.  I was also glad to be able to spend time with the couples from the previous books, as well.

The characters in "When I Fall in Love" are real and believable.  I've seen Huntington's. I've seen the deterioration that comes with it.  I haven't been as close to it as a family member, but I saw it in the mother of some of my students.  I can relate with how Max felt about not wanting to make anyone go through that.  I really enjoyed reading "When I Fall in Love" and almost wish I had discovered the series after all the books were finished so I could just read them all at once and not have to wait!

"When I Fall in Love" has kissing, hand holding, and one instance of what happened the morning after a couple "hooked up", but nothing is described about what happened.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy Inspirational Romance stories.

Kindle:

• File Size: 3983 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 20, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00GWT9R6G

Paperback:

• Series: Christiansen Family
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (June 20, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414378432
• ISBN-13: 978-1414378435
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 1.3 inches

Book Review: "The Imagination Station: Captured on the High Seas" by Marianne Hering and Nancy I. Sanders

I received a free paperback copy of "The Imagination Station:  Captured on the High Seas" from Tyndale Blog Network in exchange for my honest review.

Cousins Patrick and Beth are sent aboard the Revolutionary War ship Royal Louis by the Imagination Station which gets damaged at the end of the previous book.  They become friends with James Forten when the ship is captured by the British.  What will befall them now that they are prisoners of war? Will they figure out how to help their new friend so he doesn't get sold as a slave?

"Captured at High Seas" is geared for children in the 6-9 year range.  My 8 year old devoured the book as soon as it came and checked out more of the books in the series the next time we went to the library!  I enjoyed the fact that historical events are being taught from a Biblical perspective.  If your children like The Magic Treehouse books or The Boxcar Children, they will probably enjoy the books in the Imagination Station series.  Even as an adult, I thought the story was well written and the characters were ones you could relate with and root for.


"Captured on the High Seas" is available in Paperback

• Age Range: 6 - 9 years
• Series: AIO Imagination Station Books (Book 14)
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Focus on the Family (April 18, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589977750
• ISBN-13: 978-1589977754
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches

and Kindle

• File Size: 16632 KB
• Print Length: 145 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1589977750
• Publisher: Focus on the Family (April 18, 2014)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00GWT8E5G

Book Review: "The Midwife" by Jolina Petersheim

I received a free paperback copy of "The Midwife" by Jolina Petersheim in order for me to read and review it for Tyndaleblognetwork.

I have read both of Jolina's books and enjoyed them both.  It takes some getting used to her style of writing where you switch from the viewpoint of different characters in the book.  'The Midwife"  follows Beth Winslow in the mid 1990's and Rhoda in 2014.

Beth agrees to be a gestational surrogate for her graduate adviser and his wife.  But when there are problems, the parents decide that if the baby isn't "normal" they want to end the pregnancy.  Beth "kidnaps" the baby still in her womb and flees to the Dry Creek Community of Old Order Mennonites.  She hopes she can start a new life and find someone to love that won't abandon her like her mother had done.

Rhoda resists help from the outside world fearing that with it her past will come to light and shatter the life she has built for herself as head midwife for Hopen Haus in the Dry Creek Community.  When her past finds her, will she be able to come to grips with those who've abandoned her and those she's abandoned? Will she be able to trust God to lead her through so she can find her Hope?

The book is set in an Old Order Mennonite Community mostly.  Since Hopen Haus is a home for unwed mothers, there has obviously been some past "indiscretion's", although there isn't much elaboration on them.  It shows that any person (even "Plain" ones) can fail.

I had a hard time putting the book down and found myself skimming over the words to see what was going to happen sooner.  But I didn't want to miss anything, so I'd slow down and read it all!  The prologue confused me until I was quite a ways into the the book.  I think it would be better to not be there personally.

One time in the book one of the girls has an infection and someone asks if they gave her penicillin.  They reply that she is allergic to penicillin so they gave her amoxicillin instead.  Being allergic to penicillin myself, I was told that it didn't matter which one it was if it was in the same family, so they couldn't give her amoxicillin, either.  I don't think it took away from the story, it was just an observation I had.

I would recommend" The Midwife" to those who enjoy Inspirational or Mennonite/Amish romances.  The romance isn't the main story line, but it is there at the end.

You can buy a paperback version of "The Midwife" on Amazon.com for $11.10 or in Kindle format for $9.99.

• File Size: 2037 KB
• Print Length: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 16, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414379358
• ISBN-13: 978-1414379357
• ASIN: B00GWT9F36