"The Wonder of You" 

Susan May Warren

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 though, is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg her for 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, but Amelia finally gives 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?

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Susan May Warren has done it again!  She just knows how to write amazing contemporary, Christian fiction romance.  This one just might the best yet, but then again, I think that about all of her books!  :)

This is book five in the Christiansen sibling series and I'm sad that there's only one book left.  :(  I have thoroughly enjoyed this series.  The way she creates characters that seem to be real is amazing.  I actually feel like these people are my friends and I'm going through their ups and downs with them!  

In this book, Susan May Warren intertwined more spiritual aspects in this book than she did in the previous books.  This is a good thing.  Sometimes I got so frustrated with Amelia because she wasn't getting it, but isn't that how we are?  We ask God for guidance to do His will, yet we're so focused on our own desires that we can't see that He is already showing it to us.  

Amelia did end up with the guy I was hoping she would.  The other one got on my nerves.  

I do wish that Eden would have been in this book.  It's like she disappeared.  All of the other family members were back except her.  I feel they should have at least mentioned where she was and what she was doing.  

The ending was absolutely perfect!  For a minute there I thought she was going to leave us hanging.  I'm proud of Amelia for spreading her wings, not so she can do her own thing, but so she can do God's will. 

Filled with suspense, humor, love of family and God, Christian values, romance and every day struggles, this book has it all!  

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM TYNDALE PUBLISHERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

 

"Always On My Mind"

Susan May Warren

Casper is the middle child of the Christiansen family and has always been an adventurer.  He always feels the need to come save the day, not because he thinks he's some great person, but because that's just who he is.  He doesn't always fix things though.  He didn't fix things with Raina or his family, so he just leaves and goes to Honduras on a treasure hunt.  

Raina moves back to Deep Haven to house sit for her aunt.  She's hoping to start a new life and leave her old one behind, but she didn't count on one thing.  Casper.  He is also now back in Deep Haven.  It's not until another guy starts showing interest in her does she think that she can move on.  But what she doesn't realize is this guy is bad news.  Casper knows this, but isn't quite sure how to handle the situation.  His older brother, Darek, advises him to pray for her.  

Darek, the oldest of the Chrisitiansen family, is have a rough go at making the resort a success.  He is stressed, worried and cranky.  Ivy, his wife, is expecting their first child and her due date is coming soon.  Tiger, Darek's son is acting indifferent towards him, but he can't figure out why.  Darek doesn't know how to solve his problems until an old friend contacts him and wants him to join the firefighters again.  Darek is very eager to join and thinks that this might be the answer to his problems.

Casper and Raina finally attempt to be friends.  They join forces and go on a treasure hunt together.  Raina finds an old diary that helps them solve it, but also helps her with her life issues as well.

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The Christiansens are some of my favorite people.  I know they're fiction, but I feel as if I know them.  I enjoyed reading Casper's story, although I must admit, it's not been my favorite so far.  While the main focus was on Casper and Raina, it wasn't as much as the other books have been about their main characters.  Although the book included the other family members, it seemed to leave Eden out.  There were also things that I didn't agree with.  I wasn't expecting a soap opera in a Christian fiction book.

  "Always On My Mind" is about forgiveness, faith, love, family and trust.  Raina learns that God really does love her and forgives her as He does all of us.  We just have to ask.  

I enjoyed the mystery part of this book.  It was different for this series, but worked really well.  The mystery kept me guessing until the end.  

"Always On My Mind" is book #4 in the Christiansen family series.  If you like Susan May Warren books, then you'll love this series.  If you enjoy reading Christian romance novels, then you'll enjoy the books about the Christiansen family.

I RECEIVED THIS FREE, COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM TYNDALE PUBLISHERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.