Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Your're The One That I Want (By: Susan May Warren)

You're the One That I Want

By:Susan May Warren


This latest from Susan May Warren has been the 2 Chicks' most highly anticipated book of the year! The conclusion to the Christiansen family stories does not disappoint and was everything we hoped it would be.

Storyline
Owen Christiansen has a lot of apologizing, explaining and reconciling to do - even more so than he is aware of. For the last few years, he has been MIA from his family and hometown of Evergreen Lake, Minnesota, where he left behind broken relationships and hearts. Now working on a crabbing boat in Alaska, he is struggling to find his way back to God and a chance at happiness. Could it happen with Elise "Scotty" McFlynn, a no nonsense girl who has her own learning to do about family? The last time Casper Christiansen saw his brother, a heated argument that led to blows erupted between them . But now, hoping to reconcile and receive Owen's blessing, Casper has trekked all over the country searching for him. Just as he's about to give up and go home, he finally catches a break to learn of Owen's whereabouts. But seeing him again - and bringing him home to face the damage he has left behind - will not be easy, pleasant or quick to resolve. 

This story's action begins on the first page and does not stop until the end. The plot, characters and storyline kept us up for a few late nights!

Depth
As readers, we kept asking ourselves how on earth Owen - the wild, lost prodigal - was ever going to find his way back to the family. With a trail of damage in his wake, would it be too late to repair the burned bridges and broken hearts? Given this and the family drama that's been building up in the last five books, we were afraid this final book would tie it all up in an easy, neat little package - so unlike real life. We knew Owen's story deserved a thorough, difficult, challenging, and in the end, triumphant, conclusion - and that is exactly what author Susan delivers. She masterfully weaves the joy and the pain of the ramifications on the family when a prodigal comes home. It isn't easy, clear or predictable. Everyone wrestles with the right things to do at different times, and the issues are real. In addition, Scotty is welcomed into the Christiansen family as one of their own - and it scares her to death. Will she be brave enough to embrace what it means to finally be a part of a family?


Faith
Scotty thinks that Christianity is only for the weak. Being raised by a single father, she values being tough-as-nails and independent above all else. But she is inspired by Owen's admonition to "have a little faith" and slowly begins to realize her need for a Savior. This story is all about grace and faith, and being accepted into earthly families and into the family of God. One of our favorite lines was, "A life committed to God requires us to live uncomfortably, accountably, bravely, transparently, vulnerably. It requires us to love without rules. Welcome to grace."


Squeal Factor
As is usual in this series, the couples in this book sizzle with their cute chemistry. Owen and Scotty have several very touching scenes and their romance sparkles! This book has powerful emotions the readers can actually feel.


Overall

It took six novels to tell the stories of the Christiansen family and we are sad to see them go! This series is full of faith, depth, squeal factor and is written at a pace that kept us running toward the end. The family has real problems and real love, all tied up together, and gives a great example of what a wonderful family can look like. In fact, these 2 Chicks loved both this book and the entire series so much, we are declaring the series as a whole the newest addition to our Golden List. It's worth it to pay full retail price and give up a little lot of sleep for!


Find it on Amazon: You're the One That I Want



Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review 

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Undaunted Hope (by: Jody Hedlund)

Undaunted Hope

By:Jody Hedlund


The third book in the Beacons of Hope series by Jody Hedlund continues to follow lightkeepers in 1800's Michigan. This solid series has made for very entertaining reading!

Storyline
Tessa Taylor is trying to escape the reputation of her past, and has finally received her chance at a clean slate. Hired as the new schoolteacher to miner's children in Eagle Harbor, she arrives to find the hopeless little town oppressed in darkness. She desperately wants to make a difference in the community, but her efforts don't seem to change much - especially when the man who hired her holds a strange sway over the townspeople and thwarts her attempts and positive change. Can she be a light in the darkness and hope no one finds out about her foolish choices from the past? And will Tessa stick to her vow to never have anything to do with lighthouses ever again, when the resident light keeper swears to win her love?

Depth
While The "king" of the town, Percival Undergraff, reigns over everyone and seems to know everything that happens in Eagle Harbor - and Tessa soon learns why.  Any attempts by her and others to challenge his authority are met with swift and severe consequences.  Their struggles are real and feel hopeless at times. What do we do when stuck between the proverbial rock and hard place?


Faith
Many of the characters are people of faith and it is shown primarily through their actions, being kind to the less fortunate, upholding moral standards and praying to God for guidance when needed.


Squeal Factor
Although Tessa at first refuses to let her heart fall in love - and schoolteachers cannot marry - she almost immediately begins to fall for Alex Bjorklund. Their attraction and chemistry are almost instantaneous, but both have reasons for holding back from giving in to their heart's desires. As the plot thickens and their love grows, they share some sweet, tender and intimate moments that were very satisfying to the reader!

Overall
This has been a solid, engaging series by Jody Hedlund, full of historical details about the difficult, isolated lives of lightkeepers in 19th century Michigan. The stories all follow a small wooden cross, fashioned from the wood of a ship by a man shipwrecked, passed from person to person as a reminder to never give up hope. As the cross is passed around, the bigger story is that there is no situation or circumstance that God cannot redeem!

Find it on Amazon: Undaunted Hope


Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review 

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

The Painter's Daughter (by: Julie Klassen)

The Painter's Daughter

By:Julie Klassen

Storyline
Sophie Dupont is heartbroken when she finds that her love, Wesley, has sailed for Italy and left her only a note for a goodbye - clearly an indication that she did not mean the same to him. To further her distress, Wesley has left Sophie in a serious predicament. When his brother, Captain Stephen Overtree, arrives in town and discovers the trouble Wesley has left behind, he is strangely drawn to Sophie, with a desire to protect and save her reputation. 


Julie Klassen is a wonderful storyteller and keeps every page interesting as these two set out on a life married to someone they barely know, journeying through the English countryside, encountering fascinating characters and stumbling upon mysteries.

Depth
While the issues in this book are by no means shallow, it is with a lighthearted pen that author Julie draws us in and lets us feel what the characters are experiencing without making the reader feel weighed down. Past mistakes, dysfunctional families, first impressions and societal expectations are some of the issues dealt with.


Faith
Captain Overtree is a faithful man who follows the Lord's leading in his life and greatly respects the deep faith of his lifelong nurse, who speaks to God on a regular basis. Sophie doesn't care to have much to do with the Lord since the death of her mother, but slowly warms up to the idea of her own need for a Savior.

Squeal Factor
Marriage of Convenience stories almost always provide us with sweet sighs and expectation! The simple fact that husband and wife share close quarters is enough to help their love grow, and this read is no exception. Despite Captain Overtree's stern demeanor, Sophie slowly learns that the man inside is a gentleman with integrity, worthy of her devotion and love.

Overall
While this book had a wonderful storyline, it felt a little anti-climactic and predictable near the end. Had it gone a little deeper or explored a few plots more thoroughly, we could have given it four stars.


Find it on Amazon: The Painter's Daughter


Note: We were given this book in exchange for our honest review