The Wonder of You

GIVEAWAY

WARREN, SUSAN MAY
THE WONDER OF YOU

Mortified after her year abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn't brave enough to embrace the adventures she's dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness.

Heir to a European hotel dynasty, Roark St. John has trekked from one exotic locale to another, haunted by tragedy and the expectations that accompany his last name. Amelia is the first woman to give him a reason to stop running. He'll do anything for a second chance -- even contend with Amelia's old fame, who is intent on sending Roark packing.

While one surprise after another leaves Amelia reeling, Roark's continued presence only highlights the questions pursuing her. Like him, is she running from the life God has called her to? Could finding her place mean leaving home behind?

My Review:

Double the romance and double the angst makes for a tummy churning read packed with lots of emotion. Not only do we get Amelia and Roark's  tumultuous romance but a continuation of Max and Grace's love story carried over from When I Fall in Love. And once again I came away from the read with a bruised heart that still feels tender. And I might currently be hiccupping shuddering sighs after a biblio-induced crying jag. There was one sub-plot that just pushed all my buttons. Sniffle.

Oddly enough, that leaves me feeling replete. Saturated in the euphoria of true love that comes in many forms -- including from on high. Because one of the things I enjoy the most about Susan May Warren's books is the way she embeds faith into every nuance of the story. It's never overdone, but she doesn't mince words either. Early on in the story, Amelia's mother gives her some sage advice: to center her heart on Jesus and once she does that everything else will come into focus. Ingrid (mom) rocks! I love how she handles her brood of unruly adult children and is quick to provide council when necessary (even when it's unwanted.) And she doesn't pull any punches.

Roark is...fainting couch worthy. Tall, dark and handsome with the extra thrill of a James Bond accent. Is it any wonder I fell for him? Or that Amelia did? Twice actually -- once abroad and then all over again when he high tails it to her small town in hot pursuit of the love that got away. Be. Still. My. Heart. Purposeful. Deliberate...Desperate! And wounded. Can we all utter a collective sigh over the deep attraction we feel for a wounded hero? I was cheering from the sidelines the whole read.

Amelia is perfectly portrayed as the baby of the family. With all those protective older siblings barely giving her room to breathe, she's had a hard time striking out on her own and lacks in confidence. Except when she's with Roark. But she's conflicted and I'll warn you right now, there's a love triangle that about drove me crazy! Can you say triple angst pile up? I don't think my heart or my pulse will ever be the same.

This is as much a family saga as it is a love story. Rich in drama and laughter and wickedly good dialogue. And once you reach the end you'll be wondering how to survive until the next Christiansen Family novel makes it way onto your TBR pile.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  The Wonder of You 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 8 2017. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!