Take a Chance on Me

love Susan May Warren's books and I especially love her books set in the small Minnesota town of Deep Haven. I wish it were a real town and I could go visit. She's set 6 books there already, I believe. They are all stand alone books but this time: she's written Take a Chance On Me, the first in a 6 book series about the Christiansen family.

I was fortunate enough to be on the launch team for this book and I am so glad to be given this book early. What a joy to hold another of Susan's books in my hands again! I only wish the other 5 could be here in the same year.

Ivy Madison, former foster child and now a county prosecutor, moves to Deep Haven to have a place to belong. She attends a bachelor auction as a fundraiser and bids on a show more bachelor, Darek Christiansen. Ivy wrote a plea agreement getting on community service for the man who everyone assumed killed Darek's late wife. She finds out but not before her heart is engaged with Darek's. How can she tell him? She wants so desperately to belong and have a feeling of permanence somewhere. She knows she will be left alone again the moment she tells Darek.

Jenson Atwood didn't see Felicity Christiansen running that night when his car struck and killed her. Now that he's gotten community service and no jail time, he's worked hard to finish his service. But the town seems to be against him. He feels like everyone is watching him, waiting for him to mess up again. He and Darek were once best friends and now Darek can barely stand the sight of Jenson.

Both these men haven't allowed God the chance to show them the grace He freely offers. Both seem bound in the snares of unforgiveness and bitterness. They can't see that those around them care what happens to them.

There are several stories in this novel, all heartrending and painful at times. It's a revelation to me of how God waits for us, hoping that we will allow Him to have His way in our lives. How often do we, as believers, try to plod through life on our own, bearing burdens that God never wanted us to carry? We could so easily let Him walk alongside us and help us with our load, but we have too much pride to admit that we need help.

This book also shows us that even though we go our own way and allow heartbreaking events to make us bitter, God can still use those very events to bring about His peace and mercy and grace in our lives.

I laughed, cried, (bawled, actually) and felt joyous reading this book. It left me wondering how I could stand to read the remaining 5 if this one moved me so deeply. This is a book you will remember long after you close the cover. It is one which will always have pride of place on my book shelves.

I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the Christiansen family series.

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This is the first book in the Christiansen Family Novel series. It was such a good read, and I am thrilled to know there is another book coming!
The Author shows how most of the characters in this story need to find forgiveness. They blame God for their circumstances, and won't take his gift of redemption.
Darek Christiansen is mad at the world, feels he has been handed a rotten deal, and the only good thing in his life is his 5 year old son Tiger. He was a willing player, but now feels life has not been fair to him. Then his wife was killed by his best friend....it was an accident and he knows it, but would rather blame his friend.
Enter Ivy Madison, a sweet young woman, she has taken a job as Assistant DA in Deep Haven, MN. She has had a show more scarred upbringing, having lived in fourteen foster homes. For someone who had such a horrible start in life, she has a lot of compassion.
The Lord does put people in their lives to help them find what they need...HIM, but will the accept? Or will they go on blaming God for their problems?
I did love being back in Deep Haven, MN, the area sounds so beautiful, and Susan May Warren brings it to life. Be set for a bit of romance, mystery, grief, and some great family love. A wonderful book to get lost in.

I received this book from the Tyndale Blog Network, and was not required to give a positive review. show less

So I fell in love with the whole Christiansen clan in this book...

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