It Had to Be You will touch your heart!
I have positively fallen in love with the Christiansen Family series! It Had to Be You is a fabulous addition and I had a hard time putting it down once I started reading it! Susan May Warren did a wonderful job creating realistic characters that are flawed, yet likeable. And although I am not a hockey fan, I found this setting to be dangerous, and exciting at the same time.
Eden and Jace are like night and day, and seem like an unlikely match right from the start. One of the best things about this book (as well as the series, so far) is that the main characters must step back and take a good long look at themselves to learn who they really are. Eden Christiansen was very biased about Jace which was mostly based upon the media's persona of him, not who he was through Christ. I loved seeing him through her eyes, while also knowing his point of view, as well. Jace also has biased opinions about Eden, as well, mostly based on how she interacts with and protects her younger brother, Owen. I loved watching as Eden and Jace slowly discovered that their original opinions about each other were incorrect. As their relationship developed they had to weather many storms that threatened to end it before it began.
Jace, tagged as hockey's bad boy, is carrying a lot baggage from his past. Although he is a major hockey star, he sees himself as a failure and really would like to lose his bad boy image. Although I am not a sports fan, I appreciated that Susan explained the game of hockey so that people like me can understand what was going on out on the ice.
Eden's brother, Owen, has a lot of growing-up to do and is facing a lot of "hard-knocks" as he does. I am looking forward to see how Susan grows him up as the Christiansen Family series continues. I also enjoyed getting to know Sam and his daughter, Maddie. It Had to Be You is chock full of interesting characters whose stories beg to be told.
The book includes the prequel to this series titled I Really Do Miss Your Smile. It is John and Ingrid Christiansen's (parents of Derek, Eden, Grace, Owen, Amelia, and Casper Christiansen) story of how they met and made a life together. Even though it is only a novella, it is a powerful love story. I have enjoyed each book of this series so far, and I am really looking forward to the third book in the series, When I Fall in Love, which will center on Grace Christiansen.
About the Book:
A Christiansen Family Novel
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.
Would you like to purchase the book?
Meet Susan:
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.
Your invited to visit My Book Therapy to learn more.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*Contest 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
Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Susan's blog on April 1st to see if you won.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Blessings,
**It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren was provided for me free by Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest review.
