Blog Tour & Book Review :: When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Title: When I Fall in Love
Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (July 2014)

Source: Received from publisher via LitFuse Publicity Group

Buy book: here

About the Book:
A Christiansen Family Novel: When I Fall in Love 

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.

Review:
What I love about Susan May Warren's writing is her ability to pull you in from the first chapter with her masterful storytelling. This is the first of the Christiansen family novels that I've read and I'm happy to say that I am definitely looking forward to going back to read the other ones! I'm so curious about the back stories of the other characters that pop in and out of the main story. This is a book that I just wanted to crawl into and live in.

The premise of the story is so appealing... Hawaii, cooking retreat, and falling in love. Warren's characters are deep and REAL. It is so refreshing to read characters that have similar flaws and weaknesses, just like us. I love the way that Warren develops her characters because as you read, you follow them along their journey trying to overcome their fears and struggles. You believe in them. You root for them.

Throughout this story, I felt like God was tugging at my heart, reminding me to trust Him when I face the unknown. Reminding me to put my faith in Him, even when things don't make sense because He always has a plan. His Plan is always better than our plan. There are no guarantees in life, but knowing that God is always in control gives us peace and hope. WIth Grace and Max, we follow along with them as they learn to let go and let God.

Plus, the chemistry between Grace and Max is so funny and witty. You just love them together.

One of my favorite things about reading Christian fiction is that faith is always interwoven into the story, but Warren has a special way of weaving it together in a way that is realistic and genuine. I can't wait to read more!

Rating:

5 out of 5 stars

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. 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. Visit MyBookTherapy.com to learn more. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com

Find out more about Susan May at http://www.susanmaywarren.com/.

Check out more posts on the blog tour: http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/when-i-fall-in-love-susan-may-warren

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.

One grand prize winner will receive:

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.