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


When I Fall in Love (Christiansen Family, #3)When I Fall in Love
(Christiansen Family #3)
by Susan May Warren
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback400 Pages
July 1st 2014 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Summary

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.
    
My Review

I have really been enjoying the Christiansen Family series! When I Fall in Love was another great addition. It had lots of humor, sweet moments, inspiration, and characters that I loved! It also had some fabulous food between Grace's culinary experience and her catering her two sisters' weddings! Makes me hungry just thinking about that food... Mmmm...

Grace was so scared to leave her comfort zone and to live her life when the story starts. I wanted to give her a little push, but she gave in to her family and took the trip they set her up with. Max's sole focus was on hockey and he was one amazing player. He also loved cooking and getting some time off where he could be carefree and forget himself for a little while. Grace and Max were thrown together and friendship and sparks flew. It was so much fun!! I loved the camaraderie they had!!! There was some great dialogue and plenty of funny quips from Grace. There was also delectable food and crazy family weddings. It was fun getting to see Grace's other family members that had been the focus of prior books.

I really loved this story! I pretty much sat down and read it in one sitting and caught myself tearing up in a few places, smiling in plenty of others (if not even chuckling), and in a couple places also getting angry at Owen. I just wanted to shake that boy. I'm sure his story will come up in the future and I'm eagerly anticipating it. I did feel the inspirational element was slightly too strong for my taste with the pastor's sermon and a few other moments, but it wasn't enough to discourage me from reading or loving this story.

If you have enjoyed Susan's other books or enjoy Christian Contemporary Romance, then I'd definitely recommend grabbing When I Fall in Love. I don't doubt that you'll fall in love with this story and Grace and Max. I know I did. :)

Content: Clean (There is one instance of closed-door sex, but meaningful to the story and not descriptive in any way.)

Source: I would like to thank Litfuse and Tyndale House for my free copy, which did not affect my review in any way.

About the Author

Susan May WarrenSusan 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.


Tour Giveaway

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!
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  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.

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

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to visit Susan's blog on the 13th to see if you won!


Katie's Wedding Countdown

13 comments

  1. Jenea Whittington7/30/14, 7:49 AM

    I am soooo anxiously waiting for this one. Great choice.

    Jenea @ Books Live Forever's WoW

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  2. Super glad you're enjoying these, Tressa; same with me. This one is probably my favorite yet, though as you mention, wow! Susan is going to have a task turning Owen into a hero... but, I've not doubt, she'll manage it. :)

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  3. This sounds like a great summer/lighthearted series. I love escaping into a story like this once in a while in between my darker books. I especially love books that have a range of emotions like this - they end up being the most memorable! Great review, Tressa! I'll have to go hunt for book 1! :)

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  4. Thanks! I hope we both love it!! :)

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  5. So glad you're looking forward to reading it too! I'll be stopping by...

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  6. Yes. Owen! Need I say more? I think he's got a really great story in there though. See, I'm already cheering him on to figure things out. Lol! Susan has really written some great books!

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  7. The first book has been free or cheap as an ebook here and there, so you might want to check on that. All of them have been good and I haven't regretted reading them once.

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  8. Okay, I have to admit, I didn't like Hush, Hush (I only read the first one). But this one does sound good and completely different from that series so I'll probably give it a try. Great pick! ~Pam

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  9. This is one I want to read Tressa, I hope it is dark and suspenseful!

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  10. It's okay that you didn't like it Pam. :) I think this one is going to be quite different. I hope you do like it!

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  11. This sounds like a great summer read. I love a good romance series and this sounds promising. Thank you for the great review and for participating in Katie's Wedding Countdown.

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  12. Hey Stephanie! Thanks for stopping by!! :) I'm hoping to add a few more books to her countdown, but we'll see. I love weddings. *sigh*

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