Mocha with Linda: When I Fall in Love

When I Fall in Love
A Christiansen Family Novel
Susan May Warren
(Tyndale House)
ISBN: 978-1414378435
June 2014/400 pages/$14.99
Hawaii was the last place Grace Christiansen ever imagined she’d vacation, much less fall in love. But when her family surprises her with a cooking retreat in paradise, she is pulled—or maybe yanked—away from her predictable, safe life and thrown headfirst into the adventure of a lifetime.

Max Sharpe may make his living on the ice as a pro hockey player, but he feels most at home in the kitchen. Which is why he lives for the three-week culinary vacation he takes each year in Hawaii. Upon being paired with Grace for a cooking competition, Max finds himself drawn to her passion, confidence, and perseverance. But just when Grace dares to dream of a future beyond her hometown, Max pulls away.

Wrestling with personal demons, Max fights against opening his heart to a love he knows he should never hope for. And as his secrets unfold, Grace is torn between the safe path in front of her and what her heart truly desires. If love means sacrificing her ideal happily ever after, Grace’s faith will face its toughest test yet.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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. Seven of her books have been Christy Award finalists, and two have won the Christy Award, including the first Christiansen Family Novel, Take a Chance on Me. 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. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com

MY THOUGHTS

Susan May Warren writes such delightful books and I am especially loving her Christiansen Family series. She has cooked up another great novel with When I Fall in Love. Grace and Max are both compelling and likable, and Warren creates many humorous moments--and some not so funny ones as well!--in this charming tale. Both of them wrestle with realistic and identifiable issues to which many readers will relate, yet the setting and pace keeps the novel entertaining and upbeat while at the same time providing subtle life lessons. The cooking competition adds flavor and turns up the heat on both the relationship and the story, serving up food, fun, and a heaping helping of faith. I'm already eagerly anticipating the next installment in this great series!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an advanced copy of this book free from Tyndale House Publishers and Litfuse Publicity as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Click the titles for my reviews of the first two books in this series:

Take a Chance on Me
It Had to be You

Susan May Warren's newest book in the Christiansen Family Collection, When I Fall In Love, has won over readers' and critics' hearts alike. With critical reviews like, ". . . an exquisite romance. Profoundly touching on the topic of facing fears, this book is a true gem," and more than 60 five-star reviews at Amazon, When I Fall in Love is sure to please.

Susan has teamed up with some amazing food bloggers for a fun food challenge and a KitchenAid Mixer giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

A KitchenAid Mixer
The first three books in the Christiansen Family Collection.
Melissa Ringstaff’s Kitchen Planner
Jackie Brown's Freezer Inventory sheet

Grab your aprons and wire whisks and buzz on over to the When I Fall in Love website to learn more and enter the Hawaiian Chef Showdown! Susan is challenging you to make a Hawaiian-inspired dish using coconut, mango, or one of the other ingredients mentioned in the book. You’ll get extra points for creating your own recipe—plus she might share it on the When I Fall in Love site! Or if you're not up for an adventure in the kitchen just click one of the icons below for easy entry.

Hurry, the giveaway ends on August 10th. All winners will be announced August 13th at Susan's blog.