A Family for Faith

TIPPENS, MISSY

A FAMILY FOR FAITH

When Faith Hagin sees widower cop Gabe Reynolds every day in her coffee shop, she can't help but feel for the struggling single dad. She's raised a teenager of her own -- and sadly, knows what not to do. But thanks to his matchmaking preteen daughter, Chelsea, the whole town's praying for Gabe to find a wife! Even though Faith thinks she's content being just friends, spending time with him and Chelsea starts to feel like a fresh start at having a family. And their love may be the answer to everyone's prayers.

THIS IS VERY MUCH GABE'S STORY. HE'S THE FIRST CHARACTER WE MEET AND THE EMOTIONAL PULL BETWEEN READER AND HERO IS IMMEDIATE. THERE IS SOMETHING SOOOOOO ATTRACTIVE ABOUT A SINGLE DAD TRYING TO NAVIGATE THROUGH LIFE WITH A PRETEEN DAUGHTER.

TIPPENS MAGICALLY COMBINES HUMOUR AND ANGST INTO THE PERFECT BLEND FOR A ROMANTIC COMEDY. I COULD TOTALLY SEE THIS PLAYING OUT ON THE BIG SCREEN -- IT HAS ALL THE ELEMENTS OF A RUNAWAY HIT.

GABE IS HAVING A HARD TIME LETTING GO OF HIS WIFE. HE EQUATES MOVING ON WITH HIS LIFE AFTER HIS WIFE'S DEATH WITH BEING UNFAITHFUL TO HER MEMORY. HE'S TRAPPED IN A TIME WARP, DESPERATE TO KEEP ANYTHING FROM CHANGING -- INCLUDING HIS DAUGHTER. OF COURSE, THAT BACKFIRES ON HIM BIG TIME BUT LUCKILY HE HAS AN UNDERSTANDING NEIGHBOUR.

FAITH BATTLES HER OWN DEMONS FROM THE PAST BUT RELUCTANTLY AGREES TO HELP GAGE AND CHELSEA. HER STORY GROUNDS THE HUMOUR AND ADDS LAYERS OF DEPTH TO THE TALE.

TIPPENS IS AN EXPERT AT WEAVING WORDS THAT PACK AN EMOTIONAL WALLOP. I WAS IN TEARS BY THE END. SUCH A RICH, HEART-WARMING, HOPEFUL BOOK! AND THERE'S LOTS OF SCOPE FOR BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION TOO. THIS IS A DEFINITE KEEPER.

For a chance to win this book along with three other Love Inspired titles -- Reunited Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne, The Rancher's Reunion by Tina Radcliffe and Wanted a Family by Janet Dean PLUS some genuine Canadian goodies (edible and otherwise) all in one lovely package -- leave a comment at www.inkspirationalmessages.com any time this week. We're blogging about Reality TV and it's my turn on Friday. Your name will be entered into the draw as many times as you comment. Good luck!