Monday, January 19, 2015

Take a Chance On Me

GIVEAWAY

WARREN, SUSAN MAY
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME

Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake Resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.

New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at the charity auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with. Which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.

Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself.

My Review:

Yes, I have been reading these backwards. Take a Chance On Me, the first in the Christiansen family saga makes for a powerful start to this stunning series. I'm not quite sure where to begin this review. Perhaps to say that this story portrays one of the most moving testimonies of forgiveness that I have ever read. And the strength of the story is in the fact that the author shows the far reaching effects withholding forgiveness has. Not only for the individual harboring resentment and anger, but for all the people surrounding them, both family and friends and even neighbours. In fact, in a way, an entire community has born the burden of one man's unwillingness to forgive. And that man is our hero, Darek Christiansen.

Tormented doesn't begin to describe Darek. Mired in past mistakes that led to a fatal tragedy, his unwillingness to forgive extends towards himself as well as a friend turned arch enemy. Bitterness and anger are beginning to twine themselves around Darek's heart but he doesn't see it. Not until Ivy Madison shows up on his radar. And mercy, don't get me started on Ivy because she is exactly the wrong person for Darek, or maybe the right person going about it all the wrong way? However you look at it, be prepared for emotional angst that will churn up your tummy and cause you, the hapless reader, no end of heartache.

This is a true-to-life love story with none of the gnarly bits edited out. But there's incredibly tender moments too. Along with toe-curling love scenes and larger than life family times. And oh the joy of victory! The Apostle Paul's admonishment to "fight the good fight and finish the race" comes to mind when I think of Darek's journey. Not because he did it particularly well, but because he clung on to shrapnels of truth wherever he could find them. Because he was willing to soften his heart as a result. Because he might not have always" kept the faith" during that difficult journey, but he found it again. Truly inspirational.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of Take a Chance On Me please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday January 25 2015. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!

28 comments:

  1. I would absolutely love to read this one. Great title, great author! Thank you, Kav for a wonderful review and giveaway!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. You're welcome, Melanie. It's sooooooooooooo good. Could you tell I liked it? Er, loved it???? Good luck!

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  2. Hi Kav, don't enter me....have read it and loved it! Just wanted to say it is a great book! I am anxiously waiting to get my hands on #4 in this series! (good luck to Melanie!)

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    1. Jackie, #4 in the series will be offered as a giveaway next week. Figured I had to finish all the previous ones before delving into Always On My Mind so stay tuned.

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  3. Great review--definitely intrigues me. Hope to win!

    estock(at)fairpoint(dot)net

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  4. I've not read any of this series, but have only heard good things about it!

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. I'm totally in love with the series and I started reading them back to front. LOL. Love the family and the community. It's all so real. Good luck, Patty.

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  5. thanks for the chance to read this novel, kav

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  6. You know, you can totally tell this book impacted you by your review, Kav. I love Susan May Warren and I have a few of the books in this series. I would love a chance to win. Thank you! KellysShining(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It really did, Kelly. And I still feel the impact of it. Good luck.

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  7. I love this series of books from Susan May Warren and would love to win a copy.

    Smiles & Blessings,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. She's really created a memorable family, hasn't she? Good luck, Cindy.

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  8. I haven't read any in this series so would love to get in on this first one in the series. Thanks for the chance!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. It's a great series, Cheryl and yes, starting with the first book would be a good idea. LOL Don't be like me reading backwards...though each book does read well as a standalone too. You get more out of the secondary character shenanigans if you've read them in order. Good luck.

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  9. Definitely a book I would enjoy.
    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

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  10. Who wouldn't enjoy a Susan book .... rrwalter34ATgmailDOTcom

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  11. I absolutely love this series and this is the only one I don't own. Thanks for the chance to win it.
    Brittany McEuen
    kbmceuen(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  12. Sounds like another good book from Susan. Thanks for the review. Would love a chance to win. Maxie
    > mac262(at)me(dot)com

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  13. This has been on my wishlist for some time now, but I never got around to getting it. I'm in :)

    lieniitte(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. The whole series is awesome. I'm about to read the latest one. Good luck, Lieniitte.

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  14. Hi Kav! (waves)

    Please drop my name in the hat. I've heard good things about this one. :)

    writer_weaver@yahoo.com

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